Free Born Cheetah by Zenina Masters Page A

laughed.
    “Well, one of us in a room is enough. I can’t find a male of my kind that I can stand.” Rayna grimaced.
    “Well, look for a male of another species?”
    She blinked slowly. “You mean look elsewhere ?”
    “If that is what it takes; I am sure that you can manage to find a transporter.”
    “Yes, but they ask for bits of family fur or claw. I can’t provide that.”
    “How about your Aunt Reggie?” Augusta seemed surprised.
    Surprised, Rayna stared at her. “Gusty, she isn’t really my aunt. She is my tutor.”
    Her sister sat up straight. “What? She has been coming around since...oh my.”
    “Well, yes. Mom called the feline council and found a cheetah tutor for me after my first shift. Aunt Reggie was delighted when I went to the city. She could never understand how I could live with otters all day every day and nothing bad happened.”
    “Well, it almost did.”
    “But it didn’t. Leyline swam for it, and I shifted back to myself.”
    Augusta frowned but then perked up. “Why can’t you call the feline council and get a dispensation or something? I mean, your father was a lion and your mother was a cheetah. There has to be some relative out there somewhere who will donate to your transport.”
    Rayna looked around at that last statement, taking in all the relatives around her who were not related in the least.
    A woman was in earnest conversation with their mother, and Justine nodded her head sharply.
    The woman looked in the direction of Justine’s jerk, and she smiled brightly at Rayna.
    The woman came straight toward Rayna, and she used her senses to scent the air. It was a human that was surrounded by the scent she associated with the crackling energy of magic. Rayna got to her feet with a smile. If she was good enough for Justine, she was good enough for her.
    “Good afternoon, Rayna Baker.”
    “Good afternoon.”
    “My name is Kris, and I have a matter I would like to discuss with you.” The woman extended a business card and inclined her head.
    “Transporter?”
    Kris grinned. “I am the Transport Guild Master, and I have been given payment by the lion council to send you to the Crossroads whenever you choose. Apparently, your parents left orders with their guild master. If they were dead when you came of age, you were to be sent to the Shifter’s Crossroads for as long as it takes to find a mate of your choosing.”
    “My parents knew the feline guild master?”
    “Of course, but they also knew the value of insurance. Not only was your livelihood provided for but your future possibilities. They wanted you to have both.”
    Rayna clutched at the card. “Can I have a few days to sort this out? I wasn’t planning to leave yet.”
    “By all means. Call me when you are ready. There is no rush; I just wanted to tell you that all was taken care of. This is a nice shower. Your sister?” Kris looked around and smiled.
    “Yes. The eldest one.”
    “Feel free to pass that card on to your other sister when you are done with it. I get the feeling that she might not be content to fish in this pond.” Kris winked and wandered off into the woods. A flash of light and all traces of her were gone.
    She chuckled and looked at the dazed Augusta who had followed the stranger with her gaze. “Who was that?”
    Rayna smiled down at the card. “A message from my parents. I think I am going to go elsewhere very soon.”
    “Can I watch the shop for you?” Augusta grinned.
    “Yes, I think you can. I will help you clean up here, and then, we can head to my house and you can help me pick out outfits that will assist me in playing the part of bait.”
    Augusta rubbed her hands together. “Being soft and vulnerable is right up my alley. Now, do you want to be adventurous or skanky? It is a fine line.”
    “I will go for adventurous but will rely on your discretion.” Rayna winked, and together, they forged back into the party with good cheer and a deliberate grin. She had to practice being