The Changeling Princess

by Jackie Shirley

  I held up Wade’s ring. “I gave them the “W” treatment because it’s my way of paying tribute to Wade.”

  Sherri was delighted. “Now that’s cool . . . Really, really cool. You should write a book, Janis.”

  “I don’t think so. That’s not how it’s supposed to work.”

  “I think it’s time to eat,” said Bruce. “I’m starved. What would you two like for dinner?”

  “Do they have any good Mexican restaurants in the area?” I asked.

  “Not a one,” said Sherri. “I sure do miss the Mexican food in Charlotte.”

  “Then let’s eat in Charlotte tonight.”

  “I don’t like that look in your eyes,” said Sherri.

  I took hold of Sherri’s hand and morphed into a Mist. We floated across the room and reappeared. “See how easy that was, Sherri?”

  Bruce chimed in. “What, you’re telling us is that the three of can travel to Charlotte in Mist form?”

  “Exactly, and the three of us can be in Charlotte in less than ten minutes. Plus, the view from the air is spectacular. I really think you’ll enjoy it.”

  Sherri was so thrilled she could hardly talk. “Let’s do it, Bruce. Just think of how exciting it’ll be.”

  Bruce smiled. “I can’t argue with that. Let me change into something more comfortable before we go.”

  When everyone was ready to go, we morphed into Mists and headed for Charlotte. It was going to be an experience that neither Sherri nor Bruce would ever forget.

  CHAPTER 46

  Time passed by quickly. The year was 1974 and I was now thirty years old. I looked a lot younger than my age, but I’m sure it was due to my Ivarr powers.

  Whenever I wanted to re-live my youth, all I had to do was stand in front of my mirror and morph into the Changeling Princess. She hadn’t aged and she still looked seventeen years old. I thought about changing the Changeling Princess to look older, but looking young was half the fun. I told myself that it embarrassed the Demons to be captured by a teenager.

  The next Demon on the list was Mestra, a snake Demon that lived in Egypt. I’d never been to Egypt and I looked forward to seeing the pyramids.

  The Great Pyramids are located on the Giza plateau, twelve miles from Cairo on the west bank of the Nile River. When I settled to the ground in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza, I was awed. I was looking at ancient history dating back thousands of years. I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect the Pyramids to be so big. Seeing something up close and personal gives you a whole new perspective.

  It was easy for me to understand why there was so much controversy surrounding the building of the pyramids. The larger stones weighed several tons and they were laid accurately in place without the use of machinery. All the construction workers had at their disposal were muscle power and simple pulleys. The arguments surrounding the laying of the huge stones still continue today.

  I was surprised when I visited Cairo. I guess I’d seen too many movies of palm trees and camels walking across the desert. Cairo, and its neighbor, Gaza City, were home to millions of people. I felt like I was visiting New York, only Cairo and Gaza City weren’t nearly as modern. There was more glaring poverty, too.

  I decided the best place to look for a Demon snake was in a cave. I thought I would probably be looking for a cobra or a sand viper, the two most dangerous snakes in the region.

  I searched the area without finding any caves that harbored a large Demon snake. I was completely stumped. I asked myself, ‘Is Mestra a shape-shifter that could assume the form of other animals?’

  I spent another six months traveling back and forth between Cairo and Gaza City. Everything was a dead end and I was completely baffled. I decided to give up on finding Mestra.

  I wanted to visit the Pyramids one last time before I left Egypt. As I stood before the Great Pyramid of Giza, I tried to imagine the ancient chambers that housed the royal families and the maze of shafts leading to the burial chambers. I was tempted to morph into a Mist and check it out, but I had no right to enter the pyramid. I would have been an intruder.

  I was strolling next to the pyramid when I picked up a strange scent. Unlike normal scents, this scent had the unmistakable smell of death. The scent was faint, but I could tell that it was coming from inside the pyramid. I was puzzled as to why I hadn’t picked up this scent before.

