Panthers of Brigantia Shifter Box Set

by Lisa Daniels

  “If you will excuse me, I don’t think I should be here for this.” Darius’s voice startled Rosaline as she neared a table. The door closed before she had time to apologize to him.

  Itzel waved a hand, “Don’t worry about him. He’s just grumpy after talking to me for so long. I’m too headstrong, he says.”

  Rosaline laughed, “I would say that he has a right to be grumpy considering how long he has been cooped up here, but he doesn't seem to mind that at all.”

  “You might be surprised,” Itzel muttered under her breath.

  “What?” Rosaline sat down and looked at the little druid.

  “I think that he would like to get out more, but is too wary to leave. Unlike me. I would love to get away more often if it were possible.”

  “Is that why you keep turning down positions?” Rosaline placed her chin in her hand.

  “Partly yes. That I’m no good at politics and am not devoted like you.” Itzel placed a cup down in front of her. “I fit more in the margins and would prefer not to give that up if possible.”

  Rosaline’s head turned until she saw the door, then she looked back at Itzel. “What did you discuss?” It never occurred to her that the question was rude.

  Itzel smiled at her mischievously, “Oh, don’t you worry your religious little head about that.”

  Rosaline sat up straight, “What do you mean?”

  “Would you like anything with your tea?” Itzel moved into a little kitchen area, completely ignoring the question.

  Feeling that she should probably know what the druid meant, Rosaline decided to focus on whatever it was that had required Itzel to invite her there. “No, thank you. Why did you need to see me?”

  “Ah, straight to the point. Should have known.” Itzel moved back to the table and sat down. “You were just out and I know that things were a little… challenging.” She smiled, and Rosaline narrowed her eyes. Still, Itzel continued, “Things are going wrong far too often, and I know that it is more than just because of the Unwashed.”

  “What do you mean?” Rosaline leaned over the table.

  Itzel began to rapidly flick her finger into her temple, “I mean, they are more of a symptom of something that is wrong. Kind of like… you know how sometimes you start to question your own actions and thoughts? Sometimes, it is a sign that you really, really didn’t think something through. However, it could also be that deep down you realize that there is something that you aren’t addressing that is the real problem. Your actions are an extension of something else…” Itzel’s startling pinkish-blue eyes met Rosaline’s. “Ah, wait, that is a very bad example when talking to someone like you. I bet you don’t even know what doubt is. Um.” She began to flick her temple again.

  Rosaline stared at her for a moment and wondered if perhaps Itzel had heard her discussion with Ignacio. Is she trying to help me, too? Is there something that wrong with me?

  Finally, Itzel snapped her fingers, “Okay, you know how sometimes during the long winters everyone here gets incredibly cranky and arguments are more frequent?”

  Rosaline nodded.

  “Those are symptoms. Even the fights that break out. None of that is the problem. The problem is that we don’t do so well trapped up together, no matter how much space we have. Then spring comes and everyone gets to go outside, and some lucky people get to escape for a while. I mean, I know you must see leaving here as a bit of a nuisance, but even you must feel a little relieved for a day or two. A new environment helps. And that is exactly what I mean. The Unwashed are… a sign of something more seriously wrong. They are just humans, but they managed to gain far more power than any human should be able to attain.”

  Rosaline frowned and nodded her head slowly, “I think I see what you are saying. But what does it mean?”

  Itzel stood up, “I don’t know! That’s a large part of the problem. I was trying to discuss it with Mr. Moody, but he kept telling me to be careful, that I shouldn’t do anything reckless, blah, blah, blah. But it’s driving me insane!”

  “Being trapped here?” Rosaline wasn’t certain that she was completely following what Itzel had been trying to say.

  For a moment the druid stopped moving around the dining area, “Ah, that, too. Well, that is my problem. But not what I am talking about. There is something much deeper than just the Unwashed. I mean, we know that the high priestesses are far too advanced in years. And you are still a long way from being ready to join them. Is that part of what is affecting everything? I think we have overlooked something critical, but maybe it isn’t even something we did!”

