Authors: Melissa Stevens
*Weak how?* I pushed my way past a long, low hanging grease wood branch.
*They have to really close to use it, generally same room close. Stronger telepaths can communicate over much larger distances, though the largest I've ever heard of is a few miles.*
*Hmm... I've never tried to use mine for more than same room, I wonder how strong I am?* I responded.
*From the strength of your voice, and how early it manifested, I would say it’s likely you’re going to be on the higher end of the scale, maybe not top strength but pretty strong.* We were still slowly wandering through the brush, in no particular hurry.
*So let me test my understanding here. I have a friend who's Kindred. He's hasn't told me if he has telepathy, but he has said he has something similar. He picks up not thoughts, but pictures from other people's minds. I can talk with him just like I'm talking to you now. Does that mean he's telepathic and hasn't told me?*
*Not necessarily, it could be one of several things. It could be that picking up the thoughts you send is close enough to his talent that he catches them, but only when things are sent to him.
*It could also be that you are strong enough to project them into his mind, and pick up his responses whether he has the talent or not,*
*That's possible?* I interrupted.
*Yes, but it's not common, and extended use, as in constant conversation for an hour or two, can give the person without the talent a massive headache. Another possibility is familiarity. How well do you know this guy?*
*We've been best friends since kindergarten. He's the friend who was with me when I shifted the first time.*
*So you know him very well. That could be a contributor to his being able to hear you. Familiarity can enhance gifts, sometimes.*
*Oh.* I thought about that while we weaved our way back and forth through the dry desert floor for several minutes. *Is it just me or is not getting any darker?* I knew it should be nearly dark by now.
*It is,* He assured me, *But your wolf has excellent night vision and you're just not noticing the darkness.*
*So we could be out here for hours and it would never get too dark to see?*
*Pretty much, at least most of the time. When there's a new moon it's pretty dark. You'll be able to see better than you normally would, but there's just not much light to use.*
*That makes sense.* I took off running. I enjoyed the feeling of my fur flying in the wind created as I ran.
*Where you going?* Gabriel ran after me.
*Just running for a change.* I marveled for a moment how great it was not to have to shout to be heard, especially when running.
*Do you want to race or just to play?*
*Just feeling playful and energetic.* I made a big loop and ran up behind Gabriel, where he’d slowed down to an easy lope, seeming content to watch me play. As I closed in behind him the idea came to me. I gave in to the impulse and jumped, aiming to pounce onto Gabriel’s back. But he was fast and realized what was going on.
Gabriel twisted his body at the last moment and I landed in the sand where he had been just seconds before. He charged, butting into my side with the top of his head. The unexpected blow sent me rolling across the ground, scrambling to find a foothold. As soon as I was able to put my feet under me and stand I charged back, Gabriel charged again, meeting me halfway across the gap between us. We wrestled for a while, playfully biting and snapping at each other as we rolled around in the dirt.
I was out of breath and panting when we separated and rolled to lie on our bellies next to each other.
*That was fun,* I was glad I didn't have to catch my breath before talking.
*It was. But you'll need to watch who you attack like that.*
*It wasn't meant as an attack, I was playing!*
Gabriel winced as though I had shrieked, *I know. I knew you were playing when it started. I just want to make sure you understand that coming up behind someone and pouncing on them like that can be taken as a challenge. It generally means a real fight, and sometimes real fights are mortal.*
*You're kidding me!" I was shocked, I had a hard time believing the deadly turn that such fights could take, *You mean Kindred actually kill each other in fights for dominance?*
*Unfortunately, yes. I have to admit, sometimes it's necessary. Sometimes in our world it's kill or be killed.*
*That's too bad.* I shook my head, like I would if I were in human form, *I can understand killing to defend yourself, but just to prove your boss? I don't get that.*
*There's a lot more to it than that, but I think you'll need to be around us longer and learn some of the intricacies of pack dynamics before you'll understand. I just wanted to warn you that you need to be sure of who you play like that with. That you need to make sure that they know you're playing, not attacking.*
*I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.*
*You about ready to head back to the truck?* We'd both quit panting and were laying calmly.
