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Chapter 24: Revolution

Ellie awoke to find the lights already on. She snuggled her head under Jason's chin.

"Good morning, Ellie," he murmured. He hugged her gently. "How are you this morning?"

"Well enough. How about you? I hope your balls aren't too sore this morning."

"They're fine."

"Let me know if you want me to squeeze them harder next time," she teased.

Jason laughed nervously.

"You did enjoy yourself last night, didn't you, Jason? I can be gentler if you want me to,

but I thought you'd like that sort of thing."

He nuzzled her head reassuringly, "I did, Ellie, and I like it when you take control. I'll let

you know if it's ever too much."

She pressed her head under his chin again, "Silly kitty," she teased, but despite her

teasing, she was filled with warm love for her precious partner; her tone conveyed her

adoration.

Jason hugged her tighter, "What do you think she's going to put us through today?" he

murmured.

"I don't know. Invite Lily to gloat? Drag you into the tub with her? I'm sure she'll make me

sit on her lap at some point. It's awkward and annoying, but I guess we don't have a lot of

choice but to humor her."

They lay together a while longer, and then Ellie got up to pee. Jason peed after her. Ellie

did some hops around the small room while they waited.

"I don't suppose she'd let me go for a jog," she remarked.

"Not unless she jogs too," Jason agreed.

"I'm not sure I want her running behind me. You know predators don't usually make me

nervous, but how often she talks about wanting to eat me is unnerving."

"I'm sorry, Ellie. Perhaps I can have a word with her about it."

"I already did, and she's been doing it less," Ellie conceded. "But that doesn't mean she

isn't thinking it."

"I doubt anyone would enjoy a glance inside her head. The thoughts she sees fit to

verbalize are disturbing enough."

Maybe half an hour later, the door finally opened to reveal the vixen. "Sorry about the

time, Dears. I overslept," she apologized. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

"Could I go for a jog first?" Ellie asked. "My legs are itching for some decent exercise."

The vixen blinked, "I suppose that's doable. Can you run alongside the driveway?"

Ellie nodded.

"Johann and I will follow in the car. Wait a minute, and I'll fetch him." The vixen closed

them in again.

"I hope you aren't too hungry, Jason," Ellie apologized.

"I'll be fine."

"Do you want to jog with me?"

"Uh, okay, I guess if I get tired, I can ride in the car the rest of the way."

After a few minutes, the vixen returned with the wolverine, "Alright, let's go."

As they stepped out into the wider basement, Ellie spotted poor Edgar still tied to the

table. "Aren't you going to let him up?" she demanded.

The vixen glanced at the pine marten unconcernedly, "You can let him up if you want."

Ellie quickly hopped over to the table and began untying his bonds.

"Th-thank you, Ellie!" he cried.

Ellie nodded brusquely, "I can't believe no one has done this yet," she grumbled. She

couldn't help but notice the dried residual urine on the table, and the pungent smell

accompanying it.

When she was done, he leapt up off of the table and leapt toward her with arms

outstretched.

"Akk!" Ellie dodged away. "Take a shower before you give me any thank you hugs!" she

reprimanded.

He stopped, "Sorry," he mumbled.

Ellie instantly felt guilty for snapping at the hapless pine marten. He'd only been grateful

to be shown a bare minimum of kindness and decency. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have

snapped. After you've cleaned up, you can give me a hug if you still want to."

He smiled bashfully, "Thank you, Ellie." He turned to the vixen, "May I go shower, Your

Grace?"

"I certainly don't want to smell you," she replied curtly. She paused before taking on a

more sympathetic tone, "And I'm sorry, Edgar. I shouldn't have left you so long."

"I'm sorry too, Your Grace, for making you angry. It won't happen again," he averred.

The vixen nodded, "Go get cleaned up then."

He hurried away to the servant quarters in the back part of the basement. The vixen led

them up to the entryway where they waited whilst the wolverine got the car. Stepping outside,

Ellie recognized the plateless black sedan from the witnesses' descriptions. How many prey

made their final trip in there? Ellie tried not to think about the chariot of death in front of her as

the vixen climbed into the front passenger's seat.

The vixen rolled down the window, "Go ahead, we'll follow right with you."

Ellie began to run, hopping off of the gravel at the end of the cul-de-sac to run in the

grass and leaves between the road and the woods. Jason followed close behind her. The car

kept pace with them, and Ellie found it awkward having the vixen peering out the window at her

as she ran. They had been running a few minutes when the car stopped. Ellie kept going but the

vixen opened the door and called to them.

"Hold on a moment! I've decided to join you."

They stopped, and the vixen trotted up in front. She bounded forward into a gentle lope,

and Ellie followed her. She was slower than they had been going, and Ellie didn't much enjoy

her obscuring her view of the woods in front of her. Stepping up the pace momentarily, Ellie took

the lead, slowing back to her normal pace when she was a few body lengths in front. She

noticed the vixen increase her speed to keep up, but she didn't try to retake the lead. Before

long, Ellie could hear her breathing heavily, but she still managed to stay with Ellie until finally

the vixen slowed to a halt.

"Hold up!" the vixen called between breaths.

