Murder Game

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  Teaser chapter

  "CHRISTINE FEEHAN CONTINUES TO AMAZE READERS." --The Eternal Night

  PREDATORY GAME

  "Boy, did it deliver! Chock-full of action, both shoot-'em-up and of the sensual variety, this book keeps you rockin' from the get-go. Come along for an intense, sensuous ride with the Ghost Walkers, and hold on." --Fresh Fiction

  "One of the best in Christine Feehan's . . . romantic suspense saga." --Midwest Book Review

  "Feehan's at the top of her game with this explosive, scintillating novel!" --Romantic Times

  DEADLY GAME

  "I loved this one and I'll bet you will too." --Fresh Fiction

  "The fastest-paced, most action-packed, gut-wrenching, adrenaline-driven ride I've ever experienced. I wanted to start at the beginning and read it all over again. If you crave a gripping thriller that seeps edgy sensuality from its very pores, Deadly Game is the rush you've been waiting for."--Romance Junkies

  "Wow! . . . Made me hungry for more." --The Best Reviews

  NIGHT GAME

  "Suspenseful . . . captivating." --Publishers Weekly

  "Packed with adventure . . . Not only is this a thriller, the sensual scenes rival the steaming bayou. A perfect 10."

  --Romance Reviews Today

  "Terrific . . . Christine Feehan is on her A-game with her latest paranormal thriller." --The Best Reviews

  MIND GAME

  "Sultry and suspenseful . . . as swift-moving and sexually charged as her best vampire romances. In short, it is an electrifying read." --Publishers Weekly

  "Fabulous paranormal twists." --Midwest Book Review

  "Brilliant. The sexual energy . . . is electrifying. If you enjoy paranormal romances, this is a must-read." --Romance at Heart Magazine

  "In one word, Mind Game is explosive! The sexual chemistry is literally a scorcher." --Fallen Angel Reviews

  "Exciting, sensuous, and hard to put down . . . Mind Game is one you will have to read." --The Best Reviews

  SHADOW GAME

  "Sensational . . . The sultry, spine-tingling kind of read that [Feehan's] fans will adore." --Publishers Weekly

  "One of the best current voices in the darker paranormal romance subgenre . . . intense, sensual, and mesmerizing." --Library Journal

  "[An] erotically charged romance." --Booklist

  "Feehan packs such a punch . . . it will leave one gasping for breath . . . A must-read book." --The Best Reviews

  "A very fast-paced, action-packed thriller/love story all wrapped up into one." --Escape To Romance

  More praise for the novels of Christine Feehan

  "Just as I begin to think the romance genre has nowhere else to run, I get to read something that takes another giant leap down a totally unknown road. Romance, suspense, and intrigue, and the paranormal . . . combined to make one of the most delicious journeys I have had the pleasure of taking in a long, long time . . . Definitely something for everyone." --Romance and Friends

  "Feehan's newest is a skillful blend of supernatural thrills and romance that is sure to entice readers." --Publishers Weekly

  "If you are looking for something that is fun and different, pick up a copy of this book." --All About Romance

  "This one is a keeper . . . I had a hard time putting [it] down . . . Don't miss this book!" --New-Age Bookshelf

  "Vibrant characters, suspense-filled plot . . . and just the right touch of the supernatural . . . a must-read, especially on those dark rainy nights, when the wind howls its anger at the world. Kudos, Ms. Feehan, you have penned a page-turner--good to the last drop." --Romance Reviews Today

  "Christine Feehan is a magnificent storyteller." --Romantic Times

  Titles by Christine Feehan

  MURDER GAME

  PREDATORY GAME

  DEADLY GAME

  CONSPIRACY GAME

  NIGHT GAME

  MIND GAME

  SHADOW GAME

  TURBULENT SEA

  SAFE HARBOR

  DANGEROUS TIDES

  OCEANS OF FIRE

  WILD RAIN

  DARK CURSE

  DARK HUNGER

  DARK POSSESSION

  DARK CELEBRATION

  DARK DEMON

  DARK SECRET

  DARK DESTINY

  DARK MELODY

  DARK SYMPHONY

  DARK GUARDIAN

  DARK LEGEND

  DARK FIRE

  DARK CHALLENGE

  DARK MAGIC

  DARK GOLD

  DARK DESIRE

  DARK PRINCE

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  MURDER GAME

  A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Jove mass-market edition / January 2009

  Copyright (c) 2009 by Christine Feehan.

