The woman gave a tiny nod.

aDo you know where the others are hiding?a Talon asked her.

aSome are down there,a she said, pointing to a room farther along the corridor. Then she walked cautiously toward the cave entrance.

When she was gone, Kenna took a few more steps into the cave, then stopped short.

aWhat?a Talon asked.

aI feel danger . . . but I donat know where itas coming from.a aThen letas go back.a She looked up and down the tunnel, expecting one of the slaves to come charging out at them with a knife in his hand.

aIs it my imagination, or is the floor vibrating under our feet?a Talon asked.

aI feel it, too.a Panic gripped her. aWe have to go back. Before itas too late.a As she spoke, a huge crack appeared in the ceiling right above her head, and small chunks of rock began to fall around her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE.

KENNAaS GAZE MET Talonas, and she knew in that terrible moment that she was going to die. After all this.

But she hadnat counted on her mateas werewolf reflexes.

He grabbed her, pulling her out of the way and throwing his body over hers to shield her as the cave shook around them and rock rained down.

When the ground stopped trembling, they were lying just beyond a pile of rubble.

aYou saved me,a she whispered.

He clutched her tighter. aThank G.o.d.a They clung together, her arms moving over his back and shoulders as she rea.s.sured herself that her mate was unharmed, and he did the same.

aWhat the h.e.l.l happened?a Talon finally asked.

Until that moment, she hadnat put it all together, but as the picture fell into place, she caught her breath.

aIt was Swee, Wendon, and Barthime. They used their psychic powers to bring the ceiling downa"on top of me.a aBut they were being . . . guarded.a aYes.a The sound of feet in the cave made them both turn. Zarah and Renata ran toward them.

aAre you all right?a Renata gasped out, looking over their shoulders at the chunks of rock lying on the floor.

aYes,a Kenna answered.

aThank the Great Mother.a aLetas get the h.e.l.l out of the cave,a Talon suggested, his voice gritty. aBefore something else goes wrong.a Kenna nodded, and they all started back to the exit.

Renata looked embarra.s.sed. aIam sorry. The power came from the three chief adepts.a aI know,a Kenna answered. aBut how could they do it?a aWe could feel that they were up to something, but we didnat know what it was. We tried to stop them, but we couldnat do it.a She gulped. aThey were prepared to die to accomplish their goal.a Kenna started running to the mouth of the cave. As soon as she saw the men who had tried to kill her, she gasped. They were all lying on the ground, their faces contorted in pain, their bodies unmoving.

She dragged in a breath and let it out. aI guess that was Vandaras final plan to get me, if all else failed.a aYeah, like the talisman,a Talon answered. He reached for her again and clasped her to him, and she swayed in his arms as the extent of Vandaras hatred sank in.

Finally, she said, aWe still have to get the rest of the slaves out of the cave.a aBut you donat have to do it personally,a Griffin answered. aIall have my men go in there.a Talon looked glad to hear the suggestion.

But Kenna felt her chest tighten. aThe slaves will think theyare Vandaras soldiers.a aNot for long,a Talon muttered. Unable to leave it at that, he bent toward her and added, aDo you think you could stay out of danger for a little while? For me?a Catching the deep emotion in his voice, she took a moment to steady herself. aYes. For you.a aThen letas go home.a aHome?a She gave him a long look. aYou mean, to your world?a His gaze stayed fixed on her. aI hope you want to go there with me.a aG.o.ds, yes.a She swallowed. aBut Iad like my parents to know Iam okay.a aWe can send a messenger to Breezewood,a Griffin said. aThen, when the situation here has settled down, you can visit them in person.a aIad be very grateful. Thank you so much,a Kenna said. aMy father is Becker. He has a boot and sandal shop very close to the city gate. You donat mind sending someone?a aOf course not. And when you come back, I suggest going through at the portal near Logan and Rinnaas house. If you travel to Sun Acres together, that will be safer. Then we can send you with a party to Breezewood.a aThank you,a Kenna replied, overwhelmed at the way these people were willing to help her.

As she looked around, she saw that everybody was finally starting to relax. And Talon looked eager to leave.

aReady?a he asked.

aVery ready,a she answered. Finally, it was sinking in that she was free to do what she wanted.

The Marshalls spent a few more minutes discussing the cleanup operation with Griffin, who was obviously an excellent administrator.

Talon glanced toward the small cave that hid the portal. aCan we get back through?a aRinna, Olivia, and Antonia already took the seal off,a Griffin answered.

