Pleasure in Exile {Closed}

[LoganDarkHolme]

I have given you no power that I know of Dev

He frowned, rubbing his temples as he sat up, watching as Lilura slid from the bed he growled, watching the sway or her body as she got dressed before he too got up and dug around for his clothing. This was weird he felt……well…electrified. His senses tingled like he’d never felt before. As he slid his jacket on he ran his hands down the rough leather then flexed his hands looking at them.

“For a moment…..it almost felt like…….like I could hear your thoughts, see through your eyes. The surge was, “he shakes his head not able to come up with the words. And now his sudden ability to feel others, to sense others like him. Was this his own magic? Or the powers of his leopard he felt now? Looking at the clock he knew he and Lilura should be sleeping, it was early into the morning now but he felt charged almost high from it. Turning he smiled “well, I’m sure we can figure this out later. Lets go catch up a spy”

Once outside Dev looked around, blinking as if looking for a direction. Dev’s brow furrowed by as the wind shifted it was like he got a scent. Turning he made his way down the sidewalk and checked the street before he crossed, a small all night café called “becky’s” was dimly lit but the sign blinked open. With the large pane widows Dev and Lilura could easily see inside and that there were only about 5 people inside. Dev watched scanning each one but the one near the back of the diner is what drew his leopard, in his minds eye he heard his leopard purr then growl. And dev had a single thought pass through his mind “come to me” inside the man dev suspected jerked as if he’d been struck but his head flew up and he looked right at Dev, his eyes wide.

Dev tilted his head in Lilura’s direction and the man even at their distance visibly swallowed. Dev thought at him again, his leopard giving a low growl this time the man rose slowly stiffly and said something to the waitress before she nodded and he made his way to Dev. Dev looked to Lilura with an arched brow

“well, this is certainly interesting……it seems I can call him……”

 

[Asa]

While he dealt with calling the man to them she smiled though a brow raised at his speaking to the waitress. They could never be too sure if he was trying to get worse to the witch. She smiled as he walked close to them.

Tell me your name cub.

Her voice calm almost hypnotic as she spoke.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Dev looked at his mate, her cool calm smile made him shake his head, god she was gorgeous when she was serious. As the man approached the wave of fear and apprehension just wafted from him and dev had to keep from wanting to snort and clear his nose. Damn his overbearing senses sometimes, The man was twitchy as he stopped before him and out of the corner of his eye he say Lilura look to the waitress then back at the man before them.

Tell me your name cub.

The man visibly shook as Lilura spoke to him, he swallowed briefly before he managed to stutter out Ta…tan…tanner….dont kill me…..please…..i…i….i…I’m sorry I was spying on you…i….i…I was told how you killed the last one…..i…i…im only 21, please…..

Dev’s brows raised at that tidbit of info and he looked to Lilura before he turned back, reaching out he placed a gentle hand on Tanner’s shoulder, a low purring growl as his leopard rose, but there was a subtle shift in the air, calming, “Its ok Tanner, relax my friend its ok” Devs voice was low, and he purred again, his hand firm, giving the male a gentle reassuring shake that seemed to visibly calm the boy

“what did you tell your waitress? Is she also in Annie’s pocket?”

Tanner quickly shook his head no I was just telling her I had to run outside quick and grab my wallet tanner looked back over his shoulders as the waitress peeked out the window to make sure he hadn’t run off and tanner waved briefly to her and she left the window and he looked back to Dev and Lilura but as his eyes flicked over Dev’s shoulder he had a crawling feeling prickle up the back of his neck and dev got an annoyed look on his face as tanner suddenly began to sweat

“oh hell no, she aint doing this again” Dev’s grip on Tanner tightened as tanners face began to turn red and he seemed to struggle for breath Dev’s eyes shifted and he growled, pulling tanner in against him, closing his eyes he called his leopard. He never realized when things had changed, when Lilura seemed to have freed him but he gave in to his leopard, Trusted its instincts, in what it was saying to him “Mine, save the cub, she cant have him” felt the swirl of energy within himself, the breeze of the air, the scent of trees, and grass, Dev’s hand moved to tanners neck, skin to skin, envisioning his leopard flowing from him into Tanner

