by J Haney
“Oren, something is wrong.” I cry before forcing myself to double over.
Oren runs in frantic. “What do you need me to do?”
“Towels. Water.” I growl between each word. “I need help.”
“I’m all you’ve got,” Oren says, running around and looking for what he needs. Stupid boy didn’t even check to see if my water broke.
“What do you mean you’re all I got?” I cry again for dramatic pleasure.
“Everyone is at the castle. Adria is giving a speech.”
Perfect! “Oren, hurry, I need help with my pants. Something’s happening.”
Oren comes back to me, not paying any mind to my hands as my tiger is starting to show. One good hit, and I've knocked him into the wall, and he’s out cold.
Time to go. Shifting, I’m gone and running for it. If we’re alone, now is my only chance. I spot a normal as I round the corner. Before they can train their gun on me, I’m smacking them into the cave wall. Most would kill, but that isn’t what I want. I’d rather give them a trail than kill them. I have to do this more than a dozen times before I’m out of the cave.
Coming out of the dark space, it’s bright, and it takes me a moment to gain my senses. Where the fuck am I? Water. I need running water. Sniffing, I take a sharp left and run full speed ahead.
32
M y mother gave us the hundred Atenas she had been saving for a new fence. I promised her when this was all over I would come and put one in—a good one. She kissed us and, giving over the last bits of meat and bread, sent us out into the world to find our Queen.
Wants and needs don’t always align. Since the Mantigara was wanted, it wasn’t like we could fly, even if we had any idea where we were headed. Valaria said that it had to be south, past the desert; it was the only thing that made sense. If Maya had been in the north, I’d have felt her long before now.
Three weeks of travel included several uncomfortable stops and a lot of foraging. Fuck me what I wouldn’t give for a nice T-bone steak. Food, that’s what I miss about the Normals realm. They had so many spices, flavors, and textures to their recipes.
The worst of our journey was sneaking through Rinewalled—a place where we were both known all too well. Staying to the woods, Valaria suggested we climb and use the trees. This, of course, meant I was carrying her literally on my back. The Mechkan weren’t exactly renowned for their climbing ability. Sure they could knock down a decent sized tree with a few well-placed punches, but climbing was best left to the feline species.
We were now on the border of Konargh Antarr, Valaria’s father’s territory, and the Arid Dykuma, Lesser King Feyer’s lands. It was well known that Feyer was not a fan of Lady Adria, which meant we might find safe passage if we were careful.
“I still think we should have stayed to night travel and avoid the populated areas,” Valaria says, holding on to my arm. “You know Yokinda attacked us, how do we know these people weren’t in on everything that has happened?”
“I know you’re weary, but I have a kinship with the Chinyoka that comes from years in the field. They’re misunderstood, just because they’re cold-blooded doesn’t mean they don’t have hearts. They are brave and honorable.”
“Sure, for a price.” She huffs. “I don’t like it.”
“I hear you, but we are doing this. I’m tired and hungry. We need to rest properly. We have no way of knowing what we will face when we find Maya.”
“Fine.” She laments as I open the door to what many would call a flophouse. It was one of many. For a small donation, the land's clergy would allow travelers to sleep, eat, and pray for guidance. “I’ll do it, but if any of them touch me, I’m going to be picking my teeth with their scales.”
“Yes, m’lady.” I snicker. As we enter, a few heads turn toward us. In an attempt to not look like me, I may have shaved my head a tad and begun to grow out my beard. I’m rather scruffy, but Valaria seems to like tugging on it when we fuck.
She takes a seat at a table facing the entrance, and I approach the bar. A young pretty Chinyokan female leans toward me with a raised brow. She blinks with both sets of eyelids. Her voice is light and lyrical, even if a bit fast as she speaks brokenly. Someone has taught her the common tongue, but she has never quite mastered it.
“You not local. Need a drink? Perhaps a bed for you and the wee one? One two or mine?” She licks her lips with a long forked tongue.
