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The lights were out again. Raven set down her book and navigated her way through the house to the kitchen by touch and memory. The wind howled against the windows as she tugged on a jacket and boots and grabbed a flashlight before heading out into the storm. She needed to start the generator and the check on the animals. This was the third power outage in a month, and there was no way it was an accident. First, something had tripped a breaker, and then the power line had somehow managed to get taken out by a falling tree branch on a windless day, and now this.
She tugged the collar of her jacket higher as a blast of chilled, rain-filled wind drained the warmth from her body. It was only early December, but this winter already promised to be colder than usual. “Maybe it’ll snow, wouldn’t that just be the icing on the cake,” she muttered to herself as she played the flashlight over the pathway in an attempt to avoid the deeper puddles. The path needed to be repaved, but there was no money to do it. No money for anything more than the basics right now, not with donations at an all-time low and the bills piling up. Realizing her thoughts were as dark as the night, she scolded herself. “There’s food in the fridge, a roof over the heads of yourself and your animals, and everyone is healthy, so stop complaining.”
She was almost to the door when she heard it, a low, menacing growl out in the darkness. “Oh shit.” She forced herself to take a deep breath and relax before walking the last few steps to the door and turning her back to it, feeling slightly better now she knew nothing could sneak up on her. She switched off the flashlight and waited while her eyes adjusted to the dark, trying to slow the hammering of her heart as the full weight of what had happened struck her. Someone had done more than mess with the power this time. This time, they’d opened at least one of the enclosures. Things were getting out of hand.
Another growl sounded and this time, she could make out a shadow lurking in the darkness, moving slowly toward her. She reached out with her gift and sighed with relief as she recognized the thought patterns of one of her gentler charges. Sometimes being a freak has advantages.
“Paz my girl, c’mere.” Raven crouched low and offered her hand to the animal prowling just beyond the limits of her vision. “You want to go home, don’t you girl? You’re not enjoying being out on your own.” She kept her hand still, and a moment later she was rubbing the ears of a purring cougar. “Who let you out Topaz? Hmm?” She gazed into the cougar’s amber eyes and touched the cat’s thoughts briefly. Scents and shadowy shapes impressed themselves into Raven’s mind. No face and only an impression of two men, one tall, one short and rounded. Raven sighed in frustration. “So much for getting answers the easy way.”
Once she had the cougar calm, Raven removed the belt from her jeans and gently looped it around the cat’s neck as a makeshift leash. “Let’s get you back home girl, then I’ll go turn on the lights and make sure no one else is loose.” The last thing she needed was for some of her more aggressive charges to get off the property, which was likely exactly what the saboteur had hoped for.
When her grandmother had started this place as a sanctuary for big cats, hers had been the only house for miles. There had been plenty of forest between the animals and any neighbours. But then Salt Spring Island had become a popular vacation spot, the population exploded, and these days there were neighbours all around the Cat’s Cradle Sanctuary, and not all of them were keen about living beside a wild animal refuge. If one of her cats ever got out, her neighbours wouldn’t stop until the entire sanctuary was shut down.
Raven checked out Topaz’s habitat for tampering and then let the big cat enter. “Next time someone you don’t know opens your gate, bite him for me.”
Topaz just yawned in response and climbed to the top of her tree house.
Raven chuckled as she closed the gate. “Some guard cat you are.”
The old generator started up without a fuss for once, and within minutes the lights were back on across the sanctuary. Fifteen acres of woods, fields, and shelters, all heavily fenced and gated to prevent the animals getting out. Raven could hear the chickens clucking in protest at the sudden flood of light, and she knew tomorrow she’d be seeing fewer eggs. One more inconvenience courtesy of Jerry Carter, resort developer and a major thorn in Raven’s side.
As she checked the other enclosures, Raven’s thoughts circled back to Carter and Evergreen Development Company. He’d seemed alright the first time he’d come to speak to her about selling, a bit slick maybe, his down-home accent and mannerisms a touch contrived, but for a salesman, he’d seemed fairly decent. As it turned out, each meeting he’d gotten more aggressive, and every time she’d refused to sell her family home he’d grown more determined to get his hands on it. At first, it had just been increasingly high offers and a barrage of phone and email contacts. But lately, he had started making veiled threats. Then some of her funding had dried up. Long term supporters had suddenly started finding other causes to donate to, and bills that had always been a little behind started coming in with angry red stamps of “overdue” and “immediate payment required.”