Kenna kicked up the blackened ground with one foot. aHe could have sealed it from the other side, too,a she murmured. aWhy did he let me back in?a Talonas jaw tightened. aArrogance, I a.s.sume. He was sure he could deal with a mere mortal like you. He was wrong.a aHe could have dealt with me.a Kenna looked around at the people who had come through with her and the ones from her world who had joined them. aAll of you made the difference. Thank you so much.a aHe was a threat to all of us,a Ross answered, then added, aRamsay Gallagher went back to our world while you were in the cave.a aThis place disturbs him,a Kenna said. aHe doesnat like to think that he could have become like Vandar.a She looked at Talon, but he only gave her a small nod.

aRenata explained that heas the same being,a Griffin said. aThat he was also in your universe where head lived for centuries.a aYes. Itas a weird concept,a Kenna answered.

They made plans to get together in the next month. After the men shook hands and the women embraced, the Marshalls and their mates started back to the portal.

Once again, Kenna opened it, this time feeling a sense of wonder that she was leaving this place as a free woman.

AFTER stepping through, Talon took a deep breath and let it out. aIam always glad to get back from a trip.a He laughed. aNever more than today.a aYeah,a Ross agreed.

They all started down the hill to the lodge, but they had only covered a small part of the distance when Talon heard sounds coming from the forest.

aChrist, now what?a he muttered.

They all tensed when two police officers stepped into view.

aStop right there,a one of them called out.

aWhatas going on?a Ross asked in a low voice.

aItas the two cops who interviewed me about the money Mitch Sutton stole,a Talon said, also speaking so his voice wouldnat carry. Kenna moved closer to him, and he knew a confrontation with the authorities was the last thing she wanted.

aLet me handle this,a he said.

aOkay,a Ross answered.

Both officers stepped up to them, giving them a hard look.

aWhere have you been?a the one named Eckert asked.

Talon didnat miss a beat. aIave been teaching some of my family wilderness camping techniques.a The cop gave them all a long look, probably taking in their disheveled appearance. aOh yeah, whereas your campsite?a aWe donat have one. Weave been foraging and sleeping where we could.a aDid you see a guy around here acting suspicious?a Eckert asked. aHeas about five-eight. Dark hair. We didnat get close enough to see his eye color. Dressed in a dark T-shirt and jeans.a aNo.a aHe was poking around the rocks up there in back of you. Then he disappeared. Youare sure you didnat see him?a aAbsolutely. We just got here.a aAnd what about a green streak of light in the sky a few nights ago. Do you know anything about that?a aNo. Maybe it was kids setting off firecrackers?a Talon gestured toward the people with him. aI worked this gang pretty hard, and wead like to get home and shower.a The cops looked at each other, then back at him. aYouall be here if we need you?a aUnless Iam out on a trip.a Without waiting for permission, Talon stepped around them. The rest of the group followed.

Beside him, Kenna breathed out a deep sigh. aDonat we have to . . . respect them?a she whispered when they were fifty yards away.

aIn this world, they have to respect us.a The group walked into the lodge, where they repaired to different bedroom suites to clean up.

A half hour later, when they were back in the living room, Ross said, aI have a contact who created an ID for Rinna. I can do the same for Kenna, if you want.a aIad appreciate it.a Talon had been wondering how they were going to handle that.

aI have a camera in my car. Let me take her picture.a They took some shots. When Ross showed them to Kenna, she marveled at the likeness.

But it was clear everyone was anxious to leave. And Talon was anxious to have them out of the way. He had forged a relationship with his family, but it wasnat something he could deal with on a daily basis.

After another round of handshaking and hugging, the others finally left.

Talon and Kenna stood on the porch, watching the last car pull away.

aAlone at last,a he said, pulling his mate into a close embrace.

She raised her face toward his. aI couldnat have escaped from Vandar without you and your family.a aAnd the world would be in danger if you hadnat told us his plans.a He cleared his throat. aWhat happened to Gallagher?a aI donat know. I canat sense him. And not because the life mates did anything to prevent it. I have the feeling he was injured worse than we realized, and he didnat want us to know it.a aWill he live?a aI hope so. But I think he may be . . . damaged.a aWhat do you mean?a aThat he may have lost some of his powers.a She looked up at Talon. aI know you didnat like my bond with him, but it was only temporary. And it wasnat . . . intimate in the way . . . we are.a aI saw you with him, and I wanted you all to myself.a aYou have me.a She swallowed hard. aI know you thought I would never trust you.a aI didnat understand what was wrong. Now I realize what you were going through.a aAnd you.a He lowered his head to hers for a long, pa.s.sionate kiss.