"You can get back in the car," Ellie called back.

"Not because of me, we're almost to the end of the drive. We need to turn back."

Ellie slowed to a stop and turned around. If only the car hadn't been there, she could

have raced out to the street and escaped the exhausted vixen. She glanced at Jason behind the

vixen. He looked tired too but not as tired. They probably both could have gotten away. Maybe

we should just make a run for it when we have the chance. She's too out of shape to catch us.

The vixen climbed back into the car.

"I think I've had enough too," Jason stated. He climbed in the back.

Ellie didn't want to get in the grim vehicle, and she felt like running more. She began the

jog back to the manor, and the car followed her in reverse. When they made it back, Jason and

the vixen climbed out, and the wolverine drove the car back to the garage.

"That was quite energizing," the vixen piped. "We should do that more often. It seems I

need to get into better shape."

"Sure, I like to jog every morning if the weather is okay," Ellie returned.

The vixen didn't look like she thought every morning sounded like much fun, but she

nodded anyway, "If that's what you want, Ellie. I don't want you to feel too cooped up."

"I like to take a cool rinse in the shower afterwards if I get hot. Can I do that now?"

"Of course. Do you want to, Jason?" the vixen inquired.

"No," he stated.

"Alright, I'll come watch you, Ellie. You can stay with Gustav, Jason."

They stepped inside, and Jason continued to the kitchen. After they watched him go, the

vixen ushered Ellie up to the bathroom. Fortunately, she didn't get into the shower with her but

only waited inside the bathroom. Ellie took a quick cool rinse and got out to grab a towel. The

vixen was already holding one and handed it to her. While Ellie was wiping herself down, the

vixen got out the blow drier, and Ellie stood while she blew her dry.

Putting the blow drier away, the vixen spoke, "Thank you for letting me join you on your

jog, Ellie."

"No problem." It hadn't been like she'd had much of a choice.

"It'll be good to have someone to motivate me to get more exercise, and that's not the

only way I feel you've improved my outlook on things."

"Oh?" Ellie wasn't sure what she could be talking about.

"The instinctual kindness you showed Edgar made me think. Perhaps I haven't been as

kind to my staff as I could be. They're the closest thing I have to a family. I should show them

the consideration they deserve."

"That would be a start," Ellie stated dryly. "But I'd say the more glaring issue is your lack

of consideration for prey. Edgar is still alive after all."

The vixen frowned, "I wish you would get over that. Prey are for killing. You may be an

exception, but you're the exception that proves the rule."

"How many of your victims have you tried spending a few days with before you killed

them?" Ellie demanded.

"None of them of course. That would be ridiculous."

"If that's all it took for you to see me as a person, then maybe I'm not an exception at all!

Maybe you'd see that we're all people if you took the time and were open-minded. No one

deserves to be killed!"

The vixen frowned again, "Maybe that's true, but sometimes I need to kill someone."

"If you can't control it, then how are you better than those two yesterday? You called

them wild beasts. Is that what you want to be?"

The vixen looked disturbed.

Ellie went on, "Look, if you want to change, you should get help. Maybe there is some

treatment or counseling that can help you with your violent impulses."

"Could you help me, Ellie?"

"Me? I'm not a doctor!"

"But I could learn from your example. I can put you in charge of Edgar and observe how

you treat him."

"I don't want to be in charge of Edgar!" Ellie protested. Was she serious? How did she

think merely watching someone else be decent would fix the underlying issue with her psyche?

"Who would you want to be in charge of? You can't say Jason. That's a given."

Ellie frowned, "How about you?"

The vixen blinked, "Me?"

"You want to observe. What better way is there?"

The vixen seemed to contemplate it but then shook her head, "No, I'm not letting my pet

tell me what to do. Pick someone else."

"You're my choice."

"If you won't pick someone else, then it's going to be Edgar," the vixen stated firmly.

"I want it to be you," Ellie demanded.

"Tough. If you don't handle Edgar, I'm going to tell Howard to handle you."

Ellie winced. What would the unfriendly ferret try to make her do? He was small enough

for her to fight back, but what if the vixen helped him force her to follow his demands? She'd

had so little interaction with him that she had no idea what she might be forced to do. "Fine. I'll

take Edgar," she agreed reluctantly.

"I thought you'd see reason," the vixen chirped. "Let's go see what Gustav has for

breakfast. I'm famished."

They made their way down to the dining room. Jason and Edgar were already at the

table.

Edgar stood, "Can I give you that hug now, Ellie?" he asked self-consciously.

Ellie stopped and opened her arms. He hurried across the room and wrapped her in a

tight hug.

"Thank you, Ellie. You're a good friend," he whispered fervently.

Ellie hugged the pine marten back, and he tucked her head under his jaw. Ellie pressed

her cheek against his long, pale yellow neck and was engulfed in his sweet musk. She found it

to be not entirely unpleasant if a bit strong.

"I'm glad you like your new friend so much, Edgar," the vixen piped. "From now until I

say otherwise, I'm assigning you as her personal servant. I want you to do whatever she says."

Edgar loosened his hug, "Er, okay, Your Grace," he answered awkwardly.

