Story: Predators (chapter 14)

Authors: Chimera Bloom

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Chapter 14

PREDATORS pt14 by Chimera Bloom

PREDATORS
by Chimera Bloom

Part 14

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They walked on determined to find something familiar or safe. But no matter how far or fast they moved they just seemed to get further away from where they needed to be. And as they moved into what had to be yet another circle, Halauris was more then ready to give up.

"Let's just stop. I can't walk anymore. If we just sit still someone has to come along." Halauris said throwing herself onto the ground.

She wasn't trying to be difficult. She was just trying to be practical. Because at the moment, they were very much lost.

"We can't stop Halauris. We have to find help. We have to get back to the tribe." Lineva screamed desperately needing to release her pent up emotions in any way possible.

Halauris seemed to understand that the anger wasn't truly directed at her. Instead, she seemed to accept the quiet outburst with a deep long sigh. They couldn't keep moving like this. They were depleting themselves both mentally and physically in their futile attempt to find their way back home.

She just had to believe that if they stopped for just a moment, they could decipher their location. Besides, she didn't think that they were in any real danger. After all, it had been hours since Halauris had seen another shark. They had to be some place safe.

And it was obviously someplace out of the way. They were in what could only be described as the very thick of the woods. Lineva had run for cover in an attempt to escape harm's way. But what was obviously a brilliant strategic escape had left them with no bearings to get home.

Not to mention the fact that at night, everything seemed to look different. Buildings that might seem warm and inviting by the light of day had now turned sinister and scary. And given what had just happened, neither of them were willing to trust a stranger or unfamiliar environment.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be able to figure out where we are by looking at the stars?" Halauris asked the wheezing warrior.

Lineva didn't answer. She only shot the girl a hard angry stare that let her know all that she needed. It was quite obvious that if Lineva had that particular skill she would have used it by now.

"What about a park? Or a garden?" Halauris mused looking at the exotic and rough foliage that surrounded them.

"What?" Lineva snapped obviously not following the girl's train of thought.

"Maybe we're in a park? You know, like the one that's across from the Lodge. Wouldn't it be funny if we've been walking in circles around our own tribe." Halauris mused trying to keep her mind of what the real problem was.

"Get up! We have to keep moving." Lineva hissed not in any kind of mood to play along with the girl's obvious denial.

She knew that this evening had been sheer torture for Halauris. She also knew that the girl had held up better then she ever could have asked. But they had a task to accomplish. They had to get back to the Lodge before daybreak. Lineva felt that she had to tell Kellis in person what had happened to the heron. She had to be the one who gave the team Alpha the tragic news. As a fellow warrior, Kellis deserved no less.

Halauris obeyed standing up once again on her shaky and unstable legs. Despite her ancestral heritage for the hunt, the girl knew that she had used up whatever prowess she may have possessed. She was just tired now. She was tired of fighting off her fear.

But she knew that the warrior was right. They had to keep moving. Yet, she had no idea what direction they should head. It was quite clear that Lineva didn't really care where they ended up. The warrior just needed to keep moving. As long as her feet were covering the ground then she wouldn't have to stop and think about Elila. She wouldn't have to remember the dead heron. And Halauris could truly understand her sentiment.

It was just that she simply couldn't carry on like this for much longer. They needed to return to the tribe. They had to tell the others what had happened. Arrangements had to be made, as difficult as it might be.

"No, we should go this way." Halauris said pointing to a row of large overturned logs.

"Why?" Lineva asked suspicious of such tumultuous terrain. She knew that the girl was tired. And so was she. If it came down to it, the warrior didn't think that she would be able to carry Halauris to safety.

"Because this is the only way we haven't gone yet." Halauris whispered heading towards the logs.

Lineva mutely followed realizing that the girl was right. The warrior knew that she should be grateful that at least one of them had a sense of direction. And in a few moments time, they were both silently engaged in the rather difficult task of climbing over turned logs and upended stumps.

