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Chapter 16: Restitution

Jason and Ellie were out of bed in time to say goodbye to Eli and Evelyn before they

went to work the next morning. They had breakfast, packed a few things in a single bag, and

started the drive to Prairie Meadows in Jason's dark blue sedan. The drive was fortunately

uneventful. Ellie drove the first half and Jason the second. No one bothered them any of the

times they stopped to refuel, grab lunch, or use the restroom. They arrived at the Prairie

Meadows Motel Deluxe nine hours later.

"Maybe I should go in and book our room alone," Jason suggested after he parked in the

hotel parking area.

Ellie cocked a long ear at him questioningly, "Why?"

"Er, I just thought it would be safer. We're probably less recognizable single than as a

couple."

"We haven't had a problem so far," Ellie pointed out. She frowned, "You're not

embarrassed to book a room with me, are you?"

"N-no! It's just because we'll be here longer. There's more time for someone to figure out

who we are and call the police."

"I suppose that makes sense," Ellie conceded. "Alright. I'll wait until you get back."

"I'll have to give them my name. Maybe you should wait with the car running in case we

need to make a speedy getaway."

Ellie rolled her eyes, "Now you're being paranoid. Assuming they are looking for us, how

many Jason Browns do you think there are? Just don't introduce yourself as Private Inspector

Brown."

"I guess. I'm still leaving the car running." He climbed out and, trying to appear

nonchalant, sauntered into the hotel and up to the front desk.

An orange-winged amazon parrot greeted him. The bright green bird wore an open black

vest with extra wide holes for his wings. "How can I help you, Sir?" the parrot squawked.

"I need to book a room for two," Jason told him.

"How big is your second?" the bird inquired.

"Er, smaller," Jason answered.

The parrot cocked his head to the side, "How much smaller?"

Embarrassedly, Jason held his hand at his shoulder.

Seeming satisfied, the bird glanced back at his desktop monitor. "Will you want separate

beds?"

"N-no, one bed is fine."

"A feline queen?"

Jason blushed, "Er, well, uh, she's um,"

"The bed size, Sir," the parrot clarified patiently.

"Er, right, that's fine," Jason confirmed hurriedly.

"I just need to scan your paw."

Jason held out his left hand, and the parrot scanned him. The bird glanced at the screen,

nodded, and turned back to Jason. "Your room is number 538." He slid a key card across the

counter, "Have a good evening, Mister Brown."

"Th-thanks, you too."

Jason hastened back out to the car.

Ellie looked at him worriedly as he opened the door, "Is something wrong?"

"Er, no, everything's set. We're in room 538."

"Relax, kitty," Ellie chided. "I told you it would be fine."

Jason grabbed their bag out of the trunk while Ellie got out, and then they headed inside.

"Stay behind me," Jason murmured as they approached the door.

Ellie sighed exasperatedly, but she complied, walking behind him until they were inside

the elevator. "Remember the last time we booked a room together?" she teased.

Jason felt his ears getting hot, "Yes," he murmured.

Ellie grinned. "After everything, you're still so bashful, Jason. If you're being coy to make

me want you more," her grin widened to show her large incisors. "It's working."

Jason's heart thumped in his chest as his blush intensified. If his seeming coy was what

aroused Ellie, her brashness both aroused and flustered him. He wanted to pick her up and

nuzzle her head, and at the same time, he wanted her to take him, to shove him against the wall

or onto the bed and have her way with him.

They reached the fifth floor, and Jason stepped out of the elevator first. He followed the

signs to their room and swiped the key card to enter. Gingerly setting their gray canvas bag on

the dresser by the tv, he crouched by the end of the bed and pulled up the sheets to check the

mattress for bed bugs. He then ran his claws through the carpet, looking for fleas or any other

parasites. Not seeing anything, he stood, yanked the top blanket off of the bed and tossed it in

the corner of the room.

"I'm guessing you don't really like to stay at hotels," Ellie commented.

He glanced at her, "I just don't want fleas, and they don't wash the bedspread."

"I know. I just figured you were gross enough not to care," Ellie answered lightly.

Jason started to protest, "Just because I don't-"

"I'm joking, you doof," Ellie teased. "What did you want for dinner?"

Jason shrugged, "I don't know. I thought one of us should pick something up and bring it

back here."

Ellie frowned, "If you think that's necessary. If we're bringing it back, maybe we should

get pizza."

"Do they make cheese you can eat?" Jason asked curiously.

"They do, but I get it without. I suppose we'll each have to get our own or the grease

from your side would get on mine. If you want to order two small ones, I'll have mine with

artichokes, spinach, and tomato sauce."

The hotel had provided a booklet with some local restaurants. Jason looked up a pizza

joint and ordered their pizzas. It turned out they had a special high-fiber crust for fermenters,

which they added to Ellie's order. He got his with anchovies and pepperoni. He remembered to

order Ellie's without cheese. Ellie insisted on picking the pizza up since he'd paid for the room.

Jason didn't want to let her go alone, but she reminded him that they'd be more recognizable

together and went on her own. To Jason's relief, she returned with their pizza without any issue.

After they had finished eating as much as they wanted--there was plenty of pizza

leftover--Ellie took Jason's tail and tugged him toward the bathroom. "Come on, kitty. I think

you're overdue on your shower."

Reluctantly, Jason allowed her to lead him into the small bathroom. She adjusted the

water then pushed him through the sliding glass door into the walk-in shower. The offensive

steamy water sprayed down on him, and Jason winced. Once his fur was thoroughly soaked,

Ellie stepped in front to wet down her own fur. She grabbed the bottle of shampoo provided by

the hotel and poured a liberal portion into her hand before smearing the slimy liquid down his

front. Jason stood obediently as Ellie cheerfully lathered him up. Upon reaching the tip of his

tail, she stepped up against him with her wet chest pressing against his soapy back and

reached a hand betwixt his legs, her soapy fingers gently fondling his genitals. Jason had been

anticipating her advance; even through the minty scent of the shampoo and the pouring water,

he could smell the sharp scent of her arousal. His heart beat faster at the electrifying sensations

of her intimate touch.

"I want you, Jason," she breathed. "Rinse off quick, and then you're mine."

