Chapter 29

Opening my coat, I pulled out my phone and checked. I still had signal. I dialed back into the group as fast as my cold fingers could manage.

“What do you mean gone?” Rafael yelled into my earpiece.

“She just vanished.” Bethany said, out of breath.

“I’m here.” I said.

“Are you okay?” Paisley asked.

“I think…” I looked around me again. “I think so.”

“Where is here?” Chase sounded like he was running.

“Uh, I’m not sure but I think I’ve been banished to,” I looked in the other direction, “Canada?” I was trying to decide if I should start walking or stay where I was. I could see my breath in front of my face.

“What?” Rafael said.

I nodded, to myself.

“Why do you say Canada?” Daxx blew out a breath. “Is there a sign?”

I shook my head. “I’m standing in snow.” I watched large flakes fall in front of my face. “It’s snowing.”

“Snow?” Michael asked in a quiet way.

“I’ve never seen snow outside my head.” Crissy said quickly.

“It’s white.” I tucked the other blade back into the pocket. “How do I get back?”

“Use your porter. Open it and push the button.” Victor said something else, but I didn’t catch it.

I looked at my wrist. “Okay, hang on.” I tucked my phone back into my pocket and lifted my cuff up. Opening the thing on my wrist I pushed the button. Nothing happened. I was still standing here getting snowed on. I pushed the other button. Same thing. “Nothing happened.”

“That’s not very encouraging.” Alona sounded worried.

“I’ll head to Michael’s office.” Rafael sounded like he was running.

“We’ll clean up here.” Quinton said.

“What good is going to Michael’s office going to do?” Autumn asked.

“The tracking software is only installed on his system.” Rafael answered.

“Tracking software?” Daxx said in an unamused way. “You put a tracker on her? I thought we’d…”

“A tracker has been placed in all of our porter bands.” Victor said with no emotion at all. “including my own.”

“Since when?” Leone asked.

“The new bands we gave out a few days ago.” Chase said in a tone that sounded very much like a king’s order.

“After what happened to Paisley,” Arius said quickly, “we didn’t want to take chances.”

“I’m all for it.” Leone agreed. “So, I don’t have to look for shimmering magic dust again.”

I frowned. “So, you can find me?” I was starting to shiver. The shock of being here was wearing off.

“Will you be alright until they do?” Alona asked.

“Do you see anything but snow?” Autumn wondered.

I turned and looked around, seeing past the snow falling in front of my face. “Some trees, but no buildings or anything else.”

“Do you still have your knives?” I heard a door close as Chase spoke.

“I’ve got three.” I did up my jacket as far as I could and put my hands in the pockets. “Did you get that mage?”

Someone chuckled. “Your knife in his hand stopped all incantations.” Quinton told me. “Just not before the flash that hit you.”

“Should we, I hate to say it,” it was Emil, “be asking why there? Did he mean to send her there or was that portal his own escape and why?”

“Damn. He’s right.” Troy said.

“Troy and I will go to the cells and see why he sent her there.” Arius said.

“The rest meet in Michael’s office.” Troy added.

“Would she be safer in the trees?” Paisley asked.

“Kara, turn off the inhibitor so you can hear any thoughts of anyone nearby.” Alona suggested.

“As a warning?” I started walking toward the trees, I was cold and hoped the movement would help.

“Yes. Find some sort of shelter and listen.” Daxx said quickly, like she was in a hurry.

I shoved the cuff of my jacket up and pulled the glove down so I could hit the button. “I’m hoping I’m alone. I have no arrows and just three knives left.” Looking all around to see if I was still alone, I moved in the direction of the trees again. “It’s off. How long will it take to find me?” I rubbed my hands together. My gloves were designed for archery, not cold.

“That will depend on if any of the guys have been there, or close by, before.” Daxx explained.

“Oh? They have to know somewhere to go there?” I checked behind me. So far, I wasn’t hearing any thoughts.

“Yes.” Autumn answered with no further explanation.

I stepped forward and sunk up to my knees in snow. The next three steps were the same. I looked back to where it had deepened as I moved away, now realizing I was walking down a slight slope. My jacket, as much as I loved it, wasn’t very warm. “Good call on the extra padding, Rafael.” I said as I tried to pull the sleeves down further, but Mitz had made it so sleeves didn’t interfere with using my bow. I stopped, listening.

