Tag: Tigerman

Tiger by the Heart Addendum 6: Matthew and Laura

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Matthew emptied the contents of his stomach into the
commode; collapsing to his knees, he spat out the taste before half-rolling
onto his backside. The potion wasn’t supposed to be used this much or for this
long; emergencies only if need be. Lying to someone you love…

He cursed himself and his heart for falling for her; she was
young enough to be his daughter and yet… and yet she was the only one who’d
ever looked at him as something other than a teacher, friend or, at least when
the Bastard Tyrant was still alive, a necessary evil.

He wanted to be something he wasn’t for her; not because she
asked it of him, but because he… hated himself. Scars criss-crossed his body,
while his fur had turned gray from the repeated usage of the potions Wraith
Hunters used. The only reason he could even walk was the mechanical apparatus that
allowed his brain to move the paralyzed muscles in his left leg. He’d grown
used to how painful not moving the atrophied muscles for a time would be, but
after using the potion so long, the pain wouldn’t abate no matter what he did.

Even the long braids of graying hair were a mess, and how
that had happened he didn’t know. He pulled himself up and stripped before
filling the tub with hot spring water. As he slid into the soothing bath, he
could feel her touch, sliding through his dense fur, searing his worthless soul
even as she claimed it. He groaned, knowing in the pit of his stomach she
deserved to know the truth.

And he dreaded that eventually confession.

After his bath, he readied himself for bed, when a familiar
light knock came to his door. Feeling as decent as he could while wearing the
least flattering night shirt and pants he owned, he opened the door to find
Laura standing on the threshold.

“Laura? Is something wrong?” He asked.

She seemed tense, “I’m not sure. I need some advice and
you’re the only one still awake at this hour.”

Smiling, he let her inside, as she passed in front of him,
her scent struck him squarely in the groin and he thanked the Spirits that his
clothes were baggy enough to prevent her from noticing. At least for now.

As he closed the door, he heard Laura sit down on his bed;
the old mattress creaked more than his joints, which was quite the achievement.
Turning he saw her hugging one of his pillows as she curled into a ball on the
quilt.

She’d done that a handful of times as she grew up, mostly
when something scared her. He sat down on the edge of the bed,

“Laura?” he asked.

She took a shaky breath before asking, “How much damage do
those potions do to you?”

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

Well, that look speaks
volumes. Laura thought.

She’d finally told her father about her courtship with a
young tiger she’d met in town. After describing him, her father had blinked
then asked for male’s name.

After she told him, he’d left the room and returned with a
sketch of the young male… and a much younger version of her father.  Now, she lay in the bed of the male she’d
fallen for… someone old enough to be her father and someone who’d deceived her.

Well… maybe not deceived. She’d had a sense of deja’ vu
whenever Matthew had stopped by to see how her training was coming along.
Becoming the head cook was serious business, and he’d offered to assist by
being the taste tester. So far the only thing of hers he’d liked was the
pickles, and she’d only had a minor hand in that.

“Why do you want to know? You’re not thinking about trying
to become a Wraith Hunter too are you?” He joked.

She shook her head, “Just curious. I met another Wraith
Hunter while in town. We’ve been seeing each other for a few months now.”

He blinked, “This the young male you’ve been sneaking out to
see?”

She nodded, “Just worried about the damage they cause.”

“As long as we don’t take them too many times in quick
succession, our bodies can rid themselves of most of the by products. But if
you’re serious about being with him, I must ask: what color is his fur?”

She blinked, “White. Why?”

“Cause it’ll turn gray like mine as time goes on. Being a
Wraith Hunter isn’t easy, and it does take a toll.” Matthew said.

She nodded, “He hasn’t said how bad it is when they wear
off. In fact, I’ve never actually seen him use one of those potions.”

“He might not need to. Usually unless a Wraith is nearby, we
use them sparingly.”

“What if you don’t? And be honest, please?” She said.

He winced, “It… depends. The side effects range from
lowering our quality of life to shortening it. Just depends on which he uses.”

“I’m worried he’s using one to keep something from me. Are
there any that change your appearance?” She asked.

He hesitated before nodding, “A few.”

Laura sighed, “Why though? Why would he hide something from
me?”

“Wraiths have a habit of scarring those who hunt them; those
scars typically bleed the taint of the Unliving, even after years and years,
the stench never goes away. The potions typically mask the smell and hide the
scars; they’re a mark of shame for us.” Matthew said.

Scars. Oh Matthew…

Laura sat up, “You have scars?”

Matthew nodded, “Yes. Quite a few in fact.”

“Okay… then, what would you say to him about hiding?” Laura
said.

Matthew stared at the floor for a long moment before taking
a deep breath and saying, “It’s more important to be honest with the people you
trust. Let them make their own decisions.”

Laura nodded, “You think that’ll work?”

Matthew shrugged, “Not sure. Depends on what else he’s
hiding; there could be a lot of bad memories attached to those wounds, and some
of the invisible ones may still be bleeding.”

She smiled, “Thank you. And Matthew?”

He turned to look at her; she stared into the familiar yet
alien eyes and said, “It’s more important for you to be honest with me; let me
make my own decisions.”

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

Matthew cursed internally, “I…”

Laura smiled, “Dad showed me the sketch from when you were
both younger. He also said the name you gave me was what you went by, as
Matthew was your father’s name, and my grandfather hated his guts.”

Fuck. Me. “Abaddon
knows?”

Laura nodded, “I wanted to make sure he wasn’t planning to
find another husband for me. I’d already found one.”

Matthew flinched, “You’re not making this easier.”

“What? You want to break up with me now that I found out
you’re a dirty old man?”

He glanced at her and saw her smiling impishly, “Laura… I’m
honestly surprised your father hasn’t come down here to skin me alive.”

“He said the only reason he’d do that is if you hurt me
willingly. And don’t worry, he told me he’d do the same to me if I hurt you
willingly.”

Sighing, Matthew lay back on the bed as Laura crouched
beside him, “I’m assuming you want to know why I didn’t just tell you first thing,
right?”

Laura shook her head, “I did kiss you for helping me. In
hindsight, this was as much my fault as it is yours.”

Shaking his head and covering his eyes with his arm, Matthew
groaned, “Where does this leave us?”

Laura moved Matthew’s arm and placed a kiss to his lips,
“With me asking you not to use those potions and you not using those potions.”

Matthew blinked, “Laura, your reputation’s tarnished enough
after that scandal with the Baron’s daughter. Why would you ever want an old man
like me?”

Laura smiled, “Because you actually care about what happens
to me. And because I trust you.”

“I helped raise you. That’s creepy as hell.” Matthew said.

Laura laughed, “Actually my father and mother did most of
the raising. You just acted as a babysitter when I drove them up the wall.”

Matthew narrowed his eyes, “And that changes what?”

Laura’s expression changed slowly, “I remember something
from a long time ago. A fire, a baby lying between us. Screaming. Blood then…
cold.”

Matthew felt his heart stop, “That’s… did he tell you about
those dreams?”

Laura shook her head, “No. I had them too.”

Matthew felt sick to his stomach, “Fate seems to be having a
laugh at our expense, huh?”

Laura nodded, “Maybe. I mean, he did keep his promise: we
found each other again.”

“When one us is a GodSon older than dirt and the other is
the child of my best friend.” Matthew said.

Laura shrugged, “No relationship is perfect. At least I’m
not a lesbian. That would be him having a laugh.”

Matthew chuckled, “True. You sure you’re okay with this?”

Laura nodded, “Yeah. I’ll just have to learn to slow down so
you can keep up when we walk places.”

Matthew snorted, “Excuse me? Was that a dig at my age?”

Laura smiled, “Yeah. What are you going to do about it?
Break a hip?”

Matthew growled before pouncing and pinning her to the bed,
“I’m still spry for my age.”

“Of course you are dear. Whatever helps.” Laura said.

Matthew saw the teasing light in her eyes and felt his heart
ease, “You’re going to drive me crazy aren’t you?”

She smiled, “Kind of hard when you’re already there.”

He leaned down and kissed her; she growled as she tasted him,
“I take it your open to the idea of continuing this relationship?” She asked.

He bumped his head gently against hers, “For now.”

She pressed her head back against his, “Good enough.”

*******

This has baring on tonight’s installment of tiger by the heart.

Let’s see if i can keep this schedule going, shall we?

