Faline

The sluggish heart within my chest beats faster as we get closer to the brothel. Pretty sure Orion hears it, the giant lion sitting next to me driving also being the one that had picked me up from home to take me back to the place my sister saved me from. Seems so wrong in a way; one who'd helped me get away is now taking me back voluntarily. As I explained to my sister, Kie, just as she has people at home she is protecting, I have people there that I'd been looking after.

I’ve only been gone for a few days but a lot can happen within that time. Orion had gone back earlier to make sure he was even allowed in. He was for the same reason I'm going back; looking after the animals.

Of course, one animal has been plucked from there hopefully never to return; right now he's safe with my sister and away from all the Vampire craziness. Maii doesn't deserve to deal with any of this. He and the human boy my sister took in had become fast friends, even though he doesn't speak. Recalling some of what I know on Bastion, that may be the very reason they get along so well. Maii might be years older than the other boy, but with no voice, he seems younger. Less threatening.

On our way there, I'd asked Orion to make a quick stop at the shopping center. Open 24/7, I'd gone in real quick and came out just as fast, only having gotten one thing. His eyebrows rose when I put the small catnip plant in the seat between us.

"Told her I'd get her one to help mellow her out."

The Shifter shakes his head but smiles. Pretty sure that was the reason anyway, just remember telling her she needed one. Hope it'll also help to smooth things out since I'm pretty sure there'll be some consequences for how I left. Granted, I didn't actually walk out... I was carried, wrapped in a blanket that smelled of home, tucked into the lion beside me’s body to hide from the sun as he helped my sister after she killed Anthony.

I hated him, but the look on Nicolaus's face was something awful to see. After riding in silence for a while, I'd asked how he was. The only thing he told me was that the man disappeared.

Actually isn't too surprising since he's a wanted Vamp. Only reason we'd been at the brothel was he was in hiding. Isn't it funny how things work out; that in my Vampire’s attempt to get rid of my sister, it led to his downfall by her and the death of his lover? If he hadn't been sending people after her, Xavier never would have gone to her.

The maned wolf now living with my sister had originally been paid to kill her. Actually, I’m not sure if he got paid first or not, it never came up. The first person hired to off her, yet turned around and led Kie right to him and me. Nicolaus had gotten impatient and sent others before Xavier could get to her, but they were the last.

I know it hurt something deep in Kierra after learning I'd fallen in love with him. She tried hiding it, but couldn't, not with the bond we have now. Hurt even more when I told her I wanted to return. She was on death's door from saving me yet I wanted to go back. A few days had been pleaded for, to stay with her, which I had no problem giving.

I think she understands my need for going, but that doesn't stop it from being heart-wrenching. Before I left the house I saw in her eyes that she wanted me to stay, but she gave her word. Even knowing I might cross paths with the undead who'd abducted me, letting me go must have been really hard.

I love my sister, don't get me wrong, but even after everything that's happened, she's still trying to shelter me, to keep me away from the big bad stuff. She's working on it, but it's still a bit stifling. Even more so now, actually.

Seeing the way to the bordello makes it seem so much less; the mystery of the place turning to disappointment at the reality. Until we get into the wetlands, that is, then the mystery is returned. The unknown creepy factor way up there. Especially when going through the magical barrier, then when I actually see the building. Just looking at it, I know that some of the levels that I'd run through are underground. Part of the parking lot I've seen before from looking out a window, but that's all I'd ever been able to make out of the outside of it.

Parking the car, Orion and I sit there for a while as I take it all in. All the things I want to do fly through my head but I have to be careful, I'm not at all safe here. Patrice and her group may be in my corner but that doesn't mean they'll be around much, if at all.

"You've been here since I left, how're things in there? Same as always?"

His shrug has me scowling at him.

"You expect me to believe you've heard nothing? What are you smoking?"

Orion rolls his eyes before looking at the building as well. The cab of his SUV feels small with him in it. He and Xavier are damn near the same height. Orion has him beat on animal size though. Hands down.

Having slept on him once, I can tell you, he's huge. I'd teased him that Ava could braid his mane for him. He wasn't too thrilled with the idea. Not manly enough I guess.

"Not much talking goes on when I'm around these days. Having been seen with both you and the Silver Wolf, I'm not on everyone's happy list right now."

