Part Two: The Exile

Chapter Nine

Once I returned home, I tried to push all thoughts of the enticing ginger tom from my mind. True, he was the first tom who had ever created such desire in me, but he was just a cat. There were plenty more of those in London.

For instance, my two amours, George and Marco. They were waiting for me the next day, still maddeningly in love. Now that the Jellicle Ball was over, I could devote my full attention to playing with their emotions. Surprisingly, this did not make them angry; it did not even disturb their friendship. I guess I was just that good of a manipulator.

One fine day, as I was sunning myself in the garden, Nefertiti appeared. I sat up, slightly startled by her sudden appearance, but still delighted to see her. I missed the companionship of another queen.

"Hello, Nefertiti," I smiled warmly at her. I motioned for her to join me. "What brings you here?"

She sat down, but not too close. She generally avoided me, so this was a big step for her, "Well, the toms and I are going out tonight. They wanted you to come with us."

"Do you want me to come along?" I asked gently, my eyes piercing her face for any signs of hesitation. Nefertiti shrugged, "I don't care. It's your choice."

"Yes, but how would you prefer that I choose?" I asked. She looked at me, confusion on her dark face. I sighed and gave a reassuring smile, "Let's not play games, Nefertiti. You don't like me. You don't like that I have taken George and Marco away, or that Fergus goes absolutely bonkers every time he sees me. I may not be the brightest kitten on the block, but I can tell when someone doesn't like me."

Nefertiti turned her face from me, caught in her feelings, "I don't hate you, Bombalurina. I just wish…"

"What?"

"I just wish you wouldn't toy with them so," Nefertiti looked back at me, her yellow eyes filled with compassion. "It's just cruel to lead them on the way you do. They're my friends; I hate to see them make such fools of themselves."

"They choose to," I reminded her. She shook her head and looked away, "Yes, but you encourage them."

"It's all in good fun," I smiled, trying to get her to see the brighter side. "Besides, if they didn't like it, they wouldn't keep coming back."

"I suppose you're right," Nefertiti admitted softly. I smiled, knowing that I had won, "C'mon. Let's go to the Cat's Meow tonight. I'll buy you a drink."

Nefertiti smiled, silently accepting my offer. That was the wonderful thing about the black cat--she couldn't stay angry at anyone, no matter how much they upset her. We made our way down the street, where the toms were waiting for us. Marco let out a whoop of joy, "Here they come! Let's go, cats!"

I laughed at Marco's exuberance, "Where are we going tonight? I suggest the Cat's Meow."

"We're going somewhere new," Marco said over his shoulder as he and George started down the street.

"Where?" Nefertiti and I asked in unison. Marco looked back at us, his eyes twinkling mischievously, "The Underground. It's supposed to be the It spot for the metro cats."

"Sounds horribly low brow," Fergus sniffed. I flashed him an alluring smile, my eyes saying things that I truly did not feel, "It sounds exotic."

Fergus' opinion quickly did an about-face, "Yes, well, I'm sure it's wonderful. Bombalurina, may I walk with you?"

"Of course," my grin deepened. Oh, how I loved messing with this cat's brain.

I glanced over at Nefertiti, who stifled a grin. She didn't much care for Fergus, either.

"I hear there's going to be a poker game," George called back to us. Now my excitement had truly built, "Did you say a poker game?"

"Yes," George replied. Marco, noting the excitement in my voice, turned back with an amused smile, "Why, do you play?"

"Oh, no," I replied. "I'm quite horrible at it."

"Yes, but do you play?" Marco repeated, a grin on his charming features. I felt a grin slip onto my face, "Only if the stakes are high enough."

~*~

The five of us entered the alley entrance of The Underground. Fergus was right—it was terribly low-class, but it still held that metropolitan flair: the lights were red, bathing everything in an intoxicating rose; smoke hung in the air and the chatter almost drowned out the music. The ambience was exciting.

"It's so loud!" Nefertiti giggled, losing her usual reserved demeanor. I nodded, barely able to hear her. We quickly ditched our male companions and headed for the bar. From the mirror hanging on the wall, I could see a table in the back corner of the room. Several cats sat around it, their shoulders hunched over their cards. One of them was a ginger tom.

I turned slowly, taking my drink in one hand. Nefertiti looked at me, "Where are you going, Bombalurina?"

"To play some cards," I took a sip for courage.