I smile. “Food and drink, then privacy,” I say in her native tongue. Valaria looks at me, as I sound like a natural Chinyokan. Years of service made learning the languages of allies and foes critical to my survival.
The barkeep grins and nods. “We have two special today. Roasted pyrian with root vegetables or poached Seafin.”
“Seeing as you’re landlocked, I’ll take two pyrian. Rare, and a carafe of your dark amber.” I put nine Atneas on the counter. Then a tenth as her eyes light up. At the current exchange rate, this is the equivalent of a thousand American dollars. She reaches out and slides the money to herself. “You understand we ask for discretion?”
Without another word, she nods, scooping up the coins.
Valaria is quiet as we eat, more intent on watching our surroundings than even I, which is saying something.
“Would you be less conspicuous? I am trying to blend us in, maybe get us a couple of animals and a cart. I’m sick of running and carrying you through trees.” I say through a mouthful of meat.
“I just want to get to the next leg of things. I thought your mother said the closer we go, the stronger it would get. The last few nights, it’s been like a jumbled mess.”
“I’m sorry, I like sex as much as the next man, believe me, I do, but my cock is starting to chafe. I need a night to recharge.” I say under my breath.
“One night could be the difference between finding her or not.”
“Val.”
“Ugh! Okay. One night. I’ll just have to try by myself.”
I chuckle. “I don’t know that it works that way.”
“And why not?” Her brow raises. “Anything you can do to me, I can do to myself, and a whole lot more.”
“I’ll remember that when you’re hot, horny, and begging me to lick your clit till you see stars.”
“Harumph.” She crosses her arms defiantly. “You suck.”
“No, I lick and suck, while purring, and that’s why you like it so much. My batteries rarely run out.”
The barkeep drops another carafe of dark amber. I look at her, confused. “From man down bar. Says he’s been waiting for you.”
I look and see a tall red-haired fellow. I have no idea who he is, but he seems to think he knows me. I nod, and he crooks a finger. Valaria tries to stop me, but I give her a pointed look.
Walking over, I size him up. If I have to estimate, he’s got several years on me, possibly decades. He doesn’t smell Chinyokan. He doesn’t actually scent like anything I know. The confusion must be written all over my face because he kicks out a chair and smiles.
“Have a seat. I have been waiting for you for a very long time—Zane Coreleali, son of Morena, and brother to Luda, Guarn, and Lucretia.” He says under his breath.
My eyes narrow. “Who are you?” I do not have a weapon, but if I must call forth my beasts, I will.
“Sit, nephew.”
My head tilts. “Nephew?”
“I have been traveling for many a long, long year, but I am indeed your Uncle, Morena is my sister. I saw your approach before you stepped foot on Normal soils.”
I sit, feeling the blood bond between us as he gives me a short nod. I don’t know how he knew we would be here, but maybe there was something to the touch after all.
33
I watch, at a distance, trying to open my ears, but the chatter of the crowd and the clanging of the plates keeps breaking it up. After a bit of conversation, I see this red-haired giant hug Zane and feel his broken spirit soar.
Zane? What’s going on? Who is that man? I send my que
stions to him. Hoping he isn’t blocking me completely.
His head turns and shoulders shake, as his eyes connect with mine, he finally waves me over to join them. He takes my hand, much like he had when he introduced me to his mother.
“Val.” Zane squeezes my hand reassuringly. “This is Trajan- my- uncle.”
The man smiles, putting out his hand. Black leather vambraces cover his arms, telling me he at least thinks he has a reason for them. I look up into his sun-bleached face and see familiar traits. It’s subtle, around the eyes and mouth, but it is there. I go to shake but am pulled into a hard, massive hug.
“You are a lovely woman, but we need to put some meat on them bones.” He gruffs, giving me a half turn. “You come with me. This place is for Otso. You lay down with them, and you ou may get up with fleas.”
I look to Zane. “Go? Where?” I shake my head. I’m so confused.
