by Johanna Rae
Chapter 26
Matt arrived at ten with Jodie’s laptop and some work to get on with. He seemed most understanding about the situation as they chatted, assuring Jodie that her job would not be in danger, to take as long as she needed to adjust to being Therian. They would keep in touch via email and phone as they had done when she’d first come home from the hospital. Jodie set herself up in the office with Doug, going on to have a very productive morning.
Lancaster came and went. He’d been looking for Mark who had since departed in the direction of the supermarket. Danny popped his head in a couple of times to check on her and Rufus heated some soup for lunch. Things were functioning with such a degree of normalcy that it became easy to forget the underlying concerns surrounding them.
Penny phoned to see how Jodie had been doing, wasting no time in asking if Jodie had moved in with Danny. Promising that she had not, Jodie tried to shrug away the guilt, feeling as bad as if she’d lied outright. Grasping for something real to share with her mother, Jodie ended up coming clean about the situation with Zach. Yes I’m weak, I took the easy way out. Jodie’s shoulders sagged as she blamed everything on poor Zach, telling Penny that she would go home as soon as things stopped being awkward.
The explanation seemed to satisfy Penny and she accepted it so well that she launched right into a lecture, scolding Jodie for talking Luke into getting Grace and Rose a cat. Apparently ‘Tiger’ seemed to be a ‘darling’ animal but insisted on claiming the best armchair in the living room, he wouldn’t sleep outside at night and refused to eat regular cat food. Luke had suggested they feed him table scraps and raw meat, which Penny saw as extravagant and unnecessary. Jodie chuckled at that one.
In the late afternoon she decided that she would call Zach. Even though she’d used him as a scapegoat Jodie hadn’t meant to avoid him, she wanted to talk to him and sort it all out. The relief in his voice when he answered the call stirred up a fresh wave of guilt, tying Jodie’s stomach in knots.
She promised him she wasn’t angry with him, that the problems with her leopard were real and nothing to do with the awkward moment they had shared. Jodie did everything she could to reassure him, telling him things would return to normal between them once her leopard settled down. Meanwhile she wondered if she had just lied yet again.
Rufus and Mark were Jodie’s chaperones that night, suffering through another seven episodes with her. During the last one at three am, the guys almost didn’t calm her in time and after growing claws, she’d ripped open Rufus’ bicep. With all the yelling and cursing they soon drew an audience, Eddie and Danny came barrelling into the room wide eyed with alarm. Eddie helped Mark to restrain Jodie, giving Rufus a chance to deal with his wound while Danny drew on his Tiger energy to reverse the change.
Jodie sat in the middle of Mark’s bed sobbing. Eddie held her and spoke soft words of reassurance as he watched Mark examining Rufus’ arm. Turning her face from Eddie and trying desperately to stop the tears, Jodie noticed Danny looking right at her.
“It should be getting better by now,” Danny said. “But if anything, it’s getting worse. It doesn’t make sense.” “How long did you take?” Eddie asked.
“Six nights, but I was improving the whole time.” Danny answered, still deep in thought.
“Six?” Rufus repeated in disbelief.
“I took four,” said Mark.
“I only took three,” Rufus admitted.
“Me too,” said Eddie. “Maybe she’s going to outgrow you Danny.”
“That’s irrelevant. Regardless of how powerful she is or how many nights it takes, she should be improving by now.” Danny said, adamant in his concern
“What does that mean?” Not at all comforted, Jodie felt worried now.
“I’m not sure,” Danny frowned, his confusion genuine. “I’ve never heard of this happening before.”
“I think you should stay with her,” Mark advised. “You’re the only one who can calm her.”
“She doesn’t want that,” Danny turned his back to her and stood facing the door.
“What if Danny just sleeps in the chair over there?” Eddie suggested. “Then he’s there if you need him but not invading your personal space.”
“I can’t sleep if he’s watching me,” she moaned. “I’m sorry, I know I’m being difficult.”
