Creator Zee

A writing side blog

[creator-zee]

I was reading post 214. Are you an author? Is there more to this? I really liked the scene. And I'd like to read the rest of the story. Thanks.

I suppose I’m an author of sorts, but I don’t have any published works. Unfortunately, there’s not more to 214. I tend to write on a whim, which means a lot of unfinished pieces. I’m glad you liked it though! That actually means a lot, and who knows maybe I will write more...

[creator-zee]

350

       “Do you know who I am?” I asked softly, looking up at the hero crouched over me.

        They shook their head. “I have no idea.”

         After a pause they added. “Why? Should I?”

         I shook my head. “No.”

         “Who are you?” They asked, purple eyes peering into the shadows that clung at my armor.

         “I’m no hero, that’s for sure.” I answered as I suddenly moved, kicking them and sending them sprawling backwards.

         I stood shadows writhing around me as I morphed into a new body. I pinned the hero with a large paw, pressing down on them, but my claws were retracted. I merely barred my teeth before spreading my wings and disappearing into the night. 

         I wouldn’t kill them. They had just saved my life, although I sincerely doubted they had been working with the heroes. 

         I landed outside the borders of the town, shaking out my fur as I landed. I stretched out, relishing in my freedom. I had been trapped in that cage for so long.

       I needed to thank that hero, properly, but I couldn’t risk other heroes finding me. 

        I shifted into my other form - not quite human but close enough. A little sharper teeth, a little sharper claws, and, oh right, the horns. 

       I wrapped my hand around my bracelet on my left wrist. “Esolc.”

       The shadows disappeared inside me, dimming my eyes from a fiery orange to a dull brown, plain clothes replaced them. A simple shirt and pants and some boots.

       I re-entered the town, this time on foot. I returned to the place I had last seen the hero. They weren’t there, obviously. I did pick up their scent though.

       I managed to track them to a bar. I entered inside, I found the hero easily, although they were out of their costume. I sat at the bar a few stools down from them.

        “What can I get you?” The bartender asked. “Hopefully, we have it.”

        “Nothing for me, but refill that person's drink, on me.” I said, discreetly nodding towards the hero.

         They raised an eyebrow, but nodded. “Alright.”

          I waited for them to return before paying the bill and standing to leave, it wasn’t the best thank you, but it was all I could do right now. 

         “Wait.” Someone said, as they grabbed into my arm. “Why’d you buy me a drink?”

         “Wanted to do a nice thing.” I answered vaguely.

          They opened their mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “Do I know? I know it seems strange. I don’t even recognize our species, but I feel like we’ve met before.”

          I gave a small smile. “I’m not surprised you don’t recognize my species. We tend to stay in hiding, because we are hunted by others.”

           “Hunted? But that’s forbidden.” They muttered.

          “Still happens.” I shrugged. 

           They gave me a sympathetic look and I turned to leave, but they stopped me with their next words.

            “Wait, even though you could be hunted you came here and bought me a drink.... just to be nice?” They asked, skeptical.

            “Yes.” I answered flatly.

            “I don’t believe you.” They said, as they followed me out of the bar.

             “Then don’t.” I said.

             “Wait.” They called out.

             I stopped.

             “It’s been a very weird day and I can’t talk to any of my friends about it, so can I just, I don’t know, hang with you?” They asked, voice growing quitter towards the end.

              “I suppose. I don’t promise it will be fun though.” I said, turning halfway to face them.

               “Doesn’t need to be fun, just needs to be something.” She muttered as she caught up to me and we began walking again. 

              “Something?” I murmured, and feeling oddly reckless, asked. “Do you want to see why my species is hunted?”

              “Does is involve me getting hurt?” She asked skeptically.

        I shook my head. “No.”

        “Then sure.”

        I ran a few paces ahead, before reaching for my bracelet. “Nepo.”

        The shadows surrounded me, and my other form sprang free, I turned to face the hero, who was staring at me with blatant shock.

         “You - you’re....” She stammered.

         I lowered my head and stretched one leg out in a bow, it would also allow her to climb on my back if she wanted to.

         She approached me cautiously, one hand reaching through the shadows to weave her finger amongst my thick fur.

        She slid her hand back, before withdrawing it and setting the other between my shoulder blades, grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling herself onto my back.

        I straightened and began walking before breaking out into a like and then a spring. I spread my wings before jumping and flying into the sky.

         The hero remained silent, as we glided through the night, practically invisible.

        “This is why you are hunted?” She asked.

         I couldn’t answer her in this form, so instead I decided to make good on my word and show her.

         I started climbing straight up, before dropping and falling into a steep dive that I pulled out of and into a spin. I dived below the canopy, dodging the trees, before I saw a fallen one in my path and opened my mouth. Sparking electricity leapt from my mouth to the tree, exploding it.

        I climbed high into the air again, using the heat from the explosion to help me rise, before leveling off again, flying gently. There was more to why we were hunted than just our skill, but that required words to explain.

        “Wow.” The hero muttered from my back. “You could probably rival a dragon.”

        I snorted. I could most definitely rival a dragon. And I had before, there was only so much land to hide from the world in.

[creator-zee]

349

      “How did you get in here?” Shade hissed in a harsh whisper, standing at the sudden appearance of Shifter. 

       Shifter paused in her picking of the lock to give Shade a flat stare. “Name one place I can’t get into.”

       Shade rolled her eyes, before asking another question in a soft whisper. “Why?”

       Shifter paused as she swung the cell door open before shrugging. “Job security.”

       “Job security?” Shade repeated in disbelief as she followed Shifter out of the cell into the hallway.

      Shifter shrugged again. “You’ve been the only person to consistently hire me in the last five years.”

       “When I first hired you, you said that I better be willing to pay because you could find a job anywhere. Pretty sure you have good job security.” Shade pointed out, still keeping her voice low.

        “I may have lied.” Shifter muttered. 

        Shade paused before asking. “Now or then?”

        Shifter didn’t respond, just grabbed Shade, clamping a claw over her mouth, pulling her tight against the wall, as a pair of guards walked past in the intersection.

       Even after the guards were long gone and they were moving, Shifter didn’t answer. 

        Shade couldn’t deny her curiosity that burned. She may have been partially joking, but she was mostly serious. She wanted to know the truth. Had Shifter really broken her out of a highly-guarded prison just for job security?

        It seemed that she would never get the answer, as they reached wherever Shifter had been leading them. She lifted a heavy iron grate open with surprising ease (but then again, she was Shifter) revealing rushing water below. 

       “Jump.” Shifter said. “I’ll make sure you make it out alive and in one piece.”

       Shade nodded, she trusted Shade’s abilities. She knew that the shapeshifter was rarely ever outmatched. It’s what made her such a valuable partner.

      She dived into the rushing water, and was immediately pulled under, unable to claw her way back to the surface.

       A distant clang. 

      Something wrapped around her.

       She gasped in fresh air as she was pulled to the surface.

       Air was the last of her concerns as the water vanished, replaced with thin air as she found herself falling, shot out by the stream of water.

       She stopped falling though, something pulling her out of her dive. The something turned out to be Shifter, in one of her many hybrid shapes.

       The something that had wrapped around her was also Shifter.

       She should’ve known, but it was hard to think when it felt like she was going to drown.

        “Why do you need me to find jobs?” Shade suddenly asked, breaking the silence of the flight.

        Shifter didn’t answer right away, before she quietly answered, voice almost lost in the wind.

        “No one trusts a shapeshifter.”

        “Really?” Shade asked, surprised.

        Shifter snorted. “Yeah, we are habitual liars didn’t you know, can’t trust someone when you don’t even know if that’s their real face. Every word I speak is lie, cause how can it be true when I don’t look like what I really am?”

         “I - but.... that’s so backwards...” Shade mutters. “Coming from someone who trusts no one. That can be said for anyone, not just shapeshifters.”

         “I’m used to it.” Shifter muttered. “People only want me if I’m useful to them, no one really cares about who I ‘truly am’ they just care about what I can be, what I can do for them.”

         Shade wanted to argue, but didn’t have a good argument. Shifter had just summed up people in general pretty well. Even if she had a good argument, she didn’t have any time to speak as Shifter suddenly threw her high into the sky.

         As she fell, Shade saw why, a dragon was on Shifter’s tail, and had a rider on their back. The rider was a hulking creature covered in dragon scale armor - it was impossible to determine their species.

          By the time Shade had fallen to their level, Shifter had transformed into a giant dragon to rival the blood-red one that was currently attacking her.

         Shifter twisted under Shade so that she caught Shade gently on her back. Shade marveled at the surprisingly soft impact and the presence of a saddle on the dragon’s back. She didn’t question it too much as she settled for just holding on tight, as Shifter began to battle the other dragon.

          She wished she had her weapons so she could at least be some help. Then she saw two handles on the side of the saddle, Shifter’s strange weapons. 

          She grabbed them as they immediately morphed into a sword and dagger that Shade was familiar with.

           At the next opportunity, she jumped off Shifter’s back and landed on the other dragon’s, attacking the rider.

          The rider lunged at Shade, but she evenly sidestepped, trailing her sword behind her to catch the rider as he stumbled past. 

        She had no chance to follow up, as she was forced to grab onto the dragon’s spikes for dear life as it started climbing vertically to escape Shifter’s flame. 

        When it began spinning, Shade lost any chance of holding on and went flying, luckily the rider did too.

        The dragon also did not catch its rider as it was too busy grappling with Shifter.

         Unfortunately, that meant Shifter was too preoccupied to catch Shade. All four bodies were plunging towards the ground, and Shade was really wishing she had wings as it got closer and closer.

           An echoing, thundering crash shook what seemed the very world to its core as the dragons crashed into the ground, leveling a forest.

