Shape Shifting 201 Read online

  “Um... are you putting dibs on me?” She stared at him in consternation while the snickering from her familiar was nearly audible.

  He cocked his head. “Something like that. I know you do not have time for a relationship, nor do I wish to be a distraction for you while you are studying.”

  “That is very thoughtful. You would be waiting for three years.”

  He shrugged. “Time isn’t a problem, and I notice that you did not say no.”

  Her skin flushed. “Ah, yeah. That. Well, I didn’t say no. That’s true.”

  He smiled; his metallic eyes sparkled. “I will take that as your offer to consider it.”

  “You are happy with that?”

  “Delighted.”

  Mr. E got up, stretched and wandered over to Argus, looking him up and down. The diabolical kitten reached into Argus’s bowl and caught a pawful of noodles and chicken.

  Argus didn’t do anything as the kitten scarfed down the stolen goods.

  What are you doing, you little maniac?

  Testing your would-be mate. He is going to have to get used to me one way or another.

  That can be accomplished without your digging in his food. I would have given you some of mine if you had asked.

  This is more fun. I am enjoying teasing a large predator with you here to defend me.

  That is it.

  She leaned forward and scooped the black, fluffy serial killer up and spanked him, setting him back at his plate.

  Argus grinned. “I bet he didn’t like that.”

  I didn’t even feel it. This body is all bounce and fluff. He flicked his tail in the air. And you hit like a girl.

  She chuckled. “He is getting over it. So, how long have you been partnered with Lio and Ivar? Are all XIA agents so huge?”

  “We are heavy hitters. We get called in for extranaturals who are rampaging or overpowering. Lots of trolls.” He smiled.

  “I have never met a troll.” She slurped at her noodles then put a small portion in front of Mr. E with a selection of carrots and chicken. He didn’t say anything, but purring commenced.

  “Well, you sort of have. Lio is half troll, half elf.”

  She whistled softly. “That explains a lot. What about Ivar?”

  Argus chuckled. “I think he ate a troll and it got stuck.”

  She giggled at the mental image and then sobered. “If we put off courtship for years, what are we in the meantime?”

  “Friends? Companions? Classmates? If I get desperate, study buddies?”

  She laughed. “Do I get to pick?”

  “Of course.”

  “Friends then. Platonic and casual friends who can study together if you get desperate.”

  He grinned. “I will take you up on that if your familiar doesn’t mind.”

  The low rumbling purr coming from the tiny body was answer enough.

  Argus straightened and asked, “So, what did you get for answer three?”

  She smiled and returned to her soup. “No action shall be taken against the powerless unless they have been armed by a mage.”

  “Ah, right. Okay... on to question seven.”

  She enjoyed studying with him and having endless cups of tea appearing while the old cups were whisked away. None of the staff even raised a brow at Mr. E.

  Homework had never been so entertaining with a side of flirting. It was going to be a long few years.

  Chapter Nine

  Having members of the XIA roaming the campus at night cut down on the escalating incidences of draining, but it was the effect of Argus visiting her shifting class that made Imara feel safe.

  Magus Korian had been star struck at a genuine mythical shifter sitting in on his class.

  Imara had gotten down to business and fully shifted into her vulture. Argus had her extend her wings, and he had been very businesslike about telling her what parts of her form she needed to alter for flight.

  Korian was hovering in the background, but with an actual flying shifter helping her with her scale, he didn’t have anything to offer.

  “Okay, now beat your wings.” Argus smiled.

  She flapped twice, and to her shock, her feet lifted off the ground. She was so surprised that she landed heavily on her tail feathers.

  “It is fine. Everybody lands on their butt now and then. Come on; I will help you up, and you can glide to a tremendous landing on your stomach.”

  Before she could do more than shriek in panic and flap her wings, he scooped her up, and her claws were digging into his forearm.

  With the rest of the class watching, he walked to the back of the auditorium, and her vision focused on the stage and the tempting prey of the small, black kitten.

  She got her balance and focused, hearing the taunt from below. Bring it on, baldy.

  She didn’t shriek, didn’t make a sound as she launched from her perch and glided toward her prey.

  She hit him hard. The sound was a meaty thud, but instead of perching on him, she used her momentum to carry him up and into the rafters.

  Baldy? Really?

  Oh, you heard that? I mean you are a lovely example of vulture nobility.

  She perched and let him slip out of her claws. If he weren't a creature of magic, he would have been crushed when she snagged him.

  She sat for a moment and watched the faces turned toward her. Only Argus was watching with a smile on his face.

  Imara shook her head, looked at Mr. E and asked, So, how do you feel about landing?

  He grumbled but got into a position where she could grab him.

  She walked sideways, grabbed him, spread her wings, and began to flex and flap, lowering them at a predictable pace. She released her familiar a few feet from the ground and then dropped to the wooden floor.

  Imara sat and breathed heavily as she took her human form again. The charm she was wearing generated her robe, and she sat on her ass and wiggled her toes in front of the class. “Well, that was fun.”