"What's your first command, Ellie?" the vixen prompted cheerfully.

Edgar let her go and stepped back, looking down at her embarrassedly.

"Why don't you give the Duchess a hug too? I think she wants to apologize for punishing

you over a simple misunderstanding," Ellie suggested.

Edgar looked to the vixen beside them, "Your Grace?"

She glanced at Ellie a bit annoyedly but then opened her arms. Edgar stepped into them

and hugged her, pressing his head against her chest. The vixen hugged him back.

"I'm sorry for punishing you, Edgar. I should have been more clear with you from the

beginning."

"I forgive you, Your Grace," he murmured. "I, uh, I still care for you."

She petted his head, "I care for you too, Edgar. I'm sorry I did anything to make you think

otherwise."

He let out a joyful little sigh, and Ellie thought even the vixen looked happy. She smiled

warmly at the tender exchange, but then her smile fell away. I'm happy that a murderer and her

toady are getting along again? These were the same people keeping her captive. Even if Edgar

was friendly, he wasn't really her friend, and the vixen certainly wasn't. Does she really want to

change, or is this just another of her games? Did it make a difference? If it was a game, Ellie

had little choice but to play along. If it was sincere, then what? Ellie didn't believe she could

change the murderous vixen, nor was it her responsibility to try. Her prerogative was to escape

this unjust captivity, her captors be damned, but reality wasn't as simple as principle. Even if

Edgar was complicit in her captivity, she didn't want anything bad to happen to him.

The two broke apart, and Edgar turned back to Ellie, "Is there something else you want

me to do?"

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

He shook his head.

"Then sit down, and we'll eat."

They all sat at the table. Jason gave Ellie a funny look from the seat opposite.

"It wasn't my idea," she murmured under her breath.

Soon, the fat stoat brought them their food. He had prepared Ellie roasted asparagus

and toast with apple jelly. It was an interesting combination, but both were delicious.

After breakfast, the vixen addressed Ellie again, "Are there any chores you need Edgar

to do for you? He can run to the store if you need something."

"Our cell could use cleaned," Ellie stated. "I'd appreciate it if someone would scrub the

sink and toilet, mop the floor, and maybe fetch us fresh sheets."

"Edgar can do all of those things," the vixen declared.

"Er, no problem, Ellie. It's the least I can do after you helped me this morning," Edgar

responded.

"Go on then," the vixen instructed.

Edgar got up and ambled out of the room.

"Are you going to want to watch to make sure he does a good job?" the vixen asked

Ellie.

"I'm sure it will be adequate," Ellie answered.

The vixen shrugged. She led Ellie and Jason to get their books and then to the living

room where they spent a couple hours reading.

As Ellie had predicted, she had to sit in the vixen's lap again. While she read, she could

almost forget about her seat, except when the vixen stroked her or reached her hand around

her throat to gently squeeze. The latter was particularly uncomfortable for Ellie for obvious

reasons. What if she has one of her uncontrollable impulses? I won't even know until she's

actually throttling me. Ellie tried not to imagine the feeling of the vixen's powerful hand choking

her, sharp claws digging into her flesh as the vixen squeezed. Jason would help me, she

reassured herself. He might be smaller than the vixen, but he would fight fiercely if Ellie were in

danger.

They didn't see Edgar again until their mid-afternoon lunch. The pine marten slumped in

his seat, exhausted.

"Are you finished, Edgar?" the vixen queried.

He nodded.

"Wonderful! What would you have him do next, Ellie?"

"Eat lunch. Then he can relax. I don't have anything else for him to do."

"You had better think of something," the vixen replied lightly.

Ellie knew an 'or else' was implied. "Fine. His task can be to get some rest. I doubt he

slept well last night."

After lunch, they returned to the living room to relax and read more. The vixen let Ellie sit

with Jason on the loveseat, sitting on the sofa by herself. Edgar glanced at the full loveseat

before sitting in an armchair.

"Why don't you sit with the Duchess, Edgar?" Ellie suggested. "I think she'd appreciate

the company."

Edgar looked at the vixen questioningly. She patted her leg, and he quickly slipped off of

the chair and scrambled up into the vixen's lap. She tucked his head under her jaw and

wrapped her arms across his chest. Edgar sighed contentedly and leaned his nose against her

shoulder. Before long, he was breathing gently as he slept in the fox's arms.

"I did tell him to get some rest," Ellie murmured good-humoredly.

The vixen smiled and brought a hand up to gently rub his ear. Again, Ellie couldn't help

but feel a little touched by what certainly seemed to be genuine affection on the vixen's part.

However, as before, this raised uncomfortable doubts in Ellie's mind. Was the vixen telling the

truth when she claimed to care for Ellie and Jason as well? Ellie didn't want the affection of a

vicious murderer, but it had to be preferable to her animosity, right? If the vixen wouldn't leave

her alone, which was what Ellie really wanted, wasn't it better if she tried to make Ellie

comfortable than if she tried to torment her? The answer seemed obvious.