She was nearly done her rounds when she found the second unlocked enclosure and an icy tendril of fear curled itself around her spine, Ares was loose. Out of the six big cats she had in her care, the black panther was the most dangerous. He’d only arrived a month ago, half starved to death and badly abused. They’d had to tranquilize him to treat his injuries, and he had remained distant and distrustful ever since. Even with the talent, she had inherited from her mother’s side she’d barely made any progress with him. The panther had refused to allow her to touch his mind, keeping up walls of pain and distrust she had not been able to breech.
Feeling vulnerable, Raven fought the urge to run as she headed back to the main barn to get the tranquilizer gun. Running would only attract his attention if the panther was still close enough to see her. She kept a steady pace as she tried to sense where Ares had gone, but she couldn’t get more than a vague sense of direction and intent from Ares’ mind. Unfortunately, a vague sense was more than enough. She broke into a sprint. He was heading for the tree line at the far side of the property, fast.
* * * *
Malyk was walking without a destination when he sensed the presence of a predator nearby and was overcome with curiosity. He’d never felt such ferocity before. He’d been out walking, something he had taken to doing each night after the island had grown dark and peaceful. He’d been too long away from humans and the constant shift and flow of their emotions, though welcome, could also be overwhelming.
He veered from the path and started making his way across country, ignoring the wind and rain as he picked up speed and ran toward the animal that gave off waves of aggression and fear as it prowled through the darkness. Since he’d arrived here a few weeks ago the island had proven to be as restful and idyllic as his half-brother, Alistair had promised, the perfect place for a daemon in need of a change. But it was also rather boring, and the angry creature he could sense promised to be a distraction.
It took him ten minutes to cover the distance between himself and his quarry, and he grinned the entire way. It had been too long since he’d last had a reason to run anywhere, too long since he’d had reason to do anything, really.
He found his quarry in a tree just inside a heavily built fence that stood fifteen feet high. It was a black panther, his coat marred with old scars and fresh ones, underweight, though Malyk did not sense the cat was currently hungry. He stopped at the fence and stared up at the cat, barely breathing hard. Despite knowing the creature couldn’t truly understand his spoken words, Malyk found himself talking aloud. “What are you doing here? You’re a long way from your kind, aren’t you?”
The cat growled low in warning and Malyk could make out the angry lashing of his tail even in the darkness.
“You can see me, but I can see you too, so you might as well stop carrying on.” He walked over to the fence, tensed his muscles briefly and then leapt over it, managing the feat with little effort and a hint of smugness as the cat stopped growling and stared at him, curious.
“And I know you can’t do that, or you’d be on the other side of that fence already.” Malyk laughed as he leaned against the bole of the tree the panther had climbed. “Since you can’t leave, why don’t you come down here?” He repeated the invitation mentally and watched as the big cat’s eyes widened and then narrowed. He merely met the cat’s gaze and let the animal see what he was: not human, not a threat, not prey.
* * * *
Raven’s all-terrain vehicle rumbled through the night, anxiety causing her to grip the handlebars until her fingers turned white. If Ares had managed to find a way over the fence, I’ll lose the sanctuary. Please, oh please let him be safe and inside the fence. She repeated the last phrase over and over as she drove, the rain half blinding her as it streamed through her hair and into her eyes. There had been no time to change into heavier rain gear, she’d just grabbed the tranquilizer gun, a snare pole and the keys to her ATV and started driving.
She was so distracted by worry that it wasn’t until she stopped the ATV that she realized that Ares’ mental presence was stronger and had grown more open and easier to read. There was no trace of fear or rage in the big cat’s mind. Instead she could sense—contentment?
What’s going on now? She grabbed the gun and flashlight and headed toward the cat on foot.
Her light bobbed and danced around the clearing as she tried to find Ares, finally landing on something that shouldn’t have been there, a pair of long, denim-clad legs sticking out from behind a tree.
