Authors: Rosalie Redd
Jakar slunk to the lowest branch of the tree and dangled from his knees. His bald head visible to the females on the path, he snapped his tongue within inches of their faces.
“Wait!” The female Stiyaha raised one hand. “My name is Mauree. I come to bargain with your leader.” She pushed Melissa forward, one hand gripped around her arm.
“Halt. No sudden moves.” Ram emerged from his hiding place onto the path. He adjusted his cap, the lip covering the back of his neck. His scales flared and brushed against the brim.
“What have we here? A female Stiyaha and
Melissa
, right? What a pleasure to see you again.”
Melissa spat on the ground at his feet.
He smiled and raised an eyebrow. “So much fight. Yes, I remember.” He circled the pair, keeping just enough distance to remain out of reach. “You wish to bargain with me? I’m listening.”
“I offer you this Dren to do with as you please.”
Mauree’s flat tone made it difficult for Ram to interpret her thoughts. Instead, he studied her body language. She told the truth.
“Ah, a Dren, so that’s what she is.” Ram shrugged. “I’ve already stolen her shield. What makes you think I want her? I’d much prefer you and your Stiyaha strength.” Ram winked at Mauree.
“Stupid Gossum. This female is far more important than me.”
“Well, do tell, why is that?” Ram motioned for his brood to come down from the trees.
Their lithe bodies eased onto the ground like silent rain.
Melissa yanked against Mauree’s hold, but couldn’t break free. “Mauree, it’s not too late. You can still stop this.”
Mauree’s mouth curved at the corner, glee evident in her brightening eyes. “She carries a child in her womb.”
“A child? My my.” Ram tapped his finger next to his lip while he studied them. “From what I’ve heard, there hasn’t been a pregnant Lemurian in over five hundred years. Why should I believe you?”
“Can’t you smell the kid?”
Ram took a step closer and bent his head near Melissa’s shoulder. She flinched and tried to pull away, but Mauree held her steady. Ram’s nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. Melissa’s aroma infused his senses, along with a trace of cinnamon.
“Give her to me and I may spare your life.” Ram held out his hand, his fingers curling.
“Mauree, please, don’t.” Melissa shook her head, her gaze focused on Mauree.
Mauree towered over some of the Gossum who had come down from the trees. “I want something from you in return.”
“You want to bargain with me?” Ram laughed, the sound caught on the wind and raced through the trees. “Do tell, what could you have to bargain with?”
“I seek revenge. Revenge against Noeh.” Mauree thrust Melissa closer to Ram.
“He cares for her.” She stopped and swallowed. “And the babe is his. He will do
anything
to get her back.”
Ram clapped his hands together, the staccato sound absorbed by the nearby trees. Whipping his cap around, he leaned closer to Melissa. “Ah, yes. A fine gift you are indeed.” He gripped her chin between his clawed fingers and examined her face. She looked healed from the branding iron’s torture. That made him smile, and he started planning what he could do to her next.
Melissa’s fangs emerged from her gums, and she bit him on the hand.
“Ow, damn. I forget what a feisty thing you are.” Ram wiped his hand on his dirty jeans. “We had such fun. It’s a pity you don’t remember our time together that way.”
He cocked his head at Mauree. “Tell me why I shouldn’t just take this female and let my boys kill you.”
“Noeh will come for her. That would be the perfect time to attack the Keep.” Mauree moved closer to Ram, pinning Melissa between them. She stared him in the eyes, not showing an ounce of fear.
This female had guts. Too bad she wouldn’t live to see another night.
“I can help you get into the Keep.” Mauree’s voice was a mere whisper. “Noeh would never suspect such an attack. I will open a portal so you can enter the Keep and destroy it from within.”
“No!” Melissa struggled anew and kicked Ram in the knee.
Ram took a step back and grimaced at the sharp pain. He snaked his tongue within a centimeter of Melissa’s face. She flinched and glared at him.
Ram focused on Mauree. “How do I know this isn’t a trap?”
