Twist of Fate

Chapter 10: Questionable

"Do you need a doctor?"

I scowled. "I'm not crazy," I snapped angrily. "I can honestly hear him, you jerk."

Zulén stared at me expressionlessly as I stroked Rauméí's dark coat affectionately. I stated right back in annoyance. After dealing with Leon, we gathered our things and headed out of the city. As we walked, Zulén asked who warned me and I told him. That was his reaction. To question my sanity and asking with a straight face.

'It's only natural for one to not believe something when they cannot experience it themselves, Céssíuma,' Rauméí said. 'That one is a prime example of that type.'

"Really?" I muttered, frowning. "Then how am I supposed to prove I can hear you?"

'That's up to you.'

I scowled down at him. "You're no help, are you?"

"Are you sure you don't need a doctor?" Zulén asked, eyeing me with suspicion. "You were talking just like this when we were in Catíu." He paused and stared at the panther. "Why is it here? Did it follow us?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Ask him."

Zulén glared at me. "Kouríeó..."

I turned away. "How am I supposed to know? I didn't know he was here myself until earlier."

"Oh, really now?"

'Céssíuma,' Rauméí said, stopping me from snapping something at Zulén. 'This one knows a way to convince him.'

My gaze slipped to the panther casually walking beside us. "How?"

His golden eyes narrowed as he stared at Zulén. 'Tell him this one advises him knee those Cílulhar covered. You never know what is watching from the shadows.'

I blinked in confusion. What are 'Cílulhar'? "Okay," I said, deciding not to question him. I turned back to Zulén. "Rauméí said to-"

"Rauméí?" Zulén interrupted. "Is that it's name?"

"Not 'it'," I snapped. "His. And yes, that is his name. He told me to tell you he advises you keep those Cílulhar covered. You never know what is watching from the shadows."

Zulén went rigid and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "He said that," he asked coldly, a hand moving to the back of his neck. He seemed unaware of the movement, almost like it was unconscious.

I nodded. I couldn't trust myself to speak. There was something about the look in his eyes that made my throat tighten painfully. It might have had something to do with the temperature dropping around us.

"I won't deny that panther is peculiar," Zulén said monotonously. "But that doesn't mean I believe you."

I stared at him dully. "Seriously? What will it take for you to believe I'm...Oh." I paused as I noticed our surroundings. We were in a forest, one that was quite a distance from the city. I couldn't even see the city clearly when I looked back.