“On each of your sixteenth birthdays you will be able to shift for the first time. You will do that here in this class, no exceptions. If you shift before you get to this class, there will be severe repercussions. Don’t test me, or the academy. Now that we have laid out the ground rules, I will take roll and then you follow me out to the Shifting Field, we will return here after, so no need to take your things.” As soon as he was done, he spun on his heel and walked toward the same side door he had entered from. There was a scramble as everyone stood up to follow him.
We entered a large field just outside the gymnasium. We all stopped with the professor in the shade of the gym building. Even though it was still morning, the sun was hot, and the day was getting humid. Once we were all outside the professor pointed toward Hudson and the vampire girl.
“Both of you turn sixteen today. Please step forward. Charlie, if you will please attempt to shift first. Go out into the middle of the field since we don’t know what animal you will be transforming into, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“Once there, close your eyes and empty your mind of all outside stimuli. I’m sure you’ve already felt the connection of your animal within you when you awoke this morning. Take that feeling and let it fill your mind and fill your essence. You should feel your body shift. It won’t be painful, but it might be strange the first time. Don’t worry if it doesn’t happen on the first try, just try again.”
Charlie, who had put on heavy sunglasses once we came outside, nodded to the professor, set her mouth determinedly, and walked to the middle of the field. I had watched plenty of animages shift before, but watching someone shift for the first time made me nervous. Once again, I was annoyed at the ban on alumni talking about anything that happened at Animage Academy while they were students. The professor had made it sound simple enough, but could something go wrong with a first shift?
Because Charlie was out in the middle of the field, I couldn’t see her expression that well. I glanced over at Gracie’s watch to see it had been five minutes and Charlie still hadn’t transformed into anything. I kept glancing over at Professor Atkins. He stood in front of us with his arms crossed over his chest watching Charlie with narrowed eyes. He didn’t seem concerned, so I turned my attention back to the field.
Charlie glowed with the signature magic of an impending shift. Gracie grabbed ahold of my arm. Once the light cleared a small black cat was padding its way toward us from the center of the field. All of us except the professor broke out into thunderous applause. After a few moments Professor Atkins waved his hand to quiet us down.
“Yes, the first shift of the year is always an exciting one,” he said without sounding very excited at all. He looked down at the cat that was now winding its way around his legs and purring. He squatted and picked her up, so he was looking in her eyes. “Excellent job, Miss Charlie, you have set a high standard for everyone to follow. Now, take a few minutes to get acquainted with your animal form and then do the exact same thing to return to your human self.” He set her back down on the ground and Charlie the cat padded her way across the field again.
As she walked off, Professor Atkins turned toward Hudson. “Mr. Dwayyo, when you’re ready. You should have the hang of your shifting already, although I’m sure it will be nice to do it in daylight for once.” Hudson grinned and nodded to the professor and then stepped out into the field a bit. He flashed with light before he even stopped walking. His body began to change and in seconds a large white wolf stood where Hudson had been a moment before. After a beat everyone clapped again, it happened so quickly we hardly realized he’d started. This time the professor clapped, too. Hudson shook out his coat and then lifted his head and let out a long howl. The song was haunting and gave me chills. A few of the werewolf students in class cupped their hands and howled back. After he was done, there was a flash of green light and Hudson was human again.
“A white wolf,” the professor said as Hudson walked back to the class. He sounded impressed.
“What?” Hudson asked.
“You’re an anomaly,” Professor Atkins told him. “White wolves are very rare.”
“Oh that,” Hudson said with a shrug. “It’s probably because of my—uh—colorful past.”
Turning back to the rest of the class Professor Atkins said, “Okay, everyone. For the rest of class, we will return to the gymnasium. Once inside I would like everyone to find a spot to themselves. We will spend the last two hours in deep meditation. I want you to meditate on your animal. Most of you haven’t shifted yet, so use this time to try to connect with your animal. He is already living deep inside of you, and for most of you, he is almost strong enough to emerge, so try to find him and call to him. Each day we will meditate on our animals and on our powers. Now, inside.”
Professor Atkins was true to his word. He said nothing else the rest of class. Once back in the gymnasium, I found a spot by a wall a couple of feet away from the nearest classmate. Hudson had already settled himself in the middle of the gym and sat with his legs crossed and his hands resting
