Chapter 17: Chapter 17

“Don’t be scared, Shane.”

“Mama? What’s going on?” Shane asked in a trembling voice.

His mother brushed a few locks of hair from his forehead. “It’s just a standard hospital visit.”

“But we aren’t at the hospital,” Shane said weakly.

“Shh, Shane. We’re at the hospital that I go to.”

Walking beside his mother, Shane took in the white walls and potted plants. The large room they were in had only a few couches and chairs to sit at, while two doors led in and out of the room.

“Your father will be ready in a moment,” his mother said softly, still trying to soothe him.

“Why does Dad need to be ready?” Shane asked.

“He’s doing your checkup.”

“Why didn’t he just do it at home?”

His mother sighed softly. “Shane, we don’t have medical equipment at home.”

Shane had never seen equipment at home, so she must be telling the truth.

The door opened, and his father stepped out, wearing a white doctor’s coat and stethoscope around his neck.

“Ready?” he asked.

Shane’s mother helped pull Shane out of his chair. “We’re ready.”

Shane sniffled, feeling the beginning of a cold coming on. “Am I sick?”

“No, honey. Today’s visit is to make sure you don’t get sick,” his mother explained.

Trusting his parents, he followed them through the door and into a waiting room. The door was locked behind him.

Shane looked around the bare room. His normal hospital had pictures of kitties and puppies on the wall. It felt welcoming. This one didn’t feel like that at all.

Shane’s mother helped him onto the exam table and pulled off his shirt.

“It’s cold,” Shane whined.

“It’ll only be for a few moments,” his mother said.

Shane’s father started taking his vitals and checked his heart and ears. Shane found that normal and sat patiently.

“I have to give you a shot today, Shane,” his father said. “It’s just like the ones your other doctor has given you. It’ll make it so you don’t get sick in the future.”

“Okay,” Shane said nervously.

Shane watched wide-eyed as his father lifted a large needle from the counter. His breathing quivered as it drew near.

“There’s going to be a pinch,” Shane’s father warned.

Closing his eyes, Shane felt his mother grab his hands. “You’re being very brave, Shane.”

“Uh-huh…” Shane mumbled.

When the needle pierced his skin, it certainly felt like a normal needle and Shane relaxed. The size didn’t appear to be that bad. It entered through his leg, through his thigh.

When it punched his bone, he screamed.

“Hold him!” his father growled.

Strong arms and hands clamped down on Shane, holding him still as he tried to scramble away from the needle.

“Daddy!” Shane cried.

“Shh… It’s almost over,” his mother whispered.

Shane felt fire pumped into his thigh, and then he started to fade. The world dropped away from him as his brain fought against the pain.

“It’s over,” his father murmured.

“Will it work?” his mother asked.

“Yes. I have faith that he’ll be able to bond with the essence without issue.”

“We had no way of testing it,” his mother said.

“You’re right. But with what’s coming, this is the best I can do.”

“Should we tell him?” his mother asked.

“No. He’s out right now. When he wakes up, he won’t remember any of this. Let’s get him home.”

Shane’s mind faded the rest of the way, the pain too much for him.

***

Rai stood just outside the bedroom, listening to Shane toss and turn. He was having another one of his dreams, and she still had no real way to help him.

“Is he always like that?” a woman asked.

Rai turned to the new addition. Myra, the water serpent. “Lately, he’s been having dreams that he won’t talk about.”

Myra frowned. “Force him to talk.”

“No,” Rai growled. “And if you try, I’ll tear you apart.”

Holding up a scaled hand, Myra stepped back. “Okay, so you’re a tad protective.”

Rai glowered at her, but it was Hansel that stopped her from talking. “Calm yourselves.”

The air felt heavy as the hawk man asserted his element.

“Stop that,” Reginald grumbled. “I didn’t bring you here to argue.”

“Why did you bring them here?” Rai demanded. “All they want to do is assert their dominance.”

Reginald turned to the feathered man. “I will remind you that Shane is bonded to me and Rai both. Rai’s essence is fully matured, making her stronger than either of you. I’m also stronger because of that too. Once he bonds with my essence completely, not many Descendants will be able to stand against us.”

Myra narrowed her slitted eyes. “Why are you telling us this?”

“He’s still not strong enough,” Rai admitted. “We need more bonds.”

Hansel hummed. “And you are introducing us to the man now, so we have time to think.”

“Yes,” Reginald admitted. “The other Descendants are in town, but you two have been close associates.”

A flux of power washed over them, making them all turn back to Shane.

