Unfortunately, a full night’s sleep wasn’t in the cards for me.

I woke with a start to a terrifying howling that was far too close for my liking. My startled awakening sent Lou and Diana scrambling from their spots beside me to hide beneath the bed.

“Wolves!” I gasped, clutching the blankets close to my chest.

Gathering my courage, I swung my feet out of the bed, and forced myself to get up and run down the hallway. Throwing on my warmest coat, I shoved my feet into my boots and my hands into gloves, then grabbed the ax that I kept by the door.

As much as I didn’t want to go outside and potentially face wolves, I had to check on the animals in the barn, and make sure they hadn’t gotten so scared that they’d escaped, or that the wolves hadn’t managed to get in. It had happened once when I was a child, and had been a tragedy. Though dad had rebuilt the barn to be far stronger, we’d all still worried whenever we heard wolves in the middle of the night, and he would go outside to check, just as I was about to do now.

Steeling myself once more, I flung the door open, and charged outside.

Snow still drifted down, but not nearly as thickly as it had when I’d gone to bed. It blanketed the ground, at least four inches deep in most places. Though it would make it more difficult to walk and run, it reflected the light of the moon and made it very easy to see.

Standing on the porch, I clutched my ax tightly and scanned the area for anything out of place.

Something moved at the corner of my vision, and I froze, seeing a single, shaggy grey wolf slinking around by the barn.

“HEY!” I shouted, feeling another thrill of terror race through me. I stumbled from porch, and stooped, grabbing for the stones that I knew were hidden beneath the snow. “Get away from there!” I cried. Reeling back, I flung the stone with all of my strength in the general direction of the wolf.

I hadn’t really aimed, as I didn’t want to actually hit the animal. It was only hungry, but I didn’t want it to get into my barn all the same. All I wanted to do was scare it off.

The stone crashed against the barn with a loud thwack, which did as I’d hoped, prompting the wolf to bolt off into the eaves of the forest that backed the property.

Giving a sigh of relief, I hurried down off the porch, knowing I should still check on the animals in the barn, just to be safe.

Slipping inside the warm structure, I flicked on the light and asked, “Everyone okay?”

The black cat lifted its head from the box, and maowed sleepily.

“Sleepy!” I giggled. “Are you alright?” If the cat was still asleep, then there was no chance that anything dangerous had made it into the barn, which was a big relief.

I looked around at the other animals.

Daisy mooed softly, and Poppy gave a little whinny, as if they were both assuring me they were alright too. The silly sheep didn’t move a muscle, but remained asleep.

All was well.

To my surprise, the cat hopped up from the bed I’d made for him, and came to perch at the end of the table near to where I stood, staring expectantly at me with practically glowing green eyes.

I smiled, “You’re a handsome boy!”

He continued to stare at me.

“Would you like head scratchies? Both of my kitties like their nosies scratched.” I sat down the ax, and held out my hand, leaning over so that he could sniff it easily by extending his neck a little, which he did.

He blinked, then looked up at me, maowing softly.

“No pets, then?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.

The cat blinked, and tossed his head, as if telling me I was being ridiculous. Then much to my surprise, he lifted his injured paw.

“Oh! Well, I can probably help with that.” I said. Could the little guy tell I was a healer? Sometimes animals could, and it wouldn't surprise me that a cat would be able to, they were always inclined to the supernatural, it seemed. “Can I touch that paw? I have to in order to help.” I reached out my hand again, taking a step forward.

The little void studied me again, then bopped my hand with its nose in confirmation.

“You’re very smart.” I blinked, half wondering if the cat actually did understand me.

I took another few slow steps forward, and carefully reached my hand out towards the cat’s injured left front paw. He flinched as I touched it, but didn’t run. “Good.” I murmured. “This won’t hurt.”

Taking a deep breath, I pulled for my magic. The mark on my hand tingled, and glowed with a weak golden light as I urged the energy into the cat’s paw.

He closed his eyes, and maowed softly.

“Yeah, it feels nice, doesn't it?” I murmured, smiling. Mom’s healing magic had always felt nice, since it was too difficult to use healing magic on yourself, I didn’t actually know what my own felt like. I suspected my magic felt as nice, or almost as nice, as my mother’s had.

