Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(53)
Griffin wobbled forward to put his hand on Savannahs back. It was the first time he showed her compassion. He cleared his throat. “Where was the blood?”
“Um, they found it on the porch. There wasn’t a lot, but enough that we know she had an injury. The bench was turned over like something knocked into it.”
Griffin nodded and looked me in the eye. “That means there was probably some kind of fight. That’s good though. There’s no body, which means she ran for it. The only place for her to run without anyone finding her is the forest.”
“You think she’s hiding in the forest?” Savannah’s voice held a ray of hope. I took up Griffin’s cue.
“Yeah, she probably got lost running away. We should organize a search party and comb the forest.”
Savannah's posture changed from distraught to optimistic. She straightened, wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed me. She then threw her arms around Griffin's neck and squeezed. He patted her back awkwardly and grimaced at the pain from his head injury. Griffin may be a jerk around Savannah, but he was really a good guy. Only someone who is noble would forgive someone this quickly after being blasted into the wall.
The community gathered at the coven’s circle, while the local police shouted instructions on how to perform a search party. We would begin at Willow’s house and spread out in a circle, while shouting her name. They told us to go in pairs and remain in sight of at least one other group, at all times.
I grabbed Savannah’s shoulders, forcing her to look at me. “You told me you could take Kit’s shape. Do you think you can do that now?”
Her eyes darted back and forth, but she nodded. “Why?”
“Animals are predators; they track their prey. If you change into Kit, you can smell something of Willow’s and track her scent.”
“You want me to go get something of hers?” Griffin’s spoke gently.
Savannah nodded. “Yeah. Uh, grab the teddy bear on her bed. She sleeps with it every night and won’t wash it, because it’s old. She doesn’t want it to lose its stitching.”
Griffin raced over to Willow’s house, darting between people who were pairing up for the search. I silently held Savannah until Griffin brought the teddy bear back.
“Got it. Now, where do we do this shifter thing without creeping out the regular people?”
I led them towards the shed behind Maye’s house. It was for Maye’s gardening tools and the size of a small bedroom. Once the door was closed, I turned to Savannah.
“Okay, now we have privacy. Work your magic.”
Minutes ticked by during which, the most interesting thing that happened was a fly landing on my hand. “Come on, S. Hurry up.”
“I’m trying! This is the first time. They didn’t exactly give me an instruction manual.”
My arms lifted in defeat and gestured for Griffin to take over. “I don’t know much about shifting, but I would imagine you have to concentrate on your bond.” Savannah looked at him in wonder. He shrugged. “Ash filled me in on your ability.” She threw a contemptuous look my way, but focused again on Griffin. “Concentrate on your bond and immerse yourself in Kit’s memories. Use his experiences to guide you through his senses. Basically, think like a panther. They’re strong, fast, and great hunters. They are black and easily blend in with the night. Use all of that. Theoretically, if you immerse yourself, your body should follow the path that your mind creates.”
I briefly wondered where Griffin had learned about shifting. It wasn't something that the coven taught us.
“Okay, I’ll try. Just turn around and don’t watch me.” Neither of us turned. “I’m going to undress! I would imagine that this will rip my clothes and you boys are going to carry them, so I can change back into them when we find Willow. Turn around!”
We may have turned, but I still got a side show. There was a mirror propped against the wall of the shed, which allowed a perfect view. I wasn't trying my skills at being a peeping tom, I just wanted to watch her shift. My curiosity got the best of me, but I was still a man, who liked what he saw.
For a long while, nothing happened and then came the seizure. Black threads multiplied and spread across her skin in a maze. The threads transformed into fur, as they burst through her flesh. Her eyes widened and grew. The bones in her back broke and set in new ways. Her face resembled a kaleidoscope, as it shifted into its new setting. The whole process looked painful, but in way it was also beautiful.
With each crack of her bones, I could feel Griffin cringe beside me. Savannah didn’t make sounds of distress, but when the process was finished she growled. I turned around to take in Savannah in her feline form. As a ghost, Kit had blue eyes, but Savannah as a panther had bright yellow eyes. She was 8 feet long with sleek black fur.
Her roar rattled the shed. She shook her head and approached Griffin to sniff the bear in his hand. Nervous, he backed away. “Man, this is weird. Savannah, you know all those times I was an ass, I was just kidding.” He laughed and looked me in the eye. “She could tear my throat out.” He loosened the neckline of his shirt and opened the shed door. Everyone else had already entered the forest.
“S, if you can understand me lick my right hand.” I held my hands near her, fighting my instincts to run from her predatory form. She flicked out her tongue, catching the barest hint of my skin. “Okay, you track her and we will follow. Just, make sure we're able to keep up, okay?” She snorted and raced off with us following.