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

Tiger by the Heart Addendum 5: A Painful Reunion

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The water was colder than he would have liked, but given what he was about to do, he supposed it didn’t matter. Tightening the rope around his ankle and then the stone that drag him beneath, he sighed. The demon in him was far too strong it seemed.

He waded out into water, and dropped the rock over the sheer drop of the river bank. He stepped out into the open water, allowing the rock to drag him beneath. Water closed in over his head and he let out a shocked breath.

His last.

He knew this wasn’t going to be easy or peaceful. He’d nearly drowned when he was seven and the feeling of the water burning his lungs as they filled still haunted him. But he felt like maybe, just maybe, whatever was haunting him had lived in the river and attached itself to him when he escaped.

He could only fight it so long before he tried taking a breath, and water filled his lungs and darkness finally took him. The last thing he felt though, was a much stronger force pulling him towards the surface…

*******

“He’ll be fine. I told you he wasn’t going to die today.” a male said.

a Female sighed, “I know but… Father why did he do this?”

“You know why.”

“I told him i cared!”

“He thought you’d move on.”

“An amputee can move on after losing a limb; doesn’t mean it’s easy or painless! I swear I’m going to skin him when he wakes up.” the female sniffed and started sobbing. The sound became muffled and the male comforted her.

“Shh. It’s okay.”

Shit he thought.

Kyle opened his eyes, grateful the Judge of the Dead had dimmed the lights in the room. Sitting up, his head swam and he dropped to an elbow.

“Sounds like he’s awake,” the male said, “try to be gentle with him. Those demons have his convinced they always speak the truth.”

Kyle glanced up as Hathor, the Judge’s Daughter, stepped into the room. The Jackaless was tall and slender, built for running and sprinting, and wore the familiar gold and white clothing of her station as the daughter of a God. Her eyes were red and tear stains ran down her face, she sniffed again and glared at him, in a similar manner to what his mother did when he’d scared the every loving shit of her.

Well… starting to wonder about that truth thing… he thought.

She walked towards the bedding area, and sat down on a pillow beside him, her face turned away from him.

“Ha-”

She turned on him, “My father dragged you out of the river, half-dead. He spent seven hours bringing you back again and again. I never left and yes, your parents were there too. They went to the guest rooms to sleep after you were stabilized.”

Bitter tears rolled down her face, “So whatever you have to say, it had better be good.”

Kyle stared at her for a long time before laying back down, “I told you. It won’t let me alone.”

“And i told you we’d help you!”

Kyle rolled over, “Like i want you wasting your time on–”

Hathor leapt over his form and landed on all fours, her face inches from his, the pain and raw rage in her eyes silencing him,

“On someone we love? That’s better be what you were going to say.” She was a moment away from bursting into tears or busting his ass over her knee.

Kyle averted his gaze, “I don’t want to drag you down with me.”

“You would have anyway. Part of us would have gone with you when you died. You wouldn’t be sparing us pain, you’d just be causing us more.” She whispered.

Kyle kept his eyes down, even as she pulled back the blankets and slid in beside him, “Well, what other excuses do they have for you?” she said.

Worthless little bastard… it whispered.

“I’m worthless…” he said.

“Not to us, and since your not worthless to us, you have worth, which makes that a lie.” Hathor whispered.

… Failure… it whispered.

“I’m a failure…” he said.

“So? You can’t lose all the time, Kyle, it’s statistically impossible and in practice, doesn’t happen either.” Hathor said.

…They don’t love you… it whispered, its voice lower than before.

Kyle blinked, “You… you do love me, don’t you?”

Hathor nodded, smiling through tears, “Yes. And no matter what, i will find a counter to every one of it’s insidious comments. Take it from someone who has one of those too: it’s only strong when you give it an inch.”

…you need me… it whispered, barely audible.

Kyle laid his head down, “… I’m sorry.”

Hathor smiled and kissed his forehead, “I forgive you, as long as you don’t do it again.”

He looked up at her, “I… if you still want to help me, i would greatly appreciate it.”

She laughed, “Silly, i love you. Of course i still want to help you. I’ll even stay with you if you want me to.”

“I’d like that.” Kyle whispered.

As Hathor snuggled against him, a single, tiny thought popped into his head, I need them more than i need you asshole.

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

Little bit of venting tonight. 

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

Tiger by the Heart part 20: Ritual

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The room was silent before Abaddon found his voice, “What?”

Lucinda
blinked and glanced at her sister, “The gift of bluntness keeps on giving,
huh?”

  Natasha
snorted, “At least you get to the point.”

  Lucinda
shook her head before glancing at the shocked tigers, “Our mother is using your
father’s body as a Conduit, a tool that allows magic users to transfer their
powers and spells. In this case, she’s using it to spread her influence over a
much wider area. She’s using your father’s head as the Fulcrum, since it’s in
the center of the Northern wastes. From here, she can transfer Necromantic
energy in every direction, towards your father’s remains. More than likely,
those remains are Batteries, something that stores and releases energy over
time.”

  Natasha
smiled at her sister, “You’re getting better at being succinct.”

  “We
don’t have much so I figured time was of the essence.”

  Kyle
shook himself, “So… these Unliving entities basically have their own power
supply? Okay, but why would that matter? Most places, especially the Fox
stronghold, are prepared for the Unliving.”

“Which
is where the bound souls come in. Mother more than likely sent a third of that
army to serve beneath each of those unliving entities. And while their
commanders would have trouble enter the grounds, those bound souls are Eternal,
not Unliving. They’re not hampered by the spells or barriers at all.” Natasha
said.

“And for normal armies, that number might be small, but they
souls can’t be killed and are adept fighters. There’s a very real danger that
they’ll take over before the day is out.” Lucinda said.

Laura gasped and placed her hand over her mouth as her
brothers and step-mother/aunt cursed. Abaddon fell silent again; a minute later
he glanced at Lucinda,

“Why hasn’t she come here then, if this army can’t be
stopped?”

Lucinda sighed, “I’m here. The soldiers can’t kill me, as it
would be betraying the family.”

“Then I take it if you married my son, the immediate family
would be safe as well?”

Lucinda nodded, “It’s another reason, fifth I think at this
point, that I came here. She can’t exactly take over if her protected family is
ruling the place.”

“So why haven’t you?” Tobias asked.

“I was waiting for the Corpse Eye.”

The others blinked and turned to Kyle who sighed, “The
Vernal Equinox. There’s supposed to be a full moon this year, and typically
those are when Unliving magic is at its strongest. Which begs the question
why’d you need to wait for it.”

Natasha snorted, “Well there goes succinct.”

Lucinda shrugged, “It’s what I expected. Once I marry
Tristan I wanted to bind our blood together; the normal ritual is dangerous, as
if we don’t share similar blood, we could hurt or kill each other. The Ritual
under the Corpse Eye would allow us to bind our blood together, safely.”

Natasha nodded, “It would also show that this is a willing
connection to your family. Badulf and I didn’t have to go through it as Vampyre
don’t have normal blood. That and he was feeding off me.”

Lucinda grunted, “If we could get a message to the three
kingdoms, I might be able to convince them to turn back, at least until the
Corpse Eye.”

“Do they have Spirit Mirrors?” Tobias asked.

“Yes, but I imagine they’ll be distracted or worse right
now.” Sekmet said.

Natsha blinked, “I have an idea.”

They all looked at her, and she looked at Lucinda, “Remember
when we were kids and we got cornered by that huge boar?”

Lucinda blushed, “Because I wanted to pick flowers in the
meadow, despite you warning me about it? Yeah. Why?”

“We called the Captain of the Guard to us. It didn’t take
him longer than a second to teleport there, right?”

Lucinda’s eyes widened in realization, “I need your
permissions now. If I bind the three brothers to your family, they might be
able to get to the kingdoms in time.”

Kyle grunted, “Since I can’t think of any better ideas,” he
glanced at his siblings and parents who shook their heads; with a sigh he said,
“What do you need from us?”

Kyle set the three tubs inside the cell then stepped outside,
“You sure you can do this all at once?”

Lucinda sighed, “No clue. Normally, part of the ritual is to
clean the bones then soak them in a solution made specifically to prevent
things from growing or gnawing on them. We don’t have the time, so hopefully
this short cut will help.”

Kyle nodded as Natasha returned, a large, gray-green lizard
creature in tow,

“And this would be the Dregas I’ve heard about?” he asked.

