Island Shifters: Book 03 - An Oath of the Children (7 page)

“No.”

She looked questioning at Kirby. “What’s
the matter?”

“Nothing,” he said, pulling her close. “I just want to be with you, and I can’t do that if you fly.”

She kissed the tip of his nose.
“Fine. We’ll take horses.”

Baya rose from her place on the floor and gave an approving snort.
Shall we go?

Kenley glared at her.
You used to be a lot more fun, Baya.

We all have to grow up sometime, Kenley Atlan.

C
HAPTER
4

G
ROWLS IN THE
N
IGHT

One by one, they came. Flashes of white in and around the trees scattered the shadowy mist that hung low to the ground. Satisfaction surged in Nazar’s chest as he watched the Draca Cats slink into the rainforest clearing.
Although he felt their appearance
tonight
a good sign,
the question remained. Were they here to join him or
oppose
him?

A low snarl developed low in his throat. One way or another, he would be Sovereign of Callyn-Rhe. If he had to shed the blood of his brothers and sisters to achieve that goal, so be it.

Next to his side, he felt his mate clench her muscles in readiness. She, too, was prepared to do what was necessary for him to succeed.

He snapped at her in soft warning.
Rehka!

The female cat
let out a faint whimper and obediently relaxed her stance.

Nazar waited until the clearing was full before walking forward to greet the assembled group.
Brothers and sisters, you have honored me by your presence.

A young, large male stepped forward.
We come to hear what you have to say,
Nazar,
but no decisions have been made.

You speak for all, Muuki?

The
youngster
realized his mistake and yowled. If Nazar considered his words a challenge, he would have a fight to the death. A fight that Muuki must know he would lose to Nazar’s strength and experience.

Muuki
cowered
to the ground.
No, Nazar, I do not speak for all. Forgive me for speaking out of turn.
The young cat
quickly backed away into the crowd with his head lowered in submission.

Nazar did not take his narrowed gaze off the male cat until he completely disappeared behind the wall of Dracas.

Very well.
Nazar paced along the line of cats.
You know why I have called you here. The time for change is now. Moombai, with his old ways would have us remain hidden to the world, but I say let us walk free. Let us walk among the inferior races so that all in Massa can witness our strength and fear our wrath.
The shifters came out of their exile many years ago, yet Moombai would still have the Draca Cats lie dormant. I say no more! I say now is the time of the Draca Cat!

Howls of agreement shattered the silent forest. Many, but not all.

A female Draca stepped forward and bent her foreleg in respect.
What you say is true, Nazar, but why? We have everything we need in Callyn-Rhe. Why
should the other races concern us?

Nazar expected this question and was ready for it.
Why, you ask? The answer is simple, sister. Evolution. As a species, we need to shed the stagnation of our self-imposed exile. We need to grow and learn and…,
he paused until every eye in the forest was upon him
, …and, yes, dominate.

The female blinked large, amber eyes.
Dominate the humans?

A savage growl tore from his throat.
Yes, rule all who live on the island of Massa! We were born to lead and born to battle! As the oldest race in existence, we have the magic, the intelligence, and the strength to rule. So, why do we hide, brothers and sisters? A Draca Cat in hiding?
It is blasphemy! It is—

Nazar stopped when a nervous keening sounded from several of the cats.
A regal Draca strode through
a
widening gap
in the crowd
with her head held high and her eyes on Nazar.

Again, Rehka tensed beside him.

Felice
, he greeted with a shallow bow of his head.

Nazar
. She did not bow.

What brings you out to the woods at this late hour, sister?

You, Nazar. Whispers have reached my ears, and I have come to see if they are true.

What whispers would that be?

That you wish to begin a revolution. That you wish to overthrow the rightful Sovereign of Callyn-Rhe.

Agitated howls and yips lit up the night. The loudest of which was his.
Yes! And, it will be so, Felice! The Draca Cats shall become the dominate species and rule the island of Massa through our Kenley bond!

Cries of distress rippled through the cats. Even Nazar grimaced at the painful effect of his own words.

The Dracas have an unbreakable oath of protection to the Kenleys! How dare you suggest them harm!

I do not suggest them harm, sister.
As soon as
he thought
the words, the pain subsided.
They will be our voice of rule. We will use them to our advantage.

Felice looked around at the other cats and bared her teeth.
I cannot believe what I am hearing! Do all here agree with this madness?