“It wasn’t for the temperature.” His voice was strained.

“I hear something.” I stopped and looked all around me.

“Inside your head?” Chase asked quickly.

“No.” I took a few more steps. “It sounds like a whine or a soft moan.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.” Beth told me.

I kept walking, trying to ignore the bite of the snow on my legs. “I think it’s an animal.” Pausing, I listened with my mind to be sure. There were no thoughts to hear.

“Animal?” Alona asked. “Be careful.”

Nodding to no one, I pulled one of the blades out of its hidden pocket. Cold steel on my skin was not going to help me warm up.

“It’s going to take some time to get to you.” Michael said, distractedly.

I stopped again. “You know where I am?”

“Yes.” Rafael answered, “and you weren’t far off on your guess.”

“Really?” I tried to figure out which way the sound was coming from. Did I want to go toward or away from it? “How long is some time?” I started in the direction I thought the cry was coming from.

“We’re trying to ascertain who has been closest to your location.” Victor’s clipped answer was the only response.

“That doesn’t sound encouraging.” I cocked my head to listen again. “Can we get the mage guy to send someone here?”

“We’re still waiting on Troy and Arius to get information from him.” Paisley said quietly.

“I’m sure the knife through his hand is somewhat distracting at the moment.” Quinton sounded amused.

I winced. “Right.” I stopped abruptly and stared at the ground in front of me. “There’s blood on the snow.”

“Blood?” Daxx asked. “How much blood?”

I followed it slowly, a knife ready in my hand. “Not a lot, but enough to leave a trail.”

“Kara be careful. If it’s an injured animal…”

“What kind of animal?” Crissy sounded breathless. “A cat. A big brown cat?”

“How big are we talking?” Emil pondered.

It was good that they were in my ear and I wasn’t alone, but right now I needed to focus. “Less talk until I find out.”

“Yes, she needs to be able to hear.” Autumn said abruptly.

The line went silent. “It is smudges, not drops.” I told them. I stopped when I saw brown fur in the snow a few feet ahead. I held my breath as I moved closer, hoping it wasn’t too gory.

I crouched down and moved around, hoping not to surprise it. It cried again, then froze when it spotted me. It wasn’t a large animal at all. “It’s a cat.” Its dark eyes were huge as it watched me. I crouched lower and held out my hand without the knife in it. “Hey, little guy.” I crooned, “are you hurt?” It didn’t move, so I crept closer. “It’s okay.” I stopped when it was still a foot out of my reach. “I’m not going to hurt you.” I dropped to my knees, ignoring the cold and pulled my glove off. I stayed still with my hand out. It raised its face and sniffed. “It’s okay.” I said again softly. Low to the ground, dragging its belly in the snow, it moved a few inches closer. I couldn’t see any blood coming from the red spots on its paws. “That’s it. I have lots of time I’m told, we can take our time.” It moved closer and smelled my hand. “See I’m perfectly harmless.”

Someone snorted on the other end of my earpiece.

It was shaking as it moved closer. “It’s okay.” I smiled. “You’re just a baby.” I didn’t know what sort of baby, but if I could get it to trust me, it would fit in my lap. It touched its nose against my hand. “There you go.” I crooned. It inched closer. The blood was wiping off its paws. “I don’t think the blood is from it.” I said in the same soft tone over the mic. “I think maybe the mom was hurt, or worse.”

“Just keep an eye out for a parent.” Victor told me.

Moving my head slowly, I looked around. “I don’t see or hear anything.” I moved closer. I didn’t move my hand. It needed to make the first move to trust me. I understood that. Slowly I reached my other hand behind me and tucked the knife in my back pocket.

It was close enough now that I could get a good look at most of its body. “I don’t’ see any injuries.” I put my hand down on my knee and waited. Staying low, it came over and nudged my hand with its nose. I slowly touched its head. The dark blue eyes watched me carefully, but it didn’t tense or move away. I ran my hand down over its head to rest on its shoulders. It didn’t cringe.

I didn't rush it to move closer. It wasn't shying away from my hand, so I continued, while looking for any sort of injury. “Oh, I was wrong,” I whispered, “you’re not a little guy, you're a girl.”

