Strange Dream VI

Olivera backed off, not wanting to rouse the ire of the cat any further. The animal was shaking, fur wet and dark as its sides heaved. The man was beginning to lose the battle for control of the beast.

"You have been touched by the vampire," She said, her voice low and carrying the ring of truth. "I can try to aid you to rid yourself of the poisonous influence, but it will fight to keep ahold of you." And it would leave her vulnerable to attack, perhaps even from the jaguar.

It was a risk, not even a good one, but Olivera felt compelled to help. The jaguar species, both man and beast, was losing the battle for existence just as her specie was. Tied to the jaguar now by blood, she could feel his alarm. He was no young man, cocky and full of bravado; he was old enough to know the danger of the vampire, and he had been questioning what was happening among his kind for some time.

The cat crouched low and nodded the broad head, the gaze shifting from him to their surroundings, as mindfu