Faline

The healer and I trade places. The Shifter and I come out of the water so her more in-depth exam can be done. Since she's finished with Rika, I go over to her, wrapping a towel around myself and try to get a little more information.

"Tasha said that she'd been there for three days, how long were you there?"

Wrapped in a towel as well, she wraps her arms around herself. Head pointing down as she speaks.

"I'd become a monster just a few weeks before they grabbed me. I was kicked out by my parents when they found out I'm gay. Big-wig bible thumpers; they couldn't abide having a queer daughter. I can just imagine the looks on their faces if they'd known that I was something 'demonic' as well."

She scoffs, but I see the pain in her eyes. Pain, anger, regret. All seems to go hand in hand.

"Eddie had me for a week. The newest was Tasha. I'm not sure just how long the others had been there...except Elena, she was there the longest. Eddie had mentioned she was his favorite once but would need to be replaced soon. After three months he’d been growing bored with her."

So glad that man is dead, but wish I could resurrect him just so I could kill him again. Pursing my lips, I look away so I can rewind.

"Do you have any other family that you want to go to? You may be sixteen in physical age, but I think with all that’s happened, you’re old enough to choose for yourself. All of you that’re below eighteen I don't want on the floor, so I'll find other things for you to do if you stay."

She looks put out as she shakes her head. Being cut so short, her hair is almost dry. It's a multitude of different browns, not just one or two shades.

"The only family I had that would take me are no longer living, I have nowhere else to go."

I watch her as I think over things. Lady is old enough to have come from a time where sixteen was an acceptable marrying age. Any younger I know she won't put out for the public. Since all the females brought in are either young or look young, this is going to be a touchy situation. Turning back, I stare into her face until she squirms, so I blink.

"It's your life, even here in this place, I'm not wanting to control every aspect of it. As I told Tasha, you will be taken to the Mistress when able and she will explain things. After that, you can give me your decision on what you wish to do. If you really don't want to be here, I will see about another place to take you where you will be safe."

Sister is sooo not going to be happy about this, but she's been bringing in strays left and right, so...yeah. I'd caught a few glimpses in passing from her head that she's added a couple more. My once peaceful, boring house has been turned into a dog kennel.

Chandrika nods, stifling a yawn. She wasn't given anything, but there's no telling how long it's been since she's slept. Not since she'd been banished from her home, would be my guess.

With her and the other animals, the detox rooms aren’t necessary. High metabolisms and sleeping near each other in fur will have anything lingering gotten rid of quickly. Antiseptic has been smeared over her more angry looking wounds, but after some good sleep and food put into them, they'll be able to heal more effectively, leaving the worst scars in their minds.

Trisha signals she's finished, so Rika and I step up closer to the dazed-looking Shifter.

"I know for sure of one other clouded leopard Shifter. When everything is settled, I'll take you to meet him. He's part of my kitchen crew. Lately, he's been perfecting the technique of stuffing creams or cheeses into other foods. Should see his concentration face, it's actually pretty adorable. Just don't tell him I said that though, stuff like that seems to poke at their 'manliness'. Pfft."

Get smiles from the others, even the hyena, but Thessily still needs more time. We exit the bathroom and I motion Danica closer.

"This is Danica, not sure if you guys have seen or met her yet. She's an apprentice to Trisha, learning, hopefully, the stuff not to give to people."

My barb has her giggling and the healer rolling her eyes. I smile warmly at them.

"She'll take you to the room set up for you guys. Sleep, and I'll have food brought to you later."

They head off while I go back in and put my clothes back on. Retrieving the notebook, I get things written in and side notes made. I start rubbing at my temples, both my head and heart hurting. Not from events here, but elsewhere. Sister’s wall is thinning again as she sleeps. Loss. I frown, catching the reason for her slipping barrier.

Asher has left.

Had hours ago, but she was able to block me at that point. Now that she's unconscious, things are bleeding over. Although I'm sorry for how she feels, she knew he was going to be leaving soon, he'd said as much before.

This feels more in-depth than just losing a friend though. She'd gone and started falling in love with the wolf. Whole bunch of problems with that, even moreso when she won't even admit it to herself. Much like many here, she's reverted back to how she'd been towards those emotions, pushing them aside and refusing to acknowledge them. She's bottling again.

Not sure it'll work, but I push the need for her to do her art. Art and her newfound love of running. Those will help enough hopefully till she can open herself again.

Didn't realize I'd closed my eyes till I open them to find Seth and Trisha looking at me. Both expressions light up in shock before taking a step back. Frowning, I look to the back wall’s mirrors.

