A Lost Kitten (27 page)

“So you do have a sister.” John looked at each Starr man. “Bogdan mentioned her once, but none of you had, so I thought I misunderstood.”

“She works too hard,” inserted Sirius unhappily. His stare landed on his younger brother Asher. “Guardian Athos is a slave driver.”

“She is fighting in the war.” Andros glared at Asher, also, along with his father Kenner and Gorwin. “To speak of Kahilee might bring her bad luck. We want her to return safely.”

Asher averted his eyes.

“I understand,” said John. Apparently, Medlothians were superstitious. He did not touch the topic again.

Bogdan placed his cup on the tray. “John, what happened to your chest?”

John touched his bandages and proudly smiled. “It’s a soulscar.”

Andros frowned. “What’s that?”

“A feline’s matrimonial band placed on their body by their soulmate.”

“Jasira did that to you?” asked Asher.

John’s pride increased. “Yes, she did. This morning. I can’t wait to show my parents. I wish your ships would get here faster.”

Kenner smiled. “They’ll be here before you know it.”

.

Chapter 14

Thursday, the 23rd of June, Year 2022

The sun was halfway in the sky by the time John finished his daily morning run. He could feel the sun’s rays attempting to warm the cold air. It was the start of another Surrealan winter. The temperature had dropped to forty degrees. Still, John concluded it was better than living in the city, where it seemed like forty below zero all year.

He slowed to a walk. At the back deck, he stopped and braced himself on his knees. While he focused on slowing his breathing, he overheard a door open.

“Good morning,” said a familiar feminine voice.

John glanced up. Audra closed the door behind her. She smiled as she descended the stairs, carrying a large basket of clothes.

“Good morning. You did the laundry already?”

“Chores have to get done.” She stopped in front of John. “How was your run today?”

“It’s a bit warmer today, so it was easier.” He straightened up.

“Winter is just beginning, so the weather should fluctuate for the next few weeks before it settles on forty degrees.” Audra eyes skimmed his chest. “How is your soulscar? Is the infection gone?”

After seven months, John still could not believe he had one. He could not wait to show it to his parents.

“It’s healed. Jasira’s ointment worked wonders.”

“It always does.”

John pointed to the basket. “Do you need help with that?”

“No, I got it. Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.” John’s gaze followed Audra to the clothesline.

He sat on the steps to cool down before going in for some strength training in Bogdan’s home gym. He watched Audra hang the clothes. The sun’s midmorning rays danced off her features. Her auburn hair shimmered under the sunlight. John felt the only things missing on her were wings and a halo.

He sighed. If only Jasira had survived the war. He would love to sit back and watch her go about her daily routine. Jasira was so beautiful. Since he had first seen her, he had dreamt of her each night. His dreams barely appeased his longings of embracing her and seeing her pregnant.

Watching Audra made John miss Jasira more. Jasira had left last Sunday evening for work, and she would not return until Saturday morning. Together, John and Jasira decided it was best that John did not return to the city. Since John would be heading off to war and needed to be in top physical condition, he should not be around the people of the mist and risk catching another cold, especially during the winter months.

The day after receiving his soulscar, John had begun his old exercise regimen more seriously. It did not take long for him to be back to his optimal level. The only thing missing was a danger room for fighting practice.

Bogdan and the others had offered to spar with him. Not to insult them, John accepted. After a week, the men gave up. They realized they were no challenge for John, not even when they teamed up. John needed someone better than himself as a sparring partner if he was to improve. Until he could access a Danger Room, John practiced his Seacat moves against the trees at the back of the house.

His view of Audra was suddenly blocked by a solid mass. John lifted his sights. An angry Asher stared down at him.

“Is there a problem?”

John’s brows lifted. “Excuse me?”

“Is there a reason why you are sitting here?”

“Yeah, it’s called resting. What’s your problem?”

“You. You seem to stare a lot.”

