Deathtouched - Chapter 27
Zootopia had been locked down for a week when panic broke out at the news that a herbivore had not only killed another herbivore, but had eaten him as well. Only essential personnel were allowed out and about in the city. Which, for Zoe and them, covered everyone but for Gabriel. Over a half dozen attacks had still occured, two of them in broad daylight, and one of them against a ZPD patrol.
He was able to take it well, having a 'in home' date with Zoe, saving the next 'real' date for Judy who had been voted as the lucky recipient. Kisses, however, were liberally dispensed all around and both Judy and Abby freely admitted that Gabriel was a master at the use of his tongue. The little innuendo's the doe's gave made Gabriel's cheeks heat up.
Mayor Lionheart had a rough time of it. He feared a repeat of the Night Howler incident and his trying to keep it secret from the populace, total transparency was his bywords now. He'd sped up the next two graduating classes and finished their training on the job, pairing each one with an experienced officer. For the first time since Nick had started with the ZPD, he had a partner other than Judy. With the help of Chief Bogo, his aides, and the support of the priesthood, he was able to weather the storm. Favorable reports from ZNN and a very visibly pregnant Fabienne Growly helped ease the public's concerns.
Zoe fielded a few inquiries about conceiving from interested mammals She was happy that more and more interspecies couples were willing to come out to the public. The toe-curling kiss that Selene gave her, the cougars tongue filling her entire mouth and throat, almost made her orgasm then and there. Selene told her that it was a reflection of Aphrodite's affection for Zoe helping other mammals be able to express their love. The cougar also admitted that no small part of the kiss was from her personally. Selene's squeezing Zoe's butt cheek leaving no doubt as to her meaning.
Zoe was once more in the Temple Archives, still sneezing. She'd tied her ears together and stuffed them in her mantle to try and prevent the earlier accident. She'd also discovered that she could use her psychometry to locate the scrolls she needed, all she had to do was touch the end of the dowel the particular scroll was wrapped around and get a sense of what each scroll contained. Now things began to move much faster for her.
She was still trying to find out the answers to several questions: Where were Predburg, Herdsville, and Omnivoria? As well as it's corollary - what route did Ethred take to get here? Who was Ethred and the group he led that founded the city of Zootopia? What is the Chosen One? Her task was made easier by the fact that she not longer needed anyone to translate for her, being able to read the scrolls herself.
The answers she found were not in order, but still illuminating. Ethred was a Priest of Apollo, a wolf hailing from Predburg and had been a prominent member of the noble class before he started preaching coexistence instead of the contemporary view that there were only predator and prey. While he found very few followers in his own city state, the majority came from Herdsville and Omnivoria.
Another scroll was one related to Ethred's genealogy and there she discovered something that rocked her to her core. Ethred had been disinherited and his name struck from the family register. Until that point, Ethred's last name had been Darkwater. Another scroll mentioned that Ethred would receive directions from Apollo himself and was told that he and his followers needed to follow Apollo's path.
It could have meant the Ethred was supposed to convert his followers to the worship of Apollo, but Zoe knew that it meant they needed to go west. And that meant that the three constantly warring city states lay to the east. But how did they get past the mountains? No one had found anything more than what could be called a foot trail into the mountains. Anyone venturing too far were never heard from again.
The main concern during the council meetings was the current attacks. Zoe readily gave an account of the ones that occurred between each meeting. They all prayed for answers to their deities, but no answers were forthcoming. Someone had started innuendos about Zoe's efficacy as the Oracle. Zoe suspected Eric but had no proof.
oooOOOooo
Between everything else she was doing; Zoe wasn't able to spend as much time as she would have liked with her family. Even when she was home, eating or talking with her husband, wives, and boyfriend, she was holding one of the little ones. It was one night when Zoe came out of the nursery laughing and crying at the same time holding Faith, that the others could see the kit's eyes had opened revealing beautiful emerald orbs so very similar to her fathers.
The next morning, Grace opened hers and Zoe cried again. Grace's eyes were the dark brown color Zoe's eyes had been before she died. Over the next several days, the other's eyes opened to show many different eye colors. Abby was thankful that none of them had inherited her eye color.
oooOOOooo
Once again, Zoe was back in the deepest recesses of the Temple Archives where the oldest scrolls were housed. Added to her earlier searches, she now looked at the oldest maps she could find, searching for clues of where Ethred had exited this side of the mountains. She was tired and ready to quit for the evening, when her paw alighted on a scroll better preserved than most of the others. Opening it, she had started reading the first few words when she stopped, shocked at what she had found.
