Under the Midnight Cloak

by S. Y. Thompson

  Since pizza was on the menu, she went into the kitchen and grabbed some paper plates, utensils and napkins, and set everything up in her favorite place to eat; the breakfast nook. Then she threw together a quick salad and left it in the refrigerator. Walking back through the dining room, she noticed that her Aunt's medicine book still rested on the long, formal table and thought she might take another look at it to help pass the time. First she wanted to get a fire ready in her bedroom to help ward off the chill later and make the atmosphere more inviting in case Jamison wanted to get closer. Just as she finished she heard Jamison's truck drive in and the engine shut off. A few moments later the front door opened and closed.

  "I'm back!"

  Lee smiled at the easy familiarity. Heading back out into the entryway, she asked, "Did you bring pizza?"

  "Pepperoni, onion and mushroom."

  Jamison had her hands full. One hand held a large pizza box like a waiter with a serving tray, and in the other she carried an overnight bag. Lee took the food and nodded toward the back of the house.

  "Why don't you put that in my bedroom?"

  Jamison swallowed nervously. "Are you sure? I don't want to move too fast for you or assume anything."

  "Honey," Lee said, threading one arm around Jamison's waist, "you've slept in my room before and I think we're way past pretending. Unless it makes you uncomfortable?"

  Jamison kissed her briefly. "Not a bit."

  "Good. There's another dresser in there that's not being used. You can put your things in there if you like."

  The rooms in the manor were huge by today's standards and Aunt Chris had seemed compelled to fill them up with as much furniture as she could find. There was no way Lee could ever hope to utilize everything, but the extra chest definitely came in handy at the moment.

  "Sounds good. I'll be right back."

  "What do you want to drink, wine or soda?"

  "Soda, please," Jamison said over her shoulder.

  Dinner was simple, but satisfying and they began to talk about all that had been left out before. Lee listened raptly while Jamison explained all about the Panthera and how important the Kadin was in their society.

  "We even have our own language based on an ancient Egyptian dialect. I'm called a pieta, or leader. After Hank's death I was promoted and now I'm a probationary elder. Or at least I will be after this nightmare is over."

  "Congratulations, that's wonderful. Isn't it?"

  Jamison nodded, but said, "Dalton would disagree. His jealousy of me is just another thing that makes him so dangerous and unpredictable. I told you about his meeting with the heir to the lion pride shifters and that they're looking for Xander's brother."

  "The one you think is doing all this," Lee said. "But what we saw was definitely not a lion. What do you think is wrong with him?"

  "I'm not sure; possibly some kind of mutation or a sickness. Xander might be able to answer that question, but considering he's in cahoots with Dalton I hesitate to ask. One thing I do know is they're planning to find him this weekend and I intend to be tracking them when they do. After I have the location, I can inform the Council and have the hunting teams assist me by taking him into custody."

  "At least you're not planning on trying it by yourself, and since it's only Wednesday you have a few days before you have to worry about it," Lee said in relief. "Whatever happened to this creature, he's dangerous."

  Jamison nodded. "Lions are typically a lot stronger than jaguars, too, although I think we're a lot more cunning."

  "Not biased are you?" Lee teased.

  "Maybe a little."

  "So, can you answer another question for me?"

  "Fire away."

  "What about Benny, the raccoon? When he's around things don't seem so bad, like he has some kind of power over my emotions. Stupid, huh?"

  "No, not really. Chris used a raccoon as an icon. This guy isn't the same one, but he's definitely your counter."

  "Icon? Counter?" Lee shook her head, not understanding the terminology.

  "Think of it this way. A jaguar is a jungle cat. Their strengths are power, cunning, and speed. Like most cats, they tend to be high strung and quick to react. An icon is an animal that brings balance to the Kadin. It brings harmony in the form of calm, rationality, and gentleness. The icon allows the medicine woman to utilize all aspects of nature."

