The Tiger Within Chapter 1

The setting sun slowly sank down beyond the horizon . Its penetrating rays reaching out to find their way into the home of Kyera Shade of the Moon . In tiger form she lay out across her bed, her warm white fur warding off the evening chill . The silver stripes of her fur standing out against the black and gold of her ornate blanket mounded and twisted around her to create a cozy nest for her to dwell the day away .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntLazily her eyes opened as she glanced around her little one room home . A table sat near the door, a cooking fire just outside the large opening . Walls of wood carefully tied together and covered by the weaving of vines to hold out the light of the sun . A simple angled slat allowing in the rays to find their way in, and land on her bed . Golden pools of mischief blinked slowly before she rose and stretched . In mid movement from the bed she seemed to melt . Her tiger form slowly changing and morphing to a standing woman with pale tan skin covered only by her long flowing hair . The fur that once covered the tiger skin cascading down from her head . Long silken white strands streaked with silver and flecks of gold .

Her cloths were laid out already, no doubt the work of her little apprentice, Mia who was nowhere to be seen now . Kyera smiled slowly, pale rose lips revealing her canine teeth as she slipped on the embroidered undergarments, corset and leggings beneath the carefully simple brown dress .

Just as she began brushing her hair back into a bundle at the top of her head, a soft sound caught her attention . 'Wait a…' she only got that far in the thought before spinning lifting her leg in a arch to kick the man behind her . His wrist blocked her and their dance began . His knife Jabbed at her waist, she blocked with one hand using the brush as a weapon she swung out at him aimed for his head .

His power gathered in him as he growled at her, a teasing gleam in his pale blue eyes . If a man could stop the hearts of a woman with looks alone, he would be a murderer ten times over . That being true, his hand was just as deadly, dagger catching the setting sunlight . Her eyebrow raised as her grip changed on the brush . A quirky smile creased her lips as she raised her hand slowly in front of her, using one finger to beckon him forward . He laughed deeply shaking his head and motioning her forward with a jerk of his chin .

"Suit yourself . " She replied and launched herself at him with a primal growl . Quick thinking and quicker steps resulted in him spinning out of the way for her to land on the tabletop behind him . He took a swing at her, keeping the knife wide as he aimed for her lower back as it sped past . She dropped off the table and knocked the blade away with her forearm . A flurry of motion, blocking, jabs, and a few well placed kicks pa.s.sing between the pair of figures . The sound of flesh impacting flesh soft and thick in the small room .

His eyes gave his intentions away, and a few things happened . A Catch, a twist and a loud thud as she turned his kick into a fatal mistake . Her body dropped down on his pinning him in place with a blade between his ribs, pressed against the fabric but if he moved his lungs would be a really nice whistle . Her body pressed down on his lightly, making it perfectly clear that she had no intention of letting him up . A slow evil smile crept across her lips .

Gilded pools met his baby blue eyes and they stared for several moments, searching each others faces, committing them to memory . Locks of hair stuck to their faces, sweat from their little scuffle making soft skin glisten . Heavy breathing the only sound in the air to accompany the eyes that seemed to bore into their souls . She leaned forward, lowering herself to mere inches from his face . After a long moment her lips claimed his searing with heat and dominance .