Caging the Bengal Tiger

by Trinity Blacio

  ***

  The trip to Dan's parents’ house had been a surprise. Not only had he been welcomed into the family, but every male had come to him to offer their support and services. His little, well, not so little in size, brother was the biggest surprise. Smarter then he let on, Eric studied everything that transpired around him.

  "He will be one of you soon, I'm afraid. I don't know when or how it will happen," Hong informed him and the others. Dan stiffened and glanced at him.

  "Do all his predictions come true?" Dan asked looking to his brother then to him.

  "Yes." He reached over Lacey and squeezed his shoulder. "We'll watch him and make sure we're there for him. At least we know where he'll be living. I'll have a few warriors check on the house. We don't want your landlady getting hurt too."

  "This is going to kill my mom," Dan said, looking over at his mother.

  "I think your mother is stronger then you give her credit, but at least he'll be saved, Dan. You'll have a brother who will be with us," Lacey said, looking down at her plate. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm stuffed." Their Lady Cat said, trying to change the subject, but Dan still watched his brother till Eric lifted his gaze to him, questioning him.

  "You can't say anything, Dan. He'll be looking over his shoulder every time he turns around and that’s no way to live," Isaac told him, and looked to his parents.

  "I'm afraid we can't stay any longer. We have one more stop before we call it a night, but as soon as we are settled, we'll have you over for one of Anthony's dinners," Isaac said and stood. Feeling Lacey's hand on his arm, he looked down and nodded to Dan who was making his way to his brother.

  "Dan," Isaac yelled, shocking everyone.

  "I have no choice," he said and asked Eric to follow him out of the room, but he wasn't the only one. His parents followed them into the living room.

  "What's going on?" Dorothy asked, looking from Dan to Isaac.

  "Mom, I need to speak with Eric alone," Dan stated, but his mom crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

  "Daniel Edwards, you will spill it right now for all of us to hear it. We are a unit and we do everything together. It's the only thing that’s kept us together. You know this." She tapped her foot, waiting.

  Isaac shook his head. "Why doesn't everyone sit and I'll try and explain what I've learned." Isaac sat down on the couch and pulled Lacey on his lap. "Dan sit," he patted the couch next to him, knowing that having Lacey next to him would help ease the guilt he was feeling.

  "Mrs. Edwards, as you said before, I have a friend who uses me as an anchor when he is in this world. Sometimes, like you, he knows things or things are shown to him. Well, it seems your other son Eric will also be joining our ranks soon. I don't know when or how, but Eric, you will be as Dan is now," he informed the group.

  At first no one said a thing and then the talking started. Thomas whistled and stopped all the talking.

  "Is there any way to change this outcome?" he asked.

  "No," Isaac stated. "Is it so bad to be one of us? It's not like he'll be alone. He will have his brother and us to guide him till he finds his kith. He already is a warrior at heart and with his intelligence. He will be an asset to our king."

  Standing up, Dorothy nodded. "You're right. Eric was always following his older brother’s footsteps. I'd rather see him with you, then dead and that is not meant as a negative, Isaac." She smiled. "Your king is something else, that’s for sure. I thought for sure his wife was going to clobber him a good one when they came to visit. Yes, it does me proud to have my sons with you and Lacey. If you'll wait right there, I have something for you." She ran out of the room taking two of Dan's cousins with him.

  "Okay, what is she doing?" Lacey looked at Dan who shrugged.

  "I have no idea. I told you Mom does her own thing, but you were right about how she would react," Dan glanced at his father who was still deep in thought.

  "Eric, son, how are you dealing with all this?" his father finally asked, turning towards him.

  Leaning against the wall, Eric shrugged. "There really isn't much to think about. If it's going to happen, let it." He turned his gaze on Lacey. "If I get to have a woman like her, I'll consider myself lucky, not to mention men who are important to me as well. Plus, like Isaac said, I'd be with Dan. Now he'll never get away from me." Eric laughed and Dan groaned.

  The tension in the room seemed to ease. "Eric, if you would like to come by the compound next week and check things out, you are more than welcome," he offered, as Dan's cousins came back into the room carrying a wooden crate at least six feet long and placed it at their feet.

