Ali Noel Vyain's Blog, page 66

Chapter 9 Meet Me in Elsewhere…

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Wilhelm was pleased that the nekos were quiet and not challenging Him now. He made some notes into his computer. He didn’t notice an elf or a werewolf quietly approach him. Then it was too late.

The wolf knocked him over. The elf drew her other light sword. Wilhelm drew his blaster, but it was no use. The elf was much faster with both of her light swords in hand. He was soon disarmed. He jumped up and ran towards his room. There he found his knife.

The nekos were on the move again. White Lion and Claira Jaen stood with those who didn’t have kittens to take care of. Claire Rose and Myadin ran with the other nekos to go after the scientist. He fought back with his knife and many nekos were injured. Myadin had to stay back. He tried to take as many nekos as he could with him.

She was too quick for Wilhelm to stab her. Just when he thought he had her, he’d only find air. He was growling and screaming colorful metaphors at everyone present. But White Lion got a little too close.

“You need to let us all go!” White Lion pushed Wilhelm.

The geneticist fell backwards. He jumped back up and stabbed White Lion. “You dare tell me what to do? Ungrateful son!”

“Ow!”

Claira Jaen grabbed White Lion and pulled him out of the way. Claire Rose jumped in front of the nekos.

“That’s enough, Wilhelm! I can get you for child abuse! That one is your own son and he may die now because you.”

“Well, he shouldn’t disobey me!”

“Enough!” Claire Rose went on the attack and soon Wilhelm couldn’t fight back anymore. He was out of breath.

A few nekos came to guard Him. Claire Rose called for help to transport all the nekos to Elsewhere. She made sure to request medical help quickly. There were several nekos who could die if they didn’t hurry.

A ship was dispatched immediately. It had a complete medical staff who quickly reviewed the nekos’ biology from Wilhelm’s notes and from known biology of other nekos. They were ready for the injured. Fortunately for the nekos, it didn’t take the ship long to reach them.

Claira Jaen stayed close to White Lion as they carried him to the ship. The medical staff took him and other injured nekos straight to the sickbay.

“Can you save my brother?”

“Yes, dear. Here’s a chair for you. Just stay there so we can do what we need to.”

“Okay.” She climbed on the chair and sat as still as she could.

Other nekos were led to the observation deck to wait. Geneticist Wilhelm was handcuffed and taken to the brig. He frowned the whole way.

In the sickbay, the medical staff stitched up White Lion’s wound, but discovered he was in desperate need of blood. They quickly consulted the computer for possible donors. They found one.

“Who is Claira Jaen? How are we to find her now?”

“I’m Claira Jaen!” She stood up on the chair. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh! Goodness. Your brother needs a blood transfusion and you’re the only suitable donor for him.”

“Okay. What do I need to do?”

“Well, first of all, sit back down. Good. We will have to stick a needle in you to get the blood.”

“Will it hurt?”

“A little. We’ll try to be careful.” The medical staff prepared and did what they needed do.

It did hurt, but she didn’t cry. She bit her lip and tried to be quiet and still as she squeezed a ball in her right hand. They gathered the blood. Then took the needle out. They covered her wound and gave the blood to her brother.

Claira Jaen wouldn’t leave her brother. She held his hand. She kept biting her lip and sighed. The staff kept an eye on her and her brother. There was nothing more they could do but wait.

While they waited, they scanned Claira Jaen for injuries. They could see the most recent bruise on her face.

“How did you get that bruise?”

“He hit me.”

“Who?”

“The Creator.”

The medical staff stared at the neko. They checked the notes again and found out who the Creator was. “Oh, I see. There isn’t anything we can do for the bruise, but let it heal up on its own. You seem fine other than that.”

Claira Jaen said nothing as she continued to hold her brother’s hand.

************************

Black Wolf didn’t keep track of how long he had been running, but soon found himself in front of the labyrinth. He was puzzled. He didn’t expect to find it. He had thought he would have missed it on his way back to his home. But yet, here he was. There was no way around it now.

So, he walked inside. He was still a wolf, but he had no sense of direction inside the labyrinth. He was dizzy and confused. It seemed to go on for hours. He felt more lost than he had in a long time. But then he found himself inside a room. He looked around, but he saw nothing at all.

Until he saw Silver Moon Unicorn form in front of him. She was ghostlike, but still very beautiful. Overwhelmingly so. He howled. But something was wrong. She looked sad. She turned away from him. He tried to ask her to come back, but she faded. Then another woman appeared in front of him. She was more solid. Her smile was wicked, and she held a baby.

“That’s right, Na’athan, you come back to me now. We have a child and you have to help me raise him. It is your son.”

The wolf stopped in his tracks. It hit him all at once. What had he done to Silver Moon? Was he not serious enough about her? Was that why she never felt comfortable enough to sleep with him? He stared at the other woman. Sure he liked to play, but what was it about Silver Moon that he thought he had wanted to be with her?

He shook his head. The other woman faded. He walked out of the room. He knew then he would never be able to get back together with Silver Moon Unicorn. He would have to live without her for the rest of his life. However long that would be.

He didn’t know how long it took him to get out of the labyrinth, but as soon as he was he ran as fast as he could to get home. He didn’t worry about the trolley because he knew someone would get it for him. But where would Silver Moon go? He tried not to think about it.

It was too late to help her now. He had already made a decision which ended up separating them forever. He knew he would never see her again. There was no way he could even apologize for how things turned out. Now he had no choice. He knew the child could be his and he didn’t have the strength to contest that fact.

The other woman had won. He had no other options left anymore. He had run away and now he had to go back. Running away hadn’t solved anything. Instead, it had only made things worse for him and for other people. He wondered if he would be able to get a job once he got back home. He hoped so if the other woman expected him to take care of their son and her.

She wouldn’t exactly be cheap. That he knew without calculating anything. There probably wasn’t going to be any money left over for him. He didn’t care. At least he had a son and a woman who was willing to tend to his needs. Inwardly he smiled. He was going to play again.

At least the other woman didn’t seem to care if he played with someone who wasn’t her. So much the better. He tried to forget the elf he saw dancing in the clearing with her neko son. But it wasn’t working and he knew it.

Soon he would be home where he wouldn’t have to even think about the two he was leaving behind.

**************************

Leon had been rowing the traghetto with an older elf. He had offered her a ride across the Grand Canal, but she had shook her head no. He wasn’t sure why she, an elf named Silver Moon Unicorn, was shaking her head. He wasn’t going to push her. There had to be a reason.

He had been rowing the traghetto another day when he had seen her again. She had gotten in the ferry this time. She had reached out for his hand to steady herself and tried to look in his eyes. At the last minute, she had lowered her eyes. She had sat down behind him. When the short ride was over, she had waited for the other passengers to get out before she had stood up.

He had offered his hand to help steady her, but she had reached out for a pole lodged in the water as she had given him a coin to pay for her fare. He had watched her walk away.

The younger gondoliers had teased him about her. He had kept turning his head to try to get another glimpse of her. But she was gone and he didn’t know when he would see her again.

He sighed at the memory. He saw her again. She was standing on the opposite of the Grand Canal as he was. He wasn’t rowing the ferry this time, but had just given some tourists a ride in his gondola. She had seen him.

His gondola was different than the others. It had silver decorations. A pair of silver winged lions, a symbol for the city of Elsewhere, and the Goddess of Victory leading him to victory. She had seen it and knew it was his.

She looked at him and asked him with her mind— there was no way he would have heard her if she had spoken— “Were you the one who summoned me here? Please give me a sign.”

He looked to her across the canal. He had heard her question even though he wasn’t as good with the common language as she was. It wasn’t his first language. He went to the front of his gondola and turned the Goddess of Victory to face left instead of forward. Then he proceeded to cover of the rest of the gondola.

He hoped she would see it. He also hoped he would see her again soon.

Chapter 8 The Guardians Investigate Rumors

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Claire Rose Lutin, an elf, and her Guardian partner, Myadin, a werewolf, were busy reading all the new data on the nekos. They compared it to the data they had received from other nekos from around the planet.

“Claire, did you see this?”

“What?”

“It says it’s the famous geneticist again who created the human/animal hybrids, like the nekos.”

“Meh. Yeah, I see that now. He’s also the creator of the tiny nekos. Damn him.”

