Therian Prisoner: 3 (Therian Heat) (3 page)

“You are brooding, my friend.”

“And we both know that’s not like me?” Ian glanced at Payne and smiled. They’d known each other longer than most of their friends had been alive. The average Therian lived one hundred and twenty-five years. Payne and Ian were both exceptions to the rule. Ian even more so than Payne.

“We will find her.”

“I know. But we could all use some good news right about now.”

Payne made a dismissive sound that was entirely European. “Finding Jake’s sisters before they were harmed was not good news?”

“Of course it was. Jake deserves all the happiness he can find after all he’s taken on. I just feel sorry for Erin and Kyle.”

“We have all had to deal with misfortune and loss. The Lashtons are strong, as you say. They will be fine. You will see.”

Ian shook his head and raked his hair with his hand. “Platitudes are clearly not your field of expertise.”

“Only for you do I even bother trying.”

They passed the sign welcoming them to Wyoming a few minutes later and Ian said, “Take I-80 east for about twenty miles. Then it gets tricky.”

It was dark by the time they reached the second turnoff, so Ian missed it as Payne flew past. “Damn it. Things look considerably different from the air. Turn around as soon as you can and…” Payne steered the truck sharply left and cut across the deeply rutted median. “Or that works too.” They took a nondescript exit a few minutes later and continued on in the correct direction. “Three miles down, there’s a dirt road on the right. I don’t think it’s marked, so we’ll have to watch for it.”

“You watch for it. I will drive.”

“Fair enough.” Ian found the road and Payne navigated the truck onto the uneven surface. “You’re going to have to kill the lights or they’ll see us coming.”

“What about the engine?”

“We’ll park as soon as the complex is in sight.”

Payne pulled over as well as the road allowed, and both men climbed out of the truck. “Why don’t you fly over and take a look. An eagle would be less conspicuous than a lion.”

“Good point.” Ian drew energy into the center of his body, allowing it to build as he visualized his favorite bird, or at least the one he shifted into most often. With an ease achieved through centuries of practice, he flowed from human into eagle and shifted right out of his clothes.

Chapter Two

Devon watched Dhane pace the cell, wondering if his control was about to snap. His entire body was tense and ready to spring and still he kept his distance from her, muttering various feline slurs under his breath. He could insult her all he liked if it helped him keep his hands to himself.

Her last injection had been the day before, unless they’d dosed her while she was unconscious. The effects had been so different that she’d wondered if they changed the formula or if her body was just adjusting to the chemicals. Rather than driving her into a sexual frenzy, she’d felt generally aggressive and restless as hell. She’d still felt lustful, but the symptoms had been more painful and far less humiliating.

If Dhane had been given the more recent formula, there might be hope for them yet.

“Dhane, you’re going to have to—”

“Shut up!” He tossed his head then kept right on pacing. “Wolves do not screw cats. You are not worthy of my seed.”

“Well she’s worthy of mine.” The guard laughed, his lecherous gaze boldly assessing her body. “Care if I take her for a spin?”

Dhane growled, his skin gleaming gold as he wildly tossed his head. His shift was smooth and effortless, fueled no doubt by his heightened emotions. An instant after his wolf solidified, he charged. His shoulders slammed into the bars hard enough to rattle the cage as he snapped his teeth repeatedly at the guard. The human scrambled back so fast he smacked into the wall.

“Holy shit. Roberto said he could…I never thought… How’d he do that?” With much belated urgency, the human drew his pistol and pointed it at the wolf.

“If you shoot him Roberto will kill you.”

Devon drew her legs up onto the bunk and wrapped her arms around her knees, struggling against the ache building inside her. So the Italian’s name was Roberto. Thank the gods for incompetent guards.

“This is unbelievable,” the guard muttered to no one in particular.

“You’re new, I take it?”

Dhane resumed his pacing, not bothering to shift back. The transformation had seemed intentional. She didn’t think he was feral, just restless as hell. Was being torn apart by a wolf better than being screwed by a wolf-shifter? She honestly wasn’t sure.

“What do you turn into?” The guard’s bravado resurfaced as suddenly as it had abandoned him. He lowered his weapon but didn’t put it away.

She wasn’t in the mood to indulge a curious human, but his obvious inexperience was interesting. Could she capitalize on his ignorance? “He’s lost control,” she said in a stage whisper as if Dhane weren’t three feet away. “You’ve got to get me out of here.” Dhane’s head came up and he shot her an impatient glare. She ignored his confusion and pursued the potential opportunity. “He’ll tear me apart and that’s not what your boss has in mind. Weren’t you told to separate us if he transformed?” Determination made her voice shrill enough to pass for terror.