It was time to lock the archives for the night when Helen, a rabbit, and Theresa, a weasel, noticed that the High Priestess of Melinoe hadn't left yet. They easily found her in the back staring straight ahead, frozen as if in shock, holding a scroll open.
"Priestess?" Asked Theresa, almost afraid to approach. Helen approached cautiously when Zoe failed to respond and hesitantly reached out to touch her on the shoulder. As soon as contact was made, Zoe stiffened and turned to gaze at the two Acolytes of Athena. Zoe's mouth opened, but it wasn't just her voice that the two heard. Zoe's eyes glowed yellow, the color of the sun, and both Acolytes heard a male voice with musical tones that made them feel warm all over.
"Behold, the unborn shall be laid upon Gaea's bosom and she shall be blessed of the gods, beloved of the Goddess of Ghosts, esteemed of the Lord of the Underworld. She shall be The Chosen, and she shall find those lost in the time of troubles. Harken to her, for she shall lead you to a brighter future."
Thanks to Theresa's and Helen's quick reflexes, they caught Zoe before she fell to the floor, both mammals looking at each other in awe.
oooOOOooo
Abby was sitting by Zoe's bedside at Zootopia General. Wendy had chosen to stand rather than take up more of the limited amount of space in the private room. Nick and Judy would be showing up as soon as their shift was over to allow Abby time to get home and take a shower while also allowing Gabriel to visit. Abby would stop by as often as she her schedule would allow, staying after her shift to be with her wife.
Zoe had been brought in by ambulance from the Minor Hall, her eyes wide open and a scroll still grasped tightly in her paw. They hadn't been able to pry her fingers from the scroll until they'd given her a sedative. Theresa, who'd taken possession of the scroll when Zoe finally released it, told them what had happened in the archives, repeating word for word what Zoe had said. Abby's heart hurt for her wife, so much had been placed on her shoulders and she hadn't reached the age of 17 yet.
She was briefing Gabriel when he arrived to visit when they heard Zoe's voice.
"I'm getting really tired of waking up in hospital rooms."
Both mammals rushed to her bedside to see her wide awake, Gabriel leaning down instantly and capturing Zoe's lips in a kiss. Abby chuckled slightly at that, happy that Gabriel hadn't started backsliding away from his relationship with Zoe. Meanwhile, she was enjoying hearing the happy sounds both mammals were making as their mouths moved against each other.
"Mmmm. If that's the prize I get when I wake up, then being in a hospital might not be so bad after all." Zoe said when her and Gabriel broke their kiss, licking her lips for the last taste of him.
"You'd get a lot more if you weren't in the hospital Love." Abby told her.
"So, what happened?" Zoe asked. The last thing she knew, she had been in the archives and had found a scroll that had seemed very important.
"You don't remember?" Gabriel asked her. Zoe shook her head.
"You had a scroll in your paw when Theresa and Helen found you. When Helen touched you, you spoke in what they said was Apollo's voice saying 'Behold, the unborn shall be laid upon Gaea's bosom and she shall be blessed of the gods, beloved of the Goddess of Ghosts, esteemed of the Lord of the Underworld. She shall be The Chosen, and she shall find those lost in the time of troubles. Harken to her, for she shall lead you to a brighter future'.
"Chewsticks!" Zoe exclaimed.
"Chewsticks?" Gabriel asked them.
"A mild expletive for rabbits." Abby explained.
"Yeah, I'm trying not to cuss in front of the children."
"So why the reaction Love?" Gabriel asked.
"I once asked Father if I was part of a prophesy and he only replied, 'would it matter if you were?' That old wolf knew more about what was going on than anyone other than the gods."
"So it mention's the chosen, which you've said the gods have named you. The prophesy is about you."
"The chosen and the part about being unborn and laid upon Gaea's bosom." Zoe told him.
"Being an entry, you weren't born here in Zootopia, and you were found in one of the Hopps pumpkin patches." Abby mentioned.
"Yeah, that kinda put the final nail in my coffin there." Zoe said facetiously.
Gabriel and Abby got a sick look to their faces and Zoe instantly felt bad about what she had just said. "I'm sorry Loves, inappropriate humor. At least I have an idea of what I'm supposed to do now. I just wonder who 'those lost' are. I need to find the route that Ethred and his followers took to get here."
