Tag: Tigerman

Tiger by the Heart part 32: Changes

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When they entered the library, Tristan felt more than saw
Lucinda fall, and caught her in his arms as she collapsed beside him. Elijah’s
head sighed,

“Sorry. Thought she had a bit more time.” He said.

Tristan glanced up as Elijah took back his head and
reattached it at the same time Marra swooped down from her perch above and
landed silently in front of them.

“The library told me you were coming. I’ll show you where
she can rest.” She whispered.

Carrying her to a small, out of the way alcove, Tristan
tucked her in; she stirred, half-asleep before pulling the blanket up over her
shoulder. Marra and Elijah glanced at each other,

“What happened?” Marra asked.

“From what I can tell, she was possessed and disinvested of
her powers as a necromancer. Protections included.” Elijah said.

Marra groaned, “Just what we needed. I’m guessing you’re
going to research—”

Elijah cleared his throat, “Research is exactly what I’m
intending to do.”

Marra glanced over Elijah’s shoulder at Tristan, “Tristan,
in case she wakes, would you stay with her? After what I’ve heard, the last
thing she needs to wake up alone.”

Tristan blinked, “Sure… once you tell me what you’re not
telling me.”

Elijah shook his head, “You need rest too, and if we tell
you, you won’t. You’ll worry more than you already are.”

Tristan started to protest, when a yawn overtook him, “Fine.
Just let me know if I can help, okay?”

“We will.” Marra said.

Tristan climbed into the make-shift bed, and placed his arm
across Lucinda’s waist; she rolled over in her sleep and snuggled against him.
Tristan blinked in surprise, before leaning forward to press a kiss to her
forehead, and laid his head down. Moments later, he was asleep.

*****************

Once Tristan fell asleep, Lucinda carefully pried herself
from the bed and followed Marra and Elijah back to the main area of the
library.

“You’re sure she’s lost her powers?” Marra asked.

“Positive. When we coming here, she witnessed a lot of the
castles violent deaths. There was nothing shielding her from it, and besides
that, she was possessed, Marra.”
Elijah replied.

Marra grunted, “Alright, alright. What do you need me to
do?”

“Help me find alternative rituals that a non-necromancer can
cast that matches as closely as possible the original.” Elijah said.

Marra laughed, “Oh, is that
all?”

Elijah growled, “Why do you think I asked for your help and
not Tristans. I don’t want to take all century.”

Lucinda followed their voices and found them pouring over
stacks of books,

“Something else is bothering you.” Marra said.

Elijah sighed through his nose and remained quiet before
saying, “The death magic didn’t respond to her like it should have.”

“What do you mean? If she’s not a necromancer anymore I
can’t imagine it would do anything to her.” Marra said.

Elijah shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck, “It’s
something Death Riders can do. Think of it like watching someone through a
spirit mirror: I can see other Death Rider’s past interactions. And every time
one of them interacted with a former Necromancer, the Death Magic acted like
you do when you’re annoyed with me.”

Marra blinked, “Uh… badly annoyed, or just…”

“Badly annoyed.”

Marra blinked, “Still?”

Elijah nodded, “It’s the abscess in their souls. Every
Necromancer has a space in their spirits,” he pressed his fingers to his
sternum, “right here. It’s where they store the magic they create by killing
people.”

“Okay… so… what was different?” Marra asked.

“It didn’t notice her. If anything… it was like it was
trying to protect her.” Elijah whispered.

*************

Lucinda returned to the alcove and sat down on the edge of
the bed, hugging herself.

“I know you’re awake Tristan.” She said.

He sat up behind her, “So… what did you find out?”

She shook her head, “It just makes things more confusing.
They’re looking for another ritual I can preform to merge our bloodlines. I
can’t use the original one. I’m not a necromancer anymore.”

Tristan placed his hand on the back of her neck, letting his
warmth sink into her skin, “They’ll find something. Can you sleep?”

She shook her head, “No. I don’t know what I’m supposed to
do. I don’t know what I can do
anymore. I knew I wasn’t as strong as her but…”

Tristan gently massaged the back of her neck, “But at least
you had something.”

Lucinda nodded, before screaming in pain; she tore at her
dress, revealing an entire section of the brands and carvings on her arm
glowing bright red and moving across her skin, leaving blazing trails behind
them.

Elijah came running into to them, Marra close behind him.
When his eyes focused on the markings he cursed. As Tristan went to place his
hand on her other arm, more markings ignited, and she dragged herself from the bed,
crawling away from them until she felt the wall press into her back.

Staring at her arm, the markings crawled and bit like the
blood-red ants her mother used in experiments. Their venom burned like flames,
leaving behind angry welts that itched to the point many clawed at them in
maddening intensity. The itching became worse and resulted in scarring as the
welts burst and healed over like burns.

When Lucinda placed her hand on her arm, the pain flared and
she shrieked as something slammed her hard against the wall, knocking the
breath from her. Two invisible hands wrapped themselves around her throat and
began strangling her, the marks around her neck feeling like long needles
digging themselves into her flesh.

She blinked; the hazy outline of someone stood before her.
Matthew and another female tigress she hadn’t seen before skidded into frame
and gasped before both manifested a bottle and drank the contents.

The tigress moved forward first, drawing a thin, golden wire
from her sleeve and threading it between her fingers. She raised it above her
head and brought it down around the invisible beings neck and pulled. The
creature roared in pain it’s long, clawed fingers digging into it’s own neck to
pull at the softly glowing wire. Matthew moved between her and Lucinda, drawing
out a silver chain which ended in a short-handled knife. Wrapping the chain
around his arm, he drew the blade up and slashed at the creature’s face and
body. The invisibility spell it used dissolved revealing the wraith her mother
had sent to kill Alyssa.

Matthew scowled at the creature, flesh and soul bound
together by Necromantic magic, “Hello Father. Can’t say it’s a pleasure to see
you again.”

The wraith seethed forward and the tigress tugged on the
wires around it’s neck, “Now, now uncle. None of that.”

Lucinda recognized the wire; a blessed Garrote used in the
southern kingdoms by Unliving Hunters. They had all been but eradicated with
the Hunters as her mother took over. Tristan stared dumfounded at the tigress,

“You? You’re
Matt’s cousin?”

The tigress sighed, “Yes.”

“Is that why you’ve been giving him shit? Cause you’re ex
chose him over you?” Tristan asked.

Matthew shook his head, “Your father figured having more
than one Wraith Hunter, especially one much younger than me, would help. After
we realized who the other was, we also realized there would be no reason why
someone like Octavia’s twin would
ever let her ex-girlfriend go that easily.”

Octavia nodded, “Even though that’s an act too. They split
amicably but when we realized my father might be expected by the other nobles
to stir up trouble, I suggested they make a scene.”

Matthew manifested another bottle, and forced his father to
drink its contents, “I’m sending you to Mother Martin. Have a nice trip.”

His father screamed as his form collapsed in on itself until
only the sagging wires in Octavia’s hands remained. He turned and kneeled
beside Lucinda, watching as the markings grew dimmer but continued to move
about her skin.

“Elijah… is she what I think she is?” he asked.

The Death Rider stared at the markings before nodding
slowly, “An Animamancer. She is the daughter of the Empress.”

“Empress?” Lucinda asked.

“The Empress of the Buried City. A Necromancer well over
three thousand years old.” Elijah whispered.

 

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Tiger by the Heart part 30: Blood binds Blood

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Lucinda stood, feeling as a puppet does when its strings are
pulled. She felt the burn of another soul, a stronger one that the thousand or
so fragments left in the room by the decades of torture and abuse. A familiar
soul, but one older than Natasha; her sister none the less.

Mother said a weak
hearted girl sharing my blood would be here eventually. Welcome sister. Now, to
get out of here and destroy the bastard’s lineage once and for all.

As she lifted her hand, Lucinda felt a vicious burning
sensation run up through her fingers, like liquid lead, before the barrier
shattered, throwing the Tyrant’s soul back against the far wall. Lucinda felt
her sister pause as Tristan touched her shoulder. As the tiger smiled at her
and focused on her face, Lucinda felt a sickening urge to carve his heart from
his body.

The Seals of Possession and Tongue were gone; her mother’s
protections stripped from her, with her final act of defiance.

She watched, audience to her own form watching Tristan and
the others hurry from the room, before following them. She paused to pick up a
book of curses and one of poisons before heading for the door way… and slamming
face first into an invisible wall.

***************

Tristan turned at Lucinda’s shout and ran back to the open
door to find the woman sitting on the floor, blood streaming from her nose. As
she glanced towards him, Tristan’s stomach dropped into his feet: her eyes were
pitch black. She shrieked, and Tristan covered his ears, pain like hundreds of
needles driving themselves into his ears.

