254 Visitors in the Night Part 2

"Let's go find out what our… guests need." Kyera replied, as the slightly submissive tones of 'Moon' disappeared. The tiger Princess within returned as she turned to lead them toward the gates. Out in the forest the scent of shifters was stronger but there were only the three. She couldn't smell wet fur or the tale tell scents of shifters hiding. The shadows divulged their secrets as Kyera's eyes pried at them. None dared hide anything from her. Shadow energy formed pools around all of her paws as she approached the edge.

"You three are bold to break the laws of the forest to challenge me." Kyera growled as the three wild cats turned to face her. Three tigers she didn't recognize on site or by scent which was redoubling. There were so few tiger clans…

A large dark red tiger with black as night and stained darker with blood long dried. A slash across his face was made by a very small paw. Kyera couldn't help but feel a hint of satisfaction at seeing her handy work once again. That deep scar would be yet another clear mark of his sins against their shared people.

"Long time no see Lady Kyera." Kan greeted sweeping a paw into a bow. His eyes twinkled with mirth. Lazren had to repress the instinct to bust the tiger across the jaw.

"That is probably for the best, Kan. If I was younger we would be tumbling in a ball of blood and pain as we had last we met." Kyera reminded him of that short battle. She had nearly taken his site, and tore his throat out at the tender age of eleven.

"Yes, I suppose so. How's your lover, Vinny was it?" he taunted and she barely reacted to his sally.

"Verone, you spineless excuse for a walking rug." Mally growled angrily as her own composure failed her. Kan looked at her and raised his brows in surprise.

"Oh, did I not kill your mate as well, Lady Mally? Small world. I provided so much for the pair of you to bond over. You should truly be thanking me. I rescued you both from relationships that didn't care for you at all, and provided you a sisterhood stronger than death itself." Kan replied with a deep throaty chuckle. The pair flanking him sniggered darkly. Kyera growled softly as a warning.

"Don't push us, Kan. I do not fear death as long as I take you with me." Kyera reminded him, her tone overly sweet as she cast a glance at Mally, who was heeding her warning.

"I know you do not, Fearless Princess but do you fear for those you love? I know you do. I came, believe it or not, to help you." Kan replied with a serious sense to his voice. Kyera watched him closely as he sat, paws in front of him  and straight as those statues at the entrance to the palace.

"Help me? How?" Kyera asked with a dark chuckle. She sat down a bit hesitant, but knowing shes more agile than he was.

"Why would I not go home? Let us be honest Kan, but my leadership matters to my people and nothing is more important than their safety." Kyera replied and he shook his head, a amused grin on his tiger expression.