Page 108 of Sapphire Flame
Shifting her focus as well, Natalie understood instantly what was happening.
The monster of the hour drew near.
Though Kryder hadn’t yet appeared in the doorway, he wasn’t far away, maybe a few dozen yards.
She forced her heart to settle down. She sought out the most resilient part of herself knowing she would need to remain as calm as possible during the next few minutes. She couldn’t panic or let fear overtake her.
Because of her connection to Grant, as well as her own growing wolfness, she could feel how the pack had become almost a single organism.
Silence fell on the sandpit arena. She felt as though time stopped as together, they awaited the arrival of their alpha.
Her wolf sat in front of her, on her haunches, ears perked up and listening. Natalie could hear the measured thump of booted feet, like several men marching in formation. They probably were. Kryder wouldn’t have arrived alone.
As the alpha appeared, several wolves near the entrance gasped. Natalie soon saw the cause. Kryder wore a bizarre costume including a tall feathered headdress and a massive embroidered cape. The feathers were light blue, silver and red which matched the intricate patterns on the navy velvet cloak.
Natalie shifted her gaze to the gallery. Each pack member bowed his or her head as Kryder passed by. The submission was complete and thorough from one wolf to the next.
Her iridescent wolf whimpered quietly.
New awareness arrived, and she contacted Grant.He’s using a charisma spell to enhance the pack bond, isn’t he?
You’re right. Thank you. I was feeling it as well, the need to bow to him.
Do pack wolves always bow to their alphas?
No. A nod of deference, yes. But this kind of response, no.
Natalie worked not to panic.Can you resist him, resist the spell?
I don’t know.
We can always drop the net first thing.
She watched a smile touch his lips.We may have to, but I’m not ready to give in yet.
By now Kryder had reached the midpoint. He paused for effect then continued his progression. Maybe he’d seen or at least understood that Grant had the support of the entire pack and he intended to break it apart with his current parade.
Worse, it was working. Even her wolf was in agony as she watched Kryder.
With some effort, she shifted her gaze away from the demon who served as alpha to the Meldorin Pack. She focused instead on the worthy wolf still watching Kryder’s progress.
How do you defeat a man who uses a wizard’s spell to enthrall an entire arena of wolves?
She turned to Ryan. His trembling had ended but he was sweating, his eyes glazed. She reached out to him telepathically.Ryan, the bastard is using a spell.
Slowly, Ryan shifted his gaze to her. He squinted for a moment, then asked,What?
Kryder is using a spell to enthrall the pack. They’ll never break the bond in this condition.
He looked around and blinked several times. The wolves on the team were also slightly dazed. He lifted a finger to Natalie, a hold signal.
She waited and observed as he went from one to the next and broke each from what had been a serious trance-like state. When he was done, he stared up at the crowd.
To Natalie, he said,What if this continues? He’ll have control of the pack and you’re right, they’ll never break the bond in this condition.
She swept her gaze over the gallery once more. It ran in a half-circle above the sandpit.Can you take care of this?
You mean wolf-by-wolf?