Jason stood under the streams and ran his fingers through his fur trying to coax the

shampoo out as quickly as possible whilst Ellie stood behind the arc of the streams and

watched him hungrily. When he was done, she stepped toward him, placed her hands on his

belly, and walked him backward until he collided with the tiles of the far wall. Jason's heart

pounded as he looked down into her smoldering brown eyes; they were practically glowing like

embers with the intensity of her ravenous gaze. Her hand slipped down his soaked belly and

wrapped around his erect penis.

She grinned toothily, "I knew this is what you wanted, kitty," she breathed. "Pick me up

and fuck me."

His body tingling with anticipation and his senses heightened so that the shower

sounded like a torrential downpour, Jason reached his hands under Ellie's arms and lifted her

rear over his spiny phallus. As he lifted her, Ellie drew up and splayed her legs such that one

long foot was brushing over either side of Jason's hips. He lowered her down, and Ellie guided

his penis with one hand, the other holding his shoulder. She let out a moan of elation as it slowly

slid inside her, her vaginal walls gripping him tightly. Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Good kitty," she gasped. "Now fuck me; I'll tell you if it's too much."

Jason slowly lifted her up then eased her back down.

"Faster," Ellie demanded.

Jason lifted her up and down again.

"Faster!"

Jason lifted and pulled his hips back and thrust forward as he lowered her back down.

"Gah!" Ellie gasped. "That's it! Fuck me! Don't hold back!"

Jason complied lifting and thrusting as Ellie gasped and moaned until his arms were

burning and he could barely catch his breath. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer, and he

came inside her hot vagina, his piping hot fluids mixing with hers. Jason gasped in ecstasy while

Ellie gave a little cry of euphoria. Swamped by orgasmic pleasure, Jason didn't have the focus

to keep lifting Ellie, so he hugged her tightly to his chest. When his euphoric high had finally

subsided, he looked down into the rabbit's adoring eyes.

She beamed at him lovingly, "I love you, Jason," she breathed. "I'm glad you're mine."

Jason smiled back, "I love you too, Ellie. If I couldn't be yours, I wouldn't know what to

do." He lifted her off of his relaxing peins and set her on the white tiles in front of him.

Ellie watched interestedly as the pink member retreated back inside him, which made

Jason a little embarrassed. As it disappeared, she poked a clawed finger into the hole after it,

causing him to jolt up straight.

"Ellie!" he yelped in surprise.

She pulled back her finger and looked up at him curiously, "What? You were just inside

me."

Jason's cheeks and ears lit on fire with embarrassment. He couldn't think of a response.

"I'm going to get washed now," Ellie stated matter-of-factly. "You can wash again or lick

yourself or whatever."

Jason didn't want to get soaked again. He'd partially dried while they'd had sex. He sat

down at the far end of the shower, pulled his right leg behind his head, and bent down to lick

himself clean. Meanwhile, Ellie stepped back under the shower then shampooed and rinsed

herself. Finally, she shut the shower off, and Jason was able to exit the dripping chamber. They

wiped themselves with the white hotel towels then used the blow dryer to finish each other up.

They both looked ridiculous by the end with their fur fluffed out in odd directions. Jason felt the

urge to lick it down, but Ellie wrapped her arms around his middle and pressed her nose against

his chest, breathing deeply.

"Mmm, my sweet kitty, and now you smell sweet too," she murmured.

"You don't normally complain," Jason remarked, a bit petulantly.

Ellie looked up at him with a smirk, "You always smell nice. Now you smell better."

Jason didn't think taking a shower was worth it to smell better than nice, but he couldn't

really be annoyed. Ellie was happy, and that made him happy. For that, taking a shower was

more than worth it, infinitely more. Jason would live in a swimming pool if that were the only way

Ellie could be happy. Fortunately, she's a rabbit and not an otter. Jason stroked her back,

smoothing her fluffed up fur. He loved her just the way she was even if she tormented him

sometimes. Or maybe because of that, a little voice suggested in his head. Jason placed his

other hand on Ellie's head and held her as she continued to hold him. Maybe he did like that

part too, but he loved Ellie regardless.

They sat side-by-side in bed, reading their respective books--Jason was reading A Tale

of Two Cities--until it was time to go to sleep. Jason switched off the light beside him and lay

down. The bed was soft and plenty long for him even if the pillows were all overstuffed.

"Turn on your side," Ellie instructed.

Jason turned to face her, and she scooted over next to him, tucking her head under his

jaw with the hot breath from her nose flowing over his neck. Jason adjusted one arm under her

neck and wrapped the other over her, pulling her in close against him. He could feel the rise and

fall of her chest with her gentle breathing and hear the soft patter of her heart. They gave him a

serene sense of security. All he needed was Ellie safe and by his side. Holding the rabbit he

loved, he soon drifted into peaceful slumber.

* * *

The next morning, they ate the free breakfast at the hotel. Ellie had mushy oatmeal and

a stale bran muffin, and Jason ate some spongy-looking eggs and floppy bacon. Jason checked

them out and met Ellie at the car. Again, Ellie drove the first half of the trip, heading South. The

final leg would bring them back West, reversing their detour to avoid Maplesburg. Ellie hoped it

wouldn't be long before they were able to return there. After testifying before the King, they

would return to Willowdale and wait until the vixen was removed.

They'd been on the road a little over three hours when Ellie noticed blue flashing lights in

the rearview mirror. Shit. She glanced at the speedometer: 75 mph, she was definitely

speeding. She hoped that's all it was, but she briefly considered not stopping. But if it is just for

speeding, I'll turn a ticket into an arrest. Either way, trying to outrun the police didn't seem like

the best idea. She took her foot off of the accelerator and gradually slowed down as she pulled

to the side, stopping on the right shoulder of the freeway. She glanced over at Jason in the

passenger's seat: he was looking at her worriedly.

She gave him a small smile and rolled her eyes sarcastically, "The fuzz. At least they

won't follow us the whole way like Katya."

Jason still looked worried, but Ellie didn't have time to try to reassure him further as the

police cruiser pulled up behind them and a swift fox in a dark blue uniform top marched self-

importantly toward their car. Ellie rolled down the window as the fox approached.

"Good morning, Officer," Ellie greeted lightly.

The sandy colored fox frowned, "Do you know how fast you were going?" he asked

sternly.

"Uh, about seventy-five."

"I clocked you at seventy-six. The limit's sixty-five."

