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  The Elf, the Cat, and the Human

  Sasha L. Miller

  The truest form of trouble is a love triangle…

  Teric is a cat shifter, too shy to ever admit the growing crush he has on his roommate and best friend, Edrin—and too petrified to ever admit to his feelings for the haughty elf Akeid. Then Akeid asks him out, and begins to return his feelings with interest.

  Edrin has had a crush on Teric for ages, but has never known how to admit to Teric. He distracts himself by going to clubs, hoping someone will be distracting enough. Then Akeid slips in and steals Teric away, and Edrin wants badly to strangle the condescending, untrustworthy, far too beautiful elf.

  Humans and mongrel cats are beneath him, but a bet is a bet, and Akeid means to win it. Until he loses sight of the bet, all his attention stolen by the pretty cat slipping beneath his skin—and the hissing, spitting, jealous human dogging his every step.

  Book Details

  The Elf, the Cat, and the Human

  By Sasha L. Miller

  Published by Less Than Three Press

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.

  Edited by London Burden

  Cover designed by London Burden

  This book is a work of fiction and as such all characters and situations are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

  First Edition August 2011

  Copyright © 2011 by Sasha L. Miller

  Printed in the United States of America

  ISBN 978-1-936202-77-5

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Book Details

  The Elf, the Cat, and the Human

  About the Author

  The Elf, the Cat, and the Human

  "I am so killing you for this later," Teric vowed, stumbling again over the thick, clunky boots his roommate had forced on him.

  "So you've said," Edrin replied absently, straining to see past the queue of people in front of them.

  "Seriously, Edrin," Teric threatened, squinting at Edrin's back. Edrin may have managed to hide Teric's ears, but Teric wasn't sure that the price of losing his glasses again was worth it—not that Edrin would've let him leave the room wearing them.

  "Stop complaining." Edrin said, turning back to Teric as he gave up trying to see around a woman with an enormous hat.

  "I'll complain as much as I very well please," Teric informed Edrin haughtily, wishing for the thousandth time that he could see properly.

  "I don't see how you have anything worth complaining about." Edrin smirked, letting his gaze trail along Teric's form. Teric rolled his eyes.

  "How about boots that are two sizes too big?" Teric countered, letting Edrin pull him forward as the queue moved.

  "You'll get used to them," Edrin replied distractedly—the real source of Teric's ire that he never voiced. Edrin would hang around with him for a bit before going dancing, something Teric avoided like the plague, or being dragged off to a dark corner somewhere. Or, worse, to some stranger's place. Some stranger that wasn't Teric and Teric would be left half-blind and on his own. It really wasn't fun to see the friend you were crushing on—even if it was only a very minor crush, Teric thought firmly, as though that would make it true—go off with someone else.

  Edrin thought Teric did the same, so he was constantly dragging Teric out in his chase after 'tail,' and it really amused Teric that he called it that. Usually, Teric didn't mind. He liked the club atmosphere and occasionally he'd manage to strike up a conversation with someone interesting.

  The only thing that usually detracted from it was the girls and that one really scary guy who would follow him around the clubs cooing over his ears. They didn't seem to understand that just because Teric had dared to go clubbing, that he didn't really want their less-than-gentle fingers trying to poke and prod at his sensitive ears.

  In truth, the only time Teric had ever spent the night away from the dorm had been the time he'd left to go home and gotten lost—because Edrin had taken his glasses away and he'd missed all the bus runs. He hadn't been able to figure out how to get a taxi, not that he could've afforded one. Edrin had been thrilled though, when he'd come back exhausted and rumpled in the morning, so Teric had let it go.

  "And we're in," Edrin announced, flashing a grin at Teric as he pulled him along. Teric smiled back distractedly, staring around the small, dimly lit coatroom.

  "Edrin, where are we?" Teric demanded. The clubs they usually frequented didn't have coatrooms. Edrin paused in the act of hanging up his jacket, and Teric decided his smile was leaning towards sheepish.

