Heaven's Wrath

Heaven's Wrath (Full Version)

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jerenda -> Heaven's Wrath (7/12/2008 20:32:29)
Not many people go willingly to death. Those that do are either blessed... or cursed. I am cursed. Heaven's Wrath- Ch 1 Old Enemies Deep underground in a network of tunnels, danger was brewing. It sparked in the air, electrified the skin, and crawled along the damp earth like a thousand volts of electricity. The source flowed from a small, innocuous room in the heart of the complex. Men in long white coats bustled around, murmuring to each other and feeding long strings of numbers into computers. They stood out starkly against the soil, as if the very earth itself had rejected these people. A ripple of silence trickled inward, turning the electricity in upon itself as one by one the scientists fell silent at his approach. He was dressed in black, a black that let melt away within the flickering darkness. Two pools of quicksand took the place of his eyes, threatening to drown any who dared look into them. He had a handsome face – or rather, it could have been handsome – but imprinted upon his features were the marks of a lifetime of cruelty. He was a killer, they said. A weapon. The truth of it gleamed from his eyes, told its tale in the lines across hardened features, in the way he walked and the way others retreated from his presence. He strode up to the window unchallenged and looked past his reflection into what lay beyond. There was only one thing inside the luminous white room – a girl. She prowled the area, wiry muscles tense under clothes that were beginning to pull tight. Her entire body seemed rough and worn, hardened beyond her years. At his approach she turned, shaking tangled brown hair back from her eyes – eyes that burned like golden fire and glared with a ferocious intensity at him. Eyes that cut straight to the soul, sent grown men shaking to their knees, eyes that barely managed to contain the wild spirit within. This man, however, merely smiled at her foolishness. The glass was one-way; she couldn't see a thing. Even if she could, he was cloaked in shadow while white lights illuminated her every move. If she did anything – anything at all – they would know about it instantly. "I trust she has been kept well?" The question was cold, heartless, without even a hint of the powerful emotion rolling inside. At the question, a nearby technician almost dropped his clipboard in surprise. Finally he managed to collect himself enough to stammer out a "Y-yes s-s-sir – Dante - sir." Inside the white room, the girl gave up glaring at the window and continued pacing, growling occasionally at the only door as she passed it. The man sighed. This is what I've been given to work with? She'll be out in a heartbeat. He spoke over the man's continued fumbling. "There have been no disruptions?" "N-no sir, but, well, that is..." His words died as the man turned to look at him for the first time. "No, don't stop. Tell me." His tone was deceptive, silky sweet. The scientist gulped, but the man's eyes, searching him with the deadly precision of a hunter, forced him to speak. "It is uncanny, sir, the way she knows exactly where you are. When she looks at you… it's like she knows all your secrets. Sir." "Don't tell me you're afraid of her." He laughed, mirthless. "There have been much more dangerous creatures held in this room." A dark, cruel smile curled his lips, doing nothing to soften them. The smile dropped as suddenly as it came, and the scientist shivered with a sudden cold. The man shook his head slowly and moved toward the door. It opened with a click. Her eyes narrowed, and every muscle in her body tensed. She seemed to somehow withdraw into herself. Her fiery eyes shrank to slits, then enlarged. Sheer hatred poured from an unblinking stare, and she leaned forward slightly, hands curling themselves into fists. Then, her inner preparations complete, she launched herself into the air. Great shining wings unfolded from her flesh, carrying her across the room to the man in black. An unearthly screech tore out of her throat, and she slashed at him with gleaming talons. He swayed with the motion, turning as she came so that she slipped past him. She twisted like a serpent, taloned feet digging into the wall. Then she launched again, aiming for his face with razor-like claws. The man matched her attack with an equally powerful defense, darting in with just the right amount of speed and placing his bare palms on her golden-scaled hands. With deft maneuvering, he kept her fingers from closing and her claws from coming near him. In a swift movement, he pulled his shoulders back and flipped the girl over his head, dropping his legs out from under him to preserve his own balance. They both ended up on the floor, but with one major difference: the young woman never meant to be there. The man surged to his feet while the girl stayed down, blood pounding out a rhythm in her skull. Her crumpled wings began to fade, dissolving as if they had never existed, and he knew he had won. She rose to her knees, struggled to her feet. He offered his hand, and she tried to bite it. With a barely audible groan, she put her hand on her right temple. He smiled softly. "Give in, Adrianna." That drew a flinch, and a glare. "It would be much easier for you if you'd just cooperate." "Not gonna happen." Her voice was flat, venomous. One searching hand collided with the wall, allowing her to lean against it without falling over in the process. He seemed faintly amused. "It's good that you have spirit, but I'll remind you that you're my captive. You don't get a choice." "There's always a choice." She drew herself up, palms pressed against the white wall for support. Dante just looked at her, expressionless. The silence stretched on. She straightened her shoulders and returned his gaze, but after long moments passed and he still said nothing, she shifted her weight forward. As near as an admission to discomfort as he was going to get. "Right. We'll see about that." He turned on his heel and strolled out of the room. Adrianna let out a little huff of breath and sank back against the wall. Stupid Dante.