This was far from the easiest path to take. But Halauris felt confident that at least they would no longer be moving in a circle. They would certainly be moving forward, she just didn't really know where they would end up.

As they moved on over the slight inclination in the dirty path, Halauris realized that if she weren't so tired she would be absolutely petrified. They were climbing through an area of woods that could only be described as midnight black. The foliage was so thick that they couldn't even see the stars shining down from overhead. And every few moments or so they would hear the call of animal that neither of them could identify.

"What was that?" Halauris whispered as she caught sight of some brief movement off in the distance.

She hovered on the end of a log hoping not to loose her footing. She waited for the warrior to catch up to her side. Together they scanned the forest below. They only had to wait a moment, but it was long enough. Soon they both saw a dark figure moving out of the underbrush towards them.

"Wait here!" Lineva whispered easily dropping to the ground below.

Halauris considered her statement but then thought better of it. If there were others moving towards them it would be better to fight side by side then separated from one another. So with the ease and grace that only a feline would ever know, she softly drifted to the ground below landing perfectly on her feet.

"OHGODS! Please don't hurt me. I mean you no harm." The voice of the figure called out to them from somewhere behind the surrounding tree.

Lineva and Halauris glanced at each other thankful that for once they were concerned the more threatening presence. Neither of them had any desire to encounter another predator tonight. And whatever was out there definately seemed to be more afraid of them.

"Come out where I can see you." Lineva called trying to see what had found their position here in the thick black woods.

"Okay…here I come… My name is Tya." The voice called out moving from behind the tree. The person had stayed far enough away that neither jungle cat could clearly make out her features. And for some reason, Halauris felt rather unsettled by the presence of the seemingly innocuous stranger.

"Closer! But move slowly." Lineva directed still trying to figure out what it was that had followed them.

"Okay, here I am. I'm Tya, just your normal average garden-variety snake. I mean you no harm. I'm of no threat to you. If you'll please just let me go I'll be right out of your way." The garden snake muttered as it obeyed the warrior's request.

Both jungle cats cast their gaze over her form with a strict studious gaze. They took in her small height, her darkly colored skin, and her soft green eyes. The poor thing didn't even have fangs. Halauris let out a deep sigh of relief when she realized that they were in fact safe. Even Lineva visibly relaxed in the snake's company.

But despite their rather close examination of the snake it was unfortunate that neither of them looked close enough. If they had, they might have been able to see past the pale green eyes to the red-rimmed pupils of a cobra. But neither of them looked through the mirage to see the truth. So instead, Licara remained completely hidden behind a wall of visual deceit.

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Pedryn was both surprised and angry at the sight that greeted her. She was thankful that from all apparent signs, Baysha had managed to rescue the heron from the very jaws of death. And on some level she was even grateful that Zeranna appeared to care for the heron.

When she walked into the Aquatic Hall, Pedryn didn't know quite what she expected. She realized that the presence of the Fasara Alpha's daughter would certainly cause quite an uproar, especially at an awards banquet. But she hadn't envisioned such an easy acceptance.

All the members of her tribe were quietly awaiting her words as they languidly swam in the water below. None of them moved closer to the unconscious heron. And Pedryn was thoroughly grateful for at least a small reprieve.

But it was Zeranna that confounded her. It was the way that the shark was hovering over the heron. It was the way that she was tenderly stroking Elila's hair. It was the way that her empathy dripped from her body that made Pedryn feel jealous and angry all at once.

If only their circumstances were slightly different she would be in a much different position. But they weren't and Elila would never trust her. No matter how much she wished it to the contrary.

"Pedryn, I'm glad you're here. I could use your assistance." Baysha said motioning to the sprawled out form of the heron.

Quickly, Zeranna moved to the side allowing Pedryn access to the heron's body. Tenderly, she cupped Elila's face noticing the cold slickness of her skin. She opened her mouth as gently as she could to peer down the girl's throat.