"Maybe Abby could help you." Gabriel suggested.
Zoe shook her head. "I wish, but I can go faster by myself using my psychometry. All I have to do is touch a scroll to see if it's important. Good idea though Baby."
"I'd forgotten that you had mentioned being able to do that."
"Yeah, you had a lot to take in on that date."
Gabriel kissed her again. While their mouths were joined, Zoe felt Gabriel's smile. She wondered what he was planning on doing when she found out. As soon as his lips left hers, he rapidly twisted, grabbed Abby, and gave her another of those mind-numbing kisses he was so good at. He had to place Abby in a chair because she had gone boneless in the aftermath. Zoe giggled to see the stunned look on Abby's face.
"Love, I've got to get back to the apartment so that Nick and Judy can come and visit." Gabriel let her know.
"I'd much rather get out of here."
"Not until you've been cleared Z." Abby protested weakly.
"Spoilsport! Just wait until I get out of here and I'll show you who is in charge." Zoe said, giving Abby a lustful look that went right to her clit and giving her a mild orgasm.
"Promise?" Abby asked breathlessly. Instead of answering, Zoe just growled, making Abby squeak as she felt another small orgasm flash through her. Gabriel smiled at the two does', eager to dominate all three doe's and Nick when he finally had the chance.
oooOOOooo
Council had been called and all had taken their seats when Helen stood and called them to order. Eric stood and began speaking.
"This council has been called to address the issue of a so-called prophesy found by the High Priestess of Melinoe." Ever since her first council meeting, Eric refused to say her name and maintained the utmost formal tone.
"I object Brother, the prophesy is valid. Surely you've felt the reassurances of Zeus in this." Zeke said as he stood from his chair.
"Not to mention scientifically. It's been authenticated as genuine. And two of my Acolytes were present when the prophesy was spoken!" Freya, a badger, and head of Athena's order stated as she too stood from her chair. Zoe felt a calm that she hadn't felt in a long time descend over her as she stood also.
"You haven't been called for testimony Priestess!" Eric snapped.
"Are you really going to press the issue Eric?" Zoe said, her voice flat, emotionless. "Remember the last time you insulted my goddess."
"I have not insulted Melinoe." Eric insisted.
"Not directly, but you continually denigrate me, Melinoe's voice in this realm, thereby insulting her. You seem to have a respect issue Eric and I wonder how much longer Zeus will tolerate your effrontery. I believe he said he'd break you should it be required."
Eric shifted his weight as if to take a step back at the reminder of Zoe's first council session but stopped himself only through a force of will. He didn't stopped twitching for days from Zues's chastisement. And his pride wouldn't let any of the other's know that Zeus had punished him even further, as he was now unable to access the astral plane and his god was silent within him.
"My apologies Priestess." Eric growled out.
Zoe knew he didn't mean it, but she didn't care. She just spoke to the assembled mammals. "Brothers and Sisters, it is true that I found a prophesy that spoke of me. We're here to discuss it, but I believe the point is now moot. It says I am to find those that are lost, yet there is a crisis confronting our city, namely the Cannibal Killers. I would ask that those orders with martial training assist our law enforcement officers in keeping our streets safe. Chief Bogo has assured me that he would welcome the additional mammal power."
"Yes!" Duncan, High Priest of Ares and a very buff tiger agreed. "The Priests and Priestess of Ares stand ready!"
Freya stood again and calmly said, "As well as the followers of Athena."
Marsha, a cheetah, and the High Priestess of Artemis stood. "The Daughters of Artemis would be pleased to aid the sons and daughters in the ZPD."
Zoe smiled and bowed to each of them. "I thank you Brother and Sisters."
There was some discussion about the logistics of supporting the ZPD and they agreed that they would meet with Chief Bogo immediately after the council was adjourned. Eric was all too eager to pass the motion.
oooOOOooo
"Zoe!" Linda squealed when she saw her at lunch. Zoe hadn't been to the student commons since her attack, being uncomfortable out in public without her family nearby. Zoe was engulfed in a tight hug by her friend and Zoe hugged her back. A flood of affection for her future sister-in-law filled her.
"By the gods I've missed you, Linda!" Zoe said into her stomach.