Myadin raised his eyebrows. “I see you’re still upset about your health issues.”

“Yeah, they were caused by the bad food he created. It didn’t even stop world hunger.”

“Nope. In the archives, it’s very clear what the genetically modified food did to many people who ate it. Most were worse off than you ever were.”

“I know. I feel bad they were so sick and didn’t understand why. And to make things worse, they couldn’t get decent healthcare. The treatments just made them sicker and many died as a result.”

“Yes, people are still sick in general, but many are getting better.”

“Yes, I hope it continues. It’s nearly impossible to undo all the damage he caused.”

“Unfortunately, that is very true.” He paused as he checked the information. “I wish one of the nekos came with us. It might help us make contact with the tiny ones.”

Claire Rose smiled. “Yeah, I wish one would have come with us, but White Lion is with them. He’ll talk to us.”

“Oh? Are you sure?”

“Yeah, look at the new data on the tiny nekos. It came straight from the lab. White Lion was the one who sent it out originally.”

“Okay, so what’s their status now?”

“Sounds like there is a rebellion occurring. The tiny nekos are learning how to read from White Lion. Some can do it very well already.”

“So they are highly intelligent.”

“And that geneticist didn’t want them to learn in the first place. He probably wants them to stay in the compound. Sounds like the nekos want to be free instead.”

“Yes, it does. Wilhelm strikes out again. I would think by now he would have learned better social skills.”

“Ha! Wilhelm learn social skills? If he hasn’t before he became an adult, it’s doubtful he will now. Doesn’t sound like he’s changed at all.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve read enough. Let’s go help those nekos.”

“Okay. Let’s see their current location. Ah. It’s close enough we can both run there in a couple of hours easily. Uh…”

“What?”

“We may want to avoid the labyrinth. It’s not to far from there.”

Myadin checked the map. “Oh. That labyrinth. Okay, so if we go around that way, we will miss it. Funny how the transportation network doesn’t go anywhere near it.”

“I know. I think most people just don’t want to go there, but sometimes people end up there when they don’t want to.”

“Yeah, I’ve read of the documented cases. Some people barely made it out alive.”

“Eek. That is bad. I guess some people just didn’t want to face their fears or insecurities.”

“Okay. Let’s go.” He transformed into a wolf.

Claire Rose smiled at him. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

They took off running. Two hours later, they were at the compound. They stopped and looked around. The first thing they noticed was Silver Moon Unicorn’s trolley was driven away by someone who wasn’t her. Then they heard lots of screaming and hissing from the compound.

Claire Rose pulled out her communicator. “Sam, I thought that trolley was Ms. Unicorn’s.”

“It wasn’t technically. She and her partner had a fight and it’s his. Felicia and I have her. We’re taking her to safety. How are the nekos?”

“Not sure just yet. There’s a lot of screaming. Some of it is coming from Wilhelm and the rest sounds like cats fighting.”

“Oh! Ms. Unicorn will want her son back as soon as possible.”

“Understood. Let her know we will do what we can to save as many nekos as possible.”

“Good. Meet you in Elsewhere.”

“Acknowledged.” She put the communicator away. “Okay, Mya, are you ready to deal with some angry nekos?”

He whimpered.

“Oh, I know you’re a wolf. I doubt that changing back into human form will help you. The nekos will know by your smell that you’re a werewolf.”

He nodded.

“Alright, let’s get through the open gate and see what we’re up against.”

They walked into the compound and looked around. Soon a couple of nekos stopped in front of them. They growled lowly at the new pair.

“Hello, I’m Claire Rose Lutin and this is Myadin. We’re Guardians sent to help you out.”

“Guardians? He’s a werewolf.”

“Yes, he is, but he won’t attack you.”

“What if he does?”

“Then I’ll beat him and he knows it.”

Myadin whimpered.

“Okay, come this way. We have kittens to protect.”

“Kittens? Oh, but I thought that wasn’t possible. White Lion can’t have any.”

“Claira Jaen can’t either. She doesn’t complain about it.”

“That’s a good thing.”

The nekos led Claire Rose and Myadin in the lab. There they found White Lion and Claira Jaen trying to keep some of the nekos from panicking.

“Oh, hi, Claire Rose and Myadin!” exclaimed White Lion.

“Hi, White Lion.”

Myadin barked hello.

Claire Rose pulled out her scanner. “I hear Claira Jaen says White Lion is her lost brother. Let’s check your genes for both of you to find out if it’s true.”

“Okay,” both nekos answered. They held still as Claire Rose ran the scanner over both of them, one at a time.

“Oh, now this is interesting.”

“What?” Claira Jaen asked.

“You two are sister and brother and you have the same two parents.”

“But my mama is an elf.”

“Yes, she is, but I’m talking about genetics. Silver Moon Unicorn isn’t your biological mother, but she raised you just the same. Ergo she is your mama.”

“Oh?”

“It’s alright, we know you imprinted on Lady Silver Moon Unicorn when you were very young. So, there is nothing anyone can say to disprove that belief of yours.”

“So mama isn’t my biological mother?”

“Right. That was someone else. Here, let me show you pictures of your biological mother.” Claire Rose pulled out her little computer and quickly found information on White Lion’s biological mother. “See, you and your sister look something like her.”

“Oh! I think I’m starting to get it now.”

Claire Rose smiled. “Good. So, you have had two mothers in this lifetime. That’s more than most people ever get.”

White Lion nodded. “So mama can still be my mama.”

“Yes, of course. I doubt she’ll have a problem with you having a different biological mother.”

“Good. And what about Claira Jaen?”

“What about her?”

“Well, would my mama be okay with her too?”

“Why wouldn’t she?”

Wilhelm was still screaming. He managed to get his controller back and he closed up the compound.

The computer said, “The compound is now closed.”

The nekos gasped. Some screamed. Others hissed and growled.

Claire Rose grabbed one of her light swords. “Oh, no. Sounds like playtime is over. We’ll have to get all the nekos out of here as soon as possible.”

Myadin nodded. Both he and Claire Rose ran to the walls to hide as Wilhelm stormed back into the lab.

“There will be no more reading lessons. If anyone dares to disobey me, then I will have to kill you.”

The nekos got quiet. Mothers held their kittens closer to them.

“Good, I see that you all understand.” He walked over to his computer.

The nekos all went to different areas of the lab. Wilhelm, the scientist didn’t see the werewolf or the elf blending into the lab walls.

**********************

Felicia landed the ship near the trolley. Silver Moon stood up and went to the back porch to meet the vampire couple.

Sam carried two suitcases. “I hope these will be enough for you to pack up your son’s things and your things.”

“I think I can manage. I have a backpack as well.”

Silver Moon put her tablet in the backpack. She quickly filled up one suitcase with White Lion’s clothes, toiletries, and his teddy bear. Then she proceeded to fill up her suitcase with her clothes, shoes, and toiletries. Then she looked around at the kitchen. She sighed. She knew she would have to leave all the kitchen items there.

She found a few mementos and put them in her backpack. Then she grabbed what food she could and put that in the backpack as well. She looked at the vampires. “Okay, I think that’s it. Or at least all that is important to us.”

“Okay, this way to the ship.” Sam took the suitcases.

Silver Moon followed with her backpack on her back. Felicia sat down in the pilot’s chair. Sam put the suitcases in the back near the chairs. Then he sat down next to Felicia. Silver Moon took off her backpack and set it down in front of her.

“Everyone ready?”

“Yes,” both Silver Moon and Sam answered.

“Takeoff in 30 seconds.”

“Have you heard from my son?”

“Yes, he sounds like he’s fine with the other nekos. He’s been giving them some reading lessons.”

Silver Moon smiled. “Claira Jaen said she wanted to learn how to read.”

“Well, apparently, they all do. They all want to be free of their creator, the infamous geneticist, Wilhelm.”

“Oh, him…”

Sam smiled. “Yeah, we all know him and we know what he did to harm the people of Platinum, especially where you’re from. He doesn’t seem to understand that the food he altered was no good for anyone.”

“He didn’t understand that we weren’t altered to be able to utilize that food he created.”

“Unfortunately, no, he doesn’t get that part. And from his notes, it sounds like he still hasn’t acquired any people skills.”

Silver Moon sighed. “So he created the tiny nekos, including my son?”

“He did create the tiny nekos, but not all of them. Many of them can and do tend to have kittens.”