“I’ll go to my room,” said Danny. “But call me if you need me and I’ll be right back.”
Mark and Rufus went back to sleep but Jodie didn’t. Tears of frustration burned unshed in her eyes. How many more times would she hurt people before she got control of herself? Rufus was huge, if he couldn’t avoid injury then... Jodie shuddered as the thought broke off. When her eyelids began to droop at last, she fought it with everything she had, determined not to cause any further disruptions. A few hours later when they got up, Jodie pretended to be well rested. She didn’t want them to know she’d forced herself to stay awake just so that they could sleep.
Jodie worked for around three hours in the office. At some point since she’d last used the laptop, Doug had found time to rework the entire machine for her. He’d rebooted the system and reinstalled everything, now it ran faster than it ever had. He’d also installed a more current version of her publishing program and Jodie loved the new features, spending half an hour just playing around with it. All her work files had been catalogued and saved onto a disk.
That he would go to so much effort on her behalf without being asked touched Jodie. For several moments she just grinned at him before finding her tongue to thank him for his efforts. He smirked, asking her to get him an herbal tea and a sandwich.
A little later that morning as Jodie shuffled about the kitchen making a cup of coffee, she heard voices in the back hallway. Eddie had arrived home and had someone with him that she’d not met before. The man stood almost as tall as Eddie at around six feet two, older but in fantastic shape. He carried himself with a noble dignity, a rarity these days. Jodie tried to offer a polite smile and offered to make them both coffee.
“Jodie this is my father, Tiniraumano,” Eddie said with a fond smile.
“Oh!” She exclaimed, leaping up at once, scraping her chair across the floor and almost knocking the silly thing right over. All manner of formal etiquette vanished from her brain and in her flustered state; Jodie staggered into a misbegotten curtsey.
“What is she doing?” Tiniraumano asked in bemusement.
“I think she’s bowing before you,” Eddie stifled a chuckle.
“Get up girl, we don’t work that way.” Tiniraumano chuckled, eyes twinkling.
“Oh.” Jodie said as the color raced up her cheeks. “I’m so sorry; I had no idea how to behave appropriately, I’ve never met a king before.”
“We’re not in formal ceremony right now Jodie, most of the time we Ngarara conduct ourselves in a casual and relaxed manner,” the man said. “But since you have already offered, I will accept a cup of coffee with little milk and a spoonful of honey if you have it.”
Jodie broke the first cup, spilled the milk and dropped the spoon on the floor three times. Her hands shook as she brought the coffee to the table. Relieved at having achieved her task, Jodie then realized that she had forgotten to get Eddie anything. She dashed back over to the kitchen to make a second cup.
“Is she always like this?” Tiniraumano asked Eddie in a low voice.
“Just when she’s nervous,” Eddie replied.
Jodie did her best not to faint with embarrassment, wishing she had not overheard their conversation.
“Why is she nervous?” Tiniraumano hissed at his son.
“You should have seen her the first few times she met Danny.”
Jodie felt quite disconcerted by the time she sat down again. Drinking back her whole cup of coffee in one go, she sprang up from her chair. “Right - well uh, I’ll leave you to it.”
“It would be better if you stayed,” Tiniraumano said with a warm smile. “I came here especially to meet you.”
Jodie’s eyes bulged, “you did?”
He nodded, casting a casual glance to the liquid in his cup. “This is delicious coffee.”
Eddie laughed as Jodie gaped at him. Shaking his shaggy hair out of his face, he gestured to his father. “I’ve told Tini about your situation. He’s come to see if he can offer any advice.”
If Jodie hadn’t been mortified before, then she certainly was now. Taking a deep breath she tried to act normal. What the heck is wrong with me? I need to get a hold of myself!
“You have nothing to feel shame over; it’s hard for anyone to go through their first change.” Tiniraumano assured her. “It’s disappointing your family has chosen not to embrace this gift God has bestowed upon them, it could have been a beautiful thing if they had taught you their ways themselves.”
