.81.She knew instinctively she was reciting formal ritual words, but she didn't know what ritual or how she knew the words, only that she'd said them before.

Rachael wiped a hand over her face in an effort to wipe away things she didn't understand. "I'll be fine. I can handle a gun, I have before. Just be careful."

Rio stared into her eyes for a long moment, afraid to take his gaze from her, afraid when he returned she'd be gone... or he'd find her dead, her body desperately attempting to protect their son-----He jerked his head back, a ferocious rage and a terrible sorrow blending together into a roiling ball of emotions impossible to understand. "Stay alive, Rachael," he repeated abruptly. A command. A plea. He forced himself to turn away from her and slip outside.

The change was already taking place in his heart and mind, the dangerous animal in him bursting free, fur rip-'pling along his arms and legs, his body bending, contorting, muscles stretching and lengthening. He embraced the change, his chosen way of life, accepting the power and strength of the leopard in him, allowing it free rein there in the security of his territory. Rio stretched his arms, fingers splayed wide as his knuckles curved and claws sc.r.a.ped the floor of the verandah, then retracted.

The leopard was large. It sat in absolute stillness, head lifted to scent the wind. The many whiskers acted like radar, picking up every detail of the world around him. Ropes of muscle rippled with power and strength as the animal crouched and leapt for a large branch that curved upward and away from the house. The animal moved with the wind, high under cover of the canopy. Once the leopard looked back toward the house, noted the many streamers of creeper vines and the large lacy foliage that shielded the house from prying eyes. In the darkness, it would be nearly impossible to spot unless one knew of its existence.

The forest was alive with information, from the hum of insects and the warning cry of a bird. Rio moved quickly82.

and silently along the wide branches, staying low, claws digging into wood as he climbed, retracting as he padded through foliage, careful not to disturb the leaves. The smaller of the two clouded leopards emerged from the heavy mist, lips drawn back in a snarl. Rio went perfectly still, crouching low, his head lifted to scent the wind.

The intruder was not human. At once the fierce temper of the leopard rose and spread with the violence of a volcano. Rio accepted the rage and ferocity, channeled it deep in the heart of the beast. He moved with greater caution, knowing he was being stalked, knowing one of his own kind had chosen to betray him. His lip lifted in a silent snarl, revealing large canines. Ears flat, the leopard began a slow freeze-frame stalk through the lush vegetation high above the forest floor. The wind carried the scent of his treacherous rival, pinpointing the location only yards from Rio.

Rio crept across a large branch far above the spotted leopard. It was male and large. The animal swung its head alertly, looking suspiciously into the tree where Rio crouched motionless. At once, Franz, concealed some distance away in heavy shrubbery, deliberately stepped on a small twig, snapping it in half. The sound was loud in the silence of the forest.

The spotted leopard stilled, sank down, staring alertly in the direction of the smaller clouded leopard. Rio took the opportunity to move closer, a silent, stealthy approach. Franz had risked his life. The larger leopard would kill him easily should it find the clouded leopard. And the larger, spotted leopard was definitely in hunting mode.

Rio moved like fluid over the tree branch, sprang silently to the branch below him, froze when the spotted leopard lifted its head to scent the wind. Fritz, several hundred yards farther from Franz, let out a low moaning cry that was carried on the wind through the interior of the forest. The spotted leopard crouched low, drawing back its lips, ears flat and tail low, in position for an attack, staring intently toward the sound.

.83.Rio launched himself, springing agilely from above. The spotted leopard twisted at the last moment, sideswip-ing with a huge claw, raking Rio's side but not entirely avoiding the deadly puncture of canines as Rio went for his throat.

Immediately the forest came alive with the sounds of battle, monkeys shrieking, birds taking to the air, flying fox leaping from tree to tree as the two large cats erupted into teeth and claws, rolling and ripping on the forest floor.

Where there had been silence, there was now chaos, animals screaming warnings to one another as the deadly battle raged on. An orangutan, nestled for the night in his bed in the tree branches, threw a handful of leaves in disgust at the two cats as they snarled and fought in a dangerous ballet of sharpened claws and piercing teeth.

The leopards used their weight, contorting in nearly impossible positions, bending spines and whirling around, springing into the air and lunging for throats. The battle was brief, but fierce, the snarling, ferocious roars and grunts reverberating through the trees, straight up the canopy to the ominous rain clouds overhead. The clouds answered, pouring rain down. Although the drops barely made it through the thick canopy, it was enough to quiet the shrieking monkeys and settle the birds back under cover.

The spotted leopard rolled to break Rio's hold, racing away, taking to the branches and moving quickly along the overhead highway to escape. Deliberately the angry cat went toward the last location of the smaller, clouded leopard. Rio gave chase, sending out a warning cough, but the spotted leopard was on Fritz, grabbing for the neck with wicked teeth, shaking the smaller cat viciously. He dropped it onto the ground below and took off just as Rio launched another attack. Claws raked the spotted leopard's hindquarters. His yowl of pain sent the birds skittering again, but he kept going, digging into the branches with his claws to pull away.

