LERRIN

The dream began as if he'd woken in the forest. Nhox lay next to him, sleeping, which shouldn't have been, but for some reason, Lerrin didn't care. Then he realized what had woken him: Suhle was frantic, screaming for him, somewhere deep in the forest and unable to find him, calling for him, his name echoing through the trees.

He ran and ran. Human form, beast form. His breath tore in and out of his throat, but he couldn't answer her. Couldn't find the link. Could only hear her suffering. Hear her fear.

It tore him apart.

Then she screamed and he leapt into beast form to—

—Lerrin sat bolt-upright, panting, heart pounding so hard it throbbed in his ears, in the shade of the rock that sheltered them from the afternoon sun. He opened his mouth to call for her and a hand clapped over it.

He startled and tried to yank free, but Nhox was in front of him, eyes wide, not making a sound, gesturing.

There was someone nearby.

Then, as Lerrin blinked and breathed and tried to remember where he was and what was happening, Nhox scratched at Lerrin's mind.

Lerrin opened to him, sucking in when he felt the male's alarm.

Nhox had stayed awake to guard Lerrin. Against orders, he'd patrolled.

The young male was rigid with tension, but not shaking, his face tight, but determined.

There are trackers less than quarter of a mile southwest, he sent, tipping his head in the direction. More than one. I think they've already taken the firestarters and one or two of the snipers. They're coming closer. They know we're here!

Nhox sent an image of shadowy figures moving extremely slowly through the trees to keep themselves silent. Arrows knocked in bows held ready.

Lerrin nodded, then blinked.

He needed to be found. He needed to be taken. But Nhox was good. He'd protected Lerrin and would continue to do so. If they were found, Nhox would fight to save him—then he'd die, and likely one or two of the trackers as well.

Three lives, to save his own skin when he was going to surrender anyway.

Should he tell Nhox? Would he have time to convince him—or would Nhox turn on him, seeing him as a traitor.

Then the young male sent the final blow.

I've got the bird on the way. He's exhausted but maybe he can at least get us off the mountain.

That won't be necessary, Lerrin sent quickly, scrambling. They were heading east, right? They may not even find us.

Nhox shook his head. They are patrolling the entire mountain. Though they passed us for now, they'll return. I watched them for an hour just in case it was as you said. But they are covering every square inch. We have an hour at most.

Careful not to open any of the thoughts to the male, Lerrin swore to himself over and over. This was the one possibility he hadn't considered—having such a diligent guard that they identified the enemy when there was still time to escape.

I'm getting you out of here, Nhox sent. Its time to abort. They already have the firestarters. The jaws of our trap cannot be closed. We'll get you out of here. I can tell the mindlink to retreat—

No, not yet! Lerrin sent hastily. Tell them only to regroup. Go back to the rendezvous point and we will meet them there. Perhaps we can establish another fist and try again tomorrow.

Nhox smiled and nodded. Very well, he said, too easily impressed so that Lerrin felt like a dog for deceiving him. I will tell them that. The bird should be here any—

Just then the call of the Terrabird whistled from just below them on the mountain and they both froze.

You tell the packmind. Show them me with the bird, Lerrin sent.

They both pushed to their feet and crept out into the hazy afternoon shadows under the trees, Lerrin praying that somehow, somehow he could make this work. He could get a message to Reth…

Suhle.

As they crept slowly down the mountainside, all the terror he'd felt in that dream rushed back and he reached for her, desperate.

Suhle, are you safe?

Yes.

Thank the Creator. You're still the Tree City? Were you caught?

I am delayed, but not imprisoned. I am with my family.

Stay where you are, if you can, until you hear from me again. There has been a change of plans, out of my control. But I'm working to get it back together. I may need you to deliver a further message to… to Reth.

Okay, she sent and he would have sworn it was relief in her tone. Be safe, Lerrin. Don't die.

He almost coughed, which might have been deadly.

As they reached the bird—still exhausted and pale and standing in the shade of a tree looking like just climbing up to them had finished him. How was he going to fly them anywhere?—Lerrin sent to Suhle again.

Don't move. Keep your head down. You will hear from me again. I love you, Suhle.

I love you, Lerrin.

A warm wash of something beautiful and pure came at him through the bond and the pin-hairs on his arms stood up.

You are mine, she sent, hushed and awed. Do not doubt it.

I don't.

Lerrin sent her an image of him submitting to her, offering his throat and he felt the rush of emotion she had in response, but Nhox was already whispering in the bird's ear and Lerrin needed to focus. Needed to think. Needed to figure out how he could deliver himself to the Cat without getting any of these males killed.

Get himself to the cat. Keep his life. And be reunited with his mate in a way that was safe. Because he was willing to give up everything else to Reth. But not her.

She was his, and he was hers. And even the Cat wasn't going to stand in the way of that.

*****

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