Ocelot of Trouble

by Zenina Masters

  Mina didn’t have an answer, so she sipped again and then turned with the intention of returning to her table.

  He really should not have been standing there when she turned around.

  The hot pink colour of the drink absorbed into the starched white of his shirt and spread from his collarbone down toward his navel. She looked up and met his gaze for a moment before she did what her instincts urged her to do. She ran as far and as fast as she could.

  * * * *

  Robar looked down at the sticky mess that used to be one of his favourite shirts and then at the retreating figure of the woman with blood-red hair and a pert little nose.

  “I am guessing that she was in a hurry.” His absent comment caught the attention of the bartender.

  “She is usually in a hurry. I can get you some club soda for that.”

  Robar sighed. “Never mind. I will just discard it. What is her problem?”

  The serpentine bartender scowled. “She doesn’t have a problem; she is just a little uncoordinated when she gets close to a male. If you are interested, just stay at arm’s length.”

  “I hardly know if I am interested or not. How could I be if I can’t get close enough to her to determine anything?”

  The bartender shrugged. “Follow your instincts. I have seen your little entourage, and I will guess that you have just determined that none of them are mate material.”

  Robar jolted. “How can you know that?”

  “This is not my first rodeo. I have seen men like you come here with old flames, hoping to rekindle something into a blaze. It never works.” The bartender nodded. “Can I get you something?”

  “No. I will head out into the woods and go for a run. This night is a total write-off.”

  “The north woods are usually pretty empty at this time of night. You should have plenty of cover for a safe run.”

  Robar scowled and plucked at his shirt. “Thanks for that.”

  Maintaining dignity while being covered in frapped fruit was difficult, but he straightened his shoulders and left the bar. A night run was just what he needed.

  * * * *

  Mina crouched in the trees and watched the nightlife beneath her. A few large predators crept past on their way to a tryst, but Mina kept her vigil up high in the trees.

  It was rather sad that the only place she felt in control lately was inside the body of her beast.

  She didn’t know what it was that made her so damned awkward and dangerous when the opposite sex was around, but it was much easier to deal with the world in general when she was in her fur.

  Her ocelot form came with excellent vision, a sense of smell that was sometimes inconvenient and a set of claws that were still less dangerous than her human form.

  Hiding up in a tree was an attractive option every day of her life, and she was pleased to be able to indulge it.

  She watched the traffic beneath her, and her beast perked up when a male fox sauntered through the path worn by claws and paws.

  Mina tensed and watched him. His pointed ears, bushy tail and confident prance were hypnotic. He sprinted off down the path, and she fought the urge to follow him.

  It was an hour later when he sashayed back into her field of vision. He sat and yawned, stretching his body out and flicking his tail.

  Mina couldn’t resist. He was about her size and she wanted to play.

  With smooth moves, she came down from the tree and sat across from him. He blinked and cocked his head.

  Mina lowered her head and raised her haunches, lashing her tail playfully.

  He mimicked her, and she pounced on him, knocking him flat before she streaked through the woods and into the meadow.

  He made a high-pitched bark as he chased after her, and she quickly changed direction, leapt into the air and twisted, landing on his fluffy tail.

  He yelped and stopped suddenly.

  Mina jumped to the side and crouched low while her playmate made sure that his tail was still attached. He mimicked her and his ears went back. She watched his nose twitch, and the moment he jumped, she met him in mid-air.

  Her paws were soft, claws held in as she wrestled with him. It was fun to pit beast against beast, but when they were both done rolling around, she flopped on her belly and yawned.

  He sat next to her and rubbed his body against hers, using her for support as he yawned and blinked sleepily.

  Mina was happy. Sure, the next day she was going to be back in her human form and looking for a man who could dodge the bad luck that she brought with every step and gesture, but tonight, her beast had a playmate that smelled like musk and strawberries.

  For this one piece of time, life was good.

  She sighed and enjoyed the feel of the warm body against her own. His fur wasn’t as soft as hers, but the differences made it more enjoyable.

  Mina wriggled against him and closed her eyes for just a moment, pretending that this was normal and she could enjoy the sensation whenever she pleased.

  After a few minutes, the feeling of a sharply pointed muzzle lapping at her made her sit up and blink at her companion. He licked at her neck and cheek. She backed away in confusion. She had just wanted to play, and he was starting something else entirely.

  When he started to shift into his human form, she ran. Being faced with a naked male was off the agenda for the evening.

  He shouted after her, but she kept running until she reached the safety of the predator hostel. She shifted to human in order to open the door and quickly ducked inside. She was sharing the hostel with two wolves and a lioness, but none of them were home from the rest of the Crossroads yet.

  Her room was a quiet haven. If she could, she would not leave it for the disasters awaiting her outside its confines.

  Mina sighed and smiled at the small moment of happiness that she had just experienced. It seemed forever since she had just played with another shifter.

  She hoped that the fox wasn’t good at matching people to their animals. She was looking forward to another romp through the woods but would not have the nerve if he knew who she was.