  "Ah, The Lady Blue?" Edrin offered and Teric sighed. No wonder Edrin had finally conceded and helped him camouflage his ears. "You look as human as I do, so don't worry," Edrin hastened to reassure, shoving his jacket onto one of the provided racks. "We can leave if you don't like it?"

  Teric shook his head, fighting the urge to pat down his hair to make sure his ears were still hidden. Shrugging off his coat in concession, Teric frowned at Edrin. "Don't leave me alone in there." He didn't want to face a lynch mob of elves if his ears or tail decided they needed to make an appearance.

  "Awww, but Teric," Edrin whined, draping himself on Teric's half-bare shoulder. "How'm I supposed to pick up a hot piece of elven tail that way?"

  "Offer a threesome," Teric told him dryly, shrugging Edrin off. "And elves don't have tails." Edrin snickered at him, following him to the door at the far end of the coatroom. "Did you think about how I was supposed to pick up someone here?"

  "Oh. Good point." Edrin's voice was apologetic. "Sorry, I just got excited when I heard they were opening to humans tonight."

  Teric shook his head, amused despite himself at Edrin's thoughtlessness.

  "We'll go someplace else after an hour or so, okay?" Edrin offered, and Teric shrugged.

  "If you want." Slanting a smile at Edrin as he opened the door into the club proper, Teric continued, "Unless you've gotten your elven tail by then." Edrin snickered again and nudged him inside. Teric smiled to himself, surveying the club blurrily. The bright area lining the wall to his right would be the bar, and the dark area with the flashing, bright lights, would be the dance floor. There was already a crush of people throwing themselves about vigorously to the music.

  Teric smiled. The music where they were wasn't loud, merely a pleasant thrum in the background. The club had a spell in place to muffle the noise here; the dance area in front of the DJ's station was probably much louder.

  "I'm dancing," Edrin told him, right next to where his left ear was slicked down and held stiffly in place with the styling gel. Teric nodded, fighting to ignore the pleasant shiver that snaked down his spine as he headed for the brightly lit bar.

  *~*~*

  "How about that one?" Jenai gestured to one of the humans lured in by the music. She was dancing well for a graceless animal.

  "No. Too tall," Akeid dismissed, bored. This was a stupid idea, but Jenai and Mareth wouldn't let up unless he left with someone.

  "Her?" Mareth tried, picking out a blonde girl with a large chest and long, shapely legs.

  "Too busty," Akeid declared, smirking when both Jenai and Mareth gaped. "Besides, Dad told me to avoid human girls. They tend to be diseased and deceptive. I don't want a half-human bastard child haunting me later, do I?"

  "Good point," Jenai agreed. "But are you okay with a guy?"

  "I'm not picky." Akeid hid a smile because he'd been nothing but picky all night.

  "Oh? How about him? He's been alone since he walked in." Mareth picked out a skinny human leani
ng against the bar. He was twisting one of the heels of his clunky boots back and forth in time to the music, his gaze focused on the dance floor as he nursed his drink.

  He was pretty enough, with dark hair spiked around his head in a curiously flattering pattern. He wore snug, flashy silver and black clothes that molded to all the right spots but still gave him a hint of mystery. And, of course, Akeid was always a sucker for big boots.

  "Okay," Akeid agreed, taking a last swallow from his drink and standing up.

  "Good luck," Jenai told him cheerfully, saluting Akeid with his fluorescent blue drink. Akeid snorted delicately. He wouldn't need luck. The only reason the humans flocked here was to see if they could score an elf. This human would be easy.

  Akeid sauntered over to the bar, somewhat disappointed when the motion didn't attract the young man's attention. He sauntered nicely. Pausing a few feet away, Akeid wondered what approach he should use for a moment before quickly deciding to go directly to the point.

  Stepping into the human's personal space, Akeid smiled charmingly as the young man turned to look at him, and Akeid's smile widened. The human had pretty brown eyes; humans did have such aesthetic appeal sometimes. "Hi," Akeid greeted, letting his eyes travel the length of the human's pretty body.

  "Ah. Hi," was the shy response. Akeid smiled again. This was too easy, especially with the 'are you talking to me' expression on the human's face.

