Heartfelt

by Lynn Crandall

  “Here we go,” Glen yelled, leading the others to confrontations.

  She lost sight of them in the fracas, so she stepped away to remove her clothes and shimmer. Power and confidence shot through as she took on her were-lynx form. The anger that had cowered in the corner of her mind, disguised as fear, pushed hot fury through her limbs.

  She glided across the ground on all fours, and leaped on the back of a warrior were-lynx that was clawing and growling at Jackson. Her claws extended, she ripped into his throat. He howled in pain, ear-splitting agony pouring from his mouth as blood spurted from his neck. She’d gotten his jugular. He’d be dead soon and it didn’t make her sick.

  Jackson kicked him off, just in time to shove off another monster. The monster of a man snarled and shouted while Jackson raised his gun. The man’s distorted facial features knotted in rage and tackled Jackson, pinning his arms to the ground.

  The man’s deep voice bellowed, “I’m going to tear you apart.”

  Asia yowled, the sound of it echoed across the preserve. Without hesitation she sprinted to the huge, muscular man and pulled him off Jackson. She faced the monster head on, growling and hissing. He lunged for her, but she smacked him aside with her large paws, her claws slashing across his chest, digging in deeply.

  The man fell to his side, screaming in pain. Jackson delivered relief on the speed of a bullet. She nodded at Jackson, but there wasn’t time to do anything further.

  Booker caught her attention at the same time Jackson saw him. Jackson closed the gap between Booker and the warrior lynx who was trying to rip off his head. Three gunshots later, the warrior lay dead on the ground.

  Like a multi-headed dragon, the swarm of the warriors, both human and were-lynx, kept surging. Asia growled, angry at this indecent assault.

  She scanned the area, searching for Conrad. It didn’t take long to spot him. His golden fur grabbed her gaze and held it. All around her colony cats, friends, and people who’d been captured and held for slaughter fought the enemy. But her eyes were only for Conrad.

  She headed in his direction, but got waylaid by a hard punch to her side. She turned to face the ferocious warrior lynx who’d blindsided her. He wrapped his gigantic paw-hand around her neck and lifted her off her feet. She growled and thrashed and kicked at him. His half-human, half-animal face contorted into an evil grin. She slashed at his face. He stopped grinning. He drew back his other hand and made to stab his claws into her gut, but suddenly he was knocked to the ground, releasing her.

  She landed on the ground and saw Conrad take a large bite out of the warrior’s neck. Without a second’s hesitation Conrad turned to Asia and chuffed. With dust and fighting converging around her, her heart warmed. She chuffed back.

  Grabbed from behind by one of the fighting men, Conrad growled loudly. He head-butted the man, and leaped away when the man lost his grip. A blur of white fur dotted in dark spots tackled the man’s legs, yanking them out from underneath him. Kennedy. She tossed a chuff in Asia’s direction, then ran to Asher.

  In human form, not his were-bobcat form, he lay unconscious on the ground. This was not good. The colony members’ strengths were key in any conflict. Asher’s nudging would give the colony a huge edge in the fight.

  She stood for a moment watching Kennedy fend off warriors left and right, with help from Shaun and Tizzy. Russet fur caught her attention from the corner of her eye and she turned to see Quinn atop a man. He growled loudly inches from the man’s face, then he slashed his claws through the man’s chest.

  She didn’t know whether to add her help to Kennedy’s efforts or help Lacey, who presently was roundhouse kicking a large man. Before she could decide, Lacey dropped the man with a solid kick to his groin. Even big insanely angry men are susceptible to that kind of damage, Asia laughed to herself.

  She’d accounted for everyone but Lara, who had taken Casey home. Every one of their friends and colony members was engaged in the fight.

  Suddenly, as if in slow motion, a large man shimmered behind Kennedy. An oversized were-lynx, the man wore an impassive expression. Asia’s skin prickled, and she yelled out their names. “Kennedy, Shaun, Tizzy! Look out!”

  The were-lynx stared forward, his eyes penetrating hers. Then he grabbed Shaun by the neck and with his other paw, sliced open her chest and tossed her to the ground.

