Firstly l have to say thanks to C R Gangell. Thanks for the suggestions surrounding the Magic that happens in this chapter and thanks for the idea of the cocoon. You'll have to let me know what you think Cherrie.

Using the Hybrid form was an idea of my own. Although the Australian Werecats do not have a hybrid form I used it as something the cats wouldn't really recognise or understand.

Now for the readers who may start to think I have channeled Amy while writing this - Aboriginal tradition in my area is the people are a part of the land and the land is a part of them. I drew on this belief system while writing about Mount Warning calling to Rosy. This chapter is set at The Homestead which has been noted as 'In the shadow of Rosy's Mountain'

SO without any more spoilers ... read ... enjoy ... comment

MG

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Rosy

I smile as I wash my hands after using the toilet it is nice and quiet. The toms are about to head off to resume work for the rest of the afternoon and the three boys are still away with Sasha, Lilly, Kia and Annush. I pause to splash cool water over my face washing away the tiredness that still lingers after being woken from my nap. One of the kitts I carry kicks vigorously then moves, the movement so strong I am sure both of them are awake and playing. I arch my back and wince as I rub at the small of my back, at nearly five months gestation I am finding it easier in cat form and the thought of curling up on my bed once again with fur and claws is tempting.

The active movements inside my womb are slightly unsettling and I head back out onto the veranda. As I step out into the bright afternoon sun I am struck by how silent it is. None of the toms are talking as they stand there, only Sam moves as he turns his head slowly as he looks around alertly. Lydia has gathered the empty cups that are all that remain outside of the earlier snack but even she is silent as she scans the clear blue sky. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stand on end, I follow her lead and glance at the sky but it is devoid of clouds and not even a bird breaks the vast blueness.

Kia and Annush make their way out of the trees as they walk towards the Homestead, the picnic backpack swinging from Kia's hand. Nearly halfway from the trees they stop abruptly. Sam inhales sharply and I feel all the hairs on my body stand on end as something ripples across my skin. Even my scalp tingles as it tightens and the kitts within me still.

"What the hell was that?" Sam asks tightly.

Kia drops the backpack and Annush turns to face the trees as a wild symphony of birdcalls erupt behind them. Avian alarm calls pierce the air and my stomach clenches sickeningly as I find myself drawn down the steps. The bare soles of first one foot, then the other touches the ground ... my land.

Fear, pain, horror, rage ... all scream up from the earth beneath my feet as my land screams to me. My heart stops for a moment as it misses a beat before fluttering wildly to life. The silent primal screams of young to their mother reach me tearing a scream from my throat. Pain explodes through my muscles and deep within my bones as something more fills the air. I can hear the others being ripped into their cat forms as my cat bursts free. I take my first leap towards where Kia and Annush are quickly changing into their animal forms.

There is no room for fear or dread as rage grows within me, power from the very earth that flies past beneath my paws flows into me. In front of me Kia and Annush draw ahead of me as they race towards whatever danger lurks out of sight. Some knowledge from my land has me conserving the speed of my charge. I use the distance to gather the power the land is feeding me. Trees flash by and I head deeper into the bush, birds flit along side me for a few seconds as if urging me forward. Behind me I can hear the warriors. Ahead of me Kia roars in rage. I charge around a clump of lantana and almost come to a halt at the sight before me as a feeling of darkness, of wrongness hits me. I snarl and lower my head as I survey the sight some twenty metres in front of me.

Kia and Annush prowl just out of reach of a large black humanoid catlike creature that stands on it's two back legs and moves in an awkward bipedal manner. Kia fakes a charge and I realise with horror and outrage this ... this thing. This hybrid of were form and human form has hold of Sasha with one clawed hand by her upper arm. Sasha is jerked around roughly and she screams as it swipes towards Kia with an un-encumbered hand. It's scent reaches me and I wrinkle my nose in disgust at the mix of strong musky tomcat and the faint undertone of canine.

I feel my cat pushing for control of my mind, she flashes her teeth and claws in our mind and I am forced to retreat giving over control to her. I feel the draw, I feel the pull as she wrenches all she knows of combat from the depths our mind.

