Telling herself not to freak out—okay, not to turn into more of a babbling mess, Lara continued searching for the voice’s source. Hiding the depth of her terror, Lara sent a silent plea—a prayer—to the voice. Where are you? Show yourself. Please.

The cat jerked his head back like he’d been struck. She would have missed it if she hadn’t been looking straight at it. The animal shook its head as if dislodging a troublesome insect from its ear. Then, with unnerving intensity, the large feline gazed at Lara with what she could only describe as avid interest. From what she could determine, he was the size of a panther but looked like a Bengal Tiger and was completely white.

She raised her sword again despite her aching shoulder muscles. Feeling ridiculous at the absurdity of her chances of surviving an attack, she threatened the animal with the blade. “Don’t you dare look at me like I’m food. Never in a million years. I’ll kill you before you get one taste of me.”

She waved the blade around in the air in acknowledgement of the male voice and demanded, “And you. Whoever you are, come out of hiding. Right now.”

A deep rumbling sound hit her, sending her body rocking back against the wall. It took her a moment to realize the sound was the cat purring. She felt safe and secure.

Which was ridiculous, crazy. She shook her head to clear it. The panther could easily kill her with a single swipe of its claws. And she couldn’t forget the monstrous, glowing spider. She was sure it waited for the most opportune moment to strike.

Lara found herself on the floor with her back flat against the wall. She swallowed. Somehow her body had moved without her consent. The tip of her sword lowered to the ground, the position making it difficult to retain her grip.

Suspicious, she glared at the feline. Its purring had caused her to lose track of time. It now sprawled on the ground, looking at her with half-lidded eyes. She called herself ten ways a fool for dropping her guard.

After a moment of staring at each other, she heard the voice again, almost as if he was speaking under his breath. Even more interesting. More gently and more pronounced, the voice said, My Lady, the voice you are hearing is me.

Total incomprehension must have shown on her face. Allow me to specify, I am the paka you have threatened to kill with your short sword.

Not believing her ears, she sputtered, “But that’s impossible, cats can’t talk.” When she heard the deep laughter, her disbelief morphed into anger despite her precarious situation. She glared at the cat and gritted her teeth. “They don’t.”

The cat’s mouth was open, teeth gleaming, and its sides were shaking. It was rather disconcerting seeing a large feline laugh. She almost didn’t understand his next words between his chuckles. Hmmm…You have already reconciled that I am the source of the voice even as you deny the truth of my words. The caress of his words spoken within her head caused another unusual sensation to fly down her spine.

His words made her blush, and she lost her momentary anger. It was strange. She should be terrified of the cat, yet she wasn’t. If anything, she felt a total lack of animosity from him. It was altogether possible it laid in wait for her guard to drop, but that level of trickery didn’t fit the voice breathing through her mind with gentleness and laughter. She shrugged because, in reality, she couldn’t leave the room with him blocking the exit.

Out loud she muttered in a voice in something akin to awe, “How is any of this possible? Speaking to a panther, or whatever you are, is not something even in my wildest dreams I would do.”

In a displeased voice, he corrected her, I do not know of this Panther you speak of. When he said panther, he flicked his tail in tangent with the disgust evident at the word. But I am one of the Paka.

“A Paka?” Lara repeated, doubt lacing the word.

He inclined his head. Yes, my Lady.

A short laugh burst from her. “I am no lady. Not how you speak of one anyway.”

The paka did not respond to her comment right away, but first licked his paw. After it was cleaned to his liking, he replied, You are. But I will explain all in due time. My Lady, you can release the sword. On my honor, I will not attack you, and the ult certainly will harm you not.

An ult? Oh, the ult was the glowing spider intent on attacking her earlier. The creature still hadn’t moved from behind its flimsy shield. She asked, “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

The paka placed his head down on his forepaws. She had to admit, he did look the picture of utter innocence when he sent kitten eyes her direction. You can hear my voice and feel the truth of my words. If it pleases you, tell me, what did you feel when I made my promise?

She hesitated, feeling a bit gullible at her admission, “Safe.”

The paka gave a loud purr at her admission, the room echoing with the sound. In her head, she felt his acceptance. She was in an odd situation—caught between a humongous spider and an even larger paka. Her world had tilted on its axis in a matter of an hour, maybe less. But keeping her vigilance against the two animals was difficult in the face of the rhythmic purring tingling her senses.

His next question brought her out of her reverie. My Lady, what are you called?

Her name was the least of her concerns, so she gave it with a shrug. “Lara Conners.”

