Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; it is the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Italics for thoughts (Edward can hear it if he's present)

Stages of forms

Tiger: first form (actual tiger)

Tigris: second form (were-tiger, like werewolves, larger than actual animal)

Taiga: third form (cat ears, tail, more tiger musculature, fur, full canines, paws)

Tigam: fourth form (half and half, humanoid form, light fur, tail, nearly full canines, paws)

Tegamen: fifth form (mostly humanoid, no fur, stripes marking the skin and claws and longer canines)

Higar: sixth form (human but with cat senses and scent, regeneration and able streak mind)

Human: seventh form (completely human)

Chapter 18

Sad Blessings

Kayla POV

The tension in the minds of those around me grew with each passing moment and I knew that I had to tell the young to still. After the death of Maia many wished to fight and kill our queen but it would only bring their deaths. No this was a game to be played well if all were to have a good chance at life.

I knew that Maia would be killed the moment she sat with the boy but it needed to be done. He had to know that we would rally around him for her loss. I grabbed one of my students one of the most anxious and shook him. My face cold and heartless, too many battles took my softness from me. Taking him out of the camp I set about scolding him in words that he would read into. I parted with him patting his shoulder and smiling before I let my face fall.

It worked and after a few hours the young were better behaved but looked to the elders for guidance. All in all it looked like any other mourning for a future queen that was lost to us. It didn't happen often but in my years it had occurred four times. Twice to Renátka she had mourned heavily at the loss but in recent years her heart has grown cold and she only hungers for death. Before her it was nearly four thousand years and it was twins lost. One could not live without the other and took her own life when her sister died in battle.

The high guard were on the hunt and I would not leave the children defenceless so I remained isolated from them and fought my urge to comfort and guide them. As an advisor it was a normal task that I could not fulfill. Sadly I lost my king when Bella's father died so I decided to stay with his child. It was my place and her right.

As I ate my meal with only a few of my students around me my hunger left me cold. I longed to break the silence and tell them stories of old but Renátka had banned them when it told so often of changes and new queens. She said that it would only plant ideas of wars into each generation but as I have told these stories to Bella, Meira all her life I know her logic. Power is all that woman desires now and that is not best for the clan and so she must be removed so that nature may move us with the will of the goddess.

She left us; I know this because I feel her loss keenly. Renátka has said that she still hears the goddess and feels her move within herself but I know her lies too well. The numbers of children dwindle in groupings that support her and flourish in those that have all but broken from her. No one will give our war queen reason for war.

I bide those at my fire night and went to sleep and dream of things happier than what must be. No one came to take my life that night but I knew that my past and my loyalties would lead them to my bed. Blades in hand.