A Tale of Three

Chapter 15: Night

"Omnes wanted me to deliver a potion to an owl in Sapiens," Cyrene bragged, trying to push the fear of war out of her mind.

"I've been there. My magister, Briza, brought me there once," Fida said as they walked to Alba's den. "They were really boring. All they did was examine me and insult us. They aren't the nicest."

"One buzzard insulted me too, forgot his name." Fida looked at her for further information. With a nervous smile, Cyrene added, "So how was your day?"

"Cyrene, what did you do?" Fida growled.

"He was insulting me, what was I supposed to do, let him?" Cyrene protested. She ran to catch up with Fida.

"Yes, you were. How bad was the punishment?" Fida asked as they arrived outside Alba's den. She quickly stepped inside without seeing if Alba was there.

"I got banned from Sapiens," Cyrene said.

"Cyrene!"

"Maybe I'll be famous in the bird community now." Fida shook her head.

"Well, it could be worse. It's not like you would want to go there again." Fida sat down on a small moss pad Alba had laying in his den.

"You're right." Cyrene sat down on a moss pad opposite to Fida.

"Wait. What happened?" Alba's voice asked. Cyrene turned to see the short tiger walking into the den. His blue eyes were lit with curiosity.

He quickly walked forward and sat next to Fida. He sat on the rims of the moss pad so that his fur was lightly pressing against hers. Cyrene saw Fida shifting uncomfortably and couldn't help but laugh.

"What?" Alba asked. His gaze darted between Fida and her.

"Nothing," Fida muttered. Alba looked between the two again.

"Oh, by the way, Cyrene, Sheila wanted to see you." Alba noticed her glare. "She seemed nervous."

Cyrene didn't say anything. For moments they sat in silence, no one making a sound. She felt a burden on her shoulders as she realized what Alba and Fida had done for her. They were the first felines to truly accept her, not the fake mockery of family Otium had given her. When she told them about Ares they eventually forgave her. They were her best friends. They deserved to know.

"I can't, I kind of have to tell you something," Cyrene said, her mood turning solemn. She could feel her heart beat in her paws. Kneading the ground, Cyrene met their gazes.

"Okay," Fida said, noticing her mood. "What is it?"

"There's a bunch of stuff."

"Cyrene, it can't be that much. We're your best friends, we basically know everything about you."

"It's a bunch of stuff," Cyrene repeated. She felt her pounding heart.

"Just say it. We're not idiots, we'll catch on." Alba smiled. Cyrene smiled back.

"Well, I found out I was in a prophecy," she watched their reactions, "that a necromancer has returned, and that Sheila is a simulare. I found out Jade is a dead cheetah who is actually named Nasinga and I found that I have to kill Lili tonight. I also found out that Feluna plans to take over Atra through my brother, that Jinx is dying from the inside, and that some felines we know are dead and simulares."

"Well you've had an interesting day," Alba commented, not showing any expression. Cyrene froze. Fida's gaze along with Alba's reminded her of how Ares and Otium had acted when they found out she had been put in the glaring Veilded. They were looking at her with a mixture of anger, hurt, and betrayal. It was like they had never met her. Cyrene held her breath, hoping that by some miracle they wouldn't turn against her.