by Lee Morgan
Before Kara concentrated, her shoulder looked irritated and pink and red where Jillian held Kara’s left arm and twisted it up behind her back. If Jillian wanted to, she could have lifted even more and dislocated Kara’s shoulder. With Kara’s silver eyes beginning to glow, the pink and red quickly become her natural tan skin tone. As Kara’s eyes dissipated with light, she rotated her mended shoulder and flexed her muscles. “They don’t hurt anymore. Ha, now I don’t need to suffer for weeks with a small cut.” Kara then jumped up and wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck. She then kissed his cheek and he was stunned into stillness. She let go and dropped back to the ground saying “It’s all thanks to you.” She turned to the four Balancer’s. “Who’s up next?”
Jillian started laughing at Kara and her hyper personality. Jack was the first one to speak. “Connor, are you up to a match with little old me?”
Connor took his hand off her arm and as Sarah looked up, he slowly began rotating his shoulders and rolling his neck in circles. “I always need a good warm-up for my day.” He then winked at her and her heart leapt again.
Sarah’s father and mate battled one on one using only their hands, weapons and reflexes. Connor now moved even faster than before, but he still was fatigued from his earlier exercise. For every move her father made, Connor instantly countered with two blows. Connor’s blows were all intentionally a graze, but they could have each been a mortal wound. But she felt something was off.
After twenty continuous minutes of getting bested, Jack forfeited the match and Sarah saw something that hasn’t occurred lately, Connor breathing quite heavily.
Mark challenged Connor next. Kara, Jillian and Sarah stayed in the grassy shade, sitting side by side to watch it all.
Due to Connor’s disadvantage and obvious exhaustion, he lost, but only just. The final move was when Connor tried swinging Tool’s hammer side into Mark’s armored ribs. Mark’s left hand caught the hammer and diverted it down, forcing Connor’s head forward. Mark’s massive jaws opened and encased Connor’s entire head in razor sharp teeth.
Sarah began panicking, but Kara’s soft touch calmed her. She forced her way into Connor’s mind to know he wasn’t harmed. Then Mark slowly pulled his head and teeth back.
From where Sarah sat she couldn’t hear their voices, except through Connor. “Mark your teeth are well kept. Who’s your dentist?”
“Very funny Connor. You know that I do all my own personal oral care. No dentist could match this perfection!” Mark pulled his muzzle back to expose the lines of his razor sharp teeth designed to rip and tear. Suddenly Mark, Connor, Kara and Sarah started laughing.
Kara finally tapped her sister-in-law’s shoulder. “You heard that from all the way over here? When did that happen?”
Sarah shook her head as she looked at her silver eyes. “No, but when I push myself deep enough into Connor’s mind, I’m able to hear everything he can and what he’s saying.” Kara smiled, looking perky as ever as if she forgot the torture that has only waned in the past few hours.
Jillian grabbed Sarah’s arm and forced her look directly into her amber eyes. “Wait… You are able to go that far in someone’s mind and they are still conscious?” Sarah tilted her head slightly. Jillian looked excited for some reason again.
“Yes Mother, but I’ve only tried with Connor.”
All the men showed up around them. Jillian continued by talking up to Jack who stood by her side. “They can enter each other’s minds enough for them to hear from the other’s perspective.” He laid Haunt across his lap as he sat down next to Jillian. Sarah scooted back as Connor sat beside her. Kara twisted in her seating arrangement and sat next to Mark as his armor altered and returned to a soft pelt.
The three immortal pairs sat in a loose triangle formation.
Connor handed her Tool as Jack calmly asked her tired mate “Can you see from the other’s point of view?”
Connor sighed and took a slow and deep breath. “Not yet,” It was true because the two of them knew their abilities are still growing. “But yesterday on the way home, I was able to reach Sarah’s mind from over ten miles away.”
Jillian’s eyes went wide yet again, but remained eerily silent. Jack’s azure eyes didn’t widen, but his jaw dropped for a fraction of a second. He cleared his throat. “Alright… See if you can hear from my perspective.”
Sarah clearly said “No.”