  "For a while I’ve been gathering things. I didn't know why, but just knew I had to get them. When I had this urge, I placed them in this hope chest. I know your mother is gone and you had no one," Dorothy said, taking Lacey's hand and pulling her up and around to the front of the wooden box. "In old times, our mothers would build a hope chest for her daughter to take with her when she married. This is meant to be yours, Lacey. Open it." Dorothy smiled and patted her arm.

  Her gaze flew to his, Lacey actually looked lost standing there. "Go on Lady Cat, open it," Isaac stood and went to stand next to her knowing she was shaking.

  Kneeling, Lacey, and now Dan, opened the chest. Inside was a treasure trove of goodies. Dishes, towels, pots and pans, all sorts of things, but what caught Lacey's eye was the jewelry box off to the side. She lifted it out and ran her hand over the top of it.

  "Thomas made that and, no, I didn't tell him you would be coming. He's made six of them. Is the picture like your cat?" On top of the wooden box was a white tiger surrounded by other cats.

  "It's perfect. Lacey is a white tiger. You couldn't have done better," Dan said, hugging Lacey as tears slid down her face as she opened to box.

  "Good. Now Dan, I don't know if you remember, but I told you long ago you would have your grandmother Edwards’ ring. I placed it in the box for your woman. I see no ring on her hand." She frowned at each of them.

  In all his years Isaac never had anyone give him the eye making him squirm, but Dan’s mother sure did. "You are planning some kind of wedding, aren't you? I mean every girl must have a wedding and, if I'm not mistaken..." Dorothy pushed between Lacey and Dan and dug down in the bottom of the box to pull out a large garment bag. "Here it is. You gentlemen close your eyes now." Playing along with the woman, he listened to her open the bag.

  "This was meant to be your wedding dress. It's not fancy, but it its elegant and it will look perfect on you." Dorothy said.

  "It's so beautiful," Lacey cleared her throat. "I don't know what to say." He heard the bag being zipped up.

  "Oh sweetie, don't cry. This was meant to be. You are going to make my Dan a very happy man. You can open your eyes." Dorothy placed the dress back into the box. "Will this box fit in the car?" Dorothy asked, and Dan shook his head.

  "No, we'll come back for it, or Eric, if you don't mind bringing out with you next week?" Dan stood and started to take the jewelry box from Lacey, but she snarled at him and held onto it.

  His father laughed and placed a kiss on her cheek. "I'm glad you like the box. Let her take it home now." He said and snapped his fingers. The cousins picked up the box and took it out of the room.

  "Your mother is right though, this young lady needs to have a special day, you three. I know you can't risk a big thing, but maybe a small private one at the compound."

  "Dad, it should be us making these plans. We'll talk about it later. Right now we really have to get going. Thank you again for everything." Dan hugged his Dad hard.

  "Nonsense, it's what families do," he mumbled and stepped back, but not too far when Lacey turned and kissed him on the cheek. "If you need us for anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I've never had a father to turn to. If we do have this wedding you speak of, there is supposed to be a father to give away the daughter. Would you mind doing this?" she asked ,her face turning a little pink.

  "Oh child, I
would be honored. And you can call me dad too." He wrapped his arms around her, but had trouble with the jewelry box between them. He laughed and kissed her nose. "Your mother is right, Daniel, she is special. Treat her right, all of you," Thomas ordered.

  After saying their goodbyes, Isaac crawled into the limo and glared at Dan. "Explain to me why I felt like a child every time your parents gave me that look. I swear I thought I was back at home, young one again, and that was eons ago," he grumbled and they all laughed at him.

  When all the laughter died down, Dan opened the box and pulled out the ring. "Do you mind?" he asked Isaac, and he shook his head.

  "No, it's proper that you give her the ring. We'll have this human wedding to help ease your family and let our woman have a special day. It will be good for the other women also. Something to look forward to for them."

  Kneeling down at Lacey's feet, Dan took her hand and slid the ring on her finger. "I love you, Lacey. We all love you. Will you marry us?" Dan asked.

