out how to transform, but he couldnât 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 couldâve 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 Gabriellaâ So, she figured out how to transform, too, he thoughtâit wasnât 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? Gabriellaâs voice echoed in his head.
âIncredible,â Mack said, but his voice sounded funnyâhollow and small.
âCheck it out!â Darren suddenly exclaimed, and whoosh âthe 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 didnât know how to transform. His eyes met Fionaâs, and as they stared at each other, all Mack could think was Please donât. Please donât change. He wasnât sure he could bear it if everyone was in his or her Changer formâeveryone except him.
Somehow, Fiona seemed to understand. Her selkie cloak stayed neatly folded in her lap, to Mackâs relief.
Ms. Therian clapped her hands loudly. âHumanforms, please,â 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.
âThere has been a significant new development,â Ms. Therian announced. Then she filled in Gabriella and Fiona about everything that had happened overnightâfrom the full history of the Changers to Darrenâs strange dream to the warlock now approaching Willow Cove.
âI canât believe you flew by yourself,â Fiona whispered to Darren. âWerenât you scared?â
âNo,â he replied with a chuckle. âI was asleep! Apparently, Iâm a sleep-flier.â
âListen carefully, please, because what I am about to say affects all of us,â Ms. Therian continued after a sharp look at Fiona and Darren. âThe 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 Ironboundâs soldiers escape the beach, youâll need to alert one of us. Itâs important you donâttry to engage them. Luckily, when the storm hits, everyone should already be evacuated or taking cover in the storm shelters, so itâs our hope that none of the townspeople will be in danger.â
âWhen is this going to happen?â Fiona asked.
âSoon,â Ms. Therian said. âThatâs 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, letâs work on sprinting for you. I think youâll find itâs quite a different experience on four legs instead of two. And Mack, keep practicing your transformation. Iâm sure youâll have the hang of it in no time.â
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 transformâfluttering his eyelids, flexing
1802-1870 Alexandre Dumas