Bloodline: Godseed (Pt. III)

The subject of her scorn was clueless. They were walking together at the edge of Djal’s field, idly plucking unripe heads off the yellowing wheat. Sebi had been showing off a bit, picking up a large rock and throwing it as far as he could. His skill at throwing was good… but his skill with impressing the ladies left something to be desired.

“I can also win a butting contest with a goat, Irisi! You should see me!”

Irisi didn’t want to.

“This one time, I was having a butting contest and got hit in the head so hard by our he-goat that I saw visions. But I didn’t fall over. And I grabbed his beard and bit him on the leg and he ran off.”

Irisi didn’t care.

“Dad beat me that night, ‘cause he said I shouldn’t be biting his good animals. But the goat started it. I was just in there next to him, you know, rearing up and stamping the ground at him.”

Irisi wished Sebi would shut his mouth.

“We were gonna castrate him but he’s too perfect a he-goat, so Dad’s gonna make him the sacrifice. That’s why he was mad. Doesn’t want any marks.”

Irisi didn’t really know anything about castration but wished it on Sebi.

The two of them had played together since they were little. Yet as Irisi had gotten older, her intellect had passed that of her playmate – and now, at age thirteen, she was significantly smarter than Sebi and found his company rather tedious.

Besides, today she was wearing her very first wig and he hadn’t even mentioned it.

Unpardonable!

Mom said she was a woman now – and soon she probably shouldn’t be playing with Sebi at all. Everyone told horror stories about boys, of course – and most of them were surely true – but Irisi wasn’t worried.

As they walked she was lost in her thoughts. After a few moments, she realized Sebi was no longer chattering or showing off. She felt a tingle up her spine as she turned and saw the look on his face. He was frozen in the path a few yards behind her, staring into the scrub. Following his gaze, she saw its focus.

A lion!?!

It was a female, crouched amidst the brush. As they both stared in terror – another one appeared in the path ahead! A massive male, mane wild, eyes fierce. It roared horrifyingly, shaking the ground beneath them. Sebi found his voice, screamed and turned his back on both the lions, hauling off in a run as fast as his legs would carry him. In a snap, the female took chase – and was quickly joined by another on the other side!

Time slowed down as a strange new sensation swept through Irisi’s body. A thrill of adrenaline and a surge of some god-power! Her arms and legs felt different… stronger. Her lips curled back over powerful jaws. And her clothing was suddenly awkward on her newly furry and muscled form.

Before she knew what happened, she had caught up to the lionesses just as they reached Sebi. One bit into his leg as Irisi tore at its back, trying to find purchase. The other batted at her, cutting a gash in her arm. She bit off its paw with a snap, causing it to half-limp and half-run to cover... then she sunk her fangs into the throat of the other female. The gush of blood startled and delighted her.

Sebi lay on the ground, and as she guzzled the red liquor from the neck of the now-still lioness, she realized with puzzlement that he was screaming at the top of his lungs.

At her.

His leg was bloody but likely savable, she thought. She’d have to carry him back home. Somehow, becoming whatever she’d become didn’t feel strange. It felt… right. She licked her lips and waved to Sebi. He fainted.

With interest, Irisi looked at her limbs. Long hairy limbs, sinewed and powerful. Claws like acacia thorns. Somehow, she still felt feminine – but the power was incredible! Marvelous! Intoxicating!

She went over to Sebi and picked him up easily. What had happened to her? Who knew – but she bet she could now out-chuck him in a rock-throwing contest!

She heard a little whimper behind her. A scrap dog was inspecting the dead lioness and looking at her expectantly.

“Go ahead – eat it!”

The dog stood still, waiting. She realized it was observing some sort of protocol. With sudden insight, she gently set down Sebi’s limp form and went back to the carcass. As the dog watched, she took a large bite, chewed, swallowed, rubbed her stomach as if full, then repeated “Go ahead… eat!” (She had to admit – it WAS delicious, but there was no time now!) Picking up Sebi, she saw that the dog was now eating.

Funny, that. Like when they got around her in a circle that day…

As she got closer to home, Sebi suddenly woke and realized he was being carried. This time he seemed to have his wits about him a bit more. At least he wasn't screaming. He cocked his head around and looked in her eyes, puzzled, half-scared, and as stupid as always.

“Irisi?”

She grinned broadly… and one look at her fangs put him back under.