by Lena Austin
Tanne slapped her hand away when it got too close. “Don’t touch it. It has a spell that won’t kill, but will send the unwanted guest to sleep.”
“Clever. Now, how do I open the door if I can’t use the handle?”
“Touch only the iron bands and push. The wood, by the way, has a fire spell on it. Similar to what you did to that Vampire fellow.”
“Hmph. Leonus got what he deserved.” She carefully pushed on the iron band nearest the handle. The door swung open easily.
The room was nearly as huge as the main cavern. There was a table with equipment for alchemy and herbs shoved against one wall, a desk, several bookshelves holding all manner of magical books and scrolls, another trickling waterfall and basin, a fireplace large enough to roast an ox in, and a few oddments scattered about.
Tanne followed Kella in and shut the door firmly. “You may look around later. Stand in the center of the room.”
Kella grinned, recognizing Tanne’s need to establish the difference between their being lovers and her education. She meekly went to stand in the center of the smooth floor.
Tanne folded his arms. “Do you remember what is to be today’s lesson?”
Kella nodded. “You wish me to learn new forms.” She set her jaw, determined to try.
“That is partially true. Each form has a unique aspect. Each one has a trait that is useful in its own way. For instance, your bat form has incredible hearing. Your lupine form has an excellent nose. What would you say is the benefit of your present form?”
“Hands.”
“Exactly so. The ability to manipulate objects. Your next form will help you manipulate magic. I wish you to learn to change to Unicorn.”
Kella forced herself not to hit her knees and beg not to commit sacrilege. She trembled in fear. “U-U-Unicorn?”
He kept his arms crossed and looked stubborn for a moment. Then his eyes softened. “Yes, Unicorn. You can do it. If you insist, I give you permission.”
She knew how much he disliked using his status as a god, so that was a concession she could not ignore. It also underscored the stupidity of her fear. That had been no god making use of her body last night. She smiled weakly. “Forgive me, Tanne. One cannot wipe out a lifetime of training in a matter of days.” She shrugged. It was one thing to be the plaything of a god, and another to emulate their form. She took a deep, fortifying breath. “I can try.”
“It’s just another form, Kella.”
“Easy for you to say! Four feet, I can manage. Extra hair in some places and less in others is challenging, but I think I can do it. It’s that horn I’m worried about.” She stomped her foot in her vehemence.
He chuckled. “That so-called symbol of godhood is nothing more than the same substance your hair and fingernails are made of, just colored to look like metal. Oh, and it’s hollow. Like a flute.” He changed form for a moment, tooted a measure of a tune, and then changed back.
Kella blinked, trying to assimilate that. She lifted her hand to stare at her fingernails. Her lips twitched, and curved into a smile. “I’m not very musical, but let me try. I’ll start from wolf, since that has four legs.”
She shuddered once more. The change to lupine took a mere eye-blink, since that was her birth form. She lolled her tongue at Tanne, and wagged her tail to signify silently that she was ready. Kella closed her eyes and set the visualization. Hooves were like heavy shoes; mane and tail were easy enough. Color! What color? Red, like the color of blood? That was good. Swallowing once, she added the final detail. The horn. Gold, like the sun she loved. She felt the twanging pain of the shift, and opened her eyes.
Tanne stood a few feet away, and Kella felt her eyes cross, trying to adjust to the new height and peculiar blind spots.
Tanne laughed and said, “Not bad for a first attempt. You make a fine-looking filly.” He walked over to a corner and flipped the cover off a fine mirror.
Kella turned several times to study her whole body, intrigued in spite of her earlier fears. Yes, the hooves needed work, the horn wasn’t quite right, and the mane was definitely scraggly. Her tail curled over her back, like it did in her lupine form. But what was wrong with the horn?
“Kella, if you have a question, mind-speak. Just think aloud. You’ve heard me do it.”
Tanne was coaxing her again. She resolved to try. What’s wrong with my horn and tail?
