N. Walters - Night of the Tiger

Roric rolled his shoulders and raised his weapon in a mock salute. “It’s better than playing the traitor.”

For a moment, Aimee was afraid that Roric would lose his temper and do something foolish. She should have known better. He’d been a warrior since the dawn of time, the leader of the warriors of the Lady of the Beasts. His shoulders were squared, but his limbs were loose and ready to fight.

Mordecai flinched slightly, but never lost his taunting smile. “But I like to be on the winning side.” He swung the sword in a tight circle by his side. “I got tired of being trapped on that damned carousel, tired of being a pawn in a game I couldn’t win. Join me and we can defeat anyone.”

Roric raised his sword and motioned his friend forward with his free hand. “Come and best me, if you can.”

The two men seemed to surge forward at the same time. Metal met metal and sparks flew. As if that was the sign they’d been waiting for, the demons attacked. Aimee took two steps to the side. There wasn’t much room for fighting. And Roric, damn him, was maneuvering himself in front of her even as he fought Mordecai.

As hard as he tried, he couldn’t protect her forever. Mordecai was relentless in his attack and drove Roric away from her. One of the demons jumped in front of her. She ignored his leathery skin and the two rows of sharp teeth. The thing was hideous. Keeping the sword behind her back, she took a step away from the creature.

It smiled, sensing an easy kill. She let it come closer, knowing she’d only get one chance. It roared as it swung its long arm toward her. At the last possible second, she ducked and came up under his arm. Gripping the sword with two hands, she swung with all her might.

What she lacked in technique, she more than made up for with determination. Her instructor from Comicon would be proud. The blade bit into the creature’s neck, hacking through bone and sinew. It let out a high-pitched squeal that hurt her ears. Wincing, she pulled back to avoid getting sprayed too badly by the blood and gore. The demon dropped to the floor in front of her.

Panting for breath, she whirled back to the fray. Roric was engaging several of the demons. Mordecai had abandoned the fight and was working his way toward her. Rubbing her hand against her jeans to wipe the sweat and blood from it, she gripped her sword once again, ready to fight.

Mordecai raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Not bad for an amateur.” He thrust his sword forward. She automatically countered it, knocking his blade aside. She got the feeling he was toying with her as he parried and feinted from one side to the other. There was no mistaking the fact that his skill was far superior to hers. Aimee was becoming very aware of the difference between fighting a demon that was unskilled with a blade and fighting a master warrior.

There was no contest. She was going to die. For some reason, Mordecai seemed to be playing with her before he killed her. Sweat rolled down her temples and coated her palms, making her grip on the sword slip. Still, she held on and countered everything he threw at her. She knew better than to go on the offensive with a man with his skill. He’d kill her in a second if she gave him an opening. She was totally in defensive mode.

He backed her into the corner by the door. Mordecai glanced to the side, and she knew he saw the possible escape route.

He thrust his weapon forward. She slid out of the way at the last second, the motion pushing her closer to the door. His blade hit the wall and cut right through the drywall. Mordecai yanked his sword back and attacked again. She used her blade to shove his aside as she gripped the handle of the door and yanked it open.

Mordecai struck hard, his blade sliding down hers as he pressed close. The muscles in her arm screamed, but she held him off. Barely. He had to be toying with her. She was no match for him in the strength department, and they both knew it.

They were practically nose-to-nose now. His dark eyes were flat as he leaned forward. “Run.”

The word was so low, she wasn’t certain she’d heard it. He gave an almost imperceptible jerk of his head. Aimee didn’t want to abandon Roric, but she wasn’t a fool either. If she could draw Mordecai and some of the demons away from Roric he might have a chance. Jumping through the open door, she raced down the back steps and into the garden. Mordecai was right behind her. He was so close she could practically feel his breath brushing against her neck.

The sky was dark, and the only illumination in the yard was from the light spilling from the open back door. She supposed the lack of light wouldn’t be a problem for Mordecai and the demons, but it would make it much harder for her to fight. She had to stay close to the house and make her stand. Aimee skidded to a stop by the woodpile and spun around to face her adversary.

An anguished roar filled the air, part beast and part man. Roric burst through the door behind them. His left arm was bleeding and so was his right thigh, but neither wound seemed too deep. He leapt from the step and raced toward her. Whirling around, he faced Mordecai and the three remaining demons that followed him from the house.

“Fight me. Not the woman. Or are you too much the coward?”

Mordecai’s gaze narrowed, but he did not respond to the taunt. “Aimee and I were just passing the time until you joined us. Isn’t that so?”

Before she could answer, a rumble of thunder shook the yard. “Enough.” Hades appeared in a flash, dark eyes blazing with fury. He glared at Mordecai. “I thought you said you could dispatch him easily.”

Mordecai shrugged. “What can I say? He’s a tough bastard.”

Angered further by the insolent reply, the god raised his hand. “I will do what you cannot.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

Aimee could only stare at Mordecai as he continued to argue with Hades. The warrior was crazy. He had to be.

“That kind of power surge will draw attention.”

Aimee could see that the god no longer cared if he brought attention to himself from the other gods and goddesses of Olympus. All he wanted was to destroy Roric, no matter the cost.

A bolt of dark light flew from Hades’ fingertips, headed straight toward Roric. Aimee didn’t think, didn’t hesitate. She threw herself in front of the man she loved.

Pain seared through her as her body jerked as though suspended on live electrical wires. Every nerve in her body was on fire. She could smell the tips of her hair sizzling. She lost control of her muscles as they began to spasm and felt her body begin to fall. A tiger’s roar echoed in her ears, followed closely by a male cry of pure anguish.

Strong arms wrapped around her, catching her before she hit the hard ground. Roric. She’d know his touch, his earthy scent anywhere. “Don’t you die on me, Aimee. Do you hear me?” His voice was hoarse with pain, and she was shocked to see tears on his cheeks.

She tried to raise her hand to wipe them away, but it was no use. She didn’t have the strength to move them. Licking at her dry lips, she tried to speak. She had to tell him it wasn’t his fault. It was her choice. Already, she could see the blame and guilt in his eyes.

The world around her was fading rapidly. Her heartbeat was getting slower with each breath she took. Summoning the last of her reserves, she got out the words she’d longed to tell him. “Love you.” Those two words took almost everything out of her, but she wasn’t finished. Although it felt as though a two-ton truck was parked on her chest, she pushed on. “Not your fault. Die for you. You live.”

Hades let out a roar of fury, and the world around her started to spin. She closed her eyes, but she could see him in her mind’s eye. Light surrounded Roric, growing brighter with each passing second. It burst forth from within him, surrounding all of them and turning night into day. It was so bright it hurt her eyes even though they were closed.