She easily saw the complete discoloration and inflammation that was truly indicative of venom. But Pedryn had seen Elila's throat earlier this morning. It hadn't looked like this then. Elila had somehow been exposed to more venom.

Pedryn had to stop herself from storming out of the hall. It was obvious that the snake had stalked the heron. And if this had been a case of natural predation the cobra would have bit into the heron's flesh. After all, the purpose to hunting the heron was to receive the intoxicating effects that came with the release of the venom.

No, this was truly a case of murder. The snake would receive no physical pleasure from forcing Elila to swallow venom. It would appear that the snake was far more devious then Pedryn had originally thought.

And in some way, the alpha shark felt responsible. She had sent Elila back to the jungle cats convinced that they could protect her. She was certain that they would be able to hunt down the snake that had brutally attacked the only daughter of their tribal Alpha.

But apparently, she had overestimated the jungle cats's ability to protect their own. And Pedryn was determined not to make that mistake again. She would have hunted the snake now, if her tribe wasn't waiting for her.

"Well?" Baysha asked hoping for a second opinion on her work.

"She'll recover. Her skin is already losing its blue tinge." Pedryn said, commenting on the returning white pallor.

"You did well Baysha, thank you." Pedryn answered.

She glanced around the Hall realizing that she couldn't put off the inevitable any longer. It was time for her to make a speech. It was time for her to present her awards. Thinking of what was to come, Pedryn knew that this was the very last place that she wanted to be. And in some way, having Elila there in the Hall seemed to round out the evening with some form of cruel irony.

"Zeranna, will you sit with her?" Pedryn asked realizing that someone would have to stay with the wounded heron.

"Of course..." She answered realizing that the heron had become more then a question of medical well-being. Now, it was a question of security. And apparently, Pedryn was worried about the heron's safety.

"Shall we?" Carielle asked speaking up from her formerly silent place at her cousin's side.

Pedryn only nodded and together they went off to start the evening's events. Pedryn knew that they were in for a long night. And as she gazed back at Elila's prone form, she didn't know how she was ever going to get through it.

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"We're lost. We're trying to find our way to back to the Lodge. It's a holding of the Fasara tribe. Do you have any idea where we are?" Halauris asked the snake.

"Oh yes, you are far from where you need to be. Yes, you are very far. But I can help you." The snake said slithering away from the two cats. It was clear that she was still very much afraid of their forms.

"Tell me, how did you get to be so lost?" The snake asked obviosly very nervous around their more impressive forms.

"We've had a tragedy. Please, you have to help us." Halauris whispered hoping that the snake could help them find their way.

"Come, I will take you back. Follow me… come come..." The snake said, walking off not even waiting to see if the two cats would follow.

"I'm not so sure about this." Lineva whispered convinced that they could be walking right into a trap.

"She's harmless. Besides, we have to get back. We have to tell the other about Elila." Halauris answered moving right behind Tya.

Begrudgingly, Lineva followed not sure where she was being led to. As a warrior, she had learned not to trust outsiders. And despite the rather harmless appearance of this snake, there was just something about her that seemed off.

"Tell me, what has happened? Why are you stranded so far from your home?" The snake asked leading the two cats in the beginning of a circle.

Licara could have easily directed the two jungle cats to the safety of their home. But she had no intention of doing so. Not until she had learned all that she needed.

Besides, both of the cats were totally unaware that her meager appearance was nothing more then an ocular illusion. They truly believed that she was nothing more then a garden snake hybrid. And she certainly had no desire to tell them otherwise.

"It was awful…" Halauris gasped reliving the night's events for the first time.

"Look, just get us home." Lineva snapped knowing that an outsider shouldn't be the first to hear of Elila's death. Kellis needed to know first, she deserved no less. Lineva knew that she couldn't let it be any other way.

"Sorry…I leave you to your walk." The snake said hurrying off the path. Licara tried to look as frightened as possible as she ran off into the thick underbrush.

