He scrubbed a hand across his jaw and wished his memory would return. But that didn't always happen when the moon fever burned high. He could ask her, but he had a feeling honesty wasn't high on her list of priorities right now.
The slope steepened and his muscles began to burn with effort. Sweat trickled down his back, and he thrust up his sleeves, needing to get some cool air circulating across his skin. The tang of Kat's sweat flamed the sparks of desire, but her breathing was short and sharp, and that concerned him. She needed a break, needed time to recoup her strength. The thought brought a grim smile to his lips. He'd probably been responsible for sapping a fair amount of her energy during the night. And if he was honest, given half the chance he'd probably waste a whole lot more. But while he wanted her, it wasn't the urgency of the moon thrumming through his veins right now. It was something far more powerful. Something he didn't dare put a name to.
He scanned the trees ahead, listening intently. Above the noise they were making came the sound of trickling water. He angled that way, and they quickly came out on a clearing.
"We'll take a breather here," he said, squatting near the stream.
She dropped down beside him, her shoulder brushing his and sending a flash of desire to his groin. He had a sudden feeling he would always want her, moon or no moon.
But that surely wasn't love.
And it certainly wasn't what he'd felt for Jacinta.
The thought made him frown. Why, after all these years of certainty, was he questioning what he'd felt for her? He scooped up some water, rinsing his mouth before drinking. He swept his gaze around the clearing again then glanced skyward. "We're only about ten minutes away."
"Yes."
She cupped some water in her hands, sucking at it almost greedily. There were shadows under her eyes, tiredness even in the way she held her mouth, and guilt swirled through him. He looked away, wishing, and not for the first time in his life, that he'd been born human rather than wolf. Maybe then she wouldn't have shadows under her eyes, and he could be free to love her.
"Have you got a cell phone on you?"
His voice was curt, and she frowned as she reached into her pocket.
"Why?" she asked, offering him the phone.
"To call my brother. He'll want to be there when we hand over the kids."
She nodded. He dialed Luke's number and quickly told his brother what was going on. While he couldn't yet give Luke a location to meet them, he did give him Mark's number, knowing his partner would pass the information on regardless of what Benton might say.
He hung up then offered the phone back to Kat, but she didn't react. Water dribbled down her chin as she stared ahead. Her eyes were distant and unfocused.
"The soul sucker hungers." Her voice was as remote as her gaze. "She's chosen her next victim — a hermit who lives near the beach."
He swore softly, and she blinked. Wariness filled her green eyes again as she looked at him. "We have a choice."
"We have no choice," he ground out. "It's the lives of two little girls weighed against that of an old man."
"We could split up."
"You can't fight that thing alone, and you certainly can't send your grandmother to fight it alone. And I might not be able to handle what waits in the cavern."
"I agree." She studied him for a minute, then rose. "Let's go."
He rose with her, but grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace.
"What are you doing?" Her question came out little more than a breathy whisper that stirred through his soul.
"This." He captured her lips with his own. Kissed her long and passionately. When he finally pulled away they were both breathing as hard as they had walking up that damn mountain.
She studied him, her lips kiss swollen, ni**les straining against the softness of her sweater. But all she said was, "Why?"
He entwined his fingers through hers. "In case I don't get a chance to do it again later," he said and led her toward the cavern and the things that waited.
Chapter Sixteen
Kat pulled Ethan to a halt before he could enter the tunnel and tugged the backpack free of his shoulders.
"Take these," she whispered, handing him some stakes. "Remember that they work against shapeshifters as well as vampires, so be careful with them."