by Lilly Wilder
I went into the kitchen and boiled some water in the kettle. I stirred in some honey, lemon, and crescent claw. I could only hope that this would combat whatever was gripping her at the moment. When I entered into the bathroom, I was surprised to find that Vivica had rinsed herself off and was draining the tub. “I brought you some tea.”
She turned around to me and smiled. “That’s nice.”
Well, I guess that was better than silence. I grabbed a towel from underneath the sink and wrapped it around her. “Stay warm. I’ll go get you some clothes.” I went into the closet and picked out a pajama set. It would be too big on her, but that couldn’t be helped until the morning. I didn’t want her going to her designated apartment just yet. She was in no state to be alone. When I came back into the bathroom she was gone. I pushed through into the bedroom. She was examining my supplies. Her hands were wrapped around the tea mug. Vivica had wrapped the towel around her like a dress. “Here’s some pajamas. And some fresh underwear.” I’d also grabbed some period panties on the way in. I figured anything skimpy or sexy would be inappropriate.
“Thanks.” She unwrapped her towel and dressed quickly. Then she went back to looking at my things. “You know they are afraid.”
“Who is afraid?”
“The other tribe. They’re afraid of witches.” Well, that wasn’t anything mind-blowing. Plenty of people were afraid of things they couldn’t understand. But, why was she talking about them now?
“Did they mention that to you?”
She sat down on the bed and drained the rest of the mug. Her eyes scanning the room, she looked like she was looking for a place to set the mug. She kept holding it close to her. I went over and took it from her.
“I think they did. I don’t know. My mind is…clogged. There are things that I know I should remember, but I can’t. I feel like I’m watching five movies at once on different screens.” She held her head.
“I know. It’s okay. The herbs that I gave you should help. They will take a bit to kick in though, if you want to go to sleep.”
“Yeah. I’m just going to lie down for a while.” She climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her. I turned off the lights. “We’ll talk in the morning. Good night.” I went and set her mug in the sink. Flicking on the television, I woke up Ian, who was passed out on the couch.
“How’s she doing?” He rubbed his eyes and wrapped one arm around me.
“I think she was given something for submission. If I’m right, she’ll be able to tell us by morning.”
“Bad ass.” He started snoring. I flicked through the channels. I didn’t see what everyone found interesting about television. Peering into the worlds of others, whether real or imagined, was a cheap substitute for living. Using only one or two senses at a time, how could anyone accept that as the real thing?
I was sick of sitting inside. Surely Ian wouldn’t notice if I went for a little walk? He was dead asleep. I needed to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. I lifted up his arm and crept away from the couch. He continued to snore. I tiptoed back to the closet. A sweater might be a little warm, but I didn’t want to risk it. Chills wouldn’t help anyone. I put my arms into a cream cashmere sweater and shrugged it on. I peeked into the bedroom. Vivica’s light snores comforted. Whether or not the herbs I gave her worked, she needed the rest. I grabbed some sturdier sandals from the closet and slipped them on my feet. I looked down at my toenails. My right big toe had a chip missing. I must have banged it on something. When I got back, I needed to file it.
I held my breath and walked into the living room, then out the door. I exhaled after the door clicked shut. The whitish glow of the porch was almost blinding. I couldn’t see the path that led from the porch to the road. Fumbling my way to the railing, I used it to guide me down the steps and onto the asphalt patch in front of the cabin. Although I didn’t think of it when I first arrived, did any of the shapeshifters use cars? I hadn’t seen one since I arrived, but all of the middle cabins had asphalt patches in front that connected to the dirt roads. Making a mental note to ask Gerard, I continued down the pavement to the dirt road at the bottom of the slope. Taking a right would head down the winding road back to the other row of main cabins.
I turned left. Why not explore the rest of the camp? My feet crunched along the uneven path. The fresh air smelled clean and crisp, even if it was slightly chillier than I expected. I pulled my cardigan a little bit tighter around my body. The sounds of the forest drifted in the night air. Various insects floated in clouds around me. The dirt path was well lit, but I could see up ahead the distance between lights begin to grow. With each light I reached, I had to walk further.
Some twigs broke on my right side. Was it a raccoon? It didn’t sound very heavy. There was a light on the left, far in the distance. Could that be another building? A prickle reached the back of my neck. I was hit with the overwhelming sensation of being watched. I began to walk faster. A hush overcame the forest, my footsteps thundered in my ears. The lights and shadows of a building were about five hundred meters away. More movement to my right in the forest. From the size of the cracking brush, it was much bigger than a raccoon. The rustle of underbrush and branches cracked as something large crept through the forest.
When I made it to the building, I was disappointed to see that it was an empty guard outpost. The lights were on, but the guard was not inside the small room. Why would they need a guard out here?
