Liss Thomas's Blog: Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals, page 15

A Plan - Chapter 31 - Hidden Monsters

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After a few days of constant care from her mother and Paloma, Jill felt surprised at how well she'd healed. She bore many scares but they grew lighter each day. 

She sat away from the others, who slept peacefully in the silence. She'd spend several days sleeping and now spent the early waking hours thinking of an escape plan. Robbie had tried numerous times to regain her affections but she wouldn't speak to him. She wasn't overtly hostile except for the time she'd slapped him on their initial reunion. He'd deserved more but their mothers had pulled them apart. She wanted to stay detached and aloof but spending their time together in such tight quarters was maddening.

Jill heard him stir and kept her eyes focused on the bars of their prison. 

"We need to talk," Robbie whispered from behind her. 

She ignored him but he pulled her from the ground and held fast to her shoulders. 

"Stop it!" he hissed. "What was I supposed to do? I'm sorry!" He pulled her closer and crushed his lips to hers. Jill's body stiffened in surprise before she relaxed as his kiss grew more tender. The defenses around her emotional wall began to crack but she wouldn't let it happen again, not this soon. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away. She stood back, unable to look him in the eye. 

"Don't," she said. Jill went back to her bedding and lay down close to her mother. "Don't distract me this time," she thought. 

The rattle of chains and scrape of metal signaled their morning rations. Jill sat on her bedding next to her mother and Paloma while Robbie stood by to retrieve the tray. Jill's heart jumped when she saw The Gray enter. He gave them all a nasty smile and handed the tray to Robbie. He looked hesitant but took the food. 

The Gray grabbed him and held him hard against the metal bars a foot off the ground. Robbie dropped the tray and gripped the hands crushing his throat. 

"Let me rid you of this traitor, young human. As wolves, the pack would have killed him on sight for what he did to you," The Gray said. 

"No!" Paloma screamed. She rushed forward begging and pleading for Robbie's life. 

"No," The Gray said. He looked past Paloma and pointed at Jill. "I want her to beg for his life." 

Jill almost smiled but she kept it inside. She rose and walked toward him. Robbie's lips had turned a sickly color. Jill tried to ignore him and glared at The Gray through uncaring eyes and when she spoke, her words were slow and deliberate. 

"I beg you not to kill him," she said before she turned a heated gaze to Robbie. "He betrayed me and it's my job to do it."


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Reunion - Chapter 30 - Hidden Monsters

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"Release her at once!" A voice boomed as another guard entered the room. He wore a uniform of deep blues unlike the gray uniforms the others wore. A royal insignia decorated his chest. He stormed toward The Gray, his movements reminding Jill of a stalking, enraged monster, ready to destroy any in his path.

Layla ran to the guard as The Gray released her.

"She needs punishment, not protection, Veekla!" The Gray hissed.

"She is my brother's child and I am bound by duty and honor to protect her, especially from you," Veelka sneered. "I will decide what is best for her."

"Then you are a fool. Once I am King, the first blood I will spill will be yours." The Gray turned and faced Jill. She saw anger rising in his eyes like a toxic cloud of insanity and knew he would take it out on her. The other guards released her and stood back, also sensing his mood. In one swift motion he struck her across the face sending her to the floor before he kicked her over with his foot.

"Stop it!" Layla cried. She turned her pleading eyes to her uncle. Veelka was already moving. He hauled The Gray away from his victim and pushed him toward the door. The Gray gave a mock bow before he and the other guards left.

Veelka checked Jill's wounds before he wrapped her in the wool blanket. He picked her up and carried her from the room with Layla following behind. They weaved their way through the corridors of the complex until they reached a crossway.

"Layliana, go to your rooms and stay there until I visit you"

"Yes Uncle."

Jill felt her consciousness waning. "Mr. Veelka, Sir?" Jill asked as she watched her friend leaving.

"Yes, child?"

"Don't let him hurt her," she said as her eyes closed and sleep finally came.

"I will protect her, and you," he said.

###
Jill slowing woke from a long sleep. She almost felt ordinary. She moved slightly and realized two things; she had no pain and someone still held her in their arms. A familiar hand swept across her brow and rocked her gently. She opened her eyes and smiled. The ones staring back at her, red and puffy from crying, held a mixture of joy and sorrow. She saw in them a story of the pain and hope they shared.

"Hi, Mom."