  Rosaline stood up and walked over to Itzel, “I think you need to calm down first. You are entirely worked up, and it is going to do you far more harm than good.”

  Itzel sighed, “You are right, but no one will listen to me. Not that there are many people that I can talk to about it. Hardly anyone listens to me.”

  Rosaline frowned, “I don’t think that is true. You are very well respected.”

  “It is the people that we respect most that we listen to the least. Every damn time.” Itzel slammed a hand on the table. “I guess my point is that there is something wrong, and no one is seeing it. Yes, the assassins and champions are doing a lot, but I guarantee you that it isn’t anything about them that is causing this. They are just the ones to suffer first.”

  “Maybe that is part of the problem.”

  Itzel stopped fidgeting and looked at her, “What is part of the problem?”

  “It is mostly the shifters who are doing the work. Magic users have become too reliant on them, and we don’t do nearly enough ourselves.”

  Itzel’s eyes widened, “Oh, ye gods, I think that is right. Not the entire problem, but I believe that could be a large part of it.” She placed her hand on her mouth for a moment. “I don’t know if there are enough seers left, but I think that we need to bring the ones who are left here. We are going to have to work with them to figure this out.”

  “What about the mystics?” Rosaline’s question was asked in innocence and without any agenda, but it certainly got a reaction.

  “Are you kidding me? The day those hard-headed, ocean-bouncing, self-important girls admit they need help, their island will be under water.”

  “And there you have more of your answer.” Rosaline looked at her with wide, innocent eyes.

  “What?” Itzel placed her palms on the table and leaned in. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I think what you are suggesting is an imbalance in the way things should be. The shifters are working together, but we are not. You want to pick and choose our allies, but nature has already defined who they should be. We have become so caught up in tradition, feuds, and pettiness that we can’t see what is right in front of us anymore. If you are sincere in your feelings, I think that we will need more than just the seers. Especially since most of them are dead.” Rosaline threw that last bit in there to force Itzel to reflect on the resolution instead of her bias against the mystics.

  Itzel sat back and looked at her for several silent minutes. “Alright. I think that may be true, too. Not what I wanted to hear, but that’s probably why I wanted to talk to you about it. You are much more open-minded about these things than the old ladies who insist they know what is best for everyone. Or other druids, for that matter. But the way things have been aren’t necessarily right, and they don’t always know what is best. I think that is why we are in the position we are in. We’ve all gone too far in the wrong direction.” She leaned forward, “But how are we going to get the mystics to engage in a conversation with us?”

  “That I could not say. I know that we have helped them, and the trade agreement is a good sign, but it won’t be enough. In the end, I think they will have to realize they need us, and that is likely to come much sooner than you might think.”

  “Why is that?”

  Rosaline shrugged, “Because they have a corrupted seer in their midst. That isn’t going to be allowed to carry on much long
er.”

  Itzel sighed, “Hopefully they will realize they need to work with us before that gets worse.” She stood up, “I am so glad I talked to you about it. No one else will take it seriously. They keep saying things like ‘we are working with the seers’ and ‘we know what the real problem is,’ but nothing is getting better. It was driving me nuts. Mind you,” she turned and looked at Rosaline as the taller druid stood up, “I don’t like what you said, but I realize that just proves your point.”

  Rosaline smiled at her, “I’m very glad I could help. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so agitated. Everyone seems to be feeling on edge, and it isn’t even winter.” Her smile widened.

  For the first time since Rosaline had entered the room, an honest smile spread across Itzel’s face, “Yeah, that will be a whole different problem.” She walked her guest to the door. “Thank you very much for stopping by. Your level-headed, thoughtful approach was exactly what I needed to put my own thoughts in order. It’s a shame that you will end up a high priestess.”

  “What?” Rosaline turned to look at Itzel.

