Hellcats: Anthology

by Kate Pickford

  Deceit saw flaws and weakness. She was just like other humans, never quite content just to be the remarkable beings that they were, always wanting what the other had or was. She was no different. Her hair did not lay as straight nor as flat as a true Egyptian, although she was trying her best to play at being one with her kohl eye make-up. She was a walking lie. Deceit could work with that.

  She backed away a little.

  Silver threads wrapped around her. They spun together through the air providing a layer of protection. Deceit watched them suspiciously, knowing all too well the sting they could produce if they were not removed first. It thought that perhaps this was not going to be as easy as they had been led to believe.

  Envy wound its body around Si; Deceit was certain that it had seen the protection too. There was a sudden nervousness between the two of them and the cat began to shift.

  Si reached down his hand and stroked the fur.

  Eliora held out her arms to retrieve the cat. ‘Yes, I am.’ She looked down with respect. ‘Thank you!’ She then frowned. ‘How did you get in here?’

  ‘She doesn’t need to know about you. She is inferior,’ Envy whispered closely to Si’s ear.

  Si gave a small shrug. ‘Don’t you like him?’ Si said lifting the cat a little.

  She stuck out her chin, her arms still raised. ‘I don’t think that is any of your business. Can I have my cat back now?’

  Envy flicked its tongue. ‘She calls the cat her own! How dare she? What a girl, eh, Si!’

  ‘It isn’t your cat,’ Si replied.

  ‘And it isn’t yours. Give it to me or I’ll call a guard, I’m sure he will be interested to see you in here. Anyway, that cat is the queen’s property.’

  ‘Queen’s property?’ Envy coughs. ‘You know the queen has a lot of things that she shouldn’t.’

  Deceit felt Si tense. ‘Careful, Envy!’ it warned. ‘We’re here to destroy her, not him.’

  ‘Then you should look after it better,’ Si replied. ‘Don’t want anything to happen to the precious queen’s property, do we?’ he hissed.

  Eliora winced. ‘You shouldn’t speak like that.’ She glanced about as if waiting to be caught for speaking so badly of the queen.

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Because you could get into serious trouble for saying things like that about the queen.’

  Envy rubbed Si’s arm and slithered closer to Deceit. ‘We will destroy her, Deceit. She will be more than dead. I will kill her spirit and her body,’ it dragged its scraping laugh again. ‘She will be begging for death before I’m done with her. What do you think? That will put an end to anything that is planned for her bloodline.’

  Deceit looked up, and the cat did the same. Envy was oozing ammonia in clouds of grey. They were sinking heavily to the floor.

  Envy moved away and leaned in closer to Si, rubbing its reptilian face against his.

  ‘Look at her,’ it hissed, ‘she doesn’t belong here.’ Envy waved its tail up and down pointing at the girl. ‘She is one of them,’ it concluded. ‘One of the tribe that says they don’t follow the Master, but they do, they all do really. They are lost. They are bound. They are all his.’

  Deceit stared at Eliora. She had leaned way from Si and narrowed her eyes. It was a body language that Deceit was all too familiar with. She tilted her head distinctly, evaluating and checking for the truth. Why would she be so suspicious, they had been careful in their execution of the plan. Si had not said anything for her to react in such a way.

  Deceit shivered. Was she reacting to what Envy had said? Was she lost and bound? The silver threads spoke of something vastly different to that; something higher. Deceit widened its eyes and tried to see what else was in the room. Was there something else protecting her?

  Envy, completely unaware, was concentrating on Si. ‘You should take her. She is pretty in her human way. Don’t you want her? You should punish her for defending the so-called-queen. Oh, you want her alright. You can have whatever you like. If it means she gets hurt, I don’t care.’

  Si stood straighter and said with a slight smile in his voice. ‘What difference does that make to you anyway? She isn’t your queen.’

  ‘No,’ she said angrily. ‘That’s right, she isn’t. But she is yours.’

  Deceit looked back at Eliora who raised her eyebrows daring Si to disagree.

  ‘Envy, take care!’ Deceit said quietly. ‘I don’t think we are alone.’

