Free Heart's Lair by Kathleen Morgan Page A

laughed.
    "Quite a ride, wasn't it?"
    Liane blinked at him in astonishment. He'd nearly gotten them killed, and all he could do was remark on the thrill of it all? She managed to shoot him a fierce glare before she sank beneath the water.
    Karic pulled her back up, slipping his arm once more about her chest. "Not impressed, hmmm?" he chuckled, as he began an easy sidestroke toward the nearest bank.
    Liane clamped down on a scathing retort. What was the point in berating him? They had survived. That was all that mattered.
    They lay on the grassy bank for what seemed a long while, resting, unable to summon the strength to move. Finally, Karic sat up.
    "Liane?"
    "Yes?" she mumbled from a place buried in her arms.
    "We've got to move on. They'll be looking for us soon."
    She groaned and rolled over. "I don't think I have the strength."
    "Well, I know I don't. We'll hide behind the falls until they give up searching for us."
    Karic rose, tugging her up with him. "Come on. We've got to get out of sight before they see us."
    Liane followed him. There was a large cave behind the falls, with several dark tunnels branching off from it. Karic surveyed the choices, then began to lead her toward the furthest one. Pools of water dotted the rocky floor, and Karic was careful to move from one to the other. He's determined to take no chances of the search canus picking up our scent if they follow us back here, Liane realized. Well, that suited her needs as well. Though she was still determined to escape, Liane had no desire for Karic to be cornered in here by the vicious tracking beasts. If that ever came to pass he'd be torn to shreds before her very eyes.
    As they approached the black, gaping hole of the furthest tunnel Liane froze, unable to take another step forward. Karic quizzically glanced back.
    "What's wrong, Liane?"
    Wide blue eyes stared out of a face gone suddenly white. "II don't like the dark."
    There was a quaver in her voice that warned Karic she was on the verge of panic. He swiftly returned to her side.
    "There's nothing to be afraid of, femina," he said soothingly. "I can see quite well with only the tiniest bit of light. All you have to do is hold on to me and you'll be safe."
    She shot him a tremulous little smile. "And as terrible as it seems to me, the darkness is safer than the alternative, isn't it?"
    "Yes," he gently agreed.
    He held out his hand. After a moment's hesitation, Liane placed hers in it. Once again, they started out.
    Blackness enshrouded them, but Karic confidently strode on. She fought back against her reflexive stiffening, forcing her limbs to carry her along behind him. He does see in the dark, Liane thought, though the realization didn't surprise her. His admission of those powers only added further credence to what she'd already heard about the scope of the Cat Men's abilities. Finally, Karic halted, drawing her into a deepset alcove. "Stay here," he said, before seeking a foothold on the rock wall.
    A tug on the rope about her waist told Liane he'd climbed upward. She moved toward him when the rope grew taut. Karic's hand touched her head.
    "Give me your pack, then take my hands. I'll pull you up."
    She removed her backpack and handed it to him. Grasping in the darkness, Liane found his hands. An instant later she was dangling in midair. An instant more and she was dragged up onto a ledge and on top of Karic's body.
    They lay there for a while, catching their breath, then Karic rolled her over and behind him. The ledge was narrow with just enough room for the backpacks and two bodies pressed closely together. Liane was thankful the packs at least cushioned her from the stone wall.
    Karic rolled over to face her. "Give me your hands."
    "What do you want my"
    "Give them to me, Liane!"
    There was a sharp edge to his voice. Liane thrust out her hands, and he deftly bound them in front of her. She heard the sound of tearing cloth, then felt it cover her mouth and tied behind her head.
    "I'm sorry to