On the Move (4 page)

The dance had reached a fever pitch, the men swaying seductively, their upper bodies slick with sweat, hips thrusting forward. It was blatant, sexual, erotic. And she was enthralled by them.

Something caught her attention, the movement of one of the dancers subtly different from the rest, and strangely familiar. She focused on him and it hit her: it was Griffin. She gasped, began to smile, and then remembered Ramos’s warning.

Her eyes locked with his and he gave her the slightest nod. She had no way of knowing if he’d been part of the circle all along, or if he’d slipped in after the ritual started. But it didn’t matter. He was here.

It took all her willpower, but before she gave his presence away, she pulled her eyes from his, looking at any other man. In the passing circle she thought she recognized Ramos’s lean form, and possibly Kade’s cocky strut. But there were too many men and she lost track of them.

Griffin was out of her line of sight and she tried counting the men, guessing when he’d be in front of her again. But before she could find him, the boy and the priest broke through the circle to stand in front of her. He shouted and the men froze, straightening slowly, eyes locked on the small man.

She didn’t understand the words, but she knew what he’d commanded. The men began removing headdresses, tossing them aside. Loin cloths began dropping, and it was clear the men were just as affected by the dance as she was. None of them showed the least bit of embarrassment, standing naked before her, their arousal very obvious.

Beyond the circle, she saw Xavier step forward, guards hesitating behind him. He wore a dark scowl, and she knew he must have seen Griffin, but the ritual was still in progress and he was helpless to do anything.

The priest shouted another command, and then sliced his way out of the circle, the boy practically carrying him. He disappeared into the jungle, and Addison decided his duties for the day were finished.

Her attention went back to the men. They stood for a moment, eyes on her, and then in unison they began to shift into jaguar form.

It had been dark when she’d watched Griffin shift, but she recalled the fluidity with which he changed. Now, watching this group, she was mesmerized again as the men shifted. But it was too many for her to focus on any one man. It was a kaleidoscope of skin melting into fur, a tangle of arms and legs resolving into front and back legs, claws and fangs.

She found herself ringed by a group of jet-black jaguars, slowly circling her, eyes locked with hers. Frantically, she sought out those piercing green eyes belonging to Griffin, but she couldn’t find him.

Xavier stepped forward, scanning the group, brows drawn down into a dark frown. The shifters moved restlessly, their energy barely contained. Hisses and snarls broke out among them and Addison knew they were poised to fight.

“Start the ritual.” Xavier’s voice carried across the clearing. Addison looked up, catching the man’s eyes. This wasn’t the ritual; this was Xavier’s test of the men. No wonder the priest had left.

The jaguars broke the circle, pairs and groups moving apart, forming and reforming. It was an intricate dance, but a dangerous one. Addison spun, looking for Griffin, and Kade.

She spotted them on the far side of the clearing, the other shifters giving them a wide berth. They circled each other like boxers, sizing up the other, coiled and tense, ready to lunge. Griffin was leaner, longer, taller, but Kade probably outweighed him. He was stocky, low to the ground, broad chested.

Griffin made the first move, dropping low, snarling as he tore at Kade’s belly with a swipe of his paw. The other jaguar jumped, twisted, spun away from Griffin. Kade turned, claws slicing into Griffin’s shoulder. Addison cried out as Griffin stumbled.

But he recovered quickly, teeth bared, growling, tail held low and lashing the ground. Addison saw blood glistening on his dark pelt and she wondered how deep the gashes were. There was no limp, but she knew he had to be in pain.

Kade pressed forward, crouched low and even Addison knew he was going to strike. But even so, he was lightning fast. Griffin rolled away, coming quickly to his feet.

But Kade had misjudged, or didn’t believe he could miss, and his momentum carried him past Griffin, his front legs scrabbling on the ground, kicking up grass and dirt.

Griffin was right there, jumping, landing on Kade’s back, driving his chest into the ground. Kade struggled but Griffin held him down, jaws snapping above the downed jaguar.

The snap and crunch of teeth meeting bone sent a shiver through Addison. Griffin had his jaws clamped onto the back of Kade’s neck.

Kade snarled, his head twisting around, snapping futilely at Griffin. Griffin twisted his head, and the snarl turned into a scream.

Even pinned, with Griffin on him, fangs sunk deep into his flesh, Kade struggled against the pain and weight, pushing up on his front legs. Griffin struggled to remain in control, but it was clear the jaguar was gaining his feet.

At the last moment Griffin jumped off, springing away, landing light on his feet. The jaguars locked eyes as Kade drew ragged breaths, head hanging, mouth open. Addison saw a thin trail of blood running from his mouth, dripping onto the dirt.

They resumed circling each other, Griffin limping visibly. The blood had seeped down his leg, and each footstep left a bloody print on the ground.