         Shade closed her eyes as she prepared to do the same, with a lot more of her breaking and a lot less of the planet breaking.

         But, seconds before she was sure of death, she was pulled back up, away from the deadly ground. She dared to open her eyes and felt strong arms wrapped around her again.

         “How...?” Shade muttered. “Didn’t you crash?”

         “The other dragon softened the blow.” Shifter answered with a chuckle, but then gave a pained gasp.

          They dove back towards the ground and made a soft landing. Shifter shifted into a large mega-felid, again with a convenient saddle for Shade. It was little more than a thin peice of leather, but it provided something for her to grab on to, and grab on she did. She held on tight, as Shifter began running, weaving through the trees away from the wreckage of the crash, and, hopefully, somehow her safe to rest and recuperate. 

[creator-zee]

343

    I knew it was stupid. I knew it was dumb. I know that there were a million other ways - better ways to deal with this. But, none of those were really any options for me. I couldn’t go to the professionals - they required paperwork, and that I didn’t have. I couldn’t go to friends - I didn’t have any. Those I knew would just as soon as eat me as help me.

    So I was left to my own devices, which unfortunately meant a very painful and very dangerous week ahead of me.

    I just had to hope I was alone, or someone was going to end up dead.

    The middle of the woods in the middle of nowhere, with the nearest civilization being over a hundred miles away, and the only way to get here either being walking for about a week or being dropped off by a plane or helicopter, it seemed like a pretty decent bet that I was alone.

    It was not a decent bet that I was alone.

    Two days later, and with a mind clouded by the fog of my transformation, I was staring down, what was to my best approximation, a lost human.

    A lost human that was getting closer and closer to me. Why were they doing that? I growled, and they still didn’t back off. I roared and they barely hesitated. Did they have a death wish? They dared to stare down a dangerous predator and not even flinch. Why were they not scared? Why were they not stunned, or shocked? Had they really seen something like me before?

    A strong gust of wind blew and I caught their scent.

    Death.

    Definitely, not human. Definitely a million times more dangerous.

    I crouched defensively, snarling, flames roaring and rippling along my back as if they were alive. Flames were also growing deep in my belly.

    I took in a deep breath, before exhaling with a roar, a stream of deadly hot fire travelling with the sound. I lunged forwards, claws extended, I hit something - surprisingly that something was not a pile of ash. It was the not-human, wriggling and struggling as one of my paws pressed down on their chest, claws on either side of their throat.

    I snarled and roared, more flames already building again. As soon as they were ready, I sent a stream of flames straight onto the not-human’s face. 

    When the flames stopped I was astonished to see them untouched, perhaps only a touch of ash on their face.

    I roared in anger and confusion, putting more of my weight on them. They choked and gasped. At least that worked. My teeth would probably still do the job too.

    I opened my mouth, and was about to snap them shut around their head when they said something.

    “Llits.” They gasped.

    I froze. I tried to clamp my jaws down, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t draw back, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything. I could barely even breath.

    With inhuman strength, the not-human, wriggled out from under my paw, straightening and brushing themself off.

    “Perhaps you’ll allow me to introduce myself now.” They started. “I’m Dr. Madsen.”

    My eyes darted about wildly as I tried to follow their movements from my frozen position.

    “I have to say, trying to burn someone alive, is not a very nice greeting.” They continued.

    A choked, muffled noise, escaped my throat as I attempted to make some noise.

    “I am very glad I found you though.” They said, as they began to walk around me. “It’s so rare to find one of your kind, I’ve been looking for centuries. I found a male a couple centuries ago, but it didn’t survive well in captivity, killed itself, first opportunity, a shame really.”

    They fell silent for a bit, before a smile darkened their face again. “But, I won’t make that mistake again. I’ve got an enclosure all ready for you. And, I believe I’ve got a drug that will keep you in this form instead of that other one. That other one really does me no good, no one wants to pay to see what looks like a homo sapien, but an ignis beastia now that people will pay to see, and they’ll pay a lot. Really anything from the magia kingdom will bring lots of visitors, the rarer the better, and you are especially rare.”

    Fear filled me, I struggled but there were no bonds to struggle against, just my own body that refused to move.

    “Of course, I have to get you there, you’re a bit too heavy or even me to carry, so I’ll have to come up with something else.” They mused out loud. “Perhaps I’ll have to use a gigas beastia to pull you, but they are quite unruly.”

    “I suppose I could knock you out, soak you and employ the help of a few friends to move you.” They considered.

    Another choked noise escaped me. No, they couldn’t soak me. I would never recover.

    “Or... you could just come peacefully.” They offered. “I release my spell, you don’t kill me, and I don’t kill you.”

    “Blink twice for yes.” They said.

    I didn’t blink, simply glaring at them. They wouldn’t dare kill me. That would ruin the purpose.

    They shrugged. “Oh well then. Option A it is.”

    They stopped in front of me, where I could see them, waggling their fingers.

    “Good night then.” They called out in a singsong voice.

    “Peels.” They said, and my world went black.

[creator-zee]

340

       “I said stay away.” I growled, turning with a snarl. “I don’t ask for much. Just give me this.”

       She stared at me in horror. “Y-your eyes...” She stammered.

       “Fuck.” I cursed, hand jumping over my eyes. I knew that in my current state I had no chance of getting them to go back. 

        “What - What are you?” She asked, terrified. 

         “I - that doesn’t matter.” I muttered. “Just forget you saw anything. Just go back to the campsite and say nothing.”

         “I.... I can’t do that.” She said, with that quiet determination that was so her. 

         I sighed. “Please, I - I just need to be alone right now.”

         “Why?” She asked.

         I sighed again, deciding to just answer her honestly. “I’m hurt and when I’m hurt I’m defensive, and when I’m defensive I can’t be a good guide. So I need to be alone.”

          “You’re hurt?” She asked, concern lacing her voice. “How? We weren’t attacked today.”

          “Not physically hurt.” I answered, careful to keep my voice flat. “I have me emotional wounds that I carry with me. One just reopened. I’ll be fine, but I just need to be alone.”

         “Fine.” She finally relented. “But I want answers eventually.”

         I was careful not to promise anything as she walked away. I just needed to finish this job and then they would never see each other again. She had enough rumors and mystery surrounding her, one more wouldn’t hurt. Definetly not as much as the truth.

[creator-zee]

337

    “No!” I shouted, as I turned away from the Orc assassin as I saw Ara going flying off a cliff. 

    I shoved the Orc back before turning and diving off the cliff, summoning my wings as I did. I sheathed my swords, reaching instead for Ara, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her out of her freefall.

    “Are you an idiot?” I chastised. “Don’t fight near cliffs. You don’t have wings. You’re going to get yourself killed.”

    I hovered, just below the cliff, out of sight of the Orcs, hoping they would retreat, and assume we were dead.

    I felt her clutch tighter to me as she murmured. “Thank you, for saving me. I thought I was going to die.”

    I sighed, and my tone was softer, less accusatory when I spoke. “I will always save you.”

    “I know.” She said cheekily.

    “That doesn’t mean you can just go jumping off cliffs though.” I chastised, voice back to accusatory.

    “You’ll always save me.” She smirked, and I smiled. That meant she was feeling better.

    “Besides.” She added. “How else was I supposed to get you to show me your wings?”

    I sighed with false drama. “So this was all to see my wings? You are ridiculous.”

    “I wouldn’t have to go to such lengths, if you would just show me.” She argued.

    “It is considered rude to flaunt one’s wings.” I reminded her. “At least in my culture.”

    “Don’t you all have wings?” She asked.

    I shook my head. “Only about 1 in 12 of us have wings.”

    “Really?” She asked, surprised.

    I nodded. “Yes, generally we become dragon riders, because our wings allow us to bond with dragons easier, and we don’t have to worry about falling and dying.”

    “Isn’t your entire species dragon riders?” She asked.

    “No, that’s just the common tongue name for our species because out actual name is in soft tongue, which no one else can understand.” I explained, and then added. “Can you mabe continue questioning me once I’m no longer hovering in the air.

    She looked away, embarrassed. “Right, right, of course.”

    I shot up in the air and landed on the cliff, setting Ara down and drawing my swords. Luckily, it appeared all the orcs were gone. I sheathed my swords.

    “Alright, ask away.” I said, as we continued walking away from the cliff.

    “Why aren’t you a dragon rider then?” She asked. “And, what’s soft tongue?”

    I paused before answering in an attempt to not let anger cloud my tone. “My twin sister was chosen to become a dragon rider over me. Only so many bonded pairs are formed, so I didn’t make the cut.”

    “Oh,” She muttered. “I’m sorry.”

    I shrugged. “It’s fine, and to answer your other question, soft tongue is the form of the draconic language that we can speak. Hard tongue is the version that dragon speaks. It is impossible for our mouths to make the noises, so soft tongue was created. ALthough I’m surprised you don’t know that, we are neighbor kingdoms.”

    She shrugged. “Sorry, I studied other languages and cultures and kingdoms. We never have much interaction with the Dragon Riders, so I didn’t think they were a priority.”

    “Can’t blame you there.” I admitted. “We are far more focused on relations with the dragons than with other homoid kingdoms.”

    “Most of your culture is based off theirs right?” She guessed.

    I nodded. “Almost all of it, leading to the nickname - human dragons, by some homoids.”

    “Huh,” She muttered. “I had no idea.”

    I shrugged. “Most people don’t know much about us. We are rather secluded, sharing most of our border with the dragons.”

    “Well, selfishly, I’m glad you’re not a dragon rider.” She admitted. “Otherwise I would’ve never met you... and I’d probably be dead.” She chuckled.

    I smiled. “At least there’s one upside.”

