A wicked grin spreads across Jabari’s face, transforming his features from dangerous to darkly playful. “Would you like me to kill in your honor, my sweet mate?”
“If this were the old days, I’d say hell yeah,” I admit, “but since I don’t know the implications or the consequences you’ll face for doing that on Wintermoon, how about we raincheck on that?”
Jabari dips his head down suddenly, stealing a kiss from my lips that sends electricity coursing through my body. I’m so distracted by the sensation that I don’t realize he’s slipped around me until I feel the rush of air as he takes off running down the hall after Kendrick.
“Goddammit,” I mutter, coming down from the kiss-induced haze. I push off the wall and start running after him.
By the time I hit the deck and turn the corner, my heart nearly stops. He’s standing at the railing, holding Kendrick by the back of his shirt, dangling him over the ship like he’s nothing more than a rag doll. Kendrick’s legs kick frantically in the air, his screams for help ringing across the water. Jabari’s face is lit with satisfaction, like a predator toying with its prey before the kill.
“Put me down, you disgusting fucking shifter!” Kendrick shrieks, his voice cracking with terror.
“Gladly,” Jabari replies, loosening his grip slightly.
“No, wait!” I hold up my hands cautiously as I step toward them. “Yes, he’s a dirtbag, but let’s be reasonable here. If you drop him, he won’t survive. He’ll likely get sucked into the propellers and chopped up or something like that.”
Jabari’s grin widens, his teeth flashing. “Good. A quick death. Sounds fair.”
Kendrick’s shouts intensify, drawing the attention of other passengers who begin to gather at a safe distance, their faces masks of horror and fascination.
A black cloud of smoke appears near us, and suddenly Kade is there, leaning against the wall of the ship, smirking at the scene before her.
“What the fuck?” I turn to her. “Aren’t you the sheriff? Do something!”
Kade narrows her eyes at me. “I heard Kendrick. Didn’t he just threaten you?”
“You are not serious right now.” I stare at her in disbelief. “Weren’t you practically on the verge of a stroke when you realized he found me just a few hours ago?”
She shrugs, casual as can be. “I’m about to get you off the ship, so what’s wrong with a little vindication?” She flashes her fangs in a bright smile. “He’s not going to listen to me anyway, not when it comes to you. You want Kendrick to live his little miserable human life, then command your bear to stop.”
I look back at Jabari, at Kendrick dangling over the open water. Why am I even bothering to save him?
“Jabari, I beg you, please put him back on the ship.”
His eyes find mine, intense and questioning. “Is that a command?”
I swallow hard. “Yes, it’s a command.”
Something shifts in his expression. He lifts Kendrick higher but keeps his feet dangling as he brings him face-to-face. Then he lets out another monstrous roar, so loud and primal it sendsvibrations through the deck beneath my feet. The smell of urine fills the air as a dark stain spreads across Kendrick’s pants.
“You live because she says you can live,” he growls, his voice barely human. “Remember that, human.”
In one fluid motion, Jabari pivots and hurls Kendrick through the air. The man’s body strikes the wall of the ship not far from Kade with a sickening impact. I wince at the sheer force of it. Kade doesn’t even flinch as Kendrick slides down to the floor, dazed, his eyes fixed on nothing.
I stare at Kendrick’s crumpled form. “Is he?—“
“What?” Kade shrugs. “He’s not dead.”
I’ve had enough. “You know what? I’ve had enough of both of your asses. Get me off this ship right fucking now.”
Kade snorts and looks to Jabari. “You heard her. The boat is ready, let’s go.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fuck it, I’ll do it myself. Stay here with Jabari, and I’ll get your bags.” With that, she disappears in another cloud of black smoke.
I ignore the mystical cloud fading around me as I approach Jabari. Despite everything, I feel a need to acknowledge what he did for me.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “For taking up for me. And for sparing him, even though I know your bear didn’t want to.”
He smiles down at me, his eyes softening. He lifts his hand and gently runs his fingers over my forehead, down the bridge of my nose, and across my lips. The touch is feather-light, almost reverent.