The creature grinned through clenched teeth; Kyle noted the
creature’s throat was bloated, giving him the appearance of a bullfrog.

Pursing his lips, the Dregas shot a clear liquid into each
tub, which also shrank his throat pouch. When the last of the three tubs was
full, the Dregas wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and sighed,

“Ah, much better,” he readjusted a leather belt wrapped
around his waist, before standing on his back legs, “name’s Lazarus by the by.”

Lucinda smiled, “Uncle Lazzy I take it?”

Lazarus burst out laughing, “Ai, their welps consider me
part of their family, so I let ‘em.”

Natasha snorted, “I’m glad Maddie can stand your… unique
abilities.”

Lazarus grunted, “You and me both, me Lady.”

Kyle watched as Natasha pulled the cloth off a basket she’d
brought, and began throwing handfuls of freshly crushed dried flowers, berries,
twigs and bark into each tub. Lucinda was busy mixing the rose oil and other
ingredients she’d asked from him.

“And that’s really your saliva? All of it?” He asked the
Dregas.

Lazarus nodded, “My kind eat carrion, and the males
typically bring home dinner for their children and mate.”

Kyle wrinkled his nose, “Rotting flesh stew basically?”

Lazarus grinned, revealing rows of sharp teeth, “Your kin
used to eat raw, freshly killed things. I don’t want to hear a word about my
kinds eating habits.”

Kyle shuddered as Natasha finished, “Brews bubbling
already,” she placed her hand on Lazarus’ upper arm, “Thanks Lazzy. I know you
were saving that for when your kids are born.”

Lazarus shrugged, “Not like I won’t make more.”

Natasha kissed his cheek, “Still can’t believe Maddie is
half Dregas and never knew. I mean, you’d think—”

Lazarus chuckled, “The females don’t have the throat pouch
or the ability to create a deluge of spit. And It’s not common knowledge that
we can make children with just about anyone so.”

Natasha smiled, “I don’t care what you think, you’ll make a
great dad, understand me?”

Lazarus groaned, “Would ya stop? Maddie’s been on my tail
about it for months as is. Swear if you weren’t those whelp’s mother I’d revoke
your godmother privileges.”

Natasha laughed, then glanced at Lucinda, “Almost ready?”

“Almost. You getting a headache too?”

“Yeah,” Natasha said and looked at Lazarus; the Dregas
nodded, “Ai, my temples are pounding as well. Best be on with it before she
sends someone to stop ya.”

Sekmet, Abaddon, Tobias and Laura arrived shortly after,
“Did you find anything?” Lucinda asked.

Sekmet held up a handmade necklace, “She made it for me
right before mother exiled her.”

Tobias held up a wooden toy soldier, “Dad made it, but mom painted
it and gave it to me.”

Laura held up a worn doll, “She made it, but dad did the
needlework and gave it to me.”

Abaddon grunted as his daughter smiled at him, before
holding up a simple blue metal ring, “The engagement ring she gave me. Sekmet
told me to hold onto it, as she wasn’t giving up her late husbands ring
either.”

She glanced at Kyle who held up a small leather pouch, “Dad
made and stitched it, but mom was the one that tanned the hide.”

“I need a small piece of each, or the whole thing in the
case of the jewelry, covered in your blood. It’ll strengthen the bond once it’s
made.” Lucinda said.

Laura and Kyle tore a small piece of the dolls dress and
pouch flap off, respectively, while Tobias shaved off a piece of the wood with
his claw. Afterwards, they each pricked their fingers, and coated items in
blood. Lucinda held out the beaker with the solution inside and they dropped
the items into it.

The moment Abaddon’s ring, the last of the five, settled on
the bottom of the glass, his father let out a terrible shout,

“YOU FUCKING WHORE CHILD!”

They heard bones creaking and Lucinda turned to see the
three brothers standing, despite years of not having flesh or muscle. The
shackles unlocked and they waited as Lucinda approached and poured some of the mixture
into each tub. The rest, she’d save for the contracts sealing.

The brothers stood staring at the bubbling tubs, before the
youngest, Riel, placed his foot into it. Grunting, he turned a skeletal head
towards Lucinda,

“Is it supposed to hurt this much?”

Lucinda nodded, “Yes. It’s the pain you caused them. You
three can stop now, but if you do—”

Riel laughed, “No, just checking to make sure.” He climbed
into the tub and sank beneath.

Uriel and Gabriel followed suit, and their screams of pain
joined his; their father’s skull was shouting again about killing her and all
the rest, but she didn’t hear it.

What she heard and saw, was Uriel, Gabriel and Riel standing
around Lenora’s deceased form, watching the father walk away.

“So,” Gabriel asked, “how long do you think—”

“It’ll be before our brother kills father then us? He’ll
start planning for it as soon as he learns I was us that took her from him.”
Uriel said.

Riel sighed, “Father wants the body to be desecrated further
then hung up on the wall.”

Gabriel snorted, “We do that, whatever Don is planning for
father he’ll do twice as bad for us.”

Uriel stared at the corpse, “It’s not like we don’t deserve
it. We could have turned and walked away.”

Gabriel nodded, “Or stopped him. We are three against one.”

Riel shook his head, “Father is a Godson, remember? Only one
who can kill him is another Godson.”

Uriel nodded, “Nothing to be done but get her to someplace
she can rest.”

“There’s that empty chamber downstairs, the one father was
going to brick the children up in. Maybe?” Gabriel said.

Riel nodded, “Don’s not stupid enough to bring them back
here anyway.”

The vision changed, to Lenora’s perspective; she watched
them talking, hidden just behind the veil of life and death. Nothing had
changed from the previous vision; their words were the same. They’re hands,
however, weren’t covered in nearly as much blood as they’d seen. They did
indeed entomb her in a chamber their father had intended for murdering her
children, but before he could even begin the search, Abaddon killed him with a
well-placed arrow through the back of the Tyrant’s head. Standing on the
balcony, Lenora watched the three brothers, stone-faced, rush back to the
fortress where their death waited. A rain of arrows from inside cut them down
as soon as they opened the doors; Abaddon and his fellow bowman and women
strode out, and dragged them back inside, to chain them where they had been for
the last forty years.

Lenore turned as the sound of the main doors closing echoed
through the air; she focused on Lucinda and smiled,

“Hello child. I know it’s normal, but I thought you should
know. It doesn’t change what they did. Nor that they did it. But it should be
something to take into consideration.” Lenora whispered.

Lucinda blinked, as she watched as the tubs boiled violently
and the screams now died to pained whimpers. As she reached into the container
to remove the ring, to weaken some of the pain, Uriel’s voice cried out,

“Don’t!”

“We made them suffer.” Gabriel said.

“We deserve to know the pain of it.” Riel said.

Lucinda dropped her hand and watched as the boiling slowed
and eventually died. She glanced at Natsha,

“You have the clothes?”

Her sister nodded, taking the beaker from her and handing
her three sets of travelers clothes.

“We’ll finalize their garb later. For now, we’ll have them
wear these.” Lucinda said.

She stepped back into the room and caught the tyrant’s skull
as it lunged at her throat. Closing her hand tightly around his snout she
stared at him,

“I have an empty jar in my collection; a little bit of the
solution, a little formaldehyde, some herbs and spices and you’ll be suffering
for eternity. Now, if you don’t want to know the hell you put all of them
through, I suggest,” she threw the skull across the room, where it struck a corner
and dropped to the ground, a fresh crack in the bone, “you keep your jaw shut!”

The tyrant growled, but remained stationary. For now.

Natasha followed her, and together they removed the
blackened, blood stained, cobweb-caked armor from each tub, allowing the now
clean, aged bones to sink to the bottom.

Replacing it with the clothes, they heard a collective sigh
from the three, before a ball of brilliant light shot up from each skeleton,
then shot into three different directions. Blinking, Lucinda and Natasha
glanced at each other,

“Did you?” Lucinda asked.

Natasha shook her head, “You?”

Lucinda shook her head, “Did they go in the right
directions?”

“Yes,” Abaddon said, “they did. And I don’t think you had to
tell them. They probably overheard us.” He pointed to a broken shard of glass
on the floor. Lucinda realized now, it was a piece of a Spirit Mirror.

***********

PART 20! let me know if i spent too much time on the preparations.

