I nodded slowly.
Hood cleared his throat. "Before we commence this meeting, I want to make a few things clear. Firstly, I in no way approve of your episodes of disobedience—but the skillsets you possess did not escape me. You are fierce and brave, and to be frank, there is nothing more this school can teach you about shifting that you don’t already know. Nevertheless, you are foolish and reckless when it comes to breaking the rules. That was the only thing that held me back so long in making this decision. When the Guardians asked who might be able to assist on a special assignment, I knew you might be of use. I only had a small reservation about your disobedience, but after having discussed it with my colleagues, I understand that you are simply trying to use those skillsets I mentioned. Skills that the Guardians are in need of."
Chapter Two
I blinked.
“Oh?” I managed a whisper, my eyes darting around the room. This was not at all what I expected to hear.
“Don’t be so shocked, Belle. You must know you are an advanced student of ours. You are the top of all your classes and you’ve never once had an accidental shifting incident. You control yourself in a way we’ve not always seen in our younger students. We are proud to have you, but…” He then gestured toward the Guardians.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Hood,” the taller Guardian jumped in, clearly annoyed with the time it took for them to be allowed to speak. Quickly shaking off the annoyance, the Guardian looked over and smiled gently at me–though his smile did not reach his eyes. “Belle, we have been watching you for a while and we have heard of your amazing shifting abilities. You seem to have great control not only over your ability to shift, but the beast in which you inhabit. There are many when they shift, they lose control and behave like… animals. Particularly at your age.”
I noted the disgust in the Guardian’s comments, and I wasn’t sure whether to be happy to receive such a compliment or offended by the Guardian’s judgment of others who were simply still learning.
As the Guardian continued his speech of the “beast” inside, I squirmed. I hated any part of my being referred to as a beast. I considered my shifter form tame and beautiful. Yet, I knew many struggled to contain themselves.
“I will let my partner explain the assignment that we are extending to you.”
The other Guardian nodded, a forced smile forming across her face. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe bun, but she had none of the fly-aways Mrs. Merryweather always did. "You’ve likely learned here at school that shifters, like yourself, become animals dependent upon their nature. Some who are playful may shift to dogs or monkeys. You are strong-willed and smart, so a tiger is found at your core. It is widely known that people who shift into dragons are often found to be criminals; their evil nature leading to many of the world’s greatest crimes. We are currently in need of assistance to hunt down a dragon shifter."
My breath hitched. Was I hearing this right? A dragon? It was virtually unheard of. My heart began racing in my chest and excitement boiled in my stomach. Did my rule-breaking earn a free pass out of school to actually put my training to use? To hunt a dragon? I couldn't believe it.
All these months I had been bored out of my mind at the school, my skin crawling with the need to shift and learn. Classes dragged on, because I already knew the information being presented. Sure, I was a quick learner, but much I had learned before I even arrived at the school. It was as if a dream was coming true with such a unique, rare offer.
"Well, what do you say?" The shorter Guardian smiled. There was an eager look in her eyes, as if she was fearful I might say no.
"I mean…" I said and trailed off. What did I mean? I wanted to say yes, but all I could think of was what my father might say. He was upset at the mere thought of my running off in the wild—what would he do if he knew I was hunting a dragon?
I shook my head, and Principal Hood stood up, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It is an honor to work with Guardians, Belle. To even be given such a choice… But, this will be dangerous. Please consider your answer carefully. As you are of age, this is your choice to make. I brought you in because I see your potential, but I support you with whatever you decide." Hood paused and looked intently at me as he awaited my response.
This was a once in a lifetime offer, and it could change my life forever—I’d be a fool to deny such an honor as to working with the Guardians. Sitting a bit taller, I confidently nodded my head. “Yes, I would be happy to assist you in this assignment.”
Upon my agreement, I was flooded with thoughts of my mother. My ninth birthday when my mother gave me my ring, only to leave me and my father alone the following week. I could hear my father’s sobs at night and feel my small arms wrapping around my tiny frame, pretending it was my mother holding me. It was the only way I could fall asleep. My father tied, he really did. He would come tuck me in, reading me a story of a princess fighting a dragon. The princess won, but I always wondered what would happen if she didn’t.
Fiddling with my ring—I knew my answer was still yes, but I only hoped it wasn't a mistake. This was far worse than shape-shifting outside of school and going for a quick run. I would be hunting one of my own; the deadliest of our kind. I’d be just like the princess in the stories, except I wouldn’t be fighting the dragon. I knew my role was crucial, or they wouldn’t be asking for my help. Pride soared through me. They chose me for a reason. It was silly, but I felt special and important. Part of me wanted to run and tell my father, but I knew though he might be proud, he would never approve.
I couldn’t wait to tell Jill.
The taller Guardian cleared his throat. “This is a covert operation, so you’ll need to keep it secret. We cannot have you telling anyone, not even another student.”
I blinked. Had he read my mind?
“While we don’t suspect our students to tip anyone off,” Hood explained, “This entire operation not protocol, and we must be careful. Once you start your assignment in the morning, we will inform the staff and students that you have gone to visit your father in Italy. Understood?”
