The Jaguar Prince

by Karen Kelley

  DeeDee looked skeptical. “Okay, maybe I do buy that he was attacked because I don’t think you would make that up, but come on, tell me how he really got hurt? You don’t have to lie and say it was aliens. If Rogar was goofing off around your precious Sheba, and she hurt him, I won’t tell anyone.”

  This was going to take longer than Callie had expected. “I am telling you the truth.”

  DeeDee was thoughtful. “Let me get this straight. You’re part alien?”

  Finally! “Yes.”

  “So that means you can shift into an animal.”

  “Yes, well, I’ve only done it once, and I wasn’t very good at it. Rogar said the bunny rabbit wasn’t my true guide. We have to sort of find each other.”

  “A bunny rabbit?” She cocked an eyebrow in disbelief.

  Callie nodded, knowing how lame everything sounded.

  “So change form, then I’ll believe you.”

  “But…”

  “Like I said, this is a good prank.”

  “I’ll do it already! But remember, I don’t know what form I’ll take because I haven’t found my guide.”

  “Fine with me.” She leaned back against the cushions and crossed her arms.

  Was that a smirk on her face? Callie really hated when she wasn’t taken at face value, and DeeDee should know she would never lie. If she wanted proof, Callie would give it to her.

  She closed her eyes and concentrated. Nothing happened. Maybe she should chant or something. No, Rogar said she only needed to concentrate.

  “You still look the same to me,” DeeDee commented.

  Callie opened her eyes and glared at her friend. “I need complete silence.”

  DeeDee zipped her fingers across her lips, then pretended to turn a key and throw it away. Smart ass. Well, she would soon make a believer out of her.

  Callie closed her eyes again, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. She had to relax, being tense would only make things harder. She inhaled, then exhaled as she let her mind go blank. A familiar swirling began to churn inside her.

  Breathe in, breathe out.

  A familiar fog began to close around her. Her arms and legs began to ache. She gasped and curled into a ball, then stretched her limbs. Vaguely, she heard DeeDee cry out, telling her to stop whatever the hell she was doing, that she was scaring her, but it was too late for that now.

  The world around her went dark. Every bone in her body ached. This was worse than when she’d changed into a bunny. Her skin and bones were being stretched beyond what she could stand.

  She couldn’t breath. Was she dying? She was too young to die.

  Everything suddenly stilled. The pain went away.

  Callie blinked rapidly. As before, it was as though she was looking through someone else’s eyes. DeeDee was sprawled across the sofa in a dead faint.

  It was DeeDee’s own fault. She had certainly done everything she could to convince her friend that she was part alien, but had she believed her? Nooo…

  Callie frowned. She didn’t think she had shifted into another rabbit. She came to her feet, or whatever they had changed to. The sofa creaked and groaned, then crunched. Two pillows that had been right beside her flew across the room.

  Not a good sign.

  She lumbered over to the mirror on the wall, accidentally bumping a side table on the way and sending the lamp crashing to the floor. Good grief, she felt as though she’d put on a ton of weight. She felt more bloated than when she PMSed.

  She stopped in front of the mirror.

  Well, hell.

  Life was so not fair. A rhinoceros? This was no longer fun anymore. She didn’t want to be a big hulking beast. She wanted to be something sleek and exotic.

  She glanced behind her. Wow, talk about having a big ass. No diet would help this one. Nope, she wanted her own body back. She was pretty sure this wasn’t her guide.

  Now to change back. If poor DeeDee roused, she’d probably have a heart attack this time.

  Callie closed her eyes and let her mind go blank. She began to ache, to burn as though someone had set her on fire. The damp fog did nothing to cool her. This wasn’t good. Why did it hurt so much this time? Rogar would have some explaining to do. He’d said it would get easier, but this was a lot harder than last time. Maybe because she was so big.

  Oh, Lord, what if she didn’t change back to herself. Would DeeDee still be her friend? Would she take care of her, feed her? Ohh, don’t drop any pellets or she wouldn’t.

  Pellets? Yeah, right!

