Leopard's Kiss (Shadow Guardians) (Shadows Guardians Book 1) (23 page)

Anya tensed at his words. "Is that why I overshot my seat?"

"Yeah." Slade leaned in the doorway, his muscular frame dwarfing her as he studied her. "That one time doing the chant in your head shouldn't have made a difference, but it did." He ran his hand over her arm, and tingles shot through her. "I can feel the cat now," he said, his eyes suddenly shifting into cat eyes. "She's waking up."

Anya could feel her sliding beneath her skin, a slow, deliberate purr rumbling through her. "Then Parker will be able to tell."

"He's not a cat. He won't feel this." Slade leaned into her, his voice low. "You are dangerous, Anya. You shouldn't have any cat skills with this tattoo on your foot, but you're already moving differently." His eyes glowed. "You're powerful."

Her heart started to pound at the feral gleam in his eyes, and suddenly, she wanted to do the chant again, to see how far she could go, to move into Slade's world of power, grace, and lethalness. "I'm a cat."

"More than a cat." He nuzzled her neck, sending chills down her spine. "My leopard wants yours," he whispered. "He never wants any particular female, but he wants you. He wants to see her.
Now."

Heat poured through Anya, and she shifted restlessly, as if her skin was suddenly too small for her. The tattoo on her foot burned, and she instinctively rubbed it, trying to take the sting out, but as she did, the chant Slade had taught her ran through her mind. Pain spiked in her foot, and sudden heat roared through her.

Slade swore and locked his hand around the back of her neck. He pulled her toward him and sank his mouth down onto hers in a primal kiss of claiming and ownership. His energy poured into her, igniting every cell it touched, making her leopard shift restlessly. She gripped his shoulders, unable to stop herself from responding to his kiss. Her entire body burned for him, calling for his leopard—

Killian cleared his throat. "As fascinated as I am by the emergence of Anya's cat and the groping session going on in the front seat, we gotta go."

Anya felt her cheeks heat up and she tried to pull back. Slade, however, didn't let her go. He just deepened the kiss, tearing through her shields, his arms far too strong for her to escape from. Need tore through her, a visceral need that seemed to come from somewhere deep inside her. It wasn't until she capitulated to his demands that he finally broke the kiss and pulled back. His eyes were pure leopard now, silver ovals that made heat pour through her. "You've said it once," he said. "Four more times."

She instinctively released her foot. "I didn't mean to."

"You did. It's time." He trailed his finger over her shoulder, then turned away. He strode around the car and climbed into the driver's seat, leaving her tingling and restless in the passenger seat. She wrapped her arms around herself as Slade started the engine.

"I can feel your cat." Killian spoke from the back seat. "She's close to the surface." His voice was rough, hard, and scratchy.

She glanced back at him, and tensed when she saw his eyes had gone leopard as well. "Why are you shifting?"

"Because his cat senses a female nearby," Slade said. "He wants her." His voice was rough and gravelly as well, making her body even hotter. Sweat trickled down his temple. "Mine, Killian."

"I know." Killian leaned back in the seat and clasped his hands over his head. "I won't touch her." But his voice was still raspy and rough, and she shivered.

Slade gunned the engine and shifted into drive. The truck leapt forward, the tires humming across the asphalt. "The first time you shift," Slade said, "you'll have trouble controlling it. You'll be pure leopard, both in mind and body."

Anya rubbed her arms, watching the way Slade's fingers curved around the steering wheel. She felt more aware of his innate grace, and the leisurely way he could move so quickly. "What does that mean?"

"It means that you will be driven by your cat instincts. If your life is in danger, or someone you care about, and you shift, your leopard will be in full assault mode and kill any threat. You won't have any control or rational thought. Your leopard will instinctively attack anything that's near you."

"Your leopard has been trapped your whole life," Killian added. "When you let her go, she's going to be on a rampage for freedom." He looked over at her. "So, don't take that tattoo off unless you have space and privacy to lose your shit, or unless you're in a situation where instinct is your best bet."