[creator-zee]

336

    “So you think you have what it takes to be my bodyguard?” The princess asked in what could only be described as a power stance - hands on hips, wide stance, chest up.

    I shook my head. “No, but your father is scouring all the land for someone who can beat you and be your bodyguard - and my kingdom cot tired of him, and sent me.”

    Her stance softened, an apologetic look forming. “Sorry... if you lose you can go home.”

    I stared at her in horror. “I would never throw a fight - to do so would be to lose all my honor as a warrior.”

    “Sorry.” She apologized again. “I meant no offense.”

    I sighed. “Let’s just get this over with.”

    She nodded. “Yes, my father and his advisor should already be in the arena. I will meet you there, once I finish getting ready.”

    I nodded, already beginning to turn. “I’ll see you on the battlefield then.”

    I headed back down the stairs. I clucked my tongue at my dragonling.

    She came up to me, following me as I walked back across the drawbridge, heading around the castle to the arena a short walk away.

    I clucked my tongue twice, and my dragonling halted, outside the arena gates. I entered alon, bowing briefly to the king before making my way to the center of the arens.

    The Princess arrived in full armor shortly after I did. She wore the armor that was clearly elven - as expected. It was both light and durable, but not as full covering as the full suits of armor that humans sometimes wore.

    She joined me in the center of the arena.

    “Ready?” She asked.

    I nodded.

    We both looked to where the king and the advisor stood a few feet away. To my surprise, a small crowd had formed in the seats.

    “You both know the terms of the fight - no killing or crippling blows. If the guest wins, they become Princess Ara’s bodyguard. If Princess Ara wins, the guest returns to their home after their wounds are tended to and they are ready for the trip.” The advisor droned on, as if he had said these same words a hundred times. “If the guest would state their name and home kingdom for the record.”

    “Iliz from the Dararian Kingdom.” I said, calmly.

    “Last name?” The advisor prompted.

    “Unpronounceable in a tongue you can understand.” I said.

    He opened his mouth, but the king waved him off. “Let it be.”

    He nodded, straightening his suit. “Fine, let the dual commence in five, four, three two, one.”

    The Princess lunged at me, drawing her sword. I jumped to the side, as I drew my own swords. 

    I blocked her next attack, staying on the defensive. I knew I had more stamina than the elf - or at least, I assumed so. I was pretty confident.

    She paused after her next rally of attacks, stepping back, slightly winded. She eyed me up and down, probably noticing my relaxed form, and the fact that I was barely panting.

    We circled each for a while, waiting for the other to attack. She seemed to have caught on to my strategy and wasn’t willing to play into it. Oh well. Time for plan B.

    I lunged forwards, bringing one blade down in an overhead swipe while swinging the other around in a slash towards her right side.

    She brought up her shield to block my left blade, and her sword to block my right blade. It left her center completely exposed. I kicked her in the gut, knocking her backwards. I pressed my advantage with a flurry of quick slashes, that forced her to slowly retreat as she struggled to keep up with my speed.

    As I felt my arms begin to burn, I backed off slightly, to draw both my swords back before, stabbing both forwards, hard. She blocked the strikes with her shield, but slid back in the dirt. I heard her grunt, as I shifted my blades up and  pressed into her. I heard her grunt, and felt her give slightly more.

    I leapt backwards, bringing both my swords up as she swung her sword around. I met her eyes, as her slash fell short of me. We were both breathing hard now, breaths coming in pants. We circled each other for a while. She seemed reluctant to make the first movie. I would need to draw her in somehow, trick her into making a mistake.

    I lowered my guard, dropping my swords slightly, as if from fatigue. She lunged forwards almost immediately. Just as fast I sidestepped, getting behind her, as she lunged forwards into the open air where I was. She began spinning, but not fast enough. I swung my leg up and around, kicking her in the back, causing her to stumble further forward. I followed up by stepping forwards, and wrapping my arm around her, setting my blade against her throat from behind.

    “Yield.” I huffed, between panting breaths.

    She didn’t respond immediately, before lowering her sword and shield.

    “I yield.” She admitted, finally.

    I stepped back, lowering my blades.

    I didn’t use the usual rush of victory after a good fight. I was torn. I never really wanted to be a bodyguard - it tied me down far too much, took away my freedom.

    I sighed as I sheathed my blades.

    She turned to me, as she sheathed her sword and slung her shield across her back.

    “I’m impressed Iliz of Dararian.” She admitted.

    “Remind me again why you need a bodyguard.” I said, gesturing at her. “You can clearly handle yourself in battle.”

    She sighed. “My father insists. I only agreed if my bodyguard was a better fighter than me, otherwise they seemed extraneous.”

    “Fair enough.” I muttered.

    “Congratulations are in order.” The king said with a beaming smile as he walked over. “I am proud to welcome you to the Elven kingdom as Princess Ara’s bodyguard. I hope you feel welcome.”

    I bowed to the king. “Thank you, your majesty.”

    “I will come to you later with the details of your pay.” He said. “For now, I suppose you begin your job.”

    I remained in my bow until her turned away. I straightened before turning back to the princess. She seemed distracted. I noticed she was looking at the crowd in the stands that was now coming down into the arena. I grew uneasy. I wasn’t a big fan of large groups of people, especially not strangers.

    “Princess.” I spoke up. “If I may request something. My dragonling is just outside the arena. I would like to properly groom her and untack her.”

    “Right.” The princess nodded, as if snapping back to reality. “Of course, I’ll show you the way to the stable.”

    I nodded, and followed her out of the arena, leaving the crowd of people behind.

[creator-zee]

334

    My lungs ached, but I barely noticed it as I pushed my body further. The crashes and thuds and snarls of the dragon behind me was a pretty good motivator. I didn’t dare look behind me to see how close they were to eating me.

    And to think, I had so foolishly always wanted to find a dragon because of my soulmark. If I survived this, I would never even look at one again. 

    I skidded to a halt. Fuck. A cliff. I spun around, only to come face to face with the dragon. I was out of time, and space, and it seemed very soon also a body.

    The dragon paused in front of me. Why wasn’t it eating me yet?

    It sniffed me and crouched lower, it’s head was right at my level now, it’s belly practically on the ground. It gave another sniff, and then tilted it’s head.

    I flinched as it moved, it’s head rubbing against me. It continued sniffing, it seemed to be looking for something. I flinched again as it bared its teeth. I didn’t dare move as it teeth grazed along my arm. It backed up, and I looked down in surprise, seeing that it had only pushed back air. I didn’t even have time to scream as I began to plummet. My breath left my throat.my sleeve to reveal my soulmark.

    I startled, stumbling backwards as I heard a crash in the woods. I stepped back into thin 

    Something closed around my leg stopping my fall. The air returned to my lungs, as I looked up, surprised to see the dragon’s teeth gently closed around my leg, as they pulled me back onto solid ground.

    “Are you okay?” A voice asked.

    I stared at the dragon in disbelief. “You can talk?”

    They laughed, and the dragon backed up, revealing a person in armor - strange armor - it appeared to be made of dragon scales.

    “No, dragons can’t talk, at least, not to anyone but my kind.” The person answered.

    I stood from where I had been dragged over the cliff.

    “Who are you?” I asked.

    They unclasped a piece of their armor on their arm. 

“Your soulmate.” They answered, as they revealed a gryphon on their own arm.

I gasped, stepping forwards, my fingers grazing their mark. It sprung to life with a roar, shaking itself, before scampering up their arm, disappearing under their armor.

“I can’t believe it.” I muttered. “It’s amazing.”

They chuckled. “Did you never think you would meet your soulmate?”

I shook my head. “No, I - I never did.” I admitted quietly.

“Why not?” They asked, as they reached for my arm.

I held my arm out, as they slipped their gauntlet off. Their fingers grazed the skin above my soulmark. And the sensation was indescribable as the dragon roared, spreading its wings and flying around my arm, until flying up my arm and settling over my heart.

“This is insane.” I muttered.

They didn’t say anything, just slipped their armor back on.

“What do we do now?” I asked quietly.

“Whatever you want.” They answered, shrugging. “I’m quiet flexible.”

“I just want to get away.” I admitted.

“Is that why you were in the middle of the woods, miles away form any civilization, in the first place?” They asked gently.

I nodded.

“Does the work of a dragon rider seem like something that would fit you?” They asked. “It can be hard.”

“I’m tougher than I look.” I smiled. “I can handle myself.”

“Come on then.” They said, holding out their hand. “Let’s go.”

I nodded, and accepted thier offered hand.

“I do have one request.” I said, as they pulled me onto their dragon.

“What?” They asked.

“If we could stop by my home town so I could get my gryphon. I couldn’t free her, when I escaped.” I said, a bit ashamed.

“We will rescue her.” They said confidently.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

[creator-zee]

331

    I woke with a scream, thousands of hot knives driving into my skin. Pain, agony. 

    Then,

    Nothing.

    I collapsed, huffing slightly, as I recovered my breath, my throat raw. I was kept upright by the chains at my wrists that held me up against the wall. I looked up as I heard a slow clap.

    “I think that’s the longest I’ve had a prisoner last before they scream like that. And you did scream. Doesn’t it feel good, letting it all out, like the animal you are? Your self-control is a lie. You are an animal, you know it, I know it, you’re people know it, after all that’s why they gave you that collar isn’t it?” They drawled.     I tensed, straightening, standing up as best I could. “I am not an animal.”

    They stepped forwards tilting my chin up with their staff. “Yes, you are.”

    I stared them straight in the eye. “I am not an animal.”

    They laughed, stepping forwards, their fingers wrapping around the chain at my neck. “Then what’s this? Huh? Animals wear collars, no?”

    “It’s not a collar.” I spat.

