Twelfth Moon (21 page)

He snorted. “Hell, yeah. What’s not scary about a huge black panther?”

“I thought you weren’t afraid of anything,” she challenged.

His eyes snapped open. “A man knows when to be afraid – when something calls for a healthy dose of respect.” His silver gaze dropped to her bared breasts, causing her heart to flutter. “A man also knows when to respect something as magnificent and captivating as these.”

She gasped with pleasure when he reached out with his hand, cupping her. His touch was gentle, almost worshipful, as he caressed her, his fingers brushing lightly over her nipple. He ran his hand down the valley between her breasts before moving on to explore the other one. “Gorgeous,” he whispered.

Shivering with a renewed rush of desire, Cadence moved her hand down, skimming his stomach, and slipped it under the blanket. She found her prize, and wrapped her fingers around the thick shaft, marveling at how soft the skin was – and hot.

He hissed air in through his teeth. “Ah, yes, darlin’,” he said thickly. “Touch me.”

His words, followed by a low groan, gave her the confidence to continue. She stroked the smooth tip, her finger dipping into the tiny indentation, finding a bead of moisture there. She spread it over the top, before gripping him firmly, and gliding her hand down, cupping the soft sac at the base.

When Cadence began stroking him up and down, Jonah couldn’t help lifting his hips, thrusting his cock against her small hand. It was heaven, but he couldn’t take much more of this, or he would lose control. “That’s enough, Hellcat,” he growled. He gripped her around the waist, and hoisted her up and over, so that she straddled him.

“This.” He lifted her, positioned himself at her opening and lowered her back down, impaling her. She cried out, bracing her weight with her hands on his chest. “You never could mount without assistance,” he said, his voice deep and breathless, “but you do know how to ride, don’t you?”

“Oh, I can ride, Marshal.”

His Little Hellcat took that challenge and began to rise and fall, finding the perfect rhythm, taking his breath away. She was magnificent, her black hair falling in damp curls around her face. Her ripe lips were slightly parted, her expression one of great pleasure. In the shadows, her green eyes blazed with fiery passion. She was a man’s wildest fantasy come to life, with her flawless skin, full, rounded breasts, her slim waist, and gently curved hips. Her long, lovely legs were strong as they gripped his hips.

And she’s yours.
Those words tumbled through his mind with primal intensity.

When she tumbled over the edge, her inner muscles clenching all around him, her juices bathing his cock, he came with a roar of satisfaction.
So, who’s the animal here?

She collapsed on top of him, into the cradle of his arms. They lay there breathing heavily, their skin damp with sweat. It was then that Jonah realized he was in deep, deep trouble. After all the years he’d been a loner, had kept to himself, not wanting to get involved with any woman other than slaking his physical needs, he’d finally gone and fallen for this one. He now knew Beth Ann had been nothing but a young man’s naive infatuation.

What Cadence made him feel for her was dangerous. He had to put some distance between them. He needed time to think. Ba'cho and his people wanted Cadence’s sister’s help, and would see Cadence safely home. Jonah could find her again – he was an expert tracker, after all.

CADENCE OPENED HER eyes just as Jonah was about to leave. Somehow he’d wrestled himself out from under her, gotten up and gotten dressed, all without waking her. She bolted upright, clutching the blanket to her chest. “Jonah, wait!”

He paused, his back to her.

She closed her eyes tightly for a moment, shutting out the pain, and then opened them again. “Don’t – don’t leave me,” she said, her voice hoarse with emotion. “I know you’ve had a shock. Please…just give it some time.” She hadn’t wanted to beg, but here she was, doing exactly that.

He spoke without turning around, his tone flat. “I meant it when I said I wouldn’t be taking you to the authorities. You’re free to go home to your family.”

Her heart hammered, panic working its way through her chest. Never mind the fact that she’d soon grow ill with his departure, that it would only get worse the further away he got. The thought of losing him left an empty hole in her soul. Even without the link between them because of the spell, she knew she couldn’t live without him – didn’t want to live without him.

His whispered words were so quiet, she almost didn’t hear them. “Take care of yourself, Hellcat.”

And then he was gone.

Cadence fell back onto the blankets. She could only lay there, tears rolling down her temples, unable to move, refusing to humiliate herself even further by running after him. Back in San Antonio she’d suspected he’d changed his mind about turning her in. It was evidence that his feelings ran deeper than he made it appear. It wasn’t much to go on, but it was something to hope for at least.

Jonah’s heart was aching for him to go back to her, but he couldn’t. He needed to put some distance between them. He found Athos among the horses in the small corral, his saddle resting on the ground near the fence. Dawn was still a couple of hours away, so he kept to the shadows along the outskirts of the village.

“You are blood bound,” Ba'cho said with a hint of anger.

“What?”

“You have tasted Ndołkah’s blood.” It was said as though that explained everything. “You are bound together, even stronger than you already were.”

What the hell was that supposed to mean – even stronger than you already were?
“I don’t have time for more of your riddles,” Jonah snapped. “I have to get moving, it’s a long way to New Orleans.”

He started forward, but Ba'cho placed his hand on Jonah’s shoulder to stop him. “She is a good woman,” he said softly.

“She’s not…
human
,” Jonah choked. He was still more than a little rattled from last night’s revelation – in more ways than one.

“What is your definition of human, Jonah?”

“Someone who doesn’t turn into a fucking panther!” he snarled angrily, shoving Ba'cho’s hand away. What kind of future could they have together? Even if he could accept what Cadence was, how could he bring her home to his family after what she’d done to Robert?

Something feral flashed in Ba'cho’s eyes. It was the first time Jonah had seen the Apache lose some of his calm veneer. “It has always been hard for the pale-faces to see beyond their own importance. Soon, your eyes will be opened.”

