Shapeshifter Story Chapter 1

Hello all! Today’s post is a story I haven’t shared with many people yet. It doesn’t have an official title, but since it has a lot of shapeshifters I figured “Shapeshifter Story” worked for now. I would appreciate all critiques! If you find anything that needs work or would be better another way, please let me know in the comments!

A small groan escaped her lips.  Healing an impaled chest was no easy task, and had taken her at least twenty minutes to complete.  Maybe I’m losing my touch, she thought, allowing herself a sarcastic chuckle. She managed to keep herself silent as she sat up and pressed her memory for what had happened.  The fact that she had been the victim of a surprise attack she had no trouble remembering. Although she hadn’t seen them, she suspected it was the work of the Linwood brothers, Phoenix and Eògan, but how had they known her location?  Their sense of smell was extraordinary, but they still shouldn’t have been able to discover her most secret hiding spot . . . unless there had been someone working undercover.

She groaned again.  This was exactly why she didn’t trust anyone.  Suddenly, she heard the sound of a dry twig snapping underfoot.  After determining where the sound had com from, she darted up the nearest tree, and settled herself in the most concealed position.  Half a minute later, four tall men appeared, coming from the southwest. She studied them, keeping perfectly still. Their similar features brought her to the conclusion that they were brothers, but she made herself look at what they were carrying.

They each had their own massive recurve bow, a quiver of arrows, and a hunting knife.  There was an abundance of deer in the area, so the weapons made sense. Their idle chit-chat confirmed her thoughts.

“Do you think we’ll find a buck today?” one asked.  The brother to his right smiled.

“I hope so,” he said.

“Maybe we’ll get a fifteen-pointer!” said the third.

“Now that is a prize,” the fourth said, flashing a grin at the other three.  Their conversation was cut short by a shift in the wind. The girl instinctively crunched herself smaller, if such a feat was possible.

“Something’s off,” mumbled the third.

“No,” said the first, “someone’s here.”

“Someone like us,” the fourth began, “but not quite.”  Second peered into the branches of the tree in which the girl was hiding.

“Smells female,” he remarked, “and I think she’s up there.”  He gestured to the tree he was studying.

That was it.  She sprang out of the tree and dashed to the east.  There was a mess of abandoned cars in that direction, and she hoped to lose them in the thick smells of rusting metal.

Without thinking, the four men sprinted after her, slinging the bows across their shoulders.  Their long legs quickly closed the distance.

Fourth grabbed her ankles as Second pressed her shoulders firmly to the ground.  She fought savagely for a few seconds before accepting the fact that it was futile.  Third and First were crouched close by. She breathed heavily, staring Second in the face.  She saw no hatred, no glee, no malice. She only saw an innocent curiosity and wonder.

“Who are you?” he asked.  His tone was gentle, but it was obvious he expected an answer.

“No one,” she spat, “now get off me.”  Second didn’t flinch.

“I’m looking for a name,” he said, keeping his voice calm, “not a personal definition.”  She glared at him.

“Maybe that is my name,” she hissed.  Second just sighed.

“And if we promise not to tell?”

“I don’t trust strangers.”

“Of course not.”

“Get off.”

“Name.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“Heh.”  A pause.  “No.”

“Even under Shape-Shifter’s Oath?”  She hesitated.

“How do you know about that?” she asked, suspicion coating every word.

“Because we’re Shape-Shifters, same as you,” said First.

“How?” she asked, her voice weak with shock.

“Your scent betrays you,” Second explained.

“But it’s too subtle!” she exclaimed.

“One cat to another,” said Fourth.  The girl hesitated again.

“Shape-Shifter’s Oath?” she asked.

“Yes,” chorused the brothers.

“Fine,” she said, “my name is Ivey Lanscing.”