His Darkest Embrace (Jaguar Warriors 2)

Jagger’s growl erupted from the edge of the cave and Skye turned toward him, her heart pounding heavily inside her chest. The warrior stood with legs spread, a casual stance, really, but the anger and blackness that clung to him was unmistakable.

Nico whirled around and snarled as he took a step toward Jagger. Skye’s throat constricted and she jumped forward. “Stop it! Both of you.” She ran toward Jagger, her eyes beseeching. “We’re so close to the end, we can’t fall apart now.”

Jagger’s eyes shot sparks of energy and the green of them took her breath away. He didn’t take his eyes off Nico, but his warm hand fell to hers as he pulled her in close to his body.

“Did he touch you?”

Skye shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “No, we’re good. I just want to go and find the cave.”

Jagger looked down at her then, his face unreadable, and the emotion that welled up from deep inside of her was like a physical ache.

“You’ll take us to the cave and then I want you gone.” The words were directed at Nico. They were flat, cold.

Skye could feel the other warrior move behind her and by the way Jagger’s arms tightened around her protectively, she knew Nico was close.

She held her breath.

“I have no problem with that,” Nico answered softly.

The relief that washed over her was nearly incapacitating. Her legs buckled and Skye leaned into Jagger, resting her head against his chest.

Nico exited the cave, leaving the two of them alone with their silence.

“Are you sure you’re all right? I shouldn’t have left you alone with him. He’s screwed up. Has been for a long time. I just never thought he’d—”

“Ssshhhh. I’m fine Jagger, really.” Skye’s eyes were captured whole by the intensity of his gaze. “I just need this to be over.”

Jagger’s fingers trailed softly across her cheek until they lay against her lips.

“Let’s do this,” he said quietly. He lowered his mouth and the pain around her heart sharpened. His lips caressed hers softly, teasing her with the merest whisper of pleasure before they were gone.

Skye turned from Jagger, hoping the sheen of tears had gone unnoticed. She quickly grabbed her bag, making sure all of her precious notes and maps were in place. When she turned back, Jagger was waiting, the intensity of his gaze more than a little unsettling. He cocked his head to the side and she moved to the edge of the cave.

It was still dark, a few hours away from dawn, but she had no problem navigating down. The jungle was silent, eerie. It was more than a little unsettling. Every single alarm bell was ringing deep within her. Nothing was right. Everything was wrong.

Yet there was nothing out there. The jungle lay empty.

Smart, she thought. All the animals had fled. They could sense the darkness that was slowly seeping into the very heart of the jungle. Sad thing was, if she wasn’t able to stop it, there would be no place to hide.

Skye looked toward the last mountain to cross, the one that sheltered the Cave of the Sun. It lay dark, silent, and forbidding. A shiver crossed her body and her heart began to beat against her chest as the adrenaline kicked in.

It was time. Before the end of this next day, she would hold the portal in her hands. She would fulfill her destiny by sealing it forever.

Skye squared her shoulders and avoided Jagger’s gaze. She had no time to dwell on the what-ifs or the could-have-beens. She had no time for love.

She would do this.

And have the rest of eternity to think about regret.

Chapter 20

They hiked for hours through dense forest, cool rivers, and across waterfalls that fell hundreds of feet. The sun broke from the dark of night although it couldn’t penetrate the fog and mist, which lay like a blanket and shrouded the entire area. The vibrant blues and greens of the jungle seemed dull, lifeless, as if a paintbrush of gloom had washed over the entire area.

Skye took a long draw from a flask of water and wiped the sweat from her brow. Her eyes remained fixed ahead, on a point near the summit of the mountain. It was where Nico had indicated the cave was located.

Nervous energy tugged at her and Skye had to concentrate in order to stop her hands from shaking. After shoving the water canister back into her bag, she flexed her fingers and cracked her neck from side to side. She was tense, on edge.

She found her gaze drifting to Jagger and felt everything inside of her still at the burning look of need and hunger in his eyes. She tried to swallow but found that she couldn’t.