Jodi felt a moment of panic in the back of her mind. It was something about the scent… something about the children. Then she caught the scent of a teacher and remembered that the orphans were at school. The shadowfriends had attacked a different level of the base. The orphans were safe for now. She would come back for them soon. But first, Gabriel.
Jodi rushed on, entering a narrow tunnel that she’d never seen before. It climbed upwards, twisting and turning through the mountain, and finally ended at a large iron door that looked like a hatch in a submarine. There was a huge wheel in the center of the door and a control panel with a digital display on the wall next to it. Jodi paused there for a moment, her wolf’s mind caught up in the confusion, uncertain as to what she needed to do. Then her human instincts kicked in, and she changed.
The change came quickly. Jodi was getting good at it. It took all of thirty seconds for her to become a girl again. The process was not so painful, now that she knew what to expect. In fact, Jodi thought she might be able to control the process, possibly stopping or reversing the change halfway through. There might be certain advantages to that, if only she had the time to practice.
Jodi did her best to hold on to the wolf’s thoughts as they pressed the buttons on the control panel, Gabriel’s scent still strong in her memory. Jodi tried a few random numbers and pressed the open button, but it didn’t work. She tried again, and again failed. Then she closed her eyes and thought back. She remembered stepping into the elevator with Starling on their way to the top of the mountain. Starling had used her personal access code… what was it?
Jodi tried to visualize the keypad. She remembered Starling’s hand dancing across the numbers. Which direction did she move her fingers? Jodi thought she had it. She tried a code. It didn’t work. She closed her eyes, struggling to remember. Was it 9-1, or 1-9? Had Starling used her thumb? Yes! That was it. Jodi tapped the keyboard, pressing the star key with her thumb and then tapping out the numbers 9-1-5-6-4. Then she hit the star key again and pressed the open button. The door clicked and swung open. Jodi found herself staring out into a blizzard, halfway up the side of the mountain. She leapt through the door before it could close again. Within seconds, Jodi was a wolf.
Here! said a voice in her mind. Here, little sister!
Jodi followed the telepathic signal down the slope, to the base of a cliff on the side of the mountain. Up ahead she could see her brothers and sisters padding quietly back and forth through the snow. The scent of blood filled her nostrils, and she recognized the warm glow of fresh blood on the icy snow. She slowed to a trot, edging closer cautiously.
The scent of the Shadow washed over her, along with other scents. Some of them she didn’t recognize, but she was sure Gabriel was among them. She examined the heavy footprints on the ground. Two pairs looked human, Gabriel and the Shadowlord judging by the scent on them. The others were strange. They were barefoot and similar in shape to a human but with less toes, and wide… very wide.
What happened? she said in her mind.
They fought, Ridgerunner said. Your friend and the Shadowlord. They were both here, and there were others, shadowkind.
Gabriel fought the Shadowlord? Jodi thought. What about the machine?
We did not see it.
Jodi caught a glimmer of movement in a tree stand a few yards down the slope. Tracks! she thought. Did they go down there?
Yes. They fought, and then vanished.
Jodi loped down the mountainside to the stand of trees and then sniffed around the area. She looked at the jumble of footprints and the scattered pools of blood. Then she noticed the wavering in the air between two nearby trees. She walked forward, sniffing it.
That is where they vanished, Frostpaw said.
Jodi didn’t take the time to think. She had to act while she still had the chance. She danced back, giving herself room to build up speed, and then raced towards the trees. What are you doing! Ridgerunner’s voice called out in her mind, but Jodi didn’t have time to answer. She leapt into the air and vanished through the rift.
A wave of energy washed through her, momentarily disorienting her senses. Jodi landed on dry, barren earth and stood there a moment, shaking the confusion out of her thoughts. She appeared to be on the mountainside still, but it was changed, different. The soil on the ground was hard and cracked, the trees little more than twisted shadows rising up from the ground. The sky was dark, the landscape barely illuminated by the light of a giant red moon.
Jodi heard a thump behind her and turned to see Ridgerunner and Frostpaw. What are you doing? she thought. Go back while you can! Hurry!
No, little sister. We will follow you.
