Claiming the Jackal Read Free

speak. “We’ve always been taught that jackals were wild, raging creatures that would kill Daughters on sight. What I know, what I’ve witnessed about the Sons of Anubis, makes me weep for the suffering inflicted on both sides.”
    She reached up, covering his hand so hot through her blouse. A connection snapped into place, a feedback loop of pure energy. She drew one ragged breath then another as magic and want crashed through her system. Tia had told her about the earthy sensations she’d felt when her magic had joined with Markus’s, but Rana hadn’t expected to feel such raw, earthy power herself. She hadn’t with any of the other guards who’d come to her. Hector’s power and vitality she’d felt across a room. Now, up close, on a feedback loop blending with hers, she couldn’t do anything but stand there and experience it, even as everything in her screamed for more.
    His hand tightened on hers and somehow she was closer, a breath separating them. Then even that distance closed as Hector leaned down, claiming her mouth. Whether he’d intended it as a punishment or a dare she didn’t know, didn’t care.
    The heat she’d felt moments before became a flame burning through her meager defense and fanning her simmering desire to a boil. It had been a long time, longer than she cared to think about, since she’d been in a man’s arms. Even then, no one had swamped her senses the way Hector did.
    A growl rumbled between them, and she realized she was the one who’d made it. She leaned forward, stepping as close as she could, wanting more of his mouth, his heat. His tongue traced her lips, silently seeking entrance. She opened for him, bliss sweeping through her as their tongues slid and tasted. Heat spread through her, plumping her nipples, dampening her core.
    Kissing Hector wasn’t anything like she’d expected. It was so much more.
    His hands pulled away from hers as if forced away, then settled onto her shoulders. “Gods. Gods damn me.”
    With a jerk, he set her at arm’s length. Silver swirled in the depths of his gaze, eyes dilated with the same need she felt. “You will leave my men alone,” he rasped out. “If you have need of information, you will come to me.”
    She swayed toward him. “What if— What if I want something other than information?”
    He dipped his head and Rana uttered a mewl of pleasure as his teeth scraped her throat. “Whatever your needs, come to me,” he breathed against her skin. “I and I alone will provide.”
    With that, he stalked out of the room, leaving Rana to sink onto the exam table to gather her wits, her breath and her self-control.

Chapter Two
    Anubis’s balls.
    Hector dove into the chilled lake, touched bottom, then pushed off. He swam the length of the water twice, then shifted to jackal form and paddled the length again. Exerting his body, pushing his muscles, all in a desperate need to cool the fire burning in his veins.
    Rana.
    He’d approached the Isis witch in an effort to deflect his men away from her. He’d thought pretending to claim her was the best option.
    He’d never been more wrong.
    Pretense had died the moment he’d kissed her. Hell, it had vanished long before that. The moment she’d poked his chest, the fire of conviction burning in her gaze, she’d piqued his interest.
    He’d allowed an Isis witch to challenge him. He’d allowed her to touch him and walk away unscathed. He’d kissed her, had come close to taking her right there in the infirmary. He’d taken her scent, given her his. By the dark breast of Nephthys, he’d all but claimed her when he’d set his teeth to her throat. At least other jackals would stay away from her now.
    He just didn’t know if he could.
    Rana had bewitched him. That was the only explanation for it. Despite carrying enough mistrust and anger to believe himself immune to the lure of the priestesses, he’d fallen under the spell of one. How, he didn’t know. He’d thought himself immune to