“Your horn is not hollow enough. Try making a few vents like a flute in it. You made the tail as if it were your wolf’s tail. An equine tail is actually quite short, but covered with long hair.”
Rather than mind-speak again, she nodded. Or rather, tossed her head, and instantly blessed the high ceiling. Her horn brushed the candelabra, but did no damage. Exasperated, she tried again. The minor modifications caused no pain. Oh, this is much better! She pranced back to the mirror. I think this is as good as I can do, Tanne.
“An excellent job. However, the true test is, how do you feel?”
There was an intensity to the question she didn’t at first understand. Then realization dawned. She turned to Tanne, the panic rising in her. For the first time in her life, she looked at another warm-blooded creature and felt ‑‑ nothing. There was no feeling of instantaneously sizing up prey or competition, no matter how well liked they were. Her predator’s instincts were gone.
Her mental scream was followed by an instantaneous transformation back to lupine and a leap into Tanne’s arms. Tanne caught her, but fell backward on to the floor, his arms full of frightened, howling wolf.
“Easy, Kella. It’s all right.” He stroked her fur and held her. “What frightened you so?”
It took many repetitions of the question and the slide of his hands on her fur before Kella calmed enough to return to her human-like form. She whimpered once before managing to speak. “Where did the bloodlust go?”
His warm chuckle was both infuriating and reassuring. Tanne stroked her hair and cuddled her close. “You know the saying, ‘What form you are, you become,’ don’t you? All of your forms before were carnivorous predators. Even your human form seems to prefer meat to vegetables. True?” He waited for her nod. “Today, for the first time, you became an herbivore. No need for meat or blood. Herd instinct rules, instead of the predator’s need for hunting territory.”
So, his question of how she felt had great relevance. It was the test to see if she’d truly made the shift. She cleared her throat. “The idea of eating grass is not appealing, Tanne.”
“Ah, but it has advantages. What if you couldn’t find prey? Grass and greenery are readily found almost anywhere. It fills the belly when nothing else is available.” He grinned and clipped her chin lightly with his fist. “It might stop bloodlust if it came at an inconvenient moment.”
He knew. Somehow, he knew of the tendency Vampires had to go into full bloodlust when under stress or great hunger. He was giving her a way to avoid her face turning white, her eyes reddening, and her mind being lost in a sea of hunger there was no stopping until the hunger was satisfied. Nothing but death stopped a Vampire in full bloodlust. Even Tanne would not be safe then.
Kella hung her head. She’d been given a great gift, to be free from that one remaining primal urge that kept Vampires from being considered a friendly creature in the Valley. “Thank you, Tanne.”
He patted her bottom. “Don’t mention it. Care to try again? This time outside, where I can show you what fun it can be to use Unicorn form. No grass-eating.”
Well, as long as he put it that way. “There’s no harm in a bit of practice, I should think.” She wriggled out of his lap and got to her feet. “Perhaps with a bit of time in equine form, it will be easier next time.” She offered him a hand and tugged him to his feet.
The ladder-like stair was easier to see with mage lights. She called the one left in the stillroom and popped it like a soap bubble before following Tanne up the stair.
* * * * *
Tanne forced himself to absolute calm and tried desperately not to let
himself give one hint of the pride he felt in Kella.
He forgave himself a certain amount of pride in having made her first time in sexual contact a good one, and was looking forward to the evening. She’d made it clear she was interested. He certainly was.
More important to him was her speed in learning magic. She was like a young colt, happy to play a new game. Nothing was too difficult to try, and failure was met with another attempt without question. She was a joy to teach.
Such an odd combination of sober maturity and happy wonderment in her was driving him slowly mad. He had to be. What was he thinking, falling in love with a Vampire? It was bad enough to lust after a well-formed female like her. He could have controlled that. But that blazing personality of hers was unraveling years of hard-won self-control.
Now, she half-ran outside, eager to play the new “game” of learning a new form. She made a beautiful red filly, with graceful lines and high-stepping legs. He should have expected it. She had the mental picture of Unicorn perfection lodged deeply in that complex mind of hers. Of course she would translate that into a beautiful form, seeking that same grace and beauty in herself.