jerenda -> RE: Heaven's Wrath (7/12/2008 20:37:11)
Heaven's Wrath- Ch 2 Arden Adrianna. The word burned in her mind like a scar. Adrianna. I am not Adrianna. Adrianna is a normal human girl, not a freak. Not a monster. That’s my role. I am Arden, the eagle, the Changeling. I am a dream come to life, an impossibility made reality. I am a danger to mankind… and that’s the way I like it. An inhuman grin spread across her face. Arden rose from her crouch, stretching stiff limbs as they creaked in protest. Pins and needles danced up her body, the result of her swift Change. She winced with pain, but continued to stretch, working out each and every muscle. This pain often came when she Changed- underwent the transformation from eagle to girl- too fast, and only half-Changing had certainly not helped. Linking her fingers together, she pushed her palms out in front of her, taking the opportunity to study her hands. Human fingers presented themselves, complete with pale skin and weak tiny nails- a poor replacement of the claws she had just worn. The rest of her appeared to be all right, but there was always the possibility of a few feathers someplace or another that had missed the Change. I shouldn’t have Changed, really. It used up valuable energy and possibly lost the battle for me. I have to get more control. This particular Change was most probably not her fault- but that didn’t stop her from blaming herself. She had a long history with the man in black, none of it good. Her anger had unlocked the eagle half of her, and the rest was all instinct. The worst part isn’t losing the battle; it’s knowing that Dante is perfectly okay. I hardly managed to scratch him. At best he’ll have a slight ache where he landed on the floor, but most likely not even that. He had training, and expertise to back up his skill. He didn’t even have to Change. Anger boiled within her, red-hot fire at letting herself be tricked and trapped, and generally at making a fool of herself. Dante won this match, but he won’t win the next one. I have a plan. Well, sort of. I had one a minute ago… Oh, whatever. It’ll come to me. Or Tai will come for me. Arden relaxed, leaning against the wall, keeping her eyes animal to cut out the glare. Tai… I wonder where he is now… She had been flying above the Amazon rainforest several hours ago, watching the trees flash by. Far below her, hidden by the canopy, a cheetah raced along at the same speed as her. She did not have to see him to know he was there, as the Changelings could connect with other Changeling’s minds. His mind-presence was below her, comforting and solid, informing her of the tiny changes in his speed and direction, while hers did the same. Occasionally she caught a glimpse of him running beside the river, and the black-spotted golden fur warmed her heart. His name was Tai, and he was her second, the one who would take over her duties and carry back her death-story if she were to die. She was the leader, but for now she was only leading him as they sped toward the presence of another Changeling mind, guarded and wary, serving as their beacon in the day, when the stars were not there to guide them. They were free Changelings, ones who had escaped the laboratories and cages of Section 8, the non-existent government program for creating extra special weapons. Weapons that had a name, and a spirit. Weapons that, if their plans failed, could think of another way to finish the job. Weapons specially equipped with built-in tools. In a word, Changelings. The fools had tried for years to create the perfect weapon, finally coming up with the idea to combine animals with humans. Theoretically, she should have ended up with an eagle’s strength, skill, and natural abilities, and a human’s level of intelligence and creativity. Finally, after numerous failures or half-successes, they had discovered a way to combine human and animal DNA that gave the resulting child control over his or her powers. They didn’t know what they were getting into. They had forgotten the element of free will. The Changelings divided into groups, distinguished mostly by their loyalties. One group followed the scientists that created them, gladly killing and destroying for their masters. All of the Changelings were equipped with the ability to kill without a thought, but these reveled in it, loving the freedom it gave them. A second group of Changelings broke away from the scientists. They escaped from the lab of their birth, vowing never to do anything for those who had tried to enslave them. These Changelings valued life, only killing when necessary and controlling their wild instincts. Arden had not been with them then- she was a special case. A very special case. The last few were either too weak-willed to escape, missed the opportunity, or preferred not to choose sides. They were, to Arden’s knowledge, lost forever. A few had escaped, and a few had joined the evil Changelings, but most were probably dead. Changelings never survived for long unless they knew where their loyalties lay. Some of her group had stayed behind, to try and protect the undecided, and Arden had no idea what their fate had been. Not that the imbeciles had stopped creating Changelings. The escape of nearly half the Changelings had definitely caused them to slow production, but every now and then word reached the free ones of a new child. These children were sent to a human home, to grow up as ‘normal’ as possible. As if anyone as cursed as we are could possibly hope to be normal, Arden added bitterly. What the free Changelings tried to do was take the children before the scientists could, and teach them what they were and how to use their strange abilities. That was the mission Arden and Tai had been sent on, before Dante’s untimely interruption. The sound of helicopters had alerted her to another presence. She had turned in the air to see five of them coming up around her. In the door of one was a man, haughty and proud. She had known instantly who he was. Dante was one of the cruelest, most savage men in this hell some fondly called life. Up until her escape from his confines several years ago, she had suffered much at his hands. She had realized the danger almost instantly, and tried to dive for the forest floor only to be blocked by a copter below, forcing her to rise or get cut to bits. Desperate now, she mentally cried out a warning. :Run, Tai! Get away while you still can!: Then she blocked off her mind with steel walls that no Changeling could penetrate- not even Dante. Surrounded by black on all sides, she turned and met Dante’s eyes squarely. A harsh shriek proclaimed her defiance, but he merely smirked at her and called a few orders to his men. A net was thrown over her, tangling her small form, dragging her to a helicopter. She fought madly, but only succeeded in tangling herself further. A strong hand caught hold of her wing, and then a needle pierced her skin. She felt herself changing back into a human, falling into a world of blackness as the tranquilizer took effect. The next thing she knew, she was here in this prison. A clipboard clattered to the ground outside the room, and she whipped around to face the window. Looking directly at the place where the sound came from, she kept her glare focused on the man outside. The fools didn’t realize that, although she could not see a thing outside her little white room, she could hear every word and motion. She listened to the sounds of him picking up the clipboard, watching him with all the fierce intensity of a bird of prey. The slight clattering of the pen against the wooden board gave away his fear. Arden smiled. They were afraid of her. Good. That would make her escape a little easier. And she would escape. She had to. Dante knew just as well as she did what would happen if she was kept underground for too long. He would suffer the same fate if, by some strange chance, he too was taken captive. All the training and skill in the world could not save even a panther from the awful death. Someday she would see to it that he met his end, and she could think of no better way. Why not let the very thing that gave him power kill him? The panther half of him would be his downfall. She had sworn a solemn oath to make sure that happened. In the meantime, she would milk all the fear possible out of those white-coated men out there. It wasn’t often she got to intimidate people.