“Lilura, go inside and wipe the humans” as soon as he finished speaking he shoved his leopard into Tanner who gasped, Dev’s power taking hold he let his leopard roar as he cast off the death coils the witch was weaving, the wind around them swirling as the nature magic coursed. Tanner however shifted instantly as the power invaded his body and called his beast forcing his beast to the surface and over powering the magic that had been laid on him. In a burst of skin and fur tanner lay there panting, Dev lowering the young cub to the ground as the pain from the sudden shift shook tanner to the bone, but Dev kept his hand in the fur, kept touching as he called the power back, visualized his leopard entering his body

“shhh, its alright, breath, I know it hurts” Dev muttered softly

 

[Asa]

Lilura smiled to the boy then feeling the energy begin to elevate and hissed placing a hand on the boy a very clear threat slipped from her mind and back along the magic that threatened to kill him. Sending her a feed back loop edged with. He is mine now child...

Hearing Dev she slipped into the diner and gathered all their attention to her and dealt with them.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Dev pulled his hand back as the young leopard before him gathered his senses; He knew the boy was in pain, forcing his shift on him as roughly as he did. Dev sighed and shook his head looking to the Diner then looking around. Dawn would be coming soon, but Dev knew what he found in his powers had taken a toll, his hand was shaking and he felt utterly exhausted. He didn’t know what had possessed him to try what he had, to just let loose and trust in his powers. And on some level it scared him, to know he could force his magic into others, to bend them to his will, it was a rush, a high when he did it. But he remembered the lessons growing up that his grandfather had taught him. To let the power control you meant to forever let it control you and he felt it now, the desire to see what else he could do, like a drug, a little taste and your hooked.

Dev whispered to himself, the statement shaking his very core “am I strong enough???” Looking up he saw Lilura approaching and he rose to stand, a little unsteady at first but he held himself. “We need to get him back to our room, forcing his change, I hurt him and he doesn’t have the strength to shift himself back yet. But I think he’s safe. At least for now…”

The leopard at their feet rose unsteadily to his paws then looked up at them hesitant, afraid. Looking between Lilura and Dev “it’s alright, she’s gone, come on, let’s get you some food and you will need to recover your strength to shift back” The boy lightly nuzzled his head against dev’s thigh and they made their way quickly back across the street and down to their hotel, having to hide the kid behind bushes everytime a car passed by. Using the back entrance into the hotel with their keycard’s Dev Closed and locked the door behind them resting his forehead against the door

 

[Asa]

Dealing with the diner was easy for the most part as she turned a d walked back out to them and smiled to the leopard and motioned for them to follow as she moved through the shadows back to their hotel room.

You are safe cub... all will be well.

She smiled sitting down on the couch watching Dev and the young cub.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Dev shut the door behind them. Thoughts still running through his head, the sensations he’d gotten and the glimpses into the boys mind as he forced his beast into the man. The boy coward in the cover away from them, curled up and whimpering as he shivered in his fur Dev looked to Lilura as she spoke, her words seeming to calm the boy a tad bit. You are safe cub... all will be well. The boy looked to him then crawled to her, almost hiding behind her and dev rolled his eyes skyward.

“looks like he’s scared of me now, awesome” there was sarcasm mixed in with his dour mood, Annie was really starting to piss him off, he’d glimpsed the torment the boys memorys held of her forcing were-animals do to her bidding with her magic. Dev looked at the clock at knew they should be asleep by now, it was going on 3am and they’d had a testing day.

“im exhausted, but I don’t trust him, what do you want to do hun? You can probably force his beast to retreat and shift him back, I don’t know how hurt he is after what I did to him and right now I don’t trust my own powers enough to want to try it myself”

 

[Asa]

I think him seeing our calmness with you in feline form might help love.

She looked to the young man and smiled.

He will not hurt you. You are safe here young one. Would you rather be in feline form or human form? I can have him become feline as well if that would be more calming and we can all get some sleep here safely.

