Tempest

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  My heart hammered harder at his words. The damage done to my body from the Watchers was barely healed, but I gathered everything I had, holding steady.

  The Watchers must have taken his words as joking. Some smirked, others laughed and a few covered their mouths with their hands. The gathering powers linked together in an intricate web of earth, water, air and fire, and then lashed out at us. A hawk screeched above and Insepth dropped to the ground like a brick.

  Seriously? There wasn’t any time to think about it. Elements were hurtling at me with killing force.

  I followed Insepth’s lead and blinked out of my body.

  Chapter 10

  And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

  Mark 1:13

  When I opened my eyes, the colors of the forest were muted, but the tree trunks and boulders were sharply outlined. I heard a rodent scurrying across the ground and I smelled so many things; first decaying leaves, then the sharp sent of Watchers.

  I turned my head to the sound of screeching and gathered my legs, taking off at a run to follow the bird’s call. I splashed through a stream and dashed up the hill on the other side. Twisting and turning at full speed was easy, and even though I’d already run a good distance, I wasn’t tired. From instinct alone, I kept my mouth open, letting my tongue hang out to regulate my body temperature.

  I caught a glimpse of the bird overhead and it wasn’t slowing. The sky darkened and stars began popping up in its grayness. Nightfall was good. My heart pounded only from exertion. I was agile, quick and cunning. The Watchers of the Light couldn’t catch me—they couldn’t even see me.

  The hawk swooped and I kept an eye on it as it drifted lower, alighting on a pile of rocks. I dropped to a jog, stopping next to the rocks, which I could now see was the entrance to a cave. I breathed in. Old lynx urine and dust assaulted my nostrils. The bird cawed and flew through the opening.

  I looked back. In the distance, I could make out lights dotting the hillside. I closed my mouth and tilted my head to listen better. Faint voices carried on the breeze. The distance was too great for the drone to be intelligible. Sniffing no nearby danger, I jumped into the black hole.

  My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I could see almost immediately. It was a single room, barely big enough for a lone bear. Tufts of lynx fur littered the packed dirt floor. I dropped my nose to smell the fluff. Old. This cave had once been a cat’s den, but not for a while.

  I sat on my haunches and my tongue lolled out as I panted. I was thirsty, but ignored the feeling.

  Excellent. I can always count on you to think clearly in a crisis.

  I glared at the large, brown raptor, unable to mind speak at first. When I didn’t answer, its head flicked back and forth. You aren’t angry with me, dear Ember, are you? It was the only solution to our conundrum. We’re alive and that’s the point of it all. Insepth’s voice in my mind gained volume.

  I concentrated hard on turning my thoughts into mind-speech. You are a bird and I’ve taken over Angus’ body. How is that a good thing? I finally forced out and I couldn’t help it when I yipped at the same time. I felt my dog’s presence strongly. He had allowed me to burst into him and steal his control away. He’d given me a gift that I would have had to fight any other creature for. When the blast of power was only inches from my face, he was the one I thought of.

  It isn’t as bad as all that. Yes, we’re temporarily trapped in these bodies, but we can still communicate and have both chosen our hosts wisely. I can take to the sky to spy on our enemies and your German Shepherd body can handle the terrain easily. He paused. There’s the wolves to contend with. You’re one of their cousins, so that might bode well for us.

  I padded closer to the hawk, resisting the urge to bring my rear foot up to scratch my chest when I stopped. Wolves? You’re worried about wolves? What about the fact that our bodies just got blasted into nothingness and we’re trapped in these? I growled, quite literally.

  His laughter echoed in my head, making me flinch. I’m betting our bodies are fine—well guarded for sure, but still functioning nonetheless.

  I don’t understand.

  He squawked. After everything we’ve been through, you still have no faith in me? He made a tsking noise and I sat down with a flop.

  Since leaving my body, I’d been calling on my new found tempest to control the panic and keep me sane. The water element was like a handful of downers. My mind was shouting, freak out, but my body was pretty placid under the circumstances. When my spirit had found Angus and plunged into him, I hadn’t thought much about whether my powers would transfer with me into the dog. I was relieved they had.

