Fantasy Lynxed [Teeth, Nails and Tails] - Brynn Paulin

[raone453k]

Chapter Six

 

Summer started regretting her decision a few hours into her hike. Right about the time the snow had started to fly. In preparation for her job with the Inupiat tribe at Sisuaq Ablu, she’d read enough about Northern Alaska to know this wasn’t a freak fall storm. It snowed up here, and it snowed a lot. Within a couple hours, it could go from a mild autumn day to the depths of winter. Just like now. She’d been walking for five hours. At first, the activity had warmed her, and she’d been ready to shuck a few layers. Now, she hunched into her borrowed, too big parka determined to keep going even though her legs were beginning to feel like denim-covered ice blocks. The trail was rough, but she estimated she was close to a third of the way to Alatna. She only prayed it was big enough that she didn’t go blowing past it and miss it completely. Or that her sense of direction and the compass in her watch were still spot on enough that the fierce winds wouldn’t blow her off course. She frowned, mentally berating herself. Truth be told, this was probably one of the most stupid-assed things she’d ever done.

Hindsight was great, and right now, hers was telling her she’d made a massive mistake. She’d gotten her head in flight mode, objecting to being held against her will, and she’d run even though going anywhere on foot around here was foolhardy. What had been so bad back there? She’d wanted to study a native tribe’s day-to-day existence while doing a photo pictorial, and she would have had ample opportunity to do that in Caribou Run. Most of the people she’d seen there appeared to be of Inupiat descent. She closed her eyes against the sting of tears. She couldn’t blame them on the biting wind. Her heart hurt from her regret. Even more, it ached from leaving Mika and Bar. In just the short time the three of them had been together, the men had grown on her and burrowed into her psyche—telepathic connection aside. But perhaps that had contributed to the quick bond between them. She knew their thoughts and felt their emotions.

Looking behind her, she saw nothing but icy wilderness though she almost wished she’d see the gray shape of Caribou Run in the distance. But there was only rock, brush, smattering trees and more snow than she’d ever wanted to see. It swirled in great billows, lifted and carried by the wind. The flakes blew sideways around her, pelting her face and blinding her. This wasn’t a mere storm. She’d been dumb enough to go running out into a blizzard. Nice move, genius, she thought. She had to find some sort of shelter and maybe, figure out a way to start a fire. Hunched forward and fighting the wind that threatened to blow her backward with each slow step, she struggled forward. She’d seen a group of large rocks up ahead. Maybe, she could get respite from the elements there and use her tarp to create a wind-block and a makeshift shelter. Summer. Yes, she answered Bar automatically, almost desperate for his voice right now. I’m so cold, she thought as she shuddered. I mean, I’m so sorry… We know, baby, Mika returned. But don’t think you’re not in trouble. Bar! Mika admonished. She didn’t care what the penalty was, as long as she was out of this freezing storm. Ice mixed with the snow now, and she knew her parka would soon be sodden with it. Summer, Mika went on. Don’t be afraid. I-I can’t help it. This weather… I didn’t expect… She’d never see them again. Or her father. Or her friends. She’d never be warm again. Oh God— Baby, Bar cut in sharply, demanding attention. Focus. We’re going to find you, and you’ll be fine. I promise. His vow sank through her, a warm shaft of hope.

She clutched at it, needing the assurance. Though he was still in Fairbanks, she could almost feel him—both of them—near her. Their presence wrapped around her, but when she tried to move in the direction of that impression of them, she realized she’d fallen to her knees. A drift came halfway up her thighs, and she considered curling up and letting it cover her completely. Surely, it would be warm under the blanket of white. She’d wait right here until tomorrow when they came back… Summer! Don’t you do that! Mika growled at her. Get up! Get up now and start walking. Walk as fast as you can. Every bone inside her hurt. The cold had seeped so deep inside her, she was sure she heard her joints creak as the frozen cartilage rubbed. She stumbled as she made it to her numb feet. Snow caked her gloves. The impact as she clapped her hands to knock off the crust of ice jolted painfully up her arms. I think I’d like some of your grandmother’s tea now, she told them. Silence met her statement. She was either alone in her thoughts, she’d imagined the men speaking to her or they were far from amused. Whatever. Now that she was up, she started trudging again, and the movement helped a little. Baby? It was Mika again. I thought you were gone.