  I no longer felt like an intruder, so I morphed into a Mist and followed the scent. Once I was inside the pyramid, I adjusted my energy beam to room temperature and used it like a headlight. I found myself drifting through microscopic cracks in the walls. I drifted through several shafts and finally entered a chamber that was filled with ancient artifacts. Could this be a secret chamber that had never been discovered? The smell of death in the chamber told me that this was the source of the scent I was following.

  I heard a slithering sound and flashed my beam around the chamber. Slithering toward me with its head raised in the air was a large King Cobra. I calculated that the snake was thirty feet in length with a body twice as big around as a normal King Cobra. I noticed a small bulge that looked like the snake had recently eaten something. I knew in an instant that this was the Demon Snake, Mestra. I could hear her thoughts as she slithered towards me.

  It appears that dinner has wandered into my chamber. Most of my prey doesn’t have a lot of meat on their bones, but you appear to be well fed. You have gobs of juicy flesh that will satisfy my appetite quite nicely.

  I think you’re mistaken, Mestra.

  What? You can speak to me? Who are you? How did you know my name? Where did you come from?

  I’m an Ivarr and I have come to end your reign of terror.

  Mestra’s eyes glistened as she flared her hood and opened her mouth. When she lunged at me, I reached out and grabbed her hood with both hands, holding her huge head in place. My first instinct was to rip her head off. Show some control, I told myself. You’re not here to kill Mestra.

  Suddenly, Mestra disappeared into a puff of smoke. I morphed into a Mist and followed her as she drifted through one of the walls.

  Everything suddenly made sense. Mestra used the smoke form to sneak up on her victims. Then she’d materialize and devour them before coming back to the pyramid to digest her prey. Apparently, her smoke form disguised her scent when she was out of the pyramid. I was only able to pick up her scent because she’d recently returned to the pyramid and morphed back into her snake form.

  I followed Mestra through the shafts and chambers until she made a break for the outside. As soon as she was in the open air, I morphed into the Changeling Princess and threw a force field around her. She materialized back into a cobra and I finished wrapping my force field tightly around her. I patted the top of her head before I smacked her between the eyes, leaving my signature “W” in place. I felt great because I had another successful capture under my belt.

  * * *

  I took a week off before my next assignment. I spent some quality time with my parents and relaxed around the house. As I always did when I was home, I made a trip to the cemetery to honor my grandparents and visit Wade.

  I made a special trip to see Sherri. She was still thinking about adopting, but she didn’t want to give up teaching school. It was a dilemma she’d have to work out with Bruce.

  Some might say that Sherri was impulsive, quick to judge, and couldn’t keep a secret. My personal view was that Sherri was enthusiastic, only saw the best in people, and shared her thoughts openly. She was my best friend and I loved her like a sister.

  CHAPTER 47

  Omazato was a giant centipede that lived in the Serengeti ecosystem in northern Tanzania. I did a lot of research on centipedes before I headed to Tanzania.

  Like most creepy critters, centipedes live in a variety of climates. They range in size from the length of your little finger to actual giants that reach thirteen inches in length. A thirteen-inch centipede sounded pretty big, but I had a feeling that it was only a tiny baby in Omazato’s w
orld.

  Without exception, all of the creatures I’d captured had a fondness for human flesh or human blood. The Serengeti was abundant with buffalo, gazelles, wildebeests and zebras, but the human population was extremely sparse. I’d have to investigate and see what I could come up with.

  I was really impressed when I covered the Serengeti from the air. I had never seen such large herds of wild animals. Mother Nature was amazing because she had blessed this Earth with so many diverse creations.

  I decided to start my search in the form of an invisible Mist. It was a much cooler way to travel and it eliminated being seen. The last thing I wanted to do was scare someone.

  I spent a lot of time patrolling the area to see if I could spot anything unusual. I enjoyed the scenery, but I didn’t turn up anything unusual. There were several tribes living on the Serengeti, so I decided it was time to ask a few questions.

  I bought a jeep and some traveling clothes for the area. My idea was to pass myself off as a world traveler exploring the Serengeti. Aside from a tent and basic cooking utensils, I packed some of the weapons that were used by the local tribes.

