TalyaWe held each other up and managed a slow hobble. My cat didn't like it - never show weakness, but I'd used up my reserves saving the kid and I had no choice.The kid, Rondy, didn't look sixteen, but I believed him. He was taller than me by a couple of inches. He was just too skinny, or maybe gangly was a better word, and it made him appear much younger. He also smelled of human blood and unwashed body. It wasn't pleasant. I knew his ribs hurt, but his legs were fine. My leg hurt so bad it was hard to breathe much less walk. We passed a few people and thankfully the ones in this neighborhood minded their own business.Rondy kept up a running commentary the entire way, and I noticed his eyes scan our surroundings constantly. "So, are you a ninja warrior or something?"Pain made my breathing erratic, but he didn't seem to care. "I don't know what that is.""Humph. Who taught you to fight?"His question made me sad. "Just some people I knew.""What you did by tossing that guy
IvanThe grief never left me for long. It occasionally faded into the background for short periods, but then it roared back with overpowering eagerness. Holding myself together hadn't become easier. My animal side scratched with deadly sharp nails into the door holding my human side sane. Killing enemy cats helped. Now that the beastkind war was over, I no longer had cat flesh to sink my fangs into. It wasn't a good thing.Just let go, I'd thought far too often. I could shift for the last time and run into the swamps to live out my days as a wolf. No vampire to prolong my life, hazy memories that might fade the longer I stayed in beast form. No accusing eyes.I'd left my newborn twins for others to raise and my grown sons without their father... leader... alpha. Hell, I deserted my entire fucking pack. There could be no happiness without Alba, my mate. I didn't want it. Wallowing in pity was more my style now. I was only half the man or wolf I once was. If it wasn't for The Moor, I
TalyaWith a full stomach and clean body, all that remained was sleep. I found sweats and a t-shirt and passed out on the couch.The sound of pots and pans in the kitchen woke me hours later. The sun was up and judging by the light streaming through the window, it was mid-morning. The couch was lumpy and my bones hurt. My leg throbbed, and after I completely assessed myself, I realized my stomach hurt too.I stumbled to the bathroom to do my business. Falling asleep with wet hair had it sticking up at odd angles. A comb and a little water didn't help much. I also needed a toothbrush but made do with some toilet paper and toothpaste.When I came out, Rondy was setting a giant plate of pancakes on the small table in front of the couch. He looked up when I came closer."I want four and you can have the rest," he said after returning to the kitchen and coming back with plates and forks."I'll get water," I said and turned for the kitchen."Sit. Your leg still hurts and I have two go
Rondy finally carried in a plate of food and some more water. Three hamburgers sat on my plate with huge patties sticking out the sides of the buns. I took a bite. It was the best food I'd ever tasted.Rondy smiled as he watched me devour the first hamburger."What?" I gave him my mean look.He walked away. "Nothing," he said over his shoulder.He cleaned the kitchen as I finished eating every last crumb. My stomach finally felt normal and the craving for meat noticeably diminished. The pain in my leg was better too, so my thinking was clearer. I should leave. It didn't matter if Rondy had taken care of the problems with the bodies. I needed to be as far from Dmitri's clan as possible.Rondy walked back into the room and sat down in the chair beside the couch. He lifted his chin. "You and I need to talk."All at once he sounded much older than his age. Living a hard life did that to you. I shrugged. "So, talk."He studied me for a few moments before speaking. "These people looki
TalyaWe settled into a routine over the next week - eat, sleep, and talk for hours. Rondy had to make a run to the FB, but other than the hour he was gone, we were together. His television had died over a year ago, but I didn't mind. Talking to Rondy was eye opening. Humans were so similar to the human side of beastkind. He opened my eyes to his world. He was also fascinated with my beast form."Does it hurt when you change into a lion?" he asked as he rolled toward me. We were lying on his mom's bed talking. We'd fallen asleep that way three times; it just seemed natural."No." I smiled with a flash of human teeth."Then what does it feel like?"I thought about it for a moment. "It's like I carry this power inside of me all the time. It's an energy that wants to explode and when I shift, that's what happens. It feels natural and very, very good."I watched him think about what I told him. "So, if you bit me, could I turn furry?"I laughed. I'd seen old werewolf movies with my