“Jodie doesn’t know how to un-guard herself yet,” said
Eddie, “and she isn’t even close to halting the change.” “May I merge energies with you?” Tiniraumano asked.
The man oozed propriety. Jodie found herself nodding before considering the nature of his request, as it began to sink in bit by bit, fear flooded through her. What if I lose control of myself, is sharing energy with this man going to be the same as when the guys try to calm me?
Tiniraumano reached across the table and placed his hand over Jodie’s. A sharp reaction followed and she jumped a mile, Jodie’s whole body tingled as Tiniraumano’s energy washed over her. This felt nothing like what she’d experienced in the past, she knew at once he didn’t intend to calm her.
Feeling her leopard awaken inside, Jodie had a wave of anxiety. Oh no, what is he doing? Jodie shivered as her internal panic took over. Tiniraumano didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned with what might happen. Just then Jodie felt the hidden power in her core expand, radiating outward as Tiniraumano tore down her barriers one by one. Terrified, Jodie forced herself to sit still and allowed him to continue.
“Eruera, take her other hand,” Tiniraumano demanded.
Eddie grasped Jodie’s hand and she felt the power surge to him, a rush of air escaping his lips. Whatever Jodie had just done hadn’t been what he expected.
“Can you feel it?” The older man asked.
“She’s strong, really strong.” Eddie appeared awestruck.
“Can you feel the void inside? Her energy flow is interrupted.”
Jodie’s leopard lurked right beneath the surface, yet she didn’t try to break free. Perplexed and relieved at the same time, Jodie began to relax. It seemed Tiniraumano would be strong enough to keep her safe. The energy he shared with her now felt different, both he and Eddie had calmed her. When they released her hands a strange sensation came over Jodie, almost like an out of body experience. Even though she was at peace now, Jodie felt even more concerned, failing to understand what had just happened.
“Did you feel the void Eruera?” Tiniraumano repeated.
“Yes,” Eddie replied in a distant voice. “As though she were broken.”
“Tell me about the first time she changed.” Tiniraumano prompted. The authority in his voice could not be mistaken, though his tone was nothing but kind.
Eddie looked at Jodie, pale green eyes uncertain. “Would you mind if I told him?”
Looking at Jodie with intrigue, Tiniraumano rubbed his goatee with a thumb and forefinger. “Perhaps you would like to tell me.”
Jodie coughed as she battled with her discomfort, “Danny forced it from me.”
The lizard king’s face blanched. “Am I to understand this happened against your will?”
Nodding, Jodie tucked her hair behind an ear and thrust her gaze down at her empty cup. “There were many reasons. I want to forgive him as I can see why he did it; I just wish there had been time to adjust to the idea first.”
“There’s more...” Eddie admitted after a pause. “He did this during a dinner in front of Lancaster and a room full of Therian agents.”
Tiniraumano’s face darkened and his gaze spun sharply in Eddie’s direction. “That foolish man! Is he here? I would like to talk to him about this.”
Eddie went to find him and Danny walked into the room talking on his cell phone. He smiled and nodded toward Tiniraumano, wandering into the kitchen where he poured himself a glass of water. Jodie watched him, unable to look away.
In that brief instant her throat became dry and it hurt to swallow, again her leopard stirred. Jodie could sense that Danny felt tired, his mind lingered on the phone conversation and he felt frustrated with whomever he spoke to. With great effort she managed to tear her eyes from him and turned back to Eddie and his father. Tiniraumano regarded her with pity.
“Eruera, you neglected to mention that he was her
Eros.”
“You can tell?” She breathed in awe.
“Yes, and I believe it is the root of all your problems.”
Danny snapped his phone shut, becoming very interested in their conversation. Tiniraumano looked at Danny for a long time before addressing him.
“You have changed since the last time we met, you are not guarding your beasts the way you used to.”
