A man is known by the company he keeps.
I entered one of the busiest restaurants in town, which was always full of customers. The waiters all looked at me with a glance, only to serve customers the next moment with graceful gestures and gracious kindness. After that, I was no longer worthy of attention.
I hurried to the door marked 'Staff only' and slipped noiselessly in. I came to a connecting room that looked more like a living room. A sofa with a few cushions and bean bags scattered around.
Around the butter-coloured sofa rested many different kinds of cats. Some watched me with curious glances, others rested undisturbed or tried to move about a bit, and some turned on their backs and rolled around playfully.
"Hello," I said, lest I should be accused of being rude.
The panther on the sofa made a nodding gesture and I moved on, accompanied by the curious eyes. It's hard to accept the fact that these curious-playful creatures have the mind of a human.
Some shapeshifters prefer this form and stick close to humans. Some do the same for information. In any case, cat society is more cohesive than most people imagine. Sometimes when they learn something interesting, they come here in the hope of gaining privileges or recognition for the information.
Because cats were everywhere, they could acquire a lot of information that could be valuable—all these threads came together in the hands of one person.
From this room designed for cats, three more doors opened—I chose the middle one without thinking. Entering, I found myself in a neat little office. My eyes were almost drawn to the vertical pupil of the shining eyes that belonged to the king of cats.
Leo had a predatory grin on his lips. I grinned back. We sized each other up for a moment, gauging each other's strength as if we were meeting for the first time. Then, with a graceful gesture, Leo stood up, stepped away from his desk and held out his hand. I accepted the right hand offered.
"It's been a long time since we last met," he remarked, but there was no resentment in his voice, just playful teasing.
I nodded.
"I can guess why you've come," he said, "I've heard interesting rumours that someone has taken the thief under their protection, so the hunters are no longer pursuing him. I know of only one person among the hunters who would do such a thing for a shifter..."
"I am no longer a hunter," I corrected him.
"No," he corrected, "But you still have some very good contacts among them."
He paused, a mischievous gleam in his eyes as he shifted the subject. "Speaking of the kitten, I heard he was hiding in a different spot every day," he said, his easy smile spreading into a playful grin. "But lately, there's been no sign of him."
"He's staying with me," I answered, cutting through the unspoken question.
He nodded. "My messengers reported that a black kitten was regularly seen in Somogy."
I hummed. Leo seemed a little disappointed that he hadn't been able to surprise me, but he continued unperturbed.
"He's special, Shay," the king of cats said thoughtfully, his gaze distant. "Every time I've asked him to join my famiglia, he's refused. Until now, he's been a stray."
I kept my face neutral, but inside, I was taken aback. Who in their right mind would turn down the chance to join the elite ranks of cat society? But then again, I knew Leo only extended that offer to those he deemed worthy—truly exceptional individuals.
"Stray cats aren't exactly rare these days," I shrugged.
"But not at his age," Leo added, his tone thoughtful.
We fell into silence for a moment, the weight of his words lingering, before he spoke again.
"He's not someone who bows to just anyone," Leo said, his gaze intense. "Yet, he chose you."
I pursed my lips, feeling the truth of it, and Leo grunted, clearly amused.
"I know you don't exactly have the highest opinion of my kind," he continued, "but he's an exception, isn't he?"
I grimaced as he playfully poked me in the shoulder. I knew I couldn't get any more out of Leo—he only ever told me as much as he thought was right.
"Indeed, he is an exception," I said, finally relenting, surprising Leo with my agreement. "He has irrevocably become part of my famiglia."
"You accepted him?" Leo blinked, genuinely taken aback.
I shrugged. "Not many people know it, but he played a key role in my battle against the Fifth."
Leo's eyes lit up with understanding. "Not only did he choose you... but you chose him."
"The truth is," I admitted, my voice softer, "I came here to take care of a few things for him."
The king of cats had a satisfied smile on his lips, but somehow even this friendly gesture radiated power.
"You must make him an adult," I declared.
It wasn't a request at all, and it didn't escape Leo's notice—but he didn't seem annoyed by it, more curious than anything.
"Why?"
"He needs his inheritance," I said. "Until you make him an adult, he can't have it."
"Are you staying for lunch?" he asked, and I knew then that I was in for a tough battle.
I sighed deeply and simply shrugged. He took that as a yes, as he politely invited me to a secluded part of the restaurant.
The leopard on the couch looked up.
"Sera, would you like to join us?" asked Leo.
Although his voice sounded inquiring, I could hear the obvious command. The big cat stretched and then, as if it were nothing, took human form in an instant.
For a moment I ran my gaze over the woman's shapely form, and then she wrapped the material she had left on the edge of the sofa around herself. The dark blue bathrobe highlighted her fair skin and curved suggestively in places.
Leo merely grinned and shook his head.
The lunch was quite quiet. The woman stood behind Leo's chair the whole time, watching me with a piercing gaze.
Then, when Leo finished and quietly put down his fork, he put on the face he usually showed the world—the formidable businessman was on the scene.
"So, you want me to make him an adult," he declared, "But it won't be easy. One of our centuries-old traditions is to perform the initiation on cats who have reached the age of seventeen."
"I know exactly what I'm asking you to do," I nodded.
"Then I guess you also understand that even with my support, you'll have a hard time," he said.
Another nod. He sighed.
"Sera will visit you tomorrow and check on the kitten's condition," he announced.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.
"It's part of the official procedure," he explained, "And, as he's not part of an ordinary famiglia, it's also necessary to convince the council members."
I nodded.
"After that, the council will meet and discuss the matter," he explained further, "You and the kid will attend the meeting. You will have to convince the Council to listen to you. Once you have done that, you can present your claim."
He said that like it was so easy...
"All right," I nodded finally and stood up.
"Thank you for the food," I added, and he just nodded.
"Shaytan," he began before I left. "Most people don't like the kid. It will be a tough fight."
"I can imagine." I grinned defiantly, and he merely sighed and smiled.
After I left the restaurant I called Simon. He wasn't too enthusiastic, though. When I asked what was wrong he seemed hesitant first.
"I feel like I'm starving," he sighed.
"You don't even need to eat," I replied.
He sighed again. His transparent form seemed more transparent than usual.
"Do you need a bit of energy?" I asked.
He shook his head. "It's not the time to weaken you."
"If you feel weaker, tell me," I ordered and took his hand.
He wanted to take back his hand but I put more pressure into my touch. "This much is okay."
After just a quick touch he seemed more solid.
"Okay, now that you're more energized, it's time for work," I smiled. "Follow Leo and report any unusual action."
Simon seemed a bit surprised. "Why? He seemed to be rather cooperative."
"Yes, he seemed," I agreed but not really. "He doesn't want me to have the kid, though. I'm sure he did not tell me everything."
Simon merely nodded and disappeared.
When I got home, Livius was no longer in our house. Alex shrugged and told me that after tea the tiny mage had left in the hope of finding more regalia. Rolo's anxious look almost burned holes in me. Then he finally uttered.
"How did it go?"
I shrugged. "I won Leo for us, but we still need to negotiate."
Rolo's eyes widened.
"How do you know him?" he asked.
"Informants inevitably meet sometimes," I said, then sighed, "Can someone make me a cocoa?"
Alex smiled indulgently and walked over to the cupboard.