No, we’re here with you. We won’t ever leave you, Bar added, and the irony didn’t escape her. They wouldn’t leave her the way she’d left them. Right. Points for the guys. Now, look to your left, he continued, cutting through her mental babbling. Don’t be afraid. They won’t hurt you. That didn’t settle well with her, but she turned her head and almost fell as she stumbled backward. Two huge lynxes stared, unblinking, up at her. Their fur blew in the stiff wind, yet the gusts didn’t sway their rock-solid stances. Follow them, Mika said. His words were straight forward, yet she heard his amusement and relief. They’ll lead you to safety, he added. No freaking way. One of the cats let loose a feline scream, loping through the drifts that parted them. It circled behind her and butted its head into her rear. She stumbled toward the other cat. It tilted its head then turned and slowly walked into the haze created by the storm’s billows. The other lynx smacked the top of its head into her again to get her moving, and when her steps stuttered forward in reaction, it caught her sleeve in its huge mouth and dragged her forward. Nuliaba abnaba, you are the most difficult woman, Bar complained. Difficult? How did the men even know how she’d reacted? She tugged at her arm, and the lynx holding her growled low in its throat. Peachy. Kidnapped by two men then held captive by a pair of wildcats. Don’t whine, baby, Mika told her. We told you we’d take care of you. Take care of me? I’m being dragged off to these things’ lair. What would they do to her there? Did lynx prefer live kill? She had no idea. In truth, she knew very little about this breed of cats other than she’d thought they were smaller than this pair.

What worried her most was that they were leading her north, and if she managed to escape them, she didn’t know if she’d be able to find her way to Alatna. The lynx holding her growled again. Alatna, Mika scoffed. Baby, you should ask some questions before you take off on adventures. Alatna’s population is all of thirty-seven. Of course, Allakaket is nearby, but you would have had to cross a river. You’re going back to Caribou Run, Bar informed her. Frankly, anywhere with heat sounded like a good deal to her right now. The lynxes are taking me back there? Neither man answered. She trudged in silence, ready to fall with each step. Her clothes had absorbed the sleet and felt as if they weighed a million pounds. Her body seemed so numb she wasn’t even sure she’d be able to work her fingers to take off the clothing. Suddenly, a structure loomed in front of them, and Summer cried out in relief—if her tiny gasp could be considered a cry, because that was the only sound that would come from her burning lungs. The place appeared deserted, and she hoped she’d be able to get in. There’s no lock, one of the men told her. Her thoughts were fuzzy, and she wasn’t sure anymore who was speaking. She leaned against the shack’s wall, her eyes closed as she breathed heavily and rested her head on the wood. The lynx closest to her butted her again, and she nearly fell, only staying upright as she braced her hand on the rough siding. Summer, you have to walk.

She didn’t want to, yet with the animal pushing her with its head, she shuffled forward to where the other cat waited. Open the door, nuliaba abnaba. Blinking, she tried to focus on the entrance before her. A rope latch held it shut. With nerveless fingers, she fumbled fruitlessly with the closure then batted at it when her frustration grew. Tears pricked her eyes, and her chest heaved as silent sobs racked her body. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t do this simple task. Focus, Summer, one of her men urged. Focus and get inside then we’ll take over. She leaned on the door and tried to summon strength from Bar and Mika’s words. I’m so sorry, she thought. She could be at their home, warm in bed or maybe staying inside with a hot mug while watching the snow and enjoying the sight of the flakes painting the land. Not here… Her eyes closed again as the sharp pins of ice stabbed at her skin. Both cats let out feline roars, one of them grabbing her arm and shaking hard. Summer, damn it! Bar bellowed as her senses cleared slightly. She looked down at the silvery-green eyes staring up at her. So strange… Now, Summer! With the last of her strength, she reached for the rope and managed to get her hand loosely wrapped around it. Lifting sharply with a clumsy jerk, she released the latch then fell into the wood door then onto the floor as the plank swung away. The lynx rushed past her, leaping over her body as she lay panting on the rough flooring. One of the animals grabbed her jacket and hauled her the rest of the way inside while the other used his body to push the door shut. A gold glow exploded before her eyes then her men stood there, naked and leaning over her. “Pretty,” she muttered, then darkness claimed her.