She awaited the young ones answer as she moved to the bed to rest finally realizing or accepting how tired she truly was.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

(((Mutters about Lit having lost his post yesterday apparently)))

Dev muttered and sighed softly, he didn’t trust this kid if he held this much fear what chances would they have of him giving them accurate information, what Dev didn’t know was if the kid was more afraid of them, or if Annie got her hands on him again. If he was more afraid of what annie would do he wouldn’t talk. If he was more afraid of him and Lilura he probably wouldn’t tell them anything either afraid of what we’d do once he told us.

I think him seeing our calmness with you in feline form might help love.

Dev looked down at the huddled quivering form of the boy and sighed, a deep shoulder slumping sigh that betrayed just how tired he was as Lilura asked tanner what would help calm him but he only whimpered and Dev inwardly cursed

“Ok, so he doesn’t know Telepathy in his beast form, I have the strength to shift, but im too tired and exhausted from what I’d just done outside, once I shift I wont be able to shift back until I rest. I have no connection to nature here, no focal point to draw on to replenish my magic the magic is twisted here, blocked, “ Dev frowned some “Im gunna kill that bitch….” There was a flash of rage across his face followed just as swiftly by sorrow then dev let himself slump to his knees and close his eyes. Tanner whined as dev exhaled slow, the scent of forest, grass, trees slowly filled the air.

Dev closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, as he exhaled he whispered softly “Tireaionang za’u txen” Dev’s eyes opened to show their gold emerald color, and he growled low, as a swirling myst began to form around him Dev fought for control as the magic swirled but as the myst enclosed him he seized control of himself and shifted, he let his body slump to the floor and he panted. His claws pawing at the ground lightly before he managed himself to his paws, with a soft whine he crawled slowly to tanner, nudging the boys muzzle with his own. At first tanner just looked at him, then he looked up to Lilura before he whinned and moved to cuddle against Dev.

With a sigh Dev looked to Lilura and a subtle nod of his head, before he let himself relax against the boy

“””””””””””””””

Annie smoldered as she stood in her bathroom, cleaning the deep claw marks that had marred her arms as her spell broke. She’d never had anyone Break a spell on her she was weaving for an instant, she’d seen the leopard, as if it’d had been right in front of her, as she weaved the Death spell to kill the boy the image had appeared to her, She’d felt Dev’s presence, and she’d felt the witch nearby, was this her doing? Dev wasn’t this strong, in all these years she’d never felt a power like that it had to be hers, she’d bonded with him? Was that was she felt? Whatever it was, the image of the leopard had leapt at her, passed right through her as the her spell shattered and in the backlash it’d been like the leopard had clawed her, 2 sets of claw marks had marred her arms and she’d heard a whisper along the thread of magic He’s mine now child then she’d lost hold of the spell. As she bandaged herself she walked into her living room, she was now down two servants, and she’d kept the remaining three to weak to really be a threat to her, only now she realized she’d kept them to weak they’d be no match for Dev and this witch.

Silent she cursed until she heard a whispered laugh, a sinful voice that dripped sarcasm “I told you human witch, She was too much for you to handle, I wont offer again, help us, and we will help you, give you more power then you have ever imagined you could wield, why stop of the felines, you could control all shifters, all magic, “

Annie stopped as she glared at the blonde man, but what he offered was too good to pass up, was their a downside? What wasn’t he telling her? “what do I have to do?”

 

[Asa]

You two rest I have one more thing to do and I will retire with you in a moment.

With that she walks to the phone calls the night desk clerk and her power slithered as she placed a few requests some for plants some for food delivery for the next day. It was clearly more than enough power to bring the clerk fully under her sway permanently. Once thst was done she smiled walking over to them and reaching for a blanket for herself and for them if they wished and snuggle up against Dev.

Good night Dev good night cub... rest well and safe.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Dev’s ears twitched as he listened to Lilura speaking quietly, with a sigh he laid his head on his paws and gave a sidelong glance to tanner, the male was just drifting off to sleep. Dev shook out his fur and did what most felines do and cleaned his paws and face. Once he was sure tanner was asleep he got up and padded to the bed, jumping up he laid beside his mate and licked her cheek softly before exhaustion finally over came him. Again dreams, visions came to him, scattered with no sense of time, “gods, goddess” visions of rituals being performed, he’d looked down at himself in leopard form, felt the weight of a golden collar around his neck, the dream shifting to a weird third person kind of view, and as he saw himself although he’d never seen it he knew what it was, a guardians collar, he was one of the Guardians of Bast, gifted the ability to change forms to protect the goddess and the Pharaoh.