John had wondered when Asher was going to confront him. Since he had arrived, the young Medlothian had felt threatened by him. John had thought that after he received his soulscar, Asher’s insecurities would disappear. He was wrong.

“So what?” countered John. “What’s the harm in looking?”

“Nothing, unless it exceeds the norm.”

John’s forehead wrinkled. “It’s not exceeding the norm, Asher, so relax. Okay. I have my own wife. I don’t want yours.”

“But your wif is not like mine, is she?”

“No, she’s not. But when we felines pair off, we pair off for life.” John pointed to his chest. “This mark states I’m paired off with my soulmate, which means there will never be another for me. So don’t worry so much if I look. I have no desires to touch anyone but Jasira.” He stood. “If Audra is your soulmate—”

“She is.”

“Then you should have faith in her love and loyalty toward you.” John unhurriedly climbed the stairs and entered the house.

He thought of Asher’s behavior while he made his way to Bogdan’s gym. He did not blame Asher for feeling insecure. Audra’s exceptional beauty was like a work of art, demanding attention from all viewers. And John was always an admirer of beauty.

He entered the gym, going to the bench first. He added more weights to both sides of the long bar. He again thought of Asher. Asher had used the word wif. John figured it was the Medlothian word for wife, which reminded him that he had left his translator in his room.

I’ll get it later,
he thought as he lied down on the bench and lifted the bar.

An hour later, Bogdan entered the room. “John?”

John lowered the handheld dumbbell to the floor. He looked up at Bogdan. The man looked pale and exhausted.

“Mira’s fahder returned from my ship. He learned the Guardians will be arriving on Friday.”

“That’s tomorrow.”

Bogdan frowned. “It is?” He rubbed his face with both hands. “The youngsters have me so exhausted. I do not know what day I’m living.”

John smiled. “It’s a good exhaustion. Be grateful you have children,” he said, thinking of his own painful situation.

Bogdan met his eyes. “True. I’m sorry to complain.”

“Don’t worry about it.” John lifted the hand weight.

“You will leave with the others and meet the Guardians in the kasuhl at eight. I’m sure they will have a lot to say about this war.”

“You’re not coming with us?”

“I cannot. Mira cannot handle caring for the youngsters without me. She claims she can, but I can see the exhaustion on her face. She needs my help.”

“She has your family, Bogdan. They’ll be here to help her.”

Bogdan nodded. “The truth is, I fear leaving her. Gorwin does not say anything, but I can tell by his face something is wrong. I have a feeling it has to do with the war. I do not think it’s going well for our side. I’m going to stay and protect my famuhlee in case the Dominion arrives here. You had better pack your things. The others plan to leave at one tonight.” He left the room.

“Great.” John continued his reps.

Mira handed John her ten-month-old daughter, Florin. John held the giggling baby close to his heart. He rubbed his nose on her soft cheek while she tugged on his hair. He sniffed her baby scent and smiled, then placed several kisses on her cheeks and head. He carefully released his hair from Florin’s grasp and placed her on the floor, in the enclosed area of the bedroom.

He walked over to the bed where her brother slept, surrounded by pillows. John carefully climbed onto the bed and bent over the pillows to place several kisses on Ekin’s head. After inhaling Ekin’s scent, he gently got off the bed without waking him.

“Must you leave now? The Guardians will not be here until tomorrow.”

John observed the sadness on Mira’s face. “I know. But I want to be with Jasira on my last few days here.

Mira raised her arms to him. “I understand.” She embraced him. “It’s just that we will miss you.”

“I’ll be back. You take care of yourself.” He kissed her cheek.

She returned his kiss. “And you, be safe.”

Bogdan opened the bedroom door to let John out. He followed John downstairs. John said farewell to Mira’s mother, Ilsa, and her grandparents, Emtage and Aeysha. He next embraced Audra and Asher’s mother, Cate. Holden and Aelita were next to say good-bye.

John took the bag containing his folded clothes from Asher. “Thanks. I’ll see the rest of you guys tomorrow.”

