“It’s not safe for her to be around–I know you lying.” A gasp much louder than expected. She shifts into a gargantuan bear, causing a crater, which instantly kills dozens from her size alone. Four shifters, viper, wolf, bear, and panther, hold the glooms at bay while we gather our thoughts.
“Well shit, Alex. Why didn’t you tell me Yuna’s your shifter?” Angie smirks, stepping closer to him.
“Language, Angie. Your mouth is just as bad as hers.” He side-eyes me, and I reserve the right not to indulge him. Instead, I pull my plait over my left shoulder and render a deep bow. The tick of his jaw is good enough.
“Say’s the one who bonded with a wolf. An aquatic wolf of legends, to be exact.” Alex forces back a proud smile. “And you know we don’t discuss our shifters. Let’s be glad they’re all on our side.”
With everyone else, my gaze returns amongst the battle in time to witness Celine spit acid, burning those caught in its trajectory. Terra emits a beam of frost from her snout, Yuna releases wind blades with every swipe of her large paws, and Ivy…
“Where’s Ivy?” I ask Russ who grins with his arms folded.
“She’s the blur of purple. Cloaked and dangerous.”
“Damn.” Their synchronicity is perfect, and since arriving, I feel calmness finally resonate.We can win this and get everyone home.Huffing, I search for Angie, forgetting about the minis. “Can you do me a favor?” She agrees before hearing me in full. “There’re two kids I rescued. Can you check them for injuries?”
Dissolving my transparent shield, I frown, realizing they’re gone.
“Ahh, what kids?” Angie questions, shrugging her shoulders.
“Shit, did they run away after seeing the shifters? I’ll be back. They–”
“No,” Marcel interjects. “Now that we’re together, we will not separate. But you, Alex, explain how the fuck this mission went to hell under your intel. What about this scream intelligence.”
My chest pounds with this present conundrum. On one hand, he is right. Splitting up isn’t the best plan. On the other hand, two kids are running around and are easy prey for the picking. I can’t sit and do nothing.
Clenching both fists and checking what remains of my aura, I make my decision. “I need to find them.”
“You will not. Don’t be naive, Kyra, look around.” Marcel flares his nostrils as his tone becomes deadly. Primal even. “We hold the glooms attention. If those kids have wandered off, they’ll be far away from here. But if you leave, you’ll be drawing attention. Their best chance at survival is without you looking for them.”
Scoffing, I acknowledge he has a point. But I can’t leave knowing they’re still here, so for now, I’ll listen. After our enemies are slain, we will search for them, even if I have to go alone.
“Calm yourself, Marcel–” Alex starts but is soon interrupted by Ethan.
“Caspian, Niro, do tell me, where did the two of you go after finding me?”
While the three of them trade blame with each other, one more look at their shifters eases my shoulders. They have ended the last of our enemies, and now bound our way, reappearing in their fay form. A smile of comfort follows an exhale, and my sights are set on Caspian and his captivating, two-toned eyes.
“Hey,” I speak low while considering my words.Did you not hearme calling out to you? I was worried something happened…or worse.Speaking internally, I can’t be sure who here knows about his ability.
His deep red mane sprawls around his shoulders, stained with midnight blood, yet he is more attractive now than before, with how calm he is. His delivering smile pumps adrenaline into my veins, and I’m glad we will have another day to discuss our last conversation.
“I’m fine, Sweets. Not a scratch on me thanks to Niro. The glooms used some form of magic blocking that limited my abilities.” He ignores my concern, but perhaps this isn’t the best time for such discussions.
I turn, ready to interrogate Niro.
“Where the hell did you run off to? You said, ‘meet back where we separated,’ but you weren’t there.” Now thinking about it, I’m doing Ethan’s bidding, and I loathe it.
“The elite put up more of a fight than anticipated. Though dead, I couldn’t save the mother and fayling. Other glooms attacked while we were in combat. I’m sorry.” Hurt hides behind Niro’s emotionless facade, reminding me of his past friends. It pains me knowing he couldn’t save them.
“No, I’m sorry. Thank you for trying,” I respond, understanding all too well what this type of loss feels like.
Everyone huddles around. Shifters are drenched in blood, wearing smiles of victory while celebrating in the nude. Clothing is optional but staring isn’t. And by each of their expressions, it’s me who is not accustomed to this form of…friendship.
Chatter springs about, but something strutting down the hill towards us, holds my attention.Who is that?A tall, lone individual, wrapped in clothes of the deepest blacks and a hooded cloak, approaches. “Umm, am I seeing things?” I question, speaking over their excited voices. “Please be a friend.”
No one speaks, but they all ready themselves. “Kitten,” Russ says, moving adjacent to me.
“Yeah?”