  Those Watchers back there weren’t going to immediately kill us. I’m sure they are working with the Angels in some capacity. They wanted information and their techniques to get it are renowned. He hopped around the ground as if pacing. They know we escaped into the bodies of beasts, but earth’s creatures are numerous in these mountains. They’ll hold our bodies captive and wait us out.

  What is your plan then? I tried not to sound bitter.

  He blinked at me. We gather an army, attack the Watchers and get our bodies back.

  I smiled, but I didn’t know how it translated on Angus’ furry face. Insepth’s arrogance had no bounds, but I knew one thing for certain—he didn’t like to lose, and dying would be the ultimate surrender.

  Where are we going to find an army? There’s no one here except animals.

  Exactly! He flapped his wings and I felt the gathering of his thoughts to say more, when I heard a twig break outside the cave. I snapped my jaws at him and growled lightly. He dropped his wings, standing still, his golden eyes staring at me.

  I turned on my haunches and crept back to the cave’s opening, raising my nose to the breeze. Wolf. I stiffened. It was a familiar scent—and then I got a whiff of bear. I barked once in welcome.

  Ivan padded in slowly with Lutz behind him. The cave became suddenly smaller with the addition of their bodies. I eyed Ivan, noticing that even though I was a large dog, the Growler was much taller. He seemed to have grown overnight. Lutz let out a groaning noise that showed his displeasure at the change of circumstances.

  Why are you in Angus’ body—what has happened? Ivan touched his nose to mine in canine greeting. We’d never mind-spoken before, and the situation was weird for me as well. I could only surmise that our ability to do so now must be because I was in animal form.

  We were captured by Watchers of the Light. They were going to torture us for information. Insepth thinks they’re working with the Angels—or at least have the same agenda. I snorted and the sound came out as a muffled bark. Supposedly we’re going to go in there with an army of animals and take our bodies back.

  Ivan nodded and turned to Lutz. Will they fight?

  The bear sat up straight like a stuffed animal in a shop, his head brushing the ceiling of the cave. He looked to the side and sniffed, then returned his gaze to the wolf. Perhaps. They aren’t happy the Watchers intruded on their lands. But even with so many, what can they do against the power of the Watchers? Lutz’s voice thundered in my mind as it did when he spoke out loud in human form. It was a soothing sound in an odd way.

  They’d never suspect such a thing! Insepth burst into my mind. That will be their undoing. He hopped up to Ivan. And they won’t be alone, will they?

  Ivan yelped, sending a tremor through me. I don’t have ties with these packs. They are a rogue nation. We can’t count on them for help.

  I couldn’t stay quiet any longer. Are these bears and wolves you’re talking about—Growlers?

  Yes. It was Ivan who answered. Thousands have gathered in these mountains: large cats and birds of prey, too. They have read the signs of the coming rapture and they journeyed here for a meeting, the largest of its k
ind ever held to discuss the part Growlers will play.

  Won’t they side with us? Ila told me Growlers resent Watchers because they imprisoned them as slaves throughout the centuries.

  Lutz spoke. Perhaps. Some Growlers have found religion. They believe there is a place for them in the afterlife.

  What do you think? I whispered.

  He made a shrugging-shaking movement. I think there is hope for the good ones. The ones that did evil deeds are another story. My association with the Demons has damned me. I have done things I regret, but can’t undo. I’ll fight with you. He nodded at Ivan. The pup is a different story.

  I turned to Ivan. His fur was shades of gray and his eyes were golden. Some people would find him terrifying, but I always wanted to hug him when he was in his wolf form. What Lutz had said resonated with me. Ivan was a good kid. He’d proven he was loyal and could fight, but this wasn’t his war. He would probably be one of the spirits that went directly to Heaven, but I didn’t know for sure, and that doubt made it difficult to breathe.

