Chapter One
It was a hot August afternoon, when Grans and I walked through the doors of the Wells Fargo Bank. The humidity was so high that the blast from the air conditioning didn't lift our spirits much. My jaw was sore still from where Adam had hit me that morning. If Miska had not brought my grandmother over this morning, I would be having the living shit beaten out of me tonight. Listening to Adam, my step-father, telling me how it is my duty to take my place amoung the pard. I am a wereleopard with a dash of fey. My great grandfather was of the unseelie court, that is where the fey comes to play. I became a wereleopard, when I was ten years old. I was attacked on a camping trip with my mother and then boyfriend Adam. He thought he could have my mother all to himself if I was out of the picture. Unfortunatly, he found out the hard way that I have the ablity to heal seaver wounds,(so did my mother). That was when Grans, my grandmother, told us her father was a fey. She didn't think we needed to know about it because she was born normal. Now she is happy that the fey part of me saved my life.
I don't remeber much of the attack. I do remember feeling energy fill my body when my heart stopped beating. There was a whispering in the trees telling me that my time has not yet come. My body started to heal. My heart started beating and when I took my first breath of air, I smelled my own death. Blood was in a big pool under my body. I smelled other things from myself that left me nausous. If I was able to move, I would have rolled over and thrown up. I didn't though, I just stared up into the stary night and wondered why I'm still alive. The whispers of the trees vanished when my breath returned. I heard foot steps several yards away and voices calling my name. I wanted to answer but my throat felt tight and wet. I couldn't feel any of my limbs to move. I heard a loud scream. It sounded like my mother. I wasn't sure untill I saw her face above me. She put her hands in mine and asked a lot of questions. All I could do was blink my eyes.
I found myself at the hospital soon after. That was when everyone notice I was healing faster than a normal human. The doctors told my mother that I was attack by someone who had lycanthropy disease. That was when my grandmother stepped in and said that she was half fey. No one was prepared for this, especially Adam. Tests were run while I healed in the hospital. Within the week I was free to go, only on the condition that I return during the full moon. The hospital has a wing devoted to the terminal fury. First timers have a room to themselves.
I sat in that room watching the moon rise thinking to myself that this was a waste of time and money. I wasn't going to change. I heard the screams of the other patients changing hours ago. The moon wasn't even high in the sky at the time. All I wanted was to leave and go home. My dance recietal was tomorrow night and I wanted to be ready for it. So I sat on my bed trying to get sleepy but it was not happening. I was to energetic. I wanted to do something. So I sang to the tree next to my window. The tree liked it and it passed the time.
It was around midnight when it happpened. Pain, strong unbearable pain, hit me throughout my body. I started to shake uncontrolably. I didn't know what was happening to me and I was afraid. My face felt like someone was stretching it down to my chest. I wanted to cry because it hurt so much. My jaw started to lengthen and my teeth were changing shape and size. I looked for a mirror in the room but my luck the doctors must have removed them. My bones started to break and the pain increased. I looked down and my skin looked like it was melting. Then I saw white fur with black spots emerging through the large pores of my skin. My hands and feet turned into fierce claws. Talons curving wear the tips of my fingers should be. Then I saw my hand shrink into a small paw and the talons hidden by the fur. 'I am changing into an animal' I paniced. I wanted to pace the room but couldn't move. So, I laid my head down and closed my eyes to relax and give into the pain. When I did, the pain stopped completly. I looked around me and everything looked different.
Colors were sharper like someone turned on the lights.( They were not on.) I put my front paws on the window shelf and saw across the street like it was still daylite. I saw a mouse scury across the field into a hole at the base of the oak tree. I turned away from the window and jumped onto the bed. I wanted to cry but the only thing that left my throat was an ear shattering roar. "Well, I guess my dance recietal is out of the question," I thought. "What would my friends think of me now? I'm a cat." I laid my head down and watched the door. I heard foot steps running down the hall. The peep window opened and the nurse said, "I don't believe it! The moon has been up most the night and now she deciedes to change into a beast." She turned her head and gave me a profile of her hawk like nose, "Tell the doctor to change the file to register the child as a white leopard. I can't believe it! " She stated shaking her head. "This little thing broke the record for the longest to fight the change. Her mother and grandmother are in the waiting room bring them here." Listening to the nurse made me feel like a circus freak. She was actually excited for me.
