Kierra

I about die.

My jaw drops as my face flares red-hot instantly. I avoid looking at Benjamin at all as I stutter. Even Asher doesn't know if he wants to be horrified, angry, or highly amused.

Coughing several times till I can talk without sounding as if a high pitched bird is in my throat, I glare at her so hard she should be melting right now.

"That was so taken out of context. You need your brain seriously scrubbed Chicky. I said his tiger is huge. As in animal, not anatomy. My God. You were at that bordello way too long."

I'm trying to fan myself, she rolls with laughter, and Asher stays quiet next to her. My eyes slide to Benji even though I try not to look at him. One arm is crossed, the other's elbow resting on it as he rubs his eyes, trying to keep his own laughter to himself.

"You are so dead, little sister. Just wait. I still have those clothes that mom likes to put on Tigger. One of these days you'll wake while you're in cat form wearing a damn pink tutu."

Don't think I can cross my arms any harder than I already have, trying not to laugh myself, but also horribly embarrassed. My sibling is a horrible person.

"Go ahead, I'll rock it."

"You probably would, that's the sad part."

I grin and start chuckling, holding a hand out with my fingers raised and spread. All smiles, she clasps my hand. Still can't believe she's back home, which makes it hurt that much more when thinking that she wants to go back.

Can understand why, but that doesn't stop the worry, especially if that leech is there that originally took her. It's quite obvious she can take of herself, but she's still my little sister. Protective instincts don't just disappear overnight.

"I've met him a few times, remember, just not for quite a while. I don't recall ever seeing you at the bordello, which I guess makes you a good person."

I groan at her as I release her hand, moving more to the side so I'm not standing in front of the man at my back. Asher moves from Faline's right side to her left so he's next to me, eyeing Benji.

"I've caught his scent near and around the neighbor's place."

He whispers in my head, so I whisper back.

"I know, he and a couple others were the clean-up crew getting rid of the cellar's contents. Can't remember if I told you or not that I gave him the okay to be able to run here while in cat form. Didn't think he'd take that as an invitation to come directly to the house, although I should have."

Can feel his displeasure, so I bury my hand in his head fur, tugging at the tufts over his cheeks. Should have made it a point to tell him, this place is just as much his home as it is mine, more so even... Even if I am the only one paying for it.

My hand gets nipped as that last thought goes through my mind, so I flood him with bursts of color and charm. Shaking his head, he sneezes and steps away, retreating from my head as well.

I win.

"I'm not a patron there, no, but I do know of it. It's too bad I'm not, if I had seen you there I could have possibly gotten your sister there sooner for you."

Faline shakes her head, hands going into her pockets. I've noticed since she first put them on earlier that she's constantly touching them, as if taking comfort from the textures. Don't want to think too much about that or it will drive me crazy.

"No. I'm afraid what will happen to Orion for being seen leading her in and helping us out. His reason for being there is very important for having interfered."

She sounds sad, so I touch her shoulder, nudging till she looks at me.

"From what I gather of the big guy, he won't let anyone tell him what he can or cannot do. If he's not leader of his Clan, he will be someday. I saw his lion in my head, could probably rival Benji's tiger."

The Vamp just lifts a brow but doesn't comment. Never was the type to defend his size to anyone, don't see him doing it now. I get back to what she said though, about why he was there.

"Didn't you say he was there keeping an eye out for someone or something?"

She nods, looking at Asher as if she wants to touch him, but is unsure of her welcome. Being so close to something that beautiful, it's hard not to touch. When coming from a human background where such creatures are rare and elusive, being so close makes not touching almost impossible.

She sees me touch him with no problem, but she's picked up on his dislike of Vampires. Not so much of her as much as what she's become, which she can't help. I ask him to allow it as a favor to me.

I've wracked up so many favor points with those around me I have no idea how I'll be able to repay them all. Hell, I'm immortal now, I've got the time. Unsure of just what to offer, I give him eating rights of whatever I kill when on four feet and hunting.

A feeling of amusement fills my head along with the knowledge that I didn't have to offer anything, he would have done it just for my asking. Having none of it, he gets whatever I hunt down. Even if it takes me all day or night to do so.

Asher moves close to her, nosing her pocket. Gold eyes widen before she smiles, tentatively pulling from her pocket and touching at his head. Her touch is so soft that he pushes his head into her hand.

Sharing my feeling of happiness for her with him, I try to show him how I see her. Not as an undead, but as a friend, a loved one, a sibling. Can tell he softens a little more towards her, but his hatred towards them is ingrained too deep.

Just that little softening is a milestone though, so I take it. After she threads her hand through his scruff, she finally gets back on track by nodding again.