*Sure. I think I've burned off some tension. Let's head back.* We got up together and took a more direct route back to where he had parked the truck.
When we reached the truck we silently went to our respective sides of the vehicle and reversed the process of our shifting before. I carefully placed my rear paws onto my sandals and then I shifted. I quickly stood up, opened the door and started to dress.
"Clear," I said aloud as soon as I got my bra and underwear on, and the driver’s side door opened revealing that Gabriel had already shifted as well. I slipped my dress over my head and pulled it down into place. He had his underwear on and was reaching for his jeans as I slid my feet into my sandals again, and lifted them one at a time to slip the strap onto my heal. I climbed up into my seat, and pulled the door shut and wrapped my bare arms around myself as Gabriel pushed his arms into the sleeves of his shirt. He left it hanging unbuttoned as he bent to pull on his boots. I shivered while I waited, the loss of my fur left me chilled in the cool summer night.
Gabriel finished with his boots and climbed up into the seat, he closed his door and started the truck and turned on the heater before he buttoned the front of his shirt.
"Here, use this," He reached behind the seat and pulled out a worn denim jacket, "It'll take the chill off."
"Thanks, I wasn't expecting it to be this cool." I took the jacket from him and pulled it on, the faded blue cloth smelled of him but it had an underlying scent of pack that I found comforting.
"It's not that it's particular cold, it's more that you were warm in your fur and now you don't have it, making the difference more pronounced. You'll get used to it, and learn to carry a jacket." He carefully turned the truck around on the narrow dirt road and headed back toward town.
In no time the heater had warmed the cab of the truck, and I was no longer shivering. When we got back to my apartment complex I asked him drop me off at the gate nearest my apartment, I gave him his jacket back and thanked him for the loan of it, for taking me out this evening and for answering all my questions. I heard him wait until after I was inside the gate before leaving, and I went up to my apartment and showered, washing off the dirt we'd picked up with our wrestling match before I went to bed.
Chapter 18
Before I knew it Wednesday had arrived. I spent most of the day worrying about what would happen that evening and how my parents would handle the news, I was so preoccupied that barely noticed what I was doing at work, processing paperwork and answering questions on autopilot.
After work I rushed home in order to get ready for dinner, but once I looked in my closet to find something to wear I was lost. I tried on half my closet and discarded it onto my bed before I ended up settling on a new pair of jeans and a brilliant emerald green blouse. As I laced up my leather ankle boots it occurred to me that though I wasn't dressing up exactly, I was still dressing just as carefully as if I had a date, and for some reason that annoyed me.
I arrived early to Bill and Karen's house, still nervous, and though I offered, Karen refused to let me help with dinner. I ended up in the living room with Bill as we waited for my parents to arrive.
"How have things been going, Nickie?" Bill sat in an easy chair near the fireplace, one ankle crossed over the opposite knee.
"Pretty well, I think. Life's been pretty normal, all things considered. I go to work, I come home. Other than enhanced senses and strength, the only thing that's really changed is the time I'm spending at the clinic." I stood near the unlit fireplace, too unsettled to sit.
"And is spending time at the clinic helping you at all?" He watched me tolerantly.
"I think so, I've only seen Alexis shift someone a couple of times but I'm learning other things while I'm there. I'm meeting people and learning some of the advantages and disadvantages of being Kindred. And I'm becoming friends with Alexis, which I think you had planned all along." I gave him a sly smile.
"Well, I'll admit, I’d hoped you two would become friends. The more friends you have among the pack the easier things will be for you." He smiled back.
"So far things seem to be working out that way. Devon and I went over there for a BBQ on Saturday. I really enjoyed spending time with both of them and getting to know Hank a little more."
"I hadn't realized you were spending much time with Devon,"
"We tend to run into each other quite a bit. It doesn't hurt that we work similar schedules and live so close. We're becoming good friends."
"That's good. Where's he working that his hours are close to yours?"
"He's working for Dad. You know how he normally hires a high-school kid for the summer? Devon talked Dad into letting him have the job. I think it's working out well for both of them." I moved slowly around the room while we talked, not pacing, but roaming aimlessly.
