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As the sentinels drew their swords, Skye’s voice rang in his head, ringing with exciteain!

Paenther’s gaze swung to Skye, loving her with his panther’s eyes He said the words as he leaped at Birik, Vhyper at his side Skye chanted loudly, her voice ringing over the stone as she raised her unique power and sent a blast at the sentinels, knocking them back He felt her pain, heard it in her voice, but his witch was at heart a stubborn little fighter, and she kept the guards at bay

Birik tried to run for the door, but Paenther leaped on hi him down As he sank his teeth into the bastard’s chest, the great snake bit off his head Paenther pulled out Birik’s heart and ate it

Beneath hian to shake Chaos erupted in the roo for the door Paenther shifted back into his human for around his neck as he gathered her tight against him

"You’re okay," she whispered

The sound of battle erupted behind them Animal battle Paenther set Skye on her feet and pushed her behind hi as no Ferals should, going for one another’s throats Mortal coe fox had taken a chunk out of his neck Part of Foxx’s face had already been torn away Each was fighting for his life

"Foxx!"

But the fox ignored hi said He attacked ain His eyes are empty, BP There’s nobody home

"Wait here," Paenther told Skye, but as he prepared to shift, Vhyper struck the fox, six-inch-long fangs burying deep in the animal’s hindquarters

Al to anot far away, crashing and splintering as the ground shook even harder

Paenther grabbed Skye, shielding her in case anything else fell "We’ve got to get out of here"

Vhyper and Jag both shifted back into men as Paenther and Skye joined the in pain

He looked up at theaze as cold as any he’d ever seen Soulless

"Vhyperwas right" Foxx’s face twisted with pain "All this tie’s weapon andI didn’t know"

Paenther looked at Vhyper "How bad?"

"The poison? A lethal dose"

Paenther stared at his friend, then nodded and looked down at Foxx "I’oddess, he was The kid had shown some real promise He could have been a dae had cut off a pro life before it had a chance to bloom "It shouldn’t have ended this way"

Foxx opened hisas his body relaxed, his head lolling to the side

"He’s gone," Skye said quietly

A massive stalactite dropped fro bits of limestone

"Out," Paenther said "Now"

Vhyper lifted Foxx in his arms as Paenther shielded Skye

"Where’s that Dae asked

Vhyper shook his head "The last ti between the two circles"

As they reached the door, Paenther turned right, but Skye pulled against hi him

"This isn’t the way out?" he asked her

"It is But I have to get Faithful Go with Vhyper I’ll meet you outside"

"Like hell Who’s Faithful?"

"One of my deer I have to savetheazeafter the blade I’ll bring the deer"

"I’ll go with you" Paenther began, and cut off as a chunk of ceiling nearly crashed on top of them He hauled Skye out of the way barely in tiot threeafter you"

"Deal"

Vhyper led the way out of the caverns and into near-hurricane-force winds and driving rain Mother Nature was furious, but Skye could hardly care Paenther was alive, Birik dead, Vhyper saved Now if only Jag, Faithful, and the other deer ainst his chest as cold rain lashed her body She glanced at Vhyper as he held Foxx, his gaze searching the forest No longer was he the cold, casually cruel Feral she’d known in the caverns But the dark, swirling intensity she felt in hierous Inside hiitated, but she didn’t think it had anything to do with her this tin of thee may be soulless, but they’re not stupid There’s nothing more for them here"

"Three minutes," Paenther said softly, as if to hiet out of here, Vhype She can lead you to the others"

"No," Skye said "I have to see Faithful"

Paenther stroked her, the cold rain sliding between their naked bodies "We’re not going to have room in the car for a deer, Beauty"

"I wouldn’t take her froood-bye"

Vhyper laid Foxx on the ground and stripped hi Paenther the clothes "You need these more than he does"

Paenther slipped Foxx’s shirt over Skye’s head, a soft cotton dress shirt that fell nearly to her knees, then pulled on the pants and boots for hiround rumbled and shook "Get her off this mountain, Vhyper, before it implodes"

But Skye shook her head Deep inside she could feel the pull of the ani" As the Feral cleared the entrance to the cave with four deer, elation flared inside her It was done, and they’d all made it Except Foxx

Skye pulled away fro as he led the deer by the ends of their tethers Hethem by the ends of ropes, but she noted with interest that Faithful was pressing as tightly against him as she usually did her Which was extraordinary, really, considering the le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>