Chapter 10

Framed in the door stood Akil with Narna. The quickness of Panter's movements, along with the others made them jump back in pure reflex.
It took a long moment before everyone's pulse rates got back to normal from the sudden start. No one noticed that Panter wasn't in the same position anymore.

Tera slumped down onto a chair with her hand on her chest. " Please don't ever do that again, you almost scared us to death" The others agreed in a varying chorus of protests.

Akil laughed, " Sorry, we didn't mean to do that but it does prove out a point. You couldn't have done anything to us with the time you had when we came in. If anyone had bad intentions, you wouldn't have had a chance. Admit it, we had the jump on you." He was happy to have this chance to bring up a factor that had been worrisome to him for some time.

"Are you absolutely sure about that?" was growled softly right behind him. One hand of razor sharp claws appeared in his line of sight while the other gently tapped the back of his neck making an unspoken point. Akil held extremely still. He was shocked at the speed and absolute soundless approach she had made. It was clear anyone who tried to do any surprise move like the one they had inadvertently done would not have lived more then a single step over the threshold. That raised his already high opinion of her.

"Point taken," he muttered just loud enough to be heard by the others. He heaved a sigh of relief as the hand pulled back out of sight. Barely a second pasted till Panter walked around him joining Tera by her chair, perching comfortably on the arm.

He glanced behind him to see what had happened to Narna and found her plastered up against the wall. " Why didn't you help me out?"

Narna started to speak then coughed to clear her dry throat. " You didn't see the set of teeth she flashed at me, I wasn't about to give her a reason to use them." She chuckled. " Damn, I'm glad she's on our side. I 'd hate to come up against something like that in a fight."

After a shared laugh they all settled in to talk. Every available surface was put to use. Soon a group of ten was as comfortable as possible.

"So what happened to… Gronoth I think it was?" Tera inquired. Every eye turned to Akil awaiting his response full of curiosity.

" He and his sponsor were taken into custody for violation of running an event without proper papers. It seems that they were using paperwork from the last time here. I'm not sure why that wasn't caught before. More then likely a few silver eagles exchanged hands. Even though people signed knowing full well the risk of entering the contest, too many deaths occurred to be fully accidental."

" Anyone could have told you that!" Rena spat. Her shoulder throbbed, constantly reminding her of the contest she had barely got out of alive if not for her friends.

Akil nodded " I know, unfortunately at that time not enough had happened to allow us to act upon."

"What!" Tera pounded her fist on the table in front of her in frustration. "Nothing was done when it was first complained about?"

"No, sadly we no longer have that option since your cousin took control"
Narna lifted her hands in helplessness. " There's not much we can do and not get caught, we still need to be able to keep our positions to help when you take back regency. Regrettably some things happen that we are unable to prevent"

"I understand, but it's not right others had to die before any action was taken" Tera stated. The state things had gotten to frustrated her to the point of wanting to murder her cousin with her own bare hands.

" Hopefully, we can change that" Panter wanted to try to calm everyone down a little before things got out of hand. She turned her attention back to Akil." So what's going to happen to them?"

Akil watched Zeva get up, heading for the door. He would wait till she left before responding.

" I'll be right back, I think we need some refreshments, this could take a while" A murmur of appreciation followed her out the door. Akil found himself the center of attention again.

" As I've said, because people went into this knowingly makes it that much more difficult to do anything about it. But after his last fight.." He paused shooting Panter a glance, receiving a smile full of teeth back.
" They made the wise decision that they need to leave. We made a few veiled suggestions that it would be a good idea that any money they had accumulated would be better off going to the families of the people he had killed. As you can imagine there wasn't any protests raised against it"

" I want this added to the money to be passed out" Panter tossed the prize money she had received onto the low table that rested in front of Akil.

"What's this?"

"The prize money from the fight. Those family's need it more the I ever would." She pulled the other bag from her belt. " Here this too"
She pulled the lacing loose, upending the bag. Loose silver mixed with gold and a few copper pieces spilled out covering the other bag and pooling on the sides. " I'm keeping the bag. I have another use for it."

