Makita: Cats of Catarau, #3

By Sandra Cox

Makita must use her second life to return to earth and take care of her pal, Bennie the Boxer. But finding Bennie is only the beginning. After they're reunited, Makita and Bennie stumble upon a dog fighting ring. Now the fearless feline must use her considerable cunning to breakout the hapless creatures that have been stolen to use as bait for the fighting dogs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra Cox
• Release date: May 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201187217

Sandra Cox

Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA Fantasy, Paranormal and Historical Romance, and Metaphysical Nonfiction. She lives in sunny North Carolina with her husband, a brood of critters, and an occasional foster cat. Although shopping is high on the list, her greatest pleasure is sitting on her screened-in porch, listening to the birds, sipping coffee and enjoying a good book. She’s a vegetarian and a Muay Thai enthusiast. Readers can find Sandra at sandracox.blogspot.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SandraCox.Author, or at twitter.com@Sandra_Cox.

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Glossary

Makita: Himalayan in first life, Siamese in second, heroine of this story

Bennie: Brindle-colored boxer

Jack: Old cocker spaniel

Missus Stubby: Old Gray Manx Cat

Pedro: Chihuahua

Catarau: Cats’ Shangri-La/Heaven

Bast: The great cat goddess

Shardai: The legendary white domestic shorthair who traveled back to earth for love of his human

Great Mother: Shardai’s mother

Old Soul: A cat who has lived more than one life and is now bound to take care of the less fortunate when he travels on earth

Journey-cat: An old soul apprentice

The Council of Nine: The cats that rule Catarau, representatives of a cat’s nine lives. These include

Ramses: The Abyssinian elder

Nefret: The Mau

Morris: The orange domestic short hair

Brandy: The silver Persian

Lolita: The petite silver tabby

Frodo: The snowshoe

Creek: The Siamese mix

Luna: The tuxedo

Tadji: The gray Persian

The kits:

Snowstorm: The snowshoe

Snowfall: The Siamese

Blizzard: The yellow tabby

Prologue

Quivering with fear , the cat and dog pressed against each other in the backseat of the car, as far  from the human sitting next to them as they could get. The dog whined uneasily. The driver was their owner and though he was neglectful and seemingly unaware of the animals’ existence, the dog had given him loyalty and love. The cat, more discriminating, had given her loyalty to the dog.

The driver looked around. This is as good a spot as any. He slowed the car.

The man in the backseat leaned across the nervous animals and flung the door open.

The cat screamed at the whoosh of air that rushed at her and tried to dig her claws in the upholstery. But the man gave both animals a hard shove. Even though they stiffened their legs and fought for purchase on the old car seat, they went flying through the air, crying out in fear.

The dog landed with a whimper and a thud on the hard ground. The cat’s head struck a telephone pole. She slid to the ground and lay still.

The dog picked himself up, shook himself off and limped over to the cat. He nuzzled her but she didn’t move. He barked at the disappearing car, then lay down next to the motionless body of the cat and waited for his master to return.

THE COUNCIL OF NINE and the little tabby called Great Mother ran to the bridge and waited.

Chapter One

Trembling violently Makita, the Himalayan, stood on a bridge aglow with brilliant colors. Sunshine warmed her back and fresh air filled her nostrils. She smelled fear but it emanated from herself.

At the bottom of the bridge, a semi-circle of cats stood waiting.

A regal Abyssinian raised his paw and beckoned. Come, friend. Join us.

The Himalayan took a tentative step forward. Who are you?

I am Ramses and this is the Council of Nine. He lifted his paw to encompass the other cats. Actually, the Council of Ten. He put his paw around the little tabby that sat at his side. The tabby purred in response and licked his ear.

Where am I?

Catarau, Ramses said.

Catarau, she breathed in wonder. It really exists.

This is the first life you’ve lost then? I didn’t think I’d seen you here before.

Yes. She looked around. Lush grassy acres stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with mountains of—she sniffed—kibble.

She sniffed again. Nearby, catmint plants waved their pretty leaves in the breeze.

Kittens chased butterflies. The more mature cats lay or sat in the luxuriant transparent grass, sunning themselves, some on their backs with their paws in the air.

A light breeze in the blue sky tossed and separated the grass. Clouds floated not only above her but below as well. Mists rolled beneath them.

A lonely howl rose to meet her. Bennie, she whispered. Her tail twitching, her ears flat, she crouched and looked through the mists. A brindle-colored boxer nuzzled her lifeless body, then threw his head in the air and bayed as if his heart would break.

Oh, Bennie. She sniffed and wiped a tear from her eye. Quivering, she got to her feet and faced Ramses. I’ve just used one life. Correct, oh great Ramses?

The big cat flattened his ears and swished his tail. Yes, the Abyssinian hissed, his eyes narrowed as if he sensed what was coming and didn’t like it.

Already trembling from her death experience, she quivered at his attitude. And I have eight more?

Yes.

So I can go back?

He sighed and waved a great paw. Look around you, why would you want to?

Look below you, how could I stay? she responded quietly.

Once you leave here, we can no longer help you, he persisted.