They read another hour, and then the vixen set aside her book. Edgar was still asleep,

and she gently lifted him off of her lap and lay him on the sofa, curled in a ball. She stroked a

hand down his back before slipping off the sofa and motioning for Ellie and Jason to follow her,

leading them to the conservatory.

"We could play cards again," she noted. "But we'll need a fourth." She led them into the

dining room and poked her head into the kitchen, "Gustav? Would you like to play cards with

us?"

The stoat's voice came back from across the room, muffled by the sound of clanking

cookware, "I'd love to, Your Grace, but I'm too busy at the moment."

"Could you send someone to find Howard? We're in the conservatory."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The vixen led them back to the conservatory, snagging the box of cards on the way to

the table. "I'd like to be Jason's partner this time," she stated.

She sat across from him leaving Ellie across from the empty seat at the card table with

the vixen to her left. After several minutes, the white ferret tromped into the room and headed

for the piano.

"Not today, Howard," the vixen corrected. "I'd like you to play cards with us. You know

euchre, yes?"

The white ferret turned to regard them; his eyes settled on Ellie, and he made a

distasteful grimace. "I do, Your Grace," he grumbled. "Is it your intention that I play with the

rabbit?"

"Is that a problem, Howard?"

"No, Your Grace," he growled, his tone making it clear that it was indeed a problem. He

tromped across the room and dropped in the chair across from Ellie.

"Of course you're all aware of one another at this point, but I don't think you've been

properly introduced," the vixen chirped. "Howard, Jason and Ellie. Jason and Ellie, Howard."

"Hi," Jason said awkwardly.

Ellie didn't offer any greeting to the surly ferret, and he merely frowned darkly. Ellie could

tell they weren't going to get along. No reason to try then!

"I think it was uncalled for what you did to Edgar last night," Ellie rebuked. "You could

have just let him up."

The vixen blinked, "What happened, Ellie?"

"What it sounded like is he attacked him somehow," Ellie explained.

"I shut him up," the ferret replied bluntly. "You're welcome."

The vixen looked disturbed, "I thought you and Edgar got on alright, Howard."

"Not when he's yelling like an idiot in the middle of the night," he growled.

The vixen narrowed her eyes, "We'll talk about this more later," she growled softly.

Ellie gave him a satisfied glare. She was glad he was going to be punished for attacking

the helpless pine marten.

He glared back, "You know, I was really looking forward to seeing what your insides look

like," he stated snidely. "Pity that Her Grace decided she needed a pair of mouths to feed,

especially one that likes to consume its own shit."

Ellie clenched her fists, but then Jason's arm shot out and grabbed the ferret by the

throat.

"You care to repeat that?" Jason snarled.

"Jason! Let him go!" the vixen ordered. "Howard, be nice! Or I'll find something less

pleasant for you to do!"

Jason let the ferret go, and the ferret brushed down his fur and straightened his black

jacket.

"Both of you apologize," the vixen growled.

"Sorry," Jason grumbled.

"Sorry for offending the rabbit and her thug," the ferret replied.

"I'm sure all of the carpet could use a good vacuuming," the vixen growled warningly.

The ferret sniffed haughtily. "Fine. I'm sorry. I'll try to get along with your toys, Your

Grace."

The vixen glared at him a second more, "Let's hope so." She pulled the cards out of the

box, checked that they were sorted, shuffled, and dealt.

The ferret turned out to be a very aggressive player, calling trump nearly every chance

he got. In addition, he called it alone so frequently that Ellie felt like she hardly got to play. He

got them euchred twice but somehow still managed to pull off a victory, finishing with a score of

ten to eight. Ellie was glad when the frustrating game was over.

The ferret stood, "Is that all, Your Grace?"

"Why don't you stay and chat a little while? I think you'll be surprised at how well you get

along with these two if you make the effort."

The ferret plopped back down, wearing an unconvinced scowl. Ellie wasn't any more

convinced herself. He seemed like a total jerk.

"I, uh, like your playing," Jason offered. "On the piano, I mean."

The ferret looked at him boredly.

"Er, how long have you been working for Her Grace?" Jason tried again.

"Did it taste good?" the ferret drawled.

"What?" Jason returned, confused.

"Sticking your tongue up a rabbit's twat. Was that good for you, or did you prefer her

asshole?"

"Howard! Don't be crude!" the vixen reprimanded.

"Sorry, anus," he amended snidely.

The vixen growled, "You know that's not what-"

"It's none of your business, pervert!" Ellie snapped.

The ferret grinned nastily, "I'm the pervert? I'm glad Her Grace didn't have to see what I

witnessed last night. Disgusting, not to mention unnatural."

"You're the one who decided to watch!" Ellie shot back.

"Yes," the vixen murmured embarrassedly. "Maybe I should have told you this sooner,

Howard, but you don't need to watch them anymore."

"It's no problem, Your Grace. It may be disgusting, but there's a grotesque fascination to

it," he replied mockingly.

"Let me put it this way: I want you to disconnect the camera," the vixen rejoined.

He sneered, "How will I know when to turn the lights out?"

"You can put it on a timer," Ellie suggested brusquely.

"Good idea, Ellie," the vixen complimented.

"Fine. But if they remember which species they are and you miss out on the gore, don't

blame me," the ferret concluded testily.