Wincing, I clutch my backpack to me.

"Don't do that. The ones unhappy to see me are against you and your sister as well. I'd been skeptical about that whole mystical wolf thing, but I've met and seen your sister. I see how hard she fights for those who come to her."

Reaching out, he tugs at my pack to get me to look up.

"You as well. Your sister’s Vampire associate is a pretty mellow guy, but it's clear he has his own demons. I watched you around him and the others, the calming effect you provide for the undead isn't specific to them alone. You provide it for all of those around you."

He smiles and motions to himself.

"Even me. Didn't realize that's what it was when I first saw you. A small hellcat hanging from a maniac’s mouth, yet you can ease those around you."

I slide him an annoyed look. Not sure what I feel more annoyed about, his jab at Nicolaus or that I might as well be everyone's catnip.

"So that's why you stick around, huh?"

He looks unamused, but I'm not sure if I care. My uncertainty about all this was bad enough before he had to pitch in.

"Don't be foolish. Even with the whole peaceful vibe you give off, if I didn't care one way or the other about you, I wouldn't be here now, going along with your madness. Anything happens to you, not only would your sister be out for my blood, but I would lose a very good friend."

The lion's words cause me to blush and make me feel like I'm being shallow.

"I don't know what to do Orion. I know coming back is the right thing to do, but I'm not sure what I do beyond that. All that prophecy stuff...am I supposed to follow it or do what I think is right? Is what I think right, the actual right?"

Starting to confuse myself, I close my mouth. Keep going back and forth in my brain on what I'm supposed to do, but always come up with blanks.

"The only thing you can do is what you think is right. It's when you try acting like something or someone you're not that will trip you up each time. You have to trust in your own instincts on this. First thing to do is walk inside, from there it will come to you on what to do next."

I blink at him before narrowing my eyes.

"You sound like my sister. She's infected you with her nonsense. There's no help for you now, I shall mourn for you."

He smiles and opens his door. I still have a few more hours before sunrise, but if I don't go in, I'll keep procrastinating. My heart's almost beating at what would be considered a normal rhythm, my excitement and utter fear spurning it on.

Tossing the pack over my shoulder, I grab the plant and start walking determinedly towards the door. The others milling around watch on curiously. A wolf takes one look at me, his eyes widen, then he takes off.

I'm so taken aback by the action, I stop. Orion is laughing behind me, so I look over at him.

"The day your sister came for you, he tried stopping her at the door. She did some...thing to him that brought out his animal. It looked quite painful."

Ahh, I see. Turning back around with a smirk in place, I keep going.

"Dumbass. If he hadn't fought against it, it wouldn't have hurt. You don't stand in front of my sister if she wants by. She will go over you or through you. One way tends to be more painful than the other."

I keep walking to the sound of his laughter. He knows though, he's seen it. I knew she was a stubborn hardass before, but becoming a wolf seems to have upped the ante.

The overhead entrance reminds me more of a hotel, but then again, it is. Sort of. I'd be lying if I'd say I'm not looking forward to seeing my kitchen. The kitchen, the animals. Already it seems as if something is missing.

Maii. The little coyote isn't by my side. Even at home, if he wasn't following me around, he was keeping an eye on where I was. Normally it would piss me off and be creepy, but I know he did it to find direction on what he was supposed to do. Didn't stop it from being a little annoying though.

He was so lost at first and terrified of Kie. She managed to get through to him though, welcoming him openly. That in itself was amazing with her aversion to kids. Granted the Shifter is older than what would be qualified as 'kid', but in many ways, he seems a child.

I think Bastion had something to do with that. I thought she was seriously overprotective of me, but seeing her with him, I know I got it easy. He doesn't seem to mind though, his face lights up every time she talks to him.

Not sure if anyone else could see it, but I did. When first seeing him in her thoughts and memories, I had been jealous. Still am at times, but I know it's nothing. The feeling more coming from my fear that he'd replaced me in her affections.

Seeing into her head, I realized how foolish that thought was. Even with as much as she'd grown attached to the boy, she holds me above him. If it came down to a choice to choose between us, she would choose me, but it would kill her.

No one should have to make a choice like that. She would be in hell no matter which way she went, feeling like she'd failed the other. Another reason my coming back here is a good thing, as it prevents her from having to do that.

I hope.