"Sorry," Ellie replied politely. "We have a long way to go."

"Where you headed?"

"Er, Wolfsbane, I have a friend we're visiting there."

The fox peered in the car at Jason, "You and," he prompted.

"My other friend."

"I'm going to have to write you a ticket," he concluded.

"Okay." Ellie didn't think arguing would do any good, nor did he seem likely to let her off

if she pleaded. She placed her left hand in the window.

He pulled a scanner off of his belt and read her chip. His expression changed from sour

to surprised as he looked at the readout. Ellie felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. That can't be

good.

"Ellie Bennett?"

"Er, yeah, that's me."

"It says here there's a warrant, no, a reward for your arrest in Maplesburg."

Ellie felt sick; she responded weakly, "I-I don't know anything about that."

"I'll need you to step out of the car, Miss," he stated.

Ellie's mind raced. Should she try to drive away? Should she grab her gun and hope she

was faster? She gripped the steering wheel, panicked and without any good options for what to

do.

The fox clearly read her panic. He put on a softer tone and more relaxed stance, as he'd

probably been trained to deal with frightened prey since childhood, "Hey, I'm not going to hurt

you. I'm sure whatever you did, they'll give you a fair trial. Don't make it worse by trying to run or

resisting arrest. I know I'm a strange predator, but I promise you'll be safe with me."

Ellie glanced nervously at Jason: his sea green eyes were wide with fear. She felt the

need to try to calm him, even if she knew they were in trouble. "I-it's okay, Jason," she

whispered. She slowly climbed out of the car.

"Put your hands on the hood, Miss," the swift fox said gently.

Ellie complied, and he patted down her t-shirt before taking her right hand and carefully

pulling it behind her back. Ellie felt the first cold metal handcuff go around her wrist. Her heart

pounded; her brain and instincts screamed at her to run. But she resisted them. She wouldn't

get far. The fox locked her other hand behind her back and ushered her toward the police

cruiser.

"Wait! Can I bring my phone?" Ellie requested desperately. If, by some miracle, she got

away, she needed to be able to tell Jason where she was.

The fox looked at her dubiously, "They won't let you have it in jail."

"I don't think I'll be going to jail," Ellie murmured weakly.

He shrugged and led her back over to the car.

Ellie poked her head through the window to address the terrified Jason, "It'll be alright.

Can you get my cell phone out of my bag?"

His hand shaking, Jason slowly lifted the blue satchel from her seat, opened the flap,

and peered inside. He looked up at her, his fearful eyes desperate and questioning.

Ellie knew her gun was in the purse, but she didn't want Jason to get shot trying to save

her. "Just the phone," she murmured.

Jason slowly withdrew the tablet-sized phone and held it toward the window. The swift

fox accepted it, tried to stuff it into the top right pocket of his uniform, and then gave up and just

held it.

"Is that all you need?" he inquired.

Ellie nodded.

"I assume your friend can drive, yes?"

Ellie nodded.

"Alright. Let's go see why they want you in Maplesburg then."

"W-wait!" Jason cried. Oh Zeus, Jason no! "T-take me too!"

The fox frowned, "I can't do that. Don't worry. Your friend is safe with me."

"B-but I, I might have a reward too!"

The fox cocked his head to the side, "So what, you're turning yourself in?"

Jason nodded vigorously.

Ellie's stomach was lead as the fox led her around to the other side of the car. Jason

held his left hand out the window. Holding Ellie's right arm with one hand and setting her phone

on top of the sedan, the fox scanned Jason's hand with the other.

The tod examined the readout and then gave Jason a withering look, "Nothing. You can

drive yourself to Maplesburg if you want. I'd rather not have to deal with your car, and I'm not a

chauffeur."

Jason looked as nonplussed as Ellie felt. If the Duchess wasn't the one who had put out

a reward for her, then who had, and what did they want? The swift fox grabbed her phone and

led Ellie to the police cruiser and guided her into the back. He leaned in over her to buckle her

seatbelt, and Ellie couldn't help but smell his sickly fox musk, not quite the same, but close

enough to the evil red vixen's. The fox got into the cruiser and pulled back onto the freeway.

Ellie saw Jason still watching as they drove by.

It was a couple hours' drive to Maplesburg. Ellie didn't want to talk, but the tod turned out

to be very chatty.

"I've never gotten a reward for arresting someone," he remarked cheerfully after they'd

exited the southbound freeway and started West.

Ellie grunted in response. Hopefully, he'd get the idea and shut up.

He glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "You have the right to remain silent," he noted.

"But you could tell me what you're accused of. The scanner didn't say anything."

"If I'm not accused of anything, you should let me go," Ellie grumbled. "You said it wasn't

really a warrant; what if arresting me is illegal?"

The fox glanced back in the mirror worriedly, "I hope it isn't. Why would there be an

illegal notice to arrest you?"

"How should I know?"

"You must have some idea of what you're accused of."

"I don't have a clue."

He glanced in the mirror again, "If you really didn't do anything, then I'm sure it will be

okay."

Ellie scoffed. He must not have been out of the police academy long. "The last time I

was arrested a cat almost ate me," she told him.

"Zeus, really?!" he yelped. "That's awful! They're not supposed to put predators and prey

together unattended!"

"You can tell Lily that when we get there," Ellie grumbled. Then she remembered the

bobcat was on the run, "Actually, I guess you can't."

"What were you arrested for the last time?" he queried.

"Nothing. I was innocent then too."

"They must have suspected you of something."

Ellie sighed annoyedly. She wished he would stop pestering her. "Murder, but it wasn't

me. It was that monster ruling Maplesburg now."

He glanced in the mirror again, and his eyes lit up with recognition, "Oh! I recognize you!

You're the rabbit from the video."

Ellie wondered if perhaps she shouldn't have revealed that fact. "Maybe," she replied

noncommittally. "Depends which video."

He snorted in amusement, "Obviously, the one accusing Her Grace of murder. Now I

understand why there's a reward for your arrest. What did you think would happen slandering

Her Grace like that?"

"It wasn't slander," Ellie replied tersely.

"Riiight, it was the truth. Her Grace is a vicious murderer, and no one has ever noticed,"

he mocked her.

Ellie didn't respond. She hadn't wanted to talk to the fox to begin with, and she wasn't

going to take the bait and argue further. Nothing she said would change his mind. Fortunately,

he seemed satisfied with the knowledge of what she'd done and left her in peace for most of the

remainder of the drive.

