Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,8

field towards a row of trees screening the quarry from sight at the far end.

‘I would understand if you were to feel disgruntled at breaking our journey in favour of a mere cat, even though all life is to be considered sacred,’ I commented. ‘You, however, appear more upset at our flickering friend than anything else.’

He scowled. ‘I’m sorry, my Lord Alpha. I do not wish to speak out of turn.’

‘But?’ I prodded.

‘But we’re following a fucking sprite. We’re shifters. We’re better than the rest of the Otherworlders. Not only that but we’re the Brethren! To be dangling after a freak like that…’

I eyed him carefully. He was one of Brady’s recent acquisitions. Unfortunately it showed. ‘We are not better than anyone else,’ I said, keeping my voice calm and even. ‘There is no such thing. Feeling superiority over others will only lead to downfall.’

He hung his head. ‘Yes, my Lord Alpha.’

I had the distinct feeling he was only saying what I wanted to hear. I wondered how many others in the Brethren were of this ilk. It was a distasteful thought.

‘This way, this way!’ the will-o’-the-wisp crooned, dodging through the trees.

The cat’s plaintive meow was already audible. I quickened my step, following the noise through the small copse until we emerged on the side of an old, disused quarry.

‘This should be fenced off,’ I frowned.

The will-o’-the-wisp danced on the edge. ‘Fences are no fun.’ It pointed a wavering arm downwards. ‘The cat is down there.’

I peered over. On a narrow shelf, curled up into a small ball of fur, was a very small kitten.

‘How on earth did you mistake that for a human?’ Lucy asked.

There was no answer. The will-o’-the-wisp had vanished. I sighed and shook my head. ‘Let’s get the kitten and get out of here.’

Boran’s hand shot up in the air. ‘I’ll do it, Lord Corrigan.’

‘No, it’s alright. I dragged you out here, I might as well be the one to risk my neck.’

I edged over, trying to assess the best way down. I could slide and then halt my momentum on the same shelf the kitten was on. It might leap off in fright when it saw me coming though. I scratched my chin and shrugged. Then, without thinking about it any further I jumped off, dropping several feet and bending down to catch the cat at the same moment as my toes landed next to it. I scooped it up just in time, although it still squeaked in protest and began hissing, claws scraping out towards me as it struggled to escape.

‘Stop that,’ I told it gently.

It lashed out, tail whipping wildly from side to side and yellow eyes glaring at me with a mixture of hope, fear and sheer rage.

‘Boran, hold my feet.’ Lucy moved out, falling down headfirst towards me. ‘Give me the kitten, my Lord Alpha.’

It spat and wriggled. I stroked it in a vague attempt to calm it down before passing it over. Underneath the soft fur, I could feel its heartbeat beginning to slow and its muscles gradually relaxing. The kitten subsided, as if realising it wouldn’t be able to escape. A tiny, almost involuntary purr emitted from its throat. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. Then I reached up and handed it over to Lucy. Boran heaved her upwards, kitten clutched closely against her chest. As soon as she’d disappeared back over the edge, however, I heard a cry of dismay.

‘What is it?’ I called, suddenly alarmed. I sprang up to join them, landing back on solid ground just in time to see a flash of ginger fur disappearing into the distance.

‘It got free before I could do anything,’ she said mournfully.

I patted her shoulder. ‘It’s a cat,’ I reassured. ‘We’re independent creatures who can look after ourselves.’ I glanced back at the quarry. ‘Most of the time, anyway.’

***

It was starting to get late by the time we got back to the cars. Staines’ arms were folded and he was looking pointedly at his watch.

‘I know, I know. We’ll make excuses when we arrive.’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘And tell the Cornish pack what exactly? That we stopped to rescue a bloody cat? We’re the Brethren. They wouldn’t dare to ask why we’re late.’

I looked at him. ‘That’s not a good thing.’

‘I know.’ He sighed. ‘What happened to the will-o’-the-wisp?’

‘Disappeared.’

‘Smarmy creature.’

‘Yeah. Although,’ I pursed my lips, ‘he’s the first Otherworlder I’ve come across since Brady’s death who’s treated me like a normal person. Apart from Leah, of course, people act