It took a step closer, rubbing against my hand as I pet her. “We're kind of out in the open right now.” I scooped her up, pulling her into my lap. Let’s go over there and use those trees for shelter.” I stood up slowly, hugging her against me firmly without making her feel trapped. She leaned into me and put her chin on my shoulder. “You’re a solid little thing.” I said softly. “We can use each other to stay warm.”

“Okay, Kara, the guys have found a starting point to get to you.” Daxx reported.

“Starting point?” The cat was generating enough heat to warm my hands.

“None of us have been exactly where you are, but Victor has been about five miles away. Unfortunately, it’s far so a few ports are required.” Daxx explained.

“I’m going to get Elder Arian to program a tracking program for a phone.” Leone said.

“I’m getting blankets and a few supplies.” Alona said.

I finally reached the trees. “Blankets are good.” I told her. Most of the trees had no leaves, so they weren’t going to offer much shelter. I saw a tall, I couldn’t remember what it was called… “I’m going to go sit under a big tree, like a Christmas one to get out of the snowfall.”

“How are you doing?” Rafael asked.

“Cold.” I pushed my face closer to the cat. “The cat is warm though.”

“Okay. Keep watch for other animals.” He told me.

I ducked under the low branches, shivering as snow fell down the back of my neck. My bow got caught, so I had to back out and take it off. I did and tossed it under the tree, the quiver case too. “I will.” I told him. The bottom branches were closer to the ground then I’d thought. “The branches on this tree have sheltered the ground, there’s hardly any snow under it.”

“We’ll be there soon, cupid.” Chase told me.

“You can’t go, brother.” Victor’s voice cut in abruptly. “As Troy cannot. We are going into a completely unknown situation. We cannot put either of you at risk.”

“He’s right.” Rafael said. “Nothing would weaken the realm more than to lose one of their kings before twins are born.”

“Fine.” Chase said. “I will help plan the trip to the asylum, that I’m allowed to go on.”

“Thank you, brother.” Victor said.

“Troy, anything from that mage?” Daxx asked.

“I’m afraid not. He was just a puppet, and has no memory of snow either.” Troy said in an even tone.

“Lucky him,” I rubbed the top of the cat’s head, trying to keep her calm. To keep me calm.

“There was a small inn here.” Victor said quietly.

“Can we rent a snowmobile of some sort of vehicle there?” Rafael asked.

“I believe so.” Victor stated. “Heart, can you go get me some cash?”

“Here are some warmer jackets.” Bethany said.

“Be there in five with the programmed phone.” Leone reported.

“You can’t wear them over the jacket, Raf.” Michael sighed. “You shouldn’t take them.”

“Get me a bag.” Rafael said. “We have no idea if this is a trap. I am not going in there unarmed.”

“I’m inclined to agree.” Victor responded.

“I brought the money.” Crissy said.

“Thank you, heart.”

I was shivering less, or it felt like it. “I keep hearing beeps.” I looked around us.

“Check your phone battery.” Paisley told me.

Shifting the cat, I undid my jacket and pulled out the phone. “Where do I look for battery?”

“Beside the signal lines. It will look like a cylinder.” Paisley sounded distracted.

“It has a line on the bottom.” I stared at the phone wondering if that was good or bad.

“You remember that little cube I gave you?” Bethany asked.

“Yes.” I moved the phone to the hand I was cradling the cat with and reached into the pocket again and got out the cube. The cat was passed out.

“There’s a small tab on it, that’s a short charger jack. Plug it into the bottom of the phone.”

I nodded and followed Beth’s instructions. “A lightning bolt just appeared on the battery symbol.”

“Put them both back in your pocket. Cell phones do not the like the cold.” Bethany said softly.

I put them in the pocket and zipped up my coat again. Shifting the cat, I cuddled it close.

“That gives her an hour.” Bethany’s voice waivered.

“We should be there by then.” Victor snapped.

“Kara, we’ll be off the phone while we’re porting, but know that Victor and I are on our way.” Rafael’s voice showed his stress.

“Okay.” I nodded to no one.

“Do you need anything else?” Paisley asked.

“I wouldn’t say no to hot chocolate.” I said half-jokingly. “For the record, it’s never boring with you guys.”

Someone snorted. “We aim to entertain.” Chase said solemnly.

