Island Shifters - An Oath of the Blood (Book One)

  Taking several steps back, he bellowed in rage and threw every ounce of strength of will he had into his magic and struck out at the wall. Hands lifted in the air, he pushed and raked and slammed at the mountain of stone before him. The air crackled with the amount of magic he summoned, more than he had ever called before in his life. A strong wind spun into existence above his head and swirled loudly in the tight confines of the forest. The air whipped at his hair and clothes. Branches snapped and fell to the ground. Rain fell in torrents now and lightning streaked through the dark above.

  A sudden sinister rumble caused the earth to quake at Beck’s feet. The wall shuddered as though alive and the reverberation expanded, spreading over its length.

  As the first chips of stone fell loose, Beck cursed and dove out of the way and covered his friends with his body.

  The building magic released its energy in a discharge so thunderous the stone barrier exploded in a hail of rock and dirt. The falling debris pounded down all around them in a relentless onslaught. The screeching of tortured stone echoed for an eternity. A cloud of dust billowed overhead.

  And, then, there was silence.

  Beck lifted his head. Light streamed through a gap in the wall as large as his house back in Parsis, and he had to hold a hand over his sensitive eyes to shade his view. Ignoring the pain, he pitched to his feet, scrambled over the stones from the broken wall and stepped through heedlessly.

  Unable to contain his emotions, a strange keening sound burst from his throat as his eyes feasted on blue skies for the first time in more than a week. Endless leagues of grasslands, the likes of which he had not known existed on the island, spread out before him. And it was filled with…

  The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. A ferocious roar erupted nearby and from the corner of his eye, he glimpsed an open jaw filled with pointed teeth reaching for his neck.

  Chapter 41

  Land of the Draca Cats

  Sovereign! No! Bajan growled out, watching in dread as the leader of the Draca Cats took Beck to the ground and stood over him, his large white paws pressing into the earthshifter’s chest and pinning him down.

  The Sovereign swung his amber eyes sharply to Bajan. Who DARES attack the land of the Draca Cats!

  Bajan wrenched his body to his feet and stretched one of his forelegs out in front of him in a shaky bow. My apologies for the wall, Sovereign. It is I, Bajan.

  Bajan! I have not scented you in a very long time, but it is you! Moombai moved away from Beck to greet him affectionately by nuzzling his neck. Thankfully, Beck remained where he was on the ground and didn’t move.

  Yes, he confirmed weakly.

  Moombai sniffed at him questioningly. What is wrong with you?

  He swayed on his feet. I was injured by a Moshie.

  A Moshie! Those worthless baboons! There is very bad blood between the Moshies and the Draca Cats.

  So, I have discovered.

  Hold still. Moombai lined up their heads muzzle to muzzle and gently exhaled air into his mouth. A silky, twisting vapor swirled around their connected heads, and Bajan shivered as a cold chill traveled down his body from head to paws. Moombai pulled back and Bajan’s eyes widened in surprise. All of his aches and pains and even his tiredness had disappeared and he was left feeling revived and fresh. Moombai, what…?

  The Sovereign had already turned away and was frowning down at his friends on the ground. You should not have brought humans here, Bajan.

  It is they who led, Sovereign, but they did not have a choice. They are the Savitars.

  The Draca leader made a sharp hissing sound. Galen Starr?

  Dead.

  Has the island been invaded?

  Yes. A Mage from the north leads a mutant army and…others. Evil spirits.

  So, it is time. I thought as much. The signs have been clear enough that even a blind cat could have seen them. That is why I sent Felice to you.

  The Draca Cat began to pace back and forth in thought.

  Bajan looked out over the oasis that was Callyn-Rhe for the first time. The sun hung like a fiery red ball in the blue sky and everywhere he looked to the north, east, and south, he saw Draca Cats lounging languorously in the high grasses or atop boulders. Most were lying at ease licking their fur or idly watching the newcomers. Some, Bajan could tell by the red stains on their mouths, were feeding. There were no buildings here in Callyn-Rhe, like the humans built, just the miracle of nature in all of its glory with plains and trees and rivers sparkling in the sunlight.