“Look at her,” Mauree said, nodding at Melissa. “Do you think for one moment Noeh would put his child, or any child for that matter, at risk?”
“What do you want for yourself?”
“I want to watch you kill her in front of Noeh. Then, I want safe passage out of the area.”
“Well, I’ll be. You make my heart go pitter-patter.” Ram shook his head, his smile growing by the second. “We have a bargain. By all means, take us to this portal.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Noeh pushed the blackberry bushes out of the way and thorns scraped the back of his hands. Blood welled in rows across his skin. The brambles protected the hidden cave entrance from unwelcome visitors—and the Gossum. He pushed forward and broke into the meadow, startling a doe and her fawn. If anything happened to Melissa and their child, he would never forgive himself.
He held his hand up, halting Saar and the other warriors.
A sliver of moon peeked from the clouds, illuminating their surroundings. All was quiet, as it should be in this part of the forest.
“Noeh?” Saar placed his hand on Noeh’s shoulder. “We’re several miles south of the portal’s location based on Rin’s description.”
Noeh tapped his ring against the hilt of his sword, the sound escaping on the wind into the night. His inner beast beat against his chest, demanding he take action.
Demir approached, his usual smug smile as irritating as ever. “I suggest we head north, upwind so the Gossum don’t smell us approaching.”
“If they have Melissa and Mauree, they expect us. We take the direct route.” Noeh pointed west.
He headed across the meadow, the tall grass wet with dew dampening his boots and pant legs. Out of the corner of his eye, Demir’s mouth moved, as if he’d said something.
The wind must’ve snagged his words. He’ll catch up.
Noeh’s ear itched and a dull ache ran down his jawline.
Craya, I forgot to visit Gaetan about that itch.
*****
Jakar’s claws dimpled Melissa’s skin through the sleeve of her shirt. If she moved, they would rip through her like butter. All she could do was stand still and watch Mauree summon a portal.
Mauree approached the clearing along the river’s edge. Water splashed against the rocks as the current rushed by. The soothing sound did nothing to ease Melissa’s nerves. She didn’t want to believe anyone would betray Noeh, but the determination lining Mauree’s eyes left no room for doubt. Mauree wanted vengeance.
Melissa ground her teeth. She would do whatever she could to stop her.
Mauree halted in the middle of the open space. Grass covered the ground, interspersed with boulders, some small, some the size of a large bear. Raising her chin, she turned to face Ram and his brood.
“Mauree, don’t.” Melissa pulled against Jakar’s grip, and pain ran down her arms. Dark spots stained her shirt as the small cuts drew blood.
Mauree’s eyebrows pinched together, and her downturned mouth quivered. Melissa sucked in a breath. Was she changing her mind?
“Mauree—” Melissa’s plea fell on deaf ears.
“Get on with it.” Ram’s voice broke through the still air.
“This is where I last summoned the portal.” Mauree opened her arms, sweeping her hands over the area.
“Please,” Ram said, tilting his head, “fire away.”
Mauree faced the center of the clearing. She closed her eyes and placed her fingers over her brow. Several seconds ticked by before energy buzzed in the air. A mist gathered near the river, pulling power from the water. The vapor grew thicker, billowing up over the stream and into the grassy field. As the haze swirled, a hole grew in the center, getting larger as the seconds ticked by. The image on the other side solidified, the walls of the Keep visible through the mist.
As the haze cleared, Rin stood in the middle of the Portal Navigation Center. He moved his hands over the stones, their glow emanating from within the powerful porte stanen.
“Rin, watch out,” Melissa shouted.
*****
Rin stared in disbelief as the Gossum horde raced toward the portal. Gods, no, this couldn’t happen. He focused on the stones and spun his hands in the opposite direction, trying to close the opening as fast as possible. The mist from the gems swirled to its own rhythm, like a large ship at sea unable to move against the tide.
He’d fixed the portal in time for this?
The leader of the pack wore a cap on his head, the low brim covering most of his black eyes. His tongue lashed out from his mouth, his face a grimace of horror.