Kella displayed all that mage energy in strange forms. She pounded down the slope at a run, her braid bouncing behind her like a flaming tail. Without waiting for him, she changed back to Unicorn, and switched that black-and-red tail in a manner any stallion would consider flirtatious.
Tanne changed to Unicorn and trotted up. He nuzzled her nose carefully, aware she’d not know how to keep her horn out of the way.
What’s Unicorn fun like?
Her innocent question had him snorting.
Besides that! She huffily pranced in place.
Running.
Is that it? Running? Why?
I’ll show you. Come on. Follow my lead. He pivoted and took off, making her chase him across the bridge near the ancient oak tree.
Kella charged after him, galloping with her head into the wind. It wasn’t long before he heard her shouted mind-cry, Wheeee! This is fun!
Equine instinct had shown her what he couldn’t explain. How did you describe the speed, or the wind in your mane?
The landscape changes so fast! Kella’s exultant cry while they pounded down a short incline was full of more wonder. Dragons peered from their ledges with mild interest, and Harpies took off to chase them overhead.
Is there anything you don’t find joy in, Kella?
What would be the point of making myself miserable by not finding something good in every task? Even scrubbing the temple fireplaces was a chance to play with soap bubbles. The tone of her thoughts took on a wicked, conspiratorial tone. When I scrubbed the floors, I used too much soap on purpose. Then I could slide around on the floor in my bare feet.
Tanne laughed. They were now running side-by-side, though it didn’t matter when one could mind-speak. So, the floors got cleaned, and you had a good time doing it.
He sensed she might have shrugged, if she could. It makes living much more pleasant. Picking apart a task and focusing on the misery only makes it seem to last forever. If you love what you do, it isn’t work anymore.
Fascinating. She was definitely going to drive him insane, or in love. He might have said more, but an urgent mind-call nearly made him stumble.
Tanne! Come to the western edge of the herd. We have a bad birthing. I need you.
He changed direction slightly to put them on course. Mother, has anyone ever told you that your timing is excruciatingly bad?
Jenna’s laughter left a taste like green apples in his mind. Your father said so constantly. Hurry, please. This is bad.
Kella’s surprised whinny, as he jumped into the river at the ford, was followed by a splash. Tanne! Where are we going?
To the herd. We have a birthing. You are about to get a lesson in practical magic use.
Oh! She put on a bit of speed and caught up to him.
They were almost there. He could now hear the pain of a mare laboring. He oriented on it, focusing on finding the spot where he’d see Jenna’s white coat. There! He spotted them near the river’s edge in a small hollow.
Jenna looked up when they came pounding in. Oh, good, you’re here. Tanne, we have to turn the colt. He’s breech.
Tanne changed form, and mentally commanded Kella to remain in Unicorn form. “Kella, feed me power. I’m going to try this magically first.”
The laboring orange-and-black mare spared them a glance. Sorry to be this much trouble, she sent between pants.
“Shut up and breathe, Kero.”
The line of power from Kella slammed into him, but he caught it and used it. The unborn colt was sending out incoherent mind-cries of distress and fear. If he didn’t get it calm, it would struggle and fight him. Jenna was busy feeding Kero much-needed energy.
Kella’s urgent mind-whisper interrupted him. Tanne, I can hear the babe crying. Can I try to soothe it?
He blew out a breath in relief. “Please do. I have to concentrate on getting him turned.”
Kella’s soft mind-voice echoed the sounds any female made when they attempted to calm an infant of any type. She cooed, she wordlessly promised it food and love. The colt’s cries stopped. Tanne blessed her, and began to turn the little body, ignoring Kero’s occasional grunt. Once the little one was turned properly, he slid out with the merest gentle tugs of magic. Kella shut off the flow of magic when he nodded her way.
Jenna offered to remain with Kero until her newborn son suckled. Since the gallant little fellow was already attempting to stand, Tanne nodded.