“Oh god, tell me you didn’t eat someone, Ares!” she groaned and moved to see better, playing her light over what she feared was a dead body.
“Is that his name?” A faintly accented male voice asked as he lifted his hands to shield his eyes and the panther’s from the blinding beam of Raven’s flashlight.
Raven just stared. Seated at the base of the tree was the most attractive man she had ever seen. His blonde hair was long enough to hang over his shoulders, framing a face that would look more at home on the cover a magazine than lounging underneath a tree on her land. He had a strong jaw, lightly dusted with blonde stubble and his lips were turned up in a smile that made her quiver deep inside. He was just as soaking wet as she was, and sprawled across the handsome stranger’s lap was Ares, one paw resting lightly on the man’s impressively broad chest.
“I’d get up, but I just got him calm so it’s probably best I stay put for now.” The blonde gave Raven a grin and patted Ares’ side. “My name is Mal. Does Ares belong to you?”
She blinked several times as if wondering if the strange apparition before her would vanish. When both man and cat stayed right where they were, she finally found her voice.
“Ares? He’s under my care while he recovers.” She raised a hand in greeting, her eyes still full of amazed confusion. “I’m Raven Thorne, and this is my land you’re on.”
She took a step closer and then froze when Ares opened an eye and growled at her. “How did you get him to do that? He won’t let anyone else near him.”
Mal laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “He was just in a great deal of pain. Whatever was done to him a while back, it left some internal damage that was not healing properly. It made him cranky.”
Their gazes met, and Raven was surprised to realize his eyes were nearly the same shade of golden brown as the panther’s. It was easy to make the comparison, as both pairs of golden brown orbs were focused on her. “He was pretty badly abused before we got him. This is a sanctuary; we’ve been trying to get him healthy again.”
“He should be fine now.” Mal gave the big cat another pat and then pushed him off as though he was a kitten and not more than one hundred pounds of muscle and claws. “Up you get, I think it’s time you went home, Ares.”
“He’s fine now?” Raven glanced dubiously at the panther. “Later on, you can explain to me how that happened. For now, I have to figure out how to get him back home. I was expecting to have to drug him and drive him back.” Raven frowned in thought as she glanced back toward where she’d parked the ATV. “I doubt he’s going to just follow me home.”
Malyk stood up, unfolding to his full height of well over six feet. He leaned down and dusted the worst of the mud and forest litter off of the oilskin jacket that fell past his knees. He made no attempt to hide his interest as his gaze wandered over her, making Raven feel like crossing her arms over her rain drenched chest. She knew he couldn’t see much in the dark, not with her wearing a jacket and a heavy sweater that came down to mid-thigh, but somehow she felt exposed as he looked his fill and then gave her a slow smile.
“I could come with you? He’ll follow me.”
She felt his gaze still boring into her, and Raven nearly rejected his offer out of reflex. Then she remembered she still had to get Ares home. “I’d appreciate the help. The sooner he’s safe and snug, the better. I need to get things settled, and I’m sure you are looking forward to getting home.” She tilted her head slightly. “Wherever home may be. I’ve lived here my entire life, so I know you’re not a local. Not with that accent.”
He gestured back into the darkness, indicating the rise beyond her property. “I’m staying at my sister-in-law’s house just up the hill, but no, I’m not from around here.” Malyk snapped his fingers and Ares fell in beside him. “How long a walk is it back to your place?”
Raven tried to quell a surge of jealousy as Mal effortlessly brought Ares to heel. Normally she was the one who could quiet any cat, but Mal had done what she hadn’t been able to, he’d gotten through to Ares.
“Too far for the weather tonight.” She gestured for him to follow her and took the lead, grateful that he couldn’t see her blush as she realized she’d have to drive them both back, which meant having the gorgeous blonde riding pillion. The thought of him having his arms around her made her breath catch in her throat, and her heart beat a little faster.
When they reached the ATV, she’d had him keep Ares calm as she started the motor, concerned the big cat would never stay put otherwise. With Mal’s hand on him, though, the panther hadn’t so much as twitched as the engine roared to life.
“You’ll need to sit behind me and hang on,” she told him, glancing to the rear of the ATV.