Her father shifted his eyes to her. “Why?”
“Because Father, we are both tired and depleted. Also, if what Mother said still holds true, our minds might be too strong for you to handle. Do you remember when Connor tested on entering your mind as you defended against his intrusion?” She waited until he remembered. “That’s right. The pain you felt, was at most ten percent of his mental ability back then. He and I are both stronger now. I’m sorry, but you can’t ask us to do this.” She closed her eyes as her voice suddenly became lost. Then Connor started rubbing her back as she felt him in her mind. He said nothing and that was just what she needed; nothing.
He requested her mother’s attention. “Jillian, can we call it a day? We’re quite hungry and we need to go shopping.”
Before her mother could speak, Mark said “No, you two are coming to my apartment first.”
Connor’s predatory eyes suspiciously turned in Mark’s immediate direction. Sarah sat beside her husband spinning Tool absent mindedly between her fingers with effortless grace. With Mark’s heightened senses he could hear the forest behind him still scurrying with vitality and life while making all kinds of loud racket. His ears focused forward as Connor suspiciously inquired “Why?”
Mark smiled in spite of all that has gone on these past twenty four hours. “Connor, both you and Sarah have graciously fed me time and time again. It will be my pleasure if you would come with me and enjoy my hospitality for once.”
Sarah’s green eyes lifted and she smiled. “Mark, but I’ve seen your apartment, in your mind I mean, and I couldn’t see how much food could fit in your refrigerator. It wouldn’t be enough for even me.” Her smile grew even more strained as she glanced at Connor who looked to be about to fall asleep at any second from total exhaustion.
Mark waved his claw at her to make Sarah allow him to finish. “I never said anything about eating over at my small apartment. It’s even smaller than your place if we’re being technical.”
Kara smacked his arm. When Mark looked into her new and beautiful silver eyes his heart skipped a few beats. “Just tell them. Can’t you see how depleted they look?” and it is the truth. Both Connor and Sarah looked like they were about to drop where they sat. He’s never seen either of them looking so exhausted.
Mark still couldn’t believe that his muscle bound best friend could fight so well in his worn out condition. After all Connor did, he wanted everyone to enjoy the day despite how he felt. He truly is a good man.
This day is a celebration of Kara’s survival and new life.
Pulling such thoughts back, Mark took Kara’s advice. “Sorry.” He said to his dear friends. “The diner I work at, well… I actually own it. I will tell my manager to close it for today. I have more than enough food to feed four Balancers and the newest Changer.” He playfully wrapped his arm over Kara and pulled her close. He had to make sure that he didn’t cut her with his hardened claws though.
Connor regained everyone’s attention as Kara squirmed in his arm. He asked “How long have you owned the diner?”
Kara gained her freedom from Mark’s hold and she playfully punched his shoulder. Such a thing was common between them and will be forever. He smiled at his best friend and decided to tell him the truth. “I’ve owned the diner since I had it built when I first arrived here six years ago. You should have seen the stupefied looks the construction crew gave when I paid them, at the time looking like a young teen who paid thousands of dollars to make my diner. I love cooking, and being a Changer there isn’t a better place to eat than a local diner.” Mark saw Connor nod weakly an
d his eyes weren’t nearly strong enough to stay locked for much longer. He needs food now!
Mark looked at Jillian and Jack. “Can you two give Connor anything you can spare? I’m also inviting the two of you as well to the diner.” Mark stood up and stretched. Kara also stood. He then looked at Connor then to Sarah. “Sarah, you will ride with Kara and me to my apartment. Connor, I’m sorry, but you’re just a little too large for me to carry on my back. Go home and change your clothes and meet me at the diner.” Mark looked meaningfully at Kara and she nodded in understanding the urgency.
He dropped down to all four feet. Connor realized what happened and smiled playfully. Kara picked up Sarah and placed her on Mark’s back. Kara jumped on behind her and he said to Jack “Spare whatever you can.” Kara’s tone legs squeeze into his side and Mark walked away from the others. Sarah struggled until his girlfriend told her why they did what they had to.
