ENTANGLED (33 page)

They burst toward each other at the same time, once again slamming together in the middle of the dungeon. Aidan kicked at the beast’s foreleg and heard the distinct sound of a bone cracking. A yelp of pain that told him he’d hit his mark. The beast was lame. Aidan flipped the animal over. He felt a moment’s remorse as he stared into the animal’s snarling muzzle, then reached toward its thick neck. With his remaining strength, he turned the large head until he heard the snap of bones.

The wolf stilled. The group upstairs grew quiet, then suddenly burst into raucous clapping. Aidan ignored them all. He didn’t care. Only one person held his interest. Slowly, he turned. Mary Ellen stood against the far wall, her eyes huge and luminous with shock and fear.

He stumbled toward her, grimacing every time his lame leg hit the stone floor. He’d seen it before…that utter look of terror. He’d sworn he’d never see that look upon Mary Ellen’s face, for she would never know the truth. She knew now. “Mary Ellen—”

“Two beasts then!” the man above shouted.

Aiden froze, jerking his gaze toward those windows. No. He hadn’t the strength for two werewolves.

“Aiden!” Mary Ellen rushed toward him. She didn’t stop until she hurled her warm body into his arms. Relief was bitterly sweet. He gripped her tight, breathing in her sweet scent. For this one moment he would soak in her essence and pretend all was well.

“You’re hurt!” She pushed back and cupped the sides of his face, the fear was replaced with worry. Actual tears trembled on her lower lashes.

Dear God, she cared. The human within him swelled with hope. “I…I’ll be well enough in an hour or so.”

Those eyes, those beautiful cornflower blue eyes watched him with what could only be called affection. “Truly?”

He nodded, unable to say more for a lump of emotion clogged his throat.

She glanced up at the windows, heedless to the effect she had on him. “Then, I do believe it’s time to escape.”

Aidan laughed. “Yes.”

But how to escape? The two doors were bolted from the outside. The windows a good twenty feet above. If he jumped and make it, could he break the bars? But he knew the answer to his problems even before the beast inside him whispered the word,
blood
.

Aidan swallowed hard and lowered his gaze to the pulse thumping in Mary Ellen’s neck. That smooth, pale throat. The beast inside him roared to life.

“What is it?” she asked.

Their gazes clashed and he saw something shift there, in her eyes…a knowing. “There’s only one way out of this.”

She didn’t speak for one long moment. “Tell me.”

“I have to feed.”

Fear and resignation mixed in her gaze. “On what?”

“You.”

She gave a nervous laugh and took a step back. “You’re jesting.”

How he wished he was. How he wished this was a joke, or nightmare. Sadly, it was his life. “They’re bringing in two more werewolves. I don’t have the energy to fight and kill them. I haven’t fed in weeks.”

“Fed?” her voice squeaked.

He took a step closer, she took a step back. “I’m injured.”

She swallowed hard and looked at him exactly as he’d expected…like he was a monster. He didn’t have time for her human sensibilities. “Damn it, Mary Ellen, either I feed from you, or we both die.”

She narrowed her eyes, annoyance flashing in those heavenly blues. “Well, when you say it that way.” She was furious and for some odd reason he found her dramatic nature amusing. “You’ve…you’ve ruined any chance I might have at a decent marriage with Worthing.”

“I saved you!”

“Oh yes, saved! Because this is so much better than being chased by a ridiculous man in a garden.” She brushed her hair over her left shoulder. “You’ve ruined my gown.”

His gaze found the pale column of her throat and his heart slammed wildly in his chest. “How, exactly, did I do that?”

“You’re at least responsible! Don’t try to deny it.” She tilted her head back, closing her eyes like some virgin about to be sacrificed. “And now you want to drink my blood.” She sighed long and loud. “Well, fine. Do it. But you better not kill me.”

Aidan wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh or shake her. Instead he gripped her shoulders and jerked her forward. She squeaked, closing her eyes more tightly. Lord, she smelled good, like cinnamon and apples.