"I've missed you too! Gabriel's told me he's moved in and that everyone is about to move to a house in the Meadowlands?"
"Well, yeah."
"So? What's been going on? Gabriel has been very closed muzzled about everything."
Zoe's eyebrows rose, and what she felt was safe and what wasn't safe to tell her friend flashed through her mind. "Gabriel hasn't told you?"
"Told me what?"
"That we're dating?"
Linda gasped with a happy expression. "Seriously?!"
Zoe nodded and told her almost everything that had happened to her, including the attack. Linda was stunned by the litany of things that had occured with her friend, but the high point was when Zoe told of the first dream Lord Apollo had sent her.
"You mean, we're going to be sisters?!"
Again with the squeal, making Zoe cover her ears.
"If events play out as expected, yes. Just remember that Chance is always in play, but it's looking good do far. And all of us can attest to how amazing a kisser your brother is."
Both females looked at each other and broke out into giggles at the same time.
Judy's 19th birthday came, and they celebrated with a party at home after her shift. They did promise each other a spa day when the chance came up.
Zoe now had company while she was perusing the scrolls. Emma was with her at the moment, keeping an eye on her in case something similar to the last time happened again. That, and she helped get scrolls from the shelves that Zoe couldn't reach. More information had come to light in the last few weeks. Zoe held the scroll in her paws, unrolling it as she read an account of one Thalia, a follower of Ethred.
"And it came to pass that we came to the Pillars of Apollo as foretold by Ethred. The way through the mountains was harsh but passable allowing us to continue, even the largest of us. The larger mammals carried the smaller, who were unable to keep up otherwise."
"The nights have gotten colder, and we had used the last of our cordage days ago, we huddle together at night to share body heat."
"Cuthbert reverted today and had to be put down. He had been discovered eating Lithea when Gadain found a trail hidden behind a rockslide after we camped. We prayed for both their souls and gave them the rites."
"It was needful to pass into Lord Hade's realm to continue. Many of our hearts quaked at the news, but the Great Exodus must continue. It was only with the aid of Barnabas and his kin that allowed us to traverse the caves. After what seemed many days of travel, it was a blessing to once more to see the sun."
"Herucuain died in his sleep, and we were unable to perform the rites as he was the last of the Priests of Melinoe amongst us. We prayed the best we could and hope his soul finds peace. I hope to see him again when next we ride The Great Wheel."
Zoe read through several more entries written by Thalia, mostly parts of the daily life. Other mammals died during the trek, but there were some births that were celebrated among them. It was toward the end of the scroll that Zoe found what she'd been looking for.
"It was on the 23rd day of our trek in the mountains when a great cry rent the air from the front of the column, as we moved forward our hearts were gladdened, and our spirits lifted. For before us was paradise! Green hills and trees abounded; three rivers ran from the foothills before us to disappear to the South."
"Food and water are plentiful here and many were wroth with Ethred when he said that this was not Home, and we must head South."
"We have found home. We paused and thanked the gods for guiding us here. Ethred was given kingship and he spoke of the vision Lord Apollo had sent him of a large kingdom where all animals were equal. We are Home."
Zoe looked up at Emma and said in a low voice. "I need a map of the area around Zootopia, I know what to look for."
Zoe arrived home in high spirits and excitedly told her family what she had discovered. All were excited for her but for Gabriel.
"What's wrong Gabriel?" Zoe asked him, taking his paw and stroking the fur there.
"That means that you'll be leaving. The Chosen must find the 'Lost One's'."
"Baby, it doesn't mean that I have to leave right away. I'll need to speak with Chief Bogo and Mayor Lionheart at least. And I'm not ready to leave my family at the moment. Not to mention that I have finals coming up in a few weeks."
"And your birthday the week after." Judy and Abby sounded off, almost harmonizing.
oooOOOooo
Abby was sitting in the hospital temple crying. It was one dedicated to Apollo, but she needed the comfort. Her new schedule to start in the OB/Gyn ward wouldn't happen until next week and she was on the Emergency Room rotation for this month. It was just after midnight when a rabbit was rushed into the ER. Large bites had been taken out of the doe's entire body including her abdomen, her organs spilling out through the sterile dressings the paramedics had applied. One ear was missing, chewed off, and her face torn, a flap of skin all that remained.