"But you said you don't play."

"Darling, I said I do play—if the stakes are high enough," I grinned. I set my glass back on the bar. Nefertiti called after me, "But you don't even know if they are!"

"Trust me," I flashed a smile over my shoulder as I sauntered through the crowd, "They are."

~*~

"Excuse me, Gentlemen," I slipped into the room, carefully maneuvering my hips so that I stood between two of the toms seated at the card table. My eyes were wide with innocence as the entire table turned to stare at me, "Do you have room for one more?"

I was instantly met with affirmative answers; seats were moved and a chair was brought forward for me to sit at the table. I sat, knowing full well that every tom at the table was transfixed by me—this red-hot queen with the sweetest smile that you ever did see. Every tom except one—Macavity. He just sat back, his face set in an amused smiled. I didn't make eye contact. I pretended not even to notice him.

"What's your name, Darling?" a gold cat leaned forward.

"Take your pick," I smiled. "Aren't they all the same?"

The toms chuckled in agreement. A brown tabby seated next to me smiled back, "So what do we call you?"

"Anything you want," my mouth twisted into a coy grin. This made the tabby smile even more.

"How about Red?"

It was the gruff yet scintillating voice of Macavity. I couldn't help it—my head snapped around to see him. Our eyes met; that same electricity shot through me. I smiled, my voice almost breathless, "Yes. Red."

He smiled and held my gaze for a little longer—but not long enough to be obvious to the other players. I looked away and gathered my cards.

"Can you play, Red?" Asked the brown tabby.

"Not very well," I flashed a nervous smile to my captive audience. They bought it. By now, they had labeled me as a harmless—albeit sexy—little queen with more body than brains. That was how I preferred it—the dumber they thought I was, the easier it was for me to manipulate them. Toms are odd like that.

~*~

Two hours later, I was still seated at the table. Several players had lost out; the bar was still full. I did not order anymore drinks; I noticed Macavity didn't either. The game was down to four players—and it was becoming more intense by the moment.

Nefertiti had appeared sometime within the last hour; she now sat at my side, looking at my cards and regarding the other competitors with curious eyes. Fergus had long abandoned the scene; the amount of street-side half breeds had thoroughly sickened him. I was so engrossed in my cards that I did not see Marco appear beside me.

"I thought you didn't play cards."

I looked up at him, a surprised smile on my face, "Ah, Marco, there you are. I was beginning to worry about you. Where's George?"

"At the bar."

"Ah."

"How much longer will this be?" Marco motioned to the card table. I shrugged, "Who knows? It could be minutes; it could be days. It all depends on how we play."

"We need to be leaving soon," Marco cast a worried glance at George. "George is hitting the liquor pretty hard tonight."

"Darling, you can go as soon as you're ready," I said absentmindedly, my thoughts focused on the game before me. "You don't have to wait for me."

"Yes, but who will walk you home?" Nefertiti's yellow eyes were wide with fear. I chuckled, "I don't need any help finding my way. Unlike George, I haven't drunk myself under the table."

"You shouldn't be going home alone in the dark," Marco took Nefertiti's side.

"I can walk her home," Macavity interrupted in a smooth voice. I turned to him, my eyes seeing the intensity in his. As tempting as this offer sounded, I did not like being treated as if I were still a kit. I sat up a little straighter, my head held proud, "I am quite capable of walking home by myself, thank you."

He chuckled, "I am sure you are."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, my eyes flashing with obvious resentment at his patronizing comments.

"I'm just agreeing with your friend here," Macavity sat up, his eyes betraying his obvious interest. "A pretty little thing like you shouldn't be traveling the streets alone late at night."

I rolled my eyes at this, not deigning to comment on that last remark.

"There are plenty of cats of ill-repute lurking around here," Macavity continued in his smooth voice. "I would surely hate for you to be attacked by one."

"I'm certain I could handle myself," I said tartly. I suddenly decided I'd had enough of this ginger tom, despite my obvious attraction to him. I stood and carelessly tossed my cards onto the table, "I'm out. Let's go."

"Don't you want to cash in your chips?" One of the other players called after me. I turned around, "I don't play for the money, darling. I play for the thrill."

"Why am I not surprised?" Macavity asked in a low chuckle. I shot him a warning look and turned to leave once more.

Ooh, that Macavity! He sure knew how to push a girl's buttons.