CCC#312

A New Friend - Chapter 29 - Hidden Monsters

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The empty throne room held nothing but cold and darkness.  Jill curled into a ball on the hard stone floor but she could find no warmth or sleep.  She drew in short breaths hoping they'd hurt less.  They didn't.  The pack had dumped her unceremoniously on the floor at the Wolf King's feet.   He offered nothing to ease her pain, seeming pleased at her discomfort and commanded she spend her first night of captivity in agony and solitude before being put with the other prisoners, a lesson of sorts she couldn't comprehend.  She remembered her father's woe filled howls echoing through the night but he hadn't come, to her relief.  The guards had been doubled at the King's insistence hoping for a chance to catch him in his distraught state.  Lastly she remembered Robbie cradling her in his arms, fighting against the guards as they took her from him and calling her name as he was taken away. Now, alone in the dark, Jill let the tears flow.   

A door creaked open before a soft click sounded.  Soft footsteps padded toward her.  Jill froze  and shut her eyes, afraid of more impending tortures to come.  Soon a thick woolen blanket covered her.  A gentle hand wiped the hair and tears from her eyes.    

"I'm not going to hurt you," a young voice whispered.  Jill opened her eyes to face a young she wolf crouched beside her.  She set a small bowl on the floor and squeezed the juice of two small white berries into it.  Next she carefully lifted Jill's head so she could drink.  The cool, slightly sweet liquid quenched the burning of her dry throat.  She hadn't realized how thirsty she was until she tasted it on her tongue.   

"Thank you," Jill whispered, "But you better leave before they find you here.  Your King will be angry.  I don’t want you to get hurt."

"He can't hurt me any more than he already has," the she wolf said.  "I am Layliana but you may call me Layla.  "The drink I gave you will help with the pain.  I'm sorry he's being so cruel to you."   

"It's not your fault, Layla," Jill said.  Her constant shivering finally fell away and the warmth started to sink in.   

"Yes, it is," Layla said.  "It's all my fault.  The King is my father.  He's become cruel and evil.  He hunts your father because of me."  Layla pulled her cloak tighter and lay on the floor next to Jill.  Her face bore a grief she couldn't mask.    

"I am his only child.  I'm sure he wished for a son but he tolerates me until he can mate me with a worthy successor to his throne.  He chose The Gray, who is just as cruel and power hungry as he is.  But I fell for someone else, a much younger wolf.  He had long gangly legs and a dark coat that shimmered almost blue in the moonlight.  Loupe was kind and compassionate and strong.  He would have been a good leader but my father saw him as weak and forbid me from seeing him."   

"But you were in love with him," Jill said.   

"Yes, we were in love.  But father wouldn't listen.  The second I mentioned Loupe, he would get angry. I would sneak out early to see Loupe on a daily basis. We were careful and very selective of our meeting places. One day it came to us, a way to make father accept us. A way that told him and the world that we were meant to be together." 

"Oh," Jill said, catching her meaning. She could tell it didn't end well for the modern day Romeo and Juliet. 

"Father send his best guard after Loupe and told him I had been attacked, the punishment, instant death. Tomas found Loupe after tracking him for several days but Loupe pleaded his case. Your father ordered Loupe not to run, or else he would kill him. Tomas sought me out and I told him the truth. He confronted my father on the matter but father accused Tomas of being a traitor and sentenced him to a horrible death. The Gray found Loupe." Layla stopped and sniffed back the tears. "I'll help you escape but you must do something for me," Layla said. 

"I will try, Layla." 

"Take me away from here." 

Without prior warning the door crashed open and guards rushed in. Jill reached for her new friend as hands like meat hooks hauled her from the floor. The Gray pulled Layla from the ground and held her by her throat. 

"When you are my mate, I will not tolerate your defiance," he said to her. 

"Take the human prisoner away and put her with the others. I'll deal with this one," he said.

A Mournful Howl - Chapter 28 - Hidden Monsters

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Wolves attacked one after the other but none could stand against Jill's fighting staff. She ducked as one lunged for her neck and knocked another away in quick succession. Robbie watched in awe but her success proved short lived. More attacked in groups, two from the back, two from the front. One latched onto her staff and with the force of the pack, she finally fell. They tore at her clothes exposing skin on her arms and back, leaving gashes and bite marks. Warm blood flowed from her wounds and painted the ground with grotesque swatches of red as she fought against them.

