Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4) novel Chapter 96

‘Zena, can I get breakfast?’ Natalia said.

Zena stepped in with a plate of bacon and eggs.

Natalia looked at the plate, then looked at Zena. She knew this was a special occasion breakfast.

‘What gives?’

She was thinking that maybe Zena was going to ask for more time off because of Victoria and her misbehaving.

‘I really didn’t think that the kitten was a good idea,’ Zena said. ‘However, now that I see how much she is occupying Victoria’s time, I’ve changed my mind. Thank you.’

‘So, there were no problems last night?’

‘None. And she didn’t even fuss about drinking her sanguine tea. I did let her eat two cookies, which I know you don’t mind.’

‘Grubbie cookies aren’t full of sugar like what I ate as a child. She can eat as much as she wants.’

‘She had two and two cups of tea.’

‘Is that more tea than what she needs?’

‘No, that is just enough. Girls need just a little more than a boy.’

‘Good to hear. I’m just as amazed as you are about the kitten. Oh, I have a Council meeting at two. I’ll drive if you come with to watch Victoria.’

‘I’ll be around for that. Enjoy your breakfast.’

Natalia smiled.

‘I will.’

Victoria’s head popped up across the table from her. She was staring at the plate.

‘Bacon?’ she said.

Natalia laughed at her.

‘My breakfast. Did you have breakfast?’

Victoria shook her head.

‘I see. And you didn’t have any cookies or tea last night?’

Victoria shook her head again.

‘One piece of bacon.’

Natalia handed her one small piece. She ate her breakfast with Victoria staring at her the whole time.

‘How is Tail doing?’ she said once she finished.

Victoria just nodded.

‘Is she eating?’

Victoria nodded again.

‘Let’s go upstairs and make sure there is plenty of food.’

Natalia rose. Victoria raced ahead of her. Tail appeared out of nowhere and raced up the stairs.

When they reached the guest bathroom, Natalia saw that all the cat food was gone.

‘You’re not eating this are you?’ she said to Victoria while she filled the bowl.

Victoria shook her head and grimaced.

Natalia understood that to mean Victoria had tried a piece.

‘I’ve never seen a kitty eat so much, but I guess she does run around a lot.’

She looked at the litter box. There didn’t seem to be any waste in it.

‘Are you using that, Tail?’

The kitten jumped into the tub. She chirped and dashed around as if trying to catch her tail, then jumped out of the tub and out of the room. Victoria chased after, giggling as usual.

‘At least I have a happy girl,’ Natalia said.

She followed them to see that they were now in Victoria’s room. Natalia stepped into the master bedroom. She decided the clothes she had on, jeans and a t-shirt, were good enough for a Council meeting. Her hair just needed a good brushing. She rummaged through her jewelry box for earrings and a necklace. The earrings were where she last put them. She couldn’t find the necklace she wanted, so she selected another.

‘Downstairs you two.’

Victoria giggled the whole way down, going backwards. Natalia didn’t care how she went down as long as she didn’t trip and fall.

‘Zena?’

Natalia stopped by the kitchen door which was propped open.

‘Yes?’

Zena was sweeping the floor.

‘Has anyone cleaned the litter box? Or is the kitten going somewhere else?’

‘I scooped it this morning. I remembered what they said to do when the tayra was here.’

‘Oh, good. I was hoping we didn’t have a problem. It does seem to eat a lot, too. I refilled the food bowl.’

‘It’s young. Young things…’

Victoria ran by.

‘Young things eat a lot. I’m amazed at how much she can put away,’ Zena said.

‘What time is Kate taking over?’

‘I’ll go with you to the meeting, then Kate will take over once I’m home.’

‘Good. Thanks. We have a little wait.’

Natalia followed the giggles of Victoria.

‘Are you chasing Tail or is she chasing you?’

The pair were running around the sofa.

‘I’m chasing. I’m it,’ Victoria said with a giggle.

‘You are a giggler.’

Natalia sat and watched them. She was pleased to hear that the lamp hadn’t been knocked over. That was a good sign. She remembered when she first had mentioned getting the kitten. Everyone thought it was a bad idea.

‘A warm furry animal is a snack to a Viperian,’ she muttered to herself.

Every time any sort of animal was mentioned, it was in regards to how it tasted or how it was caught and cooked.

‘No, caught and eaten raw.’

She shuddered at what she had been told would happen. How all Viperian children caught and ate raw squirrels and rabbits. However, she couldn’t see it happening just yet. Victoria couldn’t even keep up with a young kitten. There was no way she was fast enough to catch squirrels and rabbits.

But to actually buy an animal to keep in the house…was like keeping a stocked fridge, so she was told.

‘No Viperian household has a pet. It’s not in their vocabulary.’

She had been surprised that the word for pet in the Viperian language referred to touch and only touch. There was no word for an animal that you kept around the house.

‘We’re the first Viperian household with a pet.’

She just hoped over time that the influence from the other Viperian children didn’t result in Tail becoming a snack.

Victoria seemed to be tiring out. Natalia was glad for that. She checked the time. It was almost time to leave for the Council meeting.

‘Victoria. Let’s put Tail in her room. We have to go to Viperia.’

‘Grace visit?’

‘No, sorry. Just a short visit.’

Victoria pouted.

Natalia scooped up Tail and carried her upstairs to shut her in the bathroom.

Meerup.

‘Take a nap. You probably need it.’

Victoria was at the foot of the stairs staring up at her.

‘Bonnie?’ Victoria said.

‘No, I’m driving. Zena is coming along. She’ll sit in back with you.’

‘Car.’

Victoria spun and ran. Natalia followed her while she headed toward the garage. Victoria loved riding in the car.

Zena was waiting in the garage for them.

‘I’m going to look like the chauffeured person,’ she said.

‘M’lady,’ Natalia said, opening the back door for her.

Zena laughed while she helped Victoria get in. She strapped her into her car seat.

Natalia settled into the drivers seat.

Traffic was heavy for a Monday. There were gatekeepers at the gates of Viperia. Her car was immediately recognized, and the gates were opened as soon as she approached.

‘Thanks,’ she said without even opening her window.

She knew the gatekeepers would hear her.

Once in Viperia, the traffic was almost non-existent. However, she wasn’t the only car to pull into the lot. She recognized the cars of other Council members.

‘Afternoon, Nattie.’

‘Afternoon, Ingus. How are all your beetles?’

He laughed.

‘Hungry.’

Natalia saw Tia’s car already there.

‘We’re going for a walk,’ Zena said.

Natalia watched her and Victoria head out of the parking lot. She knew there was a park not too far away.

‘Afternoon, Rubert.’

‘Nattie.’

She thought she was a little early, but once in the building she saw the other women Council members: Kareen, Jada Lee, Friesa, and Pearl. Mirren, the last male Council member, was just coming in through the back way.

‘Afternoon, everyone,’ Kareen said.

Everyone headed for their seats. Natalia knew they were expecting some else. If only the Council members met, then they would sit at the oval table in the middle of the room. If a member of the public was to address them, then they sat up in the official seats that overlooked the table.

‘We only have one order of business. He should be here shortly.’

Natalia heard the doors in the outer area.

A man entered the room. Clinging to him was a woman with curly brown hair. She was Undent.

Natalia stiffened. She already knew something was wrong.

‘Gregg, what is this?’ Kareen said, showing she too sensed something wrong.

The other members of the Council quieted around her. Natalia knew they were all focused on the couple.

‘This is Amy.’

He looked ecstatically happy.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ Kareen said.

‘I want to make Amy my wife.’