I returned to the zoo in the dead of the night. Tora was still
there, lying in her twisted open cage. I
just can't describe how she looked, just frozen there. Like some manequin
in a museum. I felt a surge of outrage that she had been reduced to this;
my Tora, my fierce and fiery Bengal. The largest and most ferocious tiger
in the world now lay dead, killed all too easily by the dark, uncaring
hand of Aubrey. He had done this just to spite me, because I had been
stupid enough to let him read my thoughts and learn about my beloved tiger.
This is the result of that stupidity. My fierce and fiery friend... I
crumpled down beside her, burying my face in her beautiful fur. Oh, it
would always be beautiful. I sang to her the song I felt belonged to her,
the song of the tiger.
Tiger Tiger burning bright
In the Forests of the night...
I let my voice carry on through that cage, ringing in
its sorrow. I let
my tears roll into Tora's fur, falling into her wound. I did not see
them shimmer as they touched. I did not see the soft silver glow around us.
But I did hear-- I heard what only my intensified ears could: the
impossibly soft rumble inside of her. The impossibly gentle beating of her
heart. Her silent voice singing along with mine.
My shining eyes opened and I saw as if through distorted, teared
glass. I had no idea if I was in a reality. I might have been in the depths
a dream, sensing Tora's life force re-awakening. I didn't care, I clung
to the sweet, dizzy feeling that this WAS happening. I didn't even react;
I just lay there, listening and then watching as my Tora shivered and
nudged me so gently, the rumbling in her chest growing steady, and
finally, opening her glowing golden eyes.
This forest was dark in the early morning twilight. I could see
several constellation forms through the canopy. As we walked, I could hear
several rumbling voices in the distance.
"This is your home," I whispered to Tora. "This is the forest
where you have room to race and hunt, and be free. This is the home
of the tigers."
I had transported us to this tropical Bengal jungle--Tora's
birthplace--with my mind; my powers had recently intensified enough to allow
for such a powerful event.
This was the place where the queen of tigers rightfully belonged. This was
where my Tora, my dearest friend, would be
forever safe from Aubrey. No... that wasn't what truly kept her forever
safe. It was my tears that protected her life. My love for Tora and the
power in me had blended together in my silver tears and had overcome
the wound of Aubrey. The wound was now healed, though not completely.
Forever would she carry his mark under her fur-- the mark of a tiny black
rose. My magic had turned it silver, though, overcoming yet more of him.
I may be a vampire, against my will, but I knew, now, that I was
not destined to be evil. I had the good force in me and nothing and noone
could touch it. Aubrey would not like this. Too bad.