Cats and Other Creatures: A Short Story Collection

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION FROM THE AUTHOR

Cats. Foxes. Spaniels. Faery. Fantasy. Science fiction…

These stories are filled with whimsy and possibility. They look at what happens in the places most humans never even think to look. The places animals know so well.

These are stories filled with the magic of surprise. They ask what life might be like if we sought past the ordinary.

The six tales are varied. I put this collection together to thank the backers of my Bookshop Witch Kickstarter. These stories are also dedicated to my amazing Patreon supporters, without whom most of them would not exist.

So here they are: revolutionary super-cats, murderous garden cats, faeries, strange visitations, cat detectives, and worlds beyond what we currently know.

Let’s imagine them together.

T. Thorn Coyle

Portland, Oregon

2021

1

RHIANNON AND THE QUEEN OF CATS

Gnomes are ridiculous. 

I was half-napping in the bookstore window, curled up against a stack of the latest urban fantasy novels, a sunbeam warming my face. 

Then that witch, Delta Crabbit, walked in, tote bag stuffed with a cranky gnome. Not that I saw any of this, but Delta’s voice carries, and the gnome’s thrashing was pretty loud. Sigh. I settled back into my restful pose, hoping Delta and my human, Sarah, would have their little conversation, Delta would get the books she had on order, and then they would leave.

A cat can dream, can’t she? 

But it wasn’t to be.

Since the only other person in the store was my witch, Sarah—and Biff the resident ghost didn’t care—Delta decided the gnome could come out to play.

Great. Just great. That dang gnome loved nothing more than to bother me. 

Sure enough…

Pssst! a gravely little voice said. Hey! Cat! You awake?

I opened one eye. And there, staring at me from behind a display of notebooks, were those shiny button eyes, ruddy cheeks, and white beard, all of it topped by a blue cap with purple stitching. The gnome. My nemesis. The bane of my existence. 

Oh, he didn’t know that. But I did. And what I know is the only thing that matters. 

Did you hear the news? 

Now, that got my attention. I opened both eyes and lifted my head. 

What news?

There’s a new cat in town. Says she has magical powers. Says she’s the real Justice in town. Not your witch.

I sat up and glared. Where is this creature?

She sometimes holds court in that little parking lot behind Angie’s cafe. I met her when I was visiting the greenhouse there.

Well, well, well. Wasn’t this interesting? The scruff of my neck bristled.

Show me, I said, leaping from the window display. I padded toward the door, then realize the gnome wasn’t with me. Looking back, I saw him carefully attempting to climb down, stepping on stacks of books that teetered precariously, hopping onto a low bookcase. Finally, he made his way to the floor. 

I stood at the door and yelled.

Rhiannon? Sarah asked. You can’t go out. You know that. Her pale brow furrowed in the way that meant she was questioning something. You never go out.

Preston, what are you doing? Delta Crabbit’s voice was as sharp as her eyes, peering at the gnome from beneath the wild tufts of her gray hair.

Huh. The gnome’s name was Preston. I had no idea. 

I turned to meow at Sarah, to reassure her everything was fine. She was right, though. I didn’t go out. I preferred the cozy warmth of the bookstore—or her house—along with the free food and head scratches. But sometimes a cat has to do what a cat has to do. The door pushed open and the bells rang. Feet stepped toward me. A customer.

I darted past, and heard Sarah shout. The gnome was hot on my heels. We had to get away before the witches caught up. Luckily, a customer would slow Sarah down, and I didn’t think Delta was all that fit. 

The scent of briny sea air hit me along with the smells of popcorn and saltwater taffy and car exhaust. The slight tang of rotting fish provided an under note to the ocean breeze. My stomach growled. But I had no time to think of fish. 

Lead on, I said, ignoring Delta’s muffled shouts from the sidewalk behind us. I had a vague idea where the café was, but the gnome knew the lay of the land. Once we’d gotten far enough away, I slowed down to match the pace of his stumpy legs. At this rate, it was going to take us hours to make it down the few blocks of Main Street, dodging tourists and locals alike.

The gnome turned off Main and led me toward a small parking area in what must have been the rear of Angie’s cafe. Sure enough, I saw a glass structure with what looked like plants inside. The greenhouse.

And, holding court, with half a dozen cats and a squirrel or two gathered around her dainty paws, was a large cat with calico fur. 

She stopped speaking and looked up at me with amber eyes. My own eyes narrowed, and I resisted the urge to hiss. 

You brought the Justice’s minion, I see. She spoke to the gnome, but directed the words at me.

This time, I hissed. 

I am no one’s minion. I stiffened my gait and stalked her way. The other cats backed off, clearly wanting to avoid a fight. 

That was interesting. To my knowledge, outdoor cats were always sparring over something or another. What power did this interloper have? 

The calico huffed at me. If you are no one’s minion, why are you not Justice of this town? Why let a witch do what a cat ought?

What kind of fool question was that? I stopped and glared. Because I already have a job in the bookshop. That keeps me in kibble, a warm bed, and as many head scratches as I desire. Why would I wish for more work?

The other cats nodded.

Makes sense to me, a slinky gray cat said to a marmalade tomcat beside her. The cat looked sad.

But sad or not, she was correct. No cat wants to work more than they need to.

I moved toward the group again, the gnome at my side. The sounds from the street faded, as did the rumble of waves from down the cliffs. A blue jay scolded high up in a spruce. We all ignored it, except one squirrel, which chittered back, until the marmalade cat swiped at it.

Ridiculous! the calico scoffed, then turned to the gnome. "Everyone wants power. Clearly this cat…" the calico spat the word. My hair rose at the insult, but