When he moved his lips back a few inches, they both dragged in several breaths.

Smiling, he trailed his hands down to her a.s.s so that he could press his erection to her middle.

In answer, she swayed against him, and he gave her a wolfish grin. aYouare going to love playing down at the swimming hole in your birthday suit.a aMy . . .a She stopped and grinned. aOkay, I get that.a aBut not in broad daylight, of course.a an.o.body can see us inside your circle of pines,a she murmured.

aThat used to be my private s.p.a.ce.a She looked uncertain. aDo you mind . . .a aActually, I love sharing it with you. That and everything else I have.a aThe most important thing is sharing yourself,a she whispered.

aIave learned that. From you.a Linking his hand with hers, he led her down the steps and toward the private circle, loving this woman. And knowing that the life they would build together would be richer than he could ever have imagined.

Keep reading for an excerpt from SKIN GAME.

BY AVA GRAY.

Available November 2009 from Berkley Sensation!

KYRA HELD THE guyas b.a.l.l.s in the palm of her hand. Literally.

Just for a second as she brushed by him, but it was enough. His eyes widened, and she knew he took the touch as a sign head get lucky after he won her last hundred bucks. The crumpled bill lay underneath his, weighted by a cube of pool chalk.

Poor, stupid mark.

She slid him a slow smile as she racked for their fourth and final contest. His friends stood with beers in their hands, half-smiling in antic.i.p.ation of a sure thing. In a seedy place like this, they had only an old table with worn felt near the right corner, making it necessary to compensate. That wouldnat slow her up this game, though.

Her opponent had years of practice on this particular table. A scruffy, hard-drinking son of a b.i.t.c.h like him had no better skill, nothing else going for him. No, calling himself reigning champ at Suds Beer Factory defined him. She counted on that.

Spinning her cue stick between her palms, she paused before taking the first shot. aYou want to make this interesting?a Her voice had often been called throaty. Kyra sounded like she smoked unfiltered Camels and drank too many whiskey sours. In fact, she did neither. That was just one of natureas cons, more flash for the package to distract people from what lay underneath.

aDarlina,a drawled one of the barflies, ait already is.a Now somebody would comment on the sweet curve of her a.s.s or the way she filled out her jeans. Kyra managed not to roll her eyes, but it was a near thing. If she ever sunk so low that she needed a boost by picking up a man in a place like this, she hoped somebody would shoot her and put her out of her misery.

The man shead been reeling in for the past hour couldnat resist asking, as shead known he couldnat. People were so d.a.m.n predictable. aWhatad you have in mind?a aDouble or nothing.a aYou donat have the cash,a he scoffed.

Her smile didnat falter. aNo, but I have a fully restored 1971 Mercury Marquis parked outside. Itas nice, fresh powder blue paint. Youad get a good chunk for it.a aThatas yours? Big ride for a little thing like you,a her opponent said. Chet, she thought his name was.

For that comment alone she wanted to smash his nose through his forehead, but head feel the hit worse in his wallet. It wasnat like he used his brain much, after all. Kyra made herself smile as she put her keys on top of the two bills.

A stocky guy near the bar shook his head, a crop of coa.r.s.e brown curls bristling from beneath his baseball cap. aDonat take the ladyas ride. She probably has a gambling problem . . . Donat know when to quit even when she canat win.a aI never walk away from a bet.a She hadnat affirmed what head said, but these yokels would never notice the difference. aWhat about you? Scared?a she mocked gently.

Oh, that would never stand. As a chorus of ooohs arose from his friends, Chet shook his head. aItas your funeral, lady. Youare on.a Finally. She never knew how long a boost would last, so she needed to get this game in the bag, or she really would lose her ride. Since the car was the only thing she owned, that would be catastrophic.

Kyra broke then, a perfect scatter. The red three slipped into a pocket, deciding whether shead shoot solids or stripes. Four more shots lined up for her, and she called them in a neutral tone.

A con could go south pretty fast if she didnat play it right. Chet might suspect head been hustled when she was done, but men seldom started a fight with aa little thing like her.a If they did, they found themselves unpleasantly surpriseda"after she tapped the toughest among them.

