1 Chapter 2

I crashed towards the ground in another ungraceful landing. My white wings shivered, causing a cloud of dust to fall from the feathers. I was starting to get frustrated but at least I didn't have Lucien's laughter to signal yet another failed attempt I glanced towards Lucien who was fast asleep in the shade, having gotten board after fail number 20.

I dusted myself off as a male landed beside me with perfect grace. His large brown wings shrunk back into arms as he faced me with an encouraging smile.

"you did better, 120th times the charm?"

I sent him a tired smile, "Maybe tomorrow, Quin"

"sure, no problem princess"

Quin threw his arm over my shoulder, walking me towards where Lucien was waking up from his nap.

Lucien shot Quin a glare as we entered the shade, "bird brain"

Quin ignored the nickname, his white eyes dancing with amusement, "well pup," Quin said, running his hand through his brown hair, " At least I can teach her something instead of using her as an excuse to get away from that little fox"

Lucien shrugged, "I just owe her one now"

Quin looked like he wanted to say something when a tiny piglet ran around his feet. Quin smiled, lifting the little pink pig and tossing it into the air. when he caught the plug it was no longer a pig, but a little girl.

"Bacon, my favorite person on the whole island" Quin spoke

Bacon giggled, "Quin-Quin, can we fly?"

"of course we can" Quin said, shifting Bacon onto his back

I watched as Quin ran, shifting into a giant hawk the size of a small house. Quin lifted off the ground with Bacon sitting on his back.

I turned towards Lucien who was now in his wolf form, my head barely brushing his shoulder. I reached out and ran my fingers through his thick brown fur. My stomache grumbled, causing Lucien to snort.

"Let's head into the village, I'm starving"

***

Lucien walked beside me in his wolf form as we wandered through the village market. A mix of people in their human and animal forms filled the dirt paths.

"Hey, you girl" A voice called out

I turned to see and older woman with chin length snow-white hair. Her scrunched up nose twitched every so often, two large white rabbit ears sticking out of her head. Some shifters can change certain parts of their body to match their animal form, but they have to be very focused to do so.

"Me?" I asked confused

"Yeah, you. come take a look at this!" she rambled, her odd accent unfamiliar to me.

The shifter clan is one of few places not under the evil Queens influence. we live far away from the other islands, our home having the name 'island of the forgotten' for a reason.

Shifters outside the island are rare, since the queens magic doesn't work on them, she had many killed. The survivors of her raids came here and thrive in secrecy.

I glanced at Lucien who seemed just as confused as me before hesitantly going closer to the rabit women's booth. I stopped in front of the tae and watched as she slammed a small wooden box onto the table.

"do you know what this is?" she asked slyly

I shook my head, "No, what is it?"

The wooden box was a plain dark wood, nothing special about it. My guess is she's trying to sell whatever is inside.

She grinned, pulling open the box, " Its a dagger, forged by Zi. It's said to bring luck to whoever holds it"

I could tell by Lucien's eyes roll he knew it was a scam, but I couldn't help but get lost in the dagger before me.

The elegant shiny blade had ruins drawn on it, the handle made from bones. The dagger rested gently against a smooth black cloth, begging for me to take it.

"how much?" I asked, not looking away from the dagger

"five gold" the rabbit grinned

I slapper the coins onto the counter and grabbed the box, walking away with an annoyed Lucien.

***

"I still can't believe you bought that" Lucien said between bites of bread

I rolled my eyes, " so what if it was a scam, A dagger could come in handy."

Lucien shrugged, "whatever, not my money you're wasting"

I ignored him, relaxing in the shade of the Elder Tree. the Elder Tree was in the middle of the island, it's where the clan Elders found the Raven's feather. They say the Elder Tree is where Zi and his lover first kissed.

"Lucien?" I said, leaning back, staring at the branches and leaves above me, "Do you ever wonder what made the queen evil?"

Lucien was silent for a moment before speaking, "I dont know, Just a bad apple I guess"

I frowned but didnt say anything. No one is just born evil, something had to of made her this way.

Sudden screams rose from the village, Lucien shifting into his wolf form as we ran towards them. We pushed through a crowd of shifters, only to see what may be some of our greatest fears.

The rabbit woman from.before stood in front of a collection of monsters...the Queen's monsters. Each monster was disfigured and grotesque, their violet eyes thruming with the Queen's magic.

"The queen sends her reguards," The rabbit smirked, " And she can't wait to add another artifact to her collection."

Lucien growled as the rabbit women's gaze landed on me. a few brave shifters shouted, 'traitor' as she sent me a wink. The rabbit gave the signal and soon the monsters were tearing through the village. The rabbit woman calmly strode over to us.

"If you don't mind, honey" she said, holding her hand out, " I'll take that bracelet now"

Lucien stepped in front of me protectively and I pulled out the dagger she sold me earlier. How ironic. The rabbit woman rushed towards us, easily dodging Lucien, and knocking me to the ground.

A loud roar tore through the screams as a huge black bear ran at the rabbit woman. The bear threw her off me as Silver rushed to help me up.

"Katie, are you ok?" Silver asked

I nodded, "yeah. Find Bacon and Quin, we'll meet you at the training field"

She nodded and ran off, not looking back. I fell into a defensive stance and held my hands in front of me, my palms facing the rabbit. I shot a ball of lava at her and she easily avoided it, sending me a shocked look.

"A mage living with shifters?" her shock melted into amusement, "who's the traitor now?"

"Still you" I hissed