Page 32 of Death Dance

In good news, the kitten cried and struggled to swim.

In bad news, in order to reach shore, I’d have to haul the pint-sized terror halfway down the pier to a boat launch. At least my father had been kind enough to inform me where the boat launches were, just in case I had any uncontrollable urges to fling myself overboard.

The kitten fit in my mouth without issue, and taking care not to bite down hard on the little beast, I kept my head clear above the water and paddled in the direction of the boat launch. The first thing I would do was cuss out every rat in the New York area and go on a hunt to satisfy my need for revenge.

If the blasted rodents weren’t keen on climbing aboard my ship, I wouldn’t have needed to rescue an ambitious kitten lacking in common sense.

Boy or girl, the little one would be mine, and that was that.

I made it to the boat launch, where Emerick and my father waited, both in human form. Without a word, my husband crouched and claimed the animal, who mewed its distress. “Giovanni is calling an emergency vet nearby, as this one will need medical care. While the rat barriers aren’t that far from the water, it’s a long way for a baby.”

I bobbed my head, and well aware my spouse might fight me on it, I began staring him into submission.

After examination, he said, “She’s a girl, yes, you can keep her assuming she survives, but it’s probable. The rat barricades are designed to send the rats into the water without killing them. Assuming she didn’t break anything, she’ll just suffer from some bruising.”

Giovanni drove up in his sedan, got out of the car with a cat carrier, and opened it. “I didn’t have any luck with the emergency vets. Our vet is on the way to our clinic, so I’ll take her there along with the orange one. She’s already in the back. We caught a calico and a tabby on the way, both female, so they’re yours too. You have reached your quota for kittens, so do try to contain our mistress, Master Emerick.”

I enjoyed the Italian doctor putting my husband in his place, and to show him my favor, I purred. I would have gotten into Giovanni’s car, but my father scooped me up, placed my paws on his shoulder, and said, “Your kittens will be delivered to your home soon enough. We need to finish our tour.”

To make it clear he wasn’t accepting no for an answer, he carried me back to the ship and ignored my complaints and hisses.

Emerick dared to laugh at me and followed us, poking at my front paws and my nose whenever an opportunity allowed. “The estrogen levels in the penthouse will be concerning, but I’m confident that the presence of cute kittens will help keep Pepper contained. She’ll only go hunting miscreants when necessary rather than at every opportunity.”

“If such delusions make you feel better,” my father replied in a doubtful tone.

To make it clear my father had the right idea, I purred.

“Pepper,” Emerick whined.

As I couldn’t speak English in my feline form, I turned my head, lifted my chin, and refused to acknowledge him.

“And once again, she wins. Be grateful she has sense and uses caution in her hunts. Those sons of mine needed to learn those things. How I did not sprout a full head of gray hair is beyond my comprehension. We can nudge her back to her human form in the suite. She will be adept at becoming one of our aligned animals. Returning to human is something she will need to practice. As such, do not be surprised should she show up in furred or feathered form demanding to be let in and expecting you to handle most of the work.”

“It could be worse,” Emerick replied, and he poked my nose again. “How many shapes will she be able to access?”

“More than you will be comfortable with,” my father replied. “Her bird of prey shape will be the easiest for her, as that is our line’s innate form. I can assume four aquatic forms, five mammalian forms, three reptilian forms, and seven avian forms.”

Emerick whistled. “That’s impressive. I can do more than one form, but I struggle with it.”

“That is better than most. Try not to worry yourself. In time, you’ll likely learn her primary avian form due to extended exposure. Everyone in my brood can assume my feline and my primary avian form, and most can assume an aquatic form as well. I will give you lessons while I am giving her lessons. For tonight, I will help her shift back to human, after which you will take her home and tuck her into bed, as surely the excitement from the outing and the acquisition of kittens will do her in.”

“Hopefully, she will remain awake long enough to finish the tour of the ship.”

“She should, but it’s likely you’ll be carrying her in from your car.”

The cruise ship boasted four ballrooms, and the grand ballroom on the second deck stole my breath. Everything about it screamed of luxuries long past, the crystal chandeliers sent rainbows of color and light dancing across the polished floor, and bejeweled curtains drawn up along the walls broke up the space without taking away from the majesty of the place. While I regretted having resumed human form, I did my best to keep from napping inappropriately.

My father would be proven right, however. The instant I sat down, I would be clocking out for the day, and that was that.

Rather than complain over having pushed myself more than wise, I said, “We’re definitely hosting the wedding ceremony on this ship, Emerick. We’ll use all the ballrooms for our games. We can even offer up the stake that rids Breckenan of his foul life as a prize.”

My husband chuckled. “You’re going to start a brawl for the right to own that stake should you do that.”

I could see how that could happen. “We will have a rule where invited guests cannot kill each other, obviously. Unwanted vermin who are foolish enough to come aboard can enjoy being torn apart by those wishing to own one of my babies.”

“You’re assuming one of your stakes is going to end his life. What if it’s one of mine?”

I huffed, lifted my chin, and refused to look at him. “My stakes will be the victor.”