The dark clouds that had threatened activity earlier finally made good on their promise. The sun was blocked out as a torrent of rain poured out on the desert. Most would consider this a reason to stay inside but, in the desert, this was a welcome change of events. The wind picked up, the air cooled, and lightning cracked above their heads.
Wulves and wolves alike stood outside their dens and let the rain pelt them in its refreshing droplets. Stephanie stood in it closing her eyes as her hair slicked and meshed against her face. Brushing it back she smiled and then looked down at the puppy that was hiding between her legs.
It stared up at her, shaking, and cold. She picked it up slowly and made a face as it shook itself and sprayed water everywhere. Walking it back into the den she looked at the others, a little older than this pup lounging and enjoying the drop in temperature. Setting it down amongst the others one immediately grabbed her by the scruff and brought her back in to sit with them.
Stephanie smiled, glad to see her getting accepted by the rest. She had started to seriously worry that she had another packless on her hands.
“They’re finally warming up to her.”
Stephanie’s ears perked up and she turned around to see another of the puppy wranglers as she called them. “Yeah. Thanks again for watching over them Kayla.”
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind. It’s been good seeing you so happy these last few weeks.”
She rubbed the back of her head and smiled. “Yeah. Snow and Ryza are really amazing. Plus watching Grey, Ginger, and Rustle grow up personally has been amazing. I love them.”
“You’re really close to those newcomers. It’s more than just a crush.”
“I don’t know. I think so,” she blushed smiling at her. Kayla frowned at her for a moment and Stephanie caught it. Smelled the unease from the wulf. “What is it?”
“Just. Be careful.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just crushes have ways of getting you crushed,” she said. “And I don’t wanna see you hurt.”
Stephanie frowned harder as lightning cracked above their heads. She looked at the sky, seeing the after image of the bolt as it faded away from view. She looked at Kayla and smiled big, her eyes relaxing and tail swishing. “I know I haven’t known either of them long. But. But I want to trust them. And if I get hurt. Well I’ll live and learn. But right now. I’m happy. They make me happy. So, I wanna hold onto that. For as long as it last.”
Kayla looked like she wanted to say more but chose not to. Instead, she nodded and waved to her, “Go find them before the storm gets any worse. The pups are safe with me.”
“Thanks.”
Taking a deep breath, she ran out of the den, braving the rain again. After the initial shock of it, she didn’t mind and kept going until she made it to the new den that she called home. Before she even got there, she was greeted by Rustle. He jumped up to her pressing against her chest before dropping down on all fours and hopping again.
She caught his front paws again and he balanced stepping around her as she danced with the young wolf. He backed away shaking off all the water and turned barking. She barked back, the canine sound leaving her human throat before following after him. She didn’t want to keep them waiting.
“Ryry what are you even staring at,” Snow asked as she stared at another flash of lightning. It illuminated Ryza’s face, the contours of her mouth and nose, but she didn’t move away from that balcony. She could hear the rain echoing around her as if she were standing in it.
“Nothing specific Snow. Just thinking.”
“That’s never a good sign.”
Ryza smiled looking back, “It’s not a negative thought process.”
“When my necromancer mate talks about just thinking I know to get concerned.”
It had been over a year and yet that single word still warmed her as much as when she first said it, “I’m just thinking about Stephanie.”
“Still worried about her being around?”
“A little. I feel. Protective of her.”
Snow shifted from the ground to standing, stretching her arms above her head and then moving to crouch beside Ryza. She looked up at her flicking her ears back and forth slowly, “She’s not a child.”
“I know. She goes out of her way to show it sometimes.”
“But.”
“I didn’t say a but.”
“You thought it,” Snow leaned against her leg and pressed her head against her hip. “She’s been a wulf a long time.”
“But she’s never had a relationship. Let alone one like this.”
“Neither have you.”
Ryza tossed a glare down at her and Snow grinned at her. Ryza looked back toward the sky. “I just don’t want her to get in over her head.”
“Say what you really mean Ryry.”
