Hunger Untamed by Pamela Palmer

Author:Pamela Palmer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2011-02-21T22:00:00+00:00

Kougar leaped through the hole he’d kicked in the wall, thanking the goddess as his paws hit stairs. A twisting spiral of golden stairs, he realized, his cat’s eyesight taking over in the dark. Behind him, he heard the soft footfalls of his jaguar companion.

Upshifting into his full-sized cougar, he flew down the stairs four at a time. Light began to reach him from below after a single turn, growing brighter as he descended, revealing the jeweled inlay work in the walls, creating magnificently intricate floral designs. One part of his mind wondered at the artists who’d created the place, but his only concern was finding Ariana.

A flash of pain, Ariana’s pain, burst from the mating bond, making him crazy with the need to reach her.

After more than a dozen turns of the stairs, he leaped into a chamber and came to a startled halt.

What the fuck? Jag pulled up beside him.

Melisande stood alone in the large, circular chamber. At first, he thought her feet had been cut off and she stood balanced upon the remaining stumps. But she was somehow fused to the mosaic floor.

His gaze rose to her face, to the defiant fury that couldn’t mask the terror in her eyes. He shifted into his human form, Jag doing the same.

“Where’s Ariana?” Kougar demanded.

“You shouldn’t be here. You have no right to breach the sanctity of the queen’s chambers.” But her words held little real heat.

Kougar strode to her, in no mood for her attitude. “Tell me!”

“She’s in the lower chamber.”

“Show me how to reach her.”

This time, her ire rose. “It’s forbidden to all but the queen.” Even terrified half-out of her mind, she remained defiant.

Kougar’s patience was at an end. He went feral, his claws and fangs descending, though he held himself back from attacking her by the barest measure. There would certainly be no lifting this one off her feet.

A distant scream rang from deep below. Ariana’s scream.

“Melisande.” The growl ripped through his voice.

Her resistance visibly melted, the fear for her queen getting the better of her where her fear for herself had not.

“You can’t follow.” Melisande lifted her hand to forestall his reaction. “I can open the door, but the temple won’t let you through it. It won’t even let me pass.” Disgust sliced through her expression. “And you’re not even Ilina.”

High above, a shout sounded, followed by the smashing of stone.

“We’re about to get company,” Jag warned.

Melisande’s temper snapped, anger fueled by pure terror. “You’ve led them to us!”

“Put a muzzle on it, blondie.” Jag held his hand out to Kougar, palm up. “Knives? I’ll hold them off.” Of the two of them, only Kougar retained his clothes and weapons when he shifted.

Another distant cry of pain rang out, followed by a burst of agony blasting down the mating bond deep within him.

Kougar tossed two knives to Jag and whirled on Melisande. “Open the door!”

The blond mist warrior began to chant softly in the musical Ilina-speak. Behind the altar, a shimmering door appeared. Kougar raced for it, desperate to barrel through, but all too afraid Melisande had spoken the truth.

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