It wasn't long before the window shown the faces of my mother and Grans. I lifted my head and growled out, "sssoorrry." I laid my head down and refused to look at them. In time I must have fallen to sleep because the next thing I remember was the nurses waking me up for breakfast. My mother was sittting next to my bed looking at me with red rimed eyes. She has never cried before, now I have given her a reason. Adam came into the room later that afternoon and was intorduce as the leader of the local pard. My mother then decieded that I was in good hands. Only if she knew how he really treated me. A month later her and Adam were married. I was welcomed to visit the pard. No one hurt me or tried to bully me. Everyone knew I was the first youngest recorded lycanthropy attack in the history of the state. I was also the daughter of their king and was treated like a princess.
I grew up protected by the pard. I kept my disease a seceret from my classmates. I only hung around the younger leopards. I stop dancing and seeing my friends from class. I was afraid to get close to anyone until Miska asked to join. He was a beautiful person to me. Skin of coffee with cream and eyes greener than mine. His father was from Russia and his mother was from the Ivory Coast. They came to America when Miska was only a boy. He grew up traveling from state to state due to his father's employment in software. When he was sixteen, his family and him were attacked while on vacation. He was the only one to surrvive.
When the pard welcomed him in it was the same night Adam declared me old enough to hold my own amoung them. It was stated that I was a full member, like it or not. I didn't like it at all. It has been a rough three years but thanks to my loving friend and Grans I have a chance to escape the torcher of Adam's rule. We walked up to the teller's window and Grans told the young man she needed to see the bank's president. The teller was staring at me, I wanted to say, "My stepfather, the leopard king, beat me up this morning because I wouldn't behave like the good little kitty that I am." I didn't though because I needed to leave fast and scaring off bank employees wounldn't help any. Grans looked to me then to Miska and back to the teller then said, "If you are worried for my granddaughter it is all right. I am here to solve the problem. Just direct me to the president and then we all can sit down and see if we can save her life."
"Yes, right away mam."
"Good boy, we'll wait right here."
Ten minutes went by and a young dark haired woman arrived shortly after the teller. "My name is Alicia MacNess. What can I do for you?" She looked to each of us then back to Grans. Grans spoke first, "I am Mrs. Charlene Miller. I am a client here at your bank. I was wondering if we can have a word with you? I know you must be busy but it is important." Grans gave her the, I am a powerful woman see me roar, smile. "Just a minute, I am in a meeting. How about you three wait for me in my office." Ms. MacNess walked us to a large room in the back. There was glass all around with pink miniblinds attatched. In the center was a retro 1940's desk. All organized from left to right of files,accounts and mail. A smaller desk to the side with a Pac Bell computer, another pile of blank account papers and a small portrait of a Egyptain Minx cat. When she returned I counldn't help but ask about the cat.
"She's my life. I found her when she was a kitten. I have nothing but good luck now. My neighbor says that she is a gift from the goddess Bastet. Well, enough of my Tiffney. How may I help you?" Grans told her that I needed my trust fund opened early. She took a gamble with this human telling her about my stepfather. She took only thrity minutes to set the account up with me. Grans gave me her A.T.M. card and she order herself a new one. Ms. MacNess saw how desperate Grans was to get me out of town safely. She didn't argue about anything we decided in her office. When all was through it was close to closing time. We walked out into the dull blazing sun towards Miska's black Blazer.
"Adam will be home soon. How am I going to pack my things, without him noticing?"
"Leave it all to me and Miska here, Ana. I won't let that bastard harm another hair on your head."