"What kinda fucking shit is that? I'm not a full member, but I gotta obey full rules?" I should have known that Rondy wouldn't back down. I could see him facing three of them.The reply came from someone older with a deeper voice. "You want to keep your fucked-up head on your shoulders, you'll do what you're told. Word is the Riots got hold of you, but you look good as new, not a scratch. You throwin' our shit on the hood?"How could the guy not notice the discoloration from bruises on the kid's face? Then I realized it was dark and the idiot probably couldn't see them.Rondy took a step closer to the guy doing the talking and his voice rose. "You callin' me a traitor?""You ain't dead and word is that several Riots are. You helpin' another gang we don't know about?" A hard push to Rondy's chest coincided with the words.He stumbled back at the same time his hand came out and slapped the other guy's arm away. "Fuck you. I'll talk to Sheck, but I ain't spillin' my biz to you mother
TalyaWe continued at a fast clip toward the alley where I first found Rondy. Then we walked another thirty minutes. The sun was just coming up when we entered a slightly nicer section of town. Rondy unlatched a gate attached to a white picket fence. I followed him to a small, enclosed porch that was unlocked. He slipped his shoes off and gave me a look that implied I needed to do the same.He knocked on the door and we waited. It couldn't be much after five in the morning and even I knew just showing up somewhere at this time was rude.The woman who opened the door surprised me. She was old. Very old and fully dressed with her hair pulled back in a tight bun and pearls at her throat. Having her hair back accented her round face and her smile showed slightly yellowed teeth, but it was still a pleasant grin. She wore a dress that fell to her knees, and everything about her was plump. Beastkind didn't do plump. Our metabolism inhibited anything but possibly being too skinny if we didn
TalyaI was still at Rondy's apartment three days later. The first twenty-four hours after "the kiss" was strange, but then things went back to semi-normal. Every once in a while, I caught him looking at me with something more than friendship, but I ignored it. I taught him to play chess on an old, boxed checkerboard/chess set with plastic pieces that he dug out from a closet. He caught on fast and I realized Cecily was right, he was intelligent."So why don't you go to school?" It had bugged me since our breakfast with Cecily.His eyes snapped up to mine. "The school's in Teo's territory. It's filled with Riots. I stopped going when they killed my brother."We'd had a lot of conversations about the rival gangs, though Rondy rarely mentioned his brother. I had to ask, "How did they get your brother?"He looked away and his voice filled with pain. "He tried helping my mother on one of her many drug binges. She was staying at a Riot's drug house and we heard they weren't letting her
VedaWe hear the music before the lights come into view. The party is outside on the large patio at Dmitri's house. Nikka decorated with white sparkling lights and paper lanterns. The music is unknown to me, which isn't a surprise. Technology is not my friend and I prefer the peace of the forest.Dmitri's voice echoes over the music. "Welcome, Veda, Witch from the line of Josephine, mate to Tyboll, and new member of the bear clan."The music shuts off suddenly and I can do nothing but return the formal greeting. "Thank you, Black Demon Bringer of Death, mate of Nikka, Liege to the bear clan."A restless mumble from the bears fills the night. Have I said something wrong? Tyboll's hand tightens on mine. Nikka appears slightly shocked before she steps forward and wraps me in her arms. "What have I done," I ask her silently."You're fine. He just hasn't used his full title in centuries," she replies into my mindI turn to Dmitri, who looks at his mate with a soft smile. "I am sorry,
TybollShe shows me her circle of herbs - explains about upsetting the balance and using all the Goddess's gifts wisely. I listen. Part of me is terrified and the other in awe. To live separately from everyone to hide your secrets takes great sacrifice.She understands my need to examine what I've learned. She heads to the cabin to cook while I go running as bear. She holds no fear that I will give away her secrets. We are mates. Her secrets are mine.I close my mind from Dmitri as I think about all Veda has told me. I shouldn't have been surprised when the largest bear of our clan blocks my path a few miles from my cabin. The Kodiak, alpha to the greatest clan, stands in front of me. He is also my brother by blood and like most brothers, we have our differences. This situation will be no different."Tyboll," his snarly voice rings through my head."Alpha," I reply pleasantly."You don't fool me. You are mated to the witch. Did it occur to you that I should be informed of this?"
