Familiar Territory

by Sam Cheever

  “Which means he’s the only one who knows where everyone is...” Mandy said.

  “And what we’re doing,” Deg nodded.

  “Talk about your tracking devices,” I whispered as my belly churned with dread.

  “It gets worse,” Deg said, frowning. “If my speculation is right, this guy didn’t just steal the web. He is the web.”

  Mandy gave a soft intake of air and I stared at Deg, my shock too great for words.

  We sat mute for a long moment. The stunned silence was finally broken by an unexpected and very welcome sound.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  MEOW!

  My gaze jerked downward as a soft body rubbed warmly against my leg. Mabel! I’d momentarily forgotten about the tiny kitten. With a happy exclamation I bent down and scooped her up, getting a contented rub against my chin for the effort.

  I held the kitten close, laughing as her purr rumbled loudly through the room.

  “Is she okay?”

  I turned to Mandy, grinning widely. “She seems to be fine.”

  Mandy was frowning, looking perplexed. “But she...”

  I shook my head, squeezing the tiny critter tightly enough to elicit an alarmed yelp. “Sorry, baby girl,” I murmured as I forced my grip to loosen. “I just can’t believe you survived. That was a very brave thing you did.”

  Mandy’s frown deepened. Why didn’t she look happier? “What’s wrong?”

  Her gaze found mine and it was filled with worry. “There’s no way that kitten should have lived through a jolt of energy that big. It almost killed me.”

  “Tell me what happened,” Deg demanded, earning himself a glower from me and his former girlfriend. “Just tell me. Please?”

  “He was killing her...” I said quietly, suffering a flash of guilt that I hadn’t been able to stop it. I shook my head. “I don’t know how...or why...but one minute Mabel was on the book shelves and the next...” I frowned at the memory. It didn’t seem possible the kitten could have known how to stop the assault. Could she have simply reacted to an invading energy?

  “She threw herself at the portal,” Mandy said. Her frown had smoothed away and she was staring at the kitten with a look of awe.

  “There’s no way she was trying to get to you?” Deg asked me.

  I shook my head. “I was a couple of feet away. No. She leapt directly at the portal.”

  Deg swung his gaze toward the kitten. “Then what happened?”

  I shrugged. “The energy hit her and stopped.”

  “Stopped?” he asked, looking dubious.

  “Actually,” Mandy said. “It appeared to repel, curling back on itself. And then the portal snapped shut.”

  We all stared at Mabel, tension filling the air between us. For my part, I didn’t like the way the Witch was looking at my kitten. “Whatever you’re thinking, Deg, stop it.”

  He forced his gaze away from Mabel. “You have to admit none of that should have happened, LA. And the cat should be dead.”

  In desperation, I dug deep for a possible explanation. “Maybe you somehow healed her when you healed Mandy.”

  To my shock, he considered the suggestion. “The only way that happened is if she was somehow attached to Mandy.”

  “Or the energy got caught up in the rug and travelled to her,” Mandy offered.

  I felt my eyes go wide. “That could be it, Deg.” The thought made me happy, especially when he finally stopped looking at the kitten as if she were somehow responsible for the attack. “I guess that’s possible.” He reached for the cat and she hissed, wriggling to escape my arms. I settled her to the rug and Mabel bounced over to Mandy, winding happily between her legs. The Witch scooped her up and nuzzled her soft throat.

  “Looks like she prefers women,” I told Deg when he frowned.

  Shrugging, he seemed to dismiss the dis. “We need to get to work.”

  “I need more potion,” Mandy said.

  “And I need to get this little one back to the sanctuary and check on the others.”

  Deg nodded but he was already seated in the center of the rug, legs crossed and eyes closed. He placed his hands out to his sides, palms down, and sent his peculiar silver-toned energy downward.

  Mandy reluctantly handed Mabel back to me, her gaze speculative. “I’ve always wanted a cat.”