    “So... you’re telling me they don’t use it to control you. To cut you off from your magic, from your heritage. You’re an animal, embrace it they don’t.” They said, before stepping back.

    “Oh, and you will. You have held me here and tortured me for who knows how long. You are far worse than they ever will be.” I argued.

    “Fair enough.” They muttered, before spinning back to face me. “I still need info though. So talk.”

    “I will never tell you anything.” I growled.

    “Have it your way then.” They shrugged their staff glowing again.

    I screamed as the pain was back. I writhed against the chains, trying desperately to escape the pain, despite it not being physical.

    The glow faded, and with it the pain.

    “Want to talk yet?” They asked.

    “Never.” I rasped.

    I saw a hint of anger cross their features before they runed slamming the door to my cell and stalking away. I smiled despite everything. Small victories. I had made them mad.

[creator-zee]

330

    “I thought you said you didn’t have a soulmark?” She asked, freezing in place above me.

    “I - I...” I trailed off, unsure what to say. “I don’t.”

    “Why cover the spot with a band then?” She asked, fingers ghosting over the cloth tied around my upper bicep.

    I didn’t answer immediately, pausing.

    “Do you know where I come from?” I finally asked.

    She shook her head. “You never talk about it. All I know is that you were transferred here from some other company.”

    “I -” My voice broke again, as I considered if I dared to tell her the truth.

    “Do you know of the infamous space pirates known as the Red Starks?” I asked hesitantly.

    Shock crossed her features. “Of course, how could I not? Why? What does that have to do anything?”

    “How much do you know about them?” I asked, voice hitching.

    “I know they are ruthless and heartless, the very definition of evil. They kill, torture, maim, steal, destory, practically any crim eyou can think of, you’ve done it. And they are fiercely loyal. They would rather die than be captured. The work under a false front that was only recently discovered. In the dark net they are infamous and fetch a high price.” She spat, her voice like venom. “But, I don’t understand. Why are you bringing them up? This is hardly the time.”

    I flinched under her harsh, searching gaze. “Did you ever wonder why they are so loyal, despite the existence of soulmates? Why no one had ever left to run away with their soulmate?”

    She stared at me in confusion, shaking her head. “No, why would I? Why have you? Where are you going with this?”

    “There is no leaving the Red Starks.” I murmured quietly. “The only way is to die. They are raised to believe loyalty to the Red Starks is more important than anything, even more important than soulmates.”

    “I know.” She hissed. “On the bodies we’ve recovered, we’ve found soulmarks that have been horribly marred and ruined, forever scarred and unreadable. We assumed it was a rite of passage. What are you going on about though?”

    “Unwrap the band.” I whispered out, barely audible. “But, please, think before you act.”

    “What?” She asked, even as her fingers were already untying the band, as it fell away onto the sheets beneath us, she gasped, her hand immediately finding my wrists and pinning me to the bed.

    “Why?” She snarled. “Why the fuck would you ever do that? Why would you join them? Is this all a joke to you? Are you just a spy?”

    Tears pricked at my eyes. “I’m not. Please, understand. I was raised by them. I was born into it. I escaped as soon as I could, as soon as I knew it was wrong.”

    She paused, her grip loosening. “What do the different lines mean - you have three of them. I’ve seen more though, and less.”

    “One for every five years I was apart of them.” I answered. “I first tried to escape when I was sixteen, but I failed, they caught me, they..... I didn’t succeed in escaping until I was 19. I faked my own death.”

    Her faces flitted through so many emotions I couldn’t place them, until finally settling back on anger, but it was a different type of anger.

    “What did they do to you?” She growled lowly.

    I hesitated, offering a weak smile. “Let’s just say those scars can’t be hidden by a simple band.”

    She suddenly pulled me into a tight hug, pulling me tight to her chest.

    “I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry for everything.” She murmured softly. “I’m glad you’re safe now.”

    “It’s not your fault.” I muttered. “But, thank you. I’m sorry I lied to you.”

    “You needed to, you needed to be safe.” She reassured me. “I understand, I’m sorry for my initial reaction.”

    “It’s understandable.” I said softly back.

    She released me, setting me gently back on the bed. “Can I kiss you?” She asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

    “Yes.” I answered, and then her lips were on mine.

    The kiss ended way to soon, but we paused to just look at each other.

    “Thank you for telling me.” She said, leaning down, and pressing her forehead to mine. “Thank you for trusting me.”

    “Always I replied, before leaning up to capture her lips again, pausing just before I reached them, letting her close the last few millimeters.

[creator-zee]

311

    “No stop.” Riley said, grabbing Dani’s wrist to stop her.

    Dani turned to face them. “Why not?”

    “She’s reading.” They said, dangerously, warning me. “Never interrupt her while she’s reading.”

    “This is the only time I can find her.” Dani argued. “When alse am I supposed to finally get her to help me with this stupid assignment. The spell requires two people, so I need her.”

    Riley shook her head. “If you interrupt her reading, she will never help you. You’ll have to find another way.”

    Dani huffed. “Why is she so distant?”

    Riley shrugged, leading her away from the courtyard. “No one knows, no one’s close enough to know. She doesn’t even live at the academy, despite it being a requirement.”

    “Where does she live then?” Dani asked, glancing over her shoulder at the strange witch.

    Riley shrugged. “No idea, I heard that Dylan might now, but you’d have to ask him.”

    Dani nodded.

    “Best not to worry about it.” Riley shrugged. “Come on, it’s one assignment. Don’t worry about it, let’s go play a game.”

    Dani nodded, and followed RIley back into the dorms.

[creator-zee]

308

    “Kill me.” They said.

    Cel startled. She didn’t know what she was expecting the cloaked villain to say, but it certainly wasn’t that.

    “Kill me.” The shadow repeated - voice distorted by some sort of technology or magic.

    Suddenly, the shadow jerked, as if pulled taut by a string on their head. They sprung into action, blades immediately in their hands as they lunged forwards. Cal jumped forwards to meet them, raising her shield to stop the blades currently flying towards her.

    The shadow lunged forwards. Cel brought up her sword and struck at the shadow. The shadow blocked the attack with more daggers from somewhere. In a rather unorthodox move, Cel kicked at the shadow. They stumbled back a step, allowing Cel to get her shield up. She lunged at the shadow, pressing into them.

    The shadow was pushed back until their back was against a wall, trapped. Cel replaced her shield with her sword, trying to get a good look at the elusive shadowy villain. Even only inches away from them, there was nothing to be seen except shadows.

    “Who are you?” Cel demanded.

    The shadow slumped in her grip.

    “Kill me.” They repeated again, weakly.

    Cel stared at them in horror, suddenly they jerked again, and when they spoke again it was a completely different voice.

    “I am one of thousands, even if you kill me, more will come. We will always come. There is no stopping us - there is no stopping the Crimson.” The shadow shuddered and fell limp in Cel’s grip. 

The shadows slipped away from them, and their face was revealed. Cel was surprised to see a face looking back at her - probably around her own age. Thin scars ran across their face in intricate patterns, creating a strange design. One design was accented by black markings - lines curved from under their eyes to the edge of their face, disappearing into the shadows of their hood.

    Cel found herself supporting the shadow’s body. She crouched, setting them gently down. She sheathed her sword, and searched for a pulse, finding a weak one. She let out a sigh of relief, although that confused her. She was here to kill the shadow.

    The shadow’s eyes flickered open. Cel tensed.

    The shadow’s eyes were a startling red. Cel backed up, raising her shield. The shadow groaned, looking up at Cel.

    They opened their mouth to say something, but then they slumped unconscious, eyes fluttering closed again. Cel stared in confusion, hesitating. Then she sheathed her sword on slung her shield on her back, stepping forwards. She scooped the limp shadow up and turned, returning to camp.

308.1

    The guard at the camp gave Cel a strange look. “What are you doing?”

    “I need to talk to the commander.” Cel said.

    The guard paused, and then saw the face of the shadow and nodded. “She’s in the command tent.”

    “Thank you.” Cel nodded, and set off to the back of the camp where the command tent was located - backed up against the cliff, the most defensible position in the camp.

    Cel received looks of curiosity, confusion, fear and wonder as she walked through the camp, holding the limp shadow. It was the first one ever captured alive - most fought to the death, or disappeared back into the shadows.

    This was a first, and many wanted a look at one of the mysterious soldiers who had caused so many problems all across the kingdom. Most didn’t even know what they looked like behind their shadowy disguises.

    “Halt.” The guards outside the tent ordered. “What business do you have with the commander?”

    “I have someone I think she’d like to see.” Cel answered, hefting the limp body in her arms slightly, to draw attention to it.

    The guards hesitated.

    A voice spoke from within. “Let her in - I want to see what she has to offer.”

    The guards nodded, and stepped aside, letting Cel inside.

    The commander turned and her eyes widened in shock as she saw the limp firgure Cel was carrying.

    “Is that...?” She began.

    Cel nodded. “It’s a shadow.”

    The commander gestured to a rug laid out on the ground. “Set it down. I think you have quite the story to tell.”

    Cel nodded, setting the shadow down, before taking a seat, as she began telling the commander about the strange battle she had fought against the shadow who had asked her to kill them.

308.2

    Ina opened her eyes, groaning. Every muscle, every bone, every inch of her body ached. It was the price of wrestling control from the eye for even a second, much less long enough to plead for her own death.

    She was confused to find herself, staring up at a cloth ceiling. The ceilings of the barracks were stone. She pushed herself into a seated position and froze. In front of her were two spectacle soldiers - or more correctly the spectacle soldier she had been fighting and the spectacle commander. She was in a command tent of some sort then. The inside was surprisingly lacking of guards, although she was certain there were several outside.