Asher and the rest of the men shook John’s hand good-bye. Afterward, Bogdan escorted John out of the house. The two walked in silence to the barn. John waited outside while Bogdan entered the large building. He exited with a black-and-white Surrealan horse.

“Do you really want to do this?”

“I’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow. I want to be with Jasira up to the end.”

“I mean leaving. You do not have to leave with the Guardians. Jasira needs you here. Alive.”

John wanted to say
he
needed Jasira alive, but he refrained from doing so. “I have a responsibility to my family and my people.”

“Jasira is your kindred soul. What about your responsibility to her?”

John took the reins from Bogdan’s grasp. “She’s dead! Staying here isn’t going to change that.” He adjusted the bag over his shoulder. “I have a responsibility to those who are still living.” He walked over to the horse’s side.

Bogdan followed him. “If you are killed in this war, then Jasira
will be
dead.”

“Back off, Bogdan. I made my decision. My family and my people come first.”

“Before your permanent mate?”

John saw the shock on Bogdan’s face. “My wife was killed twenty-one years ago. Whether I stay or leave, she’ll remain dead. If I stay, lives will be lost. If I go, I can do my part to win this war.”

“Lives will still be lost if you go. You cannot save everyone.”

“Maybe not, but I sure as hell can try.”

“And if you get killed?”

“Then I get killed.” John vaulted onto the horse’s back.

Bogdan tried again. “What about Jasira?”

John looked down at his pleading features. “She still has her old friends—you and Audra.”

“You do not intend to return, do you?”

“I will if I can.”

“You said your permanent mate is dead. Why would you want to return alive, when in spirit form you will be joined with her?”

John broke eye contact and clenched his jaw.

“John, no. You must return alive. Jasira needs you. She cannot exist if you are dead.”

“I’m not going to argue with you. Keep your family safe, Bogdan. God bless and good luck.” John lowered his torso close to the horse and flicked the reins. The horse took off like a jackrabbit.

John arrived in the city faster than he expected. It was dusk, and everyone was closing up for the night. His trotting horse came to a halt in front of Rau’s barn. The enormous double doors were wide open. He reached out with his hypersenses and detected a small life-force inside surrounded by several larger ones.

“Rau!” He slid to the ground. “Rau!”

Rau appeared from the darkness. “What are you doing here, Seacat? I was not expecting you back until tomorrow.”

“I decided to come back early.” John gestured to Bogdan’s horse. “Can he stay here tonight?”

Rau looked at the huge horse. “No need. He belongs to Seeker Bogdan. Let go of his reins and he will return hohm.”

“Are you serious?”

Rau turned around. He walked over to the right side of the barn and pushed the door closed. “Surrealan horses are loyal to their handlers. This one,” he pointed to Bogdan’s horse while he walked to the other door, “is named Rocket.” Rau lowered the bar lock unto its handle. “He’s the fastest of Bogdan’s horses.”

John regarded the towering creature as it yawned. “Well, that explains how I got here in half the time.”

“I’m surprised you were able to hold on.”

John narrowed his eyes. “Funny.”

Rau chuckled. “Seriously, there’s no need for me to make him a bed inside. Just let go of his reins. He’ll go back hohm.”

John was not sure if he should. He did not want Rocket to be harmed. “What if he gets lost or killed out there?”

“Surrealan horses have a great sense of direction. They do not get lost or forget the location of their beds.” Rau gestured to the horse. “Plus, Rocket is one of the fastest horses I have ever come across. There is not a predator on the planet that can keep up with him.”

“I don’t know.”

“Trust me, John. He will be fine.”

John inhaled. “I sure hope so.” He released the reins and walked in front of the giant beast. “Okay, boy. This is it. This is good-bye. Go back to your master.” He stepped back several paces. Rocket remained where he stood and stared at him. “Go, Rocket.” The beast stayed. John flared his arms. “Shoo! Go home to Bogdan.”