  Excerpt from Burning Wild copyright (c) 2009 by Christine Feehan.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eISBN : 978-1-44065983-6

  JOVE(r)

  Jove Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  JOVE(r) is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  The "J" desi
gn is a trademark belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  https://us.penguingroup.com

  For Cristina Emery, who has more courage than anyone I've ever known

  For My Readers

  Be sure to go to https://www.christinefeehan.com/members/ to sign up for my PRIVATE book announcement list and download the FREE e-book of Dark Desserts . Please feel free to e-mail me at christine@christine feehan.com. I would love to hear from you.

  Acknowledgments

  As always I have to thank the people who really helped me. So much research goes into a book like this one, and many of the scenes or the technical data are complicated. Morey Sparks walked two miles in the Iraqi heat to get information to me. I can't thank him enough for his dedication and his help. Stay safe! Thanks to Brian Feehan, who gave up so many hours to work action scenes with me, making certain each stroke of the knife and each scene would not only work, but would be the best possible way to actually carry out the mission. For my SF team, you know who you are, thank you for all the information to help me make my men real. If there are any mistakes, they are solely mine.

  The GhostWalker Symbol Details

  SIGNIFIES shadow

  SIGNIFIES

  protection against

  evil forces

  SIGNIFIES

  the Greek letter psi, which is

  used by parapsychology

  researchers to signify ESP or

  other psychic abilities

  SIGNIFIES

  qualities of a knight--

  loyalty, generosity,

  courage, and honor

  SIGNIFIES

  shadow knights who protect

  against evil forces using

  psychic powers, courage,

  and honor

  The GhostWalker Creed

  We are the GhostWalkers, we live in the shadows

  The sea, the earth, and the air are our domain

  No fallen comrade will be left behind

  We are loyalty and honor bound

  We are invisible to our enemies

  and we destroy them where we find them

  We believe in justice and we protect our country

  and those unable to protect themselves

  What goes unseen, unheard, and unknown

  are GhostWalkers

  There is honor in the shadows and it is us

  We move in complete silence whether

  in jungle or desert

  We walk among our enemy unseen and unheard

  Striking without sound and scatter to the winds

  before they have knowledge of our existence

  We gather information and wait with endless patience

  for that perfect moment to deliver swift justice

  We are both merciful and merciless

  We are relentless and implacable in our resolve

  We are the GhostWalkers and the night is ours

  CHAPTER 1

  The cougar was going to turn. Tansy Meadows inhaled swiftly, biting at her full lower lip. Her heart was pounding; she could taste the familiar dryness in her mouth and feel the dampness on her palms. The rush of adrenaline made it difficult to control her shaking hands when she needed desperately to be absolutely still.

  Turn, baby. She whispered the encouragement in her mind, willing the animal to do so. If you turn, I'll make you very, very famous.

  The big cat stretched lazily, its sleek body rippling with muscle beneath the soft, tawny fur. The end of its long tail twitched.

  Tansy's heart nearly ceased to beat, than began to tap out double time. Come on, little mama, she coaxed, turn for me.

  Her legs had long since lost feeling; they were so numb from inactivity, Tansy wasn't certain she would be able to leave the tiny ledge where she had set up her blind some months earlier. It didn't matter; nothing mattered except getting this picture.

  The mountain lion was large, nearly eight feet long, very pregnant and due to give birth any day now. The slate gray tip of its tail twitched again and again, and Tansy remained utterly still, waiting for her moment. Five long hours of waiting, anticipating. Five long hours of cramped, sore muscles, not to mention the months of preparation.

  Come on, baby, a little more. You can do it. Get that beautiful face pointed this way.

  The mountain lion arched her back leisurely, tantalizing Tansy with expectancy. The cat turned her sleek head, green-gold eyes glittering like sparkling jewels. Tansy exhaled slowly as she began snapping frame after frame with her camera. As if she knew she was the object of admiring eyes, the cat preened herself, lapping at her tawny coat with her long tongue. She grimaced, showing off her gleaming yellow fangs. She even managed something Tansy thought resembled a smile right before she let out a soft, whistling call.