Nazar noticed with satisfaction that most of the cats nodded their agreement. Some remained infuriatingly
silent, but he was no longer concerned with them. He now knew he had the majority with him.

We begin now, Felice! The Sovereign must step aside.

He will never consent to this! He will fight you to the death, Nazar.

Nazar stood to his full height.
It is a challenge I will accept.

Then, you are a fool.
She turned her back on him.
I go now to tell him of your plans.

Nazar lifted his lips in a snarl. The best chance he had against the Sovereign was the element of surprise. If he allowed Felice to walk away from this clearing and warn Moombai, all would be lost.
All along, he knew it would come to this, and he was prepared.
He had to prove to the Dracas the strength of his power and commitment. Taking advantage of the retreating Draca, he pounced.

Felice
roared in pain
when he landed on her back and bit
deep
into her neck. She twisted and rolled, snapping at him with her powerful jaws.

The Dracan
crowd moved back as he took her to the ground in a
hissing, spitting
tangle. Felice used her hind legs to run her talons across his underbelly, and he let go of her
throat with a
distressed screech.

Felice
wobbled to her feet
and tried to escape, but he charged her again and they crashed into one of the centuries old trees of the rainforest, bark and fur flying.

Weak from the blood leaking from her throat, she did not move when he pinned her to the
ground and held her there.

You will not get away with this, Nazar,
she warned softly.

I already have, sister.

Lifting his head, he howled his victory into the night and then sank
his
canines
into the open wound on Felice’s neck.

She cried in
mortal agony
as he ripped her throat out.

* * * * *

No!

The shout in Kenley’s mind startled her and she dropped the saddlebag in her hands.
She rushed to Baya’s side.
Baya! What is
it?

The white Draca Cat paced
anxiously
just outside of the stables
where
Kirby and the royal groomsmen readied their horses for the journey to Northfort.

Something is wrong.

With Maks or Jain?

No, at home in Callyn-Rhe.
Baya lifted her head to call to the younger cats.
Maks! Jain! Come to the stables at once!

Baya
continued to pace, and
Kenley
was unsure
how to help her.
Did someone speak to you from home?

No, the distance is too far, but
I felt violence happen.

Within
seconds,
her brothers’
male Draca Cats skidded around the low wall surrounding
the
stables.

We are here
.

Baya
shook her head as if trying to rid her mind of
a disturbing
image.
I think
Felice,
my mother,
has been injured.

Injured? How?
asked
Maks.

I do not think it was a chance
injury. It
felt like she
was
fighting for her life
when it happened.

A Moshie?
They all knew that the Moshies were the
sworn
enemies of the Draca Cats. They knew not the why of it—only that it was.

I do not know, but
I have to
go
there.

Of course,
you do,
Kenley assured her friend.
You
must find out what is wrong, and
I will go with you.

Baya
nodded her snowy head
gratefully.

Kenley
turned
to Kirby with a sad smile. “I am afraid
I have to leave you.”

He grabbed her arm. “Kenley…”

She held her hand up. “I
have to go
with Baya to Callyn-Rhe, and since you are not able
to travel through Aquataine, I must go without you.”

“What has happened in Callyn-Rhe?”

“I am not sure yet, but Baya feels there is something very wrong
and I trust her instincts.
You
know I cannot leave
her
in her time of need. She may need my
assistance.”

He let out a heavy breath. “Kenley, I have
taken
an oath to your protection. I promised your parents to
stay by your side at all times, and I will remind you of your promise to try and make my life easier.”

She smiled and reached up to
cup
his cheek. “Kirby, my parents could not possibly have known there would be an urgent situation in Callyn-Rhe. It is unfortunate that you cannot
travel the waterways, but it is a fact we cannot get around.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I will be back soon, I promise.”

He pulled her close and kissed the top of her forehead. “If anything ever happened to you…”

“Nothing will happen.” She lowered her voice. “You
must
know that I don’t want to be
away from you any more than you wish to be parted from me.” She leaned in close to his ear. “Especially, after last night.”

She never understood how his ears could turn so red, but he did seem reassured by her words.
He
directed a meaningful glance
at Baya.

The Draca Cat
snorted.
Assure him what he already knows. I will protect you with my life.

Before Kenley could translate,
Kirby said, “Tell Baya I am grateful.”

Kenley opened surprised green eyes. “How did…?

“Years of
observation.” He turned toward Baya. “And, friendship.
Thank
you, my friend.”