Reginald grunted. “Even in his sleep he is merging with my essence. He’s already figured out how to use my element and has shown aptitude beyond what he should for Rai’s.”

Rai nodded. “I don’t know how he does some of the things he can.”

“Like what?” Myra asked.

“He can summon items,” Rai said with a frown.

“Items?” Hansel asked.

“Yes. Bags, towels, things like that. He also infused a furnace with an ever-burning flame and started a generator without fuel.”

Myra inched towards the bedroom. Rai stopped her, but the serpent craned her neck to see inside. “Who is he?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Rai admitted. “But he’s my mate, and I’ll protect him with my life.”

Reginald stepped forward and grabbed Myra’s shoulder, pulling her back. “He’s under my care as well.”

Hansel cleared his throat, the act vibrating the air. “Will he be able to stop Veronica?”

“Yes,” Rai said. “The question is if we make it in time.”

“What are you going to do about the humans of that city?” Myra asked.

“I’ll…try to only kill a few,” Rai said with huff. “Stupid protective human.”

Reginald rubbed his eyes. “We can’t kill them all.”.

Scowling, Rai crossed her arms. “That’s what Shane keeps saying as well.”

Shaking his head, Reginald turned to their new companions. “Approach him slowly. And not at the same time.”

Rai nodded. “It’ll be a few weeks until he can bond with another. You don’t have long to get to know him.”

Myra stepped back before turning to the exit. “I understand.”

Hansel agreed as well. “I’ll seek him out in the morning.”

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Rai turned back to the bedroom. “Get some sleep. I’ll take him to the town for one last day in the morning.”

She didn’t turn when she heard Hansel and Myra leave the den. Nor did she react when Reginald closed his bedroom door behind him.

With her eyes closed, she listened to Shane toss and turn. What goes on in your dreams, Shane?

***

Shane stood at the edge of the town, looking over the buildings and streets. A Descendant was carrying in a buck, their mouth dripping with blood.

“How many Descendants did you recruit?” Shane asked.

Reginald glanced at him before turning back to the town. “Twenty. They will keep your people fed and teach them how to gather and hunt.”

Rai stepped up, still yawning. Taking his hand, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Your people will be protected.”

Shane nodded. “Good. When are we leaving?”

“Tonight,” Rai said. “We thought that you might have some things to handle in town before you go.”

Shane kissed the top of her head, making her ears twitch. “I should at least talk to Jeremy and the others before we leave.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“I’ll check on my people,” Reginald grumbled.

“Make sure they don’t eat anyone,” Shane said with a chuckle.

Rai smacked his arm. “We are not barbarians.”

Shane watched Reginald walk off before turning to Rai and pulling her in front of him. “How about you and I sneak off for an hour?”

To his surprise, Rai shook her head. “Not right now. It’s been nice having you alone the last few nights, but it’s time to work again.”

Sighing, Shane pulled her towards the town. “Is the option to run away still on the table?”

Rai giggled then sighed. “I would love nothing more than to run away with you. But if we don’t stop Veronica, more than just your city will be destroyed.”

Closing his eyes, Shane pulled them to a stop. “Why me? I didn’t want any of this.”

“You wanted to be a Marked,” Rai reminded. “Now you are a true Marked, a Summoner. Unlike those bastardized versions, you can call on the power of the elements, and your summons will grow stronger as you do.”

“Yeah,” Shane said softly.

With his eyes still closed, he thought of his latest dream. What did Dad give me? Why am I just now remembering it? Did they prepare me to become a Marked? A Summoner?

“Shane?” Rai asked before touching his cheek.

Startling, Shane’s eyes sprang open.

“Are you okay?” Rai’s voice was filled with worry.

“I think so,” Shane said, forcing himself to smile. I wish my parents were still alive so I could ask them. The things I can do with essence don’t make sense to the Descendants. Why is that?

Soft lips pressed on his, bringing his attention back to Rai.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Just a lot on my mind.”

“Want to talk about it?” Rai asked.

Shaking his head, Shane started walking again. “No, I don’t.”

Rai kept pace with him, sending him worried glances. “If you do…”

“Rai! Stop!” he snapped. “I don’t want to talk about it!”

Rai jolted in surprise.

Sighing, he whispered, “Sorry.”

Taking his hand, Rai said, “It’s okay. I’m your partner in this, Shane. I like to think of myself as more than just your Summon.”

“You are,” Shane assured her.

A flicker of movement caught his attention, forcing him to stop.

“What’s wrong?” Rai asked.

