BloodStormCh3

(3)

As Orchid wept, the darkness within the room deepened and evening slowly gave way to late night. Her tears ran
dry and she lay curled upon soft furs, sniffling. A sudden knocking jerked her from her despondent reverie. She
dragged herself from the bed, wiped at her tear-streaked face, and moved to open the door, her thoughts sluggish and
grey. "Door," she thought dimly. "Open. Maybe help..." As her hand turned the nob, another thought came to her.
Maybe not, the memory of waking in a pool of blood caused her heart to slam in her chest as the door swung open.

She took an involuntary step backward when she saw what stood there -- huge, male, and very leonine. The tawny
figure tossed his head, sending a heavy mane dancing as he looked down at her with concern in large amber eyes.

"Silk, we've nay seen your cage leave. Did ye send him slinkin' or is he that good?" he asked, his growly voice filled
with humor and laced with concern as he looked discreetly past her into the dark room.

She stared at the figure dumbly, unable to accept what she saw. Her senses filled with him; hearing his breathing;
smelling his body as if he were embracing her. She grew dizzy at the sudden overload of sensory information.

The lion man's dark nostrils flared as he caught the scent of blood. He pushed past her, rushing to where she'd
originally awakened. He squatted, touching the carpet, now stiff and sticky where it had been drenched. Sniffing deeply,
he looked up at her in alarm. "Silk. This blood, 'tis yours!" he rumbled, rushing back to stare at her. His great, thick
fingered hand--his paw--grabbed her robe, his claws pulling at it and slicing through it, turning her easily, as if handling a
child's doll.

Orchid snapped out of her dazed awe as his single paw grasped both her wrists. She twisted in argument, easily
breaking his strong grip. With a strength that seemed to rival that of the creature before her, she shoved his arm and
blocked him from turning her any further.

"What are you DOING? Please don't!" she exclaimed, stepping back and pulling the tattered robe up to cover
herself as she stared in fear and amazement at the mixture of man and lion.

His brows furrowed deeply in concern. "Silk. Ye be undamaged, but--" he stopped, staring at her in surprise as her
words returned to him. "Ye said please? What happened here?"

He reached out toward her again, causing Orchid to flinch as his great paw drew near her face. His jaws clenched
as he gently pushed back the short shock of hair on her forehead, revealing the deep gash that lay hidden there. "Ye be
injured. Come. Let us take ye to the Lady. She will heal ye." He took her arm and began leading her from the room.

She easily jerked free from his grasp, again surprising herself. "Let me cover myself properly."

He looked at her, confused. "But ye have never cared--" His eyes stopped on her forehead. "Aye. Whatever ye
wish. Let us hurry then, shall we? Ye may be injured worse than ye think."

She turned, walking shakily toward the amply filled closet she'd found earlier. "You're telling me," she muttered
under her breath. "I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming." She repeated the litany to herself like an assuring child's
poem.

His round ears tipped and she realized he could hear what she'd said. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes a
moment. Pull it together girl. Think. Go along with what he says. He doesn't sound like he wants to hurt you In fact it
sounds as though he may actually want to help you. Hiding in this room is not exactly the best way to find out where you
are, in any case." She opened her eyes, glancing at him. What did mother tell me? 'Don't be afraid of your dreams.
Never be afraid of your dreams. Some day they will take you places.' At that memory, her eyes filled again with tears.
This is some dream. With effort she pulled on a red silk robe struggling with strategic slits for her wings, tying the sash
firmly around her waist. "All right," she told him, her voice trembling. "Thank you"

He looked at her quizzically. "You be...welcome, Silk. Shall we?" as he gestured politely to the door.

She stared at him a long moment. "Silk...right," she muttered and took a shaky breath, following as he stepped
across the threshold. Through the looking glass? she wondered.

***

They moved down a large hallway and Orchid wondered if it was a grand hotel or perhaps an elite apartment
building as they passed many doors. Each differently adorned with intricate carvings and as they continued, she noticed
the doors were made from differently hued woods, ranging from ebony, to deep mahogany, to cherry wood, to oak and
maple. Dark wood to light wood. Behind several of the doors she could hear vague noises. Sometimes she heard
voices, other times she heard faint moans. Her ears flushed hotly as she recognized the erotic sounds. Her
embarrassment was short lived as her head throbbed at the sudden movement of her ears. She was trying to relax her
ears to stop the pain when her guide stopped in front of large set of double doors hewn from a pale teak.

The lion-man reached out, lifting an elegant knocker carved into the likeness of a unicorn's head, its delicate, equine
muzzle raised.