  ‘What?’ Envy said as it leaned down to Deceit. ‘Are you a little timid?’

  ‘Not at all!’ Deceit replied. ‘But do you see anything? Look at the protection she has. Is she alone?’

  Envy clung to Si’s neck and raised itself up. It billowed out more plumes, but nothing was revealed. ‘Don’t be a fool, Deceit, who would care about this girl?’

  Deceit shrank back. If the Master wanted her gone, there must be something extraordinary about her. If anything was a fool, it was not Deceit. The creature’s body tensed; it knew Envy had underestimated this human.

  Deceit felt Si twitch.

  ‘I’ll hold him if you like,’ Si said, ‘while you clear up the mess.’

  Clearly not that keen to discuss the queen any further or to take hold of the runaway cat, Eliora decided to make small talk.

  ‘How did you get in here?’ she asked.

  Deceit breathed on Si. ‘She doesn’t need to know why you are here. You could lie. It wouldn’t hurt anyone.’

  Si hesitated for a moment. ‘I followed the cat.’

  ‘So, you let it make that mess?’ her tone had changed a little.

  ‘It was an accident.’

  ‘So, you made that mess?’ she asked angrily.

  ‘You can’t prove that.’

  Envy appeared in front of Deceit’s face. ‘That was pathetic,’ it stated. ‘You think you are more powerful than me?’

  ‘The Master wanted us both here,’ Deceit began. It paused. If possessing a cat was so amusing to Envy, perhaps leaving Envy to do all the work would be the best payment. If Envy got hurt, at least its own spikes would be spared. Deceit clicked its tongue. ‘I am not more powerful than you, Envy, we both know that. You should get on with what the Master commanded.’ It smiled widely hiding the dagger-sharp teeth that could attack the fool so easily pacified by a lie.

  It would sit back and ride this one out if Envy was so hungry to own it. If Envy wanted to collect the spoils of this battle, Envy could work alone. Deceit knew it would gather up the rewards with lies in the end anyway.

  Eliora took the cloth from her belt and bent down to mop up the water. She collected the shattered pieces in a pile. She wrung out the cloth into the pool outside.

  Deceit watched as the ammonia clouds slowly drifted from the demon on Si’s shoulders down to the ground and towards her. Envy had decided to eradicate the protection after all. The toxicity worked quickly on the silver threads. They sizzled as they were slowly eaten away. Perhaps the protection had been lingering from some other time. It seemed Envy could complete the plan.

  Eliora gathered up the shards and lilies. She glanced up at the cat and back at her hands.

  Si’s voice was a little softer when he spoke now. ‘I’ll carry the cat,’ he suggested, his voice intoned with humour. ‘After all, I don’t want it to cause even more trouble.’

  Without another glance at the cat Eliora sighed and stood up straight. ‘Very well then,’ she said as she left the chamber.

  ‘Deceit,’ Envy called from Si’s shoulders. ‘Watch for the servants!’

  ‘Of course,’ Deceit replied with a small nod. ‘I’m glad I have my uses.’

  It was essential that no one broke Si’s cover. With every stare from the palace staff, Deceit replied with uncertainty and confusion. It picked past their thoughts that seemed to be screaming of the scandal that the misfit cat-girl was with one of Pharaoh’s sons, and called back to them of the secrets that they should never share, shaming them into silence. Not one of them spoke up.
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br />   Eliora led the way to the rubbish pile behind the kitchens. She emptied her hands.

  Deceit could see the dark cloud forming around her. She wished she were invisible. Deceit hissed in appreciation. The fog that Eliora had created was wonderfully potent.

  She turned to face Si once more.

  Deceit could feel the clouds soaking into its spines and did not realise it was disappearing or that the cat was changing hands until too late.

  ‘I can take him from here,’ she said opening her arms.

  From the safe cold comfort of Si’s grip, Deceit now winced at the heat from Eliora causing the cat to hiss.

  Envy rattled a laugh.

  ‘I can’t stand this!’ Deceit shouted and writhed. ‘Get on with your task, Envy!’

