Faline

We leave the bathroom but stop outside it as the healer and I try to arrange times to meet up again and where I can be found.

"You're most likely to find me in the kitchen, just like last time. If I'm not there or checking on those here, the head honcho more than likely has me cooped up in her quarters."

Can tell by my expression what I think about that. She nods, Danica looking on with wide eyes. Thankfully, the draw the Changeling has when human isn't as strong when in beast form. It’s still there, but just a little more than what it would be to touch a wild, beautiful creature. For some people anyway.

While she and the girl go one way, we go the other. Turning to Seth, I ask what he's supposed to do when I'm passed out. He shrugs, but he looks just as tired as I do.

Making our way down the hall, my back starts prickling as if I'm being watched. Looking behind me shows no one, but when looking forward once more, there's a Vamp leaning on the wall. The hallway branches off that way, leaving an almost blind corner.

I groan in annoyance, the two males with me stiffening when I do. Leidolf's hackles rise, and even though I can't and don't blame him, this isn't his fight. My height reaches four feet eleven and a half inches, so basically five-foot, the wolf next to me is over three feet at his shoulder.

That isn't including neck and head mind you, so he's pretty damn big. A hand reaches out and lays between his ears as I try calming him. He startles before noticing it's me, then calms. Well, as much as he'd been before I touched him anyway.

"What do you want, Max? You ready for round two? Looks like you have all your pieces back...for the most part. Interested in losing them again?"

This asshole, Max, had been the one that Madaline sent after me while she was trying to lure Nicolaus away. He was in his late teens when a Vampire got a hold of him, only just started to bulk out when he became undead. Didn't even get a chance to grow a single mustache or beard hair.

His creepy, dirty blonde hair still curls under at his shoulders like some centuries-old boy, but he's nowhere near that age. I'd taken him down way too easy for him to be that old. Had surprise in my favor, but still. Dark eyes glare at me from a face once more decked out in metal.

I raise an eyebrow as I stop moving forward, looking over all the piercings he has this time. Two loops on each side of his bottom lip; believe that's called a shark bite. Labret stud under his lip, a septum ring, loop in his nostrils, three to four barbells in each eyebrow, and ears done all the way up, outside and inside.

Christ.

He really didn't learn from the last time. When he came at me before, I'd nearly taken off his nose, the left side of his face was shredded, and the ear on that side was ripped off and totally gone. Thin lips had gotten torn to ribbons, his right shoulder had been a mess, and I left claw scrapes on his skull. Even got some decent body shots in.

Sadly, it has all healed and healed perfectly. Not a single mark to show that I almost ripped his face off. Depressing.

"Thought you'd learn not to have all that metal in your face. Nose all healed? Ear grew back? Aren't you lucky, we wouldn't want you to look all fucked up for the women you abuse."

Max's face has a mocking look to it, but the anger is shown in his eyes. Glancing over Seth on my right side and Leidolf on my left, dark eyes meet mine in disgust. Here we go.

"You refuse the touch of your own for pets? That's low."

I roll my eyes at him, looking bored.

"You bet. I would rather sleep with rats than be touched by one like you."

Total truth there, my friends. Being Vampire is one thing, being one like him is different. I was brought into this world by one much like him - I've gotten my fill.

Rude noise comes from his parted lips, flashing fang. His face darkens as he moves to step forward, but when I move to do the same, he stops. I keep my face pleasant, but still bored. His next words have me recoiling, taking that step back.

"Don't care if you are the one that everyone's talking about; being part of some old prophecy. I will have you the first chance I get. Sister won't be around to save you when I get a hold of that pretty ass of yours."

Leidolf growls and steps forward before I put a hand on him again. I run my eyes up and down the undead freak in front of me, unimpressed, and I show him as much with my expression.

"Anytime you think you have the balls to come at me again, please do so. Because of my 'sister', I'm always itching to get into a good fight. Although I don't think you'll pose much of a challenge. I've ripped you up before; won't be hard to do again, but by all means - come at me, bro. Lemme share a secret with you though."

I lean forward, gold eyes glinting at him.

"While I was gone, I was practicing with several Weres."

His eyes do widen a little, but he manages to pull off disinterest. Not sure if he's ever seen just how different the strengths are between the two species, so my words may be lost on him. Standing upright once more, I make the motion for him to shoo.

"Run along now, I'm too tired to deal with your punk ass right now. Would end too quickly, and I want to enjoy ripping into you again."

