Guardian

The fisher’s snarl sent a tremor through her, the blood that flowed through her veins instantly chilled. Not defensive; threatening. Jaws parted to reveal the jagged teeth. Froth gathered at the edges of the creature’s mouth and dripped down onto the dry earth. Time stopped. All activity ground to a lurching halt. She wanted to run, to flee as quickly as her legs would allow.

But she couldn’t do that.

What sort of mother would she be if she abandoned her young?

Muscles tensed, the fur along her spine lifted. There would be no running; she would not cower in an attempt to save her own hide. Claws flexed in preparation for the impending attack, and instantly time started ticking forward once more. Faster than her eyes could follow, the fisher had launched itself forward. The muscular creature slammed into Shasta’s left shoulder, knocking her to the ground and leaping upon her before her mind had even processed the action. Though the predator was not exceptionally large, scarcely bigger than the average cat, it was quick. Every movement was agile, fluid and natural… and completely terrifying.

Movement flickered at the edge of her peripheral vision, and an angry snarl tore from her throat. “Get out of here, Cress!” Green eyes momentarily shifted toward the splotched white and grey tom, his expression contorted in a mixture of fear and uncertainty. It reminded Shasta of the days when he was a kit, when the lands were plagued by caimans. He was her kitten, her only purpose in life was to protect and defend Idek and his siblings from harm. She had failed once before; she had been unable to protect Kite. Still a kitten, he had joined the cats in Eden.

She wasn’t prepared to have that happen again, didn’t believe she would be able to handle the loss.

Pain lanced through her body, sharp fangs tearing into her unprotected abdomen. Anger surged through Shasta and she twisted free, agony burning through her as flesh ripped open. Claws unsheathed, she scoured a gouge across the face of her assailant. An outraged hiss erupted from her adversary and it shook its head, scarlet drops scattered across the earth. Without missing a beat the Orange-Earth pressed forward, not willing to give the fisher time to recover from its initial shock.

Her right shoulder slammed hard into the throat of the creature and it stumbled backward, barking out a strangled sound.

The metallic scent of blood stung Shasta’s senses, made her gag. She could feel warmth trickling down her side, soaking her fur, and every movement sent a fresh wave of torture through her. It’s only one wound, one little wound . . . Behind her, she was aware of Idek’s presence, hesitant, debating on whether he should join the fray. “Don’t do something stupid. Just leave, slowly start to leave. I’ll deal with this scum and then I’ll be right behind you.” A lie, she made the act sound so simple… He didn’t move, and somehow the she-cat was not surprised by his stubborn refusal to obey.

A snarl drew her attention back to the furious creature before her and as it darted forward she braced herself for the impact. Muscles were tensed, her tattoo flared to life in a burst of brilliant orange. The ground rumbled and spikes of packed earth and rock rose out of the dirt, jagged and deadly.

A steady stream of maroon liquid rolled down the fisher’s right hind leg, it had escaped death but was not unscathed.

Shasta smirked faintly, her breaths short and fast. Larger attacks drained energy at a breakneck pace and she was not accustomed to using her powers. The light of her tattoo faded with her ebbing strength.

The fisher seemed to reconsider its attack and backed off, paced around the unpredictable terrain in a semi-circle. Dark eyes assessed the situation silently, cunning mind fast at work. Before she had time to blink the fisher was upon her again. Circling her it fastened its jaws around the area where her lower left hind leg and foot met up. A hybrid noise, something between a crack and a snap, reached her ears and agony tore through Shasta. She struggled to kick her enemy away, but her leg rebelled against her and refused to move.

Pain, greater than any she had ever experienced, clouded her mind. The first swells of panic broke against the shore of her consciousness. She wasn’t fast enough – wasn’t strong enough. Dropping flat, Shasta rolled onto her side and lashed out with her good leg. She kicked out hard, hissed and snarled as she struggled free.

“Mom, get up!”

Dark ears pricked up at the sound, bright green hues snapped toward the young tom in the same instant the foe’s jaws released. Until that point her son had remained silent, had been of little interest. For the first time, the fisher seemed to have noticed Idek’s presence.

Teeth bared in a bloody sneer, the creature prowled forward. Black orbs riveted upon the white and grey feline before it, a low snarl echoed out from deep within its chest. Two cats were encroaching upon its territory. Idek remained rooted in place, ears pressed flat and pelt ruffled. He flexed his claws and hissed as the fisher advanced toward him.

Prepared to attack, it rushed forward.

From somewhere deep inside her, fury flowed forth and Shasta was on her paws. That was her son. In spite of his sour attitude, and in spite of the fact that he had abandoned his tribe, she would protect him. No matter how little he seemed to care for his family, regardless of how little contact they’d had since he was apprenticed, Idek was still her kit. She had given birth to him, nurtured him, and protected him during the caiman war . . . and she would be damned if she let that son of a bitch lay a single claw upon him! Hot rage poured into her tired body, and Shasta lunged.