Chapter 24In the silence that followed Brandon’s sudden departure Ezekiel avoided any engagement with his brothers.He felt something in his soul quivering. It was relief. Bone crushing, heart hammering relief.He was slowly coming down form the fear.He’s not dead...He’s okay...Ezekiel thought to himself...even if he didn’t know why these simple sentences settled him so much. Or why he had been so desperate to see Brandon safe from harm.But just as Ezekiel couldn’t leave Brandon to bleed to death the first night they had meet....He now seemed incapable of allowing any form or idea of danger to be visited upon him....without totally losing his shit. Did he honestly want to analyze any of this? Did he really want to know what was at the heart of his behavior....?Wow...I cant believe that just happenedLander suddenly quipped into his mind breaking Ezekiel’s train of thought. Uncaring of Ezekiel’s obvious need to center himself. An icy slug of thoughts slammed into his temples and
Chapter 25The next two days were a blur of activity all across the Clans Lands for Ezekiel, his parents and his Brothers.The Clan Head and the Guardians were called on continuously to assist the various other families in the Villages or to move stands, tables, sheets and food out into the Northern fields just beyond the Mansion, where the Clan’s annual Celebration had been held for the last few decades.As the men in the family stayed busy, Ezekiels mother, Glen spent a lot of her time organizing the music, decorations and the various Leopards and Leopardess who would be running their crafting booths and food stands. He and his brother helped move merchandise about or clean out space.Ezekiel knew that many of the craftsmen in their villages made their living on the night of the Celebration, hocking various items from steel, to wools and leathers, all the way down to jewelry and honey.So he took his time to help many of the Craftsmen set up and transport their wares across the fiel
Chapter 26From all that Brandon had been told by Ezekiel the Clan Celebration was a very lively party that was held annually and was a commemoration of the Leopard Clans prosperity and continued longevity.For all Brandon had seen and heard over the last few weeks the entire thing promised to be a huge jamboree of people and action. Seeing as only a few nights ago Brandon had come to the startling realization that there were a lot more Ghouls hunting in the night then he could have believed somehow he was shocked to find a silver of excitement trying to take hold of him.Soon enough Glen had run Erin off on some random errand, before she had Brandon dress in a loose white button up shirt embossed with silver patterns at the cuffs and shoulders and white pants.After dressing she ushered Brandon down into the middle of the Mansion. Her buzzing energy and mind making Brandon worried that the little Healer was going to start bouncing off the walls.And suddenly there was Ezekiel. He was
Chapter 27After that Brandon soon found himself separated from Ezekiel’s side, as he spent most of the afternoon and evening with Glen and Mantilo.While in the Leopards Mansion, and living with Ezekiel’s family....it was obvious to see the deference, and love....and adoration that Ezekiel and his brothers held for their father and mother.The brothers craved their guidance and leadership....and because Mantilo and Glen were good parents they gave it to them with full and open hearts.But as the night wore on Brandon was surprised to realize that the same devotion and openness that Mantilo and Glen showed their sons extended out wards to each of the Leopards in their Clan. Every Shifter that came up to speak with them...or to speak with Brandon gave them all of their attention or their respect. None of them made direct eye contact with Mantilo for long...or spoke in a brash or negative tone.And even though there was a definite air of distance and dominance around Glen and Mantilo...
Chapter 28Without a further word Brandon was soon pulled away to gallivant with Erin and Glen by one of the far off bone fires.Against his will Ezekiels eyes followed him, before they came back to rest on his father, who was slowly leading him in the opposite direction.His father walked him a few feet away from the home, to a table laden with clay cups, turned upside down and stacked in a pyramid shape next to two giant bowls. One filled with off yellow juice. And another filled with chipped ice. Mantilo didn’t speak until he had filled two cups up with ice and drink, and quietly handed one cup to Ezekiel.The off yellow drink was spicy and hard, tasting of pomegranate juice and lemons and an unidentifiable herb that heated up his tongue and spiced his lips. The drink had been named “Sunset” for as long as Ezekiel could remember. A strong brew that was held all year and dished out only once on this joyous occasion, during the three nights of the Celebration. The Brew was a delicacy
Chapter 29The next three nights of the Celebration went smoothly enough, aside from one small fire breaking out.Brandon spent that time gathering his strength and his will for the travels ahead of him.All of the family members invited him to dance on various nights of the Celebration and even a few of the other Shifters sought him out and passed along a few pleasantries. But most of the nights he spent rehashing the steps of the dances that he had been taught and mingling on the dance floor with Ezekiel’s family.From Glen, to Nate, to Erin and eventually even Mantilo took a place opposite him on the dance floor, which was a shocking experience considering the fact that he couldn’t have imagined such a large and strict Shifter like Mantilo doing something as informal as dancing.But to Brandon’s surprise Mantilo easily out matched him step for step. The Clan head was graceful in all his strength, and surprisingly smooth even taking the time to tease Brandon for his faulty rhythm an
Chapter 30Ezekiel took his time closing in and yet he knew that he was far beyond out of time t do or say everything he wanted to.A part of him simply wanted to be near Brandon. Spend time with him just a little while longer. But another part of him was still bubbling with questions and suspicions. It was hard to know what to do....or what to say.But he knew this could very well be his last chance to do...or say anything. He didn’t really want to waste it. No matter what the outcome would be.So Ezekiel bided his time. He let the moon dance into the sky far to the west of the pine forest, and he let the seven Bonfires burn until the wood no longer hissed and creaked, but simply burned in silence, illuminating the multitude of bodies and activities, as the music floated up and across the fields.Finally the dance began.Couples and parents and brothers and sisters and cousins took to the fields in earnest. Swaying and swinging and cavorting. Feeling the levity of the moment Ezekiel
Chapter 31Stay. You’re not goona leave me. This place is right where you need to be.So stay. Because I’ve been watching you changing....Just tell me what you’re thinking...I’m scared that you might fall.-Eden project (Wake up)“Uh, Ezekiel? I...uh...just noticed...“Brandon took a swift breath and shook his head. “The music changed.” He said as he glanced around, and Ezekiel dropped his hand from his arm.Ezekiel blinked. “Yeah.” He began looking past Brandon out into the night, then his mind registered the music and he cleared his throat. “The uh....the song changed about a minute ago.”Brandon swiped his hair away from his forehead. “I don’t know this song. So I guess this is where I leave the floor?”A cool wind danced across the night carrying with it the drunken shout of pleasure and release. Ezekiel assumed the sound came from the couple that had snuck away earlier to be alone.Brandon blinked at the sound, turned his gaze from Ezekiel for the first time and looked around at