“But I was told that White Lion was fixed.”

“Hmm.” He answered a message from Claire Rose.

“According to Wilhelm’s notes, White Lion is his son by a cat he created who could walk upright. But she was a feline and not human. She was able to get pregnant from Wilhelm’s sperm. Claire Rose scanned both White Lion and Claira Jaen and concluded they are siblings with the same two parents. White Lion is the tiny neko who escaped and ran off when still just a kitten.”

“Oh! He has a sister. I hope that makes him happy.” She sighed. “Where are we going to stay?”

“We’re taking you to Elsewhere.”

“Oh, good. We were on our way there.” She looked out the window and saw someone claiming the trolley. They got on board and drove off. She tried hard not to cry, but a tear still escaped down her cheek.

Sam saw the tear, but said nothing.

No one spoke for the rest of trip to Elsewhere.

Chapter 7 All Alone

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Silver Moon woke up late after a restless, very little sleep night. She was miserable and all alone. She got up and looked around the trolley. No one else had been on it besides her. She stepped outside, but could find no trace of the werewolf. She got back on board and went to the kitchen area. She grabbed some fruit and nuts to help clear her head.

She needed to find out where her son was. She missed Black Wolf, but knew she couldn’t make him come back. After she ate, she sent a message to Sam Oranglov about her missing son. She was brushing her teeth when he called her back.

“When did you last see your son?”

“Last evening after dinner. I told him to come back home before dark, but he’s still not here. I get the sense he’s in trouble again, but among friends.”

“Hmm. That sounds odd.”

“I know. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was with the other tiny nekos we met the other day.”

Sam smiled. “That would sound like something he would do. Felicia and I are looking into the neko colony now. We are checking on all the available information we have so far. We also are hearing quite a few rumors from other sources. We’re in contact now with some nekos. The taller ones, that is. They don’t have much to tell us other than they are surprised to hear there are more than just White Lion who are tiny versions of themselves.”

“I never knew if he was unique. He was all alone when I found him.”

“Did you find him there?”

“I don’t remember where I was when I found him. That time period is a blur. It wasn’t too long after I started traveling around on the trolley.”

“Memory can play tricks on us, if we’re not careful.”

“Yes, I know.” She sighed.

“Is Black Wolf helping you find your son?”

“No. He took off. I don’t know where he is.”

“What happened?”

“We got into a horrible fight last night. He’s jealous of my son. I don’t think he wants to come back.”

“Okay. We’ll keep an eye out for the werewolf.”

“Good idea.”

“Let me know if anything else happens. Hopefully, your son will show up on his own.”

“I hope so. He usually does.”

Sam’s face disappeared from her tablet. She set the tablet down and finished brushing her teeth. Then she proceeded to clean up the trolley to expel some agitated energy. When she was done, she sat down on her bean bag chair and grabbed her tablet.

Soon she was writing again and starting to feel better. She went on to do some of her work. It was going well until she received a message.

It was blatant without any doubt as to what it meant. It said, “You must leave the trolley immediately. It is not your property. We will come and claim it within the next few days. If you have not vacated it by that time, we will forcibly remove you.”

She stared at the message with her mouth gaping open and her eyes big and wide. She sent the message to Sam immediately. She also told him she knew the trolley legally belonged to Black Wolf.

Sam, a vampire, sent a message back stating for her to wait for him and Felicia, a vampire fairy, to arrive. Silver Moon cried for a while and then got back to her writing. There was nothing else she could do at the moment. She kept having to fight back tears while she tried to get as much work done as she could. But she still wondered about her son.

***********************

The nekos all slept in the lab. Some of the parents got up before the rest of them to get food for everyone. While everyone was eating, Claira Jaen had an idea, which she shared with everyone. The other nekos readily agreed. Then they all turned to White Lion and asked him to try to send all the data He had on them to the Guardians.

White Lion blinked. Then he climbed onto a chair in front of the computer. He contacted his mama to get a Guardian contact. She contacted him on the computer.

“Oh, thank goodness! I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m okay, mama. I’m with the other nekos.”

They crowded behind him to see the elf.

“Oh, okay. Sam and Felicia said they were trying to get to you nekos. They are researching what information they have so far. And they are on their way over to us.”

“Good. My friends want me to send the Guardians all the data He has gathered on them. They think it will help the Guardians to understand us better.”

“It will. I’m sending you Sam’s contact info now.”

“Got it. Thanks, mama.”

“Take care, little one.”

He smiled as her image winked out. He found and sent all the data he could find on the computer and sent it to Sam. It took time. So, he and the nekos did some more reading. Some of the nekos, like Claira Jaen, were catching on fast, while others struggled, but kept at it.

The scientist was too afraid to leave his room. So he laid on his bed exhausted. He groaned to hear the nekos in the lab reading again. He grabbed a pillow and put it over his face. But he could still hear them.

Sam contacted the nekos as soon as he and Felicia had checked over the data. White Lion answered him.

“Hi, Sam and Felicia!”

“Hi, White Lion, and nekos.” Sam looked at all the nekos trying to crowd behind White Lion. “What are you doing at the moment?”

“Oh, I was helping them to learn how to read because Claira Jaen asked me to teach her and the rest decided they wanted to learn as well.”

“Wow. How it is going so far?”

“Well, they can all sing the alphabet and recognize the letters. But it’s hard to know how well they are doing when many of them shout out the letter names and read out loud.”

Sam and Felicia smiled. She sat next to Sam and was quiet throughout the conversation as she was piloting their ship.

“We have a fix on your location, but we can’t see how to get inside.”

“Oh, He must have closed off the compound with his controller!” shouted one of the nekos.

“He?”

“Their creator, who claims to be my father.”

“Oh. Right, the genetic engineer that we’ve had trouble with in the past. Got it. Can you get the controller from him to open up the compound?”

“I don’t know,” said White Lion.

“We’ll get it!” A couple of nekos shouted. They ran off to His room to stealthily get the controller from Him.

“Well, that certainly makes things easier. We’ve sent the data on your colony to the other Guardians, who will review the information and make more notes. They will try to contact you as well. In the meantime, we will have to pick up your mama who has been asked to leave the trolley. We have suitcases for her so she can pack up.”

“What? Why does she have to leave the trolley?”

“She and Black Wolf had a fight and he’s gone. It sounds like he’s taking his trolley back.”

“Oh, no!”

“Why didn’t she tell us?” asked Claira Jaen.

“She probably didn’t want to talk about it and upset White Lion.”

“She really is a good mama to him, isn’t she?”

“Yes. That’s why we don’t want to separate them.”

“He’s my brother.”

“He is? Well, we will scan both of you to confirm that.”

“Okay. Will we have to be separated again?”

“No. I don’t see why we’d have to do that.”

“Wait, would his mama mind me?”

“Probably not, but I can’t speak for her.”

“Okay.”

Some screaming and yelling occurred in the scientist’s room. Followed by other loud noises for several minutes.

“I take it, the nekos are getting the controller,” commented Sam.

The computer announced, “The compound is now unlocked.”

The nekos cheered. The scientist screamed.

Chapter 6 White Lion Doesn’t Make it Home

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Black Wolf slept outside. He couldn’t stand it anymore. He knew he wasn’t going to get what he wanted from her. So why bother sleeping in the same room with her? Why pretend? He told himself he didn’t care. He would soon take off. There was no need for him to do anymore cleaning.

He couldn’t see why she couldn’t do all the housework. She was a woman. It was her job. If she really wanted to be his wife, then she would understand that. He slept without any dreams and was awoken by more urgent messages. He dealt with them as best as he could.

But time was running out for him.

Inside the trolley, Silver Moon was lying on her bean bag chair. She couldn’t sleep. She knew something had happened to White Lion. But she sensed he was okay for the moment. Still he wasn’t there with her. She didn’t know where he was. That was the whole problem.

She heard Black Wolf’s phone beeping on and off. She knew he would leave soon and there was nothing she could do about it. But perhaps it would be better that way. He had stopped cleaning altogether. He gave no reason as to why. He didn’t even tell her what he wanted to eat anymore.

She was puzzled why he would suddenly act the way he was now. She heard him talking on his phone. She sat up. She couldn’t understand much of what he said, but she waited. She kept sensing her son and his wavering that he was in trouble and not safe, but among friends. That puzzled her as well.