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

Tiger by the Heart part 19: A Conspiracy Unearthed

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Lucinda barely stepped inside the room before she noticed five pairs of eyes focus on her. She was proud of herself; she only swallowed hard once before she glanced up,

“I assume you heard what they were asking?”

Kyle growled but turned away as Laura approached,

“You seemed hesitant about fulfilling their request. May i ask why? You seeed pretty insistent beforehand.” she said.

Lucinda glanced behind her as her sister entered the room, Markov asleep in her arms, “Sorry i’m late. We can’t find his teddy bear and either his father or me is the only replacement he’ll allow.” she whispered.

Laura smiled at the sleeping child, “My little one has the same problem. Her father has a hell of a time getting her to bed.” She turned back to Lucinda, “If it’s something you’d prefer not to discuss, i understand. But i feel like it may help us make a decision.”

Lucinda smiled, “Our mother beat it into us neer to allow this secret out of the family. Took me a minute to realize you are part of the family now.”

Clearing her throat, she motioned to the table and chairs across the room; once they were seated, she began.

“A hundred or so years ago one of our ancestors was murdered by a group of his own men. Infuriated, his wife ordered them executed and their bodies taken down to the dungeons to… ripen, as it were. On her death bed, she bound their souls to serve our family until she said otherwise.”

She glanced up and met each of their gazes, “Our mother now controls them… and they must obey her every command, even if it’s slaughtering an entire continent of innocent people.”

Abaddon grunted, “You’re worried another Bastard Tyrant could be born to our family.”

Lucinda nodded, “My great grandmother never intended for
them to be used like this; the spell is one our family has perfected over the
last few hundred years, and it’s purpose is to give the dead a chance to repay
the living for slights they committed against them.”

Abaddon glanced at Kyle before saying, “And why do you need
all of our permissions to fulfill this contract when you only needed mine
before?”

“Because this one requires an offering of blood to start. Specifically, of those living they wronged. Once the process is begun,
I’ll need the blood of every living family member to seal it. This isn’t an
easy spell to use, and I’ll also need to make sure the terms are agreed upon beforehand.” Lucinda said.

Kyle flinched, “Sharing my blood with those bastards is bad
enough, but using my blood to bind them to us?”

Lucinda glanced at him, “Once
the contract is made, they can’t betray the family, even if it goes against what the caster originally intended for them and it can’t be broken save by the Necromancer who made it.
It’s why my mother still has control of those souls; only my great grandmother
can release them.”

“I’m not sure how
this changes things; it’s still a matter of if we’re willing to let them
protect us or not.” Laura said.

Kyle shook his head, “Blood magic is dangerous no matter who
uses it. Even if the spell is perfect, if the agreement is flawed, or the caster isn’t as strong as they believe themselves to be,” he met Lucinda’s
gaze with an angry one, “it can come back to bite everyone involved.”

Lucinda gritted her teeth and let her temper get the better of her, “I take it you know that last part
first hand? How badly did you screw up your spell?”

Kyle stood abruptly, a ball of blue-black flames appearing
in his hand,

“Kyle!” Abaddon shouted, “That’s enough! You know better
than to act like this. Now stow the flames and sit the hell down.”

Lucinda watched Kyle extinguish the fireball before pulling
his chair back to the table and sitting with his hands crossed on the table’s
surface.

He glared at her as he said, “My apologies.” Through gritted
teeth.

Tobias sighed, “I swear he’s normally not this badly
behaved.”

Kyle’s eyes turned a dark red and Tobias yelped, standing
and closing his hand around the smoking end of his tail. Abaddon gave Kyle a
warning look,

“Don’t Father. I take after you, remember?” Kyle said.

Abaddon sighed, “I know. Which is why I’ve done my best to
teach you not to act like me.”

Tobias leaned behind his sister’s chair and slapped the back
of Kyle’s head, which caused the Tiger to rise from his chair again and
confront his brother. The smell of Honeysuckle grew stronger, with the scent of
smoke underlying it.

“I know you’re upset mom, but that’s not going to stop me
this time.” Kyle said.

Tobias growled, “Bring it with both hands, little brother.”

Laura stood, scooting her chair between her brothers before
turning and grabbing them by their ears, “How about I beat you both for acting
like a couple of children? I’m sure I can take you, considering my Mathew is
tougher than both of you.”

Kyle snorted, “There’s a bit of difference between fighting
and getting screwed, sister.”

Tobias grunted, “We agree on that at least.”

Laura growled and wrenched their ears, “I swear the two of
you will be giving all of us gray hairs. This isn’t an easy time for any of us, and the last thing we need to
be doing is going at each other’s throats!”

“Momma,” they all glanced over as Markov spoke, “why is
everyone yelling?”

Natasha glared at the brothers, “Little misunderstanding
between everyone, love. Would you like to stay with your father for a bit?”

Markov nodded, “Can I kiss Aunt Lucinda bye first?”

Natasha smiled, “Of course.”

Lucinda kissed her nephew’s cheek as he kissed hers, “Sorry.
We didn’t mean to wake you.”

Markov rubbed at his eye sleepily, “It’s okay. I just don’t
know why they’re all yelling; they’re in the same room.”

Rubbing his back, Natasha left the room, closing the door
behind her; Laura released her brothers who, rubbing their sore ears, sat back
down.

Kyle glanced at Lucinda side-ways, “Sorry. I hope we didn’t
upset him.”

Lucinda sighed, “I believe that’s my line to you. Whatever
spell that failed, it must have been bad, and I apologize for striking that
nerve.”

Kyle shook his head, “I was trying to preserve someone’s
soul, and ended up binding said soul to a bookcase in my room.”

Lucinda flinched, “A friend I take it?”

Kyle nodded, “Look… if it were anyone else, I would be okay
with you binding them to our family. But these three… they murdered our mother.
I’m not sure them serving us till the world ends would be enough to make up for
that.”

Sekmet cleared her throat, “Maybe not… but it’s a start,
right? We haven’t talked about my sister since her death, and every year it
seems like we’re trying our best to keep her memory alive without actually
remembering her.”

Tobias grunted, “We can’t remember her that well anymore.”

Laura nodded, “We were young when she passed, and while we
still remember some things…”

“It’s not the same as having a real memory of her.” Kyle
said.

Abaddon dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief, “I haven’t
wanted to share any of the stories I have of her for fear of causing everyone
more pain.”

Kyle sniffed, “Don’t worry. You’d be right about that; it
would only make me angrier.”

Laura touched Kyle’s shoulder, “Yeah, and we only need one
short fused person in the family.”

“Your fuse isn’t that short, sis.” Kyle said, “I still have
my head after all.”

Lucinda cleared her throat, “It’s up to you what you want
done. But I would suggest at least moving your father’s head to a separate
cell. I can’t imagine how they stayed sane with him talking… so…”

Sekmet blinked, “Lucinda, what’s wrong?”

“He was awake when I went into the room. That shouldn’t be
possible, especially not with how long he was there.” Lucinda glanced up as her
sister came back into the room, “Tasha, were you down in the basement at all
before now?”

Natasha blinked, “No… why?”

Dread sent a chill down the core of her chest, “The tyrant’s
skull was awake when I went in.”

Her sister paled, and she glanced at Abaddon, “Where’s the
rest of his body?”

The tiger king blinked, “I had him drawn and quartered. The
head remained here, but I gave the four pieces of his body to Fox Lord, the
Bear King and sent the Wolf Queen one as well.”

“That’s only three; what about the last piece?” Lucinda
asked.

“I… I gave it to your grandfather on your father’s side.”
Abaddon said slowly.

Lucinda and Natasha exchanged a glance, and their faces went
even paler, “I don’t remember seeing an arm or leg anywhere, do you?” Lucinda
asked.

Natasha nodded, “Once. Dad had it locked up in the vault. He
told me he destroyed it when mother turned out to be a Necromancer.”

Lucinda laughed humorlessly, “Like mother would ever let
something that powerful out of her grasp.”

She turned back to the tigers, “Has there been any violence
or unrest in the three other kingdoms recently?”

“How recent?” Tobias asked.

Lucinda’s eyes widened, “So there has been?”

“The Fox Lords second eldest son tried to stage a coup and
died in the attempt.” Tobias said.

“When was this?” Natasha asked.

“Sometime last year. His father had his body hung up as a
warning to his co-conspirators.”

