The Smokiest Grave Read online

  “So, you’re telling me that hell hole I was just in was the future? Not a vision? I could have died!” Cat swung her arms around punching an invisible foe while a massive amount of questions rambled in her head. “Why in the hell didn’t you just tell me ‘Hey Cat, I need you to save the world?’ Not throw me unprepared into the future like that. Look at me!” Cat’s eyes drifted down to her body as her hand made an up and down motion.

  “Oh, God, I’m going to be sick.” Her stomach threatened to spill out, and her vision spun at the nightmare of her body.

  How the heck am I still alive?

  Gaping holes with claws or bite marks covered her legs, stomach, and arms. The only thing not chewed on was her breast which was exposed and dangling out for the world to see. Someone must have ripped off her clothes because the only thing she was wearing was her pink panties.

  “You would not have been as inspired to keep it from happening. I needed you to see what hell on earth felt like. I did not send you into the future. I brought the future to you.” The Goddess tried to touch Cat, but she sidestepped her, not ready to forgive her yet.

  So, she took a big breath through her nose and continued, “As you already know, our seer was attacked by demons, so her visions are not as good as they once were. Although, she is sure of this future.”

  “Can’t you do something? Why do I have to be the one to take this on?” Cat move side to side as a wave of anxiety rose up inside of her, “I’m finally getting my life where I wanted it. Or have you forgotten the hell, I’ve already lived through?” Her stupid eyes teared up again. Which made her even madder.

  “I can’t, I’m sorry. You were given free will for a reason. If I interfere, I will be taking away that freedom. Everyone's idiotic lives will be in my hands. Believe me; it's not something either party wants, however, I will assist and guide you as much as I can.”

  Cat could feel her face heat up, “Are you asking me to give up my life?”

  “I’m asking you to help stop this from happening,” the Goddess clenched her jaw, not expecting Cat to give her attitude.

  Cat scoffed, “Wait, what? I thought I was helping Hendrick.” She looked at her half-eaten arm, “You are asking a lot of one silly girl? I couldn’t even make it out of the test round. Look at my body!” A little acid lifted in her throat. She did look disgusting. “Am I going to turn into one of those things?” Cat knew she was hyperventilating but couldn’t stop herself. She looked like an old chew toy.

  This is all too much dammit.

  The Goddess walked over to Cat when she saw her hand resting on her heaving chest. “Let's get you fixed up. You have been here for a while, so the pain is gone, but you look like Hades’s wife.” The Goddess’s words made Cat step back. Goddess magic differs from Unnatural magic. Powerful as it is. It was also unpredictable sometimes, like wild, untamed magic.

  “I’ve been slowing your blood, but if one drop falls you will never be able to leave here, Cat.” She leaned in, and Cat let her. As much as the Goddess was not her favorite person right now, she trusted her.

  Cat expected to feel the bitter slap of her wild magic but what she got freaked her out more. The Goddess’s soft wet lips pressed against Cat’s forehead, essentially kissing her. The contact made her skin go numb.

  Why are her lips wet?

  At the flick of her tongue Cat stiffened, straining her shoulder muscles. This is weird. Her tongue traveled to her scalp, Cat couldn’t take the tingling sensation anymore.

  Her whole body tingled and went numb. As if her body was asleep. A mental image of her banging her forehead on a wall like she beats her feet on the floor popped into her thoughts, “Okay, okay, that’s enough.”

  “Aaah!” Cat’s knees buckled under her from a shock of pain pulsating in her legs. She would have gone crashing to the floor if the Goddess hadn’t raised a hand to stop her. So, now, she was dangling off the ground while still being attached to the Goddess’ tongue.

  She could feel her skin knitting itself back together. Oh my God, oh my God.

  Cat moaned at the warmth washing over her limbs and stomach. If she wasn’t listening to the Goddess slurping something up on her skin, she might have fallen asleep. All her discomfort was gone.

  “Are you drinking my blood?” Cat tried to push away from her, but there was an invisible force holding her still. “Stop.” The Goddess complied by stopping and stepping back.

