Please read chapter 13, they were all posted at the same time, Thanks and please review and thanks for all the followers, you guys make me feel good.

Chapter Fourteen: A New Fighter

Jack didn't know anymore how much time had passed since he ran away from the island, how many creatures and Bounty Hunters he'd come across and incapacitated or killed. The Hunters only in the daytime but the beasts, of clear scientific origin had to be killed otherwise they would have killed him. The first had been a creature that had the body of a scorpion and the head of a snake. It was the ugliest thing Jack had ever seen, not to mention the thing stood about four feet high, not counting the arch of its supposedly deadly stinger. He slept lightly in trees or caves, keeping an ever-vigilant ear out for more monsters or hunters.

He had been injured on more than one occasion but it seemed that the Hunters were now gunning for him, Jack knew that his appearance in the forest meant that he could possibly be captured and used against the Vannas but even so he didn't want to kill the human hunters who came for him so many times he would knock them out and string them to a tree, where someone would find him later or the monsters would receive easy food. It didn't really matter to Jack, as long as he didn't betray the Queen or Daniel. He wondered if the curse he was under might have gained its strength from proximity because as soon as he was off the island, the desperate need to return to Winter dissipated but he did want to go home to Danny and the twins.

Even so, this isolation from his family had taught him one thing was certain; Jack was still more than capable of taking care of himself. He was still an assassin, trained by the US Military and more than able to take on small groups of attackers and surprisingly he had not come across any other Vannas that he would have to explain his presence and his constant battling of the human Hunters that kept coming for him.

Jack settled against the trunk of a large tree to take a short rest before he continued on. He pulled some cooked meat that he had taken from one of the many creatures that attacked him during the night. It had been more like a predator, with lion-like qualities and a tough hide that had almost gotten Jack killed before he found the creatures weakness just behind the ear. He still had a three claw mark across his stomach for his trouble.

From what Zarkina had once told them of the creatures, supposedly they only ever attacked Vannas, sensing the magic within but there was no magic in Jack. He wondered if the curse had left him with a magical homing beacon for the monsters to track but had no one to question, he was just forced to fight and stay alive.

It had been about three days since he'd seen Damnation so the other man had likely gotten a hold of the Queen by now. Daniel would now that he'd left the Valley and would wonder why, Jack knew his lover better than he knew himself sometimes and he wished that he had never cause Daniel this pain.

He was pulled from his thoughts when there was a rustle in the woods, Jack heaved himself to his feet and pulled the dagger from his boot, waiting for whatever came at him. It was daytime so at least he wouldn't be fighting the larger than life creatures that came for him after the sun went down. Another Hunter, though it had only been a few hours since he tied the last one up, and they were usually less dedicated than that.

He would have never expected the creature that did leap from the underbrush, he cursed and tried in vain to move farther away and give him a chance to survive the attack. What was before him, staring him down with deep emerald eyes was a tiger like creature only it was about chest high at the withers. Jack cursed and jerked at the sword at his side so he was doubly armed but he felt sorely inadequately capable of dealing with this new threat. He had no idea there were more natural wildlife to be found here, predators that could eat him during the day when the creatures were nowhere to be found.

Those green eyes never left Jack's face, and he barely had time to notice the creature was white with tan stripes, not exactly like a tiger but close enough to have come from the predator.

You not hunter…

Jack frowned, where had that come from. The words sounded childlike but he was pretty sure there was no one else around. He didn't dare move his gaze from the tiger to check though.

Hunter?...

The voice was there again and Jack thought maybe as the tiger tilted his head in an inquisitive way that maybe Jack did know where the voice was coming from, "I'm not a hunter, who is talking to me?"

You kill the awful creatures?

"The monsters, yes I destroy them when they try to kill me, who is speaking to me?" he wanted to know just how crazy he was going, talking to a tiger.

You are friend, Not eat you.

"What are you?"

The tiger's head tilted the other way as if confused by Jack's words but as the large predator sat down on its haunches, Jack relaxed but retained his weapons in hand. I am Taj. Was named by powerful friend, pretty lady.

Jack wondered about who that was, undoubtedly the queen. That lady seemed to get along with everyone. "Taj, how are you communicating in my head?"

Pretty lady did something, now I talk to others. Have looked for friends, those who would kill the creatures. I found you.

Jack continued to watch the large cat but he did lower his weapons, still waiting for the predator to decide he was hungry enough to kill Jack after all. Taj just continued to watch him, but he settled down even more, laying down slowly and pressing his big face into his front paws. "You friend?" Jack questioned gently.

Yes, friend.

"Okay then, my name is Jack."

Jack is friend.

With that the large cat closed his eyes and proceeded to go to sleep, Jack leaned against the tree he had been taking his rest against, leaning down to grab a little more cooked meat, when Taj perked at the smell Jack tossed a piece over and Taj caught it in the air. It was miniscule in comparison to the creature's mouth but Taj took it and settled his head back on his paws once more.

Thank you Jack-friend.

Jack nodded and nibbled on his food, watching the slumbering giant. He would not deny that he thought the tiger would still attack him but for now all he could do was wait and see. Every time he shifted or moved, Taj would rouse and make like he would follow Jack so staying still seemed like the best way to not be eaten by the tiger.

There were no other interlopers on the space Jack now shared with Taj, no hunters and as night fell Jack stood to start moving once more. It was the best way to stay alive in these woods, sleep during the day and fight through the night. Taj heaved himself to stand as Jack did and he started moving on a direction, and the tiger continued next to him.

"Are you to be my friend then? Follow me wherever I go?"

Jack-friend fights the monsters, I help.

Jack nodded though he didn't understand how the creature could possibly need anyone's help. They just walked, Jack keeping an ever watchful eye on the forest around them and it seemed for the first time since he came to this forest, the eyes of the monsters watched but they did not attack. They stayed away from Jack and his new companion.

"They fear you?" he asked the large cat.

I tear them apart. I not prey for them.

"You want me to go after them? Take the fight to them?" Jack demanded, enjoying the respite but wondering how long it would be till the tiger decided that if Jack wasn't going to kill the creatures then he was of no use to Taj.

I wish them dead.

"Was that a yes?"

You fight when you wish them dead.

"Okay then," Jack responded. He must be pretty desperate for conversation if talking to a horse sized tiger wasn't bothering him. He missed Daniel and twins so much he could taste it, a sickening after taste to his words and breath. For now he would thank some godlike creature that the tiger didn't want to eat him today and since he'd run out of meat that evening, they might as well hunt for a creature that he could cut apart and utilize the meat. "Let's go kill something then."

Taj growled appreciatively and Jack led the way.