Scent of Salvation (Chronicles of Eorthe #1) by Annie Nicholas

the room. “Th-thanks.” There wasn’t an ounce of fat under his flesh. All muscle. All male shifter.
    His gaze softened, much like Benic’s had when looking at Kele, and he brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. “The Payami didn’t treat you well, but you have nothing to fear from me.” Slowly, he released her, then retreated a step, but didn’t let go of her hand. “I’m not familiar with this den. I think I found the exit though.”
    She slapped the heel of her other hand against her forehead. “The maze. There’s a maze of caves we have to go through to enter or exit, and it’s completely dark.”
    He nodded. “Together, we will find a way through.” Yanking her by the hand, he led her back to the ground floor. He held onto her the whole way, thank goodness, because she couldn’t see in the darkness of the night. The moon, wherever it was, didn’t shine within the den. Only a scattering of stars above gave her any light.
    At the bottom, he shoved her against the wall and pressed his body over hers. “Someone’s coming.”
    Her heart pounded so hard she was sure he could feel it against his chest. She heard footsteps approaching and glanced around Sorin’s huge bulk to watch the dark shifter climb the stairs with two females at his back.
    “You want to change your mind?” Sorin whispered in her ear.
    “Never.”
    He brushed his fingertips along her waist under her coat. “Good.” Then he led her to the exit. Hand-in-hand, they entered the maze.

Chapter Eight
     
    Benic strode across Temple lands, oil lattern in hand. He couldn’t wait for morning for proof of Susan’s story. This might be the most important encounter of his life. Sleep could wait and so could safety. He knew there existed shifters who would like nothing better than to get him alone and chew on his bones, but he wasn’t an idiot. He traveled armed with his well-used sword and wore his chainmail. It not only turned blades, but claws and teeth as well.
    He waved the lantern back and forth over the foliage, looking for a plastic badge. Unlike shifters, vampires needed some light to see by. He didn’t even know what plastic looked like, but he imagined he’d know it when he saw it.
    The Temple loomed above him, a shell of a species’ culture and religion. It was a shame what vampires had done to the shifters. They’d been such a strong and wild people; now most lived in the cities as tamed versions of their ancestors. Only the reserves held the wild packs, and there were rumors of vast lands with packs far out west.
    Maybe one day he’d travel to see for himself. For now he had a mystery to solve.
    If Susan spoke the truth, she’d be a treasure trove of knowledge. They could bring enlightenment to this world through scientific information. Together they could hopefully find a way to increase the fertility of vampire females and lead the world into a new age.
    Light flashed on something by a large, thick bed of moss. His heart did a double beat, and he knelt next to the white, rectangular object. Cautiously, he picked it up and flexed the thin material between his fingers. He brought it closer to his face and scratched the smooth surface. Susan’s image was perfectly affixed to the thing. “Amazing.” He flicked the badge. There were symbols written on it but he couldn’t read the words. Odd, since they spoke the same language. He’d think the written word would have developed similar lettering.
    He blinked.
    Susan was truly from another world. This proved her story. A world of science, populated by a much more advanced race he’d never heard of, truly existed.
    Rising, he moved with a swiftness born in every vampire. As soon as the sun rose he’d offer to take Inali’s stray problem off his hands, and Susan would accompany him home. In record time, he crossed the forested area separating the Temple from the Payami den and entered the dark maze.
     
     
    Sorin crouched low to the ground and sniffed. He could