  “My sincerest apologies, it had to be done. You might have some memory loss later,” the Goddess said, her voice a little more hoarse than usual.

  “And why, may I ask?” Cat looked down at her once chewed body. Her pale skin was now flawless, maybe even better than before. “You couldn’t have made me darker?”

  The Goddess ignored the last part, “There are many answers to be had, but very little time. We have now done a blood exchange, by rights tethering us together," her voice was horse.

  The Goddess smiled with so much warmth it distracted Cat. The smile was a motherly glow. Cat had seen that look before on her mom.

  “Why are we always in a hurry? We seriously need to sit and chat about things. I have so many questions, Goddess. The biggest one being, when did you give me your blood?” Cat folded her arms, trying to make sure the Goddess understood how upset she was.

  “As a baby, I knew you would be special. I gave you my blood to protect you,” her tone was mild and carefree as if she had given Cat a stuffed animal, not her blood.

  “You gave me your blood when I was a baby. So, I couldn't say no?” Cat put her hands on her hips.

  “Yes, I know how that looks, but as a Sapphire, you would not have lasted long without it. That, and cutting your hair.” She mumbled the last part.

  "Wait, what?" Cat scoffed in confusion.

  "When Sapphires cut their hair, their powers decrease. Thus, your hair doesn't change colors with your mood. I only wanted to keep you safe. Hair coloring is the biggest way to find a Sapphire. I have seen many of my children slaughtered because their hair betrayed them.”

  "You told me if I didn't cut my hair I'd get lice and why do you keep calling me a Sapphire? You said I was part witch." Cat was pacing again, “Sapphires are legends, they are not real.” Cat shook her head like she expected some of the hurt she was feeling to fall on the floor.

  “Why all the lying?” Cat said breathlessly.

  This is just not my day. To find out she had been manipulated her entire life was a bullet to the heart. She could have told her the truth. The Goddess had always been a second parent to Cat.

  “This is not the time for this.” The Goddess was eager to move on; Cat could tell by her hand's stiff movement. They were usually smooth and flowed through the air as if they were soaring through the wind.

  A huge roar erupted somewhere to the right of her. If Cat could have jumped out of her skin, she would have. “What was that?” Her nerves were shot. “What is that thing? I heard it growling earlier.”

  “That is why our meeting has to be cut short. It’s a hell-hound trying to break free from its cage, and he will.” The Goddess’s voice became high-pitched.

  Cat wished she could see where the beast was, the fact that it was in the darkness somewhere was the worst feeling. Her attack could come from any angle. Cat’s heart dropped to her feet.

  “There is no time. You need to use your ability to help Hendrick or his brother will die by the next full moon. Our seer said everything is too unstable to know anything more. With Chris’s royal blood, the curse will affect the whole world in a years’ time.” The Goddess hurled a glowing transportation orb behind her, burning the edges of her long sleeves.

  A crash sounded where the roars came from earlier. The Goddess's body turned into air as she floated to Cat’s side. Cat, not knowing what to do, naturally went for her gun, but the coarse feeling of her weapon wasn't there. She mentally smacked herself again.

  Damn.

  “Oh, for all the love of the light, it is time for you to leave,” s
he looked behind her. “Be well my beauty, the fate of the world depends on it.”

  “That's a lot of pressure,” Cat stumbled as the Goddess shoved her to the yellow glowing portal, landing her back into her living room.

  Xena slumped over the couch was the first thing Cat seen. Xena was probably as exhausted from the night’s strange activities. Cat gave her a few long, loving swipes on her back. She let herself enjoy Xena’s calming pheromones.

  Right now, she had happiness, and that's all that mattered. She’d worry about the world ending tomorrow.

  Ten

  She sun shining in the window woke Cat from a deep slumber. She grunted with annoyance and hugged her favorite gray fluffy pillow tighter. I don’t want to get up. She took two long, deep breaths through her nose and let them out slowly to relax. Her body got heavy again, and she sank deeper into her pillow.