Addison glanced away at the rest of the jaguars. By comparison they seemed passive, circling each other gingerly, eyes watching not each other but Kade and Griffin. She wished she could find Ramos, but it was impossible.

A ferocious growl began behind her and she spun around in time to watch Griffin throw himself at Kade. Kade rolled away and as he did, his front leg gave way, and his vulnerable underbelly was exposed.

Griffin seemed to alter his course mid-jump, claws tearing at Kade’s flesh, his jaws clamped onto Kade’s throat. Kade snarled, the sound dissolving into a gurgle as Griffin bore down on him.

Addison saw how deep the gashes were across Kade’s stomach, three deep rents exposing muscle and viscera. The wounds were fatal, no doubt, but he still struggled against Griffin.

But the grip on his throat was suffocating him, and he began struggling uncontrollably, legs thrashing uselessly in the air. Griffin pushed Kade further onto his back. Kade’s struggles grew weaker, stiffening suddenly. With a final jerk, he went still.

Griffin held on for a few minutes, gradually letting go of Kade’s limp body. He stepped back, panting, watching Kade. Then he turned, looked at Addison and let loose a cry that told the gathering he’d defeated his challenger.

Xavier strode forward to the edge of the circle, glaring at the jaguars who had stopped fighting. Griffin advanced toward Xavier, tail held low, lips pulled back in a snarl.

“You were banished. This ritual has been defiled. It does not stand.” He swept his arm over the gathering. “You will fight, until one emerges.”

Griffin leapt to the platform, standing next to Addison. She reached down, stroking the back of his head. Xavier broke through the line of jaguars, coming to the edge of the platform.

“You will die Griffin. Now. Either as jaguar or man, you will fight me.”

Addison watched in horror as Xavier shifted, dropping to the ground as a large broad-shouldered jaguar. He leapt to the platform, knocking Addison aside, walking over her as she lay on the wood as if she weren’t even there.

She struggled to sit up, reaching out. “Griffin!”

But Griffin wasn’t looking at her either.

She was, for the moment, totally forgotten. There was nothing she could do but watch.

Chapter Six

Griffin’s wounds hurt, but he pushed the pain aside. Addison was safe, and she was his. Now only Xavier stood in his way. And he was ready to fight, to the death, if necessary. He was going to make sure it was Xavier’s death.

The two powerful jaguars circled each other. The platform was narrow and Griffin was forced much closer to Xavier than he wanted to be. His foot slipped off the edge but he caught his balance. But in that instant he knew Xavier saw a weakness to exploit.

Xavier pressed forward, crowding Griffin to the very edge. Griffin was limited to a narrow edge of the platform.

He had two choices: he could jump off, risk giving Xavier the advantage of being above him. Or he could charge.

Griffin dug his claws into the soft wood, tensed and threw himself at Xavier. For a moment he saw surprise in Xavier’s eyes, but then he was on top of the older jaguar, rolling him across the platform. From the corner of his eye he saw Addison scrambling backward, disappearing over the edge of the platform.

Xavier was extremely powerful and Griffin struggled to gain some kind of control. They came apart with snarls and growls, Xavier taking a swipe at Griffin’s injured shoulder, tearing the flesh deeply.

But they were in the center of the platform and Griffin had more room to move. He circled around Xavier, looking for any weakness. The old jaguar had been through many fights and Griffin knew he’d been severely injured, tendons and ligaments torn, but Griffin couldn’t remember which side the injury was on. He would favor that leg and Griffin watched him now, waiting for the weakness to show.

Xavier moved to his right, then turned, circling back to his left. Griffin refused to change direction, forcing Xavier back in the other direction. Xavier snarled, displaying three sharp fangs. One was broken in half, just a jagged edge showing. He took a step, then another, and Griffin saw what he was waiting for.

The rear leg facing Griffin was the weak leg. Xavier would favor it, and it wouldn’t be as strong. Griffin needed to keep that leg toward him. Xavier would be hesitant to put his full weight on that leg, or so Griffin hoped.

Xavier feinted, swinging a huge paw at Griffin, driving him a step back. Xavier circled to the left, but Griffin blocked him, pushing him back, closing in, forcing him to do something he didn’t want to do.

The frustration in Xavier’s expression, in the way he moved, was obvious. Griffin growled, tried to control the adrenaline rushing through him. He knew he had the advantage, but now was not the time to give it away by being over-confident.

Griffin could wait no longer. He set his feet, pushed off, and hit Xavier in the shoulder. The hit was solid and Xavier went down, the platform shaking beneath their weight.

This time he had a solid purchase, claws and fangs sinking into Xavier’s thick pelt. Xavier’s scream of pain echoed through the clearing as thick blood filled Griffin’s mouth.

He twisted his head, tearing flesh and muscle. Xavier snapped over his shoulder, narrowly missing Griffin’s foreleg.

The two jaguars struggled, rolling and thrashing across the platform, but Griffin held on.

