Kara Brooks's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

The steam thinned, and Kara finally saw her. The woman owned the leopard still curled against Kara's shoulder. She had wild curls streaked red, black, and purple, freckles across every inch of skin, and a white lace catsuit over a pink bikini. She looked nothing like someone ready to scold. She looked worried. "I'm sorry," Kara said. "I didn't know it was yours. It just came to me." The woman knelt at the pool's edge. She watched the leopard nuzzle Kara's neck and her shoulders softened. "It never does that," she said. "Not with strangers. I'm Tyra." Her voice dropped, shy now, careful. "I guess you're special." Kara's chest warmed. Three days alone, and here was someone looking at her like she mattered. "I'm Kara." Tyra reached out and touched Kara's wet sleeve. She frowned. "You climbed in with your clothes on. You'll freeze when you get out." She stood and offered her hand. "Come with me. I keep dry things nearby. Let me fix this." Kara took the hand. The leopard fluttered ahead on small wings. Tyra led her along the stones to a space carved into the rock. Water fell from the ceiling in cool silver lines, soaking the stone floor. It looked like rain trapped inside a cave. "Stand under it," Tyra said. "Rinse the spring off first." Kara hesitated. "In my clothes?" Tyra smiled and stepped under the falling water beside her. Her lace catsuit went sheer in seconds. "Why not? They're already wet." She laughed, warm and easy, and pulled Kara into the spray. The cold rain hit Kara's black crop top and thin pants. She gasped, then laughed too. Tyra's hands smoothed Kara's soaked hair back from her face. For the first time since moving here, Kara felt chosen by a person, not just a creature. "Now," Tyra said, "let's get you out of these." She led Kara dripping to a side room. A black bed stood there, dressed in dark sheets and pink leopard pillows. Tyra opened a drawer and held up two soft outfits. "Pick one," she said. "Something that feels like you." Kara chose the pink leopard print. It matched her headband. Tyra grinned like that answer meant something. She helped Kara peel off the wet top and slip into the dry one, her touch gentle and sure. "There," Tyra said. She stepped back and studied Kara. "You should stay tonight. The spring is mine, but I never bring anyone here." She bit her lip. "I'd like you to be the first." Kara's heart pounded. She had come to Mistweald for exactly this. A door opening. A person wanting her close. "I'll stay," she said. Tyra's face lit up. The leopard landed between them and purred. The stranger from the spring was no longer a threat. She was an invitation. And now Kara stood inside Tyra's secret world, wondering how deep this new bond would go.