‘Next time move out of the way. I can’t help it if you’re slow.’
“What is going on with you two?”Rez says, walking in and giving me a look. Like I’ve been the one up to no good. I swear, I’ll gain the power to change back to my human form one day and wield an ax just for Knots. I wish I could say how close that day is, but honestly this is all new. It’s been seven years since I’ve been able to shift so I’m beyond impatient. This waiting though, makes it seem hopeless at the moment.
‘Knight of the Fuck table wouldn’t let me out to find you. I thought you would come here first.’
Yeah, I don’t care if it’s petty. I’ll tattletale on anyone in a heartbeat.
“I’m sorry, Lynx, I just needed to get away,”Rez explains. She looks beat, like the cat dragged in a waterlogged rat. Rezzi looks like she’s about to collapse any minute. Stumbling into the kitchen, she pulls out a homemade sandwich that JP likes to leave in the fridge for all of us after classes. He would make someone a wonderful wife one day.
‘I understand, Rezzi. Eat your snack, and I’ll get a bath ready for you, just like old times.’She gives me a watery smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, and I run into the bathroom to start her bath. Soaking in the tub will work wonders for her, it’s always helped her in the past. Switching into my raccoon for the range of movement with my long fingers. It makes turnings the knobs easier. I tried it with my mouth one day and I swear I cracked a tooth.
Scrambling across the room, I find a bottle of lavender beads. Knowing how relaxing it is, I walk on my hind legs and pour a little into the tub where it starts to bubble up.
I wonder what else I can do for her. Looking around the bathroom, I realize she needs something comfy to relax in after her bath. Eager to take care of her, I run back out of the room and make my way into JP's sanctuary. I swear if I see him in there with another guy again, I’m gonna die.
‘Where ya going, Lynx?’Rez calls as she finishes up her sandwich.
‘Getting your sweats. Go ahead and hop in the tub. I’ll be there in a bit.’
Without waiting to see if she follows my suggestion, I creep into JP’s room. Peering around the cracked door, I find that it’s empty. Thank GOD. The last time I tried sneaking in here, I saw Zeke feeding off of JP. Let’s just say that was a sight I wasn’t ready for, and I’ve seen every type of porn you can think of.
I run over to his cabinet and trip on a corner of a sheet that’s draped over an easel. Looking up at the offending culprit, I restrain my retaliation when I see the most breathtaking sight. On the easel sits an oil painting of Rez napping on the sofa. Her lips are slightly open as her hair spills over the edge and onto the floor. Long, sooty lashes, fan over her cheekbones, making me wish I could run my fingers over her cheeks like I used to.
My heart aches with longing. I miss her so damn much. Yes, I’m here with her daily, and I wouldn’t change that for anything, but I feel so… what’s that word? Inadequate. She’s surrounded by men who care for her. I would even dare guess that the bloodsucker loves her. He looked how I felt on the inside at the hospital, though you would never know. And then there’s that Robot dude, what’s Mr. Emotionless’s name again—Oh yeah, Leviathan. Isn’t that a fish? Does that mean he just flops around in bed? I wish I could say it surprised me when I caught their scent yesterday, but hell, she was ready to jump his bones on the first day. I can’t help the feeling of loss. If Rezzi keeps collecting these damn guys, what will happen to me? Will she still need me? It’s not like it used to be with her exes. They fucked those relationships up themselves, not wanting to experiment with her. Though I did step in where I could. I have a feeling though, it won’t be the same. Not here. I don’t mind sharing her, I just don’t want to be left behind and forgotten.
I’m just the pet, her Familiar, that follows her around. No one really sees me. I’m not even sure Rez really sees me anymore.I guess this is the life I’m meant to live. To love her from afar. I’m not even sure if she will take me once I become human again. Because I know it will happen one day, I just don’t know if it will be too late.
Shaking myself out of my musing, I run over to the dresser drawer and pull out leggings and a sweater that JP leaves for her if she wants. A stab of jealousy and self-pity hits me as I gather them up and try carrying them back to her. Even JP, who can have anyone, takes care of my Rez better than I can.
I end up holding the clothes with my mouth, dragging them into the bathroom while I waddle around the material between my legs.
Laughter greets me, and I think she’s laughing at how funny I look until I look up and see she’s on her phone texting someone. It’s probably the bloodsucker or the Mage who smells ‘off’. She’s close to them along with JP. I don’t really hate them, I’m man enough to admit that. I just want them to die in a fiery pit of death. But Rez might be upset if that shit happened, so next time I see them, I’ll just piss on them.
‘Here you go, Rezzi-Bear,’I say and turn to leave.
‘Thank you. You’re not leaving the apartment, right?’
Hope surges inside me for a brief moment that she asks. The funny thing with hope is that it’s a fickle asshole that likes anal play. Hope is definitely a woman from the most bottomless pits of hell because she will build you up so you’ve reached the peak, then drop your ass, laughing as you fall, shattering into a million pieces and sometimes never being whole again.
I’m still trying to pick myself up from my last fall.
‘Nope, I’ll be here. I’m just going to lay down.’
‘Okay, I was just checking. Do you need food?’
‘No,’I reply.
Her brow furrows in concern,‘When was the last time you ate? I know I haven’t been feeding you, and I’m sorry about that.’
‘The others have been taking care of me. Don’t worry, Rezzi. I’m in good hands.’
Walking out, I jump onto the bed and lie down in my cat form. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. I haven’t been feeling well, and I just voluntarily lied to Rez for the first time. No, I haven’t been eating. Actually, I’ve tried a few times because I know I need to, but nothing appeals to me, and when I try, it comes back up. Water is the only thing I can take and keep down. I’m not too worried about it. It’s probably nerves or I’m just depressed.
Twenty minutes later, Rez walks out from the bathroom, wearing the leggings and sweater I brought to her. Looking a little better, she plugs the phone into the nightstand, and crawls into bed. Sighing, she rolls over so she’s facing me and runs her hands through my fur.‘I’m glad you’re still here and not running out doing whatever you usually do,’she tells me, giving me a sweet, tired smile.
‘Of course I would stay. You need to fill me in on what happened after I was locked in by Sir-mix-a-knot.’
Rez snorts and rolls her eyes, but fills me in with her meeting with one of the Fates. From her description, it could only be Anwen, the Fate of timelines. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not, paying Rez a visit. Hell, anytime a Fate comes knocking, you better brace yourself. I don’t want to worry her, though. She has faint bags under her eyes, and she’s had it rough since we’ve been pulled here.