Lifting his head, he dipped his head in a bow and said, Lara Conners, my name is Chion of the city of Malkese.

Chion’s courtly manners, the only thing she could think to call them, were wooing her, making her feel pleased yet an easy mark at the same time.

My Lady, of what house are you from?

Now, only if she could meet a guy with these kinds of manners. Uncertain as to whether she should correct him again about the designation much less ‘my lady’ so soon after the last attempt, she dismissed it for the time being and focused on the confusing question. “House? What do you mean, house?”

Showing the first sign of impatience, he said, Yes, you are obviously high born and thus from a Pyranni house.

With growing confusion, she asked, “What in the world is a Pyranni house?”

Chion, looking as if he was tired of playing games, snapped, Lara Conners, although I am a Paka and am in beast form as you believe, that does not make me unknowledgeable about the Pyranni.

She understood then that the Pyrannis were something like rivals, or perhaps enemies. With that knowledge, though, she still had no clue what or who the Pyrannis were. She was frankly tired of being lost and confused. She took offense at his insinuation she was a liar. She sneered, “Good thing one of us does. Maybe you, the almighty beast, would like to share what knowledge you have.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Her words took Chion by surprise, and she felt his sudden thoughtfulness. Stillness crept into his feline body, giving her the time to rein in her temper. He blinked his eyes while he contemplated her words. He tilted his head. My Lady, if you are not from Pyran, then where do you come from and how have you arrived here?

Lara glared for a moment longer, but then she subsided and met him halfway. “Whatever a Pyranni is, you have the wrong person. I’m an American. From Dallas, Texas to be exact.” She heaved a sigh, her shoulders drooping in resignation. “I’ve no idea how I got here.”

The only response she received from Chion was a flick of his right ear. Instead of asking for more information along the same vein, he remarked, I am only of the Paka, but your attire is unsuitable for a full-grown woman.

She looked down at herself. Although the t-shirt and pair of shorts were old, they covered all the important parts. Irritated all over again, she responded, “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with what I’m wearing. Even if my clothes didn’t decently cover me, how was I supposed to know I’d meet someone. I lie down one moment an—”

She clamped her mouth shut and stared wide-eyed at Chion. For a reason she could not understand, the paka provoked in her a desire to lose her natural reticence. Somehow, his voice soothed and riled her like no one else had ever accomplished. Her family and friends all thought her the most even-tempered person they knew. Here with Chion, her emotions acted like a mood ring, fluctuating for no reason. Although she didn’t understand the significance, she did recognize something momentous was occurring.

Lara felt more alive than ever before. She was speaking to an animal. Actually spoke to an animal! She realized with a jerk she hadn’t answered his unspoken question, and the silence had gained weight while she debated with herself.

Instead of waiting for her explanation, Chion crossed to where the ult hid near the top of the tapestry. Chion glanced back at her, his tongue swiped across his teeth, and then he batted his right paw against the cloth. After several swipes, the ult became dislodged and skittered and slid down the wall. The paka jumped up and clasped the ult between his two front feet. The spider’s legs grappled for a toehold, trying to escape its predator.

Possessed by a sudden surge of pity, she clambered to her feet and pleaded, “Don’t kill him.” Nervous but determined, Lara limped her way over to the other side of the room.

Chion held the creature between his claws, waiting for her to approach. When she stopped, Chion swiped the ult unconscious with his foot and with fluid grace turned to look at her.

He weighed her with his eyes. Interesting. You are still wary of me but nevertheless came to its defense. His purr radiated through her mind as well as the room. Even more interesting is that I gave you a chance to escape and you did not take it.

She stared at him in dismay. He was both right, yet not. Lara knew she couldn’t travel anywhere with her feet so raw and painful. Chion would have easily stopped her. “I really don’t like how you say that word.”

When he didn’t respond, Lara’s anxiety filtered in again, spiking when he tested the air. She watched him weave his head around, sniffing the air like a bloodhound. Scenarios played through her mind with the different ways he could kill her. Unexpectedly, his tail twitched twice, and she vaulted backward and froze.

He didn’t move from where he stood except for a flicker of his right ear. Studying her from the top of her head to her feet, his eyes zeroed in on her bandages.

Your feet are bleeding.

Blood seeped through the bandages, and her feet decided it was time for the pain to hit. The soles of her feet throbbed like they were on fire. She looked back up at Chion with a grimace. Feeling his concern for her well-being, tears welled and threatened to spill down her face. She admitted, “I can barely walk.”