  The most common thing I’ve discovered in my travels around the world is laughter. It doesn’t matter if you can’t speak the language, if you can laugh together, it’s like a language all its own.

  The native tribes were very friendly, especially when they discovered that I spoke their language. If the question arose about my traveling without the company of a man, I’d haul out my weapons and give them a demonstration. At a distance of one hundred paces, I could hit a small target with a spear and my accuracy with a knife left many of the male warriors talking amongst themselves. I was also fleet of foot and I could jump like a gazelle. I had so many proposals of marriage I couldn’t count them all.

  My question to the tribes was always the same. “Have you heard of an insect as large as a man that attacks humans or animals?”

  My first clue came from a tribesman who claimed that he saw a large bug racing across the open plain. He said the bug wrapped itself around a wildebeest and ate it on the spot. He described the bug as long and slender, about fifteen to twenty feet long, with many, many legs. He said the bug was as fast as a gazelle.

  The tribesman’s description fit a giant centipede to the letter. He pointed me in the right direction, but I couldn’t come up with anything. The incident was several months old and there was no trace of a scent anywhere. I couldn’t help wondering where Omazato could be hiding.

  Everything I’d read about centipedes said they lived under stones and inside logs. Those suggestions weren’t helpful because of the terrain. There simply wasn’t any place for a fifteen foot long centipede to hide itself. I was confused, so I decided to do another survey.

  It took me over a month, but I policed the area with the eye of an eagle. I was looking for anything that looked like it could hide a giant centipede. Unlike a tropical rain forest with heavy vegetation, the Serengeti was a large flat area, sprinkled with a few tall trees and grasslands. My search was a complete waste of time. A native made a simple observation that made me feel like an idiot. “Big bug probably live underground.”

  There’s an old phrase that says, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” It certainly fit my situation. Centipedes didn’t live underground in my world, but Omazato wasn’t from my world. Maybe he wasn’t hiding at all because he lived underground. I had to devise a system to seek him out.

  Ground penetrating radar had been developed and I needed was a way to duplicate the system. My energy beam was extremely versatile, so I’d have to see what I could come up with.

  I began by digging a small tunnel ten feet long, about twenty foot below the surface. I adjusted my energy beam to the current air temperature and systematically altered the wave lengths. When I saw the outline of the tunnel in the ground, I locked the wave length in my mind. The far-reaching powers of the Ivarr never ceased to amaze me.

  I began a systematic search of any tunnels that could be used by Omazato. I was shocked when I discovered that there were tunnels everywhere. It was still going to be a long, drawn-out search, but at least I knew I was on the right track.

  My patience finally paid off when I was flying over a herd of grazing wildebeest. I saw a huge centipede pop out of the ground and race toward the herd. I morphed into the Changeling Princess and hit the large insect broadside with a flying body block. The centipede tumbled for a good twenty yards before it regained its balance. I materialized and stood in front of Omazato.

  Omazato arched the front portion of his body high into the air and made a funny screeching sound. The legs near his mouth were huge forceps that he used to hold his struggling victims. When he opened his mouth, it was filled with spiked teeth that he used to tear his victims apart. He stood about twelve feet tall, so I doubled my height.

  You’ve hunted your last animal in the Serengeti, Omazato. Your reign of terror is over.

  Omazato’s screechy voice sounded like someone scratching their nails on a chalkboard. I have the strength of several elephants. You are no match for me.

  When Omazato lunged at me, I grabbed his forceps and swung him around in a circle. He tried to curl his body around me, but the force behind my twirling action keep his long body in a straight line. You could actually feel the ground shake when I slammed his body on the ground. Omazato was obviously surprised and he was moving much slower as he picked himself up and lunged at me again. I cupped my hands together and struck him in the head, knocking him to the ground. Omazato was flopping around like a fish out of water as I placed my foot on his throat. I should tie you up and let you roast in the afternoon Sun. I’m sure the vultures will find you to be extremely tasty.

