Lannor listened to the bath filling as he pretended to sleep. The situation had become comical. Tyler talking to him without realising gave Lannor a power of superiority. It was never like this with the women of the house. Lannor had always been eager to have them know his existence. With Tyler, the thought of keeping his identity a secret for as long as possible made him excited at the prospect of the game.

The rustling of clothes drew Lannor’s attention and as he opened his eyes, he glimpsed Tyler about to step into the bath. Sudden images flashed in Lannor’s mind of the magazine he’d read. Eyes squeezed shut, he attempted to block them out. Submerged beneath the water, back against the incline at the end of the bath, Lannor unfolded his front paws, lie on his stomach, and watched Tyler.

Head arched back, eyes closed, Tyler was far from relaxed but Lannor knew the bath would help. Water flowed from the faucet and Tyler raised a foot to pug his toe in the opening. Not until Lannor hissed did Tyler open his eyes and see the spray of water of the wall behind Lannor.

“So sorry.” Tyler said, sitting up and turning the water off.

As Tyler settled back, Lannor sat up on the wooden shelf looking down into the water. Bubbles floated on the surface and Lannor found it near impossible not to think back to the magazine. He’d spent all night reading it from front to back and his body remain a buzz from the pent up sexual arousal.

When Tyler sprang upright, hands clenching the side of the bath, his eyes frantic with fear, Lannor sat upright.

“If he’s moving back in, where is he going to sleep?” Tyler’s voice echoed around the bathroom and Lannor found delight in Tyler’s agitation. Tyler’s head dropped as he rubbed his damp hand over his face.

“I don’t know what’s more concerning,” Tyler murmured, “My parents telling the world I’m dead or finding out Lannor will live here too.”

Tyler’s hands flopped into the water and he fell back against the end of the bath. It was only then did Lannor see the tears fall from the corner of Tyler’s eyes. Tyler stared above Lannor lost in thought and then sank beneath the water.

Panic filled Lannor, and he pushed the soap once more in to the water to draw Tyler’s attention but this time it had no effect. Lannor hissed and still nothing. Without throwing himself into the water, which he considered momentarily, Lannor found he had no other choice. As it reached a minute in which Tyler remained submerged, Lannor jumped from the bath onto the cold tiled floor and transformed. He then reached into the bath and pulled Tyler out by his upper forearms. The look for shock on Tyler’s face as he stammered at the intrusion could be ignored now Tyler was no longer under the water.

“Don’t do that?” Lannor growled.

Taken back by Lannor’s tone, Tyler glared at him and then out the corner of his eye noticed the empty wooden shelf. The slow movement of Tyler’s eyes moving between the shelf, Lannor, and the closed door brought a grin to the corner of Lannor’s mouth. When Lannor remembered why he’d pulled Tyler out of the water, seriousness returned, and he said, “Don’t stay under the water like that. Do you have any idea how many have died in this bath?”

Tyler’s eyes grew round and large and then he took hold of the side of the bath and scampered out. Lannor had only enough time to move out of Tyler’s way as he stood, dripping wet and naked in the middle of the bathroom.

“What…” Tyler stammered, “What are you doing in here? How did you…?”

Tyler’s head darted around the room, his eyes frantic for an explanation.

“Where’s the cat?” Tyler almost yelled.

“Calm down now.” Lannor said yet could see Tyler was far from calming down.

“Why don’t you get dress first and I’ll clean up here. Then we’ll talk.”

Tyler remained where he stood, his body responding to the cool room, and Lannor raised his eyes to the ceiling. It was never this difficult. Lannor approached Tyler and only then did he come to his senses. Tyler stepped back in to the rail and reaching for the towel whipped it around his waist. Lannor fought the urge to laugh as Tyler fled the bathroom towards the bedroom.

Well, that could have gone better, Lannor thought. So much for keeping his identity hidden. Yet, as Lannor let the bath water out and cleaned up the bathroom floor, eagerness within he hadn’t experienced before sent a thrill through his body.

Tyler stood in the middle of the bedroom, hands clenched to the towel around his waist, water cascading down his body making him tremble.

“What the hell happened?” Tyler said, eyes darting towards the bedroom door. As an after thought, he closed the bedroom door but not before staring towards the bathroom. Sure enough, Tyler could hear Lannor there.

“Oh my god!” Tyler leaned against the bedroom door looking for a weapon or anything that might help him. The poker by the fireplace looked promising but not before he dressed. Franticly, Tyler scrambled to find clothes but the bedroom door opened and Lannor entered. In his panic, Tyler slipped from the bed onto the floor as he struggled to pull on his jeans.

“Are you fine?” Lannor asked as he leaned against the doorframe.

Tyler stared up at the smirk on his face and grimaced.

“No. I am not fine. How the hell did you get into the bathroom with me not hearing you? And what did you do to the cat?”

Lannor stepped into the room, then before Tyler’s eye’s he transformed and shrank until the cat appeared. Tyler backed away, his back pressed hard against the bed.

“What the hell!” Tyler’s voice grew an octave, his heart racing.

The cat took several steps forward before it once more transformed and Lannor now walked towards him.

“Stay… Stay away from me.” Tyler stammered.

Lannor stopped at Tyler’s feet and crouched down at eye level.

“I will not hurt you. If I was I would have already done so?”

Tyler’s sharp intake filled the room as he stared at Lannor. It was bad enough the man was beautiful, but not near as bad he transformed into the cat. Tyler could not get his head around it but his curiosity overcame his fear.

“How did you do that?” Tyler asked.

Lannor’s smile was mischievous, and he held out a hand towards Tyler.

“Why don’t we get up off the floor first?”

Tyler hesitantly took Lannor’s hand and stood.

“Come.” Lannor said as he sat, patting the bed beside him for Tyler to join him.

Tyler’s eyes flittered towards the two chairs and Lannor stood and sat in one of the chairs.

“Better.” Lannor asked.

“Can you read minds?” Tyler asked suspiciously.

The sound of laughter from Lannor surprised Tyler and his shock was replaced with annoyance.

“Look,” Tyler demanded, “I don’t know what you are, but this is freaking me out. So a little courtesy would be nice.”

Laughter remained around Lannor’s eyes as he composed himself.

“You are right. It is remiss of me to take advantage of this situation when you do not understand what is happening. Why don’t you sit,” Lannor indicated to the other chair, “And I’ll answer your questions?”

Tyler finished doing up his pants and barefooted, walked over and sat down opposite Lannor but not before moving the chair back. Lannor’s mocking expression put Tyler on edge. Arms crossed over his chest, Tyler glared at Lannor, and said, “Now talk. What are you and where are you from?”