    She resisted the urge to groan as she stood. Her mind was surprisingly blank. The everpresent, overwhelming presence of the eye was gone.

    Suddenly, both the commander and the soldier turned to her. The soldier immediately stood, drawing her sword and shield.

    Ina didn’t fight back. 

“Kill me.” She pleaded, stepping into the soldiers swords.

“What?” The soldier asked, confused.

“Kill me.”  She repeated.

“Do you know any other words?” The soldier asked, lowering her sword slightly.

Ina frowned. “Yes, but there’s no time for that. You have to kill me before the eye takes control again.”

“The eye...?” The commander asked.

Ina grunted. “Yes, the eye. The master of us all. There is no avoiding the eye. She controls us all. She will control me again, and there is nothing I can do to stop it, so please kill me.”

“What is the eye? Is she the head of the Crimson?” The commander asked, stepping forwards.

“She is the Crimson.” Ina said. “Please, kill me before she takes control again.”

“How does she take control?” The commander pressed.

    Ina sighed, why were they wasting time?

    She pulled her hood down, gesturing to her face. “The runes - they assert her control over me - her will. I cannot fight them.”

    “But you do.” The soldier argued. “You did. I saw it - you’re doing it right now.”

    Ina shook her head. “You don’t understand. It is only ever temporary.”

    “You’ve been free from her control for hours now.” The soldier argued. “Ever since you passed out after fighting me - why did you pass out?”

    “Resisting takes a toll on the body.” Ina explained, growing impatient. “Would you please just kill me before the eye takes control again?”

    “I want to get as much information as we can first.” The commander said, “We’ll kill you once the eye takes control.”

    Ina sighed. “I don’t have any information. All information is on a need to know basis. All I needed to know was where to attack and when, not why. I was sent here to do reconnaissance on an abandoned castle to make sure it was abandoned. That’s all I know.”

    The commander sighed, turning. “I thought finally capturing a shadow alive would be helpful, but you don’t even know anything. We are still just as in the dark as we were. We still know next to nothing about the Crimson or the shadows, or their mission.”

    The soldier seemed torn, glancing between Ina and the commander.

    The commander sat down with another sigh. “Take the shadow with you Cel, kill her if the eye takes the control again. Otherwise, provide her food and home - maybe she’ll remember something.”

    The soldier - Cel - nodded, offering a hand to Ina. Ina hesitated before accepting it.

    “What do you eat?” Cel asked, as she led Ina through the camp.

    Ina hesitated. “Food.” She answered finally, uncertain how to specify.

    Cel laughed. “Want to be more specific?”

    Ina shook her head, glancing around. “I shouldn’t be here.”

    “What do you mean?” Cel asked.

    “I’m a shadow, a servant of the eye. I should not be in the middle of a spectacle camp. I could doom you all.” Ina argued, pulling her hand back from Cel, wrapping her arms tight around herself.

    “Right now, you’re injured and alone.” Cel said, smiling kindly. “You may be a shadow, but you’re not like any I’ve met. For one, you’re not trying to kill me, actively.”

    Cel chuckled.

    “What’s your name?” She asked, realizing she didn’t know it.

    Ina hesitated before answering. “Ina.”

    “Ina.” Cel repeated. “Nice. It’s nice to meet you Ina.”

    Ina didn’t say anything.

    “Let’s get you some food, the kitchen is this way.” Cel said, leading the way, ignoring the glances of everyone else in the camp.

    Ina ducked her head and followed.

[creator-zee]

307

“Your sister is in danger - she’s about to die at the hands of that - that villain, and you are just going to sit here - to what? Plan? Don’t you care about her?” Ken shouted, their angry gaze flicking between the hero and the screen that showed their sister, tied and bound, at the mercy of Red Heart.

Nightowl remained stoic. “I do care about her, but barging in will not help her, besides she can handle herself.”

Ken’s eyes focused on Veronica, she did seem oddly calm for being in a hostage situation.

Ken huffed, crossing their arms. “I’m not just going to stand her waiting.”

    Nightowl scowled, turning to face them. “Yes, you will. I will not let you ruin our chance to capture Red Heart.

    Ken scowled, gritting their teeth. “You’re using your own sister as bait.”

    Nightowl met their angry gaze - their own expression not moving. “She will be fine.”

    The countdown flashed red, and a voice crackled around the room.

    “Ten minutes Nightowl. What will it be? Your sister, or the codes to the off base storage?” Red Heart taunted, breaking into a cackling laugh.

    Nightowl growled. “Neither.”

    Red Heart laughed, their voice crackling around the room. “Oh really? Because I’ve got a gun aimed at your sister's head, and you still don’t know where I am.”

    Nightowl gave a small smile as the audio cut off. She glanced at their tech master - Osa.

    “You’ve got the location right?”

    He nodded. “I’ve got it. I know where Red Heart is.”

    “What are you waiting for then?” Ken demanded.

    “We can’t just barge in - Red Heart is invincible as far as we know. We need to find a way to neutralize them.” Nightowl explained.

    “We have ten minutes, ten.” Ken huffed.

    Osa glanced up. “I’m working on it, but since their powers’ origins are a big fat question mark, it’s hard to know.”

    All three stiffened, when chaos broke out on the screen. Veronica was grinning, and had broken out of her bindings, the handcuffs lay clattered on the floor, open. Red Heart charged at Veronica, who dodged the angry flaming fists.

    “Since when could she do that?” Ken asked, awed.

    Nightowl just smiled. “I told you she could take care of herself.”

    “She’s going to get herself killed.” Ken murmured under her breath, as they watched the fight.

    Veronica did not in fact get herself killed, and somehow Red Heart ended up with a gun pointed at their chest. They didn’t seem to be affected though, just smirking. They said something, but they couldn’t hear it, and no one could read their lips.

    Veronica responded by lowering the gun.

    Red Heart straightened, straightening their suit as well. They lunged, and Veronica fired the gun twelve times in rapid succession, it didn’t do a thing, but Nightowl quickly realized why she did it. The gun was empty now - no time to reload. Veronica threw it off camera, and then the feed turned to static as Red Heart threw Veronica into the camera.

    “We have to do something.” Ken hissed, turning to Nightowl. “She’s going to get hurt.”

    “Thousands of people will get hurt, if we give Red Heart those codes. We need to figure out how to take them out first.” Nightowl argued. “Veronica will be fine.”

    Ken grit their teeth. They couldn’t do anything, no matter how much they wanted. They didn’t have any combat useful powers.

    “Yes!” Osa cheered. “I found a solution - well a temporary one.”

    “What?” Nightowl asked.

    “Freeze her.” Osa answered. “I don’t think even she can escape a solid block of ice.”

    “And how do you propose I do that?” Nightowl asked.

    Osa paused, trailing off.

    “I know how.” Ken cut in. “I have a friend who has ice-based powers. Lure Red Heart down to the pier and I’ll meet you there with my friend.”

    Nightowl nodded. “Got it.”

    She began running towards the balcony before jumping off, large feathery wings sprouting from her back as she flew into the air.

    Ken opted for using the front door and running down the stairs and outside of the building before hopping on their bike.

307.1

    “Ronnie. I’m so glad you’re okay.” Ken practically shouted, tackling her in a bone crushing hug.

    Veronica just smiled. “I’m fine. I was always going to be fine. I can take care of myself.”

    Her eyed found Nightowl’s over Ken’s shoulder.

    Nightowl nodded. “I’ll see you at home.”

    Veronica smiled as Nightowl spread her wings and took off, heaving as she dragged the extra weight of a frozen villain behind her.

    Ken finally released Veronica.

    Veronica took in a dramatic gasp. “Glad to be able to breath again.”

    Ken frowned. “Whoops, sorry, but uh, are you injured at all.”

    Veronica shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I should get back to work though. Red Heart kidnapped me right before an important surgery. I need to make sure that patient’s okay.”

    Ken nodded. “I can give you a ride. My bike’s just over there.”

    “Thanks.” Veronica said, and followed Ken to their bike.

[creator-zee]

304

    Sam crept through the shadows. She had heard the tales, the stories, of the man that kept a selkie captive. He had found her and stolen her skin and brought her to the island. There were no ropes, no chains, but she was bound - unable to swim or shift with her skin stolen away. Sam intended to change that, no one deserved to have their freedom taken away.

    She knew where the man’s house was. She would find the selkie’s skin and free her.

    She slipped into the door of the house, careful of the creaking hinges. She knew the selkie, would’ve probably checked all over the obvious parts of the house, so instead Sam climbed up into the rafters, precariously balanced on the stone walls and wooden beams of the roof, careful not to break anything. She saw a bundle, carefully stuffed between the chimney and the thatch.

    Sam gently retrieved the bundle, glancing down at the sleeping couple. She didn’t want to risk the man’s anger - she would give it to the selkie tomorrow.

    It was easy to find the selkie, she was down at the beach as normal. Sam approached, glancing around for the man - he was nowhere to be seen, probably out fishing then.

    Sam didn’t speak, but the selkie looked up as she approached. Sam held out the bundle under her arms. The selkie took it, confused until she opened it up - her entire face lit up, and she looked up in surprise. Sam just smiled, before turning and leaving. The selkie didn’t have the words to thank the kind stranger, and Sam wasn’t fond of words herself.

    When the selkie was gone that evening to the (very audible) annoyance of the man, Sam just smiled, happy that the selkie had her freedom.

304.1

    Sam lived on the far side of the island, in her own small hut, away from the rest. She was all alone - with no man, so the villagers regarded her as an anomaly, but were willing enough to trade for the fish and muscles she found. They may disapprove of a woman doing a man’s work, but they couldn’t argue with the results.

