The Beasts [Book 1]

CHAPTER TEN - Talons

Falling to the ground, Anna clutched her hands, gasping for breath. "F-fuck, it hurts! God why does it hurt so much?" But she'd learned something from Connor, and didn't fight it. She fell limp on her stomach as her bones remended themselves into her new image, her new monster. Her body sprouted feathers, as painful as it was. It was like they just burst out of her flesh; she didn't even know that was possible. Not like anyone else did, either. She screamed out in agony as the feathers grew and built up large, brown wings. It was like her entire body was being ripped apart from the seams! And her other friends had to go through this, too! Oh how horrible it was.

"Calm down, my dear! It will be over soon and off we go, to defeat those who have done this to us! Who started this all! Just be patient." The soft, motherly voice of the other half of her soul spoke. She sounded like a mother hen, ever since she'd become a part of Annabelle. Pretty opposites, as Annabelle hated giving advice, and hated being nice to people.

She wondered what she should call her darling voice, and it distracted her from the pain a bit as her back legs broke and sprouted thin fur. Everyone seemed to have gone quiet, but she knew that wasn't true. She'd blocked them all out-Her hen had blocked them all out.

Maybe penny? From that old nursery rhyme, the Hen's name was Penny Henny? "That works, my dear! Whatever you decide for me, is perfect." Penny crooned, "You're doing so well! I promise it's almost over. Just a little bit longer, little chick!"

The pain was fading, Annabelle could feel it. She pushed herself off her knees, shakily standing on a set of talons and a set of lion's paws. Her long lion tail lashed out, slamming into rocks, sending them crashing to the ground. She chirped, flapping her soft brown wings. A gryphon! So many mythical creatures out of the pack of them!

"The opportunities are endless." Jacob murmured, nervous for what was going to come when it was his turn.