Orchid, hands on her ears, took that moment to examine the lion-man more closely. He stood quite tall, easily over
two heads above her. Forest-green breeches covered heavily thighed animal-like legs that ended in thickly toed feet
bearing curved claws, like any cat. A full tawny mane with dark streaks in it hung halfway down his back, shining,
healthy, and appearing soft as rabbit fur. She found herself reaching out to touch that softness and drew her hand back
suddenly. What am I doing? she wondered, alarmed at her own actions.

The door opened and a small female creature stood before them who, though she too stood on two legs, appeared
for all the world to be a Siamese cat wearing oriental robes. The cat-woman bowed as her blue, slightly crossed eyes lit
upon the lion.

"Magnus, what is your business so late this dis eve, please?" she asked. Orchid smiled slightly for the first time since
she awakened as she noticed that the feline woman's soft-spoken voice had a subtle oriental accent.

Magnus elegantly returned the feline's bow. "My apologies to both you, Iesha, and to the Lady herself." He
gestured to Orchid at his side. "Silk has been injured by a new cage and I believe that the Lady may feel the need to
attend to her wounds personally."

The cat studied Orchid a long moment, her pupils slit and her face almost sneering. If Orchid interpreted her look
correctly, the examination was filled with animosity. "One moment, please," requested the Siamese, politely, shutting the
door.

Magnus turned to Orchid. "Are ye sure ye feel all right?"

"I have a rather bad headache," she said, her hand moving to her forehead.

He nodded. "'Tis no surprise. Do ye realize how much blood ye have lost?"

"I..." She stopped, recalling how she'd awakened, covered in blood. "...you have no idea."

The door opened. "Please, follow me," announced Iesha. Magnus stepped aside, allowing Orchid to enter first.

She noticed that Iesha's ears tilted back when she approached. I wonder what happened between her and this
Silk? Orchid wondered, realizing that it was the first time she had actually acknowledged that she might not be
dreaming.

If I'm not dreaming...

They followed the cat through a large anteroom and into a drawing room filled with green plants. The smell of living
things assaulted Orchid. Her large ears lay flat as she realized with a start that she could smell every individual living
thing. From a single leaf to the sudden fear she scented coming from Iesha whom she found staring, the cat's slit eyes
now dilated.

Slowly, another fragrance crept into her awareness. A cool evening breeze mixed with fresh sweet fruit and spices.

"Good evening, Silk. Magnus says thou hast been injured?" inquired a soft, sensuous voice.

Orchid turned and came face to face with something she had thought existed only in children's fairy tales. The figure
had a delicate equine muzzle. A long, white, silky mane hung far below a narrow waist. The Lady's long, tufted tail
swung gently, almost hypnotically, from side to side. She wore a short, sapphire-hued robe that contrasted starkly
against white fur that glowed with an opal shine. The robe hung open, leaving her almost human body exposed. Orchid
found heat rising to her face. Though the Lady's skin was covered in velvet horse-like fur or hair, she looked more
naked than anyone Orchid had ever seen. Unlike similar creatures from myth, the Lady stood on two legs, which were
like those of the most delicate doe and had long silky hair around her ankles. She had delicate, ivory colored, cloven
hooves. Her hands were graceful, and five fingered. Orchid's gaze drew up that soft white body and met large, violet
eyes. But the Lady's most identifiable feature stood out like a quietly threatening saber from her forehead--a single
spiraled horn.

The beauty of the Lady left Orchid mute.

As her eyes met those of the unicorn, the Lady's head lowered until her horn pointed directly at Orchid's heart.
"Iesha, please leave us."

"Yes, my Lady," the cat responded, without question, bowing her head and backing out of the room, shutting the
connecting doors as she left.

"Magnus, step aside," the Lady ordered.

His mane stood fuller as he moved and watched the unicorn slowly advance, almost stalking Orchid.

"Who art thou?" the unicorn asked, her voice threatening as she continued moving forward.

Orchid stood perfectly still, letting her hands hang at her sides and turning her palms toward the mythical being. "My
name is..." and she stopped. Unicorns. That might mean magic. If I remember correctly, names are sometimes
considered a source of power, she thought to herself, and then said aloud, "I know who I am. It's where I am that I'm
not familiar with."

The unicorn stopped, and lifted her head, staring. "Magnus, hold her."

"Now wait a minute," Orchid said, lifting her hands. "If you want answers...just ask. But please don't hold me. I
will fight back."

