Felidae

by Ciarra Sims

  Taos and Meg seemed to have no inclination to leave the doorway. Tabitha was stuck. She was going to witness Brenton’s death if she didn’t do something!

  Brenton tried another tactic to draw the crowd from the doorway. “Come on Meg, how about a kiss for old time’s sake? A last request of a dying man?”

  “Fuck you!” Meg spat.

  Taos Lister shifted his weight. He was an olive-skinned man, with slicked back hair and black snapping eyes, hard eyes that could kill without conscience. Tabitha saw them plainly from her position. Taos’s deep voice belched out, “Now that might be something I would enjoy. Watching you and Meg getting it on. A sort of going-away present from you, Calder. I always liked Meg in those skin flicks she used to be in.” Taos fondled himself through the dark wrinkled slacks he wore. “Never mind. I’m turned on just thinking about it. My dick is hard. Meggie, do your thing and suck me off. Killing always did make me horny.”

  “Now?” Meggie shrieked. “With him watching?”

  “Yeah, now. Unless you want to join him and die together. Suck. Now!” he ordered.

  Tabitha heard a zip noise then the sound of slurping. She wondered what Brenton thought watching his ex-girlfriend giving head to a two-bit hood who was going to kill him, unless Tabitha did something.

  Taos began making grunting noises and moaned, “That’s it Meg. Take it all in. Yeah baby, yeah.” The sound of choking became apparent, as he must have shot his load down Meg’s throat.

  Tabitha knew the time was now or never. She transformed, sinking down with a slight thump.

  Taos pivoted as she came out from behind the door, his flaccid dick flopping out of Meg’s mouth. “What the…? It’s a cat, a damned cat.” The gun never wavered from Brenton as Taos turned back towards him. Brenton had no chance to do anything. It was all up to Tabitha as she crouched and sprang at the back of Meg’s head. The blonde woman was still on her knees when Tabitha caught a hold of the teased hair and sank her claws in.

  Meg screamed and jumped up, bumping into Taos in her panic. “It’s attacking me! Get it off, get it off!” she screeched. Taos fumbled for the gun and tried to cover both the cat and Brenton, but Meg in her blind panic was running in circles, making it impossible to draw a bead on the cat, and worse, she was blocking his line of fire to Brenton.

  Brenton wasted no time in launching himself across the room straight at Taos. He shoved Meg and her furry attacker, still attached, out the door and tackled Taos all in a matter of seconds.

  Tabitha’s last sight was of Brenton pummeling Taos with his fists to the floor triumphantly. Just at that moment Meg ran for the stairs and caught her heel on the top step. Both she and Tabitha tumbled down the flight to the landing.

  Meg was out cold as Tabitha jumped off the prostrate woman’s head and bounded back up the stairs. Brenton was sidetracked with securing his prisoner as Tabitha slipped behind the door and transformed. She quickly pulled on her clothes, and stepped into her shoes. She stepped out from her hiding place.

  Brenton looked up at her in bewilderment. “Did you see that cat? It was the strangest thing, it just jumped on Meg’s head and…well damn, I’ve never seen anything like it! Come on we have to get Meg under wraps before the Feds get here.”

  “She fell down the stairs. She’s not going anywhere.”

  “How do you know that? You were behind the door.”

  “I…uh, heard her fall.” Tabitha prevaricated. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear her.”

  “In case you didn’t notice I was preoccupied with this problem in a cheap suit.”

  “Yeah, nice job. I didn’t know you knew karate.”

  “It’s part of my training. I owe that cat a big debt. I wonder if I can find it and take it back to the hotel?”

  Tabitha shrugged and caught her breath. It was now or never. “You can if you love me.”

  “What? Of course I love you. If I didn’t I’d have strangled you with that stunt you pulled. Potion, my ass. When I get you back to the hotel I’m going to show you what I can really do in bed. That love potion has nothing on my natural abilities. You have anything to say to that?”

  Tabitha uttered one loud word that came out more as a sound. “Meow.” Then she transformed.

  “Holy shit!” Brenton’s blue eyes were huge as he watched the burgundy tabby cat change back into Tabitha.

  “Welcome to my world, Brenton.” Tabitha watched him, trying to gauge his reaction. “Now do you have anything to say to that?”

  Brenton gave her that sexy half-smile. “Yeah, I think I’m gonna love being a cat person.”

  Epilogue

  Tabitha snuggled deep into the warm comfy blankets of Brenton’s bed. She stretched languorously. A deep voice next to her muttered sleepily. “Ready for round two?”

  “Hmmm. In a minute. So none of this is the real Brenton Calder? The hotel, the fancy clothes?”

  “You didn’t really think I was such a clothes god, did you?” Brenton chuckled. “It’s all part of my cover.”

  “You played the part well.” She rose on her elbow and traced a fingertip down his chest.

  “I still will, Tabitha. It’s part of who I have become. Can you accept that?”

  “Oh, yeah, but how will I know what is the real Brenton Calder and what is cover?” Tabitha questioned.

  “Your hand is about two inches from a very real part of Brenton Calder. Besides, with your wacky family, I’d say we’re about even on the cover-up scale. Unless you have any more secrets, you’d like to share?”

  Tabitha grinned and cupped his cock in her hand, rubbing up and down. “Nope. I think that about covers it. Now I just want to become better acquainted with every square inch of you.”

  Brenton’s arms lifted her on top of him. “Hmm, I can’t wait.”

