“She doesn’t look evil, Brother Adam.”

“She allies herself with the devils. Don’t forget that. Evil comes in many forms and her innocent looks are just a ruse for the foolish.”

The older man nodded grimly. “That is true. She might end up a bride of a demon like the other women who visit their den of evil if we don’t intervene.”

Adam nodded. “We’re saving her soul. She’s a mere woman and we all know how weak and foolish they are when they see masculine skin. That is why those NSO demons are all so big. Women take one look at them and it drives them to the sin of feeling lust. They hide their women from us because they know we’re stronger and can resist sins of the flesh.”

Oh, hell! She couldn’t hold back anymore. These guys were flat-out ridiculous. “You know what you could save me from?”

The old man peered at her curiously. “What do you want to be saved from, child? Do you wish to embrace God and take the right path before your soul is cleansed of evil on this night?”

“I want to be saved from you crazy morons. That’s the biggest load of horseshit I’ve ever heard. Men are the ones who think with their dicks. If you’re so religious have you ever heard of the Ten Commandments? Thou shall not kill. Does that one ring any bells?”

Adam sputtered. “See? Her soul is already gone. She probably fornicates with the devil himself. It’s just as I stated. Those demons flash their muscles and they turn the women into lusting whores. This is why she must be nailed to the cross and her soul cleansed with fire.”

Fear was replaced by anger quickly. “If I was doing the devil he’d be here and torch your asses, like having a big weenie roast. Ever consider that? The devil knows all, right? He’d come get me if I belonged to him. Let me go, you stupid bastards.”

“See?” Adam nodded at the old man. “Hatred pours from her mouth.”

“Hatred? You’re talking about nailing me to a cross and setting me on fire. You honestly think I’m hateful because I can call you stupid bastards? Hello? Can you use your brains for once? You might want to ponder that one before you commit murder.”

The old man frowned. “We aren’t really going to nail you to a cross. We’re going to bind you to it. Putting nails through your body would be too cruel.”

Zandy’s mouth opened in shock. “Are you kidding me? You don’t think setting me on fire is cruel? Who the hell are you people and what is wrong with you? Lay off the damn drugs, people. Put down your joints and smoke some common sense.”

“That’s enough,” Adam snapped. “We are saving your soul. We are cleansing you and showing others that working for the devils will bring nothing but death and destruction.”

The older man eagerly agreed. “Fire cleanses the soul.”

“What do you assholes do in your spare time? Go hunt down teenagers who listen to rock music while wearing black, accuse them of being witches, and dunk them? Give me a break. Ever hear of medication? Get on it.”

“We do not need medication!” Adam yelled. “Our mission in life is casting out all evil and doing God’s will by fighting the devil and his spawn, created by his minions.”

“Minions? For real? How many comic books have you read? They aren’t real. Newsflash for you, nut job. The only evil happening is you twisting religion to suit your narrow-minded bigotry against people you don’t understand.” She glared at him. “I might not be able to get free but I want you to know one thing, Brother Adam. You’re a pathetic idiot.” Her gaze cut to the older man. “The only things more pathetic than a moron are the ones who follow him.”

She might not have long to live but damn it, she would make them miserable while she had breath. Both men looked ready to explode in rage after she’d insulted them. It was slightly satisfying and encouraged her to go on. She’d always wanted to vent after reading hate mail and she suddenly had a chance to unload—if she could hold back her fear.

“I think your real problem is you have no life and this is the only way you can get a woman. You have to kidnap them and tie them down to make them listen to this bullshit. It must be rough knowing you’re both such losers and it’s a jealousy thing, isn’t it? New Species are hot and you both couldn’t get laid if you walked into a whorehouse wearing hundred-dollar bills.”

* * * * *

Bestial’s phone rang and Tiger felt his heart jump in his chest. Zandy would have to forgive him after he explained about the medications and how he didn’t even remember what he’d said. He’d tell her how he felt about her and she would hopefully believe him. He wouldn’t give up until she did. He could be very convincing when need be and he refused to give up on getting her back into his life.

His friend answered the phone. “This is Bestial.”

Tiger watched the male’s face pale and his mouth tighten. Anger glinted in Bestial’s eyes as a growl burst from his lips. “Tell me what it looked like.” He paused. “How many? Could you follow the trail?” He listened. “Are you sure?”

Alarm gripped Tiger, sensing something was seriously wrong. Had the NSO been attacked again? Another helicopter fired upon? He struggled to sit up in bed, his ribs feeling much better since he’d gotten several hours of sleep.

Bestial refused to look at him. “Call in all law enforcement, even the humans. This is priority. We must find those males immediately and I want to be called the second you know anything.” He hung up.

“What has happened? Are any of our people hurt? I am so tired of the stupid humans. Why can’t they all be reasonable, like the majority of them?”

Bestial rose from his chair by the door and finally held his gaze. The cold, angry look in them only made him more certain something horrible had happened. His friend stalked closer to the bed before he paused within arm’s reach.

The male pulled in a deep breath. “We couldn’t free any task members to escort our males to Zandy’s home until this morning.”

Tiger’s stomach knotted and his hands clenched into fists at his lap. The rate of his heart raced and he had a sick feeling something bad had happened to the female he had such strong feelings for.

“Is she well?” He knew he couldn’t stand it if the answer wasn’t positive.

“Her home was vandalized and they smelled four human males.” He reached out and gripped Tiger’s upper arms to keep him in place. Sympathy softened his gaze as they stared at each other. “They also found her blood. Her car was in the driveway but she wasn’t there. They believe she was attacked and stolen.”

The information was too horrifying to be real but Tiger knew Bestial wouldn’t lie to him on this matter.

“They lost her scent outside by the curb. They spoke to neighbors who saw a van there yesterday evening. Two of them thought they heard a few screams but believed it was someone’s television playing too loud. More of her blood was found outside. She was alive and actively bleeding when they took her. There wasn’t much, if that’s a comfort. I’m sure if they meant to kill her, they would have left her body. We’re doing everything we can to try to find her, Tiger.”

He lost his mind. It hurt too much to think and a roar tore from his throat as he tried to shoot out of the bed. Strong arms shoved him down and he fought. Zandy was out there, injured and kidnapped by human males. She needed him.

“Stop it,” Bestial shouted. “You’re still healing.”

The doors were shoved open as more of the task team rushed into the room and they tried to hold his body flat. He fought hard, snarling and biting at anything that came near his mouth.

“Let me up! I need to find her.”

“Calm!” Jaded roared, drawing Tiger’s attention.

He stared at the other feline Species and battled his emotions. “Get me my clothes now. I’m going after my female. Help me or get out of my way!”