jerenda -> RE: Heaven's Wrath (7/15/2008 19:17:37)
Heaven's Wrath- Ch 3 The Hunter and the Hunted A muffled groan sounded from behind the closed door. The men scurrying along the corridor outside barely paused in their steps. The panther was sleeping for now, and they would enjoy the peace while it lasted. Inside the room, a tangle of pillows and limbs sprawled across a drab blue bed was the only sign that a person lived there. No pictures adorned the cold grey walls, and no furniture filled the empty space. It was little more then a prison cell, lifeless except for the writhing mass of sheets, pillows, and man on the bed. The mass shifted, revealing a sweat-soaked face amid the tumble of bedding. Hands morphed into claws and back again, legs grew black fur that dissolved into skin, teeth clenched in fury and pain. Trapped in the grip of some unseen horror, the man was living out his deepest fears of all. Dante sat up suddenly, breaking out of the dream world. He had to see Arden. Dante stood at the window once more, staring in at the girl within. She was leaning against the wall, glaring at the glass. She was clearly trying to be tough, but he could easily see the pale features, the way she trembled ever so slightly and couldn’t seem to stop, the way she leaned against the wall for more then appearances. She needed the support. He pondered her slim figure curiously, as if he was trying to discover the secrets of the universe within her. Are you so weak already, Arden? Normally the shivering doesn’t come until two days have passed. Being so free for so long has lowered your defenses. Yet I can still see the fire in your eyes- you won’t give in? Ah, but if you were to give in I would lose my passion for you. No, keep fighting the weakness Arden. It shall only make my victory all the sweeter for your struggle. It was that fire, that bold spirit and proud stance that had captured his heart in the first place. It was that same fire that drew him to her, and caused her to fight him so strongly and fearlessly. There was only one thing in the world that she feared- him, and that was exactly the way he liked it. So this was the girl who haunted his every waking moment, and pursued him in his dreams. This was the girl who had taken his heart the moment he saw her. This was the girl he would have for his own, and none other would do. And when he had her, when she was his alone- then, oh, then he would break her. It would be a pleasure to crush her spirit, watch the light of rebellion fade from her eyes, destroy her from the inside out. He daydreamed about that moment all the time, picturing the look on her face, revisiting it until it became more then a mere possibility. It was sweet, oh so sweet- but when sunlight fled the world, when shining webs of moonlit deception wove across the sky- oh, that was when the daydreams ended and the nightmares began. She turned on him then, twisted his world against him, fought back- and won. Dreams shattered, he fled in fear from the girl with the fire in her eyes. She pursued him, her steps softly menacing, fangs bared and eyes glowing with a wrath beyond this world. Their destinies were one, locked together as they chased each other round and round, hopelessly intertwined. One of these realities would win out over the other, he knew, but which one? That was up to him- and Arden. But Arden was weak now, unable to fight. She was injured, not physically but on the inside. Things were looking up. Satisfied, the panther stalked away, a slow smile curling over his lips. He paused briefly next to a man. “Feed her.” He murmured. He couldn’t have his prize dying on him. Soon, Arden. Very soon, you and I will discover who is stronger. Arden let her knees buckle under her, let herself slide slowly to the floor as the strange silence that marked Dante’s position passed on. “Feed her.” The words reached her ears, faint as a breath of wind, and she concealed a smile. She leaned back, head resting on the wall behind her. For all the world she looked like a wounded animal- unable to do much more then growl and bare her fangs. She wasn’t entirely faking her weakness- already she could feel her body becoming lethargic, her limbs weakening, her life-blood slowly failing. Standing up had shown her just how weak she truly was, and she needed to conserve energy if she expected to make good her escape. Yet she had a plan- the faintest glimmerings of an idea, and it all revolved around those two words that Dante had spoken. Soon, Tai. I’m coming. Very soon. Tawny eyes narrowed, Tai looked at his unfamiliar surroundings. Cheetahs didn't belong in the Amazon, but he had already traveled halfway around the world with his eagle partner, and would likely end up in even more unsuitable places. He had learned to deal with it. Sort of. Stupid forest, stupid tree, stupid eagle! Arden, I am going to kill you when I get out of this place! Seeming to get sick of pacing around the tree, the cheetah stalked off towards the sound of running water. All around him, tree frogs peeked out at him, thier little neon bodies hidden under leafy ferns. Golden-maned tamarins chattered to each other in peaceful harmony. A three-toed sloth blinked sleepy eyes at the strange intruder, and a brown anaconda wound around a mossy branch, hissing at the disturbance. All this was lost on the cheetah, whose glossy cream pelt and long, flexible tail only served to make him stand out against the jungle harmony. Tai's nerves were on edge, each raindrop causing him to jump wildly, and the constant motion from everything around him agitated him even more. He was so distracted by all the life surrounding him that when he tried to jump over a fallen log, he failed to notice the huge tree just behind it. Tai slammed hard into the tree, a deep gash tearing the soft fur of his shoulder. Blood welled up and ran streaming down his pelt, staining the spotted fur deep crimson. Aaargh! Where is that stupid river?!? He climbed to his feet, licked his wound, and headed off again. "Split up," she says. "We'll be less obvious," she says. Less obvious!?! I'm a cheetah, for heaven's sake! I'm meant for Africa, for a savannah, not this tropical prison! And then you had to go and get yourself captured by that brat. What's up with that? He tried not to remember the cutting fear he had felt when Arden's comforting mind-presence had suddenly vanished, or the near-panic that had come upon him when he felt the dark, haunted awareness that could only be one person. He had tried to call Arden, tried to make her run, tried to get her out of there- but to no avail. He had marked the direction, though, and he was going to save her, and so help any poor fool who got in his way. Alright, Dante. Where'd you take my girl?

