Change (The Shape Shifter Series) (16 page)

Adam roared and started to turn.

“I said no, of course,” she put her hand on his arm to calm him.

“What else?” he asked, clenching his teeth.

“Not much.” She avoided his eyes.

“What else?” he snapped and grabbed her roughly by the shoulders.

“They asked for my number,” she mumbled.

“What! That's it. I'm going back there!”

Jonas stopped him. “No! Let it go. We have more important things to do.”

For a moment no one moved. Adam struggled between his jealousy and his duty.

“Adam, we really should go,” Jonas urged him. “Sofia needs us.”

“Fine,” Adam snorted. “But we'll get back to this.” He pointed at Clarissa accusingly.

“Whatever,” she sniffed, but Adam didn't let her go.

“You're mine, understand?”

“Let me go,” Clarissa said warningly, her eyes flashing yellow. Adam stared into them and she could feel the rage burning under his skin. She didn’t want to back down but she knew if she didn’t he would do something unbelievably stupid. “Please.” She held his gaze.

Jonas put his hand on Adam's
and he let go, reluctantly.  

“I'm sure Mom's okay,” Clarissa said and tried to smile.

“I hope you're right,” Adam sighed. “I truly hope you're right.”

She hesitated and took his hand. T
ogether they went to the information desk, where they were given a small white envelope. The others gathered around them and Adam opened it. There were car keys and a short note: ‘David went home with Daniel. Meet me in Skaland ASAP.’

“Let's go,” Adam said and started to walk through the airport doors.

Clarissa stopped him. “Wait! You can't know what that means.”

“Of course I do,” Adam said, stupefied. “It's a hotel in Senja.”

“Okay. But what about Dad?”

“What about him? He's safe at home. Stop wasting our time, Clarissa,” he growled and strode onward.

She let go of him, slightly hurt, and they ran outside. She swallowed the sharp words, as she knew he didn't mean to be rude. Or maybe he did, but she knew now was not the time to fight. He was right. She had wasted their valuable time with those stupid men, and yes, he had every right to be mad. But she also knew he was just worried, like the rest of them, and she knew she should be happy seeing him like that. His eyes were black and dangerous and his mouth was a tight dash. His tall, trained body was wired for a hunt, and she knew he was their best weapon to get her family safely out of Senja. Adam was a living, breathing killing machine and anyone stepping in his way should be wise enough to fear him. Still, she missed the loving man in him and was sorry they had ever gotten to this. He had been so out of all this fighting crap and now he was forced to do it again. She knew he didn't have a choice and she, too, would probably have to fight, but how hard it would be for Adam to stand against his own. To fight because of a human. Because she knew he wasn't doing this just for Sofia. He was also fighting for Marie and her dad.

She lifted her hand and almost touched his tensed back. A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away
secretly. He didn't need a whining wimp now. She was a shape shifter and she would fight if needed. She would do whatever was necessary and she would make him proud.

Jonas yelled and they ran to him. He'd found a rental car parked nearby and on its window a note showing Clarissa's name. Adam tried the keys in the lock and they fitted perfectly. The car was designed for five, but that didn't matter. They packed themselves in and Adam stepped on the gas.

Marie woke up
in total blackness. She vaguely realized she was still a wolf, but that was it. She couldn't move and her eyes were blind. She tried to remember what had happened, but it was hard. Her head ached and her limbs were stiff. Obviously, someone had drugged and kidnapped her, but when she tried to focus her thoughts and solve the situation, her head only ached more and she felt the pain crawling from her brain to her body. If only she could change her shape back to a human.

She collected all her willpower and tried to change. She imagined the essence of humanity. Her figure as it used to be when she was a girl, her body and the sensation of moving. But nothing happened. She did it again. This time she focused on her human semblance. She could almost feel her dark, curly hair flowing between her fingers. Her classy cheekbones and her long black lashes, and how it felt to look at the world with her moss-green eyes. She pictured her hands moving over her body, feeling the smooth skin. She was a dancer and images of her trained, slim body kept flashing in her mind. Long, beautifully sculpted legs.
A tight tummy with a small scar on it, and narrow hips. Small breasts and thin arms that were strong enough to hold the same dance position for ages. But no matter how hard she tried she was still a wolf.