“Sarah, Brother, will soon meet up with us at Mark’s diner. He needs to change and get his wallet to buy groceries afterwards. Brother will also drive his truck to the diner. You and I need to shower and change clothes and I have some spare clothes at Mark’s. Brother understood exactly what we did or else he would be trying to stop us from kidnapping you. Even though he’s weak he’d still be strong enough to stop us. He didn’t interfere so he’s an accomplice to this kidnapping …” Kara began laughing at her own little joke. Sarah remained silent and stoic. “Besides, I’ve used up almost all the hot water at your house this morning.”
Ok here we go… Mark thought. Carrying two people on your back at once is harder than it sounds. Their weight wasn’t the issue because he could carry over eight hundred pounds easily. The problem lay in keeping the two of them from falling. He had to trot through the forest. At the pace he set they would need only to jog to keep up, but with everyone so depleted he knew they didn’t mind the ride. When Kara was riding on his back alone, he could run as fast as he wanted and not fear her falling. With Sarah added to the mix, he could only hope to trot.
Finally reaching the tree line behind Jack’s home, the girls hopped off his back. In his mind Mark saw his wolf form slowly change back into his human normal state of a young adult. Soon his bones started snapping and reabsorbing into his body. Brushing off the black fur with quick palm swipes he asked Sarah “Do you still have Tool?”
“Yes.” She pulled Connor’s weapon from her hip.
“May I?” Kara stepped into Mark’s vision and held her open hand out.
Understanding, Sarah handed Tool over to Kara. Mark turned his back to his sandy blond girlfriend. She pulled and tightened his long hair into a single long strand. Tool whistled through the air and cleaved off all his black mane in a single stroke. Mark could still feel the wind on the nape of his neck from the new speed and control of Kara’s muscles. He became extremely proud that she had so much control at such an early stage of her transformation. Turning around, he saw Kara dropping the fistful of hair to the ground and then she returned Tool back to its temporary owner. Gaining Kara’s attention, he warned “Sweetheart… We cannot reveal ourselves to the outside world.” Her silver eyes were focused on his. “Keep your new speed and strength on a tight leash. Be exaggeratedly slow. Watch me closely to see how to not frighten the humans… I’m sorry, but I can’t do anything about your new eyes.”
She shrugged. “I’m over it now. Plus I’ve already made up a good cover.”
Sarah shifted her weight to her left leg and mocked “Oh, do tell.” And Kara shook her head playfully while grinning, sensing the sarcasm. At least she understood Sarah’s ill tempered mood for Connor wasn’t well. Kara wasn’t going to reveal her ideas, Mark knew that much at least. He grabbed Kara’s hand and started leading her into the light.
Knowing Connor’s speed, Mark hurried the two of them to his jeep.
Kara sat in the passenger seat while Sarah sat in the back.
Arriving at the apartments, Kara showed Connor’s mate everything his home had to see. It wasn’t too much. Soon after, Kara hopped into the shower first. Mark then picked up the phone and dialed his Diner. On the second ring the manager and head chef picked up the phone. Before the chef could announce the customary saying the true owner spoke. “Gerry, it’s Mark.”
“Oh howdy Boss, What can I do for you today?” He sounded quite chipper today. The diner must be running a little slow. When it’s packed with hungry customers Gerry sounds tired and irritable.
“Listen, I’m going to be having a private party at the diner in about an hour. What I want you to do is let whoever is still eating finish up, but don’t let anyone else in. We’re closing early.” Mark said in an even tone.
He became slightly flustered. “But Boss, what about the workers?”
“Gerry, I will pay everyone’s wages for the day; including their tips. I know Jess needs the money for her sick son and so shall she get it. I’m feeling generous today. Just tell them to have a good day on me.”
“Boss… What about…”
Mark cut into the contradiction, sounding annoyed because he was. “Gerry, I don’t want any more excuses. Have everyone out in thirty minutes and shut the blinds. Got it?!”
He sighed. “You got it, Boss.” As he hung up the phone Mark could hear him shouting out the orders to stop for the day.
