But then things changed in a way she’d never expected.
Feet came into view. Not feet exactly, but large paws.
Slowly, she lifted her head and pushed her body up until she was kneeling in the muck, brandishing a piece of driftwood and inches away from the most magnificent animal she’d ever seen.
Time stilled for a few seconds. She was aware of her lungs deeply inhaling air as her heart furiously pumped blood through her body, screaming at her to defend herself.
Warm air blew from the creature’s nose and caressed her face. Libby shivered at the sensation as she stared, mesmerized, at the dark intelligent eyes that peered at her from the exotic face of the powerful black cat.
She gulped thickly as a low keening growl vibrated deep from its chest.
The animal moved away and began to pace back and forth, its movements agitated but not aggressive. She found herself relaxing, and when the animal stopped so close that she could touch it, her hands moved toward it on their own accord.
Trembling fingers hesitated, then softly skimmed over the thick fur that surrounded its head. The pelt was deep black, but as the sun caressed it, outlines of its rosettes were plainly visible. In fact they shimmered under her touch.
The cat was beautiful, and as she studied the animal, her fear left her completely. She had no clue what it was. A panther, maybe? Weren’t they black?
“What are you?” she whispered, and fought the urge to wrap her arms around the beast. That would be crazy, wouldn’t it?
The magical moment was broken as the animal jumped back, barking roughly from its chest. It resumed pacing once more, and Libby started to feel nervous. Then waves of anxiety pummeled her and she looked to the wimpy piece of driftwood she’d managed to dislodge.
There was no way in hell that was going to save her if kitty cat decided she looked like a tasty treat.
The animal howled, and fear crept up her spine again. Her mouth went dry and she shivered as fog began to encircle the cat. Long tendrils crept up and over the powerful muscles of its hind legs, until the entire body was shrouded in mist.
Libby fell back as the animal began to move and shift, fear clogging her mouth, blocking her scream. Her eyes widened in horror as the dark shape mutated. Grunts and popping noises reverberated through the small clearing. She began to back away, trying to ignore the terror that clawed at her insides.
As long as the animal wasn’t hungry, she should be all right. Now was not the time to panic. She needed to keep a cool head.
But that was going to be freaking hard.
Her mouth fell open and she shook her head in denial as a man walked toward her from the mist; slowly, with predatory grace.
A powerfully tall and naked man.
Intricate tattoos glistened in the sun as a fine sheen of mist clung to his skin. They shimmered as he walked toward her.
It was Jaxon, and his eyes were alive with a fever that hit her hard in the gut.
As Libby’s eyes slowly wandered over the magnificent specimen, they widened even more. His straining erection pointed toward her like a weapon, and she licked her lips.
Jaxon was hungry all right. And it wasn’t for food.
Chapter 10
If anyone had told Libby such a ridiculous story, she would have said they were full of shit. An animal changing into a man was unbelievable. It had to be an illusion, an elaborate hoax meant to intimidate and frighten.
Declan’s words rumbled through her brain, their import penetrating her disbelief.
Vampire, shifter, and practitioner of magick.
That’s what he had said to her the day before. At the time, she’d dismissed them as outrageous, intended to scare the crap out of her. And they’d worked. She shuddered at the image of Ana and her ferocious fangs. But now? Now she didn’t know what to think.
Was this some elaborate trick? Or was it all true?
Libby’s eyes flew to Jaxon’s, and sharp jolts of awarenes
s plummeted through her body. They sent shock waves of energy sliding outward, until her entire frame literally hummed.