I nodded, as a lump formed in my throat at the sound of the lie. I really hoped I could see my father again soon. Maybe after this assignment, I’d get the chance.
The Guardians handed me a bag with outdoor supplies. The taller one explained, “These are to assist you on your assignment. There is a map with the general location of the subject. Within the supplies there is also a tracking device.”
I frowned. “Wait. You won’t be accompanying me?”
The Guardians shook their heads, almost annoyed. The female said, “You are to locate the beast on your own and report to us. As a shifter, it’s best for you to do it on your own. You are not to engage with the shifter in any way, understand?”
I nodded, though their words reminded me of the stories my father once told—of humans hunted down shifters. No. I swallowed those thoughts and feelings down. This was different. I had remained calm during most of the meeting, but now I finally felt the first dose of fear coursing through my body. My hands trembling, I glued them at my sides. I refused to show anyone fear, especially the Guardians.
“I assume that won’t be a problem?” the male Guardian asked.
“Not at all.” I forced a smile.
They nodded and started out the door. I nodded a goodbye to them as they left. Once they were gone, Principal Hood turned his attention back to me. He smiled. “I am so proud of you.”
“What about my studies?” I asked.
“Belle, I know you already know all the material like the back of your hand. You don’t pay attention in class, yet you manage to ace all your tests. It’s clear you already have the knowledge. This mission will give you the experience you need. Working with the Guardians will allow you to develop your skills even more. You’ll be of a great use to them. If you want to return for graduation in May, you can walk with the rest of your class.”
I smiled genuinely this time. It was as if I could not stop smilin
g. I was finally going to be able to do whatever I wanted. Oh sure, I had a mission to complete, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have some fun along the way; running free in my tiger form.
“Go ahead,” Hood continued, “Go pack your things. We’ll keep them safe for you until your return. Call your father and let him know the good news.”
I swallowed hard. This would not be good news to my father. It was in that moment that I made a choice that I knew may impact me for the rest of my life. I would not call my father. I couldn’t bear to hear such fear and disappointment in his voice. “Of course, I’ll go do that now,” I lied. “Thank you, Principal Hood. Thank you so much!”
When I got to my room, I took a deep breath and glanced at my phone. No, I thought. If I tell Dad, he simply wouldn't approve. Though my conscience begged me to be honest, I knew better. This was one of those times, I told myself, when lying was acceptable. This opportunity likely wouldn’t present itself again. It was going to change my life, and I knew it. I stuffed my phone in my drawer and hoped that I would be back before my father felt the need to check in on my again.
I pulled out my journal and looked over my goals. How silly they seemed now that my life was about to take a turn—I had the privilege to shift as needed and to leave the school for a short while during the time it would take to track the dragon. I imagined what I’d do if I came face to face with such a beast but was comforted by the fact that facing the dragon was not my job. I was to track him, but I had to wonder why the Guardians didn’t have someone else track him? Shaking away the fears, I began to write in my journal all the events of the day until my eyes grew heavy. I closed my leather-bound journal and crawled under my blankets. My tossing and turning the night before caught up to me. I knew it was best to savor my final night here in the comfort of my own bed. Living outdoors would be different. I had gone on a few camping trips with my dad, and knew I’d miss the luxuries of warm water, a bed to sleep in, and a warm meal. Nevertheless, the school and my father had taught me many survival skills that I would benefit from as I fended for myself out in the wild.
Though I had every intention to get a good night’s rest and enjoy my bed, my mind had other ideas. That night I slept fitfully, visions of flames engulfing me as I battled a fierce dragon, his scales shining bright in the moonlight. When I woke, I took a deep breath and calmed myself, knowing that it was only the nerves of embarking on something new. The dream meant nothing—I wasn’t the princess in my father’s tales. I likely would never even speak a word to the dragon, let alone battle him for the sake of my friends and family.
Despite knowing this, my heart still pounded furiously in my chest. The dream felt real. Brushing off the fear of what is to come, I reminded myself this would be the most exciting adventure of my life. Or at least, one of them, because if I was honest, I planned to have many more. My nerves eventually subsided, and I smiled to myself. I knew this was going to be my defining moment. It would set the tone for the rest of my life; an opportunity to work for the Guardians was an honor, indeed, and if I did well – who knew what doors that might open for me.
My skin crawled with anticipation as I waited my alarm to go off.
Chapter Three
I ended up shutting off my alarm before it even went off again. Even though I’d laid there for about an hour, I didn’t get any more sleep. I pulled myself out of bed and jumped in the adjoining shower. As a senior at the school, I not only had my own room, but I didn’t have to share in the common bathroom for the floor. Once I got out of the shower, I dressed, poured a bowl of cereal for breakfast, and looked over at the bag the Guardians had given me.
Being a supernatural had it’s advantages. I lifted the lightweight bag and opened it, finding much more space on the inside than there should have been. Enchanted. I smiled and filtered through it to see what supplies I had and what I might have to bring along with me.