  Korian was staring at her, blinking in shock. “You... you made a complete transformation with only two classes.”

  Argus wandered up to her and helped her to her feet. She smiled brightly. “I had some coaching.”

  Korian nodded, and he shrugged. “Well, you have proved proficiency. You get the class credit.”

  “What?”

  “The course aim was to achieve a secondary form that was functional and biologically sound. You flew, landed and flew again. That gets you a pass.”

  “Oh. Right. Well, thanks. I will just get changed and leave.”

  “That would be best. The other students still have a lot to learn.”

  “Oh. What about the final exam?”

  “You just did it.” Korian smiled and took a step toward her, trying to reach out to her.

  Argus moved, and Korian froze, retreating as he stared at the XIA agent.

  “Right, well, I will file your passing grade with the college. You should receive a confirmation within the hour.”

  “Thank you, Magus Korian. It was an informative class.”

  She scooped up Mr. E and stroked him lightly as she walked to where she had left her day clothing. She pulled her panties and jeans on under her robe, turned her back and put on her bra before yanking her shirt on over her head.

  Mr. E was watching to make sure that no one was peeping at more than her back for a few seconds. Once she was dressed, she pulled on her shoes and grabbed her bag and books with Mr. E taking up his accustomed perch on her shoulder.

  Argus looked at her. “Would you like to get lunch?”

  Her stomach churned and growled. She blushed. “How did you know?”

  “Shifting shape always takes a toll.”

  “I want to change clothing first. I think I have my shirt on backward, and I have put on enough of a show for the day.”

  “Lead the way.” He grinned.

  She took off with a long stride, and he kept u
p with her as she made her way across the campus. Her body was energized, and she needed to use that energy or scream.

  When they arrived at Reegar Hall, she invited him into the common room. “Wait here, and I will be right back.”

  Reegar looked up in surprise from the easy chair where he was reading his favourite spell book. “You are leaving him here?”

  She smiled. “Just for a minute. I am just going to change clothing, and we will be on our way. Don’t do anything weird while I am gone.”

  Argus glanced her way. “Which one of us are you talking to?”

  “Both.” She headed up the stairs and made a beeline for her room. Her bag thudded on the floor, and she sent her shirt and Mr. E flying, noting that it was inside out and he was excellent at landing on the bed. Her twisted bra was banished to the hamper, and her jeans followed.

  She was dressed in a properly behaving bra, sweatshirt, and fresh jeans in under two minutes. She brushed her hair out and flipped it behind her, extended her arm to Mr. E, and her familiar was back in place on her shoulders when she finished tying her sneakers.

  “Ready to go?”

  Your purse.

  “Thank you. You are an excellent familiar.”

  I know it.

  She pried her purse out of her backpack and checked it quickly. There were money, keys, and her identification readily visible next to her phone, so she was good to go.

  “Huh. I have a message.”

  She woke up her phone and listened to the message. She had clearance to dig up the soil she needed. She just had to make an appointment to be accompanied by a member of the chancellor’s household.

  As she walked down the stairs, she made the call.

  Reegar and Argus were sitting and appeared involved in deep conversation.

  With her appointment looming, she grabbed some plastic bags, a knife, and a spoon. They would help her do what she needed to do.

  “So, what were you and Reegar discussing?”

  Argus drove them off campus and out to the town again. “Just his enjoyment of you as a tenant. You seem enthusiastic about something. Good news?”

  “Yeah, I get to go digging to get some soil that will hopefully let me pass my herbology course.”

  He blinked. “You have to find your own dirt?”

  “Yeah. It is for the final exam, but plants take time. I have to get the plants under way as soon as possible, but the chancellor’s office delayed in getting back to me.”

  “You need fancy dirt?” He glanced at her.

  “I need magical dirt. I am pinning my hopes on the slightly risqué memoire of a previous student.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, I am trusting my own magic and hoping for the best.” Her stomach snarled again.

  He chuckled. “Hang in there. We will be there in a moment.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Barbeque. You have just had your first shift, you need meat. Mage or not, your body has just had a shock.”

  He pulled his blue SUV into a parking lot and found a spot. The moment that the car settled he was around the vehicle and had her door open.

  “Um, I thought we were pausing the idea of courtship for a few years.”

  He took her hand in his. “Just helping you out of the car, buddy.”

  She rolled her eyes while Mr. E snickered.

  “Oh, can he come in?”

  “Yes. This is a shifter-friendly establishment. The occasional ball of fur doesn’t even faze folks.”

  The car door shut behind her, and he led her into the restaurant with his fingers woven with hers. It was more than the assistance of a friend, but she didn’t want to fuss.

  The air in the parking lot was full of the scent of barbeque, so Imara walked faster. Once inside, the server was friendly, told Mr. E what a pretty boy he was and took them to a table.

  “Huh, this really is familiar friendly.”

  “Well, the college is ten minutes away. He probably isn’t even the only one in here today.”

  She ordered a soda and water, he settled for green tea.