Two arms wrapped themselves around his chest and started
squeezing. He glanced over his shoulder to see his grandfather sneering at him
as the half-wraith tried crushing him.

“Actabo forantoe,
enemis imprisona!” Kyle shouted.

Chains rose up from the floor and encircled the Tyrants
arms, tearing them behind his back and pulling him to the wall. Tristan dropped
to the floor, gasping as Devon and Matthew ran to him and helped him back to
where the others stood.

Kyle raised his hand when Tristan began to speak, “Later.
Right now, out.”

He glanced down the hall and snapped his fingers; the door
to his room slammed shut and locked, even as a loud thud echoed above
them.  As they headed up the stairs and
into the main hallway, Abbadon and Sekmet met them, Alyssa cradled in the
Queen’s arms.

“Where’s Laura?” Matthew asked.

“Recovering. She was attacked by another wraith upstairs;
illusion spell of fire. She had to jump out the window.” The king said.

Matthew’s face fell, “She’s alive?”

Abaddon nodded, “Now see to Alyssa. Please.”

Sekmet placed the unconscious girl in her father’s arms, and
watched as he walked across the room and sat down on a bench, rocking his
daughter as he whispered quietly to her. She turned her gaze to her sons,

“What the hell happened down there?”

“Lucinda fainted upstairs so I brought her down to Kyle. Her
mother dragged her into a nightmare. She woke up from it when Matthew entered
the room, but fell into another one after Granddad manifested a barrier and
closed the door behind him—” Tristan said.

Abaddon raised his hand, “Hold it, hold it!”

He turned to Kyle, “Short version that won’t give me a
headache please.”

Kyle snorted, “That was the short version. Shorter version:
Her mother hid triggers inside her psyche that drag her into nightmares
whenever they’re set off. The last one Lucinda must have pissed her mother off
badly. She’s possessed by someone from the torture chamber days.”

Tristan turned to his brother, “What?”

“I set up shop in a haunted room where blood was spilled,
lives were lost and pain inflicted countless times. I have barriers set up
everywhere in there to keep those things out of my experiments and in that room.” Kyle said.

Tristan winced, “She can’t leave as long as she’s possessed.”

Kyle nodded, “We have to fix this and soon. She’s in danger.
Frankly, we all are.”

Abaddon glanced at his son, “Pretty sure we all figured that
out a while ago.”

“Not what I meant Dad. She set up her daughter to end up
possessed by an evil soul strong enough to overcome Lucinda’s soul. Who the
hell is that strong and how did her mother know they were down there?” Kyle
asked.

Abaddon blinked, “… My gut is telling me I’m not going to
like whatever it is you’re thinking.”

Kyle shrugged, “What? That her mother planned for her to be
possessed by someone she sent here to
die and remain for the past how ever long? Now why would that cause indigestion?”

Sekmet growled, “Kyle.”

“I deal with panic either with stubborn denial or cutting
sarcasm. Much like you, Ma.” He said.

Sekmet sighed, “If you weren’t right I’d scold you. Alright,
alright… so… what do you suggest we do first?”

Kyle shrugged, “I’ve no buggering idea.”

“Kyle!” Four voices said at once, “Language in front of the
child.”

Kyle snorted, “At least that hasn’t changed.”

Tristan glanced down the stairs, “Will that possessor hurt
Lucinda?”

Kyle shrugged, “I’m a sorcerer not a necromancer. Her sister
might know more, but then again, she’s a witch, so. Who knows?”

As if summoned by the mention of her, Natasha appeared,
“What happened this time?” she asked.

Kyle blinked, “What, you have a sixth sense about when shit
hits the fan or something?”

Sekmet growled and Kyle raised his hands, “Sorry. When the
dung hits the fan. Better?”

Natasha shook her head, “No just… my son said something that
bothered me. He asked me where his two other aunts are.”

“Two? I thought you only had two sisters?” Tristan asked.

Natasha nodded, “As far as I know, I do. Where’s Lucinda?”

“Down in Kyle’s room. She’s… Possessed.” Tristan said.

Natasha’s color drained from her face, “How?”

Kyle cleared his throat, “She pissed off your mom when the
bitch was torturing her with nightmares is the closest thing I can I figure.”

Natasha blinked, “Let me see her. Please.”

***********

Lucinda glanced up as the door to the room opened and
Natasha stepped inside; the moment she did she focused on her eyes and gasped.

“Who the hell are you?” She yelled.

Her sister sneered, her teeth stained black as her eyes,
“Well… there’s two of you? How fun.”

Natasha watched her sister rise slowly, “Answer me.”

“Why? You’ll be under my boot just as easily as Lucinda here
is.” She grinned widely.

Natasha’s eyes narrowed and she felt her hair blow away from
her face; she closed her eyes and reached inside. The place their mother called
the Void, where a Necromancer would doom their victims to spending eternity, or
until their souls were used as the fuel for spells. Becoming a witch had
altered what that place in her soul was used for.

A stone flew from the hallway into the room, landing in the
northern direction. A candle appeared at the south. A hand fan to the east. And
a bottle of rose water to the west.

Natasha inhaled and felt the candle ignite.

“Mother Earth, Father Sky, Sister Ocean, Brother Flame.” She
whispered.

The possessing spirit shrieked again, her magic brought back
from the other side to harm the living. Natasha could see her now; their elder
sister, dressed in clothes from seventy plus years ago, her long black hair coiling
out from her head like snakes. Her eyes stared at her with seething hatred from
the lightless depths.

Lucinda stood behind her, a small flicker of love facing an
engulfing wave of rage. Natasha felt other emotions swirling around her younger
sister. Fear, hope, her own anger.

Their sister had possessed someone on the verge of finding
their true path. Natasha smiled, before calling out again,

“Guardians of the Four Corners, Gatekeepers, Elementals, I
ask for your aid to free my younger sister from the hatred of the Unliving Soul
that’s taken hold of her. I ask… you grant my sister the strength she needs to
break free herself. Like the moth from her cocoon.” Natasha said.

*************

Lucinda glanced up as her elder sister, the unliving soul,
stumbled forward. Blinking, she felt the warmth of a hearth fire, the cool
breeze of a winter morning, the solid support of hard packed soil, and the
fluid movement of the ocean. In her, around her, beneath her. Her sister’s
allies were here.

She saw her sister, not the angry visage she now wore, when
her mother told her the plan: she would go to the Tyrant, attempt to kill him,
and when it failed, would suffer and die here. She would stay here waiting,
until another daughter would come, and attempt to free herself from the destiny
this woman had resigned herself too.

Lucinda blinked, and felt the anger rise again, along with
the concern, and desire to protect those dearest to her. Her sister opened her
mouth, but no sound came out. Another blink, and Lucinda was standing in the
room, glancing around her.

“Lucinda!” Natasha yelled.

She spun around, seeing a huge black shadow reaching towards
her; Lucinda felt the desire to protect what she loved race ahead of her anger,
and a blinding barrier, like translucent silver, appeared in front of her. Her
sister’s form recoiled, even as Natasha reached forward and took Lucinda’s hand
and pulled her back into the hallway.

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Tiger by the Heart part 29: Bitter Sweet

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Hathor sat back on her legs, pressing her fingers to her nose, “She’s just gotten to a third
nightmare. The second one was her brother as a ghoul. Something’s… something
not right. The nightmares aren’t disappearing like they typically do… ”

Matthew rubbed the back of his neck, “Ghosts?”

She shook her head, “No. Whatever is going on though,” she brought her hand away, covered in blood, “it’s making my nose bleed.”

Matthew cursed beneath his breath, “Can you get your father here?”

“Not before we lose one of them.” Hathor whispered.

Tristan glanced down at Lucinda and felt the now familiar scratching inside his skull,

… Shades… Breath… Life…

Tristan blinked, “Kyle, anything on Shades?”

They glanced at him, “No. Shades are what souls become when they pass on. How can they be responsible?”

Hathor blinked and glanced at Matthew, “Pretty easy when they’re keeping her alive.”

Matthew stared at her, “Her Mother’s a Wraith Caller. That’s why she’s killed them off in southern kingdom. And come after me.”

Tristan felt a sharp pain behind his left eye, See what she sees…

Lifting the cloth from his eyes, Tristan allowed the Wight Eye to focus on Lucinda, See what she sees…

A violent flash blinded him, as pain like icy shards grinding against the inside of his forehead took his breath away. A deathly thin woman, with greying skin and hair lay across his lap.

A corpse waiting for her mother…

Tristan slammed his mouth shut, swallowing hard to keep himself from vomiting.

“S-she… she still thinks…” he coughed as Matthew reached across and gripped his shoulder, “… she still thinks she’s her mothers puppet. She thinks she helpless.”

