The Lady… or…. The Panther?
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with the show or comic Witchblade. They belong to much more talented, although incredibly foolish, individuals. Lianna however is mine, please don't use her without prior written consent.
Warning: Graphic description of crime scene ahead. If you have a weak stomach consider yourself warned!
Chapter 2: Marking
"Dear God." Sara Pezzini was only partially prepared by her partner's exclamation for the gruesome sight that she walked in on.
Sara was tempted to close her eyes to block out the scene but the Witchblade was already growing warm on her wrist, waiting for her guard to drop for even a second. The victim appeared to be nailed by his hands to the exposed rafters. What was left of his bodily fluids could still be seen sliding down his uncoiled intestines. The only thing Sara could think was that he'd only been partially eviscerated. Something had interrupted the murderer in the midst of the slaughter.
While Jake talked with the first uniforms on scene, Sara moved to the edge of the room, searching the shadowed corners and doorways for anything the officers may have overlooked. The dust was almost completely undisturbed with the exception of a single clear path leading out one of the rear emergency exits. The one presumably that had set off the alarm system. Though how the building had been entered in the first place without the alarm sounding was still a mystery. A broom sitting beside the cleared area appeared to be the method by which the dust was removed. She was about to call one of the men over to check the handle for prints when the Witchblade warmed and tightened on her wrist. When Sara looked down at the active stone she caught sight of something in the very edge of the dust. Bending closer, Sara still couldn't figure out what type of print she was looking at. The stone of the Blade swirled rapidly drawing Sara into a replay of events.
A dark shadow moving low along the walls, a large man turning with a look of surprise and terror crossing his features before he turned and fled, the smaller shadow chasing him closely. Just as the door swung shut the view changed and Sara found herself staring directly into wide amber eyes. Cat's eyes.
Shaking the image out of her head, Sara pushed the door open with her sleeves and stepped out into the snowy alley. Most of the snow had been trampled to slush, leaving it impossible to tell different footprints apart. Sara walked carefully into the shadows, hoping to find a glimpse of something unusual.
"Pez." Sara jumped at the voice of her dead partner and turned to see Danny crouched next to a dumpster.
"Geez Danny, is there ever a time when you won't try to give me a heart attack?" Sara joked heading toward him.
"Carefully Sara, she's just a bit upset." Danny warned and immediately Sara thought he'd found her a witness to the murder and moved more cautiously.
She almost jumped out of her skin at what greeted her when she finally came around the metal bin and she hastily backpedaled away from the low growl emitting from the large black cat. The animal set its head down on lethal looking paws and stared at the swirling bracelet on Sara's wrist. Sara's accusatory glare was completely missed by Danny, who was watching the cat with a look of mild confusion on his face.
"Relax, Pez." Danny said soothingly, still watching the animal. "She doesn't want to hurt you. She is curious though. Let her smell you."
"Has being dead impaired your sanity, partner?" Sara remarked dryly. "That thing's liable to take my hand off."
"Trust me, Sara. She won't harm you. Just get down on her level and let her inspect you."
Against her better judgment, Pez squatted down and automatically held out the arm with the Witchblade on it. Both females watched each other warily as, with a few tentative starts, the black head reached out to nuzzle Sara's outstretched hand. In a moment of surprised tenderness Sara scratched gently behind a triangular ear, gratified by the feline's low purr.
The Witchblade blazed and spiraled, startling the pair, but Sara found herself unable to pull her hand away. She watched in fascination as the lights of the Blade rose like fireflies from the stone before stroking over the ebony fur. What remained in their wake were two interlocking white circles identical to the scar on Sara's skin. The sign of the Witchblade.
When the Witchblade became dormant once more Sara stepped back, looking for Danny but he had disappeared as suddenly as he'd arrived. The feline stood slowly and padded over to stand beside Sara, moving to keep in step when she would have walked away.
Pez looked down at the animal and sighed. The Blade had marked the cat, an obvious sign that she was meant to be around. It was an almost subconscious decision on Sara's part, but she glanced down and smiled.
"Wait here, then, and I'll come back with a car to take you in." She murmured.
The cat settled once again behind the dumpster, amber eyes closing slightly. Sara's only concern as she walked back around the building was how she could possibly explain the presence of a four hundred pound panther to her anti-pets landlord.
ANHope you liked it. As promised it was longer than Chapter 1. Thanks heaps to my first reviewers: Emely Raines It is Zephyr…but thanks for asking, Spin11, Ixchel72. It felt great to know someone who didn't know me actually read this. Chapter 3 may be a bit longer in coming but I swear it will come. So now all that's left is for you to review and let me know what you thought… simple really. Crystal
