Page 28 of Finding my Shifter Soulmate

Chapter Nineteen – Sabrina

All eyes are on me as I stand in front of the battle scene. It's a gory sight. A gruesome representation of the pure carnage. Blood decorates the floor, and tiger parts litter the grounds. The fight was victorious for us, obviously, but that doesn't make it any less violent. Doesn't make the sight of those downed tigers any easier to accept.

We've lost plenty of our own animals, as well. There are bodies strewn haphazardly over the terrain, on the cliffsides, and in the trees. Fur, feathers, wings and limbs lie dead and broken on the cold, dead earth. Just thinking about the ones we couldn't save makes me sick. The ones who didn't make it.

The shifters are of varying shapes and sizes and are of a larger diversity than I had anticipated. It doesn't matter what species they are, it's clear that every one of them is loyal to Gede. I just wish it hadn't come to so many of them risking their lives.

Despite all the physical trauma surrounding me, the jungle glows with radiant beauty, every leaf on every tree glistening in brilliant hues of green. The waters surrounding the cave are so blue and so clear, sparkling in the evening sunlight. It's like a reminder, to all who've survived the battle, that you are alive and so is the earth. It's a whisper of hope, a flash of optimism in a world littered with devastation.

With Gede beside me and the animals staring at us, I wonder if perhaps I've lost my mind. The whole day has been a bit surreal, but how can I possibly heal the island? It seems absurd, but I heard the command loud and clear. More bloodshed will only intensify the anger and the loss. The wrath of the earth will only increase. And if we don't break the curse,we'll be trapped in a constant cycle of tit for tat. Nothing will improve, and the forest will continue its demise. All living creatures will be forgotten in a void of chaos.

Something has to be done. Something that hasn't been done before.

When I look back into the cave, I see the symbolic Barong's eyes still glowing, still watching us. The gods want me to listen. To obey. I know it's hard, and there's nothing easy about forgiveness. But they've been waiting for a long time to see the peace spread over this place. Even longer than Gede. And this is their last chance. My chance to fulfill the prophecy.

Strangely enough, I'm not frightened. Whatever I have to do, whatever it is that I'm supposed to do, I know it's the right choice. That strange certainty pulses through me, providing a level of confidence that I don't normally feel. Gede waits, returned to his human form, stoic and handsome by my side. A perfect representation of the spirit of the shifter world.

The others watch us, but they wait. They allow me this moment, and it means a great deal to me. I've learned in this short time that shifters are protectors by nature. They hate to sit idly by while someone else tries to solve a problem. But what we're about to do here is important.

"Sabrina," Gede prompts, "what is it you have in mind?"

Laughing a little, I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, smoothing the hair out of my eyes. "I have no idea, really. I just know there's something I need to do. Something... important."

"Go on." Gede nods in my direction, encouraging me to use whatever intuition I've tapped into. "I'll go along with anything you decide, Sabrina."

I close my eyes and breathe, listening to the call of the jungle. An owl hoots in the distance, and a lemur bounds across a nearby branch. When I listen harder, I hear the rumble of cicadas in the thick trees and the sound of the wind whistling through the vines. Most importantly, I'm able to see the threads of life on the island. At first, it's more difficult than ever to keep things straight, but then I find that seeing with my mind's eye is easy. Everything is glowing with a brilliant white light.

"I think I know what I need to do," I announce. Then I open my eyes and look out at the audience of animals that have gathered before me, expecting me to do something miraculous. I suppose I better figure out exactly what it is I need to do and do it quickly before my self-assurance crumbles.

I pull out the necklace tucked inside my dress. I run my fingers over the stone, tracing the groves that make up the face of the Barong. Of my Barong. It doesn't take long for the idol to react to my touch, the yellow gemstone glows, brightening to a buttery orange color, just like the molten eye of the larger statue that spoke to me. A sense of calm washes over me, bringing instant relief to my nerves.

Animals startle at the power of the talisman, shrinking in the face of so much energy. Gede, however, leans closer and whispers in my ear. "Go on, Sabrina. I have faith in you. Go. Be the queen. Do your duty."

"I understand," I reply. It feels amazing to not only have his support, but his confidence. "I'm going to set things straight."

I step back through the mouth of the cave, and almost immediately, I can feel the presence of the gods and the spirits. They're there, by the light and the statue, all swirling around, eager to get my attention, nudging me toward the steps of the inner sanctum. When I move further in, the wall begins to radiate, turning from shimmery silver to a solid bronze. A wind sweets through, extinguishing the torches that Gede lined along the walls, but it doesn't matter. I can see everything I need to see.

Something about me has changed.

I glance down at the gem that dangles from the center of the chain, and it glows brighter the closer I get to the Barong idol. I watch in awe as light trickles into the cave, flowing from the talisman to the idol. When I place a finger to the gemstone, the contact that was made earlier is strengthened, and our connection flickers to a bright flare that seems to wrap around me. It glitters and tickles my skin, moving all over my body.

Joy consumes me. Relief and serenity flood my mind as the realization that I'm becoming part of something far greater than I could ever imagine sinks in. I'm suddenly so thankful that this happened. It wasn't by accident. My whole life has led me to this. The abuse I suffered at my ex's hands, all of the horrible dates that taught me what not to do in a relationship, everything. The memories are bittersweet, but they're connected, like an important link in a massive chain. Like the strands of thread that bind me to the gods that created me and led me to Gede. And ultimately, it led me here, to do what needs to be done.

The knowledge sweeps over me, creating a steady hum deep inside me. The vibrations from the Barong's chanting build strength, becoming more boisterous, and in that moment, all the barriers I've had in the past are removed.

All fear disappears.

Love bursts through, radiating toward the Barong idol. Intense empathy flows like a river to encompass every shifter on the island, and I cry out with joy. For the first time in my life, I know what I'm doing is right. My purpose is clear. My mission is straightforward.

It feels fantastic.

I put the Barong idol against the statue, connecting the two representations. And after a moment or two, something finally happens. There's a magical spark, like a shock against my skin. It makes me jump. I stare, watching as the magic inside of the statue begins to seep out and into the island itself. It slides along my legs like a rush of current and wends its way out through the grotto wall.

Is it working? I can't tell.

Although there are no obvious changes to the shifters before us, or even the jungle, my connection with the statue encourages me to keep at it. I talk without speaking, reciting words that have no rational meaning but surely make sense to the gods and the spirit of the land. There are long lilts and rounded syllables that flow from my heart. It doesn't feel strange. It feels good, like my vocal cords are meant to form such words. The glow in the cave remains strong, assuring me that whatever I'm doing is right.

Something shifts, the jungle quivers, and the colors around me intensify. Bright yellows and greens gleam at the corners of my vision. Gold flecks and waves appear in patches of sunlight, and the breeze picks up with more strength, swirling dust through the trees, making the sun flicker and flash behind theswaying leaves. A little tremor of anticipation makes my knees weak.

---