  With the buzz of her fan, the hum of the amulet making that fan run, and the firm wall behind her she was at peace. She pushed harder against the wall and closed her eyes.

  Before she could drift back to sleep, Cat’s eyes shot open when an animalistic growl sounded behind her, “If you keep doing that, I'm going to push back.”

  Cat leaped up feeling her heart send an alarm to the rest of her body. Danger. Somehow, she ended up standing on the bed with a heavy flashlight from the nightstand in her hands. She gripped the firm long handle harder to make sure it did not slip.

  ***

  Hendrick lifted his lips to his nose to hold in a laugh. He thought she really did look like a kitty cat at that moment. Yep, like a little kitty. If the lass had claws she might have gotten stuck on the ceiling. Hendrick’s heart warmed at her lovely face.

  Hendrick checked his emotions, putting his guard up again. She was too tempting for him; he needed to shut this attraction down before it got out of hand. Staying on guard is what had kept him alive this long. She is no different from any other woman. As soon as she finds out he is a Dragonvire, things would change, as they always do.

  “What the hell?” Cat swung the flashlight’s head at Hendrick. With practiced ease, Hendrick dodged the blow by ducking under her swing, “Why am I in bed with you?”

  “Don't ask me. You came in here in the middle of the night talking about chompers and sleep.” He nodded to her gray pillow which had a thick puddle of drool soaked into its middle, “You flung that on the bed and conked out within seconds. I dinna have the heart to put you back on the couch. But now, I wish I had. You’ve been rubbing against me all morning.” She looked at him with a contorted side look. He was lying there in only his boxer briefs looking up at her like she was crazy.

  She still stood on the bed, flashlight at the ready. "So, nothing happened?” She didn't remember anything sexual happening. Her dreams had been filled with chompers and hellhounds because of the Goddess. With her mind shot and body sore, Cat, didn't know what to think.

  Although, I guess that happens when chompers eat most of your body and a god has to put you back together by licking your forehead. Yep, my life isn’t weird at all.

  Cat’s eyes drifted between her hands and the flashlight, “Also, where is my gun?” She wasn’t ready to relax yet.

  Hendrick's raspy, morning voice chuckled, “I wouldn’t have done anything until you begged me to and if anything did happen, you most certainly would have remembered.” His body relaxed as he laid back into the softness of the bed. With a sigh, he crossed his legs and put his hands behind his head, “Oh, your gun is still on the couch.”

  Cat lowered herself to a sitting position on the bed giving up her fighting stance. “Someone's cocky,” she said, and with a loud thud, dropped her swinging weapon back on the mahogany nightstand. She crossed her legs and pushed her long t-shirt down to make sure she was covered. She silently thanked the Goddess that she had put on clothes before going to bed last night. If she woke up naked, this situation would have been remarkably different.

  “Not cocky, just telling the truth,” he moved in closer to her. Close enough that she could feel his warm breath on her shoulder, “When I do show you, I’ll expect a full report.” He smiled, baring all his pearly whites at her massive blush.

  Cat's body betrayed her once again. Her core inflamed so intensely, and she was sure she was going to burst into flames. The worst part was the scent of arousal her body emitted. The sweet smell was strong enough for him to fooled.

  She licked her lips, “It’s doubtful that would ever happen,” even Cat’s voice betrayed her. The sweet purr was sultry and breathy, like she was on a sex chat line.

  Hendrick let out a hearty laugh. She wouldn’t have been so affected if not for his smile. Those happy lines curving his eyes and the way his face relaxed suited him. “I like your smile,” Cat said without thinking. Her mouth fell open, and her eyes bulged out. “I mean, I like that you smile,” she shook her head trying to focus her thoughts, “Nothing.”

  “What?” Hendrick barely pushed out between laughs.

  If her cheeks weren’t red before, they were definitely a deep cherry now, “Nothing. You know what I mean,” she repeated, waving her hands around as if a fly buzzed around her head.

