Page 19 of Coven

Sora stretched, waving his tail in the air as he lowered his shoulders and flexed his front paws, and then he hopped off the table.

You think the floor will hold me? he asked cheekily.

Guess we’re about to find out, Kana responded.

Sora’s body started to shimmer as magic gathered. Just as his stripes started to be obscured, his body began to expand. He grew bigger and bigger, and Ralph and George both let out shocked gasps when his side brushed against the coffee table. Seconds later, a six-hundred-pound primordial tiger was standing where the small house cat had been.

Sora grinned at the wolves, all of his sharp, inch long teeth on full display. The floor groaned underneath him.

“Shit.” George’s eyes grew wide and his jaw slack, but that didn’t stop him from continuing to swear. Ralph didn’t say anything, but his mouth was also hanging open slightly.

Ember’s face was blank. However, his eyes were narrowed, and Kana presumed Ember might be evaluating the best way to attempt to take Sora down. Kana didn’t think even an alpha wolf would have a chance against Sora in his primordial form, but he was welcome to try. Sora would appreciate the exercise.

The floor groaned again. I’m changing back before something breaks, Sora said as he started shimmering again. He shrank to cat size and daintily hopped back onto the coffee table, where he curled up with Mika.

“T-two! There are two of them!” George gasped out.

Ember’s half smile was back, and his eyes burned with excitement. “They’ll do,” he said in a voice that was soft, yet full of deadly promise. “Who do we know that can act as bait?”

*

KANA’S HEAD WAS spinning from the discussion by the time Ember’s watch started beeping. Ember stood and pressed the button to silence it.

“Time to go make nice with the vampires,” he growled.

Ralph and George both groaned, but they stood as well. Kana followed suit, and he opened his bag so Mika and Sora could climb inside.

“You have a cell phone?” Ember asked Kana as they moved to the door. “We don’t know exactly when Sophia or Lucas will go hunting. I’ll call you when one of them goes out so you and your—” He paused and glanced down at Kana’s backpack. “—cats can get into position.”

They walked into the hallway, then waited while George locked the door and Kana dug his cell phone out of an outer pocket of his bag. He unlocked the phone and opened contacts, then handed it to Ember.

“Put your information in here. I block calls that aren’t in my contacts list.”

Ember started tapping at the touch screen as they headed downstairs. When they reached the main door, he swiped to a different app on Kana’s phone and used the keypad to type in a number. A second later Kana heard something vibrating, and Ember pulled a cell phone out of his jacket pocket. He handed Kana’s phone back, then unlocked his own phone and input Kana’s name into his own contacts list.

“We’re good,” Ember said. He locked his phone and stuffed it back in his pocket. They walked outside and the black car pulled forward and slid to a stop in front of them. Ember opened the rear passenger door for Kana.

“Thanks for your help,” Ember said softly. He leaned against the open door, his eyes soft and that half smile in place making Kana’s heart beat faster. “You’re going to save us.”

“No pressure,” Kana said as he buckled in. He was trying to joke, except his voice came out as more of a wishful purr. What would it be like, Kana wondered, if they could meet up just to meet up. No vampires or planning a coup, just the two of them. Except, Ember probably didn’t have any interest in Kana beyond what Kana’s magic could provide. Ember was an alpha wolf; he likely had dozens of pretty wolves at his beck and call. Kana probably couldn’t compare to what Ember already had and Kana needed to keep his head on straight and stay focused on the task ahead.

“I’ll make sure my phone is on and charged, so call the second you have word,” Kana said, attempting to keep his voice professional.

Ember’s smile faded, but he nodded firmly and stepped back. “You know I will.” He shut the car door and turned to jog down the sidewalk. The car pulled away in the opposite direction, and Kana lost sight of Ember.

Did I say something wrong? Kana asked.

So many mixed signals, Mika replied.

From both of you, Sora added with a snort. I don’t think either of you know what to think of each other, and Ember’s understandably distracted right now. Maybe after this vampire thing is done, you guys can sit down and figure things out.

That would be nice. Kana sighed softly and turned to watch the city roll by outside the car window. The sun was set, but the last rays were still visible in bright pinks and glowing yellows on the horizon. The streetlights were beginning to come on when the car pulled to a stop in front of Kana’s apartment. Kana climbed out and headed inside.

When the door was locked behind them, Mika and Sora changed to their human form. Kana headed into the kitchen to start figuring out dinner, but he turned to lean on the counter when Sora started speaking.

“When was the last time I changed to my big shape?” Sora asked. He stretched his arms over his head until his shoulders cracked, flaunting his flat stomach and firm chest for Kana to greedily devour.

“Before Kana started at his job,” Mika replied. When Sora lowered his arms, Mika draped himself against Sora’s back with his arms hanging over Sora’s shoulders. Both cuddled close, their opposing skin colors a painting of beauty.

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