jerenda -> RE: Heaven's Wrath (7/15/2008 19:31:24)
Heaven’s Wrath- Ch 4 The Beast Within It was a dilapidated shack, one corner of the roof slanting downward at a precarious angle, formerly white paint peeling away to reveal black scars from a fire long since forgotten, but it was valuable. The children valued it, made it precious by the long hours they spent slaving away over textbooks, by the rare minutes of freedom during which they ran, shouted, and played, by the secret alliances made in the water shed, by the wild snowball fights and the childhood games of make-believe. There was only one teacher, old and faintly British, but he knew all subjects and all ages, and his kindly grey eyes seemed to say “I understand you,” more than anyone else many of the children knew. That teacher strode about the classroom now, answering questions and quieting noisemakers, watching and aiding where needed. In the corner of the classroom, mostly veiled by the dim half-light, a girl with thick, curling black hair and strong, angry features barely acknowledged his presence. Her math homework lay scattered on her desk, various pens and pencils decorating its outer edges. All of the pencils were broken, and several pens had been shattered. The girl paid the destruction no mind; her thoughts were focused inward. Today was her bad day. Once a month, usually on the night of the full moon, she fell victim to intense stomachaches and pains. She could feel that pain now... tempered... waiting... and gathering strength. Soon it would strike. “I haven’t heard anything from you today, Monica. Do you understand the work?” it was her math teacher, bending down to squat at her desk. No! Go away! I don’t want you here! Monica’s brain screamed, but outwardly she only gave a brief nod. The last thing she needed was to end up in the office because he thought something was wrong. True, something was wrong, but it was nothing that could be cured with any of these modern medicines. The teacher gave her a skeptical look- sensing, perhaps, the turmoil within her- then picked up one of the broken pencils. He turned it over in his hand, as if it could tell him all of her secrets. Please don’t ask how it was broken... he’ll send me to the nurse for sure. She had been trying to do her homework when the pain hit, and the sheer agony of the thing had caused her to snap the pencil like a twig. She had shattered most of her pencils that way, and even pens could not stand up to the beating she was giving them. Eventually she had simply given up on homework- at least for now. With a sigh, the teacher rose and begun to leave. It was then that the pain struck, lancing through her stomach and smashing into her spine on a wave of anguish. Her expression twisted in agony, and at that exact moment the teacher turned to ask her another question. He was next to her immediately, asking what was wrong, calling her name. She blocked him out, withdrawing into herself and lowering her head just enough so that the shadows hid her expression. Pain ripped at her soul, tearing her insides to shreds. It bashed its ugly head against her defenses, breaking down her walls with ease. It was so strong… she could not control it for long. Strange that it would attack now, in daytime- normally it was strongest at night. The teacher knew nothing of her inner struggle. The only thing he had to go on were her knuckles, slowly turning white as she gripped her desk- and the look on her face just before she hid. It was that look, that single terrified look- something he had only ever seen in frightened, dying animals- that set off alarm bells in his mind. That look... that single, devestating look... it was as if her soul was being ripped in two. He called her name, gently at first then louder and more urgently as she didn’t respond. “Monica? Monica, can you hear me? Monica!” She didn’t hear him, or just didn’t respond. The students around Monica started to turn, noticing that something unusual was happening. They began to crowd around, asking questions and exchanging looks. Monica was strange, they all knew that, but she had always seemed… capable. Even now, shoulders trembling under the scrutiny of her classmates and teacher combined, she still gave off an air of strength. "Teach, what's happening?" “What’s wrong with her?” “Is she gonna be all right?” Questions poured in from all sides as the students grew more and more agitated. “I don’t know,” he said, distracted. “Chelsea, call the nurse; Randy, bring some water!” The teacher focused back in on Monica, attempting to make her look at him. She tried to ignore it all, and to keep a lid on her struggles, slowly losing a battle against her own instincts. “Here teach,” someone said, and a bottle of water fell into the teacher’s hand. He splashed some on her face, trying to get a reaction- and Monica could stand no more. All hopes of control fled in that instant, and the other half of her, the part that was never allowed to show, suddenly took charge. Her head snapped up and she snarled at the teacher, danger in her ebony eyes. He let go of her, falling back in shock, and she screamed- a long, wordless cry of terror and desperation that sounded strangely like a howl. The crowding kids backed up into each other, those nearest trying to get away as she started convulsing, shaking madly- and then she collapsed on the floor, her body unable to stand any more. The last thing she saw before blackness closed in on her was the full moon, glowing white in the blue sky.

jerenda -> RE: Heaven's Wrath (7/19/2008 0:53:21)
Heaven’s Wrath- Ch 5 Escape! "Red alert! Red alert! All personnel report to the holding chamber!" Alarms blared and red lights flashed. Shouts echoed down the corridor. “Over here!” “She went that way!” “Check down this hall!” Hiding, pressed against the wall, Arden gasped for breath. Her hair was plastered against her neck, heart thumping madly in her chest as she tried to close her eyes to the memories within. So close… they nearly caught me back there… Red blood spilled out in her mind, the man’s screams as she cut a path to freedom… That poor man… such a shame he had to die… Ignoring the hot, nourishing food placed in her cell as she lunged for him, eyes flashing scarlet with bloodlust… Her stomach growled, and now she regretted not eating, but her chance would have slipped away by the time she was done. Footsteps raced down the hall and Arden fled, chased by the fear- the fear that if they found her, she might kill again… and again… snuff life after life out like so many fragile candles… The killing urge rose in her and her footsteps slowed as she fought the instinct to go back and kill... rip their hearts from them, slice them into ribbons, spill their sickly sweet blood into the cold, heartless light… :Arden! Arden, where are you?: A voice echoed into her mind, scattering those dangerous, uncontrollable thoughts. Pain dimly registered, and she realized that in her rage her nails had grown into talons- there was blood on her palms. Ignoring the pain, she called out to the speaker. :Tai? Tai is that you?: Her voice, though she tried to sound strong, shook with relief and fear. :Arden! I’m here. What’s wrong?: His words cut through the confusion and fury in her mind, bringing with them a clear, sweet peace. :Oh, Tai! I- it’s-: Arden let out a shuddering sigh and opened up her mind. She felt Tai’s consciousness probing her mind, carefully at first then, as he saw the memory, withdrawing in shock. :Oh, Arden.: His thoughts conveyed sorrow to her- and apprehension. :Arden, did you- kill?: Her silence gave him all the answer he needed. :I’m coming, Arden. Keep talking. Don’t give in! Don’t fall into the madness! C’mon, Arden, talk to me!: :I’m here, Tai.: :That’s good. Keep talking. Were you worried?: :No, not really,: she lied easily, :I knew I’d escape, or something. If all else failed, you’d come for me eventually.: Talking to Tai was calming her down, forcing her to focus on him and not on- what had happened. Down the hall an orange streak appeared, slowly changing shape as it approached her. A man grew where the cheetah had been and strode toward her, still shifting. Arden