The Shifters: Katrina

If there was any point in time that I could name the beginning of true chaos, it would probably be those few minutes where I was escorting my criminal, murderous mother out of my new home. People stared in horror as she strode past, her tangled hair falling around her face like a hood. She walked with a tired limp, but she held her chin up high like a queen. Despite being threatened with death, Marie was still confident in herself.

It was both inspiring and disgusting to me.

I marched her straight out of Coraline's building, through the town, and toward the fire entrance. I planned on getting her out and then shutting the fiery entrance behind her, so that she had no choice but to leave.

I still had to break her arm, though. That part of the deal with Coraline haunted my thoughts as I walked behind Marie, watching her every movement like a hawk.

Or, in my case, like a dragon.

Am I supposed to say goodbye to her? I wondered, leading her through the forest to the entrance. She tripped into the tunnel, my hand wrapping around her wrist. I yanked her upright, letting go once she was steady. Marie said nothing, not even a thank-you, and continued into the shadowy tunnel. I followed, watching her stumble on all the little rocks that she couldn't see without a shifter's enhanced vision. It was honestly a little pathetic.

That's your mom you're thinking about, I reminded myself. Marie hesitated, stopping below the circle of fire that kept hunters from entering our compound.

"Don't come back," I warned her, "this is your second chance to live. Don't waste it."

She snorted. "What do I tell my darling wife? Or your brothers and sister?"

I gritted my teeth, glaring daggers at the back of her head. "Tell them whatever you want, Marie. Maybe tell them that I ran away, joined a new family, and that I love them."

The woman didn't have an answer for that. She moved past it, glancing at me over her shoulder.

"Well? I'll need you to let me through, Katrina."

I motioned for her to face me. "Come here, then."

I'm sorry.

She turned, her mouth open and ready to complain about something, when I lurched forward, grabbing her left shoulder and slamming my hand into her back. Her chest hit the wall of the tunnel, her face smacking off it as well. I grabbed her arm, holding it straight back, and used my other hand to push her flat against the wall.

"This is just an extra warning," I snarled.

Her joint stood no chance against my strength -- I drove her left arm to the right side of her back, hearing something pop and crack. She screamed, but I wasn't done. I grabbed her wrist, slamming my opposite hand into the back of her elbow until the bones faced the wrong direction. Marie's cries didn't stop, her voice going hoarse as I let go, my own hands shaking.

I forced my tears to disappear, the fire above the tunnel disappearing with the flick of my wrist. I sniffled, choking back an apology as I grabbed my mother, jumping with the power of a shapeshifter straight out of the hole. I dumped her on the ground without a single shred of hesitation, the woman writhing in pain.

Marie panted, glancing up at me from where she laid in the dirt.

"I could never decide if I loved you or not," she told me, her voice breaking. "No matter how hard I tried. You were always just... My love-hate... Relationship..."

With that, she passed out from the pain.

And I left her there, laying next to the flames that kept us safe in Iluita. I threw myself back into the tunnel, the fire alive once again. I stomped back to the school, only to hesitate, standing in front of the double doors like it was my first day all over again.

I hurt her.

I hurt my mother.

But I've already forgiven myself for it.

The next day or two was a blur. Shae, Willa and I didn't train again -- we were too busy worrying about who was trying to kill me.

In our defense, it was a pretty big problem. I didn't plan on getting killed any time soon.

Instead, I trained on my own, in the most convenient places. Under my desk during class, behind my back while someone was speaking to me -- any time it was possible. My only goal was to merge my elements before we attacked Orgull, if it was even possible.

I was even doing it now, staring out the window of one of my classes.

That was, until the door was flung open and a certain black-haired wolf stared directly at me.

"Ivan..?" The teacher blurted, using his first name. "Is everything alright?"

He ignored her. "Katrina, come with me. We're almost ready."

My eyes widened, and I forgot about bringing my stuff with me as I got up to follow him. The others in my class gaped as I up and left, jogging after Koren. The wolf disappeared down the stairs to the main floor where Willa, Kami and Coraline were waiting by the front doors.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Are we going to Orgull?"

Willa shook her head. "Not quite yet. But soon, Katrina."

"I'm worried though," Coraline interrupted. She stepped toward me, gently resting her hands on my arms. "What about the water shifter who tried to kill you?"

I shrugged. "If they make a move, then they make a move."

Kami shook her head. "That's foolish. We've seen you lose your head over emotion-based things too many times."

"The elite is right," Willa murmured. "You're prone to rage attacks when it comes to betrayal or a comrade getting hurt."

I bowed my head, pursing my lips. They had a point there -- but what could I do to change that fact? It was my natural reaction.

"We're worried that you might go overboard if something happens in Orgull," Koren admitted. Coraline squeezed my arms affectionately as the wolf sighed. "And since you're going into Orgull to find the other Guardian, we can't have you ignoring orders."

"I'm impulsive is what you're saying."

"Katrina--"

"I'm not mad," I interrupted. "You're right, after all. But... I'm not the teenager that you dragged here kicking and screaming. I've grown up."

Coraline, Koren and Kami looked taken aback, sharing the same raised eyebrows and surprised eyes. Meanwhile, I noticed a smug smile spread across Willa's face. My shoulders straightened as I met my water master's gaze, the woman giving me a slight nod.

"Yes, sometimes I'm rude, and reckless, and I run into things without listening," I continued, "but that was when I was just a high schooler trapped in the wrong place. I'm a shapeshifter now -- and I've found somewhere I belong. I've been taught to deal with my power, and to use it to help my friends. I'm not just lashing out anymore."

My eyes slid to Coraline's.

"You said I could be the next leader of Iluita because I'm strong enough. But even you were only chosen because you had better leadership instead of overwhelming power."

She nodded. "I still think that."

"Which means you have to think at least a bit that I have a shred of leadership within me."

"How could I not?" She scoffed. "You saved the compound once already."

"I think that's her point," Kami chipped in quietly.

I grinned. "Of course Kami gets it."

The woman who I'd come to see as an older sister rolled her eyes, hitting my shoulder. I laughed, blowing her a kiss to annoy her further. The others watched the exchange with blank expressions, only for Koren to sigh.

"Sorry, Katrina. We should've known that you have better control. We trust you."

I flashed him a smile. "Don't worry about it, you big oaf."

He scowled before pushing past his offense.

"We'll be ready to travel to Orgull soon. Follow me, I'll debrief you. If this goes smoothly, then we can leave as soon as tomorrow."

Tomorrow?

I swallowed. Nerves began to come alive, my hands shaking as I pictured my dreams.

Will we be okay?

A familiar hand brushed my elbow. I nearly flinched, glancing back at Coraline.

"Don't be nervous," she implored me. "I know that when you first came, you were only some girl to me, but now you're my student, and one of my favourite teens in this compound. I trust your abilities, so now you need to trust them too."

She leaned her head forward, touching it to mine.

"Take out this threat and bring home a Guardian, Katrina.

"This is in your hands now."