“Very good, Chance. Are there any others?”
He got back up and perched on a rock. His front paws lifted as his eyes scanned the clearing. After time spent in study, he trotted over to a spot near the edge of the alcove, reached his paw out and pressed down. The ground collapsed and Chance stared at both Balam and Ana. If wolverines could look smug, he was doing it.
“Good. Shift back so we can talk,” Balam said with his fists on his hips.
Chance trotted over to his maroon cover-up and looked at Ana over his scruffy shoulder.
“Oh, right. Sorry,” Ana said, and turned away, her cheeks flushed.
Chirping echoed around them; the jungle was alive with activity. As Ana waited, she observed a large iguana sunning itself on a broad stone. It blinked at her lazily, clearly unconcerned with her presence.
“Okay, you can turn around now,” Chance’s familiar voice said from behind her.
Ana pivoted on her heel just in time to see him adjusting the fabric around his waist. Chance added with a smirk, “Nice job on the traps.”
“Thanks for testing it out.”
“Chance, what other smaller animals do you know?”
Chance folded his arms in front of his chest and said, “Well, the smallest is the squirrel. Then I’ve got the red fox, bobcat, owl and eagle. Grandfather shifted into a wolverine before he died and I figured I’d give it a try. When I thought about the animal I felt its mapping, gave it a shot and it worked.”
“Yes. It is common to get the mapping as well as the power and memories, especially since you were given his essence in a healing connection.”
Chance combed his fingers through his black hair and loose strands fell across his hazel eyes. Then he clapped his hands together and said, “So, I feel like trying bear again. I bet I could do it today.”
Balam blinked and shook his head. “No. You have a youthful perspective. It is true that large animals are strong but smaller animals can stay hidden and help conserve your energy. I will teach you a new animal today. Study my mapping and join me.
“Ana, I want you to sit and be still, to listen to your surroundings. You have watched Chance sit and focus before shifting. I want you to do the same. You have instincts, too—listen to them. Let us see if we can surprise you.”
No sooner had he stopped talking than he shrank into a black, knee-high monkey. It showed its teeth and shook free from the orange cloth that, seconds earlier, had been wrapped around Balam’s waist.
“Hmm, okay,” Chance said under his breath.
Ana watched him stare at the small primate while its tail curled and flicked as though it had a mind of its own. She had asked Chance once before what it was like mapping an animal. It must be exhilarating. She could almost imagine the glowing threads lacing the monkey’s body.
Chance remained still for nearly ten minutes, entirely focused on his great-grandfather, who had begun to pick through his fur while he waited.
“Here goes…”
He sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes. Wrinkles formed at his temple and he dropped his chin to his chest. Black fur began to sprout from his skin. He shook as his body shrank down and contorted. Finally, a long tail extended out and coiled over his head. Chance braced against the ground, his small beady eyes pinned on her.
The other black monkey jumped in place and then somersaulted toward Chance. Balam’s mouth opened and a loud screech cut through the clearing. Ana and Chance both covered their ears as the sound reverberated loudly.
Balam pulled at Chance’s arm and led him, stumbling, toward the jungle. At the first tree, Balam leapt up four feet and grabbed hold of it with his hands, feet and tail. Quick as a shot, he bounded up the trunk and surged from tree to tree like a ball bearing in a pinball machine. Ana giggled as she watched, thoroughly entertained.
The woozy monkey on the ground clutched at the trunk as though it offered support and not a means of travel. It stared up into the canopy and after another screech, it lumbered up the tree.
“Have fun!” Ana called out, a little bit jealous.
She tried to keep her eyes on the monkeys but after a short time, they disappeared into the leafy cover. With a deep sigh, she walked over to Chance’s maroon sarong, folded it, and laid it out in a neat square on the ground. She sat down, crossed her legs and felt the position strain her tendons. Guess I’m not as flexible as I thought.