  Mina slipped on a robe and headed into the shower. A quick scrub and a good night’s sleep and she would be up for the following day’s trials. It was a hope that she would cling to until it was proven to be wrong once again.

  Optimism was as much a part of her life as the damage that she inflicted on the men in her life. Somehow, they kept a fairly even appearance in her life, hope and disaster, neck and neck.

  Chapter Four

  The knock on her door had Mina jumping in panic. “Yes?”

  The door opened and Teal entered. “Mina, we have been observing you for the last few days, and you have a problem.”

  Mina tucked her shirt into her jeans and sighed. “I believe that I mentioned that when I first came to the Crossroads.”

  “This goes beyond social awkwardness. You have magic sticking to you, and you need to get it sorted.” Teal’s expression was serious.

  Mina snorted. “Magic? Shifters don’t deal with magic.”

  “How do you think you got here? Magic makes us change our forms, and it also has been flaring around you in an evil aura every time you get near a man.”

  “You can see it?”

  “Not me…Chuck. He has been watching you in an effort to help diagnose your problem.”

  “Well, that explains his attentive nature.”

  “He is that attentive to anyone that he and his mate get along with.”

  Mina quickly ran a brush through her hair and put it up in a ponytail. “Okay. Where are we going to get me a diagnosis and how much extra will it cost?”

  “Nothing extra. When you were granted access to the Crossroads, it was with the assumption that we would be able to help you find a match. In your current condition, that isn’t likely.”

  Teal smiled brightly. “Come along. Teebie makes the most wonderful breakfast. You can eat there.”

  The thought of breakfast brought her to attention m
ore than anything previously mentioned. Sure, she knew that there had to be another influence somewhere that was helping her clumsiness along, but she hadn’t thought that it was external.

  Fully dressed, she left the hostel at Teal’s side, walking through the early morning in the Crossroads. Shipments of supplies were being trundled in to the café and restaurant. Jim was bringing a stack of pallets to the bar, and he waved cheerfully at Mina as they passed.

  “I see you have made a few friends since you have been here.” Teal was chuckling.

  “One or two. I make friends easily as long as they don’t have any designs on me romantically.”

  “I see. Well, you will enjoy meeting Teebie then. She is the newest addition to the management of the Crossroads.”

  “What kind of a shifter is she?”

  “One of a kind, my dear. One of a kind.”

  Curious, Mina looked forward to meeting a specialist in matters of magic. If her problem was caused by outside influences, she was eager to find the cause.

  The Open Heart Bed and Breakfast was prim, proper and excellently maintained. The door swung open to admit them, and Teal led her inside and to the left where a table was set and a coffee carafe was waiting for them.

  Mina blinked in surprise as a woman in a navy day dress with a white apron stepped forward. Her blue-purple skin would be eye catching under any circumstances, but here at the Crossroads, it was truly extraordinary.

  “Welcome to the Open Heart, Mina. I am Teebie.”

  “Thank you for the welcome, Teebie. I am grateful for any insight you can give me on this matter.”

  Teebie gestured for her and Teal to sit. “This will be easier if you relax and have something to eat. Your aura will settle, and I will be able to pinpoint the spike points.”

  No one had to tell Mina twice. She took two muffins onto her plate and poured coffee for all three of them.

  Teebie took her cup with an inclination of her head and a graceful lift of her hand. Cream and sugar measured themselves into her cup without being touched physically.

  Mina fixed her own coffee and bit into one of the muffins. She groaned at the light and buttery taste of the blueberry muffin. “These are amazing.”

  “Thank you, it is my aunt’s recipe.”

  “It is wonderful. My compliments to both you and your aunt.” Mina smiled happily and munched away.

  Teebie grinned, her teeth white against the vivid colouration of her skin. “I will tell her. Now, just relax and tell me about the first time you noticed a problem with the opposite sex.”

  Mina thought back and reached for another muffin. “I was fifteen. I had been asked out on my second date of my entire life, and it was a complete disaster.”

  “Describe it.”

  “Daryll was meeting me at the library, and his bike not only had a flat tire, but the welds of his bicycle gave way and it fell apart on the way. He was a wreck when he arrived, so we went for ice cream. He developed a violent lactose intolerance that kicked in after he had the first few bites. I never went out with him again.”

  Teal winced. “It sounds unfortunate.”

  “At least Daryll didn’t break anything. He had had a crush on me for a while but had only just gotten up the nerve to ask me out after Thomas was bragging that he was my first date.”

  Teebie’s eyes were glowing a strange gold. “Who was Thomas?”

  “Thomas was a shy guy who kept to himself. We went to a movie and a dinner with a group of kids from the community centre, but the next time he asked me out, I had to say no. He was just too creepy, always staring into my eyes and telling me that I was the woman of his dreams.”

  Teebie whispered, “What happened to him?”

  “His family moved away halfway through the school year. I never saw him in person again, though he has appeared in my nightmares over the years.”

  That got the attention of both women. As one, they said, “Really?”

  “Yeah. Anytime I dream of another man, he appears and twists the dream into something painful for the male who has interest in me.”

  Mina could feel a warmth spilling over her and knew that Teebie was the cause. Her memories were being gently turned over, one by one. Mina kept herself calm with pouring coffee and eating muffins.