  Deceit, concealed in the body of the cat, was in Elioras arms. Silver fibres covered her body in a fine mesh. They were so fine they would go unseen from any distance. The weave shone in pure light. It glowed at the contact with the demon’s flesh.

  ‘Don’t let her go!’ Envy shouted and gripped Si’s shoulders with its bony fingers.

  Si laughed a little. ‘I don’t know your name.’ he said as she made to leave.

  Deceit gave one last pulse of might. ‘Lie!’ it screeched.

  ‘Ebonee,’ Eliora replied without a second thought.

  Deceit saw Si shudder. Envy was squeezing his neck. ‘She thinks you can be pushed aside by her Egyptian name. The queen gave her that name. You should force her to tell you who she is. You should go with her.’ It then paused as it watched Deceit. ‘Get yourself in order, you idiot! What is the matter with you?’

  Deceit was wriggling so much that the cat was struggling in Eliora’s arms.

  ‘Do you know your way from here to your quarters?’ she asked Si, gripping the cat harder.

  Deceit could feel the burning through its hide. It twisted away from her, trying to break the contact. As it shifted, bolts of light shot across the space in strong cyan sparks. The air crackled.

  A moment later and the heat arced from Eliora in an effortless surge towards the reptilian Envy too. The beast choked on the searing pain, squirmed, and hid behind Si’s back.

  ‘I’ll find my way.’ Si smiled. ‘Hope to see you again, Ebonee.’

  ‘No!’ Envy gurgled as his voice extinguished. Its grip weakened and it fell heavily to the floor landing unceremoniously on its back.

  Eliora barely gave Si a glance. ‘I don’t think that is likely. I spend all my time with the cats.’

  ‘Stop her. Go with her,’ Envy babbled weakly. ‘Don’t let her leave.’ It squeaked as it reached out its fingers towards Si.

  ‘They’re not that bad,’ he encouraged trying to engage her in conversation further.

  She smiled bitterly. ‘You don’t have to spend all day with them!’

  The burning increased, the glowing grew, the silver fibres began to thicken. The arcs multiplied. Soon the area was ablaze in the cyan light.

  Deceit opened its mouth to scream only to inhale a jet of cyan light.

  Eliora turned away, tossing her slightly kinked hair and marched her way back to the cat room with the squirming cat in her arms.

  Si, slightly taken aback by the dismissal, began to stroll away. He rubbed his shoulders and frowned.

  Envy crawled back to Si and grabbed hold of him. Its bony hands grasping at his legs and then waist, before regaining the position on his shoulders once more.

  Deceit, now deserted and surrounded by the scorching threads and sweeping erratic light, burst from the cat and swooped away from her, its skin sizzling.

  ‘Get back in there!’ Envy commanded weakly.

  ‘Are you commanding me or this human?’

  ‘Both!’ Envy tried to shout but only a hoarse whisper came from his open wide mouth.

  Deceit hissed. ‘It’s not up to me, is it? After all, you were the one who claimed to be more powerful.’

  Envy could feel the burning sensation fading but not enough to convince Si to turn around.

  ‘We will be back young Eli…’ Envy screamed, its throat boiling. ‘Elio…argh!’ It grimaced. ‘Why can’t I use her name?’ Envy gripped Si’s head. ‘Ebonee.’ Envy spat, rubbing the scorch marks on its scales. ‘There is no doubt about that.’

  Deceit started to examine the blisters already forming. ‘If you want to get close to her, you are welcome to her. She is one dangerous human.’

  I stand my guard with my wings blocking access to her. They will not cross this threshold. They might be able to take Ebonee, but they will never destroy Eliora. Bright, golden light flashes around me, and silver threads stream through the air. I double the protection that I am commissioned to provide. It will be unceasing.

  Katy Hollway is a supernatural fantasy and dystopian writer for young adults. She currently has two series available: The Remnant Chronicles and The Compassion Series. She writes from her home on Bedford, England aided by her tail-wagging, furry writing companion.

  Find out more at katyhollway.com.

  26

  The Hellcat Chronicle: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood

  By Sonia Rao

  Little Red Riding Hood aka Red from Catsborough bravely takes on the world of wolves and grandmothers where nothing is what it seems to be.