Not entirely sure what to do, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and dropped her shoulders. She thought about Balam’s instructions and was tempted to open her eyes, worried they would try to scare her. She didn’t like surprises, at least not that kind.
Time to focus. Listen to the rhythm of your breath. Let it guide you to your center. All her anxieties and inner noise quieted as she fixated on the rise and fall of her chest. Now, let in the noises around you. Identify the rhythmic sounds the earth makes. Wind, trees, leaves. Let those noises fall away and listen to what is left.
It almost felt as if Niyol was there with her, guiding her. Ana reached out with her senses and imagined the earth breathing. The trees moved, leaves rattled and air murmured like the rhythm of a song. She needed to identify the harmony, the unique, irregular static. Birds all around her called out their heart songs, announcing their presence. Distant screeches and taps rang out, and leaves shuffled on the ground. Something that reminded her of a gear whirred from nearby. It was probably just a bug.
A series of soft noises from the forest drew her attention. She cocked her ear to hear better. Her eyes opened and she zeroed in on a pair of black shiny eyes peering at her from behind a tree trunk.
“Gotcha,” she said.
She couldn’t tell who it was, Chance or Balam. As she was trying to decide, something warm touched her shoulder and she gave a start. A monkey sporting a toothy grin was resting its tiny fingers on her.
Ana snorted and held her hand out to the small, hairy primate. It placed its hand in hers and launched onto her shoulders.
“Oh!”
The other ebony monkey waddled over to them, walking on its hind legs like Charlie Chaplin. It stepped into her lap, sat down and then wrapped its arms around her neck.
“Chance?”
His warm breath touched her cheek in a kiss and she gave him a scratch. The muscles on his back twitched and he guided her hand to his back again.
“Haha, sorry. Are you itchy?”
The other monkey slid off her back and went over to the orange cloth. He lifted it up and in one fluid motion, shifted back into Balam. He did it so smoothly he wasn’t exposed. Once the transformation was complete, he wrapped the sarong around his abdomen and walked over to them.
“Very good. Both of you. Ana, you sensed Chance before he could get to you. Chance, you are getting used to this new form. Monkeys are flexible and fast. Power is not everything. You must be quick to react and problem solve. This comes with experience and knowledge. I imagine you are tired and hungry. Let us return home.”
After Chance shifted back, he said in her ear, “You did good. You really must have been paying attention when Grandfather trained me. But you always seem to know when I’m near.”
“Ditto.”
The voice in her head hadn’t led her astray. She learned that she could trust her instincts. Hopefully, those instincts would be enough to keep her safe if Markus found them again.
Chapter 25
Silence enveloped them as they ate a late lunch following the long training session. Ana and Chance had two helpings of tamales, beans and rice as Balam sat back and watched them, his lips curled upward. He was clearly pleased.
As usual, Chance had plenty of questions but his appetite won out and he focused on satiating his hunger. After a long week of similar lessons, Chance was learning new smaller animals: dove, rabbit, mouse and shrew. He had begun to feel stronger and now that his power was, for the most part, back, he was more confident he could protect them from a threat.
He watched Ana across the table as she ate
in silence. “You did great today,” he said in between bites.
She beamed at him in response. Even though she was frightened of Markus, she was handling the news of his non-demise well. She poured herself into learning the skills Balam taught her. A part of their new routine involved Ana attempting to trap Chance while he endeavored to surprise and capture her. He was proud of her efforts, but found it frustrating that he couldn’t seem to catch her unguarded. No matter what form he took, she always knew he was near.
He was very good at sniffing out most of her traps, however not all. She was getting better at hiding them, but she just couldn’t hide her scent, which was always the tip-off.
While he thought about their most recent challenge, Balam said, “I have something new to teach you both this afternoon. It is a well kept secret that has the power to harm shifters. Ana, I will give you this knowledge because you and Chance are one but you must never speak of it or share this information with anyone. Do you understand?”
