Chapter Six
Mira
Ifollow Dorian down into the Basement of Doom.
He doesn’t let go of my hand, and weirdly, I don’t mind that so much.
The point of contact is warm and ignites a feeling of safety in my belly.
I know that’s total bullshit; there’s not a single thing about this situation that’s safe.
Dorian happens to be the biggest threat in my life right now, but I appreciate the sense of calm that washes over me, even if I know it’s fake and unreliable.
Since I can’t have my music yet, I’ll take what I can get.
The bad vibes here aren’t as intense as I expected, meaning that whatever place is giving off the horrid energy in this house is hidden somewhere nearby.
I don’t bother trying to discern where; I don’t need any more scares tonight.
My attention is shortly taken up by a cardboard box in the corner.
Little mewls and tiny meows sound from inside it.
“Credence isn’t very friendly,” Dorian warns me. “The kittens are cuddly and don’t mind being held, but their mom is pretty… what do the animal-enthusiasts call it? Spicy?”
I smile. “Yeah, spicy cats refer to the bitchy, hissy ones. Funny enough, my kindle app is filled up with spicy books, and none of them have anything to do with a cat’s personality. Isn’t it weird how modern-day adjectives have so many meanings?”
Dorian gives me a strange look filled with vague bemusement.
“Is Credence okay with people going up to her?” I ask him.
He nods. “Usually, so long as they don’t touch—what the fuck?”
A blur of gorgeous black fur leaps out of the box.
A beautiful cat with slitted green eyes and a glossy coat regally pads her way across the floor, ears perked up, tail twitching with interest. Her eyes remain fixed on me; I let go of Dorian’s hand and smile, sinking to my knees on the ground.
I slowly stretch my hand out as she approaches me, palm up, offering her my scent.
Credence sniffs the air, blinks slowly, then promptly butts her head into my hand.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I greet, scratching behind her ear. “Not so spicy, are we? You’re gorgeous, has anyone told you that?”
“She is spicy,” Dorian says, sounding perplexed. “Connor’s threatened to turn her out or skin her more than once after she’s clawed him. He still has scars from the last time he tried to pick her up by the scruff and toss her outside.”
I nod. “Yeah, well, Connor seems like a prick. Is Credence nice to you? Is she your cat?”
“She was living here when we bought the house, so I took responsibility of her. Credence tolerates me,” Dorian replies. “A few times a month she’ll allow me to pet her, not walk right up to me and demand attention.” I can feel his gaze on me. “Who are you?”
“Mira,” I reply, chuckling when Credence braces her front paws on my knees and leans deeper into my pets. I switch my position to cross-legged on the ground. She steps back and circles me, rubbing her body along mine. Scent-marking me, probably.
“Are you human?” Dorian asks.
“As far as I know,” I reply. “It’s a terrible affliction.
Humans suck. Most of them ignore their true nature and disregard empathy.
I stick to my nature and have way too much empathy, which animals can sense.
Ergo, they won’t leave me alone. Not that I’d want them to.
” I smile when Credence curls up on my lap, rubbing her cheek over the tear in my jeans.
She starts kneading my knee; I wince as her claws sink into my skin.
“Oh no, I think someone needs a nail-trim,” I say.
Dorian squats down beside me, reaching his hand toward Credence. She recoils, yowls, and hisses at him in warning.
“Jesus,” Dorian says. “This is ridiculous.”
I blink at him. “I already told you I’ve been adopted by a wolf pack and there’s a fox skulk that’s taken to me.
Both species are known for being extremely antisocial with humans.
” A frown furrows my eyebrows. “Speaking of, I’m surprised Credence doesn’t mind that I stink of wolf.
I should’ve changed before I came down here.
Is it really surprising that your mean cat likes me? ”
“I guess not,” Dorian says. “Hearing it is one thing, seeing it is another.” He braces his hand on my shoulder. Credence tracks the gesture, then promptly hisses and claws at Dorian, who withdraws his hand just in time.
I grin at Cadence. “Possessive already? Wonderful. Don’t worry, my love, I’m all yours.” I lean down to kiss her head. “God, you’re so pretty. All that healthy black fur and those gorgeous green eyes. So, so pretty.”
“She’s not pretty, she’s fucking evil,” Dorian seethes. “Seriously, what the hell is happening right now?”
“Don’t you need to bug my phone or something?” I ask him. “Wait, quick question, what should I tell my dorm roommates about my absence for the next week? They’ll want an explanation.”