Anya shifted restlessly in her seat, unable to sit still. "It was a mistake, wasn't it? Never shifting until now?" With her cat so close to the surface, and her body already changing, she wanted more. She wanted to tap into the athleticism and power she'd felt when she leapt into the car. She realized that she was so much more than she'd allowed herself to be, and she wanted to tap into it now, to give herself the best chance of surviving Parker.

"Yes." Killian didn't hesitate, but Slade answered at the same moment. "No."

The brothers looked at each other. "You're wrong, too, Slade," Killian said. "You keep your cat under lockdown as well. Our leopards are like any other weapon. We need to practice constantly to keep our skills sharp. You could be so much more than what you are."

Slade gave him a dark look. "I'm enough."

"Parker's still alive, right? After all this time? So maybe you're not."

Slade slammed on the brakes and spun around toward his brother. "You have no idea what you're talking about—"

Killian leaned forward. "I know exactly what I'm talking about. You've wasted your talent, and denied who you are."

Anger flashed in Slade's eyes. "Being a cat killed our mother."

"Our mother was in human form when she was killed. Not a cat. If she'd been a cat, she would have escaped." Killian's eyes glittered. "We were born this way for a reason, and it's a violation of our birthright to deny who we are." He looked at Anya. "Yeah, you should have shifted earlier, but it's too dangerous to do it now unless your life is at stake. Don't risk it. If we all survive, I'll help you with her."

"I will be the one to help her," Slade snapped.

Killian looked at him. "You need my help, too, bro. You both do." His eyes glittered. "But for now, we are what we are. Let's get this done. Party starts in three minutes."

Slade swore and hit the gas, his fingers tight around the steering wheel as he drove. Tension radiated off him, and she could feel the dark energy prickling off him. He was far from the cold, emotionless assassin she'd first met. He was angry, defensive, and tense...a man with vulnerabilities and emotions...all of which would distract him when they walked into the lair of the devil.

Anya tried to ignore the restlessness of her own cat. It didn't matter whether she should have shifted before or not. She hadn't, and that was what she had to deal with. What Slade had described scared her. She couldn't afford to shift and lose her mind, not right now.
Slade?

He didn't look at her.
What?

When you shifted the first time, did you lose your humanity, like you said?
She couldn't keep the fear out of her voice.

Slade looked over at her, and his face softened. He silently reached out and took her hand.
Yes, I did. When you shift the first time, you will be fully owned by your leopard.

She rubbed her free hand over her thigh, trying to stop the itching of her skin.
Should I have shifted earlier? Was it a mistake?
She intentionally kept Killian out of the conversation. Slade was the one she trusted. He was the one who knew her.

He squeezed her hand, and some of the tension eased from his body.
If you had shifted, Parker would have sensed you. He is highly trained to capture shifters. He would have been prepared for you, and taken you easily. Hiding was the right choice.

Anya bit her lip as she watched the streetlights pass by.
So, why are we walking in there, then? Can't he take us out easily?

Yep.

She stiffened and looked sharply at him. "Did you really have to give that answer?"

He glanced at her. "If I thought we were going to be captured or killed, I wouldn't be walking in there. Yes, he could take us easily, which means we have to be smarter, faster, and more deadly than he is."

"There it is." Killian leaned over the seat, staring straight ahead.

Anya took her gaze off Slade and followed Killian's gaze. Up ahead of them was a line of limousines and luxury vehicles, all waiting to get into the front door of the museum. The pillars stretched high, and the wide steps were lined with red carpet and velvet ropes. Anya swallowed as she watched tuxedo-clad valets open car doors for men in tuxes and women in ball gowns. There were far more men than women, and everyone looked wealthy, powerful, and ruthless. Men in tuxes lined the stairs, but the way they were standing made her think of a private security force, not guests.

God, they were really going to walk right up those steps? The front doors seemed so tall, as if they were the mouth of hell and she was going to march right in.

She swallowed, her throat dry, as Slade pulled in to the line behind a Lamborghini. An Escalade pulled up behind them, and they were trapped. There would be no way for Slade to pull out of line now. The only escape would be on foot.