Green.

My eyes turned green. They only do that when I channel some of her wolfy power. I'd gotten used to my new eyes...for the most part. They still startle me now and again, but the green is really off-putting. Too bright. Granted my gold is just as bright, but still. I'm not one for green. Closing them again, I work at thickening my mental shields. Good for keeping Vamps out to.

Visual powers don't, as a rule, affect other Vamps. Unless of course, they're very old and very skilled. Lady doesn't have any as far as I know and Nicolaus could only get me with his when I was human.

Still good to be prepared though since there's no telling what will be coming at me in the coming days. Opening, I turn back to them and each gives a nod.

"No offense girl, but that is really creepy."

I make a rude snort at the Werewolf, walking past him to once more go into the hallway. Feel like I've been up forever, but I'm not done yet. Three down, nine to go. I bite back a groan and start muttering to myself.

"I miss coffee. Need a good cappuccino right about now."

Looking to find the wolf, who's grinning at me openly, I stick to my guns.

"What's that one alcohol that's flavored like coffee?"

"Which one? There are a few."

Scowling, I shake my fist at him. Now that he's in human form... It still isn't all that threatening.

"Kahlua and Baileys Irish Cream are the more common ones, but there are others. Even some chocolate-based ones..."

That stops me, and he knew it would judging by his grin. Golden eyes narrow at him.

"You and me sir, need to do some talking when finished here. You've been holding out on me."

"Not my fault, maybe next time you'll actually pay attention to what you're trying to feed me."

My mouth drops open but closes soon after as I smile and shrug.

"You ate it, so I don't see the problem. Speaking of which, when you're in monster form you need to learn how to use spoons. I'll give you one of my wooden ones, should be big enough for that mouth of yours. You ever seen the Disney movie 'Beauty and the Beast'? You looked like the Beast when he was eating dinner at the table."

He chokes as he goes to his spot against the wall, shaking his head at me. I give him an innocent smile before turning back to the detox rooms. Trisha comes up at my side and slides a look at me.

"What?"

She shakes her head, but stops and looks like she's thinking of something.

"The way you joke with everyone, especially the Were-animals and Shifters, it's like you're not a Vampire at all, but one of them."

Not sure if that's good or bad or even meant as an insult, which I doubt, but still seems silly.

"I've said before that I'd rather be one of the animals than the Vamps around here. Turns out the line I come from is all sorts of fucked up anyway, and I refuse to be like that. Also have to remember, I'm more than likely the newest and youngest Vampire here, and not 'raised' with the others who think themselves 'High Society'."

I make a sour face that has her lips twitching to smile.

"Bunch of stuffy old people stuck in the dark ages. From what I've been told, that's one really big reason on why they want to kill me. Too many don't want things to change. Sure, I can understand wanting to stick to things you know, but it's a whole new world out there. By them staying as they are is what will end up getting them exposed."

Scowling, I look over to the doors lining the hallway.

"From what my sister has shared with me, the animals have their own stuffy figureheads that they are fighting with. Vampire or animal - neither want to change. It's because of that, that there are so many problems now."

I stop before going any further. Those here are in a whole different world then what goes on outside these walls. Burdening them with knowledge that has no bearing on them will do nothing but cause a headache.

Besides, speaking aloud about issues involving a different faction isn't a good idea. Not here. Before anything else is said, I open one of the doors. Standing so close to them all, each animal and even human has heard what was said. Oh well.

The scent of lion Shifter hits me, causing my body to stiffen as I look at the male.

"Shit."

Honey brown eyes look back at me from across the room. Couple of inches over six-foot, he looks to be young, but that doesn't really mean much for Shifters. They can be hundreds of years old and barely look over thirty.

This lion, however, probably is relatively young, as he has the body of a male just reaching his late teens. Wavy, shoulder-length hair catches my eyes. Blond with black streaks. Shit.

"Uhh, Trisha, we have a problem."

Both she and the lion look at me in confusion, but I keep my eyes on him.

"Your name?"

He blinks at me but gives it.

"Alastor."

Not really sure why I asked since I wouldn't know anything about him...

"Lion Shifter."

He nods, looking nervous. I look over to Trisha but she doesn't seem to understand either. I look back to the man and ask, just to make sure.

"Do you know Orion Angevin?"

Trisha's breath hitches as it finally clicks for her, looking over at him with wide eyes. Poor guy looks all confused. Arms cross over his chest with the towel wrapped around his hips, you'd think he was posing for Playgirl.

I wince when he nods, eyes wary.

"How do you know my uncle?"

"Fuck."