  Moombai walked over to the three humans and scented all carefully, stopping in front of Kiernan. His head snapped up. Is this my bondmate’s daughter?

  This is Princess Kiernan Everard.

  What happened to her?

  She was suffocated by a forest snake.

  Why have you not healed her?

  Bajan tilted his head in question. Healed her?

  Young fool cub! Did you not know that the breath of a Draca heals?

  No…I did not know that.

  Moombai sniffed. If you had come back to your pride to learn from us, you would have known.

  Bajan looked the Sovereign in the eyes. I did not know the way.

  Moombai stopped with raised hackles and emitted a low, distressed growl. He bent to Kiernan and sent air into her lungs. She immediately began to stir.

  Bajan sighed in equal parts relief and grief. I have failed you, Sovereign, and I have failed my bondmate.

  The Sovereign shook his enormous snowy head. No, Bajan, I have failed you by leaving you alone for too long. I should have come to you. I should have shown you the way home. He hung his head in remorse and padded to Rogan and Airron. Tell me, Bajan, he asked as he worked, have you had any visions?

  Yes, I have. Of Grace Everard.

  The Sovereign’s lip lifted slightly in a sad smile before he bent to the humans again.

  Bajan watched Beck crawl to Kiernan’s side. She sat up hesitantly and looked around in awe at her surroundings. It relieved him to see that she appeared as healthy as ever. Her eyes turned to him. We made it, she said incredulously.

  Thanks to Beck.

  She stood and shook out her arm. Moombai’s breath had healed not only the effects of the snake’s brutal compression, but her broken arm as well.

  How am I healed?

  Moombai. The breath of the Draca Cat has curative properties.

  Kiernan walked over to Moombai and bowed deeply at the waist. Bajan listened in on their conversation.

  Greetings, Sovereign.

  Greetings, Princess. Do you know that your mother was my bondmate?

  I do know that. Please accept my gratitude for the healing. Moombai. I owe you a great debt as does all of Massa.

  Nonsense. This island is my home as well and I will not see it destroyed.

  Kiernan nodded.

  Now, please ask your large friend if I may heal him, and he pointed with his head toward Beck.

  “Beck, the Sovereign wants to heal you. Is that all right with you?”

  Beck shook his head. “I’m not hurt. Just exhausted.”

  Kiernan laughed. “Beck! You have two black eyes, a bloody gash on your forehead, and wounds up and down your arms. And, that’s just what I can see! You also have at least one broken rib in case you’ve forgotten.”

  Beck put a hand to his face in surprise. “I…I didn’t realize.”

  Moombai snorted a laugh. Tell him to trust me and bend down.

  Kiernan did and Beck bent his head before the Sovereign. After the cat emitted his magical vapor, Beck looked up and the bruises on his face were already starting to fade. “I thank you, Sovereign.”

  Rogan and Airron were standing up as well now.

  Moombai, you must know why we are here. We have to find a weapon to defeat Adrian Ravener.

  It is here. Follow me.

  The Sovereign let out an enormous roar and all of the Draca Cats who had made such a casual show of disinterest in the events playing o
ut, rose as one.

  Kiernan and the Savitars followed Moombai to a large outcropping of red granite rock, the surfaces pitted and furrowed by time and weather. Beneath a natural overhang and among a pile of rock that must have broken from the ledge at one time, stood a stone altar.

  Moombai bounded onto the altar and faced the gathering.

  Draca Cats! Brothers and sisters! Listen carefully! For over three hundred years, a formidable and ancient power has been locked away in our homeland. You may be surprised to learn that the power I refer to is us. It is the Draca Cats.

  Kiernan flinched as the cats began to pace and mew anxiously.

  Moombai turned their way. Savitars! Around the time of the Mage War, Galen Starr cast a Spell of Forbidden Use over an ancient form of shifting called spiritshifting. He knew that war with his brethren was imminent and wished to protect Massa from the evil spirits that could be summoned by a Mage skilled in spiritshifting. Due to Galen Starr’s unfortunate demise, the spell he cast hundreds of years ago has been purged, and the ability to spiritshift has been resurrected.

  Kiernan finished her translation, and the Savitars looked at each other in disbelief.