Someone laughed nearby and Marie heard a rustling. The steps came closer and that someone grabbed her fur roughly. She inhaled sharply. Whoever that someone was wasn't going to treat her gently. The bandage that covered her eyes was ripped away and suddenly she could see again. The bright light blinded her, but as she got used to it she saw Isabel standing next to her. I should’ve guessed, she thought dryly, and revealed her canines.

“Now it's my time to play.” Isabel laughed harshly, ignoring the murderous look in her eyes. “Did you really think shape shifting would save your life?” Her eyes measured Marie coldly. “Well, think again. You're still a freak and nothing can change that.”

Marie growled. She was a wolf so she should've been stronger than Isabel, but she didn't feel strong. She felt dizzy and exhausted and she hoped Isabel would just go away and leave her alone. She knew she was going to die. Isabel had taken her somewhere and she had no hope of escaping.

Isabel kicked her. It didn't hurt, though. Marie only felt embarrassed. She looked at Isabel with lightning in her eyes and wished she would drop dead. But of course she didn't. Instead, she kicked her again and grabbed her by the scruff of the neck. She turned Marie's head so that she could stare right into her eyes.

“I'm going to destroy you,” she hissed between her teeth. “And not only you, but your dad, too. Unfortunately, I can't destroy Sofia, but after I'm finished with you, I don't think I'll have to. She’ll be devastated.”

Marie's eyes burned with hatred and they challenged Isabel. She didn't understand what she was waiting for. Wouldn't it be best if she destroyed her now, before the rescue team arrived? And there would be a rescue team, she was sure of that. It was only a matter of time before Tiamhaidh would find her trail.

Isabel's eyes were laughing. “You’re wondering why I don't kill you now, aren't you. I can almost see your brain cells working.”

Marie was confused. Had she just read her mind or what? How could Isabel know exactly what she was thinking? She searched Isabel's face, but found nothing devious there. Simply glee that she had Marie under her thumb and could do anything she liked with her. So how could she know her thoughts?

Isabel stroked the fur on Marie's head. “Such a shame, you know. If you had just been wise enough to stay home
we could've pretended you never existed. We could've left you and your sweet little freak family alone. But no. Sofia had to bring you here and find out that her precious home is not the asylum it used to be.” She let go of Marie's fur and her head dropped heavily. She walked away and seemed to be talking to herself. “Want to know a little secret?” she whispered surreptitiously, and Marie wanted to scream no! Isabel didn’t even glance at her while continuing, “The true leader is coming and before that I can only wait. And as much as I'd like to see you dead, I can't kill you without his permission. I don't know what he has reserved for you - nothing pleasant I hope - and to be honest I don't care. But you see, I'm just a servant and I can't decide your destiny.” She giggled insanely and rubbed her hands. Then she suddenly stopped and looked slyly at Marie. “You have no idea, do you? You're just a stupid human. The lowest of the evolution pyramid. You're nothing more than prey to us, and after Gunward gets here, you're not even that. After he's finished with you, you’ll be dead!” Isabel's laughter echoed from the rocky walls that hid them from the outside world.

She’s lost her mind, Marie thought in horror. There was no way Gunward was coming there, and even if he was … well … he wasn’t that evil. She had met him, and he might be cruel and harsh at times, but he was always upright. Most importantly, he loved her mom. So even if it were really true, she had nothing to be afraid of.

