Chapter 44: Domination

The underwater Temple felt different now.

The glowing green crystals still pulsed with that strange inner light, but the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the heavy, ozone-like residue of powerful magic. The white stone guardians stood motionless along the edges of the chamber like silent judges, their void-like faces turned toward the three survivors who had just emerged.

Only three.

Malachi stepped out first.

The massive white tiger moved with the same arrogant confidence he always carried, but the change in him was impossible to miss. His once sea-blue eyes now burned with a liquid silver glow, like molten metal poured into his skull. When he smiled, his teeth flashed metallic and sharp. He flexed one massive paw and long, wickedly curved silver claws slid free with a soft, ringing sound.

Nox’Thar stood waiting with his arms crossed over his broad, tattooed chest. The panther’s glowing eyes narrowed with interest as he studied his right-hand man.

“Well?” Nox asked, voice low and rough. “What did the Temple see fit to give you?”

Malachi didn’t answer with words at first.

He dragged one silver claw across the nearest crystal formation. The stone screamed as it was carved open, a deep, clean gouge left behind like it had been sliced by a heated blade. The tiger’s silver grin widened.

“Cursed silver,” he said simply.

A low, pleased rumble rolled from Nox’s chest. He stepped closer, reaching out to run one clawed finger along Malachi’s new silver claws. “Dangerous,” he murmured. “I like it. You’ll be even more useful to me now.”

Malachi’s silver eyes gleamed with pride.

But he wasn’t done.

Without another word, the white tiger turned and walked back into the glowing chamber. A moment later he returned, dragging a stretcher behind him. On it lay an elk, his dark fur matted with dried blood and sweat. One of his legs ended abruptly below the knee, crudely wrapped in bandages. His eyes were open, but they looked ... wrong. Dark. Empty. Like windows into something that had no business being inside a living body.

Nox looked down at the injured elk with clear disappointment.

“He’s no use with one leg,” the panther said flatly. “Leave him. Or put him out of his misery.”

Malachi shook his head. “He’s very useful.” The tiger’s voice dropped lower as he leaned in close to Nox, one silver claw resting lightly against the panther’s chest. He whispered something into Nox’Thar’s ear, something quiet enough that none of the other anthros in the chamber could hear.

For several long seconds, Nox was completely still.

Then a slow, cruel smile spread across his face.

“Very, very useful,” he said softly. His glowing eyes flicked down to the unconscious elk. “What did the Temple call him?”

“Oni.”

Nox’s smile sharpened. “Get him treated. Clean him up. Feed him. I want him rested and ready by tomorrow night.” He glanced at Malachi. “You’ll stay with him until then.”

Malachi nodded once, then motioned for two of Nox’s lower-ranking men to help carry the stretcher. As they lifted Oni away, one of the panthers muttered under his breath, “What the fuck did they do to him...?”

Malachi’s silver eyes flashed. “You don’t want to know.”

The last survivor stepped out of the chamber.

He was leaner than when he’d gone in, his dark fur marked with new scars, but he still moved with that same quiet, predatory grace. His vibrant green eyes found Nox immediately.

Lucian.

The green-eyed panther didn’t hesitate. He crossed the chamber in a few long strides and stepped straight into Nox’Thar’s space, wrapping his arms around the larger male without a word. Nox’s massive, red-and-blue tattooed arms closed around him in return, one heavy paw sliding down to grab a firm handful of Lucian’s ass as he pulled him into a deep, claiming kiss.

When they finally broke apart, Nox’s voice was rough with heat.

“I had no doubt you would make it, Lucian.” He brushed his thumb along the panther’s jaw. “What power did you come home with, my love?”

Lucian smiled.

Then he dissolved.

His body turned to living shadow, slipping through Nox’s fingers like smoke. The darkness twisted and moved through the chamber, sliding behind a crystal formation one moment, crawling along the ceiling the next, then reappearing directly behind Nox without a sound.

Nox turned slowly, a dangerous, hungry smile spreading across his face.

Lucian solidified again right in front of him and was immediately dragged back into another deep, filthy kiss. Nox’s tongue claimed his mouth while one clawed hand stayed possessively on his ass, squeezing hard enough to make Lucian’s breath hitch.

When Nox finally pulled back, his glowing eyes were dark with lust and approval.

“Very nice,” he purred, voice low and rough. “My dark silhouette. My killer from the shadows.” He leaned in and nipped at Lucian’s throat. “Very fucking hot.”

The other anthros in the chamber shifted uncomfortably, a few of them murmuring quiet compliments. None of them dared get too close. Malachi simply watched in silence, silver eyes unreadable as he stood beside Oni’s stretcher.

Nox didn’t take his eyes off Lucian.

“I want everyone out,” he said, loud enough for the entire chamber to hear. “Now. I want to be left alone with him.”

No one argued.

Malachi gave a short nod and began guiding Oni’s stretcher toward the exit, but he glanced back at the green eyed panther with what might be a hint of jealousy. The rest of Nox’s men filed out quickly, casting glances over their shoulders at the two powerful figures still tangled together in the center of the glowing chamber. Even the white stone guardians seemed to fade back into the crystal formations, giving the pair space.

When the last of them had gone, the heavy stone doors slid shut with a deep, echoing sound.

Nox turned back to Lucian, his glowing eyes burning.

“Come here,” he growled, already reaching for him again, voice thick with hunger. “I want to see what else that pretty shadow of yours can do.”

Lucian’s green eyes gleamed as he stepped willingly back into Nox’Thar’s arms.

Outside the chamber, the Temple was quiet.

But deep in the glowing dark, two monsters were about to remind each other exactly why they had survived the Trials.

Nox’Thar looked down at the kneeling panther with glowing eyes full of heat and authority. His clawed hand came up and gripped Lucian’s jaw firmly, tilting his head back so their eyes met.

“On your knees for me,” Nox said, voice low and rough with lust. “Now.”

Lucian’s green eyes darkened with immediate submission and desire. Without a word, his body dissolved into living shadow. The darkness flowed across the stone floor and reformed directly in front of Nox, dropping smoothly onto his knees between the larger panther’s spread legs.

Lucian’s clawed hands reached up and undid the elegant crimson and indigo pants Nox wore. The fabric parted, revealing the heavy black sheath beneath, marked with the same intricate red and blue tattoos that covered most of Nox’s body. The markings continued down into the fur, trailing right to the slit of his sheath like they had been painted there by some ancient hand. His heavy black balls hung beneath, also marked with the same swirling designs.

Lucian didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and dragged his warm, rough tongue slowly along the underside of Nox’s sheath, tasting the musk and salt of his master. One hand came up to gently cup and roll Nox’s tattooed balls while the other stroked along the sheath itself, coaxing it open, enjoying the intense heat radiating from the panther’s loins; big, full, intimidating, slick, masculine. It made Lucian lightheaded being soo close to Nox.