A man is known by the company he keeps.
The King of Cats
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 here and there. 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.
"Hi," 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 are everywhere, they can acquire a lot of information that can be valuable - all these threads coming 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."
"Speaking of the kitten, I heard he was hiding in a different place every day," he began, his usual easy smile widening into a grin, "But lately there's no sign of him."
"He's staying with me," I replied to the unspoken question.
He nodded. "I will add this: 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," said the king of cats thoughtfully, "Every time I've asked him to join my famiglia, he's refused. He was a stray cat until now."
I didn't show it, but I was surprised. Who would be so foolish as to turn down an opportunity to get among the elites of cat society? At the same time, I knew that Leo only offered the opportunity to the best of the best.
"Stray cats are really not rare these days," I shrugged.
"But not at his age," Leo added.
We were silent for a moment, then the leader spoke again.
"He's not someone who would bow down to just anyone," he said, "yet he chose you."
I pursed my lips and he grunted.
"I know you don't like my kind in principle... 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 tells me as much as he thinks is right.
"Indeed, he is an exception," I said, finally agreeing, which surprised him, "He has irrevocably become part of my famiglia."
"Did you accept him?" he blinked a few times in disbelief.
I shrugged. "Not many people know it, but he played a key role in my battle against the Fifth."
Leo's eyes sparked with understanding. "Not only did he choose you, but so did you."
"The truth is, I came to take care of a few things for him," I admitted.
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 definitely attend the meeting. After that 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.