As the magic finished its work, the cat opened its eyes and growled, prompting me to let go of his paw. “Sorry! Yes, it’s finished.” I stepped back hurriedly, not wanting to get scratched.

The little kitty sniffed its paw, then licked it a few times, and bobbed his head at me.

I giggled, “Well, good!” I went over to see if he still had food and water, and was please to see he did. “I’ll bring more when I come back in the morning, okay? So eat up!” I told him, then added, “And if you want to come into the house at some point, just let me know, cutie patootie! My two inside girls probably wouldn't mind more company. Diana would probably baby you.”

Diana, though a cat, was actually the family familiar, and was older than I was. She was regal, wise, a little lazy, and very sweet. Lou was just a garden variety, white-socked grey tabby who I’d found wandering outside, all alone as a kitten, and had taken her in. She had a silly personality, though very little in the way of brains, and never failed to make me laugh.

He maowed in answer, and I took it to mean he’d understood. Let’s be honest, he probably hadn’t understood a word I’d ever said to him, but it was the middle of the night, and we were pretending here, so it was okay.

“Well, goodnight little fella.” I smiled at him, “I should think of something to call you while you’re here. Hm. It’ll have to be a pretty name for a pretty boy!” I giggled.

I swear the cat rolled its gorgeous green eyes at me.

“Alright, alright! Goodnight!” I snorted, then left, remembering to take the ax with me.

Going back inside, I kicked off my boots, and struggled out of the gloves, and then my coat.

Diana and Lou were waiting for me, and Lou maowed in complaint that I’d left.

“I’m sorry, ladies.” I murmured, smiling and bending to pet my two girls.

Diana nuzzled my hand fondly, purring loudly. Lou flopped over, waiting for me to pet her tummy so she could bear-trap on it, which I enthusiastically let her do, laughing, “Ouch!” as she bit my hand none too gently. I extracted my hand from her paws and mouth and told them both, “Back to bed now, my ladies!”

Diana led the way back down the hallway. Lou trailed behind me, maowing in annoyance at having her prey, my hand, taken so rudely from her little white paws.

I climbed into bed, and the two grey tabbies resumed their places, each curled up on either side of me.

Sleep slowly descended on us once more.

This time, my subconscious summoned a very strange dream for me to walk in.

I was in the barn, but it was totally empty, and there was no light other than the light that pierced through the shadows from the high gable window.

A pair of glowing green eyes regarded me from just outside of the circle of light.

For a moment, I thought it was the black cat, since the pupils were slits, much like a cat’s. But as I observed them, I realized they belonged to a much larger figure, the silhouette of which I could only sort of make out from the single beam of light. There was a head and shoulders, and it seemed to be sitting on the work table, legs and arms crossed. Other than the eyes, I couldn't really make out any other specific features.

The barn was silent, and dust motes floated to and fro in light from the gable.

Finally, I broke the silence, unable to stand it any longer, I asked, “Are you just going to stare? Why are you in my barn?”

It was quiet a moment longer.

Suddenly, a man’s voice spoke, “You said I could stay here.” It was a strange voice. Deep, yes, but also odd in a way I couldn't find a word for. Maybe the strangeness I thought it held was due to its slight accent.

“I mean, it’s a dream. I’ve not said anything other than what I just did.” I told him, frowning. “Although I guess, it doesn't matter, given it’s a dream.”

“Don't sass back your betters, child.” The voice sounded vaguely bored.

“Excuse me? This is my barn! You're the one sassing me! You’re not my better! And I know I’m not old, but I’m not a child! I’m thirty now!" I crossed my arms. “I’ve half a mind to just wake up if you’re going to be unpleasant!”

Before the rude barn-intruder could reply, I felt something brush against my legs, and looked down. Diana was there, in my dream.

No Lou, just Diana. And my little familiar was not happy.

Normally a peaceful, lazy creature who preferred sleeping all day to running around like Lou, Diana’s tail was fluffed up and bushy. The hair along the ridge of her back was raised, and her body was stiff and arched as she gave a low growl and a hiss.

