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

slowed and finally stopped.
    As her body quieted, she became aware of the man holding her. The delicious wildness of his scent. The strength in those steely arms, the steady pumping of his heart.
    She struggled again, desperate to free herself of his grip. Daimon released her, watched with his hooded gaze as she climbed to her feet.
    “I told you, you can’t leave here.”
    “You didn’t tell me this was a prison,” she burst out.
    “It doesn’t matter, not where you’re concerned. Wherever I want you, that’s where you will remain. You’re my assignment, and I take my duty very seriously.”
    “You can get through!”
    “I’m not a prisoner here, only the leader of this colony. I’m allowed freedom and the gate’s magick recognizes my body. It works both ways and keeps out Lawson and his pack. Anyone with me is allowed entrance, but you can only leave if I accompany you.”
    “You’re the only one who can get inside and out?”
    “Myself and small game such as squirrels and rabbits. The gate was designed to let nature flow in and out of the compound, so my men have game to hunt. If other predators like wolves try to enter, they’re zapped with electricity.”
    “I got through, almost. I can try again.” The gate seemed to mock her with its openness, freedom just beyond the wood rails.
    “Half of you can. The angelic half. The demonic half’s keeping you inside. The penal colony is set up to imprison evil.” Daimon watched her with a guarded look.
    “I’m not evil.”
    “Yet you harbor the darkness within and haven’t learned to leash it and use its strength to your benefit. The force field recognized this, and held you back.” He took her elbow, ushered her toward the house. “You’re weakened, Ariana. Go upstairs and rest.”
    Grinding to a stop, she faced him. “The darkness within me will never be unleashed. Understand? I made a solemn promise to my mother.”
    “And would your mother want you living like this? As half a person, someone who is constantly batting for strength?” Daimon shook his head. “You’ve come into your full powers, Ariana, and don’t understand how to repress the evil and yet use its energy.”
    “You want my demon powers for your own damn use. Just like your enemy.”
    Anger simmered in his gaze. “Never like Jarrett, that coldhearted bastard. Not to slay and shed more damn blood.”
    Daimon seized her chin, forced her head to turn. “There, Ariana. See that pack of men? The same ones who touched you? Those are my people. We’ve just returned from patrolling. Look at them. Look at them!”
    Astonished shock slammed into her. On nearby benches, the shifters sat listlessly. Some lay down, as if being upright required too much energy. The light of day showed what the darkened room had not—pale and thin skin stretched tautly over bone.
    Like walking skeletons, she thought.
    “They can barely patrol five miles of territory. Every day without their females, they grow weaker. Only Theo has remained strong, but this long separation from his mate is draining him as well. This is why they need you, Ariana. Why I need your powers.”
    He drew in a sharp breath as he released her. “With your demon strength, I can tamp on it and release it to my men through a blood rite. It’s their last hope. Can’t you see it? They’re dying, Ariana. And it’s all my fault.”

Chapter Five
    “Why is it your fault, Daimon?”
    His shoulders sagged. He rubbed a hand over the bristles shadowing his chiseled jaw. This was so tough, admitting the hard truth. If she knew everything…
    A partial truth, he decided. “They’re here because of something I did, a mistake I made long ago. That’s all you need to know.”
    Damn, he didn’t mean to snap. Expecting a bristling reaction, he was surprised at the sadness on her face. “To be denied of those they loved, it is a cruel punishment. I understand now.”
    Astonished, he watched her walk over to the listless jaguars. Pure white