The pack pulled back into a tight circle and waited. Jill scrambled to her feet and the cycle started over again. Robbie couldn't watch any more of the awful attack. He lunged to help her but the gray wolf jerked him back, slamming him into the ground. Robbie righted himself only to receive a vicious backhand that sent him sprawling. His cheek throbbed and he tasted blood on his swelling lips. The Gray pulled Robbie upright to make him watch the remainder of the fight, his hand tight around Robbie's windpipe.

The pack pulled away again and waited for Jill to gain her footing. Her limbs shook as she pushed herself to her knees. Tears smeared with blood colored her face but her eyes stayed defiant. The Gray tossed Robbie aside, shifted and took his place in the circle. As soon as Jill stumbled to her feet, he launched himself at her. Robbie's heart sank as he watched the large gray wolf slam into Jill like a tank sending her to the ground again. It rolled her over and kept a heavy paw on her back. He kept his muzzle at the nape of her neck as the others joined in. Jill's screams were like a heavy boot to Robbie's stomach. He sobbed openly and spewed curses at them until they reformed the circle. 

Jill struggled even to lift her head. The noise of her raspy breathing seemed loud in Robbie's ears. She looked small and broken and each movement she made caused her to cry out in agony. An eager wolf, ready for more blood, took a step toward her. Robbie exploded from the ground. He broke through the circle and crouched down near Jill, sheltering her with his body. A deep feral growl rose from his throat. 

"Enough!" he shouted. 

"I say when she's had enough, young pup," The Gray said. "You know our ways." 

"But she doesn't! I won't let you kill her!" Robbie stood his ground as The Gray inched closer, his muzzle frothing in rage. 

"You would trade your mother's life to protect this human?" he asked. 

"I doubt your mad King would let us live either way. If you want to kill her, you will have to kill me as well!" Robbie growled. 

The Gray laughed and moved closer. "The Wolf King desires the girl alive for a short time. But when he gives the order, I will take pleasure in ripping her throat out and when I'm done, I'll have yours for dessert." The Gray pulled back and ordered the pack to return to the palace. Robbie growled at any who came near to Jill. Finally, after a quick check of her injuries he picked her up and cradled her against his chest as he followed the pack. She watched him through hooded lenses and he could tell there was something different in her eyes, maybe forgiveness. 

"I'm so sorry I brought you here. They hold my mother and threaten her life. I didn't know what to do," Robbie said. He hoped she understood but she just closed her eyes and said nothing. They reached the gates just as darkness fell. 

A mournful howl rose loud in the distance. A lone wolf's agony voiced to the moon. "I'm sorry, Daddy," Jill sobbed.

Heart's Betrayer - Chapter 27 - Hidden Monsters

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Jill and Robbie walked hand in hand through the woods. Jill had no intentions of going back to class with Officer Billy lurking there with his new friend. She'd decided to inform Vrag of his reappearance. He would know what to do. Soon they reached a clearing where an antique oak stood alone towering above the other trees. 

Jill heard the faint sounds of traffic and viewed a busy street beyond the tree line. 

"I'm sure that street connects with my neighborhood. I should go tell my uncle what's happened," Jill said. 

"Not yet," Robbie said. He held on to her hand and twirled her back against the sturdy oak, his arms folding around her waist. Jill felt her mind floating as his lips brushed against hers before he captured her mouth completely. Her heart thumped in a frantic rhythm against her chest and echoed through her ears like a base drum. Tingles flowed from the roots of her hair to her finger tips when he licked his tongue across her lips tasting her cherry cola lip gloss. She gripped his shoulders and held him close, never wanting to lose this feeling. Her heart had no shield against this new sensation and it filled up to the point of bursting. 

A bright light flashed around them like a warm cocoon. It's energy moved around them until it faded to nothing. Jill still felt Robbie's arms tight around her. She opened her eyes and gasped. The woods looked strange now, as if the trees themselves had changed. Oddly shaped flowers she had no name for blanketed the ground and a chill blew leaves of spectacularly unusual colors around them. Her world no longer surrounded her but what did caused her floating heart to turn to stone in her throat. Wolves. They formed a wide circle around the couple, snarling and snapping their jaws with hunger. 

Jill looked into Robbie's eyes and saw the betrayal. 

"You brought me here?" she asked. 

"I'm sorry, I had no choice," he said. Jill tried to wrench herself free but he held fast. 

