His Darkest Embrace (Jaguar Warriors 2)

She clutched the disc tight within her right hand and brought her left out, the long, vicious claws curled and sharp as razors. Her heart beat fast, pumping the blood through her veins as she felt the power inside of her erupt.

She pushed away from the wall, leaping up into the air as high as she could. Her left arm fully extended, she brought it down in an arc as Azaiel turned to her, his face thunderous, his body shimmering with power.

She felt her claws rip through flesh and bone and she screamed, her battle cry full of every single emotion inside of her. It was shrill, loud, and it echoed in the morning mist.

Azaiel reacted instantly, his arm swatting at her as if she were no more than an annoying bug. He slammed his fist into her chest; the force of it knocked her several feet into the air and she landed in front of the doorway.

Skye was up in an instant, her body feeding on the adrenaline that rushed through her, and she was outside in seconds. The rain slammed into her, the sheets of water nearly solid as they fell from the heavens in a torrent.

Time slowed then. She could hear her heart beating a furious rhythm, her lungs drawing in great gulps of air.

The entire area was surrounded by every kind of otherworlder imaginable. She stumbled forward, moving so that she was away from the structure, aware that Azaiel had exited as well. She held the disc tight against her body, her left claw in front of her, the deadly weapon held high.

To her right were several shifters and her eyes widened at the sight of Degas DaCosta. He scowled at her and licked his lips menacingly. To his side was Jaden and she looked tense, worried. They were surrounded by jaguar warriors, wereshifters, vampires and a few with the aura of demon.

Skye felt the panic rip into her mind and she struggled to keep a cool, calm head.

“So we meet again, little bird.”

The voice slid at her from the murky area to her left. He was in shadow, and solidified in front of her. Everything else faded into nothing as she met the eyes of the one man she hated more than anything.

Cormac O’Hara smiled at her, his handsome face twisted into a wicked grin. “I knew you’d eventually lead me to the disc.” His cold eyes flashed as he looked beyond her to Azaiel. “I see you’ve brought me a present.”

Skye could feel Cormac’s power. It floated in the air, a tangible, living thing. It was stronger than before, darker. He’d been dipping into some heavy shit and that meant that the playing field was muddied even more.

“You know not what you’re toying with, sorcerer,” Azaiel said as he moved closer to Skye. The weird gray mist that clung to him continued to swirl and she noted the wary looks from the demons present.

They were afraid of Azaiel. Cormac, in his arrogant stupidity, thought he could manage him. He had no fucking clue. However, if they wanted to get into a pissing contest, that was fine by her. This was the opportunity she needed to get the job done.

“I know exactly what you are,” Cormac said softly. “Why do you think I allowed the eagle to let you escape?”

Skye began to edge away from Azaiel and through the rain she noted all eyes were focused on the showdown between Cormac and Azaiel.

She chanced one last look at Jaden and nodded as she focused and began to chant softly in her mind. Skye had no clue if the words needed to be uttered aloud; she only knew that she had to try. There was no more time.

She’d come to the end and no one was taking the portal from her. She was in control and would end it. Now.

Jagger slid to a halt, feeling the heavy magick as it crackled and slid through the rain. It rode the wind hard, slamming into his gut and when the sweet scent so unique to Skye rippled across him, he growled softly.

It mixed and mingled with a whole host of otherworld scents and the need to protect his mate bled deep from within his soul. Its strength was furious and he began to pant in an effort to control his impulses. He needed to focus.

They were close to a large gathering of all sorts of nasty creatures. His nostrils flared as the scents of many slithered down into his lungs, agitating the beast within him. He tensed, gripping the modified Glock Declan had provided in one hand and a charmed machete in the other.

Declan slid up beside him. “Cormac’s here. I can sense him.” The Irishman’s tone was calm and menacing. “Looks like it’s time for a family reunion.”

Jagger squared his shoulders and warned the eagle shifter to his right. “Skye must be protected. I don’t give a damn about the portal or any of that crap.”

“Don’t worry, jaguar. You get my sister and I’ll get to the portal.” The eagle exhaled and shook out his limbs as he stopped alongside him. “It never should have been her. It’s time for me to end this, make it right.”

His brothers nodded to Jagger and disappeared into the darkened interior, followed in succession by Cracker and Ana. The rain and fog had stolen what little bit of sunlight there was, leaving the entire jungle swathed in near darkness. Nervous energy clawed at him and tremors wracked his frame.

A scream ripped through the jungle and he reacted instantly, jumping forward with Declan and Finn at his side.

Silently they slid forward, swiftly cutting through the jungle, and Jagger was thankful the protection charm Declan had invoked was still working. From what he could gather, they were outnumbered by a huge ratio.

As he slid to a halt near the edge of a clearing he felt his stomach muscles clench at the sight before him.

Skye was dead center, encircled on all sides by a motley assortment of the freak show that had gathered. Relief flooded him as his eyes ate her up greedily, running the length of her body. He noted the half shift of her arm and the fact that she clutched a round stone artifact in the other.