Kierra

Everyone spreads out of the hallway, leaving it open for me to see a limping fox make his way nervously forward. I start whispering to him immediately.

"If you're hurt, don't walk, you'll just make it worse. You're safe here, Asher was just teaching you a lesson in marking others' homes. Could have gone about it differently, I think, but I hope it got through to you. Things could have been a lot different."

His ears are splayed out to the side, whole body lowered close to the floor. There is defiance in his eyes, I'm glad to see it.

"Keep that fire in you, little fox, you're going to need it if you stay. Just remember that you came to me. You put anyone here in danger, things will not go well. For now, you're welcome to take a shower and get some food into your belly. I take it you have nothing with you, clothes are needed when human."

I shoo everyone else away but keep Bastion close when I move closer to the little fox and crouch down. Light amber eyes look up at me warily as he starts rolling to present his belly. I smile and shake my head, speaking aloud now.

"I'm not big on dominance displays, kid. No reason to show your belly to me unless you've done something really bad. This is Bastion. Since I figure you'll want a guy’s help instead of mine, he's the nicest one here aside from Maii."

Smiling, I call the coyote to me to show him who I'm talking about. Xavier scoffs from over on his cushion. Looking at him with a raised brow, I give a warning.

"Don't mind the rude dog over there, he's a little special in the head."

I share a smile with the three with me, working at showing the fox he's safe.

"Let one of them know what size you wear and I'm sure we can scrounge up something for you. Can I get your name?"

Just now realized I've been jabbering at him, poor thing couldn't get a word in if he tried. His body is still low, so I reach down and start working on his cheek. He starts making those gekking noises again, eyes closing. Opening them a few seconds later, he answers me.

"I'm Kani."

I smile warmly at him, moving back to stand.

"Well Kani, I'm Kierra and this is my home. We'll get you introduced to everyone after you've washed up."

Getting them shooed off, I go to the kitchen sink and wash the mud from my hand. If I hadn't seen his fox in my head, I wouldn't have had a clue as to what he looked like. Don't think I've ever seen a fox that dirty.

Making my way to the Vampire, I poke him in the ribs. He grunts at me.

"You said you got that tape transferred, right? Got it with you or are ya gonna tell us what was on it?"

Getting up, he goes to his hung jacket in the closet and pulls a case from one of the pockets. On his way back over, I turn the computer on. Once everything is booted up, the disc gets popped in and pushed to play.

Focusing in on the Howler’s Bane Bar, Xavier and I are walking up to it and in. It cuts off for a second then the screen flips to show the front of it once again with the Vamps fighting first the bouncer, then us as we come out. Bouncer took quite the licking, hope he's learned something from it.

Muscles only make a difference when you know how to use them. He may have been all buff and imposing looking, but he didn't even protect himself very well, as was obvious. Probably be good if he never sees this, might tickle his pride even more.

It keeps filming us all the way to my jeep and the whole time we're there. Doesn't have any sound, but the zoom was activated several times on our faces. My jaw clenches when seeing he did catch my eyes changing. Looks very cool, but very dangerous in the wrong hands.

The beginning of the fight is filmed, but then cuts out when the camera flies to the ground and goes out. I sit there and stare at the screen.

"Well. That happened."

Xavier snorts from behind me, having come up to watch as well. Taking a side glance at him, I ask if he needs a tissue with all the problems he's having with his nose. I just get glared at. Ha.

"One question here is were they filming to catch us on tape being otherworldly, blackmail, or for some other reason?"

"Doesn't matter the reason, visual proof like that would spell disaster for us all."

Have to nod at the maned wolf’s grumpiness. Bad enough my eyes threaten to each time they change, but since I can feel it coming on, I can usually direct my eyes down. Can make them do it, just can't make them stop and they change on their own at times. As if I wasn't getting enough sass from those here, my eyeballs also have to be a pain.

"Should probably invest in some sunglasses, eh?"

Being flippant is my way of dealing with issues, so sue me. This tape reminds me of one I have hidden in my room, so when everyone else disperses, I tap Benjamin and motion my head. An eyebrow raises but he stands.

Leading him back to my room, I try to stay out of Bastion's hearing range. I don't hide anything from him, but this... He knows I have it from what I showed him earlier, but I can't recall seeing if he reacted. Going straight to my dresser and the jewelry box on top, I lower my voice. All animals can hear, but my Imp hopefully can't. Pulling out the small sandwich baggy, my jaw clenches.

"This is a memory chip I took from the house I burned down. It came from a camera that had been set up like a movie set. I'm not really sure why I took it, and I fear what's on it. I'm ashamed to say I'm not sure if I can deal. Can you set it aside for me? May need to look at it at some point, so could you get it on disc and just stash it away?"