  Her pulse suddenly quickened and she found it was all she could do to take a deep breath. The world spun around her as she sank to the floor. She stretched her limbs, then drew them back close to her, curling into a ball.

  She blinked, everything was fuzzy. She closed her eyes and just concentrated on breathing. Letting the change happen.

  Things began to calm. When she ran her hands over her arms, she knew she had shifted back. Oh, thank God. Not that she had anything against the rhinoceros. It was a lovely animal, she just didn’t want to be one.

  “Callie?”

  She opened her eyes and saw DeeDee. Good, she was afraid there for a minute she had gone blind. “I’m okay. Just give me a moment.” She closed her eyes.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” DeeDee asked after a few more seconds passed.

  “That one took a little more out of me than changing into a bunny.” She didn’t want to scare her friend more than she already had, and attempted to sit up.

  DeeDee grabbed Callie’s arm when she started to stand and stumbled, then helped her to the sofa. Callie frowned when she saw it was broken down on one side. “Sorry about that.”

  “It can be replaced.” She grabbed a throw, draping it over Callie’s shoulders.

  Callie pulled it closer, then watched as DeeDee drained her drink. “I know, I felt the same way when Rogar told me everything.”

  “You really are an alien, aren’t you?”

  “It would seem that way.”

  “And this Zerod creep is trying to kill you.”

  She nodded.

  DeeDee went behind the bar and made herself another drink. Callie shook her head when DeeDee raised her glass, silently asking Callie if she wanted a refill. She needed to stay sober so she could take care of Rogar through the night. She wanted to make sure his condition didn’t worsen.

  DeeDee returned, plopping down on the sofa, then wrinkled her nose. “It smells like rhinoceros in here.”

  “Sorry about that, too.”

  DeeDee nervously began to light scented candles. Was she avoiding talking about everything that had happened? DeeDee was obsessive about her scented candles so it could be anything.

  Callie suspected it was more that DeeDee was trying to decide how to act around her, now that she knew Callie was part alien. “It’s okay. I’m still the same person.”

  DeeDee laid the lighter down, then looked at Callie. “Except for the fact you can change into…into an animal.”

  “But none of that matters. Not really. I’m still the same person you met ten years ago.” She had to grit her teeth to keep from crying out. She didn’t want to lose the only friend she’d ever had. She would give up knowing anything about her parents, who she was, and where she came from, if it meant she would keep DeeDee in her life.

  DeeDee suddenly smiled. “I remember the first time we met. Your date had taken you to the Blue Bayou. I used to love that bar. They had the best jazz band on Saturday nights.”

  “Ugh, Mark Lemons. I remember him. He was a lemon!” She still had no idea why she’d agreed to go out with him. He’d been a groper.

  “You pushed him away, but he grabbed you and dragged you right back, then he tried to kiss you,” DeeDee said. “My friends told me not to get involved, but I took one look at your face and knew I couldn’t stand by and watch while you tried to fight him off.”

  “I’m so glad you didn’t.” By herself, she hadn’t been able to get away. “But you waltzed over
with your drink and tossed it in his face. He was furious. I thought he was going to hurt you.”

  DeeDee laughed. “I think he would have if I hadn’t showed him the lighter I held.”

  Callie grinned. “And told him if he didn’t want to become a human torch, he’d better leave now.”

  “Good thing he didn’t push his luck. As far as I know, water with lemon is not flammable.”

  “It did work, and you were very brave to come to the aid of a stranger. We need more people in the world like you.” DeeDee had given her a ride home, and they’d been friends ever since. The princess and the…alien.

  “And I’ll be there with you through this, too.”

  “I know.”

  “Get dressed, then we’ll form a plan of action.” She stood, then left the room to give Callie some privacy.

  Callie was just buttoning the last button on her shirt when DeeDee tapped on the door.

  “I’m decent,” Callie called out.

  DeeDee walked back inside the room. “By the way, does that always happen?”

  “What?”

  “You change back and find you’re naked.”

  “Yes.”

  “I bet they have a lot of sex on New Symtaria.” She stopped. “Wait, didn’t you say you changed into a rabbit.”