She heard Black Wolf disconnect the call. She stood up and walked to the back porch of the trolley. “Black Wolf?”

“Yes?”

“What’s going on?”

“Uh…”

She sighed. “Well, White Lion is in trouble again. He should have come back by now.”

“Uh, yeah…”

“Do you know what happened to him?”

“No.”

“Really? Then why have you been acting the way you have lately? What’s happened to you?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

“No, really, you wouldn’t.”

“So you just want to keep it from me and quit cleaning?”

“Well… yes!”

“I see. You better not harm my son.”

He stared at her with new eyes. “So he’s more important to you than I am?”

“Why are you making me choose between you?”

“I’m not, but you have chosen him over me. That’s not fair!”

Silver Moon looked puzzled.

“How can he even be your son? He’s half cat, half human, and you’re an elf! It’s just not possible.”

“It’s by adoption.”

“Oh, yeah? Then where’s the paperwork for that?”

She said nothing as she continued to stare at him.

“So it’s not even legal! Wow, that’s such a shock. Good, sweet, innocent Silver Moon kidnapped a neko and claimed him as her son.”

She shook her head. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Sure it was. Who are his parents?”

“I don’t know. I found him and I took care of him. I didn’t know how young he was at the time. He could have died if I didn’t take care of him.”

“You can’t know something like that.”

“There was no one else around! He was all alone! You really expect me to just leave him where I found him? What the hell is wrong with you!”

“Nothing! It’s you! Not me! You! You’re so frigid! You’re never going to sleep with me! You haven’t tended to my needs at all! Just his!”

“What?”

“Yeah, you heard me. Why don’t you put out? Hmm. What’s wrong with you?”

Silver Moon shook her head and shook uncontrollably. “Why are you doing this? I thought you understood…”

“Yeah, well, you took too long. I don’t need to stick around and wait for something that won’t happen. You’d make a terrible wife for me. The housework is supposed to be your job! Not mine! There’s no reason for me to do any more cleaning!” He shapeshifted into a wolf and took off running.

Silver Moon watched him go and cried. She couldn’t even focus to figure out where her son could be.

**********************

Many of the nekos were still hissing and growling. Claira Jaen was recovering. She opened her eyes and looked up at White Lion. She smiled.

“Hi, little brother.”

He smiled back. “Hi, big sister.”

“Do you remember me?”

He shook his head. “No, but I believe you. I doubt mama will have a hard time accepting you as my sister.”

“That’s good. She seems like a good mama to me.”

“I only remember mama and no one else before that.”

“You were pretty young. That’s probably why you don’t remember me or our mom.”

“Oh?” He was still puzzled by the insistence of another mother.

“He probably won’t be back for quite some time. Will you help me to learn to read while we wait?”

“Well, I’ll try. I’ll teach you the alphabet first.”

White Lion taught Claira Jaen how to sing the alphabet and he showed her what all the letters looked like. The other nekos listened and started to sing along as well. Many came over and asked that White Lion show them the letters again and again.

The scientist heard the nekos singing and he hated it. He covered his ears. Then he realized they were singing the alphabet of all things. “Nooooo!” he screamed. He stormed to the lab and was met by hissing, growling nekos with claws bared.

He stepped back. Too many of them had claws on their hands and feet. He needed a weapon to fight through them. He ground his teeth and then spun around and went to his private room. He threw himself down on his bed and ranted and raved.

The nekos relaxed once they heard him in his room. Then they resumed their reading lessons. They didn’t care how loud they were. They all wanted to learn. Even the adults who had children wanted to learn how to read. The little ones enjoyed the fun of the singing and recognizing the letters.

White Lion used the computer to teach them to read children’s books available online. The stories were silly or simple, but no one cared. They were having fun reading.

The scientist could hear the nekos in his room. He pulled his hair. He screamed. He blamed the Guardians. “What went wrong with my creations? They shouldn’t want to read! They don’t need to read!” He jumped on his bed.

The nekos didn’t stop with the lessons. They were too fun and He hated it.

Chapter 5 My Mama Is an Elf!

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Black Wolf was on his phone more and more. He was silent and stopped doing much of the cleaning. Silver Moon found herself biting her lip and wondering how to talk to him about it. White Lion was napping on his bean bag chair.

“Black Wolf.”

He looked up from his phone.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” He put his phone away.

“Really? Then why did you stop cleaning?”

“Cleaning? Oh, I’ll do that right now.” He got up and did some cleaning.

Silver Moon sighed. She tried to get back to work and was busy drafting some new work. She glanced up to see Black Wolf from time to time. He wasn’t that focused on the cleaning. She had no doubt that something was wrong. Something which he didn’t want to talk about at all.

There was trouble brewing and there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening. She sighed and got back to work. She couldn’t shake the feeling that things would be forever changed.

Her tablet chimed. It was a message from Sam Oranglov. He let her know the Guardians had heard of the rumors and could guess who the scientist was. They had some dealings with him in the past for creating human and animal hybrids like nekos and genetically modified foods. However, they didn’t have a location before and with the new information and a picture of a tiny neko who wasn’t White Lion, then they could investigate some more.

Silver Moon smiled. She knew Claira Jaen would be happy to know that.

Black Wolf’s phone beeped again. He pulled it out of his pocket. This time it was a phone call. He stepped off the trolley. Silver Moon sighed. She shook her head. White Lion yawned as he woke up. He did some stretches and sat up.

He blinked and looked at his mama. “What’s wrong, mama?”

She sighed. “I don’t know. I think Black Wolf is going to leave us.”

“What?!”

“Yeah, something is wrong, but he won’t talk and I can’t make him.”

“Oh, no!”

“Yeah, just stay close, little one. I don’t want to lose you. Or have you get into trouble.”

“Okay.”

She stood up and started to fix dinner for everyone. Soon White Lion was at the table sitting next to his mama enjoying his meal. Black Wolf was still talking on his phone outside. Neither Silver Moon nor White Lion could understand him because he was speaking a different language.

She glared at the werewolf and didn’t say anything more about him. White Lion finished his meal and went to the bathroom to clean up. When he came out, he stopped at the table.

“Mama, I’m going to go for a walk. I’ll be back later.”

“Okay. Just don’t wander off too far.”

“Okay.” He stepped off the trolley and walked around the area. He looked all around him. He could see dragons flying overhead and in the distance.

Soon he found himself back at the fence. He meowed hoping to see Claira Jaen again. He waited and watched. He saw some nekos approach. They checked him out. Then they talked to him.

Some didn’t seem as nice as Claira Jaen, but they did talk to him. He was their only connection to the outside world and they didn’t want him to leave. White Lion checked the fence and was able to find an area that was weakened. He and the other nekos attacked the weak area. Eventually, it broke enough that he could sneak inside to see how they lived.

The other nekos showed him around and told the newcomer about their Creator. White Lion didn’t think he’d like their Creator. He sounded mean and wouldn’t allow the nekos out of their camp. But he looked and listened as best as he could. He knew he could tell his mama about this adventure afterwards.

The nekos found Claira Jaen in the lab on a computer. She was trying to contact the Guardians, but didn’t know how. She couldn’t read, so she couldn’t see the information. She could see pictures relating to the Guardians, but she wasn’t making any progress.

White Lion greeted her. She answered back. He grabbed a chair and sat next to her at the computer.

“Oh, I see! So the Guardians are mentioned, but many people think they are a myth or just stories to tell their children.”

Claira Jaen sighed.

“Oh, right, you can’t read yet. I’m not sure how to teach you.”

“It’s okay. I was trying to see if I could contact them.”

“My mama contacted them. I’m sure they know you exist now.”

“I hope so. Then where are they?”

“I don’t know. Let’s keep looking.”

They continued to search. Claira Jaen came up with keywords and White Lion typed them in and read off the results. It was hours later when they were caught.

“Now what is this? A tiny neko who can read!”

Both nekos stopped what they were doing. They stared at Him.

“Now, Claira Jaen, I know you can’t read. So who is this neko who can read?”

Neither answered him.

“Well? Who are you?”

“I’m White Lion Unicorn.”

The scientist rolled his eyes. He grabbed a scanner and ran it near both nekos. He smiled. “Oh, I know who you are. You are that neko that got lost after your mother died.”

“My mama is still alive.”

“No, she’s dead. And I, well, I happened to be your father.”