  His eyes still on her, the man reached for Tizzy, but she and Kennedy leaped out of his reach.

  The moment froze in her mind. Anger and sorrow fused into one loud growl. She couldn’t get to him fast enough, but what about Booker? Shouldn’t she find him?

  The decision was made without her participation. Booker leapt through the air, twice, and landed beside Shaun. His face melted into pain. He bent over her blood-soaked remains and kissed her face. Asia had seen it happen. Had anyone else seen the warrior lynx steal the life from Shaun, Booker’s love?

  Booker stood and scanned the area. Had he seen the killer? she wondered. The killer stood just feet away from Booker. Rage fired her muscles and Asia darted through the remaining fighting to get to the killer before he grabbed Booker.

  Her gaze swept the spot where the brown and white were-lynx had stood. His color and markings were typical, but one thing had stood out to her. The tip of one ear, his right ear, was gone. It would stand out among the other warrior lynxes.

  Suddenly a loud, menacing voice pierced her mind. Gravelly and deep, the male voice took over her senses. She grabbed her head in pain. Little girl, you can’t escape me.

  Just as suddenly as the voice had overpowered her, it left. Who could the man be, she wondered. Was it the killer’s thoughts she’d heard? And why had he called her little girl?

  She shook her head to clear her mind, and turned in circles, looking for Shaun’s killer.

  He wasn’t there. She hadn’t seen him shimmer, so he’d probably crept away under the cover of all the chaos. But she’d never forget his face or his scarred ear.

  My God, Shaun is dead.

  Booker dropped to his knees, sobbing into his hands. Lacey and Kennedy held him, holding him upright as his grief took him over. Amidst the noise and chaos, his sobs tore at Asia’s heart.

  She stepped into the bushes, shimmered, and dressed. Her mind was set, she would find the bastard who killed Shaun and bring him to the colony for justice.

  Two steps out of the bushes and a hand slapped over her mouth. “Don’t struggle.”

  It was the voice of the menacing thoughts in her head. Asia kicked him hard in his shin, then tried to reach his eyes.

  He dragged her away toward the forest. “I said, don’t struggle or you’ll never see Conrad again.”

  She’d never forget the voice and now she had his scent. The man holding her was the killer. Before she knew it, he’d pulled her farther into the forest. She didn’t struggle, but she checked the air for Conrad’s scent. Fear scrabbled inside. She needed to know. Was he already dead?

  Then she got a whiff of his wonderful, spicy scent. He was close. She tried to crane her neck to look around, but the man put more pressure on her head.

  When he stopped, she saw Conrad. “I’m going to release you. If you scream, I’ll break your neck.”

  The sight of Conrad sitting on the ground, a warrior-lynx guarding him, shivered through her. Danger was everywhere, but Conrad was alive and he was near. The man shoved her away and she landed on the ground. Quickly she scrambled toward Conrad.

  The man crouched in front of her tried to stop her. “So, you’re Asia. You’re beautiful.”

  She lunged toward him, ready to scratch out his eyes. He grabbed her arms and shoved her back to the ground.

  “Who are you? How do you know our names, you bastard?” He had dark hair, brown eyes, and a face. It didn’t mean anything to her.

  Calmly, he sat back on the ground, grimacing at her. “You’re spunky, too. That makes me proud.”

  That stopped her. “Proud of me? Who are you?” she screamed. He had no right to talk
like this.

  “My name is Marcus.”

  Conrad spoke up. “Marcus what?”

  “Just Marcus.”

  Asia chuckled, mocking him. “Sort of like, just Cher? Who are you?”

  “I’m your father, Asia.”

  She couldn’t stop herself. She slapped him hard across his rugged face. She hit hard enough that his shoulder length black hair ruffled as he tried to dodge her hand. “Stop it. I don’t have a father. Never had one. What do you want from me?”

  “You’re right. I was never around. I left your mother for reasons I’ll not go into right now. But you can’t escape me. You can’t escape from the truth.” He slanted his head and smirked.