“Here’s the phone.” Leone was out of breath.

“We’re leaving now.” Rafael told me. “See you soon.”

“My face feels like it’s burning.” I hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

“Movement helps warm you up.” Paisley told me. “But she’s sheltered from the snow where she is.”

I pushed my face into the cat to borrow some warmth. Its fur was wet, but still generated heat. She smelled like the wild. I couldn’t have described it if someone asked me to, I just knew that’s what it smelled like.

“Eating creates body heat.” Crissy said.

“That’s great, Criss, but she can’t run to the corner store and grab some snacks.” Daxx told her.

I lifted my head. “That’s why you gave me the protein bars.” I said, “you knew this was going to happen.” I leaned forward and felt for the zipper on the pouch. It was hard with gloves on and cold fingers, but I wasn’t taking them off. I finally found it.

“Did you know, Crissy?” Bethany asked her.

“I didn’t know, know. The pieces were all over the place.” Crissy sounded distracted. “I knew it had something to do with Kara, I saw arrows.” She mumbled for a moment. “And cold. I didn’t see the snow.”

I opened the bar and took a bite. It was dry and tasted strange, but I chewed it anyways. The cat lifted her head and looked at me. “You want a bite?” I held it out to her. She sniffed it, then leaned back with her nose scrunched up in an expression that looked like eew. “Not your kind of snack, huh?” I took another bit and chewed it slowly. “Should have sent a drink too, Crissy…”

“We have a situation.” Victor’s voice cut off what I was going to say.

“What’s wrong?” Troy asked.

I realized then that all of there were there all the time, just not talking. They were doing this for me, so I wasn’t alone. Maybe it was the protein bar, but my throat was suddenly too dry to swallow. Probably the bar.

“The inn is closed and boarded up.” Victor said, again with no emotion in his voice at all.

“Shit.” Leone said quietly.

“We are checking the out-buildings to see if some form of transportation has been left behind.” Victor said, sounding preoccupied.

The bland substance in my mouth became drier. I forced myself to swallow it, then sat waiting. What if they couldn’t get to me? How long would it take if they walked? Would be dark by then? I didn’t know if I could sit in the dark. My body was already going numb from the cold. I hugged the cat closer to me. The day I’d met this royal family, I’d been thinking of leaving the city to live in the middle of nowhere in the wild. Fate had just shown me that was a bad idea.

“Is Raf on the call again?” Michael asked.

Victor cleared his throat. “No, I thought it best he focuses,” there was a banging sound in the background, “his energy on gaining access to these buildings.”

“We’re looking at the map to see if there is anywhere else nearby, brother.” Leone told him.

“Very good. I am going to mute my mic and assist Rafael with his task.”

“We’ll let you know.” Leone said quickly.

“Kara, check your phone’s battery level.” Bethany said quietly.

I nodded and wrapped up the rest of the bar. Moving the cat away, it dawned on me how warm she was actually keeping me. Opening my coat, I took out the phone and little cube and looked at it. “The cylinder still has a lightning bolt on it.”

“Okay. Unplug the cube and tell me what it looks like.” Bethany’s tone was calm and patient. I thought maybe it was too calm, like she was forcing herself to sound calm.

I did as instructed. “It’s still just a line on the bottom of the cylinder symbol.”

“Mm, okay, plug it back in.”

I did and put it back in my pocket, along with the rest of the dry bar.

“The temperature must be affecting the charge.” Paisley mused.

“Victor, how are you progressing?” Chase sounded like he was worried.

I hugged the cat and buried my face in her fur again. I’d never prayed before and wondered if I should try it now.

“We’ve located two snowmobiles,” Victor said, “however, one starts but is low on fuel. The other has fuel but will not start.” I could hear Rafael in the background but didn’t know what he was saying. “Rafael is attempting to syphon the fuel from one to the other.”

“Kara’s phone isn’t going to have power much longer.” Paisley told him.

“Understood.” Victor replied. “We do have an extra battery, but that won’t be useful if we haven’t located her.” He was so calm. “Kara, describe to me where you are with details as precise as possible. Give us markers to look for.”