My friend needs me. She swallowed hard. It was all she could do to keep from keening her fear and misery at the top of her lungs. Of course, she wanted to stay. Earth was a cruel place. Humans were monsters. What else but a monster would heave two faithful companions out of a moving car to die or starve to death?

My friend needs me. She repeated and licked her chest. Great wads of fur came off on her tongue. Her fur always fell out when she became nervous. At the moment, nervous was an understatement.

But he’s a dog, a beautiful Mau spat, peering through the lucent grass and mists to where Bennie howled mournfully beside her body.

He does look rather pathetic, the tuxedo put in.

He’ll die if I don’t go back, Makita wailed.

He’s a dog, Ramses replied.

He’s my friend. She notched up her chin. Besides, I’ve heard stories. She glanced around the circle of cats ringed around her. They sat on their haunches, their tails wrapped about their bodies.

What stories, child? A snowshoe gave her an encouraging nod.

Of the great Shardai, who went back for love of his human. She spat out the word. "How can a dog be worse than a human?

I’ve also heard about brave Akasha who went back for her kitten.

The Abyssinian looked at the petite little tabby that sat beside him, a question in his eyes.

A message passed between them.

She nodded.

He heaved a resigned sigh and looked at the council.

As one, they nodded.

The orange tabby spoke up. Let her go, Ramses.

The Abyssinian dipped his head in a regal gesture. The sun glistened on his golden-brown black-flecked fur. Your second life has been granted. Come back this evening and I will send you on your journey.

But I must go now, she meowed, panicked.

You will eat and rest. Then you may go, he said sternly. Tadji, take her to Kibble Mountain.

A gray Persian stepped forward. Come with me, dear.

But Bennie needs me now, Makita protested.

My decision has been made. Come back this evening. Ramses’ beautiful tawny tail lashed back and forth.

Tadji tugged with her paw. Come, Makita. You don’t want Ramses to rescind his decision to let you go back, do you? she whispered.

He would do that? Makita asked, horrified, as she let the Persian lead her away.

Ramses is wise and fair, but he doesn’t like to be argued with. The only one who can change his mind once he’s made a decision is Great Mother.

With a heavy sigh, Makita fell in step with Tadji. And who is Great Mother, Ramses’ mate?

That’s right and Shardai’s mother. You’ve obviously heard of Shardai.

Of course, she breathed. Everyone has heard of Shardai. Though, I was no more sure that Shardai existed than Catarau did. I thought them both myths. Makita turned back to look at the little tabby, called Great Mother.

Catarau is real, as you can see. Tadji threw out her paw. And I guarantee you, Shardai is real also.

As they approached Kibble Mountain, Makita lifted her nose up and down sniffing as the tangy scent of kibble filled the air. Her stomach growled. She ran toward the large tan, brown, and red mountain and began to eat, plucking up small pieces of kibble, purring as she chewed and swallowed. I had no idea I was so hungry. She ate ravenously.

There is seafood on the other side and chicken to your right, if you prefer different flavors. Tadji took a delicate bite of a star-shaped piece of kibble herself.

Makita swallowed, then said, This is fine.

After you’ve eaten your fill, there’s a crystal-clear stream over to your left. Tadji pointed with her paw. Sleep anywhere you like.

Thank you. You have been so kind to me.

Think nothing of it, dear. I’ll come back to get you in a few hours and you can go find your beloved Bennie.

Makita nodded her thanks then returned to the kibble. She ate till she thought she’d bust then walked over and drank from the clean clear stream. This is the best water I’ve ever tasted.

She walked a few yards away. Lush emerald grass rustled beneath her paws. She found a spot, turned around a few times, then lay down.

The bright orange sun warmed her fur. She put her paws over her eyes and slept.

It seemed like no time at all before a small dry nose nudged her awake.

It’s time, Makita.

Makita yawned, stuck her front legs out in front of her, raised her hindquarters in the air and stretched. Standing up, she looked around. The sun had drifted lower in the sky leaving the horizon a lovely blend of pinks and lavenders.

This is as dark as it gets. Tadji swept a paw in the direction of the skyline. The council has convened. Are you ready?

Makita looked at her surroundings and felt regret. Catarau. No pain. No cruelty. No sickness. Plenty to eat. It will be hard to leave. Then she glanced through the clouds and saw Bennie lying beside her dead body, his nose on his paws. Remorse washed over her. She flayed herself for having hesitated even a moment.

It’s hard to leave all this, the Persian echoed Makita’s thoughts.

Can you show me other cats that have gone back? Makita asked, curious.

Of course. Look over to your right, Tadji pointed through the mists. See the yellow cat sitting in the woman’s lap on the couch?

Makita nodded.

That’s Shardai.

Really, I thought Shardai was white and very big.

He is in his chosen form. There are no options when you go back. The only thing certain is that you will be a cat.

I see.

Tadji pointed toward her left at a three-legged cat and a large battle scarred red tabby sitting in front of a fireplace, their tails intertwined. That’s Akasha and Bo-Jangles. I have to tell you not all trips back are success stories. It took Shardai two lives to make it back to his person. Tadji flicked her ears, her expression somber.

Makita stared