Even into the Shadow, Frostpaw added.
Jodi turned, her lupine eyes scanning unfamiliar environment. The darkness obfuscated everything, and the scent of the Shadow overwhelmed her senses. Still, she was somehow able to sort out the smell of blood and trace it to a dark shape on the ground nearby. She trotted up to the figure and bent her head down, examining it.
Baal, she thought. Gabriel killed him.
Her companions gathered around her. What do we do now?
Locate Gabriel’s trail. We must find him!
The wolves spread out, circling the area until Ridgerunner let out a snort. Here! he said. Jodi rushed to his side. She picked up Gabriel’s scent quite easily and noted that his trail ran at an angle down the slope, into the woods on the next ridge. That wasn’t all she noted.
He’s not alone, she said. He joined up with a group of… I can’t tell what.
Everything smells like Shadow here, Ridgerunner said.
The footprints, almost human but larger, Frostpaw noted.
Jodi closed her eyes and tried to scan her human memories. It was difficult with the thoughts of a wolf racing around her mind. Everything was distracting, every scent and sound a possible danger. She focused, trying to reel in the wolf for a moment so she could concentrate.
Jodi had nearly memorized The Book of Shadows, the D.A.S. handbook on shadowcreatures. There weren’t too many of them that were humanoid. Most were supposedly mythological beasts from the earth’s past, like gryphons and centaurs. There were others as well, like certain types of dinosaurs and fairy tale creatures. The elves of northern Europe for example, and dwarves of Ireland. Both of these legends were based on real creatures… and then she had it.
Trolls! she said. These are troll prints. I’m sure of it!
Jodi’s wolf-brothers made no comment. They didn’t know the difference between real and fairy tale creatures, and they didn’t care. All they cared about was the wild, the moment in which they lived, and when it came to shadowcreatures, they only despised the dark taint.
Jodi felt the wolf inside her stirring to be free. She closed her eyes, reached down inside herself, and let it go. Seconds later she was racing across the mountainside like charged lightning, her brothers quick on her tail.
Gabriel’s trail led on for miles, climbing hills and embankments, crossing dry barren plains, and twisting through the undergrowth of dense, dark wilderness. Jodi was surprised by the speed at which he managed to move, carrying that heavy machine, but she knew the trolls were many and that they were strong. Nonetheless, with each passing mile, their scents grew stronger and soon she could pick out at least seven individuals. Gabriel was traveling with six trolls. Jodi was sure that two of them were female. Judging from their strength and pace, she guessed they were hunters or possibly warriors.
That left many mysteries lurking in the back of Jodi’s wolf-mind. Unfortunately, she couldn’t think her questions through in her wolf form. Her mind wouldn’t work that way. If she wanted to think like a human she’d have to change back, and there simply wasn’t time. For now, all she could do was run and sniff, doing her best to outpace Gabriel and his companions. When she caught them, then she’d have time to think.
They passed through a broad clearing between stands of gnarled old trees, and Jodi froze as the scent of death washed ov
er her, so thick and putrid that it stopped her in her tracks. It was like an ocean around her, that filthy scent. It was Shadow-scent, but more, something else… She took a nervous step back and bumped into Ridgerunner.
Quiet! he said. We’re not alone!
They stood close together, scanning the darkness around them. The bright red moon overhead cast long, eerie shadows under the trees and across the clearing. Jodi sniffed the air and turned in a slow circle, trying to locate the source of the scent. All around them, the woods were eerily silent.
I can’t see anything, she thought. What is it?
We’re surrounded, Ridgerunner said.
There was a loud, almost-human shout in the distance, and the shadows came to life around them. Cold steel flashed in the moonlight as a dozen dark shapes poured out of the trees. They were humanoid but smaller, with long gangly limbs and sharp animal-like teeth. They came at the wolves in a frightening rush, wild screams erupting from their throats, madness shining in their bloodshot eyes.
Goblins, Jodi thought. They think we’re food!
Not today! Ridgerunner said. Get behind me!
