Petting Them: An Anthology of Claw-ver Tails

by Tate James

  "Nope," he replies with a cheeky grin. "Come on, let me show you your room. I moved out of mine so you could have it."

  "You didn't have to do that," I protest, following him over to the stairs where he stops to pick up my suitcase for me. I want to tell him I will carry it, but then again, it’s super heavy, and he looks like he has more muscles than I do.

  "It's the only room with an ensuite. I'm happy to share with Alex and Mason, but you should have your own space," he tells me as he groans while carrying my suitcase up the stairs. I pick up my bag where it fell on the floor and follow him up the stairs.

  "Well, thank you. You didn't have to do that," I lightly say. I could deal with sharing a bathroom, I was planning to at university, but it was only with other girls. Liam has a point.

  "Nope, but my mum taught me how to be a gentleman, and that was the gentlemanly thing to do," he tells me as he puts the suitcase down on the second floor. There is another staircase going up next to the one we came up, and four doors line the hallway, two on each side. "The upstairs is Mason's space. I wouldn't go up there without an invite though."

  "I won't go into anyone's room without an invite," I say. “That would be super rude.”

  "You are always invited into mine," he tells me, grinning.

  "That was a terrible line," I reprove.

  "I know. I can do better than that," he says, and we both laugh. “What I meant is if you need anything, my door is open to you. Please don’t think you are alone here, as you’re not.” I smile at him, nodding once before he pulls my suitcase to the door next to the stairs. He opens the door and walks in, switching on a light before I follow him in. "I changed the sheets to these ones that are washed, and they are my spares, but you can keep them if you like," he tells me as I take in the room. There is a large double bed in the middle of the room, pushed against one of the walls with light blue bedding on it. There is a dresser and another door in the room which I assume is the ensuite. The window is long and showcases the frost trees outside. The trees make the room look really beautiful as the sun is just setting. There are blue curtains hanging at the sides and blinds pulled up at the top of them.

  "I can buy new ones soon, but I'd love to borrow them for now," I reply, mentally calculating that my list of things to buy is getting pretty big. "So, thank you."

  "No problem; honestly, you can keep them," he says, leaving my suitcase by the dresser.

  "Thanks," I reply, and he rubs the back of his neck.

  "You said you are going to work as a nurse, right?" he asks me, leaning against the wall with his feet crossed.

  "Yep," I reply, placing my bag on the dresser, well aware of his eyes watching me.

  "I can take you to the infirmary tomorrow morning on my way to work," he explains.

  "Thank you. That would be amazing," I answer.

  "I can't pick you up when it closes, but Mason works there too, so he should bring you back. I will ask him for you," he suggests.

  "I'd owe you both then," I reply.

  "We don't owe each other anything for favours. We familiars have to look out for each other, you know?" he says, smiling.

  "I don't actually, but I'm slowly getting the idea," I reply as honestly as I can. I’ve always only had to look after my sisters, and Grandma Dawn made that easy. It’s not the same as actually having people to trust.

  "You'll be okay, I'm going to make sure of it," he says before he smiles at me and walks to the door. "I'm off to sleep; we have to be gone at five a.m. tomorrow. I was up early today, moving this room and making this place presentable for a woman, and I’m exhausted."

  "Was it that bad before?" I question, looking around.

  "Erm...I'd rather not answer that," he says, winking at me before walking out the room, shutting the door as I can't wipe the smile from my lips. Maybe being a familiar isn't all that bad. Not with people like Liam around.

  10

  There must be something in the water

  Anastasia

  I sink into the bedsheets after unpacking my clothes and briefly using the bathroom to clean up. The bathroom is super modern, and it makes me feel bad for Liam giving me this room. I will have to cook them all dinner- though maybe a take-out as I can’t cook anything but cookies well- as thank you. I could actually make Liam some of Grandma Dawn's famous cookies. I have the recipe in my notebook which is now on the dresser. Those cookies are to die for.

  The room is warm from the stone fireplace on the one wall by the bed, and all of this should be making me tired, but instead, I can’t stop thinking about everything. Running the last day, or however long, through my mind a million times like it will actually change what happened. The only question I have no answer to which is bugging me is how to bond to Shadow. Do I need training? Is it just going to magically happen? I need to ask about that, considering Raine said people die from not bonding.

