Chapter 21 CHAPTER 21
He came to offer anything else she may need. I told him we were good. I thanked him for his generosity. Then he left." I told her.
"You exposed us all to their pack!" She said with anger.
"Has he come back? no! You tell Mr. Ass hole to let us leave so Raven can continue her journey." I growled at her.
"Be ready to go in the morning with us Roman or else, " She screamed at me. Then walked away her head held high.
I told everyone they were not happy, about going with them. Especially Raven.
The next morning we were packed and ready to go. We traveled west instead of east Raven was losing it she wanted to run but I told her they would hurt her even worse if she did and promised her as soon as we got a chance we would leave without Imara if we had too. That night we did not stop until late. We made a fire for Raven then covered her with the blankets we had I laid down beside her and Nigel laid in front of her. Kyle was young yet if he laid with her his body may have ideas of its own and scare her. It was not that Nigel and I did not think she was beautiful. But we could control such things a younger man may not be able to. This not only kept her warm enough, but no one could touch her either.
The next day we left without even having food. We stopped for an hour. Raven went to pull out something from her bag. I put my hand on hers and shook my head.
"What she got in the bag old man? If it is food she best be handing it over." One of the creeps said loud enough for everyone to hear. Imara come over to Raven.
"We are not stopping long enough for you to draw Raven. Wait for a while you will have time tonight to draw." She said. Talon mimicked her words to Raven. And they stood close by so no one put the jump on her. How sweet I thought sarcastically. Something about Imara had changed and I did not like it.
When we headed out again I grabbed some wild berries as we walked for her to eat. No one seamed to care about the berries so every time I saw some we would grab them making sure Raven had enough to keep her going. I yelled at Imara.
"When can we stop for water?" I yelled.
"There is a river ten minutes from here." Talon answered. He walked back beside us.
"You are holding up ok Raven?" He asked. Raven nodded to him. I know you're hungry we will camp by the river and we will make sure you have a good meal." He told her. Again, she just nodded. He went back to walk with Imara. True to his word we stopped about ten minutes later at a large river. Imara came and took the four of us with her to where they were setting up Talon’s campfire.
"You four will stay here at our camp tonight." She told us.
This is not a safe area. There are many who stop here. We can not risk Raven being hurt on her first shift. I have ordered when the time comes my people will all guard us during the shift." Talon said.
"You are going to let them all watch her shift and then take back her skin leaving her exposed to you whole group of goons," I asked livid that he would even consider such a thing. Imara went to Raven who looked horrified.
"NO, they will have their backs to us Talon has made it clear they are not to so much as peek at her or they will be punished. She said. Camp was set up and people went for food Kyle and Nigel went to see what they could find. Raven sat beside me on a log I dragged over. Her and I started the fire. Talon had not seen Raven start a fire before and was amused. Like she was doing a party trick.
"Raven, come sit with me and we will talk about what will happen when you shift for the first time." Imara asked.
"I know already, thank you. Roman, Nigel and Kyle explained everything to me the past few days. But if you could help me it would be nice to have you beside. I must be honest I'm scared of the pain of all my bones breaking." Raven told her.
"I would be honored." Imara said smiling all happy. I winked at Raven who gave me a smile. We ate a good meal I told Raven to save most of hers for after she shifted I had seen all to many lose they food when shifting.
"Don't worry no one will come up here and steal it, I would have their heads if they tried." Talon said to Raven. Why for months had they left us alone did they now want us close. I could tell Imara was up to something you did not travel with some one for ten year and not know they are up to no good. I checked the time and stood. It is time Raven lets get you ready you will shift in about ten minutes. She stood up and took my hand. Kyle and Nigel got up too. We went to our sleep area; Raven removed all her clothes and wrapped up in the old gray blanket she had. I had just finished sewing her a new blanket our of all the scraps of material I had in my bag. It was warm the outer layer was waterproof made of the winter coats we had when we traveled up north where we found Raven. My bags were lighter now. I will give it to her when she takes her skin back from shifting.
"Roman, how much time do we have?" Raven asked me.
"Sorry sweetheart, was just thinking." Roman replied to the point where you can shift in a split second."
"Really, that fast, it takes time I have seen others shift at least a couple of minutes."
RAVEN'S POV
"Raven you are different, you will see. Just remember breath it will be easier than you think. Trust me."
"I do trust you. But what if they do something during my shifting?"
"Roman will not let that happen. It is time Raven big breath."
I closed my eyes took a deep breath. I heard my bones breaking I screamed out in pain my arms and legs were changing I fell to the ground.
"Breath Raven, Breath it is almost over." Spirit said. I could hear no one else but her. The pain was finally gone I stood there looking around at everyone their mouths open as if in shock. Then I could hear them.
"Raven your beautiful." Imara said. Spirit growled.
"Her name is Spirit, and yes she is exquisite to say the least." Roman said coming and petting Spirit giving her a rub between the ears.