  With eyes red from crying, she nodded and threw her arms around his neck, holding him tight. "I loved your family. I want them all to be like us. They've done so much for us they should all have immortality. They could be our liaisons for the human world." she cried. "They can't die."

  Chapter Twelve

  Curled up on Isaac's lap, she held out her hand, looking at the ring for the sixth time. Lacey still couldn't believe how today had turned out. Dan's family had been amazing, even his little sister, the pain in the ass that she was.

  The ring on her finger glittered in light from the lowering sun. "Are you going to stare at that thing all night long?" Isaac teased her, and she smiled nodding.

  "Yep," she answered and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry I broke down earlier. It's just that I felt like I was home with them. It was the first time in 40 years that I wasn't nervous around a group of people. It seems my family is getting larger and larger. I just wish..." she sighed. "Never mind."

  "Let me talk with Talhrn. Your idea is a good one, but I don't want anything said till we know more. I know for a fact the Tetraheros could help, but it’s rare when they step in, so don't get your hopes up, the both of you." Isaac looked over at Dan, who nodded.

  The limo slowed and Lacey looked out the window as the large steel gate swung open to Anthony's clan’s house. It was still hard to believe it had been over three months since the last time she'd been here. She frowned, looking closer at the grounds. "Anthony, what the hell is going on?" She looked over her shoulder at him and he started to cuss.

  The grass was knee high and litter was strewn all around. As they pulled up to the main house, she was shocked to see only a few outside to greet them. She went to get out, but Isaac held on to her. "No, not until I know it's safe." Isaac stood in front of her getting out of the limo.

  "Anthony, where is this Kraig?" he snapped.

  "I'm here. Sorry I'm late. I was making sure your quarters were up to par for you." A skinny wiry man said, nodding to Isaac and Anthony.

  "Umm, we have a problem here. That is not the man I met at Turtles. The man I met was built like Dan and had dark hair not blond," Lacey sent to her men.

  Next to her, Dan held onto to her. "Maybe we should come here when Lacey isn't here?" Dan asked as his grip on her waist got tighter.

  "My cat does not like this, Anthony. Something is wrong inside," Lacey frowned and looked up towards the window on the second floor. "We need to go in the house, someone needs help." She tried to pull away from Dan, but he held onto her.

  One minute Isaac was standing in front of the door and the next he had Kraig up against the tree, biting down on the man's neck. "Eww," she let slip and Anthony looked over his shoulder at her.

  "Eww? Do you think its eww when you're sucking on our necks?" he teased, turning back to face the other man there. "You have two seconds to start talking before you are next," He said to the man quivering in front of him. "It's not often an elder will feed, but when he does, when he feels threatened, they don't survive." Anthony stated, waiting.

  "He hasn't allowed anyone up here, but a few. There are women in there...it's not pretty sir." The man fell to his knees when Isaac turned toward them. Blood dripped down his chin, his eyes were now a fiery red color and power clung to every inch of his body.

  "He is the only one here except the one guarding the door upstairs and right now he can't move," Isaac said. "Lacey, we're going to need your help here. I don't know what kind of condition the woman will be in," Isaac said, staring at her as Anthony leaned over and licked the blood off his chin.

  "Leave this one here. He is nothing. Go take care of the guard. You need to feed," Isaac said. "Dan, come out and feed." Holding out his hand, Isaac waited for her to take it. "Come Lady Cat, you need to feed also."

  "I'm not going to feed from them. Are you nuts?" she snarled and backed into the limo.

  "Do you really believe I'd allow you to feed off of anyone but us?" Isaac bent down so his face was inches from hers.

  "Well, how was I supposed to know?" she grumbled and stepped out of the car as he backed up. "Feed from him Dan, and no you won't kill him. He'll be weak, but we'll keep him alive. We need to know what is going on around here" Isaac slid his arm around her waist as he opened his shirt up. "Feed, My Lady Cat. Your scent is getting stronger and I want you at full strength when you go into your cycle." He guided her head down to his chest.

  "You know we could have waited till we got home," she mumbled and kissed his chest.

