Tiger's Strength

by Kimberly A Rogers

  The comment seemed innocent enough, but I didn’t let my guard down as the other males laughed. They didn’t shift form either. Although that might have been because none of them were wearing more than jeans or shorts. Young Therian males were really dumb sometimes. One of the Tigers waved a furry hand. “Come on, Madoc, no need to act like we’re strangers. We don’t have any challenges to issue, you know that. We were just hunting some barghests, but then we caught your scent and wanted to see if you want in on the fun.”

  I had been wondering about trying to close the distance just to see if I could smell any ‘nip on them, but that statement completely distracted me. A frown appeared as I peeked over Madoc’s shoulder. “Barghests? Here? They should be up north prowling the ice packs and picking fights with polar bears and dire wolves by now.”

  Everyone’s attention shifted to me. Stupid, Raina, you know better. I couldn’t help wishing the Tiger in front of me was Baran and not his little brother. But, I refused to show any sign of unease as the men studied me. The Tiger who had been doing all the talking never looked away from me even as he asked, “Who’s your pretty friend, Madoc? A new girlfriend perhaps?”

  The other Tiger sniffed the air and muttered, “Elf-born.”

  Madoc shifted his weight before answering in a quiet tone, “She’s my sister-in-law, Simon. Just showing her around the family territory.”

  Simon, the seeming leader of the group, tilted his head as he studied me with renewed interest. “So, you’re the one.” He bared his fangs in a sort of smile. “I am astonished to meet the woman who would actually dare to marry the granite carved paragon of the Therian way.”

  My Leopard reacted strongly to the snide remark against her mate, and it took all of my willpower to keep from snarling at the Tiger. Before I could trust myself to say anything, however, Madoc nudged my arm. His focus was still on the group as he nodded. “We had best head back. The pre-holiday dinner is of utmost importance to my mother, and I’m sure she has a list of tasks for us both. Simon, Charlie, good luck on your hunt.”

  They didn’t say anything in response. They just watched as we retreated to the snowmobile. Madoc was already starting the engine as I secured my helmet. The sense of being hunted swept over me, but I didn’t look over my shoulder until after we started back down the trail. As we rounded the turn in the trail, I was able to look back without it being interpreted as a sign of weakness. The two Tigers were standing in the middle of the trail watching us until the trees hid us from view.

  I didn’t bother to say anything until we were back to the lodge. Madoc stopped the snowmobile in front of the back deck and let me off. I took off the helmet and ran my hand over my hair, smoothing it back down. Watching him out of the corner of my eye, I asked, “Are your friends always that creepy or was this a special occasion?”

  Madoc offered a quick laugh, but it didn’t ring true. He shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t read too much into it, little Leopard. They’re a bunch of bachelors who are rarely graced with the presence of beautiful women. They just didn’t know how to behave around you.”

  I didn’t believe him. But, I chose not to confront him. Not until I had time to think about the encounter and had a better grasp of what my own instincts were telling me. Something was off about the whole thing, and it wasn’t due to jitters.

  ΘΘΘΘΘΘ

  Baran

  The dump site was an isolated patch of wilderness nearly an hour and a half southwest from the town. We had resorted to using our Beast forms to reach the area and even now I prowled the outskirts of the site. The body had been left in a pile of brushwood and probably would have been missed had the reeve on patrol not stumbled over it. In the literal sense.

  I did not catch any hints of decay. However, I did find faint impressions left in the snow that veered in a southeasterly direction. I didn’t like any of it. It was too neat, too convenient. Still, I was unwilling to commit myself to a full hunt without better information.

  Returning to where Roderick and Paul were waiting, I growled softly. “The creature has laid a trail southeast.”

  “It is unlikely that a single Vampyre would dare tread closer to town or toward larger groups of Therians.” Roderick pawed at the snow as he continued, “It would require a decent sized clutch to make such an act anything but suicide for the creature. There is no evidence of a clutch here.”

