Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Twenty-Four

Waking from her sleep, Saleene could have sworn she’d been dreaming a wonderful tale. One where she was able to move through the trees, jumping with agility and speed not known to her before, but one she embraced with all her heart. Slowly opening her eyes, she allowed the wind to bring her news of the day’s events and any danger she needed to prepare for. Listening to the tales it told, she became instantly aware of the men outside and the quiet planning they were doing. She scanned the area and knew that something indeed had changed. The men huddled quietly in the common room, talking in whispers amongst themselves. What could they be planning?

Shifting her attention, Saleene sent out a whisper on the wind to her mother. Mother? Are you awake? Waiting for a few moments, she knew her mother would respond given time.

Aye daughter, I am here. What troubles you? Her mother could always tell when something was amiss. A quick breath in, Saleene replayed the last few days’ events, leaving out no detail other than her time spent alone with Dartian. Those memories she kept safely hidden in a special place in her heart.

After a few moments of silence, she could hear her mother’s soft sigh brushing her mind, filling her with love. My daughter, I feared that someday this would happen. This is not a surprise, as you were always close to the creatures of the forest. It is said that some of our people possess the ability to change into an alter form, the wolf being one of them. We had no way to know which females this would be passed down to, but it appears that you are one of the chosen. They told us that if you were born with the mark, you had a higher chance of being able to change. 

Something her mother was not saying bothered her. Thinking back, she could not recall seeing such a mark on most of their people. Even as children they were always curious about anything that seemed out of the norm. Suddenly she remembered where she had seen the same mark. Not in one place but two. Inside the cave she and Dartian had first stayed in before they had been ambushed. It was a primitive drawing, but the similarities were there. And the other. Her breath held tight in her lungs as she asked. Mother, what of Kara? Does she retain this mark as well? Fear welled up inside. The wait for her mother’s answer was a test in patience she did not want.

Aye my daughter, your sister also bears the same mark, though I know she has not yet shifted into anything that I’m aware of. I have not told her the chance, as there is no guarantee that if born with the mark, one will have the ability. Her mother’s reassurance did nothing to help ease the dark shadow crossing her soul. Something was wrong, but she did not know what it was. Sending her thanks to her mother, she quickly dressed and headed for the door and the answers she hoped to find from the men talking so quietly in the next room.

She entered the room without a sound and thought at first that her presence was not noticed. Crossing to the window, she began to move the curtain to allow the breeze to flow in, dispelling the tension that was so evident. Turning she found Dartian in front of her, his eyes searching for something.

“Tell me what has transpired that you three are conspiring while I slept? And do not try and tell me nothing, remember, I can read all of you like an open book.” Her eyes blazed a challenge to them all. She knew the moment they conceded defeat when they all sat down in their chairs. Moving to one of the empty chairs she sat as well, waiting for them to answer.

“Well, it seems that after going over the ancient texts, it appears that your people are kin to ours, in a roundabout manner.” So far, what he had said didn’t surprise her. She had concluded as much. As he started the part about the higher circle of mages, the fear she had felt earlier resurfaced. 

“I need to get out of here.” Attempting to leave she found Dartian holding her hand.

“Let me go! I have to leave; I have to warn my sister!” She nearly smashed him in the chest as she continued to try and push herself away. She found out all too well that he would not release his hold on her. Exhausted from battling him, she never noticed the tears streaming down her face.