He lowered his head to her neck, breathed deeply and for one brief moment savored the moment. The murmured conversation above was barely noticeable over the rapid thump of her heart. They were curious there, above, wondering what he was planning. They’d know soon enough. Aidan flicked his tongue over his pointed teeth, testing their sharpness. Taking in a deep breath, he lowered his head to her neck. His teeth pierced the flesh easily.

Mary Ellen gasped, stiffening in his arms.

Her warm, sweet blood flooded his mouth, danced across his tongue. Complete euphoria washed over him, through him, pulsing in his veins. He’d dreamt of her taste, he’d stayed up at nights thinking about her, but never had he imagined this. Everything and everyone faded. He no longer heard the excited murmurs of the crowd above them. No longer cared that they were trapped in a dungeon. He only cared about Mary Ellen…having her completely and utterly. The loud thump of her heart, his heart…as one.

The beast inside him erupted. Took control of his body, his emotions and needs. He wanted more. Had to have more. Vaguely he was aware of Mary Ellen sinking into him, her body going limp. The human part of him knew he needed to stop…she couldn’t take much more blood loss. But he was hungry…so damn hungry.

Her blood rushed through his body, filling his form with warm life, giving him strength. And then she sighed…a soft sigh that pierced his cold heart. Aidan jerked back. The tiny holes in her neck stood out in stark contrast to her pale neck. Guilt and relief struggled for dominance. The strength that rushed through him on a heated waved pulsed in time with his heartbeat…her heartbeat, he wasn’t sure who the pulse belonged to. Mary Ellen’s lashes fluttered up, her hazy gaze so completely trusting of him. The guilt he felt was almost unbearable.

Shite
, he’d fed too long. “Easy now,” he said, his voice catching with an emotion he didn’t dare contemplate.

She nodded. “Did it work?”

“Yes.” He hated himself more at that moment than he ever had before. This woman hadn’t been disgusted by him, she hadn’t shied away. She’d been a warrior, offering herself for the greater good. And he’d practically taken her soul. Gently, he settled her against the stone wall. “You stay put.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll just sit here.” She slid down the wall, landing in a heap of blue silk. Seeing her small body huddled on the floor left him aching.

“Mary Ellen,” he whispered, kneeling. “I’m so—”

The door across the room screeched open. Aidan jumped to his feet and spun around. Through the black pit, two werewolves sauntered inside, their noses to the ground, scenting out their prey.

The door fell back into place with a thud that stirred the dust on the floor. As one they lifted their heads, finding Mary Ellen’s scent almost immediately. Their eerie yellow eyes locked on her. They were prime, ready to mate and she was their target.

Aidan smiled a slow, wicked smile. The man in charge, watching them from above like some god, had made one stupid mistake. Two werewolves in their prime would kill each other for a mate. Aidan wouldn’t have to do a bloody thing but sit back and wait for the winner, who would no doubt be tired and injured.

The wolves turned on each other quicker than he’d expected, their snarls and cries of pain vibrating through the stone room. Not bothered by their fight, Aidan turned his attention to the windows above. The people were in clear focus, now that he’d fed. His body no longer ached, the injury healed. They looked so utterly normal. Who knew they were a mad, blood thirsty lot? Not even the women, in their fine silk clothes, looked horrified by the violence. Their excitement was practically tangible.

Twenty feet above. The steel bars would be easy enough to break now that he’d fed. The jump…he narrowed his eyes…he should be able to make it.

He didn’t need to look back at Mary Ellen to check her welfare. He could sense her, feel her breath, hear her heartbeat…slow…so slow. Panic urged him into action.

Aidan ran directly at the far corner, so fast he knew he was a blur and was for once, thankful for his abilities. His foot hit the corner, about five feet up. Aidan pushed off and focused on those iron bars covering the windows.