  "I'm Akeid." Akeid introduced himself, waiting to hear if the human's name was as pretty as his face. Things should go quickly after that, thought me might just take his time. That should placate Jenai and Mareth for a week or two.

  "Teric." The human frowned at him thoughtfully, and Akeid edged closer, setting a hand on the soft fabric covering Teric's chest.

  "Teric," Akeid purred, pleased with the flush that stained Teric's cheeks a dark red. "Would you like to … come with me?" Teric choked, backing up. Akeid followed, more amused than he was willing to let on. "To somewhere a little more private?" Akeid continued, leaning in close. Teric stared at him wide-eyed, and Akeid fought the urge to laugh. This really was too easy.

  Teric's jaw dropped, like he was going to say something, and Akeid leaned forward just that little bit more and kissed him slowly, aiming to reduce Teric's capability for thought just a little more. Teric was unresponsive for a few seconds until Akeid got the bright idea to try and coax him into kissing back with the smooth application of tongue.

  Teric made a protesting noise deep in his throat and jerked away, running into the bar and knocking over a shot glass with a small clatter. "Um. No." Teric wasn't looking at him though, so he was probably playing hard to get.

  "Oh?" Akeid smiled sweetly. "Can't I convince you?" Akeid leaned close again, smelling the light, spicy cologne Teric was wearing.

  "Ah, no." Teric risked a glance at him, and Akeid rested a possessive hand on Teric's arm, smoothing small circles over the soft skin under his thumb.

  "Not even if I said please?" Akeid smirked—Teric wasn't pulling his arm way.

  "You want to back off?" a hard voice intruded. Teric jerked away, startled as he glanced past Akeid's shoulder. Akeid turned, losing his amusement. There was a reason he didn't like humans—too often they tended to stick their noses where they didn't belong.

  "No," Akeid replied coldly, and of course he knew this human. Edrin something, from Akeid's Advanced French Grammar course.

  "Well, tough." Edrin scowled at him, stepping closer to Teric.

  Akeid smirked, because there was no way Edrin would start anything in this place, not against an elf.

  "Teric, do you want to go now?" Edrin asked, ignoring Akeid and focusing on Teric.

  "Not if you want to stay," Teric told him, more words than Akeid had gotten out of him. Not that he had been aiming for words.

  "If you're taken, you should've said so," Akeid informed Teric, stepping away as the human flushed.

  "I—"

  "You didn't?" Edrin cut Teric off, and Akeid watched with interest as Teric looked confused for a moment—until Edrin kicked his boot in the most obvious manner possible. Unsubtle humans.

  "I didn't really get a chance?" Teric offered slowly, watching Edrin curiously. Akeid smirked. They weren't dating, but Edrin desperately wanted them to be, if the look he was giving Teric was anything to go by.

  "Sorry for intruding." Akeid managed with a straight face, giving Teric a lingering look before heading back to his table. Akeid smirked. Now he had fodder for teasing Edrin later. He had to do something about Edrin's attitude—he'd been entirely too disrespectful of Akeid. Maybe Akeid would find Teric outside the club and woo him right out from under Edrin's nose. Yes, that sounded fantastic. If he got to sleep with Teric in the process … well, so much the better.

  *~*~*

  "Sorry I didn't stay closer," Edrin apologized, leaning against the bar next to Teric.

  "It's okay," Teric shrugged. He wasn't sure whether he'd wanted Edrin to come sooner … or later.

  "Let's go before he comes back." Edrin scowled, and Teric squinted around—he really should get contacts for these outings so that he could see further than his arm.

  "Okay," Teric agreed after a moment. He really didn't know what he'd do if Akeid tried to push the issue. Edrin hadn't really been convincing with his spur-of-the-moment fabrication.

  "Are you okay?" Edrin asked, frowning at him with concern.

  "I'm fine," Teric sighed. His ears ached from being forced into one position for too long. "Let's go."

  Teric pushed away from the bar, brushing past Edrin towards the coatroom. Akeid had picked him for some reason, but he wouldn't have been thrilled to find out that Teric wasn't human as he was pretending to be.

