Time to unmask my inner cat...

End of September howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

This week, it's all about celebrating the season of the witch, and enjoying the bewitchment of Halloween. To that end, I'll be writing a series of flash scenes which will lead up to the Halloween Blog Hop ~ October 27-31.

To set up today's short flash scene, here's a small excerpt from HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS , my ShapeShifter Seductions novel.

~~~

From Chapter Sixty-six:

"No worries, gentlemen." Pasha slinked closer to White Fang, resting her hip against him. "Ziva has Nick by the collar, and she's whispering naughty promises in his ear." She spoke in her slow sultry voice, the one that always riled Zance to hot and ready.

But no more. That was reserved for Sherilyn.

"You're surely right, Ms. Pasha." Zance gave her a wink. "Nick is followin' Ziva, and lookin' like a stud on a short leash."

"Like I was telling Zance, rumor is..." Mayor Linc began.

"Tell you what, fellas, Ms. Pasha," Zance interrupted. "I'm itchy as a flea-bitten mutt to get back to my mate. Mayor, me and Dontoya will back you up. White Fang, ole buddy, we'll be attendin' the get-ready meetings like always."

"Congratulations to you and Dontoya on being mated," White Fang offered, his tone genuine.

"Yes, congratulations, and blessed be your union." Pasha glowed, and with his psi-eyes, Zance observed her golden essence whirl, then surround him.
He gave her a slight nod of thanks.

"Your mate, she is Ubarion, is she not?" Pasha smiled, the Egyptian cat goddess who captured any canary she wanted.

Zance answered with a lopsided grin. Figuring the Ubarion cat was now out the bag anyway, and a cat goddess would know the truth, he drawled, "Close enough, Ms. Pasha. But we're keeping it under our hats."

"Of course," Pasha met his gaze squarely, and Zance witnessed the strength of her sacred force. "I will not speak of it. However, if your mate would care to know more about her heritage, I will happily speak with her."

~~~

Time to unmask my inner cat...

"Time to unmask my inner cat," Sherilyn whispered to herself, as she sauntered inside the Cotillion Costumery, a large shop inside the Pleasure Club. The salon like setting -- done in pale shades of peach, rose, and ivory, with accents of antique gold -- had been designed specifically for those planning to attend the UnMasked Beast Ball.

"Welcome," a gorgeous woman who resembled the actress, Halle Berry, greeted. Dressed in an exquisite Louis XV-inspired gown -- the color was graduated tones of icy blue to ephemeral aquamarine -- the petite woman positively shimmered. Her face naturally shone beyond the cosmetics she'd used, and her dark, blue-tinged eyes sparkled like moonstruck water.  "I am Latherese. What is your pleasure today, madam?"

Enchanted by Latherese, and her surroundings, Sherilyn smiled, and entered the fantasy. "I wish to appease my inner feline."

"Yes, of course, madam, the room you seek is to the right. Shall I assist you? Or would you prefer–"

"Why don't you allow me to assist the lady, Latherese?"

Sherilyn spun around at the accented voice, and met Pasha's cat-smug face. The Egyptian goddess feline-shifter lifted her lips in a lazy smile. "White Fang is meeting with Dante as are your two mates. The protection of Talbot's Peak is paramount, of course. However, what a perfect time to select our costumes, don't you think?"

"Yes, purrr-fect," Sherilyn emphasized. Later she'd 'convince' Zance and Dontoya to spill everything. Double entendre meant, she thought.

Pasha's subtle nod, her brilliantly flaring eyes, then the toss of her flaming red hair, let Sherilyn know the goddess-cat had easily tuned into her musing. Mutually they moved together, strolling toward the costume room indicated by Latherese.

"Ladies," another beautifully gowned woman spoke once they'd entered, "if you would care for refreshments, there is a selection of wines and cordials. And a table of petit fours, we hope is to your taste."

"Thank you, Brigelle," Sherilyn smiled, recognizing the young woman from various dance classes they'd taken together at the Pleasure Club. "Dante never fails to impress."

"Wait until you see the barely-there beast costumes. Then the gowns. Oh, and if you don't find a gown to your total liking, one of our costumers will make it for you." Brigelle literally shook with delight. "I'm having one designed now."

"Pasha, have you met Brigelle?" Sherilyn remembered her manners.

"I believe we enjoyed the same pole-dancing class, did we not?" At Brigelle's somewhat shy nod, Pasha continued, "As I recall you were the most sensually limber of us all."

Brigelle, a Siamese cat shifter, blushed at the praise, and Sherilyn understood why. Pasha's mere presence could be intimidating, given the granddaughter of Bast could control the force of the cosmos itself.

Having gained more of her latent, supernatural powers since Zance had saved her life, Sherilyn knew she could hold her own... well, enough to feel comfortable in getting to know Pasha better. They'd spoken on several occasions, mostly at the various entertainment events Dante, and his ever-growing staff, put on.

However, there was one question Sherilyn hadn't asked Pasha yet -- one that haunted her every single day, one she kept closeted in the background. True, the time had never seemed quite right. Also true, the emotional difficulty of adjusting to some of her paranormal abilities had caused Sherilyn to keep counsel with only herself, and her two mates. .

But, was now the time? She'd searched for more information about her Ubarion heritage. All to no avail.

"Pole dancing," Sherilyn repeated, her gaze on Brigelle. "I will definitely be joining that class."

"I'm teaching one that begins in November," Brigelle offered. "I'll give you the details later." She spoke quickly. "Right now, ladies, I'm keeping you from choosing your costumes."

Anticipation zinged through Sherilyn as she and Pasha moved inward. Big cat and domestic-breed costumes surrounded them. Even fantasy felines had been included, one being a purple lioness.

Pausing in their steps, she and Pasha took their time eyeing the scanty, naughty yet elegant costumes. Decorated with lace frills and satin ribbon, some of them had obviously been erotically themed around the Louie XV era.

"Wow," Sherilyn murmured.

"Double wow," Pasha languidly purred.

TO BE CONTINUED....

~~~~~~


Wishing you love and passion on the wild side ...

Savanna 

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance