A Tale of Three

Chapter 18: Home

"Focus! Do not let other thoughts distract you!" Feluna roared, her black body circling her. Cyrene closed her eyes again, trying to bring back the picture. Squeezing her eyes even harder, she felt the picture become thicker in her mind. She honed her rage against Lili. Her head started to spin as her focus became stronger. The spinning turned into pain. Gritting her teeth, she bore the pain, hoping the spell was at least working.

"Good," Feluna purred from beside her. Letting out a relieved breath, Cyrene opened her eyes. The squirrel in front of her was frozen, not even moving an inch. Cyrene slowly closed her eyes and imagined it jumping on her back. She didn't have to wait long. She had barely even opened her eyes when she felt a weight land on her spine. Twisting her head around, she saw the squirrel standing on her back. Its blank black eyes stared back at her; it didn't blink. Its gray shape didn't even twitch as she breathed on it.

"It's strange isn't it, how they respond to every command, and all you have to do is mutter a few words," Feluna purred, walking up beside her. Before Cyrene could even react, Feluna snaked forward and grabbed the squirrel from her back. She held the dead squirrel in her jaws, smiling at Cyrene's surprised expression. Feluna spat out the furry creature, leaving it on the dusty stone floor. Feluna looked back up at her and her face hardened. "Just because it is under your control, Cyrene, does not make it safe."

Cyrene nodded, knowing that any lesson Feluna taught was important. She had taught her almost everything she knew. In the few months that she had been there Cyrene had learned how to see the future, control the minds of other species, and even enter another's dream. It had been like a paradise. She knew she would have to choose eventually though. Feluna didn't give training without a reason.

"You have excelled remarkably, dear. I'm glad Lili gave you such a talented tutor." Feluna crossed her paws as she lounged in the den's corner. "I'm sure you're excited to return to your old glaring, soon to be my glaring."

"Very," Cyrene sighed. She pictured Omnes's face. She tried to remember each tattoo that crossed the old tigress's face, and where the tears in her ears were. Cyrene shook her head as she realized she had difficulty remembering. "I can't wait to get back."

"When you do go back, it would do you good to remember that you are there on a mission. There is no time to catch up with your old friends, and smile at old crushes. You are there to make sure my mission is complete. You are there to make sure I have the ability to kill those I need."

Cyrene made a noise in agreement. She didn't want to carry out the murders, but she didn't really have a choice.

"Cyrene, do you think you are ready?" Feluna asked.

"I've been ready," Cyrene snorted. It was true. She had been training for nine months to do this.

"Good, now remember. Lili will let you back in, but you must remember, let yourself look humbled. She is on our side. Now tell me, what do you do after you get in Veilded?" Feluna commanded.

"I find the stone and then find the platform," Cyrene answered blandly. Only weeks after arriving into Feluna's care, if you could call it that, Feluna started speaking to her about the stone and platform. It was still confusing, even after all the months, but what Cyrene could gather the platform was the place that Cyrene must commit the murders. By placing the stone in the center of the platform, hundreds of felines around the Night Tree would be transported onto the platform for Cyrene to kill. Cyrene wasn't sure how she would manage to fight so many felines, but Feluna had mentioned something about the felines being paralyzed.

"Good, now remember, you are looking for a small orange stone that looks like it has fire inside of it. I gave it to my old friend Bramble back when I was a leader. She was a leopardess, and the stone may still run in her family. Bring it to the platform I told you about. When you find the platform and stone, run as fast as you can back here and bring me to the platform you found. Are we clear?" Feluna asked, her face devoid of emotion.