"What about mom?"
"She dug her own grave when she married that man. I can't help her until she asks."
I couldn't believe my own hears. My grandmother was serious when she said that. I just hope in time my mother will ask. I am not saying that Adam beats my mother but everytime anything reminds him of my brother Nick, he goes haywire. The last time was when we ran into an old friend of his. He asked about the whole family. Adam had to tell him of Nick's death. He still blames my mother for it. She was the one driving the snow mobile when it skidded off the trail. Nick flew off the back and hit the side of the tree. He died instantly. My mother and Adam started aurging after that. Instead of beating her for it, I got the violence. I love my mother but I can't be a punching bag no longer.
We arrived at my home forty minutes before Adam was due home. I packed all my personal things that I saved from when I was eight. Pictures of my only two friends; Miska and a vampire named Cherry. She left some years ago. I get a letter now and again saying she still is surving. The last Master of the City died some months ago. She saw that death as the opportunity to escape and roam on her own. She's not alone, her vampire lover is with her. I miss her sometimes but life goes on. Miska took all the bags I packed to his Chevy Blazer. When he return, Adam was walking behind him. "Going somewhere, Ana?" he asked me.
"As a matter-of-fact, yes. Grans invited me to her house for the weekend. I said yes to the invitation." I stood there staring straight into his ugly amber eyes. I was hoping that he wouldn't start something with Grans. She confided in me this morning that she would personally knock the shit out of him. He smiled a devilish grin, "You want to leave before we finished the talk we started this morning? I had hope you thought hard about my question." He then stopped smiling at me and became serious. I wanted to answer, "Yea, I did and the answer is, FUCK OFF!" Instead I answered, "I need more time to think. I have to look at all the options before I give you my answer." There. That was nicly said. I hope he buys it.
He looked at me hard then turn towards Grans. "Fine, take her for the weekend but Miska and Kei are going as well. Do you have a problem with that old woman?" Grans smiled and simply said, "Why, Adam, do you think I am going to run off with my granddaughter? For sham, sir, I was simply invited to a Fey festival. I thought Anastasyja would like to see her great-grandfather. A friend of mine hinted he is going to be there. The two kitties can tag along if they like." Adam turn to me and got real close to my face. He whispered so only I could hear him, "You best come home Sunday night. Do you understand me little one?" I looked him straight in the eyes. I didn't feel any fear, just anger toward him. I was thankful I didn't have to lie, "I understand perfectly." He left the hallway I was standing in and marched to the basement where his home office was.
I grabbed my purse and the last of my bags. Kei was standing in the livingroom. He stood six foot even. A very muscular man but it is over kill for him considering he is one of the alpha males in the pard. He is second in line of leadership. The only two things that are attractive about him are his eyes and hair. He has the palest green eyes. Next to mine of course when I blend the three colors together. See, when I am not hiding behind magic I have three irises. Looking at Kei, I envied him sometimes. His hair falls to his waist. When it is not back in a braid. It is the darkest brown I have ever seen. Sometimes I wish I could change my hair to that color. Having pale blond hair sucks. Every person I meet will ask me who colors my hair. I tell them it's natural and they'll argue. It's life in a nutshell. I walked into the room, "Well, I am ready to go. Did Adam tell you where we're going?" He turned around and something flashed behind his eyes. Something tells me he wasn't happy to see me. Well, what's new. I stood there waiting for him to respond. He took a step toward me and touched my face. "What happened to you today? Was it Miska?" I couldn't help but laugh in his face. "Thanks for the concern. It wasn't Miska. He could never get mad enough at me to hit. If you must know I'll tell you in the car." He nodded at me once then started for the door.
I was starting to get into the Blazer when my mother pulled into the driveway. She came over and saw everyone in the truck and the bags in the back. "Where are you going, Ana?" I looked at her for very long time. I gave her a kiss, hug and said, "I am going to Grans' house. I'll see you soon, promise. I love you, mom." I turned without another word and got into the Blazer. It was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. Saying good-bye and not letting Kei know what was going on. We drove from the house and my stomach tied itself in knots.