  Her anger boiled. “You better watch out. Can’t escape you? Just watch me. This today is just a taste of what you’re up against. I don’t care who you claim to be, I wouldn’t blink an eye if I had a chance to kill you right now.”

  Marcus chuckled. His arrogance grated on her nerves. “Is that any way to talk to your father?” His eyes glistened, daring her to put action behind her threat. “I’ve got to go now. But we’ll be seeing each other again.”

  Asia stared at him. “Oh, I know. I’ll find out what your involvement is in The Nexus Group and I’ll come after you.”

  “Hmmph. That’s my girl.” Marcus motioned to the other warrior lynx and together they sprinted into the trees.

  She gripped Conrad’s arms. “We have to go after them.”

  “No, no we don’t. This isn’t the time. The fighting is stopping. We need to focus on the needs of the colony and get to safety.” His voice was firm, convincing.

  What was happening around her penetrated her traumatized heart. The warriors, men and were-lynxes, stopped fighting and sat on the ground, their faces placid. She searched for Asher. This fighting stoppage must be his doing, she reasoned. His arm leaned on Kennedy’s shoulder as he stood among the colony members and the homeless people, his attention in high focus on his nudging.

  Conrad ran to Asia, who stood amongst the beasts, surveying the dead and dying. The others shimmered and gathered with Sterling and Lacey and Jackson, as well as the volunteers. Asher and Kennedy remained with the nudged lynxes and men, all still in his trance. From bloodied bites to raw, open skin, every one of her friends bore signs of the fight. Still, they had survived.

  But not Shaun.

  Asher didn’t have to hold the man-beasts and warrior lynxes for long. Two military trucks drove onto the preserve and a large team of soldiers climbed out. One soldier barked orders and the others went to work sedating each warrior with tranquillizer guns.

  Asia quickly marched up to the soldier who appeared to be in charge. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

  The man crossed his arms over his chest and eyeballed her. “I am Sergeant Martin Taylor. I could ask you the same questions.”

  Asia just stared at the man. He looked legitimately military, and that could be trouble.

  Ben stepped up, glaring at the man. “You haven’t answered the second question. What are you doing here, sergeant?”

  Taylor surveyed the scene. “It’s classified. But I will tell you I’m with Special Forces charged with investigating TNG.”

  Asia’s stomach lurched. Government involvement was no less dangerous than the police. “You’ve been aware of the activities on this preserve?” Anger burned under her skin. She’d made an accusation, not asked a question, but he answered anyway.

  “The task force was put together months ago when certain activities occurred.”

  “What certain activities?” Ben asked.

  “Like I said, it’s classified.” Taylor shot them a smirk.

  “You can’t tell us anything you know?” Frustration burned through Asia.

  You’d be surprised to know how much I know, little kitty.

  Her brain froze. Taylor’s thought felt threatening, sinister. His thoughts had gotten through easily and it troubled her. Not because she’d been open to his mind, but because she feared the implications of his presence.

  “You better get your people out of here,” Taylor said. “We’re going to round up all personnel and interrogate them. We’re closing the preserve and the Phoenix building for now.”

  “Let’s go, Asia.” Ben pulled at her arm and they backed away until Taylor gave them one last chuckle and strode to his vehicle.

  While the colony cats and volunteers watched, the soldiers loaded all the warriors into military trucks and drove away.

  After a thorough search of the grounds, Ben reported that no TNG workers could be found.

  “So The Nexus Group and Phoenix Biosciences people are gone and now we have military involvement,” Ben said. “We need to look into that. I don’t trust Taylor or his story.”

  The colony and friends stood on the grounds near the hunting lodge, measuring their losses and injuries. Lacey cradled Booker in her arms. His face slack, he absently traced a pattern in the dirt with a stick.

  “We need to get him home,” Sterling whispered to Asia. “He’s very close to being in shock.”

  Casey put in a call to a cab company, requesting a van for the homeless people. When the van arrived Casey gave instructions to take them to the community shelter in Laurelwood and the colony cats watched them climb into the van.

  Glen stopped before entering the vehicle, and walked the few steps to where Conrad and Asia stood.