After taking another bite of my cereal, I added a few personal belongings as well as a bit more food. The non-perishables did not look all that appealing, and though my father had taught me to hunt, I didn’t much enjoy the process. I put in a picture of my mother and father and another picture of just my dad and myself from a few years ago. I grabbed my journal and my favorite book. I knew it might be a bit foolish to bring those items along with me, but I also knew I'd need something to keep my grounded during my journey. Besides, I wanted to document this. I knew one day the memories would start to fade, but if I'd wrote it down, they'd be there forever.
The milk was all that was left in my bowl, so I drank it down and then I slipped a few pens and pencils into the bag, and my small vile of rose oil—my favorite scent. I rinsed my breakfast bowl in the sink, zipped up the bag, and I threw it around my shoulder. As far as I was concerned, I had all I needed for this journey. I was ready.
I didn't know what to expect when I set foot out the door. The guard nodded at me and allowed me to walk past the back gates enclosing the school. I didn’t have to sneak past him today.
Birds called in the trees of the forest just beyond the school walls. It would be a long journey to the mountains, but I would rather run through the woods of the National Forest than drive it in a car. I glanced down at my ring and was reminded of my mother and my father's warning of breaking the rules. But I wasn’t not breaking the school’s rules this time. I sighed. I just had to make sure my father never found out.
Breathing in the fresh air, overwhelmed with a strong scent of pine needles, I decided to simply walk straight into the forest and keep walking straight, heading toward the mountains. If I were a dragon, I'd hide in the mountains and caves. The Guardians did supply me with a vague map and directions, and I figured perhaps once I shifted, I might be able to pick up any suspicious scents.
I continued walking in my human form, though I knew I would make more progress in my animal form, where I had a speed that was often unmatched by others. The problem with shifting was I'd have to strip down and put my clothes in the bag—carefully latching the bag around my body. The bag was made to do just that, but it was day time and I needed more space between me and Crystal City to shift. This was different than sneaking out at night to do it for myself. This was a real... the choices I made now, they mattered in a big way. If I messed up, not only could this mission be a failure, but I could risk harm to myself.
Overwhelmed by a consuming sense of energy, I noticed my breathing had picked up and my hands were shaky. Smiling, I continued on, enjoying the empty forest and even the nerves that came along with it.
I didn't get too far on my human feet before the sun beat down directly overhead. Noon. I decided to continue walking until the sunset, eating a bit of granola to keep my energy up. I knew I could get in about three miles an hour easily just on my own feet, so in six hours when the sun would set, I’d be at least over fifteen miles from the city. It would be safer to consider shifting then.
Nothing much happened in the woods through the day. There was a light breeze that pulled away the little bit of sweating I generated. As the shadows grew longer and the sky turned orange from the setting sun, I noticed that the path I walked had started on an incline toward the mountains. My stomach growled. It was as good a time as any to consider taking a longer break.
I opened up my bag and set up the small tent and roll out blanket. I was worn out from the journey, carrying the heavy bag. I had found a small stream where I collected water to boil. After starting a fire, I filled my canteen and placed it above the flames. I found a few edible berries and flowers as I walked, which I brought with me. I also had few non-perishable items in my bag. I nibbled on a few crackers and berries, making sure to start rationing from day one. If I started rationing now, it wouldn't be quite as miserable or extreme later on. Besides, I knew I could always hunt in my animal form. It wasn’t my first choice for survival, but it was an option if all else failed.
Once I was settled into camp, I decided it was time to shift. As soon as I undressed and packed my clot
hes in the bag, I began. It started with a burning in my toes and fingers that spread throughout my body like a comforting warm blanket. Then pain ripped through me as my body fell apart and rebuilt itself into something new. The pain was always a shock, but the pleasant warmth that followed and the comfort to be in my animal form—a tall, majestic tiger, was beyond worth it.
I took a deep breath taking in the scents that tell me so much more now. Sounds I couldn't even hear before intensified in my ears. I took my first step, the crunch of the pine needles reverberating in my mind. I could hear the same noise what I assumed to be a few miles off, crunching of another predator walking. Perhaps a mountain lion—I didn't smell anything that would suggest otherwise. Though there were a few predators within the general area, which was so be expected in the forest, I knew I was relatively safe in the spot I had chosen. Should anything such as a mountain lion come my way, well, it was no match for a massive tiger. My father would have found this situation dangerous, but I found it thrilling. I explored the area around my camp before settling to sleep.
*
The next day, I remained a tiger and traveled much farther than the day before. In tiger form, I had a greater amount of energy and spent much of the day running and enjoying my freedom. I steered clear of the human scents I caught and stayed out of the territories of other larger predators. By nightfall, I’d covered enough ground, so I was within the very area marked on the map the Guardians had given me. I planned to begin searching the area the next day. I collapsed on a patch of grass and shifted into my human form. My legs ached and sent out tiny nerve spasms through my thighs. “Guess I’m out of shape,” I muttered to the empty forest and pulled my clothes out of my bag and got dressed.
Belle the Beast Tamer Page 2