  “So you say,” I acknowledged grudgingly. Yet, I could not keep from speaking my thoughts. “You asked me to come with you because of my experience as a soldier. Based on that experience, I can tell you that the presence of a scout this far north could indicate the clutch in New York City has escaped containment. Or that another clutch has found its way to the New World without revealing its presence until now. Neither option is very comforting, but they are the most accurate.”

  “I agree,” Roderick stated simply. “However, as magistrate, I cannot and will not cause a panic without further proof to confirm either theory. At the moment, we know there is a solitary Vampyre in the region. If it is a scout, then it seems to be returning south.” He turned his attention to the Jackal. “Paul, have the reeves pass out a cautionary warning to anyone found travelling after dark or alone.”

  I did not say anything else. It was clear that Roderick would not take further action despite my misgivings. And, I had no basis to intervene with the local magistrate’s decisions unless there was a proven immediate threat requiring military action. However, I would put a call in to Carter to alert him to the change in circumstance. He would likely dispatch some soldiers to hunt the Vampyre.

  I would also inform Raina of what had transpired. Perhaps she would see something I did not and, more importantly, she would not be caught unawares should anything happen. I could only pray that my concerns were unnecessary.

  ΘΘΘΘΘΘ

  Chapter Fifteen

  Raina

  “Raina, would you join me?”

  Well, this was either going to go well or very poorly. I hung my coat on a free hook and then walked into the kitchen to see what my mother-in-law wanted. The ever so slightly petty side of me that was tired of being forced to play nice with a woman who had taken great pains in doing her best to both drive a wedge between my Tiger and me as well as throw my Tiger to a shark of a Tigress considered turning around and leaving again. But that would mean letting her win. If I walked out now, it would be no better than turning tail and fleeing the Tigers’ den as soon as we realized Venetia wasn’t going to play fair.

  Steeling myself for whatever attack she might launch, I plastered a smile across my face as I entered the kitchen. Venetia wasn’t even looking at me. The Tigress was up to her elbows in a turkey, one of ten set out in an orderly line on the massive island in the center of the kitchen. The sight did make me wonder if the TDS got his penchant for wanting everything neatly in its “proper” place from his mother. However, I didn’t think I was going to mention that to either Tiger. Call me crazy, but somehow I didn’t think either of them would be very appreciative of anyone finding similarities between them.

  I decided the best way to appease the Tigress, who had yet to acknowledge my presence, was to help with the food. I wasn’t quite bold enough to start working on the turkey line, but I walked to the other side of the island and began on the side dishes starting with cutting potatoes and squash into cubes. It didn’t take long for Venetia to suddenly break her silence. “I have great hopes for Madoc.”

  I glanced at her, but she still seemed preoccupied with the turkey she was slowly preparing. “You do?”

  It might not have been the right thing to say, but Venetia didn’t even acknowledge I had spoken as she continued, “He has the potential to rise higher than his father. He is to become an ambassador.”

  I bit back a laugh at the idea of Madoc being an ambassador. He could speak with a silver tongue, no doubt, but he didn’t strike me as the type of Therian who wanted to be an ambassador. It didn’t matter how skillfully you could spin a tale if
you didn’t want to deal with the amount of work required to tread the lines between cultures and societies. Therians had learned fast that they needed willing ambassadors if they wanted to make it through diplomatic negotiations without them dissolving into a round of flying fur and bared claws. Especially for the members of Clan Felidae. The only clan who seemed to always enjoy the perilous task of being a diplomat was Clan Vulpine, and those Foxes simply enjoyed the game of employing their wiles on anyone and everyone.

  “I have not seen him around Haven,” I mused. If Madoc was truly destined to be an ambassador, then he should’ve already been making a name for himself among the junior ranks in Haven. Or my brothers would have mentioned his name to me. They had encountered enough of the young bloods jockeying for diplomatic stations in their time that I knew about a good portion of them.

