Mark of the Bear

Chapter Fifteen

Kellsie had seen many blood-soaked movie scenes in her time, but this was beyond anything she’d ever experienced. For one thing, it was real. The blood that sprinkled her face wasn’t the synthetic stuff created by the guys in special effects. It was warm and sticky and—shit, it was burning her skin. She yanked off her jacket and swiped at the blood with the sleeve. She finished cleaning her face and tossed the soiled garment aside.

Every inch of her body was hyperaware. The fight-or-flight instinct was strongly in favor of running. And thankfully, Marko seemed to be on the same page.

She’d had a few bad moments back in the tent where she’d truly thought he’d gone over to the dark side. But something inside her didn’t quite buy what he was selling. So far, he’d been nothing but honorable and determined. No way was he going to give up that easily.

Still, when he’d grabbed her and partially morphed into a giant bear she’d had some doubts. Those teeth and claws were razor sharp. But she’d resigned herself to her fate, hoping, praying for the best. There was no way she could fight off Marko in his human form, let alone his bear form.

For once in her life, her faith had been rewarded. She’d seen it in his eyes when he’d pulled her close and she’d known he was going to make a break for freedom. And when he’d moved, boy, had he moved. Her head was still spinning from how fast he’d hustled them both out of the carnival tent.

“Kellsie.” He grabbed her shoulders and shook her slightly. He’d shifted back into his human form while she’d been staring at the dead demon. “We have to go. Can you run?”

She nodded. “Yes.” Footsteps pounded behind them. No way did she want to even turn to see what was following them. The dead demon bleeding all over the ground was more than enough for her to deal with right now. He’d been a massive sonofabitch with leathery brown skin and protruding reddish eyes. Not to mention those teeth.

They started running, dodging around trailers and rides, trying to put as much distance between the demons and them as possible. She knew they had to get into the woods. Marko was the king of the forest. That was his terrain.

The wind tore at her hair and tugged at her clothing, trying to slow her down. Her lungs were already burning, but she knew there was no way she could stop. She’d run until she dropped. There was no other choice. She hoped all her cardio training at the gym was about to pay off.

A whoosh of something above them made her look up. A huge demon with wings passed them, swooping down on them. It gave a bloodcurdling cry and attacked, claws extended.

Marko’s huge sword suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He grasped it in his hand and slashed at the flying demon, cutting its two arms off in one powerful strike. Kellsie dodged most of the shower of blood that rained down to the ground and heard the loud crash as the demon fell from the sky. Its cry of pain raised all the short hairs on her body.

“Do you have another one of those?” She motioned to the sword as she jumped over a power cable. They were only a few feet from the forest and she pushed harder, knowing the faster they got to the woods the better chance they had at survival. And then they were there. The trees rose up to surround them, almost protectively as they ran.

Kellsie was breathing hard, her lungs working like a bellows to pump air in and out of her body. Her legs ached and her clothing was plastered to her skin with sweat. She could no longer hear anyone behind them, but that didn’t mean they’d shaken their attackers. It only meant her pulse was pounding so hard in her ears she couldn’t hear anything beyond the fast, heavy thudding sound.

“Can you use one?”

It took her a second to remember what she’d asked him. “Yeah,” she gasped as she ran. “Stunt training. Revenge of the Samurai Vampire.”

Marko looked stunned by her admission. Then he laughed. It was such a joyous sound and so out of place it made her laugh too. She grinned at him, unable to help herself. His laughter was infectious. God, this was crazy. She was running for her life, fleeing demons and Hades himself and she’d never felt more alive.

Marko’s sword disappeared and another one reappeared. This sword was shorter but no less deadly. They slowed slightly but kept moving steadily on an uphill grade. She dug the toes of her sneakers into the ground for purchase on the steep incline. He handed her the weapon. “Go for their neck and eyes. They’re most vulnerable there. And their heart.”

“Got it.” She’d never killed a living thing in her life, not even a mouse. Could she do it? She tested the weight of the sword. Damn right she could. Those things chasing them weren’t living.