Isabel was still mumbling and laughing, but Marie didn't want to hear any more. She closed her eyes and tried to think about Tiamhaidh. She was sure he had noticed already that she was gone and would be crazy with worry. He would find her no matter what; there was no question about that. Marie's only concern was that he would be too late. When Isabel woke up from her
twisted fantasies she wouldn't hesitate to kill her. Marie's eyes widened as a thought came into her mind. Isabel couldn't kill her. She was only bullying her. Marie was a shape shifter now, so Isabel could do everything else to her, but not kill her.

A part of her was glad. She could cope with anything. So if she survived she could still be with Tiamhaidh. A picture of her lying on the floor covered in blood flashed into her mind. He would lose it if he saw her like that. And Isabel would regret the day she ever thought of kidnapping her.

Isabel came to sit next to her. She looked at Marie thoughtfully. “You're not afraid of me anymore. Why? What changed your mind?” She put a finger under her chin and acted like she was thinking hard. “Oh, wait, I know! You think you're a shape shifter now.
Poor little Marie. A girl who can change her shape from a human into a wolf but can't change back. You're not a shape shifter. You're a wolf and a wolf can be killed.”

Damn, Marie screamed silently. She’s too good. She's been a shape shifter for a long time and she knows all the tricks. Maybe my destiny is to die, she thought sadly. Maybe it didn't matter what killed her. If it
wasn't her seizures it would be something else. She felt her mind giving in. She knew it was very dangerous and that she should fight, but what could she do? Isabel seemed to be a step ahead of her no matter what she did. She was too afraid even to try mental contact with Tiamhaidh. Besides, she was already sure it wouldn't work. Isabel had probably taken care of that, too.

Isabel cleaned her nails absentmindedly. She leaned on Marie and glanced at the doorway
once in a while. This cave was so far from the one Marie had been in before. This was a cold and deserted place without a fire or warm furs. This was the dark version of the cozy, healing cave. Tiredness was billowing over Marie and all she wanted to do was rest. Maybe after that her head would be clearer and she could figure her way out of there.

But Isabel had something else on her mind. She jabbed Marie's side roughly. “You know, I think you should learn more about Gunward before he gets here,” she smirked. “So you know what you have against you.”

Marie growled and tried to wriggle further away. It didn't work. She was stuck with Isabel, and without hands she couldn't even cover her ears.

Isabel laughed mockingly and whispered cruelly into her ear,
“About two hundred years ago, your mom and Gunward were the most promising shape shifter couple. Gunward was a stunning male with powers others could only dream of, and Sofia … well … she was a beautiful female with a promising future. A black horse sort of, as no one really knew what she was capable of. Anyway, they were inseparable. Everyone expected them to lead the others. Yes, they were still young, but there was something about them that made others obey.” Isabel sighed longingly and Marie found it impossible not to listen. She didn't quite know her mom and Gunward's history and she wanted to hear more. Maybe she would've wanted someone else to tell it, but she was way too interested not to listen and she hoped Isabel would go on.

Isabel sighed again and swallowed. “And they were in love,” she said almost enviously. “They were so in love that the real world didn't exist for them. They lived in their own world, pink and happy. They couldn't care less about leadership. No one blamed them, though. They had an eternity to become great leaders, so the others decided to give them time. If only they had known.”

Known what, Marie's mind yelled? Isabel! But Isabel didn't hear her thoughts and got up. She went to the doorway and glanced outside. Obviously, whoever she was waiting for was late. Marie didn't believe for a second that Gunward was coming, so if she really was waiting for him, she didn't want to be there when she realized he wasn't coming.

Isabel petted the rock beside her. “I never understood what he saw in her.” She turned to look at Marie and repeated louder, “I never understood what he saw in her. She was a regular shape shifter female. Sure, she was from a good line and everyone expected her to have some special powers, but he was so much more. He really was powerful. He had fighting skills that no one had seen before and he could hunt anything. His senses were remarkable and Sofia was like a cheerful puppy next to him. She debased him and it was painful to watch. She made him forget himself and all the others, too. It was awful! They were like teenagers. Engulfed in their hormones. What a waste. He could've picked anyone. He could've picked me.”