Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Stop Thief!

I bite down on Viscount Rossa’s wrist, right below the cheap gloves. No more Mr. Nice Beast.

“AAAAGH!”

Viscount Rossa yelps, and his grip loosens. Like a demon, I squirm, kick, and fight free of him, leaping for the elf guard.

Except he’s got swords! He’s holding up sharp blades. I really did not think this plan through.

CRASH.

He drops both blades and catches me with such speed and dexterity that the local football team in W City would recruit him immediately.

“Your animal tried to bite you and get away,” he says with so much calm that, with the pointed ears and the straight man face, I’m reminded of Mr. Spock. I want to purr like a Tribble. Spock liked Tribbles, after all, despite his seeing no logical use for them.

“He is just being ornery.” Viscount Rossa’s fat face is turning red. He has a roly-poly head and body. something I didn’t notice before.

The guard’s face hardens. “I don’t think he is your beast. Maybe you took him by mistake and haven’t caught the error. We will see what Lady Lammermoor has to say about this.”

Viscount Rossa turns tail and bolts from the scene. My rescuer whistles loudly, alerting the other guards. “STOP HIM! Stop Viscount Rossa. To arms, to arms!”

The sounds of men running and shouting fill the air. I have no idea where Viscount Rossa went, and I don’t much care. Safe in my rescuer’s arms, I don’t even care about finding out whether the viscount took Memo and Judo. I have the strong suspicion he did, based on what he said about treating beasts as treasures and stealing several of them.

“Good beast,” the guard says, stroking my ears. “The gall of some people. Trying to take a beast from a great house like that!”

Kaline’s voice rings out. “Viscount Rossa is a THIEF!”

The guard whirls around to see Kaline on the warpath, marching toward us, with her sister and parents behind her, and Lady Lammermoor and Hans Lammermoor flanking them. Kaline’s hair streams wildly, as if she just went to bed and got rudely awakened. She looks fierce, even in her nightgown and robe.

Vedette is ready to string Viscount Rossa up from the trellises we just passed. “Where is he? I could take down that fat nobody in a fight.”

“He will not get far,” the elf guard vows, passing me to Kaline.

Ahhh! I am in my mistress’ arms now. The fabric of her robe is a cocoon.

“Oh, Blaze,” she says in a worried voice. “I can’t believe I left you in that Beast Wing. Are you hurt? Did that mean viscount hurt you?”

I give a “mrrp” with overtones of “no.”

Lady Lammermoor’s fury knows no bounds. “This is an outrage. Kaline, I take full responsibility. Something like this should never have happened in my home. You and Blaze are guests. This is outrageous! I never thought Viscount Rossa capable of such behavior.”

“MOTHER. That house has been shady forever.” Hans’ eyes spit fire. “You are way too generous sometimes. I’ve told you. We’ve talked about this.”

With dignity, Lady Lammermoor strides toward us and reaches out to touch my ears. “May I?”

At a nod from Kaline, Lady Lammermoor touches my ears. Not in a bonding way, but I feel a slight tingle. Wellbeing flows through me.

[Maximum HP Restored.]

I didn’t realize I lost HP, but maybe stress works the same way on animals that it does on humans. That stinky viscount needs to pay for what he did.

“Thank you, Lady Lammermoor,” Minette says, relief lighting up her whole face.

Vedette scratches my ears. “Demos says Blaze is a hero. Rossa treated to hurt Kaline and all the beasts if Blaze didn’t come quietly.”

Kaline rubs under my chin, which makes me purr. “Selfless Blaze. Looking out for me and your friends. You are sleeping with me tonight.”

“Of course.” Lady Lammermoor is apologetic to a fault. “PLEASE. Do whatever you need to do in order to keep Blaze safe. We don’t want this incident to ruin everyone’s happy party mood. This has been a ball full of bonding and fellowship. Obviously, it would be detrimental if people began fearing for the safety of their beasts.”

In other words, she wants Kaline and her family to keep it quiet that someone successfully snuck into the secure Beast Wing and nearly made off with a prized beast.

With her lower lip stuck out, Kaline snaps, “Shouldn’t they know that someone fell down on the job, and security was ridiculous?”

That’s my girl, Kaline.

Lady Lammermoor draws herself up, and she looks more like a statue than a living, breathing woman. Our house has had quite enough potential embarrassment, what with Lobo’s actions.”

Are they kidding? Lobo actually saved my life. I growl loudly to show my displeasure.

