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I nodded, shifting my weight. Removing one’s clothes was the first step. Then there was the close, intimate contact of a hug, of pressing our bodies together. With Roy that part was one pleasurable thing, but with a stranger it was another.
A tingle started on my skin as his beast called out to mine again. His frankness and candour were disarming, and I opened my arms. He embraced me, holding me, as if I were a bomb about to explode.
Gently, he pressed me against him. A fire started on my skin. Not the type of burning Roy gave me, but a stinging sensation, not entirely unpleasant. Our bodies merged effortlessly, like two drops of water joining each other. It was the easiest merging I’d ever experienced. Smooth, quick, and natural. Thick furry arms replaced mine. One was controlled by Nathan, the other by me. The coat shone with a shiny chestnut-brown, that type of glossy colour I’d pay a fortune to dye my hair with. Our image in the mirror showed a creature that looked like a wolf with a long muzzle, pointed ears, and a bushy tail. Thick fangs protruded from underneath the upper lip. Our big black nose twitched.
“We don’t look bad.” Nathan half turned to look at our back where a furry ridge ran over our spine. “How do you feel?”
As if I were surrounded by a warm blanket. “Fine.”
“Now we have to see if we can fight. Next step will be trying to create a smaller beast.”
“Like what?”
In the sort of in-between space we shared, he shrugged. “A dog? We must be able to turn into a creature that wouldn’t make the front page ofThe Timesif spotted by humans.”
Our beast’s reflection filled the mirror. “It seems impossible to shrink this beast into something smaller.”
“The size is deceiving and doesn’t really matter. We can do it. And you’ve been brilliant.” He beamed and squeezed my hand.
A light strain pressed against my head. It was as if a pair of hands were squeezing my skull. I scrubbed my forehead, a hint of nausea roiling my stomach. “What is that? Is it you?”
A muscle in his jaw started contracting. “I’m reinforcing our connection by sharing my emotions with you and seeking out yours.”
What? “I’ve never heard of that.”
He chuckled. “Didn’t Roy share his feelings, thoughts, and memories with you?”
“No.” I couldn’t remove the annoyance from my voice.
“Relax, Kristin. This is how we can learn to fight together,” he said inside my head. “You’re welcome into my mind. Go on. Take a tour.”
“How can I do that?” I staggered as we walked around, trying to coordinate our balance.
“Didn’t Roy teach you how to explore a mind?”
“Not really.” Quite the opposite.
His frustration caused the hairs on my neck to prickle. “Sorry. I’m not frustrated with you. Follow my voice inside your head and think about sliding into my thoughts.”
His presence surrounded me. It was as if he were holding me with his arms and legs wrapped around my body. Nothing to do with my experience with Roy. When we’d merged, he’d stayed distant from me, barring his intimate thoughts from me, aside from that quick glimpse I’d caught last time. But Nathan welcomed my presence, embraced it, and was sharing himself with me. Focusing on our connection, I plunged into a sweet world of memories and ignored the pounding headache. A young Nathan was running around Raven Park, his uniform splattered in mud. Nathan laughed with other cadets in the dining room. Nathan naked with other cadets in the changing rooms as they had a shower. Lord, even my friends Bruce and Michael were there, stark naked. I shouldn’t see that.
Oops. Cheeks flaming, I withdrew from his mind. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right.” His nervous chuckle echoed in the confined space we shared. He tottered, and I had to shift on the left to not fall. “I have some control over the things I can show you, but I’m not that good.”
“Can I control what memories I show you?” What had happened between Roy and me was too private to share.
“Yes. With a bit of experience, you’ll be able to search my mind at will and to shield your thoughts from me.”
“What have you seen of my memories?”
“Nothing.” He scowled. “That would be rude. I’ll wait for you to be ready.”
“Thank you.” A wince escaped me as the pressure in my head increased. He hadn’t shown any signs of pain when I’d probed his mind.
“The sharing might hurt a little the first time,” he said as I grimaced. “Enough for now. We’ll try again later after I find another beast to fight.”
He withdrew from me, our beasts separating in the same smooth way they’d merged. I found myself slumped in his arms as he held me gently against his chest. Our warm bodies were touching, and my head rested on his broad chest. My head was spinning from the pain and the merging, so I welcomed his support. Like other cadets, he was all sculpted ridges and well-defined muscles with a certain softness, due to his gentle nature. Sighing, I allowed myself to be held for a moment longer. It wasn’t bad at all.
