Chapter 12Eli watched in fascination as the huge, black cat climbed, and jumped, and ran, and…disappeared. He hadn’t disappeared, but it was amazing how hard it was to spot him. A large black panther shouldn’t blend in with the forest but Jaecar did.
Minutes went by, and Eli grew drowsy. It was too cold to sleep on the doorstep, but he leaned his head against the doorpost, wishing he had a cover and a pillow. No emotions crashed with his own, no one was close enough to touch him, no one was—
A shout escaped him as a rough tongue licked his hand. “Jaecar! You scared the hell out of me.” Why hadn’t he heard him approach?
Jaecar nudged him with his head, wanting him to go inside.
“But it’s so calm out here. I need calm.”
Before Eli’s eyes, the big cat changed shape. Eli bit his tongue no