  “That is because he is still benefiting from his father’s training,” she pronounced. “But mark my words, before the new year is half used, Madoc’s name will be well known throughout Haven and not solely as the son of Roderick Frost. Roderick was the most superior of all the ambassadors to England since before the Fourth War. I expect Madoc will follow in his steps quickly enough, and one day he will even earn a seat on the king’s council. Something offered to Roderick by the former king. Unfortunately, Caderyn has not yet seen fit to offer the same honor to him. Despite the fact that he has permitted far too many . . . mixed representatives a voice in the council. Perhaps that is why he clings so stubbornly to the foolish notion of these peace marriages.”

  I kept my mouth shut despite the way the Tigress’ lip curled as though she had smelled a foul rot when she mentioned the peace marriages. The thought of mentioning how fulfilling peace marriages were the epitome of following tradition since she liked the old traditions so much flew through my brain. But, I resisted. Venetia was cracking bones in the second turkey . . . I didn’t want to be next on the menu. Eaten by one’s mother-in-law would be a terrible and rather undignified way to die.

  She didn’t seem to need my input in the conversation anyway as she continued on, “It is a pity that Genevieve was not able to come here. A family gathering is not complete without both my children present, especially now that there are cubs. Such lovely cubs too. No one could doubt their proud heritage as purebred Tigers even if Genevieve’s husband has been banished to practically Elvish territory.”

  I was beginning to get the idea that my mother-in-law didn’t like Elves or Leopards. Apparently, everything was a slight in her eyes. I repressed a sigh at the thought. How was I supposed to make nice with her and get her to like me enough that she wouldn’t be so harsh toward Baran? She didn’t just hate the fact I was Elf-born, she didn’t even like my branch. Made me wonder what she would have done if I had been born into a clan other than Felidae . . . Poison?

  No, that wouldn’t necessarily happen. I hoped. Great, now Baran had me being paranoid. Speaking of the suspicious minded TDS, I almost cut myself as I realized Venetia had only referred to both her children. Not all of her children. Trying to tell myself I was imagining things, I dared to interject, “But you must be glad that Baran was able to come since he had to leave his outpost and all.”

  Venetia’s golden gaze flashed to me for the barest moment. Cool iciness greeted me with just a touch of annoyance flaring in her scent before she murmured, “After ignoring my summons for the better part of two years.”

  I had nothing to say to that, and Venetia resumed talking about Madoc and Genevieve. Only Madoc and Genevieve. I studied her as my mind filled with questions I didn’t dare ask. How much pain must she have felt at the loss of Badir that she couldn’t even bring herself to truly acknowledge the most prominent reminder of her first marriage? It must have been awful.

  A frisson of sympathy surged through me as I suppressed a shudder at the thought of losing Baran. I had come far too close to losing him twice this year already. My brain offered up the memory of the aftermath of his fight with the Wendigoes, of him nearly dying from the toxic wounds they had dealt him. My leopard stirred anxiously at the memory, and I was forced to tamp down on a hiss.

  Yes, I could believe that Venetia’s pain over the loss of Badir had driven her to be so cold. At the same time, I knew with every fiber of my being that same cold distance was what hurt Baran so badly. Badly enough that he wouldn’t even tell his wife that his mother was alive and well. And, that he would still feel harsh toward his mother’s second husband. Baran would deny it from here to Avalon, but I had no doubt the harshness sprang from his own desire to protect himself from further hurt.

  My poor TDS. His poor mother. It seemed I had married into a family of Tigers who were not very good at expressing their feelings. Especially not when it concerned personal pain and loss. Instead, they each practiced a way of masking it. Venetia with her coldness, and Baran with his impassivity. It was infuriating to feel so helpless. I wished I knew what to do to make things better for Baran, for his whole family.

  “I thought I heard you in here, Venetia.”

  All desire to help emotionally challenged Tigers vanished as I watched the uppity Tigress sweep into the kitchen. She didn’t even deign to look in my direction, much less acknowledge my existence. Venetia who had ignored me for the most part not only looked Celeste directly in the eyes but she even smiled at her. Just rub some lemon juice in the cut . . .