  I am with Ember. She is my pack leader—where she goes, I go. Ivan rubbed the side of his face against mine in another canine social display. I am not so young that I can’t make a stand for my beliefs. I have just as much right to do so as the rest of you. His voice lowered. Piper would want me to stand with you.

  His words cut straight to my heart and I couldn’t help whining. Ivan’s howl joined my voice and I was compelled to open my mouth wider and howl alongside him. Our soulful voices drifted out of the cave, softly at first, then gaining volume.

  I howled for Piper and Ila and my parents. I howled for the people who wouldn’t be scooped up by the hand of God when the end of the world came—those who were neither good, nor bad. The ones who’d wander the earth, dealing with the monsters unleashed from Hell.

  And I howled for Sawyer. He had no soul and he’d done unimaginable things. I’d seen his history when we had our guardianship ceremony. It was dark and evil. Was there any chance he could be saved?

  My mouth snapped shut and I searched the distance until his sharp gaze was on me. Sawyer recognized something wasn’t right and I felt his alarm. We were too far apart to communicate with words of any kind. We could only convey impressions that settled into our minds like hot honey.

  I lay down, resting my chin on my paws. I missed Sawyer—even though he scared me sometimes and I didn’t know if I’d be able to trust him when the end did come. I still loved him. My mind reeled at the irony of it all. I was trapped in a dog’s body. Nothing mattered now.

  Ivan yowled out one more time, then rested beside me.

  A howl in the distance turned into two, then three, until a harmony of a hundred wolves filled the air. I looked at Ivan.

  They’re coming, he said.

  Chapter 11

  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  Revelation 12:9

  I crouched behind Ivan as the wolves crested the hill. A lone black one walked in front of the enormous pack that must have numbered at least two hundred. The way he held his head high and stared directly at us made me guess him to be the leader. The night air was full of the scent of strange wolves and I caught myself before my lip curled up in a growl. Angus was buried beneath my conscious, but even so, he made it known he didn’t like the newcomers and considered them a threat.

  The moon was nearly full and its light illuminated the clearing surrounded by spruce forest. I sniffed the cool, autumn air, catching the scents of bear and cat, along with the overpowering muskiness of wolves. Insepth was perched high in the nearest tree and I glanced up occasionally to see his head darting around. Lutz stood on all fours beside me. His heavy breathing pushed my fur back when he turned my way.

  I’ve never seen so many gray faces at one time, Lutz proclaimed with what would be considered a gasp if he were a human talking.

  Drastic times call for drastic measures. I looked up.

  Insepth flapped his wings, but Ivan stood in rigid silence. I felt his agitation in my mind.

  Glowing eyes peppered the darkness and the sounds of growling, yipping and yelping popped in the night. These weren’t ordinary wolves—they were Growlers. Their bodies were bigger and sleeker than their counterparts, and they were smarter, having human intelligence masked behind furry faces. The fact that they were in animal form wasn’t lost on me. They were on high alert—ready to fight or run if needed.

  The mumblings of too many voices rattled my mind. The sounds were distant and incoherent just as Ivan had quickly explained they would be. Growlers couldn’t project their voices to a group in animal form. They had the ability to only open their minds up to a few others at a time. But all the conversations were still there, like background music playing in a movie. I could ignore the noise when I focused on doing so.

  The black wolf padded up. Ivan held his ground, showing no submission to the larger and older Growler. They touched noses lightly and the hair along their backs bristled. Lutz roared out a challenge that thundered through the clearing and Insepth cawed above us. I wasn’t sure what the pack’s customs were, but it did appear that Ivan needed some more back up, so I stepped forward and faced the great wolf before us.

  He turned to me. What is this creature—no ordinary dog for sure—but not a Growler, either.

  The wolf’s voice was loud. He stepped closer, stretching his neck to sniff me. I opened up a little more to Angus for his opinion on the matter, immediately shutting him down when my head snapped back and I growled inadvertently.