  "A tail is hard to hide when you're naked," Teric told Edrin philosophically, mostly because it was kind of fun to see what would make Edrin splutter.

  "Teric!" Edrin made a face, opening the coatroom door. "I mean, I figured, but you don't really have to tell me that."

  Teric just smiled and started searching for his coat, ignoring the young woman who slipped past him into the club. Edrin stared at the rack where he'd hung his coat perplexedly for a moment, before glancing down. "On the floor," he grumbled, and snagged it.

  "Didn't hang it securely," Teric commented, suddenly anxious to get away from the club so that he could twitch his ears free.

  "No." Edrin paused, holding the coat but not moving to put it on. "Are you sure you're okay? He didn't slip you anything when he was molesting you did he?"

  Teric laughed. "No, and he just kissed me. Can we go?"

  "No … you're not okay?" Edrin asked, confused.

  "I'm fine. I just want to go." Teric tugged on his jacket. "My ears want to move."

  "Oh." Edrin pulled on his jacket quickly and headed for the door. "Come on, then." Teric followed him closely, doing his best to not trip over the toes of his borrowed boots. Ignoring the bouncer and the long line of patrons waiting to be admitted, Teric followed Edrin away from the quiet club.

  "Where do you want to go now?" Edrin asked, watching him carefully.

  Teric rolled his eyes, waiting only until they'd turned the corner to shake his ears free of the stiff gel holding them in place.

  "Ulgh." Teric grumbled, reaching up to carefully unstick the tip of the left ear. "Okay, I'm not doing that again."

  Edrin snickered, and Teric wiggled his ears disapprovingly because of course he knew that he'd been the one to ask Edrin to try and hide them in the first place (and kept asking and pestering until tonight when Edrin had actually given in).

  "So where?" Edrin repeated, strolling along the sidewalk with the faint click of his heels echoing every step.

  "I think I'm for home, actually," Teric decided. "My ears are sticky." And he really didn't much feel like watching Edrin dance anymore.

  "Akeid is in one of my classes. I can still beat him up." Edrin eyed him speculatively.

  "Right." Teric rolled his eyes. "Because this is so the first tim
e that's ever happened, so you should definitely go beat up Akeid. And then go back and find that stupid guy who wants to poke my ears every time we go to Club Mead."

  "Fine, fine." Edrin muttered, looking displeased. Probably he didn't like Akeid already and was just looking for a chance to get physical with him.

  "Hmm, see, when you do it, you call it getting tail," Teric continued thoughtfully.

  "Shut up," Edrin told him seriously. "That isn't funny."

  Teric laughed, feeling much more relaxed now that his ears were free to move as they pleased.

  "So why no more clubs?" Edrin asked, looking faintly confused.

  "My ears are sticky," Teric repeated, and wiggled them sadly. "Your boots are killing my heels, too, and I don't really feel in the mood for loud music and expensive drinks and people trying to molest my ears."

  "All right." Edrin snickered. "Did you want me to come with you?"

  "Only if you want to." Teric smiled, amused because Edrin was still concerned, which was nice, but not really necessary. "I'm a big boy. I can get home on my own."

  "I think I'll go with you." Edrin shrugged. "There's always tomorrow."

  Teric smiled. "Good. Now I'll be able to find the bus stop."

  Edrin laughed, hooking an arm with Teric's and pulling him down the street. "Crazy cat." Teric rolled his eyes, but let it pass—Edrin was the only one he'd let call him a cat without some form of retaliation.

  *~*~*

  Teric really loathed his eight o'clock science class. The chairs weren't designed for anyone with a tail, which meant he always spent the hour and a half slouched in his seat to ensure that he didn't squish his tail.

  Of course, that it was eight in the morning didn't help, especially since it was a science course, Teric majored in literature, and he really hated the professor. He would have skipped, but skipping meant he'd fall behind. It might have been a simple science course, but Teric really didn't do well with science.

  Teric frowned sleepily at the chalkboard, ignoring the bustle of students around him. The lecture hall seated a few hundred, and this class was popular because it was an easy intro level course and a required course for a fair number of majors.