"Let go of me!" she screamed. 

"No! Please. I can protect you," he said. Jill fought him until she broke free from his grasp. Her mind listed and reeled against what her heart felt only seconds ago. They'd shared something special and new but now, her heart felt like a crystal glass shattered to dust. Jill fought at the tears. She couldn't afford to cry. She backed away from her betrayer and eyed the wolves as they closed the circle around her. A large gray wolf shifted and stood upright. He eyed her with a smile, his muzzle pulled back to show fangs glistening with saliva in anticipation of their prey. He manifested a staff and threw in the circle near her feet. 

"No!" Robbie shouted. "Don't fight them!" 

Jill threw him a hard look before she scooped up the staff just as the first of the wolves attacked.

Escaped - Chapter 26 - Hidden Monsters

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Jill stifled a yawn listening to their science teacher, Ms Caldwell bloviate about the epiglottis. She appeared to have learned the word as of last night and compensated with long exaggerated explanations that sounded like an aria sorely out of key. Robbie sat next to her at their workstation in a vegetative state. She nudged him and he turned a glazed smile her way. Shaking her head, she tried hard to listen to the teacher but all she wanted to do was cut the teacher's tongue from her mouth, epiglottis and all and sell it to a smokehouse as mystery meat. 

Ms Caldwell paused her droning when someone knocked on the door. She smiled. 

"Class, we have two guest speakers joining us today to discuss the very serious subject of drugs in school." She went to the door and ushered the guests in. 

"May I introduce to you Doctor Bernard Pendergast and former police officer, Billy Smith, who recently joined Dr. Pendergast in the private sector to help reduce drugs in our local school system." 

The class clapped, relieved to have an interruption. Jill's body went rigid. She sucked in a gulp of air, her eyes wide in disbelief. She jumped when Robbie laid his hand on hers. 

"What's wrong?" he asked leaning in. Jill remained silent. Her eyes met Billy's arrogant smile as he spotted her in the back of the classroom. 

"I don't trust those guys," she whispered, finally finding her voice through the emotional hurricane boiling inside her. She listened to their canned drug statistics while the teacher politely sat at her desk, her Bible forever opened to the book of Psalms as if she read piously in her spare time. Jill never saw her turn the pages though. 

"Let's demonstrate how we do a drug screening. We brought a model of the machine used to test blood samples. How about a volunteer?" Dr. Pendergast asked. No one raised their hand. Jill watched Officer Billy stroll down the aisle to her desk, his pace easy and even like he walked on a slow speed treadmill. 

"How about you, young lady? There's nothing to worry about. I'm sure it will show negative," he said. 

Jill looked wide eyed to the teacher for help only to be chided. 

"Jill! A good student like you afraid of a little pin prick? It'll be fine, just tickety-boo!" 

Jill shook her head emphatically and hid her hands below the desk. Billy raked her with a knowing look before he found another student to harass. She couldn't breathe until the class was over. She bolted from the room with Robbie close on her heels. He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the halls to the cafeteria and out into the courtyard. Jill sat outside and concentrated on the woods. Robbie sat close, holding her hand for support. 

"You want to tell me what that was all about?" he asked. She shook her head 'no' before she nearly squeezed the life from his hand. 

"They're coming this way!" she hissed. She felt tears pricking the backs of her eyes and a soft sob escaped her lips. 

"Come with me," Robbie said as he pulled her up. He grabbed their backpacks and led her toward the woods. Jill hesitated. "We'll lose them in here and hide by the stream," he said as he guided her along. Jill followed Robbie moving quickly and quietly through the woods. They reached the stream with no way for Officer Billy to find them. Jill sighed with relief when Robbie came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She felt safe, finally calming down. 

"Thanks," she said. 
"Don't worry, Jill. They won't find you," he whispered.

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Stalker - Chapter 25 - Hidden Monsters

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Although school came easy to Jill, it grew weary knowing that she couldn't affect what mattered most right now.  Instead, she sat on a table top in the school's courtyard nearest to the woods listening to a more mellow playlist on her iPod.  Her lunch sat forgotten in a small brown bag.    