Ryza glanced down at her and met her eyes. She sighed heavily and rested her hand on Snow’s head. Stroking her fingers through her hair and against the braid in her hair. “I don’t want to accidentally hurt her. I don’t want to ask too much of her. Or worse not be what she needs when she needs it.”
“You said when we first thought about bringing her with us, we’d be careful and take it slow. It’s been almost five months and we have been. And she’s been more than happy with things. You’re my mate Ryry and she’s our. Our girlfriend I guess. It can be that simple.” She stood up and touched her forehead gently. “Spend less time in here and more time out here.”
Ryza made a sour face but kissed her softly. “Since when are you so good at these things?”
“Since always.”
Stepping away from her she looked out in front of them and saw the shape running their way. Ryza let her hand glow and waved it. Stephanie waved back and even from here, Ryza could see the massive grin on her face. As she approached the dark clouds began to clear and the rain lessened.
As she finally came to the door the rain had stopped entirely. Stephanie was greeted by the trio of wolves who danced around her quickly. She only had two hands so she couldn’t pet all of them but she did her best smiling widely. After a sharp whistle Grey perked up first and the others followed his lead padding over to Ryza.
Stephanie brushed back her hair trying to wring the water out of it as Ryza came over. Taking a step back though she watched as Stephanie shook shaking all the water out of her hair, body, and clothes. When she rested her hair was a massive poof and blinked at them. Snow laughed as Ryza made a face pressing her hands together.
She flashed and the water fell to the ground around her in a perfect circle of precipitation. She shook her head, letting her ears stick up and glanced at Stephanie who blushed glancing away. “Sorry. Too much wulf you know.”
“It’s fine. Not the first time I’ve gotten a little extra wet because of you two.”
Snow snorted covering her face and Stephanie blushed even harder. Ryza’s cheeks tingled but let it rock because it was her joke. The trio of wolves rushed forward and leaped up at Stephanie excitedly. They roamed around barking and panting looking between her and the other two.
Stephanie laughed going down and wrapping her arms around the both of them her tail wagging just as fiercely as theirs. “Looks like you all want to play? Is that it?” Ginger barked in pressing her nose against her face she giggled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Then let’s play with them,” Snow said and as she spoke Grey and Rustle turned onto her immediately, understanding exactly what play meant. Snow laughed wrapping her arms around Rustle and walking along with him but looked back at Ryza.
She was already shaking her head, “I’m testing a theory. Very very close.”
“Boo. Magic,” Snow made a face. “But that’s fine. We’ll stay close by.”
Stephanie glanced at her, “Your research?” Ryza nodded. “That’s great then. I’m sure today will be the day you get it.”
“Thanks Stephanie,” she kissed her softly and then went back into the den. She could feel the quick burst of magic and then the gentle howl knowing that Snow and Stephanie both had changed and led the wolves away to play in the area in front of their den. In their massive wolf forms they towered over the pups but that didn’t stop them from playing like they were newborns.
She felt a pang of guilt because she felt like she had lied to the two of them but it wasn’t that. Not really. She just knew that if they knew what she was about to do they would protest and even try to stop her. Once she was on the second floor, she got out her brother’s journal and her own journal. She compared notes before she began.
With her claws she carved out a circle and runes, copying exactly what she had drawn in her own journal. The incantation she memorized was from her brother. In the center of the circle, she pulled out a simple stone. It was a smooth purple, sanded down by winds, time, and magic. Nothing truly special about it. Beside it, outside of the circle was a flask and a cork ready to be used.
Raising her hands slowly, she let her magic wash over her. A wild mix of the grave and the forest. Black fur brushing against her hands, cold soil underneath her feet, and the calls of the dead like a gentle howl in her ears.
Letting one of her claws form she dragged it across her wrist and held it over the stone. Her blood flowed freely as a gentle trickle on the stone. She steadied her breathing, making sure she was steady as well. When it was enough, she dragged a glowing finger across the cut and winced but it was closed.
Her eyes glowed and she felt the growl in her throat but she brought the power to life. Her magic surged out of her and into the circle. It glowed bright enough to cast shadows across her face and her skin. Flexing her fingers into strange signs, she layered it over with the ancient words.