Mal raised a brow. “Interesting machine,” he commented as he swung a leg easily over the seat and settled behind her, his strong arms wrapping around her waist and his thighs lying along hers.
She could feel his body heat seeping into the back, making her realize how cold she had gotten. Part of her wanted to lean into his warmth and enjoy the sensation of being held. It had been a long time since anyone had held her.
As if reading her thoughts, strong arms tugged her tight against him, and he spoke, his words a low rumble just by her ear, “You’re cold.”
“The sooner we get Ares tucked away, the sooner I can warm up.” She moved her head to speak to him and then stopped when she realized his lips were still near her ear. If she looked back any farther... She let that thought go and wrestled her mind back to the task of driving them back across the sanctuary in the middle of a rainstorm.
The whole trip back Ares loped along beside them, never further away than she could see, even in the storm-torn darkness. Whatever Mal had done to Ares, it seemed to have made quite the impression.
She felt every bump and rut in the road on the drive back because every bounce pressed their bodies together and made her tingle from head to foot despite the fact she was soaking wet and chilled to the bone. As they arrived back at the main barn, she’d shut off the engine, but Malyk hadn’t moved a muscle, his arms still wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly against him.
“You need to let go now.” She twisted back in the seat and tapped his arm, reminding him he hadn’t released her yet. “I have to get Ares back in his enclosure and see if I can’t get the lights back on.”
Malyk arched a blonde brow, clearly confused. “The lights are on, aren’t they?” He gestured around them, water dripping off his sleeve as he did so.
“I’m using the backup generator. Whoever let Ares and Topaz out also messed with my power, again.”
He was up and off the ATV in a heartbeat and scanned the area around them, looking for any threat. “Someone let Ares loose on purpose?”
Damn, he’s tall. Her brain took a side trip to re-assess his looks now she could see him clearly. His hair was so blonde it was almost white, and the stubble on his jaw was only a shade or two darker. He had strong features, full lips, and cheekbones a model would kill for. What she could see of his body underneath the oilskin jacket confirmed what she already knew from the drive back, he was one well put together man, solid and strong.
Realizing she was staring and had yet to answer him, Raven groaned inwardly and snapped out of it. “It’s not the first time they’ve messed with my equipment, but it’s the first time they’ve let the animals out. I’ve tried to tighten security, but it’s a big place.” She swung her leg over the ATV seat and stood up.
“Do you think you can get Ares back home? It’s just over here.” She pointed to their left to where a chain link gate hung open.
Malyk nodded, snapped his fingers again and a minute later he was latching the gate as the big cat vanished into the darkness of his pen. “He’s safe and secure.”
“Thank you.” She ran a hand through her soaking wet hair and winced as she realized what a wreck she was. “I really mean it. If you hadn’t found Ares, he might have gotten over that fence and hurt himself, or someone else. That’s got to be what they were hoping for.”
“Who would do that and why?” Malyk’s words had an edge to them now.
“Carter’s men. They’re the only enemies I’ve got.” She paused, wondering how much to tell this stranger. For all, she knew he could be a spy for Evergreen Development.
Malyk seemed to sense her hesitation, and he paused for a moment before coming to some sort of decision. “You don’t need to tell me Raven, I’m a stranger, I understand. But I’m also not going to leave you alone out here until we get the power back on, and I know you’re safe back in your house. Whatever is going on here, you shouldn’t be alone.”
Raven blinked and stared at Mal. Had he just offered to protect her in a roundabout way? Things were getting bad, sure, but the last thing she needed was a guy with a hero complex coming to her rescue, or a spy, or—a really nice guy who happened to look like a living avatar of sin. She laughed at herself inwardly and threw caution to the wind. “Ares trusts you, so I will too. I could really use the help, thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet, I haven’t mentioned that I’m quite useless with tools and don’t have the faintest idea how to fix your power problem,” Malyk said with a grin, clearly pleased she had accepted his help.
“Let’s start by checking the fuse box, maybe they just mess with it again. Anything more complicated and I’ll just phone the power company in the morning and have them come out. At least we’re going to get in out of the rain.” She gestured for him to follow him as she headed to the main barn.