“Which gives the nightmares more power, i take it?” Devon asked.

Katrina blinked, “It sounds almost like Illusion Magic but… from how much its taking out of everyone, if it is it’s a form I’ve never encountered.”

Matthew took a ragged breath, “What the hell did her mother do?”

***************

Lucinda stood just out of sight of the bed, watching a
five-year-old girl, innocent still of her mother’s cruelty and insanity, crying
as her father told her to be brave. Lucinda stepped closer, and watched her
younger self climb into bed beside the king. Using what remained of his strength, he kissed her forehead and hugged
her one last time, before his embrace grew slack and he grew still.

A violent flash and Lucinda stood beside her younger self,
laying white flowers on their father’s coffin, then watching it lowered into the ground. Their mother placed her
hands on both their shoulders whispering to the elder of the two,

“Telling you to be
brave? The old fool should have wished you a quick death instead.”

Lucinda blinked, and she inside the castle again, standing before her mother’s throne; the once gleaming throne room her
father had received subjects and important figures alike, was now the bleak
frightening court room where her mother devised what punishments to administer
to those who spoke out against her.

Her younger self, five-and-a-half at this point, stared at
the dirt encrusted stone coffin her father lay in. The polished black stone was now
dull grey, and the wax seal the entombers had placed between lid and lip was broken.
Her mother stood behind the young girl, and pushed her forward,

“You wanted to see your father one last time, didn’t you?”
She asked.

In the real world, Lucinda had run from the room as
the coffin lid began to rise. Her younger self did just that, but her older self remained rooted to the spot, as her legs were now one with the stone. As the lid rose, her fears did as well.

She’d read of them: Lich, Unliving Kings, Leader’s of
Unliving Armies. Her father’s beard and hair were stark white, his skin a
clammy, pale grey. Where his eyes once were, only glowing white-blue lights
remained. His gold armor was now stained black by the process The Ice Queen had used, and his once gleaming sword was now a dull, iron-black.

Her mother turned to Lucinda and smiled, “My greatest
accomplishment. I can see
you shaking my dear. Does it scare you, knowing I plan to use you as well?”

Lucinda felt fear; this was not the father she remembered, the kind man who kissed boo-boos and gave her the first piece of apple or peach he’d cut. Tears welled in her eyes; The man who held her through thunder storms, and who watched over her and siblings even while presiding over his kingdom was gone. She clenched her eyes shut as the hot tears poured down her freezing face.

”Why?” She blurted out.

Her mother stepped closer, “Because i don’t waste the powerful. He refused to help me while he lived, so now he serves beneath me.”

Lucinda choked on a sob, before she felt a spark inside her; her indignation, the outrage at such
a vile desecration of a beloved father, king, counselor and friend. It built, devouring the long held anger and hatred, the brittle remnants of her childhood, the wishes for revenge, until finally the inferno reached the surface of her skin. The tiles beneath her feet were the first to crack, followed quickly by those in an ever expanding ring outwards.

She felt Tristan’s arm beneath her head; felt his gaze peering into her soul. She took strength from him, from the breaths he expelled, from the concern in his eyes, from the love flowing through his heart. She took a breath, knowing she was close to something her mother feared her finding. Knowing she could rip this nightmare to shreds and burn it to the ground.

Instead, she exhaled. Looking up, her mother was standing before her, shaking in fury. Lucinda stepped forward, raising her arm as her mother moved to strike her. As her mother’s icy hand collided with the blazing heat of Lucinda’s skin the fragment of her mother’s soul shattered. She approached the Lich cautiously, before embracing him. His frozen body erupted in flames, and the fragment of her father’s soul, left behind to guard her, hugged her back.

“I’m very proud of you.” He whispered.

She opened her eyes, and she was again in the library. The book on the table shown in the warm candlelight and as Lucinda passed her hand over it, the text on the front changed. As she read the title, she smiled.

***********

Lucinda sat up, gasping. Tristan held her close and she leaned into him.

“What happened?” she asked.

“After we got you out of one set of nightmares you dropped into another. And we’re also locked in by my grandfather.” Tristan explained.

Lucinda glanced over at the door and saw the flickering barrier; she scowled,

“That bitch!” she said.

Matthew glanced at her, “You know what’s going on?”

Lucinda glanced at him, “My mother dragged me back into the nightmares because i would have stopped this as soon as it started. That’s my guardian spirit spell the bastard’s using!”

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Tiger by the Heart part 26: Other Plans

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Lucinda blinked and the bright flash of lightning accompanied
the pounding of the violent rain storm outside. Her mother adjusted herself in
the seat, before picking up the cup and taking a sip,

“Are you telling me the truth?” Lucinda asked.

Her mother shrugged, “Would it matter? All my children have the
potential to become a threat to me. It in the very nature of becoming a parent is
it not? You care for them, teach them… and they still turn their sharpened
fangs against you.”

Lucinda closed her eyes, “Abuse is not teaching. And you
left the majority of caring to either servants who feared to show us any kindness
in case you found out and killed them, or to us,” she pinned her mother with a
glare she hoped matched her mothers, “forgive me for not caring enough about your
feelings to think watching my brother bleed to death at my feet deserved
praise!”

Her mother calmly set the cup down as she rose and crossed
the room; her eyes betrayed rage as did the slap to Lucinda’s face that felt
like a thousand needles stuck into her skin. She raised her hand and came away with
blood; her mother had clawed her face again. She began to shiver as her body
went numb and rigid. Her mother slowly began carving more marks into her
daughter’s face; even though each burned soon after it was made, Lucinda could
do nothing but scream inside her own head.

Tristan was the first to notice the fresh blood on Lucinda’s
face; passing between his brothers, he knelt beside her, watching as new,
bloody marks carved themselves into her flesh. Kyle swore in his ear before
flipping through a book on curses,

“’Subjugate The Unwilling’.” He whispered; glancing at Tristan
he asked, “Aidan was there, right? Did he do anything?”

Tristan nodded, “He pulled her out of it so she could drink
your potion. Said it was a trigger inside her mind.”

Kyle stared hard at him, “It’s triggered, alright. It’s a
way to punish those who refuse to bow to you, but it’s most effective against
your own children.”

Tristan slide across the floor on his knees as Kyle turned
the book towards him, “’Those who fear the fangs of your children turned
against you, cast this spell upon those you bare, sinking a poisoned needle
into their hearts each time they fight against you.’ The fangs of your own
children?”

Kyle nodded, “Some sorcerers try to make their children into
just as vicious monsters as they are, but they also know that those same
children could turn on them and rip them apart. To stop it, they instill a deep
sense of self-loathing and hatred, of feeling as if you’ll never accomplish a
specific goal, punctuating it with certain events that act a trigger and a
violent reminder of their failure. The Poisoned Needles, as it were.”

Tristan’s eyes widened, “The times she couldn’t protect
people from her mother.”

Lucinda’s head turned towards them and a stream of black
blood poured from her mouth; she’d bitten the tip of her own tongue off.

Lucinda coughed, spitting out the blood that accumulated in
her mouth; her mother stepped back after the last carving, but as she did, she
snatched the tip of Lucinda’s tongue and sliced it clean off with her sharpened
nails.

“Tut tut, child. You know I did what I could for you. You
were safer with servants who knew their place, and I was busy keeping the rest
of the kingdoms from gutting you and your sisters, or whoring you out. Would you
have preferred that, hmm? Lying beneath every filthy male who sought a hole to
fuck!” The ice queen spat.

Lucinda winced; it was always the same… but the feeling of
warm hands gently holding her head and opening her jaw, ghostly fingers running
across the wound on her tongue distracted her. The smell of tiger filled her
nose.

She didn’t bite it off…
something cut it off… she heard Kyle’s voice.

Her mother shook her head, “No. No. You won’t do this to me.
I know better than to fall for something like this.”

Lucinda watched her return to her seat, make herself
comfortable and pick up her tea; the ice queen never underestimated her
enemies, never saw a weakness when there wasn’t one, never made a miscalculation
that she did see before the plan was enacted…

The feeling of a furry leg placed beneath her head, a
familiar set of four claws scraping gently against her scalp. The memory of warmth,
kisses in the bathtub and his bed. Tristan…
she remembered.

“Girl!” her mother shouted.

Lucinda glanced up from her stupor; she felt a burning in
her stomach, something slimy crawling up her throat before she dropped to her
knees  and something long, thin and the
color of rust slithered out of her mouth.

Demons in the Pits!
What the hell is that thing? Someone she didn’t know said.

As the creature hit the rug, it melted into a flaming puddle
the consistency of candle wax. Lucinda stared at it for a moment before she
felt her mother’s fingers around her throat, then begin to crush her throat.