  Bajan informs me that Galen Starr’s fears have been realized, and our island has been invaded by a Mage spiritshifter.

  The Sovereign paused.

  What this Mage cannot know is that the Draca Cats are also innate spiritshifters.

  The Draca Cats’ mewing turned to howls, and Kiernan had to suppress the urge to howl right along with them.

  Moombai looked down at Bajan. That is why you have had visions of late. Until you know how to recognize and control the shifting, you inadvertently beckoned spirits to your side.

  The Draca leader lifted his head again to the gathering. Naturally, we would only call upon the angels of the Highworld while the dark Mage calls upon the demons of the Netherworld. In order for any spirit to gain entry into the mortal world, a portal is required. The demons demand their portal be a human sacrifice whereas the angels only require an object of magic through which to pass. And, the time to call them is now!

  Kiernan had to cover her ears when the Draca Cats, including the Sovereign, lifted their heads and yowled out a battle call with all of the ferociousness for which they were once notorious.

  Savitars! Who has the portal?

  Kiernan repeated Moombai’s question, and her friends were at as much of a loss as she was by the question. “A portal? The only thing we have with magical properties is the compass.”

  “Wait!” Beck said and pulled the Protetor from his pocket. “Will this work?”

  Kiernan held out the black book to Moombai and translated Beck’s question

  The Sovereign nodded. It is a device of great magic. It will be sufficient. Please place it on the altar.

  As she did, Moombai said regrettably. I wish I could give you more time to adjust to the significance of what I have just told you, but we are simply out of time. Dracas!

  The Draca Cats edged in closer to their Sovereign, and Kiernan noticed a female Draca sidle up next to Bajan and purr quietly.

  Felice?

  Yes.

  The Sovereign paced the edge of the altar. Every young cub in Callyn-Rhe is required to learn the Dracan Chant. Let us sing it now in our hour of need!

  Hundreds of Draca Cats bowed down with a bent foreleg out in front. A voiceless chant droned through Kiernan’s mind, softly at first and then with more fervor. The Protetor lying open on the stone altar began to glow and tremble as the air ignited with magic. The intensity of the power emanating from the portal riddled Kiernan’s body with goose pimples and her hair stood on end.

  A small whimper escaped her throat, and she instinctively stepped back along with the other Savitars when long white fingers started to claw their way out through the open spine of the book.

  Chapter 42

  A Call to Arms

  The fingers lengthened and a head, arms and then the body of a man stepped from the book. The silvery apparition, at least ten feet tall, whipped a head of white hair purposefully as he scanned the area, a luminous white sword gleaming from his fist.

  Kiernan gasped as she recognized Galen Starr. Only, not as he appeared on his deathbed, but more like the man she first met, full of vitality and drive, and something new—menace. The mischievous twinkle was nowhere to be found. This Galen Starr looked ready for battle.

  Beck reached over to grab her hand tightly in his. She glanced to the side. Rogan’s face was deathly pale, and Airron looked like he was preparing to flee.

  “MOOMBAI!” the Mage thundered, the resonance of his voice deep and terrifying.

  I am here, Mage.

  “Is it you who has summoned me?”

  It is.

  “The battle has begun.” It was a statement.

  Yes, Mage.

  “The Savitars?”

  They are here.

  The white wraith swooped close to hover in the air before them. “I am pleased to see that I made the right choice. It was with the utmost remorse that I set you on the path to Callyn-Rhe, but you have proven yourselves more than worthy.” Galen bowed down to them. “My eternal gratitude, Savitars.”

  Beck spoke up. “Thank you…Grandfather.”

  For a fleeting second, the sparkle was back in the blue eyes, and then it was gone.

  “ANGELS!”

  Bajan leaned into her when more ghostly forms emerged from the Protetor one after the other. The glowing wraiths launched high into the air and then settled down onto the ground, their shapes resolving into more solid human forms. Although not quite as large as Galen, they were just as formidable, all with a look of supreme strength and power.

  Kiernan cried out as her mother, Grace Everard, stepped toward her. “Maman!” she cried and fell to her knees. “I was right…it wasn’t a dream.”

