Prodigy

by Natasha Brown

  “That is enough for now. Let us go eat lunch. Phase back to your human form if you can.”

  Chance skulked over to the rumpled piece of red fabric on the ground and tried to gather enough power to return to his own skin. His basin was empty. The last shift had completely drained him. Furry toes placed together, he lifted his chin to the forest and bellowed. The loud chatter from birds, monkeys and insects quieted for a second and then rose again.

  “Come, Chance. Let us go home. You can shift back there when you have enough energy.”

  Ana grabbed his wrap and shoes, then Balam led the way through the jungle. Ana’s fingers caressed his fur as she walked beside him. He leaned against her and purred.

  When they got to the limestone stairs, Chance stared up the flight and waited for Ana and Balam to ascend to the top before he leapt up four stairs at a time. He entered the main living quarters and flicked his tail, proud of himself.

  “Do you wish to eat as an animal or try once more to phase back to a human?” Balam asked as he entered the kitchen.

  In response, Chance darted up to his bedroom and after a few minutes, returned in human form, wearing a pair of shorts. His energy had recharged enough during the walk back. He wandered into the kitchen and touched his healed nose, pleased it was no longer crooked and swollen. Ready to help prepare lunch, he threw a piece of fruit in his mouth.

  Balam’s deep voice echoed off the tiled walls as he asked, “Is the cougar your largest form?”

  “I’ve taken much larger forms but I haven’t been able to recently. Not enough energy.”

  “Have you been shifting every day?”

  “No. I just didn’t want to after Grandfather died—it only reminded me of him. Then once I realized something was off, I was afraid of losing my powers. Each time I’ve shifted it’s been hard so I just haven’t done it much. I didn’t know if one of these times it wouldn’t work at all.”

  Ana laid her hand on his bare shoulder. He could tell she was upset. She turned to the built-in grill and used a fork to flip the meat. He thought her cheek was quivering, but he couldn’t be sure.

  “After the loss of power you suffered, that was the worst choice. Shifting is like using a muscle—it needs to be exercised to grow. But you had no teacher to tell you this.”

  How stupid of me. Of course he had done the wrong thing. Sure, he hadn’t known any better but he should have persisted and not hidden from his problem. ‘Infant’ did seem like a fitting label for him.

  “We must work your shifting muscles. You do not want them to atrophy. The best way to do this is to use your largest and smallest forms. Have you seen divers prepare?” Balam’s chest rose as he inhaled deeply and then he exhaled an equally long breath before repeating the process. “Was the exercise hard?”

  “I’m exhausted. My body actually hurts.”

  Balam nodded and asked, “What is your form of choice?”

  “Bear is my favorite.”

  “Other mammals are the easiest because their biology is closest to ours. Birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish all have their own challenges. I do not shift into invertebrates. You should not attempt it, either.”

  Ana said over her shoulder, “You mean, like, bugs? Why not?”

  “The risk of losing yourself is too great. Some invertebrates have complex brains—others do not. Some flies have a lifespan of only thirty minutes. There are too many inconsistencies. I have seen shifters try and die.”

  Chance had never even considered turning into a bug. Although he supposed if he were trying to hide, something very small would be best. In his infant years with Niyol, he had never understood the need to hide. Now that he was unprotected and possibly being hunted, small forms began to make sense.

  “Do you know any other forms that are not mammals?” Balam asked.

  “I know the Horned Owl and I learned the thunderbird just before I lost my powers.”

  Balam shook his head and said, “You did not lose your powers but gave them away. Now, tell me of this thunderbird. I have heard whispers of a great bird of the Northern tribes.”

  “My Native American ancestors created the form. It is an eagle larger than a man.”

  Chance actually knew something Balam didn’t. He tried not to let it go to his head.

  “Hmm. Shifters have made their mark on history. People just refer to it as folklore today, but many cultures around the world have records of great mythological creatures. Only matured and powerful shifters have the experience and ability to create a creature that does not live and breathe in our world. It is much easier to learn a form that is already mapped. The mapping of these ancient great creatures are starting to die out. You are fortunate to hold the knowledge of the thunderbird. It is like my people’s yaguar. It is believed the form was created by a powerful Olmec shifter and it became a revered creature to all the people of my land. It is like a jaguar, but much bigger, nearly as large as a horse. The jaw of the yaguar is great and very powerful. Like the jaguar it is modeled from, it was made for swimming, climbing and jumping. A true cat, it has stealth and power. It has been passed down through our line. I think I remember Niyol mention something of this thunderbird when I tried to mentor him. But he did not have this creature mapped. How did you learn it?”

  “I tried it once with my grandfather’s guidance, based off an eagle, but it went wrong. Then my grandfather gave me a talon passed down in our family. I was able to see its mapping and right when I needed it most, I got a boost from a lightning storm and was able to take the form.”

  Balam drove his paring knife into the cutting board and braced his hands against the counter, drawing Ana’s and Chance’s attention.

  “Was I foolish to allow Niyol to train you? That could have ended your cycle trying it with so little experience. And he allowed you to begin a healing that killed you? Aiy!!”