“He said to move the wolf if you two screwed. You didn’t, so the door stays closed.”

“It’s not my fault! I would have let him but he wouldn’t touch me. You’ve been watching us the whole time. Did I try to stop him?”

“If I open the door that thing will come after me.” The guard’s arm came back up and he pointed the pistol in Dhane’s general direction, but his hands shook so badly there was no way he’d do any damage.

“I won’t give him enough time. Just unlock the door. I’ll do the rest.”

“But…”

“Hurry! It’s my only chance.”

Finally understanding the ruse, Dhane turned toward her and bared his teeth. His ears laid back and his low growl sent a shiver down her spine.

The guard looked up and down the corridor, eyes wide and barely blinking. Then he pulled the keys off the clip on his belt and approached the door. Dhane continued to snarl as the fool unlocked their cage.

Before the guard could yank the key free, Devon jumped off the bunk, leapt over Dhane and shoved the bars open with all her might. The guard flew backward as Dhane emerged on her heels. Without reluctance or pause Dhane jumped into the air and caught the guard by the throat. With one vicious twist of Dhane’s powerful jaws, he ripped open the guard’s throat and ended his life.

“There’s one more, so stay alert.” Dhane head-butted her thigh, a silent objection to her needless warning. She crept along the corridor, scanning with all her senses. Dhane’s head came up and jerked to the left several seconds before she smelled cigarette smoke. The wolf had a damn good nose. “Fine, you lead.”

The corridor ended at the same metal door that had set off the alarm earlier. She looked for a way to disable the alarm, but Dhane growled his impatience. “Is he near the door?” To her astonishment the wolf nodded. Cats communicated telepathically while in animal form, but she’d never interacted with a Therian wolf before. “All right. I’ll throw the open door and let you out. Can you handle the rest?” Dhane tilted his head and gave her an exasperated look. “Sorry. We’ll go on three. One. Two.
Three
.”

She shoved the door wide and waited for Dhane to lunge past before she stepped out into the blustery night. The alarm blared until the door swung shut, then the sound was mercifully muffled by the barrier. She kicked the guard’s rifle out of reach as Dhane took him down. The shadows concealed most of the carnage. All she could see was Dhane’s grayish fur as he straddled the guard’s chest.

A sharp cry drew her gaze to the sky and a massive bird swooped toward her. “Ian?” Hope and excitement tore through her with painful intensity. The eagle circled then flew parallel with a dirt road, as if to show them the way. She glanced at Dhane. Did he realize they weren’t in this alone? Lights flashed on and off in the distance and tears blurred her vision.

“They’ve got a vehicle down there. Come on!” She had never run so fast in her life. The alarm continued to pulse, threatening to draw reinforcements, so she put her heart and soul into each stride.

Dhane bounded to the truck then circled back, a courtesy that shocked her. Why was Nate Fizroy’s son being so noble to a cat? She couldn’t let his unexpected care distract her. They weren’t out of danger yet.

Ian was zipping up his jeans as she reached the truck. She threw herself into his arms, instinctively knowing he’d catch her. His strong arms wrapped around her body as her composure shattered. Rather than try to calm her down, Ian scooped her up and placed her in the truck then climbed in and settled her on his lap as he slammed the door shut.

“Drive. Now!”

She didn’t recognize the driver but Ian obviously did. And without comment or hesitation, the driver obeyed.

Reality blurred as she clung to Ian. There was only his scent, his warmth and the security of his embrace. She buried her face against his throat as harsh sobs shook her entire body. She was alive! And she was free. Joy burst within her followed immediately by crushing grief. How could emotions be so painful? Her arms trembled and her throat burned, but she couldn’t stop crying.

“Is the wolf with us or should I get rid of him before we reach the main road?” The driver’s unusual accent cut through her emotional tumult.

“He’s with me.” She roused enough to speak but not enough to lift her head.

“You’re safe, sweetheart. No one will hurt you now.” Ian stroked her hair, her arms and back in a hypnotic rhythm. For a long time he just held her as they bumped along the dirt road.

Gradually her emotions receded, leaving her shaky and weak. And aware. Ian’s scent was familiar, soothing, but it was inescapably male. Unbidden flickers of heat sparked to life within her abdomen. She turned her face away from his skin and tried to cleanse her senses with a deep breath of cool air.

“It’s really rude that you managed to save yourself before I could come to your rescue,” Ian whispered, his warm breath teasing her ear. “What will my adoring fans think of me now?”