The magic swirled around her creating a harsh wind. She growled and continued to chant louder, turning her fingers, and swirling them with the wind. She watched as the stone levitated off the ground bathed in a glow. Now came the tricky part and the reason that she was doing this while Stephanie and Snow both were not with her.
Touching her chest, she chanted and pulled, a small orb of light leaving her body and floating in front of her. She motioned and the light flew straight into the stone itself. She continued to move her fingers and it wobbled and then started to turn to mush. It became malleable and she pressed her hands together until the stone became just a floating orb, letting tiny droplets hit the circle with a hiss.
Directing her hand forward, she motioned toward the flask and directed it slowly down the neck of the flask. The now liquid stone dripped into it and Ryza had to be careful to focus it into the flask so that not a single drop missed it. She didn’t breathe through the transition careful of even the slightest flinch of her movements.
When the last drop settled, she let out a breath suddenly drained. The glow of her grey eyes faded immediately and she slumped to the side almost entirely on the ground. Arms weak she raised one trembling hand and watched the cork raise up. She lowered it onto the flask and screwed it in tightly. There within the glass of the flask was the gentle pulsing orb of light.
Satisfied she fell over and closed her eyes panting. She didn’t know how long she lay there but it was better to be laying on the ground. Her wrist throbbed but more than that her body ached. Beyond exhausted from an energy that seemed to be missing within her. But the flask was still in one piece and it harbored the glow she put in there. It had been dangerous but she had been successful. Taking that information with her she let herself pass out.
When she came to it was dark outside. The sun had started to set and she realized a lot of time must have passed. She was surrounded by warm fur and by their scents she knew it was the wolves. All three of them were around her in their bed on the ground with Grey by her head and staring at her. When she opened her eyes, she met his and he immediately licked her face gently.
Stephanie’s relief had been palpable. But Snow on the other hand was less than amused. Once she had confirmed that she was, in fact, alive she immediately turned on Ryza baring her fangs and her eyes shifted to that of the beast within her.
“What the hell were you thinking?” she asked. “Actually, I don’t think you were. You could have died Ryza! What the hell were you doing? What were you thinking?”
Stephanie recoiled back as she shouted but Ryza met her gaze unflinchingly. Snow’s ears were pinned against her head and Stephanie’s ears had flattened back against her head as she shirked back. But Ryza kept her calm, her tail swishing back and forth slowly.
“I was doing a preliminary to the spell,” she said sitting up carefully and looked at her steadily. “My brother used something similar when he helped to create Isaac. Except Isaac’s soul was the driving force for it after he died. Doing it while living was risky but I calculated the risk properly.”
“Calculated the risk,” Snow grumbled. “What would have happened if you did this wrong?”
“I might have sealed my soul within that stone and died,” she said it simply as if there were no consequences involved to her actions. Snow glared at her and grabbed her by the shoulder pulling her closer.
“You’re my mate and you’re acting fast and loose with your life,” she growled gritting her teeth. “Are you really that content with abandoning us? Abandoning me?”
Ryza stared at her and her eyes widened slightly. She could see the small glint of pain and hurt in her eyes and Ryza lowered her head, reality hitting her between the eyes. “I’m sorry. I. I didn’t think about it. I was too confident about my own abilities. I didn’t imagine what would have happened if I failed.” She shook her head and met her eyes, stroking her cheek gently. “Please forgive me Snow.”
“Just don’t do it again,” she said softly leaning into her hand. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I’m sorry,” Ryza leaned forward kissing her gently and then looked at Stephanie. “You must have been terrified too.”
Stephanie looked at her wide eyed for a second and then nodded quickly, “It was dumb.” She said straightforward. “It was really dumb.”
Ryza nodded and pressed her forehead against Stephanie’s stroking her cheek gently. “Well if you both say it then it must have been very dumb.”
She chuckled softly and then sighed. “Neither of you are going to like what I’m going to tell you.”
“What is it?” Stephanie asked carefully but looked at Snow. Snow was already shaking her head. “What is it Snow?”