  Her name was Ginger but everyone in Catsborough called her Red.

  It began when her grandmother gifted her a red, hooded cloak on her first birthday. And then a new one on every birthday. It became a ritual of sorts.

  “See what I’ve got you,” said Grandma, handing over the gift even as she smoothed her hand along Ginger’s back, making the golden fur shine even brighter.

  Wearing the gorgeous, thick red-colored cloak with the hood, Ginger batted her long eyelashes and sashayed in front of the mirror, posing this way and that to get a good look from all angles.

  “Look at you, my Little Red Riding Hood,” Grandma purred, with a smile.

  Her friends began calling her Red because she wore her red cloak every time she went out. They loved her but that love was tinged with envy for the scarlet against her skin brought out the roses in her cheeks and the storm in her upward slanting, almond-shaped, green eyes.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Ginger, turning to look at Grandma and then almost shuddering. There was a smile on Grandma’s lips but it did not quite reach her eyes. Shush, I am sure I’m imagining things, Ginger thought, tamping down this thought as she’d done the first time she’d met her grandmother.

  “Why does Grandma have such cold eyes?” she asked her mother one day when she was busy cooking all the delicacies that they would be taking to Grandma on their weekly visit.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” said Mother, her hands dipped in flour as she made the mix for grandmother’s most favorite of all foods - catnip cookies.

  Mother and daughter looked completely different. Mother was dark while Red took after her father. He had been a handsome red cat: the honey that attracted all the female cats, like a moth to the flame.

  Her mother was one of them. But the difference was that her father was attracted back. He wasn’t just a looker, he had also been a great cook. As fond as he was of cooking, he was equally passionate about replicating the dishes he saw on Masterchef Catsdom.

  Hidden deep inside Red’s memories were those sweet moments when he would place her on the high chair in the kitchen and begin cooking fish kebabs. He would keep the first kebab aside and break it into pieces. As they cooled slightly, he would feed them to her. The kebab would melt inside her mouth in an explosion of tastes and textures taking her to catulinary heaven. Thinking back, Red was sure her own skill and love for cooking originated from there.

  But the relationship between her parents was as combustible as oil on fire. When the attraction ended, the drinking and the beatings began. He bit and scratched and punched her mother hard and banged her head against the wall as if wanting to exorcise the devils inside him. Perhaps he was a tormented soul but her
mother bore the scars of the pain.

  Unfortunately, Mother was not the only one who suffered.

  As young as Ginger was, every punch that landed on her mother’s face or body, was felt by her, too, on her soul. She cried into her pillow, scared and angry at the violence and promised herself she would never let it happen to her.

  Even after so many years, the grown-up Red’s thoughts often went back to that day when the beating had gone beyond the level that her ever-patient and ever-forgiving mother could bear. Her father, drunk to the gills, had looked in the young Ginger’s direction and his eyes had narrowed. Mother mewed in desperation. But he ignored her and took a step towards Ginger. A cold anger consumed Mother like it never had before. She picked up the wooden rolling pin and in one swing, she had him out cold on the kitchen floor. Was he dead or just passed out? To make sure, Mother knelt down and passed a hand under his nose. He was still breathing. They had no time to lose.

  In the dead of night, mother and daughter slunk out of the house. They would be far away before her father awoke from the thwack on his head. That was the last Ginger ever saw of him.

  Ginger and her mother hid out in the woods. Mother gathered the fallen pieces of timber, branches, and dried leaves and fashioned them into a shack. On the first night, the wolves had made themselves known. They encircled their makeshift house, howling all night.

  “This is just temporary. Tomorrow, I’ll go out and look for a job and a place to stay,” she said, soothing Ginger as the little one clung to her, shudders rocking her tiny body.

  The next morning, before leaving, Mother warned her, pointing to the wild animals that peeked out at them from behind the trees, “The wolves are wild, the wolves are wicked, the wolves are waiting to have you for their supper. Keep the door shut and remain inside. Don’t open the door for anyone else except me.”

  Paralyzed with fear, Ginger sat as still as a statue the entire time her mother was away. She only relaxed a bit when she returned.