“If that’s your fantasy, I can make it happen,” he groaned, releasing me reluctantly before giving me a long look. “You gonna try talking to him?”
“I’m sure at some point, the boredom will get to me and I’ll say something,” I chewed my lip. “When that happens, Connor will back me up if there’s a fight. But mostly, I just want to take a nap.”
“A woman after my own heart,” he chuckled, gazing down at me. “Have fun with them. I’ll see you somewhere in Alabama.”
My home state, not that I ever really had a home. We’d have to drive through on our way to Georgia, maybe even pass through Waterford, where I grew up. I thought about visiting my family and quickly shuddered with disgust. The further I stayed away from there, the better.
I climbed into Connor’s RV, engine already running, to find he and Hunter talking in low voices in the front seats. They stopped talking the moment I got inside. I rolled my eyes and plopped down on the bed. Whatever. We’d have days to hash out whatever was going on.
The winding road put me to sleep immediately, but I was wide awake in another place, another body.
* * *
The humans gaveme some shitty, half-rotten roadkill to eat for the first time in days. I still tore into it like it was a fresh, warm kill. How long had it been since I felt the satisfaction of hunting? Of bringing down prey and taking my fill? It felt like lifetimes ago.
When I finished the shitty meal, I pretended to be sedated when the human came to check the locks on my cage. He thought it would be funny to pull on my tail.
“Aaargh! Oh fuck, oh God!”
His human eyes only registered an orange blur as I swiped at him, claws outstretched and ready. I moved faster since losing so much weight, but even without the strength I once had, my claws tore through his soft human flesh like butter.
I only got his arm. He would eventually heal but it didn’t diminish the satisfaction of seeing his skin torn to ribbons, blood quickly staining his clothes a dark red. My cage was filthy and I hoped he’d get an infection.
“Stupid fucking cat!” He grabbed a nearby cattle prod with his good arm and stuck it through the bars, the electric end sparking menacingly.
I gave him a toothy grin, even while growling through the pain of the zaps. His dominant arm was the one I injured so he missed shocking me several times. Throwing the tool down and stomping away, I knew he’d return with the other human. The one who liked to pump me full of drugs. He’d probably give me the nerve injection again, to make my pain worse.
Oh well. It was worth it.
Hello?
I snarled in surprise. The voice rang through my head so clearly, soft and feminine. I rubbed my cheek against the bars as a deep purr rumbled in my chest. Although it wasn’t a physical touch, I felt the presence of someone warm, gentle, and caring.
My name is Melody. I’m a shaman. Do you know what that is?
A shaman?I echoed. I hadn’t heard that word in years. Not since Lhosten came to visit my family when I was a child.
Yes, I do,I answered.I can’t believe there are any of you left.
I’m just getting into my powers,Melody admitted.I’ve seen through your eyes in my dreams. I want to help you. Where are you?
I don’t know,I told her.I’m kept in a cage in a shipping container when they’re not making me jump through fire. I’ve been shipped all over the country dozens of times.
I’m traveling now and I think I’m getting closer to you,she said.I feel your presence getting stronger.
I hope that’s true,I replied.The longer they keep me here, the weaker I get. I’ve not been performing well enough and I think they’ll dispose of me soon.
I’ll find you,she said, conviction in her voice.I promise.
