Shape-Shifter's Promise

Chapter 4

Mercy woke up that morning and didn't need to wake Siobhan, she was already awake watching the sunrise.

“I have decided that I will go with you.” she said.

“Okay then it is set. We will be there by noon if we leave now and run fast.”

“Then let us be off.” Siobhan finished.

They immediately sprang into a run and set off. Siobhan found that Mercy was very fast. Siobhan also felt a slight twinge of jealousy towards her because she was very fast and she was also incredibly beautiful. She didn't care about that though, she was just happy to have a good friend and some company. Siobhan also was extremely happy to have a pack to go to and live with when this was over.

It was almost noon when Mercy felt a strange presence and she instantly knew that they were very close.

“We are almost there can you feel it?” she asked Siobhan.

“I feel a strange presence if that is what you mean.”

“Yes, that is what I mean. They are extremely close.”

As they ran on they weaved between trees and Mercy suddenly she spotted the table from her dream. She motioned for Siobhan to stop.

“Follow me, we must hide in a bush. Be careful.” Mercy whispered.

Siobhan nodded and followed Mercy into a large bush. This particular bush was the same bush from Mercy's first dream of the old fortunetellers. They soon heard Jeara's oddly familiar and creepy laugh. Mercy stepped out of the bush with her head held high. Siobhan whimpered and stepped halfway out of the bush. She was frightened and tensed to run, her tail tucked between her legs and her head lowered, her ears pressed tightly to her head.

“Hello Mercy! Dear, how are you?” said the old she-wolf as she stepped forward on the table.

“Hello Jeara. Where is Maldor?”

“Why child, I am right here.” he said as he fluttered down from a nearby branch.

“Where is your friend?” Jeara asked.

“Siobhan, come out of there they won't hurt us.”

“Of course we wouldn't. We are here to make you special and powerful.” Jeara said confidently.

“What...what do you mean, special and powerful?” Siobhan asked quietly.

“We will be Shape-Shifters.” Mercy said.

“The only two in the world until your mates become Shape-Shifters of course. There is no sure way to tell a Shape-Shifter from a normal animal, except size, but usually you can't tell. And there are two ways to create Shape-Shifter's. The quickest is to bite and release a toxin, in a part of your mouth, it is similar to saliva but it tastes like metal and you can choose to release it. The other is the verse, but as you say the verse you can open yours and the other creatures veins and press them together to bind them to you even stronger than normal. All Shifter's will be bonded to you by the past, so you can call upon them if the need is there.”

We pondered the changes.

“Are you ready dear ones?” Jeara and Maldor asked in unison.

“Yes I am ready.” Mercy said.

“Good.” Jeara said.

“Siobhan are you ready?” Mercy whispered.

“Yes...yes I am ready.”

“Excellent.” Maldor said and fluttered up to the hollow between Jeara's shoulders.

“First you must make the Shape-Shifters Promise.” Jeara stated.

“What is that?” Mercy asked.

“You must promise that, as a Shape-Shifter you try to do what is right to keep from exposing the Shape-Shifter's

“I promise.” Mercy stated flatly.

“As do I.” Siobhan said confidently coming to stand beside Mercy.“I can't leave my best friend to have all the fun without me.”

Mercy smiled at her and looked back at Jeara.

“We are ready.” Siobhan said to the old she-wolf.

“Okay. This may hurt a little.” Maldor said.

“We do not care about the pain. We just wish to find them.” Mercy said flatly.

“Let us begin.” Maldor said and signaled for Jeara to begin.

“Now I shall recite the Verse of the Shape-Shifter.”

She raised her muzzle and sang an eerie howl that sent shivers down Mercy's spine, then she recited the verse.

* * *

“Times have passed and the age of the Shape-Shifter begins.

The eyes of the past reflect in the present and future in the creature the body's form.

Her body grows bigger than most as she shimmers.

A Shape-Shifter is born from the flesh of a norm.

The wolf inside becomes known as her howl pierces the night!

The love between two begins her quest as they search for each other,

And they draw upon the forces to become one in life.

Fur, colored in personality or destiny.

Together is the night and their love is the light!

Times have passed and the age of the Shape-Shifter begins,

As her life extends her intelligence grows

As her quest ends a life begins anew,

And so begins the dawn of a new era.

A Shape-Shifter takes the vow,

A promise for life.

With a bite, from the Shape-Changer's mouth,

Or with a verse that is neither a gift nor curse,

And an offering of a mix of the Shape-Changer's blood

One mortal life shall change and a bond, forged.

From the flesh of a mortal a Shape-Shifter shall rise,

A pack shall form from the most powerful beings!

Together forever with the promise for life.”

* * *

Mercy suddenly yelped in pain. Siobhan jumped away from her as her back arched as if she were being lifted from the earth. Jeara and Maldor cackled as they saw her tremble in pain. Mercy's body suddenly went limp and Siobhan, with one last quick glance at the fortunetellers, suddenly cried out as Mercy did and it wasn't long before her body went limp and the transformation began.