  Half an hour passed, and finally, Teebie jerked her head up and smiled. “I think I have it. It will require more research, but I should have a prescription for you sometime today.”

  “A what?”

  “A means to break the curse, for an actual curse is what is causing you this problem.” Teebie blinked and held up her hand. A small medallion appeared in her palm. “This will show you when the curse activates. A small glow will let you know when the effect is occurring. At least you will be aware of it until I can do some research with Teal and come up with a treatment plan.”

  The small medallion had a strange glyph on it. When Mina took it, it flared brightly for a moment. “What does that symbol mean?”

  Teebie smiled. “It is the djinn word for see. It is one of the only glyphs I could use that would not interfere or alter the magic that is wrapped around you. Can you see it yet?”

  Mina looked down and her eyes widened. She was wrapped in energy from ankle to shoulder. It was on the outside of her skin in a web of light. “Is this on me all the time?”

  Teebie nodded. “It activates when someone shows interest in you. The more intense the attraction, the more violent the spur of energy. Does it ever happen when you are shifted?”

  Blinking, Mina shook her head. “No. When I am in my other form, I am just me. I can interact with other people’s beasts without incident.”

  “So, the curse is attached to your human form. That is good. It means there is room to skim out from under it. I will try to find a cure, but…”

  “What?” Teal asked it.

  “It would be easier if I could see it in action. Has there been any male here with interest in you that was answered by a show of disaster?” Teebie’s expression had all the seriousness of an investigating doctor.

  Mina bit her lip. “Um. There was a man last night. I didn’t really meet him, but he was the recipient of two spilled drinks that I had been holding.”

  A masculine voice spoke from the doorway. “It is a good thing that I like strawberries.”

  Mina froze as she watched the attractive male from the night before enter the dining room and fix himself a plate and a cup of coffee.

  “Robar, I did wonder at the décor on your shirt when you returned.” Teebie smiled slyly.

  “It was my own fault. I should never sneak up on a lovely lady in the crowded confines of a bar.” He raised his coffee to her. “Good morning, miss.”

  Mina felt the scarlet colour flooding her cheeks. “Good morning.”

  Teal made the introductions. “Mina Lancaster, I would like to introduce Robar Pickwik.”

  Robar got to his feet and bowed slightly. “I am pleased to meet you, Mina.”

  He exhaled on her name, and she felt a warmth run up her spine. “Nice to meet you, Robar.”

  He grinned and sat back down, “Teebie, what do you need me to do?”

  “Be attracted to Mina.”

  “Done.” He grinned and lifted his coffee to his lips.

  For the first time in her life, Mina saw the spike of energy that shot out from around her body, and she watched it strike his hand, causing a cascade of hot coffee to nearly emasculate him.

  He jumped up, and the table rattled as he brushed at his trousers.

  Mina’s mortification knew no bounds, but learning that it wasn’t simply proximity to her that was causing the problem gave her a sense of relief. “I am sorry about that.”

  “No worries, Mina. I have plenty of clothing. Teebie, did you see what you needed to?”

  Teebie grinned. “I did indeed. Thank you, Robar.”

  He smiled. “Pardon me, ladies. I will return shortly.”

  Mina watched him go and then asked, “Has that h
appened every time?”

  Teebie waved her hand and a huge tome appeared in front of her. “Yes. I am guessing that Thomas was an untrained mage. It would explain why his parents moved him away instead of forcing him to remove his curse. Many magical families try to ignore the power until they are brought to heel by the guilds.”

  “Were they on the run, do you think?”

  Teal shrugged. “Stranger things have happened. If his first spell was a curse, he would have been from one of the darker guilds and that might have frightened his parents.”

  “Don’t the children belong to the same guild as their parents?”

  “Not really. They can pop randomly just like shifters do. It could be that his parents were unprepared for his talent and tried to hide it from their guild and his.”

  Mina blinked. She hadn’t thought of that. Sure, it was not uncommon for a shifter family to have a member who did not match the rest of them. Mythical animals popped randomly, and ancestors chipped in their genes now and then to bring an ancient creature back into modern day. Mina’s aunt Reyna was a turtle, as were her cousins. They fit in just fine at the ocelot events. She had never thought of how it would work with magical humans.

  Teebie opened the huge tome, and she slowly turned the pages, looking for something in particular.

  Mina looked at Teal. “What now?”

  “Go about your day. I am sure she will call you if she finds something.”

  Mina got to her feet. “Thank you for your help, Teal, Teebie. Just knowing that it isn’t all me has been a tremendous help.”

  Teebie looked up, winked and said, “The charm will let you know when I find something.”

  Teal reached for another muffin. “I will come and find you if the charm doesn’t get your attention.”

  Mina sighed. She was being dismissed. “All right. I am off to help Lee with inventory. I will see you later. Thanks again.”

  She grabbed a muffin for the road and headed out of the bed and breakfast with a lightening of her heart taking hold and elevating her mood. She was getting help, and with luck, they would find a cure for the disaster that followed her everywhere.