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Dread pooled low in my stomach. I did not like how he said it—as if it were an unavoidable truth.
“We should get to training,” he said, and we walked together down the hall. “Do you think Dis likes dogs?”
“Sorin,” I warned.
He chuckled and started to walk a little faster. “Maybe she would be more inclined to keep you around.”
I tried to push him, but he took off at a run, cackling. I chased after him down the carpeted halls of the castle. The dread and doubt Sorin’s words had inspired melted away as I ran after him.
“It was a simple question!” he said.
I ran harder and finally caught up with him, managing to jump onto his back. Unprepared for my weight, he stumbled forward and fell. I rolled off him onto my back, and he followed. We lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, laughing, and for a moment, I felt happy and unburdened.
“This is cozy,” said a voice, and I looked up to find Adrian smirking. He stood beside Daroc, who did not appear to find any humor in the situation, and it was under his gaze that Sorin ceased to laugh. I felt his anxiety descend as he got to his feet.
“Let me help you,” he said, holding out his hand, and I accepted.
“We were just on our way to train,” I said.
“Obviously,” Adrian said, an amused curve to his lips. “If it involves rolling around on the floor with you, perhaps I should join.”
I pressed my lips together and glanced at Sorin. He was staring at the floor rather than Daroc, who seemed desperate to get his attention and frustrated that he couldn’t.
“We’ll leave you to train,” Adrian said, and he stepped forward, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “I’ll take you on the floor later.”
As they passed, Daroc glanced at Sorin, but he still did not look at Daroc. As they disappeared around the corner, I started to ask Sorin about the interaction, but he stopped me.
“We should start,” he said. “We’ll run out of time.”
He walked ahead of me, and I hurried to catch up with him.
“Sorin,” I said. “Who knows about my ability?”
I was both curious and worried. I did not imagine Adrian would tell very many people, but since Sorin knew, I assumed Daroc also knew.
“Very few, I think,” he replied. “This isn’t something you want getting out until you have some control over the change.”
It was going to be hard enough when it eventually became common knowledge. Not only could I shift into a creature that had killed a number of my people…there were a fair number who had been bitten just like me and given no chance at survival.
Sorin led me into a large, open room. The floor was stone, the walls brick, and there was a stretch of open windows high above my head. It was cold, even though a fire raged within the hearth.
“Since we must use discretion, we’ll train in here,” he said.
“What is this place usually used for?”
“Fencing, mostly,” he said.
I was a little surprised and laughed. “I cannot imagine you following the rules.”
“I never said I participated,” he replied and faced me.
I knew it was time to begin, and I realized I had dreaded this moment because I did not want to be what I was. I did not want to face it.
“How did you shift the first time?” Sorin asked.
I paused, uncertain if I should be truthful. I still remember how I had woken up, desperate to fuck and so hot. “I…was having sex with Adrian.”
“Huh,” he said, an amused look in his eyes. “Have you tried that again?”
