Susan Sizemore - First Blood

FIRST BLOOD

New York Times bestselling author

SUSAN SIZEMORE

Sizemore serves up a terrific blend of edgy humor,
passionate romance, and thrilling danger.

Romantic Times

Sexy... a burning new series.

Booklist

USA Today bestselling author

ERIN MCCARTHY

A sexy and oddly poignant tale of lust,
love, and redemption.

Booklist

Ms. McCarthy spins a fascinating tale that deftly
blends a paranormal story with a blistering romance.

Romance Reviews Today

A steamy read. Very highly recommended!

RomanceJunkies.com

CHRIS MARIE GREEN

An engaging heroine.

Kelley Armstrong, author of Broken

A book to die for.

Gena Showalter, author of The Nymph King

MELJEAN BROOK

Turns up the heat without losing any of the danger.

Entertainment Weekly

Piping hot.

Romance Reviews Today

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FIRST BLOOD

A Berkley Book / published by arrangement with the authors

PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley edition / August 2008

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eISBN : 978-1-436-23956-1

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CAVE CANEM
SUSAN SIZEMORE

This is for all those people whove e-mailed me asking,
Whens the next Laws of the Blood book out?...

ONE

This is the tradition concerning hellhounds:
Survive a year and the beast is yours.

YOU MUST PROTECT MY BABY. SYRILLA PUT HER hand on her swollen belly, and grimaced. The babies. Theres more than one, Im certain.

It is not possible for the child to be mine, Corvei said to his former lover. You know that.

Hed been surprised to find her waiting for him in the small garden of his villa when he stepped outside to take the evening air. Not so long ago finding her there was what he expected every night but the three around the full moon. Their passion had cooled when his own existence changed, but he still looked upon her as a friend.

The last time we met was at a feast here five months hence, he reminded her. He remembered the night well, and how Syrilla had paid more attention to the newly acquired war dog hed showed off to his guests than she had to any human at the banquet. You came with your husband that evening, and left with him. I know very well that nothing happened between us that night. Nor could anything have come of it if there had. You know what I am.

Her eyes burned with feverish anguish. And you know what I am.

She glanced away. Everything about her spoke of guilt, and dread. The hand clutching her belly was pale with tension. She had grown thin but for the roundness of her abdomen. Her beautiful full lips were pressed tightly into a thin line, as though she was holding back a secret she could hardly bear.

He was certain her attitude was not because she had betrayed her husband with yet another man. She could easily make Patrius believe any child she bore belonged to him. No, this fear was for something far more serious than infidelity, nothing to do with the life she lived as a Roman matron. It was something from her other life, one he knew far less about than the daylight face she turned to the world.

Corvei went to her and took her hands in his, though even with his strength it took an effort to pry the one protecting the babe away from her belly. Her skin felt dry and feverish. He drew her to sit next to him on the bench near the fountain. The spraying water cooled the evening breeze that touched them. They gazed together into the fountain pool.

Tell me, he said after they had sat silently for some time.

It is hard to speak of, even to you.

You had best find the words if I am to be of help.

A sideways glance showed him that she was crying. This was the most shocking sight of all, for Syrilla had always been so strong, so confident in her place and in her power. He would never forget the alabaster serenity of her expression the first time he had seen her. How she sat in the stands and watched a beast hunt in the arena with her hands folded in her lap, not joining in the howling enthusiasm of the crowd. Hed never taken notice of any of the spectators until the day he saw her. His gaze kept going back to the woman above him even though he knew distraction could bring him death. His main battle ended up just below where she sat. It was as though hed made the kill for her alone and she leaned forward to intensely watch. Shed been close enough for a spray of blood to splash across the front of her silk gown when his spear took the giant wolf hed been stalking. She hadnt flinched when the wolf leapt toward her. Nor did she take any notice of the gore that stained her clothes. She had smiled and nodded, like a goddess accepting the sacrifice he presented.

Hed found out her name and sent her the tanned wolf skin and a length of dearly bought silk. Shed come to his bed, for it was easy for a wealthy woman to bribe her way into the locked cell of even the lowliest and roughest gladiator.

It was only much later, after he was granted not only freedom but a totally new life that he discovered the wolf he had killed was her own brother. Her only comment had been, He should not have gotten caught.

Werewolves were pitiless when one of the pack failed them. Syrillas brother had been a casualty of a feud with a dark wizard. His own kindred had sent him to die when the wizard trapped him in his wolf form.