He gripped the bars and looked directly into their pale English faces. Each and every one. For a moment they were too shocked to make a sound. Quickly enough, the women screamed, the small group of silk dresses and suits stumbling back in their haste to escape. The sound of shattering glass resonated through the cell as they dropped their flutes of wine.

“No need to retreat. Don’t worry.” The man in charge tried to calm their fears. “There is no possible way he can escape. The bars have been tested.”

Aidan focused on him. The ringleader. He pierced the man’s soul with his gaze and relished when the man shivered. He could hear the rapid beat of his heart, practically taste his fear. His bald head glistened with sweat, his swollen belly pushing against the seams of his black jacket as he panted.

Growling low in his throat, Aidan gripped the bars harder and pulled them apart. The screech of metal interrupted the snarling wolves below. The bars parted easily under his strength, far enough that he could fit through. The feminine screams turned high pitched. Fear vibrated the very air around him. He would see they all paid. But not now. No, he had more important things to worry about.

Aiden released his hold and fell, landing in a crouched position on the ground. Slowly, he lifted his head, focusing on the wolves. One was lying upon the ground, bleeding, still. The other was limping its way toward Mary Ellen. She drew her knees to her chest, her face pale in the torchlight, her whimper piercing his heart.

With a cry of outrage, Aiden burst forward, teeth bared. He hit the wolf before the animal sensed him coming. The beast rolled to its side, taking Aiden with him. Crushed beneath his weight would have killed a lesser man, but Aidan wasn’t exactly human. Aiden shoved his palms into the animal’s side. The wolf flew across the room, hitting the stone wall with a thump. The animal cried out, sliding to the ground.

Aidan jumped to his feet. “Mary Ellen, now!” He held out his hand.

She stumbled upright, her body quivering with fear and exhaustion, but her eyes were trusting, so damn trusting. He reached her in one step, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her up hard against him. The werewolf was regaining his feet, his gaze locked to them.

Aidan glanced up at the windows, the spectators were long gone, leaving behind only a trail of terror and regret.

“Hold tight,” Aidan said. “It’s going to get interesting.”

Mary Ellen wrapped her arms around his neck as he burst forward.

As Aidan raced forward, headed toward the wall, Mary Ellen faded into darkness. It wasn’t until the cool night air whispered lovingly over her face, that she stirred. How very odd she felt, floating between darkness and light. She knew Aidan still held her, she could sense his presence and breathed in his spicy scent. She knew that somehow they had escaped certain death, yet couldn’t manage to dredge up enough energy to care.

“Mary Ellen, open your eyes.”

The pressure of Aidan’s arms lessened and she felt her body sliding down his hard form. An odd heat filled her veins, a need to be closer to him. Her feet hit the ground and she opened her eyes. His beautiful blue gaze watched her as if he cared. Did he care? Was Sally right? Or had he merely saved her because she was Grayson’s sister-in-law?

He reached over her shoulder and pushed open the door to a large cottage.

“Where are we?” she asked, her voice soft, weak. Why was she so weak?

“You need to regain your strength.” He scooped her up, cradling her against his chest and carried her into a foyer. A dingy, dusty place, but even she could tell that with a little polish, it would be rather pretty with the curved oaken staircase and wooden floors.

She had little time to study the cottage before Aidan carried her up the stairs. Mary Ellen rested her head on his shoulder, and sank into him, trusting the man. “Where are you taking me?”

Down a long corridor he made his way. “So many questions.” He smiled down at her, a kind, soft smile that belied the beast she’d seen in that dungeon. What was he? Angel or Devil?

At the end of the hall he stepped into a large bedchamber. Although the room was rather empty, the space was clean, the bed made, as if someone had lived here, or was planning to. “Who lives here?”

“I will, soon.”

Surprised, she didn’t fight him when he laid her upon the large, four-poster bed. Did that mean he’d be leaving them? She felt completely angry and bereft at the thought. How dare he abandon her!