Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

so, his coiled muscles visible even beneath the dark fur, his shoulders a handspan above where her own would be in the same form. And even motionless as he was, some intuition—maybe her own sevonix instincts—observed him for what he was. A warrior in a predator’s body, whose graceful stillness even now filled her mind with warnings. And yet something about his form called to her …

In the next instant, Chezran was himself again, standing gracefully tall, relaxed. Yet his eyes had taken on a new edge. ‘You sense it, don’t you, my treasure? My power calling to yours. And that extra ability of yours to heal …’ His voice trailed off admiringly. ‘It is something even rarer.’ Chezran raised his chin. ‘You are gifted, Siray, and belong with me. Your mate.’

All interest left Siray and her stomach recoiled. ‘I am not your mate,’ she said with vehemence. ‘Whatever you say otherwise, and no matter how pleasantly you say it, I see you for what you are—cruel, power hungry, and willing to tear this world apart for your own purposes.’ She shook her head, her anger growing. ‘I will not join you.’ She raised her chin defiantly, confident there was nothing he could say that would persuade her otherwise.

‘No?’

Quiet thunder sounded in Chezran’s voice, and Siray took a small step slightly backwards and to her left … where Baindan wrapped one arm around her protectively. It had been automatic on Siray’s part, but now Chezran’s eyes locked with understanding onto Baindan, and she wished she could take back that slight shift in position.

‘Ah, I see.’ Chezran took them both in for a moment. ‘You wish to form a formal bond, but you are not yet mated. I can tell. Yet even if the link that binds you both is strong … he is not your chosen mate.’

Siray couldn’t stop the minor movement of her brows at Chezran’s comment, even as his words made heat flare in her cheeks as he so casually talked about such an intimate thing. She didn’t dare turn her head to look at Zale, but she could feel the awareness on that side of her alter, as the obviousness of the shift in the relationship between Baindan and herself was made clear to all.

Once again, Chezran didn’t fail to pick up on the adjustment in Zale’s stance and attitude. ‘Yet another admirer,’ he said, scrutinising Zale. ‘Not that I fault either of you for your regard, but you both must know, must be aware, that you are not worthy of her.’ Chezran’s eyes flared. ‘She is mine, and I claim her as such.’

Tension began singing through Siray’s body. Chezran had made a formal claim on her—and now Baindan and Zale either had to back down or fight.

There was no hesitation from either, and Baindan gently pushed Siray backwards and stepped forwards, placing himself between her and Chezran.

Moving just a fraction slower, his expression revealing the disappointment flooding through him, Zale also moved forwards and stood shoulder to shoulder with Baindan, the two of them facing Chezran like a wall.

‘You have no claim here. We will fight, if we must.’ Zale’s words were steady and determined, but the quiet pain beneath them hit Siray like a blow.

Zale knew that she had chosen Baindan, but he still was going to fight. To save her.

Hope kindled within her. Both Zale and Baindan were experienced fighters. No matter how good Chezran was—even though judging by those muscles, he must have spent cycles training with his own soldiers—two on one were good odds.

Yet even in the face of Zale’s response, Chezran only chuckled. ‘There will be no fight. Because I have already won.’

Siray frowned, unsure what he meant.

Chezran waved a hand towards Baindan’s and Zale’s wrists. ‘Or did you forget the reason why you are unable to currently Change?’

Baindan looked downwards, and Siray followed his gaze. To the silver cuff on his wrist. She blinked. It was identical to the one she had noticed Zale wearing when she had freed him from the platform. What was it?

‘Fight me if you will,’ continued Chezran, ‘but you will fight as you are now— without the strength, speed, and other advantages that your forms give you.’

Siray looked up, her body tensing with renewed anger. This is why the others hadn’t been able to Change—the cuffs were some new kind of technology that inhibited the ability to switch forms. A sacrilege against their way of life.

And if Baindan and Zale couldn’t Change, they would be torn to pieces—

Pressing her lips together, she put a hand on each male’s shoulder and quickly slipped between them, evading their reaching hands as she placed herself just a pace away from Chezran. ‘They won’t need to fight for me,’ she said in a ringing voice.

Chezran’s eyes opened a little wider, and he titled his head, a small, victorious smile sliding across his face.

The anger inside Siray burst into full flame. ‘I can do it well enough myself,’ she growled, and her growl deepened as she Changed, leaping forwards as her claws sprang forth.

But even as she sailed through the air, ready to sink her teeth into Chezran, he Changed again and sprang. Not away, as Siray had anticipated, but straight at her.

Their heavy bodies collided in midair, but Chezran’s much-larger bulk knocked Siray down to the ground, and before she could upright herself, she felt a heavy paw slam into her chest and the scratch of teeth at her throat.

She froze. Couldn’t think what to do as she felt the long fangs scrape against the skin beneath her fur, over the place where life pumped through her veins.

Chezran growled as he held her there, her life his to take as he pleased, his snarl a rumble that Siray could feel in the ground.

Her sevonix mind seemed to tremble at the sound.

From the corner of her eye, Siray saw that Baindan and Zale had jumped forwards, but the black-clad Faction soldiers had been ready for them, and four of them