Cult of the Black Jaguar by JG Faherty Read Free Book Online Page B

stomach dropped. There could be only one reason they needed to talk.
    They walked past Ix Chel’s revived priests and priestesses, already gathering around their goddess and chanting prayers. Outside the temple, Ethan could feel the night nearing its end.
    â€œEthan, I’m a young man again, but the future still belongs to you and Jenny.”
    He kept speaking, not waiting for Ethan to respond.
    â€œI know she’ll be happy with you. You’re the reason she’s never let herself be with another man. But now she’s going to need you as well, need you to do what needs to be done. She’s going to want to come back here, and you can never let that happen.”
    Ethan nodded. Jenny was a strong-willed woman with a volatile temper. Those qualities, together with his desire to please her, could make him susceptible to any demand she might make.
    Centuries of being a man couldn’t change the fact that the love of a beautiful woman could be overpowering.
    â€œYou can’t leave here.” It wasn’t a question.
    â€œNo, not alone,” replied the professor. “My soul is bound to Ix Chel now. This is my home. These are my people.”
    Unlike earlier, the professor’s voice held no regret or anger over what had been done to him. Ethan couldn’t help feeling resentful over that. He’d offered his friend immortality—or something very close to it—on many occasions over the years, and been rebuked each time. And now the old man was happy to achieve it against his will? It took all of Ethan’s willpower not to release his Beast and challenge his friend right there.
    He’s already changed, Ethan realized. The thing inside me senses it, knows him for an enemy now, not a friend.
    â€œWhat of their mission to build a new Mayan empire?”
    Pascal nodded. “An empire of were-jaguars. A formidable enemy of mankind someday.”
    â€œSomeday?”
    Heathcliff smiled. Already his eye teeth seemed longer, sharper. “Right now the Gente de Jaguar number less than fifty. We have much work to do, rebuilding our city and guarding it from discovery. We live long lives, but it will still take several generations before we can lead our people out into the world.”
    â€œYour people?”
    â€œIx Chel wants me as her consort. That’s why she forced the change on me. It’s not the life I would have chosen, but now that the change is made…I don’t regret it. I will advise her on the ways of the world, teach her the history of mankind.” He smiled again. “Father her heirs.”
    Ethan thought about the exotic woman who served as the Moon Goddess’s earthly servant. Her proud beauty, combining the human ideals of feminine splendor with the animal attraction of a wild jungle cat. Under her long, silky hair would be a body that only aged one year for every ten. Or perhaps twenty. Firm. Young. Ripe. A body built for pleasure, housing a mind and soul meant to rule an empire.
    She would be a Cleopatra for the twentieth century.
    â€œWe’ll see each other again, someday.” Ethan knew his words were as much threat as farewell.
    â€œI fear we will. On the battlefield. But not before my grandchildren’s children have grown and died. Be good to her, Ethan. I have enjoyed your friendship most of all.”
    â€œAnd I yours. Rule well, old man.” Ethan clasped hands with his oldest friend one last time. Inside him, the Beast roared to be let out and finish what it had started.
    â€œNo!” Jenny’s shout startled them from their goodbyes. “I won’t leave you.”
    Heathcliff didn’t ask if she’d heard. “You must, my dear. The time has come for you and Ethan to start your lives together. Just as I will start a new life here.”
    She turned towards Ethan. Something new burned in her eyes. A promise of love. Passion.
    Desire.
    Then sadness took over as she looked back at her father and