Tempted by the--Lion? by Cristina Rayne

Author:Cristina Rayne [Rayne, Cristina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fantastical Press

Chapter 15

That the wide, metal door up ahead with a small window that was nothing more than a glorified peephole didn’t have a keypad security lock was a stroke of luck, one that Ryder had gambled his life on. Without knowing the fates of his three comrades, there was only one path for him that he could see that didn’t end with him either dead or worse, the lions’ prisoner again.

His momentum had him crashing against the door even as he reached for the handle. He could have cried when it lifted easily with a click. He pulled the door open just enough to slip inside and slammed it closed with the entire back length of his body. He fumbled for the door lock and, he was relieved to see, deadbolt with his left hand while he aimed the Glock at the two startled people dressed in white lab coats with the other.

The smell of lion was now stronger, making him bare his teeth before he snarled, “You try to shift and I’ll shoot you before your claws can come out!”

A meaty thud sounded against the door, and Ryder flinched away. The entire room seemed to shake as that first impact was followed by several more. He likely only had seconds to decide…

“Filthy jaguar!” the man spat, his voice dripping with loathing as he suddenly flung the beaker next to his hand that was full of clear liquid towards Ryder’s face.

As Ryder hastily leaped as far as he could to the side, the lion scientist made a break for the door. The liquid began to sizzle and smoke as it splashed everywhere, a few drops landing on one of his pant legs and shoes which then proceeded to smoke. He ignored the slight yelp from the woman and the burning, noxious smell of what was probably some form of acid and fired a warning shot above the lion’s head.

The scientist instantly hit the deck with a cry only a few steps short of the door, then cursed as he inadvertently stuck his hand in some of the spilled acid.

“Move an inch and the next one goes into your head,” Ryder warned.

“The Alpha will enjoy ripping you to shreds!” the lion hissed, his eyes flashing with both anger and pain as he cradled his chemically-burned hand against his chest.

Ryder pulled a few zip ties from the pocket of his tactical vest and took a step towards the lion. Movement out of the corner of his eyes had him turning his gaze to the young, auburn-haired woman in enough time to see her palm something from amongst the lab equipment on the table. Something to use as a weapon? It was too small to be a scalpel, so maybe a razor blade?

“Open your hand,” he demanded, fixing her with a threatening glare.

Dammit! He didn’t have time for this! From the battering ram-like crashes against the door, the deadbolt wouldn’t hold for much longer.

It happened in an instant. The slight ripple in the

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