Therian Prisoner(4)

“Catch me?” Blinking repeatedly, he pushed to his elbows and looked around. “What is this place?”

“Near as I can figure, we’re the focus of an intergovernmental project determined to unlock the secrets of Therian transformation. My clan attacked their main facility, so they brought us here.”

His features were tight and pale as he slowly sat up. “Your clan?”

“I’m Devon Lashton.”

“Kyle’s little sister.” His eyes narrowed and he shook his head as if to clear his vision or the fog inside his brain. Likely both if he was feeling what she’d felt when she first woke up. “Then Erin’s your mother.”

It hadn’t been a question, so she just nodded.

“Impressive pedigree, if you don’t mind traitors. Do you know who I am?”

“Yes.” She started to say that their backgrounds meant absolutely nothing to these humans. The backers were only interested in their Therian abilities. They were evolutionary curiosities, fascinating creatures—animals.

He rubbed his eyes and let out another groan. “How did you figure out what this place is?” He motioned to the room around them.

“I’ve been their captive almost a month and my hearing is better than they realize.” There had also been a fresh-faced guard who felt sorry for her and grew incredibly talkative whenever she flirted with him.

Dhane was quiet for a minute, his gaze unfocused. “What did they use to knock me out? I still feel really strange.”

If the cycle had started already they were doomed. The frenzy built gradually, growing stronger and stronger until there was no possibility of escaping the urges. “It’s not what they used to knock you out. It’s what they gave you afterward.”

“Meaning?”

Would it be better if he knew what to expect or would her explanation focus his attention on the building urgency? She inwardly cringed. As if he wouldn’t notice every cell in his body suddenly craving sex. Well, he was a teenage male. Maybe it wouldn’t feel that much different. Even the smartass thought didn’t make her feel better. She needed to tell him something.

“They used a chemical on me that was supposed to make me cooperative. Instead it made me sort of crazy. I’m pretty sure they gave you the same thing.” There was really no need to spell it out. He’d feel the effects soon enough.

He struggled to his feet then swayed and sat on the edge of the bunk. With a heavy sigh, he pushed his fingers into his hair and rested his elbows on his knees. “How long was I out?”

“I don’t know. I only woke up a few minutes ago.”

He took another deep breath, slowly exhaled then looked into her eyes. “This chemical they gave you, what sort of crazy did it make you?”

She lowered her arms and watched him closely, ready to defend herself if he charged. “The if-I-don’t-get-laid-I’m-going-to-die kind.”

“Are they hoping I’ll jump you?” He didn’t need to make it sound so distasteful. “Don’t they know we’re enemies?”

Already he was rubbing his legs and shifting his hips. “They threw us together because we’re enemies and yes, they expect you to jump me.” And she had every intention of fighting him off with the last breath in her body.

He raised his face again and their gazes locked. “Never gonna happen. I’ll jerk myself raw before I stick it in a cat.”

Her smile was shaky at best. She’d experienced the full force of the drug, while the hunger was just starting to build inside him. “Hang on to that hate, puppy. It’s our only hope.”

* * * * *



“Why would we believe one word Carly spoke?” Kyle objected. “She’s Osric’s whore.”

“Is there a better option?” Payne’s Czech accent always grew more pronounced when he was tired and they were all exhausted now.

They’d liberated—and then destroyed—the secluded mountain lab less than two days before and already Kyle had rejoined the search for Devon. Despite his mother’s urging to take a few days off and trust his friends to finish the job, Kyle couldn’t rest until he knew his beloved sister was safe. Ian couldn’t blame him. Everyone who knew Devon was frantic with worry. And Kyle’s concern was augmented by a major helping of guilt.

Kyle was the youngest Therian cougar ever to lead his clan and many established members of the feline network were trying to take advantage of his youth and inexperience. When Lokesh, a powerful jaguar leader, offered to support Kyle’s positions if Kyle would allow him to mate with Devon, Kyle had reluctantly asked Devon if she’d agree to the match. Devon’s reaction had been spirited and decisive. She’d told Kyle she would never allow herself to be used as a political pawn and took off without telling anyone where she was going.