"NO WAIT! Tya please… She didn't mean to be so rude. We've just had an awful night. Please…we need your help." Halauris gasped out trying to stop the retreating form of the snake. She knew that they would never make it back, not without help anyways.

Lineva felt like giving her companion a good long piece of her mind. But she knew that Halauris was simply trying to get them home. And she couldn't fault her for that. As a warrior, she should be the one protecting Halauris. But throughout most of the evening it seemed that their roles had painfully reversed.

Thankfully, the snake stopped moving. Licara stood off in the distance tying to put on a convincing show. She wanted them to believe that she was frightened and conflicted. She had much to discover and she had to earn their trust.

Finally, after much acted out consternation the masquerading cobra returned to the jungle cats. She began walking back down the path leading them far from where they needed to go. She had to find out about Elila. She had to know if the heron had died. Because more then anything, Licara needed to know if her devious plan had been an unbridled success.

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She waited with an eager heart and a beaming smile. This would be the perfect solution to her rather unfortunate problem. This would tie up all those little loose ends that had been left by her rather ill-timed angry episode. But better then that, it would be the perfect seal to a well thought out plan.

After she walked through these swinging black doors, Narlene knew there was no turning back. She would permanently change things about herself. She would do things that could never be undone. But it was worth it. She would do anything to claim Kellis as her own.

The place was called the Claw, and Narlene couldn't think of a more apt name. She had gotten on a transport and rode all the way over to the dimly lit crime ridden area of the Village. But as she walked the streets of this rather dangerous neighborhood no one even cast her second glance.

No one would dare confront her. She was a jungle cat born of only the most pure lineage. She was predator and had no qualms about deterring anyone from her path.

This area was crawling with gators, dingoes, and coyotes. There were even a few critters that one could only find in the swamp. But thinking of the murky waters and humid air of Black Moon only made Narlene think of the heron. And now wasn't the time to think of Elila. Now was the time to focus solely on Kellis.

She had lingered outside the entrance of the Claw for several lengthy minutes. It's not the she was having second thoughts about coming. She wasn't even reconsidering her actions. She was simply waiting for the right person to cross her path.

Though she had a reputation for being a good girl, demure, polite and always modest Narlene knew her way around the tribe's darker side. And after careful thought, she had come all the way out here to stand right in front of it. The Claw was a traditional club, a throw back from a time when the Fasara were more predatory and far more primal.

Now her tribe liked to party and quietly converse like any other hybrids in the Kingdom. They liked to engage in non-violent activities that were basically a sacrilege to their proud bloodline. But Narlene knew of how things used to be.

And the Claw, was the perfect place to get in touch with her predatory heritage. Here she could find all those activities that her tribe felt were better left forgotten. And here she would change Kellis' future forever.

After a while, she was worried that she would have to give up. It had nearly been an hour and she hadn't even seen one other jungle cat on the street. And Narlene knew that she was in a bit of a time crunch. She had to get back to Kellis. And the last transport wasn't too far off.

But just when she had given up all hope a rather surly jungle cat walked in her direction. She was young, probably around Kellis' age. Her height and weight weren't identical but it was close enough to suffice. And from the look of her rather hazy glare Narlene knew that she had caught her attention.

"What's a young thing like you doing out here? This isn't a place for children." The hybrid sneered stopping only inches from Narlene's smaller frame.

Narlene looked her up and down deciding that although not perfect, this jungle cat would have to do. She was definitely attractive which Narlene was pleased to see. It certainly wouldn't be hard to close her eyes and imagine that this creature was her beloved Kellis.

The hybrid was dressed in a loose fitting gray outfit. The material appeared to be soft, Narlene even thought that it might be silk. The top was small and dainty showing off the hybrid's high round breasts and firmly toned stomach. Narlene gazed at her arms and legs noticing the thick tone of her muscles and decided this creature was probably a warrior, or had at least been trained as such.

Her blonde hair was a little bit lighter then Kellis'. It was more platinum then golden. And it was a little longer too. But Narlene realized that such things couldn't be helped, not on such short notice anyways.

