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Isabeau owed Beatrice her life, but instead of appreciating the gift Beatrice gave her, Isabeau betrayed family loyalty for the love of a dragon, leaving Beatrice to die.
The cracking bones echoed off the walls, making Beatrice’s head hurt. A young, beautiful, emaciated female lay on the floor. She had stopped eating weeks ago in what Beatrice assumed was an attempt to end her life. Too many clients wanted to hunt the sleek panther for Beatrice to allow that to happen.
“Would you be happier if I just played nice kitty?” the woman said.
Beatrice pushed the button and watched the two prongs at the end of the prod turn red. The smell of burning flesh stung the inside of her nose. She reached through the bars and touched the prod to the woman’s leg. The woman cried out and scrambled back against the wall.
“I would be happier if you would remember your place.”
The woman’s dark, empty eyes showed no signs of defiance like they once did. Beatrice had seen it happen many times before. Almost all the shifters they brought here fought to remain defiant. Each thought they would escape, but none had until they brought in that damn panther. She used her energy to help others escape. Since Rex found her outside the spelled boundary five months ago, she had helped over fifteen shifters escape. Why would she help others instead of helping herself?
“You’ve forced my hand.” Beatrice waited for one of the woman’s quick comebacks, but she curled into a ball, closed her eyes, and stilled on the floor. “I know you’re not dead. You are more powerful than any of the others we’ve used. A little hunger won’t kill you.” Beatrice stepped back. “Your food strike will end tonight.”
The woman did not react.
Rex stepped into the room, carrying a gun over his shoulder. “I’ve got two.”
“Do you really think you need that many?” Beatrice asked.
“I’ve lost three men because of her. I don’t feel like taking any more chances.”
Beatrice spun to face him. “Perhaps it wasn’t her fault but yours.” When Rex didn’t respond, she continued. “I don’t know why I’m always surprised when a man underestimates the power of a woman. If your guards were not strong enough to bring her down, that’s their fault, not hers.”
Rex pressed his lips into a thin line and remained quiet.
“What do we know about the latest escapes?” Beatrice asked.
“A bear shifter and a wolf shifter. We caught the wolf,” Rex said. “And we’re hunting for the bear.”
Beatrice stepped toward the prison bars, closed her eyes, and summoned a small amount of energy. Rex doubled over, grabbing his stomach before dropping to his knees. The female panther lifted her head and met Beatrice’s gaze.
Beatrice smiled. “Rex and I have worked together long enough for him to know I do not tolerate incompetence.”
The panther stared at Rex, who was now curled into a ball, moaning,
“He’s not the only one responsible, is he?” Beatrice asked.
The panther lifted her head and started to speak but was cut off when the main door opened, and another guard stepped inside.
The guard looked between Rex and Beatrice. His eyes settled on Beatrice. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but you’re needed at the main house.”
“Is this something Morris can handle?”
The guard swallowed hard, quickly dropped his eyes to Rex, and backed up to the door. “Um, I didn’t know you were busy. Morris told me to tell me that it happened, and you don’t have much time.”
Beatrice snapped her fingers, and Rex’s body relaxed enough for him to move. He rolled to his side, whimpering.
Beatrice pointed to the panther. “Food will be here soon. If you do not start eating, I will order a feeding tube shoved down your throat. You won’t like it.”
She spun around, stepped over Rex, and walked out.
Morris opened the door as she walked up the porch steps. “I’ve placed the body on the deck.”
“Is everything ready?” She handed the cattle prod to the man.
He nodded. “The blessed fire is almost strong enough.”
A man sitting in a high-back chair stood and nodded his head once.