“What’s this?” the voice took on a note of surprise. “A familiar?”

I knelt and stroked Diana, hoping to calm her, though it was just a dream, since I hated seeing even a dream version of Diana so distressed. “Hush, Miss Annie!” That was one of her many nicknames. “It’s alright, it’s just a dream!”

“It’s certainly not just a dream. She’s right to be worried. That’s a powerful familiar to be able to intrude and sense what I am. How did a weakling like you come by her?” the voice asked, sounding vaguely interested. I heard its owner shifting, and looked up to see it had slipped off the table, though I still couldn't make out any facial features, I could sort of make out its hands now, which seemed to have more fingers than they should.

Diana hissed again, growling and taking a couple of steps forward.

“Diana! It’s okay!” I cried, frowning and worried for my little dream kitty. “She’s my family’s familiar and guardian."

“Damn, an inherited familiar?” the voice murmured in a mild tone. “That's interesting.”

“I guess.”

It was quiet for a few moments.

“Who are you?” I asked, doubt now creeping in a little. Maybe this was actually a bad dream instead of just a weird one.

“Are you scared?” the voice sneered, as if sensing my concern.

I frowned, “I’m trying to decide if I should be.”

“You should be.” This time the words were a quiet hiss, and something about them rang true, which sent me shivering in distaste.

But I still had to ask, “Then why hang out in a barn?” I arched an eyebrow at him.

“The setting was your choice.” the green eyes looked around. “It’s your subconscious, after all.”

“So you finally admit this is a dream!” I snorted, feeling triumphant, the sense of concern that had been growing in me faltering. “That means I really don’t have to be scared!”

“Of course it’s a dream.” the man said slowly. A frightening smile flashed across his face, revealing a pair of fangs. “But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be scared. Not all dreams are harmless.”

“Well, you’ve not hurt me.” I shrugged.

“Yet.” The word hung in the air.

“Do you intend to?” I stood from trying to calm Diana, and planted my feet apart, hands on my hips.

“I haven’t decided,” was the cool reply, “You amuse me.”

My anger flared, “I’m not here for your amusement!” I jabbed my index finger in his direction. “You know what? I’m tired of this dream, I’m just gonna ignore you until I wake up. For some reason, my subconscious mind has decided to give me a weird, scary dream with some jerk who hides in the shadows and speaks in riddles. I’m not a fan!”

“Well, if that’s the case.” Without any warning, the stranger leapt at me, passing through the beam of light in the blink of an eye. In that brief moment, I saw a flash of dark feathers, something sparkly, and claws.

A shriek of surprise escaped me, and suddenly, there was a burst of pain across my face, which woke me with a start.

Something tumbled off my chest as I sat bolt-upright in bed. Clutching my cheek, I blinked in confusion, gasping, “What the hell?!”

I realized Diana must have been what I threw off my chest, as she was busily picking herself up from the bed, and then began to lick her paw daintily.

“Sorry about that, miss.” I muttered, reaching out to pet her.

She nipped my hand, seeming a bit annoyed with me, probably at being thrown around when I’d sat up so quickly.

“I said I was sorry!” I sighed. Pulling my other hand away from my stinging face, I saw blood. “Did you scratch me while I was asleep?!” I demanded, surprised. There was no other explanation.

My very prim familiar finished licking her paw, and fixed her iridescent, sea-green gaze on me. It was a stern look.

“That was kinda shitty, you know?! What did I do to deserve it?! I didn’t even wake up until after you scratched me!” I protested, throwing my hands up into the air.

Lou maowed sleepily, rolling over onto her back. I plunged one of my hands into the soft fur on her tummy. “At least Lou doesn't scratch me when I’m sleeping.” I mumbled. No, Lou would just bite my head if she decided I wasn’t paying her enough attention while I was asleep.

Diana rolled her eyes at me, then shifted, curling up into a ball.

“Alright, well, we’ll discuss this more in the morning.” I told my oldest friend, wanting to get back to sleep, given that my rest had been interrupted twice that night already.