fell into his arms, ignoring the retreating orange fur and the wicked, killing claws that had not quite vanished yet, and he held her slim figure, wordlessly comforting her. “Tai… I… oh Tai!” she cried, and as he looked into her eyes he realized exactly how close he had come to losing her. Flashes of gold still flared in her eyes, and he could see a hint of red; red for danger. “I’m sorry, Arden. I came as quickly as I could.” Arden looked up into now-human eyes clouded with worry, and smiled. “I’m okay now,” she told him, and he released her. She looked him over, checking for injuries. He was tall and strong, with dark chocolate skin and auburn hair. His eyes were a gentle brown and permanently marked with the cheetah’s ‘tear’. He was wearing only a pair of loose, dark russet pants. One long scar ran down the length of his right leg, and two new cuts decorated his shoulder and bare chest. “Where did you get those?” she asked, concerned. “Oh, just a bit of foolishness with a tree and an eagle,” he replied, laughing. “Crazy eagle- she wouldn’t pay any attention to my warnings.” Arden grinned slightly and looked away. “Hey, it would have worked if we didn’t have such bad luck.” Tai was spared having to respond by the sound of footsteps hurrying towards them. They traded glances and headed off, hands linked together, their feet as silent as the night. Dante heard the alarms not long after he left Arden’s prison. He was on his feet immediately, racing to the area with long strides. He found a room in chaos, men in white coats rushing around, blood splashed on the entrance to the holding cell. A plate of blood-splattered food on the floor told him all he needed to know to figure out what had happened. Had to happen sooner or later, he thought, not without a certain amount of regret. “Hey, you!” He grabbed a scientist by his white collar, dragging him close. “Which way did she go?” The man, terrified, pointed wordlessly down a corridor. You’d better be running, girl, he growled, dumping the man unceremoniously in a heap. He strode to the corridor, corralling the flustered scientists into a group. “Come with me, you cowards. That girl’s not leaving here alive.” He herded them down the corridor. A faint buzzing in the back of his mind attracted his attention, and he grinned savagely. Talking to a friend, are we? Let’s see if we can’t track you down. He ignored the bumbling men in front of him, moving out of the ‘real’ world and pushing the limits of his consciousness into the arcane. His Changeling mind barely noticed the mortals around him, only realizing the presence of two minds. The minds were linked by thought-speech, and he followed the conversation to one end. It was blocked to him, but not with the obsessive paranoia that Arden had. Brushing up against it, he caught a flash of warm savannahs, and an eagle flying up ahead. Tai. Of course. Hatred swelled within him, and his eyes flashed gold. The other mind was so strictly locked down that it would have taken him ages to crack. And that would be Arden. Time to hunt. “You, fool number one, take this lot and head that way,” he snapped to a scientist who didn’t seem as scared as the rest. “I’ll head this way and cut them off.” He shot off in the direction opposite the way he had pointed, fangs bared in a wild smile. You’ll not get out of this one, Arden. :Bumbling amateurs. They make more noise then a herd of wild buffalo.: Tai thought at Arden. She smiled slightly. They were much faster then the unwilling scientists, and soon they couldn’t hear the tramp of feet behind him. It wasn’t long, though, until they came to a division in the path. :Great. Tai, can you smell anything?: Arden asked, peering down the right-hand tunnel. :I’m not a dog, I can’t smell the way out. And no, I don’t,: he responded, turning to face the back tunnels. :I can smell trouble, though, and it’s headed our way.: :Oh man, and I can’t see anything that might help. Quick, pick a tunnel!: As luck would have it, Tai chose the right-hand one. They hadn’t gone more then a few paces when they ran smack into Dante's black-robed form. :Uh-oh,: Arden thought, but aloud she said, “Wow, Tai you have some bad karma.” “Me?” he asked, “What’d I do? This is all your fault, for killing that guy.” Tai stepped in front of Arden, and she turned to face the scientists coming in. :I bet we could rush the dweebs. They don’t looks so tough,: she thought. “I didn’t pick the tunnel. That was all you.” :Sounds good.: Tai responded, his attention focused on Dante. Dante watched the exchange quietly, a sadistic smile growing on his face. “No need to worry about whose fault it is. It won’t matter where you’re going. Of course, you could just hand over the girl.” Tai growled. “As if.” :Now!: Arden leaped at the scientists, scattering them like so many bowling pins, and Tai took a swipe at Dante. The man had been prepared for an attack, and he struck out at- nothing. Tai had already fled, Changing into cheetah form as he followed Arden. Tai passed Arden quickly, and she leaped onto his back, locking her arms loosely about his neck and hollowing her bones to be as light as possible. It was lucky that she was small for her age, and that as a bird-Changeling she was built for speed and minimum weight, otherwise Tai could never have carried her. He couldn’t hold them both for long, but in this enclosed area it was the fastest way to travel. They skidded around the corner wildly, this time taking the left-hand tunnel. Almost immediately it began to go upwards, and Arden had just started to hope when Tai pulled back violently, digging his claws into the earth and nearly throwing Arden into the wall. “What- oh. Of course it couldn’t be that easy. What was I thinking?” She sighed deeply and folded her arms. “I don’t suppose you could just let us go?” About ten feet in front of her stood a man and a woman, both taller than her by several inches. One had pale skin and blue eyes, and his shock of white hair was streaked by black, leading her to think he was some sort of tiger, probably one of those white ones. The woman was harder to place, with unusual white markings on her face and reddish skin. :Hey, Tai, what do you think we’re up against here? The male is a white tiger, that’s for sure, but what’s the female?: :Don't ask me, I'm just the resident cheetah, not the animal expert.: The woman smirked. “Let you go? Now why would we do that?” Behind them Dante appeared, and Arden had to fight to keep the surge of fear from showing on her face. :That's just great. How are we supposed to get out of this one?: :Well...: Tai sent Arden a flash of an idea. :No. Oh no.: :Oh yes!: Tai laughed, a deep growling sound. He began charging at the woman, who started Changing instantly. A red furry face formed, with almost raccoon-like markings. She grew a striped, bushy tail, and shrank to half the size of an ordinary human. Dark red-brown fur sprouted all over her body, and strong claws formed on her hands. A red panda? If she wasn't trying to kill us, she'd be almost cute! Tai reached the now-inhuman woman and she dug her claws into his shoulders. He reared up on his hind legs, tossing his head back and sending the woman sailing. She hit the top of the tunnel hard, but instead of falling down she continued to fly straight up. Of course! The tunnel has been slanting up- we weren't that far down! There's our way out! "Later Dante!" Arden yelled and ran after Tai, who had already jumped out the hole. She leaped just as the white tiger lunged for her, but all he got was a faceful of wings as she Changed. :Yes! We're out!: :Not yet, Arden. Fly for your life!: Luckily for Tai, the hole he had made was outside of the rainforest, and he blasted out over the grasslands. Arden, laughing with relief, caught a thermal and spiraled upwards, then went into a long glide that took her far away from Dante's sight. Tai, for his part, was no more then a blur of yellow, and the twosome escaped with ease. :Hah! That's great! Did you see the look on that tiger's face?: :Sure did!: Arden laughed, :Sure did.: Peace enveloped her for the first time in days, and she sailed on the breeze, feeling almost... happy.