We were half way to the airport when I was finished relating my story to Kei. He was not very impressed. "So, your trying to tell me that our king wants you to become someone's mate or become his queen." I was impressed he listened. "Yes," I said.
"What about your mother? Why won't she come over?"
"She never, as far as I know, expressed any interest in being a shifter. I care for her but I don't trust Adam. I'm afraid of what he might do to her if I stay."
"Then all I can see is for you to disappear for a while. I know I would if I were you."
Miska looked at me. I smiled, "Miska would you do the same if you were me?"
"In a heart beat, Mon fauve." Then he rubbed my thigh.
I blushed a little. This was the first time Miska used his pet name for me in front of others. I took a deep breath and turned to ask Grans. She answered, "Mon fauve, that's french for wild cat is it not." I nooded, going a little redder. Now don't get to excited because it isn't a love endearment. Miska really sees me as a wild cat. One night we were sparing and I accidentally broke his arm when I threw him across the yard. Well, that's what he gets for sneaking up behind me. Anyway from then on he called me Mon fauve. Grans smiled at me and sighed, "Well, dearest granddaughter I would most certainly go into hidding for a while."
"Then it's settle. Ana, I am sorry but you will miss that little party this weekend. Miska will you please, take us someplace so we can plan."
"How about the airport, Kei?"
Just has he said that we pulled into the parking lot of the airport. We all smiled at Kei. He looked at each of us. Then said, "You already made plans. Why am I not surprised? Do not tell me what you all are going to do. I am to close to Adam. I will probably be hunting you down, Ana. Miska I belive you and I are going to have lunch at the food court, while the ladies go and make the flight arrangements." I could not believe my ears. I could have kissed Kei right then and there but I don't do things like that. I am to much a goodie-two-shoes to make any moves on the opposite sex. I am a firm believer that the man should make the first move in any relationship.
Grans and I walked to the long counter just inside the airport and talked with a ticket agent. We decided that I should catch the next available flight. It was at 6:30pm going to Los Angles, CA. I never have been that far west in my life. I looked to Grans she said, "Don't worry dear. I have my laptop packed into one of the suitcases. Once you are settled in, e-mail me and we'll talk then, ok?" I took a breath then agreed to the flight. The bags were checked in and I left to say good-bye to the others.
I didn't say where I was going on Kei's insistence. I just said the time I had to board the plane. I hugged Miska and kissed him on the cheek for a second I thought I saw a tear in his eye. I went and put my hand out to say good-bye to Kei. He took my hand and pulled me into an embrace. He was all warm and snuggly. I could feel things tingle inside of me while he was holding me. I don't know why I felt them. I just did. He whispered into my ear, "One day you will be home and maybe you will consider being my queen." He kissed my ear softly and nuzzled behind my ear. I pulled away confused at his meaning but I smiled up at him. "Thank you, for helping me. Watch out for Miska,Grans and my mother. I don't know who Adam will go after next." He touched my face where the bruise was and told me to go to the gate and don't look back. I walked through the airport toward the gate. Then through the metal detectors and turn around to take one last look out the tall windows, at the city I had called home all my life. Then my eyes fell on Kei. He stood motionless, watching my every move. I grabbed my carry on bags and purse. He was still watching and I got a horrible feeling inside. Something was telling me not to trust one thing I heard from him. He nodded at me and I nodded back. I turned walked up the walkway and boarded the plane all the while making an alternate plan. When I land, I will imedatly board another plane. Why did I think he would be sympathetic about my problem. Kei has been Adam's right hand as long as I could remember. He never so much as lifted a finger in anyone's plea for help. So why now? He has to, for Adam. That is the only answer I had.