Animals were of the land, and so they were gifted the ability to use the magic of the land to perform great healing, and allow them the ability to take the form of any feline they so chose, as had been his bloodlines right they’d choosen leopards so long ago,sleek and agile they had become the Pharaoh’s favorite protectors. The Chinese had Tigers, the Aztech’s had favored Jaguar’s, every civilization had their animals to call throughout history. Dev came awake with a start, he felt hot, if he’d been in human form he’d probably be sweating. His head lifted and he looked around, Tanner lay asleep on the floor yet and Lilura had long since drifted off.

Panting softly Dev laid his head back on his paws but again he felt that ripple that had awoken him. He could have sworn he’d felt something. A movement but there was nothing here. His nose flared as he scented the air and again there was nothing. But the feeling of being watched prickled up his skin and he growled low. Eyes moving, ears twitching, But for nearly 5 minutes nothing moved and eventually the feeling faded. Was it annie? Had she somehow been watching them?

 

[Asa]

Lilura was shaking a little in her sleep. She sensed something too but could not weak up. The feel in to her was old and of home but how? Who?

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

As Lilura began to stir the feeling slowly faded and dev was finally able to settle down. With a final growl he nuzzled into his mate and fell back asleep. When he finally roused back to wakefulness he groaned and stretched. Finding himself back in human form he smiled and said a silent prayer for the ancients. He was foggy, still not fully awake but as he sat up, a hand gently stroked over lilura’s shoulder then he caught the scent. His head swung around and he looked into the corner of the room, finding the young man. Tanner the little voice in the back of his head said. Then the scent of fresh food wafted to him and he saw the cart beside tanner who looked up startled at first ”uhhh.,…room..service came..while you were asleep…I uhh…had a little bit… Dev relaxed and just nodded, resting his hand on Lilura’s shoulder and leaned down kissing her cheek softly “foods here my love, and tanner’s human again”

He slipped from the bed and tossed on his shirt from last night not wanting to dig through his bags just yet to find clean clothes and grabbed a muffin sitting down across the little table from tanner. “how do you feel cub?” Tanner looked down at the roll in his hand. Turning it over slowly before he muttered a soft im better………..thanks Dev nodded and bit into his muffin mulling over the options and questions he had

 

[Asa]

The scent of food and the affections of Dev she smiled and slowly awoke.

So how is the dear cub feeling now? A nice breakfast a warm room. Do you feel any of her presence young cub? Or anything else strange?

She glanced around as if listening to or for something and smiled snuggling into the comforter as she watched them.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Do you feel any of her presence young cub? Or anything else strange?

Tanner looked up, his eyes seeming far away, his gaze was unfocused, but when he blinked he shook his head, a soft “no” in a reply, he popped a grape into his mouth then wiped the juice from his lip “considering you haven’t killed me yet…………” Tanner swallowed and again he looked uncomfortable as he glanced to Dev then back to Lilura “I…….i don’t know what is really going on….i…I was given to the Mistress when I was young, she raised me, most of us…..we…..we were told there was a man and a women in town who’d come to make this town their own, to start their own Pard here and own the rest of the us” Tanner shivered and you could see him hunch down into himself, swallowing hard again.

Dev spoke up as the boy hesitated “we’re here for your Mistress” Dev didn’t bother hiding the hate and sarcasm of that single word from Tanner “How does she control you? I can feel the magic in the air, my leopard can feel it, its stifling, oppressive” Tanner nodded softly “she’s………..she’s strong, her..her mother was a witch, bitter women. Since I was very young I can remember her teaching our Mistress her ways.” Tanner looked away “she….killed….some of us at first, I was 5, she performed some kind of spell, and killed 3 of my sisters and took their powers….thats…the best I can describe it…”

Tanner’s eyes went haunted as he took a biscuit from the cart and nibbled on it not sure he wanted to say anymore. Dev looked to Lilura unsure what to say, but the more tanner talked, the more and more he felt the anger from his leopard, felt his own anger mount, he studied long enough to know Black magic when he heard about it. If Annie had sacrificed shifters to steal their powers or to gain control she had to die

 

[Asa]

Her blood boiled as a growl tried to slither past her lips as she listened to Tanner

Well then sounds like there is revenge to be had.