  “No lass, I donna think I do. Why donna ye tell me,” Hendrick was holding his stomach from the burn of laughter. He was laughing so hard even his accent slipped through his inner shields.

  She did an epic scoff, letting the sound turn into a groan. She got up, ignoring him when he protested. Hendrick was having the time of his life watching Cat stomp around as she grabbed clean clothes to change into. By the time she finished, her locks were almost red.

  Hendrick sat up, letting his chin lead the way. Did her hair really change colors? He must have imagined the fuzzy curls rimmed with crimson.

  She scampered into the bathroom before he could take a second look. The only people he ever knew that could do that were his sister species, the Sapphires. They were one of the God protectors that amplified Dragonvire’s power by the smoke they produced. And they could transform into cat guardians. That was all he knew about them.

  He shook himself. That is silly, all the Sapphires were killed. When she walked back into the room, her hair was back to its rich brown color. There’s no way she's a Sapphire. I'd be able to feel her aura, right?

  “What?” Cat stopped in her tracks after throwing her clothes in the dirty laundry basket next to the closet. She put her hands on her hips daring him to say something stupid.

  “I didn't mean to embarrass you.” He moved to the edge of the bed and pulled the black comforter off the floor.

  ***

  Cat was so taken aback by his sudden change. There was no hint of amusement, not even in his eyes. She was noticing that was his tell. The rest of him would be saying one thing, and his eyes said another.

  She wasn’t quite sure what to say, so when her stomach rumbled, the pleading noise decided for her. “I’m going to make breakfast.” Her stiff body turned away from Hendrick as she walked to the kitchen. Once she was in the kitchen though, she was better. It was good to be cooking for someone other than herself. Other than her cat, of course.

  As if Xena heard her thoughts, she came into the kitchen. She went to her perch on the kitchens window seal purring loudly.

  Cat pushed the button on her old radio, relaxing. She didn’t have enough for television, but the radio worked wonders. They played music, read books, and announced the news which was all she needed.

  She sighed a peaceful happy sigh and dove into her cooking. Bacon, eggs, toast? Potatoes…? She put her hand on her chin as she leaned against the counter beer? No, no, I better not. She was in her own little world. So much so that she didn't hear Hendrick come into the kitchen.

  Cat’s hips swished from side to side in time to the music pushing out of the speakers. She hit every beat with an expert flow, rolling her body as she chopped up potatoes and dropped them into the skillet.

  She smiled at the warm, joyful feeling her insides made from her movements. She used
to dance a lot at parties when she was in high school. But Lance ruined that for her. She met him dancing at a club. After him, there were no more dancing.

  The sweet, happy girl was gone and, in her place, was a troublemaker. She did everything from breaking into houses to trashing cars. And even hurting herself in attempts to forget that wretched night. She learned dancing helped her remember the pure happiness she once had.

  Before she got her life together, she considered herself Cathleen, a weak and vulnerable little girl. Only when she took every defense class she could and made the choice to stand up for people who were weak did she become Cat and land the job as an investigator. Shooting things helped, too.

  ***

  Hendrick crept in the kitchen like a mouse trying not to get caught; a skill he’d acquired over the years, so he didn’t disturb Cat’s cheerful movements. He couldn’t remember a time he let go and danced in such a way.

  He noticed the white walls and cabinets covered in positive quotes before settling his eyes on her. It was a small kitchen, but well put together.

  He opened his mouth. The lass has a microwave? Her job must pay well. Since the war, things like that cost an arm and leg.

  Cat caught his full attention when she pushed out her butt in a circle. It moved around in slow motion to the music, making Hendrick forget how to breathe.

  When she did it again, adding some more swaying, his eyebrows went up. Her salty movements were calling to him. He wouldn't mind those curves swaying his way.

  The oil popped next to him, stopping her movement, which had his lungs grateful, because he sucked in a big gulp of air. Cat turned around and let out a surprised squeak when she saw him.

  She put a hand on her chest, "You scared me half to death! Warn a woman when coming in."

  He put his hands up to defend himself with tenacity, and said, “Just wanted to see if you needed any help.”