Lucinda cursed, “His soul would be seeking revenge and be an
easy target,” she glanced at Natasha, “Ion’s mother is a Striga. I should have
realized sooner something was up; I’ve never known one of those things to let
go of a host so easily.”

Natasha shook her head, “You didn’t know mother would have a
direct connection to her though,” she glanced at Abaddon, “what about the
Bears?”

“Well,” Abaddon said, “this didn’t happen recently, but the
current Bear King’s uncle tried over throwing the former king about a year
before I killed my father. He was executed but I’m not sure what they did with
his body.”

Lucinda made a sound of panic, “Shit, shit, shit! Tasha, do
you have anyone who can warn them?”

Natasha shook her head, “No one that fast! The three other
kingdoms are two or three days away in each direction!”

“Ladies!” Abaddon said, “Could you please clue the rest of
us in on what’s happened?”

Lucinda swallowed hard, “Our mother may have just used your
father to overthrow three kingdoms at once.”

… you know my brain has been on fire since this plot point popped into it. Hopefully it’ll get things going.

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

Tiger by the Heart part 18: Or a Strength?

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

Lucinda spent most of the morning preparing. Kyle and Abaddon’s anger was justified, but Tristan had said he would at try to get them to discuss this. Her necromancer outfit still fit as tight as glove, which made sense; not even Necromancers enjoyed things crawling into places. As she finished sliding her bosom into the suit, she pulled the cords on either side to tighten it. As soon as the cords were pulled, the suit relaxed. She could breath and move as if wearing nothing at all, yet knew nothing, living or dead, could harm her. She had Natasha braid her hair and wrap it up in the tight bun at the back of her head.

“You sure about this? I mean… they are murderers.” Natasha said.

“They spent forty plus years confined after their deaths. I’m quite sure they’re aware of what they’ve done by now.” Lucinda said.

Natasha gave a slight sideways nod as if ceding the point, “Just don’t break my Spirit Mirror, please?”

Lucinda hugged her, “I won’t and thank you for letting me borrow it.”

Natasha stopped her and pulled out a leather cord with a hand made amulet hanging from it. Winking, Natasha placed it over her neck,

“Just in case.”

Lucinda nodded, “Wish me success.”

“I wish you luck and success.”

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

As soon as Mathias opened the cell, Lucinda stepped back. The smell of old blood, ancient decay and death was ingrained into the stone, wood and the metal shackles that lined the walls. The cell, she’d been told, was used to house prisoners before they were moved to where Kyle now stayed. So they could overhear the screams of the others going before them.

The space measured 10 feet by 12, about the size of a stable stall; Mathias handed her a torch, before leaning against the doorway,

“Be careful. I’ve never been in here so i don’t know how angry they really are.” He said.

She nodded, before approaching; the thick covering of cobwebs barely concealed the three skeletons, still in armor, chained to the walls. Placing the spirit mirror on the collapsible table she’d brought, she touched the glass surface, and the sound of Kyle and his siblings arguing came through.

“You can’t be serious can you? They murdered our mother!” Kyle said.

Tobias sighed, “I know they did. But i can’t stand the thought of them being there still. It’s just another painful reminder of what we lost because of them.”

Their sister, Laura remained silent as did their father. Sekmet sighed heavily,

“I feel the same way about this as you do Kyle, but–”

“But you’re still going to let her do this?” Kyle asked.

Lucinda heard another sigh over her shoulder and the smell of honeysuckles filled the room; Lenora’s spirit materialized behind her and stared at the mirror.

She met Lucinda’s gaze and smiled, before taking the mirror and vanishing.

**********

Kyle was livid, “Are you out of your mind? I don’t care what contract she’s making, they’ll find a way out of it! Just ask Dad.”

Abaddon winced and shifted uncomfortably, “Kyle–”

“Dad come on, are you really thinking of releasing them? Haven’t you said yourself that they were bastards to you when you were growing up?”

Laura cleared her throat, “They’ve spent forty plus years down there. And in that time, they’ve done nothing to make it up to us. She’d giving us a chance to move past this too.”

Kyle turned on her a vicious snarl, “Are you just as crazy as she is? Forty years isn’t enough as far as i’m concerned!”

Laura growled back at him, “Don’t yell at me! I lost our mother too, remember?”

“YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO HEAR HER DIE! OTHERWISE YOU WOULDN’T BE AGREEING TO THIS!!!” Kyle roared.

Everyone in the room stared at him in shock,

“Kyle what do you mean?” Abaddon asked.

Kyle’s mouth snapped shut and he turned away from them; Laura was the first to move, and touched his shoulder, “Kyle… was it that bad dream on the way out?”

He shook his head, “We were already at Grandpa Mac’s place.”

Tobias’s jaw slackened, “I remember that night … I woke up and you were crying.”

Kyle’s entire form shook, “I heard her screaming for them to stop. Begging for them not to hurt us when we returned.” He swallowed audibly, “And when they finally killed her.”

As Laura moved to hug him he shook her off, “Don’t. Just… don’t.”

The closed door sung open, a breeze smelling of Honeysuckles pass through the room. Abaddon glanced over to the table where a circular mirror now sat.

His eldest children turned and stared at it,

“What is that doing here?” Kyle asked.

“I’m more curious about when it got here. It wasn’t there when started arguing.” Laura said.

The mirror’s surface rippled from a point near the bottom, and Lucinda’s voice came through.

“Good Gods in Heaven and Spirits on the Earth, how did they not go insane with you bitching so much?”

A chill ran down Abaddon’s spine when a voice he heard in years, save in his nightmares, snarled at her,

“Be quiet, human whore! How you even got in here i don’t know but–” His father spat.

“BUT i’m not here to talk to a disembodied head, i’m here to talk to your sons. Now,” they heard fabric rustle, “shut. the fuck. up.”

They heard a muffled series of expletives from the right of Lucinda, followed by a hollow clunking sound, “You stupid bitch! How dare you throw my head against a wall!”

Abaddon snorted, “I’m okay with what she’s doing so far.”

“That was… that was…” Tobias said.

Abaddon nodded, “My father.”

Lucinda growled before stepping away from wherever she was talking, before the pissed off voice was muffled. Returning to wherever she had been standing, Lucinda took a deep breath.

“Okay. Now… where were we?”

A another voice sounded, “You were asking about a contract.”

“My oldest brother, Uriel.” Abaddon said.

“Right,” Lucinda said, “i am the Necromanceress known as the Sage of Dust, i speak to you as someone seeking a contract with you.”

They heard groaning from either side of her, “We’ve been asleep for ages; how can we be awake now?”

“Gabriel, two years younger than Uriel.” Abaddon said.

A third and final voice joined, “And why would you seek us of all souls?”

“Remiel, a year older than me.”

Kyle growled and headed towards the open door.

Lucinda took a breath, “Because you answered me when i called. I asked for those who sought to atone for something that can never be atoned for.”

Kyle paused and slowly turned back towards the mirror.

Uriel snorted, “Our father spoke too, remember?”

Lucinda chuckled, “He also started cursing my name the moment i started calling. He was still awake.”

Remiel sighed, “And did our brother give you permission?”

Lucinda hesitated, “No. He didn’t… but he does know i’m here.”

“Because of the girl, right?” Gabriel asked.

Abaddon glanced up as an image shimmered just behind the mirror; he glanced at the others, and they met his shocked gaze with their own. Glancing back, the image was gone. Lucinda continued,

“Are you holding her here?”

“No,” Uriel said, “she’s too powerful for even our father to hold here.”

“We would have stopped him anyway. She suffered enough at our hands.” Gabriel said.

Lucinda cleared her throat, “Would you be willing to help me?”

“Depends,” Remiel said, “what would this entail?”

“A normal contract is ten years or until the Necromancer perishes. A more advanced contract is twenty to the life of the Necromancer.” Lucinda said.

There was a long pause, where Kyle returned to standing with his siblings and the door closed with another breeze. Finally, Uriel said,

“And can a contract be passed to another upon the death of the original caster?”

Lucinda seemed shocked, “Um… y-yes but… that would entail a more complex ritual and… once made it could never be undone, not until the blood no longer exists.”

Kyle exchanged a glance with his siblings and father; Sekmet moved forward and rubbed Abaddon’s arm.

“So as long as our brother, his children, grandchildren etc. live, we would be bound to protect and serve them?” Remiel asked.