“I’ll make the report to the Herd Stallion.” He returned to Unicorn form, grateful he’d not needed hands after all.
Jenna turned her head to Kella. We make a great team. This has to be the easiest breech we’ve done in years. I’ll have to come around and be properly introduced. But for now, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Kella. She turned her head to watch the little yellow colt make his shaky way to his feet.
Tanne nudged Kella along. She turned reluctantly away, and walked beside him. Tanne, how did that white mare know my name? She nervously kept right by his side as they traversed through the grazing herd.
Oh, that’s my mother. She volunteered to take over healing the herd while I trained you. He told himself to keep his tone casual.
Kella swiveled her head back to look at Jenna. She’s very beautiful.
A booming voice sounded in both their heads. No more so than you, lovely filly.
Tanne felt a certain alarm when the Herd Stallion stepped forward, his gaze traveling up and down Kella’s Unicorn body.
Chapter Fifteen
A black stallion stepped forward, as Kella took a few steps backward. His horn and hooves were sparkling gold.
Kella noted how his eyes took in every aspect of her equine body, and wished heartily she could shift to Vampire, but she dared not. A Vampire who had the audacity to take on the form of the gods would surely die.
Hello, lovely. His attempt to get between Kella and Tanne failed as Kella pressed herself to Tanne’s side. Where has Tanne been hiding you? I don’t remember seeing you around, and I carefully keep track of all the beauties here, I assure you.
Kella prayed fervently that Tanne would understand her distress at the stallion’s blatant lust. So great was her fear of discovery, she couldn’t even speak.
Shy, are you? How unique. A filly in heat who isn’t begging for release. Tanne, you surely can’t keep her for yourself.
Tanne stepped forward a bit. Kella hung back, fearful to come one step closer. Actually, Talamar, we’ve come to report the birth of a colt out of Kero. A little golden-and-black fellow. Congratulations.
Talamar flicked an indifferent glance briefly to Tanne. Good. I’ll see him later. He swiftly returned to stare at Kella. So, you’re a healer, too.
Kella nodded, and prayed for dismissal. Anything to get out from under this lusty stare. She wanted Tanne, and no one else! She loved Tanne.
Are you goin
g to tell me your name, sweetheart? Give me a word. His coaxing tone insinuated that wasn’t all he wanted.
He might have stepped closer had Tanne not blocked his way. Her name is Kella, Talamar. She’s my student.
Kella begged, No! in private mind-speech, but it was too late.
Talamar backed up, his eyes betraying contempt. Your Vampire whore, you mean.
She hung her head. Of course, they’d see it that way. No Vampire could be worthy of learning magic. They had enough for priestly duties in the temple, and that contented them.
When she heard a collective gasp, she looked up. Tanne’s horn was at Talamar’s throat. Strangely, the entire herd backed up, leaving the three of them in an open space many paces across. Kella looked around, confused. Didn’t they want to defend their leader?
She was so paralyzed with fear, she couldn’t move. Not even when Jenna came forward and tried to nudge her out of the way. Come on, Kella. Move to the outer edge, please. Jenna shoved harder and got Kella to back up.
The tableau in the center of the open space didn’t move. Talamar’s eyes rolled, but he, too, seemed frozen in place.
Tanne’s voice growled loudly in her mind. Do you want me to challenge you? Do you want to die on my horn, Talamar? I live apart by choice. Don’t force me to return and take your place. You wouldn’t like it.
Deny that she’s your little toy, Tanne. I can smell her, same as any other stallion. Tell me you didn’t teach her to change so that you could sport with her in our form! Tell me!
Tanne’s chuckle boomed in Kella’s ears. Don’t put your personal choices on me, dear uncle. You might have had such an ulterior motive, but not me. Shall I let the dirty little secret out of the bag? That stallions have been appearing in the Vampire village and demanding sexual services of them?
Kella noted that a few stallions who had been standing with ears pricked forward, apparently eager for a fight, now backed up and disappeared into the herd. This was a crime?