The guys all chuckled, but it was Damien who answered. “He means it’s time for you to do some training. None of us expect you to lift like Theo. Most of us couldn’t keep up with him, even if we wanted to.”
“Go change and come back down to join us. I’ll get the targets and the fire extinguisher, and you can have another go at controlling your fire powers. If we have time, I’d like to run you through a series of tests to gauge how well your senses have improved.” Theo headed back down the steps to get set up.
“Do you think we can shift tonight?” I was dying to see the guys shifted again as well as spread my own wings. My Phoenix pushed against my skin as she stretched her wings, wanting to be free.
“I’ll talk to the guys, but I don’t see why not. I know your Phoenix is probably itching to get out by now.”
Running inside, I rushed to get ready, excited about the idea of shifting and hoping I’d be able to entice the guys to join me.
The cool air felt good against skin overheated from strenuous exercise. I reached up to pull my hair back, letting the breeze bite at the back of my neck while I watched the slight shimmer from the spelled barrier catch in the light. I was excited for this part of my training exercise. The guys had acquiesced to shifting together, so after a quick break to grab some sandwiches, we all gathered at the back of the house again. This time, Hiro and Killian were there to join us. I had completely shifted only once, and I ached to do so again. I knew that the others had to be just as antsy to let their creatures out. I had no idea how Theo managed living in an area where his Kraken never got a chance to breathe. He would just be observing today. We had all made the decisions to dress in large, thick robes before coming to the clearing. It made shifting easier rather than having to find an isolated spot to undress, redress, and repeat the process. The robes were incredibly soft and plush. I assumed mine had to be Theo’s, and it was dragging the ground around my feet. I’d had to tie it tightly to prevent any slippage.
Once all of us had entered the spelled area, we spread out, giving each other plenty of room. "It’s easiest if we do this one by one. We’ll shift, greet each other, and then shift back for the next person to go. It’s our safest option that way we don’t have to worry about crossing the barrier in shifted form should it be necessary, nor about accidental injuries from too many large bodies and emotional creatures.”
“Me first, me first!” Ryder was buzzing like a kid on Christmas morning. I grinned—his excitement was so contagious. Killian rolled his eyes and Damien snorted. My Phoenix soared through my head, just as excited to see Ryder in shifted form.
“Fine, Ryder.” Theo sighed. “You can go first. It’s not exactly fair, considering she’s seen you altered before. However, you can show off for a few minutes.” Ryder immediately began to strip off his robe. I giggled, but turned my gaze to the sky. I wanted to look at his body, but I also wanted to see his Ceraptor again.
“It’s fine to look away, Nix, but concentrate so you can feel what he’s doing. Feel the change in the air. Let your Phoenix feel it. She’s new to this. Let our experience help guide her,” Theo called across the clearing to me.
I breathed deeply, doing as he asked and opening myself and my Phoenix, pulling down all the walls I had been learning to hold in place.
“Good girl,” Hiro called. “Some of this will be instinctual, but it will also take practice. The more you practice, the faster and more efficiently you will learn to call her when you need her. You will also learn how it feels to have her forcing the shift so you can rein her back in. Her first instinct is going to be to protect you. However, being in shifted form isn’t always a benefit, and can be harmful rather than helpful.”
“It’s why I rarely shift, Nix. Maybe one time out of one hundred does it become necessary for me to shift and that’s only if I have the ability to if we are near deep enough water. Yet even after years together, after growing up as a shifter, I still have to fight my Kraken. Our other halves rely on instinct and emotion. Their belief of what is beneficial holds no logic and can be extremely harmful. You rely on your Phoenix, but she also relies on you. You need to be strong for her as well, help guide her and direct her.”
I breathed deeply, concentrating hard. I could feel the air around me begin to crackle with energy, pushing and licking at my skin. My Phoenix chirped her interest and encouragement—she wanted to be part of that. She rippled against my skin, her feathers brushing and pushing trying to take control.
“That’s it. Hold her,” Killian called his encouragement. “It’s always more difficult to hold a shift back when she can feel others shifting around her. Their energies call to each other. Great job, Annie girl.”
The energy crested around us and I focused hard, letting the waves of it ripple over and through me as I breathed deeply in the chilled air. As the sensation of sparks slowed, I lowered my gaze, allowing my eyes to cross the clearing. Ryder’s Ceraptor was exactly as I remembered him. A coat so black it was nearly purple shone in the fading light. He stood tall and regal; his head tossed back to show off the glowing horn and his half-spread wings before he pranced over.
“Hello, again,” I whispered the greeting. It seemed a little silly, as I knew Ryder could hear me just as his Ceraptor could hear when Ryder was in control. His Ceraptor nudged my hands with his nose, as eager as a puppy for a scratch. I laughed but complied, enthralled by the velvet texture of his fur under my fingertips, the silken strands of his mane. I reached for his horn, pausing as I voiced a sound of question. He snorted and, if possible, smirked. He dipped his head, angling it so that it was clearly not a threat, and allowed me to reach out and stroke my hands down his horn. It was smoother than I thought it would be and nearly warm to my touch. He snorted, pulling from my touch, prancing back and forth, flapping his wings to cause a breeze across my face. I couldn’t stop the giggles rolling from me. He was as much a show-off as Ryder.
“Come on, Ryder. The rest of us still have to shift as well.” Kill’s voice was irritated. I knew he was nervous about shifting in front of me for the first time. I, on the other hand, was excited. I already knew he was playful; I wanted to see him for myself.
The Ceraptor tossed his head but walked back to his place in the circle. I turned my gaze to the sky again, feeling the air ripple and crackle as he shifted back. My Phoenix continued to coo in my head. She had enjoyed being so close to another mythological, especially one whom she felt safe and comfortable with.
“Nix, I want you to go next. Use the energy that’s remaining from Ryder. You’ve just felt it, give it a shot.” Theo’s voice was encouraging. “Everyone, turn your backs.” Once I was sure that all backs were turned, I dropped the robe. Feeling the cold air flowing around my bare skin was a unique—and appealing—sensation.