  This one is a Watcher. Ivan bumped into my side. Please, Lord Quintus. She was captured by her own kind. They were going to torture and kill her. She escaped into her pet, a remarkable dog. You must forgive her bad manners—she isn’t one of us.

  I think Lord Quintus should apologize for being overly familiar with a stranger. He’s half human and should know better. I didn’t look away from Quintus’ golden eyes when I mind spoke.

  Lutz rumbled deep in his throat and I felt Insepth’s groan in my mind. A hush fell over the pack as all eyes turned my way. I licked my snout and stood as tall as I could, but I was still several inches shorter than Quintus. The seconds dragged on, and I began to worry. Then, with the abruptness of a gust of wind, the wolf leader yipped. The rocking sensation of laughter vibrated inside my head, making me dizzy. When he calmed, he sat on his haunches. This motion must have meant something to the other Growlers. Ivan and Lutz followed suit and the nearest wolves dropped onto the ground in various relaxed positions. The ones on the outskirts of the group remained standing, turning their rumps to us as though they were keeping vigil. Even Insepth flew down from the branch, landing on the ground between me and Lutz.

  Quintus looked over his shoulder and barked. I heard the exchange of muffled voices between him and a smaller, more delicate looking she-wolf. She disappeared into the shadows, only to return a moment later with a deer’s hind leg clenched between her jaws. Blood spotted her black muzzle and her chest. She dropped the leg in front of me. My human stomach rolled, but Angus’ growled in hunger.

  I curled my lip at the newcomer. Is this a joke?

  She glanced at Quintus and back at me. It is a gift. I’m Tamira, daughter of Quintus and Wren. I have spent most of my life in wolf form. She dropped her gaze. I don’t know your ways—I am sorry.

  I felt like dirt. The stress of dealing with Adria, and then the Watchers’ attack, had turned me into a complete bitch. Yes, there were Angels, Demons and monsters on earth and the world was ending, but at this moment in time, we were sitting on a grassy knoll in the mountains of Eastern Europe. These wolves hadn’t attempted to hurt us yet, and Insepth had a plan to save us, so I needed to make an effort to be nice. I glanced down and wrinkled my nose, hoping I wasn’t in Angus’ body so l
ong that I’d have to eat raw meat and snatch up little bunnies for lunch. Angus growled deep down inside of me and I ignored him. I won’t let you starve, boy, but be patient with me. I’m new to being a dog.

  I met Tamira’s golden gaze. Thank you. It’s just that I’m not hungry at the moment—maybe in a little while.

  She turned to go, but Quintus stopped her. Remain with us, daughter. You will lead the pack one day and foul scents are on the air. I would have you learn what you must to survive.

  Ivan’s head swiveled in Tamira’s direction and she looked back at him. It was as if they just noticed each other. Lutz’s throat rumbled in what sounded like a laugh and Ivan turned back to Quintus.

  My father is Panoosh. He is the leader of the Ural Mountain pack in Russia. Do you remember him?

  Yes, Panoosh is my friend. His wolves have gone into hiding. They prefer to wait and see what happens between the Angels and humans, like so many others of our kind.

  But you have joined the bears here for what reason? Ivan’s voice was mature and smooth in my mind. I glanced at him, noticing how his wolf body had grown into adulthood in just the short time I’d known him.

  Not just the bears—cats and birds, too. Many of our shamans had dreams of fire and devastation. We wonder where our kind fit in. Do we rise with the humans in an attempt to stop it from happening—or do we abandon them, staying in our animal forms and waiting for death to come to us? Tamira whined and Quintus stretched to lick her face. She flopped down, crossing her paws and resting her chin on them.

  Tamira is right. The humans need us. We must stand with them, Ivan said.

  Echoing Ivan’s sentiment, Insepth spoke up. We can make a difference if we join forces.

  Quintus snapped at the hawk, sending Insepth hopping backwards with flapping feathers. We do not side with Watchers. You have used and abused our kind for too long. Now that you are fighting openly against each other, I applaud your distraction. For the first time ever, our kind may step out from the shadows and govern ourselves.