Though he said nothing, Danny couldn’t help but look at Jodie. She swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at her hands clinging to the empty coffee cup. She felt Danny’s energy interlock with hers. Though she tried to resist, it became too much and their leopards reached for each other. Right away Danny switched energies and drew on his tiger, causing Jodie’s leopard to calm as he laid it to rest. She almost breathed a sigh of relief.
“If you are able to do that with such ease, then why is her transition such a problem?” Tiniraumano asked, dark calculating eyes darting from one to the other as he leaned back in his chair.
“Because she cannot bear to be anywhere near me.” Danny answered, shame evident on his face.
“You have damaged your bond with her.” Tiniraumano stroked his jawline. “I will need to think about this some more, the very circumstances of your problem are unique.”
Danny stole a look at Jodie, his eyes revealing a kind of vulnerability Jodie hadn’t seen in him before. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who felt broken. Waves of regret pulsated in her direction, Jodie almost reached out to him but his cell phone rang again. A layer of anger replaced the other emotion as he retrieved the phone to answer it.
The call turned out to be work related, so Danny went off in search of Doug for assistance. Jodie must have looked very sad and sorry for herself, for Eddie reached over and took her hand again.
“Don’t worry, we’ll fix this,” he said with a gentle smile.
“I’ve complicated so many lives,” Jodie moaned. “I can’t seem to do anything without creating a disaster.”
“Babe, you haven’t done anything wrong.” Eddie insisted.
“Daniel has a lot to answer for,” Tiniraumano mused. “Eruera, has he gained power? I don’t remember him being this strong.”
“He’s stopped guarding as much,” Eddie explained. “He had to reveal the full extent of his power to change Jodie. Now that we know of it, he doesn’t try so hard anymore.”
“He is the son of royalty,” Tiniraumano predicted. “To have hidden that intentionally does not bode well.”
Just then the door flew open and Ainsley breezed in. “Hi!” She sang as she entered, “Rufus let me in.” Wrapping her arms around Eddie’s shoulders she murmured a cutesy little ‘I love you’ on the way to the coffeepot.
“It appears that Daniel is not the only one keeping secrets.” Tiniraumano looked at his son, both eyebrows lifted in expectation.
“Tiniraumano, King of the Ngarara, this is Ainsley
Elliot.”
The coffeepot slid right out of Ainsley’s hand onto the floor, smashing into millions of tiny pieces. When she spun around to face them, her expression became one of shock. She ignored the mess as she dropped into a curtsey, doing a much better job than Jodie had done, despite the hem of her skirt sitting in the spilled coffee.
“Are all the local women like this?” Tiniraumano seemed amused once again.
“Babe, you can stand up.” Eddie said. “My father isn’t one for formalities.”
“I’m so sorry Your Majesty,” she gushed, standing back up again.
“Tiniraumano will be fine,” he smiled.
“I’ll help you clean up.” Jodie blurted, diving at a roll of paper towels.
Ainsley and Jodie were still crawling around on the floor sweeping up the last of the glass with a dustpan and brush when Mark appeared to cook dinner. “Afternoon all,” he greeted. “What brings you here Tiniraumano?”
“I thought he might be able to help Jodie,” Eddie said.
“I can speak for myself Eruera.” Tiniraumano scolded as he stroked his goatee.
“Were you able to help?” Mark’s expression became hopeful.
Tiniraumano observed Jodie for a moment or two before a smile worked its way across his face. “You must be a remarkable woman to have such an effect on this particular group of men.”
Amazingly Mark blushed and became very interested in the contents of the refrigerator. Jodie didn’t know what to say so she flashed an awkward smile and carried the glass shards to the rubbish bin.
“Danny broke her,” announced Eddie.
“What?” Something crashed behind the door of the refrigerator and Mark turned back with a frown. “What do you mean he broke her?”
“What’s going on?” Rufus asked as he walked into the room.
“Danny broke Jodie,” Mark repeated.
“You’re broken?” Ainsley gave Jodie a look of bewilderment.
“Really Eruera,” Tiniraumano shook his head in disapproval.