jerenda -> RE: Heaven's Wrath (8/7/2008 11:10:37)
Heaven’s Wrath- Ch 6 Chauven and Taipo Arden flopped down on the grassy hill, her golden eyes gentle. Tai looked into the burning orbs and noted with relief that all the red had vanished. For some unknowable reason, Changeling eyes turned golden when they were angry, and red when the lust for blood drove them out of control. Once upon a time, Arden’s eyes had been a clear almond brown, but something had driven deep into her heart and burned her eyes forever gold. It was a rare thing indeed for her to show even a hint of brown. “So, where are we?” Arden asked, hands laced underneath her head. Tai, collapsed next to her, turned to look at the eagle. She, like him, was only half-Changed, and she looked strange indeed, with wings that were arms and feathers that had only partly vanished imprinted on her skin. Arden sensed his attention and rolled onto her side, propping herself up with her elbow and somehow managing to arrange her wings so the delicate feathers didn’t get crushed under her arm. He crooked an eyebrow at her and sat up, resting his hands over his knees as he explained the lay of the land. Behind them was a patch of forest, the thick trees thinning out as they reached the border. The land sloped gently downward where the trees ended before continuing on to the outskirts of the city and leveling out. Beyond the pair lay the outskirts of the city, smaller homes where the more sedate pace of suburban life ran its course. To the right of the trees lay a long strip of green grass, marked by a strange pair of footprints. The prints began as that of a cheetah, but slowly changed to look more manlike, though by the end there were still deep marks where claws assumedly remained. “Well, down the hill there is Terisina, that place we were supposed to be last night,” Tai said, sitting up and sweeping his arm out. “Straight behind us, that’s the Amazon rainforest, and back a few hours, to the right a ways, those are the crazy scientists trying to kill us and whatnot.” Arden laughed, but then grew serious. “Yes, last night… wonder what happened with that child.” Tai’s eyes flashed gold briefly, and a deep growl raised his fur. “Section 8 probably has him under lock and key by now. We were supposed to get him out of the city so they couldn’t touch him.” His features, a confusing mix of cheetah and human, twisted in frustration. Before he could continue, however, a deep voice sounded from the trees. “Actually, it’s a she.” Arden was instantly tense, senses on full alert, instincts screaming at her to bolt. Somehow she stayed where she was, holding her reflexes back with an iron will. Tai's hand, immediatly placed on top of hers, steadied her nerves. “Identify yourself,” she ground out through clenched teeth. “Strongpaw, meant to meet the Watcher and Darksun yesterday evening. Strangely enough, they never showed, and I got to carry out the mission myself.” The voice was half apologetic, half accusing. With a deep sigh, Arden let her muscles unclench, and a tense smile flitted across her face. “D’ya know I nearly killed you, Mathuin?” The eagle rose to her feet, giving the shadows of the trees a craggy smile. “Sorry for disappearing. There were… complications.” Mathuin stepped forward, all six feet of shaggy brown hair and muscle. He was a grizzly bear, and it showed. “I realized that. Glad you didn’t. So, about this kid. I can’t take her, so…” Arden raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me…” “…I want you to take her. C’mon, I’m full up!” “Don’t be daft,” Arden said, and launched herself at him. Mathuin managed to dodge Arden’s initial attack, but her left hand caught his right and, with a swift twist of the wrist, Arden threw Mathuin onto his back. She promptly sat on him and pinned his shoulders to the grass, not even breathing hard. Tai, sitting cross-legged on the side of the hill, sighed and put his head in his hands. Here we go again. “It’s you who’s being daft!” he growled, struggling against her iron grasp. “I’m being perfectly sensi-” Arden began, but Mathuin laid his palm flat against her ribs and heaved with all his might, sending Arden flying into a tree. She grimaced as the rough bark scraped her back, but Mathuin was already moving, dashing up the slope and gaining momentum fast. Arden didn’t even try to halt him, but instead twisted out of the way. While he was attempting to stop, she leaped into the air and kicked him in the head. He caught her foot, throwing her to the ground, but when he turned to follow up with another attack he tripped over her outstretched leg. He stumbled, almost fell, and in the few seconds of breathing space given her Arden drove him back against a tree with two strong, well-placed palm heels to his shoulders. Mathuin, pinned against yet another tree, met Arden’s blazing golden eyes without flinching. Instead, his steady, dark blue gaze drove Arden to speak again. “I couldn’t train a kid if my life depended on it!” Arden hissed, and Mathuin responded throwing her across the grassy expanse. She skidded past Tai, barely missing him, and dodged Mathuin’s follow-up punch by springing over the half-Changed cheetah-man. They traded punches over his head, finally ending with Mathuin managing to knock Arden off-balance and towards the trees. With unusual agility for a man of his size, he darted around behind Arden and locked her in a stranglehold.. “Luckily, it’s not your life that depends on it. It’s hers.” Arden curled her lip and elbowed him in the side, causing him to release her and double over. Instead of attacking, though, she stepped away. “Fine. But don’t be surprised if she comes back dead.” I hate it when he does that! Make me feel guilty for not taking her on… I’m a terrible mentor… “Good," he breathed, straightening up, "because I wasn’t sure I could have caught you again.” “Oh, I don’t know,” Arden said lightly, “You seemed to be doing pretty good.” Tai rose elegantly and intervened before Mathuin could reply. “Was that really necessary, Arden?” he asked, exasperated. “Of course.” Arden winked at the cheetah, tilting her face so Mathuin couldn’t see. She walked around the big man, poking him with a quick finger in his pressure points- above his collarbone, below his ribs and so forth. “Look at this- all soft. Tsk, tsk, Matty, you’ve let yourself go.” Mathuin, who clearly had not an ounce of unnecessary fat on his whole body, and actually looked a little emaciated from lack of food, just rolled his eyes. Then he flinched back when the eagle-girl brushed his chin. “Careful, Arden, you bruised me.” “Hey, that wasn’t my fault. You blocked with your face." Tai interrupted the conversation before it went off-track, gesturing into the shadows. “Hadn’t we better meet this girl you’re supposed to train?” “You can come out now, child.” Mathuin turned to the trees, beckoning. “Her name is Chauven.” The girl named Chauven stepped into the sunlight, hesitant and afraid. She was a quite ordinary thing, as far as humans go, with the beaten-down look that most new Changelings acquired and tired brown eyes. Her face was of the persistently ordinary variety, the type to vanish in a crowd. Indeed, the only thing that marked her as different was her hair. Brilliant red locks flowed down her back, obscured her ears, and got in her eyes. The red curls caught every