“Kyle,” Tristan said, “something’s wrong.”

Lucinda gasped for air even as finger-like impressions began
forming around her neck; Kyle growled,

“Whatever the Ice Queen’s created is trying to kill her; that
thing crawling out of Lucinda’s mouth wasn’t supposed to.”

Kyle placed his hands around Lucinda’s neck, but didn’t
press down; a moment later he snatched his hands back. Turning them palm side
up, they all swore; his hands were covered in burns,

“And apparently it’s not happy that she’s still alive
afterwards.”

Tristan flinched as the scratching noises in the left side
of his skull returned, Breathe… Kiss… Save…
the voice said.

Tristan glanced at Kyle, “How do we undo the spell?”

“We don’t,” he winced, “it’s do big to undo all at once. You
have to do it step by step, removing the poison a little at a time until there’s
none left.”

Tristan leaned down and whispered, “If you can hear me…
please… fight…” he pressed his lips to hers, and breathed into her like one
does a drowning victim.

Please… fight…
Lucinda heard. Warmth cascaded into her, then rebounded, encircling her throat.
Her mother screamed in pain and tore her hands away, their surfaces blistered
and blackened.

Lucinda felt the world tilting, and her mother scowled, “Damn
them. Fine, but I will be waiting for the next time child. I will always be waiting…”

A flash and Lucinda sat up gasping, then she felt a heavy
weight against her back and the air was knocked out of her lungs by a strong
hug. Tristan nuzzled against her shoulder, hot tears staining his face.

“Thank the Spirits on the Earth and the Gods in Heaven.” He
whispered.

Kyle sighed, “You can say that again. OW!” he glared at
Hathor who was pouring healing solution over his hands, “I know you can apply
it without it hurting.”

She smiled at him, “And I was expecting you to do some of
the work here, love.”

Kyle rolled his eyes, “I’ll remember that next time you want
me to—”

Hathor placed her hand over his mouth, “I do. Most of the
time.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow, but stretched out his fingers, a
soft glow encompassing them as Hathor continued to pour.

Lucinda tapped Tristan’s arms, “Hon. I can’t…”

“Oh! Sorry!” Tristan loosened his hold, but continued to hug
her against him.

She leaned back against him, when Matthew entered and
sighed, “What’d I miss?”

As soon as he stepped into the room, the door slammed shut behind
him,

“Kyle!” he shouted, “Alyssa’s due for another vision anytime
now.”

“This isn’t me!.” He said.

Matthew tried the handle but it wouldn’t turn, and no matter
how much he tried prying the door off it’s hinges, it wouldn’t budge.

Matthew’s face fell, “Why—”

They all froze when a familiar laugh echoed in the room, “Come
on Wraith Hunter,” the Bastard Tyrant said, “you should recognize a wraith’s
magic at work.”

A day late and two dollars short but it’s here. Enjoy everybody.

@karanthos @inumorph @momolady @zarcake-writes @howtobangyourmonster @terato-imagines

Tiger by the Heart part 25: What would you do?

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

Tristan wasted no time, picking her up and carrying Lucinda
from his father’s study down to Kyle’s room. A shout, which made even Tristan
cringe with how hysterical it sounded, and Kyle threw open the door; before he
could ask, Tristan passed him and set Lucinda down on the couch, knocking
several stacks of books over, and nearly knocking Tristan’s steaming cup of tea
onto Lucinda’s unconscious form.

Without speaking, Kyle moved him out of the way and checked
Lucinda’s eyes; their black color made him snatch his hand back, especially
when a tear, stained dark, fell from Lucinda’s eye to the floor below, leaving
a steaming imprint on the cold stone.

“Get Matthew and Devon; they’re training in the main
courtyard. Katrina might be with them, otherwise, find her and Hathor. I’ll
keep an eye on Lucinda.” Kyle said.

Tristan nodded and bolted from the room, even as the bookcase
began chucking books across the room… in a neat pile beside Kyle’s knee.

*********************

Hathor and Katrina met him at the top of the stairs,

“What’s wrong?” the jackal asked.

“I don’t know. Lucinda’s unconscious again and her eyes are
black,” he glanced at Katrina, “Where’s Devon?”

“Coming. I called him the moment I heard your shout.” she
said, “Matthew has something to deal with on his end and will come as soon as
he can.”

Tristan ran back towards the room, just as Kyle began opening
and closing books in rapid succession. Tristan prayed he’d find something to
help her.

****************************

Lucinda blinked as a fire burst forth in the darkness,
casting dancing shadows around an all too familiar room. An impossibility; the
last thing she’d remembered was talking with Tristan in his father’s study, not
standing in the center of her Mother’s library.

“My, my,” she spun around as a chill voice spoke, “it’s so good to see you, daughter.” Her
mother sat in a high-back armchair, with a small table and a steam cup of tea
beside her.

Lucinda blinked, and hours had passed, the red-gold light of
the dying sun casting the room in hellish glow. And still her mothers scarred
and branded face appeared pale and corpse-like. She rarely bothered hiding those
scars when around her daughters; they all knew they were there.

“Why am I here? What did you do to me?” Lucinda asked.

Her mother smiled and Lucinda felt her stomach twist, “What
makes you think I had anything to do with what’s happening?”

“Don’t, Mother. I know your handy work when I smell it.”
Lucinda spat.

Her mother’s smile turned brittle but never faded, “Oh
daughter, you know I can’t abide the stench of decay! Why would I ever send a
rotting soul to haunt you?”

Lucinda glanced around the room; the hearth, the dark-wood
bookcases, the glass bell jars covering skulls, skeletons and bones of various
creatures and beasts. It all looked and felt real; even the opulent carpet
she’d spent many an evening standing on in this exact spot, repeating her days
lessons while her mother corrected her sharply when she made a mistake.

Lucinda closed her eyes and placed her hands over her ears,
“It’s not real, it’s not real…”

“True,” her mother’s voice didn’t change volume, “but that
doesn’t change anything does it?”

Lucinda glanced up at her, fighting back angry tears,
“Release me!”

Her mother laughed softly, “Why? Does a fisherman throw back
the biggest catch after struggling for hours to reel it in? Why bother
releasing you when it took this long to drag you down?”

Lucinda tried to move, but found her feet rooted to the
floor, “So I was right. You do have something else up your sleeve.”

Her mother picked up her bone-china sugar jar and began spooning
sugar into her tea, “Of course I do. I always do. Why would I hide such an
obvious truth as that from you?”

Lucinda glanced around again, trying to find something to
break the illusion; the grandfather clock chimed seven as the sun dipped below
the horizon. She tried whispering below her breath but before she could get half-way
through her incantation, her lips sealed closed. When she tried reached up to
force them apart, she found her mouth was gone.

“Now, now, Lucinda,” her mother said, “none of that.”

Katrina sat down beside Kyle and began pouring over the
books he’d already discarded in case he’d missed something. Hathor stood beside
him,

“Ky, I’m not familiar with Necromancy. I put the dead to rest
not raise them. Why do you need me here?” She asked.

“Because you calm me down; I’m a hair’s breadth away from panicking
and the last time I panicked I turned my best friend into a bookcase. Pretty
sure Tristan will gut me if I end up turning his wife into a teapot or
something.” He said.

Hathor smiled before sitting down beside him; every so often
she placed her hand over his as it began to shake and a moment later it
stopped.

Tristan glanced up as Devon came into the room, “What’s happened
this time?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” Tristan said, “She was fine, upset and
worrying and then…”

Devon leaned over her and opened one of her eyes gently, “Black
eyes, dark tears. You find anything yet, Ky?”

“Working on it,” Kyle said, nose in a book, “I’ve found ten
different things it could be. Really wished the body would have different symptoms
for each disease.”

Devon grunted, “Anyone else smell that?”

Hathor glanced up slowly from her place beside Kyle, “You
smell it too?”

Tristan glanced between them, “What?”

“Decay,” they said.

Lucinda blinked again and the bright light of noon strewn
across the floor and to the right of her mother’s chair. She ran her tongue
across her dry lips and found her mouth had returned.

“Release. Me. NOW.”
Lucinda said.

Her Mother shook her head, replacing the sugar jars lid
before stirring the tea, “Not yet. We have time before they try to kill you.”

“What?” Lucinda asked.

“Sudden fainting spell, eyes turned black, tears running
dark, the smell of decay… as far as they’re concerned, I did send a rotting
soul your way.” Her mother said.

“Why kill me? You spent so much time arranging this marriage,
laying traps inside my own head, why kill me? You haven’t accomplished anything!”
Lucinda shouted.

Her mother picked up the saucer and gently placed the cup to
her lips, “I haven’t?” she asked before taking a sip.

