Mine to Take by Dara Joy Read Free Book Online

have not yet seen how I can impress you, Creamcat.”
    Jenise flushed as his meaning became clear. He laughed quietly at her telltale reaction.
    “You may keep such impressions to yourself!” she hissed indignantly. “That is not part of our bargain.”
    The firm lips twitched beguilingly. The tip of his finger stroked the side of her face. “It will be your choice,” he purred.
    Jenise stiffened, pulling away from his touch. “Yes, it will be my choice.”
    A flash of white teeth gleamed in the darkened corridor—a hint of amusement. The Familiar lifted her chin with the same finger, bringing her face up to his.
    “Exactly,” he whispered, brushing her mouth with his own.
    Before Jenise could respond, he was already gone.
    A few moments later she heard a brief scuffle, followed by the sound of a body falling to the floor.
    His hand signaled to her that it was safe to come forward.
    When she rounded the corner, he was already stripping the man’s black leather breeches off.
    “Is—is he dead?” Jenise nodded in the direction of the fallen guard.
    The Familiar seemed affronted. “Of course not. We only kill when we are forced to—unlike Karpon.”
    He pulled the thigh-hugging tracas on over his own lean hips, fastening up the rawhide laces in front. Jenise watched him, for some reason fascinated by the effortless action.
    The Familiar glanced up slowly, catching her in his glinting regard. There was a very knowing look in those dark green and gold eyes. It was the first time Jenise got a true sense of just how experienced the man was…in everything.
    She began to wonder about this captive she had released. Who was he? Did all Familiars have such a compelling presence or was it he alone? Already, she’d had glimpses of his control, his mastery, and his resourcefulness. Perhaps he was more than what she imagined?
    He did not seem to be one who would allow himself to be persuaded into anything unless it was his desire to do so. And yet he had repeatedly told her that it would all be her choice; that she would be the one in control. At least, it seemed he meant that.
    Jenise decided to take the Familiar at his word—for the time being. So far, he was living up to his side of their bargain. However, if he proved himself difficult, they would be parting company very rapidly.
    Gian bent over the prone guard, lifting his foot to pull the man’s boots off. He stopped suddenly. Dropping the man’s foot abruptly, he jumped up, grabbing Jenise’s hand. “Hurry; there are many coming! They seek us—our escape is already known.”
    No sooner had he said this than a contingent of Karpon’s men came into view yelling for them to stop.
    Bare feet slapping against the stone floor, Gian swiftly pulled her along, turning into a room on an upper level. He threw the bolt on the door to gain them a few precious moments.
    Jenise scanned the room in dismay. No other door led from this chamber. “There is no way out!”
    But the Familiar was already racing to the single small window in the corner. Pushing open the hinged panel, he glanced down to the courtyard below. Far below. The distance was too high for any man to jump without breaking several bones. Or worse.
    Nonetheless, Gian was not any man; he was Guardian of the Mist.
    “Listen to me, taja, for we do not have time to debate this.”
    “Debate what?” she asked nervously. Jenise was well aware how high up they were; surely he was not thinking of jumping that distance? He would fall to his death!
    “I am going to jump.”
    She gasped aloud. “You cannot! You will be killed!”
    He smiled faintly, moved that the creamcat cared. “Hopefully not. I will transform into my other self; it will aid my landing. Listen carefully; after I touch ground, I willmetamorphose back into my human form. You must jump to me then. Do not be afraid; I will catch you.”
    “Are you mad? What if you miss? It is too risky!”
    He gazed at her evenly. “It is your choice.”
    Jenise bit