book #3 DARK KNIGHT ***COMPLETE***

#11 caught

everyone worked together to get out of the cave. they were now climbing the make shift stairs that avaly and Michael had created. it took longer than Leif had wanted but in the end he just had to be patient while they worked as fast as they could. Zara was the first one climbing up to the natural sky light in the roof of the cave. it wasn't large. just enough to fit the larger men in a very tight space. they would have to squeeze in and hope they could make themselves smaller to fit. the alternative if they panicked was getting stuck in the whole of a cave. It has breifly passed through Zaras mind as she climbed up. Zara was able to climb up It took incedibe body strength to get herself up last the step and reach the top of the whole. she latched on pulling herself up and through the whole using the rest of her strength. Zara stood up once she was out. looking around she was immediately thrown to the ground. She let out a yelp as she felt herself thud onto the hard surface.

someone was on top of her pushing her head to the ground. Zara could feel the heavy body on top of her pressing her down like a heavy brick wall. she knew at this vantage point she had no real leverage. fighting would only deplete her energy that she had left. she yelled out to the group in a desperate plea to save themselves." run!" she was punched in the face by an unknown assailant. Still unable to see who had her pinned to the ground. she couldn't see who had her but she knew in her heart who it was. She wasn't about to let her group be caught.

"Princess! fight back! I'm coming up!" Leif yelled as he tried to scramble up the make shift stairs.

"NO! seal off the entrance! save Avaly!" Zara could feel more hands on her now as she was being pulled up from the ground. she was close enough to the entrance she could see Leifs chocolate brown eyes looking up at her.

"I can't leave you Princess! fight back!" Leif fought his wolf from surfacing knowing that if his wolf came out he would not make it through the small opening. Avaly came beside him. her hand went to his massive arm. They both knew he could not save her. Avaly looked sad as she looked him in the eyes. Panic rose in him at the thought of losing her. Guilt that he couldn't shake.

Leif knew that he wasn't going to make it to Zara and that now their fight was to keep Avaly alive and safe to take the crown from Jonathan. "I'm sorry." was all she said as she blew up towards the entrance sealing them in and Zara out. It was the only way to keep them all safe. Avaly looked away not wanting to see his face.

he watched through the clear ice seal as Zara closed her emerald green eyes and yelled out to him. "I trust you! Now go!" he placed his hand on the now closed whole. it was a silent promise he would find he. It hit him hard as he felt like he was leaving his heart behind he climbed down to the group his body washed with grief and guilt. he briefly nodded his head as they made their way back through the cave to trekk through the dangers of the sirens. his wolf was agitated the further they walked away from Zara. his wolf had accepted Zara and her wolf as a mate. he would get Zara back but first he had to make sure Avaly and the rest of the group were safe. He had a new found anger rising deep inside hi replacing any rational thoughts. His heart was beating faster and his mind swirled with thoughts of Zara.

Zara felt a prick on the back of her neck. "you son of a b***h! what did you just give me?" she looked over into the cruel eyes of the man who was having her held.

"relax Princess. it will keep your wolf from coming out. I have to make sure my men and I are safe." the man was dangerously close to Zaras face and she could feel his hot breath on her now bruised cheek. " my name is king Jonathan." Zara realized she was in big trouble. she already knew how cruel he was from his sister in law and from the way he took over a kingdom that wasn't even his. he waved his hand at the guard holding her tightly. another man stepped forward and began binding her hands together.

"so you are Jonathan." she wasn't questioning who he was merely stating it to herself. Making sure to leave out his title to irritate him. "Got to admit, I am a little dissapointed."

she felt him lean down towards her again this time as he whispered in her ear. "yes and you are in big trouble Princess." a shiver climbed up her spine. she could hear the ice cold of his tone. he meant it. she knew this for sure. she was going to be tortured for information and he would be relentless. she was keeping him from claiming what he wanted.

"I can tell you are a man of your word." her emerald green eyes looked into his deep brown ones. "yet you secure me now like you are afraid of me." she could see the tick in his jaw as she spoke. he wasn't a man who liked to be talked down to. he was used to getting his way.

"I definitely never underestimate my enemy. it is what has kept me alive." he placed a hand on her cheek sliding his fingers down her milky skin. Zara shivered in disgust at his touch. "I don't fear you my dear. I merely understand what you can do for me. it would be best if you didn't underestimate me as well." his eyes danced with evil. the power had gone to his head and he craved more of it. there would never be enough power in both worlds for him. he would devour it like candy. Zara knew he needed to be stopped. she was glad they had all gotten away. right now she knew he valued her life merely because he would use her as bait to get to the others. more importantly to get Avaly. Zara smiled at him knowing how pissed he was going to be when he realized she was already marked by his brother. Zara was certain he had no clue that Liam was her brother. she remembered being told about how angry he was when he was told he wouldn't be married to her. now Zara understood why. he and his father wasn't satisfied with ruling the fire shifters on Earth. no, men who craved power wanted it all. Scarlett would have been his ticket to ruling fire and ice in both worlds. Jonathan saw her smirking and grew angrier. "it would do you justice to fear me mutt! I'm only keeping you alive right now because you are useful to me. as soon as your usefulness runs out so does your life."

Zara simply smiled up at him. "Jonathan I'm sure you try to get all your dates with your charm, bu,t I am immune to you. I'm going to kill you when this is all said and done." he laughed. his voice filling her with the smallest amount of panic. she refused to show any fear as her emerald eyes finally looked deep into his. she saw it there. a brief moment when it clicked. he knew those eyes well. he reached out grabbing her face and pulling her closer to him leaving finger prints behind. He studied her face relentlessly.

it was a confused whisper at first. he had been stunned to realize he had missed who she was. he now realized who she was as well. evil doesn't show emotion for long and true to form the emotions slipped from his face. "you are Liams sister. your brother is scarletts mate...." his voice trailed off as the smile formed deep on his face his eyes dancing with the knowledge of who Zara was. "oh little wolf this bit of news is absolutely the most delicious thing ever. I can take down kingdoms with you. take her to the palace dungeons. make sure she is restrained with silver. wouldn't want her wolf to come out as we torture her."

"torture me all you want. I will still have your head by the end of this." the warriors carried her off to a horse like creature waiting for king Jonathan's men to return. Zara was in deep trouble and she only hoped that Avaly and everyone else had gotten out and to safety. Zara was trying to mentally prepare herself for what might happen when she was taken to the dungeons of the palace.