True Nature by Powell Neely

Author:Powell, Neely [Powell, Neely]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Paranormal, Contemporary, Suspense, Vampires and Shapeshifters
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Published: 2013-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Hunter tried to move but he couldn’t. He heard his men yelling and running but he could do nothing. His face was wet with what he thought was his own blood. His lungs were screaming for oxygen.

“Come on,” Craig yelled. “Help me get this bastard off him.”

They struggled. It took Craig, Evan, and two others to lift the heavy body off Hunter, and when he was free, he could do nothing but drag in air. He felt like a turtle, on his back unable to turn over. Finally, he controlled his breathing and rolled to his side. When he did, he came face to face with a huge, shaggy lion’s head.

For hours they had tracked the beast through woods around the estate. Hunter began to think the creature was playing a game with them, but when the attack came it was sudden, violent, and aimed straight at him. Thankfully, Evan had a clean shot.

The beast’s mouth was open, and Hunter shuddered at the size of the large feline teeth. They were almost four inches long and would have killed him with one bite. Evan saved Hunter’s life with a well-placed arrow that went straight through the chimera’s heart while the animal was in mid-air above Hunter. One of the massive claws had scraped Hunter’s head as it fell, bringing the blood that was chilling on his cold face.

Craig and Evan each offered Hunter an arm and helped him stand. When they let go, he staggered but straightened at last. Still drawing deep, ragged breaths, Hunter looked down at the animal, half lion and half man.

“It’s Patrick Killin.” Craig crouched beside the big body. “Michael’s younger brother.” He looked up at Hunter. “There’s only one person Michael Killin loves more than himself and that’s his mother. She adored Patrick. He was her youngest, and she will push Michael relentlessly to kill you in the most painful manner possible.”

Hunter wiped his hand across his mouth. He was trembling. He was sure it was shock. He felt cold, clammy sweat all over his body, and his heart was still banging in his chest.

“How do you know it’s Patrick?” he asked when he could.

“I recognize his mane.” Craig touched the tawny, black-tipped fan of hair around the beast’s face.

“How?”

“We’ve been studying these predators for years.” Craig got to his feet. “A lion’s mane is like a fingerprint. We managed to get pictures so we could identify all of them. They’re out to destroy the MacRaes, so your grandfather made it his business to know who he was dealing with.”

One of the others pressed a handkerchief into Hunter’s hand. He held it against his forehead.

“Why didn’t Chymera come after me himself?”

Craig shrugged, reaching for Hunter’s arm. “Let’s get you back to the house and see how badly you’re hurt, and then we’ll talk. Evan, radio ahead so the doctor will meet us.”

Hunter stared down at the huge beast again. The regal lion’s head was enormous, and the shaggy mane was waist-length. Sharpened claws were still visible in the huge paws at the base of the lion’s forelegs.

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