shaft of sunlight, flashing and burning as they attempted to break free of her ponytail, wildly clamoring for attention. “Chauven, eh?” Arden asked, scrutinizing the girl. She shrank back, one hand going to her hair reflexively as if she knew what had caught the eagle’s attention and wished it otherwise. “Yeah. She used to be called-” Arden cut Mathuin off with a sharp look. “Her former name is unimportant. If she tries to keep ties to her old life she’ll die that much quicker.” Chauven winced. “Hawk, I suppose? Red-tailed, even.” “H-how did you know?” she stammered, both hands on her hair now as she tried to stuff it back into its ponytail. “Oh, it’s kind of obvious. You’ll get the hang of it eventually.” Arden turned to go, the caught Tai's look. :Arden. Teaching moment. Tell her how you know.: The cheetah raised one eyebrow, arms folded impassively across his bare chest, when she glared at him. “Fine.” Arden turned back to Chauven. “For starters, you’re extremely small, even for a thirteen-year-old.” “Fourteen,” Chauven corrected, then quailed as Arden met her eyes. “Fourteen. Yes. Bird-Changelings are smaller and more slender then ordinary humans- less mass to have to Change. Then we have your name- Chauven. Hawk. Generally the names tell you what they are- Arden, for example, is the name of a star. Translated, it means ‘eagle’. Then again, there could be names like Tai. His name means ‘great,’ or ‘extreme’, so you have to use other factors to find out what he is. For example-” Arden was circling Tai now, pointing out his features- “his eyes. That tear-drop mark stays all the time. Currently he’s half animal, so you can see his fur and tail.” She went to pick up his tail, and it wrapped around her hand, moving to the side so Chauven could see. The little hawk grinned shyly, and Arden allowed a smile to pass across her lips. “Tails are very useful." Tai said, grinning mischievously. "They help with balancing, and can do things like this.” In one deft move, Tai flipped Arden on her back and then sat on her. “Let me up, Tai!” She glared at him, apparently furious, but he only grinned. He could see the smile hidden by the fury. “Alright.” He rose to his feet, then offered her his hand. She took it gratefully, turning to Chauven again. “Where was I? Right. Well, your hair kind of gives the game away. Red, violent, and very flashy, just like your kind. Got all that? No matter, you’ll get the hang of it eventually.” Deciding that her mentor duty was done for now, Arden turned to Mathuin. “Hey, did Taipo show up? He-” “Yes, your pet is here as well. He arrived three days ago. I would have sent him away, but he knew all the passwords, and then some. What have you been teaching that kid?” Mathuin beckoned again into the shadows, and Taipo entered. He was tiny. Even Chauven, who was abnormally small by necessity, was tall compared to him. His grin alone looked much too big for his head, and the slightly-too-large clothes he was wearing didn’t help at all. His skin was a deep chocolate brown, and his eyes were the same color. His hair- oddly enough- was spiky and blond, with the green tint to it that generally appeared when swimmers forgot to shower after swimming. “Taipo, have you been sneaking into public pools again?” Tai asked, his deep voice suspicious. “Me? No, never!” Tai didn’t look convinced. “Well… maybe just a little.” “Mm-hm. I thought so.” Arden let Tai sort things out with Taipo, focusing instead on Mathuin. “We’ve been teaching him nothing. He absorbs stuff- through his skin, I think.” Chauven tugged on Mathuin’s shirt, causing him to look down at her. “Hey, if names are so important, what’s Taipo mean?” “Taipo doesn't actually mean anything,” Arden said before Mathuin could reply. He caught the venomous look she shot at him and decided against adding the more popular response to that particular question. “He followed Tai into our world, and it sounds similar to Tai, so that's what I named him. He’s not our pet, but neither is he a Changeling.” Chauven looked scared, but apparently fear didn’t stop her from asking questions. “What is he? How come you let him be with you?” Arden sighed, sending a message to Mathuin. :This is reason number two why I don’t want an apprentice. So many questions!: Out loud she only said “He’s fully human, and he’s with us because Tai wants him to be.” And anything that makes Tai happy is okay with me, even if it does involve bringing along a liability. That kid is going to get me killed saving him someday. “No more questions! Ask them to Tai on the way. We’re going to hunt and then move on. Matty, got a destination for us?” “Africa. Don’t know why, but Africa’s the word. Try Sao Jose de Ribamar or Parniba for a ship. I hear there are some fish thereabouts who can tell you a good ship to stowaway on. Ask for Glyph.” Arden nodded. “Glyph? Alrighty then.” "If you want to get there soon you’d better get started now. My team will cover your tracks.” The eagle nodded. “Tai, bring Taipo and come along. Chauven, stick close to me. We’re heading to Pairneba!” “Parniba? Cool! They have awesome tacos there! Can we have a taco?” Taipo asked, while Tai Changed. When the cheetah had fully formed, Taipo climbed onto Tai’s back, locking his little arms around his neck and clinging with his knees. “Only if you find the money, Taipo. Chauven, start Changing!” :Ready whenever you are, Arden.: Tai said. “Change? Eh…” Chauven blushed a deep crimson to match her hair. “You mean you don’t know how to Change? Matty, you’re fired.” The bear was already gone, probably rounding up his team. Arden sighed and sent a message to Tai. :The hawk doesn’t know how to Change. We’ll be a minute- get started without us.: Tai began running slowly, at a pace he could keep up for hours. Arden nodded and went to Chauven. “Okay, listen. Have you seen a picture of a red-tailed hawk?” “Yeah, at school.” “Good. Hold that picture in your mind. Imagine your arms becoming wings, and your mouth lengthening into a beak. Pretend you are the hawk. Hold that picture in your mind’s eye, perfecting it until you can almost feel the wind on your wings. Got it?” Chauven nodded, her eyes scrunched shut. “Now- let it loose! You’ve done this before, you can do it again. Become the hawk.” Chauven’s skin began to shift, feathery patterns imprinting themselves upon her skin and then becoming reality. Talons grew from her feet as her legs shrank, and her arms rearranged themselves to become wings. Her brilliant hair melted into her feathers, becoming long red streaks down her back and tail, even spilling a little onto her wings. Arden waited until she was sure Chauven would become fully hawk, and not some alien mix, then Changed herself. :Chauven. Can you hear me?: the eagle thought to the hawk standing beside her. No answer came from the hawk. Instead the bird launched itself into the air, letting out a shriek of defiance. Oh great. She went and lost control of her instincts. Reason number one why it is a bad idea to have the eagle train the hawk. Time to go half-kill my apprentice, I suppose. Arden leapt into the air herself and flew in the direction Tai had gone. With any luck, Chauven would pursue and they would get quite a ways before Arden had to stop and fight. By then, the hawk would be so tired she’d probably just fall out as soon as Arden brushed her. Or so Arden hoped.

