Untouchable Lover (18 page)

Ram leapt on top of the decrepit fountainhead. He stood in the upper bowl to gain a height advantage and surveyed the scene. Ah, panthers. He would put their speed and cunning to good use.
 

His brood engaged the panthers in battle, the recruits testing out their new skills. A Panthera lost his balance, his leg and paw growing numb from the impact of a stinger. One of Ram’s new changelings landed on the injured cat’s back, his claws digging beneath black fur. Serrated teeth gleamed in the moonlight, closing over the enemy’s throat. The cat was the first to die.
 

The battle raged around Ram. Adrenaline pumped through his veins and gave him a natural high that rivaled the best of heroin trips.

Close by, a panther took down one of his new recruits. The large cat clawed his fighter across the chest and ripped out the poor sucker’s throat with his teeth. Black sludge poured from his warrior’s neck. Ah, well. Good thing there was an endless supply of shady humans to take his place.
 

“Jakar, behind you!” Ram warned his comrade just in time. A large black panther stalked his lieutenant. Jakar leapt out of the way and into the bottom bowl of the fountain. The panther backed up, unwilling to take on both of them at once.

Noeh and his Stiyaha warriors arrived at the scene. Tall and muscular, they were an admirable opponent.
 

Ram grabbed the spire with one hand, raised his fist high into the air, and yelled at the top of his lungs. “Death to our enemy!”
 

Lightness filled his chest, and his senses heightened. He had an overwhelming urge to laugh, so he went with it. The many trees surrounding the asylum swallowed the sound, as if the noise was a bitter pill, best taken right away.
 

This was his chance to finally rid himself of that Stiyaha king. His leg muscles tensed under his dark sweatpants. The strain shook his body.
 

Ram’s gaze locked onto Noeh. The world slowed. The clash continued around him—the zip of the Gossum’s tongues as they connected with flesh, the grunts and groans of the injured, the cries from the Stiyaha’s swords. Ram smiled, sensing a victory long awaited. He raised his hands above his head. “Shield!”
 

A circle of light pulsed around him. His heart beat fast against his ribs, fueling the shield with more power and strength. He wanted to shout his excitement throughout the forest but held back. All in good time.

The shield grew in size and traveled down the fountain, enclosing Jakar and the panther he battled. The feline extended his claws and scratched the surface of the force surrounding Jakar. Unable to penetrate the barrier, a low hiss escaped the cat’s lips, and he retreated. Jakar killed the Panthera before he could get away.

Noeh charged Jakar, his sword held in mid-air. The blade let loose a battle cry as Noeh brought his weapon down upon the shield. A loud crack, like thunder, bounced off the trees. Noeh’s arms shook from the impact. He stepped back and narrowed his glare on Ram. His pursed lips were evidence of his frustration. The sweetness made Ram’s heart swell.

He laughed, a big hearty guffaw that shook his entire body. He glared at his nemesis. “Come to me, you stupid king, come and get some.”
 

*****

Noeh’s heart raced as he stared at the shield surrounding Ram. He used
her
shield. The one he’d stolen from Melissa.
Evil Kasard.
Every time Noeh saw that shield, his anger notched up a level.
Ram had tortured her.
His
female. His beast warred within, vying for control—and wanting to change. Noeh wouldn’t risk the transformation.

The air moved next to him, and the hair on his arm stood on end. He whipped his head around just in time to see the flash of Saar’s sword as it cut off the enemy’s tongue. Aramie took the creature down, severing its head from its spine with one quick swipe of her deadly claws. Noeh exchanged glances with her and nodded his approval.

A panther’s cry pierced the night air. Demir stood in the middle of three Gossum. His sleek cat frame and quick movements made it difficult for the creatures to attack, but he couldn’t hold them off for long. Ram’s shield expanded beyond the fountain and inched closer and closer to Demir. Noeh grabbed his knife from his boot sheath and threw his dagger at the closest Gossum. The knife lodged in the brute’s eye, killing the Gossum instantly.
 