The staff had worked feverishly to save the young doe's life, but the damage was too severe. It wasn't until after, when Abby was sadly walking out with the doctor, that she saw Willa pacing the floor in tears, that Abby realized that the doe they had been working on had been Frannie. Memories of the doe sped through Abby's mind and her heart sank even lower than it had been.
"Abby! Tell me she's okay! Please!" Willa's franticly cried.
Abby glanced at the doctor, who nodded. No words were needed at this point.
"Willa." Abby voice broke as she took the other doe's paw.
"No! NO! This can't be happening! W... We only went c... clubbing! We w... were going to a... an... another club and Frannie needed t... to pee a... and she went in... in an alley. S... she... she sc... screamed! And g... growls! I called 811 cuz I... I was...too sc... scared!" Willa sobbed.
Willa turned her tear-streaked face to Abby, both doe's ears flat, and wailed, "I let her die!"
Abby hugged her and stroked her back, trying to comfort the distraught bunny, Abby's tears mingling with Willa's. "No Willa, you called for aid. If you'd gone into the alley then you both could have died, and it may have been days before the two of you were found."
"Doctor Hornbeck?" Abby asked the Ibis, her voice rough. "Could you call my wives and husband? They're on my emergency contact card. Let them know what's happened please. Frannie was our sister."
Harry nodded. He never liked losing a patient, but to lose one that was so close to a mammal he respected always hit harder.
Officers McHorn and Fangmeyer arrived at the hospital and began taking Willa's statement. Feeling overwhelmed, Abby left and went to the hospital temple.
The Emergency Room at Zootopia General never slept, there were always mammals that had been hurt in one way or another showing up looking for medical care. Yet a silence descended upon a majority of the mammals present when the High Priestess of Melinoe in her full garb walked through the doors, her visage stony. Doctor Hornbeck greeted her nervously and explained what had happened and the efforts they'd put forth trying to save Frannie's life.
Beneath Zoe's stern facade her emotions seethed inside. Anger was too bland a term to describe how she felt, rage would be a better adjective, fury would be another. Yet her ire warred with grief. Zoe began blaming herself, wishing she'd been even more forceful when giving her sisters the warning about the Cannibal Killers, and now her sister was dead.
"Thank you for your efforts Doctor, my family appreciates your efforts. I would like to see my sister now please." Zoe intoned, her voice seemingly calm and level.
"Are you sure Priestess? The attack was rather vicious." Harry asked her, his concern showing through.
"I've seen the remains of others while working with the ZPD Doctor."
Harry began to feel a chill in the air, expecting his breath to fog over at any moment. He quickly nodded and led Zoe to the room where her sister's remains lay beneath a sheet and left. Zoe walked into the room and stood on the opposite side of the bed from Frannie's ghost.
You warned us Zoe.
"I should have tried harder to make you aware of how dangerous it was here." Zoe said sadly, allowing some of her grief to show through.
We knew, but we were a little drunk and wanted to have some fun before finally heading back to Zootopia.
"I thought you already had after Gabriel had moved in. I'm sorry I didn't keep better track of what was going on with you and Willa."
Not your fault sis. Willa and I wanted to enjoy more of the Zootopian life before heading back to Bunnyburrow. Tri-burrows seemed so boring after being here.
"Still, I feel like I should have been able to do better."
Now cut that out! Stop blaming yourself for what happened. If it's anyone's fault it's mine! I'm the one that insisted we go out tonight, Willa was ready to go home. Hah! I never got to tell off a High Priestess before!
Frannie grinned and then looked up. Zoe turned to see Nick and Judy standing in the door.
Judy and Nick showed up, still in uniform, and pulled the shattered doe into a three-way hug. All of them crying at their loss. Nick and Judy felt the anger of losing a family member, and the helplessness that they hadn't been able to discover any more leads to the mastermind behind the attacks. As they approached the room where Frannie was, they heard Zoe's voice. Listening in, they could tell she was having a conversation with someone only she could hear and knew that the spirit of their sister lingered within. Nick and Judy both gasped when Zoe turned to look at them.
Zoe's eyes had been colorless for as long as they'd known her, but now they seemed to shine with an inner light that sent chills down their spines.
God's Nick is so sexy! I tried to take a fox home one night, but he said he only went out with vixens. Let them know that I love them as well as everyone back home. And I love you Zoe, you were my idol, y'know?
"I didn't know Frannie, and I love you too. I'll tell everyone that you love them, and I know that they're going to miss you, as will I. Before you go, can you tell me anything about your attacker?"