But Narlene instantly loved her eyes. They were large round circles of perfect baby blue. They were just like Kellis'. So close that for just a moment, Narlene got lost in her imagination.

"You like what you see?" The hybrid said not used to being stared at in such a lusty way, especially not by someone like Narlene.

"Yes, yes I do." Narlene said moving closer to the hybrid. Boldly, she put her hands on the warrior's shoulders feeling the skin under her fingertips.

The hybrid was greasy and just a bit dirty. Narlene would have to change that. She wouldn't loose her virginity to someone that was unkempt.

But Narlene liked the feel of her muscle moving against her hand. This hybrid was strong, perhaps even stronger then Kellis. And Narlene found the revelation intoxicating to say the least.

"You're a naughty thing aren't you? Does your alpha know where you are?" The hybrid seethed moving her face dangerously close to Narlene neck.

Narlene turned her head to the side allowing the warrior to inhale the scent of her body. And from the sound of a deep growl coming from the hybrid, Narlene could tell that she had enjoyed the aroma. Things were moving ahead nicely. From the feel of the warrior's body pressing into her own, Narlene could tell that she was definitely interested.

"It's not nice to play games with strangers, especially if you don't intend to finish." The hybrid said pushing Narlene back against the wall of the building behind.

The girl hit the concrete with a gentle thud. The movement didn't even force one strand of her perfectly kept hair out of place. And the hybrid looked her over with a fierce contempt.

She had known many women like this one. She had been ousted from her village because of them. And now that she was recluse living all on her own, she had no desire to play games with a wayward jungle kitten. It was time to show this girl that the world wasn't some soft cushy place to explore all on her own. It was time to show this girl what real fear was.

"Oh, I intend to finish this." Narlene said pushing away from the wall.

She walked towards the warrior placing her hands on the hybrid's shoulders. She let her hands drop down to the warrior's breasts as she fondled the soft swells through the fabric. Her nipples instantly hardened in her hands and Narlene couldn't help but lick her lips in anticipation.

The warrior could barely believe what was happening. Women like this one didn't fondle perfect strangers on the corner of a dark street. She began to think that this woman had to be drunk or out of control in some way.

And people were watching them now. She could see the outlines of shadows moving back and forth in front of the windows from the Claw behind. They had an audience and this woman didn't even seem to mind.

"I have a need. And I want you to ease it. Will you do that for me?" Narlene whispered slipping her hands under the fabric of the warrior's top. The hybrid's bare breasts felt like warm silk in her hands as she eased her fingers around the delicate swells.

"Who are you?" The hybrid seethed out unable to stop the pleasure mounting in her body. The woman's mere touch was driving her insane.

"I'm Narlene. But who I am isn't important. All that matters is that I'm here now I need something from you. Can you give it to me?" Narlene whispered accentuating her question by gently pinching the woman's nipples.

"Oh yes…I can help you." The hybrid gasped out.

The warrior began to wonder if they were going to do it right there on the street. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that she had engaged in a rather public display of affection. And in this part of town, no one would even give them a second glance.

But as she caught the devilish stare filling the girl's eyes she suddenly knew that Narlene had far more in mind then a simple rendezvous. But to be perfectly honest, she couldn't wait to find out what it was. There was something different about this woman, something sinfully dangerous.

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She could barely breathe. The walls were simply closing in around her. She had no place to go. And there was no place left to hide. She was out there in the wide open struggling to find a familiar face or a single touch of kindness.

But she was all alone. And Yamina knew that she was going to have to fend for herself. She just didn't know where to begin or how to fix what was obviously wrong with her.

Logically, she knew that she was having a panic attack. She had had them before many times. They started after the brutal rape. They started after that awful night on the water.

And yet recently, she had been doing so well. Yamina kept a little calendar where she marked off each day that she didn't suffer through the pangs of anxiety. To anyone else, Yamina knew that she still seemed weird and sometimes even crazy.