"Where's the other money from?" Rena asked curious about why the bag was kept but unwilling to voice her question aloud. She didn't think they're newly found comradely could bear that yet.

" From someone who wanted Panter dead" Tera answered tersely. Thinking about what had happened made her enraged. " Gronoth was paid off to arrange a" accident" sometime during their fight".

"If we had known of that, we would not have been so willing to allow them to leave." Akil turned to Panter. "Do you want them arrested for the attempt?"

"No, I want them gone. Besides I left him with something to remember me by" That comment left anyone who hadn't been present bemused. Questioning looks were directed toward them.

Narna chuckled " You mean his dislocated elbow, that was some move you did." She gestured expansively. " You moved so fast it was over before anyone truly realized what had happened."

Rena and her friends gaped in shock. Grumbles of disappointment rose from having missed all the action. From what they had all seen her do before, they knew it had to have been an impressive sight. They didn't yet realize the factor they had been in the culmination of the fight.

Akil spoke up. " Not only that, you also separated his shoulder at the same time, at a very bad angle. They were given permission to stop briefly at a healer on the way to the town guard. I have it on good authority that even if it does heal correctly there's no way he will be able to regain much mobility. So he won't be hurting any more people like that again"

Panter frowned. " I wasn't meaning to do so much damage, but when he pulled that knife I knew it had to end quickly."

"He pulled a knife?" The opening of the door stopped Rena in mid word. Zeva edged in holding a full platter in her arms. Panter hopped up, relieving Zeva of the load. Tera pushed the money to the side making room for the tray. They all helped themselves to drinks and sandwiches.

" Thanks Zeva, this was a good idea, I'm famished" Tera bit into her meal hungrily.

"No problem. I figured when we got to talking it might be a good idea to have a little food. Who knows when we might finish."

The conversation lasted late into the evening. Concerns about what would happen now that it was known Tera was here and the attempts at someone trying to stop her raged. Almost everyone wanted her to leave before something happened. The point of letting them take back her regency because it was safer was brought up too many times to count. That was finally dropped as an option when Panter stood to let them know the only way Tera was leaving was by force and they had to go through her first. The subject was quickly changed. Plans about the coming revolt took its place in short time. They adjourned the meeting after the inn served its final meals then closed for the night. They all headed off their separate ways agreeing to meet the next day to implement the remaining plans. Time was growing short.


Tera followed Panter into the room bumping into her when she suddenly stopped short her hand resting on the door. She watched warily as Panter slowly opened it and scanned the room feeling the tension that ran through her body. She breathed a sigh of relief when Panter's body relaxed.

" What is it?"

" Someone was in our room, it seems they left us a little something" Panter pointed to the lone table in the room. Residing on its surface was a bowl of fruit, next to that rested a platter of cheese and bread along with two plates. A clay jug with two goblets rounded out the assembly.

" Oh" Slipping around Panter, Tera went to the table plucking a note out that was tucked in-between two bunches of grapes. A smile emerged as she read it. " This is from the kitchen staff"

Panter quirked an eyebrow, bemused. " Is this an normal thing?" she asking closing the door.

" Yes, it has happened before when I stayed here. Remember most of the people here have known me for a long time. Would you like something?"
Tera asking plucking a grape and popping it into her mouth. She hummed in enjoyment as it burst flooding her mouth with flavor. " Their really sweet"

" Not right now, I need to get out of this armor before anything else. Maybe later"

" How did you know someone had been in the room?"

Panter smirked. " I smelled the hot wax from the candles"

" Great nose, among other things" Tera flirted back blatantly.

Panters raised an eyebrow. The look in her eyes changed minutely. Maybe now would be the time their relationship changed.

Tera leaned back on the table watching Panter start to undress. First the greaves were removed then set gently aside. Next off was her shirt. The ache that had been gnawing at her belly grew as Panter's ebony skin was exposed to her loving eyes. Pushing off the table, Tera stepped up to her just as her breastplate was removed. Warm fingers met hotter skin as Tera took her time running them over the contours and valleys of her beautiful back. She trailed her fingers around Panter's ribs, tracing the ripple of muscle to the ridges of her flat abdomen. Pressing a soft kiss in-between her shoulder blades she smiled to herself at the gasp it caused.