Jonah made a sound of disgust. “I don’t have time for this.” He started walking, but then stopped and turned back to face Ba'cho. “You’ll take care of her?”

Ba'cho nodded. “She is our sister. We will see her home safely.”

“Thank you.” Jonah should be relieved and grateful for Ba'cho’s assurances. So, why did his heart feel like a ball of lead? He was leaving Cadence in the care of another man. Every male cell in his body screamed at him to stay, that she was his responsibility. She belonged to him. Suddenly, he was hit with a wave of jealousy so fierce it nearly sent him to his knees. What was he doing? He’d never felt so torn. There was a part of him that didn’t care about what she’d done and yet there was that other part that wouldn’t allow him to forget it.

No. It was better this way. Mounting Athos, he reminded himself of all the reasons he was doing the right thing. He rode out, willing his doubts away with a strength and determination honed during his years in the war.

HE WAS GONE.

Cadence felt his absence in her very bones. He wasn’t even that far away yet, and already she was becoming weak. Their bond must be unusually strong for it to affect her so soon after his leaving. She thought she’d at least have a day or two before her suffering from the separation began. This was very strange and it frightened her.

How she wished her mother was here to comfort her, to take her in her arms and tell her everything would be all right, as she so often had when Cadence was a child. But she was all alone now, with no one to give her guidance.

Cadence lay on the pallet she and Jonah had so recently shared, feeling desolate and hollow. Where was he going? Was he heading back to New Orleans, or was he off to track down another wanted criminal? If he was going to New Orleans, she might have a chance. And if he were to reject her again, she would be doomed to live a life of pain and torment. To have him in the same city was not enough. It would barely sustain her. It would be better to die.

Suddenly, a wave of evil washed over her, before a man appeared and stood over her. His muscular, bronzed body was bare except for a white loincloth that reached to mid-thigh, revealing his strong, well-shaped legs. He was tall, his smooth, hairless chest broad, his stomach ridged and firm. Both of his bulging biceps were banded with strange tattooed symbols.

He looked like Ba'cho, except this man’s cheekbones were more angular, his lips not quite as full, but just as sensual. Where Ba'cho’s eyes were black, this man’s eyes were a rich amber color, shimmering with an odd light. A scar bisected one black eyebrow, the only thing marring his perfect beauty. His straight, inky-black hair was pulled away from his forehead and tied with a leather thong decorated with white feathers. The rest of his long hair fell well past his shoulders, almost reaching his waist. Most women would commit murder to have such thick, silky-smooth hair, and on any other man it would have looked silly, but on him, it only accentuated his masculine appeal.

He stared at Cadence with those strange eyes. He seemed…surprised, and…disappointed. “You are not the golden sister.” His voice was deep, with a slight raspy quality to it.

The golden sister. Jaelene?

“I sensed your power, so similar to hers.” Then he sniffed the air. “Your mate has left you.” Those sensuous lips of his curled into a sneer.

Cadence raised herself up onto her elbows. Even that small movement weakened her. “That’s none of your business…
Itsá
.”

His black brows drew together. “You know who I am?” And then understanding dawned. “Ah, I see Sons-ee-ah-ray is still the keeper of stories. So…he thinks to break the spell.”

Cadence could feel Itsá’s anger, sense the darkness inside him, along with his determination to see Ba'cho’s plan fail. How could such a beautiful man be so evil? “I can see how you’d have a problem with that,” she taunted.

He chuckled low, his white teeth gleaming. “You have a strong heart. Too bad you are mated and already grow weak from his leaving. I would have liked to have tasted you, shown you pleasure beyond imagining.” His eyes flared with heat. “Instead, I will have your sister.”

Cadence snarled, her green eyes blazing as she lunged at him. Her hands reached for his throat, but she was thrown backward by some unseen force. Faster than she could blink, he was crouching by her side, placing his hand on her forehead. Pain ripped through her body, her vision clouded by blackness. She barely heard his words. “You will learn, Little One, that my power is too great for you or your golden sister to fight against.”

Cadence could do nothing but writhe in agony while her entire body felt like it was being torn apart.

Sixteen

BA'CHO SUDDENLY BURST into the teepee and shouted, “Deeyá, yah-ik-tee!” His hands were raised in front of him, palms facing outward in a gesture to ward off the intruder.

Itsá barely blinked, clearly not intimidated. He stood and turned slowly toward Ba'cho. “I’ll be waiting for you, cousin.” Then he simply disappeared.

Ba'cho kneeled down by Cadence and reached into the small pouch he wore around his neck, retrieving a small stone. He quickly placed it on her forehead, chanting softly in his language. Slowly, the pain receded to a dull ache, and then disappeared completely.

“Are you all right, Ndołkah?”

Cadence took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. It was such a relief to be free of that awful pain. She’d never experienced anything like it. But now she could almost forget it even happened. “I’m fine – I think. What did you yell at him?”

“Once I give the command,
deeyá
– leave – Itsá cannot stay.”

“How did you make the pain go away?”

Ba'cho gently clasped the pouch resting against his chest. “I used one of the sacred stones of Bits-áin be-ke-yá – the Spirit World. It was the magic within the stone that reversed Itsá’s putrid touch.” His expression troubled, Ba'cho said, “Itsá has grown strong. The time has come to return balance to our world.”

“What did he do to me?”

“Itsá’s heart is black. The thing he stole is embedded in his chest. It’s what gave him the power to trap us here. It’s what also allows him to travel between our worlds. When he merged with it, his soul became tainted and because of that his touch causes pain.”

“He has no control over it?”