Chapter 13

Strong arms...strong arms that embraced her with such tenderness it caused her to cry out in agony. Those arms she came to cherish just like the man they belonged to, Rajan. Pain tore through her limbs as the remembrance became far more real than she imaged, Lucray her half brother in this world attacked her. Ripping into her leg and then at her hands...Mayura felt the blood coursing down her thigh and began to scream out in fear, calling for Rajan and praying for a miracle.

All the thoughts of her beloved left as the bitter truth set in, her tiger was locked away in a jail cell, awaiting to be released—to come and find her. But at the rate things were going Rajan would be attending a funeral.

Lucray backed off with a wicked laugh," How was that baby sister? Did you learn your lesson this time...not to start a fight you can't win?"

Gasping as she gathered her thoughts, Mayura reached for the staff, feeling blood rushing up her throat. It wasn't as much from the actual wounds as it was from the nauseating pain it caused. Spitting out the blood she glowered in her brothers direction, everything becoming far too blurred for her liking.

" You're bark..is far more intimidating than your bite, brother." It was a slurred comment that drove its true purpose like a nail into Lucray's short temper." Do you...do your...worst..."

Before she completely collapsed to the ground Mayura was lifted from the ground and taken away from the scene of the fight, the blood rushing to her head like high tide. Yet...it wasn't who she wanted to see carry her away, save her from the madman of a brother that attempted to take her life...it was Murray.

After Sly had gotten back and a few more missions were pulled off, the raccoon came to her side, taking her hand in his. If Carmelita hadn't suspected her of being an accomplice the girl wouldn't be in the trouble she was—if only he could have read the signs earlier. Then what? How could he have let her down easy without breaking her heart? There was no way, but anything would have been better than what she suffered through.

" Sly, you're up, we're going in for the final blow!" Bently warned from behind his computer." Are you ready?"

He hesitated to answer but sighed," Yeah, let's get this over with so we can find her some help..." Getting up Sly placed her hand over her chest and smiled towards Murray." It's a good thing you got to her in time buddy, or she might not have made it."

Murray gave his companion a weary smile," We have to face the music, she's a apart of the team now...and we owe Mayura her innocence."

The raccoon and turtle knew that and after a few minutes of silence—the team of three headed out to finish the job and retrieve the Clockwerk Eyes.

Meanwhile Mayura dreamed peacefully of the short time she had with her beloved. The passion they'd shared inside his cell and all the lingering kisses...but soon that beautiful dream turned into a nightmare.

" What if all he feels for you is pity?"

" No!" the girl cried, wanting nothing more than to curl into a ball and try to protect herself from those stinging blows delivered by her heartless brother. What if...it were true—what if Rajan only put up with out of pity? Then why...why would he have said what he did after they made love? Why would he even make love to her if it were only out of pity?

Rajan's angel of mercy, she was no angel, she was nothing more than an abomination to both worlds! a half breed of a taboo affair! A sham to all who knew the real Mayura...a true embarrassment.

It was in that moment someone lifted her from where she lay, but judging by the way they held her it was Murray. Sirens screamed an alert and she could hear, barely, Bently talking about how Sly was helping Carmelita escape—so they must have gotten what they came here for...the eyes.

I'm sorry, this chapter is a bit shorter than the rest because that's all I could think of for it. The rest of the plot revolves around the Jean-Bison chapters. He is so funny, old fashioned and really kinda' sweet—dun' worry though, Mayura-chan doesn't fall for him. lol Random point to make out...if it weren't obvious enough already, she's staying with Rajan!

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