I lifted my head. “I had to walk down to get to the trees, not a big hill, but enough that I sunk in the snow as the level of the ground changed.” I closed my eyes. “There are lots of tall trees with no leaves and Christmas trees scattered throughout.” I heard someone choking and coughing in the background. “Is Rafael all right?”

Victor cleared his throat, “Yes. Although he’s not fond of the taste of gasoline. Pray that it has no water in it.” He added.

The phone beeped in my ear. “I’m underneath a really big Christmas tree.” I finished quickly in case the phone went dead.

“Very good. If you phone cuts out, listen for the sound of a snowmobile.”

The phone beeped again. I nodded my head quickly, then straightened. “Wait, what does a snowmobile sound like?”

“A motorcycle crossed with a lawn mower.” Emil supplied.

“Okay. Got it.” A loud sound came through the ear bud, I winced.

“Like that.” Victor said loudly. “We are on our way.”

There was another beep in my ear. “Okay, I’ll—” the background noise stopped. “Hello?” Nothing. “Hello?” My phone was dead.

It was eerily quiet now. Falling snow didn’t make any sound. That was a fact that Crissy would probably know, I thought.

The cat stirred in my arms and looked up at me. “Help is on the way.” I said softly. She butted my chin with the top of her head. It dawned on me that I couldn’t leave her if they did find me. When. When they did find me. If her mother had survived, she would have come looking by now. I straightened my cramped legs and put her on them to look at her. Her eyes were huge. I ran my hands over her fur. “You’re almost a golden brown or will be when we wash off the blood.” She lay down and let me rub my hands over her some more. “You need a name.” She suddenly tensed and dug her claws into my cold legs, which made me tense.

“It’s okay.” I picked her up and hugged her again. She was shaking. “What is it?” Her ear twitched. “What do you hear?” I listened. Shifting her more, I made sure I had access to the knives in my jacket, just in case. That’s when I heard a motor echoing in the distance.

I struggled to get out from under the tree, which was harder than going in now with cold, stiff muscles. Bent over while holding a scared cat, I tossed my bow and quiver out from under the tree turned out to be a feat that tested all my skills.

Finally, I got out and stood up. I didn’t hear the motor anymore. Squeezing my eyes shut, I exhaled slowly. I wasn’t going to panic.

It felt like I was dragging both legs as I walked out of the trees. When we cleared them, I looked up the incline to see two larger than life men, all in black looking down at me.

I grinned.

Rafael started running to me. He had no issues clearing the deeper snow with his height. Victor wasn’t running, but he wasn’t taking his time either. He carried a large bag with him.

The cat tensed in my arms as Rafael got closer. “It’s okay. He’s here to rescue us.”

Reaching me, he wrapped a blanket around me and grasped my shoulders, looking me over. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, “Cold but okay. Now.” He hugged me into his chest. I was surprised the cat didn’t even object. I blew out a breath of relief, then inhaled. Stepping back, I gave him a look. “You smell like gas.”

His expression changed. “Yeah. Syphoning fuel is harder than I thought.”

Victor reached us. He touched the ear bud. “We have her and she appears to be unscathed.” He nodded. “Yes, one moment.” Setting down the bag, he reached into his pocket and held something out to Rafael.

Rafael took it and sighed. “Let me see your phone. If the girls don’t get to hear your voice, they’re going to melt down.

Shifting the cat, I opened my jacket and took out the phone and held it out to him.

Victor’s lips twitched. Pulling another bag off his shoulder he reached in and pulled out a bottle of water.

I hadn’t realized I was thirsty until I saw it. I held out my hand. He uncapped it and handed it to me. I looked from him to Rafael. “You guys look huge in those big jackets.”

Rafael glanced at me as he put my phone back together. “We didn’t have time to go shopping.”

I grinned. “Does this sort of thing happen often? Because I think I need to upgrade my boots to something warmer. I can’t feel my feet.”

He tapped the screen, then tucked it into his pocket. Touching the earpiece, he watched me. “She’s on now.”

“Kara?” It was Paisley.

I felt relief again for the second time. “I’m here.”

“Thank the gods.” Chase said.

“We’re just hydrating her, then we’ll head back.” Victor said. “We should be able to do it in one port if Rafael and I both think the same destination.”

“You should catch your breath, Vic, that’s further than it was getting to her.” Crissy told him.