Lucinda felt the anger rise again, and she tried wrenching
her feet from they remained frozen, “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS—”

Her mother flinched at her shriek and glared at her, “Do
keep you voice down. I’m still in the same room, child.”

Lucinda took a deep breath, “Why am I even here other to torture
me?”

Her mother shrugged, “Not my fault you haven’t used your time
wisely.”

Lucinda ground her teeth; her mother always made meetings of
any kind with her a sick game. Once, she’d tried to get a friend of hers
pardoned; her mother had agreed to it, rather easily, she’d thought. Later her
friend was pardoned of the crimes Lucinda had mentioned, but remained in prison
for the crimes Lucinda had failed to mention in her plea. Another time, her mother
had asked as series of questions, and soon after she was led outside where a
group of people waited to be executed. The numbers she’d gotten wrong were
called, and those prisoners were dragged to the waiting gallows.

Petrified, Lucinda swallowed, “Why am I here?”

“Because I want you to be.” Her mother asked.

Lucinda snapped her jaw shut so quickly she heard her teeth clack
together.

“Why did you want me to be here badly enough to trap me
here?” she asked.

“Because you were getting a little too friendly with the
tigers and I saw the only course of action as to neutralize you before you
became an actual threat.” Her mother said.

Better but she’s still
dodging. Specific questions… how the hell am I supposed to know what to ask?
And is she even telling me the truth? Lucinda thought.

“Are you telling me the whole truth?” Lucinda asked.

Her mother snorted, “Of course not. You haven’t asked for
the whole truth, just parts of it.”

She tried one more time, “Am I a threat to you?”

Her mother smiled, “No. You’re not.”

“Do I have the potential to become a threat to you?” she
asked.

Her mother’s smile fell, “…Yes. You do.”

@karanthos @zarcake-writes @terato-imagines @momolady @inumorph @howtobangyourmonster

Tiger by the Heart part 24: The Darkness Returns

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

As Tristan approached his father’s study, bowls of the rich
stew his sister had made, he caught the end of a conversation.

“…Are you sure they can’t get there before the Corpse Eye?”
Lucinda asked.

“Positive. Aidan, while better is still recovering from…
having a rotting hand pulled out of his throat. The carriage his parents
brought is only big enough for the two of them, and even if they were able to
get a message to their son, it’s unlikely it’ll get here in time. Ion and her
brothers have thought about running to the other kingdoms, but as soon as they
stepped outside, a storm picked up. They smelled their mother’s scent everywhere
when it did. As for Katrina, yes she and my son could go back to her kingdom,
but considering I just found out the Fox Council doesn’t recognize their
marriage…” Abaddon said.

Lucinda groaned, “Damn her.”

Tristan took a bite of the roll he’d been holding in his
mouth since the kitchens, and waited.

“Why does it matter though? You said once you’re married to
my son—”

“That’s the problem. My mother arranged this marriage,
remember? If she knew I could stop her, why send me to the place where I could
the most damage to her? If I can’t, then why make a show of it?” Lucinda asked.

“Lucinda, why are you convinced she has something else
planned? She can’t possibly have a contingency for every problem that might
come up. Even I’m not that good, and my father was known for his back up plans and look what happened
to him?” Abaddon said.

Lucinda made a sound of frustration, “When I was a little girl,
she sent five men into a Storm of Souls with an enchanted bottle to capture
that storm. Only one made it back, and if he hadn’t given it to me as soon as we
hit shore, I would never have touched it. The power of the storm terrified me,
and the glass burned my skin even when empty; once he gave it to me, it didn’t
matter how badly it hurt, I still ran to the nearest stone and smashed the
bottle. I stopped her, right?”

“I… take it there was more to the story?” Abaddon said.

“The storm had done enough work for her; crashing many enemy
ships that she could pilfer the dead from for her experiments. Now, it was making
trade with her new expanded empire difficult, so she was going to smash the
bottle anyway. The souls inside were not that strong, fed more from fear than
anger or revenge, and she now had a new toy to play with: the young man who
survived that ill-fated venture? He was touched by the Storm; he was ill
because the other side beckoned to him. Parts of him are still in her laboratory,
and I’m honestly surprised he was able to escape her after death. The other
side must have had a stronger hold on him then her magic did.”

Abaddon sighed, “So she always has a way of turning a
misfortune into an opportunity.”

Tristan balanced both bowls on one arm and knocked, “Hello?”

Lucinda turned to his father, “Please don’t tell him
anything we discussed. I do love him, I just need more time.” She whispered.

“Come in.” Abaddon called.

Tristan pushed open the door with his shoulder before
handing Lucinda her bowl of soup, “Laura figured you might be hungry.”

Abaddon nodded, “Speaking of, she called me down to sup some
time ago. I expect she’d kept mine warm, but if I don’t hurry.”

Tristan chuckled, “Mom had some things to do as well. She’s
keeping both your suppers warm for you.”

Abaddon’s stomach growled angrily, “Alright, alright. I hear
you,” he rose and paused beside his son, “your bride was asking if she could
use my study to look over a few manuscripts Kyle lent her. I said she could,
and I figure now that you’re here, you can help her. Two sets of eyes are
better than one.”

Tristan nodded, “Gotcha.”

He sat down in his chair; Lucinda had sat down in a new
chair, once made from a pale, sturdy wood reminding him of marble or bone. She
smiled at him before staring off into space lost to her own thoughts.

He waited a minute before clearing his throat,

Lucinda jerked at the sound, “Huh? What?”

“You’re staring. Last time I checked, even the walls think
its rude.” Tristan said.

Lucinda blushed, “Sorry. Tristan… I need some time to myself
for the next few days. It’s nothing to do with you I just—”

“Expect your mother has something else up her sleeve?”
Tristan asked, taking a bite of his food.

Lucinda froze, blinking, “Wha? H-how did you?”

“My father shuts the door but Aunt Lenora has a habit of opening
it when someone who should eavesdrop is within earshot.” He took another bite before
tearing a half-loaf of bread into quarters, “I ate the rolls she gave me. Sorry.”
He said, handing her one.

Lucinda took it and placed both it and the bowl on his
father’s desk, before getting up, “How much did you hear?”

“Where my father told you the others couldn’t make it in
time. Although now we do have to worry about the Fox Kingdom. If they don’t
recognize Kat and Dev’s marriage, your spell won’t help, will it?” He asked.

She sighed and shrugged, “I don’t know if it will or not. It’s
the first time I’ve ever cast it, remember?”

Tristan set his soup down beside hers and slowly crossed the
room to where Lucinda stood, staring at the rows upon rows of his father’s
books, “Why didn’t you want to tell me?” He asked.

“I was afraid. My mother always made any decision of mine a game;
if I won, I lost, if I lost, I lost. She’s always find a way to turn them to
her favor. And I don’t know what she’ll do to you or your family if I marry
you. If I don’t, I know exactly what she’ll do which is even worse. I really
feel trapped right now, Tristan. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.” She
said.

Pulling her gently into his arms, he pressed his lips to the
top of the head, “You’re best. That’s all you can do.”

“Right. And what if my best isn’t as good as hers? I lost my
father before I could even remember him, my older brother died at my feet and became
a Ghoul, my youngest sister killed herself. They tried their best too. And even
if they didn’t, what hope do I have if someone as wise as my father, courageous
as my brother or kind as my sister died regardless of their efforts?” Lucinda asked.

“You’re not alone in this and you’re not helpless,” Tristan
said.

Lucinda pushed away from him, “It doesn’t matter if had an
army behind me, or had more power than her. She always, always finds a way. Do you have any idea what it’s like, expecting
your actions to lead to death or pain all the time? She did everything in her
power to make me a nervous wreck because she knows I have this nagging feeling I’ve
forgotten something or overlooked something. She knows she can destroy me
because unlike her, I have things to lose.”

Tristan watched her walk away from him and felt as she were growing
smaller and smaller with each step, “Or maybe she figures if she can keep you
isolated, you won’t be a threat anymore.”

As she turned towards him, her eyes were red and blood-shot,
“I don’t think I ever was. I don’t think…”

Her eyes rolled back into her head
and Tristan leapt forward, catching her just before she hit the floor.

“Lucinda? Lucinda!” he called.

He gently forced one of her eyes open and his heart stopped;
the entire eye was black.

*************

@karanthos @zarcake-writes @howtobangyourmonster @inumorph @momolady @terato-imagines

Tiger by the Heart Holiday Special: Father’s Day

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

Abaddon groaned as the first bright rays of daylight hit him squarely in the face. He rolled over when he heard a familiar giggle; opening his eyes Roselie and Tristan sat on the bed where his wife usually slept. The young tiger cubs were smiling at him, holding a tray of food and a tasty smelling drink.

