The Shifters: Katrina

Outside, there was fighting. The entire elite team was in their animal forms, guarding the border of the town. Regular humans with sharp-edged weapons such as swords and knives were attacking, approximately two hunters on each guard. I couldn't sit there watching -- I leapt to my feet, knocking my chair to the ground. M. Crim glanced my way, but he didn't dare try to stop me. Instead, the teacher began ordering the weaker students to alert the other adults, nodding at me as I ran for the door.

"Katrina, hold up!"

Tyree appeared at my side, grabbing my arm.

"I'm going to help," I hissed, "you can't convince me otherwise."

"I'm not stupid," she countered. "Just let me come with."

I nodded, and the two of us set out. We stormed down the stairs, red glow bursting along her arms as we ran toward the guards. I recognized them in their forms, spotting Koren as a wolf cornered by two bulky hunters. Tyree was already off, helping Kami to avoid getting stepped on. A wall of ice separated the hunters from Koren, blue glow spreading up my arms. The wolf looked back, barking when he saw me.

You should be in school where it's safe, Koren chastised me, using the animal form telepathy. I rolled my eyes, planting my feet behind him, focusing on the barrier.

"You guys needed help. My teacher didn't stop me, by the way," I pointed out, dropping the wall of ice. The hunters on the other side growled, lunging for both of us. A red glow burst through the blue on one arm, fire engulfing my fist as I swung for the hunter. An instant burn crawled up his face as I struck him to the side, hands wrapping around his partner's jacket. The flames ate their way onto the fabric, lighting him up while Koren dealt with the other bulky man that I'd punched.

"We make a good team," I panted as I brought my opponent's face down into my kneecap. He cried out as I listened to the sound of his nose breaking, his partner limp on the ground already. I struck the man's temple as hard as I could with my elbow, dropping him when he finally passed out.

Get you and the gorilla to safety, Katrina, Koren told me, that's an order.

I snickered. "You're not head of the elites, or the leader. Suck it, Koren. I'm helping."

The wolf growled, and I nearly froze his mouth shut when a woman lurched toward me. She wielded a familiar serrated blade, her dark hair a reminder of when I met Dani.

"You're the same damn huntress," I snapped, ducking out of the way. She cackled, swinging her sword in a large arc. A smirk popped onto my face as I focused on the blade, allowing it to come toward my shoulder. Before she could cut me, ice spread along the blade, protecting my hands as I caught it mid swing.

"I really hate you," I told her honestly before I ripped the sword from her grasp, my strength outmatching hers. With a laugh, I tossed the flimsy blade aside, diving toward the hunter. She shrieked, gasping as I tackled her to the ground. My hands wrapped around her throat, and I kept her pinned with my own weight.

"Why are you doing this?" I demanded. "Who sent you?"

I made sure to ease up on my grip so that she could breathe and respond to my interrogation.

"We're doing this because your species is entirely wrong," she coughed, aiming to spit in my eye. I snarled at the attempt, twisting out of the way. "And I don't have to tell you anything."

"You bitch," I snapped. "I've literally got dozens of ways to hurt you right now, don't act high and mighty."

The huntress sneered, a laugh escaping her throat. I had to create a wall of ice to protect both of us from the rest of the fight. Things were quieter as the ice encased us, leaving me fuming while the huntress smirked.

"The worse you can do is kill me, shapeshifter. You've got nothing on me."

I gritted my teeth together, relaxing my grip on her. Pushing myself up to my feet, I glared her down. Without a single flicker of glow on my hands, I conjured heat up onto my fingertips, taking Koren's trick into account. The huntress' lips quirked upward, her hands curling into fists while she eyed me up and down.

"I'll still kill you, shifter," she warned, "even with all your fancy powers."

"How did you get in here?" I demaned as she lunged, her foot connecting with my side. I groaned, using my superior speed to grab her foot before she could drop it. Digging my fingers in, I yanked her off balance and slammed her back into the floor.

She yelped, barely avoiding slamming her head into the ground. "Your kind is dirty, shapeshifter. You should've expected them to betray you for a simple price," the woman said, her voice raspy as the wind was knocked out of her. Despite her weakened state, she was able to use her opposite foot to land a kick on my jaw, knocking me away from her.

And damn did it hurt.

While I used ice to cool the already-bruising spot on my chin, the huntress pulled her pantleg up, examining the burnt skin. She swore, rising to her feet with only the slightest stumble.

"So, you're saying someone betrayed the compound?" I demanded, leaving a shell of ice over my jaw.

The woman rolled her eyes. "Are you stupid as well, girl?"

A growl rumbled within my throat, and I lurched toward her. Fire spread along my palms without a required glow, the huntress screaming as I laid both hands on her neck, holding her still as I snarled in her face.

"Tell me everything! Who is doing this?! Who betrayed our compound?!"

"You seem to love it a lot," she mocked, staring down her nose at me. "Is it really a home to you?"

Rage filled my body, my fingers twitching around her neck. There were dark burns forming on her skin, but I couldn't force myself to let go.

"Did I rub you the wrong way, sweetheart?"

I growled, a screech echoing through my head as my teeth scraped against each other. I was shaking with anger and frustration, a cry of pain passing through the wall of ice. Dropping the barrier, I saw the limp form of a large parrot, the bird unmoving. Kicking the huntress to the ground, I grabbed her ankle with flaming hands and pressed it the wrong way, listening to her scream. It wasn't for satisfaction, but to make it harder for her to get to her feet and fight again. Hell, there was even a low pop before she writhed in agony. I ran to Victoria's side immediately, gently laying a hand on her wing. It was folded awkwardly and looked painful.

"Victoria? Victoria! Damn it, I need you to stay alive, I don't want a new gym teacher," I complained, trying to soften my stress with a joke.

"Katrina, watch out!"

Shit, I thought, eyes widening as I spotted a throwing knife zipping through the air toward me. I froze up, seeing a second and third knife. Two were going for Victoria, and one was headed for my neck.

No way in hell.

I'm in control. I can do this. They'll be proud of me if I save Victoria.

With a single breath, I laid my hand on the ground and felt the familiar blue glow travel up to my shoulder. It glowed vibrantly as a large, thick dome slid over us, the knives bouncing off its smooth surface. Victoria's breathing was shallow as I groaned, feeling my head spin. I was stressed, exhausted, and using a large amount of power with little control. Knowing me, I was spending more than need be.

"Victoria..?"

The parrot stirred, squawking once before she shuddered and transformed back into her human form. The shivering woman slumped against the floor, and I let a flame float above her for warmth.

"What's going on, Katrina..?"

"The fight is still happening. Are you alright?"

She groaned. "I guess. Someone broke a wing and I landed on my shoulder, knocked myself out," the guard rubbed her temple, scowling. Her opposite arm was limp at her side, and there were bruises going up to her neck and down to her ribs.

"I think everything's okay so far. None of the shifters are heavily injured," I told her. The guard sat upward, my flame hovering near her stomach to keep her warm. Our dome shuddered once, a crack appearing in its surface.

"That doesn't seem good..."

I sighed. "It probably isn't."

"Katrina, really..," Victoria said in fear. "This doesn't seem too--"

The dome shattered, sharp splinters of ice raining down on us. I lunged for Victoria, covering her already-injuried side with my own body. The fire died as I glanced up, seeing three hunters standing proudly as the guards surrounded a huddle form. It was Molly, one leg twisted the wrong direction, blood splattered across her chest.

Two words ripped through my throat.

"You bastards!"