The second adversary landed a blow on Demir’s hind leg, crippling him. His leg buckled, and he dropped to the ground. Demir lashed out with his front paws, his claws tearing through the creature’s thigh, black blood spilling onto the grass. The dark color blended into the overgrown lawn, lost among the weeds. The injured creature landed on his back. A low grunt escaped from its throat.
 

Demir didn’t appear to see the third opponent, who’d circled behind him while he fought. The vile creature jumped onto Demir’s back and put him in a headlock. The beast cradled Demir’s head in the crook of his elbow. It placed its hand against Demir’s face, preparing for the final twist.

Noeh inhaled a quick breath. He raced toward the Gossum, his sword screaming for more.
 

The assailant tensed. His muscles bunched, ready to complete the deed.
 

Noeh thrust his weapon through the creature’s back, piercing his heart. The creature stilled, his entire body rigid. Noeh held his sword tight, waiting, as the attacker relaxed its hold on Demir. The creature slid off, forming a puddle of black muck on the ground.
 

Demir stood, favoring his right leg. He looked at Noeh and roared, almost as if he resented any interference.
Well, craya, you’re welcome. Ungrateful cat.
 

Demir attacked the Gossum he’d injured and ripped him to shreds, taking out his apparent frustration and anger on the wounded monster. Adrenaline and sheer will must have powered his ability to fight, given his damaged leg.

“Noeh, over here.”
 

Noeh tensed at his name, the sound coming from his enemy. Ram’s black orbs stared without emotion. The eerie absence of color enhanced his cold and distant appearance.
 

Within the shield, two dead Panthera lay sprawled on the ground, their bodies turning to sand. Ram laughed, low and soft. The sound built until it crashed against the walls of the old asylum and was absorbed by the enveloping trees.

Noeh’s vision clouded. He stepped back and almost fell to the ground. He placed his hand on his forehead. Wetness coated his fingers. Blood. When had he been hit?
He focused on the battle around him. The Gossum had the advantage.
 

With the aid of the shield, their rivals fought without fear. Many of his warriors faltered, some down on one knee, others using their swords as a shield. The panthers backed up, trying to put space between them and the enemy.

“Retreat!”
 

The word grated on Noeh’s nerves, but he couldn’t afford to lose any more lives in this battle. Saar stared at Noeh, his questioning gape like knives in Noeh’s gut.
 

“Retreat!” He grabbed Saar and pushed him toward the woods. Warriors started to run, their feet pounding on the earth as they fled. Noeh hung back, despite the waves of blackness that threatened to overtake his mind. He would ensure all the warriors, both Stiyaha and Panthera, returned to the Keep.
 

He turned to face Ram. Hatred roiled through his stomach, causing a bitter taste in his mouth. “Someday soon you and I will battle, and I will see your black blood pool at my feet!”

*****

Ram stared at Noeh, his enemy’s shock and anxiety clear on his pale face. Good. That was as it should be.

“Stop them!” He jumped down from the fountain, the shield shimmering out as he landed on the tall grass. They couldn’t get away, not when he was so close.
“Hurry, we must capture one.” If he couldn’t kill Noeh, he wanted one of those cats.
 

A portal broke free in the shadow of the trees. The mist rose from the damp earth and coalesced into a large ball. Panthera and Stiyaha warriors jumped through the mist one by one.
 

“Hurry!” The air burned Ram’s lungs as he ran.
 

Noeh stopped. He alone remained on this side of the gateway. He raised his hands and bellowed, the sound making the branches of the nearby trees quiver. “Swords, come to me!”
 

Like a missile, the two weapons from the dead Stiyaha they’d killed at the back door flew through the air. The wind they created almost flipped Ram’s cap off his head. Noeh held the swords in his hands, a fierce gleam in his eyes.
 

“I will get my revenge.” He jumped through the mist, and the portal closed.
 

Silence filled the air as the void restored itself to quiet nighttime conditions.
 

Ram stared at the empty space. Pride filled him as he scanned the faces of his brood. His recruits had performed well tonight. He pumped his fist in the air in a sign of victory. “Woohoo! Plenty of vodka for everyone tonight. We celebrate!”
 

Grunts and cheers erupted from the group.
 

