Theresa and Violante both screamed and retreated behind their husbands.

Without further warning, the lion exploded toward them. Rolando and Theresa stepped up beside Sergio and Violante to face Nicolai. The soldiers broke and ran some distance away, terrified of the crouching beast. In concentrating its entire power on the don, the entity had to leave the others alone.Ĭaptain Bartolmei caught his wife's arm, pulling her away from the two cowering guards. It fed the beast, fed natural instincts, hunger and rage, until the emotions swirled together, culminating in the lion's need to kill. She knew its ultimate target was Nicolai. Isabella, always sensitive to the malevolence of the entity, felt it gather itself for the final attack. The beast shook its massive head, eyes glowing red in the night. They refused to look away from the slavering lion. Sergio and Violante took up positions on Isabella's left side. 'I won't see you as the beast either, mio fratello.'

The lion shuddered and sank into a crouch, staring at her without recognition. Her heart was pounding, her mouth dry, but there was a sense of peace deep inside her. She looked back and met the lion's focused stare without flinching. Isabella lifted her face to the drops, allowing the rain to bead over her face and wash away the terror of the moment. Above their heads, the dark clouds split and poured down rain. The mouth opened, revealing huge, sharp teeth. The lion swung its massive head toward her, eyes flaming with the need to kill. Her arms were spread out away from her sides in a gesture of supplication. She lifted her head and walked toward the crouching beast. 'No!' Isabella's voice was a whip of authority. 'Dio, it's happening again! I'll have to call the lions!' Francesca cried out, and she buried her face in her hands. Its eyes were burning with hunger, a dangerous, wild warning to those in the courtyard. The lion stood in the center of the courtyard, a magnificent animal, enormous, heavily muscled, the shaggy mane adding to its bulk. She watched his powerful shape shimmer, the white mist swirling greedily around him, devouring the man, revealing the beast. 'Nicolai.' Isabella whispered his name aloud in despair.

Lair of the Lion by Christine Feehan