While the uncomfortable trip seemed interminable, they did eventually pull up outside of

the Maplesburg Police Station. It was under repairs; Ellie could tell it had recently been gutted

by fire.

The swift fox frowned, "I'm going to ask someone where the police are stationed

currently," he told her.

Ellie watched his bushy gray, tan, and black tail bounce behind him as he trotted over to

the nearest construction worker, a lynx in a yellow hard hat. The two carnivores chatted amiably

for a few minutes, and then the fox returned to the cruiser.

"It's just across town," he explained. "They're in an old office building, but they're using

the Courthouse dungeon as their jail.

Ellie didn't like the sound of the "dungeon", but she doubted she'd be headed there

anyway. Perhaps there had been some mistake with Jason, but she was almost certainly going

to be delivered to the Duchess. Ellie felt another twinge in her stomach. How can this be

happening?

The fox took her to a run-down concrete office building and ushered her inside. They

were greeted by a tiny, sandy colored fox with enormous triangular ears at the front desk of the

lobby.

The fox--Ellie thought they were a fennec--looked at the swift fox in surprise. "Who are

you?" they chirped. The fennec fox seemed to recognize Ellie, "Hey! Aren't you the rabbit from

that video?"

"I'm Officer Michaels, and this is Ellie Bennett. I picked her up a few miles outside of

Peatsburg. I understand there's a reward for her arrest."

"I'll take you to the Chief!" the fennec replied.

He hopped out of his seat and led them back to the left. He was indeed at least half a

head shorter than Ellie. Weird. Ellie didn't have time to reflect on the smaller predator long

because she was pushed into an office occupied by a grumpy-looking tuxedo cat. However, the

cat's countenance brightened as his eye fell on Ellie.

The fennec announced them, "Chief O'Connor, this is Officer Michaels of Peatsburg and

Ellie-"

"Ellie Bennet," the tuxedo cat cut him off. He grinned toothily, "Her Grace is going to be

happy to see you."

Ellie had been expecting this, but the confirmation that she was going to be returned to

the vixen made her heart sink into her stomach anyway.

"I saw there is a reward," the swift fox stated.

The black and white tom nodded. He withdrew a check from the drawer of his desk and

slid it across to the swift fox. "Just fill in your name. Her Grace thanks you for your service. We

can handle things from here."

The swift fox picked up the check and stared at it greedily. Ellie wondered how much it

was made out for, but he slipped it into his top left pocket without letting her see.

"Can I take my handcuffs?"

The cat nodded, "Re-cuff her, Felix."

Ellie stood stonily as the swift fox removed his handcuffs and the fennec fox replaced

them with his own.

When they were done, the swift fox mussed her ears with one hand, "Thanks a lot,

bunny. You made me a richer fox today." He nodded to the tuxedo cat, "Chief, it was good to

meet you." He turned and left.

Ellie stared at the tuxedo cat, who regarded her contemplatively. After a few moments

she asked the obvious question, "Why only me and not Jason?"

The cat cocked an ear questioningly, "Who?"

"My partner, Jason Brown, I assume the Duchess wants him too."

"Oh, yes, the tabby." The cat looked at the fennec fox, "I can handle her from here, Felix.

Return to your station."

The fennec bobbed his head and hurried out the door.

When he was gone, the cat withdrew another check from his drawer, "There's a reward

for him too, but I'll be damned if I'll turn a cat over to that psycho."

Ellie's anger flared, "But you'll turn me over?!" she shouted.

The cat replied calmly, "I can only disobey Her Grace so far. Look at how it turned out for

Schulz. Besides, you were the one who slandered her; it's not illegal to sit by while someone

else commits slander, pathetic but not illegal."

"It wasn't slander," Ellie growled. "You just called her a psycho. You must know what

she's done."

"But I'm not stupid enough to post it online," the cat responded. "Maybe you should have

just disappeared if you didn't want to incur Her Grace's wrath."

"That would have been pathetic!" Ellie shot back. "Knowing someone's a murderer and

not doing anything about it, like you are."

The cat glared at her angrily, "I'm not going to end up like you or Schulz. You can be as

self-righteous as you want; it's not going to help you with Her Grace." He stood from his chair, "I

think I've taken enough lip from you. Let's go see how happy Her Grace is to see you again."

The cat drove Ellie across town in what appeared to be his own personal car. They

stopped outside of City Hall, its red granite soft in the afternoon sun. The cat led her inside. In

the vaulted entry hall, there was a pink marble dais topped with a stately, high-backed chair and

a velvety indigo carpet that ran down the dais and almost to the tall glass front doors. Seated on

the throne was the vixen, adorned in a shimmering golden gown. She was addressing a varied

group of animals standing before the dais. A badger and an enormous puma stood on her left

and right, respectively. Holding Ellie's arm, the cat marched her toward the dais, but when they

were about halfway, the vixen spotted them and leapt up.

"E-Ellie?!" the fox cried with joy.

With her guards and supplicants watching with expressions of shock and confusion, she

bounded down the dais and sprinted across the wide hall.

RUN! RUN! RUN! Ellie's instincts screamed at her. She probably would have, but the cat

was holding her too tightly.

The red vixen bounded up to them and wrapped Ellie in a hug, giving a joyful sigh. Ellie

was crushed against the fox, forced to breathe her all too familiar sickly musk. The cat let her go

and stepped back awkwardly. The vixen petted Ellie's head with one hand while her other arm

held her tightly.

"Who found her?" the vixen chirped.

"An officer from Peatsburg," the cat meowed awkwardly. He was clearly a little

uncomfortable with how the Duchess had reacted to seeing the slanderous private inspector.

The vixen looked down at Ellie, "Peatsburg? Is that where you've been hiding? What

about Jason?"

Ellie didn't know what Jason was doing, but she didn't want the vixen to look for him,

"He, he's dead," she stammered.

"No!" the vixen cried in horror. She hugged Ellie tighter. "How?! Edgar said you'd both

survived!"

"C-car accident," Ellie lied. "He, uh, was crossing the street and a truck blew through the

red light. It, it was horrible."

The vixen stared down into Ellie's eyes a moment then breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh

thank goodness, you're lying." She petted Ellie's head, "Silly bunny, don't you think I know you

well enough to tell? You're afraid for your friend, not grieving his death."

