A Shifting Land

Chapter 18

They step into the water, Swift reveling with the cool feel of ice under her feet. "Are you willing to sink?" She asks Kiri, link locked to only her and Kiri, not even Bladen able to listen in.

He sent his general agreement, "Just make sure I can breathe please."

"Obviously, I enjoy your company far too much to kill you off." Swift stops to turn and look back at the land. "Well they aren't quite that stupid at least."

"I can't honestly tell what you were hoping for." Kiri admits. He dives under the water, soaking himself completely before splashing Swift. "Stop looking." He scolds, "They know we know we're being watched."

Swift slides off her bridge, panic spiking in her mind as an absolutely massive feline walks out of the brush. "Down!" She orders sharply.

Kiri immediately sinks down until only his nose was above the water, "Swift, what-"

"Alpha Firestorm just showed up!" She stares at the bank, mind reaching for their conversation.

"Swift! Don't!" Kiri snaps, "Let me. I have the lighter touch."

She freezes, pulling back to herself mentally. "Will you be safe?"

"I think so. Why wouldn't I be?"

"She thinks we are rogue and may just decide to melt your mind?"

"Can she do that?" Kiri asks warily. They both pause and drag their headmates into the mental link. "Can Alpha Firestorm melt our minds with a thought if she hears us?" They ask in unison.

D'vala snorts, "I doubt it."

Bladen bursts out laughing. "Hell yes. With ease. She can also order you to die and your bodies will probably obey. They'll just turn off and stop breathing."

The three of the turn to stare at Bladen in absolute horror. "Uh..."

"Best be careful kits." He warns cheerfully.

Kiri whines. "Yeah I think we should just run."

"But we don't know if we've been spotted!" Swift exclaimed.

"If you try this then we will be spotted!" Kiri growls.

A splash draws them from their argument, their gaze snapping back to shore. Firestorm stands chest deep, watching the water. A seeking mental probe brushes against their minds, long tendrils of energy slinking like earthworms slithering through wet earth.

"Do. Not. Move." Bladen warns. "Not even your eyes. Kiri, hold your breath. Don't make eye contact."

Firestorm steps further into the water, approaching them.

Swift tenses under water, watching Firestorm from the corner of her eye.

Firestorm flicks her tail, sending a mighty wave over them, trying to draw a stir. She focuses on Kiri for a moment, studying his spot before turning to Swift. "I know you're out here little ones. Why don't you show yourselves? I won't bite, I promise."

Swift mocks her, "Yeah right. We'd already be dead if she knew where we were."

Bladen smacks her silent, "Hush."

Firestorm focuses straight on Swift. "So young for such a jaded perspective. Tell me child, you're what, 5? 6? How do you come to be here without so much as a pack to call your own?"

Bladen shoots Swift a stern look. She stays completely silent.

Firestorm nods to herself. "Well kits, when you are ready come to my border. We will always welcome you." She turns and walks away. "Thank you for bringing my pup back."