“See, your tiger still resents Lobo,” Lady Lammermoor declares.

“No, he doesn’t,” Kaline argues, smelling confident.

With a raised slender eyebrow, Lady Lammermoor asks, “And how do you know that?”

“The bond,” Kaline answers, her countenance full of certainty. “I can feel his feelings. When you mentioned Lobo, I felt a wave of respect and gratitude from Blaze. Maybe Lobo made up or his behavior by helping Blaze?”

My girl is so smart! In appreciation for her wisdom and smarts, I rub my nose against her, enjoying the warmth of her skin.

Kaline continues. “Don’t you think beast tamers should know what happened here? If you won’t tell anyone, then I will.”

Pressing her lips together, Lady Lammermoor pauses for what seems like an age before replying. “It is late and minds are less than alert. One should not make decisions while tired and anxious.”

Minette and Lamant look caught in the middle. I can’t imagine that they like the security lapses, but on the other hand, they have had beasts stolen from them.

Lady Lammermoor continues. “Beast thefts can happen even in the most prepared houses, as we all know. Everyone, of course, takes every precaution to guard their beasts.”

Lamant lifts his strong chin. “YES, we might be the wrong people to call you out for your security gaps. But, on the other hand, you can appreciate how this incident reawakens all our heartbreak over Judo and Memo, and how what you just said sounds like victim blaming.”

I hope my growl sounds supportive. Lamant is strong!

Vedette piles on. “If it was up to me, we would go home. Blaze being nearly kidnapped really makes it seem as if someone has it in for us, for our house. And while we may not be completely safe at home, I don’t want to feel unsafe whenever we attend a Beast Ball. Next time, the miscreant could try to capture Demos! I want to go home.”

With a flash of insight, I see that Vedette is concerned for more than Demos’ safety. She stands protectively by Kaline’s side, her arms around her younger sister. How did I ever see her as an enemy of Kaline’s?

Lady Lammermoor coughs, and Hans Lammermoor’s handsome elven face falls. Maybe he was looking forward to spending some time with Kaline tomorrow?

“I would not be so hasty,” Lady Lammermoor states coolly. “Appearances matter.”

“Our beasts’ safety matters,” Minette declares, her hands on her hips. “Lobo attacking Blaze is something that happens every now and again at balls. You handled that well. But a kidnapping? By a thief who is already from a disgraced house? Unacceptable. Somehow, you omitted any mention of him attending the ball when we accepted this invitation. I think we will leave. Lamant, call for our coach.”

Wow. I did not expect Minette to make waves, and clearly, Lady Lammermoor did not, either.

Still projecting Ice Queen vibes, Lady Lammermoor pats her pointed ears. They remind me of needles. “Leave in the middle of the night and disrupt the house at this hour?”

“If you need an excuse, you can say that one of us was taken ill,” Minette answers, matching our hostess in the arctic chill department. “Make whatever excuse you like, but we will leave.”

“Or we’ll wake everyone up and tell them about the kidnapping.” Kaline raises her chin, proud and untamed with her hair messy and tousled. “That would be more awkward and disruptive.”

Match point to Kaline. Game, set, and match.

Lamant has already marched off to call for the coach, and Hans Lammermoor nearly does an interpretive dance trying to get Kaline’s attention. This young elf noble definitely does not want to see Kaline go. He keeps apologizing and promising her the moon, the stars, and the family treasure. Fed up with the Lammermoors, Kaline turns a deaf ear to the poor guy.

“Mistress Kaline, please, let’s just sit and talk about this,” he begs. “Over a cup of elf nectar. Warm elf nectar. It’s best when it’s warm. PLEASE.”

I feel for this preteen elf and his starry-eyed crush and his begging. Naturally, Kaline doesn’t want to listen.

Lightning slinks between his legs and approaches Kaline, resting her paws on Kaline’s legs, staring up into her eyes. A furry wingman. [Blaze, do you have to go?]

I give a little “mrrp” in response. Plaintive, disgruntled. [Blame Lobo’s mistress. I’m sure she doesn’t want to face reality, but she’s putting him and you at risk, too.]

Lightning hangs her head. [I hope I see you again.]

I hope so, too. As Kaline leaves with her family, Lightning shrinks till she looks like one of the golden flowers in the garden, and then I can’t see her anymore. I want to stay around, but on the other hand, I’m so exhausted that I fall asleep before we even get in the carriage.

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