  “I think that your talents would be better used elsewhere, especially since I don’t know if adding you alone is going to fix the problem. Sometimes I think it would be best for that tradition to just die off and we come up with a new way to move forward. Something that is less biased and based on tradition.”

  Rosaline looked at Itzel, her mind now in turmoil. Without knowing it, Itzel had just expressed doubts about her path.

  Seeing the reaction, Itzel began to dismiss her own words, “Don’t listen to me. You know that I have never been fond of the high priestesses, and I know you feel it is the right path for yourself. If it is you, I think that things will be fine.”

  Rosaline simply nodded her head and left Itzel’s quarters. Moving down the hallway, the doubts began to grow louder. Her pace quickened as she headed to her own quarters.

  By the time she reached her small room, Rosaline’s mind was all over the place. Pulling at her lips, she paced the room, trying to get her emotions under control. The timing was wrong. Why did she have to say that? Why now? Rosaline tasted the blood, but could not stop herself. Biting her lip, she tried to think of something, anything to calm her thoughts.

  Over the last year, Rosaline had realized that her life wasn’t quite what she had wanted, that there were things that she couldn’t say were right with certainty. Perhaps that was all part of the test as she worked toward the new position, but it felt more like torture.

  Chapter 4

  Stolen Time

  Rosaline had no idea how much time had passed as she thought about the discussion with Itzel and the wider implications. She ate and slept little as she tried to work through the doubt. No one disturbed her during this time, so the druid got more and more tangled up in her thoughts.

  Feeling exhausted and defeated, she sat down on her bed. Rosaline had never felt like this before, and she had no idea how to deal with it. After the mission, she had felt different, but she didn’t feel as conflicted as she did since talking with Itzel.

  You felt conflicted before that, you just didn’t admit to it. She tried to disregard the thought, but knew that she couldn’t entirely dismiss it. Placing her hands across her chest and lying down, Rosaline fought the urge to bite her lip. It was already swollen and tender. She didn’t want to do anything else to make it obvious that she was having trouble once she finally did leave her quarters. Right now, everyone assumed that she was learning from the mission, developing better emotional control. Fortunately for Rosaline, no one knew what was really going on.

  I wish I could talk to Ignacio. He always seems to know how to calm me down. The idea shot through her mind like a bolt of lightning. Blinking at the ceiling, she knew that talking to him was impossible, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t see him. While he was in training, she had occasionally monitored him, so she knew how to reach him without him being aware of it. All she would need to do is make sure that she could see him. As much as she wanted to hear him, Rosaline knew that was a little too risky because any sounds she made would give her away. Of course, she shouldn’t be monitoring him at all. It was wrong; she knew it was wrong. She just didn’t care.

  Willing herself to sleep, her mind slipped out into the world and sought his own subconscious.

  She could see the world in all of its splendor, but was unable to enjoy any of it as she desperately sought the one person who had taken an individual interest in her as a person instead of as a priestess or advisor.

  When Rosaline finally found Ignacio, she was mortified. Standing only feet away from a group of Unwashed, he watched silently as they went about their business. Even in the darkness, she could see Ignacio’s solemn expression as he judged each human present, and she knew that despite how badly he wanted to kill them, he would stay his hand.

  Why? Why is he letting them go? I know he can take on more men than are there. So why isn’t he?

  Their preparations done, the men hid. Not long after, a cloaked figure crested a hill and headed toward them. It was obvious from the way the figure moved that it was a woman, and given the location, Rosaline felt certain she was a seer. The figure stopped, and Rosaline’s mind turned toward Ignacio as he stepped out of his hiding place. All of the Unwashed would be well out of ear shot since they had hidden further in the cemetery, but that did not make Rosaline feel any better as the cloaked figure pulled her hood back and showed a gorgeous woman with an entirely too welcoming smile. Wishing that she could hear them, Rosaline tried to understand the exchange as much as possible, but it was no use.

