CHAPTER TWO
This was a bad idea.
Roxie tried not to squirm under the stare of the man standing in front of her—well, not man, but more like ruthless, coldblooded panther. His reputation preceded him, but it didn’t look like it was an exaggeration, either.
She’d anticipated the shifters who’d come to get her, had braced herself for the power they exuded and the eeriness of the place she was entering here in this area of what they called Brazil. It was generally just a big forest with fields and cliffs overlooking an ominous-looking ocean, whose waves looked like they could swallow one whole. Then there was the cave, which was so large that it left her pretty impressed, as the outside turned off anyone from entering, but the inside…well, the inside was basically a castle filled with all kinds of things that looked expensive and aesthetic at the same time. There was no denying that it was more masculine than she would have liked, but she couldn’t help being in awe, anyway.
The awe left her once she was taken to the main hall and surrounded by a powerful surge of electricity. She wasn’t stupid and knew that it was used to control whatever powers she had. Guards surrounded her, too, and she had to scoff at the precaution put on her. If only they knew the extent—or rather, the lack—of her powers, they’d laugh.
And then he came in, and whatever amusement she felt fled instantly.
Their powerful aura? It was nothing compared to the aura he exuded. It came out of him in waves, and she could feel him sensing her out as he studied her under hooded eyes. She did some studying of her own, noting down the long, graceful lines of his lightly bronzed body. He was tall, but not so outrageously tall that she’d have a crick in her neck from craning too much. He was also muscled, though they were subtle and hidden very well by dark clothes from neck to foot. He was more sprinter than brawler in looks, and perhaps that was what panthers were all about.
His black hair rested comfortably on his head, not too long but not too short either. It fell in soft waves that looked soft to the touch, except no woman in their right mind would do so without permission. His mouth was firm and full, and she had a feeling he didn’t smile often. But that wasn’t the most intimidating part of him.
It had to be his eyes. They were the lightest of blue—like summer clouds, she realized, except there was nothing summery about him at all. Those eyes were cold and calculating, and it felt like they were looking into her soul.
Her heart beat fast, and Roxie willed it to calm down. She had a disliking for this man already, and he hadn’t even spoken a word yet.
“Speak,” he clipped out.
Well, okay. Now the dislike only increased.
She forced herself to smile. He didn’t return it. Biting back her pride, she bowed. “My name is Roxie K'Lashtama. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the name, but I have reason to believe you are.”
He didn’t speak. In fact, he just stood there like some kind of lazy predator waiting out his prey, and she tried to get the image of herself being ripped to pieces out of her mind. Of course, he was familiar with the name and was just being an ass about it.
So she kept on.
“My mother is Pine K'Lashtama, Queen of the Autumn Court. I’m sure you’ve heard of her.”
And slept with her, and got cursed by her. But she didn’t get into that, expecting at least some kind of reaction now.
Nothing.
In fact, Isaac Hart’s expression showed more blankness than ever, his eyes remaining on hers. She was so tempted to look down but didn’t want to give in to her own intimidation. She had experience dealing with men like him in her court—bullish, alpha men who were cold and heartless and wanting nothing more than power. She could deal with him.
The silence in the hall turned ominous, and she watched in fascination as the panther clan leader indicated with his hand once. The young guard who’d taken her there and brought him straightened, then nodded and left. To her surprise, all the other guards followed, leaving her alone with a quiet click of the huge door. Now it was just her and Isaac. A few seconds later, the electric charge around her also disappeared.
“Make one wrong move, and you’ll be dead before you hit the floor.” His voice was low and all kinds of smooth, the threat coming out of his mouth casual. It had her shivering before she made her body go still, lifting her chin up at him.
“I’m not here to threaten you and kill you.”
“You couldn’t even if you tried,” he said. A smirk formed on his face.
Roxie tamped down her temper and stifled muttering some insults out loud. She pretended she didn’t hear him. “I’m here because I need to talk to you.”
“Roxie, right?”
“Right.”
“Save that speech and get to the point. I don’t have all day.”
Why, what a rude, arrogant, self-serving basta—
“I need your help to save my mother.”
And there she went blurting out everything before she could even assess the situation.
She made her bed and had to lie in it, so Roxie didn’t bother dwelling on the matter and simply waited for the verdict. Isaac turned around and sat down in his chair, which was elevated and looked very similar to her mother’s throne back home. It was no wonder her mother cursed this kind of man, but she had to wonder what exactly Isaac had done to make her mother use her powers like that. Pine K'Lashtama was careful with doling out said curses, considering how much magic they used up, so it must have been something severe.
“And why, pray tell, are you asking me for help? Don’t you have men who could do that?”
Because you’re the only one who could save her specifically. He didn’t even ask what happened to her mother, indicating his lack of care.
“She’s been kidnapped by the Winter Court, and as the acting queen, I’m trying my best to keep the information at a minimal and therefore not involve anyone connected in our world—both my court and the other courts.” The lie came out smoothly, almost perfectly. “You’re the only one I could think of, as she once mentioned you were one of the most powerful beings in this world. Was she mistaken?”
Silence.
Roxie silently congratulated herself for making the smirk disappear from his mouth.
“No,” he responded coolly. “She wasn’t mistaken.”
Oh, goodie.
“And no, I’m not helping you. You can leave now.”
She blinked. She stared. Isaac hadn’t moved at all, and he looked serious.
He was serious.
She should have expected it—but at the same time, she’d been expecting all the rumors about him to be untrue, and had expected he would at least be eager to do her bidding for a bargain. But he didn’t even mention the curse, or any bargain, or anything at all. He simply dismissed her like she was some common thief and he had nothing to do with her anymore.
And somehow, that pissed her off.
When Roxie was pissed off, she rarely made sound decisions. She knew this. But she made them all the same now, starting by glaring at him and making a move forward. He still didn’t move, but she could sense the tensing of his shoulders and knew one more step, and he would pounce on her without remorse.
“You’re going to help me,” she declared, emphasizing each word. His eyes turned colder and darker, and her heart beat fast again as she realized she’d gone too far. But it was too late to back out now, so she forced herself to keep talking. “Mr. Isaac Hart, you’re going to come with me to our world and help me rescue my mother from the Winter Court.”
“No.”
“Yes,” she bit out, gritting her teeth. Throwing all caution to the wind now, she took that dangerous step forward again.
This time, Isaac stood up. His mouth went flat, and he stared down at her, and Roxie braced herself for the impact of his attack.
But he didn’t attack. Instead, he smiled at her coldly.
“I’m giving you ten seconds to leave. You’ll be my prisoner if you don’t.”
“You don’t want to make me your prisoner,” she said.
“And why not?”
And now, this moment was the time to lay it all down on the table—well, not all, but most information. She took a deep, inward breath.
Then she pulled out her ace.
“Because I can remove your curse in exchange for my mother’s rescue.”