    It suited Sam just fine. She didn’t mind being on her own. Whenever she did cross the island to go into town - she was faced with judgmental stares and whispers. She preferred the company of the sea anyways. The seals were far more interesting than any townsfolk as far as she was concerned.

    Sam was roasting a fish over her fire, when a knock at the door, startled her. No one ever came to visit her. People left her alone until she came into town. Nonetheless, she set the fish aside and opened the door. She was surprised to see the selkie at the door. It had been months, but it was most certainly her.

    Sam held the door open, gesturing for the selkie to enter. She speared another fish on a stick and held it over the fire, handing the already cooked one to the selkie. The selkie took it graciously, biting into it.

    “I’m Sam.” Sam finally spoke, as she pulled her fish off the fire.

    “Neira.” The selkie said, her accent thick, but unplaceable.

    Sam had many questions, but she didn’t dare break the silence. They ate in peace, and the selkie broke the silence.

    “Thank you.” She spoke, and smiled.

    Had she really come all this way? Just to say thank you?

    “Everyone deserves their freedom.” Sam said simply.

    “Thank you.” The selkie repeated - grin returning, proud to be able to thank the kind stranger. She had finally learned the words.

    The selkie was gone in the morning. Sam was left with questions, but she didn’t question it.

    The selkie returned several weeks later, then several days later, then a few days later, then a day later, and soon she was visiting every day. They didn’t say anything. Just shared fish, and silence, and sometimes a view. Sam never saw the selkie’s skin. It was probably carefully hidden. Sam didn’t blame her.

    One day Neira came with her skin. Sam was surprised, but didn’t comment. She didn’t touch it either - didn’t move it from where it was draped over a chair.

    Neira took her skin with her when she left. She never stayed the night - rarely stayed the whole day. Sam was often out fishing during the day anyways. They spent many evenings together though. Sitting by the fire, or side by side on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

    Sam returned from fishing one day to see Neira waiting outside her cottage.

    Sam smiled as she hauled the fish up to be cut - she would have to go into town tomorrow - she needed to trade for more flour and milk.

    “I’ll be gone tomorrow.” She told Neira, feeling she owed the selkie an explanation for her disruption of their daily ritual.

    “Why?” Neira asked.

    “I have to trade with the villagers for other food and ingredients.” Sam explained, as she began gutting the fish - prepping it for cooking.

    Neira nodded. “There’s a bad storm coming tomorrow.”

    Sam looked up, a little bit surprised but she didn’t question it. She did recognize the concern on the selkie’s face though.

    “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I’m hardy.” Sam assured her with a smile.

    Neira shook her head. “The sea will be rough.”

    Sam paused before speaking. “Will you be okay?”

    Neira seemed torn. “Maybe.”

    Sam gestured to her cottage. “The door’s always open.”

    Neira nodded, and they fell into comfortable silence. Neira watching Sam’s hands with interest as they worked.

304.2

    Sam left early in the morning to begin the trip to the village. She would have to go by boat around the island - to bring all her fish with her.

    She spent the day trading, and by the time she was rowing home a nasty storm had risen and was at its peak. She was soaking wet when she walked into her house, and was surprised to be met with warmth, the fire having been lit. She glanced around and saw Neira sitting in a chair by the fire. Sam set her things down on the table, the canvas around them having protected them from the waters.

    “Are you okay?” Neira asked.

    Sam nodded. “Are you?”

    Neira nodded.

    Sam smiled and offered Neira a piece of bread with bits of dried fruit in it.

    “Try it.” She said. “It’s a treat from town - a break from all the fish.”

    Neira accepted it a bit hesitantly, but bit into it and smiled, before finishing the rest of it eagerly. Sam laughed, and handed her the rest of the loaf. Neira hesitated, but Sam reassured her with a smile. Neira took it and quickly finished the rest.

    Sam shucked off her wet clothes, trading them for dry ones - reaching in her closet for new ones. She was surprised to see Neira’s skin hung in her closet behind one of her heavier coats. Sam didn’t question it, simply pulling on warm dry clothes, before returning to the living room.

    “Can I stay the night?” Neira asked.

    “Of course.” Sam said with a smile. “Bed or couch?”

    Neria hesitated before answering, hesitantly. “Bed... with you?”

    Sam was surprised - caught off guard, but she recovered quickly, smiling. “Sure.”

    It was a bit of a tight fit, comfortable enough, and more comfortable as time went on, and Neira began staying more and more often.

    Sam was no longer surprised by the sight of the selkie’s coat in her closet, or coming home to a warm cottage.

304.3

    Neira returned home one day, her skin tossed over one arm. She opened the door to see Sam sitting on the couch, bent over, head in her hands.

    Concern filled Neira and she tossed her coat over the chair haphazardly. She sat next to Sam, wrapping an arm around her.

    “What’s wrong?” She asked quietly.

    Sam leaned into Neira, dropping her hands, and Neira could see the tears staining her cheeks.

    “The townsfolk are demanding that I marry. They aren’t willing to trade with me if I don’t marry soon.” Sam explained, voice choked. “I need to trade with them to survive, but I don’t want to marry a man.”

    Neira hated to see Sam hurting like this, she was also surprised at the jealousy that rose in her chest at the idea of Sam marrying a man, but she pushed it away.

    “Can they not be reasoned with?” Neira asked.

    Sam shook her head. “They even have a suitor lined up for me.”

    Sam sobbed. “I can’t do it. I can’t Neira.”

    “Then don’t.” Neira said. “You can fish - you are strong. You don’t need them.”

    “What about when I do though?” Sam asked.

    “You will find a way.” Neira assured her, pulling her close.

    “Thank you.” Sam muttered.

[creator-zee]

222

    “Stay away from me.” She said, voice shaking, hands balled into fists at her sides.

    I didn’t step closer, but asked quietly. “I get that you’re scared of me, but I promise I don’t want to hurt you.”

    “You hurt me?” She laughed dryly, lacking all humor. “I’m not scared of you, I”m scared of hurting you.’

    “How?” I asked, knowing few things could truly hurt me.

    “With my power.” She admitted. “It’s dangerous and destructive.”

    “What is it?” I asked.

    “Fire.” She said quietly.

    I couldn’t stop a short burst of laughter leaving my mouth. “I’m sorry, but trust me, your fire can’t hurt me.”

    “What?” She gasped.

    I held out my arm. “Go ahead, try and burn me.”

    She looked at me, appalled. “What? No. I’ll hurt you.”

    “I promise you won’t.” I said. “Just do it. Even if by some miracle you do hurt me, I can heal it no problem.”

    “You’re a healer?” She asked.

    “Something like that.” I said. “Now, go on.”

    She hesitated but held out one hand, flames leaping from it in a ball, and then the flames quickly grew, losing form and lept onto my arm. She watched in awe as I didn’t flinch, my skin not burning. The flames licked up and down my bare arm, stopping just short of my tank top, to avoid burning the fabric.

    Her jaw dropped and she wasn’t even making the fire anymore, her hand empty, but the flames continued to twist around my arm like a strange snake or a sleeve of fire.

    “How...?” She muttered.

    “Your fire is nothing like the fire that I’ve been burned with.” I said, ominously.

    She held up the palms of hands, they were twisted with scar tissue. “My flames even hurt me. How is it not affecting you?”

    I closed my hand in a fist and the flames on my arm extinguished. “My skin is far tougher than yours.”

    I opened my hand again, bright blue flames glowing in a ball. “This is the fire needed to burn my skin.” She stepped back, the heat reaching he even from the distance.

    I quickly snuffed it out.

    “What are you?” She asked.

    “A dragon.” I answered. “And that’s why I assumed you’d be scared of me.”

     “Scared? No. Absolutely awed and amazed. Yes.” She said.

    I smiled. “That’s a nice change from the usual response.”

[creator-zee]

221

“Please don’t kill me.”

I stared at the whimpering girl, hands and feet bounds, back into the corner of her cell. I cocked my head slightly, confused. I didn’t understand these humans and their emotions. She had worked herself up into tears. I crouched in front of her, looking at her eyes.

“I’m not here to kill you.” I said flatly, devoid of emotion because I was devoid of emotion.

“Why – why are you here then?” She asked.

I held up my knives as explanation. “To kill the red-suited warriors.”

“I don’t understand. I didn’t expect to be rescued.” She blubbered.

“You are the one who is unexpected.” I said. My employer hadn’t mentioned anything about a prisoner. I didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t part of my task.

“Well, I’m sorry.” She huffed, haughtily. “I didn’t expect to be captured either. I’m only a farmer’s daughter.”

I stared at her silently processing. She wasn’t valuable, but she could be lying. I should take her to my employer and let him decide. It was his job, so his call. I sheathed my blades, and picked her up, throwing her over my shoulder to her startled help and grunt. She wiggled, but I held tight, as I worked my way out of the red-suited warrior’s base of operations.

-

“Who’s this?” My employer asked. “I hired you because your kind are supposed to be able to follow instructions, not kidnap random girls.”

“She was the red-suited warrior’s prisoner.” I explained. “I brought her for you to decide what you want to do with her.”

A gleam lit up in my employer’s eye. “So… her disappearance can’t be connected to me.”

I paused before answering, making sure I was right. “I don’t believe so, sir.”

“Perfect. I’ll have you put her in a back room then, and then I’ll give you your payment.” He said, grinning.

The girl wriggled in my arms. “No, no, please don’t. I just want to go home.”

“Gag her too.” My employer added as I walked past his desk to the back room.

“Yes sir.” I nodded.

I walked into the back room, and empty room and set the girl down.

“Why? Why are you doing this?” She sobbed, as I pulled a piece of cloth out of my pocket.

I gave her a strange look, not understanding. “Because it’s my job. My employer said to do it.”

“I thought you were my rescuer, my knight in shining armor.” She sobbed.

