It has been a long time since I have written in a journal. Years have passed since I even opened the book. My last entry was just before we went to find Rodney’s niece and nephew.

So many things have happened since then. Rescuing Katharina and then losing Nico to that place. I still love him, and miss him, but the man he was is gone. He was gone when she brought him back as a vampyre. The last time I was with Lance still brings a smile to my face. Not suitable as a mate for me now, but still fun.

We lost Cass, but she returned as Cassie. Then we lost Cassie, only to discover she was a thing, something created to fool us. I accepted Cassie without question. I feel a bit guilty about that. We’d been told that Oberon refused to allow her to die, but in saving her he had to change her. It made sense to me, because I know how reincarnation and resurrection can changes you. When Cassie was destroyed, trying to unmake that artifact, I accepted it.

I believe the others think me heartless, but they don’t understand me. Especially Li. Sometimes I get the feeling she doesn’t understand why I act as I do, that she expects me to act and think as a human does. While I have a human form, I am not human. I never have been. She needs to accept that, and understand how my animal nature influences me. I wonder if she fears me in some way. She shouldn’t, for I do not consider her an enemy.

The others didn’t understand my belief that Cass was still alive somewhere. If she truly was dead, then I was not worried. Our paths have crossed many times in past lives, and I was confident that it would again. If she still lived, then she would find her way back to us, or we would find a way to rescue her.

To be honest, losing Cass was no different to me than when we were sued over Blood Tears and were forced to leave Ames. Learning later we had been targeted by our enemies in an attempt to weaken and destroy us made our situation clear. They considered us a threat, but they clearly underestimated our resources and ability to survive.

Guided by Bastet, we made our way to Mythic City and have rebuilt our lives there. Diesel, who left us a long time ago, returned to us, and we made new friends. Mercy and Li, and that irrepressible and impressively male tom Taksenamun. Tracks pursued, courted and won me. He is now my mate, and is better than Tuthmosis ever was, may his claws splinter, teeth break and body shrivel to nothingness.

After the “death” of Cassie, though, everything changed. To us at least, the world changed. The rules of magic shifted, and my very being was altered. I was no longer what I was, a small house cat that could change forms. I became was I once was, in ages past. A fearsome predator with the ability to cross into the spirit world.

I now have a Pride to lead, and we have claimed as our territory the area around the house, and the building where the Cathair Investigations offices are located. It is a good size for Tracks, Nails and I, and I don’t foresee our Pride growing in size in the near future.