The Tiger Within 119 Up The Tree We Go

"I have to make a few large leaps. Hold on." Kyera warned before making the first leap. Each jump up to the door was long and challenging when she was carrying an extra 190 pounds solid muscle. However, with the added weight she had to form shadow steps at the end of the jump, just to ensure she made it. By the time she landed on the platform with the door she was hot and her muscles ached.

He nearly slid off of her, but the shadows held him in place till she whispered freedom. Then he fell onto the floor beside her. She turned human once again her undergarments hidden by a shadow dress within seconds. She laid on her back, panting as the night wind so high in the trees cooled her system.

"Where is this place…" he whispered and Kyera sighed. She hadn't thought before she acted but as a healer and as a leader she could not leave him like that. Bringing him here had been her only option.

"No where you need to be concerned with. If you betray me and speak of this to anyone, I have saved your life and have no problem sending your soul to the Shadow King." Kyera warned as she slowly got to her feet, looking down on the young man. Her hair fluttering in the wind behind her the only soft thing about her posture. A warrioress stood before him giving warning.

He laughed laying back on the wood still, his eyes looking far above but his thoughts focused within before he spoke. "The only person I would have told before now was a woman I called The Th.o.r.n.y Rose, but she's how I ended up here. The witch." he spat, anger coming out in his voice. She raised an eyebrow.

"She shot you? Did she know you are a Shifter?" Kyera asked suddenly concerned. That arrow wound had undergone a shift with his body, it was obvious the whole hadn't come from below as the wound hinted. His skin had shifted with the arrow still in it. He winced.

"Yes. She found out when I was younger. A kid really. We were both playing in the forest and she saw me change in the woods. I was trapped a few months later and brought here. When she saw me as a adult in the palace guard… she had me. If the Emperor found out…" he looked away and Kyera could only imagine his pain. Knowing the man you are loyal to and would give your life to would take your life if he knew what you were… that hurt. The price of loyalty is sometimes steep.

"That is troublesome. You need to lay low. Are you still a guard here?" Kyera asked and he nodded. A deep sigh escaped Kyera. "I am Kyera Shade of the Moon." she introduces herself deciding that she needed to. This wolf, whether he realized it or not, was now tied to her.

"Shade… as in that Shade of the Moon? Princess of the forest?" he asked eyes widening a bit as he looked the fair haired woman over. He saw all the key features, white hair, golden eyes, G.o.ddess features…. He was at a loss. "I am Lazren Rogue Wolf…. You can call me Laz, My Lady."

"Ahh… I know your family line well. Your grandfather serves on my council." Kyera replied, honestly missing him. The last time she saw the wolf elder he had defended her from the jackal.

"Yes, I was taken when I was just a boy, and my mark prevents me from going home for another year." Lazren explained quickly "It has never been that I don't want to go home." he added making sure she understood. It had been a while since he felt close to the forest and tonight had given up hope to survive when the forest sent its Princess to his rescue.