He glanced back at the spot where the portal had closed. The shield was great, but he needed something else. Something to kill Noeh. He needed to research that, yes, indeed. He chuckled and reveled in the knowledge he could, and would, win this war.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Noeh landed on the stone floor of the Portal Navigation Center. Moans and cries from the injured warriors assaulted his ears. He crouched down, his body still absorbing the shock from his leap through the mist. His bones ached from the impact, but that was nothing compared to the burden he carried in his soul. Too many Lemurians had died today.
 

“Close the portal!” he shouted.

 
He stood and assessed the damage. Jacob, a Stiyaha warrior, sat against the wall, one leg straight, the other bent at the knee. Pain crossed his face as he massaged his thigh. The numerous pinpoints of a Gossum’s bite showed through the rip in his black pants.
 

A Panthera warrior lay on the stone floor near the edge of the porte stanen. Demir and Aramie pressed cloths against the wounds on his arms and neck. Other males, with varying degrees of injuries, lined the edges of the room. The light from the sunstones imbedded in the ceiling glared down upon them.

Saar grunted nearby, and a cut bled on his bicep. His swollen lip protruded from his face, but he was otherwise unharmed. He had an arm under a Stiyaha warrior. The male buckled, and Saar helped him stay upright, barely.

Craya! What a disaster.
Noeh’s stomach twisted, and bile rose in his throat. This was his fault. Those warriors’ deaths were on him.

Rin worked at a frantic pace. His arms moved in large circles over the sunstones. Sweat ran down his face from the exertion. The gateway closed as the last of the mist dissipated into the air. Small water droplets fell from the cave ceiling, and the walls of the Keep were damp with moisture.
 

“She weeps.” Rin’s downturned mouth and sad eyes were a sharp confirmation that lives had been lost today.
 

Noeh still held Caleb’s and Jade’s swords in his hands—all that remained of his fierce warriors. The weight of their demise became more than he could withstand. With a sorrowful heart, he placed their weapons against the wall. He’d care for them later, when he could give them the attention they deserved.

Gaetan hurried into the room, as fast as his cane would allow. His eyes flashed orange as he took in the scene. He tapped his cane against the porte stanen, once, twice, three times. The sound of the wood against the large stone platform echoed around the room. The soldiers quieted, until only the groans of the injured bounced off the cave walls.

 
Gaetan pointed at two males slouched in the corner. “Saar, take these two to the infirmary and any others who can get there under their own power.”
 

Saar hurried to do as directed, taking a couple of other, less injured, warriors with him.

Gaetan knelt next to the Panthera lying on the ground by Demir and Aramie. They’d done what they could to make him comfortable, but he moaned, the soft wail evidence of his pain.
 

Melissa entered the room and rushed to Gaetan’s side.
 

Noeh stilled. He couldn’t believe his eyes. A dark cloud of frustration formed in his mind. She’d escaped, yet again.
 

Gaetan pointed to the stretchers at the back of the room. Melissa nodded and raced to get one. She focused on her task, her mouth pinched down in concentration.
 

Noeh blinked, and her spell over him broke. He joined the bustle of activity and helped place the damaged fighter on the cot.
 

Noeh focused on Melissa. “What are you doing here? It’s not safe.”
 

She gaped at him, and determination lined her brow. “I’m here to help.”
 

She focused on the gash on his forehead, and her features softened. She reached up to touch him. Her tender fingers were like a salve to his damaged mind. They eased his anger and calmed his frayed nerves.
 

“You’re injured. You ok?” Her eyebrows bunched together.

She could’ve asked him anything at that point, and he wouldn’t have heard. He glanced down at her plump lips. What would they feel like if he kissed her? Would she respond to him?
 

“Noeh!”
 

Gaetan’s voice brought Noeh out of his reverie. A tingling swept up his back and over his shoulders. Angry with himself for his momentary distraction, he helped Gaetan strap the wounded Panthera onto the stretcher for transport to the infirmary.
 

“I think he’ll live, but I want to get an IV in him to get rid of some of the venom.” Gaetan glanced at Noeh’s forehead. “You may want to stop by the infirmary when you get a chance.”