Island Shifters: Book 03 - An Oath of the Children (10 page)

I have to agree with you. The silence is unnerving.

After several more hours of walking, Kenley and Baya turned onto a bend in the path and, seemingly out of thin air, the
wall
of Callyn-Rhe appeared before them
behind the haze.

They left the path and
skirted the perimeter of the wall
until they came to the concealed
entrance. Kenley ducked inside the arched stone tunnel that led to the Dracan
land and after a short
walk, a light appeared up ahead.

After the dim interior of the rainforest, Kenley had to shield her eyes
as she emerged
from the tunnel and stepped out into the bright sunshine of Callyn-Rhe.

She
had
traveled to the land of the Draca Cats with Baya
several times, but the sight never failed to enthrall her.
The
sun cast long shadows on a
lush
patchwork of
greens and browns
and
blues. Tall
savanna
grasses
waved and thrashed
before a strong breeze that carried the scent of dry soil to her nose.

This time, however, the scene was unlike any other visit.

There were no Draca Cats.

Usually, the
landscape
teemed
with cats running and playing or lazing in the sun on the few scattered boulders dotting the
landscape.
Now, it was
completely empty.

Baya stood still.
What is this? Where are the Draca Cats?
Felice!

Kenley could hear panic
begin
to take root in her friend’s thoughts.

Let us go to the caves where Moombai lives
, Kenley suggested.
He will know what has happened.

I do
not understand,
Baya
mused
as they picked their way carefully through the eerie stillness toward the caves at the northern border of Callyn-Rhe.
How could the Draca Cats just vanish?

Kenley did not have any answers for her. And, it was not just the cats that were missing, Kenley realized. She did not hear or see any rustling of small animals
and even the birds
were
gone. Something happened here. Something
dreadful enough to chase
away all of the
creatures that made this place their home.

Suddenly, Baya
lifted her head and her nostrils flared as she picked up a scent on the wind.

What is it, Baya. What do you smell?

Death.

The Draca sprinted forward and Kenley followed. It was not long before she smelled what Baya had already picked up.

Blood.

When
Baya
skidded to a stop
abruptly
and yelped in pain, Kenley almost ran into her.
Dodging around the
Draca,
she saw the source of her friend’s
distress.
Dead Draca Cats. Hundreds of them. Their beautiful white coats stained red.

Dear Highworld.

While Baya remained frozen in grief, Kenley crept closer to the grisly scene. It was apparent that a terrible battle occurred here. Animal against animal, she could easily discern from the teeth and claw marks that raked each corpse.

Her hand flew to her mouth when she spotted the body of Moombai. She ran to his side and prodded his thick fur, checking for any signs of life.
There were
none.

“Who could have done this, Baya?” she moaned aloud.

Draca Cats.

But, why? Why would they kill their Sovereign
and all these others?

Finally, Baya stood and padded closer to the carnage.
Power, revenge, jealousy.
It could be any or all of the above.
The Dracas are not immune
to the sins that plague humans.

Were you aware of any
strife?

Baya shook her head.
No, it is not often that I take interest in the affairs of the Draca Cats. This is not my world.

Kenley continued to walk around the
horrific
site
hoping she would not find the mother of her friend. It would take some time to know for sure if Felice was among the dead, but Baya asked the question anyway.

Is Felice…?

I do not see her.

Baya’s snowy head whipped toward the south
and a snarl escaped her raised lips.
Be
prepared for a fight, Princess.

Kiernan crouched
already weaving a ball of air in her hands.
A fight? Where?

Baya gestured to the path they
had just
followed out of the Puu. Draca Cats poured
out of the forest.

Draca Cats stained with the blood of the
pride.

C
HAPTER
7

B
AYA’S
S
ORROW

At the sight of the bloodstained Draca Cats, Kenley shifted the air and a swirling vortex sprang to life between her and Baya and the threat.

The front row of Draca Cats tumbled backwards from the force of the wind and the others howled and cowered from the dirt and stones kicked up by the
churning air.
Head lowered against the gusts, a large male fought the strength of the
currents
to step ahead of the group.
Wait!
We mean you no harm!

Baya snarled.
How can you say that with the blood of our brothers and sisters still upon you?