Something with the power to destroy a shifter? Chance washed down a mouthful of tamale with some water, pushed his plate away and leaned forward. Ana swallowed a large bite and said with a gravely voice, “Yes, I do. I will tell no one. I swear.”
They trailed behind Balam through the cave and out into the jungle. Balam walked off the trail, cut between the tall, narrow trees and stopped in an area filled with what looked like weeds. Ana reached out to pull some tiny, white upside down blooms clustered into an umbrella shape.
Balam caught her hand. “Do not touch, Ana. I keep this plant nearby in case I need it. It is poison. For mortals and shapeshifters alike but it affects us both very differently.”
Chance took a second look at the plant. It was similar to anise. He sniffed the air and recoiled after identifying a sickeningly sweet aroma that warned him of danger.
“That is right, Chance. Smell it so you remember. This is hemlock. It is dangerous to touch and can kill humans that eat it or consume animals that have eaten it. It paralyzes the body until your organs cease to function and you are dead. For a shifter, it paralyzes the part of the nervous system that controls shifting and blocks us from using our powers. It freezes a shifter in whatever form they are in when it enters their bloodstream. It makes us very sick and an easy target to kill. If we can not shift to heal ourselves or escape—”
Ana stepped back and grabbed Chance’s hand. He cleared his throat and said, “How do you use it?”
“Every part of the plant is poisonous. I handle it with gloves and boil it down into a tincture but I do this outside. I make a fire but even the fumes make me ill. You can dip a spear, arrow or knife tip into the poison. If you are in animal form, a weapon will do you no good. So wherever I go, I take with me a small amount of protection.”
Balam removed a small blade, a few inches in length, from a sheath hidden under his waistband. He handled it carefully, touching only the handle, and slipped it back. Then, he lifted an arrowhead-like stone that hung around his neck.
“What’s that do?” Ana asked.
Balam said through thin lips, “It is a weapon.”
He held it out so they could see it closely. From a distance, it looked like a simple tool but upon closer inspection, Chance saw a dark tarry substance at the blunt end. It looked like a seal. Was the weapon hollow? The smoky edges gleamed like glass. Its point was narrow and sharp. No doubt it could cause serious harm.
“Let me show you how this can be used.” Balam lifted it over his head and before Chance realized what had happened, the weapon was a breath away from his chest. “Once it has pierced your attacker, break the tip off and let the hollow chamber dispense the poison.”
“Don’t leave home without it,” Ana whispered with a slight grimace.
With a nod, Balam answered, “Yes. In my time, mortals hunted us as well. It was thought if you killed a shifter, you could steal their power. Life begins with a seed, and because killing a shifter only releases part of their energy, it does not provide the seed one needs to awaken that power. Many died. Out of the few people who know of our kind now, some still wish to kill shifters simply to rid the earth of us. However most are not that foolish…”
What happened to those shapeshifter hunters? Chance could only guess. Judging from Balam’s downturned lips and sour expression, it must not have ended well for them.
“I have a pendant for you both. Keep them safely around your necks.” Balam handed each of them one of the decorative weapons strung on long leather cords. Chance slipped his around his neck and grasped it between his fingers. Ana stared at hers as though it could kill her at any moment. Then, with clear hesitation, she hung it around her neck.
“What if it breaks?” she said, frowning.
“It would be foolish to be so careless with such a dangerous weapon.”
“Right.”
Chapter 26
“But I don’t want to hurt Chance or you,” Ana said as she ran her knife along a branch, sharpening its tip into a deadly point and considered lopping the end off.
“It is good practice for us all.” Balam answered. “We can heal as long as you do not kill us on impact. You are aiming for the legs and not the head.”
That wasn’t very comforting. She thought she had been holding up fairly well, considering she was being trained to trap and kill. In her past life, Ana never would have imagined herself going native in the jungle. Just yesterday, one of her snares supplied them a delicious dinner of rabbit, something she had never eaten before. Now Balam was encouraging her to rig even more dangerous traps.
