I pounced into the water. The cold liquid hit up to my chest, and I floated a bit, kicking my legs to move me toward the mossy rock. I grabbed the rock, finding traction on the slick moss, and pulled myself up.
I hadn’t shifted into my fox form in days. The magic build up had been overwhelming, and I hadn’t even realized it. I’d never gone that long without a shift before, but with everything that had happened, it wasn’t surprising.
It was day two at the academy, and it seemed like I’d been there for an entire year. It certainly didn’t feel like I’d only known Trixie, Damien, Kian, Lachlan, and Alister for only two days. Maybe it was because I felt like I belonged here, and I’d never truly felt that way since my parents were taken from me.
Planting my paws, I shook out my fur, but the moss was too slick and my paws slipped. I tumbled down the rock and splashed into the water.
Icy water submerged me, and I pushed off the bottom to propel me up when two hands lifted me out by my waist.
I screeched until I realized it was Alister who had me.
“You’re so small. I bet you have great stealth in that form,” he murmured, jostling me as he pulled me closer and looked into my eyes.
“She must,” Damien said as he faded in with Kian, who didn’t seem like he was going to vomit from the shadow traveling. “I could barely hear her running through the thicket.”
Kicking my legs out, I wriggled until Alister put me back down on the ground.
“She’s soaked.” Kian frowned, squatting down to look at me.
With my paws planted safely in the dirt and leaves, I shook out my fur, getting all three of them wet as I did so.
Kian stood back up and wiped his face off with my uniform, which he held in his hands. Damien threw his head back with a laugh, and Alister smirked.
I wasn’t used to having people around me all the time, but it was nice.
“Ready to shift back?” Alister asked, his smirk widening.
I nodded and trotted toward Kian, who held my uniform.
“Um, do you need help?” Kian blushed.
I shook my head and tapped my paw on the ground in front of me, signaling for him to drop my clothes there.
He scratched the back of his head and glanced at the other two, who shrugged. If only Thorn were here. He could read my mind and tell what I wanted. I let out another yip and wiggled my tail, and Kian squatted down on my level again.
I stood on my hind legs and bit the uniform, pulling it out of his grasp.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He placed the uniform on the ground where I’d pointed and turned around.
I spun around and stared at Alister and Damien, who both crossed their arms over their chests.
Growling, I jumped forward and bit Alister’s leg through his pants.
“Shit.” Alister turned around before bending down and rubbing his leg. “Alright, sweet ruby. You’ve got sharp teeth.”
I turned to do the same to Damien, but he dodged the bite and grabbed me, picking me up. He held me in front of his face, far enough so I couldn’t bite him. His lips parted, revealing a flash of white teeth. “Come on, little bird. Let me watch you shift back.”
My heart jumped, and I nipped at his wrists.
“Maybe you’ll let me later.” He chuckled and put me back on the ground before turning around as well.
I picked up my clothes in between my jaws and trotted over behind a tree. Checking to make sure the three of them were still turned around, I sucked the magic buzzing through my veins back into my chest where my magical lock was.
My body morphed back into my regular form, and the cool air skimmed across my damp bare skin. Strands of wet hair stuck to my body, chilling me further. If only it were a little bit colder...
The wind picked up, and my eyelids fluttered shut as I basked in the feel of it.
“Okay, little bird. I’m turning around in five...” Damien’s teasing voice called out, and my eyes popped open.