"I've been telling your dad for years that he needs to find some permanent help instead of the kids who work a summer and quit." I nodded, but before I could say anything the doorbell rang.
"I'll go get that and be right back," Bill headed for the door.
Bill quickly returned, my parents laughing and smiling as they came with him. I sat down on the sofa, trying to keep from looking as anxious as I felt.
"I hear you have a new hand," Bill was saying.
"Yeah, I do. I decided to take your advice and hire a permanent hand. I was afraid that no one reliable would be willing to work that hard for what we can afford to pay. But an old friend of my daughter's returned to town after getting out of the military. He was looking for exactly that kind of job, and he didn't need a lot of money. It seemed like it was meant to be, so I hired him. It's only been about ten days, but so far, it's working out great," Dad said as they entered the room.
When Mom spotted me sitting on the sofa waiting for them, she stopped for a moment, the worry in her mind clear on her face. She started into the room again, but she still looked worried, as if she knew that I was there to tell them bad news. I wasn’t sure how far good or bad this might be considered.
Bill invited them to sit down and offered them something to drink. While he was fixing drinks both my parents watched me, concerned.
"Is something wrong, Dear?" Mom gathered the nerve to ask.
"No, Mom. Nothing's wrong. I've been spending some more time with Bill and Karen and we thought it would be nice to have dinner together."
"Are you sure nothing is wrong?" She was clearly unconvinced.
"I’m certain, Mom. Nothing's wrong, I promise." I tried to convince myself I wasn’t lying, and really, nothing was wrong, just different.
"If you're sure," She let the subject drop.
Karen came in and greeted Mom and Dad, but she was in and out, visiting while finishing up dinner. I offered again to help her and again, she refused. A short while later she called us all to dinner. We followed her into the dining room where she had dinner all laid out and ready for us. She’d prepared a roasted chicken with grilled asparagus, a delicious Ceasar Salad, and fresh homemade rolls. After we'd all eaten, Bill suggested we move into the living room and visit for a while before Karen served dessert.
It wasn't until we were all seated in the living room that my father spoke up.
"Why do I feel like there's more to this than meets the eye?" He looked pointedly at Bill.
"Well," Bill met the look squarely, "That's probably because there is." My parents waited expectantly for Bill to continue, "I need you to understand that everything I'm about to tell you is secret, and if the secret gets out, I could be in serious trouble. In addition to that, it would put a lot of innocent people in danger, including Nickie. I know you can be trusted, and I think it would be best for all involved if you know the truth. I just want you to be aware of the situation." Bill paused for a moment, and looked over at Karen as though looking for advice, "You know, I'm not sure where to start." She smiled calmly at him and he turned back to my parents. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly; preparing himself to reveal the secret he'd kept from his best friend for so many years.
"Karen and I aren't like most people. We're the leaders of a group of people here in town, and members of a much larger group all over the world called the Kitsune."
"What kind of group is it? A religious group?" Dad asked, confused.
"The Kitsune are shape shifters. We shift into animal forms." I watched my father, his face never changed; if I hadn't seen the long slow blink I would have thought he had no reaction at all. Bill continued, "Karen and I become wolves when we shift."
"Are you trying to tell us you're werewolves?" Dad asked, disbelieving.
"Not werewolves, no. But shape shifters none the less."
"What would the difference be?" Mom shifted nervously in her seat.
"Werewolves are a creation of myth and Hollywood. What we are is so different from that portrayal; it's like night and day. We're not forced to change with the moon, we don't lose our minds when we shift, and we aren't monsters." Bill said passionately.
"Is this recent?" Dad asked.
"No. I've been Kitsune all my life." Karen spoke up.
"Then why decide to tell us this now?" Mom turned to look at her.
"Because of me." It was my turn to speak up.
"What does this have to do with you, Nickie?" Dad asked.
"I asked them to help me tell you." I replied.
"How do you know about it? And why do we need to be told, why now?" Dad persisted.
"Let me back up a little. First you need to know that it's not possible to become a Kitsune, or Kindred as we tend to call ourselves. You're either born one of us or not." Bill said. I saw some of the worry on Mom's face turn to confusion, "I've known since you brought Nickie home that she had Kindred blood. But because I couldn't tell if she would ever shift, I couldn't say anything." This only confused my parents more and I decided it was time for me to come clean.