It is almost as if I have stepped out of my own body to watch as the large black cat that is me lowers its head and starts forward in a calculated trot that rapidly grows in speed and power. I can feel the strength and power that follows in the form of my brother just behind my right hip. The black monster looks my way and I shriek with the outrage of a mother defending her young as I gather myself and leap targeting the shoulder of the arm that clings to my sister. My claws and teeth find flesh, I feel the jolt of a second impact as my brother follows my lead. Foul tasting blood fills my mouth as I tear and rend, dimly I hear Sasha scream, feel the arm jerk as she is released.

Sam and I spring away as one, I circle and the beast throws its head back to roar, there's a blur as it lashes out. A scream and my cat goes wild as we leap, foul tasting blood, the scent of fear and pain. I feel the beast faltering then it stumbles to its knees, I alter my grip and ride it to the ground as it changes form back to a black werecat. Steven is beside me, Kia on the other side as more werecats descend to hold the prisoner down.

"Rosy! Rosy! We need you!" Sam is screaming.

I turn my head to glance his way, my cat is reluctant to relinquish control and it takes a few seconds, maybe even longer me to push to the front of my mind. The leaves and twigs stick to my fingers as I stumble to my feet. I wipe my mouth on the back of my forearm before spitting to try to rid my mouth of the foul taste.

"Rosy! Oh God! Rosy!" Sam's frantic screams make me glance down at myself. My mind is hazy as my cat battles for control and urges my body to shift again. Blood is splattered over my chest and arms, and I can feel it's warm flow down the side of my neck. I raise a hand to the left side of my head it feels sticky and wet beneath my fingers. I stare at my hand trying to make sense of the wet redness on my fingers. I glance around as I fight to clear my mind of animalistic instincts. Malcolm is holding Sasha's upper arm where it is bright with blood with one hand while he tears at the bottom of her blouse with his other hand.

It was a bright orange blur ... My inner cat whispers.

The thought drifts through my mind and I turn, searching. Lilly is sitting on the ground, propped up slightly against a small tree trunk as Sam kneels beside her leaning over her. I glance at her pale face, it takes a moment to register and then I smell it: the thick, rich, slightly metallic scent of human blood. The scent so thick in the air there has to be lots of blood. I stumble towards them, my body still not fully mine.

Sam has both hands pressed against the shredded material on one of her thighs, he is leaning his weight on his hands but it doesn't stop the bright red blood that pulses between his fingers rhythmically. The memory of the bipedal monster lashing out flashes before my eyes and I fall to my knees as I grab Lilly's shoulders and ease her onto the ground so she lays flat. My fingers find the pulse in her neck, but already it is weak and flutters softly. A glance at the deep gouges that run the length her thigh, the way Sam's hands press deeply tell me it is hopeless. I look at the face of my friend as a sense of helplessness fills me. Still the pain leaches from my land into me.

I glance to where Malcolm is wrapping Sasha's arm then I look back at Lilly. Her lips are colourless, her eyes stare vacantly, I watch her chest, it takes longer between each slight rise. Beside me Sam is begging me to do something, I feel totally helpless knowing there is nothing I can do as a tear trails slowly down my cheek.

"Move!" Annush gives Sam a sudden shove to the front of his shoulders from the other side of Lilly's motionless body. I lift my head to say something, I don't know what, as Sam tumbles over onto his back from the force of her push.

Annush begins chanting in a strange language as she places her hands over the long deep furrows that no longer gush blood. Something brushes against me with a cold chill and I still where I crouch. Slowly small thin vines slither up and over both Annushka's hands and down and under and around Lilly's thigh until they form a mesh like cocoon.

I blink as tiny spots of light flicker and hover around the mesh, small flowers emerge from the vines. Most wither and die but the few that survive are blood red and they slowly open miniature petals to bloom. Small insects like some sort of a cross between dragonflies and butterflies flit in and out of the vines. Sometimes they flit beneath vines to pause for a few moments on Annushka's fingers, but mostly they come to rest on the red flowers.

