Alika
She flew down the steps, knocking the two guards away.
“You sick fools!”
Her hands worked on the collar, eyes glaring at any who approached. She snapped the মণ্ডল off the girl's neck, working on the chains next. Kuran stood behind her, watching. When released, the girl clung to her, whimpering in fear. Tara held her close, protecting her shivering body.
“Why such an interest, Tara?”
She turned to glare at the vampire king. Her blood was boiling and she stood with the girl in her arms.
“You dare to bring someone so close to me into this trouble?! আপনি indeed are a fool Kuran! I will not give in to your petty cries for attention like the others! Back off of my territory অথবা die দ্বারা my hands!”
Kuran looked down at her with a smirking glint in his eyes. He gave a wide bow from the waist.
“I applaud you, Tara. I did not expect your blood to answer so quickly in the place it first changed. আপনি have proved me wrong.”
He stood and grabbed one of her hands, placing a soft চুম্বন on her palm. She stared at him with an almost blank expression.
“You tricked me.”
Her voice was soft, but cold. She pulled her hand away from his touch and stepped away.
“When this ends, I will kill আপনি myself.”
She turned and walked out of the room, the girl still clinging to her. She entered the room she occupied, bolting the door. Setting the girl on the bed, Tara got a closer look at her. Her hair was a dark brown that shined black in certain light. Her eyes were big and brown. She had brown নেকড়ে ears pinned against her head in fear, the white tips grayed with dirt. Her long fluffy tail was wrapped around her as if to keep away a chill. She trembled violently. Tara smoothed the hair out of her face.
“Hush now Alika. They can not hurt আপনি here. Why so far from home?”
“They were back early,” she whispered.
“Early?”
“The new moon is not for another moon.”
Tara turned away, reaching into a cabinet above her desk.
“Of course. The new moon; the উৎস of their disgusting powers.”
“It is not just that, Lady Tara.”
Tara paused for a brief সেকেন্ড at the name. I haven't been called that for a long while. She grabbed one of the labeled bottles from her cupboard. Then moved to heat up some water in the fireplace.
“What does Kuran have planned my little wolf?”
Alika curled up at the edge of the bed, fear momentarily gone.
“He has gathered many new vampires.”
“So I see.”
“He has arranged an alliance with Lord Vale.”
“His sworn enemy? This is news indeed, Alika.”
“Lady Tara, আপনি slipped into your role again.”
Tara cursed.
“It is getting harder to do, Alika.”
“What is happening?”
Tara chewed on her lip for a minute, thinking. She poured water in a cup, adding a few drops from the bottle.
“Times are colliding, Alika. Can't আপনি feel it? The wind's sudden change. That strange scent of dust. It is coming close. They are playing games with me.”
“What are আপনি going to do, Lady Tara? আপনি can't be here when the times collide!”
“I will have no choice. It's happening far too quickly this time, Alika.”
There was silence in the room except for the roar of the fire.
“Will আপনি be alright?”
“No.”
The little নেকড়ে girl eyed her mistress with concern.
“My lady, please go away from here.”
“I....no.”
“Please! আপনি must leave!”
Tara shut her eyes, the world fading in and out from her.
“No. I have to stay. I have to protect them.”
“But আপনি will-”
“I know the consequences, Alika. But I have no choice. No matter how much I wish it were different, that he died the first time, I can't change it. Kuran and Vale are going to war with the humans, with my friends. I will be here when it happens.”
“As আপনি wish....my lady.”
“Here Alika. Drink this and get your strength. I must go.”
Alika took the offered cup and watched Tara head for the door.
“Be নিরাপদ Lady Tara.”
Tara gave her a sad little smile.
“No মেষশাবক is safe.”