  This is not how I pictured the next few years of my life. I’d planned to finish college, move with Bethany near Phoebe, and get a nurse job. Maybe meet a guy and eventually get married. That’s the life I thought I was destined for… This life? I don’t understand, and I hate that. I feel clueless and lost. I lie back into the mattress, which is extremely comfy, and I let out a sigh as I stare at the ceiling in the dark. The darkness of the room feels empty, quiet, and after today, it is comforting.

  It's eight p.m. which is early for me to go to sleep, so that might be why I can’t stop thinking, but I know I should go to sleep with what is setting to be a long day tomorrow. I’d usually scroll Facebook and Twitter until I fall asleep, but that isn’t happening tonight. I've already checked my phone and laptop, figuring out in a matter of minutes that both of them have no signal. So there goes my sneaky plan of just calling Bethany and Phoebe to chat with them. To just tell them I am okay, and I will work hard to see them soon. I hope they at least have a TV in this place, but as I think about the entrance to the cabin, I don't remember seeing one around.

  I can live without the internet—barely—but not Netflix. Nope. I need my Netflix nights in with popcorn, comfy pyjamas and pop. It's my Saturday night ritual since I got it. I used to watch movies before, every Saturday with Bethany and Phoebe, usually old ones we could afford to get. Grandma Dawn used to make sure we had popcorn and some chocolate to watch a movie we would rent from a local store. I think back to last weekend, the movie night I had with Phoebe before I left, and it hurts just to think it will be a long time before I get to sit with my sisters again. It feels like I've lost them, which I know is ridiculous, but it does feel that way nonetheless.

  I have to keep reminding myself that Hugh promised me I could see them if I get through this. If anyone can get through this, it is me. I just have to ignore the hot distractions I now live with and focus on the new job—being a nurse. I also have to focus on bonding with Shadow, which means I have my hands full without adding guys into the mix. I feel like I’m becoming my sister with how much I can’t stop thinking about Liam, his cute and sexy nature that could win any girl over. Then there is Alex, who is every girl’s bad boy dream. Though I know he wouldn’t be interested in me, I can’t help but think about what it would be like to date someone like him. Although with how he looked at me before, I’d end up in tears, running away after even two horrible words came out his mouth. If he was mute…well then, he would be perfect, I reckon.

  There are two firm knocks on my door that make me sit up straight in surprise, jiggering me out of my thoughts. Who would be knocking on my door? I guess it's normal to be a little bit jumpy in a new place like this. Bethany told me she couldn't sleep well for days when we all moved into Grandma Dawn's house after bouncing around a few foster houses for a long time. I don't remember moving in all that much, but funnily enough, I remember the cookies Grandma Dawn made us as a welcome gift and that her house smelt of lavender. I shake my head as someone knocks once more on the door, and I know I have to answer it. It's Liam telling me something he forgot earlier or a Wi-Fi password. Damn
, that would make me so happy. I could go find out more about familiars. I'd planned to google familiars and find out everything I could tonight to make me relax a little more, but with no signal, that isn’t happening. I'm still as clueless as ever.

  I walk to the door and open it up, my mouth nearly popping open at the sight of the guy in front of me. He is stunning. I wouldn't even be a little surprised if he misplaced my room for a model photoshoot. His black hair is shaved short on one side. His pierced right eyebrow is raised quizzically at me as I stare at his high cheekbones and a full beard. His beard matches his hair in colour, but it is well kept and even looks soft to touch. I mentally remind myself I have to talk rather than touch a stranger’s beard though.

  "Hey, I'm Mason, and I live here too. I thought introducing myself would be a good idea before we met in the morning. I'm not a morning person, and I don't want you to think I'm an asshole," he states, holding out a massive hand that matches his well over 6 foot self. I slide my hand into his, which engulfs my hand before he lets go.

  "I'm Anastasia. Nice to meet you," I reply. "And I'm sorry in advance, I'm a morning person and usually pretty chipper in the morning." He laughs deeply, which sends shivers all over my skin.