Shane peered at the shadows around them, a sense of unease permeating the air.

“Someone is watching us,” Shane said in a mere whisper.

Rai scanned the surroundings, her head turning every which way. “I don’t see anything.”

“They are here,” Shane said. “They just won’t come out.”

Another flicker of movement drew his attention to the shadows cast by a nearby building. Straining his eyes, he saw a slight flicker in the darkness.

Filling his hand with fire, he threw the small fireball at the flicker and watched it leap to the side just before the explosion.

Rai’s body exploded into flames as he attacked, her growls filling the air.

“Come out,” Shane said evenly.

The sound of a tongue clucking preempted a figure stalking out of the shadows. “You found me,” a soft voice said.

Shane touched Rai’s shoulder as she spun on the newcomer.

“Calm down,” he said. Stepping in front of Rai, he surveyed the shadowy figure as they finished emerging.

A humanoid cat woman, complete with black ears, hair, and tail was draped in all black leather. Two sharp canines jutted just slightly from her mouth, giving her an adorable look.

“Why spy on me?” Shane asked.

The cat sauntered forward, her steps mesmerizing as light bended around her. “I heard there was a gathering of humans and Descendants. I had to see for myself just who exactly managed it.”

Shane rubbed his chin. “Did I pass your test?”

Rai stepped back in front of him as the cat tried to come closer. “Don’t you dare!”

The cat raised her brow before looking Rai up and down. “You smell like him. Stronger than just a bonded pair. Are you his mate by chance?”

“You can tell?” Shane asked.

“Yes.” She smiled. “I’m even more intrigued.” When she blinked, the world shifted as the light bent, nearly forcing Shane to look away.

“You’re going to fall in love with me, aren’t you?” Shane asked. “I always wanted a cat growing up.”

“I thought you wanted a fox?” Rai asked, clearly thrown off.

“Why can’t I have both?” Shane smiled. Stepping forward, he tilted the cat’s chin up. With one finger, he rubbed the soft part of her throat. “You’re a good kitty, aren’t you?”

“What are you doing?” the cat whispered.

Shane tilted his head. “Isn’t it obvious?” With his other hand, he scratched around her ears.

Rai stepped forward and glanced between the two of them with wide eyes. “Shane, how do you know she’s a cat?”

“Shh. I’m having a moment,” Shane said. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a cat? My neighbor had a cat, and she’d let me play with it from time to time. This was how I showed it attention.”

“Stop…” the woman whispered. The light warped around her again, and she tried to pull back, but Shane followed her.

“What do you eat?” Shane asked. “I’m sure there’s a bag of cat food somewhere in this town.”

“What?” the woman asked, her voice finally breaking.

“Fish?” Shane mused. “We could go fishing. Then again, cats don’t like water. I can’t swim, so I can’t pull you out if you go in. But I’m sure we could find a fishing pole around here. Then we would need worms…”

“Shane,” Rai groaned.

The cat blinked a few times, warping the shadows each time. Her head pulled away from his fingers slightly. “What’s happening?”

Shane smiled and continued scratching around her ears. “You were just telling me about an amazing fish recipe. We were going to try it this afternoon.”

“Wait? What?” the woman asked. Pulling away fully, she stepped back. Touching her throat, her lips quirked up into a smile just before she shut it down and frowned. “Why were you petting me?”

“You asked me to,” Shane said.

“I did not!”

“You practically begged for me to pet you.” Shrugging, Shane maintained his smile. “Who am I to deny a pretty lady their fetish?”

“It’s not a fetish,” the cat growled.

“I could probably find a brush,” Shane mumbled. Holding out his hand, he infused his palm with essence, and a brush appeared. “Looks like I have one. How much loose fur can I remove?”

“You’re not brushing me!”

Rai smacked her forehead with her palm. “Did you get the information you were after?”

Shane understood that she was trying to get back on topic, but he wasn’t done quite yet. “If I wrap you in a blanket and roll you up, can I call you a purrito?”

Retreating into the shadows, the cat melded away. “I’m leaving.” Her soft voice seemed to drift from all of the shadows.

Shane watched her shift along the building. “But I haven’t finished pampering you yet!” he called after her.

Rai rubbing her temples. “Shane…”

He felt his face fall flat. “She’ll be back,” he said calmly, the humor gone from his voice.

Rai looked up at him with furrowed brows. “How do you know?”

“She was purring when I scratched her ears. She wouldn’t let me have done that if she wasn’t curious or felt the need to trust me in some way. She’ll want to understand why she acted like that.”

