Spirit Animals -Genderbend- Book 1 -Wild Born-

BRIDGETTE

GIVEN A CHOICE, CHLOE WOULD NOT HAVE PICKED TO SPEND the most important birthday of her life helping Dana Trunswick get dressed. In all honesty, she would not have volunteered to help Dana Trunswick do anything, ever.

But Dana was the eldest daughter of Erin, the Maiden of Trunswick, and Chloe was the third daughter of Fenray, Herder of Sheep. Fenray had incurred Debts to the maiden, and Chloe was helping to work them off as a servant to Dana. The arrangement had begun over a year ago, and was set to last at least two more.

Chloe had to hook each fiddly clasp on the back of Dana's coat correctly or the folds would hang crooked, and she would hear about it for weeks. The fine material was more decorative than practical. If caught in a storm, Chloe knew that Dana would wish for a simpler, more durable coat. One without clasps. One that might actually keep her warm.

"Are you done fussing around back there?" Dana asked in exasperation.

"Sorry for the delay, milady," Chloe replied. "There are forty-eight clasps. I'm just now linking the the fortieth."

"How many more days will this take? I'm about to die of old age! Are you just inventing numbers?"

Chloe resisted a sharp reply. Having grown up counting sheep, she probably knew her numbers better than Dana. But arguing with a noble caused more trouble than it was worth. Sometimes Dana seemed to deliberately tempt her. "It's my best guess."

The door flew open and Dorothy, Dana's younger sister, burst into the room."Are you still getting dressed, Dana?"

"Don't blame me," Dana protested. "Chloe keeps napping."

Chloe only gave Dorothy a brief glance. The sooner she finished the clasps, the sooner she could get herself ready.

How could Chloe fall asleep?" Dorothy called, giggling. "Everything you say, sister, is so interesting."

Chloe resisted a grin. Dorothy seldom stopped talking. She often got annoying, but she could be pretty funny. "I'm awake."

"Aren't you done yet?" Dana complained. "How many are left?"

Chloe wanted to say twenty. "Five."

"Think you'll summon a spirit animal, Dana?" Dorothy asked.

"I don't see why not," Dana replied. "Grandmother called a mongoose. Mother produced a lynx."

Today was the Trunswick Nectar Ceremony. In less than an hour, the local children who turned eleven this month would each try to call a spirit animal. Chloe knew that some families tended to form bestial bonds more regularly than others. Even so, calling a spirit animal was never guaranteed, no matter what your family name. There were only three kids scheduled to drink the Nectar, and the odds were against any of them succeeding. It was certainly nothing to boast about before it happened.

"What animal do you think you'll get?" Dorothy wondered.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Dana said. "What do you expect?"

"A chipmunk," Dorothy predicted.

Dana lounged at her sister, who scampered away, giggling. Dorothy was not dressed as formally as her older sister, which allowed her freer movement. Stoll, Dana soon caught her and tackled her to the floor, pinning her down.

"A bear would be more likely," Dana said, grinding her elbow into her sister's stomach. "Or a wildcat, like Mother. First thing I'll do is have it taste you."

Chloe tried to wait patiently. It wasn't her place to intervene.

"You might get nothing," Dorothy said bravely.

"Then all I'll be is Maiden of Trunswick, and your mistress."

"Not if Mother outlives you."

"I'd mind my tongue, second daughter."