  Tabitha shivered as he sheathed himself deep inside her. They fit together like a glove. Brenton was everything she wanted in a mate and more. And she, well…if he had any problems with her species, he’d worked them out because he confided he loved the wee hours of the night, hearing Tabitha purring contentedly beside him.

  But for now it was just she and Brenton melding into one. Touching and tasting, feeling every nuance of each other. Life was purrfect. Just as she plummeted over the edge of orgasm a fleeting thought went through Tabitha’s mind. I wonder how Brenton feels about kittens?

  * * * * *

  Seline stared out the diamond-paned window of the Victorian Hill mansion. The full moon was rising, signaling the coven would soon meet. The air was chilly where it insinuated itself against the glass and found entrance through unsealed cracks in the molding. Even so, Seline rested her cheek against the cold pane, wishing she could go out just once and witness the coven’s secret activities.

  Heck, she just wanted to get out! It didn’t matter where, just someplace outside, away from Gram’s ever-watchful eyes. Oh, Seline loved her Gram, there was no doubt on that score. But she was young and restless, and wanted to experience what her sister experienced. Oh, not the luckless Felicia and her alley exploit that resulted in an unplanned nephew, but Tabitha’s seat-of-the-pants choices, doing what she wanted, when she wanted. And that hunky Brenton! Seline sighed in undisguised envy. To experience that sex thing that Tabitha and Brenton had engaged in right before Seline’s very own eyes. Wow! She grew hot from the inside out, just remembering the raw, passionate sight.

  Seline leaned forward, bumping her forehead on the glazed pane. It rattled in the casing. This old house was getting positively ramshackle, Seline growled, then realized her thoughts. Even her words were old-fashioned. She had to get a life, live a little before it was too late. She groaned dramatically.

  A deep voice behind her purred, “Why so glum, sis?”

  Seline spun around. A pair of golden-green eyes glittered like sparkling jewels in the darkness. “Tom! What are you doing here?”

  “Can’t a brother visit his little sister?”

  Seline narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, “On a f
ull moon? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Why do you ask?”

  Seline knew Tom’s proclivity for getting himself into scrapes, but something about his demeanor tonight was different, almost humble. “Oh, my Goddess! What did you do, Thomas?”

  “I?” he chuckled. “Sure, I come to visit out of the goodness of my heart and you accuse me of ulterior motives. I’m hurt, sis…deeply wounded.”

  He stepped closer and Seline admired his sleek, good looks, so like her own, only lighter in hair color, like the rich shade of a Burmese cat’s luxurious coat. He virtually radiated strength and vitality, and Seline envied his being born a male and able to wander at will. “How did you get here? Did you prowl?”

  “Seline, relax. I’m a good boy and drove. See, fully dressed.” He turned in an exaggerated pivot. He wore his dark jeans and sage-colored crew pullover effortlessly.

  He knew he looked good and didn’t care. Seline paid him no mind. He kept a sizeable wardrobe in one of the mansion’s spare bedroom’s closet and came and went as he saw fit. “So, why are you here, Tom?”

  “For you, dear sweet, innocent Seline.”

  “Me? You know the rules, Tom. I can’t go anywhere, or do anything on the night of the full moon. But someday…”

  “Someday is now.” Tom laughed heartily. “Rules were made to be broken. Come on, sis. Let’s go dance by the light of the silvery moon, drink champagne and laugh the night away in careless abandon.”

  “Tom! Don’t joke with me. I sorely feel the trials of following in Gram’s footsteps on these nights, and here you are teasing me. You’re cruel.”

  “I’m serious. Now put on something whimsical and naughty and let’s go. Gram won’t be back ‘til the wee hours and we’ll beat her back in plenty of time.”

  Seline’s eyes brightened at the prospect before she quenched the glimmer as reality set in. “You know I’ll diminish the power, Gram has trained me for inheriting.”

  Tom laughed loudly. “We’re going out dancing, not getting laid. Jeez, sis, what kind of reprobate do you think I am?”

  “I’ve heard…”

  “Well, you can’t believe everything you hear and besides, I wouldn’t take you carousing with me, just a little wining and dining. But if you don’t want to, just stay here in your crumbling ivory castle and pout.”

  Seline took all of fifteen seconds to decide. She spun on her heels and leapt nimbly into the air. “I wanna all

  right! I have years of living to crowd into this one night. Let me just grab some clothes. I think Tabitha left a few of her fun things here. Then lead on big brother, lead on!”

  Tom looked startled at her sudden capitulation and had a moment of misgivings at her vehement declaration. What had he let himself in for?

  * * * * *

  Underneath the house from within deep chambers, leading hither and thither, there came a resonant rumbling and a keening sigh. It sounded as if the old house were settling for eternity. Above the creaking came a noise, like a whisper, escalating in pitch and unrest. It rose into a crescendo and filled the house, causing it to shiver in its foundation. The ancient ones knew their culture was fast approaching a crossroads where choices would have to be made. Choices that would change the world and either destroy their kind or allow them to evolve. The prophecy of Taharqa would not be denied.

  About the author:

  Ciarra Sims is a native of southern Cal. where she lives with her dogs, cats, and horses. She enjoys writing gothic horror, Regencies, westerns and contemporaries; but is game to try any new genre, whenever the notion pops into her head. She believes a person is only limited by their imagination and prides herself in following the beat of a different drummer.

  Ciarra welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787.

  Also by Ciarra Sims:

  The Phallus from Dallas

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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