  The menus were bursting with meat, but before she could make up her mind, Argus snagged her menu from her and shook his head. “Trust me on this. I will pick what you need. The first shift meal needs to be special.”

  Imara drummed her fingertips on the table. “Special?”

  “Oh, yes. Just a moment.”

  He left the table, and she was sitting there with Mr. E still basking in the comment of the hostess.

  A moment later, Argus reappeared and took his seat with a smile on his lips. “It will just be a moment.”

  It was two minutes of stomach churning sounds before a server arrived and slid moist towelettes down before she delivered some riblets covered in sauce.

  She grinned. “The rest will be out in a few minutes.”

  Imara tore open the wipe and grabbed a riblet. To her amusement, the server brought a small plate of shredded pork for Mr. E. He happily launched himself to the table while the ladies squealed and cooed at him while they went about their rounds.

  Perhaps being cute isn’t too bad.

  Imara was halfway through the small tidbits of pork on bone when he spoke. See? I told you so.

  Argus sipped at his tea. “Has that taken the edge off?”

  Her stomach rumbled again. “A little bit. I no longer feel hollow.”

  “You had a mass dispersal. You are not going to feel great for a couple of days, and you will need massive meals. It is my honour to provide you with your first shift meal.” Argus said the words with solemn formality.

  “I thank you for the upcoming meal; now, please join me before I eat everything.” She looked at the half dozen bits left on the plate, the clean bones stacked neatly beside them.

  Argus picked up a wet nap and slowly cleaned his hands. He picked up one of the little bits and raised it to his lips.

  The server arrived with a platter for two and set it firmly in front of Imara. Argus had a salad.

  She looked at him over the display of ambrosia to her senses. “You have to be joking.”

  “No. You need this.”

  “Have some.”

  He grinned. “Thank you. It is up to you to share your kill, or in this case, your chicken and ribs.”

  “But...” she gave him an arch look. “The brisket is mine.”

  He inclined his head in acceptance, and the feeding frenzy began.

  Chapter Ten

  “Why aren’t I full?” She looked down at her hands, still stained from the sauce after the two double platters. The soap in the bathroom wasn’t up to the task.

  “You lost molecular density. You lost mass to take your form, and when you shifted back, you didn’t regain all of that mass. Basically, you forgot where you parked it. Your instructor should have shown you how to do it.”

  “I am not sure that he knows. He wanted us all to pick a shape that had nearly the same mass as our human bodies. I had to pick the one that called to me, but the others were pretty much matching their human forms.”

  “You did very well. Controlling the transformation is important. If you like, I can give you some instruction so that you can gain proficiency.”

  “That would be nice. Thanks again for the meal.”

  “First shift is a rite of passage amongst shape shifters. It is our only magic, so we celebrate it.”

  She smiled. “Yeah, I am getting that. Could you drop us at the chancellor’s residence?”

  “Certainly. Would you like help to dig?”

  “I won’t need help, but I wouldn’t mind the company.”

  He grinned.

  “Wait, don’t you have to work this evening?” She bit her lip, worried that she was monopolizing his time.

  “I don’t need as much sleep as you do. I will be fine and up to class tomorrow.” He smiled and turned with practiced ease through the twisting streets of the campus.


  The chancellor’s residence was nearly as old as the college and had ivy covering the exterior.

  “Wow. This is neat.”

  “Haven’t you been here before?”

  Imara shook her head. “Nope. I have met the chancellor a few times, but I haven’t been to the residence.”

  He parked in a gravelled lot, and they left the vehicle together, walking up the path to the ancient home.

  Before they could knock, the door opened, and a young man stood in the opening. “Imara Mirrin?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am Dresden Deepford-Smythe, the chancellor’s assistant. I will take you to the gardens.”

  She sighed at facing one of her cousins. “Thank you.”

  The assistant emerged from the house and walked them around the building to the gated gardens. This wasn’t a standard gate. The garden was guarded by a seven-foot stone wall that radiated magic. Dresden opened the gate for them and nodded. “You have two hours until the garden ejects you. I hope you find what you are looking for.”

  Imara nodded and stepped into the gardens, looking past the glowing and lush flowers and seeking the pear tree.

  “What are we looking for?”

  “A pear tree. I am looking for a pear tree.”

  As she walked, she dug blindly into her purse until she found the test strips.

  Argus looked at the vial with interest. “What is that?”

  “Magic detector. It hasn’t had a field test yet, but I thought it might help.”

  She held the tweezers and flipped open the vial, selecting one out of the fifty little strips. She walked toward the large orchard section of the gardens and let one of the strips fall.

  There was a minor flash on the ground, and Imara grinned. “Excellent.”

  “What did that prove?”

  “There is magic. If it isn’t magical, nothing happens.”

  He nodded. “Right. Can your familiar help?”

  “I don’t know. Mr. E, can you find the pear tree?”

  He snuffled against her neck. Fourth tree, two rows down. It was there when I went to school.

  She gestured, and they followed the direction of her tiny food-coma’d companion.