One Down: Bayou Heat (Pantera Security League Book 1) by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright Read Free Book Online Page B

In Cerviel’s experience, humans fell under the weight of regression therapy far more easily than Pantera. So he’d wondered how Hallie would respond as he’d guided her through the initial calming meditation. What part of her would take hold as the suggestions were offered—how much puma blood did she have within her?
    Under the glow of the small lantern, Cerviel stared down at her, lying on her back on a bed of leaves. Eyes closed, face relaxed, she breathed easily. This beautiful female he’d guided into a deep trance. This female who trusted him. Who’d kissed him… Who had more Pantera within her than he’d guessed. It had taken almost an hour to bring her to the state she was in, and he needed to move quickly.
    “With each exhale, Hallie,” he said in a slow, soothing voice, “I want you to release all the stress and tension that has built up inside you.”
    Her lips parted and her inhalations grew deeper, while her exhalations were slow and weighty.
    “That’s right. Every sound you hear, every breath you take sends you deeper within yourself.” He waited for a few seconds, watching her, assessing. “Very good, Hallie. Now, I want you to go back, back…follow the trail through the trees. And as you do, you’ll see each year ticking by. Stop when you’ve reached five.” He waited for several seconds, wanting to make sure he saw flickers of movement on her eyelids. “Good. Now, just observe what’s around you without emotion.”
    For several moments she was quiet, still, then her lips began to tremble, and her hands clenched and unclenched.
    “There’s nothing to fear,” Cerviel said softly, gently. “You’re just observing.” When he saw her fingers relax, he smiled. “Excellent. Tell me what you see, Hallie? Are you alone?”
    “No. I’m with my father.” She sounded calm, even. “Out at our house on the lake in Minnesota. It’s our favorite place to be.” A smile touched her mouth. “It’s summer, and we just got back from fishing. Me and Dad. We want to show her, my mom, what we caught. She always pretends to be scared of the fish, but she’s not. She’s not afraid of anything…”
    “Hallie?” Cerviel whispered when she fell silent.
    With the light from the lantern illuminating her face, he could see tension on her brow, her breathing increasing and her legs trembling.
    “Hall—” But he was cut off.
    “The door to the lake house is open,” she whispered, pained. “I hear something… Oh, god, it’s…Mom!” Her voice broke. “She’s screaming. Dad and I…we drop everything, the fish, the tackle, everything and run inside—”
    A cry escaped her lips and her face scrunched up in pain.
    Shit. He had to get her back. Now.
    “You’re observing, Hallie,” he reminded gently, moving in closer. “Listen to my voice. You’re not there. You’re here in the cave with me.”
    “They want me!” she cried, deaf to him now. “Oh god! They’ve come for me.” Her eyes popped open, and they were huge and stunned as she stared at the ceiling of the cave. “It’s my blood. From the transfusion I had when I was ten. I have the blood they want!”
    Cerviel touched her arm. This had gone too far. He was going to bring her out.
    But before he could say or do anything, Hallie was on him. With a snarl of fury, she shoved him to the ground and leaped on top of him. Cerviel’s cat rushed to the edges of his skin, wanting to break free, but knowing it wasn’t welcome outside the Wildlands. Straddling him, her face contorted in pain and anguish, Hallie reached out for his throat. A scream broke from her as she squeezed, her nails digging into the skin of his neck.
    Even though his airway was threatened, he didn’t touch her. Wouldn’t dare. Her eyes were still open, but unfocused.
    “Take me back!” she screamed. “Take me home! What are you doing? What are you doing to me?”
    “Hallie,” he whispered hoarsely. “Kitten, you’re all right. You’re safe.”
    “I’m