“I don’t wear shining armor.” I said flatly. “It would be counterproductive.”

She didn’t have a chance to respond as I gagged her, although tears continued to roll down her face as her muffled complaints could still be heard. I would never understand emotions. They seemed so troublesome.

I stood and left, shutting the door behind me to accept payment from my employer.

He handed me a stack of cash. “Your kind really do do the best work”

I nodded. “We live to serve, sir. Contact the company next time you need a job done.”

He smiled. “Of course.”

I bowed one last time before leaving, as I stowed the cash in my bag.

[creator-zee]

219

    I hated this. I hated it so much. There were so many people. It was a big house, even by mansion standards, and yet people still crowded everywhere. I was far too nervous to eat, despite being starving, and I was surrounded by strangers. I had no idea why the Alpha had requested me to come here. They weren’t even my Alpha, but the Alpha of a neighboring pack. Why in the world had they insisted on me coming? I wasn’t even technically part of a pack, I just lived in the town that the two packs were near.

    I was technically a rogue, a rogue and a hybrid and I had to keep my scent carefully hidden, so that no one would know, but there were so many people. I reached for my necklace, rubbing my fingers against the simple chain. It reassured me. No one could know what I was, and no one knew who I was.

    A crowd of drunk wolves began moving towards my small corner of peace and I began moving to find another spot. I stopped when over the alcohol and sweat a strong scent filled my nostrils. It wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t say I loved it. It reminded me of one of those deodorants named with something stupid that didn’t actually decribe the scent.

    It was distractingly strong though.

    It’s your mate’s scent. My wolf, Burr, said in my mind.

    Why do they smell like that? I demanded of my wolf, who did a mental shrug.

    I don’t make the rules. She said.

    I sighed. Whatever, it’s not like I can let them find me. 

I continued moving through the crowd, only for another scent to make itself known. It was just as strong as the other, but different.

    Answers. I demanded of Burr.

    She did another mental shrug. Like I said, I don’t make the rules. But I can tell you, that’s also your mate’s scent. Just a different one?

    You don’t sound very confident. I scoffed.

    Burr didn’t respond but sent a handful of irritation and annoyance my way. I just sent amusement back.

    Maybe it’s a side effect of some enchantment. I suggested.

    Maybe. Burr mumbled, non committedly.

    I almost ran right into someone, because I was distracted talking to Burr, but I stopped myself at the last second, quickly stepping back and moving to the side. I had to resist the urge to cover my nose though because the scent was so strong. Eventually, I gave in and pressed my sleeve over for my face. It did little to dull the overwhelming scent - scents.

    God I just wanted some fresh air. If this scent really was my mate, wasn’t it supposed to smell good? It was just strong.

    I realized with horror as I tried to make my way to a balcony that I had no idea if my enchantment would work to stop my mate from being able to smell me. I realized there wasn’t anything else I could do. I couldn’t risk angering the Alpha by leaving early. I already had a life here, I didn’t need to uproot it. The pack’s were willing to ignore my presence as long as I didn’t cause trouble. I didn’t intend to ruin that.

    I breathed in a deep breath, lowering my sleeve as I made it to a balcony. Fresh air. It lasted a few seconds before the scents returned. I also heard a couple fo people approaching, so I spun to face them, intending to duck behind them and find somewhere else. Would it be considered rude to climb onto the roof?

    Probably. Burr cut in.

    I didn’t bother formulating a response, just letting her feel my irritation.

    The two women saw me. Their scents were so strong. Oh no. They were my mates.

    “Don’t leave on our account.” One of them said, the taller (although not by much) one.

    I noticed their interlaced hands. They had found each other. They knew they were mates. I didn’t see any recognition in their eyes, they must not be able to smell me, and as such they have no idea they have another mate. A strange mix of disappointment and relief flooded through me.

    “I don’t recognize you.” The other one, who had black hair and piercing green eyes said.

    The tall brunette, who’s brown eyes found my own, added. “I can’t place your scent. It’s almost like you don’t have one.”

    I forced a life. “What a strange idea? But, it makes sense you wouldn’t know me.”

    “Why?” Black hair asked.

    “I’m not part of this Alpha’s pack.” I explained, calmly.

    “Why would they invite an outsider?” Brown hair asked, addressing her partner.

    She shrugged and I shrugged. “I have no idea, but I wasn’t going to risk angering them.”

    “There you are.” A new voice said, from behind the pair.

    I startled, straightening up, as I saw the Alpha behind them. I bowed.

    “Sorry, I didn’t know you were looking for me.” I apologized.

    “It’s fine.” They brushed off. “I just wanted to have a chat with you.”

    “Here?” I asked, uncomfortable, still not rising out of my bow.

    “Yes.” They said flatly.

    I stood up straight, glancing at the two wolves who hadn’t left, uncertain what their Alpha expected from them.

    “Is there a problem?” They asked.

    “I’m just a very… private… person.” I said, uncertainly, my gaze still jumping between my mates and the Alpha.

    “I can see that.” The Alpha remarked, and pointed to my necklace that I had subconsciously reached for. “You’re so private you hide your scent.”

    So, the Alpha knew magic, or at least had a witch friend who could. There was no point denying it, so I nodded.

    “I didn’t want every wolf here to attack me at first smell.” I said. “I felt it was a necessary precaution.”

    The Alpha’s eyes searched me as if looking for a lie. “I suppose that’s reasonable, but I am here now, and I can guarantee no one will attack you while I’m right here, so you can take it off now.”

    “With all due respect Alpha, I don’t see why that’s necessary.” I said, fighting to keep my voice level. I felt increasingly cornered. I really didn’t want to reveal my scent.

    “I like to know who I’m dealing with.” They said. “Think of it as a favor for not chasing you off my territory.”

    “I don’t want any trouble.” I said.

    “Then take off the necklace.” They said.

    “I can just tell you what it’s hiding.” I said. I didn’t want my mate to know. I didn’t want them to reject me. If I kept the necklace on, they could live in blissful ignorance.

    “Your refusal just makes me more curious.” They said. “What are you hiding?”

    “Why did you ask me to come here anyways?” I asked, changing the subject.

    “Because I wanted to get to know you.” They said. “So, take off the necklace.”

    I still hesitated, searching for any excuse. My breathing had increased with my discomfort, between the overwhelming scents and the Alpha’s demand I just wanted to leave.

    I had a death grip on my necklace.

    “I would really prefer to not take it off.” I repeated.

    “I already know you are a rogue and a hybrid, what is there to hide?” The Alpha pressed.

    My mates gasped. Black hair recovered the fastest.

    “A hybrid? Of what and what?” She asked, and I could see the horror on her face slowly growing.

    “A werewolf and a shapeshifter.” I answered.

    “Not a vampire?” The Alpha asked, confused.

    “No, not a vampire.” I confirmed.

    “Are hybrids really that bad?” The brunette asked.

     I shrugged. “It depends who you ask.”

    “Hybrids killed my family.” Black hair growled.

    “Well, I didn’t.” I pointed out. “It’s not my fault.”

    “Your kind did.” She snarled.

    “Did you know that werewolves killed my family? And yet, I’m not trying to kill all of you.” I huffed.

    “Is that true?” The Alpha asked.

    “Does it matter?” I scowled.

    “Yes.” Black-hair snarled.

    “I don’t know who killed my family.” I admitted. “But, you should not hold me responsible for the actions of people I don’t even know.”

    “She’s right.” The Alpha said. “Besides it was a vampire with a vampire hybrid. Ciel had nothing to do with that. So calm yourself Monique, I promised no harm would come to her.“

    Monique’s partner placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “She didn’t hurt you Nic.”

    “Thanks Steph.” Monique murmured.

    “Can I go now?” I asked.

    “I still want to talk to you.” The Alpha said.

    “Why?” I asked, irritated. I just wanted to leave and get a breath of fresh air.

    “You can shapeshift right?” The Alpha asked.

    I hesitated and nodded.

    “And you’re strong. I want you to join my pack.” The Alpha said. “I could use someone strong like you.”

    I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “You seriously think a pack will accept me. You saw Monique’s reaction. She’s not the only one who will react like that.”

    “You already hide your scent, no one would have to know.” The Alpha pressed.

    “I’m not joining any pack.” I asserted. “If that’s all you wanted, this was a waste of time and I would like to leave.”

    “Fine.” The Alpha relented. “But if you ever decide to join a pack, come to me first.”

    “Thank you.” I said, and brushed past them, heading out of the party, thankful that once I made it out of the crowded mansion the air was clear.

    Finally, I was free. I just wanted to go home, get out of this stuffy tux and eat some food.

    The scent was back. Why?

    I turned and saw Monique and Steph approaching me. Why were they approaching me? Had they figured it out?

    “Hi, Ciel?” Monique greeted.

    I nodded. “Yeah?”

    “I just wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you for something that’s not your fault.” She apologized.

    “Okay…” I muttered, not sure how to react. I really wasn’t happy about the scent still being so strong. How did mates stand this all the time?

    Be nicer. They’re your mates. Burr chided.

    “Can I treat you to a drink to make up for it?” She asked.

    I glanced between her and Steph. “It almost sounds like you’re asking me on a date?”

    I expected Steph to lash out, mates could be protective, but she seemed oddly unaffected.

    She just laughed. “That would be bold, to ask another girl out right in front of her mate. Especially since we just met tonight.”

    I laughed. “I’m glad you didn’t beat me up just for suggesting it.”

    Monique and Steph shared a glance. Maybe saying something over the link. A pang of jealousy rose up, but I quickly squashed it.

    Just tell them. Burr urged. They already know.

    Knowing me is one thing, and being my mate is another. I explained to Burr. I’m not risking it.

    Burr just huffed, annoyed with me, drawn to our mates.