Two yellow lights appeared in the forest. I stared at them, trying to figure out what they were. Small and close together, they floated a few feet above the forest floor. The lights came closer. Transfixed, I couldn’t move. What were those twinkling lights. It wasn’t until the shadow appeared in the path did, I realize those lights were eyes. A cold pit of fear erupted in my stomach. The enormous shadow lumbered closer. It was tall enough to force me to look up at it, even though it was across the path. Trembling, I began to back up. The shape stepped into the light. It was a bear, but not like one I’d ever seen. It was much shaggier and looked triple the size of any bear I’d ever seen. Should I run? If I ran, it would catch me. But, if I stood here, certainly it would attack. Why else would a bear be out at night except to search for food? Maybe if I tried talking to it? Should I be authoritative or nice?
“I’m going now.” I said in my most authoritative voice. The bear tilted its head, as if it weren’t sure of what I said. Standing as tall and straight as I could, I marched down the path towards home, without taking my eyes off him. The bear watched me for a second, then took a step forward. Without thinking, I sprinted down the path. Pumping my legs and arms as fast as I could, I barreled down the path towards my cabin. Sweat poured from my brow and I gasped for breath. Focusing on running as fast as I could, I didn’t dare look back to see if the bear was behind me. For a few minutes, I could only hear the sound of my ragged breaths and the pounding of my feet on dirt. It only took a few minutes to reach the light. I jumped up onto the first porch I saw and whirled around. There was nothing behind me. Whatever the bear had seen and wanted; it wasn’t me.
I carefully walked back to the street and peered into the night. I couldn’t see past the lights, but I didn’t need to. I turned right and ran the rest of the way home, up the red steps, and into the front door. When I walked in and closed the door behind me, I was greeted by Ian, Adam, and Gerard. Well shit. Gerard stepped forward with a menacing look on his face.
“Sit down Cat. We need to chat.”
-22-
The shapeshifter that had been following me had been spotted three different places in the camp. Out of everyone, I’d gotten the closest. That thought gave me the creeps.
“What do you think he or she was doing here?”
“We’re not sure, but I have a feeling it had something to do with you.”
“Me? What would it have to do with me?”
“Vivica woke up while you were gone. She was panicked. She started screaming your name. She said t
hat her tribe was looking for you. They didn’t want a witch to bear the child of a shapeshifter.”
“I don’t understand.”
“All of the breeders that they captured were kept in the same quarantine location. For some reason or another, it came up. The guards overheard. And now they’re trying to find you. At least according to Vivica. She was so upset we actually gave her sleeping pills.”
My tonic had worked. But, why the urgency? “So, why would they be looking for just me? Aren’t there other witches becoming breeders?”
Gerard and Ian exchanged looks. Ian nodded and began explaining. “All of the other witch prospects got sent home. It was an executive decision. We didn’t want to risk any blow back from the other tribes. We figured if we slipped one of each witch, elf, human, dwarf, and all of the others into the breeding mix, it would be less noticeable.”
“Except when the others got kidnapped, they took mostly non-shapeshifters.” I got it now. But what were the odds that a kidnapper would select the majority of non-shapeshifting girls by accident. Surely these things could not be left to mere chance. “Someone must have orchestrated it from the inside. That’s the only way.” Whoever helped the kidnappers was still inside this camp. Waiting for something.
“That’s what we believe. They were told which cabins to enter and somehow helped. Did you see that bear before tonight?”
I shook my head no, but then I thought of the walk from the river to the camp. “Actually, Vivica and I saw a bear following us on the path towards the tryouts on the first day.”
“Someone in this tribe is helping outsiders dismantle our breeding program and we need to figure out why. “
“Just let me know how I can help.”
“We might need your magic after all.” Gerard smiled. “Do you have more of that stuff that you gave Vivica?”
“I can make more.”
“Do it. We’ll need to keep a supply of it. What else can you make?”
My cheeks burned. “Most of my spells have to do with emotions.”
“Don’t underestimate the power of emotions in winning a war, Cat.” Gerard looked at me with pride in his eyes. I was going to help after all. But there was something bothering me. Right out of reach in my subconscious. A creeping feeling that I was staring at two mismatched puzzle pieces forced together. Swallowing the feeling, I changed the subject.
“What are we doing for breakfast tomorrow? I was thinking about making pancakes.”
“Leave it to you to think of food in a time like this.” Gerard laughed, his eyes twinkling.
“We need our strength, don’t we?” Ian elbowed Gerard.
“That’s true. We really do.”
“Okay, well Ian’s going to stay with you, while Adam and I take two different posts guarding the house. The more I think about that woman in the cloak with the raven, the creepier things continue to get. Vivica mentioned a woman in the other tribe’s camp. She was old and wrinkly and was always raving about the stars and a Goddess.” The hair stood up on my arms. “She thought the woman had a bird, but she wasn’t sure what kind.” Only one explanation was available for my mystery visitor – she was a witch. And a powerful one at that. There were only a few whispered-about spells that allowed a witch to be able to project herself into another witch’s subconscious. Particularly with the ability to control her appearance. But it didn’t make any sense. If what I saw wasn’t a dream or a hallucination, why would the witch be trying to warn me? What did it all mean? I tried to recall her exact warning, but it was like grabbing at smoke.