"If you want to see it so much, why don't you try your luck right now?" Ellie snarled.

"We'll see whose blood ends up on the floor!"

"I wouldn't stoop to that level," the ferret drawled condescendingly.

"I think we've had enough chatting!" the vixen snapped. "Run along, Howard!"

He stood and strutted out of the room.

"Sorry about that," the vixen apologized. "I thought he could be more civil. I'll have a

word with him about it and about what he did to Edgar."

Ellie nodded curtly. The surprising thing was that more of the vixen's servants weren't

similarly nasty. It was what Ellie would have expected from people willing to work for a vicious

murderer.

"We can have a chat with just the three of us," the vixen suggested.

Ellie continued to frown. Their 'chats' with the vixen didn't tend to improve her outlook on

their situation.

The vixen patted her leg, "Prop your feet up, and I'll give you a massage while we talk,

Ellie."

Ellie complied but only because she assumed she'd end up sitting in the vixen's lap if

she refused. The vixen began to massage her feet, and despite her bad mood, Ellie relaxed a

little.

"Tell me about your families," the vixen requested. "Do you have any siblings? What do

they and your parents do, assuming they're still with us?"

"I have two littermates," Jason answered. "My sister is a meteorologist, and my brother is

a chemistry graduate student at UNV. He should be finishing up soon. My mother is a doctor,

and my father does computer animation."

"How long has your brother been at UNV?" Ellie asked.

"About six years."

"Hm, we almost overlapped when I was a senior then."

"What about you, Ellie?" the vixen prompted.

"I have seven siblings. My older brothers are a nurse and a pilot. My littermate sisters

are a kindergarten teacher and a microbiologist at the VEC. My younger sisters are both in

medical school, and I'm not sure what my younger brother is up to these days besides raising

his kids. I think that's everyone." She paused. "Oh, and my parents are both nurses."

"I can't imagine having such a big family. I'm an only child myself," the vixen replied.

Ellie blinked, "Isn't that kind of unusual? I thought foxes had litters too."

"Yes, I had two littermates, but they were both stillborn. I used to wonder what it would

have been like to have brothers."

Ellie felt a little sorry for the vixen. She couldn't imagine not having any siblings. She'd

grown up surrounded by hers. They'd been her playmates, her competitors, and her friends.

Even though they had often fought, sometimes even coming to blows, she had known they

would always be there for her. She didn't know what it would be like to only have your parents

as company. "Did you have friends your age?"

"There were a few of the servants who had children at the time. We played occasionally,

but I preferred the company of adults for the most part."

"Why was that?"

"They were very resentful of my station. They didn't want to listen when I described the

rules and simply played however they pleased, completely undisciplined."

It was easy to understand why she hadn't gotten along with the other children.

"You know, Ellie, I think we could handle a few more bunnies if there were any of your

siblings who you'd like to join us here," the vixen suggested lightly.

Ellie yanked her feet away, but the vixen caught the right leg by the ankle and held it

tight while she continued to massage the foot with her other hand.

"Now, now, I'm not saying you have to agree," the vixen soothed. "But I think you should

consider it. Wouldn't it be nice to live on this beautiful estate with one or more of your siblings?

Maybe your wayward brother and his family could join us. I promise I'd take good care of them."

"You'll get them over my dead body!" Ellie growled.

The vixen stopped massaging her foot but didn't let go. She gave Ellie a disappointed

frown, "I wish you wouldn't say things like that, Ellie. I don't want to hurt you, and if you don't

want any of your family to join us, then I'll respect that. I merely thought it might make you more

comfortable. What about some other prey? Would having prey who aren't your family here make

you more comfortable?"

"Seeing more people in our situation would in no way make me more comfortable!"

"Very well. Perhaps you like being the only prey," the vixen suggested mildly. "Either

way, you're enough for me." Letting go of Ellie's foot, she stood. "Let's see about when dinner

will be ready."

The fat stoat told them it would be another hour, so the vixen led them back to the living

room where Edgar was still sleeping. They read to themselves until the vixen set down her

book.

"Wake up Edgar, would you, Ellie? I think it's just about time for dinner. We'll meet you in

the dining room."

The vixen hopped off of her chair and headed for the door. Ellie hopped off of the

loveseat where she was sitting with Jason and up onto the couch next to the sleeping pine

marten. Jason jumped down to follow the vixen but glanced back at Ellie. She nodded for him to

go ahead, and he left.

Ellie poked Edgar's arm, "Edgar, it's time for dinner."

Edgar opened his dark eyes a crack and yawned, showing off his long, pointed, white

fangs and pink tongue. "Ellie?" he murmured. "Do you need me to do something?"

"No, it's time for dinner."

He pushed himself up and yawned again.

"I guess you really needed that nap," Ellie commented lightly.

"I did. Thank you, Ellie."

"Uh, no problem. You know this wasn't my idea, right? The Duchess told me to give you

orders, or she'd turn me over to the ferret. I'm sorry if it's made you uncomfortable."

"I don't mind, Ellie. Her orders or yours, it doesn't really make a difference to me."