"Mom, Dad, do you remember about a month ago when Brandon went out hiking?" I asked. When they both nodded I continued, "Well, on that hike I was bitten by a rattle snake." Panic and confusion spread across both of their faces while I spoke but I didn't stop, "I knew better but I panicked, and apparently my panic triggered dormant genetics from at least one of my parents.
"I was lucky that Brandon was with me, and that he has similar genetics to the ones triggered in me, only his were never dormant. He knew what to do, he kept me calm and he brought me to Bill."
"What exactly happened when these 'dormant genetics' as you call them, were triggered?" Dad asked carefully.
"I shifted. I turned into a wolf." I said it bluntly, but I had to get the words out before they choked me. "Brandon talked me through shifting back. He explained the basics of what was happening and told me he was taking me to see the pack leader. I wasn't until he pulled in here that I realized that Bill was the leader he'd been talking about," For some reason I was reluctant to use pack terms like Anikitos and Alekto in front of my parents.
"And what about the bite?" Mom asked.
"It healed. Amazingly fast. By the time I got home and took a shower that night there was no sign that the bite had ever happened." I pulled up my pant leg and showed my parents, "This is where I was bitten, see?"
The both looked at the spot I pointed out to them, but there was nothing to see, "Is that normal?" Dad wanted answers, and he wasn't looking to me for them.
"Faster healing is common. And shifting accelerates the healing." Bill assured him.
"Is that the only side effect of all this?"
"No, all of the Kindred have faster healing, better senses and reflexes and they're stronger." Bill left out the extra talents that many of us have.
"And what are the downsides?" Dad was apparently determined to find out as much as he could.
"The possibility of our secret getting out, and alienating our friends. There's some danger of being shot as a varmint when in wolf form, but basic precautions nullify that one. Better senses, being stronger, faster healing." He stated some of the benefits he'd listed earlier again as downsides as well.
My parents seemed to be taking this better than I'd expected. Not that I expected screaming and gnashing of teeth, but I had expected at least some disbelief. There was a few minutes of quiet as my parents absorbed what they had been told, they spoke, but not much and they didn't become involved in the conversation that Karen started with me. I waited anxiously for any reaction they might have.
"If all of this happened a month ago, why didn't you tell us sooner?" My father asked softly a few minutes later.
"Well," I said, knowing this was going to be the tough part, "First, this was a huge shock to me. I had a lot of adjusting to do and at first I didn't want to tell anyone.
"Second, there is the secrecy. If I were to tell you without permission, I could be severely punished. It isn't just the safety of this group that is the concern, but all of the groups like the one here, all over the world. I had to get Bill's permission to tell you, and he only gave it because he has known you so long and he knows you're trustworthy. I wasn't able to get permission to tell the rest of the family.
"Third, I wasn't sure how you would take it. This has been a huge change in my life. It's been really difficult not being able to tell you about it, but at the same time, I was so afraid that you wouldn't believe me, or would disown me for it."
"You know better than that!" Mom spoke sharply, she'd been mostly silent until now but she couldn't help herself, "You, like all the kids, are ours, no matter what you do, or what you are. We love you no matter what. If one of you were to end up in prison we wouldn't stop loving you. We might not approve of your choices, or what you did to end up there, but we wouldn't stop loving you because of them."
"Thank you, Mom" I spoke softly, some of the weight lifting off my shoulders, I'd been more worried than I realized about how they’d take the news.
"
Your mother is right, Nickie." Dad spoke a little slower but there was no less conviction in his voice, "You're our daughter, and though you might have more to you than we realized, we still love you." I felt tears of relief running unchecked down my face as I hugged them both.
"I told you that you had nothing to worry about, didn't I?" Bill patted my shoulder, I sat back down in my chair.
We spent another hour or so answering the questions that my parents had about the Kindred. No, we didn't give them all the details but then again, I still don't have them all. It's going to take a while for me to learn all the details about the species I'm a part of, but we were able to set their minds at ease. I am still amazed at how much of a relief it was to share the secret with my parents.