Beast

|Chapter Fourteen|

There was one thing that Aura despised, when someone speaks and decides mid sentence that they'd share the information at another time or not say it at all. Five hours had already passed yet Aura couldn't stop thinking about what Zev had said earlier.

"Why bring it up in the first place." Aura mumbled with her arms crossed against her chest in the back seat of the truck.

She stared at Zev as he drove and as soon as she did a muscle in his jaw contracted. Could he sense her looking at him? Aura's gaze hardened and when Zev's head snapped in her direction, Aura quickly turned her head to look out the window of the moving vehicle.

Aura's heart was beating rapidly, that was scary.

Zev heard Aura's mumbling and the way that she stared at him, he decided to ignore it until her gaze changed. Was she testing him?

"After your awakening, you'll see and hear things differently." Zev stated out of the blue.

Aura looked back at his direction again, "W-What do you mean?"

"You'll be able to see even the tiniest particle in the air and your reaction speed will increase by a lot. You'll be able to hear things miles away and not only that, but your speed and strength will increase as well." Zev explained proudly.

Aura frowned, "you missed the part where I turn into a wolf and become ten times hairier."

Zev laughed, "I've been hearing you say wolf several times now but even though we share some of the same qualities as them, we are definitely the superior being."

"So like werewolves." Aura said with a shrug.

This time even Elric laughed with Zev, "that's what the humans call us."

Aura remembered what Zev first said when they met, "you're like me, a beast."

"Why the term beast then? Why not stick to what the humans have been calling you."

"Werewolves in the said stories are only able to shift during the night. But we are able to shift whenever and we are able to choose to what extent we do so, for example—like this."

Aura couldn't help but let out a scream when she saw Zev's nails turn into claws. Hearing her scream, Zev shifted his claws back to normal.

"You'll get used to it." Zev chuckled.

"Don't overwhelm her too much Zevlin," Elric scowled and looked back at Aura who still stared at Zev in disbelief.

"It'll take some time, no worries darling." Elric reassured her and gave a smile.

Aura forced out a smile and peeled her eyes away from the two men. Unbelievable, they really think she would get used to that?

Aura checked the clock, twenty hours remained before her awakening took place.

What Elric had failed to mention to Aura was that although he had stopped the pain, there was a downside. As soon as the duration of the spell ends Aura would then feel the pain of her shift ten folds. Zevlin had felt the pain gradually increase before he shifted, but in Aura's case, she was literally a ticking time bomb.

As Aura looked out the window she saw a large sign that read, "Welcome to Rhode Island."

Aura had never been outside the state of Maine, so when she saw the sign she let out a gasp. She had been so distracted during the drive earlier that she hadn't realized when they had completely left the state.

"Will we be driving the whole way to California?" Aura asked, they clearly had a long way to go still.

"Hell no, once you shift we'll be running." Zev couldn't imagine driving all that way.

Before Aura could even react, Elric nodded his head, "you'd be surprised by how fast you guys are in your full beast form and the stamina you guys attain."

"But what about you?" She asked Elric, he couldn't shift like them so how would he...

"There are spells that can enhance the body, if you're skilled enough of a witch you can fly or even teleport, but the only one who achieved that skill was Caecilia."

Caecilia.

That was the witch's name in the story that Zev had told her about in the cave.

"Caecilia," Aura whispered, the name sent shivers down her spine. "Did you know her Elric?"

"Indeed." Elric smiled and looked onto the distant road as if reminiscing.

Aura scooted to the edge of her seat in anticipation, "how did you meet?"

She was interested to know more about this witch, the mysterious and powerful witch that took the clan of beasts with her.

"She's my mother."

Aura's eyes widened in shock, "mother?!"

"Yes, I am her direct descendent. When the hunting began I was simply a nomad wandering the earth to learn spells and get stronger like my mother. She had told me to do so and moments before she took the clan with her she told me my next mission was to find her. Yet I've been unable to sense her presence on earth, i've tried several times but there has been no success."

"Maybe she doesn't want to be found just yet." Aura voiced out then let out a loud yawn.

"Well we have to, sooner or later the day will come." Zev said full of determination. Caecilia has been gone for decades and so were his people. Once they get to California-away from the hunters, then they'd begin their search for her.

"In the meantime, get as much rest Aura. Your awakening is top priority and you need to stay awake during the whole process. While you sleep Elric and I will find a place to lay low, got it?"

Aura's mood went down the drain at the mention of her awakening. Yet the heavy feeling on her eyelids were evident and she realized just how tired she actually was. So much had happened, so many things were learned and she felt like she hadn't had good sleep in years.

Aura swayed to the side slightly but caught herself, "no it's fine, I'm fine."

Zev looked in his rearview mirror and saw just how red the corner of Aura's eyes were. He sighed and looked at Elric, giving him a look that he knew the witch was familiar with already.

As soon as Elric caught Zevlin's gaze he understood. Elric turned his body and in a swift motion placed his glowing finger on Aura's forehead.

"What-" Aura exclaimed.

"Sleep." Elric chanted.

And she did.

Elric made sure to adjust Aura in the back seat so she slept comfortably. They were going to drive until they found a suitable resting area. From the looks of it, they would have to drive a couple more hours.

"You'll be able to wake her up whenever right?" Zev asked Elric and glanced back at Aura.

"Yes, she's in a deep sleep but I can pull her out. When should I wake her?" Elric asked. The spell he used allowed the user to be able to put a person to sleep for eternity.

"Hmmm." Zev tapped his finger on the wheel thinking, "don't."

Elric was alarmed, "what do you mean?"

"I'm sure the awakening will wake up sleeping beauty."