Inside the steam-filled bath area, the only sound was the click-clack of claws on stone and the heavy, panting breath of a tiger who had just realized the red dot was gone.
Kael stopped chasing the phantom bug. He stood in the center of the room, naked and magnificent, and slowly turned his head toward Ren.
"Bug... gone," Kael rumbled. "Mate... here."
He took a step toward her.
"Now, Kael," Ren said, holding up a hand. "We are here to bathe. See the nice water? It's warm. Go get in."
Kael looked at the steaming pool of water carved into the rock. He sneered.
"No," he stated flatly. "Wet. Bad."
"You are a tiger!" Ren argued, edging sideways along the wall. "Tigers love water! I saw it on a documentary! Don't give me this domestic house cat attitude!"
Kael lunged.
It wasn't an attack; it was a tackle. Ren yelped as three hundred pounds of muscle slammed into her, pinning her against the smooth black wall. Her feet dangled a few inches off the ground.
