Shadows of Voryn

Chapter Five

T'ara

No one wanted T'ara here and for several moons, she trained alone other than when Livei asked her to spar. And at night, she slept tucked in a cell alone. But if T'ara was honest, she preferred to stay distant from them. She was an outsider and trust wasn't something given. Livei had practically harassed her with humor and stories until T'ara finally dropped her walls. T'ara wanted no part in being here.

The sky was cloudy and mostly gray, goosebumps forming over her arm from the cold. The hyenas trained on the courtyard grappling and punching each other ferociously. No one held back, the fight looking realistic as if they were enemies. T'ara held a training sword, frustrated with herself. There had to be a way out of here. She should have tried to escape long ago.

Everyone stopped training and looked up as Master Cadius stepped into view from the balcony. "You all look fucking amazing. Strong and fast. I can see us now. Standing at the center of the arena, confident and baneful in front, for all to see as we slay your opponents at the tournament."

Some of the hyenas grinned as if picturing their blades piercing through chests.

Master Cadius smiled smugly like a savior looking down at his subjects. "To show my love...I offer you all a feast!"

The hyenas roared from the gift Master Cadius offered, turning to each other, and showing their teeth. It was unnatural, the way they communicated through snarls and golden eyes. Their faces were contorted, wild, and animalistic, two hyenas slamming the front of their heads together and then tossing their heads back to roar.

"Go!" Master Cadius screamed melodically." And happy hunting!"

T'ara watched in shock as Master Cadius grinned mischievously, taking a step back and disappearing to his safe space. T'ara felt caged and trapped with beasts that could turn and rip her apart. Trying not to draw attention to herself, she slowly took a step back, looking to both sides for a way free from them.

The human slaves walked, smart not to run, down the stairs that led to closed doors to hide behind. The guards left as well but not before one opened a door T'ara had not noticed, that was to the back side of the villa.

Men and women began stripping away their clothes as the first signs of shifts took place before her eyes. Bones snapped out, muscles ruptured, as T'ara watched in horrid.

She'd seen Livei shift once and that was when she had to fight her but T'ara had been too caught off guard to see. But something else happened that terrified T'ara and made her take another step back.

T'ara's eyes widened, bringing her fingers to her mouth as she felt her gums begin to ache. That was a new feeling for her, and it was because of them somehow. "No, no, no, no!" she slammed her fist against her head, wanting to snap out of whatever magic was compelling the monster inside to react. "I cannot be like them," she snarled to herself. This was different. Why was she reacting to their impulses?

All these years, she'd known something was different about her since the morning she lost her parents and killed two of King Virion's men. Her fingers had turned to claws. But still, some part of her had been in denial, convinced he'd spelled her. And even when she felt something untamable pacing inside when Joro used to abuse her, or when the guards tested her limits, T'ara denied it. But now, being near all the hyenas, it was hard to continue to lie to herself when she felt the pull.

"This is what it is like to be amongst your kind. If the majority feels the need to shift. We all can shift if we're in proximity." Forqo spoke, looking down at her as he hoped to calm her. He could sense her fear and if she didn't calm, it would only make the hyenas anxious and react dangerously to each other.