She smiled a calm yet lethal smile as she thought.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Tanner looked to Lilura his face paling slightly which was impressive considering his already sheet white demeanor, he swallowed again as he saw the look flash through her eyes and huddled in on himself again that twinge of fear. From what Dev had gleaned from what Lilura had told him of her past he knew her anger was more about how abusive Annie had become and what her mother had done early on then anything, but considering Female anger was what Tanner had grown up with he had to smirk slightly

“You are scaring him my mate, “dev fought hard to keep the amusement out of his voice. Then it occurred to him that he’d never been this vain about anything in his life. Of course he’d been upset about what happened when he was young, and ok, so he’d gone to bars and picked fights with people who harmed others but hey they deserved it…..Dev rubbed his eyes and looked at his watch. Has so much in his life really changed that much in just 4 days? All the rage buried for 60 years? Dev felt his beast huff in his mind’s eye and practically roll its eyes at him. Absent mindedly he heard Tanner speaking but it took a second for him to focus before he heard what the boy was saying

“So…if you’re not here to take over, you’re clearly here for the Mistress, and the feelings im getting from his beast” Tanner motioned a thumb at Dev “Says something more is going on here…” Tanner

Dev cleared his throat and looked to Lilura as if asking what he should say, or if she wanted to take this

 

[Asa]

She took a deep calming breath not that it cal me much and smiled softly to the boy.

No mere mortal human should wield power over the mighty shifter races. Shifters should wish to lend their strength wisdom and protection only to those they deem worthy. That is how it was in my homeland. Shifters chose to be temple guards and protectors and the elders taught the children and anyone else who wished to learn. A dark soul like the one you call mistress holds no reason nor worthiness for such a title would have been executed at her first attempt to gain power over a shifter.

She tried her best to maintain her calm but it was difficult at best.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Tanner frowned as he listened, he’d never heard any of this, and he honestly didn’t understand any of it. How he’d grown up and what he’d been taught was his “responsibility” had been to serve without question. Do what you’re told, Obey or suffer. But as he listened he looked between Dev and Lilura, the scent of anger just washed from her and that only confirmed everything they’d told him so far.

“You really are here to kill her? Aren’t you?” It was almost visible as Tanner relaxed, and Dev made a noise. Rubbing his face with his hands he sat back, After a few minutes Dev took the time to explain to Tanner what had transpired 60 years ago when he was younger and the curse of his mother. Tanner’s eyes just widened as the true realization hit him, which just made Tanner more afraid of what his “Mistress” could do to everyone else still left with her.

I…don’t know what good I can be to you? I’m…not really a fighter…. Tanner spoke softly as he looked back to Lilura But I’ll help wherever I can, if what you’ve told me is true, she won’t take what you did to me or to her lightly. She’ll sent her dog after us all I don’t think she’ll risk sending any more of the few remaining servants she has after us since their like me

Dev sighed again as he sat back. Things were getting tricky and fast. Looking to Lilura he smirked some “well, I still have the numbers for those houses you wanted to look at, we’ve already gone this far?”

Dev got up and went to his coat, pulling the piece of paper from his pocket and rifling around for his cellphone he sat on the bed

“””””””””””

Annie was deep in thought as she read through a book that she had found. The shadowed figure had been coming and going for the last few days, but what little information she had gleaned from her interactions had her suspicions raised. She felt the power of the presence. Like a hot wind down her neck telling her to run. But the promise of power had kept her from finding a way to banish that entity. It would be a full moon in three days, and she had to get her preparations underway if she was to attempt this spell. But silently she prayed it didn’t kill her, she’d never attempted something like this before and had no way of knowing how the magic would work, or if she’d have enough control. For the first time in her life Annie realized she doubted herself, which in the end only served to enrage her more as her thoughts turned back towards Dev.