“Correct,” Lucinda said, “i would need not just your brother’s permission though… you wronged four others and to make this contract we’d need their permission as well.”

“We know they can hear us,” Gabriel said, “go talk with them. Let them decide. We can wait; we have been for forty years.”

**********

Yeah. It’s getting heavy.

And it’s supposed to be a… gray area here. Feeling conflicted is where i was going with this. Hopefully i achieved it.

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

Tiger by the Heart part 17: A Weakness?

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

Lucinda blinked against the light of dawn; stepping closer to the windows, she looked out to see a huddle mass of spirits, their heads turned towards the warm rays of rising sun.

“Beautiful sight isn’t it?”

She glanced to her right and felt her stomach lurch; the thing with the boy’s face stood beside her. He grinned broadly, before shaking himself like a massive dog. Bare skin and skeletal features transformed into a tall, nourished male spirit, dressed in flowing robes and a loose hood that covered his translucent hair. She didn’t need to guess; she recognized the pale green eyes from long ago, when he handed her the glass bottle.

“… w-what…” she began.

He chuckled, “A spirit who returns from the afterlife to guide the dead to a place of rest and peace and to keep the living and the dead from interacting. I believe that’s the definition they give in your manual.”

Lucinda blinked, “A Shepard.”

The spirit nodded once, “I apologize for frigthening you last night. But as you can see…” he gestured to the window, “there were others who saw you too.”

Lucinda approached the window and looked down; ten or twelve spirits had their hands on the stone and glass, their gazes locked on the sun.

Stepping back, she glanced up at the Shepard, “I thought you would have stayed.”

He chuckled, “I would have… if not for the fact my mother was a Shepard as well. She returned to the afterlife just after i arrived, and i decided to take up her mantel. I’ve witnessed those storms before, and my father always told me i’m the only one who could sail into it and make it out alive. I wish he wasn’t right about that…”

Lucinda bowed her head, “I’m sorry.”

“For what? Lucinda i never blamed you for what your mother did to us. You were, what, ten at the time?”

Lucinda swallowed, “Nine.”

The Shepard gave a small shrug, “There you go then.”

Lucinda glanced up at him, “But my mother was right; my heart will be the death of me. And I almost got them killed last night, too.”

The Shepard placed his hand on her shoulder, “Lucinda… immeasurable strength is a weakness, as is genius intellect and heightened reflexes.”

Lucinda grimaced, “How?”

The Shepard laughed, “Anything can be a weakness if you don’t know how to use it.”

Blinking, Lucinda ceded him that point, “So how can i use… whatever this is?”

“By gathering entities that will help you of course. I believe there are three in the basement who may seek a second chance.”

He kissed her forehead, and she woke up in the darkness of the hidden room. Tristan had his arm wrapped around her waist, while the sounds of sleep filled the otherwise quiet air. She laid back down, before scooting closer to Tristan; even in his sleep, he tightened his grip ever so slightly.

She is mine and i am hers.

She rolled over and placed her hand on Tristan’s chest, whispering, “I am yours as you are mine.”

**********

A few hours later, she rose with the others, and headed downstairs to the dungeons. Kyle had stayed in his rooms, as they were where his grandfather had tortured and killed far too many in his lifetime. Blood stains still covered the floor and walls in some places, no matter how much Kyle cleaned.

As she approached the door, she heard the soft whimper of a female,

“Kyle… oh…”

Feeling her face heat, Lucinda stopped and listened as the lady continued, until she cried out and Kyle’s chuckle followed, “Glad i could help my lady of death.”

Lucinda heard a disgruntled sigh, “My father is the Judge of the Dead. Not me.”

She watched as Kyle escorted a lithe Jackal woman about his age outside; they kissed, before he offered his arm to her and she took it. As they turned, both stopped dead in their tracks. Kyle swallowed, before glancing down at the Jackal woman,

“She was…. um…”

The Jackal woman shook her head, “It’s alright, Ky. Someone was bound to find out sooner or later.”

The Tiger sighed, “Lucinda, this is Hathor–”

“Yes from the Cow Goddess of the Human Lands. Moving on.” She said.

Kyle snorted, “I like your real name.”

“Which is why you’re the only one allowed to use it.” Hathor said.

“She’s an abassador from the West. We’ve been together for quite some time.” He said.

Lucinda clapped her hand over her mouth before she said “I heard.”

Kyle made a sound in his throat and when Lucinda glanced up he looked sick,

“Damn it! I thought i fixed those spells!” He said.

Hathor’s smile fell, “She heard us?”

“Only the end. Though i’m not sure that makes it any better.” Lucinda said.

Sighing, Hathor glanced up at Kyle, “At least she didn’t hear anything else i suppose.”

Kyle kissed her cheek, “True,” turning back to her, Kyle cleared his throat, “So, what did you need me for?”

“I have some… intel that says there are three trapped souls down here?” Lucinda asked.

Kyle’s face hardened, “Yes. Why do you want you ask?”

“I wanted to contract them to help me.” Lucinda said.

Fury darkened Kyle’s eyes, “Why–?”

Hathor placed her hand on Kyle’s arm, “She doesn’t know. Explain first.”

Kyle sighed, “There are trapped souls down here. But i’m not sure you’d want them.”

Lucinda blinked, “Why?”

“Because,” Lucinda jumped as the sound of Abaddon’s voice behind her, “they’re my brothers. The three bastards who helped our father kill my first wife.”

*********

Uh-oh… and yeah Kyle and the Jackal lady are a thing. I couldn’t think of any other name, so if anybody has an idea for a name she uses that would be awesome.

**********

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

Tiger by the Heart part 16: Frozen (Reupload)

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

(OR The Cold Definitely Bothers Me)

When they told her
how the winds would sometimes blow inland over the frozen Greater Sea,
and bring with it a dens fog, and the souls of those who’d died upon it’s waters,
she’d felt her heart stop. As a child, she’d witnessed her mother
send a group of men into a Storm of Souls, a vortex created when the
dead at the bottom of the sea sensed the living and wished to add to
their numbers… or take their place. 

The Storm had appeared near a newly sunken ship just off the coast of her mother’s south-most outpost, The men had been hired at a local dive where the pour and those trying to feed their families would take dangerous jobs. Ten in all, they ranged in age from sixty to seventeen, and while they shied away from her mother at first, the need of money, brought on by her mothers high taxes and a recent war between her and another nation near the equator, was greater than their fear.


She’d been pulled from the memories by her sister’s insistence they head for shelter. Packing what they needed for the long night ahead, they moved quickly to the hidden room at the center of the fortress. As she let Tristan lead her, her mind returned to that horrid night…

As they’d approached, her mother told the
men she needed eyes closer to the storm. After they departed, She’d told Lucinda they were
bait. 
She’d sent a spelled bottle saying it could protect them if need be… but only one of them. The boat was lifted into the air, dumping all but the seventeen year old into the ocean. A flash of light and the storm dissipated. The boat bobbed up and down as it struck the water; she’d watched the boy raise his shaking hand with the empty bottle and the storm descended. Soon, the whole of it was captured inside the glass structure, and her mother had the now silent boy brought aboard her ship.


As they passed in front of a set of windows, Lucinda felt her body go rigid. An icy pressure closed around her heart and then pulled her towards the glass. She stared out into the night, feeling the creeping cold of death grow closer and closer….

Once ashore, the boy handed her the glass bottle and whispered,

“My father wanted you to take it. He said you weren’t like your mother.”

As soon as her hand closed around the glass, the same icy pressure clutched her heart and drew her quickly towards dry land. Her mother realized too late what she was doing, as Lucinda raised the glass prison above her head and smashed it against a heavy stone. The storm burst forth, only to wane as the drowned souls were drew down to dry land. One by one, the spirits vanished, the last ones to leave being the men her mother had sacrificed.

She
blinked as the whispers reached her ears; the large expanse of empty
tundra, twinkling in the light of a full moon, slowly filled with the bank of pale fog, blown in from the distant shore. She heard an odd sound
and stepped back to look down the hall: frost covered the
windows as the fog spread across the land, the sound of
nails and bare bone fingertips scratching at the glass soon following. She
turned in time to see a small boy’s blue-tinged face looking into the
window. He breathed out, and the frost covered the window.

She
almost screamed when Tristan grabbed her arm, “Lucinda we have to go. They’ve arrived a lot faster than we anticipated.” He said.