“What?” both nekos said.

“Yes, you two are my children. The others were created from genetic material I had lying around. But you two are special. You’re my flesh and blood. Your mother, I created her as well, she was a cat who could walk upright. Yes, this is so good. I have my children back. Both of them.”

The nekos glanced at each other and then back at the scientist.

“But my mama is an elf!”

“That’s not possible. You have no elvish blood. Just human and cat.”

“No! My mama is an elf and she’s alive!”

The scientist put the scanner down. “Listen. I know what I’m talking about. Your mother is dead. It’s not possible that you have an elvish mother.”

“But I do! Her name is Silver Moon Unicorn!”

“Never heard of her.”

“Silver Moon Unicorn found him when he escaped through the fence! I saw her take him with her.”

“What?” the scientist screamed. “Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

“Because he was my brother and…”

“And?”

She shook her head.

“How dare you keep secrets from me!”

Both nekos watched Him closely.

“Do you know the consequences of not telling me what had happened to your brother?”

Claira Jaen flinched.

“Well?”

She said nothing as her lips quivered.

“Fine!” The scientist raised his right hand and struck Claira Jaen off her chair.

“Hey!” White Lion grabbed several small boxes off of the table and threw them at the scientist.

“Stop it!” The scientist threw up his arms to protect himself.

Outside the lab, the other nekos had gathered and now they were hissing. They broke down the door and ran towards the scientist. Claira Jaen was lying on the floor crying. White Lion jumped off the chair to see what he could do for her. Another neko came over and tended to Claira Jaen while White Lion held her hand.

The scientist ran out of the lab to get away from the nekos. He pulled out a tablet computer and opened up the app which controlled everything in the compound. He soon had everyone locked in. He screamed, ranted, and raved, while the nekos banded together and stayed in the lab.

**********************

Leon sat on the meditating pillow in his apartment. His eyes were closed. He breathed deeply and slowly. He could sense danger approaching Silver Moon. He sent her some helpful energy to her to cope with it. He could see her sitting all alone on the trolley. She was having a hard time concentrating on her work.

Once again, she knew someone was watching, but she didn’t know who it was. She could see no one. She sighed. She kept trying to write, but she was too upset. What was she going to do now? She needed to get to Elsewhere and she couldn’t. She was stuck waiting for her son to come back.

Leon wondered where the werewolf was. It was just Silver Moon on the trolley by herself. Things just seemed to keep getting worse for her. Finally she was able to get back to her writing.

He opened his eyes and sighed. It was all he could for now. He stood up and went to take a shower. He put on his pajamas and went to bed. Soon he was asleep.

Chapter 4 More Tiny Nekos?

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Silver Moon had been driving for quite some time, when she pulled over for a lunch break. She turned off the engine and stood up. She quickly went to the kitchenette to prepare lunch for the three of them. White Lion continued to look outside. He saw shapes flitting from behind a fence. He stood up and pressed his face against the glass.

There they were again! They looked like cats, but they seemed to be closer to White Lion’s size. He continued to watch, unaware that Black Wolf was watching him. Black Wolf looked out the window and saw the cats move quickly on the other side of the fence.

Silver Moon finished preparing lunch and set the food on the table. Black Wolf turned to her and filled up his plate. She looked to her son.

“What is it, darling? What do you see?”

“They look like cats, but they look to be my size.”

“Oh?” She looked out the window in the same direction.” Then she saw them. “Dear, they may be nekos, like you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you’re not the only one on Platinum. I don’t know how many exist, but you’re the only one I know of that is tiny.”

“Oh! Let’s go meet them!”

“Okay, after we eat.”

White Lion jumped up and climbed onto his chair. His mama sat down next to him and the three ate together. No one spoke while they ate. There was nothing to say. The little neko was hungry and just wanted to finish eating as soon as he could so he could go see the other nekos.

Black Wolf was deep in thought. He kept receiving more urgent messages which required him to go back home. He ate and looked at Silver Moon in a different light. What had attracted him to her in the first place? He had no idea. Now, he was beginning to find her annoying. It seemed to him she catered to her son too much. What about Black Wolf? Wasn’t he important to her?

Why hadn’t they gotten married yet? Black Wolf sighed. She was domestic enough, but yet she kept telling him she wasn’t ready to get married yet. Or was it she wasn’t ready for something else? Something he had been waiting for from her. That must be it. He finished eating. He was getting tired of cleaning up. Why couldn’t she do all the housework for a change?

He got up and collected the dishes. He washed them in the sink. He rinsed them and wiped them dry. He was beginning to think it would be easy to leave them behind. The relationship wasn’t going the way he thought it should by now. She was too slow and he wasn’t sure he could get her to move any faster.

***********************

Claira Jaen was still watching the tiny neko on the other side of the fence. The free one who couldn’t have been much taller than she was. Was that her brother? There was an elf and a human with him. Last night she finally was able to get on a computer and she tried looking for any information on tiny nekos out in the world.

She found pictures of one. Only one. One who looked too much like her lost brother. That tiny neko who was traveling with an elf named Silver Moon Unicorn. She was a bard who was just gaining popularity and a decent income. Claira Jaen wasn’t quite sure what it all meant, but here they were on the other side of the fence! She watched them for as long as she could.

She wasn’t alone. The other tiny nekos were watching as well. They all wondered who he was and why he wasn’t with them. Everyone was quiet when they saw the trio leave the trolley and walk towards the fence. Some just wanted to hide when they could smell the werewolf. A few started to hiss when he got too close to the fence.

The werewolf stepped back and seemed occupied with his phone again. The nekos stopped hissing. But the elf and the tiny neko got right up to the fence and looked to see where the nekos were hiding.

She couldn’t stand it anymore. She was the first one to step up to the fence. Claira Jaen spoke in the neko language to White Lion. He answered back in the same language. Poor Silver Moon couldn’t understand them, but could see they were talking in a friendly way.

“Hello,” said Silver Moon.

Claira Jaen answered, “Hello.”

“Oh! You can speak two languages?”

“Yes, we all can. We learned to speak from Him.”

“Him?”

“Our Creator. He won’t tell us his name, but insists we must worship him.”

“Oh, I see. Why are you locked in?”

“He won’t let us out. Do you know the Guardians?”

“I know a couple of them who still act as Guardians even though they became vampires. The rest have granted me unlimited access to their archives.”

“Please help us!” Claira Jaen whispered.

“What do you need?”

“I want to know how to read.”

“Oh, I can help you learn. I taught White Lion.”

“Really? That would be great. I don’t know if anyone else wants to learn, but I know we all want to be free of Him. From what He says, I think the Guardians would help us.”

“They would if they could prove you are being oppressed.”

Claira Jaen looked at White Lion. “I think he is my younger brother.”

“What makes you think that?” asked Silver Moon.

“He looks like him, but he was lost years ago. When he was still a kitten he snuck out under the fence and I was too big to go after him. Our mother died not too long before he ran off.”

“Oh! I wish the Guardians were here. They could scan both of you to see to confirm if you are related. Although, I’d say it’s highly likely because I think he’s the only tiny neko in public view.”

“That’s what the computer says. I was on last night when He wasn’t around.”

“He doesn’t let you use a computer?”

“No. He would be very angry if he ever found out. But I don’t know how else I can learn about the world outside of here.”

“I don’t see how you could either.” Silver Moon looked at the two nekos. She could see some similarities. “Here, let me take your picture and then I can send it to the Guardians I know. They should be able to help you in some way.”

“Okay.”

Claira Jaen told the other nekos what Silver Moon was going to do. They all stood back as the elf took Claira Jaen’s picture. Silver Moon sent it off immediately.

“I don’t know how long it will take, but they will do something. I know they will investigate, so you probably will see them coming out here to see you.”

“We’ll be looking for them. What do they look like?”

“Well, they could be anyone. Elves, fairies, werecreatures, vampires, nymphs, centaurs, or even nekos, but the taller ones.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, you’re the tiny versions, but you’ll probably be able to talk to them just like you and White Lion can talk to each other.”

“Good.” Claira Jaen told the other nekos. Some purred in response. “Okay, we will be watching and waiting. I hope you can come back as well.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

White Lion and Claira Jaen talked some more before he went back to the trolley with his mama and Black Wolf.