  “Listen,” Chance said heatedly, “Grandfather may not have told me things he should have, and I don’t understand all his reasons, but he was great man! He may not have known as much as you do, but he taught me how to be a man and to be the kind of person I want to be! It is my fault he’s dead. I never asked his permission to heal Ana. It was my choice!”

  Was this why Niyol had turned his back on shifting? Because of his teacher? He missed his grandfather so much it hurt. Chance, calm yourself. He will always be with you.

  As he grasped the counter, Balam’s gaze softened. He pursed his lips and looked Chance in the eye. “I see he taught you honor. I am sorry. I know what it is to lose someone you love. Your grandmother was a child made from love.”

  Chance’s anger subsided. He tilted his chin down and cleared his throat. “Okay. I won’t dwell on it. Let’s eat. I could eat a horse.”

  Balam frowned, clearly confused by the reference.

  Ana smiled weakly at Balam and carried a plate of grilled meat to the table. Chance and Balam followed her with tortillas and a platter covered with cheese, tomatoes and grilled onions.

  They all stuffed food in their mouths as the midday sun quieted the raucous bird sounds to a soft chatter.

  “Balam, where do you get your food?” Ana asked. “I assume we’re a long way from any town.”

  Balam finished his last bite and answered, “I hunt and townspeople leave items for me at the jungle’s edge. I help protect them and look after them. There is also the town you stayed in. My granddaughter lives there, Sanchia. You stayed with her. She is the one who alerted me of your arrival. She leaves items for me at the edge of the jungle every week.”

  “Really? Sanchia is your granddaughter? That makes Dario your great-great-grandson. They’re related to Chance?”

  “Yes, she is the daughter of Itzel’s younger sister.”

  “Any other cousins I should worry about?” Chance asked casually and noticed Ana’s amused expression slip from her face.

  Balam’s dark features froze into a stony expression. “One must be cautious at all times.”

  Chapter 22


  It was a lot to absorb in a few hours. Ana needed to unwind. Stargazing always helped her relieve stress.

  Her thin white nightgown hung down to her knees. She sat on the wooden deck cross-legged, pulled the cotton down to her ankles and clutched her feet.

  Secretly, she was happy to have a moment away from Chance. She needed time to herself to think.

  Balam had made Chance run through more energy building exercises after a short nap following lunch. After dinner when his fork hit his plate, he barely made it to bed before falling asleep. His snores chased her downstairs to seek the stars. It had been too long since she had sought their comfort.

  The stars flickered for her, or at least that was how she always felt—as if they were performing just for her. As she stared upward, she realized the unique dwelling offered a completely unobstructed view of the heavens.

  She wondered how the stars could make her feel so small and yet so important. Her problems always seemed so silly compared to the size of the universe. She hoped her beloved stars would help her tonight, yet again.

  Chance hadn’t even thought of sharing the issues he’d had with his powers since Niyol died. After he saved her life, she thought they’d grown even closer. They were a team. It really hurt that he’d told his new teacher, someone he’d known for a day—mere hours—about his problem and hadn’t revealed it to her, someone he’d been willing to sacrifice his life for.

  Ana hated confrontation. When her dad left, she’d sworn to avoid relationships with that kind of conflict. It caused too much pain. She didn’t want to start an argument by bringing it up to him. What if he got mad?

  But what good would it do to swallow her feelings? Her voice deserved to be heard, right? Yes.

  She sighed and rested her cheek to her knee. From her sideways view of the sky, she traced familiar constellations in her mind.

  Ana sensed movement and jerked her head up. Balam’s shadowy form glided toward her. She took a deep, controlled breath.

  “May I join you?”

  “Of course.”

  Unable to force small talk, she returned her attention to the sky above.

  “Do you enjoy looking at the stars?”

  Ana shrugged in response. Balam stared at her, and she realized she’d been rude so she said, “Yes. They are my friends.”

  “Do you like my location?”

  “It’s great.”

  “The Maya watch the stars. They are important to us. They tell us our future and remind us of where we came from. Would you like to hear a story?”

  Ana nodded. A story before bed would do the trick. Keep her mind from her worries.

  “This is from the Popul Vuh, the Mayan holy book. Long ago, at the beginning of time, the cosmos were quiet, dormant. There was no rhythm or cycles because the sun did not rise. There was only the upper realm, the heavens; and the underworld, Xibalba. Supernatural beings lived in both planes and the primordial sea separated them. There was no earth yet. From the bottom of the deep sea, the great cosmic tree grew, its roots touching Xibalba and its branches reaching up to the heavens.

  “Some divinities wanted to separate the planes with a level for earth, to create order and rhythm, to allow for sunrises and sunsets. There were also malevolent divinities who ruled Xibalba, who wished things to remain the same. To prevent the true sun’s creation, they made a false one, the Seven Macaw. He did not move, but rested on top of the great central tree, preening itself. He was given gems for his eyes and teeth. You can see him there. I think you know it as the Big Dipper.”