Slade's fingers tightened on the wheel, and his gaze became laser-focused. "Guns on the roof," he said softly. "And in the trees across the street."

She and Killian leaned forward, and she saw three men in all black standing on the roof of the mansion. They were carrying guns. "Oh, wow," she whispered.

"Upstairs window," Killian added. "To the right."

She followed his directions, and she saw a shadow move behind the white curtains. As they approached, Slade and Killian kept up their dialogue, pointing out every guard, every escape route, and every detail they needed to know. With each comment, however, her tension eased, and a rising sense of focus consumed her. She began to see shadows she hadn't noticed before, shadows that could hide her, or conceal an enemy. She tasted the scents of people attending the party. She heard the low murmur of voices that were still far away.

That's right, Anya. Tap into your senses. You've got this.

She grinned at Slade's comment. For the first time in her life, she felt competent, prepared, and ready to fight. She didn't feel like the victim. She felt like a woman who was taking control.

"She's here," Slade said suddenly.

Anya looked sharply at him. "Who?"

"Julia. She's close."

Oh,
God.
Slade had been right.

She gripped the door handle as they got closer to the main entrance, her heart starting to hammer in anticipation. It was time.
I'm coming for you, Julia.

S
lade wasn't used
to letting people see him.

He was used to infiltrating these parties like a shadow in the night, unseen and unnoticed, even though he walked among them. He was used to pushing people's attention aside, making them unable to focus on him. That was how he lived. But it was going to be different this time, with Anya and Killian with him.

There was only so much he could do to hide all three of them, and so much at stake if he failed.

He stopped his Escalade in front of the party, a cold sweat clamping down on his spine as he watched the elite crowd ooze into the building. "No one makes a move without all three of us being together," he said, repeating the instructions he'd already given them. "Listen to people's conversations to find out what is going on, and where the auction will be."

"I'll check the other floors."

Slade looked over at Killian. He had to admit, it was more efficient with a partner. He could mingle and try to locate the key players in the crowd, while Killian could do recon to see what he could locate. Slade wasn't used to having a partner, but if he had to have one, he was glad it was the only person in the world he'd trust, aside from Anya. "Stay in touch."

Killian took the conversation offline
. You bet.

As the valets descended upon the car to open the doors, Killian stepped out, straightening his jacket as if he wore a tux every day of his life. Slade met Anya's gaze, and for a split second, he wanted to grab her, to declare himself to her, to make promises that he had no chance of keeping. Instead, he nodded at her.

She smiled. "You're broadcasting, Slade. You need to work on that, but I love you, too." Then she turned and slid out of the vehicle, her silk dress a sinful temptation on a body he knew all too well.

Swearing under his breath, Slade got out on his side. He handed the valet a three hundred dollar tip. "Keep it close."

The valet's eyebrows went up, and he shoved the cash in his pocket. "You got it."

Slade didn't like turning his vehicle over to anyone. He always parked a good distance away and hoofed it to the party, but he couldn't run with both Killian and Anya. It was different now, and he didn't like it.

His nerves strung out, he strode around the vehicle, catching Anya's arm before she could take a step away from the shiny, black SUV. Killian took up residence by his other side, moving close enough to get within range of Slade's shielding ability, and then the three of them headed up the steps of the museum.

Slade kept the trio tightly together, using his energy to cloak them. He sent his psychic energy out in pulses, fogging the minds of everyone near them, interfering with their ability to perceive them. It was a huge task to manage the perception of so many people, but he kept his focus tight, all too aware that Parker knew what he looked like, and he might be able to recognize Anya and Killian as well. As they walked, he rapidly scanned the faces and energy signatures of every other attendee as they headed up the marble steps. He knew Killian and Anya were doing the same, searching for Parker and Julia.

Julia's presence was stronger now, and he focused on the building. "She's inside."

Anya tightened her grip on his elbow.
Where?

I don't know yet. I need to get closer.
He was frustrated that he didn't have a stronger link to her. He liked knowing exactly where his target was. He never went into a situation without knowing every detail, but this time, there were so many variables still at large.

But this was his chance. He couldn't walk away just because he wasn't in complete control.