He smirks at me, fury blazing in his eyes. Max does step away though, bravely turning his back and walking down the way he came. I don't relax till I see he's totally gone. I recognize his animal this time.

Bobcat.

"You sure do know how to make friends, don't you?"

Seth sounds amused, but I see his claws slowly retreating.

"When they've tried to get me before, you bet. Madaline had sent him after me once, think they both learned something that day."

His brow lifts while he picks at the loincloth on his hips, asking 'what' shortly after. I smirk at him.

"That I have very sharp claws."

Light brown eyes roll as he shakes his head. Looking at the wolf to my other side, I explain a bit more for him.

"That was Max; Vampire piss ant. Not sure how old he is, but it can't be that old. I was able to do too much damage. He, obviously, is one I have to watch out for. The other big one is Madaline; stank bitch. You'll know her by the messed up outfits and heavy perfume usage. About killed me the first time I met her just from the bath she'd taken in the stuff. Her animal is a lynx."

I smirk again as we make our way forward, almost to the room.

"She came at me once in the solarium, both of us in animal form. Pussycat made the mistake of assuming I wouldn't hurt her. I ripped the fur and skin from her tail."

Thinking of the other times we'd crossed paths, I have to laugh.

"She and I have had multiple unpleasant encounters. Managed to get peppered meat shoved into her mouth when she tried attacking once, then actually did what I said to get water to flush it out of her mouth."

They look a little lost on that one.

"Vampires can't eat real food, which I'm sure you know. Our taste buds have changed completely, so nothing tastes as it did before becoming one. Peppers literally burn our mouths and water makes it much worse."

Still depressed that I can't taste food myself, that hasn't changed. Dodged a major bullet on the pepper though. I'd only had a little on my tongue, she had quite a bit shoved into her whole mouth.

Orion has his arms crossed when we get to the doorway. Judging by the sparkling black of his eyes, I'd say he heard what happened.

"Did you miss the whole point of laying low? To not draw attention to yourself?"

I smile innocently up at him.

"Would appear so. Not like I could avoid it though; he was waiting for me. If I'd been alone, I'm sure he would have tried again, but since I have wolves with me, he backed off. Seems to think I sleep with them all."

His eyebrow rises at that, so I nod and laugh. I've only had intimate contact with two people, both Vampire. Don't think Orion knows about Lady, but I know he knows about Nicolaus, being converted by him an all.

Looking into the room, there are fuzzballs everywhere. Various sizes, colors, and species. Would appear word got around since there are way more bodies in here than there was before.

My eyes slide back to Orion in question. Not upset, just curious. He shrugs and looks in as well. A couple of wolves, a bobcat, couple more servals, a leopard, and another hyena have joined the fur mass.

"Many heard about the newcomers and what you had arranged for this room. They came by and asked if they could help or just join for rest. Didn't think you'd mind, so I let them in."

I shake my head and smile. Looks much like how my sister's basement has looked, just without a human boy in the middle. Few are even laying over each other or using others as pillows.

Picking out Thessily, or what I think is her clouded leopard, she and the rest I brought in are all passed out. The newer animals poke their heads up, but when they go to move, I shake my head and motion them to stay. Grateful eyes abound before closing.

"With so many animals here, we may need to get a couple of rooms set up like this. Trisha didn't know that sleeping near each other like this can promote healing and even give comfort. Now that she does, I'm hoping that others can feel free to do so without being scolded."

There's still more room in here, would be even more if a couple of bed frames are taken out. Since the subs don't all sleep at the same time, I don't think another room will be needed, but I'll keep the option open. I motion Leidolf in, but he stays at my side, yawning as he does so.

I purse my lips at him, but he just looks at me. Sighing, I turn back to Orion.

"I'm too tired to fight with Lady about sleeping arrangements right now. If she happens by and tries to bust your chops about it, wake me and I'll set her straight."

Amusement crosses his face with raised brows, Seth does much the same. Stepping just in and to the side, I don't even remove clothes first, I just shift right there. Clothes get tangled around me, but I get out of them easily enough.

Curling up on them, I make sure my sister's blade is under my body. Leidolf lowers next to me and works at trying to get comfortable. When he eventually does, the Werewolf outside the room shifts to his wolf and lays in front of the door.

Orion stands next to it in his previous spot. The way I'm curled up, I can just see him. His head pokes in and nods to me, telling me to rest, so I close my eyes.