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Jagger sprang to his feet as the urgency of the situation hammered at him. He grabbed his satchel, swung it over his shoulder, and turned toward the openings along the far side of the chamber.
Both sets of footprints led to the last one on the right, and he knew from previous explorations that it was the only other tunnel that led to the outside.
Jagger stowed the flashlight. His animal quieted as a deadly calm washed over him and settled against his chest. His eyes quickly adjusted to the dark again and he growled softly. He turned and crossed to the passage.
It was time to hunt.
The damp air that permeated the area was cooler inside the tunnel, its smell old and musty. Jagger inhaled deeply and slipped through the passage, his steps sure, his body tight with power and intent.
He’d trod the exact same steps not more than two weeks earlier, and he made his way through the narrow crevice easily, his senses inflamed as Skye’s soft scent lingered in the air, urging him forward.
He wasn’t sure how much of a head start she had and he pushed his body to a relentless pace, his thoughts centered on the otherworlder who was hot on her heels. He needed to get to her before the enemy did.
There was no other option.
It took him almost a full two hours to push through the passageway; sometimes he was barely able to squeeze his large bulk through the narrow chasm that led to the outside. By the time he neared the end of the tunnel, his body was slick with sweat and trembling with the need to act.
Up ahead Jagger could see the soft glow of light that fell in from outside and he slowed a bit, his mind and body cautious even as he fought the urge to rush forward.
Slowly Jagger approached the exit, his senses flying outward, looking for any hint of danger. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he slipped outside and stood near the base of the mountain, surrounded on all sides by lush jungle.
It was thick, green, and carpeted the landscape for miles. Overhead the blue sky held a radiant sun and Jagger’s chilled skin welcomed the warmth as it enveloped him whole. It was early yet and already the air was filled with humidity.
Without a doubt it was gonna be a bitch of a day.
His gaze fell on the ground at his feet, and once more, footprints in the earth were like a beacon, leading him forward until the jungle swallowed him whole.
Once Jagger was deep into the undergrowth, he focused on the mission at hand. He knew he was gaining on Skye and the otherworlder, and Jagger’s cool facade hid a growing anger that was building in his gut.
Anger at himself for leaving her behind. It would be the last time.
He followed the trail for well over another hour and as time marched on he began to feel panicked. What if he was too late? What if the otherworlder harmed Skye?
The need to get to her was clawing at his insides with such force that it was becoming a physical pain inside of him. When he crested a small knoll, Jagger paused and scented the air, adrenaline rushing through him in a dizzying assault when he realized he was almost upon them. He could literally taste the black energy that rode the wind and he knew the source of it was close at hand.
He swung his head back and forth and after a few seconds began to melt into the darkness that lay along the jungle floor. They were just ahead, to his right.
Everything but his target faded away and the calm that settled over him was like a neon sign, proclaiming to all the deadly predator that he truly was. This is what he was made for. The hunt. The fight.
Voices drifted on the air. The deep timbre of a male mingled with the distinct, melodic sound of Skye’s.
Carefully, silently, Jagger crept along the jungle floor, his human body melting into the earth as easily as his animal. His eyes stared through the thick foliage, their piercing green countenance unwavering, and when he finally spied his quarry, his body stilled, poised to pounce.
But the scene before him was not what he’d expected. In fact the growing anger that clutched at his midsection shattered, erupting into a tangible, living thing and it took every ounce of control he had to maintain his silent presence.
Skye and the otherworlder were in profile and she seemed not to be scared at all. In fact, considering her hand rested upon his forearm, she seemed a little too comfortable. It pissed Jagger off and awakened an emotion he’d not felt in a long time.
Jealousy. Possessiveness. Call it what you will.
And that pissed him off even more. What the hell was it about this female that had him running in circles?
“Look, I’ll make a deal with you. Tell me where Cormac is and I won’t kill you.”
Skye’s throaty words hung in the air and the man with her laughed softly before answering. “Chica, you always did have such spunk.”
Jagger bit his lip and watched as the man lowered his head until his mouth was mere inches from Skye’s.
Son-of-a-bitch! He frowned savagely. Why the hell did he care so much? He’d just met the woman and from what he could tell, she didn’t give a rat’s ass about him. He should turn and leave her to whatever the hell was coming down on her head.