  Callie could see the wheels turning. “Yes,” she said slowly.

  “I’m assuming Rogar was there.”

  Oh no. She had a feeling she knew what was coming. “Yes.”

  “Not going to tell me, are you?”

  “No.”

  DeeDee grinned. “It’s about time you got laid.”

  “DeeDee!” She glanced around as though Rogar would appear any second and she would be even more embarrassed.

  “It’s okay, I won’t push for details.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Not right now, but later, look out.”

  “DeeDee!”

  She shrugged. “Well, he is an alien. Of course I’m curious.”

  “Can we get back to the matter at hand? After all, I am being chased by a crazed Symtarian who thinks it’s his destiny to destroy all the impures.”

  “You’ll need a place to hide out, and I have the perfect one, the camp. You remember, Camp in the Pines.”

  Callie fell against the cushions with a groan.

  “It’s the perfect place. My parents have a nice cabin. You remember.”

  “And the camp is crawling with bluebloods.”

  DeeDee stiffened. “Excuse me? I just happen to be one of those bluebloods you’re referring to.”

  “You know what I mean. I went there with you once and it was quite enough. They were so snobbish.”

  “But you have to admit, the cabin is great, the view is spectacular, and you had a fabulous vacation.”

  She and DeeDee did have fun when they didn’t need to play the social card. There were all sorts of activities. It wasn’t like she had a long list of choices, either. “Okay, we’ll go, and thanks so much for helping. You didn’t have to, and I really appreciate it.”

  “Yes I did. You’re my best friend.” Her smile embraced Callie. “You can take my Hummer, but don’t scratch it.”

  “We can’t leave the Jag here. If Zerod comes snooping, I don’t want him to find anything connected with us.”

  “No problem. I have vacation coming up. Mom and Dad have been after me to join them. Now would be a good time. I love Colorado in the fall. I’ll have someone pick the Jag up, though.”

  “Then it’s settled.” She hoped.

  “Looks that way. Want to tell me how it was with Rogar now?”

  Callie surreptitiously glanced around. He’d probably kill her for gossiping, but, well…

  “Oh, Lord, it was the best sex I’d ever had, DeeDee. I mean, unbelievable.” She hugged her middle. “I never thought it could be like that. Rogar was fantastic. He was…” She laughed. “Out of this world.”

  DeeDee didn’t say anything. Callie thought her friend would be more excited for her. Damn, she was kind of disappointed.

  DeeDee crossed her legs. “You’ve fallen in love with him.”

  “Pffttt, of course I haven’t.”

  “He’s the guy in black leather.”

  “I think you’ve had a little too much tequila.”

  DeeDee shook her head. “Think about it, Rogar is the guy who swaggers into your college classroom wearing a black leather jacket. The bad boy. Except Rogar is even more dangerous now.”

  “He’s not at all dangerous. He would never hurt me. I mean, the guy saved my life.”

  “I don’t mean dangerous that he would harm you, no, it’s even worse. He’s made you fall in love with him.”

  “You’re crazy.” She barely knew the guy. Having a fantastic orgasm didn’t equal falling in love with someone.

  “Think about it. The guy comes from another planet, he’s dark and mysterious, then you have fantastic sex, and if that wasn’t enough, he saves your life. It’s the hero syndrome, and you’ve fallen head over heels in love. I can tell by the look on your face when you talk about him.”

  Callie opened her mouth, but closed it when no words came out. She couldn’t be in love with Rogar. He was a fling, that was all. He wanted her to drop everything and run off to another planet, and that wasn’t going to happen. No way, no how. Earth was her home. And she was so close to having her dream job. It would be stupid of her to even consider going with him.

  But just the thought of him leaving without her sent a queasy feeling rumbling in her stomach.

  Life sucked.

  Chapter 16

  Callie was not in love with Rogar, infatuated yes, but not in love. She hadn’t known him long enough. He was hot, sexy, and yes, he’d been her hero. Dark, dangerous, and mysterious. She was sure he had some flaws somewhere, other than his cooking.

  “You’re so in love with him,” DeeDee said.

