Lair of the Lion

sudden anxiety. Don Rivellio smiled pleasantly. "That is the sound of my men killing any poor dolts who would stand in my way. My men have taken the valley. I have you, Signorina Vernaducci, as I was always meant to. If DeMarco should escape, he will no doubt attempt a rescue and place himself in my hands. I have such wonderful plans for you."
    The don leaned forward on his horse, staring directly into her eyes, allowing her a glimpse of pure evil. "Pain is very close to pleasure, my dear. We shall see if you enjoy my little diversions as much as I do." His gaze moved from her face to Theresa's. "And you—
    how well you've served me. DeMarco has never learned a woman's place in his holding.
    You will learn it well in mine. I have a room right off the stables where you will be stripped naked, tied spread-eagled, and left for my soldiers to do with as they please. Your sister learned her lesson in that room—so tedious with her constant tears, her begging to go home." He laughed, sharing his amusement with his men. "They always enjoy my little gifts to them."
    Isabella felt fear mixing with fury rushing through her bloodstream, felt the answering tremor run through Theresa. She gripped Theresa's arm. "Stay silent. Make no sound at all.
    Nicolai is here. Look at the horses," she whispered.
    Her words were so low Theresa almost didn't catch them. She was reaching for the beast within, trying to recapture her hatred and rage now, when she needed it the most, when the disgusting creature who had dishonored and raped her sister was standing in front of her, threatening her with his vileness. The horses were indeed beginning to show signs of nervousness. Moving restlessly, tossing heads, some rearing until the soldiers were forced to dismount to calm them.
    Isabella allowed herself a brief glimpse of the surrounding countryside. Through the gray sleet and gloom she caught the glow of feral eyes, the whisper of movement among the trees and boulders. More than one beast stalked the group of soldiers.
    "I detest this place," Don Rivellio snapped. "Get the women, and let's get out of here."
    The agitation of the horses increased even as he spoke. The animals plunged and bucked, whirling to dislodge their riders. The soldiers fought with their mounts to stay astride. None of them were able to obey Rivellio's orders.
    The lion came out of the gray veil, huge, nearly eleven feet of solid muscle, exploding through the sleet to hit the don solidly in the chest. Horses squealed in terror. Men screamed, faces blanching in horror as the world erupted into madness. The lead lion was not alone, a pack having surrounded the column of men. Sprays of crimson shot across the snow, trees, and bushes.
    Theresa drove Isabella to the ground, wrapping her arms around Isabella's head to prevent her from seeing the horror. "Don't look! Don't look at this!"
    Isabella had no way to see, but she couldn't drown out the sounds of terror. Of the crunch of bones and the sound of flesh being stripped from limbs. It went on and on, the terrible screams of men dying, the heavy breathing of the lions, the fierce growls that were spine-chilling, the horses shrieking in fear.
    Theresa held her down, shaking as badly as Isabella. It seemed an eternity. Don Rivellio howled with pain, his pleading cries mingled with the sounds of flesh tearing and great teeth chomping through bone and muscle. Eventually his screams died away. And then it was eerily silent.
    Isabella felt Theresa move off her, but she couldn't stand, didn't want to look. She buried her face in her hands and burst into tears. Nicolai had done this. Intelligence had been behind the attack. It had been well thought out, the lions moving into position, holding off their ambush until directed to strike hard and fast. They had virtually shredded the enemy.
    Even now she could hear the sounds of lions feasting. Warning growls rumbled in the night, reverberating through her own body.
    Her fate. This would be her fate. Unbidden, unwanted, the thought took hold.
    "Isabella." He said her name as if reading her thoughts, denying the truth.
    She was sobbing when he lifted her from the ground, her face ravaged with tears, streaked with spattered blood. Her hair was disheveled, falling from its intricate arrangement to cascade down her back and frame her face. Nicolai dragged her against him and held her tightly while he glared over the top of her head at Theresa.
    "Fortunately, I had two of my most trusted