  The question in her statement was clear. But I chose to ignore it. I wasn’t ready to think about rehoming the kittens. Especially Mabel. There was something about the little feline that tugged at me. I wanted more time to figure out what I was going to do with her. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  What I didn’t tell her was that it would probably be a bit longer, because I had something else in mind than just checking in on my visitors to make sure they were okay. I intended to question them more thoroughly, to find out if they had a sense for what had invaded our little sanctuary, first that morning and moments before, through the portal.

  Animals were extremely sensitive to energy pulses through the air. In fact they were virtual magic barometers. I wanted to get my sanctuary cats’ perceptions of the entity before we tried to tackle it again.

  However, I wasn’t ready for what I found when I opened the door to the sanctuary and stepped inside.

  Sliding to a halt, I stopped breathing.

  Something waited for me inside. Something dark and deadly.

  I must have been holding Mabel too tightly because she squirmed in my arms, giving a plaintiff little yowl as I held on tight.

  I fully intended to turn around and deposit the kitten safely in the house before running to warn Deg and Mandy we had an intruder, but the kitten had other ideas. When she couldn’t get free she bit down on my finger. Hard. And I released her with a gasp of pain. She dropped lightly to her paws on the grass and skittered away, disappearing behind a trio of boulders situated beneath a wide beam of silvery moonlight.

  She was probably going to make sure her brothers were okay. I assumed they were hiding somewhere, no doubt terrified.

  Reaching for the energy at my core, I pulled it forward enough to allow my claws to spring free. Then, hiding my hands in the pockets of my skirt, I moved into the park-like room, my gaze scanning for the invader. As I looked, I listened for my visitors, hoping to determine that they were all right.

  I immediately picked up several heartbeats, scattered around the room. One was up high in a clump of trees that reached toward the thirty-foot, clear glass ceiling above my head. Two were muffled, no doubt coming from the tunnel I’d dug beneath the sanctuary for those who just liked to hide.

  Three heartbeats pounded in fast rhythm behind the boulders. My guess had been correct. Mabel had found her siblings and they were hunkered down out of sight.

  There should have been more, but I surmised a few of my guests had made use of the cat door at the back of the large space and were out and about, hopefully clear of danger.

  A shadow moved across the floor in front of me and I stopped, my heartbeat in my throat and a heaviness in my chest that told me I’d forgotten to breathe.

  I carefully pulled air into my lungs, my gaze locked on the large, amorphous shape moving toward me across the space.

  The shadow seemed to flex, spreading one moment and then contracting, becoming more tall than wide. It was not humanoid, nor was it shaped like any animal I’d ever encountered. But one thing was certain. Whatever it was, it was giving off a menacing aura that had gooseflesh popping up along my arms.

  My nose stung under the stench of sulfur. It was a scent that shouldn’t exist in the sanctuary. All of my guests were actual felines. There were no shapeshifters in the room. Which meant there was a magic user inside my home. One that I hadn’t invited in.

  “Who’s here?”

  I felt the alarm of my guests uptick at the sound of my voice, followed by random thoughts of movement. What I didn’t know was if they were thinking about fleeing me or my uninvited guest.

  Some of my newer guests hadn’t yet decided
if they liked me or not.

  The shadow flared outward, growing round, and then stopped a few yards from my feet. I felt a surge in the collective energy of the space. Filled with dread, I gathered magic in my fingertips and waited.

  LA?

  I jumped at the sound of Deg’s voice in my head, frowning. Get out of my head.

  The shadow flexed and rolled, clearly drawn to my discomfort.

  What’s wrong? I feel your fear.

  I’m in the middle of something. I’ll tell you later. I ruthlessly walled off any further communication with him. It was strange to confer in my head with another human. I generally only managed it with animals or other shapeshifters in their animal form.

  I kept my gaze locked on the shadow, magic spitting from my clawed fingers. “Tell me who you are or face the consequences.”

  Since I was all but drooling on myself with fear at the moment, I wasn’t sure what consequences I could threaten the intruder with. On the positive side, maybe he or she was afraid of drool.