She let her eyes drift to the boy sitting near the edge of the lunchroom.  He'd been watching her all afternoon.  He'd introduced himself as Robbie in her homeroom class.  She'd given him a courtesy smile before ignoring him for the rest of the period.  Not that he wasn't cute. He'd cut his curly brown hair almost to a buzz cut but she still saw the wavy pattern. His light brown eyes knew how to get her attention but she thought it best to avoid complications.  Jill turned her attention back to the woods when she felt a familiar sensation of eyes watching.  She sensed Vrag, rather than saw him and after giving the slightest of finger waves, his presence faded away again. 

She had little peace within the halls of the high school, with those who remembered her Goth days laughing at her new look, bullies teasing the 'smart girl' and all around jerks looking for someone to slap around. Lunchtime let her escape from the ugliness and regain her sanity. But not today. 

"Hey! This is our table," a boy said as he and his two buddies approached. Jill ignored them and upped the volume on her music. Before she knew it, one ripped her iPod from her hands, another took her lunch, tossed it to the ground and stomped it flat. The other reached to grab her but never got the chance. 

Robbie appeared like smoke. He shoved the boys away, snatched the iPod back and stood in front of her, challenging them. His brown eyes darkened and his fists clenched causing his biceps to swell under his t-shirt. She watch the bullies rethink their claim on her table and retreat. Jill knew she should thank him but it wasn't the first thing out her mouth. 

"Are you stalking me?" she asked. 

"Yes," he said with a smile, handing back her iPod. He removed his backpack before bending down and retrieving her smashed lunch and discarding it. "Sorry about your lunch." 

"It's ok. Thanks anyway, Robbie." 

"Score one for the stalker. She remembers my name," he said. He pulled half a sandwich from his backpack and gave it to her. She laughed. 

"PB&J with the crust torn off? I've learned to eat the crust at my age." 

"I gave the crust to a family of ducks on my way to school. The little ones, went wild for the jelly bits," he said. 

"Score another point for the stalker," Jill said as she took a bite. Robbie retrieved his backpack, winked and walked away. Jill watched him walk back inside as she finished the sandwich. She licked the sweet stickiness from her fingers before she scooped up her own backpack and headed back inside also. She hoped it wouldn't be too long before Robbie stalked her again. 

### 

Robbie took a short cut through the woods after leaving school. He'd sat near the front of the building and watched Jill as she walked home. He sat there long after she'd disappeared from view. Shaking his head, he blew out a heavy sigh and walked past the small creek where his family of ducks nestled down for the night. He dropped a few crumbs and continued on. 

The woods grew darker as he reached the center. He stopped and leaned against a large tree and checked his watch. A few minutes late but he didn't care. A light flashed, blinding him for a few seconds before a hand clamped hard around his neck. 

"You're late, boy. You better have good news for King Ulvarg for your mother's sake." 

"I haven't found her yet," Robbie lied as he gasped and struggled against the wolf but it only laughed and dragged him back to his room. It was a small bedroom with all he needed to pull off being a high school student in the human world. The wolf tossed Robbie inside and stood in the doorway, keys in hand. 

"Then I suggest you try harder tomorrow, young jackal. King Ulvarg is tired of waiting. You better find her soon if you value your mother's life." He slammed the door and Robbie heard the lock slide shut. He didn't bother getting up from the floor. Curling into a ball, he tried not to think about tomorrow and what he had to do to Jill.

Captive - Chapter 24 - Hidden Monsters

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Rebecca turned over and winced as a pain snaked though her limbs that she could not ignore. She tried to rise but a soft touch forced her to stay down. Her eyes flashed open, no longer alone in her dank cell. 

"Do not be afraid, I will not hurt you," a voice assured. Soon a face came into view. Rebecca took note of the longer ears this female creature possessed. 

"You're not a wolf," Rebecca said. 

"No," the female said, "I am a jackal, and a captive like you. My son and I were taken a few days ago. I woke here without him. Please, if you know where they are holding him, tell me, I beg you," she cried. 

"I'm sorry," Rebecca said. "If I knew I would tell you. I know how it feels to ache for your child. It is unbearable not knowing if they're OK. The wolves hunt for mine. They think their kicks and bites will drive me to reveal her whereabouts." She laughed and smiled but it faded just as quick. "But I become stronger the more they hurt me. Well, at least my resolve is strong." 

"Your body will heal, human. I will attend to you like I did for your Tomas." 

"You are the one who helped him?" Rebecca asked. 

"And the reason why I'm here. But I cannot imagine why they would take my son," she said on a sob. 

Rebecca touched the female's arm. "They average two attacks in the span of ten days but I know a way to get their attention. I will inquire of your son's whereabouts. It is only natural for them to brag about their deeds in the name of the King." 

