"Owwwwwwiiiiiiiieeeeee....." I moaned as I rolled to my side and braced myself on my elbows. Grass, stuck to my hair and face as my vision slowly cleared.
"What the fu…"
"Nova!"
"Sorry...Sorry... what happened?" I asked as I felt Trixa's familiar arm wrap around my own and pull me to my feet.
"Nova, you damn near died that's what happened!"
"Oh so you can cuss but I can't huh?"
"I'm not the princess, remember. Anyway, you're lucky Darrow was here. He's what saved you from the...thing."
"The "thing"? You don't know what it is?" I asked half shocked.
"No, it got away after Darrow sliced.....a piece of it...off. I don't know what it was to be perfectly honest."
"Darrow? How'd he get through the shield?"
"Seriously? He's your mate Nov. Your powers won't work on him like they do everyone else."
"Hmmm...So no one tracked the..."Thing" after it ran?" I asked as I danced around the "Mate" statement.
"A few of your dads best tried but lost it at the waterfall."
"Damn. Alright then." I pushed myself up and out of the bed. As I headed for the door I grabbed my jogging jacket.
"And just WHERE do you think you're going?" Trixa demanded.
"Out. Alone." I threw back over my shoulder. I glanced at her and let my eyes morph and glow. She bowed her head in acceptance and sat on my bed.
"I'll be here when you get back. Just...be careful."
"Always am." I said as I closed the door behind me.
My wounds are about healed, I'm ready for round 2. I took off at a dead sprint toward the waterfall at the back of the property. I knew the path well, it'd give me no trouble. Dodging dads guards would be easy as well, years of practice has honed that particular skill. Shift change in 3...2...and...up and over! I landed softly and silently in the grass on the outside of the perimeter wall. I quickly zipped my jacket and pulled up the hood before darting into the woods. Under cover of night I called upon my wolf. My runes began to glow just as I knew my eyes were as well. Had it not been for the jacket I'd have been a beacon for any who wanted to spot me. I used my wolf's strength to push my legs to their limits. My heart began to race as I caught a familiar scent. I whipped my head towards the near by clearing as I bowed up and stopped. I sniffed again, its so familiar but I just can't place it. It's on the tip of my tongue. So many bells are going off in my head right now but I cant tell if they're warning bells or memory bells.
"I don't have time for this." I grunted to myself.
I pulled the hood back down to shield my eye's and headed back in the direction of the waterfall. I have a mission and I'm going to complete it. I have too, tonight! The waterfall gushed into the river, creating a soothing roar of sorts. Great place for someone who wants to hide or make a quick getaway. I sniffed the waters edge, sure enough, I found what I was looking for, unfortunately someone else was almost on me. I backed away and ducked behind a nearby tree. The moon was almost full tonight, shadows danced throughout the grove that surrounded the waterfall. Lightning bugs, crickets and frogs sang their happy song's, as if they hadn't a care in the world. I envied them, they just sang and sang and sang...until they didn't. I looked up to see the grove had grown still and silent. A cold wind swept through the trees and chilled my very soul. Suddenly, a shadow that wasn't a shadow flashed across the grove. It darted from here to there and back again in a zig zag pattern before coming to rest at the waters edge right where I had once stood. It sniffed and lingered there for a moment then cocked what I can only assume was it's head, and moved on, much slower now. I watched it's movements, gauging how best to attack when my ears pricked at the sound of footsteps and rustling limbs. I called my powers and readied myself to attack. One I could handle but two? I seriously have my doubts. I brushed away a stray hair from my face then leaned as close as I dared to listen.
"Ugh... Owww…damn thorns! Ugh! Ahem...Well?" said the stranger as he came and stood in front of the shadow. Dusting himself off as he stood tall in the shadows of the night. I couldn't see his face but felt like I recognized the voice.
"I did as I was told. I attacked her in a crowd, they all saw her fall. The seed of doubt has been planted in the minds of the nobles."
"Excellent! Things are going well. The ball is this weekend, all we have to do is make her look weak and vulnerable. She needs to appear incapable of ruling."
"What of her mate? If she can not rule, won't HE take her position?"
"If Nova chooses him as her mate then yes, but....should she choose another..."
"What makes you think she will turn her back on her true mate?"
"Because, she'll have no choice in the matter."
"I see. Well, I have fulfilled my duties, and lost a decent size chunk of my arm in the process. You will release me now?"
"Hmmm...No." The stranger turned to leave.
"WAIT! You said, you said you would release me! I have done as you said! You must release me!"
"NO." The stranger spun on his heel as he threw out his hand and curled his fingers back on themselves to make a claw-like gesture.
Electricity covered the shadows body as he squalled and writhed in pain. I've never seen a shadow in pain before, it looked awful.
"You will do as I say for now, forever! You are mine and short of my death or voluntary release, your stuck with me! Now, GO before I reduce you to a pile of ash. I have to get back before I'm missed. I'll summon you when I need you, Valik."
With his final words he turned and just as quickly as he came, he left. I looked back to see the shadow sitting on the waters edge again. It looked as if it were thinking. I wanted to go to it, comfort it. After all, it sounds more like it's an indentured servant than a gun for hire.
"You know you're never truly alone,
When you have a shadow all your own,
Through good and bad,
Thick and thin,
You'll always have your shadow friend.
Valik will never be free..." the shadow creature sang then sighed before flashing off again into the darkness.