Chapter 16

The explosion rocked them as they stared at the fire ball engulfing the building before them. Its main supports still stood, but its interior had been wrapped in flames and the double doors hung off their hinges. Glass showered down on the crowd as they protected their heads with their arms. A lot of the bystanders ran, not knowing if there were going to be more, but some diehards remained. Batha shook the fragments quickly from her coat, the others following her lead, careful not to get cut. Surprising even himself, Mal snapped to attention, scanning the area for any sign of Cat, worry lining his features.

He glanced at his wife, noting she was thankfully unhurt with one part of his mind. "Frey?"

"I can't ..."

He nodded just once then looked down. "Batha, any sign from her?" he addressed the panther directly.

The feline took a moment to process this. The captain never called her by name, especially to her face. 'Pain.'

"Hers?" he asked again with more urgency, a ting of remorse flooding his features. Pain was okay, meant that the person was still breathing, but it might also mean dying.

'No. Weasel.' Slowly, the panther approached the building, sidestepping burnt body parts and the occasional fried gun. 'Kitten? A few steps closer ... Cat?'

'Don't call me Kitten.' A flood of emotion overcame the panther and she roared loudly as movement could be seen from inside. 'Need that drink.'

Even though Batha could hear her, the others had to stand and watch as the shadow amongst the flames emerged from the damage. A figure walked toward them, carrying Badger, who had stopped complaining once his eyes had cleared from the smoke. A crack of thunder echoed off the buildings as everyone around voiced the same four words ...

"Holy Mother of God."

Someone in the crowd screamed, and those residents of Eavesdown who had stayed around turned and ran from the sight.

Cat had lived through many things and, after years with her trouble making husband, pain as well as