Shapeshifter *ON HOLD*

Chapter Twenty Two

"What—how on earth—why—" Karmen spluttered, eyes wild with concern.

Devan came running after hearing the commotion. He stopped at the cave entrance, shaking his head. "Galvana...Warped. That's not right. She can't be Warped. She hadn't been Shapeshifting lately at all, and she has outstanding control of it. No...this doesn't make any sense. It must have been something else..."

"Like what?" Karmen was tearing, "What else could have done something as cruel as this?"

The Voice, Agnes thought quietly to herself, you don't what it's capable of.

Karmen fell to her knees, extending her shivering hand. The river dolphin bumped its forehead playfully against her palm, making twittering noises.

"Oh Galvana..." A drop of water slipped down Karmen's cheek.

Agnes stood silently. She watched Karmen cry, and the dolphin snap after cavefish while singing in it's throat. What if her mom hadn't Warped because of Shapeshifting? 

What if it had been something else as well? 

*           *          *

Agnes was sitting with Carlie and Carlson, members of the Silver Eagles. They were twins, born on the same night. They sat silent, sending prayers and soaking in the heat of the meager sunrays that imapled the water.

"I wonder what will happen to us," Carlie mumbled quietly, "Galvana was kind, brave, and courageous. She was like a sister to me."

Agnes hadn't known Galvana for very long, but knew what a caring person she was. To have her gone opened a vacancy in her that she had never knew existed.

She sighed, tears burning in her eyes. Karmen was still grieving at the cave, while Devan was in his room, rustling around with the papers. 

"Carlie, there's nothing we can do," Carlson sniffed, "All we can do now is to stay strong for her. We have to find a way to rid her of her curse oh—" He covered his mouth with his hand.

Carlie seemed equally anxious. "Shhh Carlson. Don't."

Warping isn't a curse though, it just happens. If there is a curse, is it on my mom too? Agnes felt chills dance through her.

"Curse?" Agnes tilted her head.

"Well um..."

"You know what? I'm tired of these umm or uhh or nothing or never mind answers. I never receive what I seek when I'm with the Silver Eagles. Is Kyle seriously the only person I can trust?"

"N...no," Carlie stammered, "We just..."

"What? Don't trust me? I'm fine with that. See if I care."

"No Agnes, you don't understand. It's dangerous. To us, to you, to everyone."

Agnes rolled her eyes. "Of course I don't understand. No one bothers to even explain to me."

Carlie and Carlson exchanged looks. They whispered to each other under their breath for a long moment, glancing at Agnes every now and then. 

Carlie finally spoke. "It's the Shapeshifters. All...all of the Shapeshifters are under a curse. They can't avoid it. The curse was cast on you once you have...you have..."

"Have what?" Agnes leaned in to listen.

Carlson gulped. "Once you have accepted the deal."

"Deal? What deal?"

"We told you all we could, I'm sorry," Carlie apologized, twisting her ginger hair. 

"No, Carlie. We told her more than enough," Carlson shook, appearing dizzy and sick. He abruptly lurched forwards, landing on all fours.

"Carlson!" Carlie screamed, green eyes full of fear. She kneeled on his side, trying to calm him down. But then she too stumbled with a gasp. 

Their backs arced outwards, and their spine became spiky ridges. Arms and legs shrunk as they were carpeted over with smooth scales. 

"This...is the curse," Carlie panted, "This is why I didn't want...want to tell you...it was...was dangerous. You must...rid the...the curse...to save..."

With a muffled yelp, patterns wove onto her scales and back. Agnes then realized they had shifted into pond turtles. She watched, mesmerized by horror, as they hastily sped to the water, their claws raking the stone floor. 

Carlie and Carlson were Warped too.

Because of me. Agnes finally understood. Galvana had Warped when she told her the Voice was vile. Now Carlie and Carlson Warped when they told her about the curse of Shapeshifters.

Maybe the curse wasn't meant to be rid. Maybe Voice was more sinister than she had ever thought. Maybe whoever offered the deal hadn't wanted anyone to find out. 

But who offered the deal?

Another chapter done! Also, Shapeshifter jumped to #422! So happy! And once again, thank you to all of my awesome readers. Shout out to Cupcake3313, YOrfali, Hail_storm03, Dragonrat703, Lily_Zhang20057, Cataphant, UnicornFlowerLing, Forest_Echos4331, BlackRaven135, kat_meow15, and IDKqueens for supporting me all the way through my book from start to finish. But still, thank you to all my readers, whether you're a silent one or a voting one, THANK YOU SO MUCH!