  Lee felt the truth of what Jamison said; she had experienced it firsthand. "It's a lot to take in, but I just hope he's okay. I haven't seen him in a few days and he might have been scared off when all of that happened in the woods."

  "I'm sure he'll be fine." Jamison took her hand and squeezed gently. "Forest creatures are very resilient. They have to be to survive.

  Lee responded by yawning. "I'm sorry. It's been a long day."

  "It's all right. Why don't I clean up here while you get ready for bed?"

  "Are you sure?"

  Jamison raised an eyebrow. "How hard can it be to throw away some paper plates and put the leftovers in the fridge? Seriously, you go ahead. I'll join you in a few minutes."

  "Fine, you've convinced me." Lee leaned closer and Jamison kissed her lightly. "Thank you."

  After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Lee climbed into the queen-sized bed and pulled the covers up. She left the side lamp burning and closed her eyes to relax and wait for Jami. She opened her eyes when Jamison slipped into bed beside her and shut off the light, only then realizing that she'd been dozing.

  "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep."

  Jamison settled down on her back and Lee snuggled up against her, resting her head on her chest. One arm encircled her shoulder to hold her near. It was meant to be a comforting gesture, but Lee was suddenly surrounded by Jamison's scent and her warm, strong body. Any thoughts of sleep went out the window and she swallowed nervously, her own body tense with anticipation. Her emotions had been running high for days now and the physical closeness was just short of overwhelming.

  "Lee? Is something wrong?"

  This is crazy, Lee thought. We've made love before so why does it feel like this is the first time?

  Immediately, she answered her own question. Before had been about passion, the all-consuming urge to take, conquer, and consummate. There had been little tenderness in the hurried groping that occurred on Jamison's work desk. This time, Lee wanted it to be special. She wanted to show Jamison how she felt.

  Rising slowly onto one elbow, Lee looked down at Jamison's sculpted features, surprised by how clearly she could see her in the dim lighting. Full lips were parted, breath catching in unexpected arousal. Lee slowly narrowed the distance between them and took Jamison's lower lip between hers, nipping gently at the tender flesh.

  Jamison moaned and brought both arms up to hold her, but Lee caught her and pushed her hands back against the mattress. "No. Let me love you. I just want you to lay there and feel."

  "I don't know if I have that much discipline. I need to touch you."

  "You will," Lee promised. "Later."

  She felt the moist heat of Jamison's breath before contact was made. Lips opened and tongues engaged. Hunger overcame her and Lee caressed soft lips in a kiss that was demanding, loving, full of need. Trembling fingertips stroked a soft cheek and then drifted lower, mapping soft contours concealed by the nightshirt Jamison wore. Searing heat rose up between them as Lee pressed closer, almost desperate to merge with this woman who had claimed her heart.

  The desire for more contact urged her to remove the barriers between them. Lee grasped the hem of Jamison's shirt, gratified when Jamison lifted her hips to free the garment and then partially sat up to allow Lee to dispose of it completely. She tossed it to the floor without hesitation and was riveted by the sight of the body lying beneath her. Jamison was the definition of carved muscle and womanly curves, just the balance necessary to render Lee breathless.

  "You're so beautiful."

  "Take your clothes off."

  Lee complied swiftly, b
arely glancing away as sweatshirt and bottom joined the pile on the floor. Then they were kissing again, Jamison's mouth insistent, demanding Lee's total capitulation, which she was only too willing to give. She felt Jamison tremble under the tender assault, but she kept her hands on the bed as Lee had requested, her only outlet for the growing tension was to grasp the sheets in tight fists.

  She moved away from the bruised lips, shifting lower toward the small, but firm breasts that had teased her on more than one occasion. Lee turned her face to the side and caressed the diamond hard tip with her cheek, before turning back and taking sensitive flesh between her lips.

  Jamison cried out and pushed forward into the contact, instinctively seeking more. Lee complied, taking as much of Jamison into her mouth as she could, raking her teeth across the nipple and then soothing the tiny hurt with her tongue. Her hands caressed Jamison's body, outlining the ripped abs and sliding around to cup her backside.