************************

Leon stood on his terrace. He had just finished watering and tending to his garden. He looked out over the canal. He watched the boats come and go. He thought of his Guardian partner to be. He had finally learned her name. She was none other than Silver Moon Unicorn. She was a writer who was being claimed by the Guardians to be their spokesperson.

She had a tiny neko for a son. Leon didn’t care that is was an adoption. He didn’t have feelings one way or another for her being a mother. He just knew and cared that they would be able to work together and get their work done. That was more important to him.

But what about her partner, Black Wolf? Leon sighed. He could sense something was wrong between them, but he didn’t want to get in the middle of it. He knew he would support her no matter what she had decided about the werewolf. Leon felt he had no right to tell her how she should live her life. All he could do was ask her to work with him.

He wondered when he would meet her and how she would react to his request.

Chapter 3 A New Adventure

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Silver Moon had breakfast laid out for everyone. Both White Lion and Black Wolf were still sleeping. She munched on her breakfast as she did more research on Elsewhere and the Silver Mists. That’s when she found the references to the labyrinth. She stopped eating and kept reading.

“Hey, you’re up early.” Black Wolf yawned.

Silver Moon looked up at him. “Oh? Yeah, I guess I am.”

He sat down and ate his breakfast. “You found something interesting?”

“Yeah. Apparently, there is a labyrinth near the Silver Mists and Elsewhere.”

“Oh? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Neither have I, but it’s huge and apparently it was hard for people to avoid. That is, it was. I think it’s easier to avoid now.”

“Because of something the Guardians did?”

“No, it’s easier to avoid because of the transportation network on Platinum.”

“Oh?”

“Most people would use the transportation system— even if they are driving their own vehicles. Those routes take everyone around the labyrinth. The Guardians have notes that people just built them that way without always know why. In some places it looks like you take the long way around, but that’s how the routes are. No one even flies over it.”

Black Wolf’s eyes got big and round.

“Yeah, I know it’s odd that many people avoid it and don’t know why.”

“What is so special about the labyrinth?”

“I don’t know. But the Guardians say it has high psi readings. They weren’t entirely sure and they are still studying it to this day.”

“Psi readings?”

“The energy which is associated with magic.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, not everyone can practice magic and those who do say it’s not an exact science. It may not work the way most people think.”

“Okay.” He paused to finish eating. “Are you going to check it out?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure I can get to it.”

“That could be a problem.” His phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket. It was another text message. There was no mistaking this time. There were more details and none of them were good. He replied and then put the phone away. He looked at Silver Moon, but said nothing.

She looked at him and knew he wasn’t going to tell her. She was beginning to think his promises to her were meaningless. Had he changed his mind about her? She knew she wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, but why was he interested in her in the first place?

What would she have to sacrifice to keep him? Or would he just leave her and her son?

White Lion yawned and stretched. “Hi, mama!”

“Hi, little one. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes! I had wonderful dreams about us having a new and exciting adventure!”

Silver Moon smiled. “Well, I was doing some research and I was about to plan our route now.”

The tiny neko jumped up and climbed onto his chair next to his mama. “Okay, where are we now?”

“Right here.” Silver Moon pointed to the image on her tablet. “We want to go there.” She moved her finger to the Silver Mists and Elsewhere.

“Oh! Then we can go this way or that way.”

“Yes, we could. Let’s see what’s along those routes.” Silver Moon pulled up landmarks and restaurants for White Lion to look at.

He began eating his breakfast as he watched what was along the routes. “That one looks more interesting.”

“Okay, that’s the way we’ll go.”

Black Wolf finished his breakfast as he stared at the screen. That was when he realized the only way for him to get back was to transform into a wolf and run the other way. He hoped he wouldn’t have to go through the labyrinth. For what he had just seen of the notes the Guardians had made and what she had said about it, it didn’t sound pleasant.

He sighed as he looked at both Silver Moon and White Lion. It wouldn’t be much longer before the werewolf would have to leave. He still didn’t know what to tell her or her son. But he knew there really wasn’t a choice. He knew they would come looking for him if he refused to show up.

That was not something he could face. It was the one thing he feared more than anything else. More than even Silver Moon’s wrath. He was too afraid to tell her. He wasn’t sure what to say. Besides it would just instigate a fight. Something he didn’t want at all, especially in front of the tiny neko.

But what else could he do now? Things were escalating and he would have to leave soon. There was no way out for the werewolf and he knew it.

White Lion finished his breakfast and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and clean up. He grabbed a clean outfit and changed out of his pajamas into it. Then he came out and sat down on his bean bag chair. His mama was in the driver’s seat and the trolley was moving. The tiny neko yawned and looked out the windows.

Black Wolf remained at the table and watched the neko. What was it about the half cat half human boy that Silver Moon liked so well? Why did Black Wolf have such a hard time determining the kid’s age? Silver Moon didn’t seem to care how old he was at all. She doted on him, but yet didn’t seem to spoil him at all.

Lately, the neko was bothering the werewolf, who didn’t understand why. Actually so was the elf, but the werewolf wasn’t about to admit that. He wasn’t sure he was fitting into this family unit at all. Perhaps it would be better if he left. Then he wouldn’t be able to drag them down with him.

He made his decision and it started to stick from that moment.

*********************

Leon rowed his gondola to a monastery on one of the islands. He had the whole day off and he wanted to see his best friend, who was a monk. As Leon rowed, he thought of his future Guardian partner. It was foggy, but he wasn’t worried. The sun was shinning through the fog. It gave a magical quality to the surroundings. Many people were known to get lost in Elsewhere, but this elf knew his way blindfolded.

Soon he was approaching a pier. He set his oar down and secured his gondola to the dock. He jumped onto the pier and walked into the church. He looked around and saw his best friend talking with someone. Leon approached them quietly. He stood nearby and waited until they were done. His best friend blessed the person and she walked out of the church.

“Hi, Leon.”

“Hi, Loren.”

“What brings you here?”

“Remember when we were summoning someone who would become my Guardian partner?”

“Yes.”

“I know what she looks like now.”

“Oh? Is she pretty?”

“Yes.”

“Careful, my friend.”

They walked into the monastery. They went into Loren’s cell. He packed up his meager things.

“She’s a writer.”

“Then she’s a good match for you.”

“Yes. She has dark hair, fair skin, green eyes, and pointed ears.”

Loren smiled at his friend and shook his head. He finished packing and took the bag as they left the monastery.

“But she’s troubled.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, but she is.”

“When will she be here?”

“I don’t know. She seems to be stuck. She works a lot from what I can see of her.”

“Anything else?”

“She was aware someone was watching her.”

“So she can see. That would be good for you.”

“Yeah.”

They walked out of the cell and into the church. Soon they were outside at the dock. Loren sat down in the gondola as Leon jumped onto the back and untied the knots. He dropped the rope into the gondola and picked up the oar.

“So we need to help her find her way here and to you.”

“Yes.”

“I hope she likes you as much as you like her.”

Chapter 2 The Mad Scientist

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

He was a scientist. He knew that. Why wasn’t he recognized by the others as one? He shook his head. He was a genius. That he also knew. He was the best scientist around. The best one on Platinum, but he wasn’t allowed to work in any lab, but his own.

No matter. He continued his experiments. He was human. Better than any elf or fairy who had ever existed. He was the one who knew genetic engineering better than anyone else in the world. Perhaps as well in the whole universe. So why had the Guardians always thwarted his experiments? The results were good. The crops were great and people didn’t go hungry.

But people had gotten fat and unhealthy. They were miserable and the doctors couldn’t help them get better. The biotech engineer never knew all the results of his experiments. He had no idea that hunger was still a problem in the world. He had never understood all the reasons behind hunger.

He had never seen the long lines of people trying to get food for themselves and their families. He never realized what it was like to be poor. To not have your basic needs meet. He had never gone hungry for any reason at all. Yet, he had the answers for everyone else.

He reflected on his latest creations. He had discovered to how create human and animal hybrids. He was quite proud of himself. They were quite stable as well. But it wasn’t enough. More recently he experimented with the hybrids and created tinier versions. They were cute. Perhaps too cute for his tastes.

He kept at it and soon had a whole colony he controlled and hid from the world. He had to. He wasn’t about to let the Guardians discover his latest project. He knew they would just love to stop him one more time. What was it with those Guardians? Couldn’t they just leave people be? They claimed they were for equal rights. What about his right to work and do what he was inclined to do? Wasn’t that one of their basic tenants?