  Then the pair had headed towards a wooded area. As they walked, it was clear they were talking, and to Rosaline’s annoyance, Ignacio was animated and lively, just like he had been with the druids. It was clear that the woman was special, Rosaline had heard Darius and Orion say as much, but seeing it was something else entirely. Perhaps a part of her hoped they were wrong, that they were exaggerating. Watching him now made it clear that they had been right.

  The entire encounter bothered her, but as the pair sat down to talk, Ignacio’s reactions because more concerned. Rosaline did not need to hear his words to know that he was trying to get the woman—Dulce—to leave with him. He was actually extending a hand to her, and seemed to be almost begging her to leave. Rosaline felt herself bristling, thinking that the woman deserved whatever happened for obviously causing Ignacio pain as he tried to take her away from certain death. A small part of the druid felt like the seer deserved what was going to happen to her if she could ignore his pleas.

  Then everything got worse.

  The seer drew some powder out of a pouch, and Rosaline had no way to warn Ignacio. He was hit full in the face, and began to stagger until he could no longer stand. Rosaline could feel her nails digging into her palms as she watched the horrible seer catch him and place him gently on the ground. He was losing his ability to talk as sleep took him. Then the seer did something that was unforgivable in Rosaline’s eyes.

  As the woman drew magic out of the assassin, Rosaline tried to think of some way to stop her. Even in her sleep, the druid could feel her fists clenching, drawing blood from her palms, as the woman who was supposed to be the assassin’s friend cocooned him in his own magic. A low growl caught her attention, but she wasn’t exactly sure how that was possible. Ignacio couldn’t possibly be making the sounds as the woman—the seer—had knocked him unconscious. He had gone down faster than Rosaline would have thought possible, considering he was an assassin. The powder must have been something worse than anything Rosaline had learned about in her training as a priestess. Not that they had covered much, as it wasn’t an area where they were expected to have practical experience. Living in Marlyon was like living in a cocoon that they would never leave for long. For the high priestesses, it was more like a tomb.

  Ignacio was so young and still so naïve, which was becoming increasingly clear to Rosaline—that was when she realized that the growling
sound had not come from the young assassin, it had come from her. She was beginning to slip back into consciousness, which she decidedly did not want to do. Rosaline had to watch over him until he was conscious because someone had to know where he was and what had happened. Seers had no idea what they were doing when it came to real magic. What if that woman pulled too much and left him on the brink? What if she did something wrong and Ignacio became more vulnerable? What if someone found him in that vulnerable state?

  That final idea almost caused her to sit up and seek Darius, despite all of the issues that would cause. Her dream self took a deep breath and continued to watch. She wasn’t even supposed to be watching this. If she were to talk to Darius, there would be no end to the questioning both by druids and assassin. She was overstepping her bounds by doing this, and it would not help Ignacio at all. Resolved to stay until he woke, Rosaline tried to contain her anger at the seer.

  Why is it bad? Being in a dream state, Rosaline didn’t have all of the facts about what was happening, so it wasn’t like she should have been as angry as she was. The fact that Dulce seemed to be trying to protect him said something about how she felt, and she certainly did seem to know what she was doing. Rosaline had seen the look on Ignacio’s face and knew that he was set on bringing Dulce there, even if it meant taking her against her will. Perhaps that was the reason for her reaction, as extreme as it was.

  But why does she even have that? Only someone with malicious intent would walk around with something like that. Even as she thought it, Rosaline knew that was wrong. Dulce lived in Ishtar, and the fact that Ignacio had found her in a cemetery suggested that the seer was not unaware of the constant danger she faced. Rosaline did not like to give her the benefit of the doubt, but the look on the woman’s face made it difficult for her to remain angry. Before leaving Ignacio on the hilltop, she seemed to apologize for what had happened. Rosaline watched the woman walk away and wondered just what had been between them. Looking down at Ignacio, she decided to follow the strange seer so that she could recount the death. Dulce certainly had not made a friend after what she had done, but there was a determination in her eyes that made Rosaline curious.