"Who art thou?" the unicorn repeated as Magnus moved to stand a distance behind Orchid. She felt her wings flex,
muscles tightening oddly. Self defense? she wondered.

"Who are you?" Orchid queried in response.

The unicorn smiled. "I be Lady Corinthia."

Orchid nodded, relaxing slightly at the Lady's ease in revealing her own name. Maybe I'm just being silly, she
thought ruefully. "I'm Orchid."

Magnus' ears tipped forward in surprise.

"What is thy full given name?" asked Lady Corinthia.

Try as she might, Orchid could not recall her surname. Names floated through her mind but none were familiar.
She looked at the unicorn, confused. "I don't know. I can't remember."

"Come here, child, and lift thy hair from thy forehead, please," the Lady asked gently, her demeanor no longer
threatening.

Magnus followed closely behind but somehow, from his movements, or perhaps his scent, Orchid felt that he no
longer planned to restrain her. She stepped toward the Lady and lifted the hair from her own forehead.

The unicorn stared at the heavy gash, her brows furrowing as she gazed deep into Orchid's eyes. "Silk?" she said
once, searching, staring. She waited a moment and then sighed as her hand dropped. "Lift thy chin, please," she asked
softly. Sadly.

Orchid lifted her chin and the Lady ran a slender finger along the almost invisible scar that lay wrapped her neck.

The unicorn moaned slightly, her eyes closing briefly in what appeared to be pain. "There be no true scar. No sign of
the struggle thou endured save for the injury to thy head and this small white line about your neck. What dost thou
recall?"

Orchid sighed heavily. "I'm very sorry, but I don't remember anything except waking up here. In...in a pool of blood
and... " She looked at the lion and then back to the unicorn. "...in this body."

A heavy hiss from Magnus caused her fur to stand on end. Without realizing it she had turned and squatted, her
hands in front of her in a defensive position. Long black claws stretched forth from her fingers. Woah she thought,
alarmed.

Magnus stood before her, his teeth bared. "Dark magic!" he growled. His hands rose in an odd gesture.

Orchid swallowed hard, watching the curved scimitars that Magnus claimed as his own claws slide forth,
threatening.

"Hold, Magnus!" Lady Corinthia called out, laying her delicate hand over his lifted paw and slowly pressing it down.
"She is innocent of any wrong doing. Look thee upon her. Watch her move. Listen to her voice. Does she sound as a
demon?" the unicorn asked him in a gentle voice.

He looked at the bat suspiciously. "No, Lady, yet demons have the power to charm."

The Lady smiled as she reached out and gently touched the lion's forehead. "Aye, as do unicorns, Magnus. A true
demon can nay hide from mine eyes."

"Aye, Lady," he agreed, relaxing slightly, but still standing at the ready.

The Lady Corinthia turned to Orchid and gestured toward a soft chair. "Sit, child, before ye fall down. The loss of
blood I saw in thine eyes may affect thy body very soon, and we do nay need thee injuring thy head a second time." The
Lady helped Orchid sit. "Now, if I understand thee correctly, thou awakened in Silk's room, and in Silk's body. Thou
were covered in blood, were thou not?"

"Yes, and it seemed to originate from my neck, but I can't find any injury; just a new scar."

"That injury, 'tis Silk's. She now most likely sports that wound wherever she be. If indeed she survived at all." The
Lady looked at Magnus and back to Orchid. "Now, from where exactly dost thou hail?"

Orchid's eyes looked past them at the elegant room, filled with living things, and then back to the standing, walking,
talking, myth. "Not from anyplace around here, that's for sure. For one thing, there's only one sapient species where I
come from."

"And that species be?"

Orchid looked at the unicorn to gauge her reaction. "We're called human."

The Lady's delicate equine ears lay flat for a brief moment. "Indeed?" she responded, looking surprised. "Human?
Rare creatures. Some believe them myth."

Orchid grinned in return. "I thought unicorns were myths. I guess we're even."

Musical laughter escaped the Lady and the tension in the room noticably lessened.

"Thou remember nothing of the wolf who attacked thee? Attacked Silk?"

Orchid shook her head as she searched her mind. "I can't even remember going to bed." Her mind whirled. Her
head throbbed. Without warning a wave of pain burned through her body and disappeared, leaving her gasping. She
looked down at her hands and realized she'd grasped the arms on the chair so tightly her claws were buried into the
hard wood. Her gripping fingers cramped. Slowly, she relaxed, breathing deeply, imprints of her fingers lay in the wood.

The Lady, soft lips pursed, eyes worried, turned to Magnus. "Her time approaches quickly. We must find out
anything we can of her last visitor. 'Twas a wolf. That much we know."

