Page 114 of Dark Seduction

Malcolm knelt. “Can ye find yer powers?”

Aidan did not speak. He was as still as a statue, staring at his mistress.

Malcolm touched Isabel and jerked to look at Claire. “She’s cold. She’s gone.”

“Close her eyes,” Claire said harshly. She rushed to Aidan and knelt, carefully touching his shoulder. She saw shock on his face and looked at Malcolm. Moray had done this. She had no doubt. “Help him.”

Malcolm lifted Isabel and laid her on the bed, covering her entirely with a blanket. As he did, Aidan stood. The shock vanished from his expression. He stared at Isabel’s corpse, his eyes burning with hatred, and Claire knew he was lusting for vengeance.

“Aidan,” Claire said. Resolute, she went to him and tried to take his hand. “I am so sorry. Come, sit down. You’re in shock.”

He jerked free, not looking at her; Claire wasn’t sure he’d even heard her or knew she was there. He started for the door.

Malcolm ran in front of him and barred his way. “Ye canna defeat Moray. Ye’ll die.”

Aidan smiled coldly. “Get out o’ my way.”

“Don’t let him go,” Claire whispered.

Malcolm did not take his gaze from his half brother. “I canna allow ye to hunt Moray.”

“Get out o’ my way,” Aidan snarled. His teeth gleamed very brightly, and saliva dripped.

His expression was odd and frightening. Claire had never seen such a savage look on a man’s face.

Aidan snarled at Malcolm.

The sound was filled with menace and was unbelievably bestial. Claire’s insides lurched. She had a very bad feeling, but she did not know what to expect.

And she saw Aidan’s beard growing at an impossible rate.

Malcolm stiffened. “Aidan!” It was an alarmed cry of protest.

Aidan snarled again. This time there was no mistaking the sound—it wasn’t human, it was canine. And before her eyes she saw a gray wolf appear in his place.

Claire cried out, backing away. The wolf stood very still, crouched to attack, hackles raised, growling in such a way that it was clear he would assault Malcolm and ravage him to death.

Claire was stunned, but she instantly understood. Shape-shifting was one of the most basic tenets of Celtic culture, so why wouldn’t these Masters have the ability to change from man to beast? If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed it. What she didn’t know was whether Aidan remained inside the animal at all, or if only a murderous beast was there instead.

“Malcolm, get out of his way,” she said, her heart thundering.

The wolf snarled once again, fangs dripping. Claire was afraid it would leap on Malcolm at any moment.

Malcolm did not move. “I didna believe ye could shape-shift,” he said slowly. “Even though I heard ye called the Wolf of Awe.” He hesitated. “Don’t do this. Claire be right. Yer my brother. We’ll hunt Moray together, the way brothers should.”

The wolf snarled and sprang. His assault was so powerful that Claire knew Malcolm could not defend himself against such a supernatural beast. She screamed.

But Malcolm got down on one knee and the wolf bounded easily over him. It raced into the hall at such speed its feet barely touched the floor.

Malcolm followed, as did Claire. The wolf ran down the corridor toward the window. They ran after it. “Aidan, don’t!” Malcolm shouted.

Too late. It leaped through the window, breaking the glazed glass.

Claire could not control another scream, this one of horror. She ran with Malcolm to the window and looked down. They were on the third floor. She expected to see a mangled wolf lying below, or a mangled man. Nothing lay in the shadows of the courtyard.

Malcolm grasped her elbow.

She followed his gaze. Against the moon, she saw a hawk soaring rapidly into the distance.