Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) by Constance O'Banyon

home by July instead of August as was planned. Mara smiled to herself. Tajarez would be surprised when she returned early.
    Suddenly Mara sensed a change in the atmosphere. The birds that had been nesting in the tree over her head took wing and flew into the sky. She frowned. It was not her presence that had disturbed the birds. She had been standing under the tree for a long time and the birds had not been disturbed by her. Fear made the back of her neck tingle. She had the strongest feeling of danger. Her hand automatically strayed to the golden medallion that Sagas had given her. It felt warm in her hand, almost as if it were alive. It seemed as if Sagas's face appeared before her and she could plainly hear his voice: " Run, Mara, Run !"
    In her fear and confusion, her feet would not obey the command to flee. Suddenly she heard a deep growl coming from somewhere in the darkness in front of her. She strained her eyes in the near-darkness, trying to see the animal that threatened her.
    She drew in her breath as she saw the wolf. He was crouched not twenty yards from her, ready to spring. The animal inched closer, and the deep growling that issued from his mouth made Mara feel the strong taste of fear. She took a step backwards and found her back against an overhanging cliff. There was nowhere to run. The wolf stood between her and the safety of the camp.
    She tried to call for help, but the only sound that issued from her mouth was a soft groan. She kept her eyes glued to the wolf, which was not much more than a furry blur. The animal seemed to sense her fear as it edged closer, giving her a better view of it. It was huge, she thought. Its coat was gray matted fur, and its ears stuck up in a point. It flashed through Mara's mind that the wolf did not look much different from a large dog. Looking at its bared teeth she knew she could easily be ripped apart by them. White foam covered the wolf's mouth, and Mara watched fascinated as it ran down the gray shaggy coat and onto the snow-covered ground. She had not known that a wolf foamed at the mouth. How could she, she had never seen a wolf so close up before. She observed the animal as it leaped to its feet and lunged toward her.
    Mara heard someone screaming Tajarez's name and realized it was herself. She was going to die, and no one could prevent it from happening. Palomas would have to return to the Seven Cities and tell Tajarez she was dead, she thought in horror. She closed her eyes tightly, wishing she had brought a weapon with her. She waited to feel the sharp teeth tear into her skin. A new sound made her open her eyes, the sound of the wolf attacking. But it was not she who was the victim, but one of the Lagonda warriors who had seen she was in trouble and had come to her rescue. She could not see who the man was, it was too dark. He was rolling in the snow with a grip on the wolf's throat, and by sheer strength was holding the wolf's sharp teeth away from him. The animal was making horrible noises, and Mara could see its fangs rip the man's arm open. She ran toward the man, but strong arms went around her waist and she was lifted up into Palomas's arms.
    "Help him," she sobbed. "He will be killed!"
    Palomas was grim-faced as he looked down at her. "It will be better if the wolf kills him."
    "What are you saying! Are you mad?" Mara looked at Palomas in disbelief, thinking she had not heard him correctly.
    "I order you to help him, Palomas," she shouted so he could hear her above the horrible sounds the animal was making. She closed her eyes when she saw the snow was covered with blood. She noticed the man now, his name was Unat, keeper of the horses. He had a death-grip on the wolf's throat.
    Mara shuddered as she saw Unat being ripped apart. It was his blood she saw on the snow. She buried her face against Palomas's chest. By now others had gathered around. What was the matter with them? Why did they not help Unat?
    "You know what to do, Matio," Palomas said as he