"Okay then. Uh, let's go to dinner." She slipped off of the couch.

He didn't immediately follow her. "Ellie?"

She turned back, "Yes?"

"You're doing okay here now, aren't you?"

Ellie kept her expression neutral. Should she be honest with the pine marten? Would he

report back to the vixen? "It could be worse."

He frowned, "Is there any way I can make it better? I don't want you to be miserable."

"You're doing enough. Anyway, I wouldn't say I'm miserable; it could be worse."

He slipped off of the sofa and held out his hand for her to take. Ellie accepted it, and he

gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Maybe he really was doing the best that he could given his

circumstances. Who knew what would happen to him if he helped them escape? The vixen had

said she was sorry for punishing him over a simple misunderstanding, but was she being

honest? What if he helped them escape, and the vixen murdered him like she murdered prey?

What if she simply left him tied down, and no one helped him? Ellie didn't want the friendly pine

marten to die for helping them. Maybe we should take him with us. It was one solution, but she

didn't know how practical it was. It might be even more difficult to find an opportunity when they

could all escape, and what if he decided he didn't want to leave? Ellie didn't know what the best

solution was. They walked to the dining room still holding hands, only breaking apart as they

pulled out their chairs to sit.

After dinner, the vixen took Ellie upstairs to take a shower. She let her shower on her

own but did insist on helping blow her dry. Ellie supposed it was a minimal invasion of her

personal boundaries. When they were done, the vixen escorted Ellie down to the cell. Jason

and Edgar were both inside when they arrived, apparently chatting.

"Edgar, I see you're making friends with Jason as well now," the vixen piped cheerfully.

"Let's let Jason and Ellie have some privacy."

The pine marten scurried to the door, and the vixen caught him by the hand. She gently

pushed Ellie inside with her free hand and closed her and Jason inside.

"What were you and Edgar talking about?" Ellie queried.

"This and that. We, uh, talked about you a bit, actually."

Ellie blinked, "Me?"

"Yeah, I, uh, wanted to be clear about his intentions toward you. He made it clear you're

friends, so I'm glad you've been able to make one here."

"You weren't getting jealous, were you?" Ellie teased. "Maybe you would have liked to

clean up in here instead."

"I wouldn't say 'jealous'. I wanted to be certain he understood the extent of our

relationship, our commitment."

"He'd have to be pretty dumb to not have figured that out," Ellie drawled.

"Yes, um, like I said, I'm glad you've made a friend here."

"It's okay to be jealous sometimes, Jason, as long as you remember that you're the only

one for me." She hopped across the room and took his hands in hers. "You know that, don't

you?"

He smiled and nodded, "I do, Ellie."

Ellie released his hands to wrap him in a hug, "And I know I'm the only one for you," she

murmured.

He hugged her back, and Ellie pressed her nose into his soft chest fur, breathing his

familiar scent. She sighed contentedly. She could have been annoyed by Jason's

protectiveness, but she knew he didn't mean it to be patronizing or overly possessive. Caution

was warranted given their situation, and she could forgive him for being a little jealous even if he

didn't want to admit it. The idea of him being worried she was attracted to the pine marten was a

little amusing even. She hugged him tighter. Silly kitty.

* * *

Rita let go of Edgar's hand and bent to heft him across her arms. He wasn't all that light,

maybe a third her weight, but she could manage him.

"Let's head upstairs for our own private time," Rita suggested archly.

Edgar curled up his long body to tuck his head against her shoulder, "I love you, Your

Grace," he breathed.

"I know, Edgar."

"Do, do you love me?" he murmured nervously.

"I care for you, Edgar. I wouldn't call it love. I'm sorry if that hurts you."

"I-it's enough, Your Grace."

Rita turned her head to nuzzle his ear. She gently nibbled the velvety crescent. He

nudged his nose under her jaw. Rita shifted him in her arms to secure her hold then carried him

upstairs and into her bedroom. She carefully lay him on the bed and hopped up to sit next to

him. He sat up and leaned against her side, and she wrapped her arm around him.

"Is there anything you want to do, Edgar?"

He yawned before replying. "Anything you want, Your Grace."

"Still tired from your long night?"

"I'm fine. Do, er, you want me to, you know?"

"I think we'll skip the cunnilingus tonight, Edgar. Let's curl up together; I think you need

the rest."

"Okay, Your Grace."

Rita crawled to the head of the bed and pushed back the blankets, and Edgar followed

her. He slid part way under the blankets and curled into a ball, and Rita curled herself around

him, flipping her tail up in front and brushing the bushy end over his snout. He pressed his body

closer against hers, and soon, Rita could feel his gentle rhythmic breathing as the pine marten

slept.

Rita wasn't very sleepy herself, so she watched Edgar. He was a faithful servant, and

she really was pleased that he'd made friends with the rabbit. Although Rita didn't feel that she'd

gotten much out of watching Ellie order him around, it had been interesting to see whether it

would change the dynamic between them. As far as she could tell, it hadn't made much of a

difference, but perhaps that was because he'd already been ready to do what Ellie said.

Perhaps I should put her in charge of Howard instead. That certainly would be a change in

dynamic, and Rita would get to see how Ellie would treat someone she couldn't stand.