The truck rocked sharply as they reached pavement, then the ride smoothed out considerably. She finally sat up and looked into the bed of the truck. The wolf had curled up against the cab, his face tucked into the warmth of his body. “That’s Dhane Fitzroy.”

“Seriously?”

She nodded in response to Ian’s question and the men exchanged worried looks.

“Does his pack know where he is?”

“He had no idea where we were, so I don’t think the wolves have a clue.” The driver’s golden eyes gleamed through the darkness, so she said, “Hi.”

“
Ahoj zlatí ko
.
”
His white teeth flashed in the dimness but his features were lost in shadow. “Most call me Payne.”

“His real name is Dilbert,” Ian whispered loud enough for Payne to hear.

“I’d go by Payne too.” Now that her emotions were more or less spent she felt self-conscious sitting on Ian’s lap. He was shirtless and she’d been crawling all over him like she had the right to touch him anywhere she pleased. “Am I crushing you?”

“Hardly. Just relax.”

Too worn out to argue, she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. But that only freed the memories. She tensed and Ian’s hand swept from her shoulder to her hip. She splayed her fingers over his chest, undeniably aware of his heat and the hard muscle beneath her palm.

“I’ve got you, kitten. No one will ever hurt you again.”

She wanted to believe it, needed to believe it, but they were just words. As long as her abilities were latent, she was helpless. Even against humans! She knew she was trembling again but she couldn’t seem to relax. She opened her eyes and lifted her head so she could look around.

They’d reached the interstate but she had no idea which direction they were headed. Were they even in Colorado? She couldn’t see much beyond the roadway. “Where are we?”

“A few miles east of Cheyenne,” Ian told her. “You’ll be home in about an hour and a half.”

She nodded then realized other questions were far more important. “How did you find me? What happened to the others? I wasn’t the only one they were…”

“I know. When we attacked the lab in the mountains one of the doctors agreed to help us.”

“That would be Carly Ides.” Devon sneered as the name passed her lips. “She’s the worst of the worst.”

She squirmed and wiggled until he wrapped his arm around her waist and said, “You need to sit still.”

Understanding unfurled within her, spreading heat through her belly and chest. The unmistakable ridge of his erection pressed against her hip and she fought the need to cover her face with her hands. “Sorry.” His scent grew more tantalizing, more evocative.

“It’s called adrenaline,” he assured her. “It’s a natural reaction.”

Payne snorted and muttered something in his native language. Ian glared and Devon followed the direction of his gaze. A passing car illuminated the cab for a moment and she received her first clear look at Payne. High hollow cheeks, a wide brow and strong jawline. Stark and distinctive, his angular features were too menacing for true handsomeness. He was striking, she supposed, or just plain fierce.

“You’re staring.” Ian’s comment was only partially playful. Devon quickly turned her head before Payne caught her in the act.

Something smacked against the cab and Ian and Devon both turned to see what had caused the commotion. Dhane was on his feet, or rather his paws, shivering so violently she could see the tremors.

“Is he cold?”

Ian shook his head. “With all that fur it’s unlikely.”

“Why hasn’t he released the shift?” Payne mused.

“Maybe he can’t.” Using her concern for Dhane as motivation, Devon carefully climbed into the tiny seating area behind the main seats. She sat sideways, directly behind Payne so she could see both Dhane and Ian. Ian pivoted in his seat, his gaze smoldering. She’d basically shoved her breasts in his face in her attempt to assess Dhane’s situation and still he seemed upset by her relocation. Was it possible he felt the electric awareness that was making her skin tingle?

She couldn’t think about that right now. Dhane appeared to be in real trouble. “If you have a blanket I’ll ride in back and see if I can calm down Dhane.” She was worried about Dhane, but mostly she needed to be away from Ian so she could think, decide on a next step.

“As if.” Ian’s eyes narrowed to gleaming slits but his expression revealed nothing more. “If anyone gets back there with that wolf it will be the badass over there.”

Payne laughed. “As if.”

“He saved my life.” She glanced out the back window, as much to avoid Ian’s gaze as to check on Dhane. “We can’t let him suffer.”

“Why do you think he’s suffering? Dogs like fresh air and open spaces.” Ian peered through the window then shrugged. “He seems pretty restless, but he just escaped a brush with death. That’s bound to wind up anyone.”

“He was wound up before we escaped.” How could she explain what was wrong with Dhane without revealing what she’d endured, was still enduring? She rested her hands in her lap and crossed her legs at the ankle, doing her best to appear casual. “They shot him with a chemical that spiked his libido.”

Ian reached through the narrow gap between the front seats and lightly touched her knee. “Did he hurt you, Devon?” His tone was coaxing, but she sensed the threat rippling beneath the surface of his words.