Ellie's heart sank. She should have thought of a lie beforehand so that she could have

delivered it more convincingly.

"Don't worry," the vixen crooned. "I'm sure now you're here, your friend will show up

soon enough. He wouldn't abandon his bunny love."

The tuxedo tom coughed behind Ellie, and the vixen looked up to regard him.

"Thank you, Officer. You're free to go."

The cat nodded awkwardly, dropped keys for the handcuffs on the white marble floor,

and hastily retreated back out the front doors.

The vixen turned, still hugging Ellie to her belly, and addressed the crowd of baffled

animals waiting before her throne, "The second hour of royal court is canceled today. Come

back tomorrow," she called. She lifted Ellie across her arms and grinned down at her toothily

before calling again, "Franz, Felicia, we're going back to my office. One of you grab the keys off

of the floor." She nodded toward the keys then marched triumphantly toward the curving marble

stairs with Ellie in her arms.

The guards waited outside the vixen's office. Inside, at a smaller desk, was a red squirrel

wearing a sleeveless yellow, floral print blouse. The squirrel eyed Ellie bemusedly as the vixen

carried her over to her own desk and then sat with Ellie in her lap.

The vixen gestured to the squirrel, "Ellie, this is Rose, my personal assistant. Rose, this

is Ellie," she petted Ellie's head. "My bunny pet."

"Her slave," Ellie corrected darkly.

"Hush," the vixen scolded. "Don't upset Rose with your ugly words." There was an

undertone of menace in her voice, and it was a poignant reminder of just how dangerous the fox

was. She'd wanted to torture Ellie before. She'd threatened to kill her if Jason disobeyed. She

might have been ecstatic to get Ellie back, but it still wasn't wise to upset her. Besides, what

could the squirrel do about anything?

"Isn't that the rabbit who made the video about you?" Rose asked nervously.

"She is, but she can't harm anyone anymore now that she's been returned to her rightful

station," the vixen stated matter-of-factly.

The red squirrel still seemed uncomfortable, but she nodded and went back to work on

her computer.

After several minutes, the vixen's badger bodyguard stepped into the room and placed

the handcuff keys on the vixen's desk, "I, uh, thought you might want these, Your Grace."

"Thank you, Franz!" she piped.

The badger nodded his striped head then hurried back out of the office. The vixen picked

up the keys, unlocked Ellie's right hand, and then locked Ellie's left hand to her own left. She

nuzzled Ellie between the ears and used her right hand--now free from holding Ellie--to use

the mouse of her desktop.

Ellie didn't pay much attention to what the vixen did with her right hand the rest of the

day though Ellie did notice she spent part of the time playing Hearts against the computer. Ellie

was more concerned about the vixen's left hand, which she'd rested on Ellie's thigh. The vixen's

sharp claws ran gently through Ellie's fur, but every so often one would poke her painfully. Ellie

would yank the vixen's hand away from her when this happened, but it always ended up back

on her thigh. Ellie didn't know the vixen's full intentions toward her, but the violation of her bodily

autonomy even beyond being forced to sit in the fox's lap was more than a little disturbing.

At a quarter after five, the vixen shut down her computer. "Are you ready to leave,

Rose?" she inquired.

The squirrel nodded, "Yes, Your Grace."

The vixen looked down at Ellie, "Rose is staying with me currently. I'm participating in

the experimental training I devised though I can't take all of the credit. As a matter of fact, you

were my inspiration, Ellie."

Ellie frowned. She didn't like that the idea for the cohabitation training had arisen from

the vixen keeping her captive.

The vixen petted her head, "So serious," she teased. "You should be pleased you've had

such a valuable impact. If it weren't for you, I mightn't get along nearly so well with Rose and

Heather. You taught me a lot, Ellie."

Ellie grunted in acknowledgement. Prey were still disappearing, and she knew the vixen

was responsible. She hadn't changed at all! She's only gotten better at pretending!

The vixen allowed Ellie to walk to the hotel; although, they were still handcuffed together.

The red squirrel followed a few of her body lengths behind. Ellie wished she would run away,

even merely so Ellie wouldn't be humiliated further in front of another prey.

"Edgar's going to be awfully happy to see you, Ellie," the vixen commented as she

unlocked the door to her apartment. She pushed open the door and led Ellie through with Rose

close behind. "Edgar!" the vixen called. "Come see who I have!"

Edgar stepped out of a room on the back right of the main room, and his dark eyes fell

on Ellie. Ellie saw horror flash across the pine marten's features, but it was quickly replaced but

a forced smile. He crept up to her and swallowed nervously.

"E-Ellie," he mumbled self-consciously. "It, it's good to see you again."

"Not the joyful greeting I expected!" the vixen declared. "Weren't you in love with her

before, Edgar?"

Rose's eyes widened as she stared at the three larger mammals.

"Er, I, um, I only love you now, Your Grace. Ellie is a friend, but she loves Jason."

The vixen nodded, seeming satisfied, "True enough. I'm sure Jason will be joining us

before long. Ellie won't have to go without."

Rose quickly disappeared through the door Edgar had exited. Ellie thought she looked

terribly embarrassed. Ellie herself was absolutely mortified. She hadn't realized how much more

humiliating being made a toy in front of another prey would be. The vixen took no notice of

either of their embarrassment and nonchalantly fished the handcuff keys out of her shiny black

clutch.

"I think with you and I to watch her, we won't need these," she addressed Edgar.

"Besides, I'd like to take this off." She lifted the end of her golden gown. She released Ellie and

handed her off to Edgar before stripping off the gown and hanging it in the dark walnut closet

beside the bed. She turned back to Edgar and Ellie, "Would you like me to have your shirt

laundered, Ellie?"

Ellie looked down at the white, sleeveless blouse. I might as well have it washed. Then

she remembered how the vixen had taken their clothes before. She shook her head.

The vixen sauntered up to her, "Very well, we'll hang it up for you to wear another time."

She gently took hold of the front of Ellie's collar and began to unbutton her blouse.

Uncomfortably, Ellie watched her furry, dark brown fingers with their sharp, black claws

gingerly working to undo the small, white buttons. With the shirt open, the vixen slowly slid it off

of Ellie's arms, lifting them along with the blouse. Ellie let out a breath of relief as the vixen

stepped back away from her.