  The shadow seemed to close in on itself and then grow so long and thin it all but disappeared.

  The light left the far end of the sanctuary and darkness oozed in my direction. I almost peed myself before I realized it was just a bank of clouds moving overhead, beyond the glass ceiling.

  That was when it clicked in my brain. The shadow I was seeing wasn’t something stalking me from the ether.

  Very slowly, holding my breath and with fingers ready to throw energy, I looked upward, to the gnarled tree branch hanging about ten feet above my head.

  And I saw it.

  Whatever it was, it was grotesquely round and misshapen, oozing hostility, with an aggressive gaze that glowed down on me with menace.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ACTUALLY, THE EYES just seemed menacing because their owner was clearly peeved. Her tail snapped angrily from side to side behind her, no doubt the cause of the constantly morphing shadow she threw on the ground.

  Hello, cher.

  Posh. I almost peed myself. Why didn’t you tell me you were here? Then it occurred to me she shouldn’t have been able to recognize me in my human form. I narrowed my gaze on the big cat. How did you find me?

  Her wide face looked as indignant as a cat’s face could. You don’t think I knew what you were? She jumped down from the branch, hitting the ground with a weighty thump. I lied when I said I was going to do my rounds, cher. I followed you to the barrier.

  A ribbon of unease slithered through me. And why would you do that?

  The cat’s shoulders flexed upward as if she were shrugging. I had my reasons.

  I had a sudden thought. Did you follow me into the park?

  That’s what I said, cher.

  No, she hadn’t said that. I frowned. Then you saw the body I found?

  Posh drew herself upright, her tail snapping angrily. I saw that you found her, yes.

  Something about the way she said it... You knew she was there, didn’t you?

  A weary sigh filled my head. I thought you’d never come, cher. I’ve been sending out feelers for days.

  I don’t understand.

  I found Tabby hours before you did. I’d been looking for her since she disappeared.

  Why didn’t you just tell me where she was?

  I didn’t know if I could trust you. I had to see for myself that you meant well.

  I sighed. I understand.

  The big cat hung her head, sadness oozing from her despondent form. She was my friend.

  I’m sorry, Posh. I really am.

  She swung her head from side to side. Someone’s declared war on the Familiars. We need to find him and shut him down.

  I lowered myself to a rock so I wasn’t towering over her. Do you have any idea who it is?

  Only broadly. Her strangely colored gaze lifted to mine. I think it’s a Witch.

  Why do you think that?

  She shrugged again. Because it’s obviously somebody really powerful. With skills Familiars don’t have.

  Her words scraped my ego raw. I’d spent my life proclaiming that I didn’t need to subjugate myself to a Witch because I was every bit as powerful as one. But for me it wasn’t just ego. I’d observed my best friend being dominated by a Witch, belittled and held in contempt until she had no feelings of self-worth left. I’d watched helplessly as a once vibrant life dimmed and faded away. I vowed then that I’d never allow myself to fall into the trap. It hadn’t been easy. I’d had to go against centuries of Familiar - Witch practices to do it. But I’d been proud to be the master of my own fate and I pledged every day never to look back. I think you’re underestimating my people.

  Don’t get me wrong. I know there are powerful Familiars. Your mother and Grandmama to name a couple, but there’s a difference. Familiars can be really good at one or two things. Sometimes even more. A Witch carries the markers for many types of magic, from light to dark and everything in between.

  I had to concede her point. Okay, I’ll give you that.

  She nodded. And this magic user has not only stolen the web, but he’s made it his bitch, cher. That’s some phenomenal energy there.

  A soft mewling sound had me dropping my gaze to find Mabel rubbing against the rock I was sitting on. “Hey, cutie.”

  The tiny kitten brushed against the hand I lowered to her and then proceeded to wind herself, purring loudly, around my feet. She stopped when she came within a foot of Posh and locked gazes with the other cat, her tiny form relaxed but still.

  Hullo, child.

  Mabel’s tail twitched and she turned to look up at me. It’s okay, sweetie. She’s a friend.