He glanced over his shoulder as his eldest son, Tobias, cracked a grin still holding the cord for the curtains.

Sighing Abaddon carefully sat up, “What’s this for?”

“Sire Day, remember?” Roselie said.

Abaddon laughed, “Oh yes now i remember. Where are the rest of your siblings? I get a little worried when only some of you are in sight.”

Tobias laughed, “They’re with mom getting the rest of your surprise ready. We asked her to wake us up early today.”

Abaddon inhaled the scent of his favorite breakfast foods, “I didn’t mind the toast  last year you know.”

Roselie rolled her eyes, “Yeah right. We know when you’re lying to spare our feelings.”

Abaddon moved the tray across his lap and pulled his daughter in for a side hug, “Because the last thing i ever want to do is make any of you sad.”

They glanced up at the soft knock on the door and Tobias ran over to let his other siblings and step-mom in. Sekmet held a second tray laden with more food than Abaddon would ever be able to eat, and the Tiger King smiled as his wife and children clamored onto the bed.

“Careful dears, watch your drinks.” Sekmet said. Each of the children had their own covered drinking bowls that would keep their drinks from spilling. Another lesson learned from the last year.

“Dad,” Kyle said, “you sure spending time with us is enough? We’ve been saving up our allowances and we saw a really nice cape in town we think you may like.”

Abaddon smiled and nodded, “It’s always enough.”

************

Abaddon glanced up as his study door opened and Tristan stepped inside. The day before he was to be betrothed to the Ice Queen’s daughter. That sire’s day was long ago, and much had happened between then and now.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“You’re sure you want to go through with this? I know what i said but…” he trailed off as he sat down in his chair.

While technically his study, Abaddon had a chair for each child and his wife positioned so that he could talk to them without having to repeat himself or raise his voice.

Abaddon swung his feet down from his desk and closed the book he’d been reading, “Okay. Yesterday you were excited about this. What changed?”

Tristan sighed, “I wasn’t excited. I was lying. I know how much it took you to arrange this, how much you risked. I didn’t want to seem… ungrateful or cowardly.”

Abaddon laughed, “Says the young male who fought a Waste Wight, and who has thanked me for every gift you’ve ever gotten.”

Tristan shrugged, “Figured you were able to tell some of those thank yous weren’t that sincere.”

Abaddon nodded, “True, but you have shown your gratitude, truly, multiple times over the years. I want you to be honest with me, Tristan. That’s all.”

Tristan inhaled and let out a long breath, “You haven’t been wrong yet when it comes to finding your kids mates. But…”

“You’re worried you may be the exception?” Abaddon asked.

Tristan shrugged, “My luck hasn’t exactly been the best. Kidnapped, nearly killed and eaten, poisoned and nearly suffocated… maybe it would better if i just focused on something else for a while. I know Mathias–”

“Stop. Mathias made his decisions. You’re not him, so you have to make your decisions. My only question is why did you wait so long?” Abaddon said standing.

“I was afraid.” Tristan said.

Abaddon blinked, “Have i done anything recently to make you believe i wouldn’t take what you want into account?”

Tristan shook his head, “Fear doesn’t use logic.”

Abaddon nodded, “We can’t cancel the meeting nor postpone it on this short notice. But allow me to make you this deal: if you want her to return to her mother within the first month, i will back you, whatever happens.”

Tristan glanced up at him, “Honestly when Laura told me you were okay with her marrying Matthew, i thought it took a lot more convincing on her part.”

Abaddon burst out laughing, “Tristan, Matthew has been a close friend of mine for some time, and even helped me hide my first marriage from my father. He hadn’t meant to fall in love with her, and if they decided not to after talking it out, i’d be fine with it. If there was one thing i did learn from my father, it’s how not to treat people when you want their loyalty.”

Tristan nodded, “Uh… one more thing. What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

“I’ll do my best acting to keep her feeling like we’re kindred spirits, and after she leaves, possibly act in a manner she would approve of.” Abaddon said, “Make sure you wear the throat barrier tomorrow. The one that covers your face too.”

Tristan nodded, “Dad?”

Abaddon glanced at him, “Hmm?”

Tristan walked up to him and hugged him tightly, “Thank you.”

Abaddon returned the gesture, “Anytime.”

**********

@karanthos @inumorph @zarcake-writes @momolady @terato-imagines @howtobangyourmonster

Tiger by the Heart part 23: Eyes of a Child

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

Tristan and Devon peered into the small kitchen and found
Lyssa rolling out a pile of cookie dough.

“Hey Lyssa?” Devon asked.

“Yeah Uncle Dev?”

“Where’s your dad?”

She glanced up at him then smiled up behind him; Tristan and
Devon both turned slowly to find Matthew on a step-stool grabbing the candied
ginger from one of the top shelves. He looked down at them, head tilted to the
side,

“Can we help you two?” He asked.

Lyssa giggled, “Papa, you said you’d let them have the old
cookies, remember?”

Matthew rolled his eyes, “I remember, sweetie.”

Tristan and Devon exchanged and glanced before saying, “Can
we please have the cookies?”

Matthew chuckled, “They’re in the pantry. I think there’s a
Fresh Pitcher of milk in the ice box.”

Matthew stepped down as the boys ran towards the pantry
shaking his head. Lyssa picked up one of the thin metal cutters a friend had
made shaped like a star, her favorite. She cut the cookies while her father
removed a few pieces of the ginger and began chopping it. The heavy scent of
freshly ground spices filled the small area, and as soon as they were in the
oven, probably the whole lower half of the fortress. He glanced over to see
Alyssa carefully placing the cookies onto a metal pan, before gathering up the
dough and rolling it out again to cut more.

Tristan came out of the pantry first, an earthenware jar in
his hands, like Devon followed, already munching on a cookie. He went over to
the ice box and pulled out the enchanted pitcher and two drinking bowls from
the cupboard above him. Tristan opened the jar and inhaled,

“A month old and they still smell amazing.” He said.

“Jar and the amount of spices we put in them helps.” Matthew
said.

Alyssa giggled and Matthew watched Devon hold his bowl for
her to tap a sip from. Her hands covered in flour, Alyssa drank half the bowl,

“Thank you. I was really thirsty.” She said.

Devon chuckled before refilling his bowl, “I’ll say,” he
glanced up, “so… anything else happen while I was away?”

“You already know about Aidan right?” Tristan asked, dipping
a cookie into his bowl then placing it into his mouth.

Devon nodded, “Yeah. I also hear Ion is reading up on Striga
Hunting as a result…”

Alyssa’s smile faded, “Where’s Aunt Lucinda?”

Matthew stood behind her and sprinkled the ginger over the
cookies, “Helping Momma and your older uncles. Why?”

Matthew let the remaining ginger drop in a heap on the pan
as his daughter began convulsing and he caught her against him.

Tristan and Devon jumped to their feet and ran around the
kitchen island. Matthew held Alyssa in his arms as her eyes turned pale,

“The Tyrant shall rise in the Center Kingdom, The Queen to
the east, the False Lord in the West and the Overlord in the North. Blood shall
spill upon the earth. The Unliving shall rule over those that breath. All shall
fall beneath the shadows of dark wings.” She whispered.

Matthew glanced at Tristan and Devon, “Get down to the
basement. See what the hell is going on.”

************

Tristan and Devon made in record time downstairs; their
siblings stood or leaned against the walls of the dungeon corridor. Lucinda sat
on the ground, trembling even as Laura held her hand and their father had his
on her shoulder. Sekmet was holding their grandfather’s skull, now cracked and
spitting curses inside a heavy glass jar, in her hands.

“What happened?” Tristan asked, crouching beside Lucinda.

Laura sniffed and glanced between them, “Alyssa?”

Devon nodded, “Matt’s with her. She was talking about the
Unliving ruling over the Living.”

Laura glanced at Lucinda who squeezed her hand, “Go.
Tristan’s here.”

Laura nodded, before placing her hand on Devon’s arm, “Call
Kat.”

Devon’s jaw slackened even as Laura ran off in the direction
the brothers had just come from. Pulling out his Spirit Mirror he tried
connecting with Katrina.

Tristan knelt in front of Lucinda and gently tipped her face
up, “Take your time, but please, what’s happened?”

Before she could, Devon shouted, “Kat?! KAT!”

“I’m okay! I’m… I’m okay. Y-you’re… you’re uncle is here.”

Devon’s grip on his mirror threatened to snap it, “What
happened over there?”

“My brother. He was leading an army of Bound Souls; they
passed through all our defenses even though he couldn’t. They… they almost had
us…”

Devon’s legs gave out and he hit the back wall, sliding down
to the floor, “Is everyone else okay?”