His eyes gleamed with worry and strangely a hint of pride. Your feet are badly wounded, yet you were willing to fight off the ult and myself? My Lady, you have much courage.

Lara sank to the floor, no longer able to withstand the brunt of the pain. She flinched when he drifted closer for a better look. An emotion flickered across his feline face, one Lara couldn’t interpret.

Lara winced again as she bent her right leg to undo the strap. She couldn’t stop the hiss that escaped. She unwrapped her right foot, needing to see the extent of the damage. Edging closer, Chion’s gaze showed only curiosity.

Lara blanched as she tried to pull her toes back. Rather than cause herself more pain, she twisted her leg into an awkward angle to better examine the cuts. Yeah, it was what she expected. The larger cuts had reopened and bled freely. The smaller cuts didn’t so much bleed as seep.

Chion’s swift intake of air made her lift her gaze from her task. He stared at her foot in deep consideration. It is as you said. My Lady, you cannot walk anywhere in this condition. If the left foot is the same as the right, it is a wonder you can even stand. His voice held genuine concern. She thought for a second it was a trick, but then she realized there was no point. She was in no condition to fight him.

When she began unwrapping the other foot, he took command of the situation. Water is needed to cleanse the wounds. I will bring the water to you. Once I return, you will tell me how this injury came to pass.

“I will?”

Hearing her sarcasm, he paused in his retreat for the door. I apologize. I am curious as to how this injury occurred. My intention is not to command your obedience, but I do not spend much time with people—human or paka.

Taken aback by his apology, Lara blinked. From the hallway, Chion stopped and asked, Will I find you here when I return?

She didn’t hesitate before replying with full honesty, “I don’t know. I promise that if I am gone, it is not from a desire to escape you.” He flicked his ears and tail in understanding and walked out of sight.

Lara elevated her feet on the chair to reduce the bleeding. Every few minutes she checked where the ult lay unmoving. Lara was thankful; she was in no mood to fight the creature off. Exhaustion hit her all at once, and her eyes closed of their own accord. Before she fell asleep, she searched blindly for the sword and drew it closer to her body.

Hearing her name through a thick fog of sleep, she opened her eyes to find Chion sitting a few yards away. He carefully carried a bucket of water over to her, placing it close to her feet. Although the action should have looked comical, he managed the task with dignity.

Grateful, Lara said, “Thank you for bringing the water.”

Sitting back on his haunches, he gave her an inscrutable look. You are welcome, My Lady.

As she put her right foot into the water to cleanse the blood off, Chion flicked his tail. When she glanced up at him, she heard his voice in her mind. I have decided to explain how I found you.

Pausing in her ministrations, she frowned. Lara had forgotten the sensations his voice evoked within her body.

No one, besides myself, has been in these deserted tunnels in several generations. I came upon your scent yesterday in a corridor but lost you in this room. Focused on her feet, she missed his questioning look. I first believed you were a Pyranni spy, and you had lost your way underground. However, I could not comprehend how I had lost your scent. When I heard your scream, I was tracking you two passageways over. He paused and said, You were not what I expected to see.

“What were you expecting?”

Chion settled himself on his side with his head in an upright position. He had a beautiful coat. Unmarred by any other color, he was a white, shining beacon in the room. I knew by your scent the person I was tracking was a woman. I, however, expected one of the yellow-haired Pyranni.

From the battle she witnessed a couple nights ago, Lara put some of the pieces of the puzzle together. The Pyrannis were the blond-haired warriors who lost the battle. She remembered the cat that escorted her to the cage. If that paka had been the one to cross her path, she’d be dead. She asked in curiosity, “What does this have to do with me?”

For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the splash of water that dripped from her foot into the bucket. It depends on you, My Lady. Although you have told me your name, I do not yet know who you are and what you are doing here. His voice was a pleasant rumble in her head.

Lara sighed, knowing she had to give some explanation. The problem was she understood nothing of what was happening to her. Unable to explain her own circumstances to herself, she found it difficult to find the words to describe her situation to Chion. She lifted her left foot out of the water and examined her feet. A tight, satisfied smile touched her lips, and she ran her fingers down the tops of her feet.

She turned her head to look at Chion and realized she was looking at her window blinds. She glanced at the time and sighed. She had thirty minutes to get to class. Pain tore through her feet and up her legs when she placed them on the floor. With a sense of foreboding, she tore the sheet off her body. Her feet now resembled her injuries from the dream. The dream was mutating into reality. What was happening to her?