Free Ice Claimed by Marisa Chenery Page B

Durlach.
    Meadow didn’t have too much time to freak out about that as
Durlach launched himself at Taylor. Instead of trying to run as any sane person
should, Taylor stood his ground, his body shifting as Durlach’s had, though a
large cougar took his place.
    The wolf and cougar met in a flurry of sharp teeth and
claws. Meadow’s heart tried to beat out of her chest as she watched two
creatures she would never have guessed existed go at each other. The stable
filled with the snarls of a large cat and the growls of a wolf. The horses
neighed in fright and kicked the sides of their stalls. She remained frozen
where she stood, unable to make a sound or run. All she could do was watch.
    With brute force of will, Meadow slowly took one sidestep
and then another. Her gaze locked on to the two fighting animals, she inched
her way toward one of the empty stalls. Once she reached it she ducked inside
and carefully closed the door without making a sound. The last thing she wanted
was to draw attention to herself. She tiptoed over to the stacked bales of
straw, then climbed near the top where she knew was a little opening for her to
hide inside.
    There she sat with her knees drawn up to her chest. The
sounds of the fight eventually stopped. Meadow couldn’t tell who the winner was
and didn’t really care. She just didn’t want them to find her. But the sound of
the stall door opening had her covering her mouth with her hand to cover any
noise she couldn’t hold back.
    “Meadow?” Durlach called from inside the small space. “It’s
okay. I know you’re in here. I can smell your scent. Taylor and I have worked
out our differences now. You don’t have to be afraid of us.”
    “Yeah, Meadow,” Taylor added. “We didn’t mean to scare you
like that. Come on out.”
    No way in hell was she going to come out of her hiding spot.
She heard the two men say something to each other so quietly she couldn’t make
out the words. Meadow wrapped her free arm around her legs and held tight.
Maybe if she sat very still they wouldn’t be able to find her and would give
up.
    That soon proved not to work at all. The bales of straw that
hid her were tossed away by Taylor and Durlach as if they weighed nothing,
exposing her to their sight. Meadow let out a shrill scream and tried to make a
run for it, but Durlach had a hold of her before she could make any attempt.
    He held her in his arms, keeping her pressed against him.
“Meadow, calm down. It’s fine.”
    She pushed at his chest. When that didn’t get her anywhere
she resorted to using her fists, which had no effect at all. “Let me go.”
    “Not until you quit freaking out.”
    Meadow continued to struggle until she tired herself. She
breathed hard as she finally lifted her gaze to Durlach’s. He gave her an
apologetic look. A quick glance at Taylor showed he did the same thing.
    “Are you calmer now?” Durlach asked.
    “Not really.”
    “Will you be able to stay calm enough for Taylor and me to
explain what we are?”
    “I don’t know. You both turned into animals.”
    “Yes, and we want to help you accept that.”
    “We can go upstairs to my apartment,” Taylor added.
    Meadow gave a shaky nod. “I guess.”
    It wasn’t as if she had much choice. The way Durlach held
her, she doubted he’d let her go until he had his chance to talk. And to prove
that theory correct, he picked her up off her feet and carried her as he
followed Taylor out of the stall and to the apartment above.
    Durlach settled on the couch in the small living room with
her on his lap. Taylor sat on the armchair across from them. Meadow clasped her
hands together to hide the fact they shook. She also had a hard time looking
each man in the eye.
    “So who should go first?” Durlach asked Taylor.
    “You can,” Taylor replied. “Meadow has more at stake with
you than she does me.”
    “All right.” Durlach placed a finger under Meadow’s chin and
forced her to look at him. “First of all, I would