Kat cleared her throat, “Y-yes. Daddy! Oh thank the God’s in
Heaven.”

“It’s okay, love. I’m alright.” Her father sounded muffled.

“Did they leave?” Kat asked.

“Yes. He convinced them to retreat until the next super
moon.” The fox lord said.

“Sir?” Devon asked, “I can be back there in a day. I know
all the shortcuts and—”

“Stop. Devon calm down. We’re all okay. They were rounding
people up when your… your uncle’s spirit appeared. He said he was sent by
someone related to their controller, and that attacking us would constitute
betraying the family.” He took a shuddering breath, “If you’ll excuse me I… I
need to go lay down and hug my wife for a month or so.”

Devon covered his mouth with his hand, “Yeah I know the
feeling. Can I ask if she can come here? Please?”

The Fox Lord laughed, “Considering she asked my wife that as
I was approaching? Of course.”

A popping sound echoed in the hall before the tall, white
furred vixen appeared before them.

“Thank you.” Devon said, crushing her to him.

Katrina wrapped her arms around her mate’s neck and held on
just as tightly, “I never thought I’d see you again for a moment there…” she
whispered.

Devon’s grip tightened for a moment, “Just so you know, I
don’t plan to let you out of my sight.”

Katrina chuckled, “Fine by me. You’re not getting away from
me either.”

Tristan turned back to Lucinda who sat watching them, “You
up to telling me what’s going on?”

She glanced at him, “My mother tried to overthrow the other
three kingdoms using your grandfather’s corpse.”

Katrina, Devon and Tristan all glanced at her in horror,
“What?” Tristan asked.

Lucinda nodded, “I was able to make your uncles into
guardians for the family, and sent them to stop my mother’s army. The bound
souls belong to us.”

Tristan sat down beside her and placed his arm around her
shoulders, “I take it our marriage will stop them period, yes?”

She nodded, and leaned against him, “We have to wait for the
Corpse Eye first.”

“She means—” Kyle began.

“The Super Moon. I gathered.” Tristan said. He pressed a kiss to her temple, “I suppose we should
prepare then, huh?”

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Tiger by the Heart 22:

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Tristan spun on his heel and approached Matthew who took a few steps back.

“What the hell is she doing here?” Tristan asked in a quiet tone.

“Her father’s here to sign a peace treaty between himself and your father. She came along with him as she’s going to have to uphold it. She’s also going to try and push her luck with Laura but i don’t see it going anywhere.” He said.

Tristan growled, “I thought they were at peace with us.”

“Promises in Words have a habit of being forgotten. Your father knows he’s been trying to stir up trouble with the other nobles so he’s getting ahead of it.” Matthew said.

Devon snorted, “Sounds like we should be cutting our losses.”

“He’s popular among the Nobles. It’s not a good idea at the moment.” Matthew said.

Tristan shook his head as he rolled his eyes, “I swear if she goes after Lyssa–”

“Laura already gave her a warning. She didn’t include me in it, so Ella thinks she’s free and clear. Personally, i think Laura wants me to set her straight. She thinks i won’t fight back because of her father.” Matthew said.

Devon blinked,  “What about him?”

Matthew sighed, “I killed his son after he became a wraith. The family still thinks there must have been a way to save him that i wouldn’t see.”

Tristan scowled, “If he was a wraith, he was too far gone even before his first death.”

Matthew shrugged, when his ears perked.

“PAPA!”

They turned to see a small blur of silver and charcoal gray rush over and jump in Matthew’s arms.

“Oof! Ahaha! I take it your schooling is done for the day?” Matthew said.

His daughter nuzzled into his chest, “The week. Tomorrow’s the start of the Lunar Bazaar, remember?”

Matthew sighed, “Now i do. Thank you for reminding me. I need to get your mother a present.”

Tristan smiled, “Hey Lyssa?”

His niece glanced at him, “Yes Uncle Tris?”

“How’d you find us?”

She shook her head, “I always know where Papa is. He smells like the ginger cookies i like so much.”

Matthew turned his head slightly; Tristan and Devon grinned,

“Did you know he makes those cookies?” Devon asks.

Lyssa gasped and glanced at her father, eyes wide, “You do?”

Matthew chuckled, “Yes,” he glanced at his brothers-in-law and took the hint, “i was thinking about making another batch. Want to help me?”

Lyssa squealed, “Yesyesyesyes!”

Matthew turned and headed towards the kitchens, where even if Ella wanted to go, would be unable due to Laura’s claim over it.

Tristan sighed heavily, “That should keep those two out of trouble for a bit.”

Devon snorted, “Right. Like Laura won’t be roping us into cleaning up after them later?”

Tristan laughed, then glanced behind him at a familiar set of footfalls; Lucinda emerged from the fortress with a sour look on her face.

“I take it you ran into our guest?” Tristan asked.

“If you mean ‘was almost run over by’ then yeah i suppose. What is her deal anyway?” Lucinda asked.

Devon shook his head, “Long story. And by the goofy way my little brother is looking at you, i take it you’re the newest member of our family.” He held out his hand, “Devon Tir. Pleasure to finally meet you Lucinda.”

Lucinda smiled at him, “I’ve heard a few stories about you.”

Devon groaned, “I assure you the bad parts were greatly exaggerated.”

Tristan snorted, “Some of the good parts too.”

Devon punched Tristan’s shoulder hard enough to make the tiger flinch but not further, “Watch it or i’ll tell her about the skinny dipping incident when we were six.”

Tristan grunted before focusing his attention on Lucinda, “So, how’d your… suggestion go?”

“Not sure. They asked to speak with me directly and I’m on my way to do so.”

Tristan rubbed her arm reassuringly, “Want me to go with you? He may seem like he does, but i assure you, my father doesn’t frighten me.”

Lucinda smiled at him, “He doesn’t frighten me either Tristan. Kyle, on the other hand, does. A wounded, angry sorcerer isn’t always the safest person to be around.”

Tristan nodded, “You can handle him. I have faith in you.”

She smiled at him, “Thanks,” she took a deep breath, “well, wish me luck.”

“I wish you luck and success.” Tristan said.

Lucinda blinked, “Is that a common saying up here? My sister said the same thing.”

Tristan laughed, “Yes it is. And i’m not surprised. I got it from Badulf after all.”

Devon groaned, “He’s related to us too?”

Tristan nodded, “‘Fraid so.”

Devon sighed, “I swear we’re going to end up related to everybody at this rate.”

Tristan shook his head, before leaning down and placing a kiss on Lucinda’s forehead, “I also see you’re not hiding your scars anymore.”

Lucinda smiled shyly up at him, “Figured it wouldn’t do much good. Only one i would want to impress sees them anyway.”

She glanced at the sky, “I need to be going. I’ll see you later?”

Tristan nodded, “Of course.”

Her watched her walk off and sighed;

“You may want to wake up before you walk into a wall, mr. dreamer.” Devon said.

Tristan shoved him, “Shut up. You’ve done worse when Kat was here courting you.”

Devon laughed, “Yeah, and i walked into a wall because of it.”

Tristan shook his head, “Think we should go see if we can nab a few cookies?”

Devon glanced towards the kitchens, “Even if we can’t, we might be able to find Laura’s stash.”

They grinned at each other before sprinting across the yard.

********

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Tiger by the Heart part 21: In another part of the castle, prior to the meeting…

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Tristan brought his sword down in a bone jarring strike, but
as usual, Matthew stood his ground. And Tristan’s hand was now numb.

“Dammit!” he said.

Matthew chuckled, “I told you not to try that. I’ve Hunted
worse things than my brother in law before.”

Tristan smirked, “That include the wild tigers we were made
from?”

Considering those hadn’t existed in thousands of years, he
wasn’t surprised Matthew took offense. A lot of people outside the castle gossiped
about the age gap between Matthew and Tristan’s older sister, Laura. 30 years
was a lot, but considering Matthew was a Godson, it was mostly appearance wise.

Tristan was able to brace himself enough not to be knocked
down when his much stronger teacher slammed into him. Swords forgotten, he did
his best, but Matthew was more experienced in grappling, and Tristan ended up
on his stomach. To add insult to injury, Matthew sat down squarely on Tristan’s back, as you do a chair.

“Oof! Gods in Heaven, what has my sister been feeding you,
lead?”

Matthew sighed, “You know I don’t have any place to go to,
right? You keep that up and I’m not moving.”

Tristan grunted as best he could, “You’re cutting off
circulation and oxygen. Pretty sure my sister will be a bit upset if you kill
me.”

Matthew shifted, moving his weight to the center of
Tristan’s upper back, freeing his diaphragm, “Better?”