Sure it was. They were just a bunch of hypocrites. Still there was one thing which haunted him about his latest project. One of the tiny nekos had gone missing. He remembered the little one quite well. Too well. He was the size of a kitten from a house cat. His skin was very pale. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. His ears, tail, and feet paws were all black. He had hands and walked upright as the other nekos did.

What had happened to that one? He shook his head. There was something wrong with that one as he recalled. Something which made it hard to keep track of the little kitten. The biotech engineer knew he made sure to make all the nekos docile and dependent. But what had gone wrong with that particular neko?

Did the tiny neko know his mother had just died and then wandered off on his own? It was possible. Why did the mother die? Oh, right, perhaps the scientist had been too rough on her. No matter. He had to find out what had happened to that neko.

If that particular neko had gotten lose into the world, there was no telling what would happen. But perhaps if he could remember when he had last seen the tiny neko, he could figure out if the creature was still alive. The scientist smiled. Yes, it was possible he could have died and his body decomposed beyond any recognition.

It was something. He looked around his lab and looked for clues. He had his memory and it was still good. He remembered a few more details. That particular neko had an older sister who was still in the colony. He smiled. Yes, he would find the tiny neko. Dead or alive. He would take care of the whole thing. One tiny neko wasn’t going to ruin his life’s work.

It was his right to work after all. He could do as he pleased with the colony. He had created them. Ergo they were his property. And he wanted that one piece which had wandered off and disappeared. How long had it been? No matter. It was just a matter of time before he found out where that one had gone.

He laughed.

Just on the other side of the lab, a tiny neko named Claira Jaen was leaning with an ear pressed against the door. The laugh made her cringe. She had heard Him talking to himself again. She knew He was talking about her brother. She knew how her mother had died. The little neko wanted nothing more than to take Him out.

But she didn’t know how. She was just a tiny neko trapped in the colony with the others. She didn’t know much of anything about the outside world. She remembered her brother. She remembered the day he had wandered off. She had followed and watched him. She was too big to follow him through the hole in the fence.

But then something wonderful had happened to him. An elf had picked him up and took care of him! Claira Jaen hoped her brother was still alive. It had been years, probably far longer than He was willing to admit. But yet there was something familiar about that particular elf. Claira Jaen wasn’t sure, but she was just learning how to use a computer when He wasn’t around.

She smiled. She couldn’t wait to use a computer again. There was so much information she could gather from the computer. She remembered when she had last used one, she saw something about a tiny neko. But then He came. She had to get away from the computer and hide.

She was waiting and listening. So far it didn’t sound like He would be leaving the lab anytime soon. She sighed. Oh, she just wanted to know her brother was safe. After their mother had died, she had nothing else in her life which had mattered more. Now if she could just learn how to read… But she knew it wasn’t something He wouldn’t allow.

But if she could learn, she would. Would the Guardians help her if she asked them? She wasn’t sure, but she figured she had nothing to lose by asking them. If they were His enemies, then perhaps they would be her allies. She smiled. From what He said, it sounded as if the Guardians would be willing to free all the tiny nekos.

It was a pleasant thought for her.

**********************

Leon was typically quiet when he worked. He had no reason to say anything to most people. His supervisors didn’t mind that he was quiet or strange. They knew he had other work to do than rowing the boats. But he was reliable and was easy to get along with. Many of the other gondoliers were young and tended to act like overgrown boys. The supervisors were glad that Leon didn’t act like an overgrown boy.

He had a way of observing what was going on around him without showing any outward sign of it. That was something which was easily misinterpreted, but he never cared. He was grateful that he didn’t have to help people in and out of the boats. He was sensitive and didn’t like to touch people he didn’t know. If that would happen, he would absorb their energy. The results weren’t always pleasant for him.

But he never complained when he was working. He followed the schedule unless his Guardian work caused a conflict. Then he would mention it to his supervisors. They were kind enough to work with him and were always able to have someone else cover for him when he needed time off. He had earned that right after working under them for years without complaining.

Leon rowed a traghetto sometimes several hours a day with just a lunch break. On other days, he rowed his own gondola one or two trips a day. Then there were the days with lots of tourists and he would have to do several trips in one day. He didn’t mind the work, but he didn’t always like some of the other gondoliers.

He knew he was different, but he didn’t care that he was. It didn’t help that he had different colored eyes than many of the rest of them. The other gondoliers knew it was because of Leon’s mother, who was an elf from a different place. From her he had learned how to grow plants. He still grew plenty of herbs on his terrace. He also had learned from her how to make potions and elixirs.

He had her recipe book and he consulted it whenever someone asked him for a potion. Usually the other Guardians would be the only ones who asked for such things. But sometimes, elderly women asked him for some when they had complaints they didn’t want to see a doctor about. He never asked many questions about what was wrong. Many of those women had asked his mother for the same things. They always paid him. Not always with money, but sometimes with food or artist’s supplies. He was grateful for whatever the women would give him.

It had been one of his long days and he was glad to get home. He fixed himself some dinner and then cleaned up the kitchen. He sat down in his living room on a pillow and closed his eyes. He was breathing deeply and concentrating on her. He began to strengthen the summons. He tried to see her more clearly.

He saw her working on her writing. She was alone and looking sad. But she kept working. He could see it was the one thing that was pulling her back together. Something was wrong and she knew it. Lots of things had gone wrong for her and she was doing all she could do to make it better.

Leon encouraged her to come visit him. She seemed to know someone was watching her, but she didn’t know who it was. He was mainly observing and strengthening his call. He tried not to send anything else to her.

Chapter 11 Danger Approaches Project Earth

An excerpt from The Starlover Series Book 1: Project Earth

It seemed such an ordinary day. Everyone was going about their business without much worry. Hal watched them as he usually did. But he sensed there were more people around. Certainly a few children had been born in their group. But these seemed like different people. Hal made some internal notes.

He knew quickly the newcomers weren’t human or earth nymphs. He wasn’t sure what they were at first. He kept his observations to himself. For now it seemed like enough. But something nagged him. He found Dr. Asimov studying something. The old man was so absorbed that he didn’t notice the younger man approach him. A shadow fell over Dr. Asimov. He jumped and looked up.

“Oh, it’s you, Hal.”

“I’m sorry. Was I too quiet for you?”

“Yes, but no matter.”

“I’m not sure what to do except for making notes and just observing.”

“What’s wrong?”

“There are more people nearby. They’re not human or earth nymphs. I’m not sure what they are. But they are watching us.”

“Oh?”

“Well, do you have any idea who they could be?”

“No. Are you aware of Herbert Mineur’s controversial notes from his time on Mars?”

“No, but I am aware he was one of the first colonists on Mars.”

“Read his notes. He talks about water nymphs, were creatures, and vampires. All people we previously thought were fictional.”

“Right, but we now know earth nymphs are real. Some of them are helping with Project Earth now.”

“Yes, but the general public may not have accepted them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Hal consulted a tablet computer. “I see his notes are readily available.”

“Yes, but many people don’t accept them even though he was quite thorough and provided quite a bit of biological evidence.”

“He was a biologist and a skeptic. He would have demanded biological evidence or else he wouldn’t have written this. Correct?”

“That is correct. He wouldn’t even have been chosen for the mission if he wasn’t that good of a scientist.”

“I only know him by reputation.”

“So do I.”

Hal sat down and read Herbert Mineur’s notes. He made mental notes on the different type of humanoids the biologists had discovered. The evidence was compelling. Hal could see why many wouldn’t accept it even with the biological evidence. He set the tablet down. Dr. Asimov looked at him.

“Well, did you find your answer as to who’s watching us now?”

“No. I don’t have enough evidence about them.”

“Just keep observing them.”

“I will. I know I’m the only one who can.”

“You are unique, unless that Fred built something you don’t want to talk about.”

“You know I couldn’t tell even if he did.”

Dr. Asimov smiled. “I know. We’ve kept your secret well.”

Hal smiled. “Hopefully, no one will find out.”

“Well, I won’t tell and I could die any minute now.”

“I know, but you’re still here. Why is that?”

“I don’t know. I would have thought my body would have worn out by now.”

“Unless you’re really an android in disguise.”

Dr. Asimov laughed.