"Am I getting something besides grass for dinner?" Ellie asked grumpily to break the

tension.

The vixen finished hanging her blouse, closed the double doors of the closet, and turned

to regard Ellie pensively, "Of course, Ellie, anything you want from the menu. If there's nothing

to your liking, I'll ask Clyde what else they could prepare. Are you under the impression I plan to

punish you?"

"You took me captive again. I don't really care what you do after that," Ellie sniped.

The vixen frowned and strode back across the white marble tiles, stopping a step in front

of Ellie. Then, to Ellie's surprise, she actually crouched down so that their eyes were level.

"I'm not going to punish you, Ellie," she spoke softly. "I'm not angry about your video,

and I'm glad you left me when you did. If you'd been captured like I was, they would have eaten

you. I know I've tried to hurt you in the past, but I don't want to hurt you ever again. When we're

done here, we'll return to the estate, and we'll be happy, Ellie. I know you weren't happy there

before, but I'll do everything to make the estate your home too. If there's one thing all of this has

taught me, it's not to take those I care for for granted, so I'll make sure you and Jason can be

just as happy as anyone else."

She sounded so sincere that Ellie almost could have believed she'd begun to change,

but she knew this monster hadn't changed. She was still murdering prey, and she thought Ellie

was dumb enough she wouldn't know!

"What's the point of this?" Ellie asked scathingly. "You really think I'm going to believe

you want me to be happy? If you did, you'd leave me alone! Jason and I will never be your

willing pets; we'll never give up trying to get away. And do you think I haven't heard all of the

reports about missing prey?! You're a murderer, and you're not going to stop until someone

stops you!"

The vixen stood back up, frowning again, "You don't have to believe it, but that doesn't

make it untrue. If you're determined to be miserable, I'll only work that much harder. One day,

you'll look back on all of this animosity and see you were wrong. But the last person I killed was

a carnivore, one of the cultists. I haven't killed a prey the entire time I've been here." She knit

her brow, "No, there was the one, the rabbit the cultists forced me to kill, but no others."

"So it's some other murderer who's been killing prey in Maplesburg the past couple

weeks," Ellie rejoined sarcastically.

"I'm not the only killer in the world," the vixen stated simply. "None of them have been

confirmed dead, but it's possible one of the cultists or someone else is taking advantage of the

chaos to kill prey. The police are investigating."

"Convenient for you since you're their boss," Ellie replied.

The vixen shrugged, "It generally is. I'm innocent this time, however."

"I don't believe you," Ellie stated, deadpan.

"Believe whatever you like," the vixen returned lightly. "You belong to me either way.

Now, find something you like on the menu, and we'll order dinner."

Ellie complied with the latter request. She hadn't had lunch and was getting hungry

despite the disastrous events of the day. As soon as the four of them had ordered, Rose

disappeared back into the other room. The vixen told Ellie she was only shy, but Ellie felt that

she was being shunned by the squirrel. She probably thinks I'm some kind of weird pervert. The

red squirrel might have thought the same if she knew about her relationship with Jason, but Ellie

wouldn't have let that bigotry bother her. Rose's coldness in this instance, however, added insult

to injury.

Ellie was enduring being held on her back in the vixen's lap while Edgar hovered nearby

in the line of sight for Ellie's rear when there was a knock on the door.

"That seems rather fast for dinner," the vixen commented.

The vixen scooped Ellie up, one arm going under her knees and forcing Ellie's legs into

the air, then sat Ellie on the red-violet comforter beside her and hopped up. Ellie gave Edgar a

dirty look as the vixen trotted to the door, and the pine marten quickly looked away. Pervert.

"Hello, Clyde, do you have something for me?" the vixen chirped from across the room.

"Yes, Your Grace. Someone dropped this off at the front desk with apologies from an

Officer Michaels. He said it's for a Miss Bennet, and she was staying with you."

The vixen accepted the item and turned to hold it up for Ellie to see, "Do you recognize

this, Ellie?"

Ellie recognized her cell phone. She was surprised the swift fox had gone to the trouble

of getting it back to her and had herself actually forgotten she'd insisted he bring it. "That's

mine!"

The vixen thanked "Clyde" and sauntered back across the room with Ellie's phone. "It

looks a bit big for you," she noted.

"I use it to read books too," Ellie told her. "Can I have it?"

The vixen gave her a disappointed look, "Seriously, Ellie? Of course, you can't have it.

Although," her dour expression brightened into an eager grin. "There is someone I'd like you to

call. Give Jason a ring; I want to talk to him."

"I'm not unlocking my phone for you!" Ellie returned indignantly. "Do you think I'm

stupid?"

The vixen held the cell phone over her heart, "I swear I won't look at anything. We'll talk

to Jason, and then I'll put it away."

Ellie frowned skeptically.

"I'm a vixen of my word!" she declared. "Isn't that right, Edgar?"

Edgar nodded nervously, "Yes, Your Grace."

The vixen held out the phone toward Ellie, "You want to talk to him too," she tempted.

"You don't want him to worry you've been hurt, do you?"

Ellie sighed resignedly and shook her head. I have to tell Jason to stay away. This is

probably my only chance. Ellie accepted the phone, unlocked it, and called Jason from her

contacts. The vixen snatched the phone and switched it to speaker, holding it out face up. It only

rang twice before Jason picked up.

"Ellie? A-are, are you al-"

"Hello, Dear!" the vixen chirped cheerfully. "Ellie and I were reunited this afternoon.

We're at the Regina Hotel if you'd like to come join us."

"Stay away, Jason!" Ellie yelled. "Don't let her get you too!"

The vixen grinned slyly, "Thank you for confirming your presence, Ellie. Why don't you

tell Jason how you've been treated? You haven't been harmed at all, have you?"

"No," Ellie grumbled, angry at herself for providing the proof of her capture that the vixen

needed. "I'm still in one piece."

"But you miss your dear kitty terribly, hmm?" the fox asked with mockingly exaggerated

sympathy. "You won't be happy until he's with us where he belongs."

"Don't listen to her," Ellie growled. "I swear, Jason, I'll beat the Tartarus out of you if you

turn yourself in to this creep."

