Statera - The Balanced One

Chapter Five

My first kiss. I knew nothing could steal my happiness until Di's alarmed shriek proved me wrong. My eyes flew open at the shrill sound, and with one look down, fear overcame the contentment I'd been enveloped in.

My gaze shot toward the door, and my vision doubled as I realized I was floating several feet above my bedroom floor. The fear of falling had never seemed more real and had me close to losing it. Di, however, had recovered from her initial shock and was leaning comfortably against the door frame, wearing a grin of quiet approval.

"Aunt Di, this isn't—screech, screech."

Able to move again, I leaned forward, but I darted over Di's head instead of lowering to the ground. She ducked to keep from getting hit, then slowly straightened, shock on her face as I flew into wall after wall.

Zora, you need to calm down.

I knew Di was talking, even though her mouth didn't move. She gazed at me in the way she did when using her ability. Holding out her arm, I instinctively flew over to perch on it.

"Ouch, Zora, your talons are tearing up my arm."

Di shut the door and crossed to the bed, where I hopped off her arm as she stared, curiosity the painted expression on her face.

How do you suppose we'll get you out of this particular situation? Zora, you turned into a white-tailed kite. Although I appreciate the bird you've become, I prefer you in human form. So, I'm going to try something. But, unfortunately, there's no way to know if it'll work.

It only took a moment before I felt a tingly sensation race through me. The next thing I knew, I sat beside her in my normal skin. Di's ability in animal telepathy never ceased to amaze me. Although she could communicate with animals on a mental level, her ability didn't stop there. She could bend animals to her will but rarely did because she respected every living creature.

"It worked! The emotional tidal wave Keitan caused must have flipped the switch for your Calling to begin. That was your first kiss, wasn't it?"

I was too shaken to say anything, so I nodded.

"Ah, that explains it then. I understand the levitation, but the transformation is confusing. It's not an ability in our bloodline. That must stem from your father's side."

"Morphing is a trait, not an ability, but dad told me only men can morph. So how am I able to do it?"

I remembered the conversation clearly. A bear had come to my rescue and chased off a wolf. It was the first time Dad told me about our tribe's secret.

***

"Zora, do you remember the stories about our tribe's ancestors?"

He sat on the forest floor to look me in the eye. His face was damp with perspiration, and his facial features had barely recovered from the pain that had contorted them.

"Yes, Daddy, I remember."

"I know you thought they were just bedtime stories, but now you've seen with your own eyes that they're not."

"How did you do that," I asked him.

"It is not the easiest thing to explain, Zora. The transformation is painful, but I needed to protect you from the wolf. It was easier to do that as a bear than a man. Do you understand?" he asked.

"Kind of. Can you turn into anything else? Does Mama know? When will I be able to do that?"

Dad looked so sad when I asked the last question.