The Night's Dance (Fang 11 Preview)

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When a pair of Imperial assassins are assigned to seek retribution from a crime boss who crossed the Empire, they run into a problem: how to get a male assassin presenting as female under the nose of a guard with magically enhanced smell? They'll have to come up with solution fast...

FANG 11 from FurPlanet is releasing at Anthrocon! Check out a preview for my story, "The Night's Dance"!


With a wave to the dancers and a nod in the direction of the nearest guard, the assassin led his companion out of the hall and into the corridor. The guards at the entrance didn't manage to hide their snicker as they watched the couple head to Raj'arr's guest room. The panther took two steps into the room as the caracal turned and locked the door. When he turned back, "she" had her paws on her hips and was glaring at him in a much more confident manner then she'd displayed back in the hall.

"Just what," Shadow growled. "In the hell do you think you're doing?"

***

The jaguar held his stance as his partner looked him over, waiting for an answer to his question. He didn't get one--at least not a verbal one. Instead, the caracal took two strides forward and wrapped his arms around Shadow before pressing his muzzle into the younger feline's. Shadow was taken off guard and let it happen, his own muzzle opening just enough for Raj'arr's tongue to enter it and find his. It had been too long--a month at least--and the young assassin wanted nothing more than to melt in his mate's arms. Instead he planted his paws in Raj'arr's chest and pushed the smaller feline backwards. "That's not an answer!"

"I know," the caracal said as he closed back into another embrace. "But it's what they expect, and I needed to talk to you."

"About what? What's so important that you'd risk the mission by meeting with me?"

"It's already at risk," Raj'arr hissed. "If we don't think of something quick, there's no way we can kill the sand cat and get away."

Shadow blinked, his anger going cold. "What? We have it all planned out."

"The bear, Dagger Tail. Didn't you see the bear?"

"Don't call me that," Shadow snapped reflexively. He wasn't a trainee anymore, but Raj'arr always called him one when he thought the jaguar was making poor decisions. The assassin frowned, his ears folded down. "What about the bear?"

"You saw his nose? With that thing on his snout, he'll know what you are before you even get close."

The jaguar's nose twitched as he closed his eyes and brought the images back to his mind. He saw the bear complete with the gold cage on his nose, and with the image came memories from training where ursine guards had been the most difficult to get around with their extremely sensitive noses. "What is that?"

"I'm not completely sure," Raj'arr said. "My guess is it's to enhance his sense of smell. It definitely shimmered when he growled at me."

Shadow nodded--he'd wondered why the caracal had been so aggressive in his approach to Ak'adirr. Of course he'd been trying to get a better look at the nose piece that was bothering him. But knowing what they were up against was only half the battle--now they had to figure out what to do with that information. And with their plan hinging on everyone thinking Shadow was female, a bear with an enchanted jewelry augmenting his sense of smell was a huge problem. The perfume and musk he wore was common enough among athletic females that it had fooled everyone so far, including the fennec, but if Raj'arr was right, it wouldn't work on the guard.

"We need to think fast, Spots."

"I know! But it's hard to focus with your paws wandering all over me."

"Sorry," the caracal said. He stopped, but didn't let go. "Can you blame me? It's been over a month. I'm guessing not from what I'm feeling down here..."

Raj'arr's paw moved again, sliding over Shadow's hip and then between his legs. Shadow tried to growl, but it became a moan as the caracal took hold of the jaguar's groin. A binding held his sheath and balls tight to his torso and back between his legs, respectively. But as Raj'arr rubbed, the illusion was broken as Shadow's shaft began to emerge.

"You're not wearing the sheath," Raj'arr breathed into the jaguar's ear. His tongue followed, pressing a warm wetness into Shadow's ear.

"It was... too noticeable," the jaguar huffed. Little shocks of pleasure ran through his body. His lover was right--it had been too long. He wanted this.

But they had a job to do as well. Even as the caracal teased him, Shadow's mind raced. Their plan required Shadow to get close enough to Ak'adirr to make the kill and then get away in the confusion. The getaway depended on everyone thinking that they were looking for a panther lady, and not a male jaguar. But the bear would be able to tell that Shadow was a male, even with the perfumes. Raj'arr was right--unless they did something, and did it quick, everything would come to naught. And with Ak'adirr expecting someone to come for him, they might not get another chance. _What can we do?_Shadow couldn't come up with anything, and the scent of aroused caracal was making it difficult to focus...

The assassin's tail went still and stiff as the revelation hit him. Raj'arr noticed and paused, only to stagger as the jaguar threw himself at his lover. Shadow growled as he nipped at the caracal's tan neck fur. His paws went to Raj'arr's belt and began working at the buckle.

"Gods Spots," Raj'arr whispered. "I was just teasing."

"It's what they expect," Shadow reminded him.

That made Raj'arr pause, long enough for the jaguar to finish unbuckling the fancy knotwork buckle and send the caracal's trousers to the floor in a puddle. Instantly, the room filled with the sandy, sun-kissed-grass scent of his arousal, Shadow growled and took hold of his mate's tan furred balls as he rubbed his neck against Raj'arr's cheek.