Moonlit Fur Chronicles: Lucid Fur

Voices woke me. I was disoriented in the darkness. “Is that Reese?” I stood up, stretched, and shook my fur out. I sat down and peered through the darkness. My eyes adjusted to find the three gargoyles in front me. I groaned as I forced the wolf to retreat and the human to return. Cordelia took her post beside and shielded me from view with her powerful wings. “That’s not necessary ya know,” I directed my voice to Cordelia, who grunted contrarily. I let it go. Goliath’s deep stony voice bounced around the cavern, “Greetings Reese.” I waved and replied, “Hello everyone.” Simeon dipped his head. Goliath continued, “It seems we must work together to save our mates.” I nodded somberly. “I will stay here with Simeon and guard Lilith and the wolfsbane cure. Cordelia will accompany you on your quest to gather the ingredients. She knows the recipe better than anyone.”

I wasn’t thrilled about this arrangement but evidently, I had little choice in the matter. I glanced up at Cordelia. She stood six feet tall with an eight-foot wingspan. Goliath was a bit taller than her. “Ready and waiting,” her voice rang out. Seemed like I was in charge now. “And so we go,” I answered. I willed my wolf to emerge, instantly and painfully turned into a wolf. I ambled off toward the mouth of the cave. Cordelia followed and swallowed the distance between us with long strides. I stumbled when I heard her voice in my mind, “I’m right behind you.” I yanked my head around and gawked at her. She stopped short just before she ran into me. “Apologies, I should’ve mentioned. Gargoyles are born with special gifts. I have telepathy. Goliath is exceptionally strong. Simeon is fast,” she articulated with her physical voice. “Yes, it is a lot to get used to.” She read my mind, “I find it easier to communicate this way while you are in wolf form.” I thought how useful it could be, especially in situations requiring stealth.

I turned back around and trekked the long trail to the cave’s mouth. Eventually, we reached the fresh open air. The moonlight was gorgeous. I was grateful to be out of that cave, a sentiment I knew Cordelia shared. I stretched. I heard Cordelia’s wings unfurl from her body and playfully beat the air. I had no idea how to get back home. “Think about your home, picture it in your mind’s eye. Imagine what it would look like from the air,” Cordelia instructed. I closed my eyes and concentrated. I drew a mental image of the house and backyard. “There’s a body of water near it,” Cordelia questioned. I barked affirmatively. She crouched low gathering her strength. She rocketed up into the sky, her wings extended with a loud snap. She laughed as the wind caressed her, ’It’s been far too long since I flew!’ She exclaimed in my head.

’Oh the moonlight is stunning,’ her comments flooded my mind. I could feel her joy and exhilaration. It was beautiful being able to share this moment with her. ’I see something to the north. It’s all I can see except trees and foliage in any direction.’ I let loose a howl and began northward. I vaguely remembered that Robin ran southward. Our house must be to the north. It felt fantastic to run and leap. The wind rustled my fur, my claws dug into the soft earth. I was filled with joy. My ears perked up as a wolf howl reached my ears. I could barely hear it. It was so far away, but I recognized Ash’s voice. I gathered my power as Alpha, threw back my head and roared. I sped forward with all the speed I could muster. My wolves were close.

A few long minutes later, Ash and Ellis burst from the bushes and collided with me in a happy tangled mess. I was glad to see them. Cordelia perched in a tall nearby tree. Ash and Ellis caught her scent and started growling protectively. One look from me and they quieted down. I playfully nipped at them, dared them to chase me. I charged toward the house, I recognized the landscape now. I knew my way home. I sent a mental message to Cordelia. She sent me a feeling of warmth and camaraderie. Ash and Ellis raced after me, teasingly bumped into me and each other. Another howl pierced the night. River, Kai, and Drew joined us. I felt so much better now I had my pack around me.

They sent me feelings of confusion and mental images of a great blue-gray creature high above us. I snorted and projected an aura of patience. We ran along with excitement bubbled from all of us. I began to see a glimpse of the house through the trees. I sent them a memory of me as I tumbled into the pool as a warning. We cleared the trees, we had just enough time to slow to a stop. Poor Drew wasn’t used to our mental communication. He ran straight into the pool with a yelp. I leapt high into the air, shifted to human, and dove in after him. I planted my feet on the bottom of the pool, launched myself up, and caught Drew in my arms. He coughed and sputtered as we broke the surface of the water. I landed on the outside of the pool, gently laid him down.

River waited for us with towels. I thanked her and tossed one to Drew. It landed on his head, he shifted back to human and dried off. I addressed my wolves, “You have noticed my traveling companion, Cordelia, flying above us. She is going to help me look for a cure for Quinn. That being said, be nice to her. I’m going to check on Quinn.” I sent a mental message to Cordelia to let her know she was welcome down to the house and to expect stares. No one I knew had ever seen a gargoyle before. I hurried to our room and knelt beside the bed. Quinn was there all bundled up. “Reese, I can see you!” She exclaimed weakly. I kissed her forehead. “I have good news. I found someone to help get you healed up. Unfortunately, it’ll take some time. I need you to stay strong for me okay?” She squeezed my hand twice. Tears rolled down my eyes. “I love you too baby.”

I stayed with Quinn, I don’t know how long it was before I fell asleep beside her. I felt a hand on my shoulder, “Reese, Cordelia wants a word,” Phoenix’s voice floated from behind me. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I kissed Quinn’s hand and lumbered off to find Cordelia. She sat outside, talked to my wolves, and answered questions, “Reese, the sun is coming.” I nodded. “Come into the house, I have a spot for you to rest.” She followed me into the house. I gestured to a corner by the back door. “Better than being outside,” I muttered. Cordelia stood in the corner and faced the living room. She crossed her arms over her chest and tucked her wings tightly around her. Her stunning blue-gray skin turned a dull dark gray. Cordelia was a statue until dawn.

I went back and cuddled Quinn. It sounded like I’d be away from her for some time. I wanted to stay beside her as long as I could. I heard the wolves go about their day. They chatted, watched TV, or otherwise amused themselves. I was worried about Quinn. She showed signs of improvement, but I knew without the cure, her improvement wouldn’t last long. I felt so scared and anxious. I couldn’t survive without my Quinn. I gently squeezed her hand twice and she returned the gesture. She had dark circles around her eyes, and a light sheen of sweat coated her forehead. I knew she was strong, I hoped she was stronger than the poison that coursed through her body.

I saw the sun lower in the sky. It was time to prepare for our quest. I packed a backpack full of multiple sets of clothes, phone chargers, and water bottles. I was nervous and on edge. I didn’t want to leave Quinn, but I knew if I stayed she would never get better. I kissed her gently on the lips while she slept. My eyes filled with tears but I choked them back. I heard the rumble of stones; Cordelia was awake. I shouldered my backpack and stepped out of my room. My heart lurched and begged for Quinn. I stuffed my feelings deep inside. Cordelia verbally gave me the list of ingredients and I wrote them down in my phone. I asked Phoenix to look after Quinn while I was gone.

I recognized most of the items from an occult shop I used to frequent in high school, probably why my parents didn’t like me so much. I wondered how I would get there when Casey tossed me the keys to their truck. They wouldn’t need the truck so they let me borrow it. I gave Casey a big hug, I knew how important the truck was to them. I hugged each of my wolves goodbye and trudged miserably out of the house. I had no idea how long I would be away. With a heavy heart, I climbed into the truck and began the long long drive back to my hometown. Cordelia flew above me, she left me to my thoughts. She knew I was heartsick. It would take a few nights to drive all the way there.