Mine to Take by Dara Joy Read Free Book Online Page A

her lip. Already the guards were pounding on the door. If she didn’t try…
    “Are you sure you can catch me?”
    “If I survive the jump, yes.”
    Jenise wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. “What?”
    “I have not jumped from such a distance before.”
    Jenise threw her arms up in the air. That settled the issue for her. She would not have his broken body on her conscience. “No, I cannot allow it!”
    Gian raised a dark eyebrow. Whoever heard of a woman proclaiming she would allow a male Familiar to do anything? He would have grinned if the situation wasn’t so serious.
    Jenise read his expression very well. It was a universal male look, which said clearly, oh, really.
    “It is too dangerous,” she emphatically stated.
    “Ah, but that is my choice, Creamcat. And I choose to escape. I will wait for you below.” He slid out of the leather breeches and tossed them out the window.
    He started to turn from her, then hesitated. “You are about to see what few outside our own people have witnessed: the transformation of a Familiar. It is an experience we do not share with many.”
    “I understand. You may trust me.”
    Satisfaction brightened his eyes. His palm cupped her cheek, then fell to his side. “What is your name?” he inquired, an unexpected tenderness lacing his smooth voice.
    “Jenise.”
    He nodded as if he liked the sound of it. “If I fail, Jenise, then you will remember this Gian Ren…”
    It seemed as though he wanted to say more, but his words trailed off as a glowing light began to pulsate from him. Streams of photons flowed around him, gaining in number and strength. His entire body began to shimmer, seeming to melt into light itself.
    Jenise had never seen anything so beautiful.
    In the next instant, a large, multi-colored cat was standing before her. There was a majesty about him that invited awe and respect. Broad areas of vibrant bronze and black and gold formed patches in the long silken fur. The animal’s stunning eyes were two different colors. Deep green and lambent gold.
    Gian!
    Tossing his head in an action she had seen the Familiar make in human form, the proud feline gave her a haughty stare.
    It was nothing less than Jenise expected.
    The powerful cat jumped onto the windowsill. Looking over its shoulder at her one last time, he leapt bravely into thin air.
    Jenise ran to the window, afraid to look out but knowing she must. The great cat had landed far below in the stone courtyard. He lay there, not moving.
    The pounding on the door grew louder. Was he simply stunned or…?
    A slight movement alerted Jenise. He was alive!
    Somewhat dazed, the beast awkwardly got to his feet. In the moonlight, Jenise could discern the odd angle of one of his paws. She winced. He had broken a leg. A hind leg.
    Not only must he be in terrible pain but he would never he able to catch her. Her spirits plummeted.
    She turned away, missing the flash of light from the courtyard below.
    Just then the door to the chamber crashed in and Karpon’s men filled the doorway, led by Karpon himself. Histhin nostrils flared as he viewed her. Clearly he was furious at her rebellion.
    Mayhap he would even kill her. She glanced out of the window, thinking she might be able to signal to Gian to go on without her. At least he might be able to save himself.
    She was shocked to discover that he had already donned the tracas and was motioning for her to jump. Not only that, but he was standing perfectly on two legs. Jenise’s hopes lifted; somehow the Familiar had repaired his injury when he had changed his form. A handy ability, indeed.
    Unfortunately, while she was watching him, Jenise’s mind registered exactly how far the fall was. Her fingers clutched the sill. How could she find the courage to make that kind of jump?
    Below in the courtyard, Gian sensed her indecision, her fear. He willed her to meet his eyes as he inhaled a deep, calming breath. {Come to me, taja. I am here for you.}
    Jenise’s hand went