Ana bit the inside of her lip and shrugged. “Well, I guess.”
“Ana. This is what it is to be with a shifter. It is important to know how to survive. This Markus has the sickness. I am almost certain he will come for you. I teach you in this way so you live. I would take it slow if I knew we had time.”
He was right. She knew he was but it just wasn’t natural for her to think like a predator. The sky overhead had darkened considerably since their trek from the house and Ana squinted at the threatening clouds. “Okay but be careful! Looks like it might rain.”
Chance stretched his arms over his head and said, “Awfully confident. Don’t think I can evade your traps?”
Ana tested the tip of her spear with her finger. She knew he was just trying to lighten her mood but she didn’t like the idea of impaling him with her trap. She couldn’t bring herself to smile.
“Chance, while Ana is busy with her traps, I have something new for you to work on.”
Chance leaned in and kissed her neck.
“Be careful,” she warned again as he disappeared into the wilderness. His spicy scent lingered in his wake.
“I like your tattoos, Balam. Mind telling me where you got them?” Chance stared at Balam’s back and arms as he walked behind him. An inky face glared at him. It had every appearance of a Mayan glyph. He had a hard time imagining Balam striding into a tattoo parlor.
“I earned them in my youth. My teachers gave them to me. They are my naguals—my animal spirits. The animals that I am one with. Your test will come soon and you may earn your first.”
“Really? I can’t wait. Is that a jaguar on your back?”
“Yes, Balam, the jaguar. It was my first tattoo. The jaguar keeps the forest balanced. When it hunts, it does not make its prey suffer. It is beginning to disappear in these jungles, just like my…our kind.”
“When did you learn the yaguar form and can you teach it to me?” Chance asked while he eyed the sizeable teeth on the creature tattooed onto Balam’s browned skin.
“Ah, you have seen me take yaguar form. I was taught the revered yaguar form after I passed my first test. As your thunderbird is not truly an eagle, the yaguar is not just a jaguar, it is mighty—a display of power. After you earn your tattoo I will teach it to you.”
Excitement bubbled up as he thought about learning such a powerful and unique form. Having a mentor certainly had its benefits.
“Can
you do anything special as the yaguar? When I’m in thunderbird form, I can direct lightning.”
Balam stopped and turned to face him. His brow arched as he said, “Really? I have heard of shifters who could do this as large birds. Maybe you could show me your thunderbird when you are strong enough?”
“Yes, of course.”
“The yaguar embodies stealth but I will tell you more of that later. All right, you can use the skills of the animal you shift into, but you must be discreet. You have an elevated sense of smell, taste and have superior strength, but have you ever borrowed abilities from an animal while you are in human form?”
“No, but I think I remember Ana mentioning Markus shifting only his head into some kind of beastly form. It really scared her. She doesn’t like talking about it much.”
“I do not do that. There were some of my ancestors who did. But I find it is unsafe to meld different animals together like that. I have heard of peoples who favored that kind of shifting—desert people with dog and crocodile heads.”
Chance recalled the time he tried shifting into the thunderbird form and his painful failure. He wasn’t excited to feel that kind of discomfort again.
He could taste the rain before it began, a fine mist touched the air around them. Within minutes, it turned into pronounced droplets tapping against the leaves and ground.
Balam scanned the area before he said, “I will leave you now. I want you to track me back to Ana but remember her traps. Tracking is a very important skill. When I leave, sit in silence. Focus on the smells around you and pay attention to your own body. Other animals with a great sense of smell have more receptors—little folds hidden inside.” He stroked his nose and high cheekbones. “Like bears and dogs.”
“Do you have bears here?” Chance asked in excitement as a raindrop slapped against his forehead.
“No longer. One of the many things the Spaniards defiled and destroyed. They had no respect for life.” Balam’s expression darkened. “The rain washes away scents so you will need to work hard. Remember, he who walks without looking will fall into trouble. While you track, watch around you.”
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