Shaking her head, Rai took his hand. “I think you really confused her.”

Shane nodded and scanned the shadows. “She’s gone.”

“How can you see her? Even with her standing in front of us, I couldn’t make out her form.

“I don’t know,” Shane admitted. “But I’m curious why she came to us in her human form.”

Nodding, Rai pulled him back towards the school. “You’ll have to ask her that next time.”

“Let’s get to work.” Shane dismissed the cat from his mind for now. He wanted to make sure everyone was working together properly before he left.

***

Shane almost made it to the school when another Descendant intercepted him. This time the woman had blue scales that ran across her hands, arms, neck, and part of her face.

“So, you’re Shane,” she said.

“Rai, is it me, or are Descendants telling me my name today?” Shane asked.

The woman quirked a brow up as she glanced at Rai.

Rai shook her head. “This is Myra. She’s a water serpent and will be providing water for your people.”

Shane smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Myra. Why don’t you have a tail?”

“What?” Myra glanced behind her. “Why would I have a tail?”

“You’re a snake,” Shane stated. “Snakes are like all tail.”

Frowning, Myra once again turned to Rai.

“Would your tail rattle?” Shane asked. “I think having a rattling tail would be awesome.”

“Rai?” Myra asked.

Rai let out an exasperated sigh. “This is Shane.”

“We’ve all established that I’m Shane,” he said. “What I want to know is if those scale are soft or hard. Are they like shark scales that are rough one direction, and perfectly smooth the other?”

“What are you talking about?” Myra asked. “What do sharks have to do with my scales?”

“Why are we talking about scales?” Shane asked. “I’m pretty sure you were introducing yourself.”

“You brought up scales!” Myra growled.

“No, I brought up tails. Which I should remind you, you don’t have. Can you grow a tail?”

“No! Why would I want a tail?” she snapped.

“I like tails,” Shane stated with a shrug.

“Shane,” Rai groaned. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?” Shane asked. “I can’t help the handsomeness. She’s bound to be drawn to me.”

Rai rolled her eyes. “That’s very nice, dear. But Myra just wanted to introduce herself, and you’ve gone and confused her.”

“She’s not confused.” Turning to Myra, he asked, “Are you?”

“Yes, I am,” Myra said. Running her hand over her arm, she was feeling her scales.

Chuckling, Shane held out his hand. “As we’ve all established, I’m Shane. Welcome to the neighborhood. Did you bring a housewarming gift?”

Myra took his hand. “A gift?”

“I prefer pie, but Rai won’t make me one.”

“Shane!” Rai growled. “Enough about pie!”

“I wonder if cherries are still in season?” Shane mused. “There’s got to be some around here somewhere.”

“Cherries?” Myra asked.

“For the pie you’re making!” Shane chirped.

Myra glanced at Rai again. “I thought you were making the pie?”

“Nope!” Shane chirped again. “Rai is making a blueberry pie. You’re in charge of the cherry.”

“You want two pies?”

Rai hissed a slow breath. “God help me…”

“Praying won’t make that pie for you,” Shane said.

Throwing up her hands, Rai walked away. “And I’ve reached my limit.”

Myra regarded Rai longingly.

Shane chuckled. “Seriously, why are you introducing yourself to me? The others haven’t.”

Turning back to him, Myra frowned. “I wanted to see who was bringing Descendants and humans together.”

Nodding, Shane crossed his arms. “I’m not some figure here to entertain you. We all have work to do today, and I need to make sure everything is flowing before I leave.”

“I—”

Shane held up his hand. “I would have found you today when I checked in. You came out here specifically to meet me. Are you scouting me?”

To his surprise, Myra nodded. “That was my intention.”

“Thank you for your honesty.” Shane stepped past her. “How many of you are filling water?”

“Three,” Myra said, turning with him.

“That will help. Are you disposing of the dirty water properly?”

“Yes.”

Shane glanced at her. She handled me rambling pretty well. But first, the shadow cat, and now a serpent checking me out. I can’t help but feel like I’m going to be overwhelmed with essence before long.

Stepping up to the school, Shane opened the door for the two of them. “Are you getting along with the humans?”

“So far,” Myra said. “I’ll admit, it’s an adjustment. When Reginald asked for my assistance, I wasn’t expecting to find a twice-bonded human leading everything.”

“Not fully bonded,” Shane said. “I need to merge with Reginald’s essence still.” Pausing, he looked around the hallway. It had been cleaned of papers and books and was recently swept. The sound of the generator working in the distance made him smile. “We need to change some of these bulbs.”