I took another drink while giving Rafael a look to ask what she was talking about.

He shook his head.

“Your concern is heartwarming, Cristy, I will be fine.”

The whole time they were talking, Victor was looking all around.

Rafael took a drink, then frowned and reached over to tilt my chin to the side. “You have blood on your face.”

“I do? Oh. It’s not mine,” I moved the blanket so the cats tawny face was visible. Tawny. I smiled.

“Whose blood is it?” Daxx asked.

Victor stopped moving and stood there. “I believe it is the mountain lion cub’s blood.”

I shook my head. “No, Tawny isn’t hurt. It wasn’t her blood.”

“Tawny?” Leone asked in a strained voice.

“Oh gods, she named it.” Troy whispered.

“Can animals port?” I looked from Rafael to Victor.

Victor glanced at his brother. “Smaller ones, yes. However larger animals do not react well.”

“You’re bringing it back?” Quinton asked.

I nodded. “If it had a living parent, I would have met it by now.” I looked up at Rafael, he had hand hands on his hips and was looking at the cat.

“It’s a wild animal, it will…”

I cut Michael off. “Yes it’s a wild animal with no parents that now has the scent of human all over her. If she doesn’t starve or freeze, she will be killed because I held her.”

“Michael, she has to bring it back.” Autumn said. “Leaving it behind is the same as me on the streets at six.”

“Shit.” Michael hissed out a breath.

“She’s right.” Crissy said, “Kara, well, Autumn too.”

Rafael and Victor exchanged a look.

I wrapped the blanket around both of us and looked up at Rafael.

His gaze held my stare for a few seconds. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled and moved closer, giving Tawny’s head a little scratch. “Tawny, huh?”

I nodded.

Turning he looked at Victor again.

Victor smirked. “Michael, locate the veterinarian we use and someone that knows about large-breed cats. Bring them to the lower courtyard.”

“On it.” Michael said.

“I’ll go find the vet.” Leone offered.

“Find out what they eat when young.” Rafael added.

I squatted down and set her on the ground, then poured a bit of water in the palm of my hand, offering it to her. Tawny sniffed it, then lapped it out of my hand.

“Yay!” Bethany squealed. “We get to have a cat at the palace. I’ve never had a pet.”

Victor shook his head. “The cat will likely be a hundred pounds once grown.”

“So, she’ll be like a dog, but not.” Autumn said.

“I’ve always wanted a pet.” Crissy sounded breathless.

Victor closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. “We’ll be there shortly.”

“I can’t wait to meet Tawny.” Alona said. “Pets were never doable having to stay hidden and on the move.”

“We’ll see you at the lower courtyard.” Chase added abruptly.

Victor picked up the large bag.

Rafael squatted down. “I’ll hold her in case she freaks out when we port. This coat offers more protection from claws.” He ran his hand over her lightly. She turned and looked up at him. “Come on, Tawny, let’s get you back and checked over.” His tone was gentle and persuasive. She went right over to him. He picked her up and held her securely in one arm. Tawny stretched up and rubbed her head under his chin.

I couldn’t help but smile when I stood up.

Victor picked up my bow and quiver.

“Let me guess,” Quinton said, “Raf just charmed a mountain lion?”

Rafael grinned as he wrapped his arm around me.

“It would seem so.” Victor stated, then put his hand on Rafael’s shoulder. “Lower courtyard, in front of Kara’s furthest target.” He looked at Rafael.

Rafael nodded.

“In three,” Victor said, “two, one…”

My head filled with white noise, but I ignored it. When Tawny hissed and leapt from Rafael’s hold, I dropped onto the ground beside her. She was hunched, breathing fast. I put my hand out. “That is the worst part.” I told her. She made a soft chirping sound and came over to me. I scooped her up and set her on my lap.

Rafael picked up the blanket and wrapped it around my shoulders. He squatted down beside me. “You should go have a bath and warm up, then eat.”

I nodded. “I will when they get here to look at her.”

Resting an arm on his knee, he looked up to Victor.

Victor smirked. “I’m going to put our gear in the armory and check in at the cells.”

Rafael nodded. Then looked back at me. “Turn on your blocker.”

I looked at him to see him motion with his chin. I turned to see Crissy running toward us, with the others following her.