“B-but the… the boy…” she whispered.

Tristan placed his hand on the side of her face, “Anyone outside right now is already dead. Even you can sense it.”

She felt the pressure around her heart grow, like the crushing weight of the ocean. Tristan growled and turned his left eye to the windows,

“She’s mine!“ He roared.

Lucinda gasped as her knees buckled and Tristan caught her against him.

“Just as I’m yours.” He whispered. Half carrying her, he rushed towards the hidden room, the door held open by his father.

Lucinda…

Lucinda paused as her limbs turned to lead again and glanced behind her to see the boy’s face passing through the wall. followed swiftly by a tall, dangerously thin body that looked like a child’s skin stretched over an adult’s skeleton. The boy’s head smiled, his face splitting to reveal a mouth full of sharp teeth, before twisting so it’s cold, dead eyes stared right at her.

Lucinda… it said, the dead see you… you’ll never be free of us necromancer…

She felt another set of hand on her shoulders, and another shout,

“My sister is not yours to claim!”

Together, Tristan and Natasha pulled her inside, the wave of the frost the creature threw in their wake stopped at the threshold. The
hidden door slammed shut behind them, Lucinda collapsed into her sister’s arms as Tristan placed himself between the door and her back.

“Why?” Lucinda asked, “Why do they always seek me out?”

Natasha shook her head, “I don’t know. But you’re not alone in this. We’ll figure something out.”

*******

Better… had to fix this.. also hoping it’s not too disjointed…

***********

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

Tiger by the Heart Addendum 2: Devon’s Time Abroad

monstersinblacksilkLeave a comment

Devon watched from his wife’s bedroom as the walls of Old Renard came to firey life. Over 11,000 braziers lined the seven mile long, fifteen foot high structure, the only thing remaining of the first Fox Lord’s long dead empire. A traitor had opened the enchanted gates during a particularly horrendous Storm of Souls, when the icy winds of the north sea blew inland, bringing with it the freezing cold and other dangers that lay at the bottom of the sea.

No one save the current Fox Lord’s grandfather survived the ordeal. And he was driven mad by what he saw, to the point that, after his first children were born, he threw himself into the ocean, just as the fog began rolling in, and the shards of ice began pelting the windows.

His spirit was the first one to arrive and the last one to greet the warming rays of dawn, freeing him from both the madness that threatened his family as well as the horrors he’d long lived with.

Katrina pressed a kiss to Devon’s shoulder, “You keep staring and you’ll freeze like that.” She whispered.

He sighed, “Not sure if you were making a poor taste joke or a dire warning. either way…” he turned and captured her lips before pushing her back to the bed, and pinning her to the bed-sheets, “I know what awaits if I’m not careful love.”

She giggled as his mouth went lower, exploring her collarbone, then breast, stomach, thigh. She groaned when he stood there, hunched over, his hot breath on the core of her body. She groaned,

“Stop teasing. We’ll be locked inside all night and then we won’t be able to do any of this till morning, when you have to head home.” She said.

Devon chuckled, “My father already expects me to be late. I warned him about the storm and he told me not to worry about coming home on time. Just coming home.”

She cried out as he finally took pity on her and tasted her, “Finally. Oh Devon i’ve been waiting for this for far too long.”

Devon laved her clit with his tongue, while his fingers spread her hot, wet flesh, “I’ve just started and you’re already wet? I thought you took care of yourself from time to time?”

She bucked her hips, trying to move his tongue into a better position but he refused, “Only when i don’t have my Tiger Lord with me. Then, the only thing that satisfies me is you.”

Devon grinned; he knew she loved giving him praise when they mad love, especially after long times apart. She would send him lewd messages when he was at his father’s fortress, and he return even lewder ones. Unlike other couples, Katrina was still bound by the Fox Council’s ruling; they wouldn’t recognize their marriage until he had amply proven his worthiness of being her husband, not just her concubine.

Funnily enough, most of suitors the council sent were waylaid (literally and figuratively) by her sisters or female friends. A couple, by her eldest brother; his wife knew of his inclinations and had no problem with him bedding other males as long as he returned to her bed in the long run. Half the time, she joined in; he never wanted her to be left out. The Council had had a fit over her brothers public declaration of his bisexuality, and had barred him from ruling when his father passed away.

It didn’t help that her younger brother had tried killing her father and blaming her for the deed. Katrina’s thoughts scattered as Devon entered her and she moaned as she came.

Growling, Devon kissed her, “Already? I see you were truthful about staying faithful to me.”

Katrina smiled, “And by the fact you have your fingers around your shaft tells me you almost came.”

Devon grinned, “You know me too well my lady.”

She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him close, while he leaned over her and kissed her; her hands slid through his silky fur even as his tongue danced with hers. His mouth was as dangerous a weapon in his sexual arsenal as his hands or the sword between his legs were.

They both glanced over to the door as loud banging echoed, “Kat, Dev, the winds picking up. Father wants every one in the bunker. That includes you two.”

They sighed heavily, “We’ll be right down Nic. Just have to finish something up.” she said.

Her older brother sighed, “Uh-huh. He’s put up partitions so we don’t have to hear each other tonight. Just thought i’d let you know.”

Katrina glanced up at Devon, “Finish up quick then?”

Devon smiled, “That won’t take long.”

Katrina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him as he brought them both to a roaring orgasm.

Gasping, they lay panting in each other’s arms for a few moments before they started getting dressed.

Devon looked out the window as the fog bank began rolling in, pausing at the walls. The fires would keep the spirits at bay for a time, but they were merely a delay tactic while everyone took refuge in their homes, built high above the long dead city. Devon double checked the window locks, while Katrina made sure her fire was out. Heat attracted them, so it made sense to keep the greatest heat away from the living people.

He could hear the moans and wails, the begging for warmth. As a Wight Hunter, he was used violent Unliving who sought to take life for pleasure. It was much more disturbing for the Unliving to be dangerous, not because they intended to be, but because they sought out simple comforts: a fire, a roof over their heads, the living.

The Sea Goddess spat their souls out every time the wind blew towards the Howling Hills, and those who lived nearby, especially during violent storms that swept souls as far inland as his father’s keep, had to be careful of something very much alive: the desire not to be alone.

*******

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

Little bit of world building and a little bit of smut. enjoy

Tiger by the Heart part 15: Innocence

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Blinking, Lucinda sat up slowly as her niece grinned and waved to her. Her baby teeth had already fallen out and her adult fangs had grown in; she was still the most adorable and previous person she’d ever met.

Lucinda waved back and her niece leapt backwards, hovered in the air, and shot off around the other side of the fortress. Lucinda felt her mouth snap shut and blinked; apparently, her father had already taught her to fly… she was curious if the little girl knew how to land.

“Did i just see that right?” Tristan asked sleepily.

“A little girl flying through the air?”

Tristan yawned, “Yeah.”

“Yes. That was my niece. Which means her father and my sister aren’t far behind.”

********

Lucinda heard them before she saw them;

“Look mommy! I can do the somersault now!”

“That’s nice honey but i would prefer if you did it a little closer to the ground.”

Lucinda snorted; her sister was still as blazing haired at ever and her eyes were glued to the ceiling above where her two daughters were playing tag mid-air. Her son, the youngest and quietest of all them, sat on his father’s lap and they whispered back and forth. Badulf hovered a few inches off the ground with his legs crossed and one hand on his son’s shoulder.

The boy blinked and hopped up onto his father’s knee to look over his shoulder,

“Aunty Lucinda!” He called… before vanishing and reappearing in front of her. She blinked then glanced over at his father; the Vampyre Lord grinned at her over his shoulder and she laughed before picking up the boy and kissing his cheek.

“I see your sisters aren’t the only ones who’ve learned things.” She whispered.

The boy turned his face towards her shoulder with a smile; incredibly shy, the boy was naturally gifted in certain powers, like invisibility, stealth and teleportation. Not so good was when he discovered this ability while not wanting to take a bath… and teleported himself onto the roof. In his birth clothes.

His sisters were good at flying, but only the eldest had managed to master that art. The middle child was decent at flying, but could read peoples minds and track over large distances much better. All three had mastered the art of shape shifting though.

“And who might these be be?” Tristan asked.

“The eldest girl is named Igwane, the middle girl who is trying my sister Natasha’s last shred of sanity, is named Juliet. The snickering canary eater is her husband Badulf and this little one is…”

“Markov.” Tristan said.