Myra glanced up at the ceiling. Shane watched her as the lights flickered, some of them out completely.

“How did you get the generator working?” Myra asked.

“Essence.” Shane didn’t expand.

Myra stared at him for a few seconds before walking. “Is there anything us water users should focus on?”

“Yes.” Shane nodded. “We need to make sure everyone works on their hygiene. Warm baths and herbs need to be collected to clean with.” Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he added, “That’s just a small part of it. We need to ensure the dishes are cleaned properly, and the living quarters cleaned. How are you going to handle bodily waste?”

Myra frowned. “I’m not sure…”

“Figure it out,” Shane ordered. Picking up his pace, he led the way to the kitchen.

Rai was talking with Marge when he entered.

“Are you done?” Rai asked him.

“Yes,” Shane said with a smile. “She was just going to figure out some of our hygiene problems.”

Myra glanced at him before straightening her back. “If you’ll excuse me, Rai.”

After Myra left out the door they came through, Shane stepped up to Rai. “That’s two, Rai.”

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“Two?” Marge asked.

Shane pulled out a chair and sat. Once the two women were sat around the table with him, he explained, “Two Descendants that have scouted me. I can’t bond with another right now, but I have a feeling I won’t have to wait long until I have a third.”

Marge rubbed her mouth with furrowed brows.

Rai spoke up first. “They are needed.”

“I know,” Shane said with a sigh. “But the women are going to want more than to just be partners. I’ve noticed that Reginald seems even closer to me than when he started. Not in a romantic way, but an overprotective brother kind of way.”

Rai growled. “We could find all men.”

Shane chuckled. “No. We’ll handle them one at a time. But we both need to accept that the more we add, the stranger our relationships are going to be.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Marge asked.

“I have a feeling I don’t have much of a choice,” Shane said. Tilting his chair back, he rested a foot on the table. “Everything that Rai is hinting at tells me that I need to grow stronger.”

“You’re taking him to the capital?” Marge asked, turning to Rai.

“I haven’t told him anything yet!” Rai hissed. “He needs to finish Veronica first!”

Marge raised her brow before turning back to Shane. “You’re okay with not knowing?”

“I’m not,” Shane admitted. “But right now, I have my hands full of things that I never thought would be within my reach.”

Rai took his hand. “You’re doing well, Shane.”

Nodding, he got up. “I have more people to check in with.” Pausing, he turned to Marge. “Will you be able to handle the town for a few weeks without me?”

“Yes.” Marge smiled. “Make sure you check in on Jeremy.”

Shane turned to leave. “I will.”

***

Shadows wrapped tightly around Zila as she stood in the back of the gymnasium. The human she had come to scout was talking with a bedraggled man. Someone, or something, had roughed him up pretty badly.

What should I think of this Shane?

Standing completely still, Zila listened in to their conversation.

“Your chances of winning that beauty contest are getting worse,” Shane said.

The other human flipped him off, a gesture that Zila was still getting used to.

“Go to hell, Shane!” the man snapped.

Shane laughed and touched his friend’s shoulder gently. “I’m glad you’re healing. I’m hoping that when I come back from the city, you’ll be better.”

The other human touched Shane’s hand. “Thank you. If you didn’t come for me…”

What did Shane do that this human is thanking him? Zila asked herself. What are they to each other?

Shane dropped his hand off the human’s shoulder. “I have more workers to check in with. If you can walk, the kitchen could use your help.”

“Do you think I’m honestly going to volunteer to be near Marge when she’s cooking?” the human asked.

Laughing, Shane shrugged. “That’s fair.”

Where’s the nonsense he was spouting earlier? Zila questioned. Does he only do that to the Descendants?

Zila had watched as the one known as Myra made a move on Shane. The serpent didn’t even try to hide her intentions of scouting out the human. Then again, Zila had to admit that she did her best to hide. How the man saw her was still a mystery.

Shane stepped past his friend and started walking towards the door closest to Zila’s hiding spot. Holding her breath, she followed him with her eyes. When he touched the handle, he paused.

“If you’re going to spy, do me a favor and find out where Veronica is.”

Zila tensed, all of her instincts telling her to flee the man that could locate her in the shadows.

Before she could draw her next breath, Shane left.

Breathing out slowly, Zila shook her head. How? How can he find me?

She knew she wouldn’t get the answer easily, but now she had a way to help him. He was heading to the city in a few hours. She would return first and find the information he needed. In exchange, she might learn what she wanted.