They reached the top of the slope and Marko dragged her behind a huge boulder. She leaned against it for support and sucked in much needed air. Her thighs were quivering and her calves were burning. Her entire body was shaking, begging for respite. But there would be none, could be none. Stopping meant certain death.

“Where are they?”

“Behind us.”

“Why doesn’t Hades attack us himself?” That bothered her. He was a god. He was certainly powerful enough.

“His power carries a signature. If he uses too much in this realm the other gods would know. He doesn’t want to attract that kind of attention, not until he’s ready to launch his offensive.”

Okay, that made a weird kind of sense. “What about Mordecai?”

Kellsie sensed Marko’s pain. “I don’t know.” He turned to her. “You’re tired. You can’t go on much longer.”

“I can keep up.” No way was she being left behind.

Marko cupped her face in his hand, leaned down and kissed her. It was such a soft kiss, barely a touch of their lips. “Thank you for believing in me.”

Kellsie squirmed beneath his praise. She’d had her doubts, but he didn’t have to know that. “Yeah, well, not like I had much choice.”

He rubbed his nose against hers. “You had a choice.” He turned his head and listened. She could hear nothing, but she knew he could. “They’re getting closer and you’re too tired to go on for much longer.” Before she could protest, he continued. “You need to ride me.”

“What?” He couldn’t be thinking about sex. Not at a time like this. Not that she wouldn’t love the opportunity to ride him, but still, this wasn’t the time or the place.

Her core clenched at the mere thought and she knew it was official. She was crazy. This was so not the time to be thinking about sex. She opened her mouth to tell him so but he was already talking.

“I can carry you in my bear form. I can move faster and all you have to do is hang on.”

Boy, was she glad that shock had kept her from opening her mouth and inserting her foot. Talk about embarrassing. While she’d been thinking about sex, he’d been thinking about their escape. She nodded, ignoring the arousal still pulsing low in her body. “I can do that.”

Marko didn’t wait, his big body beginning to shift. She’d seen him do it several times now, but it was still incredible to watch each and every time. His limbs reshaped and fur covered his body. His face morphed, his jaw extending and his forehead flattening. In the blink of an eye, the man was gone and the gigantic bear was there in his place.

She swallowed hard. It was one thing to know Marko was really a massive bear. It was quite another thing to actually witness the change. He was larger than any known bear, more like a prehistoric one, if they’d even had bear-like creatures back then. She really didn’t know and it didn’t matter. She was stalling. He was really rather intimidating in his animal form.

He huffed at her and she knew he was urging her to hurry. She went to his side and tried to figure out how she was going to get on his back. There was no bridle or stirrups to help.

As if sensing her problem, Marko lay flat on the ground. She took a deep breath. She could do this. If she could face Hades and his demons, she could darn well ride the bear.

She quickly scrambled up. The sword got in her way and she eased it through a leather loop on her tote bag. The blade sat flat against her side. She hoped it would hold. Last thing she wanted to do was lose it or stick herself with it. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing? She dug her fingers into Marko’s massive shoulders, clutching at the fur. With her legs wrapped tight around his flanks, she dug in her heels. “Giddy up.”

Marko peered over his shoulder, seemingly not at all impressed as he climbed to his feet, or paws in this case. She shrugged. “Seemed fitting.”

He huffed and took off running with a burst of speed. Kellsie slipped to one side, almost falling off before she managed to right herself. She clung to his neck and sides with all her might as he powered through the thick woods, moving closer to the base of the mountain and upward.

Marko zigzagged between huge Douglas firs and around spruce and cedar trees, always seeming to know where the easiest route lay. She could hear the chatter of squirrels and the rustle of other small animals as they scurried out of the way. The wind made her eyes water and she blinked and looked to the side, trying to see more, but the world whipped by at a fast rate.

Kellsie could hear the shouts of the demons behind them, but their yells got more distant the higher Marko climbed until she could no longer hear them at all.

It seemed too easy.

Hades commanded who knows how many demons. Granted, only about sixty or so were on the movie set, but they should have had more trouble escaping them. Was this all part of some nefarious plan? Kellsie didn’t know, but it was definitely something to think about. She’d have to ask Marko what he thought as soon as they got wherever it was they were going.