jerenda -> RE: Heaven's Wrath (12/12/2008 22:33:56)
Heaven's Wrath- Ch 7 Instict The hawk screeched defiance at the eagle, and Arden sighed. She couldn’t run any more, she knew, and the hawk knew it too. Tipping her right wing down, she wheeled to face her new apprentice. :I hate to do this, child, but you leave me no choice.: Arden folded her wings and dove straight for the hawk, opening them at the last moment and raking the hawk’s back with her talons. :Chauven!: she yelled as she did so, her voice becoming deeper and harsher than normal. The hawk twisted and screamed, wings missing a beat. :Chauven!: Arden yelled again, sweeping around for another shot. The red-tailed hawk screamed in pain, the name plunging white-hot into her mind. :Chauven!: she yelled one final time, head-butting the hawk, then retreating as the hawk tumbled from the air to the ground below. The red-striped bird hit the ground hard, wings folding under the pressure. She lay there unmoving as the golden eagle who had attacked her landed, following the path of broken branches to find a safe landing spot. The hawk looked away, queasy, as the eagle began to shift alarmingly, the familiar enemy becoming distorted and strange. Then the new being struck her on the head, and she knew no more. Arden watched in satisfaction as the girl Changed back. Now to wait- shouldn’t take more than an hour for Tai to find me, and Chauven ought to be awake by then. The eagle-girl curled up on the soil, grateful for the huge trees that blocked the sun, and promptly fell asleep. Chauven woke slowly, fully human. She laid face-down on the forest floor a minute, wondering what had happened. The last thing she remembered was the peculiar sensation of Changing, her bones morphing with her thoughts and becoming something she was not. After that… Oh. She had lost control. The wild, powerful mind of the hawk overthrew her shy personality, and she was swept up, helpless, in the torrent of emotion. Arden… what did she do? It felt like a spear, driven through my heart… what was it? “Oh, you’re awake.” The eagle! Chauven started to jerk to her feet, only to get shoved back to the earth by a pair of strong hands. It was then that she felt the throbbing pain in her back, as if it had been ripped open. “No you don’t. Not only is your mind still part hawk, but you’ll bleed to death if you try to move.” Chauven struggled pointlessly for a minute before deciding it was easier to lie still. The eagle—hate, enemy, kill, intruder—what? “Uh… Arden? Wha… what’s happening to me?” The pressure on her shoulders relaxed, and Arden’s face appeared next to her own, a speculative look in the other girl’s eye. Chauven couldn’t help herself. She lunged for Arden, a ferocious snarl on her lips- to find herself clutching at air. Arden lounged a few yards away, grinning for all she was worth. “You mean that? That is called instinct. Being half-hawk, and completely untrained, you are bound to attacks eagles; they're your natural enemies. Besides, you're a Changeling, a born killer. There’s a part of me that really wants to kill you, and that same part-” here her eyes grew cold and her voice became harder than steel- “wants to kill every living being from here to Nebraska. It’s the killer instinct, and it’s bred into every Changeling. Look inside yourself; it’s there too. That’s the reason it’s so important you learn to control yourself, so that you can keep back that murderous instinct.” By this time, Arden’s eyes were blazing at full power, a focused and intense glare. Chauven shuddered. She could indeed feel a deep bloodthirst within her, and hastily searched for a new topic. “What did you do to me? It felt like you were killing me, but with words… and it hurt so much.” “Ah, see that has to do with the names.” Arden rose to her feet, stretching like a cat. Chauven, starting to rise as well, stopped when Arden glared at her. “You are injured. You are staying right there until Tai comes.” Chauven muttered something unintelligible, hating to be trapped on the ground while that insolent eagle paced around like a caged animal. It wouldn’t surprise her if Arden decided to kill her then and there- after all, she had admitted that she did want to kill the young hawk— Chauven clamped down on her thoughts angrily. Arden wouldn’t kill me, that’s just the hawk talking. Arden’s too nice… Then she hesitated. Would Arden kill her? The eagle had shown no kindness to her, indeed, Chauven rather suspected Arden of disliking her. Realizing where this particular train of thought was leading, she turned her mind back to her previous question. “What has to do with the names?” Arden glanced at the trees, muttered something under her breath, and sat down again. “Eh, alright. I suppose I can explain.” All long limbs and elegance, she leaned against a tree trunk and wished for sun. “Names are important. They’re tied to your heart. You had a mother, yes?” The eagle opened one eye to look at Chauven, who frowned. What an odd question, she thought, everyone has a mother. “Yes, I did. Do.” “It’s did, trust me it’s did. When your mother called you, you came, right? Well, most of the time, at least. That’s just how it works, because she’s your mother. Well, the scientists who created us are not our mothers, and really don’t care to build that relationship, thus meaning that- besides the power of life or death- they really have no control over us. But they discovered that our bodies respond to a certain sequence of sounds. When I said your name, coupled with the right tone of voice, your mind created a sensation of pain and paralysis. It’s one of the ways they control us.” Arden’s voice held a bitter edge, and Chauven suspected she was speaking from personal experience. “That’s why you should be careful who you give your name to, child,” a deep voice added, and Arden smiled. Her sun had arrived. “Hey Tai. Time to go. Come on, hawkling, we don’t have all day!” Arden jumped to her feet as Tai melted out of the shadows, all feline grace and danger. He was half-Changed again, and the dark effect was only slightly ruined by the tiny figure of Taipo scampering beside him. “Hey!” Chauven complained from the floor. “What about me? How am I supposed to go anywhere- wasn’t it you that was just telling me I couldn’t move, injured like this?” Arden cast Chauven a reckless grin. “Change regardless. Your DNA doesn’t remember the wound, and will heal itself. Go on, Change.” Chauven shuddered. “That sounds painful.” “Don’t think about it,” Taipo called out, “Just do it as quickly as possible. That way you get it over with.” “I’m doing it, I’m doing it. Don’t rush me.” With another grimace, Chauven began to shrink, her essence flowing into the shape of a bird. :Aaargh! Ow, ow, ow… Arden, this really hurts...: she whispered, stifling her cries. It did look agonizing- her skin was knitting itself back together inch by inch, muscles and bones and tendons healing themselves even as they changed shape. :You’ll get used to it.: Arden answered heartlessly, undergoing her own Change. :You’re a cruel, horrible person, you know that?: Chauven informed her, fierce hawk eyes betraying no emotion. :So I’ve been told.:

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