" You know things will change if this continues don't you?" Panter rasped.

" I know"

Panter turned in Tera's arms. They ended up holding each other. Tera took
the opportunity to press a kiss against the top of Panters breast. A gentle finger touched her under the chin urging her to look up. " I'm not sure you do amare"

Reaching up Tera grasped Panters hand. Lifting it to her mouth she kissed it then held it to her chest. " Then tell me"

" With my nature" Panter smiled crookedly " if we do this it's permanent. We will be mates in the strongest sense. There will be no going back. I would more then likely tend to get overprotective at times. That would be more instinct then true thought since I know you're more then capable of taking care of yourself"

Tera tightened her grip on Panters hand. " That's doesn't sound so bad. I love you Panter. I want to be with you in all ways possible"

Panters smile faded somewhat. " I love you too Tera. But what worries me is what might happen that I don't know about. With such a risk I've… She looked away a moment then met Tera's questioning look. " Never been with anyone"

Tera refrained from asking anything. The look on her face said what she thought. The gift being given stunned her but touched something deep in her at the same time. Pulling back out of Panters arms she ended the discussion for good by pulling her own shirt off. Her alert ears picked up Panters sound of surprise then the deep rumble that emanated from her throat. Eager hands joined her in helping her disrobe.


Hot kisses rained across Tera skin as she was pressed back onto the bed. Heated skin left hers momentarily as Panter stripped off the rest of her own clothes, rejoining Tera quickly. Soft lips met hers as hands ran over her skin fingertips lightly pressing as if memorizing the feel of her body.
Hands tightened briefly on her hips. Sharp teeth gently caught her lower lip before traveling down over her neck. Tera caught her breath when an eager tongue and lips covered her nipple. Tera pressed Panters head closer to her breast wordlessly encouraging her on. Streamers of warmth coursed through her veins, enclosing her body in a blanket of sultry want. A halt in the pleasure prompted her to open eyes. Glancing down, Tera met Panters eyes as she moved up her body. Golden eyes burned full of heat, changing as their gazes locked.

" Are you sure, last chance?"

" Yes" Tera reclaimed Panters mouth roughly. Hands griped her firmly. A part of her mind registered the prick of claws gently biting into her skin. The small pain melded into the pleasure she was feeling and was deftly ignored. A quick motion and her front was pressed into the mattress. A nip at the base her neck startled her for a moment. A tongue laved the mark a second later soothing the spot. Panter's breath flowed past her ear a soft constant growl interlaced within it. Tera grasped the bedding, twisting it in her hands as passionate kisses interspersed with gentle bites flowed down her spine. The pleasure seemed to suddenly double in volume.

" Turn over" It took a second to interpret the request; Panters voice had gotten so thick with desire it was difficult to understand at first. Tera quickly complied.

Wet heat touched her thigh as Panter moved against it. Tera raised her leg to help. Groans of pleasure leaked out between Panters tightened lips. The muscles in her arms stood in vivid relief as they held her weight above Tera. Sounds of similar pleasure erupted from Tera's lips as long fingers contacted her loins. Whisper light touches teased her till she gasped out protests. Breathing halted as Panters finger slipped into her. One became two as her request. They both moved in flawless rhythm as they responded to their bodies' insistent commands. It was if they had always been together. The burn became hotter and hotter till with a roar with both body and voices pleasure overwhelmed them. So much that both felt darkness overcome them as they lost their senses for a short time.


Panter skin prickled in awareness of motion from a nearby body as she rose from the depths of the sleep she had succumbed to. Raising heavy lids she spotted Tera busy over beside the table. Remembered passion flared briefly as she watched the sway of the bare body on view before her.

Tera jumped as Panter spoke " Amare, what are you doing?"