Bank, carom, and suddenly shead sunk half the b.a.l.l.s on the table. Suds got really quiet and someone muttered, aI call lemonade.a aYep,a another guy said. aSheas torching him.a If she hadnat been worried about the clock running out, she might have stalled a shot and put a ball in jail just to let Chet use his cue, but she needed to wrap things up. She rounded the table, using his own skill against him. Kyra sank the next shot easily, as she knew everything about this game and this particular table. She didnat bother with showy play; the point was to win, not to impress.

The bar was dead quiet when she pointed to the far left pocket, called it, and banked the eight ball toward it. She narrowed her eyes as its roll slowed. She hadnat noticed the faint wear near that pocket as well, but it didnat matter. Chet had learned to compensate over long years of practice; thus, so had she.

The black ball sank with a quiet plunk.

aI believe thatas a dime in all,a she said with a smile. aCash only.a A dime was a thousand bucks. Kyra knew pool hall slang because shead worked this particular con a lot. Now it just remained to be seen whether head pay up politely.

aYou played me,a Chet growled.

She pretended to misunderstand, opening her eyes wide. aSo I did. I won, too.a This was the moment of truth. Most guys wouldnat take a swing at her, no matter how mad they were. Shead run across some real sons of b.i.t.c.hes in her travels, though. So Kyra braced herself.

aPay the lady,a came a low, rough voice from the back of the bar. aUnless you want people to call you a welsher.a With a muttered curse, Chet handed back all the money head won, plus a few hundred more. Kyra smiled, then claimed her keys and the last two bills beneath the chalk cube. She thumbed the white rabbitas foot on her key chain, as she did after every successful con. Superst.i.tion had its place.

aTableas all yours, boys. Thanks for the fun!a Before the mood could turn from puzzled to hostile, she grabbed her denim bag and headed out. It was best to hop into the Marquis and hustle down the road. n.o.body prevented her from pushing past the front door and into the humid kiss of Louisiana twilight. Wild jasmine growing on a broken-down fence scented the air.

Kyra cast a look back at the timber road house. Places like this made up her bread and b.u.t.ter. So many suckers, so little time. She loved the euphoria of getting away clean.

Then she heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel behind her.

s.h.i.t, she thought. I knew it was too good to be true.

She picked up the pace to no avail. A hand on her arm spun her around, and she found herself craning her head back to see who had ahold of her. At five foot four, she was neither pet.i.te nor average, and he topped her by a foot. More interesting, he hadnat been involved in the game.

aWhat did you do in there?a She recognized his voicea"a cross between black velvet and a buzz sawa"head demanded Chet pay up. The guy had been drinking alone near the back, but she hadnat gotten a good look at him.

Shead remember a face like this, hard angles, softened by a spill of midnight hair and eyes so dark they seemed to drink the light, black pools with azure lightning in their depths. He had skin like old mahogany, weathered but lovely. But his fine, unusual looks didnat give him an excuse to touch her.

Thanks to this a.s.s, shead be lucky if she didnat wind up in the fetal position, groaning through a migraine. With a prowess she mustave snagged from him, Kyra neatly broke his grip on her forearm. Surprise flickered in his gaze, as if he recognized the maneuver but didnat understand how shead done it. Well, h.e.l.l, she didnat know how either, and sometimes it got d.a.m.n confusing, but it was a living.

aI won a pool game. And now Iam leaving.a Her tone dared him to try something, especially when she sensed the deadly readiness in her muscles. She knew without a doubt she could snap somebodyas neck. Comforting. Itad be better if she wasnat nearby when the skill shead stolen reverted to him.

aYou think so?a He fell into step, alarmingly casual as they came up to her car.

aWhoas going to stop me?a aThis is a nice ride,a he observed. Suddenly he had a knife in his hand, but instead of threatening her with it, which she couldave handled, he traced it down the front white-wall. aAnd I guess I could stop you.a Understatement.

aYeah.a She wouldnat even breathe without his permission. Those Diamond Back tires had set her back a pretty penny in South Carolina, but nothing was too good for the Marquis. It was all she had left of her daddy, after all. aJust what do you want from me?a TEN minutes with you up against a wall.

For a second, Reyes thought head spoken out loud, but she wouldnat be regarding him with the same mix of wariness and puzzlement in her tawny eyes if he had. Up close, he saw freckles smattered her nose and cheeks, making her look young and vulnerable. Head bet she played that for all she was worth.