Can't look into his face when I ask, flipping the small card over and over in my hand.

"I was there for three days, Benji. Three days that I can't account for. From the way I woke, I doubt I'm on it, but Bastion might be. He's been through enough already, and who knows what will be coming soon. I don't want him knowing about this, not till it's important. Can you do this for me?"

By this point, I could care less if I'm on it, just don't want the boy in it anymore. A large hand settles over my twisting one, so I look at him. His lips are pursed and eyes hard.

"If you don't I'll understand. No one should have to go through whatever is on this thing. If nothing else I can plant it on one of those we'll be going after."

A cool hand tips my chin and turns me to face him, his eyes intent.

"I'll do it, you know I will. It will be done and set aside if you ever need it."

He gives me a small smile, thumb rubbing my chin before it moves to slide up my jawline and into the hair at my nape. It had dried awhile ago but hasn't been brushed yet. His cool touch on hot skin causes goosebumps to travel along my body and a small shiver goes down my spine.

One of those shivers that have people thinking they're doing something that you're reacting to, when in reality it's just the body's response to all the hair rising at once. In this case, the very different temperature change from my neck and his hand causes both. Think just about every woman will agree with me when I say the neck is a very sensitive spot when touched right.

I'm sure Benji here has been around the block a time or two...too good looking not to have been. Before and after Vampage. Well, maybe. Package may be a little intimidating. My face flushes a bit when it pops into my head. It wasn't my fault! He shifted in front of me, eyes travel. Claiming no responsibility here. Nature and gravity have been really kind to both him and Xavier.

So awkward.

Bedroom light may not be very bright at the moment, but I'm sure my face is very visible, let alone his ability to smell it. Clearing my throat and looking away, I push a hand against a very firm body. Upper body, mind you. I'm having enough issues here.

I get maybe a foot of space, but it's better than nothing. Sliding the bag from my hand with the chip, he puts it in his pocket. A smirk on his face keeps my attention from it and what could be on it, to worrying about virtue and the fingertips pressing firmly at the back of my neck.

Oh yeah, definitely been around to know how to do that so fast and quite smoothly. Instant feminine responses that I have no control over flood through me. Even my eyelids droop a little. So not fair.

"You are a very horrible person."

Toothy smirk flashes at me as he pulls his hand away, his eyes starting to glaze since he spiked my temperature. Kind of hard to hide any reactions when it's body heat that betrays you. Heat goes up, which in turn strengthens scents. Seems I'm right when I guessed it was my scent that gets him to that 'drunk' state.

"I know."

A hand pushes with more pressure to get him to back up more. Think I need to go outside, dip my head into a snowbank and be an ostrich for awhile. Taking a couple steps back, I make shooing motions at him. Think he needs to bury his head somewhere too.

Shit...

Oh my God.

I hate my brain. Can feel my face flaming hard, which has his eyebrows raising along with a creeping smile. Snow! Needs to bury his head in the snow. Jeebus.

I narrow my eyes at him, which just gets him to chuckle.

"You don't scoot I will toss you into the snow. Shoo. Don't make me get the squirt bottle."

Both arched brows fly high, making me laugh.

"They go any higher and you'll have floaty cartoon brows."

He frowns at me, which just has me laughing harder. Actually hadn't meant to say it out loud, but oh well. His confusion is just too much. Covering my face and turning, I try to get a hold of myself, but his brows keep popping into my head, which isn't helping. The added stupidity of said brows developing little eyeballs themselves that are scowling with their own bushy downcast brows at me... I can't do it.

The image and emotion start projecting from me with no mercy. I turn slightly to keep an eye on the man and he just has a look of horror on his face. I'm laughing so hard I can't breathe.

"Now who's a horrible person?"

Well, so much for trying to breathe, his question just makes things worse. My heavy emotion filled-projecting has him smiling, but he still looks confused.

"New project, I will paint it and send it to you special. Free of charge."

Was barely able to get that out, and with his expression once again going to one of pained horror, my bending down has me on my knees. What the hell is wrong with me? Whipping my head back, hair goes flying as I lean back on my legs to stare at the ceiling. Eyes are full of tears as containing myself becomes a priority. I can't look at him, but I try to make up for it.

"I'm sorry Benji. Wasn't so much at you as just a focus for stress release. My brain is screwed up, you know this."

There's a smile in my voice while reading what's coming off of him. He's blocking most of it, but I get his curiosity, amusement, and a tiny bit of embarrassment. His amusement more at me then what I was picturing and sharing.

Slipping into his head, I offer my sincere apologies. Have to pull out quickly though as I start picking up other things that are not mine to know. Clearing my throat and wiping my face, I get to my feet. Walking up to him, I pat his cheek. His gaze is heated, making me blush again. Pulling away, I go around him and out into the main room, snagging a hair tie as I go.