The earth shook, and several rocks fell from the ceiling. The tremor intensified and knocked Rin to the ground. Large rocks pelted his arms as he covered his face. Just as the Gossum’s overpowering astringent odor filled the room, the portal closed, the mist disappearing in an instant.
The earth continued to shake. Rocks tumbled in the corridor as well as the room. Rin kept his head down, protecting himself from the falling stones as best he could. The tremors receded, slowing down until the earth stilled. An eerie silence filled the room—a salve to his ravaged nerves.
He lifted his head and looked around. None of the Gossum had come through the opening. He whistled low as the air rushed out of his lungs.
“My lady, you saved me, you saved us all.”
He rose from the floor and examined the porte stanen. The jumbled crystals resembled a game of stones instead of the organized layout necessary to power the gateway.
“Ah, Keep, what have you done?” He rubbed his fingers, the inflamed joints sore to the touch. “How am I going to recalibrate anything out of this mess?”
Rin’s mouth fell open, and he blinked at the destruction. “How are Noeh and the warriors going to get back in? You’ve recalibrated all the portals, even the manual entrances, haven’t you?”
Sweat beaded on Rin’s upper lip. He wiped the dampness away, smoothing his goatee in the process. All of the gateways were useless. It would take days to recalibrate even one.
He had to come up with something. Noeh depended on him.
Chapter Forty-Five
Noeh halted near one of the large fir trees that filled the majestic forest. The enemy’s stench burned the back of his throat, yet under the thick smell was a tinge of carnation, mint, and cinnamon. Hope soared within him, sending a jolt of anticipation along his nerves. Melissa was alive.
A large group of Gossum stood in the clearing, their grunts loud and frantic. A trail of mist dissipated toward the sky, sure evidence a portal had opened.
Craya, no!
A shot of fear skated across Noeh’s nerves.
Ram emerged from the pack. As his black eyes caught Noeh’s look, a triumphant smile grew on his face. His hand was in his coat pocket, where something bulged against the material.
The Gossum leader would’ve been the first through the portal, of that, Noeh was sure.
At least the Keep was safe, but where was Melissa?
A flash of red hair caught his attention. Jakar held her prisoner in the middle of the brood. A few red splotches marred her blouse, but otherwise, she appeared unharmed. Blood pounded in his ears as the urge to rip her from his enemy’s arms overwhelmed him.
A snarl erupted from his throat. “Release her!”
“You are not the one in charge here.” Ram walked over to Melissa and grabbed her chin, turning her face to him. “I have something, or should I say someone, you desperately want.”
Mauree sauntered up to Ram and placed her hand on his shoulder, her blond hair brushing against his neck. A shudder of disgust crawled up Noeh’s arm.
Ram pressed his hand against Melissa’s face, pushing her further into Jakar. “I wish to bargain with you,
Your Majesty
.”
Noeh’s skin tingled with the beginning of the change. He fought the urge, keeping the beast at bay. “What do you want?”
“A trade. You for her. It is that simple.”
“Not gonna happen.” Saar moved next to Noeh, his sword glinting in the pale moonlight.
All Noeh’s hopes and dreams were wrapped up in his little kitten. Willing to do anything to protect her, he took a step forward.
Saar stiffened next to him.
“Deal,” Noeh said.
“You can’t—” Saar protested.
Noeh raised his hand, halting his friend’s argument. He moved forward, toward Ram. Out of the corner of his eye, the shadow of a large cat moved in the trees to his left.
Demir, what are you up to?
He ignored him, his only desire to get within range to rescue Melissa.
“What?” Mauree pushed away from Ram. “You said you’d kill her. That was part of our deal.”
“You forfeited our deal when you didn’t get us into the Keep.” Ram curled his lip. “You have nothing more to offer me.”
Mauree’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. Backing up, she tripped over a tree branch, and landed at Melissa’s feet. “I hate you.”
Mauree grabbed Melissa by the legs and yanked.
The movement caught Jakar and Melissa off balance. They both fell to the ground.