Rio dropped quickly to the ground to a.s.sess the damage84.

to Fritz. The larger spotted leopard had delivered a grave injury, but left the smaller cat alive. Rio hissed an angry warning. He had to fight his own nature, the need to go after fleeing prey. Fight back the temper smoldering in his gut, red-hot and demanding revenge.

There was no doubt in his mind he had faced one of his own kind, a cunning, intelligent mixture of leopard and man. This one had come to kill him. Rio knew most of his people; there were few left in the forest. Many were scattered in other countries and some chose to live as humans in the cities, but most were known to one another. Rio did not recognize the scent of his stalker, but he recognized the intelligence of the decision not to kill the clouded leopard in a fit of temper. The attack had been cold-blooded and well thought out in the short time available. The spotted leopard knew Rio would never leave the dangerously injured cat to track him. And that told Rio something else. His stalker knew he traveled with the two clouded leopards.

He looked cautiously around, making certain to scent the wind. His cough was a demand to the tree dwellers for information. The cry came from the troupe of monkeys overhead. Rio reached for his human form, allowed the pain to engulf him as ropes of muscle and sinew contorted, contracted and stretched. He crouched beside the clouded leopard, a.s.sessing the damage to the animal. The puncture wounds were deep. He clamped his hand over the holes and applied pressure, murmuring rea.s.surances as he did so, ignoring the deep claw marks on his own skin.

"Franz, stay alert," he ordered as he gathered Fritz into his arms. Rio had to keep pressure on the two puncture wounds as he raced through the forest, weaving his way between the trees, leaping over fallen logs, splashing through two small swollen streams, covering the uneven terrain as fast as he could. He was built much like a leopard with muscles meant for carrying large prey. He didn't feel the burden of the clouded leopard, but in his human form,

.85.his skin was not nearly as tough as in his animal form and the forest tore up his flesh as he rushed through it.

Rio leapt upon the wide low-hanging branch leading to his home with the ease of long practice and, balancing carefully, made his way along the maze of branches until he gained the verandah. He called out to warn Rachael, hoping she wouldn't shoot him as he shoved open the door with his hip. Fritz, nestled so close to him, turned his head to look up at him in silent fear. The small leopard's sides were heaving, straining for air, too much blood matting his fur.

Rachael gasped, thrusting the gun beneath the pillow. "What happened? What can I do?" Rio's face was a dangerous mask, fierce, warriorlike, his eyes alive with anger. He turned the full power of his unblinking stare on her, a.s.sessing her condition. Rachael met his piercing gaze steadily. "Really, Rio, let me help you."

He immediately switched directions, bringing the injured animal to the bed. "Can you sit up all the way by yourself?"

Rachael didn't bother with speech. She simply showed him, making certain to keep her expression serene when her heart was pounding and pain made her sick. She'd had enough practice hiding fear. The cat was badly injured and therefore far more dangerous than in its normal state. Her mouth went dry as he placed the animal in her lap and guided, first one hand, then the other to the puncture wounds. Rachael found herself with a fifty-pound leopard in her lap and her hands pressing into its neck covered in blood.

Rio lit the lamp and brought his surgical supplies to the bed, kneeling down close to the animal's head. "Be still, Fritz," he murmured, "I know it hurts, but we'll get you fixed up." He didn't look at Rachael, but worked on the animal, his hands gentle, steady and very sure.

His head was bent, dark hair spilling around his face. There was sweat and blood on his skin, and he smelled wild and of wet fur. His face could have been carved from stone as he worked to save the cat. "These are deep puncture86.

wounds, much like your leg. I sutured the lacerations on your leg but left the punctures to drain. I'll have to do the same with Fritz. The best I can do is clean the wounds thoroughly, give him antibiotics and hope they don't abscess.

If they do, I'll have to put in drains."

As Rio worked on cleansing the puncture site, Fritz opened his mouth, exposing his long, wicked canines, and yowled horribly. Rachael took a deep breath and kept her gaze locked on Rio, on his face rather than on his hands, afraid if she looked at the cat's teeth she would do a little screaming herself.

Franz answered Fritz, pacing anxiously back and forth in agitation. Without warning, he suddenly leapt onto the bed, nearly crushing Rachael's legs. Pain rushed through her body, took her breath and forced a small, strangled cry from her throat. For a moment the room spun, tilted, went black. "Rachael!" Rio's voice was sharp, compelling, calling her back. Rio's arm swept Franz from the bed. "Stay the h.e.l.l down," he snarled, his voice rumbling with menace.

To Rachael's surprise, her hands were still in Fritz's fur. She applied more pressure as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting him to do that."

"You're doing fine," he said. "Can you go on?" "If you can, I can," she answered. He looked at her then with his vivid green eyes, something she couldn't quite name swirling in the darker depths. His gaze drifted over her face, almost as if he were drawing strength from just looking at her. He turned his attention back to the cat.

Rachael let out her breath slowly, fighting down the bile rising in her throat from the throbbing pain in her leg. She would do anything to see that look on his face. A sharing. A connection. She listened to the sound of his voice as he talked softly to the cat, rea.s.suring it as he st.i.tched the deep wound. She found herself stroking the fur with her free hand as the animal trembled, but stayed still for Rio's ministrations.