“You’re going to attempt the ritual, aren’t you?”
Ryza nodded, “Now that I’ve succeeded in the test I have what I need to attempt the soul transformation. And there’s no reason to properly delay it.”
“Except you just passed out,” Snow said. “How close were you honestly to miscalculating the spell?”
“Not very,” she replied. “And though I am tired I know what I need to do to repeat the experiment, this time without me being hurt.”
“What’s that?” Snow asked unsure why she was entertaining this.
“Remember what I told you before. You and Stephanie both are massive reservoirs of magic. By not having to fully pull from my own stores I can have more control over the spell itself.”
“Like when we teleported?”
“Exactly,” she nodded.
“And how dangerous would this be?”
“I’m not sure. You’d share the load with me so it could be potentially very dangerous. Potentially very easy. This is uncharted territory. Between Daze’s notes, my brothers, and my own conclusions.”
“So anything could happen then?” Stephanie asked.
“Potentially,” Ryza replied folding her arms.
“What would it take to get you to at least wait a little while before doing this?” Snow asked almost pleadingly.
Ryza grimaced slightly but sighed, “There’s no reason I have to do it today. But at the very least I want to visit the site. Prepare for the eventual thing. And I want you to come with me.”
Stephanie looked at Snow frowning hard but didn’t know what to say. But Snow looked back at her and nodded, “Right. You’re stubborn. I know you are. Just. Promise me we won’t do any more rituals. We’re just preparing. Okay?”
Ryza met her eyes and nodded slowly. “Okay. I won’t attempt it today. We’ll just scout it out. And then come back home safe and sound.”
“Promise,” Snow met her eyes.
Ryza nodded. “Promise.
Snow nodded slowly knowing that was the best she was going to get from her, “Okay. Do you need anything?”
“Just my tools and books,” she said thinking off the top of her. “Nothing more than that.”
“Okay. We can meet you downstairs then.” Before Snow could go far Ryza grabbed her hand and kissed her lightly. Snow returned it relaxing gently and then continued off. Stephanie glanced at her as if she wanted to say something and she didn’t have the words. But Ryza gave her a small smile before watching her leave downstairs.
Sighing softly she got up and started to move. She was beyond stiff and still dog tired but she got her bag and gathered her books and notes and finally the flask. She set it her bag cradled around the books like a nest. She also made sure that everything was protected but also that it was corked. Satisfied she looked at the ritual circle she created and then kicked at it until it disappeared.
Once she was done, she came down the stairs and saw Snow and Stephanie playing with the wolves. She slowed not to interrupt them at the moment. Just watching the smiles that were on Snow and Stephanie’s faces and the joy that the wolves were playing she couldn’t help but watch from afar and not interrupt them. But of course, Grey noticed her first and barked looking over at her.
“You have everything?” Stephanie asked.
“I should. I’ve been researching for so long at this point I should hope so,” the necromancer offered a smile, uncertainty flashed at the corners of her mouth. “I know that I’m not supposed to try. But I hope my formulas and predictions are correct when I do.”
Stephanie came forward and took her hands in hers. Ryza raised her eyebrows and then met her eyes. It was like the embers of a fire, burning with an unsuppressed fire. “What?” Ryza asked taking a step back.
“You’ve been preparing all year. And you’re the smartest mage I’ve ever met. You’ve got this Ryry. And me and Snow will be there cheering you on. Right?”
“Of course. It’s not even a question,” Snow put her hands on her hips and smiled at her. “When we’re on the same page we can do anything.”
She looked between the two women and then laughed, covering her mouth slightly, “I’m glad I have the two of you at my side. With your overflowing confidence in me, how could I ever fail?”
“Exactly,” Snow wrapped her arms around both of their shoulders and pulled them into a tight hug. The trio of wolves also moved closer, worming their way closer to them and tangling around their legs in one giant furry embrace.
She wanted to stay this way the entire time wrapped up in her personal pack. But she had things to do. She turned and looked at the trio who had sat or lay down. They’d eaten so they were sluggish though alert to anything Ryza might say. And in this instance, she knew none of them would like it. “Now you three. We’re going to get going. You need to stay here.”