  Mountain lions hunted mainly at night. Tansy worked with both digital and film, capturing wildlife in its natural habitat. She had captured a beautiful photographic series of this particular cat bringing down an elk calf three weeks ago, but this was her first real break since. Cougars were elusive and difficult to photograph in their natural habitats. Whenever possible, they preferred a high vantage point, and their superior vision allowed them to spot humans long before humans spotted them. Tansy had been studying the female cougar, one of the most elusive animals in North America, for a long time in the hopes of capturing a cougar birth on film. She was lucky she had such an affinity with animals; even the wild ones didn't seem to mind her presence too much.

  She continued taking as many pictures as she could, knowing every angle, every frame was going to yield gold. The background was everything she could possibly have asked for. The night sky, the moon and stars, the slight wind shifting the leaves just so and ruffling the silver-tipped fur. Her subject was quite cooperative--stretching, cleaning, and displaying her long, sleek body from all angles.

  Tansy particularly wanted a series of shots with a variety of lighting up close on the fur. The color was difficult to truly describe, especially with each individual hair tipped in that silvery gray, enabling the cat to disappear at twilight, to simply blend into her surroundings and move without detection through most of her habitat during night hours. She wanted to get the sense of that camouflage in the pictures, of the stealth and power of the huntress, in contrast to the playful and motherly personality.

  In the distance overhead, the thump, thump of a helicopter, blades spinning fast as it made its way across the dawn sky, interrupted the silence of the night. The cougar froze, crouching low so the few bushes and blades of grass growing on the rock hid her. She bared her teeth in a silent snarl as she looked upward.

  Tansy slowly lowered her camera and remained just as still as the cat, an inexplicable awareness of being hunted creeping down her spine. Her breath caught in her lungs, and for just one moment she was disoriented, a frightening thing while on a narrow ledge with a wild cougar just a few feet from her.

  She turned her face toward the sky as the helicopter flew directly over her. Just the sight and sound of the aircraft was unsettling to her, and she bit down hard on her lower lip, peering at the craft in order to identify it, worried her parents had sent someone after her when she'd insisted she was exactly where she wanted to be. She had chosen this wilderness to be completely away from all human contact, and the helicopter above her was definitely military--not forestry, and certainly not one belonging to her father.

  The undercarriage of the helicopter glowed with green lights as it moved fast over her, a large bird of prey swooping low over the tall trees and then just as suddenly dipping down below her line of vision, the noise fading quickly. She lay very still on the narrow ledge, her heart thundering in her ears. She forced air through her lungs as the lights disappeared. Her imagination was running wild--maybe she had been alone too long after all.

  Movement snapped her attention back to the cougar, as the cat gave one final, almost contemptuous lick along her tawny, muscled leg and, in a single bound, leapt to the rock above her resting area. Tansy knew he
r den was there. The cat had chosen a small cave to give birth to her kittens.

  Tansy had been able to infiltrate two caves the cat had previously used as dens to set up her equipment, in the hopes she could somehow film the event. To her disappointment, the cave the mountain lion had chosen was totally inaccessible, which meant Tansy would have to spend another year or two studying the species and waiting for the next birth cycle, after these kittens were raised. In the meantime, tonight's pictures were worth a fortune and would give her the necessary money to continue her work.

  Tansy deserved a long soak in the natural pool and an even longer nap in the mid-afternoon sun. Very carefully, she stretched her sore, tired muscles. Needles and pins rushed in where before there had been only numbness. The cramps would hit soon, grabbing at her calves and thighs, a protest against the long hours of being motionless. She had no real room to maneuver, the ledge was so narrow. She breathed through the needles, breathed through the cramps, flexing and stretching with care until she was certain she was able to climb the sheer rock face as she did most days.

  There were tiny crevices where she could wedge her fingers and toes. Long ago she had rigged a rope for safety. It was often an effort to remember to use it; she was so accustomed to the climb. Today, however, she was grateful for its presence. She was far more tired than usual. The natural pool would be more than welcome, and nothing was going to prevent her well-deserved catnap.

  Tansy stowed her precious camera and its load alongside the diary she kept of the cat's movements, in her strongest metal box at her camp. She locked the latches with not one, but two heavy locks and stored it well away from her food supplies, on the off chance a wandering bear became curious.

  She was actually happy. Tansy stretched again. She couldn't wait to let her mother and father know. They'd been so worried about her after her breakdown, and they'd been so frightened when she started disappearing for months at a time into the wildest places she could find. Dropped by helicopter with her gear, she lived with just a daily radio call to assure them she was alive and well. And she was more than well now. She had suffered through hell and come out on the other side. Happiness was a bright light spreading through her like a glow, when she honestly couldn't remember feeling happy before.