  I could see fear in Omazato’s eyes as I fashioned a force field around his upper body. I lifted him off the ground and watched him dangle in the air. I had a sudden impulse to fly Omazato to the Indian Ocean and use him for shark bait. I wanted to see the look in his eyes as the hungry sharks encircled his huge body, wiggling like a wounded fish in the water. It was only a thought, but I was tempted.

  I wound Omazato into a ball and finished wrapping the force field around him. I was ready to head to the Mariana Trench when I realized I’d forgotten something. I rolled him around until I could see his head. Then I placed my signature “W” between his eyes. I guess I smacked him too hard because he rolled a good hundred yards before he came to a stop.

  After I deposited Omazato in the Mariana Trench, I made a detour and stopped in Las Vegas to pick up some traveling money. While I was there, I stopped at a casino buffet for a treat. A lot of things had changed since I’d become an Ivarr, but not my appetite.

  I was really feeling good because I only had two more Demons left on my list. I didn’t have a single plan for the future, but it didn’t really seem important. I’d just wait and see what happens.

  CHAPTER 48

  I was now thirty-four years old, but I felt like I was in my early twenties. I decided it was due to the fact that my life had been so active. Having the powers of an Ivarr was a big help, too. Janis French could easily pass for twenty-three and I still had the figure of a teenager. I always took time to count my blessings.

  1977 was the year my father suffered a mild heart attack. He didn’t like it, but he was forced to slow down and take life easy. Personally, I think he liked being waited on. He’s always had the personality of a little kid and now he could indulge in it. Mom and I didn’t mind. I just hoped that he didn’t have another heart attack before I rounding up my last Demon. The pain would be unbearable if my father passed away when I wasn’t able to be at his side.

  I always made it a point to visit Sherri when I returned home. Sherri and Bruce had purchased a new home and moved to Bloomfield Hills, an affluent city about twenty miles northwest of downtown Detroit. “Fancy schmancy,” I said as Sherri showed me around her two-story, 4,000-square foot home. Money had never been a problem because Bruce came from a wealthy family and
their combined incomes were in the six figures. Sherri couldn’t contain her excitement.

  “This is my dream house,” she said, her voice overflowing with happiness to match the sparkle in her eyes. “And we live close to the Creets, a Changeling family that is related to Bruce.

  I spent the day with Sherri and I met Mrs. Creet, a lovely woman whose husband was a senior partner in a Detroit law firm. It was nice to be around other Changelings because I didn’t have to hide the fact of who I was.

  When I returned home the following day, Mom and Dad were spending a quiet afternoon in the living room. “How are Sherri and Bruce?” asked my dad.

  “They’re great, Dad. They bought a new home in an upscale neighborhood.”

  “Bruce is a nice boy,” said my mother. “He’s extremely intelligent and he’s made something of himself. Sherri did all right for herself when she married Bruce.”

  My mind drifted back to Wade. I couldn’t help wondering what our relationship would have been like if we’d been two normal human beings. I had the powers of the ancient Ivarrs, but that was a question I’d never be able to answer.

  * * *

  I tried to put myself in the right frame of mind before I went after Salazar. I took a deep breath and sighed because I didn’t have the slightest idea what I was going to do when I finished hunting demons. I thought about chasing criminals, but I wasn’t sure if I’d still retain my Ivarr powers. I guess I’d find out soon enough.

  Zalazar, the demon dragon lived in France. The list also said that Zalazar could turn invisible. Chasing down a dragon was going to be an entirely new experience for me.

  I figured that Zalazar lived in a cave in the mountains. The mountains are a long way from Paris, but that didn’t stop me from making a quick trip to my favorite French bakery. I didn’t see anything wrong with stocking up on chocolate éclairs. Everyone needs a treat once in a while, even Demon hunters.

  I researched the local newspapers and read everything I could on news stories about missing livestock. From what I could put together, Zalazar probably turned invisible, flew in under the veil of darkness, snatched a steer from a ranch and flew back to his lair. I decided Zalazar was a very smart dragon. On a moonlit night, who’s going to pay any attention to someone who said he saw a cow jumping over the moon?