Moreover, it would be a good punishment for the ferret after what he'd done to Edgar and how

rude he'd been this afternoon. Satisfied with her plan, Rita continued to watch the sleeping pine

marten until her own eyes felt heavy. She tucked her head beside his and closed her eyes, soon

slipping into contented sleep.

* * *

Rita and Edgar were startled awake by the blasts of gunshots, seemingly right outside

the manor. Seconds later, Howard dashed into the room.

"Your Grace! We're under attack!" he yelped.

"What?! By who?!" she demanded.

Howard shook his head, "I don't know. I heard the gunshots, and I ran upstairs.

Wolfgang was fighting with someone at the door. I came to warn you."

"It's a carnivore cult, Your Grace," came Wolfgang's growl from the door.

They all turned to watch him as he tromped into the room. Rita noticed blood seeping

from a gash on one of his arms.

"I got the door closed, but I don't think it will hold for long. I saw big cats among them.

They, Johann is dead. He went out to confront them, and they shot him without warning."

Rita's stomach lurched. Zeus, no! Stunned, she didn't know how to respond. A carnivore

cult?! She'd thought they were a myth. Johann dead? He'd been with her for years. What would

she do without him?

"Your Grace, you have to get away!" Wolfgang barked, shaking Rita out of her stupor.

Rita quickly slid out of bed, followed by Edgar. "Right, uh, Howard, you take Edgar. Tell

anyone you see to get to safety. We'll meet at the Maplesburg police station. We need to-"

"I don't think they'll be able to help us," Howard interrupted darkly.

"Huh?"

"I was listening to the radio when I heard the gunshots. It's on every station," Howard

hurried over to her dresser and switched on the radio.

"-et to safety. Repeat: terrorists are holding the Mayor and city council hostage. The

police have been raided. Get to safety. Prey especially are urged to seek shelter. The terrorists

are demanding that prey rights be suspended. Do not call the police. Arm yourselves and get to

safety. Repeat:-"

Howard clicked the radio off. Rita stared at the speakered box in disbelief.

"Uh, we'll, uh, we'll meet at Larchwood manor, assuming it's still standing." She shook

her head to help her recover her senses. "Right, go on, Howard, and take Edgar." She pushed

the pine marten toward him.

"I want to stay with you, Your Grace!" Edgar cried.

She shook her head, "I'll be right behind you, I promise." She turned to Wolfgang, "We

need to collect Jason and Ellie!"

Without waiting for a response, she dashed out of the room, and the wolverine lumbered

after her. She tore down the curving stairs and through the basement to the cell, yanking the

heavy door open. Jason and Ellie were already up, likely awakened by the gunshots, and were

sitting nervously on the bed.

Rita motioned urgently toward the door, "We have to go!"

"What's going on?!" Ellie demanded.

"We're under siege. We need to escape. There's a hidden back exit. Now come on!"

"Maybe they're here to rescue us," Ellie argued. "We shou-"

"They aren't. It's a carnivore cult. I know it sounds made up, but that's what Wolfgang

told me. The radio said they want to suspend prey rights. They'll kill you, Ellie! We have to go,"

Rita urged.

They followed her out into the dungeon. Wolfgang and Boots were both waiting.

"Boots! You know the way to the back exit. We have to hurry," Rita called as she raced

up to them.

They started toward the door to the servants' quarters, and Rita turned back to make

sure Jason and Ellie were behind her. Suddenly, Ellie halted and grabbed Jason's arm to stop

him too.

"We're not going with you!" Ellie declared.

"Didn't you hear what I-"

"We heard. We'll take our chances on our own."

Jason glanced from Ellie to Rita and back, "I think she's right, Your Grace. We'll go

alone."

Rita's heart skipped as her belly filled with dread, "Please come with me! You'll be safer!

I'll take care of you! You can't leave me now!"

Ellie shook her head, and yanked Jason toward the side door, leading to the yard in front

of the garage. Boots stepped forward to apprehend them, but Rita called for him to stop.

"No, Boots. Let them go."

He halted and looked back at her questioningly.

"We need to hurry," she repeated. She started back toward the door to the servants'

quarters but then turned to watch Jason and Ellie leave through the side door. "Good luck!" she

called. "We'll meet again someday!"

Ellie glanced back with a frown before yanking Jason through and closing the door

behind them. Rita turned back toward the back door, but then the door to the stairs slammed

open against the concrete wall. A lynx in a black utility vest with a sizable handgun stood in the

doorway, grinning toothily.

"There you are, Your Grace," she sneered. "Come with me now, or-"

Wolfgang rushed the lynx, but she reacted with lightning quick reflexes, aiming the gun

and firing three shots. The wolverine collapsed on the cement floor.

"Wolfgang!" Rita screamed in horror.

The cat turned the gun toward her, but Boots dove to scoop her up, placing his body

between her and the lynx. Two more gunshots erupted through the basement. Boots lurched but

remained standing. The lynx pulled another clip out of her utility vest, but Boots rushed her and

kicked out with his steel-toe boot. His kick connected with a sickening crunch, and the lynx

collapsed, rolling down the last couple stairs.

