Except our home is wherever we want.
I strip off my clothes as I wade into the ocean. The water is warm and laps at my skin.
“Where are we going tonight?” Lirin asks and pinches my ass.
I snort a laugh when Reed slaps him hard enough to have him yelping. I dive into the waves, shifting my shape. With a powerful flick of my tail, I take off, my shiver on my tail.
It doesn’t matter where we go. As long as we are together.
***
I crouch on the rocky shore of the island. We’re somewhere north, where the trees are dense and the air is cool. There are a lot of islands here, and apparently there is a pod of black and white whales called Orcas singing as they glide around the cove.
“Tell me everything!” I say bouncing up and down and leaning into Brio.
“The male has a fin that stands six feet high; he’s powerful and in his prime,” Brio murmurs.
“Do you think they will let us say hello?”
Some of the animals and ocean life avoid us because of what we are. But some are curious. Dolphins, whales, and some sharks. It’s been a wonderful adventure.
“Let’s find out, shall we?”
We walk into the ocean, and Brio and Lirin start singing. Their voices twine around each other. I sometimes wonder if the others miss it, but they assure me they are happier without the ability to sing.
I wade further into the water and swim out to them. The females come up and circle us curiously. We play with them for a long time before we part.
Ronit laces his fingers with mine.
“Are you happy, Alpha?”
“More than I could say.”
“We’ve explored Earth, where else did you want to go?”
***
I step into Nightmare with the Sirens, and the monsters run. It’s almost offensive. They never ran like that when I lived here.
“This is Nightmare?” Canto asks.
“Yes. This is home. Let me show you around.”
“Let’s go hunting first,” Leaf growls. “I want to see if anything is stupid enough to think it can challenge me.”
Ronit clicks his tongue, while Lirin laughs and Reed snorts. They stand beside me, watching everyone run.
“Are you sure it’s worth it?” Reed asks.
I let an evil grin split my lips. Horns tear up from my scalp, and I shift my shape, becoming the Healer.
“It is. Trust me. You want to try and hunt in Nightmare at least once.”
My reputation has preceded me, even here. They all found out I killed Deux and saved my mates. The rumours have spread far and wide.
I have a new name now.
They call me Death.