The crowd was big, money in abundance, and a heavy threat of danger drifted on the air. He pulsed his energy outward, searching for Parker...and suddenly, he got a hit. He instantly pulled back before Parker could sense him, but his blood surged.
Parker's here. I can feel him.

So can I.
Killian said, looking around just as carefully as Slade.
This is it. It's going down tonight.

They reached the top of the stairs, and Slade hesitated on the threshold of the door. Stepping inside cut off their freedom. It eliminated many of their escape routes. It put Anya and Killian within reach of the man who'd murdered so many.

He'd entered many dangerous places in his life, and he'd never paused...but it was different tonight. His instincts told him to abort. His gut was screaming at him to take Anya and Killian out of there, and come back alone. This wasn't right to bring them in. It wasn't right to endanger him. It wasn't right to—

"Julia!" Anya suddenly ducked away from him, raced into the crowd, and disappeared.

Shit.

He and Killian took off after her, into the museum, into the crowd, into hell.

* * *

S
he'd seen Julia
.

She knew she had.

And then she'd lost her.

Anya darted through the crowd, frantically racing to the spot where Julia had been. She ducked past a group of men in deep discussion over champagne and slipped past a small palm tree, and then stopped. This was the spot she'd seen Julia...but as she looked around, she didn't see Julia, or anyone that even looked like her. Was it her imagination? Delusions of desperation? With a sinking feeling, she realized she'd screwed up. Julia hadn't been wandering around the party. If she was here, it wasn't as an honored guest. She'd be locked up somewhere.

Anya glanced around again, and realized she had lost track of Slade and Killian in her frantic dash through the party. No Slade. No Killian. No Julia. Just a whole slew of over-dressed, over-moneyed men who were there for all the wrong reasons. Crap!

She was officially losing her mind. Delusions at best. Complete mental breakdown at work.

Anya!
Slade's furious shout filled her mind.
Get back here!

She glanced around, trying to see through the crowd, but she wasn't sure which way she'd come. She'd run too fast and too far, through several rooms. Damn. Slade could track someone from seven thousand miles away, and she got lost in a maze of ballrooms.
I got myself lost.

He chuckled, his warm affection rolling over her.
Damn good thing you have a guardian. Stay there, I'll come—

He cut himself off suddenly.

Slade?

I see Parker. He's heading up the main staircase with several guests.

Anya's adrenaline kicked on.
Follow him. I'll be fine. I'll stay here.

Slade swore.
Stay in the crowd. I'll be back as soon as I can.

Ask about Julia before you kill him.

On it.
He broke the connection, leaving her alone.

Anya fisted her hands as she looked around, trying to figure out the safest place to wait. But as she scanned the room, she realized that any of the men around her might be there to purchase Julia. Any one of them could be her enemy. She shivered, and suddenly being in a crowd didn't feel like such a fantastic idea. Who was friend, and who was foe?

She stepped back, easing behind a pillar and settling in the shadows. As the darkness settled around her, she began to realize the benefit of Slade's life, of not being seen, of living in shadows. Sometimes, shadows were a very good place to be.

She leaned against the pillar, carefully watching the crowd for any indication that anyone had noticed her, but no one seemed to care. Her tension began to ease, and she took a deep breath...and caught a familiar scent.
Julia.

She tensed, leaping forward, her heart pounding as Julia's scent drifted to her. So faint, but definitely Julia. She spun around, trying to get a location on where it was coming from, but it was too faint. Damn it! She needed Slade's nose...

Suddenly, she felt her leopard crawling beneath her skin. Her cat! She immediately closed her eyes and relaxed, reaching inside herself to call to the leopard she'd denied her entire life. It roared to consciousness, and heat poured through her, opening her senses in ways she'd never felt. Suddenly, the voices in the room seemed to clarify. She could hear each conversation. She could smell every distinct scent. She could feel the heat from their bodies crawling toward her. Power crashed over her, and her muscles felt stronger, leaner, and more powerful.