  “Thank you for saving my life.” His eyes teared up.

  “You’re welcome,” Asia said. “But you more than paid us back. You helped save us and our friends.”

  Conrad reached out his hand to shake Glen’s. “Thanks, man. You really helped us out.” Conrad rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You’ve witnessed something few are aware exists.”

  “You mean your true identities?” He waved Conrad off. “I didn’t see anything but humans and animals.” He winked, then climbed in the car and the group left.

  Asia stood beside Conrad, feeling close but far apart.

  Chapter Sixteen

  At dawn, Asia, dressed in sleep shorts and her cami, stepped outside her back door feeling bruised and cut inside and out. She was surprised to see the brilliant colors in the sky. Birds and squirrels were busy searching for food. The breeze was gentle, but crisp enough to raise goosebumps on her arms. Life was going on.

  She, on the other hand, did not know how to go on.

  The things she’d learned yesterday sent quakes trembling through her still. The fingers of TNG and Phoenix Biosciences had already reached places and done things she would never have imagined anyone would do.

  In the space of less than a week, the colony had temporarily lost its leader and Casey had come close to being forever changed. She’d found her mother, but her mother was drugged and unconscious. She’d learned she had a father, but he was a killer involved with TNG.

  And Shaun had been killed. Tears trickled down her cheeks and she didn’t bother to wipe them away.

  How could she, how could any of them—in particular, Booker—go on?

  After the huge fight yesterday, they’d all gathered at Casey’s house. In her mind’s eye she saw images of each were-cat and each human, bloodied and bruised and cut. Exhausted, they’d each allowed Lara to offer her healing touch for their wounds. With Lara’s help and their own physiology, the physical wounds would heal quickly. The emotional wounds were another matter.

  The door behind her opened and she knew without looking that Conrad was joining her. He’d brought her home last night. They’d showered and gone to bed early, each exhausted from the turmoil.

  “You’re up early. Are you starting to make a habit of it?” His voice was raspy from sleep, but its smooth baritone wrapped around her, warming the numbness.

  She turned to him and he startled. “You’ve been crying.”

  “I’m stuck, Conrad. I look around and see that everything looks the same. Where is the pause that acknowledges our loss? How do I go on living when Shaun is dead and eve
rything is changing?”

  He pulled her close. “I know. It’s too much.”

  “My insides are screaming. It’s a nightmare that keeps replaying. I know life is always changing but the changes we have knowledge of are not good. They are exactly what TNG have planned for the world. And we can’t stop them. You were right. Humans are dangerous. They can’t be trusted.”

  “Oh, Asia.” Conrad pulled her down to the grass with him and sat her in his lap. “Yesterday was beyond terrible. I don’t know how we keep going with all the rage and sorrow we experienced yesterday. I think we have to wait to move on. You’re right. We need a pause, but the way forward will come to us when it’s time.”

  She rested her head on him, letting his words live in her. She’d dress and meet at Casey’s, then sit with the colony cats and take stock. It wasn’t natural for her to wait to see what was next. She’d always had to be prepared, just to avoid major problems, like starving and keeping her mother going. Even as an adult, her mother’s choices exerted an impact on Asia’s way of living.

  She was pulled into unpleasant situations of her mother’s doing and having to rescue her over and over again. Maybe it was time for her to let her mother live with her choices. The idea of it overwhelmed Asia. She couldn’t trust her mother to do the right thing.

  “What are you thinking about?” Conrad pulled her chin to face him, as if he could read her eyes.

  “I’m thinking about my weaknesses. I’ve tried very hard to heal from my past and be strong. I’m not, though.”

  “You are strong, Asia. You are sensitive and unsure sometimes. But you have a spine of strength despite all you’ve been through. You are fierce.”

  She climbed off his lap and sat cross-legged beside him. “Thank you.”

  “You know I’m right.” His brow knitted and he stared out into the fields behind the house. “Not to bring up a sore subject, but I think I’ve figured out why your telepathy has expanded and why it’s been so challenging.”

  Asia’s defenses instantly appeared. But she was too bone and heart weary to act them out. “Go on.”