I am not sure how long I crouch there mesmerised before Annushka gasps and tumbles away, the vine mesh breaking as her hands come free. I look up at her startled, shocked to see how pale she is. Her skin has a greyish hue, dark shadows show beneath her eyes. Her lips are blue and her pupils so enlarged her eyes seem entirely black. They swim with tears and her mouth works soundlessly for a few moments.

"My ... magic ...ancient," Annushka pants for breath. "For-bid-den ... to do ... this ..."

I stare into her eyes in shock, I see the clouds shimmer as they are reflected in her eyes.

"Oh ... nooo," Annushka whispers mournfully. "I sorry," The words are barely audible. She turns and crawls away a small distance, she collapses onto her stomach, one hand reached forward. I hear Kia give a cry and she stumbles past me to fall to her knees beside her friend, she tenses and begins crying softly before glancing back at me.

"Annush not know," Kia says shaking her head, tears streaming down her face as she moves towards where Annushka's outstretched hand reaches.

"Momma?" A childish voice sobs.

I can't breathe, I can't swallow, I can't move as first one, and then a second small figure stumbles out of the lantana bush. The pain that is pulsing through my land floods me and I stumble to my feet as my heart twists painfully in my chest. Behind their legs I see the motionless small form, blood glistens thickly on black fur and I lurch forward with a soundless cry of pain.

I fall to my knees as I gently and carefully ease the damaged body from it's resting place. I am shaking as I smooth the blood soaked fur, my fingers trace the small white patch on the chest. My pain builds and builds, flowing into every corner until there is no place untouched and still it comes. I hurt so much I am numb and I look around in a daze.

Malcolm holds Sasha, she is crying quietly against his chest. Sam is holding both of Lilly's hands, his forehead resting against the back of her hands as he cries inconsolably. Dacey and Wynn cling to each other as they shiver and shake, Terry lays at Annushka's fingertips, his little cat body brutally mauled.

I look across to where Steven and Ed restrain John, all now in human form. I get to my feet and carefully step around the bodies on the ground. As I get closer the warriors drag him to his feet before forcing him onto his knees in front of me. The savage snarl of my inner cat rises in my throat as I stand before him.

"Do you have any idea of how much trouble you are in?" I am surprised I can string the words together, even more surprised at the ice-cold tone of my voice.

"You . . . you ... you can't d ... do a thing to me!" John stammers in fear. "You have to ... to send me back to America!"

An angry hiss escapes my inner cat as I look at him. I can feel something building within her and take a deep breath trying to calm myself. The combined scents of Lilly and Terry's blood, the faint ionic after smell from whatever type of magic Annushka had tried to do, they flood my senses.

"Really!" I snap sharply.

"He'll get little more than a slap on the knuckles," Ed growls. "Two strays and a human who has been exposed to the existence of werecats. They won't count for much,"

"You can't ..." John says only to stop as he glances up and he meets my stare.

"I can't?" I demand through clenched teeth. "You targeted my sister!" I let the words hiss out then glare at him silently for a few moments.

"My closest friend! My sons! They are the very heart of my clan!" I can hear the rage bubbling below the surface of my voice and don't bother biting back the low savage snarl that sounds surprisingly animalistic.

"One, two, three strikes ... Buddy," Steven snarls in a low voice.

"And you done this all with forethought of Malicious Intent," I say coldly.

"No no ..."

" I am Tawny Rosalind McIntosh. Born of the family Black." A low proud rumble builds in my throat. I bare my teeth viciously as John lifts his head to watch me in fear.

"In my veins runs the blood of the original Australian Werecat family." I pause and look around at the devastation he has caused. I look at Kia where she sits holding Annushka and rocking backwards and forwards as tears flow down her face freely.

"Kia," I call quietly. She looks at me even as she continues to rock back and forth.

"Annush ..." Kia says and swallows a sob. "Was ... friend ...gone ..."

I hold a hand out towards Kia and she gently places our friend's body on the ground before getting to her feet and coming to my side.

