The Jaguar Star (Tales of the Were: Jaguar Island Book 4), Bianca D'Arc [pdf e book reader .txt] 📗

of the mortal realm? Ren realized that Marc was probably already on the lookout for people in his realm of influence who might be playing for the wrong side in the upcoming battle. Likewise, Monty was probably doing the same. Suddenly, Ren realized the importance of the film and its role in setting Sonia up to run in circles where he, himself, couldn’t quite reach.

Ren had influence among actors and actresses, but studio owners and the decision makers that brokered the deals weren’t quite in his league. They would be much more accessible to Sonia, as soon as this film propelled her into being the next big thing among directors. Those star makers would be competing for her attention, and she would be able to pick and choose where she positioned herself among them. Smart.

Chapter Nineteen

Katrina’s tour of the castle was both amazing and a whole lot of fun. Margarete was friendly and, from what Katrina could tell, completely human. It was nice, in a way, to be around someone who wasn’t a shifter with magical abilities. Of course, Margarete knew much more about the world the jaguars moved in than Katrina did. At one point, as they explored the music room—which was more like a mini concert hall—the topic arose.

“The others are meeting them now, but some of my cousins are werewolves,” Margarete admitted off-handedly. The jaguar shifters all tensed, as if they expected an attack, and Margarete laughed. “Sorry. It’s not bad. They just wanted to keep watch while we got to know each other over dinner. I think the Alpha was also playing a game with your friend, Greg. Apparently, Mr. Mendez taught our cousin quite a bit in the ways of stealth and martial arts. Rumor in the family is that he wanted to test his skills, and how well he’d passed them on to the rest of his Pack.”

Katrina saw the jaguar women visibly relax a little at Margarete’s explanation. They were still a bit on edge, though, so Katrina took the opportunity to get some questions answered.

“So, you’re saying there are actual werewolves living in this castle?” Katrina wanted clarification.

“Only occasionally. They have homes out in the woods, mostly, but there’s always room here if some of them need a place. The Pack is led by another of Monty’s adopted sons, and he has his own domain. Basically, the human side of the family looks after the castle, and the wolf side watches the grounds, which are rather extensive,” she explained.

“Well, if they learned their stealth from Greg, they were A-plus students,” Franny said with a shake of her head. “I didn’t scent wolf at all. Not once.” She looked around at the other jaguars, who all nodded agreement.

“Greg probably knew, though,” Adela put in. “Sensei Mendez is a true master and not easy to fool.” Again, the jaguars all nodded.

“I’m new to all this,” Katrina reminded Margarete, “so please forgive me if I ask any impertinent questions.”

“Better you ask me than some of the others. Monty’s ancient ideas have sort of rubbed off on a lot of the older family members. Of course, some of them are a lot older than they look. Monty’s magic helps extend our natural lives a bit, but nothing like you shifters.” Margarete nodded toward the jaguar ladies.

“I’m just a regular human being,” Katrina said with a smile, though inwardly, she wondered just how old Ren was, and how long they’d have together. Would his magic sustain her, or would she die an old lady long before he left this earth? The thought made her sad.

“Mated to a jaguar, you will share his lifespan,” Adela said, her softly accented voice reassuring. “The Mother of All would not bring you together only to part you too early. All true matings are thus.”

Katrina hoped Adela was right as they looked at the collection of musical instruments kept in the music room, from an antique harpsicord to a concert grand piano. Woodwinds and what looked like every variation of stringed instrument were kept in what Margarete said was a humidity-controlled display that took up a large section of wall. There were also brass horns of all shapes and sizes and other instruments that could well make up a decent sized orchestra.

“Monty has always loved music. He plays all these and has taught most of us at least one instrument. Several of us play together at least once a week, to practice.”

“I’d love to hear you play,” Adela said softly, stroking her fingers along the edge of the piano. “Music is important in my homeland. It is the stuff of life.”

Margarete smiled. “Monty would agree with you. He is a great patron of musicians, even now, though he does it behind the scenes these days. Centuries ago, he supported many of the great composers and performers. When he reminisces, sometimes, he tells us stories about those who played in this house, or in other places where he lived over the years, but we don’t push. He likes to live in the present as much as someone like him can do so. I think it makes him sad to think about the past and the ways of life he’s known that are gone now.”

“I can understand that, I guess,” Katrina commented, looking at a violin carefully posed behind glass that was probably worth more than her apartment in New York.

The tour picked up again in a long hallway that Margarete called the east gallery. It held paintings and lush furnishings out of a bygone era. Dainty chairs with hand-carved scrollwork and giant paintings of people and landscapes long past. It was a room rich with history, as was just about every room she’d seen so far in this castle.

“You’re filming in the west gallery on Thursday, I heard,” Margarete said as they progressed down the long room. “The sunset in there is really lovely, and we moved all the furnishings out so it’s down to the bare stone. Monty wanted to redecorate the