  Jamison moved rhythmically against her, heat and moisture bathing Lee's thigh. Her cries of pleasure encouraged Lee to take her to the next level and she slipped one hand between them, gently exploring the wellspring she discovered.

  Lee raised her head and looked down into Jamison's eyes to find the tenderness and desire she felt reflected back at her.

  "I love you," Jamison whispered.

  Lee replied by sliding inside her with a single finger, not deeply, just a slight penetration to enhance what Jamison was already feeling. Jamison's eyes closed and her head went back. She moaned loudly and Lee moved lower, wanting to taste and bring her to the edge of forever before she allowed her to experience release.

  Touching only with the tip of her tongue, Lee drew it down the length of Jamison's sex and then flicked the tip of her clitoris gently. Primal sounds of arousal and hunger issued from Jamison's throat and her head rolled from side to side. Then Lee took her, opening her mouth to fully surround and sucked swollen flesh between her lips. She slipped her arms around the powerful thighs, holding Jamison in place as she began to shake.

  Jamison's body stiffened and she arched her back, her hands finding purchase on Lee's shoulders as she cried out sharply with the intensity of her climax. When she finally began to relax and Lee could elicit nothing more than a few tremors she moved back up into Jamison's welcome embrace and kissed her deeply.

  "God, you're good at that," Jamison said once they parted.

  Lee grinned and snuggled close. "I'm so glad you approve."

  "Oh, I do, but don't think for one second that this is over. I still haven't had my turn."

  Jamison rolled Lee over onto her back and the dance began again.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  AARON DALTON WALKED down the narrow forest trail toward the cave system he remembered so well from his youth. He had been here many times over the years, but it was in those earlier times that he had come to know the tunnels so well. Late on Wednesday night and in the middle of a thunderstorm, he didn't anticipate anyone following.

  Kessler thought she was so smooth, but I smelled her all over the house. I shouldn't have told her what I was going to do to her bitch. I should have just done it. Now she's going to be up my ass until she finds out what I'm up to. But I'm not going to let it come to that.

  He was more determined than ever to take everything from the pieta that she cared about, starting with her mate. Dalton felt perfectly justified for his actions now that Jamison had almost torn his left ear off, but he needed to do it in a way that wouldn't reflect back on him with the Council. He wanted her position and that wouldn't happen if the Caber's darling daughter could point the finger of blame at him. To that end he was out in the woods, soaking wet, and searching for a murdering scumbag. He'd convinced Xander Chiesel they would wait until the weekend only so he could find his brother and set things in motion without the lion changer following his every move. If things went the way he wanted, Kessler's girlfriend and the predator would both die tonight and he would take credit for saving the community.

  Dalton neared the cave closest to Mafdet Manor. It was roughly three miles away from the house and set back some distance off the main trail, about two hundred feet. With the dense foliage no one would know it was here until they literally stumbled over it. There was no scent to lead the way this night and the moon was obscured by clouds. He had to rely on stealth and cleverness to scout the area without giving himself away if the killer was anywhere in the vicinity. The weather would keep the animal in whatever den it was hiding and that was another driving reason for Aaron to endure this misery. It was his best chance to locate the monster.

  Crouching low, he approached the mouth of the cave but the darkness was total, telling him that no one inhabited this particular entrance. However, this was just the start of a much more extensive underground system. That being the case, it would be stupid to hang out near the front. He entered the cave, grateful for the respite from the storm, and took in a slow, lungful of the earth-scented air. Immediately he was hit with the stench of death and decay. He was here, somewhere.

  "Here kitty, kitty," he said quietly before moving forward on the balls of his feet.

  Aaron wanted to shift into his more powerful form, but there was a logical reason that prevented him. He wouldn't be able to speak as a jaguar, and animal communication lost something in the translation. There was just no nuance and he felt very strongly that he would have to get this beast's attention quickly if he wanted to survive.