**********************

Fred was in the pilot’s seat once again. “I think it’s time to plot a course to Venus. I want to go to the floating city of Aphrodite. I hear it will be a great time for me.”

Starlover said, “Plotting a course to Venus. The course is set. Select a drive and we can fly there.”

Fred smiled. He selected a drive and soon they were headed to Venus. He watched Neptune get closer. Then it was gone. Next was Uranus. Jupiter stayed the longest on the viewscreen. Then it was the asteroid field. Then Mars. Earth. Finally Venus came into view. He was excited.

He contacted the local air traffic control to see what he needed to do next.

“Attention, Starlover. You may land on our floating airfield. Your ship should fit. How long will you be staying on Venus?”

“How long can I stay?”

“That depends upon your business here.”

“Just pleasure.”

“Well, in that case, you can leave your ship here for a month. We may have to ask you to leave earlier than that if any large ships need to land.”

“Okay. Sounds good to me.”

“Very well. We have shuttles for hire that will leave here and come back. We’re sending the information on them right now. We’re also sending your computer information on how to land on the floating platform.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Fred waited for all of the information. He was still at the controls, but Starlover had the coordinates. He would have to let her land the ship this time. He didn’t mind. By this time he, Starlover, and Starfire had become a team. He felt comfortable and knew he could trust them with anything.

Starlover brought them into the clouds of Venus. The clouds were yellow and there wasn’t much to see at first. But soon he could see the floating platform which was the air strip. It became larger the closer they got. Just before they landed, he could see other ships on top of the platform.

Starlover slowed the ship down considerably before she landed it on the platform. Fred read the message on his screen. “Enjoy your stay here on Venus. A shuttle is standing by when you’re ready to visit the cities.” He smiled.

“Alright, I trust you ladies will be okay without me for several hours.”

“Yes,” answered both Starlover and Starfire at the same time.

“Good. I’m going to have some fun. I have a watch on me so I can contact you and you can contact me if anything goes wrong. And of course I can contact a shuttle to bring me back here.”

“So noted. Have fun, Fred. See you later.”

“Yes, I’ll see you two later.”

He unstrapped himself and stood up. He walked off the ship and found the shuttle.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Aphrodite.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

“Is there any place you’d recommend for a good time?”

“Depends upon what kind of fun you’re looking for.”

Fred smiled.

“If you’re just wanting to look, there are plenty of dancers in the clubs. But if you want to touch, then you need to look for the red lights just above the doors.”

“Sounds good to me. What else is there?”

“There’s casinos if you feel like losing your money to us.” The pilot chuckled as he took off of the platform.

“I’ll probably be too busy with the ladies.”

“Suit yourself.”

Chapter 1 Open Mic

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

A lone elf was asleep. It had been some time since he had started the summoning. Now he was dreaming about his Guardian partner to be. He could see her clearly standing on a stage and reading some of her writing. He smiled in his sleep. He was better with images than he ever was with words. He listened to her and admired her beauty. He could see her dark hair and her fair skin. He noticed her pointed ears. The trademark of elves and not humans.

His alarm went off and he woke up. He sat up in bed and stretched. He was thinking about his Guardian partner to be and smiled. He changed out of his pajamas into his work uniform. He had brown hair and blue green eyes. He was a Guardian, but he also worked as a gondolier in the city of Elsewhere. He took his job seriously. Without him, people didn’t have good ways to get across the canals. Elsewhere had never allowed motorized vehicles to travel around the city. They could get to the city, but then everyone had to walk, take a boat, or swim.

However, the city’s emergency vehicles were completely motorized. They could travel through air, water, and even outer space. This summoner knew how to operate those emergency vehicles, though he usually didn’t need to. That was perfectly fine with him. He preferred to row a gondola or a traghetto.

He liked his Guardian work of researching different cultures’ symbols, especially those that related to religion and magic. Over time he found he didn’t like to work alone. He knew of other Guardians who had partners they lived and worked with on a regular basis. He found the work he was engaged with was too daunting to do all by himself.

He could gather up the images and all the symbols, but he couldn’t always write them in a way which others would find interesting or even understand. His work needed to be documented in the Guardian archives. That was the part he had trouble with. It took so long to decode the symbols that he felt he hadn’t enough time to even to devote to writing up his notes. He had his notes, of course, and those he sent to the archives. So, he had tried very hard to attract the right person to himself. He had asked for someone he could work with. Someone who wouldn’t mind that he thought mainly in images.

He kept thinking about his dream. After he was done with his regular job, he would see if he could look her up. That is, after he meditated on her image a bit more. All he knew at this point was that she was an elf and a writer. He shaved his face at the bathroom mirror. Then ate a little breakfast. He set the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and then walked out the door to go work.

He knew it would take time. But he was patient. Leon would meet her sooner or later.

***********************

Silver Moon Unicorn stood up on stage in front of the microphone. She was holding her tablet computer. White Lion and Black Wolf were in the audience cheering her on. She read a few poems and then people applauded. She bowed and stepped off the stage.

It was just another open mic. She did enjoy them and it seemed to help with sales, even if there still wasn’t very much money. She had never felt happier. She walked back to the table where White Lion and Black Wolf were sitting. White Lion jumped up out of his chair to give her hug.

Her son was not something she had ever expected in her life, but he was the most important person to her. She never thought about what would happen if she were to lose him. Then of course there was Black Wolf as well. She loved them both and they loved her. White Lion let go and danced around the table.

Black Wolf smiled at her. “Where to next?”

“Hmm… I don’t know. Perhaps to find the Silver Mists and the city of Elsewhere.”

“Does the Silver Mists still exist?”

“I think so. It’s near Elsewhere and I wasn’t aware the Guardians had abandoned it.”

“Oh, I see.”

“It would be in the archives if they had abandoned it with a reason as to why.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, they are very thorough in their archives.”

Black Wolf continued to stare at Silver Moon.

“Mama!”

“Yes, darling?”

“When is your next reading?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ll have to look to see where more are along they way.”

“Okay.”

Black Wolf’s phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket and found a text message. He read it and frowned. He answered it and put the phone back in his pocket. He said nothing as both White Lion and Silver Moon looked at him. She raised her eyebrows. Still Black Wolf said nothing.

Silver Moon sat down for the next people on stage. She motioned for White Lion to sit back down. He did so without a word. They all listened politely to the rest of the open mic. There were more writers and some musicians. the planet of Platinum had quite a few people who liked to entertain and were hoping to make a decent living from their creative efforts as did Silver Moon Unicorn.

Finally the open mic was over. White Lion yawned. Silver Moon took his hand and the trio walked to the trolley. She tucked the little neko in on his bean bag chair. Then she sat down in the driver’s seat to move the trolley. Black Wolf went to sit down at the table. He pulled out his phone and rechecked the recent message.

It wasn’t good and he wasn’t sure what he could do. He wondered what Silver Moon would think if he told her. He shook his head. Best not to tell her. He certainly didn’t have all the details yet. It could just be a mistake. He was just a lost werewolf in love with an elf. But now, he was being called back home. He didn’t know if he wanted to go.

But what choice did he have? He had obligations which couldn’t be ignored. He knew what the consequences would be if he didn’t go back and take care of things.

For now they could wait. He was told there would be more details to follow. So he waited.

Silver Moon paid attention to her driving. She was just finding a place for the night so the three of them could plan the next day how to get to the next place. She was getting tired of traveling around. She longed for a safe, stable permanent home for White Lion and herself. She had considered Black Wolf’s offer and thought it might be okay. But she didn’t know where he lived. Or even if it was safe and stable. Would it be permanent?

She had more questions than answers. She had a feeling there was something he wasn’t telling her. Something so important that it shouldn’t be ignored. She had gotten used to him being around and now she wasn’t sure what was going to happen if he were to leave.

For now, she knew he wasn’t going to talk. She would just have to make do the best she could. It was all she had been done for a few years now. She also knew she was being summoned to Elsewhere. She didn’t know much about it except that the Guardians had built it when the castle at the Silver Mists was getting too crowded for everyone.

It was also a city like no other on Platinum. Built by the Guardians, it was a mixture of old and advanced technology. Much of the advanced technology was hidden and out of the way. In many ways it was still very much a medieval city. Silver Moon smiled. Something told her she would find what she had been looking for after she went there.

It was enough for her for now.