They came to the edge of the platform and Xavier’s struggles increased. Griffin rolled them over once more, pushing them over the edge, hanging on as they fell to the ground.

As they hit the ground, something snapped, and shooting pain flared through Griffin’s front leg. He lost his grip on Xavier, and the jaguar instantly scrambled from beneath Griffin.

Griffin struggled to his feet, wincing at the pain in his foreleg. Xavier rounded on him, and he braced himself, despite the pain.

Xavier lunged, knocking Griffin to his back on the ground, jaws snapping at Griffin’s exposed throat. Griffin twisted his body, wrenching his head to the side, Xavier’s fangs narrowly missing him.

Struggling against Xavier’s weight, Griffin fought to remain on his back, tensing his back legs. He thrust upward, catching Xavier low in his belly. He heard the loud grunt, felt the rush of breath against his face.

Griffin pushed harder, muscles straining, lifting Xavier until they both rolled over. Xavier came down on his weak leg, stumbling and then falling on his side.

It was the last chance Griffin had. Pain clouded his vision and his lungs ached as he drew breath. His front leg was all but useless. But he wouldn’t let Xavier see that.

He dove for Xavier’s throat, clamping down hard, mouth filled with fur, bone and cartilage snapping and cracking with the force of his bite. He held on, jaws locked, as Xavier thrashed beneath him. Claws raked the soft underbelly, tearing another gash, but still he held on.

From a distance he heard growls and snarls, and he caught a glimpse of jaguars circling them, but he was intent on finishing what he’d started.

Finally Xavier stopped struggling, his body going limp. Griffin gave him one last shake, but he didn’t move. He released his hold, jumping away, eyes never leaving Xavier.

“Griffin!”

Addison was by his side, arms around his neck, her face buried in his fur. “Are you okay?” Her voice was muffled against his body. He turned, nuzzling her shoulder with his face.

Pulling away, he limped to the center of the circle. The rest of his clan stood in a ragged circle, and he could see wounds and scratches, mostly to Xavier’s guards. It appeared that not all of them were on his side in this battle. But Ramos and the rest stood between him and any threat of attack. It was time to shift.

He closed his eyes, willing his body into human form. The pain was intense, his wounds and broken bones screaming as his body twisted and contorted from jaguar to human.

Then he stood for a moment, relishing being in his human form. Opening his eyes, he saw his clan leaders standing where jaguars had been. They looked at him expectantly.

The soft fabric of a cape descended on his shoulders and he turned. Addison had removed hers, draping it over him. He wanted nothing more than to leave this place, take her home, and begin whatever life they were to have together.

But he was now the leader, not just of his clan, but of all the clans. There were things he needed to set right. And he needed to do that now.

He stepped past Addison and climbed onto the platform, the leaders and Xavier’s guards gathered below.

“You have witnessed what happened. I accepted Xavier’s challenge and we fought, as he proclaimed. We fought honorably, and he is dead. I am now your leader.”

Griffin looked over the men. The clan leaders loyal to him bowed their heads. A few did not and he met each of their eyes. A few looked confused, but several held his gaze, challenge written on their faces. There would be trouble from them, but he would deal with them shortly.

“You are free to return to your clans. Let your people know that I am now your leader and will do right by you. Know that things will not be the same as they were under Xavier’s rule. There will be no more raids on the villages, there will be no more tests of bravery. And there will be no more mating rituals. You are free to find your own mates, and make your own choices.”

There were murmurs among the leaders, voices agreeing with him, a few smiles among the men. For now, at least, it seemed things might stay peaceful.

“Leave. Go home. Rest. We will gather again soon.”

The men turned to leave. He climbed off the platform. Addison was waiting and he pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Can we leave now? You’re injured.” She looked up at him, concern and exhaustion shadowing her eyes.

“One more thing and then, yes, we can leave.”

He caught Ramos’s eye, motioning the man to join him.

“Thank you for your help, Ramos. Without you, none of this would have been possible.”

“It was the right thing to do.” He bowed. “I am at your command.”

“Thank you. And since Kade is dead, his clan will become part of yours.”

Ramos smiled, and then bowed his head again, deeper this time. “It is an honor. I will serve both clans, and you, well.”

“And one final matter,” Griffin replied, his lips drawn into a grin. “Daphne is your life mate. You may take her with you.”

Ramos looked up, eyes widened and then his smile grew. “Thank you, Griffin. You have made me very happy.”

From the jungle came a feminine squeal and the foliage parted. Daphne ran into the clearing, throwing herself at Ramos. He caught her, swung her into his arms, and she turned her face up to his. He crushed her against him, and the kiss they shared was so passionate, so intimate, Griffin turned away.

Addison turned to him. “Can we go now?”

“Yes, we certainly can.”

He held out his hand and she took it. The pain in his body raged, but for the first time in days he felt hopeful. And he wanted to start his new life with Addison as soon as possible.