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“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin. “So, the Rabe Mage totem doesn’t possess magic, but the Wolven Mage totem does… we just don’t know what it is.”

“Not yet,” I clarified. “But if you let me tinker with both of them, I might be able to find out.”

He nodded, then led me out of his chambers. The castle was quiet as we padded down the hall. It seemed even the servants were sleeping at this hour. Alaric clutched my hand in his as he guided me downstairs, past three corridors, and down another set of stairs. The entrance doors groaned loudly as he pushed them open. I winced, but he only grinned at me.

It was odd to walk through the castle grounds with no moon to light our way. But my Mage senses allowed me to see the steps of the courtyard as we headed toward the forest. Once we were under the cover of the trees, Alaric turned to me, excitement gleaming in his eyes. “Are you ready?”

I nodded, feeling oddly nervous. I still wasn’t fully accustomed to shifting.

Alaric went first. His body stretched and elongated, and inky black fur coated his skin. He rose in size until a massive black wolf stood before me.

“Hi, Tavik,” I said softly, patting his fur.

He let out a low rumble of satisfaction, his eyes closing with contentment.

With a smile, I closed my eyes and said to Sasha, “It’s your turn now.”

Instantly, the shift took over. I braced myself for the agony, but it wasn’t nearly as excruciating as the first time. My body still jerked oddly as it reformed, the motion so jarring that it made me feel slightly nauseous. But the transition was smoother this time. No bones to break. No skin splitting. My vision shrank to that small window of awareness as Sasha completely took over. Her legs were stronger now, and she was able to stand on all fours. A breeze rustled past us, and she shook her fur, delight coursing through her.

Tavik nudged her with his snout, and Sasha bounded forward, paws outstretched as she panted happily. Tavik let out an excitable yip, dancing around her tauntingly. I heard Sasha’s laugh as she reciprocated, her steps wobbly at first. But gradually, she was able to walk and then trot. She and Tavik circled each other playfully, nipping at one another’s paws.

I suddenly felt as if I was intruding on a very private moment between them. Sasha had said we could withdraw our consciousness somehow. Perhaps I could do that for her. I pictured myself shrinking even further, my window going completely black.

And, just like that, everything went dark. But I didn’t mind in the slightest.

Forty

THE WOLF

“We’re here,” came Tavik’s voice.

I had withdrawn to give him and Sasha privacy, but at his prompting, my consciousness returned. My small window of awareness came into view, and through the trees I could make out the brick exterior of Gorem’s manor.

Tavik relinquished control, and we shifted. My senses sharpened as I took over. Black fur vanished, and I straightened to my full height. I turned to find Sasha twitching on the ground as she, too, shifted. It was disjointed and awkward, but much faster than I anticipated, given it was only their second time shifting. Within seconds, Cerise stood before me, panting and naked, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed.

“Are you all right?” I asked, grasping her arm.

She nodded breathlessly, her eyes alight. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” I tucked a wayward curl behind her ear, then planted a kiss on her cheek.

She grinned as I tossed the black robe her way. She put it on, tying it around her waist, then frowned at me. “Was Tavik just carrying this in his mouth or something?”

“Yes.” What had she expected?

She bit back another smile. “Well, tell him thank you for me.”

“She is more than welcome,” Tavik said warmly.

Cerise’s fingers drifted up my arm as she gazed through the trees at the manor. “Lead the way, Your Majesty.”

I crept toward Gorem’s manor with Cerise right behind me, our steps light and careful. The building stood three levels high, with wrought-iron balconies and two chimneys. A pair of octagonal windows flanked the oak front door. As expected, a sentry stood guard on every corner of the property. If I were close enough, I could knock one of them out. But from this distance, he could easily sound the alarm before I could reach him.

“I’ll distract the guards,” I whispered, already moving forward. “You sneak in and see what you can find.”