But she knew how well she was doing. It had been a full eight weeks since the last time she hyperventilated at the memory. It had been six weeks since the last time she wept so completely and utterly she forced herself to vomit. And it had been three weeks since she had literally climbed the walls in crazed agitation.

She had been doing so well. She had her little markings to prove it. Everything had been fine until Elila said that name. She wanted to be mad at her friend. She wanted to curse Elila in a screaming tantrum for telling her what she did.

But Yamina couldn't do that. She couldn't fault the heron for telling her the truth. She just could be angry with her friend for daring to mention Carielle.

To her, it sounded like such a soft and fluidic name. It sounded like someone who was gentle and moved with the subtle grace of a bird. It didn't sound like the name of a boorish shark that had literally ripped her apart.

Yet, it was her attacker's name. And for some reason Yamina felt like screaming it from the rooftop. She wanted to feel the name as it rested on her tongue. She wanted to savor it's essence.

But more then that, she wanted to own it. She wanted to control the power that it had over her. She wanted a way to control her own fear and her aching depression.

Yet after hours of solitary weeping, Yamina had found no such way to ease her pain. Instead, she succeeded in working herself into a hysterical frenzy. And she knew that she had long since past the point of merely needing a friendly shoulder to cry on. She needed to be sedated. She needed something to take away the pain.

So, she left her rooms walking the long halls of the Lodge trying desperately to find a healer. She knew that they would help her. Everyone in the tribe thought she was a mental case anyways.

But she walked up stairs and down halls and couldn't find anyone. And the more she searched the angrier she became. She wanted to yell at someone. She wanted to someone to suffer for what had been done to her. And more then that, she wanted everyone to know.

She stormed down the hall looking for someone to break her silence. Briefly, she gave thought to Elila. She wondered what her heron friend would say if she knew what she was planning. She wondered if Elila would even try to stop her.

Instantly, she knew that the heron wouldn't. No one hated their forced silence more then Elila. But as she scoured the halls looking for some sign of life she couldn't help but wonder if anyone would even believe her.

After all, the truth might sound more convincing coming from the normally rational heron. But Elila did just attend an awards banquet on the practical arm of a shark. Yamina knew that the tribe had questions. She could only imagine what half-truths Elila had to concoct to protect her precious alpha's secret.

Yamina was rounding the corner on the fourth floor searching for Melaryn or any of the warriors trained in the art of healing. They would know how to help her. And just maybe they would even listen.

But she never reached Melaryn or anyone else for that matter. Someone screaming in pain stopped her dead in her tracks. At first Yamina thought that she had to be hearing things. And then she simply thought that she was misunderstanding the nature of the screaming voice. She began to think that it was someone calling out in pleasure.

Yet she knew better then that. It wasn't so very long ago that her own voice had cried out in a similar fashion. Yamina was no stranger to pain. And she certainly recognized it's voice. Turning on her heels, she ran back the other direction trying desperately to find the source of the scream.

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"I'm…" The hybrid tried to properly introduce herself to Narlene.

After all, it seemed only appropriate. The woman had already fondled the merchandise she figured it might be time for a formal greeting. But before she could even finish her sentence Narlene placed a warm hand on her mouth.

"Shh…I don't need to know your name." Narlene whispered hoping that she could somehow convince this hybrid to play along.

"Okay, you want to play at the whole mysterious strangers thing. Kitten, I can come along for the ride. Now, what do you say we find a place a little more private." The warrior whispered pulling Narlene's body firmly against her own.

At one moment, the warrior had considered having the girl right there on the street. But there was something about Narlene. There was something deliciously unexpected that she wanted to savor. And she really couldn't give the girl a thorough sexing if they were standing on a dark corner.

"You read my mind." Narlene whispered pulling a long jangling key out of her dress pocket.

"Impressive…So what? You were just standing here waiting for the first good lay to come along?" The hybrid asked wondering why so many pieces seemed to be just sliding right into place.

"Something like that." Narlene mumbled letting the hybrid grope and fondle her way all across her anxious body.