It was an ocelot with glowing blue eyes, really weirded me out ya know? Well, before all the pain and screaming. Do me a favor? Pa's prepared the Northeastern bean field for planting in the Spring, would you scatter my ashes there? I'd like to think that I can give life in some way.
"I'll let Pa know sis. If you're ready, I'll send you through the veil and let you begin your journey. Until we see each other again Frannie."
Will it hurt?
"Not even a little bit."
"We love you Frannie!" Judy said, wanting her sister to hear it one last time.
Zoe walked around to Frannie and laid her hand on her sister's shoulder. Looking into Frannie's eyes, Zoe intoned "Frannie Hopps, though your life was cut short, know that the gods look favorably upon you, and I pray that they will grant you another turn on the Great Wheel of Life. With my Lady Melinoe's blessing, may your spirit rest until then."
Frannie's smile grew into a grin as she began to fade. With a last It's beautiful! she was gone. Only then did Zoe allow herself to break down and cry, Nick and Judy's efforts to console her taking a while to break through her grief. Looking up at Nick, her tear-streaked face at odds with the now determined look she was showing, she said.
"I need you to take me to the site of the attack, but I need to find Abby first."
Both her husband and wife agreed.
They found Abby still crying in the little temple. When Zoe sat down beside her, throwing her arm over Abby's shoulders and pulling her in close to her side, Abby looked at Zoe with such an expression of sadness that it pulled at Zoe's heart again. Abby drove her face into the crook of Zoe's neck and wailed. Nick and Judy sat down on Abby's other side, everyone trying to comfort each other.
"Z! I didn't even recognize it was Frannie! She was so torn up! I didn't know until I saw Willa in the waiting room! I didn't know it was her!" Abby wailed.
"I know it hurts Love; it hurts us all. But trust me, she's in a wonderful place right now, waiting her turn back on The Great Wheel. She wanted me to give everyone her love and said that she wanted to have her ashes scattered where Pa had prepared the Northeast bean field for planting. She said she liked to think she'd be giving life to something."
They all sat quietly for a time when Doctor Hornbeck quietly came in and stood in front of them. Zoe turned her gaze to the doctor, and he spoke quietly.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude on your grief, but I talked to the Charge Nurse and Abby can go home early today. She's on bereavement leave until she's ready to come back. Again, I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you Doctor, my family appreciates everything that you've done. May the gods bless you."
"Thank you Priestess." Harry bowed and then left, leaving them to cope.
"Love, let's get you home and then Nick and Judy are taking me to where Frannie was attacked."
Abby nodded numbly and allowed herself to be led out of the hospital. Mammals in their way ensured they gave a respectful distance to the formidable quartet. One nurse and Acolyte of Eileithyia, two ZPD officers, and a High Priestess of Melinoe was not a group to take lightly.
Nick, Judy, and Zoe all kissed Abby bye. They watched as Gabriel scooped Abby up and sat her in his lap as he snuggled with her, helping her cope with her sister's loss. All three other mammals kissed him bye as well before leaving to visit the site of the attack.
The club that their sisters had been at was near the Inari district. The exact spot wasn't hard to miss as there were still police cruisers with their lights flashing at the entrance to the alley. Most of the streetlights were out so the only source of nearby illumination were the flashing lights themselves. Standing just behind the yellow police tape that was keeping the spectators out, as well as a few reporters, was Officer Grizzoli, his large size keeping anyone from attempting to cross without permission.
Nearby was a young black bear in a cadet's uniform and a Priestess of Athena as well as a Priestess of Artemis. Both bowed to Zoe as she approached, and she nodded her head in respect. "Priestess, Nick, Judy." Grizzoli greeted the trio.
"Greg. The High Priestess wants to see the scene of the crime."
"Of course. Did the young doe make it?" He asked.
"No." Zoe replied tonelessly.
Zoe could see bright lights illuminating the site of the attack. Frannie seemed to have squatted behind a garbage can, now on its side and its contents scattered, to pee when she was attacked. Walking under the tape that Greg lifted for her, she approached but remained out of the way as the CSI team did their jobs. One of the techs, a female prairie dog, saw her and approached, a plastic evidence bag in paw.
"Priestess, this piece of cloth was found near where the doe had been attacked and it doesn't seem to be hers. Could you see if there's anything you can tell us about it?"
