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As the colonists retreated, Markus figured he might as well see what happened at the cabin. Then a dart of light flew toward him, coming from the west. It flowed right through him. Markus, I need your help!
He thought he imagined it at first, but the thoughts from Leotie came again and again. He couldn’t wait to find out what was happening and shifted into electricity, following the vibrations from the energy. He raced over trees, lakes, towns and small villages until he found her north of their old camp, which to his surprise was a horrid mess of dead bodies and burnt fields. This time the dead bodies were those of soldiers. He swooped down. Many of the dead had throat wounds that he guessed came from his clan. It looked like they had gone on a rampage in his absence.
He passed his clan as they gathered around a large oak tree. Their mood was one of worry and despair, despite their victory. Keme lay wounded, bloody and barely breathing near the tree. Chapa’s body was nearby, already turning cold.
Markus circled around and found Leotie waiting about a hundred of feet to the north for him. Despite his warning, Markus knew she’d gotten mixed up with her people again. Of course she would try to save Keme.
****
Leotie watched a streak of light circling above. The light slowed down as Markus shifted into a spirit form. He materialized, not in his usual Roman attire but in a tunic and leggings. He wore his hair long and black, pulled back into a ponytail. His face remained the same as he drifted down to the ground with his most arrogant smirk.
She approached him cautiously. “Yes, that’s right. You win and I need your help. Keme is wounded and I’m hoping you can heal him. If you could please...”
His eyes glowed orange as he cut her off. "You have the nerve to call me to save Keme?”
"Yes, but, but, please..." She braced, expecting him to start throwing fireballs. Instead, he chuckled sarcastically and the glow faded from his eyes.
Leotie paused, taken back by his reaction. “There isn't much time. Please, you’ll have my loyalty if you heal him.”
“Yes, I will, and I’m proud the way you all fought and freed your former people, but no doubt many humans saw you. This isn’t good at all.”
“There was no choice. Now please, you must hurry.” Leotie feared Keme would die before Markus did anything.
“Very well."
“Thank you.” Leotie lead the way.
Everyone started to gather around.
“No, no, everyone get back.” Leotie turned to Wayna and Jolan, who helped to move everyone back.
Leotie hurried over to Keme and knelt down. Keme lay very still under a blanket, his eyes barely open.
“It’s okay,” Leotie said. “Markus agreed to help."
"Why?" Keme said, his voice raspy. His eyes fell shut and he appeared to stop breathing. "Keme!" She nudged him frantically and turned to Markus.
"Move." Markus pushed her out of the way and knelt down. He put his hands over the wound and started to glow. This glow spread to Keme. Leotie tried to figure out if Keme was still alive. She didn't want him to come back as a shifter. Markus would be sure to kill him if that happened.
“That’s just how he brought Anti back to life,” Izrah said. "It's some sort of healing energy.”
Leotie wished she knew more about the process. She could’ve done it herself, but there was no time to learn. What if it was too late? Please still be human, please still be human.
Markus ran his hands over the wound. The glow between them increased, making her squint. She braced to see the first wolf hairs emerge. Instead, the skin healed and the blood disappeared. The light around the two slowly faded. Keme was still human.
Leotie stopped holding her breath.
Markus sat back and blinked. “That should do it, but he'll need rest. Get him some water.”
“Yes, thank you!” Enola brought her canteen over to Keme.
The color had returned to his face even though he half slept as he drank. Leotie smiled. It was worth it to save him.
Markus got up, stretched and walked over to Leotie. “Did I mention how much I liked your new look?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Well, I do. You almost look like your old self, and I can help you perfect it.” He touched her shoulder and whispered. "From now on you will refer to me as Lord Markus.”
"Yes, Lord Markus," she said, just to prove she would keep her word.
"Your first assignment is a kind one on my part. You need to get these people as far away as possible, because when word gets out the town folks are going to go on a werewolf hunt. You settle the tribe, then find a home for our clan farther away."
"But what sort of home?" Jolan asked.
"Go deep into the forest until all of you can assume human form. After that, if you want to visit your former people, you must only do so in human form. For now, the Mahasi must swear to secrecy about what has happened here.” He touched the ring on her finger and it loosened. “I’m going to be coming and going a lot, but you can still use the ring to call me.”
She pulled at the ring and this time it came off. Leotie put it back on. “But why do you want a clan so much if you’ll be coming and going?”
“I’m a warrior, and the recent conflicts between the British and Americans are too much for me to resist. I can travel easily back and forth, so you’ll still see me often. Your job will be to train the others to advance to your level of shifting, as in becoming human again. Then we can all travel together.”
“Thank you for everything.” Leotie liked the idea of training them, but her heart broke at having to leave Keme. She felt grateful, but the dream of living out a normal life with Keme was gone. It was gone the moment he had been shot. Clawson had paid the price for stealing it from her. She pushed it out of her mind, not wanting to appear upset in front of Markus.
“You’re welcome.” He looked around. “Now you best get moving.”
Markus’ form glowed and lightened until he sped off in a streak of light. Leotie looked over at Enola as she kneeled by Keme and tended to him.
Her clan mates and everyone crowded around. Their eyes widened as Keme sat up and looked at them. A lot of whispering went through the people – all about shifters. They lingered about, their chief not in any condition to give orders.
Leotie met with her clan and decided the tribe needed to keep moving past North Point and onto Athen's Hill. Leotie and Tala would get her mother and the others to the river where canoes would be waiting.
As Leotie and Tala started to leave, something felt unsettled. She took one glance back while Enola tended to Keme. That jealous feeling had been replaced by sadness, but also satisfaction. She hadn’t lost. Leotie had saved her people with her influence over Markus. It was a victory.
She told Tala to wait a moment and went back to Enola, who looked up. Leotie motioned for her to talk in private. The two walked several feet away from everyone and stood under a tree.
"Yes?" Enola smiled nervously.
"It's alright with me if you and Keme want to be together."
"What?"
"It's not possible for me to ever be with Keme again. I've joined Markus' clan and have given my loyalty to him in return for him saving Keme's life. I want Keme to be happy with the right person. It makes sense. You're both healers."
Enola fidgeted with her hands and whispered, "The one you’re going with is a dangerous trickster. I hate the idea of you trapped with him, but I know why you gave in to him."
Leotie hesitated and decided it would be better to lie. "It has to be this way. My human life ended, and that leaves Keme free to find a new life-bond. Markus brought me into a new life and saved Keme, so of course I'll be with him."
Enola and Leotie hugged.
"I'll return the others soon, and the Mahasi will be united again. Tell Keme I’ll visit, but not too often. It's just easier that way."
"I understand."
Enola nodded and hugged Leotie again. It reminded her of when they were kids and used to play. Leotie broke away and went over to the waiting Tala. Enola waved as Leotie shifted into a wolf and ran off, eager to tell her mother the good news.
