The Shifters: Katrina

I was falling, my hair in front of my face as I plummeted head-first toward the ground. The world around me was unfamiliar, but similar to places I'd been before.

But that made no sense.

Something clashed, the sound of metal scraping against metal vibrating through my entire body. I heard a scream, but I couldn't flip over mid-air. I was blind to everything around me.

Something hurt. My entire body ached, but it was more than just surface level pain. It stabbed deep into my heart, into my very being.

I screamed, but no sound came out.

Then, I hit the ground.

I jolted awake with a gasp, a thin blanket wrapped around my shoulders. My arm smacked something hard, making me wince but also bringing me out of my panic.

"Katrina?"

My chest heaved as memories flooded my brain. I fell back against the back of my seat, panting.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"N-Nothing," I blurted. "I'm okay. How far away are we?"

It had been two days since Koren debriefed me on his plans to invade Orgull. Two days since I started preparing, gathering my team that was going to infiltrate to rescue the only other living Guardian. Now, we were on our way there. The main force had already left, led by Koren, and were probably going to start the attack before we even got there.

Victoria, who was driving up front, glanced at me in the rearview mirror. Willa sat next to her, the two of them leading our special team.

"We've got four hours left," Victoria murmured. "Everyone feeling okay?"

Various voices called out confirmations. Our squad was made of Willa, Victoria, Alisa, Shae, Luke and myself. This squad's sole purpose was to sneak through the battlefield and into the actual town to search for the other Guardian.

"Coraline has everyone back at home hiding in their houses. She's in her building, waiting of us to come back. If we don't show up within the next three days then she'll come to Orgull to find us."

I nodded. "Let me know when we're an hour away. I have something to work on."

The others fell silent as I slipped a pair of headphones over my ears. I blocked out all distractions, focusing on my elements. A single ball of ice and a single flame appeared over my hands, the two of them small enough that I controlled them with ease.

Calm. Ferocious. Determined. Passionate.

Level-headed yet motivated.

The perfect middle ground.

There was a flicker of something new in my mind, but the moment passed, my two elements cancelling each other out.

But the taste of the next step was enough.

I didn't stop, forcing myself to keep trying to merge the two.

If I didn't, I would've been stuck worrying for four hours.

At least now I was worrying and working.

It was time.

The squad unloaded from the van, dressed from head to toe in leathers. We all had turtlenecks, pants, light boots and thin gloves, perfect to us to fight hand-to-hand in. Underneath those were our shifting-friendly bodysuits, which were another layer of protection. Us girls had our hair tied back, yet everyone shared the exact same stressed expression.

"Orgull is a compound protected by gates," Victoria informed us. "Koren will have broken through one at the very least. We'll find them inside."

"Katrina," Willa began, crossing her arms. The master wore a cape over her clothing, hiding her entire body. "Take point, yes?"

I nodded, taking off in the direction Victoria pushed me toward. We stayed in our human forms, running on two feet toward an enemy compound.

And if I'm being honest, I was afraid.

But I wasn't expecting what happened next.

Because no one was expecting to see Iluita's gigantic force of every available shifter just sitting outside an open gate. Guards, elites, students, retirees -- everyone was waiting. The second we burst through the tree line, the large group looked up, completely startled.

"Koren!" I shouted. The wolf jumped to his feet, running toward us. "What the hell is going on?!"

He looked uncomfortable and stressed, glancing at each of us on the special force in turn.

Finally, his eyes flicked back to meet mine.

"The hunters and most of the shifters are gone."

Willa and Victoria paled. I gaped, nearly collapsing from sheer panic, when Luke caught my arm. Shae hurried to support me as well, meanwhile Alisa was staring with wide eyes and a blank expression at the compound in front of us.

"Wait, what do you mean most of the shifters?"

Koren met Willa's eyes with a grim look.

"Anyone who fought against Xavier's reign has been tied up inside the compound. They say that he took all of their fighting power and left for god knows where."

My heart thundered in my chest upon hearing his words. I straightened, shaking off my friends that were helping me stand. I felt choked up as I took off, sprinting for the compound.

If they're gone, then it's my chance to find her.

Nothing else matters. I need to find that Guardian.

I need to--

Someone grabbed my wrist, giving me whiplash as I stopped dead. I nearly stumbled, glaring at the person who held me back.

Kami?

A guilty look crossed her lovely face.

"I'm sorry, Katrina. I know who you're looking for -- and she isn't there. The people who've been tied up told us that she's gone."

"Who says they're saying the truth?!" I protested, trying to pull away from her. Kami's grip tightened around my hand.

"We searched all of Orgull. No one else is there, Katrina."

No.

God damn it.

I was so close!

I deflated. Part of me wanted to lose it, but I had sworn that I'd grown as a person.

Defeat threatened to crush me then and there, and it only got worse as someone leapt to their feet.

"Koren!"

Everyone turned to stare at the young woman who stood with a phone in hand.

"They're in Iluita!"

Crushed.