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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?
She turned back to him and smiled. That’s your gift, isn’t it? You know every wolf by name, who they are, what they dream about when Kryder isn’t terrorizing them.
He seemed surprised then returned her smile. Yes, one-by-one, but I’ll need to stay hidden. Once Kryder’s men catch sight of me, I’m dead.
I understand. I can hold the spell over you at a distance. We’ll make it work and I’ll let Grant know what we have to do. When he seemed to hesitate, she deepened her telepathic voice just a little and added, Go. Now.
Again, he seemed surprised, but he took off at a run. She could feel the invisibility spell expand with him. He must have as well because he winked at her as headed through the door and back up the stairs.
Kryder had completed his tour of the gallery and slowly turned toward the sandpit. “So, you would challenge me tonight.”
Before Grant could answer him, she said, Ryan is going through the crowd to break the spell one wolf at a time. Stall Kryder as much as you can before engaging him in battle.
She watched Grant take a deep breath. Aloud, he finally addressed Kryder, “What I would prefer is if you simply broke the pack bond right now. We don’t need to do battle. You have your own interests anyway. Why not let the pack go?”
Kryder lifted his arms which spread the cape as he gestured to encompass the pack. “They are loyal to me. Why would I ever leave my people when they love me so?” He laughed, then continued, “But I’m not heartless, though I intend to see you buried before the hour is gone, so I’ll make you an offer. Leave Savage forever, and I’ll let you live.”
“Never.”
“That’s too bad. Not even if I add that I will cease my pursuit of your woman as well?”
She watched a flush of heat cross Grant’s face. Once more, she interjected, Don’t let him get to you. Ryan has barely started breaking the spell. Keep him talking.
Grant turned away from Kryder and levitated in a slow
circle. Thank you for that. I almost fell into his trap. He knows my temper.
“I see Natalie has had a good influence on you. Is she here by the way? Where are you hiding her?”
“I didn’t want her to see the battle. So, no, she’s not with me.”
Kryder looks like a peacock. No, a turkey. He looks ridiculous. Ask him about his garb.
“Why did you dress like this? Not exactly wolf-like.”