"Let's go." The nameless warrior said trying to push the girl into the waiting building behind.

"First, there's something I need you to do." Narlene whispered blocking the hybrid's attempt to physically force her through the large black swinging doors.

"I should have known. What is it, kitten? You have some dark deed you need done? You don't have any money so figure you'll barter your body instead? Well, what is it? You have a mean spouse you need killed? Is there something in your past that's better left forgotten?" The hybrid asked taking a very defensive stand in front of the girl.

She rounded Narlene as she spoke clearly showing her annoyance through many different layers of body language. For a second Narlene considered aborting her plan. This hybrid was obviously far more dangerous then she had originally thought.

From the way she was speaking, Narlene could tell that she was no stranger to crime. Narlene could also tell that even though she was mouthing off her suggestions in utter disgust, it was crystal clear that the hybrid was familiar with the execution of all of them. It was obvious that those little nuggets of annoyance weren't beyond the total range of possibilities. And as Narlene thought things over, she realized that her beautiful stranger was definitely someone to fear.

"That's not it!" Narlene snapped finally regaining the hybrid's complete attention.

"When we walk through those doors I want you register the room under your name. And for tonight, your name is Kellis." Narlene said meeting the hybrid's stare.

"Why?" The warrior seethed out in a rather suspicious tone.

"I simply have a fantasy that I need fulfilled. Can you do that for me?" Narlene asked hoping that the hybrid would agree.

"After you…" The warrior said ushering Narlene through the swinging doors of the Claw. The hybrid couldn't help but feel that she was making a terrible mistake. But she couldn't seem to stop herself. The prospect of sharing a warm bed with the beautiful girl was simply too divine an opportunity to pass up.

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Pedryn surveyed her tribe from high above the stage. Things were so very different here at the Gallion. At home in the Wetlands, such a ceremony would have taken place in the Aquatic Amphitheater. Thousands of people would have gathered to see the tribe honor its bravest.

But here in the Gallion Village, there numbers were much smaller. The time-honored ceremony was being held in a small modest hall. And even the very spirit of the tribe seemed diminished. It's like everyone present knew that they deserved greater then this.

They were the Midali. They were the oldest tribe in the entire Kingdom. And by all accounts, they are the strongest too. They simply deserved better then this meager celebration.

"If you'll allow me to begin." Pedryn said in a modest tone.

There was no need to raise her voice. The acoustics in the hall were designed to be absolutely perfect. Everyone in attendance could easily hear every syllable that she uttered.

Instantly, the soft whispers stopped and Pedryn could see that she had everyone undivided attention. She was standing high above the water on the small white stage. Carielle was to her left. And the other warriors were behind waiting patiently in the wings.

She knew that most of her tribe mates resented having to conduct this ceremony out of the water. After all, they were shark hybrids. And if they were at home the ceremony would of course be conducted deep under the crystal waters of the amphitheater.

But the Gallion simply wasn't set-up to accommodate all their needs. Pedryn knew that they should at least be grateful that there was a water hall even available for them. And yet she knew how much her tribe resented even the smallest concessions that they had to make for the land dwellers.

"We all know why we are here tonight. And we will begin the ceremony shortly. But first, I know that you all have some questions." Pedryn said referencing the unconscious heron lying in the far back of the room.

"As I'm sure many of you know, Elila of the Fasara is with us tonight. It is not a pleasant turn of events that has caused her to be in our custody. A cobra has hunted her. And though her health was in a dire predicament it appears now that she will make a full recovery." Pedryn announced to the murmured shock of her tribe mates. There was definitely a feeling of unrest settling throughout the hall.

"Now, as I'm sure you're all aware the Fasara are now our allies. Being as such, Elila will remain with us until it is determined that her life is no longer in danger. I ask that you all treat her with kindness and respect while she is here." Pedryn said searching the faces of her tribe mates below.