"Oh dear, such violent threats," the vixen taunted. "But she'll really be happy to see you,

Jason, as will I! Like I was telling Ellie, I'm determined to make the two of you happy living with

me at the manor! You won't want for anything. Be an obedient kitty and come back to your

owner."

Ellie and the vixen both waited for what Jason was going to say.

After several seconds he meowed forlornly, "Please, let Ellie go, Your Grace. I, um, I

know you want to treat us well, but we can't live like that."

"You can get used to anything if you try," the vixen declared. "I'm disappointed, Jason. I

thought you loved this bunny. Would you really abandon her so that you could go free?"

Jason was silent again for a few seconds. "No," he finally meowed wearily. "If the choice

is being your pet with Ellie or living without her, I'll choose the former."

"No, Jason!" Ellie protested. "Get away! Be free!"

"We'll be awaiting your arrival," the vixen concluded smugly. She ended the call and

handed the phone to Edgar, "Hide this somewhere safe, Edgar."

Edgar nodded and took the phone into the other room.

The vixen plopped down onto the bed next to Ellie and wrapped her arm around her

shoulders. "I knew he loved you too much to leave you," she piped cheerfully. She nuzzled Ellie

between the ears, "You'll see. I'm determined, and when I put my mind to it, I always get what I

want. We'll all be happy together."

Ellie didn't bother to respond to the vixen's delusions, if that's what they were. Maybe

she really had convinced herself Ellie and Jason would be happy; that didn't make it true.

They had dinner, and then the vixen dragged Ellie to the head of her bed where Ellie sat

between her and Edgar while they watched television. The vixen flipped through channels,

never remaining on one for more than a few minutes. The most interesting thing Ellie was able

to gather from this time-wasting exercise was that it was going to rain in Wolfsbane tomorrow.

She hoped Katya would be alright without them.

"There's never anything on," the vixen complained after what seemed like an hour and a

half of channel surfing.

She turned the tv off, and Ellie was grateful for the relative peace and quiet. She was

less grateful when the vixen grabbed her left leg and dragged her off of the pillow she was

propped against then rolled over and pinned Ellie by her arms. Holding herself above Ellie, the

fox grinned down toothily.

"There's my delicious little prey," she taunted. "I'd almost forgotten how good you smell.

Maybe I ought to have a taste."

The vixen lowered herself down, opening her jaws and reaching for Ellie's face. Ellie

stared into the fox's maw of dagger-like fangs; her hot, rancid breath washed over Ellie's face as

the maw approached.

The vixen pulled back and closed her mouth to smile amusedly at Ellie, "Were you

scared? I told you I wouldn't hurt you, but I suspect there's something in that little bunny brain

that just can shake that instinctual fear. How do you manage when you kiss Jason? Do you

close your eyes?"

"I was only afraid I'd smother on your disgusting breath," Ellie rebuked. "Why don't you

go brush your teeth and leave me alone?"

The vixen rolled off of her and sat up. "I suppose it is time we brush our teeth and

bathe," she declared. She took Ellie's hand, "Come on, Ellie. You can share my bathroom."

She dragged Ellie off of the bed and to the bathroom, closing them inside together. Like

the rest of the hotel, the bathroom was finished with marble. The floor of the entire room,

including the shower, was white marble. The wall was white and pink marble while the sink

counter and basin were pink marble on a sandy wooden cabinet base. In addition to the shower

with its pale rose curtain, there was a large bathtub with its oblong basin carved into a

rectangular block of pink marble. The toilet, however, was porcelain.

The vixen insisted on brushing her teeth at the same time as Ellie and stood next to her

at the sink whilst they polished their teeth with the minty toothpaste. When they had finished,

she chirped, "I think I'll take a bath. I haven't tried out the tub yet."

Ellie was happy to have the shower to herself. She started toward the far end of the

bathroom.

"I'd like you to take it with me," the vixen added.

Ellie froze. Sitting in a tub with the vixen was one of the few indignities she'd avoided

while being held captive at the vixen's manor. Her heart raced as her need to run surged. Could

she make it out of the apartment? Maybe if she ran fast, she could find a place to hide until she

could get out of Maplesburg. Her heart pounding in her ears as she tried to think what to do, she

didn't hear the vixen creep up behind her. The fox's powerful arms hugged Ellie tightly to her

belly.

"Shh, it's okay, Ellie. I won't do anything untoward to you. We'll just sit in the tub and

have a nice soak. You like a nice soak, don't you?"

Ellie couldn't take it anymore. When Jason had been captive with her, at least she'd had

someone she could trust, someone to confide in and to comfort her. This time she was all alone;

there was no one on her side. Tears of helpless anger and misery welled in her eyes.

"Why can't you leave me alone?!" she screamed. "I don't want to be your pet! I don't

want you to touch me!"

To Ellie's surprise, the vixen let her go and stepped back. Ellie turned her head to see

the fox's countenance twisted with confusion and distress.

"I-I'm sorry, Ellie," she whined. "I, I just," she stopped and shook her head as if shaking

away her shock. Her expression turned to anger, "No! It's not my fault you won't make an effort!

I haven't done anything to hurt you!" The vixen stomped the few steps back to Ellie and roughly

seized her by the hand, "You belong to me!" she snarled. "I could kill you if I wanted to! Be

grateful I've shown you the mercy I have."

Ellie glared at the fox hatefully, "I don't belong to you. You think I do because you're sick.

I knew you hadn't changed."

The fox sniffed reproachfully, "I never said I changed; I said I learned. But it seems I

forgot one thing: your obstinacy. I'll give you a choice. You can bathe with me, or after I'm done,

I can handcuff you to the tub and see how you like soaking overnight."

Ellie did not want to sit in a tub of chilly, used water overnight. If she didn't get

hypothermia, it would still be extremely uncomfortable, and it wouldn't achieve anything. The

vixen wouldn't be satisfied until Ellie obeyed, and she might decide harsher treatment was the

only way to break Ellie to her will.

"I'll bathe with you," Ellie muttered angrily.

The vixen's visage instantly brightened, "I knew you'd see reason! I'll fill the tub, and

then you can have that end," she indicated the one with the faucet. "And I'll take the other end."

Ellie blinked in surprise, "I don't have to sit in your lap?"

The vixen grinned toothily, "You may if that's what you're asking, but I think if you put

your legs between mine, there will be enough room for the two of us to stretch out."

