Page 144 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘Let me talk, kid.’

‘Fine.’

‘Brightlings have abilities that humans don’t. I’ve seen enough to know it’s all real, although there’s a lot of folks in denial and it takes a long time for people to accept something they’re scared of. There’s two other kinds. Brightling is a kind of…’ Troy shrugs. ‘Witch, for lack of a better word. The other two kinds are called Sway and Wildwane.’

‘What do they do?’

‘Sways have the potential for mind control, so I’ve been told. Wildwanes have the ability to transform.’

Transform.

Riley’s skin prickles.

‘Into what?’

‘I’m not an expert,’ Troy admits.

‘You know more than me.’

‘Most I understand is that it’s a kind of shapeshifter ability. I can’t exactly ask around either. I know that there’s supposed to be something about having an animal aspect.’

‘Am I… part animal?’ he whispers, terrified of the answer. Oh, he hates this body, hates it so much he’d rip it away if he could, shred the skin and break the bones and let his soul run free to try again elsewhere. ‘Is that it? Is that why I’m this… thing? Not human. No family. No grass or sea or love, just walls and chains because I’m an animal?’

‘You’re not an animal. Sit down.’

Riley didn’t even realise he was standing. ‘No.’

‘They’ll hear.’

‘I could care less what anyone hears!’

‘Couldn’t care less. Do as I say or I’ll walk out right now.’

‘I don’t wanna be near you.’

‘Then sit on the floor.’

Moody, confused and raw, Riley goes to the other side of his room and sits, back against the wall, facing Troy.

‘Tell me the truth.’

‘I think your body is capable of transformation. Whether that’s into something or someone else, I don’t know. But I grew up with sisters and at your age, when they started to get cramps,’ Troy says, rubbing his eyes, ‘it only meant one thing.’

Riley casts into his mind for what books he’s read about human anatomy, specifically female anatomy.

His blood turns to water. ‘No.’

‘We have to be practical.’

‘No.’

‘I need to explain some things, just in case.’

‘I’m not a fucking girl!’

‘I never said you were. What you have—’

‘Don’t talk about my body!’