Grey and Rustle whined immediately as Ginger barked in protest. She had expected as much and shook her head. “We don’t need all six of us roaming around the countryside. And I want Snow with us. We go together.” Grey barked in response.
“Come on. We’ll be back. I promise,” Snow crouched and Ginger and Rustle licked her face rubbing against her. Snow wrapped her arms around them as well. Ginger looked at Stephanie who gave her a sad look but shook her head.
Ryza met Grey’s eyes and kneeled in front of the wolf. Her eyes shifted slightly, going feral for all but a second and she pressed her forehead against his. He closed his eyes, his tail lying still before taking a step back. He made a soft growl of a noise and the other two whimpered but followed him as he walked back into their den.
The trio of women watched them go and Ryza sighed. “It never gets easier telling them we have to go,” Snow said. “They always look so sad.”
“We should bring them back something,” Stephanie said hitting her hand into her palm. “Souvenirs.”
“No. You’re both going to spoil them,” Ryza said looking at them. “They have bones. And they have their own toys. Each. They’re fine.” Snow and Stephanie both looked at her, pouting and sticking their lips out as much as possible. The necromancer wasn’t fazed even one bit. “Now come on. Let’s start running.”
She leaned forward as the magic pulsed around her. Going down onto all fours her body shifted in one fluid motion until she was a lithe glossy furred wolf on all fours. Shaking her head back and forth and adjusting her shoulders she growled softly positioning it properly. Once it was, she turned and saw Snow, the brilliant white wolf that she was, and Stephanie the larger brown one. Snow rubbed against her and Stephanie licked her cheek lightly.
Ryza rubbed against the both of them her tail swishing back and forth and rested her head on each of them in turn. Sniffing along their flanks and pressing herself against them one more time she started walking and they followed without a second thought. Once they left the edge of the village, they started running.
Their paws traced through the sand leaving tracks behind. Ryza led the way, partially using her senses to get there but partially because she knew where to go. It was a path that she had only properly tread once before. A few weeks after they came to Luthagen. The final resting place of her brother’s research.
The sandy fields that they had been on had changed rapidly the grass poking through the ground and turning into a grassland quickly. They had been running for the better part of the evening and she barely felt it in her body. It was strange how much she barely felt it. But what started to draw her attention was the sudden explosion of color on the horizon.
Just a large patch of green in the middle of the grassland. Large trees that stretched into the sky and loosely they could all hear the trickle of water. When they came to the lip of the hole in the ground it revealed itself to be a crevice in the ground. The sand trickled down but more than that there was a small waterfall a few feet down. An underground river that dumped out here. There was no obvious way down but Ryza padded around the lip slowly sniffing the ground.
She found an indentation and started digging at it with her paws, leaning forward as she went. Her mouth glowed and she leaned back and howled. Both wolves shuddered as the wind came over them, a chill one that raced down across the ground. And then they appeared, a series of bones racing across the ground until they had a glowing calcium bridge to the ground.
Ryza ran down it with the others hot on her heels until they were at the bottom. The air got cooler immediately and the freshwater mixed with the moss was such a sharp change to their nostrils.
Once her paws hit the sand Ryza stood letting her animal form fade away and start walking on two legs again. Snow and Stephanie did as well looking around. Stephanie marveled at the cave that was present before them. A deep hollow thing that looked like it was carved out by a giant’s hand. But at the edge of it was what they were there to see.
A small half circle was carved into the stone and within that was a simple altar. A stone platform where something once sat. Stephanie started to walk forward when Snow took her hand and pulled her back urgently. “What is it?”
“Be careful. The last time we found one of these places there were traps,” she said and looked toward Ryza.
The necromancer smiled and shook her head, “This location is old. More than that it’s dormant. My brother didn’t leave any traps behind at this location.”
She tapped the ground with her shovel a few times and both wulves knew what it felt like for Ryza’s magic to pass them. “Take it easy girls. This is necromancer time.”
The Harlequin Library 