Baya! It is me, Muuki. Tell the daughter of Kenley to lower her
screen.

Kenley waited until Baya nodded before letting go of the magic. As soon as the winds died down, Baya rounded her shoulders aggressively and stalked
toward the Draca Cat.

I have known you a very long time, Muuki, but today I wonder if you
stand before me as
my friend or my enemy.

Your friend, Baya, and so are all with me.
This was not our work. We are the survivors of this massacre.

Tell me what has happened.

Muuki came
closer, walking with a
slight limp.
It was Nazar.

A deep rumble rose from Baya’s throat.
Nazar has always been too ambitious for his own good, but to kill the Sovereign? To kill so many of our pride? For what purpose, Muuki?

He
desires
power for the Draca Cats
and has left Callyn-Rhe to seek it in the land of Iserlohn.

Power? Over the humans?
Kenley asked
in astonishment.

Yes, daughter of Kenley

How?

Through the Kenley bond.
Muuki paused
as though embarrassed to continue
.
Once the humans have been cowed to his satisfaction, he plans for the Kenleys to be our voice
to the slaves.

Ridiculous!
Baya snorted.
What nonsense is this?

He killed Moombai and has named himself the new Sovereign. He
feels that the Draca Cats have not evolved as a
race. That we have become too
idle
through our isolation
from the world. He seeks knowledge and power through
conquest.

Baya turned to look at all of the dead bodies.
What I do not understand is how he convinced so many to go along with his plans. We are Draca Cats, Muuki! We have an unbreakable bond to protect humans.

No, our bonded
oath is with the Kenleys, not all humans.

Yes, but
our ancestors have always
regarded the role of
the Draca Cats as
that of
protector. We
have always stood
side-by-side with humans to battle evil.

Nazar has changed all of that. He wants more and is not afraid to kill to achieve his goals.

Kenley
clenched her fists at her sides at the thought of her friends, the Draca Cats, prowling through Massa and killing innocent people indiscriminately.
We have to stop him, Baya. He is on a rampage to terrorize the people of
this island
and I cannot allow that.

Of course, we will stop him. Muuki,
where do you stand in this? Are you with us?

We are of like mind, sister.

How many are with Nazar?

All
except those that stand with me today.

Kenley counted. There had to be less than a hundred cats with Muuki. That meant Nazar led a force of close to one thousand Draca Cats.

What of my mother, Muuki?
Baya asked
hopefully, stretching her neck to see past him at the band of Draca Cats.
Is she with you? Is Felice among your followers?

She is not here. I will take you to her.

Not here? But, where—

Silently, Muuki turned from her and the crowd parted as he walked slowly back to the entrance to the rainforest. Baya and Kenley had no choice but to follow behind.

As Kenley walked, she prayed fervently that Felice was alive and well. That a happy reunion with her mother awaited Baya.

But, it was not to be.

Kiernan paled at the
sight of
a broken
Felice curled up against the base of a gigantic
Ficus tree. A red stain at
Felice’s
throat told the story of how she was killed.

Kenley instinctively reached her hands out to
Baya, but her friend was already moving away toward
Felice, her stride slow and unsteady.

Mother!

Kenley covered her mouth as she watched Baya nudge
Felice’s shoulder
with her nose
to try to
urge her to
stand.

Get up, Mother! I came! I am here, Mother!

Baya pawed
frantically
at the dirt next to Felice.

Princess! Help me get her up!

Baya…

A
high-pitched
whine
escaped
Baya’s
mouth
when the truth she must have already known became too
hard
to ignore.
Her head fell
heavily between her shoulders,
and
she
sagged to the ground.

Kenley
turned away helplessly when her
friend
crept closer and laid her head gently across
her mother’s lifeless
form.

* * * * *

Kellan wondered why so many people were gathered in the
city square just inside the
Northfort gates
and then realized by the scattering of
nervous
conversation that drifted his way that the crowd was there to glimpse sight of the
dark-haired
strangers that had
returned
to Massa.

A tense energy infused the throng, but as soon as they spied the shifter royals, a sense of calm seemed to restore the
mood.

“Look! It’s the Princes!”

“Thank the Highworld! The Princes are here!”