The boy glanced up, and stared at him a moment before smiling,

“Uncle Tristan?” he asked.

The tiger nodded, “Not officially but we’re getting there.”

Tristan held out his hand and closed the fist, the little boy fist bumped him and giggled.

“Tristan?” Lucinda glanced over at her she sister, “You’re… well the fates are laughing right now after all.”

Natasha went over and hugged the tiger, “Thank you.”

Tristan hugged her awkwardly, and Lucinda raised a questioning brow, “I saved her son a while back.”

Natasha stepped back and touched his left eye, “I see it’s taken a liking to you.”

Lucinda felt her jaw drop, “You never told me it was a Waste Wight!”

Natasha shrugged, “What good would it have done? Bad’s already taught him how to ward himself from Unliving Entities. Not to mention you were dealing with other things at the time.”

Lucinda sighed, “Okay,” she turned to Tristan, “thank you for saving him. Is that how you lost your eye?”

Natasha snorted and Lucinda clamped her hand over her mouth a second too late,

“You’re right the fate’s are laughing. The Gift of Bluntness, always a swell thing to have.” Lucinda sighed heavily.

Tristan was coughing which broke out into a minor laughing fit, “No that wasn’t how i lost it. That was another misadventure. The waste wight had been tormenting an area within our borders–”

“Also happens to be where i was scouting for a new Cavern; the old one was beginning to leak when it rained.” Badulf said, hovering to the ceiling and gathering his girls into his arms with a quiet, gentle reprimand.

Tristan nodded, “Which we just approved actually. Anyway, my older brother and I went to investigate where this thing was hiding and ran into these two. He’d been by recently to get clearance and warned us something was hiding in the caves.”

Badulf landed and handed his daughters to their mother, “Markov and both felt something crawling in the walls, but it seemed to only torment him.”

Markov snuggled into Lucinda’s shirt, “He was laughing at me. Said he’d add my bones to his collection.”

Lucinda rubbed his back, “If it were so evil why’d you put its eye in my Tristan’s head?”

Natasha opened her mouth to explain, when what she’d said sank in, “Your Tristan? Hmm… interesting…”

Lucinda felt her face flush, “Answer the question please.”

Tristan kissed her cheek, “I suggested it. Wights aren’t always created from the same being, and this one had been stealing parts for years. The Eye was originally it’s own, but apparently it has a mind of its own too. it helped us kill the thing and crawled out of it’s head. Some of its ways of getting my attention aren’t exactly painless but…” he glanced at Badulf, “I’m assuming one of my parents let you in?”

“Your mother. Never told me you’re the son of the Infamous Sekmet the Iron Queen.” Natasha said.

Tristan grumbled, “It didn’t come up.”

Natasha nodded, “Uh-huh… anyway, The Colony has settled in nicely over the past year and it just so happens to be a short flight from here to there. I heard you were having a bit of trouble, so i figured knowing we were nearby if you needed us would help.”

Lucinda smiled, “It does a great deal sister.”

Badulf wrapped his arms around his wife and gently lifted her into the air, “And maybe you can convince her she’s not too heavy and to stop worrying.”

Natasha blew a raspberry at him which he countered with a kiss. Setting her down, he hovered back to the ceiling and retrieved a small brown book from the rafters. Natasha gasped then glared at her daughters,

“Again? Remember when he took your dolls? How’d that make you feel?”

Juliet shook her head, “We didn’t steal it. He was up there reading and was afraid–”

“That we’d take it from him. Right?” Igwane said.

Lucinda sighed, “Oh no. Mark, were you trying to make yourself fly again?”

Markov nodded sullenly, “I want to play sky tag.”

The adults let out a collective sigh before Badulf took his son from Lucinda, “Then i’ll help you practice tomorrow. Now say goodnight. We have to head home soon.”

“Actually,” they glanced over as Addon and Sekmet stepped out into the hallway, “We were wondering if you wouldn’t mind staying the night. I fear we may have visitors later tonight. There’s a storm brewing dew south-east… over the Howling Hills.” He said.

******

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

Power and Purpose 1: The Past Mirrors the Present

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Abaddon had two things on his mind as they entered the Eastern Tigers Kingdom: Food and sleep. He glanced down at the three cubs sleeping beside him, their fur as black as midnight. They were all teething and once he checked to make sure their aunt wouldn’t hurt them or worse, he would take a long nap.

Tobias especially was having trouble cutting his teeth, and just now settled down to sleep from exhaustion. His sister Laura already had two or three teeth in while Kyle was beginning the long process.

It had only been a few weeks since his coup against his father and brothers, and while the Bears and Foxes had been convinced to keep the complicated secret… the unstable Bitch Queen of the Wolves had unnerved him so he never contacted her.

A messenger had come only two days ago with a letter for his late father, which was why he was now heading towards his late wife’s former hell.

“Papa?”

He glanced down as Tobias sat up, rubbing his eye, “What’s wrong little one?”

“My mouth hurts again. Are you sure you can’t cut my teeth for me?”

Abaddon chuckled, “I’m afraid not love. Would you like one of the ice pops Mathew made for you?”

Tobias nodded sleepily, “You have cherry?”

Abaddon opened the small cooler his friend had packed, and removed a round ice-cube made of frozen cherry juice. Handing it to Tobias he watched his son gnaw on the left side of his mouth, where another tooth was coming in. He was at least four or five teeth behind, but since he’d had at five or six teeth come in late, he wasn’t concerned.

The coach driver tapped Abaddon’s door, “Yes?”

“We’re almost at the gates sir. Sekmet is waiting as she said she would be.”

Abaddon glanced back at his children, three black powderpuffs that reminded him so much of their mother. His anger had been quenched when he beheaded his father but the pain remained. He figured it always would, and never change.

*****

Sekmet glanced up as Abaddon stepped from his coach; much like her sister had said. Since their mother had thrown her out, Lenora had done much in the way of trying to stay under the radar; falling in love with the runt of the North Tiger King’s only litter had been her one mistake… or perhaps not.

Sekmet watched as three black as the night tiger cubs peered at her from inside the coach. She was aware she resembled their mother, as they’d been born twins, but due to Lenora’s “defect” their mother had only kept her.

Sekmet still wanted to the gut the bitch over it, especially when she did nothing to avenge her own daughter’s death.

Abaddon’s features hardened when he saw her, and glanced around expecting someone to hidden nearby. She had to admit, he was wise; she whistled and her personal assassins dropped from the trees on either side of the gate.

Abaddon snorted, “Not bad. I was expecting something a bit more impressive though. Only ten would be assailants? tsk tsk”

Sekmet tried to hide her surprise but her eyebrows raised a fraction of an inch,

“I’d heard you were a spy. I didn’t know you were this gifted at it though.”

His lips moved as if fighting a smile, “Only because i felt the need to look into things first. I am carrying very precious cargo after all.”

Sekmet nodded and glanced again at her niece and nephews. “Please, come inside. I’ll have the coachmen deliver your cargo to someplace safe.”

Abaddon narrowed his eyes and if she were any less of a being, she might have recoiled, “I assure you that if it gets damaged in any way, shape or form, hell will look like paradise when i’m finished. You already know my actions back my words.”

Sekmet smiled, “Trust me, if anything happens to it i’ll be right there gutting them beside you.”

He flashed a charming grin and she tried hard not to stare; she understood exactly why her sister had fallen for him. She extended her hand,

“Sekmet Mur, Daughter of Nox the Snow Queen.”

Abaddon took her hand, tipped it and placed a kiss to her fingers, “Abaddon Tir, Son of Lucius the Bastard Tyrant.”

Sekmet felt a chill run up her arm, Where is this safe house of yours? He thought to her.

Outside my mother’s grasp; our elder sister Hecate has offered her home as a safe haven, beneath her husband, Erebos the 2nd’s rule. She replied.

Abaddon righted himself and turned back to his cub; Sekmet knew this may very well be the last time they ever saw each other. And to maintain his lie, he simply nodded to them, and nodded in return. The coach driver closed the door, and headed back towards the Northern Wastes. As he turned, he sneezed violently; when he shook himself his eyes were watery.

“My apologies. Takes me a few days to acclimate to the weather. Up North we don’t have as many allergens.” he said.

Sekmet nodded, “Allow me to show you to your rooms.”

*********

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