“Much,” Tristan tried bucking the older tiger off, but to no
avail. After catching his breath, he said, “changed my mind. Has to be pig
iron.”

Matthew stuck his pinky finger into his mouth and Tristan
tensed, “Hey! We agreed no wet willies!”

Removing his finger Matthew snorted, “That was before you
insulted my wife’s cooking, and commented on my weight and age.”

They both heard a musical laugh and glanced over to see
Laura, a black furred tigeress, walking towards them, a basket on her arm.

“Sounds like I brought lunch just in time.” She said.

With far more agility than Tristan thought he should have at
that age, Matthew jumped up and held out his hand. Tristan took it and let him
pull him up,

“You’re a literal life saver, sis,” Tristan said, “your
husband was trying to suffocate me with his fat ass.”

Matthew snorted, “The only fat you need to worry about is what’s
inside your skull, where your brain should be.”

Laura stepped between them as Tristan went in for a swipe,
and caught his hand, “Boys, I’m pregnant again. Don’t put me into early labor
again, please?”

Tristan groaned in mock displeasure, “But why? Your husband
has such a punchable face. And from the scars I’m not the only one who thinks
so.”

Matthew chuckled, “You might be right about th—”

He stopped when Laura gave him a warning glare; she hated it
when he talked badly about himself. Turning the same glare on Tristan, she grabbed
his ear and tugged gently,

“Apologize, or I’m keeping this ear.” She said.

Tristan sighed, “I’m sorry Matt… that you were born with
that face.”

Laura slapped his shoulder, then shrieked when Matthew
tickled her ribs, “Matthew I swear!”

Matthew grinned, “What’d I say about hitting your brother?
Especially for teasing me?”

She turned and kissed him, “Fine. You’re right.”

Tristan opened the basket, nose twitching, “Roast turkey
sandwiches?”

Matthew’s stomach growled, but a moment later Laura’s
stomach roared. Both males glared at her,

“You skipped lunch again?” Tristan said.

Matthew growled at his wife, “How many times have we told
you not to skip meals?”

Laura groaned, “I know but I’m not hungry when I cook.”

Both males guided her over to an area of the practice yard
shaded by the fortress’s main battlements.

“I can’t stay long. I wanted to drop off your lunch before I
headed to see Kyle.” She said.

“Has he cooled off in the hour or so since he threw me out
of his room?” Tristan said, handing Matthew his sandwich.

“Doesn’t matter if he’s still seething. He’s coming whether
or not he wants to. Have you told Matt?” Laura said.

Matthew paused mid bite, “That Lucinda wants to use your
uncle’s spirits to protect the family? Yeah… I heard.”

Laura glanced at him, “You sound like my father and Kyle.”

Matthew shook his head, “No. Honestly if they can redeem
themselves by helping, I don’t see a reason we shouldn’t give them a second
chance. Forty years is a long time to think about what you’ve done, and what
you’ve missed because of it.”

Laura leaned against him as she tore off pieces of her sandwich with
her fingers before popping them into her mouth, “I don’t think it’ll ever be enough
time for Kyle. My father is more open to it because he believes he acted rashly
when he killed all of them, after all, what could they have done? My
grandfather was insane. He’d probably preferred to have no heir rather than
four he despised.”

Matthew’s whiskers twitched, “I don’t doubt that, but they
were three against one.”

Laura nodded, “True. How much of a chance do you think they
had?”

He shook his head, “No clue. If the rumors about the Tyrant
being a GodSon are true, not much of one.”

Laura sighed, “I’ll call you if I need help wrangling Kyle.
Oh, Tristan, Mathias told me to mention Lucinda’s heading down to the dungeons.
He’s not sure why, but she wanted you to know. Probably so you don’t worry when
you can’t find her.”

Tristan nodded, “Probably. You might want to hurry; it’s
almost noon.”

Laura gasped before rising carefully, “I’ll see you both
later. Don’t kill each other. I’m already upset, tired and achy. Neither of you
want to see me cranky.”

Both males watched her leave and Tristan grunted, “I like
how she told us both not kill each other, even though that comment was made
mainly towards you.”

Matthew chuckled, “Don’t worry. You’ll catch up soon
enough.”

“I know, but I keep telling you, gray fur does suit me.”

Matthew shook his head, “Hmph, great. The other pain in my
tail has returned.”

Tristan looked over to where Matthew had gestured with his
head, “Devon!”

His older brother turned when his name was called and waved
to them; he finished speaking with the head guard before heading in their
direction. Tristan hugged him before Matthew extended his hand and pulled him
in for a hug as well,

“Glad to see you back in one piece.” Matthew said.

“Glad to be back in one piece.” Devon said. He glanced at
Tristan and smirked, “I’m surprised you’re not with your wife. I hear you
finally got engaged, to a human no less.”

“Necromancer, which makes her more like us than you might
think.” Tristan said.

Matthew shook his head, “I’m nipping this in the bud right
now: lots of tension going on right now and the last thing we need is you
stirring the pot, Devon.”

Devon raised his hands, “I meant no offense. Just… never saw
any of us with a human. They’re kind of… fragile.”

“Not Lucinda.” Matthew and Tristan said.

Devon blinked, “Must not be. After a long nap, I would like
to meet my new sister in law. See whether she regrets the arrangement or if
you’re going to and all that.”

Tristan rolled his eyes, “Kat’s rubbing off on you.”

Devon grinned even as Tristan groaned in realization;
Matthew just shook his head and said nothing.

Devon cleared his throat, “A little bit, I admit, but a
quick shower usually fixes that.”

Matthew groaned, “Devon, please. It’s too early in the damn
morning to do this.”

Devon chuckled, “Sorry. Been spending a bit too much time
with her younger brother. The one who didn’t try to kill their father.”

“How’s Simon doing anyhow? Other than corrupting you.”
Tristan asked. After a little adventure four or so years prior, Simon had ended
up being like a younger brother to Tristan as well, even though they rarely saw
each other.

“Fine, fine. Just finished his training and is deciding if
he wants to be a spy or just an assassin. I told him a thief makes more money,
before Kat slapped my back for it. I don’t think their dad was too pleased with
me either.” Devon said.

Matthew snorted, “Can’t imagine why he’d upset with that comment.”

Devon shrugged, “Guard also tells me there’s something going
on with those kept in the dungeons?”

Tristan sighed, “That’s a… very long story.”

Devon crossed his arms, “I’ve got time.”

Matthew rolled his eyes, “Might as well cancel practice for
today. Too many interruptions and I’ll admit, I’m a bit distracted.”

“Laura pop yet?” Devon asked.

“Would I be standing here talking with you if she had? No,
I’d be eyeteeth deep in diapers and Storytime.” Matthew said, not quite able to
hide his smile.

Devon laughed, “Yeah really convincing. You really seem to
dread the worse the parts of child rearing.”

“When Kat has kits, you’ll understand why it’s worth the
loss of smell and hearing for a few years.” Matthew said.

“If you say so. Considering the rumors I’ve been hearing
about Lucinda’s mother, I’m surprised you and Laura are having more kids.”
Devon said.

Matthew blinked, then narrowed his eyes, “That why you and
Kat are on the herb?”

Devon sighed, “Last thing I want to do is bring kids into
the world then have to have someone else take care of them because one or both
of us got ourselves maimed or killed.”

Tristan clapped him on the shoulder, “You’re not the only
one. I think the reason they’re having kids is because they’re afraid of
Matthew dropping dead.”

Matthew growled even as Devon snickered, “Come on dude. He’s
not that old. I mean, just because he probably came with the fortress? And it’s
only what, couple hundred years old at this point?” Devon said.

Matthew shook his head, “And I actually missed having
brothers. What was wrong with me?”

Tristan stepped forward and snatched a half rotten apple
from the air, a foot or so from Matt’s head; Matthew’s exasperated smile faded
as did Devon’s. Tristan glanced around and saw a familiar half-tail slink back
into the fortress.

“ELLA! I KNOW ITS YOU!” Tristan said.

Matthew sighed, “I don’t think she saw you two when she
threw it.”

Tristan growled, and used his Wight Eye to find his sister’s
Ex hiding behind the fruit bin. He handed the projectile to Devon and whispered
her location. Devon chucked the worm-ridden fruit, bouncing it off the back
wall and splattering the tigress. With a shriek she rose and glared at them,

“I did not—” she began.

“I SAW YOU THROW IT!” Tristan said.

Devon crossed his arms and growled, “I suggest you go crawl
back to the female you cheated on our sister with. Oh that’s right, she dumped you too after she found out.”

Ella snorted and spun on her heel, heading back inside to
clean her fur.

Matthew glanced at the brothers before quietly saying, “Now
I remembered why I missed having brothers.”

***********

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