The Fallen Empath-Book 2-A Rose-Red Tyrant TEASER

Chapter Ten: A Garden Spat

 We walk to the back of the botanical garden like Trey said and find tons of trees: Apple, cherry, and of course chestnuts.

"Whoa! There really are a ton of chestnuts just layin' around. I'm gonna be livin' large on chestnut tarts!" Grim smirks. "Let's get grabbin'—YOWCH! Myah! The chestnut spines pricked my paws!" He pulls his paw back after trying to grab one of the spiked nuts.

"Let me see." I take Grim's paw to make sure he's not hurt.

"I don't think we can do this with our bare hands. And we need something to put them in too." Deuce crosses his arms.

"Maybe we can find some supplies in the botanical garden?" Ace suggests.

"Let's take a look." Deuce agrees.

We walk into the botanical garden and my eyes widen. "Pretty!"

All sorts of plants are spread around, some even being hung from the ceiling in hanging pots. There's streams, arched bridges going over them, and stone paths. It really felt like I was in a magical place now more than ever.

"Whoa, I didn't realize this place was so huge." Ace places a hand on his hip.

"If it's this large, it's got to have a groundskeeper. Let's split up and look." Deuce suggests.

"Sure. Dibs on the right side." Ace smiles.

"Then how about I go left, while Grim and Yuna go straight ahead?" Deuce puts a hand on his hip.

"Sounds good." I nod and start heading forward with Grim on my shoulder.

"Hey, come take a look at this!" Grim calls while looking at some bushes. "There's a ton of fruit growing here! Smells like they're ripe too!"

"Maybe you shouldn't pick anything in here. Not only did we not get permission, but we don't know what these plants are." I walk over to Grim and step on something.

"Ouch!"

"Huh?" I look around before looking at my foot and see I'm stepping on a tail. I take a few steps back.

"Hey! You got some nerve steppin' on my tail and just walkin' away!" A man with lion ears stands up.

"Are you the groundskeeper? Not sure you oughta be talkin' to students that way pal." Grim crosses his paws.

"Ain't nothin' worse than bein' in the middle of a good nap and havin' some jerk step on your tail." The man glares at me.

"I am so sorry! Are you okay?" I look down at his tail to make sure I didn't hurt it.

"You... I know you. You're that herbivore from orientation who couldn't use magic." He smirks before walking over to me and smelling my neck.

I blush, letting out a small squeak and squeezing my eyes shut.

"Huh. It's true. You don't smell of magic at all." He chuckles slightly. "Well, can't say it'd be much fun to hurt someone so helpless and I don't ladies." The lion man's eyes turn down towards Grim.

"I dunno what's up with this guy, but when he looks at me, it makes every follicle of fur stand on end.." Grim moves to hide behind my leg.

"No one gets to stomp on my tail and just walk away without payin' the price. I'm in a bad mood on account of bein' woken up from my nap too. I guess your little cat is going to have to get punished for you."

"No, don't!" I crouch down and wrap my arms around Grim. "I'm the one who stepped on your tail, not Grim!"

The lion man's eyes widen, almost like it's unusual to see someone defending others.