“You will surrender willingly, or this child dies right here. Right now,” Rud decreed.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Percy shake his head, whether to warn her or to disagree with Rud, she wasn’t certain. It didn’t matter. She felt she had no choice but to attack the leader of the jaguar shifters. That meant getting closer.
When she took what appeared to be a reluctant step toward him, Percy exploded into action, catching at her arm to restrain her. Simultaneously, Bacus shoved Jasmine out of the way, hard enough to send her sprawling to the ground behind him.
Around them, in three places, the ground erupted. Dark geysers of whirling dirt, rotted vegetation, leaves and twigs rose high into the air. Everyone froze as a man emerged from one of the geysers. He stood directly in front of Rud, facing him.
Two others were suddenly there as well, one standing to the side of Percy and her while the third man aided Jasmine to her feet. He did so gently and just as gently put her behind him so his body was between hers and Bacus’.
Chapter
7
Sarika found her heart pounding nearly out of control when the three men came up out of the ground. It was clear the troops had arrived, just not the one she was expecting.
All three men were clearly related. They looked like triplets, but it was the man standing directly in front of Rud she found imposing. She wasn’t the only one. Everyone’s attention was riveted on him—even Bacus’.
The aura he gave off was one of extreme power. Of total command. Of absolute calm. He was tall and broad-shouldered like the other two men. All three had long chestnut-colored hair and brilliant, glittering aquamarine-colored eyes. Those eyes betrayed intelligence and the cunning of the highest predator. There was no doubt in her mind that they were facing three extremely lethal beings.
What was even scarier to Sarika was that the three menfeltlike they were one person to her. They seemed to move in synchronization. They felt like lethal predators, giving off a vibe so much more powerful than Rud or any of the other jaguars.
Strangely, she couldn’t take her eyes off the man confronting Rud. No one could. To her, he was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. He looked all man, nothing soft about him. Every muscle was sleekand defined. When he moved, those muscles rippled powerfully under his skin, but when he was still, it was almost as if he could fade into the background, becoming a phantom. He had tear-shaped scarring on the right side of his face from hairline to jaw. That should have detracted from his good looks, but she doubted if anything could.
The surrounding jungle had gone eerily silent. The familiar drone of insects she’d found comforting was no more. There were no wings fluttering overhead or the scream of monkeys. Snakes, frogs and lizards seemed frozen to tree branches. The tension was ratcheted up so tight that not a single mouse, vole or salamander scurried through the leaves on the forest floor.
The glittering aquamarine eyes focused on Rud. “Gentlemen.” Those eyes shifted for the barest of moments to rest first on Jasmine and then Sarika before they softened when his gaze touched Sandrine. “Ladies.”
His voice was the most compelling thing Sarika had ever heard. A wave of unexpected heat rushed through her veins. She could only stare at him with wide, shocked eyes. He’d come out of the ground right in front of her, and with one look, he commanded everyone. She waited, counting her heartbeats.
“Tomas,” Rud identified the stranger. He seemed frozen to the spot.
“I believe you are scaring young Sandrine, Rud.” That voice was pitched low, with no challenge, no warning, yet the threat was very clear.
She had no idea if the stranger was familiar with Jasmine and Sandrine, but by calling the child by her name and the way the little girl was looking at him, she believed he knew them—that he hadn’t just overheard her name.
Rud cleared his throat. “This is a jaguar matter, Tomas. Not Carpathian.” He took a quick look around, as did Sarika. Tomas’ brothers had faded even more into the background.
“I will have to respectfully disagree with you, Rud. I have anaversion to harming women or children, and it isn’t ever going to be done on my watch. It is best you remove your hand from around that child’s neck before one of us will be compelled to take action.” Again, he spoke in that low, calm voice. Almost gentle. But there was nothing gentle in his slashing eyes or the building waves of sheer menace coming from him.
Rud glanced at Sarika and then flexed the long stiletto-like claws until one rested over Sandrine’s jugular. “Do you think you’re fast enough?” he challenged.
Sarika stepped toward Rud in protest. Percy’s hand slid off her arm. He didn’t make a move. Tomas shot her a single look and she froze in place.
He turned his predatory gaze back to Rud and slowly inclined his head. “Faster, yes. I’m Carpathian, as are my brothers. Should you do the child any damage, we have ways to heal her. She is in no danger from you. You, however, are in tremendous danger.”
Luiz.Sarika reached for her cousin.Why aren’t you here? You said you would come, especially if there’s trouble.
Her cousin answered her immediately.By chance, Tomas, Lojos and Mataias happened to have taken rest beneath the earth where Rud decided on a confrontation with Jasmine, you and little Sandrine. As they were closer and more than capable of handling the situation, I have sought sustenance.
The reminder made her shudder.So you’re out feeding yourself and leaving my safety and that of Jasmine and her child to perfect strangers.She wanted to strangle him.
There was a short silence. Once again, she had the impression of male amusement that didn’t quite register with him. It was there, she felt it, but he didn’t.
The impulse to strangle must be a genetic thing,he said. He sounded lazy. Not in the least concerned about her safety.I have the urge to strangle you for putting yourself in this position after I gave you specific orders not to leave the house.
She was not commenting on that. The entire time she waschastising her cousin, she kept her attention centered on Tomas. How could she not? He commanded the situation with his quiet authority. She didn’t like his solution—that if Rud succeeded in puncturing Sandrine’s artery, the Carpathians would simply heal the laceration. It wasn’t that easy, that simple, to stop someone from bleeding out when there was arterial damage.
Tomas looked utterly confident. Almost too confident, as if the entire situation bored him. She studied him and realized, not through looking at him but feeling him, that hewantedRud to challenge him. Tomas fascinated her. Mesmerized her. She had thought Luiz was terrifying; Tomas was frightening to her in a different way. She just wasn’t certain what that was.