“To where the ocean meets the mountain. Where the trees touch the sea, and everything is still beautiful and green. We go to my home.” Trajan’s large arm goes around Zane’s shoulder. I didn’t think it possible for someone to shadow him, but this beast does.
Zane nods.
How do you know we can trust him?
His eyes soften, and he mouths a simple word. Please.
Outside the flophouse, the desert winds have begun to rage—lightning surges in the distance, and the whole world seems to tremble.
“The Gods war, secrets are to be told.” Trajan pulls us toward the storm. “Come!”
“He’s out of his mind!” I shout as Zane pulls me to follow. “We’re gonna get killed!” I shout over the whipping wind as sand assaults my skin.
“Hold on tight!” Trajan laughs over the roar.
“What? Hold on to what!” I scream as I feel my belly drop into my feet. My head swims, and I keel over.
“Val, it’s okay.” I hear the din of Zane’s voice as a feeling of weightlessness envelopes me. My eyes flutter open, and above me is his face smiling softly. It’s not him though that I’m focused on. It’s the sight above.
Large winged shadows soar through a canopy of lush tropical trees. The air doesn’t smell industrialized. There’s no taste of the mines. My head pounds. I must have fallen or been walloped. I have to be dreaming. I’m slipped out of his arms and back to the ground.
“Is she okay?” I hear Trajan.
“She doesn’t portal well. You could have warned us.”
“How else was I to get us to Suart Coom? I wasn’t about to fly through that storm. Besides, it would have taken many days, and I thought you were in a hurry?”
I shake my senses back into place, putting up my hand to shut them both the hell up. “Wait? How did we portal? I saw no Mage.”
Trajan laughs. “You are not very observant, are you? These are the bracers of a battle mage. I’ve been able to open portals since I was a babe. Took the nannies weeks to figure out I was fucking with them.” He guffaws.
I look around us; the smell of clean ocean air fills my nostrils. The dense foliage and trees block any potential view. “Where did you say you took us?” I ask slowly, a feeling I cannot pin down fills my being.
“Suart Coom.”
“Is a myth.” I retort.
“And yet here you stand. Come, there is so much more.” Trajan begins to follow a well-worn path. “The thing about Suart is that it is well protected, not only by the environment but also by powerful magickal wards. The only way in is to fly, or portal. Lucky, most can do both.”
Zane, I don’t know about this. I plead to him, but he ignores me. Not to be left alone in a strange place, I sigh heavily and follow. The walk through the thick underbrush gives way, and we are standing at the threshold of tall sandstone walls. The whole area seems to be built right out of nothing as the circling of trees is undisturbed. There is water rushing, and as we cross the bridge, I see a river raging below over jagged rocks. I hear music and chatter and see a bustling scene beyond the drawbridge—a square filled with merchants and people.
“How?” I barely mouth when Trajan speaks up.
“These are the Mantigara, what is left at least. We have been in hiding for nearly two centuries.” He looks back to Zane, who has regained my trembling hand. “These are your people. Just beyond is my home. Honor me by letting me set a table, and tomorrow I will show you everything.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Zane nods his head, and into the crowd, I am pulled.
34
F amily? I have a family. Maybe it is just a single uncle and my mother, but it is more than I had yesterday. I have many questions, and Trajan has done his best to explain, yet I feel as though I am not getting the entire story.
Valaria has been asleep for a few hours while I stare out over the silent city below. The homes and shops are all made of stone, large flat rooftops beckon my tiger to leap and play. Maya would love it here. I turn my head, hearing footsteps. Trajan’s lumbering form appears.
“What haven’t you told me? I feel like there is more. I want to trust you. The question is, can I?”
He takes a deep breath, his massive chest expanding as he stretches out his arms. “What I do not tell has much to do with your past as it does future. Nephew, I was very close to your father. I would go as far as to say I saw him as a brother. All you see below was his responsibility. These were his people. Zane, your father-”
“No.” I shake my head. “There is a mistake. There is no way. Momma said he was a soldier, that he died in battle.” I back into the side of the terrace, my hands digging into the cold hard stone. “If my father were what you say, why was I sold? Why weren’t we taken care of!” I snarl. “I lost my brothers to the wars!”