Boots didn't stop to examine her but raced through the other door, still carrying Rita. Rita

could feel something hot and damp seeping through the shoulder of his tuxedo jacket, and she

suspected it was blood. At the back end of the hall, there was another heavy metal door, and

Boots pushed through into a damp, dark, stone tunnel. He raced along with long bounding

strides to the stone staircase at the end of the lengthy tunnel. Shoving open the trapdoor at the

top, he set Rita down on the leafy floor of the dark woods.

Wolfgang. Johann. Her two faithful bodyguards both killed, her pets run away, a

carnivore cult attacking her home, Rita was in a daze with the shock of these crises, but at least

they had gotten out.

A smooth growl interrupted those thoughts, "Good evening, Your Grace."

Rita whipped around to see a puma leaning nonchalantly against a tree.

"Didn't you think we knew about this exit? I assure you we did our homework."

Boots raced up the last couple stairs, but the puma leapt forward with incredible speed,

and punched the human in the stomach. Boots toppled backward down the stairs and landed

heavily at the bottom. Fearfully, Rita watched the tangled heap of clothes and limbs, but he

didn't move, didn't make a sound.

Rita croaked out a hoarse whisper, "No, not Boots." Sickening horror threatened to

smother her as she stood, rooted to the ground.

"Were you attached to that prey?" the puma mocked. "Pathetic. I guess that slop will ruin

even the noblest carnivores." The enormous cat bent down an easily lifted Rita by the scruff,

dangling her painfully by the skin in front of his toothy grin. "With you as our hostage, the King

will have no choice but to give in," the puma declared.

He bent and picked up a black sack from beside the tree he'd been leaning against and

shoved Rita inside. Pitch black darkness engulfed her.

* * *

Ellie pulled Jason up the cool stone stairs and paused at the top to glance around: she

didn't see anyone. The garage was just across the yard, but without her the keys, they couldn't

take her car. They'd have to try to slip away into the dark woods. At least it was overcast, the

near complete darkness of the night would help hide them while they got away.

She started to pull Jason up the last few steps but froze as a pair of lights suddenly

flooded the yard. The lights quickly turned off, but Ellie recognized her car slowly pulling out of

the garage and toward the driveway. Suddenly, two more gunshots rang out across the yard.

The car drifted off of the gravel drive and slowly rolled over the yard until it collided with the

house with a thump. The running car was now only a short distance down the side of the manor

toward the front. Ellie and Jason crouched low, waiting.

No one came to examine the car. After several minutes, Ellie tugged Jason forward.

Silently, they crept along the side of the house to the silver compact car. Ellie slipped up to the

driver's side door and peered in: There were two bullet holes in the windshield, and slumped

over the steering wheel was the white ferret. Ellie quickly opened the door, pulled him out, and

shut it again. In the brief illumination of the door lights, Ellie could see the blood covering his

front as well as the seat he'd been sitting in. She felt his neck for a pulse, but there was none.

Ellie motioned for Jason to get in, and he slipped around to the front passenger's side.

Ellie dragged the ferret's body out of the way where they wouldn't run over it and hurried back to

the driver's door. She nodded to Jason, and together, they quickly opened the doors and got

inside, closing them to douse the lights. They crouched low in their seats. Ellie tried to ignore

the sticky blood covering hers. She couldn't afford to be squeamish now.

Ellie shifted the car into reverse and slowly pulled away from the building, turning the

front back toward the driveway. She shifted back into drive and took a deep breath. Carefully,

she pressed the accelerator. The car lurched forward, gradually gaining speed. A brisk walk, a

jog, a sprint, the car accelerated toward the far end of the cul-de-sac where the woods began.

Ellie reached the straight part of the driveway and hit the gas. The engine squealed as the car

shot forward, throwing gravel. Gunshots exploded behind them, and Ellie heard a bullet slam

into the back of the car, but then the manor was far behind them. They tore down the narrow

drive, pressed in by the dark woods. At the end, Ellie quickly flipped on the lights and pulled out

onto the Duchy highway without stopping. She stomped the accelerator, and the engine

screamed in protest as they rocketed away.

They had made it! They were free! Still, Ellie didn't slow as they put miles between them

and the grim estate, between them and their waking nightmare. They had gotten away, but was

the nightmare really over? A carnivore cult! What were they doing attacking the Duchess'

estate? Was there some darker plot afoot? Ellie tried to ignore these questions. For the

moment, they were free. She glanced at Jason, rigid in his seat, gripping tight with his claws,

and smirked, but her smirk fell away. What had happened to the friendlier staff at the manor?

The fat stoat, Edgar, were they alright? Ellie had no way of knowing. They couldn't go back, so

she drove on. They had gotten away, but somehow the dark meadows and woods they passed

seemed more ominous than ever before. Ellie felt as if malicious eyes were watching, waiting to

pounce out of the darkness, to rip into her with razor-sharp claws. The silver moonlight peaked

from behind the clouds, but it only deepened the shadows. Ellie suppressed a shiver as they

raced out toward the freeway. Their modern world wasn't as civilized as she'd once believed.

THE END