Kill the jaguar. That voice was demonic and cruel as it directed Ren.
He nocked the arrow and aimed it straight for her heart.
Her father started to fade. "If the Grizzly takes him over again, you will have to kill him, Kateri. You are the only one who can. Kill him. Stab his heart and he will be no more. If you don't, he will destroy the world of man, and he will kill you. Remember that I love you, daughter. Always."
Then her father was gone completely.
Ren's image stayed on the wall with that one red eye glaring at her. "You will not weaken me!" he snarled, then he let loose his arrow.
Kateri ducked instinctively. But it was just an illusion. No part of it was real.
None.
Except for the man who slept beside her. Her hand trembling, she brushed the hair back from his battered face. So he really was the Makah'Alay she'd seen in her visions and dreams. How weird to know him so well and yet not know him at all. To have someone from her dreams here in the flesh ...
Makah'Alay.
That was also the name of a demon her grandmother had told her about when she was a little girl. He is evil to the core of his soul. Those who see him, die by his hand. Always. He takes pity on none and can control the raven mockers. Fear him, Waleli. Pray you never meet him. And if you do, run with everything you have.
Could he be the same creature her grandmother had warned her about?
Swallowing hard, she ran her hand over his sculpted jaw where only a few whiskers were there to tease her skin. Asleep like this, he looked more boyish than threatening. More human. But awake, he could be terrifying and overwhelming.
And with that thought came another image of him with both eyes so red, they glowed. He stood with his legs apart and body tensed as if about to battle an unseen enemy.
"What did you do to make them all fear you so?" Why had he done it?
Kateri sighed as she tried to sort through information that came at her so fast, she felt like she was in the middle of cramming for finals. If she learned one more thing, her brain was going to shut down in revolt and leave her a drooling vegetable on the floor.
Needing a minute to clear her head, she stretched out by Ren's side. But it wasn't comfortable. The hard, earthen floor was cold and gritty. In fact, it said it all about how much he needed sleep that he could be out so soundly on something so miserable.
Ugh, this is not going to work. She tried everything she could think of, twisted into every position. She put her arm under her head, then took it out.
Useless.
Until she slid her gaze to Ren's lush body. Yeah, that was the only thing in this dismal place that looked appealing. Desirable ...
Inviting.
Don't do it. He's bleeding.
True, but there were areas of his body that weren't blood-soaked. Areas that were ...
Comfy-looking. Before she could stop herself, she rolled him over, onto his back, then scooted closer so that she could use him for a pillow.
Oh yeah, much better.
And in the next second, she took a deep breath, then was out cold.
* * *
Ren came awake slowly. His body was still aching. Damn it. He felt like someone had beat the hell out of him, which they had. Literally. Or more appropriately, he'd beat the hell out of the demon.
I should have beat the bastard harder....
Wincing from the pain of his ribs and back, he opened his eyes, then froze at the last thing he expected to see.
Kateri was snuggled up against him with her head on his shoulder. Her left hand rested in the center of his chest while her breath tickled the flesh of his neck.
His body hardened so fast and furiously that he sucked his breath in sharply. Against his best efforts, an image of her naked and writhing, and in his arms, went through him. He could just imagine her running her hands over his back while he made love to her.
That did nothing to help his discomfort.
Or his mood.
He tried to think of something unpleasant. His father. His brother. Grizzly ...
Smelly socks.
Nothing worked. Not while he could feel her on top of him like a familiar lover who was completely at ease with his company. Biting his lip, he pressed his hand against his swollen groin, trying to force his will on the treacherous beast that couldn't listen to him. Or if it did, then it was definitely mocking and ignoring his wishes right now.
I should have gelded myself after Windseer left.
True. It wasn't like he'd ever needed it. It'd only gotten him into trouble and it reminded him of just how alone he really was in this world.
How different he was from other men.
All of a sudden, Kateri stretched like a languid cat, arching her back and pressing her body closer to his. Something that also gave him a perfect view down the neckline of her shirt, straight to her purple lace bra and a set of tawny breasts that made his mouth water for a taste.
He clenched his hand into a fist to keep from obliging himself with a grope he was sure would get him bitch-slapped. And justifiably so.
With a contented sigh, she slid her hand over his chest, brushing against his nipple.
Ren moaned deep in his throat as tortured pleasure erupted through his entire being. Oh yeah, he was dying now. This ... this was hell.
At the sound of his hiss, Kateri opened her eyes instantly and met his gaze with a startled gasp. "Oh, hey." She relaxed into a sweet, welcoming smile. "Morning, Sunshine. Ready to take on the day?"
Gah, she was a morning person.... Kill me. How could anyone wake up in such a pleasant mood? He'd never understood that disposition.
Not that it mattered. Right now, he couldn't respond had he wanted to. Not while his body was so aroused.
"Are you feeling better?" she asked in that chipper voice that hadn't been annoying yesterday when it hadn't been so early.
And the answer was simple. Hell, no. But that wasn't what she was referring to and he knew it.
There's no need in being an asshole to her. Not her fault you're horny.
Yeah, well, bullshit on that. He wouldn't be in this condition without her. She was definitely the reason for his raging hard-on. However, it wasn't her fault she felt really good in his arms or that she was unbelievably sexy with her hair tousled around her face, her cheeks flushed from sleep.
So he gave her a grudging, "Yes."
She flashed him an adorable grin that made his cock jerk in response.
Down, boy. No need in making us both miserable. You're not going anywhere so you might as well deflate and save us our dignity.
She stretched again. "By the way, did you know you talk in your sleep?"