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She spun around, lasso in hand, as afiileelunged for her from above. A blur of orange and white filled her vision as she was slammed against the ledge. A huge paw pinned her in place, the other on her left arm. Mer panted as golden eyes came into view along with very long teeth that snapped way too close to her neck.

Enough. You will not die like this.

Mer narrowed her eyes at the beastie and bared her own teeth in response. Predators never liked eye contact. She hissed, earning another growl from thefiilee. Its cream-and-light-orange ears lay back against its skull, the whiskers of its snout quivering.

Mer fingered her lasso. She’d only get one chance at this.

She swung the rope and released.

It did not wrap around the feline’s muzzle but around its chest. It skittered to the side, clawing at the rope snugly wrapped behind its two front legs. Mer scrambled out of the way and rolled to her feet. She eyed the distractedfiilee, so close she could sink her fingers into the caramel-and-cream lynx-like fur.

When will you ever get another chance like this? Claim yourfiilee.

It was stupid and more than a bit reckless, but before Mer could think twice, she’d launched onto the feline’s back, wrapping her hands in the lasso. Thefiileetwisted, snapping its teeth at her, but missed. Mer dropped down onto her belly, holding on for death as the beastie spat, hissed, and tried to throw her off.

“Not today,” Mer gasped, ignoring the bite of the rope. She couldn’t give up now.

The feline threw itself toward the ledge, and Mer’s eyes rounded as they dropped over the edge. A terrified scream burstfrom her lips as her legs lifted off thefiilee’sback and into the air.

Fear had her tightening her hold and scrambling to wrap her legs around the beast. She pressed her face into its fur, her arms trembling with adrenaline as they soared in the cavern. Mer popped her head up and then ducked back down just as they passed a stalactite. The tip caught the back of her leg, and she grunted in pain. The infernal creature was trying to scrape her off.

“You have to do better than that,” she spat at thefiilee.

The feline banked toward the entrance of the cave, and they burst free from the mountainside. Bile flooded her mouth as they climbed higher, the trees looking like a smooth green carpet. The wind tore at her as the beast accelerated to incredible speeds.

A deranged laugh spilled from her. Part from terror, part from amazement.

She was flying alone on the back of afiilee.

The feeling quickly fled as she felt the rope give a little.

Without any warning, the beast barrel-rolled. Mer’s body was tossed one way and then the other. Something gave in her right shoulder. She screamed in pain, still holding on. Thefiileerighted itself, and Mer panted heavily against the back of its neck.

Tears streamed down her face at the intense pain. She blinked the water back, noting how her hands had turned an odd shade of gray where the rope dug into her skin. A large splash of blue pulled her attention, and she gasped as they soared over the largest lake Mer had ever seen.

Thefiileedove low, almost touching the water, and then back upward, dragging a groan from Mer. She’d definitely dislocated her shoulder.

“Is that all you got?” Mer shouted, high on pain and adrenaline. “You’re not going to get rid of me.”

The beast’s ears twitched as if it understood the challenge.

The feline dove, but this time barrel-rolled not just once but twice. Mer screamed in pain but managed to hold on the first time... but when the second roll came, the rope loosened, as did her grip.

Mer gasped, terror seizing up her muscles. A scream caught in the back of her throat as she was airborne.

Not again.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

RAZIEL

The meeting had gone on too long.

Raziel was so tired. All he wanted was a hot bath, a snack, and his bed.

Except there was a murderous wayward woman in his bed. His own wife.

He frowned for a moment and then outright scowled when Valen stepped into the room and leaned against the wall, crossing his ankles. His friend locked eyes with Raziel and jerked his chin toward the door.