“Tell them you’re having an affair with a hot guy,” Dorian deadpans. “Should be believable enough.”
“It won’t be,” I disagree. “They know I’d never shirk them for something as dumb as sex. That’ll make them more suspicious.”
“Are they trustworthy?”
“Yes. Not with everyone—Cara likes gossip—but they’d never share something I told them in confidence. We’re loyal to each other, to the grave.”
“I’ll check up on that. If it tracks, you can tell them you saw something you shouldn’t have and I’m keeping you close for a while to make sure you’re not a threat. I’ll talk to the other guys about it in the morning.”
Surprised, I gaze at him with a frown. “You’ll let me… tell them the truth? Aren’t you worried they’ll tell someone?”
“Not if they want to keep you safe, which is a point you’ll stress to them,” Dorian replies.
“I’m not going to hurt you; no one here’s going to hurt you.
This is just a precaution. Make sure they know that saying anything would only put you in hot water, which you’re already trying to clamber out of.
” He shrugs. “Sometimes a partial truth is better than a complete lie.”
“Oh. Okay,” I say dumbly, absently stroking Credence’s belly.
“I’m gonna go into that room for a bit,” Dorian says, nodding to a closed wooden door not far from the edge of the huge TV. “Stay here. If you leave or try to run, I’ll know, and we’ll have problems.”
“I won’t leave or run, there’s a very cute cat in my lap,” I tell him. “I’m just going to chill here. What time is it?”
Dorian pulls his phone out of his pocket, checking the screen. He winces. “2 a.m. I’ll be quick, then we can go to bed.”
I glance around the basement. “Can I sleep here? That couch looks comfortable.”
“Nope,” he responds. “Stay put, Mira.” He turns and walks toward the door, opening it.
I catch a glimpse of a desk with four computer monitors and a bunch of computer boxes.
Looks like someone here’s very technologically adept.
He enters the room, leaving the door cracked so he can still see me.
I return my attention to Credence, cooing as I stroke her.
After a few minutes of bathing in pets, the mewling of kittens grows louder.
Credence meows at me, then pads back to her box.
She leaps into it, and a moment later she jumps back out, holding a kitten by the scruff.
I press my hands to my chest, melting at the sight.
She carefully sets her kitten in front of me.
The kit blinks up at me with big blue eyes, considering me for a moment, then awkwardly climbs onto my lap, meowing.
“Oh my goodness,” I murmur. “I think I just fell in love with you.” I stroke my hand over the kitten’s fur as Credence goes back to the box and brings me another kitten.
And then another, and another, again and again until I have eight kits climbing over themselves, kneading me, batting at my hair, and meowing adorably.
“Do they have names?” I call out to Dorian.
“Nope,” he calls back.
I pout. “That’s not cool. They’re over a month old, they should have names.”
“So give them names,” comes a reply, only it doesn’t originate from Dorian. I glance over my shoulder, eyes narrowing as I spot Seamus standing at the bottom of the stairs, leaning against the wall with a casual smile. “Hallo, love,” he greets.
“Hello, Brit,” I reply, echoing my own greeting from earlier tonight.
Once again, a sense of danger strikes me in the chest. Seamus is too relaxed, too easy going, and his smile reaches his eyes, yet quiet menace rolls off him in palpable waves.
I don’t think he means me harm right now, but I suspect that could change in a heartbeat.
“You seem to be getting on with our furry friends,” he observes.
“They are very cute,” I agree. “I’m glad Credence likes me. I’m surprised you guys allow a kitten litter in your House of Horrors.”
“House of Horrors, hmm?” Seamus says, stepping forward.
He watches as Credence rolls to her belly in front of me and meows, requesting more attention.
With her kittens hanging from my shirt, perched on my shoulders, and even climbing up my back, I pet the one on my lap with one hand while reaching forward to stroke her with the other.
“We’re not monsters,” Seamus says calmly, coming to a stop by the couch. He leans against the arm of it, watching me bathe in the attention of all these adorable felines.
I give him a knowing glance. “Aren’t you?”
“I suppose it depends on who you ask,” he replies lightly. “To those who stay on our good side, we certainly aren’t. Those who oppose us? They’d probably be the first to call us monsters.” He releases a breath of laughter. “The ones who are still alive, that is.”
“Seamus, get the fuck out of here,” Dorian calls from the tech room.
I feel my lips thin at the subtle threat. “I’m not going to oppose you—any of you. I don’t even want to be here.”
“I know you won’t go against us,” Seamus agrees. “You’re a good girl, aren’t you, love?”