This was all his fault, he’d driven her to this the day he killed her father destroyed her family and drove her mother into despair and grief. Dev did this, and he would pay

 

[Asa]

You know the one I want love.

She walked over to Tanner.

Will the others listen to you? How many more shifters does she have and what kinds?

She smiled to the young man.

You can stay with us to be safe and any others you can help us help can stay with us too.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

You know the one I want love.

Dev smiled and leaned down, kissing his mate, savoring the taste of her, before he pulled back and nodded flipping his phone open and walking into the bathroom and closing the door as he started talking.

Tanner looked up as Lilura began talking to him, he blinked as he thought back shaking his head then shrugging in response to her question.
“I dunno who will listen to me, we are all scared of her, n…..no one wants to get on her bad side, maybe one or two others, but if you keep flexing your muscles like you have been you might be able to sway a few more”

He listened again as Lilura spoke How many more shifters does she have and what kinds? You can stay with us to be safe and any others you can help us help can stay with us too.

“There was just me, and 3 others left. Plus her dog Jackson”

That’s it for what she has in town, but I know on the outskirts there’s at least another 4 or 5 of different species, I think she has a lion to call and a panther…I don’t know the others, she only kept a small handful in town for servants…”

 

[Asa]

Well then we will just have to keep pushing. How would you like to help us go shopping for furnishings for the new house? I mean you will be able to have your own room and will need furnishings for it.

She smiled as the house she wanted had the most rooms for bedrooms in it. She had plans of magics surrounding the house and property that would protect everyone inside of it and beacon of their presence to Annie.

Glancing around she paused for a moment as she whispered in a soft almost happy voice.

Bast... mother.

Just as quickly she shook it off the sense was gone but still it had her full attention. She could not understand how that sense had cleared the realm gate.

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Well then we will just have to keep pushing. How would you like to help us go shopping for furnishings for the new house? I mean you will be able to have your own room and will need furnishings for it.

Dev slightly growled at that, as he came out of the bathroom and slipped his phone into his pocket. He didn’t yet trust this stranger. And while Dev was certain he’d actually freed the young leopard he still didn’t trust the boys intentions or loyalties yet. Rubbing his eyes he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Ive got us an appointment for 3 this afternoon.” Dev looks to the clock on the nightstand. Means we have 4 hours to kill……….Dev pauses and reflects if perhaps not the right phrasing then just shrugs “I heard you mention furniture, I guess this means I’ll have to sell my house?” Dev smirked slightly his eyes going to Tanner, but it was the quiet whisper from Lilura that had him turning back, catching the briefest of smile and his brow piqued

“mother?”

 

[Asa]

I... I could sense them... like there was a pause or something in the realms gate. I have always called Bast mother...

She shook her head and then looked to Dev then Tanner.

Where were we?

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

I... I could sense them... like there was a pause or something in the realms gate. I have always called Bast mother...

Tanner looked utterly confused and had resisted the urge to want to ask what she was talking about but the heavy frown from Dev and obvious confusion in his eyes silenced the question as Dev shifted on the bed to look at his mate

“ummmm……I thought you had said that was impossible? That’s………..not a good sign…….right?”

Dev watched the far away look in lilura’s eyes before she blinked several times and seemed to refocus herself, Dev’s frown only scowled as she asked Where were we? to which Tanner, wanting to break the tension had a comment about a bed and furniture. Dev just shook his head, not wanting to talk about this in front of company and deciding to save it for later he got up, moving to his duffle bag he ruffled around till he found a clean polo shirt and slipped it on. He looked to Tanner and made a not the boy would probably need clothing too.

“well………in for a penny in for a pound….” Pulling his Truck keys from his jacket as he tugged it on he smiled.

“well, I guess we are off to the furniture store, or whatever they have here.”

About a half hour later Dev pulled into the parking lot of the largest store in town her could find. Looking around his eyes as well as his head was on a constant swivel. Things had gone from bad to worse in just a short amount of time and Dev was still leary of the people he didn’t know. Which was pretty much everyone at this point. He wrapped his arm around Lilura’s waste and nuzzled her cheek with his own sa the happy 3 some walked into the store