As if on queue, the outer door chains rattled and released. Guards appeared with daily rations. Rebecca forced herself to stand and face them. 

"Tell your King, I request an audience with him!" She spat. 

The guards laughed. "Better you stay here, little human. My brothers enjoy the taste of your blood on their tongues. King Ulvarg's revenge is only tempered when you bleed. You may not survive the next circle." 

Rebecca knocked their food trays aside, sending food all other the wolves. "I will see him now!" 

One guard shifted on the spot and lunged for her. The other guard knocked him aside. 

"Stop! The human will get her chance in front of the King and then you will have your fun." 

### 

Paloma sat alone in the damp cell, trembling. She rocked in place and kept her hands over her ears but it could not dampen the echoed screams of the human woman.

Torn - Chapter 23 - Hidden Monsters

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The car's tires barely stopped before Jill jumped from the vehicle and ran up the porch stairs, excited to be home. She went straight to her room where her father promised presents and new clothes for the school year. Plopping on her bed, she unwrapped a new navy blue backpack filled with all the books she needed for school, a new iPad and a few other goodies. She went through the clothes next and frowned. She looked again through the tank tops, shirts and skirts, dumbstruck. Gathering a handful of items, Jill ran downstairs to confront her father. She found him with Vrag and Elyen in the living room. 

"What the hell is this?" she demanded as she entered the room. She saw her father's face and regretted her choice of words. 

"Watch your language, and your tone, young lady." 

"Daddy," she said, as sweetly as she could, "What's wrong with this picture?" She shook the items in her hand to get his attention.

"They should fit," Elyen said. "And all the kids are wearing them. I thought you'd like them." 

"They're, um," Jill stopped, not certain she could say the word. "P-p-pastels. Pink and blue and yellow and nothing black in the bunch." She turned to Elyen next, not wanting to hurt her feelings. "I like them but they're not my color. Can I exchange them for black?" she asked. 

"I'm afraid not," Tom said as he crossed to her. "You are still in a lot of danger. I thought changing your wardrobe would help hide you from the bad guys. If you look like everyone else, it will be harder for them to find you." He kissed her forehead. "Think of it as camouflage." Jill groaned but nodded. She couldn't argue with his perfect logic. 

A light flashed out of the corner of her eye. A portal opened and Saal stormed through before it snapped shut. Conversation ceased as Saal paced the floor in an obvious rage. His fists flexed causing his muscles to bunch and twitch. As he stalked around, his appearance altered and shifted. He snarled now through a muzzle of razor sharp teeth. He stopped suddenly and stood rooted to the spot looking lost and confused. Jill watched the anger melt way to grief and she actually thought she saw a pool of tears in his eyes. Everyone felt his grief like a heavy cloud that filled the room. 

Vrag approached first. As he walked toward the jackal he shifted, growing taller, thicker, hairier. Jill thought at first, he'd shifted to a black bear but as she studied the small ring of white fur around his neck and the shortened muzzle, her mouth fell open. He spoke in hushed tones to Saal. Understanding his friend's anger, his own ears burned red in indignation. Elyen approached next, her appearance shifting to that of a doe. She wrapped her arms around the jackal and licked his cheek. Finally her father went to check on his friend and understand his pain. 

"Jill, why don't you go to your room?" Tom suggested. 

"No," Jill said. She laid her clothes aside and approached the group, pushing past the creatures surrounding Saal. "Tell me."

"The Wolf King has taken my sister and her youngest son," Saal said quietly. "If I don't hand you over, he promises to kill them."

Jill's insides turned cold. She couldn't let someone die for her. "Then hand me over," she said. 

Saal smiled painfully. "Handing one innocent person over for another is not a bargain I will make." 

"But I don't want them to die because of me," Jill said. 

"No, Jill! Don't think like that," Saal said, his anger rising. "Nothing that happens to them is your fault." He turned to Tom, "nor yours. The Wolf King is to blame and no one else. Remember that," he said as he covered Jill's hand with his own. "Besides, he would be a fool to harm them. My clan is now involved and we have powerful allies." 

With that said, Tom pulled Jill aside and sent her to her room. She put away her clothes and sat on her bed with her new gadgets but they couldn't hold her attention or keep the tears away. A war was brewing in another realm and her father and Saal would be in the thick of it.