The sun was high in the sky, but they were in such dense forest it only flickered between the thick branches from time to time. She got used to the play of heavy muscles beneath her as Marko moved steadily forward.

The bear was untiring as he continued upward. The motion was almost like being in a rocking chair or a hammock. The heat from his large, furry body was better than any feather mattress. Combined with the warmth from the sun and the fact she’d gotten little sleep last night, it was no wonder her eyes were heavy. They closed several times and she forced them open.

Her stomach growled, reminding her of how little she’d had to eat the past twelve to twenty-four hours. Marko must be starving, considering how much energy he had to expend carrying her. She was thirsty too.

The muscles in her arms and legs were cramping from sitting in the unfamiliar position for so long and from how tightly she was clinging to him. But underneath the discomfort, unbelievable as it was, she was still horny as hell.

With her legs splayed wide over Marko, her sex was pressed firmly against his broad back. Every rolling motion he made as he ran stimulated her clit. Her nipples rubbed against his muscular back through her shirt and the tight nubs ached for more. She wanted to feel his hands on her body, the light warmth of his breath on her skin before his mouth caressed her.

And she was out of her ever-loving mind. They were running for their lives from demons and she wanted sex. It was nothing more than adrenaline coupled with the human need to feel alive. That was it. It had nothing to do with how she felt about Marko. She ignored the taunting little voice in the back of her head that was calling her a liar.

And really, if there was a possibility she might die in the next twelve or so hours—and she truly believed that was a distinct possibility—she needed to get the most out of them.

No, she had to stop thinking about sex and start worrying about survival. A vicious cramp caught her unawares and she gasped. She grabbed her thigh and felt herself sliding off Marko’s back.

She yelped and grabbed at his fur. He halted immediately and went down on his stomach. She fell, but not far. Thankfully the ground was mossy and covered in dead pine needles and not rocky. She gave an oof sound as the air was knocked out of her lungs. Holding her spasming thigh, she rolled from side to side in acute pain.

Marko was immediately by her side, a man once again. He quickly grabbed the sword that was lying dangerously beside her and made it disappear. She was grateful she hadn’t cut herself on the damn thing when she’d fallen.

He eased the strap of her tote bag over her head and set the satchel aside. “Let me.” He shoved her hands aside and began to rub his broad fingers up and down her leg, digging them into the muscle. As he worked, concern was written all over his face.

Tears formed in her eyes but she willed them back, breathing through the pain as she waited for the muscle ache to ease. Eventually, the cramp subsided and the discomfort slowly went from mind numbing to manageable.

Marko’s touch changed, going from clinical to sexual in a heartbeat. The heat from his palms sank into her thigh as he slid his hands up and down, moving closer to her core with each stroke.

She blinked and her breath hitched in her throat. The way he looked at her made her want to draw him down on top of her and let him sink into her body. There was such need, such heat radiating from him. And loneliness. That was an emotion she understood all too well. As much as she wanted to deny it, would deny it if asked, she’d been lonely all her life.

“Marko?”

He leaned down, buried his face in the curve of her neck and inhaled, as if her scent was more vital to him than fresh air. She loved the way his long hair stroked over the curve of her jaw. “We have to keep going. It’s too dangerous to stop here.”

She nodded. She knew he was right. “The demons should have been able to keep up, shouldn’t they?” That had really been bothering her.

“Yes.” He raised his head and smoothed his thumb over the line of her jaw.

“Then why aren’t we under attack?” She was suddenly very aware of the silence surrounding them. It was eerie, as though all the animals of the forest were holding their breath, hiding, waiting.

“I don’t know.” He crouched beside her and peered all around. “All I know is there isn’t anyone on our trail any longer.”

He held out his hand as he stood. She took it and he easily tugged her to her feet. Her thigh gave a twinge and she took a few tentative steps, only limping slightly. It felt much better. “Is he toying with us?”

“Probably.” Marko wasn’t sugarcoating the situation or withholding the truth. She appreciated that.

“Well, that sucks.” Kellsie hated the idea of being a pawn in someone else’s game. But that’s exactly what she was.