  Balam pointed to the familiar constellation. Ana gazed up at the cluster of stars as Balam’s resonant voice continued to narrate the fascinating story. “So the lords of the underworld were content. But the other divinities of the heavens were not. The first father and first mother, both ancient divine beings, manifested themselves as wild boar and mated. This union created twin brothers but because they were both males, they were unbalanced and unfocused. They made no effort to connect to their intuitive female, shamanic side. Nevertheless, they grew and tended the maize fields and in their exuberance, invented a ball game. They played often. Their footfalls and the tap, tap, tap of the ball created a rhythm. The ball arched up and down through the air like the sun’s cycle. Seven Macaw saw this and knew the Lords of Negativity would be displeased so he told them of the brothers.

  “The rulers of Xibalba summoned the twins to appear before them. Before they left, the brothers hid their ball and uniforms in the rafters of their home. When they arrived in the underworld, the evil lords tricked the twins and sacrificed them. Their bodies were buried below the ball field. The head of one of the brothers was set on top of the gourd tree and then the Lords of Negativity declared the place forbidden. One of the daughters of the Lords of Death was curious about the tree so she went and spoke to the head. He asked if she would help him to redeem himself and the evil that befell him by the hand of her father. She held out her hand and from the spit he placed on her palm, he impregnated her.

  “Afraid of her father’s wrath, she fled to the heavens and gave birth to a set twins, a boy and girl. When the twins grew older, a rat came and they captured it. To save its life, the rat told them of their father’s hidden game equipment. They found his ball and costumes and began to teach themselves to play.

  “The Lords of Death felt and heard the rhythmic patterns again and summoned the twins to Xibalba. Unlike their father, they were clever and used their magic through their many trials. Knowing their deaths awaited them and aware a sacrifice was required, the twins sought the help of two shamanic beings who could resurrect them after death. With their plan set, the twins walked hand-in-hand into a bonfire the Lords of Negativity had ordered them to jump over. Their bones were crushed and thrown into the river. Days later, the twins resurrected as fish and walked out of the river and onto land as humans.

  “The hero twins disguised themselves as vagabonds and they traveled along, using their powers to create miracles. They danced and entertained so that word of their abilities reached the ears of the lords in Xibalba. Once again, they were summoned to the underworld to perform the miracle of resurrecting the dead. Convinced of the hero twin’s powers, the gods killed themselves but the twins did not bring them back to life. The twins instead went to shoot down the Seven Macaw from his high perch. After the false sun died, the twins went to the ball court and resurrected their father and uncle.

  “The twins climbed up and continued into the sky. One became the sun; the other, the moon. The great central tree was pulled down and a new one put in its place. It was the start of a new time. The chief creator god called all regal entities together and they created the earth. They attempted to make humans four times—all times unsuccessful. On the fifth attempt, they made the Maya from maize and they were pleased. And that is the end of our creation story.” Balam paused to look at her and said, “It is thought that shifters and healers are the descendants of the mighty twins, and only together they have true power.”

  “Wow, it’s just as dramatic as Greek mythology.”

  “Indeed.”

  “Except there were two heroes in your story.”

  “The Maya believe a journey or task is best accomplished as a team.”

  “Hmm. I’m not sure Chance feels that way. I don’t know what I’m doing here. I came to be close with him and share this experience, but what can I do for him?”

  After she said it, she heard the depression in her voice. Was she jealous, too? Ever since that day on the mountain, when her heart had healed, she’d been living in a dream. It was quickly dissolving into reality. She didn’t have to dwell on her death any longer. Her future was open to her. Chance had found his great-grandfather. She was pleased he had found Balam, but now what was there for her to do?

  “Are you lost?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Everyone has power. Men were given the power to shapeshift, but the women in our lineage have the power to heal. Shapeshifters can a
lter their own energy pattern to resemble other animals and although we are able to connect our energy to others to heal, it is not natural to us and we don’t have control. Women are able to push energy outside of themselves to heal, and in rare cases they have been known to shapeshift. My granddaughter, Sanchia is a healer, but she has no mentor to learn from and her knowledge is limited. Without the help of a healer when I was young, I would not have been able to cure the sickness.”

  “What do you mean? You were sick?”

  “We were at war with the Spaniards. Killing another shapeshifter has its consequences. It poisons your soul.”

  A chill ran down her back. She was sitting next to a murderer. Maybe that was commonplace for a shifter, but not her.

  “I would have gone mad if a shaman had not saved me. There are not as many healers as there once were. Their power is more subtle and easy to overlook, so if it is not taught by an elder, they can go throughout life unawakened. When I met you, I sensed dormant power in you. You may have the gift of healing.”

  Healing? She had never thought of herself as a healer. Just as she was trying to wrap her mind around what he just said, he continued. “Life with a shapeshifter is dangerous and can be hard. It is a risk—you already know this. I must be honest with you, Ana. You must know what you are up against if you choose to bind your life with Chance’s.”

  She appreciated Balam’s frankness. Flashbacks of Markus revisited her thoughts and she rubbed her arms to soothe herself.

  “It is important for a shapeshifter to remain balanced. Being part of a team, a partnership, can be beneficial. Not any one person can hold all the answers. It is good Chance has you but he is still young and I sense he can be quick to react. You are watchful. You can be a good counterbalance.”