  “Am not.”

  “Are to.”

  “Callie,” Rogar bellowed from the other room.

  She jumped to her feet. “Crap, I gave him one of my pain pills. It should’ve knocked him out and let him get a few hours sleep. He must be in excruciating pain.”

  DeeDee raised her eyebrows. “You gave an alien a pain pill?”

  Callie frowned as she hurried to the bedroom. “It never hurt me. I’m part alien.” Now that she thought about it, she’d never taken anything stronger than a Tylenol. There had never been a need. At the edge of the doorway, Callie skidded to a stop.

  Rogar stood in the middle of the bed weaving back and forth, wearing only his briefs, and the large white bandage. At least it wasn’t blood soaked. “Where’s my weapon? How can I protect you if I don’t have a weapon?”

  “It’s okay, we’re safe at DeeDee’s. Zerod won’t find us here.”

  He seemed to think about that for a moment.

  “You need to lie back down before you fall off the bed and hurt yourself,” Callie spoke softly so she wouldn’t startle him. From now on, no more pain pills.

  “She’s right. Sit down, Rogar,” DeeDee told him as she came in behind Callie. “Apparently, he’s feeling better.”

  In one movement, Rogar’s legs went out from under him and he plopped down on the bed, then laughed uproariously when he bounced. When DeeDee chuckled, Callie cast a glare in her direction.

  DeeDee shrugged. “He’s funny. Besides, you gave him the pill, not me.”

  “I didn’t know it was going to make him act all…goofy. What if his wound starts to bleed?”

  “Callie, sweetheart, come lie beside me. I want to mate with you. I want to hear you cry my name out in ecstasy again.”

  “Oh, this is serious if you cried his name out,” DeeDee commented.

  Heat crawled up Callie’s face. This was not happening in front of DeeDee.

  “I think I’ll leave you to get him settled back down,” DeeDee whispered. “Just do me one favor.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t have sex i
n my bed. It’s not a visual I want right before I go to sleep.”

  Callie groaned as the door closed. Then she looked at Rogar, who was sitting in the middle of the bed, with a silly grin on his face.

  “You need to get some rest,” she said.

  He patted the bed. “So do you.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “I have a feeling sleeping is not what you have in mind.”

  “You don’t trust me?”

  “No.”

  “Then I’ll stay up with you.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed.

  “No! You could start your wound bleeding again. I’m surprised it isn’t now. Besides, you’re not that steady, and if you fall, I doubt DeeDee or I could get you back up again.”

  She hurried over when it seemed he wasn’t paying a bit of attention to her. It didn’t take much effort to get him to lie back down. Again, he patted the mattress beside him.

  “Please?”

  “Okay, but we’re not making love. I won’t have you bleeding to death, and me feeling guilty for the rest of my life.” She crawled in beside him and lay back against the pillow.

  Rogar rose on one elbow and stared down into her face. “You’re so damned beautiful.”

  “Since when did you learn our curse words?”

  “Database.”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s like one of your computers, but much more technically advanced, of course. I can find out anything I want to know. It can do a lot of things that your computers can’t.”

  She barely paid attention to what he said. She was mesmerized by his eyes, and the way he was intently watching her. When he began to lower his face toward hers, she closed her eyes, anticipating the touch of his lips, the heat that would follow.

  But his head landed on the pillow beside her, his arm plopped across her chest like an anchor. She coughed as her air supply was cut off. This was not good. She wiggled out from under his weight.

  He snored.

  It was not fair to make her want his kiss, then fall asleep.

  Except he was going to suffocate if she didn’t get his face out of the pillow. She pushed until he rolled onto his back. Chest heaving from exertion, she fell back onto the bed. The man was big.

  When she could breathe normally again, she pushed up on one elbow and stared down at him. A lock of dark hair fell across his forehead. She didn’t hesitate to brush it back, her fingers lingering on his forehead, then smoothing across one cheek, and over his lips. She leaned down, and for just a moment, pressed her lips against Rogar’s. His were warm. She reveled in the fact she could show how she felt without being just a little embarrassed.