The flight took three hours. I landed at 9:30pm by my watch. The large clock in the main walk area said 7:35pm. I went to the wall and looked at what destinations might be available. There were four different places I could go Medford, Oregan; San Fransco, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Bakersfield, California. All of them had flights leaving within the hour. I went to a ticket agent and found a seat on one of those flights. Therefore, Bakersfield here I come. I ate dinner at the little cafe near the baording gate. No one was watching me so there's a chance that I could succeed in disappearing. I left the cafe and started walking to the gate. I felt a small power vibration roll up my arm. I sniffed the air and smelled them to my right. I turned to the left and went into the women's bathroom. I looked around and saw no one. I went inside the first stall and immediately changed into a pair of red jean shorts and a red T-shirt that had the saying, "I'm a perfect little angle, Honestly!" There was a halo with devil horns attached above it. I put on a pair of black hiking boots. I changed my eyes to a darker green. Then I focused my powers a little to change my hair color. I can only put gold streaks in because papa Rhymi hadn't taught me the rest of the lesson yet. He was called to the court on pressing business. I would love to go and see what a Fey court looks like. Papa Rhymi promised he would take me one day.
I flushed the toilet to hide the fact I just changed clothes. I smiled at the young girl standing at the mirror applying her lipstick. She had followed me into the bathroom because there was a slight tremor of magic rolling from her. I washed my hands and left the bathroom. I walked back onto the main walk and saw two men standing across the bathroom. Power was oozing off them like crazy. I had to pass them to get to my gate. I made extra precautions upon myself, I held everything inside. Sometimes I could make myself completly unnoticable around others of my kind. It made Miska jealous of me. He was higher in the pard than me but I could always sneak up on him to pounce. I walked normally by them. I went through the metal detector and gathered up my stuff. Just as I was turning the young girl walked out of the bathroom and straight towards the two men. She was shaking her head. It looked like she wasn't very happy. I turned away and walked onto the plane. I love it when others can't tell when I am near.
I settle down in my seat. I took coach this time. I had an aisle seat. I had to share with an older gentelman. He had salt and pepper hair. He was wearing a business suit of charcole grey. His eyes matched the suit very well. When the plane started to move I relaxed and took a well needed deep breath. The gentleman beside me jumped. I had completly forgotten I was hidden from everyone around me."I am so sorry if I startled you sir." I felt really bad. I didn't mean to relax compleatly. That is one thing papa scolds me about. I am never to change in front of others. One day I will remember.
The man stared at me as if he saw a ghost. "You're Fey aren't you?" He said it like his life was gonig to end. "I only have a small portion of fey blood in me. Why do you ask?"
He released his breath, "I thought you were someone else. My mistake, it is like one moment you had golden hair and then the next it is a pale blond. Please what ever you just did don't do it again on this flight." I agreeed to his request. The flight only took forty-five minutes. We talked the entire flight. I found out he is a porfessor at Bakersfield College. He teaches preternatural Anthropology. He guessed that I was flying in to go to school. I went with that story. Then I thought, "Why not go to the junior college. It will give me something else to do and I might be able to keep alert to the people around me."
The plane landed at 9:15pm. That was when I said good-bye to the older gentleman. I am now free to roam the city. I called a taxi to take me to the hotel. Big mistake, the driver spoke little English and with my heavy accent, nothing was accomplished. I sat inside the car for ten minutes trying to tell the driver I wanted to go to the Super 8 motel. I was just about to get out of the taxi and see about renting a car for a day when a man about my age stepped next to the taxi. He was able to translate for me my destination if I shared the car. I didn't want to; knowing it could be a mistake. He gave me the biggest puppy dog eyes I ever did see. That did it! I am a big sucker for the eyes of the oppisite sex. Well I arrived at my destination unharmed and found out he was staying in the dormitories on B.C. campus. All my luggage was dropped by the front door. The motel wasn't high class where bell hops took your bags to your room but it was a room for me. The first order of business tomorrow; buy a car!
Index