  I kept my face still and scent as impassive as I could manage as Venetia cooed, “Celeste, I thought you were resting. Is everything well? Are you hungry? Our main supper won’t be ready for some hours yet, but I could make you a few lobster rolls.”

  Celeste shook her head, smiling. “Your offer is kind as always, Venetia, but I can wait for the marvelous supper you’ve planned. I was just thinking it was such a pity that your daughter won’t be here. You must miss her so very much.”

  “Oh yes. Roderick misses Genevieve and her cubs particularly. It’s a shame they fell ill or else you would have had the chance to meet them all. I’m certain her cubs would adore you as an aunt.”

  It was a good thing I wasn’t eating or drinking anything because I would have choked to death. With Celeste and Venetia applauding all the while. I forced the dark thought away even as I wanted to gag at Celeste’s saccharine tone as she gave a little laugh and said, “I would be delighted to be given the honor.”

  Then, why don’t you marry Madoc? He’s the unattached one in the family. I kept my eyes on the potatoes I was mashing, forcing my leopard to be still even as she stirred in anger at the thought of another interloping female trying to steal my Tiger. Pity, I couldn’t say I wasn’t imaging a certain Tigress’ face in the pulverized potatoes.

  “Raina!”

  I looked up, forcing back a snap of my own, as I met Venetia’s gaze. All hints of warmth and approval had vanished as she eyed me with icy disdain. “We are serving lobsters, crab cakes, and oyster stew for tonight’s meal. Will you be able to cook those?”

  “Yes, of course,” I answered with far more polite diplomacy than Baran probably thought I could ever exhibit as I forced a quick smile.

  Venetia nodded regally. “Good.” She turned back to Celeste and warmed perceptibly. “Come, let us choose the perfect dress for you. You will take his breath away.”

  If that floozy was aiming at my mate, I would be taking away her breath. A soft growl escaped me as I kept pounding the potatoes. After another few minutes of mashing the potatoes within an inch of their existence, I forced myself to stop before they were unusable. I took several deep breaths to quell my temper and shushed my leopard’s suggestion of enjoying a true fight with the Tigress hunting my mate. We knew he wasn’t going to respond. This was all a lost cause on Celeste’s part. Extremely irritating, but a lost cause.

  As I moved onto the next task for preparing supper, I knew I needed to do my best to hurry. The odds of the Tigresses coming back at any time before the food had to be ready and on the table were so poor as to not even be laughable. They had set me up quite smooth
ly. If I didn’t get this finished before Baran showed back up from wherever he had vanished . . . Well, let’s just say I had concerns about his temper.

  Last thing this family needed was a quarrel over my preparing the food for tonight’s meal. I glanced over my shoulder at the line of turkeys waiting to be prepared. Oh, right. It also seemed I had been left with the questionable honor of preparing the meal for Thanksgiving as well. Ten turkeys. By the Creator, that was going to take a while to cook. And, I couldn’t forget the crab cakes. Or the lobsters. Or oyster stew.

  Maybe I should check my phone to make sure I still remembered the proper way to cook all that seafood. I had a feeling that Tigers who lived in Maine would be extremely picky about their seafood preparation. Crab cakes should be easy enough. I opened the storage chest and grimaced at the sight of both live lobsters and crabs scuttling around. Greaaaat. Should’ve been a Jaguar. Or a Tiger.

  ΘΘΘΘΘΘ

  Baran

  The sight of Madoc standing in the snow banks behind the house as we pulled up in the front only heightened the tension between Roderick and myself that had developed since we left the site of the body’s discovery. I still did not understand or appreciate his overly cautious approach to the signs of a confirmed Vampyre presence in his territory. Unless he did not fully believe his own words about his son not being involved in Fringe activities.

  As much as part of me itched to confront my brother on his activities, to force the truth out of him, I knew it would only end in a fight. Something I wouldn’t do to Raina. Not again. Only two more days.