  "No, we'll be too busy. I so want to try out this little thing I bought last month on you," Isaac squeezed her butt cheeks as she sank her fangs into his chest right above his hearts.

  She knew he was helping her feed, because the thought of feeding was still a little icky. His chest shook as he laughed.

  "Icky? We're going to have to do something about your choice of words. Close the holes now," his body grew stiff. The cold draft blew over them, and her cat raised its head and roared. One of Koti's men was close by.

  She sealed the holes and fell to the ground as did Isaac, covering her body. Dan covered the man he’d fed from. "To our left," he hissed and started to inch forward.

  "No, wait, cover Lacey. I'll take care of this one. We need him alive." Before she knew what was going on Isaac was gone and Dan was covering her body with his.

  "We're going to have to have a serious talk with that man. He can risk himself while we lay here like little kids," she snarled and tried to get up.

  "Don't move, Lacey. I mean it," Dan ordered and slapped her thigh.

  Inside, Lacey knew they were only protecting her, but she was not helpless. They had been searching for this Randle guy for years. She stopped moving and frowned. "How did he get on the property? How did he even know of this place?" Lacey drummed her fingers on the ground and waited while her brain started to run through the possibilities.

  Had anyone from Anthony's house been to her compound before Maya met Akaos?

  "Dan, do you remember anyone from Anthony's house or clan or whatever you call it coming to the compound?" She asked as he looked around and helped her into the house where Anthony stood by the door waiting for them.

  The man Dan had feed from passed out on the ground. He wouldn't be going anywhere right now. "Can we talk about this later?" Dan said, frowning at her. "I'm going out to see if I can help Isaac. Keep her inside," Dan told Anthony and was about to run back out, but Isaac strolled inside.

  "Whoever was out there is gone now," Isaac said, but she ignored him and made her way up the stairs where she could sense the women were. "Wait," Isaac stopped her from behind grabbing onto her waist.

  "You don't go anywhere without one of us," Isaac order.

  "Excuse me?" she turned on him poking his chest. "I've been protecting myself for the past 40 years, so back off He-man or we're going to have our first damn fight," she hissed and pushed out of his grasp. "Plus, I know for a fact there are only women upstairs since Anthony took care of the ma
n."

  Three steps and once more Isaac had her up in the air and over his shoulder. "Anthony office?" he said.

  "Follow me," she heard Anthony say.

  "Put me down now," Lacey hissed and tried to get up, but Isaac brought down his hand on her ass hard and held it there.

  "Hold still!" he ordered as they stepped into another room, with Dan shutting the door behind him and leaning against it. "What have we told you?" Isaac placed her down in front of him, his six four frame towered over her five foot five one.

  "That I will not put myself in danger...yadda, yadda, and so on. Once more I've protected myself for over 40 years. I'm in the damn house, Anthony had taken care of the man upstairs, and I was doing nothing wrong, so back the fuck up." She yelled, her skin rippled as the cat got closer to the surface.

  Isaac frowned and sniffed the air, before walking around her. "You're starting already, aren't you? That's why you’re so aggressive and your cat is so close to the surface."

  "I am not," she said, but already Lacey was beginning to think he was right. "Um, maybe I should check on the women now so we can get home. Isaac it might be wise that you guys stay away from the women up there, especially if I'm going into my cycle." She jumped and spun around as someone pounded on the door to the office.

  "I know you're in there bitch, open up," a female screamed and pounded on the door again. "Open up, dear lost sister of mine," the woman snarled.

  If Isaac hadn't caught her, Lacey would have fallen to the floor. Her sister was here and the way she carried on, she not only hated her, but wanted to rip her head off. "Let her in?" she whispered to Dan as Isaac held her tight kissing the side of her neck.

  "Dan, make sure you're ready. We don't need her attacking Lacey," Isaac said, always thinking of her, but right now she was thankful because Lacey sure didn't know if she could stand.

  The door swung open and a smaller version of her, stepped in, but stopped noticing the men surrounding Lacey. "What's wrong sis, need your men to protect you?" she sneered, hate coming off her in droves.