Tera turned to look at her a piece of cheese grasped in one hand. She chewed the bite in her mouth. She swallowed as she took in the picture of Panter reclined against the pillows the tops of her breasts just visible over the sheet. It gave her a few pleasant ideas. A glint in Panters eye along with a smile alerted her that nothing had been said for a space of time. For a second there she though she had heard Panter make a similar comment but her lips hadn't moved. Must have been wishful thinking.

" Got a little hungry, want some?" She gathered up two mugs and the plate she had prepared bringing them to the bed. Handing them to Panter she reclaimed her space. Pressing a kiss to the corner of Panters mouth in thanks for the mug handed back to her she nibbled on the bread and cheeses while she watched Panter sniff the goblet in habit then take a drink.

" That's cute"

Panter looked up. " What's cute?"

"The way you do that, you know, smell the goblet"

Panter shook her head as she snagged a piece of cheese for herself. "Thanks, I think" she ducked the playful swat Tera launched at her head.
" Hey!"

" Be good" Tera shook her finger at her. Smiling when Panter bared her teeth and snapped at it. She took a deep drink of her ale. How lucky was it that the kitchen staff had remembered Panter and her own fondness of it.

Halfway into the snack they found themselves almost lethargic with tiredness. Panters' instinct kicked into high gear too late to prevent the additive she realized had been added to their drinks from taking affect.
Tera collapse onto the bed alarmed her but she found herself unable to react, no amount of effort produced enough movement to be helpful.
The drugs effect on her system wasn't sufficient to knock her totally out. It did make her aware of the flurry of activity that sprang up when blurred forms entered their room via the window. She was paralyzed both by the drug and in horror as she grasped the intentions of the forms. Reinforced by the fact that she felt Tera's limp form being pulled from the bed. Rage swept over her at the sight of the fondling along with crass remarks about Tera.

The anger neutralized the drug sufficiently for her to lunge, grabbing hold of the last man making his way back over the sill. He screamed in pain as claws dug in dragging him back into the room. He knew he was on his own as the sounds the men helping him made as they took off with their burden. The cry of pain turned into a howl of fear as he meet the inhuman eyes of his attacker. The sounds of rending flesh overtook his hearing. Feeling blood running down his torso, he grabbed his knife fighting back the best he could. Struggling to block the increasing agony of the wounds that had been inflicted he slashed out wildly scoring a hit on the attacking form. It made little difference. Pounding at the rooms door trickled into his awareness'. Then suddenly the room was filled with people and the woman dragged way from him. She struggled against the restraining arms almost breaking free till more people grabbed hold of her. He slumped whimpering in the corner below the window as they turned their questions to the woman.

" Panter… calm down. Tell us what happened. Where's Tera?" Helia asked.

The roar of pain accompanied the hiss of rage when Panter stared at the bloody form by the window answered them.

"They took her…they took what was mine!!!" Panters' base instinct had taken over. She tried to renew her assault against the one responsible.

It took all their combined strength to hold Panter back. Two grabbed him dragging him of toward the office to get him temporarily out of her sight as the rest became aware of Panter's state of undress. That clued them into what had transpired earlier with Tera. They realized that any plans made had literally gone out the window.

" We'll get her back" Alesia grabbed Panter's face in both hands forcing her to look at her. " I swear we will"

Panter body shuddered in response. She grasped for control over her own body's instincts pushing it back so she could think clearly. For a long second she wondered if she could. As the others felt her relax, the grip on her slowly loosened but they remained ready just in case. Eurayle wordlessly handed over Panters clothing. They all turned away momentarily to give her a bit of privacy. Not that anyone hadn't all seen was there was to see.

" I'm ok for now. We need to talk to the man I grabbed." A sudden fear hit her. " I didn't kill him did I?" Panter looked to Alesia for an answer.

She shook her head. " He was still breathing when he was dragged downstairs" Alesia headed for the open door " Lets go see, they took him to the office" She was almost knocked over as Panter rushed passed her.
Alesia and the others shared a look then took off at a run. Just in case.

Reaching the office they saw Akil standing in the front of prisoner holding up a hand toward Panter. Any time she moved to reach the man Akil moved to block her progress.

