I stood aside and reached.Need to shift, Caliel.
Indisposed, here. You are on your own.
What? How could he be busy? I took a deep breath to steady my jumping nerves and reached again.
And this time, I felt it. The seething swirl of restless scales pushing against Caliel’s hold. He was restraining the monster from emerging.
How long has it been like that?I asked.
Since the beach. It wants out. And it is all I can do to stop it.
How could I have doubted him? I should have known there was something wrong. He’d pushed the battle so deep that I’d experienced glimpses, nothing more.
Even my brief contact was enough to galvanize the monster.Leave off, Bree,Caliel said desperately.I’ve got enough problems.His voice altered, just a burst of calm.You should be able to handle the equine on your own now. Just visualize. Riggs can help.
On my own? I experienced a moment of panic. But if I didn’t want the monster emerging, I needed to come at this differently.
“What’s wrong?” Riggs asked.
Above us, Leah slid down the rope. They’d all be down here in minutes. We needed my equine form, and now.
I decided on honesty. “Caliel is busy holding back the monster. He can’t help me shift to equine.”
“Can you do it on your own?” Riggs asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never done it that way before.”
As Leah touched down beside us, Riggs pulled me off to the side. Then he drew the sword.
“It gave you energy before.” He shrugged.
It was worth a shot. He laid the glowing blade on my shoulder?—
And power coursed through me. I gritted my teeth and visualized my equine form. The four strong legs, the long, graceful neck.
The pain that shot through me told me it was working. I struggled to hold onto the image as my body contorted its way to equine. Until I opened my eyes, and the blade rested upon a muscled shoulder sheathed in black, glossy hair.
I tossed my head in elation. The sword’s energy continued to pulse through me, and I sensed Caliel grab hold and use it to reinforce the wall between the monster and us.
Riggs watched me with concern in his eyes. I assumed I’d made some undignified noises while shifting.
“You okay?” he asked.
I shook my mane. “Yes,” I said. “Leet’s load up.”
The machine was very awkward to strap on, but with Sid holding it in place, he managed it. By that time, the entire team was ready to move.
We jogged across the bridge and into the trees, moving as fast as we could. Which actually was a pretty good clip, although the way Leah was panting, it might not be sustainable.
We’d only got halfway through the forest when I heard hoofbeats.
“Trantil.” Sid exchanged a look with Cody. “They must have found the guards.”
Cody dropped his pack, and his face started to lengthen. In moments, he was in beast form.
He swung his massive head at Leah and Nar. “Leah, get on me. Nar, Sid can carry you.”
The Selkie didn’t argue, but climbed onto his back. Sid slung Nar onto his.