Here at the Gallion Village her word was law. She knew that not a single warrior would question her authority. As the team Alpha, Pedryn was confident that she could keep the heron well out of harm's way.

But there were a few tribe members that she was determined to keep a close eye on. They were traditionalists that were committed to a very strict and intolerable belief system. If anyone would have a problem with the heron's presence, it would be them.

Scanning the crowd below she saw a few of them huddled together in the middle of the water. They were glaring at her with clear and unobstructed hatred. They didn't think that her family deserved the throne. They believed that the tribe should never even have left the water.

To Pedryn, they were unsettling to say the least. She had adamantly protested their inclusion in the Gallion. But her Alpha had prevailed saying that they would only become more radical if they were excluded from the tribe's most sacred activities.

And so they came along spending most of their time alone sectioned far away from the rest of the tribe. Pedryn could tell that they were planning something. Past history had been a strong indicator as to the type of violence they were capable of when pushed too far. She just hoped that she could manage to keep them away from Elila. Because if the heron were ever to speak to them, there was no telling what Elila would learn.

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"How much further?" Halauris winced having a hard time keeping pace with the small snake.

"Not much further. You rest now." Tya said stopping so that the woman could catch her breath.

Instantly, Halauris collapsed onto the ground below. Her body ached in places that she was wholly unaccustomed too. But the worst for her wasn't the physical pain; it was the anguish that was threatening to consume her. Her heart was heavy and full, as she desperately wanted to openly weep for the fallen heron. Even her mind was threatening to bleed with memories of all that they had been through.

But Lineva refused to show her exhaustion. She didn't want the snake to know just how weak she really was. There was just something about Tya that wasn't right. And besides, Lineva made good practice out of not trusting outsiders.

"You are sad, yes?" Tya asked leaning on the ground next to Halauris.

It was perfectly clear to the cobra that the warrior didn't trust her. She was doing her best to keep her ocular mirage intact but Lineva wasn't making things any easier for her. Her visual masquerade was performed on two totally separate layers.

The first was aroma. Her body secreted a strong oil that could bend the mind of all those around her. The second was eye contact. It took only a mere second but once someone looked into her red pupils, she could easily force her will upon them.

And that was the problem with Lineva. The warrior kept refusing to make eye contact. It was only her hypnotic oil that was keeping the jungle cat in her control at all.

But Licara knew that she was running out of time. If she didn't get up close and personal with the jungle warrior soon, the cat would quickly snap out of it. And since she didn't want to press her luck, she decided that a quick exit would be far more gracious and advisable.

"What has happened to make you so sad?" Tya asked kneeling closer to the female cat.

It was apparent that Halauris was going to keep her silence. Licara knew how secretive the jungle cats preferred to be. But it was more then that. Lineva clearly didn't want the woman telling her story.

"You tell me, it will make you feel better." Tya said gently cupping the woman's face in her hands.

Once she got Halauris to look directly into her eyes, the cobra let her pupils swim. It only took a few circles to the left and one more to the right before she had the cat in her complete control. Satisfied, Licara sat back on her heels waiting to hear the woman's tale.

"Elila, our Alpha's daughter was killed tonight." Halauris whispered knowing that she was breaking Lineva's imposed code of silence.

"Killed? What happened?" Licara asked hoping to hear a vivid recounting of Elila painfully choking on her venom.

"HALAURIS!" Lineva snapped wanting to silence the woman's suddenly loose tongue.

"A shark attacked her. We had to leave her. It was the only way we could get away." Halauris answered in a desperate plea of tears.

Licara instantly recoiled in anger. She was certain that Elila had drunk the venom. She had made sure of it.

What she couldn't understand was how Elila ended up near a shark. When she had left the banquet hall Elila had been sitting there with the other members of the tribal council. She had been eating her food and sipping the venom like there was nothing wrong the world.

But this news infuriated the cobra. She had put too much energy and risked far too much to have someone else kill the heron. If she couldn't take her revenge on Elila, then she would go after the shark that stole her prey.

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CONTINUED...

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