  "Well, I'm better in the morning…with at least two cups of coffee,” he replies, and I grin.

  “I’ll remember that,” I reply, leaning against the door frame as we both smile at each other. I’m thrown by the fact I’m clearly flirting well with this guy and not blurting out random stuff like I usually do. I actually feel safe around him, and for a moment, I know he feels the same as I see the confusion on his face that I’m sure mimics mine. He coughs and steps back, sliding his hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

  “Anyways, Liam mentioned you are working at the infirmary, and I finish when they do, so I can take you back home or wherever you want a lift to. I would take you there myself, but I'm going in late as I have to get supplies," he explains to me.

  "Supplies?" I question, knowing it’s none of my business, but I’m curious what he is doing.

  "Yeah, I’m building a new side building for the infirmary. I will be working on it with my team for the next few months at least. I'm happy to give you lifts when I can. Well, at least until you get your own car," he explains to me. Ah, he builds things. That explains the muscular arms and chest. It's going to be a long time before I get a car, considering I can't drive, and I've never been taught how to. Driving lessons are expensive, and money is not something we had to spare. I just hope I can buy a bike or something similar to ride around in. I don't want to be borrowing lifts from these guys forever. I don't like feeling like I owe anyone, and that would mean I owe them big time. I try to distract myself by glancing at Mason's hand, seeing the glowing purple mark. It's an eagle, large enough to cover his hand, and the beak spreads over his thumb.

  "Wow, your familiar is an eagle?" I ask, and he nods, using that hand to rub the back of his neck and showing off his muscular arm which has an arrow tattoo on the side. I don’t know why I decide to tell him something extremely personal, but I do. "When I was younger, I used to volunteer at a local rescue for something to do in my spare time. I love my foster parent, but she liked to knit and watch old shows for fun, which I didn’t. Anyway, there was a beautiful eagle there which had been used as bait for dog hunting. She was rescued, but no one could go near her, she didn't trust humans. I was eleven when I walked straight up to her and held my hand out, despite the warnings of everyone around me. She trusted me from that point for some reason, and she let me feed her. Sadly, she died a few months later from an infection in the dog bite mark on her wing, but in that short time, I grew a bond with her."

  "Wow, that was brave of you to go so close. I'm sorry she died and had such a bad past. Humans can be cruel to animals, and it’s wrong. They should protect animals, admire their beauty and strength, instead of treating them the way they do. That's not something you will see here, familiar animals are treated as our equals," he tells me, speaking so passionately about the protection of animals, and funnily enough, his words kind of remind me of a speech I gave to my younger sister once.

  "I agree completely," I say, smiling at him, knowing this is a guy I want to be friends with.

  "Would you like to come and meet Hex?" Mason asks, clearly meaning his familiar. "I'd not usually introduce people to him as they get a little freaked out and run away, but as you’ve been around eagles before..."

  "I'd love to meet him...but how many people have run away, if you don’t mind me asking? It must be hard to bring a date home if Hex scares them off," I ask, and he laughs once again. Damn, his laugh is so sexy, it's almost painful. I've never been interested in guys after my high school boyfriend. He dumped me the day after he took my virginity, and I was left with nothing but a two minute memory of crappy sex. I've been on a few dates to keep my sisters happy, but there was nothing interesting about them. Mason, Liam and even Alexander are a different breed of guys altogether. Crap, I'm in trouble. I can't spend all my time staring at them, I have much more important things to worry about, but I can become their friend. That's perfectly non-distractible. Kinda.

  "Well, I can't take girls home without them running out the door, screaming. Hex doesn't like people in general. It took months for him to put up with Liam and Alex," he tells me and nods his head behind him. "Come on up. I promise he won't hurt you."

  "I wasn't scared of Shadow or Silver when I met them. I can usually get a feel for when an animal doesn't like me," I tell him as I walk out and close the door behind me. The more I think about how close I’ve always been to animals, how I’ve volunteered at shelters for fun…the more I realise I was meant to be a familiar. The thought is pretty shocking.