"Yeah. At first I was told he was there to make sure none of his Clan were 'on the market', but later I learned that that isn't the only reason. Shifters and Weres have been coming up missing, as well as humans."

With her focus lost in the thickness of the wolf's pelt, I have to wave a hand in front of her face to get her to keep going.

"You saw that human in my head that I strung up? Already knew he was a pedo, but what I learned from his head had given me a deeper insight. Orion is there looking for missing ones to see if by chance they were taken to the Mistress. That man was part of a human trafficking ring that not only deals in humans but supernaturals as well. He was one who'd volunteered to be used as a scout for the bordello, coming in and picking out ones to be bought and sold into the ring, never to be seen again, thinking his status in society would be his perfect 'cover'. He was a regular there, knew about supernaturals, and used his day job as his shield."

Her voice flashes back and forth between sadness and anger. Pulling her hand away from the wolf so she doesn't grip him by accident. I recall seeing some of that when I was in her head, but not enough to have it all laid out.

Hearing it said aloud has me stiffening as I think of the man who wants Bastion. Looking over to Benjamin, he's also pieced it together, lips pursed and distaste evident. My turn to speak up.

"I've also come across a few involved in this ring. Our childhoods could have been a whole nother hell if things happened any differently. Bastion is right now being hunted by one of them who's claiming to be his uncle."

My eyes bleed yellow as I direct my gaze at a tree. The three hearts around me sound loud in my ears as I keep rein on my volatile emotions. Whispers of ice touching my face have me looking up.

It's snowing. We had been getting some on and off showers of it, but not enough to really stick for the past couple days. I motion everyone to head back to the house. I need to check on my Imp and make sure he's safe.

Faline and Asher take point with Benjamin behind them and me taking the rear. The male Vamp hangs back to be at my side so he can talk to me better. The torn shirt is driving me nuts, need to get back before I tear the damn thing off.

"Haven't had the chance to look into your guy anymore, but if he's also involved with the supernatural... There's a chance he knows that it's a wolf who has what he's looking for. They have to have some serious muscle backing to hold onto animals."

Faline shakes her head and looks over her shoulder while continuing forward.

"Not really, if most of those who're grabbed are so submissive they're too scared to do anything other than cower. That's part of the reason I have to go back, there are those there that I have promised my protection to. I can't just abandon them."

Benji raises his eyebrows at her. I know that last bit was directed at me. Little sister playing on my own protective streak to get her way. I'm proud of her, but it doesn't keep me from wanting to strangle her though.

It doesn't take us long to get back and I invite Benjamin inside. He shakes his head at first but I narrow my eyes and point to the front door. With a crooked grin, he obeys.

Asher is first through when she opens up, that being the signal to those inside that everything is alright, I take it. Xavier stands just in front of the hallway watching as we all pile in. His head cocking as the tall Vamp comes in.

What catches my eyes though is the pale-faced coyote standing directly under the maned wolf. Really puts those long legs in perspective. Can hear Faline muttering, she's getting to be as bad as I am when it comes to tall things.

"Damn dogdeer..."

I bite my lip as I smile. 'Dogdeer' seems to have become her name for him. Fits though, so it'll probably stick. Maii yips happily as he darts to my sister. So he does have a voice, he just doesn't use it as human. Interesting.

"Bastion?"

"I'm here."

'Here' is practically under Asher who's laying over the boy while he's sitting in the wolf's spot. Asher himself is glaring at the maned wolf who just has a wide doggy grin, tongue lolling and everything. Wonderful. Territorial males in my home.

"Don't make me get a squirt bottle after you two. No, screw it, I'll get one of those damn super-soaker water guns."

Glancing over my walls and all the books, I scowl.

"Scratch that. I'll get tape. Lots of duct tape."

Everyone looks at me as if I'm insane, I just give an evil grin.

"Gonna hurt like hell to peel that off no matter what shape you're in."

Faline joins in on my evil bray, which has Bastion giggling and Maii making a weird yodel. Here's to hoping he doesn't do that when I'm trying to sleep. Benjamin just looks around curiously.

"Imp, Maii, this is Benjamin. He's a friend. I need to change."

White-tipped ears of the coyote flick around, Xavier eyes my shirt, and Bastion looks cross. Christ. Waving my hands at them to get their attention, I tell them it was my doing.

A little lie, but it's easier to say than explaining all over again when I really want to change. Can feel Xavier in my head, not fooled when he can smell the Vamp's saliva on me. That's not awkward in the least. While walking to my room I tell him the same thing I told my sister and Asher.

Options available were to rip the shirt or take it off. The fact that Benji was aware enough to make that decision is a tiny bit comforting, but not much.