  The baby dropped to her butt, watching Posh’s every move.

  After a minute, Posh stirred. You need to teach the kid some manners, LA.

  She’s not quite herself, I’m afraid. She got caught in the crossfire with whoever we’re tracking a while ago.

  And she survived? Posh’s regard turned more intense. There’s not much to her.

  And you say I’m rude.

  I blinked as a high-pitched, child-like voice infiltrated my thoughts.

  Posh’s tail twitched. It ain’t polite to stare.

  It’s not polite to call me small either.

  Why ever not? You are small, cher. C'est un fait.

  It’s a fact you shouldn’t mention because it’s rude, Mabel insisted.

  Given in her trebly, childish voice, the kitten’s words were more than adorable. I couldn’t help smiling.

  Posh’s husky laugh filtered through my mind. She a feisty one, I’ll give ’er dat.

  Mabel is much stronger than she looks, Posh. I gave the kitten a soft smile. She saved my friend’s life.

  You friends wid a Witch? If the renewed agitation of Posh’s tail was any indication, she was not pleased.

  I just met her but, yes. Mandy and I are friends. Of a sort.

  Posh shook her head. C'est malheureux.

  It’s not unfortunate at all. I need all the help I can get to find this guy.

  Actually, that’s why I’m here. I know where he is.

  Excitement swelled. I jumped off the rock, causing Mabel to give a panicked leap sideways. Why didn’t you say so? I’ll go get the others.

  Dat’s not what I had in mind, cher. Dis is a job for Familiars. No witches allowed.

  But I can’t do this alone, I argued.

  You won’t have to, cher. I’m goin’ ta help.

  I appreciate your willingness to put yourself in danger, Posh... I shook my head.

  I can do dis, cher. I got my own magic.

  But you’re just a cat...

  Now who’s bein’ rude, cher?

  I’m sorry but it’s true.

  There’s a lot more to me dan meets da eye, Posh insisted.

  Mabel approached the other cat, leaning closer to give her a sniff. She’s right, Miss LA. There’s something off about her.

  Not off, child. Special.

  I shook my head. I’m sure you’re a v
ery special feline but...

  The cat lumbered to her feet. Maybe this will help. Her round form gave a violent jerk and I blinked, alarm spiking. She stretched forward, her thick legs extended out in front of her and her head down between them. A wave of movement slipped over her wide frame, rolling her fur from the base of her tail to her broad head.

  Cracking sounds emerged.

  My hand flew to my mouth as I realized what was happening. But I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. How could I have missed it?

  Posh’s big form twisted upward, her paws slapping the air in front of her as her back end bent and elongated. Her tail disappeared with a pop and sparks erupted as her body expanded upward.

  A sulfurous cloud filled the air between us and, when it finally cleared, I gasped.

  A naked woman stood where the cat had been. A woman whose name I’d never bothered to learn when I’d met her as a human. “You’re the receptionist at Familiar, Inc.”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re a shifter? How is it possible I didn’t know?”

  The woman gave me a smile. “How is it possible nobody knows you’re a shifter?”

  Okay, she had me there. Then realization dawned. “You’re a tracker too?”

  “I am.”

  I thought about it a moment and then nodded. “That explains how you found me here.”

  “You would think so, wouldn’t you?”

  I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I didn’t track you here. I was sent here by someone close to you.”

  Fear slipped up my spine. “Who?”

  “Your mother. And we need to hurry. She and Celeste are in grave danger. It might already be too late.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  WE STOOD LOOKING THROUGH the metal spires of the massive gate. The building beyond reminded me of a haunted castle. It wasn’t a house. Even in my cat form, when everything looked bigger, I recognized that it was way too big for that. With its blackened stone exterior and odd, circular portico, the thing looked more like a citadel than a house.

  A cold breeze wafted over Posh and me as we sat staring at the foreboding place. The coming storm was heavy in the air, the scent of ozone thickening by the moment. So it was no surprise, a moment later, when lightning speared the night sky above the intimidating structure.