With that, he let out a wild roar and leapt into the air, crashing into the nearest goblin with his full weight. The goblin screamed as he went down, and then fell silent as Ridgerunner’s jaws clamped down on his throat. Jodi and Frostpaw followed Ridgerunner’s lead. Jodi felt a terrible nagging fear in the back of her mind, but she pushed it away. This wasn’t the time to be afraid. This wasn’t the time to be human.
The wolf took over, and for the next few minutes, all Jodi knew was snapping teeth, flashing swords, and the filthy taste of Shadow-tainted blood in her mouth. The goblins came at them, but the wolves instinctively knew how to fight these creatures. They dashed in and out around them, circling and lunging, watching for a weakness. Ridgerunner saw a goblin bearing down on Jodi and he leapt from behind, crushing the creature to the ground.
Watch your back! he ordered. Jodi spun around just in time to see a goblin lunging at her with a spear. She danced back, and Ridgerunner leapt over her head. He crashed into the shadowcreature and they went down in a heap. Jodi heard a yelp in the distance and she turned to see Frostpaw holding off three goblins by himself. A lucky spear thrust had pierced his back leg, and he was bleeding.
Hang on! she thought. Jodi made it across the clearing in three bounds and hammered her full weight into the goblin with the spear. He screamed as she drove him to the ground. Instinctively, her jaws closed around his neck and gave a sharp twist. The goblin went still and Jodi drew back, eyeing the rest of the attackers warily. She bumped into Frostpaw who was now standing behind her. Three more goblins closed in, their spears pointed at her chest.
Careful, Frostpaw warned. They know our tricks now.
Jodi heard a scream and she glanced past the goblins. At the far end of the clearing, Ridgerunner was fighting half a dozen of the shadowcreatures in a wild frenzy. They had encircled him, and they seemed to be taunting him. One goblin jabbed at his tail and Ridgerunner spun around, snapping wildly with his sharp teeth. As he turned, another spear smacked him on the backside. Enraged, Ridgerunner turned and caught the spear in his powerful jaws. The goblins laughed.
NO! Jodi thought. They’ll kill him!
Worry about us, Frostpaw said. He snarled and jumped forward. The goblins thrust their spears out and danced back. Jodi saw an opening and she leapt forward, biting down on one of the goblin’s thighs. Fresh blood trickled down her jaw and he let out a scream. The goblin tried to pull away but Jodi held on, forcing him to fight with her. She knew she had to do something to hold his attention. Her wolf-mind knew that if she let the goblins work together as a team, they could easily kill the wolves.
Jodi yelped as she felt a sharp blow to her ribs One the goblins had kicked her. Jolts of pain shot up and down her spine. Her earlier battle with the Shadowlord had left her with two broken –or at least cracked- ribs.
Jodi relaxed her grip, and the goblin she’d been hanging onto struck her on the head with the butt of his spear. At the same time, the first goblin kicked her again, this time hard enough to knock the wind out of her. Jodi staggered back, dazed and gasping, blinded by pain. Frostpaw roared. He tried to leap to her aid but the third goblin leapt between them, lashing out wildly with his short-bladed sword.
Jodi knew this was the end. She couldn’t fight anymore. She was still suffering from her earlier battle with the Shadowlord, and now she could feel her strength ebbing. They were hopelessly outnumbered. She glanced across the clearing and heard Ridgerunner let out a wild howl as a spear pierced his ribs.
No! she howled. Ridgerunner! My brother!
Jodi heard cackling laughter and she turned to see the goblins bearing down on her, one with his spear, the other with a drawn sword. Their bloodshot eyes glared menacingly, filled with hatred. And pleasure, she realized. They were enjoying this. They were enjoying killing the wolves. Off to her right, two more goblins had appeared to attack Frostpaw. He fought them wildly, jaws snapping at their weapons, hatred burning in his eyes. She could tell that he too, was losing strength. They were running out of time.
A low, helpless whine erupted from her chest. It was a futile sound, a sound of failure, of misery and dying. Her brothers were dying and she would be soon, too. The goblins were taunting Ridgerunner mercilessly, killing him with slow, calculated cruelty. The same thing lay in store for her and Frostpaw. The goblin with the spear lunged at her and Jodi twisted aside. She yelped as the spear grazed her shoulder. The goblin laughed.
