Daughter of the Wolf

Chapter 17

"Really, Infinity? That's the third time today you've gotten distracted!" Liza's voice broke Infinity out of her thoughts. "Have you at least come up with a strong sad memory?"

"Sorry Liza, I was just thinking about, uh, nevermind. I was thinking that I could use Velvet's... betrayal." I can't exactly tell Liza I was thinking about Juniper... Liza nodded her head in approval as Infinity set down her bow and arrow, flower helmet, and ring. She closed her eyes and conjured up the last words Velvet had said to her.

'I'm glad I spread the rumors about your magic.' Velvet must have really hated me, she thought. She had hated me for so long... and I never noticed... I thought she was my friend. The heat of tears built up behind Infinity's shut eyes. It wasn't long before Infinity opened her eyes to see the blue fire surrounding her paws.

Infinity grinned proudly and looked at Liza. "Excellent!" Liza exclaimed, clapping lightly. "Now show me what you've got!" Infinity took a breath and stamped her paw on the ground, creating the same force field she had made before. Liza peered at it curiously, tapping her staff on it gently, and smiling when she was bounced backward. "It's a pretty good force field," she said, impressed.

Liza picked up her staff again and swirled it over her head in a figure 8 motion. Light pink petals appeared, carried by a strange wind, and when she pointed her staff at Infinity, the petals followed. They flew forward and hit the force field with a lot of strength. The petals made a slight crack in the force field before being thrown back, and Infinity winced with the struggle to keep up the field.

Liza grinned widely. "You made an amazing force field. At ease," she said with a laugh. Infinity lifted her paw from the ground, panting. "And good stamina!"

"Thanks. I guess it's because I've done it before. But also maybe... because the memory was especially strong?" Infinity asked Liza.

"Yes, definitely! Greely's power is so strong because his memory is pretty much the strongest one possible... I mean, the death of a loved one..." Liza trailed off, scanning Infinity's face for any pain. She sighed, relieved when she saw none, and continued talking. "Now, why don't you practice shooting flames?"

"Really? You think I'm ready?" Infinity leaped up and summoned the flames again.

Liza chuckled. "I believe you are. But be careful. Remember to aim." Infinity nodded as Liza brought out a target. "Go!" Infinity took aim and shot at the target. She cringed when the flame sailed right over the target and into a strategically placed pond of water.

"Okay, that was fine, just try to aim better. Point your paw at the target," Liza instructed. Infinity tried again, but this time the flame bounced off a rock to the side and headed straight for Infinity. Infinity yelped and ducked her head just in time. The flame soared over her head... and onto her bow and arrow. Infinity gasped and ran over to it as the flame was extinguished, and all that was left was the ash of what used to be a beautiful bow and arrow.

Infinity felt a pang in her heart. That bow and arrow set has been with me from the beginning. I can't believe it's... gone. Liza bit her lip. "I'm sorry Infinity. I know that weapon meant a lot to you..."

"It sounds weird, but it sort of represented... a new life! I'm not the outcast at school anymore, nor am I the lonely, parentless wolf. I —" Infinity broke off, seeing Liza stare in the direction of the Alpha HQ with a far-off look on her face. "What are you thinking about?"

"Well, I was saving this for later, but, oh, just follow me." Liza turned and began walking mysteriously, and Infinity followed her, wondering where they were going. They soon reached the HQ tent.