Free NocC 004 - The Ancients 03 - Bonnie Vanak - Hunted by the Jaguar - Harlequin 2011-12 by Nocturne Page A

sleepy and passion-glazed. Never wanting to let go, he held her tight against him. Life without her held no meaning. He thought of Jarrett losing Chloe and his heart twisted.
    A warm palm settled on his chest. “Don’t blame yourself. It’s time to let go, remember?”
    “I want to. Jarrett doesn’t.”
    Daimon sat up, alerted by subdued darkness inside him tingling a warning. Electricity hummed through his whole body. He spread out his palms, stunned to see his claws emerge.
    Forcing back the shift, he sprang to his feet. Only one thing could bring out his change involuntarily.
    With the back of one hand, he lifted the lace curtain. Dust clogged the air by the distant fence. The gate shuddered, held, and shuddered again. Dread curled down his spine.
    Ariana joined him. “What is it?” And then she gasped and saw what he did.
    Dozens of wolves throwing their weight at the gate.
    “Jarrett’s pack! But they can’t get inside.”
    His jaw tightened. “They’re not his pack. They’re real wolves he commandeered to his bidding. Jarrett’s using wolves to break through the barrier. Once it’s broken, Lawson and his pack can get through.”
    “But the force field…”
    “Will only stun them, then they’ll recover enough to launch an attack. Where are my men?”
    Horror filled her face. “They’re still asleep in the woods.”
    “Defenseless.” Grimly, he watched the wolves slam the gate again. “When they break through, they’ll catch their scent. Jarrett’s pack will head straight there and kill them.”

Chapter Ten
    Daimon slid into his jeans, zipping them up. Ariana dressed as quickly, her pulse thudding with fear.
    “Will the pack come here for you first.”
    “No. Jarrett will, but his pack will aim for my men. Killing them is the best way to hurt me. How long will they sleep?”
    “It depends…. They’re weakened and haven’t slept well in weeks, so at least ten hours. Or more.”
    “Shit. Even if they wake up during the attack, the wolves will rip out their throats before they can defend themselves.”
    Powerful muscles on his back flexed as he bunched his arms. Ready to fight. Take on the whole pack to defend his men.
    More blood would stain his hands. Ariana thought fast.
    The gate bent inward, and then broke. Wolves poured into the opening, howling as the electricity zipped through their bodies. They fell still. Stunned.
    “Only temporary. In twenty minutes or less, they’ll regain consciousness.” Daimon herded her toward the back door. “Show me where they are.”
    When they reached the forest, the thirty jaguars slept heavily beneath the shady firs. Several attempts at jostling them awake met with failure.
    Claws emerged from his fingers as Daimon stretched out his palms. He used one to lance his wrist. Blood flowed.
    Kneeling besides Theo, he gestured to her. “Open his mouth.”
    “What are you doing?”
    “My blood has your demon strength. If I drip it into his mouth, Theo will absorb it. At the very least it’ll awaken him.”
    Immobilized, she stared at him.
    “Do it!” he snapped.
    “It won’t work, Daimon.” She clenched and unclenched her fists. “You only have part of my strength. Barely a trickle.”
    Blood ran down his arm, then slowed. The wound was already healing. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
    “My powers. One reason I promised my mother never to exercise my demon magick.” Ariana struggled with her emotions. “When I was little, she told me I must spend my childhood being good. That way when my full powers emerged when I turned twenty-one, the darkness would try to rise, but could not unless I expressly forced it. Because I knew how to suppress and control it.”
    Distant howls split the cold air. A cold shiver raced down her spine. The wolves were waking up.
    Soon, they would be here.
    “A few weeks ago, I came into my powers. I practiced using the white light and repressed the darkness. You and Jarrett couldn’t coax it all out. Only I