"I spoke to the spirit, and she said that it was an ocelot, but I'll see what I can read off of it." Zoe took the scrap and held it in her palm, closing her eyes she merged her spirit with the fragment of cloth. Snippets of the attack flashed before Zoe's eyes, seeing her sister being partially eaten before being scared off by the approaching sirens.
Other scenes showed the Ocelot, a female, as she attended classes at college. Zoe felt her fear when she'd been kidnapped as well as the agony she'd been subjected to as drugs were administered by a very large mammal that always seemed to be in darkness. Zoe heard the words of the mammal as they repeated over and over. "The master is all, by the master's will you live, by the master's will you die, the master is all. The master says 'kill'; the master says 'eat'. You will wait in the alley by Club Horizons and take the first mammal you can without being seen. The master is all, the master says 'kill', the master says 'EAT'!" The voice was definitely a male.
Chandra was happy being a CSI agent, helping to solve crimes, especially homicides. And here she had the chance to meet Zoe Hopps, High Priestess of Melinoe. The entire city had seen that famous mark appear when she had been inducted as the High Priestess. She felt so excited to be able to talk to such an important mammal that she didn't notice the chill that had begun, but soon she couldn't stand close to Zoe. When her breath began fogging, Chandra started backing away from Zoe, the apparent source of the cold.
As soon as the High Priestesses eyes opened, the chill disappeared as if it had never been. Zoe opened her eyes to see that the CSI tech had moved away from her and wondered what had happened. She handed the piece back to her and began speaking.
"The ocelot was female. She was taking business classes at Zootopia University when she was kidnapped, tortured, drugged, and brainwashed. The drugs were administered by a large mammal of some sort."
"Thank you Priestess, your help is much appreciated!"
"You are welcome, thank you for your dedication Chandra."
It wasn't until later that Chandra realized that she'd never told the Priestess her name and that the name tag on her work coveralls only read 'C. Marmota'.
oooOOOooo
Abby tried to lose herself in the feeling of Gabriel's arms. The way his fur brushed up against hers whenever one of them moved. His musky scent, much stronger than Nicks, but just as heady and making her senses reel. His warmth as he held her close and the sound of his heartbeat. Her eyes closed as she tried to concentrate on the things, she could physically feel rather than her emotions. But soon exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep.
Gabriel held Abby close to him, it comforting him as well. He had barely known Frannie, had only met her when he moved in to take over watching the kits. Both doe's excited to spend a few months in Zootopia before going back to 'the old, boring, grind'. Now she was dead, killed by the Cannibal Killers. And while he felt bad for the doe, he felt worse for what it was doing to his future family.
When he noticed that Abby's breathing had evened out, he put her in bed and watched her for a few minutes. Abby was such a caring soul, devoting herself to taking care of others, and in a few years, she would be Doctor Hopps, and a Priestess of Eileithyia. And she was beautiful as well, her albinism wasn't a handicap so much as it made her exotic. She was still an incredibly sexy bunny and he loved her. He loved them all. He'd happily join them in their marriage as soon as he was asked, he was finally ready.
When the three mammals arrived home, all in a somber mood, Gabriel hugged each of them, letting them know how sorry he felt.
"Thank you Love. Now, I'm going to call Mayor Lionheart and arrange a meeting with him and Chief Bogo in the morning."
She looked at the clock on the wall which read 4:27 and she wondered where all the time had gone. "Make that in the afternoon. Gabriel, we'd like you to join us in bed tonight, I think we all need some snuggle time."
"But the babies." Gabriel protested.
"We'll leave the doors open. We rabbits have exceptional hearing, if one wakes up, we'll hear them."
Gabriel nodded but insisted checking them one more time before joining his future mates in bed. When he entered, the rest began removing all of their clothing and crawling into bed. When he hesitated, Nick informed him that they never wore clothing to bed, needing the closeness of fur-to-fur contact. Bowing to the inevitable, Gabriel stripped out of his clothes and joined them, admitting that he loved the feeling as well.
A/N: Well, tragedy struck. Zoe wasn't happy about the Cannibal Killers attacks to begin with, but now it's personal. Now, whoever the mastermind is, has to contend with a very pissed off High Priestess of Melinoe, Oracle of Apollo, and Chosen of the gods. Yet, she's also found where she needs to go as well so, silver lining.
Speaks With Spirits