.87.Rachael waited until Rio was working on the second puncture wound. "How did this happen?"

"There was a big, spotted leopard, a male, in the forest. He attacked Fritz.

Fortunately he dropped him without crushing the windpipe."

She looked at the deep angry scratches on Rio's body. "You went up against a leopard trying to kill your pet?"

Swift impatience crossed his face. "I told you, Fritz and Franz are not pets.

They're my friends, I didn't save Fritz, he was trying to protect me and he put himself in harm's way."

Rachael bent over the animal in her lap, examining the chunk missing from the ear. "So this one is Fritz?"

He nodded as he peered closely at his work. "This puncture wound is not as deep as the other one. I'm going to give him something for the infection. The leopard did this deliberately."

"Why?" She didn't look at him when she asked. Rio had bitten the words out between his strong teeth, almost as if he said them without thought, angry at the leopard for hurting the smaller cat. She sensed that Rio was on the verge of telling her something very important.

Rio glanced at her. "I think he was hunting for one of us. I just am not certain which. At first I thought it was me, but now I'm not so sure."

She heard the thud of her heart and counted the beats. It was a trick she often used when she was in a dangerous situation and wanted to appear calm or when she needed more information and didn't want to react too fast. Something inside her went very still when he turned his direct, piercing gaze on her. There was something there she couldn't quite read. A swirling dangerous mixture of beast and man. Rachael knew cats' eyes contained a layer of reflective tissue behind each retina which allowed them to concentrate all possible light during the darkest nights, or in the darkest forest. Called the tapetum lucidum, the membrane acted like a mirror, allowing the light to bounce back88.

through the retina a second time for maximum ability to see. The membrane also reflected light back in iridescent colors of yellow-green and red, both of which Rachael had observed in Rio and in the clouded leopards.

"Why would a leopard be hunting one or the other of us, Rio?" she prompted. It didn't make sense that the large cat would care which of them he killed and ate.

There was a long silence broken only by the sounds of the moaning wind, the steady fall of rain, Franz pacing back and forth in agitation, Rachael was certain Rio could hear the pounding of her heart.

"I don't think he was a leopard as you know a leopard. I think he was a different species altogether." Rio's voice blended into the night, held secrets and shadows she didn't want to examine.

Rachael didn't voice the protest welling up in her. She was certain Rio wasn't being melodramatic. She didn't think he was capable of drama for drama's sake.

"I'm sorry, I'm not certain exactly what you're saying? A new species of leopard here in the rain forest that hasn't been discovered? Or a genetically engineered species?"

"A species that's been around for thousands of years."

She rubbed the clouded leopard's ears. "How are they different?"

He looked at her then, turning the full focus of his strange eyes on her. "They are not animal, yet not human. They're both, yet neither."

Rachael went very still, pulled her gaze from the power of his, her mind racing with possibilities. "A long time ago, when I was a little girl, my mother told me a story about a species of leopards. Well, not leopards, they were a species able to shift into the form of a leopard, or large cat. They had some of the attributes of the leopard, but also attributes of humans and of their own species, sort of a three-way mixture. I've never heard anyone else ever mention them until now. Is that what you mean?"

Few things shocked Rio anymore, but his hands stopped

.89.in midair and he stared at her. "How would your mother have heard of the leopard people? Few people, outside the species, know of their existence."

"Do you realize what you're saying, Rio? That there is such a species? I thought it was simply a story my mother liked to tell me at night when we were alone together. She always told me tales of the leopard people when I went to bed."

She frowned, trying to remember the old stories from her childhood. "She didn't call them leopard people, there was another name."

Rio stiffened, his brilliant gaze slashing at her face. "What did she call them?"

The name eluded her as hard as she tried to remember. "I was a child, Rio. I was only a young girl when she died and we went to live with ..." She trailed off, shrugging her shoulders. "It doesn't matter. Are you saying there's a possibility that the species exists? And if it does, why would one of them want to harm you? Or me for that matter?"

"I'm on a hit list, Rachael. I've stirred up the bandits a few times, taking back what doesn't belong to them and costing them a lot of money. They don't like it and they want me dead." He shrugged his shoulders and patted the cat, straightening tiredly. "Hold him a couple more min-utes while I fix a bed for him."

"And I've made it worse for you by coming here, haven't I?"

"A hit list is a hit list, Rachael. I don't think anything makes it worse, I'm already on it. If they track you to me, we'll move. They aren't going to best me here in the forest. They prefer the river, not the interior. And I have a few people who will help out if needed. I know all the local tribesmen and they know me. I'll hear if they enter the forest." He doused the light, plunging the room back into darkness.

"But not if one of these leopard people is working with them," she guessed, blinking rapidly to adjust to the change in lighting. The moon was trying valiantly to shed90.

light in spite of the clouds and the heavy canopy of foliage, but it was a mere sliver and far away. "And if the species does exist, why haven't they been discovered yet? They'd have to be highly intelligent."

"And cool under fire-cunning, careful. Burn their dead in the hottest fires possible. Find remains of any who died by accident. Ban together to retrieve a body if one is taken by a hunter. The society would have to be a superior one, dependent on one another and highly skilled and secretive."