VedaTyboll's new rule works. Less talking and more sex. This is one demand I am incapable of dismissing. We are stretched out on the bed with me lying on top of him. His fingers run up and down my back while he breathes into the hair against my neck. Where he bit me is sore, but I wouldn't dream of complaining. It feels right. Being in my mate's arms is right. I whisper a silent thank you to the Goddess.Tyboll answers. "You're welcome."I roll my eyes, but don't bother correcting him. I'm actually thankful to him, too."Come on, woman, we're taking a bath." He lifts me as he stands. I'm cradled in his arms and feel incredibly safe. And loved.Does he love me? I'm careful to keep this thought from drifting into his mind. Nikka told me how to do it. I just need to practice. He doesn't respond, so I must have been successful. Tyboll lowers my feet to the floor when we're in the bathroom. I watch as he leans over and turns on the water. His back and thighs are muscular and sexy. His
Tyboll"I've listened to you shout for an hour now. Calm yourself, bear."I hear the end of patience in Dmitri's voice. I take several deep breaths and try to do as my liege says. It isn't easy. I keep thinking of meat. Each time I do, I feel nauseated and my anger rekindles. To never eat meat again is not going to happen. I've run out of things to say anyway and throw myself onto the large couch in Dmitri's front room."I knew this happened last night. Your blood smells even better than bear. You now have witch blood running through your veins." He holds up his hand. "Do not blame me for my silence. You were in no condition to have this conversation. I also needed a night to think on what needs to be done."My stomach twists painfully. "You cannot reverse it is what you're saying?""No, I cannot. I'm not sure if you will actually want it reversed once you know your capabilities." He continues before I can object. "The difference between you and your mate is that I trust you."I
VedaThat did not go well. I didn't think it would, but I held onto a small amount of hope. I know eventually he will come to his senses. Right now, though, I am left in need. Staring at his bare chest and wanting to run my nails over his muscled flesh almost made me beg. The man might be stubborn, but he is gorgeous.As a mated pair, I know at this point we should be having so much sex that we are both sore. I've made plenty of tinctures to alleviate the soreness so mates can continue without a break.A lot of good the knowledge on how to make such a tincture is now. If I'm not running from Tyboll, the stupid man is running from me. It's strange because after the thought of Tyboll becoming a witch settled, I wanted to celebrate. I am not alone. I can share the sacred knowledge with another. I do not need a child. I will no longer be alone with the great texts.Tyboll might not like it, but the gift bestowed by the Goddess can only be undone by her. No vampire can help him. I decid
TybollI wake from what feels like a winter hibernation. I'm starving and the rumble in my stomach only enhances my need for food. Something smells wonderful. I'm naked in my bed and vaguely recall my illness the night before. I remember Dmitri coming to the rescue. I also remember my thoughts that Veda poisoned me again. Unlikely, because I ate nothing before going to Mandy's. She is a witch, though, and there's no telling what they're capable of.My nose leads me to the kitchen. Veda stirs a large pot on the stove. I peer over her shoulder to see what has such an amazing smell. Without looking at me she speaks, "Clothes or I will not feed you, bear.""Humph." I wrap my arms around her and run my nose down the side of her face and stop at her neck. "I could eat you, woman, and I'd start right here." She stops stirring the pot. I can smell her arousal. I bite down gently on the skin holding my attention. "How did you know I'm not dressed?" I breathe against the mark I've just left.
VedaStupid hare-brained bear, I mutter as I look the other way, pick up the slab of nearly raw meat, and toss it out of the cabin. Serving cooked meat was the hardest thing to do while I worked at the diner. The only blessing was that Becky didn't prepare the blood-dripping horror I just got rid of. I look through the kitchen and there are no vegetables. I settle on bread and cheese, though I'm no longer hungry. I just know I need to eat."You stay here or when I find you I'll lock you up," were the last words Tyboll yelled before he left.I thought about challenging his dictate, but right now I am too tired. I finish my meal and walk outside in the opposite direction from the barely cooked meat. My hope is that a wild animal will take it away in the night. This is what I did with all the meat given to me over the years by the bear clan as payment. My mother accepted their offering and then gave it to the wildlife, so I did the same. Maybe I should have said something, but politene
TybollThe feelings running through me are impossible to comprehend. It took hours to drive to Dmitri's club and another hour to track Veda's scent and find the diner. The closer I came, the more insistent an inner... well... buzz intensified. When our eyes finally met, I felt as if a mountain had crumbled over me. I fought collapsing at her feet. I knew it was her witch's power and wondered if she cast a spell that made it difficult for me to come close to her.I continued thinking this until her lips met mine. Now we're on the floor and she's wrapped in my arms. Words that turn me into an utter pussy slip from my mouth and I don't care. If it bothers her so much that she leaves me, I won't call her woman. Though, she is. A beautiful woman."I can hear your thoughts," she sighs against my neck. "Maybe the word woman is not so bad." She lifts up slightly and stares at me. "I've never done this, Tyboll. I've had very little interaction with anyone. I never thought to have a mate. You
VedaWhy is the pull to a mate so strong? I pour over the great texts expecting the answer it usually offers. Nothing. I've read sections about mating, but they don't offer a solution to the problem.Mating is a bond that only death can sever. A witch's power is not stronger than the bond and a witch shall not interfere with a mated pair.Blah, blah, blah. My mother told me not to mess with a mated pair. I understand this. But now I'm part of a mated pair. I need answers about a witch mating and there is nothing.A witch will take a human male into her body. A female child will form from this union. You will know the time to search out your human. Do not call the power of your beast when in the human's arms. Control your beast or bear the consequences.It's too late for that. Tyboll and I allowed our bears to rise when we mated. Now I feel Tyboll pulling my power from me. Can he feel it? He must. The texts are written for a human and witch. Not a beastkind and witch. I fli