The Winter Phoenix (WAYHAUGHT)

Winter phoenix

Nicole let out a low growl on hearing a movement behind her. Fangs exposed, she was ready to rip the legs from anyone daring to get close enough. "It's me," Waverly whispered. "Nicole, it's me."

Nicole let out another low growl in an effort to answer. If she could have spoken, she would have asked what the hell Waverly was doing there, and why her scent filled the air. Waverly approached. "It's Svane's men, and their companions."

A third growl had Nicole frustrated. She still couldn't work out why Waverly's musk hung so heavily around the area. She willed herself to return to human form, the process of shifting becoming easier with every transformation, as though Landoryn could sense what she needed before words left her mouth. Standing naked before Waverly, her body began shivering. "What are you doing here?"

"I...I followed. Take my cloak."

"You should have gone to the cabin. I searched everywhere for you."

Waverly lowered her head. "Forgive me."

"We need to leave. It's not safe here."

"They're...my things. They have my things."

"What things? Waverly, what do they have?"

"They're wearing my clothes," she whispered. "Two women."

"It's just clothes. I'll get you more. We have to go now, okay."

"But...but. The dress you bought me for our ceremony. And, the necklace."

"Waves, please. I'll get you another...make a list of what you want and I'll get it."

"But..."

"What's more important, a necklace or your life?"

"But..."

"I'm not getting it."

"But..."

"Waves, seriously. I'm not...where is it?"

"The woman in the red dress."

"Can't believe I'm doing this. What sort of necklace?"

"Pearls. You made it for me."

"Stay here. Do not move. This is insane."

Nicole gripped Landoryn in her hand. I'm okay if you stop me from shifting. Really okay. She felt the telltale signs of a change in form, a tingling sensation running down her arms and legs. Before she could think another thought she was on the ground, slithering across dried leaves towards the campsite. This is so weird. I like it, I really like this form. Her body moved effortlessly, sliding over frozen ground nearer, and nearer, shadows providing cover as she approached the tents.

Her tongue out, she tasted the air, picking up the scent of the two women in one of the tents. Now all she had to do was work out how to get a necklace from the one in the red dress. Slipping under the edge of the tent, the muffled sound of their voices vibrated through her jaw. "You can't let him talk to you like that."

"He's a pig. Tell you what, he ain't getting nuffin' from me tonight."

"Don't let him take those pearls back, Esme. Let me look after them for ya."

"Nah, best I be keeping them."

"If he gets his hands on them, might never see 'em again."

Nicole couldn't believe her luck. The pearls handed over, her slitty eyes followed the piece of jewellery to its hiding place. A canvas sack, tucked under a bed. The women appeared in no hurry to leave, chatting between themselves. The ground under Nicole began to vibrate, sending ripples through her body. A deeper voice rattled her jaw bone, and then silence. She waited, expecting to hear the women again. Nothing but silence.