Page 26 of Banishing Regrets

According to Jessica, the herbs grew in the shade in one of the densest areas of the rainforest. No humans had ever been there before, and judging by the undisturbed foliage of the plants, Katia was sure shifters hadn’t either. The call of wild birds sounded like a beautiful melody around them while crickets joined in, clapping their legs together. Occasionally, a wild monkey jumped out of their way, probably shocked to see a black and white striped cat accompanied by another as black as the night. Tigers and black panthers didn’t live in these rainforests, but jaguars did, and she hoped to avoid them, not wanting to get into a fight with a real wild animal.

“It shouldn’t be much farther.” Jackson used his telepathic link again to speak to her.

“I’m wondering about getting some food while we’re here to take back. I don’t think I can stomach hare again today.” Katia looked around, using her sharp, cat eyesight. Deer and various other wild animals, that would make a good meal, were hiding in the shadows, trying to escape them.

“New plan. Get the herbs, catch something for dinner, fuck you senseless, go home, and eat. Perfect. I love it,” Jackson responded.

Katia chuckled to herself. It definitely was a very good plan.

They both slowed to a trot as the forest became denser and darker. Katia wiggled her nose to see if she could smell the herb. Jessica had told her it would have a very sweet scent—a bit like a Sweetheart. She smelled something, but it wasn't sweet.

Humans.

Jackson must have sensed the same aroma.

“Who are they?” she questioned.

“Maybe an undiscovered, indigenous tribe. They’ve probably never had contact with the outside human world,” Jackson was crouched low to the ground.

“They’ll try to hunt us for food.” Katia was concerned—a tiger and black panther, even if these humans didn’t know what they were, would make a good meal.

From out of the dense flora and fauna came several large men. They were dressed only in loincloths made from animal hides. They held spears in their hands and colorful markings adorned their faces.

“Shit,” Jackson moved to stand in front of her, but it was no use, there were men behind them as well. They were surrounded.

“Should I call Jessica?” Katia asked.

“We need the herbs,” Jackson reminded her.

“Not if we’re going to end up as dinner.” Katia would rather return empty handed than be cooked.

“Shift to human,” Jackson ordered. “It might scare them enough to give us a chance to escape in the confusion.”

“Okay, ready, one, two, three…” Katia allowed her body to change back to her human form. Jackson did the same.

The men with spears gasped and dropped to the ground. Katia watched them, all her instincts on high alert, ready to shift back into her tigress form and run. She didn’t expect the men to start chanting and worshiping them. They bowed up and down, waving their hands in rejoice.

“Er, what is happening?” Katia asked.

“I’m not sure.” Jackson was in front of her still.

“Mighty warriors, we’ve been expecting you.” A man who wore a crown of feathers on his head stood up but kept his head low. Katia was shocked that he spoke perfect English. “You have come for the herbs.” He clicked his fingers at one of the other men who scurried away. Everything was very confusing. This wasn’t what they’d anticipated.

“You’ve been expecting us?” Jackson asked.

“Yes.” The leader bowed his head low once again. “I’ve learned your language to be able to speak with you. Our god told us you would appear when you needed the herbs, and it would save our tribe. If we fail to give them to you, outsiders will come and destroy our forests. They will search for the wildlife, kill it all, and destroy our home. They will accuse us of supporting people like you who are both human and animal—magical creatures who only want to be happy and live in peace.”

“Your god?” Katia was struggling to comprehend what was going on. Had the person who’d given visions to the multi-shifters given the same to this tribe. “What was this god like?”

The leader smiled at her. “He was originally one of us, a long time ago. When I was a child, I remember my mother teaching me the stories and explaining why I had to learn the outsiders’ language called English. I hated it because I was the only one. Ever since the god came to us, the eldest son of the leader has been taught your language. Before this man became a god, he’d been a good warrior, fearless in the hunt. He’d always return with food for our people, but then one day he didn’t. The men of the tribe searched for days until eventually they found his corpse. There was a strange object embedded inside his skull—the object was made from a powerful element, but no one knew what it was. We still don’t, but it killed him. A few months after his death, he appeared before the leader. He told him of the future, of the outsiders and the weapons they possessed, and he told him of the destruction that would come one day. He put all the English words into the leader’s head and demanded it be taught to every future leader’s son from then on. His instructions have been followed ever since without question. He told the leader to cultivate special herbs and keep them alive at all costs because in the future two people, with the ability to change into a tiger and panther, would come. They would ask for the herbs, and we would have to give them as much as they request. It would be the only way to save our way of life.”

Rustling came from among the trees again, and the pungent scent of sweetness hit Katia’s nostrils. It was overwhelming when a man appeared carrying a large armful of stunning blue flowers with large green leaves.

“These are what you have come to find,” the leader explained. He motioned for the man to hand the flowers to Katia, which he did.

Katia felt lightheaded with the syrupy scent.

“This is strong,” she murmured to no one in particular.

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