Trajan lowers his head and nods. “Your mother- No. I will not cast blame, where it does not truly belong.” He reaches out to me, “Come sit. I will tell you what happened.”
“Don’t touch me!” I swat his hand away, and in a single leap, I shred my clothes, and my tiger takes hold.
From rooftop to landing and back, I run. The clean air fills my lungs, and the feeling is fantastic. This is the first bit of time I have had to myself since Valaria found me. For a man used to being alone, it has been- trying. I haven’t had time to wrap my head around the things and changes that are happening to my world. If my mother is truly gifted and not just insane, I am to be a father. Not once but many times over. My Queen carries one and Valaria- well, let’s say Mechakn are known to have at least two and sometimes up to four cubs in a single pregnancy. How am I to be a father? I have never had one. I have no idea what a father is supposed to do. The closest thing I came to one was the Royal Guard Officers, and well, you can imagine how that went down.
My heart races, and I follow my nose and my ears. Water rushes, and waves crash against the shore. Trees may surround the city, but just as Trajan described it, they touch the sea. I leap from a low laying branch, and the sand explodes around me. Shaking it off my fur, I see bonfires down the beach. People are making merry, many in their bestial shapes. I stay back and observe until I am touched. I turn to find a young female child wrapping her arms around my massive front leg.
“Tigara!” She squeals. This is the equivalent of kitty everywhere else. “Daddy! I found a Tigara!” She hollers, and a slender man comes to stand in front of me.
“Tissrah, come here, sweetie.” He calls the child then looks at me. “You came with Lord Trajan?” He says, watching me as the little one looks up at me.
“You have a funny face.” She reaches up and boops my nose! Her little features remind me of my baby sister, and her curls her normal- I look up at the child’s father, as I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. My chest tightens as I find myself looking into the emerald green eyes of- “Lucretia?” I gasp as I take on my human form lying in the sand.
She smiles, rubbing her rounded belly with pride. “Brother.” She sniffs as the little girl pouts, going to her daddy, who picks her up. Lucretia pulls off her shawl, handing it to me. “He said you
would come.”
I cover myself and stand, my head is swimming. “I thought- why aren’t you in Tibet?”
She laughs. “I wanted babies. Uncle Trajan made that possible.”
“Wait, you knew about him? About all of this? About our father?” My shock is palatable.
“Come on, sit with us. I was just visiting with father.”
“I- I don’t understand.”
“You will.” The man nods.
He’s not a normal, but he’s also not like us. The hairs on the back of my neck go sky high, and I step back.
“Zane, this is Kinrhad, my second husband, he is Cha Cooah, one of the spotted, please let us help you.”
Trusting that my baby sister would never bring me harm, I follow her, the little girl takes my hand, and I look down.
“Hi.” She chirps. “So you’re my Uncle? You’re really big, will you carry me?”
I look at Lucretia, and she has a half-cocked grin as her brow raises.
“I- well-” The last little girl I had upon my shoulders was Maya. Even then, it was strange. Tissrah lifts her arms to me, and I spy the faintest hint of the rounded leopard marking of the Cha Cooah. I sigh, and up she goes with a little giggle.
We walk toward the fires, and it’s then that I see the stones and monuments. “You bury your dead here?”
“We celebrate and commune here,” Kinrhad explains. “My people have a long history with the shadows and its secrets.” His hand goes out as we stop at a tall monument. “Would you like to speak with your father, King Zanadar?”
I drop to my knees in the sand, the little one holding on strong. Zanadar? I am named for my father, and he was a king?
35
S plash!
My body lands in shallow water. Opening my eyes, I have no idea where I am. Except for the fact I’m sitting in a fucking fountain. Here. There. Here and then there. There and then here. I’ve bounced from place to place. This is what I have been doing for the better part of a week. I’m tired. I’m starving. I’m over this.