  “No, darling. Bajan summoned me to your side. He was so worried for you that his spiritshifting responded to your distress. Luckily, your young man had the Protetor in his pack, and I was able to cross over into this world and go to you.” Her mother reached out to touch her hair and it felt like the tickle of a light breeze on a summer day.

  More shapes stepped up behind the Queen, and the reunions played out simultaneously.

  ***

  Jaimes and Constance Atlan stood tall before Beck, swords of light glowing from the scabbards at their hips.

  Constance smiled down at her son from her immense new height, head and shoulders above him. “We are so proud of you, Beck.”

  “Why?” he demanded guiltily. “I couldn’t save you. I tried, but I couldn’t break the shield!”

  His father reached out to put a hand on his shoulder. “It was meant to be, Beck. Do not weep for us. We walk in the light now. Find peace in that knowledge until we are together again.”

  ***

  Two Dwarfs dressed in battle gear approached Rogan. The male said, “You may not remember me, but I am your father.”

  Rogan trembled. “I do remember you. After all of these years, I finally remembered.” He reached a hand out toward the woman. “Mother…”

  “I am here, my son.”

  Rogan soaked in the sight of the parents he now knew gave their very lives for him. “You never left me,” he stated in wonder.

  “Never!” replied his mother adamantly. “Do not for one moment ever believe that to be so. You were my life, Rogan Radek, and you must never forget!”

  ***

  Airron wore a wide smile at sight of his parents, Jeni and Joshe. “I never thought I would see you again.”

  Joshe’s face donned a grin to match his son’s. “Asha, my beloved.”

  “Asha.” Sudden tears welled in Airron’s eyes. “If I had not been sent away during the battle in Pyraan, maybe I could have—”

  “Done what, my son?” his mother interrupted. “We are all where we should be for a reason. Yours is to protect this island.”

  “Because I am Savitar?”

&nb
sp; “Because you are a shifter.”

  ***

  A young Dwarven male stepped out front to greet Rogan.

  “Dillon!” exclaimed Rogan. “Why? Just when we were getting to know each other again.”

  Dillon shook his head. “Do not question fate, my friend. Are you watching over Janin?”

  ***

  Bret Schwan, the Scarlet Saber who accompanied the Savitars to Iserport, traded grips with Beck and Airron.

  “Avalon?” Beck questioned.

  The Saber nodded ruefully. “She got the best of me. Make sure the witch does not do the same to you!”

  ***

  Another tear slipped down Kiernan’s cheek when Titus emerged looking around hesitantly. As soon as he saw her, he glided over to hover in front of her. “‘Ello agin,” he said shyly.

  Kiernan reached out her hands to him. “I am so sorry for what happened to you, Titus.”

  He nodded. “I know. I just wish we ‘ad more time to get to know each other.”

  “Me, too. Oh, Titus!”

  “I must go,” he said. “Tell my Da that I am in a safe place and love ‘im!”

  “I will, Titus, I promise!”

  ***

  Several shifters from the Magical Kingdom of Pyraan glided past, including young Katrin Allendale who looked like she could bend an oak tree with little effort.

  Kiernan held her fists to her stomach in pain when Colbie Nash appeared before her. She reached out to him. “Oh, no. Colbie,” she moaned.

  “Princess,” he acknowledged and bowed to her.

  “My father?”

  “Alive, but needs our help.”

  “What happened to you?” she asked.

  “Exactly what was meant to happen, Your Grace,” he said smiling.

  ***

  “ANGELS! DRACAS! SAVITARS!” roared Galen Starr interrupting the gatherings. “The time is now!” The Mage soared high into the sky, raised his radiant sword above his head and swung it down, pointing it north.

  “WE FIGHT!”

  With those two words, the angels took to the air and flew after the departing Mage. The Draca Cats let out deafening roars of aggression and plunged into the Puu Rainforest headed toward the Illian River and Starfell.

  The Savitars nodded to each other grimly and turned to follow.

  “Wait!” Beck shouted, humbled in the presence of such unadulterated courage. Despite the fact that one would not survive the night, the determination to rush to the aid of their fellow Massans was immutably etched into each of his friend’s faces.