Page 310 of Primal Bonds

The woman who’d put Marjani in a cage.

His upper lip peeled back in a silent snarl. He wanted badly to sneak another look, but night fae could see in the dark as well as cats.

Gods, he wished he were alone so he could shift to his cougar, rip both fae into tiny pieces. He’d lost too many good friends to the night fae, been hunted himself too many nights. And Blaer had not only attacked Marjani, she’d forced his friend Luc to accept her geas.

Rosana bumped her shoulder against his. “Calm down,” she mouthed.

He gave a tight nod.

She was right. Night fae were energy vampires, with a creepy sixth sense that allowed them to home in on negative emotions—fear, anger, agitation. The only way to hide from them was to stay calm, slowing your heart and breath so they couldn’t track you.

Breathe in, breath out.

Retracting his claws, he pulled out the dagger and held it against his side. He forced himself to relax, blanked his mind.

In, out.

Beside him, Rosana slowed her breath to almost nothing.

The two fae continued scanning the backyard. Power brushed over Adric’s skin, cold and black. A night fae questing for prey.

He stilled, sinking deep into his animal.

Next to him, Rosana drew a barely perceptible breath and gripped his left wrist. He turned his palm over, threaded his fingers through hers and gave her an encouraging squeeze. She lowered an eyelid in a slow wink.

He managed a small smile back, although he’d never felt less amused.

Inside the B&B, doors slammed. From the third floor came the sound of frightened human voices. The bastards had rousted the couple upstairs.

Adric’s fingers tightened on the dagger’s handle, but he remained where he was. The fae wouldn’t do anything but scare the crap out of the human couple. The humans hadn’t even seen him and Rosana, so they’d be no help to the searchers.

Rosana’s palm was damp with nerves. He squeezed her hand again.

Hold on, angel.

A minute ticked by. The tension wound tighter.

He took another deliberate breath.

Calm, cool, blank. A sheet of paper. A snow-covered field.

Serenity flowed from Rosana. Maybe it was her, and maybe it was the charm, but it helped.

At last the woman murmured in disgust. The dark tendrils withdrew.

“They could be miles away by now. All I know is they’re not in this bloody inn.”

The man murmured assent, and the two of them returned inside without bothering to close the sliding door.

Adric waited until their voices receded before jerking his chin at the fence separating the next yard from the B&B.

Rosana nodded, and together, they scaled the fence and sprinted behind the neighboring house. They continued that way down the street, sticking to backyards as they aimed for the water.

When they were almost to the beach, Adric pulled Rosana into the shadow of an empty cedar-shingled house.

“Mãe de Deus.” Her breath whooshed out. “What was that about?”

He shrugged, although he had his suspicions. “You were perfect.” He gave her a hard kiss. “Cool as could be.”

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