In the process of pulling it up unbrushed when I look up to everyone's grins. My cheeks tinge pink again, but I return a smile. Poor Benji, soon as he comes out there's going to be a riot.

The black wolf is in his spot with Bastion next to him with a hand over his mouth, grinning brothers at the one end of the new couch, Maii on the ottoman also with hand over his mouth, and Xavier straddling his cushion with a wide and obvious smile. Crap. The red fox is at the kitchen table scarfing down the last of the spaghetti, but he also has a small smile.

Looks like he's in a pair of Maii's sweats and tank tops. With him sitting I can't tell how tall he is, but he's very thin and has short, shaggy hair that reminds me of mine almost. Appears as if it's predominantly brown, but has natural blonde and reds mixed in. Blue hazel eyes are kind of dull, but brightening. Looks young, just how young though I'm not sure. I leave him to his food for now and turn to the others.

"Be nice, that was pretty awful for me to do."

"Yeah, but that's what makes it all the more enjoyable."

Xavier is such a butt. Narrowing my eyes at him, my eyes drop to the mark on his neck. Smirking, I picture blowing lightly over it, my eyes going to his as they widen. Can hear and feel as his heart thumps hard.

Not in fear though, females aren't the only ones with touchy necks. Kind of surprised it worked really, since it wasn't an image I was sending him, but something I pictured doing and the mark reacted to it; creating the sensation of what I wanted. Ooo. I promise to only use my powers for good...

Not.

My eyes glint, daring him. Now his are narrowing. I am having way too much fun with this.

"I think you and me going a round will also be enjoyable, what do you say?"

Benjamin comes up from behind me and goes to his usual spot on the desk chair. He's grinning at the maned wolf, eyes glittering and ready for a good beat down. Extremely glad to see it's in camaraderie as Xavier smiles back.

"Anytime, anywhere, Fangs, show me what you got."

"Somehow, I don't think my house would survive the two of you, so if you're gonna romp, take it outside... Dammit, Dogdeer give me back my cat!"

Hard to yell at him when Tigger just got all cozy between the legs of the annoying one, who's cheesin' bad. I throw my hands in the air.

"Go get your own pussy, that one's mine."

Every adult male in the place chokes or sputters, which has me smiling very wide. Kids are too busy laughing openly. Xavier just kinda gapes at me before petting my cat.

He gets saved by my phone going off on the counter. Narrowing my eyes, I point at him. I glance over at Asher, who's joining in, but I have a feeling things are going to be changing...and soon.

Going over to answer it, I also get me some juice. Don't recognize the number, but that's pretty common. Pressing to accept the call while pouring, the guys chat on behind me. What was the fox’s name again?

"Y'ello'?"

"Silver?"

Grunting, I take a drink before responding.

"Depends, who am I talking to?"

Kind of already know since there's only one other person who knows that handle, and he knows my real name now.

"Never got my name to you, I'm Nathan. I delivered your couch earlier today."

"Ah, yeah. Rumor exchange. What's up?"

Hate talking on the phone, would rather send texts, but in this case, it's just faster overall to talk.

"Well for one, the boy you have in your home is wanted, the reward out for him was posted by a human."

Can feel claws growing from my fingers, have to check my strength so I don't break my glass. I set it on the counter softly and very carefully.

"I've heard that too. He will not have him. I'm curious though, what is this reward?"

Upon the fox hearing the conversation, his shoulders stiffen. Send him the feeling of reassurance, he's not the one we're talking about, although we will be having a chat. I don't mind him being here, but if he has someone looking for him as well, I need to know.

"Lot of money, if I understand right. He's been frequenting places owned by Weres and Shifters. Not sure how he can tell us from humans, but he's pretty dangerous."

"Oh yes, he is, but hopefully not for long. Don't suppose he ever leaves a way to get ahold of him, does he? That would be most helpful."

Can feel the grin curling my lips, sharp claws making thin furrows into the wooden countertop. My furniture, can tear it up if I wish.

"Take it you plan on killing him? May I ask why?"

Can tell just by his voice he doesn't approve. Guess cats aren't as bloodthirsty as the wolves. Somehow, that doesn't seem right.

"Many reasons, really. The biggest one being he's a danger to my boy. My family. And really every young person out there both human and animal. If you have any friends with kids, they would do the same thing I'm going to do, I'm sure. If not, then I would not want to be their kid."

Can hear him breathing on the other end, looking up to the living room, everyone is still having their own conversations, but I can tell I have their attention. Really don't need his approval, but I don't need him making waves either.

"Well, Nathan, that a good enough reason for you?"