"How do you know that?" Orchid asked breathlessly, yet feeling no residue of that fleeting pain.

Lady Corinthia smiled. "On this night most of our clients be wolves."

"What's special about tonight?"

"'Tis the full of the moon."

"Oh, great," Orchid muttered, tossing her hands up in the air and then jumping as she felt her wings gesture
simultaneously. She stared back at them as she asked, with slight sarcasm, "I've been attacked by a werewolf. Am I
going to be a were-bat now?"

"What makes ye think 'twas a were-wolf?" Magnus asked curiously.

Orchid looked at him in surprise. "It was a joke. I've never seen a real unicorn so it just follows that werewolves
might exist here too, right? I just thought..." Her voice faded as she watched the room behind the unicorn darken, and
the shadows move. She sat paralyzed as the darkness deepened and writhed, forming a figure. She felt as though steel
bands gripped her and she could barely breathe as fear held her captive.

Very slowly, the Lady stood and turned to face the writhing shadow. Her horn, lowered, began to glow.

The shadows whispered. "You shall find that when the bat 'just thinks' something is correct, it generally is."

"Who moves within my glen uninvited?" demanded the Lady, her horn now a blinding coruscation of colors.

"Please excuse the intrusion. I am Life. Third senior Architect of Creation. I ask permission to step within your glen,
Lady Corinthia," the shadows whispered and then laughed musically as a large, busty, heavy-hipped dragon formed
from those shadows. Her skin soft and unscaled, a mane long and flowing, reminding Orchid of ocean waves,
constantly changing color from moment to moment. The Dragon's long, serpentine neck lowered gracefully so that her
head hung even with that of the Lady. Her presence filled the room.

The unicorn bowed deeply. "Welcome art Thou within my glen, Lady Life. How might I be of service to Thee?" she
asked with polite deference.

Life waved her heavily clawed hand in the air, then pointed at Orchid. "You should be asking how she might be of
service to you." The Dragon's head dropped lower and came muzzle to muzzle with the confused human-turned-bat.
"How do you like your new body? Kind of a kick, don't you think?"

Orchid stared in confusion at the huge draconic head in front of her.

Life's head lifted. "She is speechless," she said, sounding pleased with herself.

Magnus stood silent, eyes round as saucers ears lying flat against his head. His tail whipped violently from side to
side, then suddenly hung perfectly still as the Dragon's eyes lit upon him.

"Oh, settle down, kitty. I'm not going to hurt anyone." She turned back to the Lady, bowed her head and pointed at
Orchid. "You may have need of her."

"In what way? She is but a child from what I read within her eyes."

The Dragon's head again moved close to the unicorn's as her voice turned serious. "I suggest, Lady, that you look
deeper. What she currently, and temporarily I might add, lacks in physical finesse, she will make up for with...intuition."
Life moved back into the shadows. "Beware the wolf in thy midst. It will be back. It is not what it seems."

She had begun to fade into the shadows when Magnus spoke. "Where be Silk? What has happened to her?" he
demanded.

Life turned, smiling at him. "Why, kitty, she died. Her pretty little throat was properly slit, and she was emptied of
blood. 'Tis one of the few ways she could die. She now resides within the body of a human female. 'Twas her dying
wish after all. She was so tired of being a vampire." Life laughed. The plants in the room vibrated with excitement,
actually growing as she disappeared. Her laughter faded with the shadows. Colorful blooms sprang forth with that
mirth.

As Orchid stared at the shrinking shadows, the Dragon's words returned to her. Her voice came out in a squeak.
"Um...let me get this straight. Silk was a vampire bat? So now I am a vampire bat?"

The Lady nodded, distracted, staring the corner of the room where the Dragon had stood. "Beware the wolf," she
muttered to herself and then turned to Orchid. "Look to me," she ordered quietly, putting her hand under Orchid's
slender muzzle, staring into her eyes. "Relax and look upon mine eyes."

The Lady gazed at her for some time and Orchid tried to read that silken-furred face, but all she could see were
violet eyes. She had never seen real violet eyes. The Lady stepped back, still staring. "Knowest thou what an Avatar
be?"

"It has several definitions where I come from," Orchid answered, thinking of computer technology. Having seen
nothing truly technologically oriented in her current surroundings, she dismissed that particularly frivilous definition.

Lady Corinthia's head turned away, considering her next words carefully. "Here, in my world, it has but a single
definition." Her gaze returned to stare at Orchid with an odd intensity.

"The Hand of God."