“We’re going to start looking for any connections the disappeared girls had to any of the other camp members. Meanwhile, we’re going to keep an extra eye out for you. Which means, please, if you are going for a walk, let us know. And preferably take one with us.”
That wasn’t an unreasonable request. “Of course. I want to be safe.” And I’m sure they also wanted me to be safe. “I’m going to have some trouble getting to sleep. Do you think you all would have room for a quickie before I tuck in for the night?”
“What do you think we’re machines?” Gerard winked.
“Oh no, just hoping.” I winked back.
“How the hell do you do a quickie with four people?” Adam perked up quite a bit with this question.
“I’m not sure, I’ve never done it before.” Our eyes met for a few seconds. We all burst into giggles.
“I’m so tired.” Gerard moaned.
Ian spoke up “I’m down. My mind could use a break.”
Adam sat up a little straighter. “Me too.”
Gerard rolled his eyes. “I’m not getting left out of this.”
“Well, then I guess we’re going to figure out how to do a quickie.” I pulled off my clothes and tossed them onto the floor.
“Right here?” Ian looked back towards the doorway, as if he expected Vivica to burst in and scold us.
“Where else? Vivica’s asleep and I don’t want to disturb her. We’ve already done the bathroom. What’s next?” I pointed down at the couch. “Here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ian stepped out of his t-shirt and boxer shorts. Adam followed suit. Gerard remained clothed. “I’m going to sit this one out. But, I’m going to watch.”
“Even better. I love an audience.” I sat right next to Gerard and opened my legs wide. One leg was draped over his. I winked at him and began rubbing myself. He started rubbing my inner thighs.
Ian came next to me and met my lips with a passionate kiss. I ran my fingers up and down his chiseled torso. He reached down and moved my hand out of the way. He began to rub my clit. It had been a few days since I shaved, so the stubble was now back. I’d missed my pubic hair. Although the sensitivity was off the charts naked, I didn’t think that look was going to be sustainable for me.
Adam came behind Ian and began rubbing his shoulders and back. Ian turned away and let Adam sit next to me. Adam and Gerard began rubbing me together. Ian sat and watched, stroking himself. I met his gaze. His eyes were intense and searching. Pleading. I opened my legs up wider. “This is supposed to be a quickie isn’t it?”
It was as if I’d given him permission. Ian crossed the space between us and knelt on the couch cushion in between my legs. He entered me and began pounding hard. Gerard moved his hand down towards my clit and Adam focused on pinching my nipples and massaging my breasts.
Ian’s mouth on mine was warm and hot. The others faded away. I grabbed his lower back and pulled him into me with urgency. Faster and faster, he battered my pussy with his stiff cock. I felt him clench and then relax.
“You’re pregnant. I can feel it.” He slowed his gyration down to slow circles and then planted a wet kiss on my lips.
“Is that so?” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for another kiss. Gyrating my pelvis against his, I used his pubic bone to grind my clit. His dick began to soften. He pulled out and sat down on the floor in front of me. A clump of semen clung to the head of his dick. He’d definitely blown a huge wad into me. I could only hope that this was the one that helped me fulfill my purpose. Gerard moved Adam over into his lap. Adam sat down on his hard cock and began bouncing.
“I want to try something a little ambitious.” Adam’s cock was rock hard. I climbed up and sat down on Adam’s lap. “Gerard are you okay with our weights?”
“I’m okay, but Adam you’re going to need to help me with bouncing. I can’t stroke the two of you, I’m getting old.”
We both laughed. I slipped Adam’s cock into my fold and planted my feet on either side of them. “I can help too.” Hovering just enough to take my weight off of them, I spread my legs.
“Oh, that’s good. I can bounce now.” Adam matched each of Gerard’s thrusts.
“I’m not going to last very long.” Adam moaned. Ian came behind me and began rubbing my boobs from behind and kissing my neck. I relieved some of the pressure on my thighs and leaned back into him. Adam’s thrusts
grew more rapid and urgent. Sweat poured down his hairless chest and onto his engaged ab muscles. His face grew red. His expression tightened and then relaxed.
“Did you come?” I asked.
“Fuck yes.”
Gerard’s paced quickened. I stepped down from the couch and wrapped my arms around Ian. Adam stepped off of the couch and bent over, giving Gerard a full view, his ass getting pounded by his big dick. He spread his ass cheeks wide and with one final grunt, he filled his ass with come.
When was Gerard going to come in me again? It seemed as if he was turning away. I shook my head. This isn’t always about me. Maybe he just got caught up in the pleasure. These situations were most likely new to us all. Although Gerard had probably done his share of threesomes it seemed. Adam and Gerard sat back on the couch. Ian and I stepped up to join them. Our sweaty tangled bodies lay together for a few minutes in silence.
Adam was the first to speak. “We’re going to have to clean this couch.”
“Not it!” I yelled and put my finger to my nose.
“Not it!” Ian jerked his hand from underneath me and covered his nose with three fingers.