"By the law of Claw and Blood, I claim blood right." I say on a low hiss as I turn back towards John. I flick a glance towards Steven and he pales at whatever he sees on my face. Steven releases his hold, eases a few steps to the side as if scared to bring my attention his way. I glance at Ed to find he has started to move away as well.

I step back two steps and wait silently as I watch John, my lips pulled back in a sneer.

"You stole my friend life," Kia says with a snarl.

"A life for a life," I tell him in an ice-cold whisper. "How many do you owe this clan? You tried to rip the heart right out of it!"

John's eyes flick from me, to Kia and back again. I smile coldly at him before whispering one word.

"Run!"

I watch as he stumbles to his feet, turns and flees. I glance at Kia, she is looking at me and I give a slight nod. Her change is fast and I watch her bound after him, herding him into the small open space. I slip smoothly through my own change and raise my head before I stretch leisurely. John screams as Kia leaps up to grab his shoulder in her jaws, a quick shake of her head and she flings him on the ground. He kicks out at her wildly and I wrinkle my nose in disgust at the smell of urine and faeces as I trot up close. Kia strikes with a powerful bite to a thigh, bone crunches and a scream of pain rends the air. I deliver a heavy blow with one paw then grab an upper arm as his body is batted around. I take turns with Kia systematically breaking his arms and legs both above and below the joints along with both of his collarbones.

I pounce on him pinning him to the ground as I snarl down into his face giving him an up close and personal view of my teeth stained with his blood. His screams are little more than whimpers now. I shift my weight from one front foot to the other enjoying the feel of broken bones grating. Kia growls and noses at the broken body beneath my front paws, her claws leave deep gashes down the centre of his chest wrenching a hoarse cry from him. She scratches at his chest and I snarl as I realise what she wants. I flex my claws and dig them in before pulling, the tips slice through flesh before catching in bone and I almost purr as I look into Kia's face. Kia scratches eagerly and horrible screams fill the air as we steadily pull his fractured ribcage apart cracking his chest open as if for surgery. Kia plunges a massive paw into the gaping wound and claws aggressively as gurgling cries of agony come from our victim.

Finally Kia jerks her paw out, a lump of tissue flying from her claws. I watch as the body stops moving, I pause for a moment and watch as Kia walks over to what she had ripped from his chest. She lowers her head and takes it in her mouth before walking up to me and dropping it at my feet. I look down at the heart Kia had literally clawed from his chest.

Slowly I move away from his ruined corpse. I look at Sasha where Malcolm cradles her in his arms. Sam still holds one of Lilly's hands but now the colour is starting to return to her face. Dacey and Wynn cling to Sam's side and he rests his face against their heads seemingly oblivious to everything. Slowly I half walk, half stumble over to where Annush and Terry lay, I take in the few thin wilted vines across his body. The three deep claw marks that start down low behind one fore leg and come up to just behind his head. I lower my head to his still form, soft cries escaping me. My timid son had bravely tried to defend his brothers and females. I nudge him gently with my nose, in my grief I can't acknowledge the fact he will never again get up to play with his brothers. Several bright spots and one solitary insect lift from those withered vines to lift into the air for a moment or two before landing back down on the only flower. I change back to my human form with a soft cry as I fall to my knees beside him. I place a trembling hand on his ribs just behind his front leg, down low on his body. It takes a few moments but I find the weakly beating heart, the strange tingles that come from a vine where it touches one of my fingers. I move to place a gentle hand on Annushka's bare shoulder as tears flood my eyes.

"Someone go get a vehicle," Steven says quietly.

I feel the warmth of his arm as it goes around my shoulders and I lean into his body for support.

"How is Sasha?" Steven asks.

"The scratches are deep," Malcolm says tightly. "She needs stitches,"

I listen as to the soft talk as Steven checks on everyone but my eyes don't leave the small form of Terry. If it were possible I would will his heart to keep beating, his lungs to keep drawing air into his body before slowly exhaling. I would tell him this is my home, his home and it's strength and power can flow into him.

"Please," The word leaves my throat on a croak and I stop and swallow before continuing. "We need a vehicle. Annush ... she tried to save my baby ..."