Mark turned around to see Sarah staring at him. She looked almost as drained as Connor. He asked politely “Do you need something?”
She smiled gracefully despite her loss of energy. At least her air of dignity remained solid. “Mark, I wanted to say thank you for doing all this for us. I mean it.” Mark couldn’t help but start laughing. Sarah asked honestly “Did I say something funny?”
He waived her off. “Yes, but for a different reason.” She walked with him to sit on the couch. As she sat he said “Meeting Connor has made living nine centuries all worth it. The violent passage of time pales when he is somewhere involved. I’ve seen decades pass in a blink of an eye, but with him every day is some new event and I wonder what he’ll do next.” She nodded vigorously. “He has been the closest friend I’ve ever had in my entire life. Originally I wanted to make him into a Changer, after he saw a few more years of life, but Connor made the better choice once you two met. At least I’ve never heard of a mistake occurring when a Balancer finds her mate and seals his fate. Normally Balancer’s and Changer’s rarely befriend one another, but Connor did it without much effort at all. He’s quite special at making friends with the right people.” She smiled gratefully. “He has surprised me at every turn and is still doing it. Never in my life has my jaw dropped as much as it does with him. What’s more, he has saved the life of the woman I’ve come to love, something I’ve given up on. I can never fully repay the debt I owe to my friend or to you for that matter.”
She shook her head. “You’re wrong on that last part. You know as well as I do that Connor doesn’t do things for something in return, especially with his friends and those under his protection. Plus you owe me nothing because I’ve never had so much excitement either.”
“Let me add to what I said. He’s not only my friend, but also like a leader, I would do anything for him if he so much as asked. He is humble and caring, not corrupt and malicious. A very rare person to say in the least.” Mark said as he looked at the roof while throwing his head back on the sofa.
“On that, we can agree” A moment later she asked “Why did you want us to go to the diner today?”
Mark rolled his head to look at her while she rolled Tool in the palm of her hand. “Because the two of you have fed me so much recently and I must have killed off half of your pantry. Plus, I did tell you and Connor that the next time would be my treat…remember?” Sarah looked up and smiled. He knew she remembered. Balancer’s rarely, if ever, forget.
Kara walked out of the bathroom in the new clothes she brought to the apartment. Recently after learning Mark’s secret they would talk throughout the night or watch his old, classic and favorite movies. He found out
quickly that she hates romantic movies with a passion. She would rather watch action or horror. She’d laugh at things that would make another people sick to their stomachs. Her sense of humor sometimes bordered on the insane.
She continued brushing her blondish hair and said it was his turn to take a bath. She warned as he entered the bathroom “Don’t even come out if you smell like a wet dog.”
Shutting the door Mark could hear Sarah giggling softly. The comment made him laugh as well.
He stripped, took a shower, shaved and trimmed his hair more with the scissors. Putting on a fresh pair of blue jeans and a silver shirt, Mark stepped out of the bathroom and into the hallway.
Then his vision turned to the right.
Both Kara and Sarah were sitting on the sofa while watching a little bit of TV. Taking one step towards them, Kara’s head turned towards him while she grinned. She got up and they walked up to each other while his heart was sprinting. Her new liquid silver eyes made her so much prettier and exotic. She leaned forwards and sniffed his chest. “Good boy. You don’t smell like a wet dog.” Her transition into a Changer was going smoothly. Her senses had heightened to a whole new level that she was barely scratching the surface of.
“Aw Kara, are you going to always treat me like a dog?” He asked with a sly smile, even if he already knew her answer.
She grinned. “That’s what all men are at heart. It’s a good thing though, Honey. Dogs are loyal as long as you keep them properly fed and play with them regularly. If not, there is always the option of getting them fixed.” She pinched his bottom as she turned around. Mark was laughing on the inside, but his jaw hung by the hinges.
Sarah simply winked as she was the last to take a shower.
Putting on his shoes, Kara grabbed the jeep keys and walked with Sarah outside. By the time Mark walked down the steps his girlfriend had already started the vehicle. He jumped into the driver’s seat and started the journey to the diner.