The Shifters: Katrina

"It's about time you showed, Miss All-Powerful."

"Hey, I got back from a mission an hour ago. Kami is a slave driver."

"Koren is too! But... I guess our work is a little easier. We're just finishing the compound."

"It's looking nice. Hunters in the area are taken care of, all thanks to yours truly."

The others laughed. I grinned as well, dropping my bag of equipment on the ground.

It was already spring, the sun shining down on the group of teenage shifters as we lounged on the bank of one of Iluita's lakes. My friends were already dressed in swimsuits, mocking me as I stood there in my black bodysuit, my supplies for missions sitting at my feet.

Ever since the fight with Xavier, we'd been rebuilding. Iluita was repaired and thriving, the town's new layout giving it a stronger defense system. Koren had been using any shifter he could get his hands on to polish up the compound, while Kami had been using the elites to keep hunters off our backs.

I had been on dozens of hunts since being named an elite myself.

I stuck my tongue out at my friends as I peeled off the bodysuit, going down to the tank top and shorts I had underneath. I smiled at Quintin when I caught him staring, snorting as he looked away, his ears tinged red.

"How's the water?" I asked, dipping in my toes. A shock of cold made me shiver, but the temperature warmed with a touch of my power.

"Perfect now that you're messing with it," Rowan teased. He shoved me in, my hand wrapping around his wrist to pull him with me. We hit the water with a smack, the others laughing as we surfaced.

"That didn't take long," Tyree snickered. Her red bikini stood out against her dark skin, highlighting her curves. I was surprised she was single, but at this point I was assuming that most guys were too afraid to approach her.

"Ah, this is relaxing," I muttered, floating in the lake. The others splashed their way in, giggling. "How has school been? How much did I miss?"

"Like it matters how much you miss," Shae muttered bitterly. "The teachers always let you off easy."

I sat up, sitting on the surface of the water using my abilities. "Well, to be fair, I am doing important things."

They all rolled their eyes.

"What?!"

"Can't believe you turned down an opportunity to be the leader of Iluita," Luke sighed, shaking his head. "You're weird, Katrina."

I stuck my tongue out. "I'm already in line to take the spot after Koren steps down."

Tyree waved me off. "You could've had it right away, though."

I averted my eyes, glancing up at the sunny blue sky. I thought of my conversation with the Roberts family, and the goodbyes we shared.

I still need to build my bond with the other Guardian. I need to protect Iluita. I need to reach my full potential.

This isn't over yet.

I'm not made for an office job. I live for excitement and for fights.

A smile reached my lips as I stared upward.

"I'm not done going on adventures yet," I murmured. "And if I was the leader, I wouldn't be able to leave on a job or do anything but paperwork."

"Spoken like our Katrina," Chloe teased. I smirked at her.

"I have a lot left that I want to do. I may have set things right with my old folks and with the Xavier matter, but I know that this won't be the end for Iluita."

My last conversation with Talia flashed through my mind.

'Her voice.' What does it mean?

"Everyone always wants what the strong have," Rowan pointed out. Dropping my train of thought, I shared his grin, only to frown.

"Speaking of another matter... Aren't you guys going home at some point?"

Anyone who wasn't from Iluita shrugged.

"None of our compounds are interested in bugging Iluita right now," Dani said softly. "They're worried about aggravating the Home of the Guardians."

My eyebrows shot up. "What?"

Luke winked. "Your power is formidable amongst shifters. Iluita is already getting a godly reputation because of you, and soon that other Guardian will add to that power."

I scoffed. "Lovely."

Cory splashed me, trying to get me to grin again. He and Gene joined forces, dousing me as I glared at them.

Then I promptly drowned them in one large bubble.

"Katrina, cut it out!"

"Never! This is the power of an elite dragon!"

"Yeah, yeah, you're super cool. Now stop drowning those two!"

The group of us laughed as I let the bubble dissipate, the two boys gasping for air.

Yup... I would miss this if I was stuck in that office all day.

A wide smile came to my lips.

This is my home.

And I will always protect it.