AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Being a cat was your protection from the memories which haunt you. I took that from you and have not been understanding. I would like to make it up to you.” Emotions were clear on his face, and his words were everything I wanted to hear. But it made me suspicious.
“By trying to turn me back?” I asked slowly.
He nodded solemnly. “If that is what you want.”
“The witches don’t think it is possible.” I shrugged and tried to move past him.
“I have far more power than them,” he scoffed and blocked me.
I frowned, not sure why he was being so insistent. “I haven’t saved Savida yet, and I promised you I would.”
“You have done enough.” A flash of something passed over his face before I could identify it.
The fact that I hesitated to take his offer told me all I needed to know. I didn’t want to be a cat again. I might miss the simple life, but ultimately, I needed to stop running from my past, my fears, my pain.
My relationship with Winnie and even Charlie had changed too much for things to go back as they were. I enjoyed talking and eating human food, and although the emotions were turbulent, I knew they’d eventually be more positive than negative. I loved bantering with Charlie. I loved the adoration in Zaide’s eyes. And I wanted to meet Savida properly and tell him the story of how we saved him.
I sighed, knowing it would be a challenge to rescue him without Winnie dying because of her sworn promise and me dying with her.
I rubbed my head, the ache becoming more pronounced.Bed. I need to go to bed.I nodded to myself.
“Very well,” Daithi said.
I forgot he was waiting for an answer. Looking up, my eyes widened to the size of saucers as I opened my mouth to tell him no. He inhaled, and then his body glowed, and magic swirled out from his palms.
My protest caught in my throat as magic brushed against my skin, following my arm to my mouth and forcing entry into my body. I was choking on it. I had forgotten how much it hurt to change shapes. My body contorted, and I screamed.
Charlie and Zaide ran from the kitchen to find me lying on the floor, panting.
“Daithi, what have you done?” Zaide roared.
“It was her wish,” Daithi said.
Charlie sounded hesitant. “Daithi, she’s screaming.”
I heard Zaide’s growl. “She is in pain, Daithi. Stop it.”
“It’s too late.”
Charlie interrupted, “I thought we weren’t using magic in case we needed you at full strength.”
“This feels like the right thing to do. Savida would want me to do this, and I have some making up to do.”
Poisonous fire ran through my veins, and just as I thought I wouldn’t survive the pain, it eased. My scream morphed into a yowl.
As I panted, my eyes closed, and I took a moment to compose myself. When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t see the different shades and my emotions felt duller.
I looked down and saw a blurry mess of blond fur. My paws. I flexed them, feeling my sharp claws pierce the carpet beneath me as I stood up. Looking around, I swished my tail.
Everything looked so big. I’d forgotten about that.
I ran to the sofa and jumped onto the cushions to get higher, able to see Charlie’s confused expression and Zaide’s devastated purple eyes.
Back in this body, I felt comfortable, unburdened, and familiar. I was Clawdia the fierce. A furred beauty. The brave and mischievous Clawdia. Everything I wasn’t when I was human.
But comfortable things don’t grow.
Becoming human again had changed me. Reminded me of the good feelings, the hopes and dreams I had and the simple pleasures in life. It reminded me how challenging life was supposed to be, and I couldn’t go back to comfortable now.