" Just wait, let me try to get him to talk"

Panter snarled menacingly " We don't have the time. Who knows what's happening to Tera"

" Let me try"

Panter growled but relented for the moment. If he didn't get answers she would. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Panter didn't need to turn to know it was Alesia. She had become family to her as the others had. But she was a little closer to her more like a sister. Panter covered the hand griping it firmly in thanks. She watched Akil bend to speak to the man. A headshake was all he received to his questions. He spoke to him again but was ignored.

Akil stepped over to Panter. " He won't talk" He waved a hand in the mans direction, smiling grimly " All yours" The look that came over Panters face bode ill for the unwilling man.

Panter moved fast before anyone had a chance of reconsidering. Not that they would have really stopped her if she didn't want them to. Well maybe if they had enough people like upstairs. Stopping in front of the man she waited till he looked up. She watched as he squared his shoulders trying to main an air of unconcern and bravado. He flinched back in reflex as she sank down into a quick crouch bringing her face into his line of sight.

" You will answer my questions" Panter stated threateningly. " Or else"

" Or else what" he sneered. He hadn't yet realized his attacker and this woman were one and the same.

" I finish what I started" Panter was finished with these games. Her mate was in danger and they had a fair idea where she was but needed this piece of filth to confirm it. To make her point crystal clear she fully half shifted.

Screams of terror tore the throat of the man as he came face to face with the animal that had mauled him upstairs. It was something out of a nightmare. It was made increasing worse when he heard the thing speak.

" WHERE IS SHE, I WON'T ASK A SECOND TIME!!"

Seeing the man was whimpering in genuine fear Panter shifted back.
She heard her friends halt their advance towards her, stepping back to see what would transpire next.

"Tell me and you will be detained but no further harm will be bestowed. Do not and I will find someone else to ask after I leave your corpse to cool in the nearest available cesspool."

In her land only the lowest scum where not returned to their families for burial. It prevented you from a final rest, to roam forever as unwanted. No one wanted that.

The man babbled incoherently till Panter grabbed his face making him meet her eyes. " Now say it again slowly," she demanded.

" She was taken to the regent. Something was said about quality time with family. I'm not sure what that meant but by the tone, nothing good."

"Where is she being held in the hall" Akil stepped forward as he asked impatient with so little information. Commotion behind him diverted his attention. Narna had responded to his summons after he had found that Tera had been taken. It had been pure luck that he had not headed back to his barracks yet. He had been sharing a last drink with Zeva and Solaris in the office just below Panter and Tera's room.

" In the lower cell I think, there had been a lot of activity in that area recently. That's all I know, I swear. I was just suppose to deliver her to him."

" Who else has been helping you? I know you didn't drug our drinks yourself" Panter hadn't smelled his scent before now. So someone lent a hand in this.

The man hesitated but spoke up as he saw the look she leveled at him.
"It was someone from the kitchen"

"Who?"

"Lesteis I think was the name"

Panter shot a look at Zeva and Solaris who had been quietly watching.
Zeva mouth thinned " The bread boy, he's been with us for about 2 moons"

Akil beckoned Narna over. They whispered hastily, Narna nodding then slipping back out the door. They no longer had any more time to plan. It was time to finally act.

Panter sprang up. Energy was surging through her body. She longed to cut the tether on herself. " I am done waiting. I'm going after Tera" The expression on her face dared anyone to protest. " Alesia I want you and the rest of the women with me." She answered the question before Zeva could open her mouth to ask " Yes, Zeva you too" She hesitated as her gaze rested on Rena. " I won't ask you to come with us injured but I will not stop you either. It's your call."

Rena flexed the hand on her hurt arm. " I might not be able to use this arm but I can still use a sword." One of the other women stepped forward "I'll keep an eye out for her"

Panter met Rena's eyes. For a period nothing was said. " All right"
Reaching out Panter accepted her sword from Eurayles outstretched hand.

Akil turned to Panter" Go, we'll Take care of everything else"

" Let's go" Panter ran out the door. The others could worry about keeping up.

Continued...