Kyra backed against a tree, her heartbeat suddenly twice as fast as before. If it really was a demon cat coming toward her, climbing the tree would do her no good. She balanced her weight on the balls of her feet, muscles taut, as the beast came into view. Sleek muscle, long tail, pointed ears—a wildcat the size of a horse. Kyra didn’t recognize this particular demon cat. Its eyes fixed on her, and its tail swished dangerously. There was no friendliness in its gaze. Kyra hadn’t exactly left the Makvani on good terms.
“I mean no harm,” Kyra said. “I don’t come on Palace business.” Her voice quavered. As if the beast would believe her. As if the beast would care.
It continued advancing, and though it would do no good, Kyra turned to run. The forest had gone silent around her, and all she could hear were her own quick breaths and the crunch of snow underfoot. She managed a few steps before powerful paws knocked her down. Kyra skidded along the ground. Icy snow spilled into her sleeves and melted against her skin. Kyra rolled onto her side and scrambled for the knife in her boot, only to drop it as the beast knocked her again to the ground. Hot breath bore down on her, and Kyra crossed her arms in front of her face to ward off teeth and claws. Could she change now? The beast gave her no quarter, not even a chance to breathe.
There was a roar. A creature—another demon cat—collided with the beast on top of her. The two cats tumbled along the ground, growling and snapping, a blur that was impossible to follow. Kyra had only just made sense of the scene when the two cats broke apart and faced each other. The second cat let out a low growl. After a long moment, the first beast turned and retreated into the forest, leaving Kyra alone with her rescuer.
Kyra’s heart still beat wildly in her chest, and she couldn’t quite believe that the threat was gone. She didn’t recognize this new beast. She’d hoped it was Pashla, the clanswoman who had been her advocate during her time with the Makvani, but this tawny-yellow creature was much bigger, with muscular shoulders and haunches that were formidable even for a demon cat. As Kyra climbed to her feet, the beast’s shape began to blur. A moment later, Leyus stood before her. Leyus, the leader of the Makvani, who had only grudgingly spared her life the last time she’d seen him. In his human form, Leyus was tall with long hair that matched the tawny yellow of his fur, and the same muscular shoulders he carried as a beast. Kyra kept her eyes on his face because, like all Makvani who had just changed into his skin, he was naked.
“You tread a dangerous line, coming back to this forest,” said Leyus. He turned to leave without waiting for a response.
Kyra stood dumbfounded. “Thank you,” she called.
Leyus looked over his shoulder. “You have chosen your loyalties,” he said without stopping. “Do not expect to be safe out here. If you come into our territory, you alone bear the risks and the consequences.”
And then he was gone.
T W O
Kyra’s younger friends Idalee and Lettie were sound asleep by the time she returned to the small room the three of them rented from a wealthy jeweler’s widow. The two sisters lay curled together on the straw pallet they all shared. Idalee’s dark hair was spread wild around her on the pillow, while Lettie had burrowed completely under the covers and was only visible as a small mound at her sister’s back. They didn’t stir when Kyra climbed in next to them.