“Whatever his purpose, we can’t change it. He could find us at any moment. All we can do is find the best defensive position.” Marko peered up over the trees to the mountains beyond. The tattoo on his back seemed to move as his muscles rippled and shifted beneath his bare skin.

Kellsie shivered. The tattoo was an exact replica of Marko as a bear. She had to touch it, to see if it were as alive as it appeared. Walking over to him, she placed her hand on the bear’s head. Marko stilled at her touch. She pulled her hand away, letting it hover over his skin. Had she offended him by touching the tattoo? Broken some taboo?

When he didn’t move, she tentatively stroked one finger down the bear’s neck. Marko groaned and tilted his head to one side as though it was his neck she was stroking. Fascinating.

She dragged her fingers over the side of the tattoo and over the bear’s right front leg. Marko’s right arm twitched, the muscles flexing. Wow. This was too cool.

Her hand shifted lower on the bear and Marko spun around and captured her hand in his. “Enough.” His chest was heaving in and out, his mouth set in a thin line, his eyes blazing. But it was the bulge pressing against the front of his pants that really captured her attention.

“Why? If we’re going to die we might as well have some fun first.” She’d given the matter quite a bit of thought while they were running for their lives. It wasn’t likely Hades would let them escape. For whatever reason, he was toying with them. The respite wasn’t likely to last.

Marko shook his head. “Not here. And I’m not going to let you die.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her behind him.

“My bag.” She yanked her hand out of his and hurried back to her tote bag. She pulled the strap over her head and settled the bag into place. No way was she leaving her netbook and cellphone behind. They could get lucky and she might get some phone reception at some point.

Taking his hand once again, she followed him farther into the darkening forest. She glanced up at the sky. The early morning sunshine had disappeared, covered in cloud. She shivered slightly, wishing she still had her jacket. But it was on the ground back at the movie set, covered in demon’s blood, and that was something she doubted even the best drycleaner could get out.

Her stomach growled and she dug into her bag and pulled out two energy bars. They were slightly squashed but edible.

The last thing she’d eaten was an apple yesterday evening and she was starving. “Want one?” She offered Marko one of the bars.

He shook his head. “You eat them both. I can survive without food.”

“But you can be killed, right?”

He nodded. “If I am beheaded or if my heart is torn out I will die. But hunger will not hurt me.”

She wasn’t sure if he was telling her the truth or not. She thought about it and decided he probably was. After all, the guy was immortal. But she was all too human and granola had never tasted so good. She devoured the first bar, inhaling it in under a minute. She made the second one last a little longer, taking her time and chewing it slowly. When it was gone, she folded the wrapper and tucked it back into her bag.

Neither of them spoke as they continued their upward climb. Kellsie knew he hoped to find a cave for them to hole up in. She was afraid it wouldn’t matter how high they climbed or how deep the cave was. Hades would find them as soon as he was ready.

Hades clicked his fingers and the mirror went dark.

“Should we go and get them?” Mordecai asked. He’d seen the way Marko looked at the woman. He’d also noticed the way she watched him in return. There was such trust there, even hope. Mordecai couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt anything resembling hope.

“No.” Hades kicked back in his throne, rested his elbows on the arms and steepled his fingers together. “Let’s give them a few hours to bond. Marko wants to fuck the woman and we’ll give him time to do so. The more responsible he feels for her, the more likely he is to bargain for her release.”

Or the more likely he was to kill her in order to save her from Hades. Mordecai kept that thought to himself. Hades thought he understood the warriors, what motivated them, but he had no idea what drove them. Mordecai knew them all as well as he knew himself. The bear would fight until the bitter end. There was no give in the warrior. The world was black and white for Marko. There were no shades of gray. Mordecai snorted under his breath. His world was nothing but gray.

“You’re cutting it close,” he reminded Hades.

Hades eyes flashed. “Are you questioning me?”

Having a healthy respect for the god and not having a death wish, Mordecai shook his head. “No. Simply pointing out the facts.”

Hades glared at him. “Go get laid or something. Brittany could suck the paint off a bedrail. Have her take care of your dick, you’re annoying me.”

Mordecai bowed out of the room, leaving Hades alone. No way was he having anything to do with the crazy succubus. He had things to do before the final confrontation between Hades and Marko.