When the tub was filled, the vixen lifted Ellie inside--not that she couldn't have gotten in

herself without issue--and climbed into the opposite end as she'd suggested. Ellie kept her legs

tucked in. There were no bubbles, and Ellie could see the red fox's fur stirring with the

movements of the water. The vixen slipped down to her chin in the hot water and reached out

one foot to brush it over Ellie's leg. Ellie flinched at her touch.

The vixen sat up and smiled at her bemusedly, "I spent most of the afternoon holding

you, Ellie. Why are you so afraid of touching me now?"

"It's weirder in the bath," Ellie grumbled. "Not that I liked it then."

"How so?" the vixen asked.

Ellie frowned, "I don't know. It makes me uncomfortable. I feel like it's going to lead into

something sexual."

The vixen blinked in surprise, "Do you?"

"You understand!" Ellie accused. "You and Edgar did it in the tub when we were with you

before."

"That was tame compared to what we do in bed," the vixen stated matter-of-factly.

Ellie gave her a disgusted look, "I don't want to hear about it."

"I don't mind hearing about you and Jason," the vixen disclosed as if that should make

Ellie feel better.

Ellie didn't respond.

"So you feel like bathing together is too intimate," the vixen concluded. "You think it's

couple-behavior."

Ellie nodded perfunctorily.

"Some people take a rubber duck in the tub," the vixen stated.

Ellie frowned at the non sequitur. "So?"

"That's the source of your confusion, Ellie," the vixen explained amusedly. "You're not

my partner. You're not even my servant like Edgar. You're my rubber duck."

Ellie looked away; she didn't want to hear more.

"A very lucky ducky with an owner who wants to take good care of her," the vixen

teased. She brushed her foot against Ellie again, causing Ellie to jump. "So relax. I'm not trying

to seduce you."

Ellie looked back at the fox distastefully, "It wouldn't work if you were."

"No? You called me alluring before," the fox jested.

"I was lying," Ellie stated bluntly.

The vixen only grinned at the insult, "I could make you feel good if you wanted. If Jason

runs away, you won't have to go without."

Ellie tucked her legs in tighter, "I thought that wasn't what this was about," she shot

back.

"It isn't," the vixen replied airily. "Just for future reference, whether Jason comes back or

not."

Ellie didn't want to discuss the topic further. Fortunately, the vixen didn't press it. She let

Ellie use the lavender shampoo first and, when they were done, helped her dry off with the blow

dryer after Ellie used one of the hotel's pink towels. Ellie was obliged to return the favor; at least,

it didn't involve physical contact with the vixen.

When they were both dry, the vixen hefted Ellie across her arms, "Now we're going to

sleep together!" she chirped cheerfully. "Something so intimate, it's synonymous with having

sex! Is that more or less disturbing than our bath?"

"When you put it like that, it's probably a wash," Ellie grumbled.

The vixen's mouth twisted, and then she chortled, "Pfft, hahaha, was that a pun, Ellie?"

Ellie blushed, "It wasn't intentional," she muttered grumpily.

The vixen lifted her to nuzzle her ear, "I like you, Ellie. I know we'll learn to get along

eventually. Now come on, you lucky duck, let's go to bed."

Edgar was waiting beside the vixen's king size, canopied bed when they exited the

bathroom. He looked at them hopefully.

The vixen regarded him contemplatively a moment then looked down at Ellie. "Would

you be alright with Edgar sleeping with us? He's been my bedmate most nights since he arrived,

particularly since we've had a guest in the other room."

Ellie eyed the pine marten suspiciously, remembering him staring at her butt before

dinner. "Is there another bed for him?" she asked.

"There is," the vixen answered.

"Then I don't want to sleep with him," Ellie concluded.

Edgar looked down dejectedly.

"Don't worry, Edgar. You can have your turn another day," the vixen soothed.

"He can have my 'turn' tonight," Ellie suggested. She knew the answer would be no.

The vixen shook her head, "I just got you back. I want to keep you close." The vixen lay

Ellie on the bed and retrieved the handcuffs from one of the dresser drawers where she'd

stashed them. "Would you like your back or belly facing out?"

"What do you mean?" Ellie asked warily.

The vixen held up the handcuffs, "If I connect our right hands, I'll hold you with your back

to my front. If I connect my right to your left, your front will be facing mine."

"Why can't we just lie next to each other?" Ellie asked uncomfortably.

The vixen narrowed her eyes threateningly, "Or I could connect my right hand to your

right ankle and then," she let the sentence hang, so Ellie would have to picture it herself.

"Back to front, right hands together," Ellie answered quickly. She didn't need to think

about which way she'd be facing to know she didn't want her head down there.

The vixen sauntered over to the bed and locked their right hands together. "I would have

chosen front to front," she commented placidly. "But it's your first day back with me, so I thought

I'd let you choose."

Ellie didn't think it was a very generous concession. The vixen climbed onto the bed

behind Ellie and picked her up with her free arm across her chest and her right arm under Ellie's

rear. The placement of her second hand made Ellie very uncomfortable, but it didn't last long as

the vixen sat down at the head of the bed and let Ellie slide into her lap. Edgar was still standing

near the bed, watching them.

"Goodnight, Edgar," the vixen enunciated pointedly.

Edgar hastily retreated to the other room where Rose presumably was; although, Ellie

hadn't seen her since dinner. The vixen brought her free hand up to Ellie's head and ran it over

Ellie's left ear. She petted Ellie's head then ran a finger down Ellie's cheek.

"Are you getting sleepy, Ellie?" she asked softly.

Ellie was too uncomfortable to feel like sleeping, but she nodded anyway.

"I am," the vixen divulged. She yawned. "When Jason's here too, I'll sleep even more

soundly."

Ellie thought she probably would too but for a different reason. No! He has to get away,

Ellie admonished herself. She didn't want Jason to be the vixen's toy. It was better that he

escape than for them both to become slaves.

The vixen pushed down the blankets and lay down, taking Ellie with her. The vixen

turned over onto her side and wrapped her body around Ellie. Her bushy tail flipping up into

Ellie's face. Jason has the courtesy to keep his tail to himself in bed. The vixen pulled Ellie

closer and tucked Ellie's head firmly under her jaw before letting out a sigh of contentment. At

least one of us is happy, Ellie thought sardonically. She wished the one were her.