  He leaned into the blackness of the main tunnel and had taken only two steps when a furious roar pounded through the shadows toward him. Aaron reared back, his eyes widening with the knowledge that he couldn't see his adversary and had seconds before the creature tore his throat out.

  "Xander sent me!"

  The words barely left his mouth when heavy paws struck his chest and flung him backward onto the dirt floor. Aaron closed his eyes as teeth snapped millimeters from his face, but the creature halted as though flash-frozen.

  Slowly, Dalton opened his eyes and flinched in horror. The animal looked even more horrific than it had that night the sheep had been slaughtered. Where before he was oddly misshapen for a lion, Bruce now bore absolutely no resemblance to that noble creature. The eyes were a solid sheet of silver, but those strange orbs had started to emit their own light.

  Phosphorescence?

  The teeth were no longer fangs, but had grown into huge tusks, thrusting upward from the lower jaw to curve up along the sides of his head. His tongue was forked like a snake and kept lashing out to taste the air.

  "Xander?" Aaron heard in his mind.

  "Yes, your brother. He sent me to find you. Don't you remember me? I'm Aaron. We were friends in school." Dalton was reaching. They had never been friends, but he was counting on the creature's mind to be as warped as his body.

  "Friend?"

  "That's right. I'm here to help you."

  "Can't help, need Kadin. Need magic to fix."

  Was that why he was at Mafdet? Aaron wondered. He actually thought someone could make him the way he used to be?

  This was just too good to be true. Dalton almost laughed out loud, but held back at the last second. He didn't want this thing thinking he was making fun of it. He had to appear supportive while he manipulated Bruce into helping him with his own plans.

  "There's a new medicine woman, better than the old one. She might be able to help fix you. We could go get her and bring her back here to help."

  The carnivore growled and drool dripped from the corner of his mouth, soaking the front of Aaron's shirt. He grimaced in distaste, wanting to shove this disgusting beast away, but he couldn't take the chance. Already he could tell Bruce was growing angry.

  "Old woman not help. Tell me to get out."

  "Uh, yeah. Okay. I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm sure this new one won't be like that. Would you like to go see her now?"

  "Yes." Bruce leaped away from Aaron, his fixed claws tearing easily through the cotton shirt. "Go now.
Make her heal."

  Dalton stood up and brushed the dirt from the seat of his pants. He wasn't happy with the condition of his shirt and carefully hid his frown. Why did everyone keep ripping up his clothing?

  He checked his watch to find it was closing in on one in the morning. Perfect. The Grayson woman and Kessler should both be asleep and they could break into the house. They would have to create a diversion to separate the women so they could grab the Kadin.

  "All right. We go now, but we have to bring the medicine woman here to perform the ritual."

  "Why? Do there. Faster."

  Thinking on his feet, Aaron replied. "It has to be done here so she can tap into nature. Not a lot of that inside a dusty old house, you know."

  It was a lame excuse, but the only thing he could come up with on short notice. Dalton had to get the woman alone, where Kessler had less of a chance of finding her. He also needed the kill to be done in the caves so he could say he discovered them while out on patrol and saved the day. No one would believe he stumbled into Mafdet Manor, especially with Jamison already on the premises and a witness to the contrary.

  In the end, Bruce agreed but Dalton had one more stipulation. "You need to change back to human form. She might not come willingly and I'll need your help."

  Not arguing the point, the beast sat up on his haunches like a squirrel and his body rippled like heat radiating off asphalt on a summer day. He took on a vaguely human form, the pelt receding into his body as the fangs shortened and the tail disappeared, but he couldn't seem to make the complete transition. Bruce was left with long, stationary claws and the silver eyes. His hair was shaggy, closer to the monster he had mutated into than the man he had once been.

  "I guess that's close enough. Do you have any clothes?"

  "Get pants," Bruce telegraphed, and drifted farther into the darkness.