Humans hunted and killed shifters in droves only a few generations ago, before we convinced their kind that we were simply myths and legends. The veiled barrier of magic between our two kingdoms has protected us since then, but our people have long lives, and many still harbor anger toward humans.
It is forbidden to take a human through the Veil, and we are warned from the time we are children that it is not wise to live among the humans. Yet, many still do, hiding what they are by making sure never to shift into their animal forms. As I think on all the stories I heard as a child of humans killing our kind, I can hardly believe that some shifters take this risk and make their homes and livelihoods in the human world.
My father says that when I was born, my mother cried herself to sleep for many nights, lamenting that the mark was upon my skin. It designated me as a guard of the Chosen One and meant that I would have to one day go to the human world.
Closing my eyes, I think back on her tears as I left with my bond brothers to cross the Veil. She does not believe I will ever make it back home again, despite all my assurances.
“Devon?” Kai whispers, snapping me back from my troubled thoughts. “What do you think?”
I allow my gaze to travel over the entire estate. A tall tower on one side is where I feel pulled to the strongest, and I stare at it curiously. I wonder why our female would choose to be up there. In comparison to the main house, this appears a bit run down. As if it has fallen into a state of disrepair from the rest of the immaculately kept structure.
As we make our way cautiously through the garden, I note all the vegetables that appear to be growing here. It’s strange how everything here seems to be flourishing while the area around the estate looks so dry; even much of the fields and grass are brown.
There is a great myth among our people about the Chosen One’s family line. It is said that her ancestor saved the life of one of the shifter queens of old. In thanks for saving her, the queen blessed them with the gift of magic. She also gave them the ability to understand our mind speech. This ability was then passed down to their ancestors.
The prophecy states that the Chosen One will possess the ability to speak to our kind in her mind and the power to heal the land. The Elders believe she may have inherited the magic that was bestowed upon her ancestor by the ancient queen. Seeing how prosperous the estate’s grounds are, compared to everywhere else, I think there may be truth to this story. The land here appears healthier, more vibrant, and green than it does throughout the rest of the kingdom.
But the Elders are uncertain what type of power she possesses to heal the land in such a way, believing it may be mastery of one of the elements. They only know for certain that as it grows stronger, so does her inner light. Many will be drawn to it, able to recognize her for who and what she is.
This includes her enemies—the ones who do not want peace with the humans and the ones who believe that the Chosen One is an abomination. Many shifters study magic in various forms, but it is rare for any of them to be able to influence the elements in any way. So, many of my kind think it wrong for a human to possess the power of magic—especially that of the elements.
When we step through the tower door from the garden, I lift my gaze to the spiraling wooden staircase above us. A cold draft blows through the space, and I shiver slightly. Why on earth would she choose a place like this when the rest of the house is so grand?
I turn to find Nyx and Kai studying the structure, and I don’t have to read their minds to know that they’re thinking the same thing. Nyx turns to me in confusion. “Why this place?”
“Yes,” Kai adds. “I was wondering the same thing.”
I shrug. “I suppose we’ll find out. First, let’s find Cash and Finn. Maybe they can fill us in. After all, they’ve been watching over her since yesterday.”
Quietly, Nyx and I ascend the staircase. Kai does not have to take as much care since he can simply fly alongside us. Sometimes I envy him his ability to fly, but then again, I do feel that my form is superior in many ways. For instance, I dart a glance at Nyx, clumsily making his way up the stairs. It is much easier to move with stealth in a cat form versus that of a rabbit.
He narrows his eyes at me. “Why do I feel like you’re judging me?”
A sly grin crests my lips. “I would never...”
He rolls his eyes and shifts.
Kai swirls around and gapes at him. “What are you doing?”
Nyx stands before him, unapologetically, in his human form. He rakes a hand through his short chestnut hair as his brown eyes meet Kai’s evenly. “I cannot move as quietly as a rabbit up those steps. This way is much easier.”
“But she might see you and get scared,” Kai projects so loudly in my thoughts it’s as if my brain is ringing with alarms.
“If I hear any indication of someone approaching, I’ll shift back,” he reassures Kai.
Kai says nothing, so feeling rebellious, I shift as well.
Kai spins back. “You too?” he asks accusingly.
I comb my fingers through my still damp black hair, smoothing it back from my forehead before I gesture to my bond brother. “If Nyx can, why can’t I?”
Kai
