The Gathering Storm by H. K. Varian

out how to transform, but he couldn’t exactly work on it in the middle of English or science class. Changers class was the only thing Mack looked forward to, the one time in the entire day when he could truly be himself. Maybe today will be the day, Mack thought eagerly as he approached the ancillary gym.
    Inside, everyone was clustered in a tight clump by the bench. Mack could tell immediately that something big had happened, but nothing could’ve prepared him for the sight of a full-size jaguar standing there.
    Mack stood very still, too shocked to move. Even though he knew it was Gabriella— So, she figured out how to transform, too, he thought—it wasn’t easy to approach such a powerful creature.
    The nahual turned and looked at Mack with her gold cat eyes. Her long tail, covered with black fur so glossy that it almost looked blue, swished back and forth.
    Not bad, huh? Gabriella’s voice echoed in his head.
    â€œIncredible,” Mack said, but his voice sounded funny—hollow and small.
    â€œCheck it out!” Darren suddenly exclaimed, and whoosh —the impundulu was back. Mack forced himself to smile through the excited shrieks and chatter from everyone else, but he was painfully aware that he was the only one who still didn’t know how to transform. His eyes met Fiona’s, and as they stared at each other, all Mack could think was Please don’t. Please don’t change. He wasn’t sure he could bear it if everyone was in his or her Changer form—everyone except him.
    Somehow, Fiona seemed to understand. Her selkie cloak stayed neatly folded in her lap, to Mack’s relief.
    Ms. Therian clapped her hands loudly. “Humanforms, please,” she announced, and just like that, Gabriella and Darren were back. Mack joined the others on the bench, grateful for the chance to blend in.
    â€œThere has been a significant new development,” Ms. Therian announced. Then she filled in Gabriella and Fiona about everything that had happened overnight—from the full history of the Changers to Darren’s strange dream to the warlock now approaching Willow Cove.
    â€œI can’t believe you flew by yourself,” Fiona whispered to Darren. “Weren’t you scared?”
    â€œNo,” he replied with a chuckle. “I was asleep! Apparently, I’m a sleep-flier.”
    â€œListen carefully, please, because what I am about to say affects all of us,” Ms. Therian continued after a sharp look at Fiona and Darren. “The First Four met early this morning to finalize our battle plans. When Auden Ironbound arrives, Mr. Kimura will lead him to the north side of town, where there are fewer houses. Sefu, Yara, and I will hold his army at the beach. You four will be responsible for patrolling the town. Should any of Auden Ironbound’s soldiers escape the beach, you’ll need to alert one of us. It’s important you don’ttry to engage them. Luckily, when the storm hits, everyone should already be evacuated or taking cover in the storm shelters, so it’s our hope that none of the townspeople will be in danger.”
    â€œWhen is this going to happen?” Fiona asked.
    â€œSoon,” Ms. Therian said. “That’s the best I can tell you right now. Time is of the essence, so I suggest we stop talking now and get to work. Fiona, I want you to practice those deep breathing exercises we discussed. Darren, flight for you today, I think. Gabriella, let’s work on sprinting for you. I think you’ll find it’s quite a different experience on four legs instead of two. And Mack, keep practicing your transformation. I’m sure you’ll have the hang of it in no time.”
    The moment Mack had been dreading was upon them: in a flash, everyone else transformed, leaving him behind. His face was burning as he moved to sit alone on the floor, trying with all his might to transform—fluttering his eyelids, flexing