Hot Blooded

man, but I'm not what you think and I never could be."
    She had no choice; she had to get home to her sister. Juliette tugged off her
boots and tied the laces together. She shrugged out of her blouse and then her
jeans, tying the two garments tightly together with the boots. She stood there
completely naked, holding one hand over her throbbing neck. Her body called to
him. Her mind called. Her very heart tried to find the beat of his. Hastily,
before she gave into the grief and madness welling up in her, Juliette tied the
clothes securely around her neck.
    She closed her eyes to block out all visual distractions and calm her mind.
She would need every ounce of strength to leave him. When he had recited those
ritual words, Riordan had carefully explained that they were tied together and
should she wake without him she would feel the separation as intense grief. "And
you weren't kidding," she said aloud. "I feel like my heart's been torn out.
Whatever it is you are, whatever it is you did, it definitely works on me."
    What are you doing
? There was alarm in his voice. She could almost
feel his fingers brush over her face, trail down her throat, slip over her
breast. Her entire body reacted, recognizing his touch, reacting with heat and
need.
    Her eyes opened wide and she looked wildly around.
Where are you ? Why
can't I see you ? How can you touch me when you aren't here
?
    I am locked beneath the earth until the sun sets. You cannot leave me,
Juliette. You know you must not.
    Another gift? You can touch me, but I can't reach you
? It was
shocking that his touch seemed so real, could arouse her body and affect her
heart when he wasn't even a substantial presence.
    Tell me what you are doing. Why would you leave when you feel that we
belong?
    You don't know me
. He had his secrets, but so did she.
    You refuse to allow me into your mind and heart.
    I can't
. Her hand went to her suddenly raw throat. The thought of
leaving him was painful. Hearing his voice only added to her torment, but she
had obligations and she couldn't put them aside because her heart and soul and
body cried out for his.
    You can't escape me. Your blood flows in me and mine in you
. He
sighed.
I can see your mind is made up. When it becomes too difficult, reach
for me, I will answer. In the meantime, try not to get into too much trouble
.
Abruptly he broke the connection between them.
    Juliette felt the loss like a physical blow. She took a deep breath and
released the air slowly, calling up her other self, calling up the part of her
that could give her the strength to go home where she belonged, when she really
wanted to crawl into the earth with Riordan.
    The change took her slowly, almost reluctantly, as if a part of her brain was
fighting rather than embracing her other form. Spotted fur slid over her skin,
muscles and tendons contracted and stretched. Stiletto-sharp claws sprang from
her curving hands. She landed heavily on all fours while her body went through
the change. It was always a slow process and somewhat painful, but never like
this time. Juliette wept as the jaguar took her over.
    The cat was small and stocky. Roped muscles and a flexible spine allowed her
to flow across the cavern floor, seeking a way out to the jungle where she
belonged. Rain fell softly as she emerged from the damp cave. She paused to get
her bearings before taking to the trees and running along the twisting highway
of branches high above the forest floor. She couldn't maintain this form for
long periods of time, so she had to use it efficiently to travel across the
greatest distance before shedding it. She ran as quickly as possible, threading
her way through the leaves and foliage.
    The rain barely penetrated the canopy, dripping steadily on the leaves but
rarely touching her fur. Steam rose from the forest floor, but the jaguar didn't
feel the heat the way Juliette would have. The boots banged against her neck and
chest as she made her way through the trees and shrubbery. The birds screamed a
warning to one another at her approach and monkeys chattered and threw sticks
and leaves at her. She snarled at them, but hurried onward, not stopping to
teach them manners.
    After a time, she began to shake, her legs suddenly growing weak. She
stumbled twice, tripped on a branch and leapt hastily to the ground. She was
miles from the cave; the sun was setting and Riordan would be rising. Hopefully
he would only find the