  The light into the corridor hits the glitter on my top, making the corridor sparkle for a moment before I step forward. It's only then I realise I'm in my pyjamas that are anything but attractive. They have unicorns all over them, and they are super baggy as they are two sizes too big. I also realise I’m not wearing a bra, and my large breasts are not hidden totally under my shirt. The unicorn horns actually have sparkling glitter sequins over my nipples. I have freakin’ sparkling glitter nipples when I’m talking to a hot guy for the first time. Bethany wouldn’t be able to stop laughing if she were here. Mason seems to not notice until this moment as he looks back, running his eyes over my pyjamas before meeting my eyes.

  "So…you like unicorns?" he asks, trying not to smile, but I see it as he looks back while he walks to the end of the stairs, with me right behind him.

  "Not exactly...my sister does, and this was a present from her. I put it on for a comfort, to remind me of her, though now, saying that out loud seems stupid," I mutter, pulling at the end of my shirt.

  "It's not stupid at all, Anastasia," he says, stopping right before the stairs up to the next floor. He pulls his sleeve up, showing me a pink bracelet with a flower in the middle. It's one of those handmade friendship bracelets. "My sister made me this the day before I became a familiar. She tied it on my wrist, and I've never taken it off. My parents won't bring her here to see me, and she is only five. It will be a long time before she is old enough to visit me on her own, and she won’t remember me then. I wear this because it's a memory and a comfort."

  "She will remember you, Mason. I don't think anyone could forget you," I blurt out, feeling my cheeks burning brightly when I realise I just gave him a compliment.

  "I hope so," Mason says, the corner of his lips tilted up a tad, but he doesn't call me out on my compliment and starts walking up the stairs. The wood floors feel freezing cold against my feet as I walk up the staircase after him, which opens into one large room with a massive open balcony overlooking the forest. There is a low double bed in the middle on top of a red rug that matches the deep burgundy sheets, and a fur blanket lies at the end. A pile of washing sits in one corner next to a wardrobe and a large chest box with some books on top of it. The books look old, worn down, and most of them have
black bindings. There is another door in the room which is slightly open, showing me a bathroom with a big bathtub. The room is comfy and masculine and suits Mason. I’m taking a wild guess he likes the colour dark red.

  "Ready?" Mason asks, walking around the bed to the balcony. The look he gives me is a dare to run away. It makes me smile because he doesn’t know me at all yet; I don’t run away from what scares me. I wasn’t taught to do that, and I know that it never solves the problem. If you can face what scares you, then you are braver than you know. Or I heard Grandma Dawn telling Bethany something like that once, and I’ve never forgotten it. I nod at him before I follow him to the balcony, but I don't actually step onto it.

  Mason puts his two fingers in his mouth and lets out a long whistle. The whistle seems to echo through the silent, cold forest, and a few moments later, I hear the sound of wings. I pop my head out on the balcony to look up as a large shadow flies straight towards us, getting bigger and bigger the nearer it gets.

  As it gets closer, the shadow changes into a massive eagle, all black with little white feathers on the ends of his wings. Other than that, he could easily blend into the night, and you'd never see him coming. Hex lands with a clatter on the wooden balcony, his eyes locking onto me as Mason walks up to him. Hex doesn't even look away from me as Mason whispers something to him and strokes his shoulder. I decide to be brave and break eye contact with him, knowing it’s not a good idea to challenge Hex when I’m in his space.

  I lower my head and slowly hold out my hand, keeping it flat. Usually, they say you shouldn’t put your hands out for birds because they see it as an attack, and instead, you should put your head towards them in trust. I don’t believe that though. I’ve always put my hand out as a sign of trust, and it has worked. I don't move as I feel Mason's hand smooth over mine, stroking my hand slowly, and I look up to see him stood near me. Mason links his fingers with mine, making my breath hitch in the back of my throat as we step together to a waiting Hex. Mason gently undoes our hands and presses my hand onto Hex’s forehead. Hex doesn’t move for a moment before rubbing his head further into my hand, and I stroke down his long neck before moving my hand away and stepping back to Mason’s side. Hex is a giant of an eagle, big enough to have a person actually flying on his back, I reckon. Hex slowly lowers his head in a bow, and I look up at Mason in confusion.