And then a shadow passed between them. It was gone in an instant. Jodi stepped back, sniffing the air, her senses tingling. The goblin dropped to the ground in front of her, his lifeless eyes staring into the distance. A familiar scent washed over her.
Gabriel! she thought.
Jodi raised her eyes to see Gabriel’s shadowy form vaulting through the air. He came down on the shoulders of one of the goblins, crushing the monster to the ground. Her mind flashed back to a similar scene many moons ago. It was back at Winschfield Manor, not long after they’d first met. Gabriel had fought three school bullies. He was using the same moves now, the same odd fighting style that was a combination of gymnastics and aikido. But… he was somehow different now. Gabriel had changed in a way that Jodi could sense more than see.
As Gabriel touched the ground, he reached out towards the third goblin. The creature stood there in shock, completely stunned by what had just happened. Gabriel touched the goblin’s face with his fingertips and then pulled his hand away. The goblin’s eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped to the ground. Gabriel stood over him, a dark cloak billowing out from his shoulders, the hood pulled low over his face, concealing all but his eyes in shadow.
Gabriel took a step towards Jodi and looked down at her. He seemed so tall… and then she remembered she was a wolf. “You shouldn’t have come,” Gabriel said in a cold voice. “You shouldn’t have followed me.”
With that, he broke into a run across the clearing. Jodi watched him sprint through the darkness, her wolf-mind reeling from what she had just seen. Frostpaw appeared at her side. What is that creature? he said. Is that your friend?
I don’t know, Jodi answered. I don’t know anymore.
Gabriel stepped onto a fallen log and launched himself into the air. He came down in the center of the circle of goblins, right next to Ridgerunner. The poor wolf was badly injured, and bleeding heavily from many wounds. He could barely stay on his feet.
The goblins danced back uncertainly as Gabriel appeared in their midst. They were so taken by surprise that Jodi thought they just might turn and run. They didn’t. Instead, they let out an excited cheer and began prodding Gabriel with their spears, just like they had with Ridgerunner. They tried to, anyway. They failed.
The first goblin reached out with his spear to poke Gabriel in the back. In a flash, Gabriel’s hand closed in on the spear. The surprised goblin didn’t know how to react. Then Gabriel yanked the s
pear forward and the goblin lost his balance. He took an awkward step into the circle and Gabriel turned, reaching out to touch the shadowcreature’s face with his left hand. Instantly, the goblin dropped dead. As his body hit the ground, absolute silence fell over the clearing.
The next moment was so eerily quiet that Jodi could hear only her own heavy panting. Then Gabriel moved. He became a blur. The goblins cried out, slashing at him with their swords, thrusting out with their spears, but they touched only air. It seemed that Gabriel was everywhere and yet nowhere all at once. His shadowy figure moved through them like a ghost. He slipped between them, appearing out of nowhere to reach out and touch them like a specter of death. One by one, they began falling to the ground.
Within a few seconds, Gabriel had reduced the goblins to half their original number, and he was still going. Terrified, they broke ranks and ran screaming into the surrounding woods. Gabriel stopped then, watching them vanish into the shadows, his face unreadable in the shadows of his hood.
Jodi changed. The wolf in her was spent, exhausted from the fight, and wounded. In a flash she was Jodi again. A slight moan escaped her lips as her human senses returned and she felt the the sharp aching in her ribs and the searing pain in her shoulder. She glanced down at the wound and saw that the goblin’s spear had sliced halfway to the bone. She put her hand over the wound, trying to suppress the flow of blood. Frostpaw’s warm fur brushed up against her as he came to her side. His eyes were locked intently on Gabriel. Jodi followed his gaze, and realized that Gabriel had knelt down next to Ridgerunner. She broke into a run.
“Ridgerunner!” she called out. “My brother! Gabriel, is he okay?”
Gabriel didn’t respond. Instead, he reached out and touched his fingers to Ridgerunner’s forehead. “No pain,” he said quietly.
Shadow Rising (Shadow Born Trilogy Book 2) Page 19