Page 79 of Beast and Remedy
“You need to get away from me,” I warn. “I don’t want to hurt you. Not like last time.”
Memories flash of the second time I shifted after Mama’s death. Marian stood beside me, wanting to help me through the transition, and my half-turned paw lashed out and almost struck her. Since then, I’ve refused to let her or anyone near me when I transform.
But determination sweeps across my sister’s gaze. “This time is going to be different. I’ll be careful.”
“I don’t want you getting hurt!” I snarl, another growl vibrating in my chest and stealing my breath as my ribs pop.
Exhaustion dances across my limbs as the ground becomes the only thing I can hold on to.
My muscles spasm. My veins throb. My powerthrashes.
Another pang shoots up my spine from my broken leg, and I scream, throwing my head back. My outburst echoes, drowning out the world and reverberating in my mind.
Marian grasps my hand, squeezing it twice in pulses as the shift grows.
More jarring.
More grueling.
Moreagonizing.
“I’ve accepted your demands for years, but no more. I’m going to help you through this,” she vows in a reverent whisper, and tears fall down my cheeks.
I sniff, trying to agree—
CRACK!
The hand she holds shoots upward and twitches, shattering and hanging at an awkward angle.
A bloodcurdling roar leaves me. “Step back!”
Marian’s eyes widen, her face grave and pale as she blessedly listens.
I painfully contort my body as best I can to be on all fours, the torturous magic not comforting me but breaking me apart. Taking everything human about myself and turning me into a monster.
A beast who can’t do fucking anything to help her people or her kingdom.
I bellow and slump forward as I’m yanked in different directions, the pain scalding along my spine as my clothing shreds apart and fur stretches forth.
“Breathe, Vi,” Marian whispers. “You’re not alone. You’re okay.”
My other hip dislodges, the bone altering and growing.
I hiss, gritting my teeth as hard as I can, not caring if I break my own jaw.
At least I would have done that by my own choice and strength, not by this force of nature.
This force of magic.
“You’re strong. You’re smart. You’re brave,” my sister recounts. “You can do this. Like you’ve always done this. Keep breathing, Vi.Keepbreathing.”
Her words of compassion ground me more than I expect, but the bear inside me vibrates a territorial warning.
“Go, Marian.Now!” I command, flashing my teeth.
Whatever she sees must be terrifying enough for her to fumble upright. But she doesn’t run. She doesn’t leave. Rather, she breathes carefully and watches me.
“You can control it. You just have to try.”