I pushed the button on my bracelet and looked back to him. “You should go wash off the gas.”

“I’ll wait.” He stood up as the others reached us.

“Oh my gosh, she’s adorable.” Bethany fell to her knees and put her hand out to Tawny.

Crissy sat down beside me, smiling. “Her ears are so cute.”

“Look at those eyes, she’s gorgeous.” Autumn sat down as well.

Leone and Rafael exchanged a look. “The vet will be here shortly.” He watched Bethany pet the cat. “Some wild animal expert too.” He added.

Rafael took off the heavy jacket and tossed it to Leone. With a sigh, he squatted down and scooped Tawny up, then held his hand out to me. “Come on, we’ll go up to the courtyard and get you some hot chocolate.”

I looked at him and smiled. This big tough man standing there holding a cat cradled in one arm while offering me hot chocolate. I nodded. “Okay.”

Michael stood there with his arms crossed over his chest grinning at Rafael.

“Shut up.” Rafael said with a smirk as we walked by him.

I was cold and still in the wet clothes and blanket as I sat there watching the two men examine Tawny.

“What’s the verdict, doc?” Autumn looked impatient as she stood close by watching them with the cat.

I honestly believe she would have kicked them in the head if Tawny had displayed and signs of being distressed. The vet came over and handed Tawny to me.

“She’s in good health for such a young cub in winter. She’s little dehydrated and underfed, so I’m going to send over some drops to add to her water to give her a bit of a nutritional boost.”

Tawny started purring, which made me look at her. I had no idea wild cats did that. I’d have to look up more information about her. I looked back up at the man.

“She’s between two and three months, I’m thinking closer to three though. Her eyes are still blue and won’t change until around five months…”

“Her eyes change?” Bethany asked.

He nodded. “They’ll turn an amber shade.”

“But she’s the right size for that age?” Daxx asked.

“That’s hard to say without knowing the size of the litter. Obviously the more kits, the more the mother has to feed, so they’re smaller until they hunt on their own.” He jerked his chin toward Tawny, “she probably doesn’t hunt yet, and would have been taken to kills to feed if the mother didn’t drag it back.”

Daxx nodded. “So, we have to feed her now? What do we feed her?”

“Raw meat mostly. If you’re going to try some manufactured kibble, it will need to be introduced gradually.”

“But meat is what she’s used to eating?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Then we’ll feed her meat.” Autumn said.

“Does she still need milk?” Bethany sat beside me and looked at the cat.

He shook his head. “It’s doubtful at this age. She would have been weaned around six weeks.” He turned and looked at Troy who had stood back observing this whole time. “We have pens and are better equipped for large…”

I jumped up. “You want to lock her up?” I glared at him, then looked to Rafael and shook my head.

“She’ll need room to run.” Again, the man turned to look at Troy.

“Then we’ll give her room to run.” Autumn told him, then crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

Michael turned his head slowly from Autumn to look at the man. “I don’t believe the animal will be going with you.”

I looked at Rafael.

He sighed. “She’ll be living at the palace. There’s plenty of room to run out here.” He motioned over his shoulder.

The man bowed his head slightly. “Call me if you have any questions.”

Leone nodded and motioned to the door of the solarium. The vet and the man that wanted to cage Tawny walked away with him.

Mitz came out carrying a small metal bowl. “I’ll go get her a water dish in a moment. I brought her some of the meat I’m cooking for dinner, the pre-cooked version of course.” She set the dish on the ground.

I knelt and put Tawny on the ground. It didn’t take her long to find the meat and grab a piece. She shook her head with it clamped between her teeth, then crouched down to eat it.

“I wasn’t sure how small to cut it.” Mitz said.

We all stood there watching her eat.

“I’d say that’s about the right size.” Troy nodded, then looked at his brothers. “We could use a hand in the cells.”

Rafael smirked. “Let me go scrub off some of this gas and I’ll be there.”

I looked up, having completely forgotten how the day had begun. “Do you need my help?” I looked at Troy. “Do any of those mages know anything?”

Troy shook his head. “Not so far, I’ll let you know if we need you to listen.”

“First she needs a hot bath and something to eat.” Mitz interjected in a way that didn’t allow for objections or complaint.

“Go.” Autumn said, “we’ll keep an eye on her until you come back.”