Chapter 10

“That might work,” Keilor agreed and looked hopefully at Jayems. He didn’t care for the woman’s influence on him, either. The sooner she was mated, the sooner her wretched power would be confined to one poor soul, and the rest of them could get on with their lives as before. He frowned, momentarily displeased by the thought of all those intensely erotic charmer pheromones being spent on just anybody. Then he shrugged it off. It was only the lingering affects of her remembered scent making him possessive, and an excellent example of why Knightin’s suggestion was a good one. “I’m for it,” he asserted firmly.

Jayems looked hopeful for a moment and then scowled. “It can’t be just a lover. By forcing her to stay and accepting her as a guest of my lady, I’ve declared her my guest as well. Honor dictates that I can’t scheme her into such a disreputable position. Besides, a lover wouldn’t be good enough. As long as she’s not securely attached, the men will still vie for her.”

Knightin nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right, it will have to be a mate,” he agreed, practical as always.

Keilor noticed Jayems eyeing him thoughtfully, and the hair rose on the back of his neck. He scowled. “Forget it, cousin. I’m not wedding to solve your problems.”

His lord shrugged. “It will have to be someone like you, a man of rank. Preferably a warrior of strong will.” He grinned wickedly. “She would trample anyone less.”

Decision made, he went to his desk, sat down, and pulled out a pen and paper. “Very well. What lambs shall we toss to the slaughter?”

***

Jasmine hurried through the giant trees at a fast walk. She was still amazed she’d managed to slip away from the guards during the game of ‘go find’. Even with Wiley’s long counts, and the fact that she’d only traveled half this distance before, it would be a matter of minutes before the Haunt guards caught on, and they would find her in no time. Lemming wouldn’t know enough to be slow in her tracking, either. At least they’d managed to work their way deep into the woods for this last game, and she was certain the gate between worlds was just up ahead. With any luck, her stuff would still be there; if not on this side, then the other.

It had better be, otherwise, she was in trouble. She couldn’t survive the September temperatures of Alaska for long without protection.

She caught a flash of wild animal eyes, and, thinking of the wolves, ran faster. She didn’t want to end up a Jasmine burger.

Nothing smelled right. The exotic scent of the redwood forest seduced her brain, invigorating and enervating all at once. Odd calls sounded through the deepening twilight, and she felt something squish against her knee. Giving a little shriek, she looked down to discover she’d plowed over a huge mushroom. It had a brown cap the size of a Stetson hat.

Something skittered through the ferns. She whipped her head around in time to see a black beetle the size of a terrier heading away from her.

She ran.

Without warning a shadow detached itself from the forest and stepped into her path. She cried out and staggered back a step. Then she recognized him. Keilor.

Oh, oh.

“Going somewhere?” he asked, and electric intensity vibrated in his words.

Though he’d half expected it, Keilor wasn’t thrilled at the position she’d placed him in. As a Master of the Hunt, it was one of his responsibilities to see to his people’s safety. By running away, most likely to bring others of her kind into his world, she was endangering the Haunt and all he held dear. That he could not allow, and he would do what he must to keep her from doing it again.

Even if he wished things could be otherwise.

She hunched over, sucking in air and hiding her eyes. “We were playing ‘go find’,” she offered, knowing he knew the truth but hoping he’d accept her excuse.

He didn’t.

He stepped forward. “I win.” Her eyes widened in alarm as he invaded her space. “You seem to have a problem with authority,” he observed with deliberate menace, and she swallowed. “Perhaps it’s time to acquaint yourself with the law of your new land.”

Jasmine wasn’t immune to intimidation. Unfortunately, whether he knew it or not, Keilor’s advance was playing havoc on her body. Nerve endings his dream-self had ignited in the night chose that moment to flash in Technicolor glory through her mind.

A reckless thrill raced through her and flashed in her transparent face, and she prayed he wouldn’t notice. She didn’t want to feel this way.

The answering flare of heat in his eyes, quickly banked, said he knew.

“Justice is swift,” he continued, forcing them both to focus on his point. Whatever it had been. “Punishment, often cruel.” His dark gaze swept her, sizzling with what lay unspoken between them. “So reckless, little Dragonfly. So eager to tease danger.’’ He stepped back, holding out his hand. “Give me your sash.”

Jasmine’s hands clamped protectively around the sash at her waist. She took a step back. “Why?”

Arctic chill slipped into his voice. “Do you give it to me, or do I take it?”

She wanted to believe he wouldn’t really hurt her. Swallowing hard, she slowly unwound it and gave it to him, her arm at full extension.

He grasped her wrists and raised her arms above her head as he bound them to a convenient branch.

At that point Jasmine should have struggled. She knew it. Maybe he knew it, too. She told herself he was bigger, and stronger, and she’d never get away. All lies. None of that had stopped her before. None of it would have stopped her now if she hadn’t wanted…

The air was warm, but she shivered. Let him think its fear, she begged silently, closing her eyes. Just this once I don’t want to think about it.

Besides, it was too late.