She drew her attention off the room and focused it on Julia, on the scent she knew so well. She breathed deeply and inhaled it into her lungs, allowing it to swirl through her and tell the stories she'd never been able to hear before. She focused her mind on the scent, isolating it from the others, turning around as she tracked it... there!

She opened her eyes to find she was facing a long hallway. Velvet ropes declared it off limits, but she didn't hesitate. She ran over to it and ducked past it, her high heels clicking on the marble as she ran.

She rounded a corner and paused, suddenly wary. The hallway was dark and quiet. Silent. Isolated. If someone grabbed her here, no one else would ever know. She glanced back toward the ballroom, at the safety that the crowd could provide...safety that Julia didn't have.

She bit her lip and turned back toward the hallway. Julia's scent was strong, and Anya knew she was getting closer. Anya silently pulled a knife from her ankle and wrapped her fingers around the hilt.
Slade. I found Julia's scent. I'm going after her.

No. You can't help her if you get caught. Wait for me.

I can't wait. What if something happens to her? Focus on Parker.

Dammit, Anya! Don't do this!

I've been running away my whole life, Slade. No more.
She began to move down the hall, easing her way, searching with all her senses for any sign of life.
You find me if I go missing, Slade. You know you can.
She reached inside herself, trying to merge with her leopard, using her feline senses to heighten her awareness. She walked faster, urgency coursing through her.

Anya.
Slade's torment slammed into her.
I'm coming after you. Wait there.

No. You need to get Parker. I can do this. Come get me when you're done. They won't kill me, and you can find me no matter what. You can't lose him, and I can't lose Julia. It has to be this way. Just make it fast.

Slade swore.
You're a stubborn pain in the ass.

I love you, too.
She waited for his reply, for his confirmation that he loved her too, but he said nothing. Emptiness flooded her.
I need to hear it, Slade. I need to hear it from you.

I can't, Anya. If I could, I would. In a heartbeat.

She smiled faintly, realizing that was probably as much as she was going to get from him, but it was enough. If he wasn't so damned heroic and self-sacrificing, he'd be on his knees with roses, declaring his love for her. He loved her. That had to be enough.
Someday, you'll have to admit it to yourself.

His attention flickered away from her for a split second.
He's going into a meeting. I need to get in there. Shit, Anya, stay safe and keep the communication open so I can find you.

Sure. No problem.

I need to focus, but yell if you need me. I'll hear you.
He cut off communication again, but this time, it was complete severance, leaving her stumbling in its wake. Trepidation washed over her, and she stopped, suddenly feeling isolated and alone, without him in her head. After being alone for so long, somehow, she'd become accustomed to his presence. Without him, she felt alone and isolated.

She missed him. Yes, she knew that she could reach out to him at any moment and hear his voice, but they both needed to focus right now, so having quiet minds was better. But she didn't want a quiet mind. She wanted him in her head, annoying her, supporting her, and teasing her.

Dammit. How had she let herself get dependent on him? But she had. She missed him, and she was terrified for his safety. He was going into the room with the man who'd already beaten him so many times. Fear gripped her. What if she lost him? What if he never came out of that room? What if—

No. She couldn't do that to herself. She had to stay focused. Slade could handle himself. He was ready for Parker this time, and he had Killian on his side. She took a deep breath, forcing aside her worry about him, trying to bring her focus back to Julia. But she couldn't help thinking that the only people who mattered to her were all in danger now, at the mercy of a deadly opponent who had proven himself better, smarter, and more deadly than any of them.

She swallowed, looking up at the ornately carved ceiling. It was old and beautiful, built in the days when beauty mattered more than efficiency. Gold inlay, intricate carvings, paintings of angels on the ceiling. She took a deep breath, staring at the angels. Angels. Maybe that's who had saved Slade from death. Maybe they had a guardian angel watching over them. Maybe she and Slade had been chosen not because of who they were, but because of what they could accomplish.

What if they'd been chosen because they were the only ones who could stop William Parker from preying upon white leopards and wiping them out? If that was so...well...then... the angel must have seen something inside her that was worth saving. Something kind of badass, even. After all, she was a leopard, right? The top of the food chain. Just like Slade.