    I still hadn’t had time to process that I had two mates. That was weird in itself.

    “So? Will you let me buy you a drink?” Monique asked again.

    I nodded. “Coffee tomorrow morning, ten o’clock at Angelina’s Coffee Emporium.”

    “See you then.” Monique said. “I’ll let you go now. Have a good night?”

    “Have a good night.” I returned and finally went back to my apartment.

    I barely managed to strip my clothes off and set an alarm before collapsing into my bed exhausted.

219.1

    I pulled a hoodie over my head as I walked down the apartment hall. I had decided to walk to the cafe, mainly because I lacked a car, but that also meant that I was now running fifteen minutes late. I would have to run part of the way.

    I left the apartment building at a run. If I ran the first part I could use the second part to catch my breath. I stopped running when I was about a block away. I probably should’ve stopped earlier if I really wanted to catch my breath. When I arrived, I was still slightly out of breath.

    I smelled them before I saw them, and wished double that I wasn’t breathing more than normal. They were sitting at a table. Monique waved at me. I smiled and slid into the chair across from them.

    “Did you run here?” Monique asked.

    I nodded, a bit sheepish. “I was running late.”

    “You could’ve been a little late. I wouldn’t have minded.” Monique said.

    “It’s rude.” I said. “I try to avoid being rude to people.”

    “What do you want?” She asked. “I said I’d buy you a drink.”

    “Just a hot cocoa.” I said.

    “Really?” Steph spoke up for the first time, and Monique left to go get my drink.

    “Caffeine doesn’t affect me anyways.” I shrugged. “And coffee doesn’t taste good.”

    “Really? Not at all?” Steph asked, curious.

    “Nope.” I confirmed.

    “Huh.” She muttered.

    “I’m a bit curious why you tagged along.” I admitted. “You can’t really be scared that I’ll steal your mate, are you?”

    Steph shook her head. “No, I’m just clingy. If you want me to leave, I can.”

    “No, no, it’s fine.” I rushed to say. “I was just curious, I’m not that interesting.”

    “Don’t sell yourself short.” She said. “You’re more interesting than other people who have dragged me out on coffee dates.”

    “Technically, your mate dragged me.” I corrected with a smile.

    Steph laughed, as Monique returned, handing my drink to me.

    “And I thought Steph was the one who had to be worried about you stealing her mate, but you’re already making her laugh.” Monique joked as she sat back down reaching for Steph’s hand.

    I felt another pang of jealousy rise, but I quickly squashed it, smiling.

    “Trust me I have no interest in stealing your mate, either one.” I said.

    Monique laughed. “I’m glad. Then I might actually have to fight you.”

    “Would you win that fight?” Steph joked.

    “What makes you think I’m a fighter?” I joked.

    Steph shrugged. “A vibe I guess. You may not have a scent but you still scream danger.”

    “Probably because I’m a rogue.” I shrugged. “Some wolf instinct.”

    With that logic they should be able to tell that you’re their mate. Burr pointed out. I hated to admit it, but she was right.

    Ha. She cheered victoriously.

    Monique shrugged. “I would say it’s because of those killer muscles, but I can’t see any.”

    I raised an eyebrow. “Who said I’m fit? Wouldn’t I want to show of my ‘killer muscles?’”

    “Alpha Alex wanted to recruit you.” Steph pointed out. “They wouldn’t want to accept a fighter who couldn’t fight.”

    “What makes you think Alpha Alex knows if I have muscles? They wanted to recruit me purely on the fact that I’m a shapeshifter.” I said, before taking a sip of my drink.

    “Didn’t they say that you’re strong though.” Monique pointed out.

    “They technically never asked me, just assumed.” I said, shrugging.

    Silence fell for a bit before Monique broke it. “I have to admit, I’m curious. Why did you refuse to take off your necklace if the Alpha already knew what you were?”

    Steph elbowed Monique, saying in a hushed whisper. “You can’t just ask that.”

    “I’m a very private person.” I muttered.

    “Without your scent how will your mate find you?” Monique asked.

    I smiled sadly at the irony. “They won’t.”

    “Don’t you want to find your mate?” Monique pressed.

    “I don’t need to be rejected.” I muttered. “I’m a hybrid and a rogue. Not exactly perfect wife material.”

    “I still think they deserve a chance to choose.” Monique said.

    Yeah, they deserve a chance. Burr so helpfully cut in.

    “I’ve heard rejection hurts.” I defended myself. “This way they don’t have to go through that. They just don’t realize I exist.”

    “But, won’t they always feel like a part of them is missing?” Monique asked.

    I shrugged. “I think people should feel whole all by themselves. Besides after enough time they’ll just choose someone who either hasn’t found a mate or got rejected.” Or go with their other mate. I added in my head.

    “I mean I’m not arguing with the first part.” Monique said, and I sensed a but.

    “But, I don’t think you should make that choice from them.” She finished.

    Just tell them. Burr urged me.

    “If they knew they’d thank me.” I said. “No one wants to get stuck with a rogue for a mate, much less a hybrid.”

    Steph suddenly spoke up. “Is that why you refused to take your necklace off. You didn’t want your mate to find you.”

    Damn, she was smart.

    “But we were on a balcony...” Moniue trailed off. “They wouldn’t have caught oto your scent.”

    “With how strong a mate scent is. I’d be surprised if they couldn’t smell me from a block away.” I muttered, all too aware of their mate smell that was still just as strong, and just as overwhelming, especially at this close proximity.

    “They were there? You smelled them, and you didn’t go to them?” Monique demanded, voice raising.

    I flinched back from her. “I - I already explained it to you. I don’t want to find my mate.”

    But I do. Burr spoke up, and I felt her wrestling for control.

    I gripped the table, as I fought to remain in control. She was at the disadvantage because I was a hybrid, so my wolf was weaker, but she could be very stubborn.

    “What’s going on?” Monique asked, concerned. “I’m sorry for raising my voice.”

    “It’s not that.” I muttered, glancing up to meet her eyes, and then she understood. No doubt my eyes were flashing between my blue eyes and Burr’s brown eyes.

    It was a very strange sensation, and I closed my eyes, but it didn’t go away.

    “Why is your wolf trying to gain control right now?” Monique asked.

    “She doesn’t agree with my opinions on mates.” I forced out, struggling to concentrate and talk.

    “I want to hear what she has to say.” Monique admitted quietly.

    “Trust me you don’t.” I hissed.

 “Would you just give it a rest Burr?” I said out loud on accident. “We already agreed not to tell them.”

I realized my slip up too late. Dammit, now they were sure to ask.

“What did you agree -” She was cut off mid question by Steph elbowing her.

“We barely know her.” Steph said. “She doesn’t need to spill all her secrets.”

“But what do we have to do with her mate?” Monique ask, pointing at me while facing Steph.

“It doesn’t matter.” Steph asserted. “She’ll tell us on her own time.”

Monique sighed. “Fine, but you can’t blame me for being curious.”

Burr finally gave up, and I sighed in relief.

“Finally.” I muttered.

“I’m impressed you were able to hold a conversation while keeping control.” Steph said.

I shrugged. “I’m a hybrid. My wolf is only half as strong.”

“Ah.” Steph muttered.

“Does that mean you can only half shapeshift?” Monique asked.

“Uhhh.... no.” I said. “I just can’t hold the shape forever, like a full-blooded shifter.”

219.1 (a while later) (skipping the middle bits like I always do)

          “What’s all this?” I asked Monique and Steph as I stepped into their apartment and saw a fancy dinner with candles and romantic music playing.

        I chuckled slightly as I slipped off my jacket. “You know I’m not actually dating you right?” I joked, referencing a long standing joke since our first coffee meeting.

        Both Monique and Steph were not nervous than I was used too, but Monique spoke first.

        “About that, Steph and I have been talking.” She began, a bit hesitant.

        I nodded, smiling as I joked. “Always worrying.”

       They both laughed a little, and I smiled at getting them to lighten up.

        Monique continued after becoming serious again, but she was more confident. “I know it’s strange, and especially unusual for werewolves, but Steph and I wanted to ask you to date us.”

         Shock spread across my features. I had never thought I could have a romantic relationship with them, not since I made the (admittedly poor) decision to withhold my status as their mate.

         Steph misinterpreted my shock. “I know, I know. Polyamory isn’t really a werewolf thing with the whole mates and possessive stuff, but both Monique and I feel like we’re missing something and we feel more whole with you.”

         I grasped my necklace tears pricking at my eyes. 

        “Hey, Ciel, it’s okay. We understand if you say no.” Monique rushed to say, hesitating about placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

       “It’s not that.” I said, my voice barely a whisper and cracking. 

       “Then what?” Monique probed gently.

       “There’s something I need to tell you. Something you both deserve to know and that I should’ve told you long ago. And I understand if you hate me for keeping this from you.” I rambled, tears beginning to spill. “I could tell you, but there’s a better way. I think. I don’t know. I never planned on telling you because I was scared of your anger.”

        Monique and Steph shared matching expressions of concern, but waited for me to continue.

        I took a deep breath before pulling my necklace off. 

        “I’m your mate.” I muttered. 

         I looked up fearfully seeing shock slowly fade to confusion and then, expectedly, anger.

         “You knew? All this time? And you said nothing?” Monique asked, voice empty.

         I nodded, tears spilling faster, necklace grilled tightly in my hands, as I resisted the temptation to put it back on. For the first time in years though the scent of my mates seemed to become more manageable, more pleasant. I had grown used to it, but now it was better, not just ignored.

        “Why?” Steph asked quietly. “Why hide it?”

        “Fear.” I admitted. 

        I was surprised by Burr’s silence. I had suspected her to butt in when I finally revealed the truth.