Chapter 9
1198 Words
9
“MEOW.”
“Wow, he’s loud,” I whispered to Aellyn. The black shadow catzel proudly sat on a flattened rock, his long tail swishing mockingly. Daring anyone to be so stupid to approach. His vacant eyes peered into my soul, tentatively, as if there was something interesting to see.
A girl in front of me raised her hand. “Professor? Why are we learning about shadow catzels again? They’re not Wind Children familiars.”
Professor Brynhild pushed her chin in the air. “Good question. Who knows the answer?”
Aellyn’s hand shot up in the air.
“Yes?”
“All shadow animals have a similar bond to the Veil, so if we understand the shadow catzel, we’ll understand our wolf better?” she rattled, her answer sounding like it came straight out of a textbook.
Brynhild nodded. “Exactly.”
“Yay!” My friend clapped her hands and giggled happily. “I love animals.”
Some of the students in the front row shot the Elf an annoyed look, but I assumed they were just envious of how naturally good she was with creatures. I knew I was.
“Now, before we go any further, I have to emphasise how hostile shadow catzels can be. Not unlike dusk wolves, they will attack when they see fit. We’re very lucky Headmistress MacKinnon allowed us to examine Bàs. Without her permission, he’d tear your hand off.”
“Lovely. Why are all those animals so vicious?” I muttered, glaring back at Bàs. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me from the moment I sat down in the grass.
The professor stepped towards the catzel and held out a little silver fish. Bàs took one of his eyes off me and snapped the fish out of Brynhild’s hand. With sharp teeth, he tore the flesh apart and devoured the snack in less than five seconds.
Satisfied, he licked his paw and cleaned his whiskers, pretending like he hadn’t just murdered his dinner.
“A hungry catzel is a dangerous catzel. Always remember that when you approach an animal. Especially shadow animals. Who knows why we call them that?”
Aellyn’s hand shot up again, despite all the other students shrugging and looking clueless.
Brynhild sighed. “Yes?”
“They all have a natural connection to the Veil?”
“Correct. This is why elementals work together with shadow animals. They serve as companions, familiars, messengers, and much more. Since the beginning of time, Valkyries have always had dusk wolves by their side. They suit our needs well. Now, Banshees and shadow catzels have a very different relationship.” A strange, uncharacteristic smile graced her face. “In fact, it’s very special.”
In the front row, Astrid huffed as she threw her blonde hair over her shoulder. Even from here, I could see her displeasure in the way she raised her hand.
The professor turned her attention towards my nemesis. “Yes?”
“What’s so special about those catzels?”
“Well, it’s rumoured they have nine tails.”
Astrid scoffed. “I only see one.”
“The other eight are said to be only visible in the Veil.”
“What do they do?”
Brynhild shot her a dismissive look. “That’s not for me to tell. It’s a Banshee trade secret.”
“So you don’t know?” she challenged.
“I happen to be one of the few non-Fae that knows. Maybe one day, you’ll be lucky enough to gain their trust and discover it too.” Her sharp nose wrinkled. “So. Who wants to pet him? Unless you’ve eaten fish, then you shouldn’t come too close. He’ll rip your stomach open for a bite of half-digested food.”
Crickets.
Not that I blamed my fellow students. I wasn’t going to scratch that murder machine behind his ears. I already had enough run-ins with death and I really didn’t need another one.
“Ylva.” The teacher pointed at me, a stern look in her eyes. “You try.”
“Me?” I swallowed a lump. “Why me?”
“Why not? Come on, he won’t bite.”
“That’s not what you said earlier,” I muttered under my breath.
The other Wind Children giggled, some in amusement, some mockingly. Probably hoping I’d lose a finger or something.
Ugh. My peers were the worst.
I shuffled through the seated students, making sure not to stop on anyone’s hands or blazers. They’d kill me for ruining their perfectly crisp clothing.
Hah, they should’ve seen how my shirt looked when I came out of the forest. They’d have been horrified by the stains and dirt on it. Luckily, we had some very powerful washing machines in the utility room in the dorm.
As I stood in front of the catzel, I realised just how enormous he was. His head came up to my chest and his paws were as big as my face. This wasn’t a mere house cat. This was a panther disguised as a pet.
“Hello, Bàs.” I gave him a little wave, unnerved by his vacant eyes. They weren’t unlike Pickles’, but in comparison, they were at least ten times as big. Whereas it was a little scary from the dust bunny, this was just plain terrifying.
“Don’t be so twitchy,” Brynhild scolded. “All catzels can sense fear, but shadow catzels even more so than others.”
“There are others like this?” I asked, astounded by the creature. How had I never heard about them before?
“Most certainly. Now, hold out your hand and let him sniff you.”
“Sniff me? Why?”
The professor sighed. “To determine whether you’re a friend or foe.”
“Wait, what happens when he decides I’m a foe?”
She ignored me and pushed me closer towards Bàs. “Hold out your hand. Nice and gentle. There we go.”
“Oh, my.” With my heart beating in my throat, I held out my palm towards the big cat. Even from this far away, I could feel his hot breath on my skin.
“MEOW.” His call was much louder than any other cat I’d seen. More like a roar than a cute mewl.
“Here, catzel, catzel. Do you want to be friends?” I wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to say to a beast that could tear me into pieces, but it was as good a guess as any. Even big cats were cats, right?
“Meow!” Regally, he stepped off his stone and swayed towards me. His whiskers tickled as he examined my face and sniffed my hair. From this close, I could hear the low rumble in his throat and I couldn’t be sure whether it was a purr or a growl. Probably the latter.
Fear threatened to take hold of me, but I strengthened my resolve. The professor brought him here, so how violent could he really be?
“That’s great,” Brynhild encouraged. “Now, reach out to his chest and try to pat his white fur. If he lets you, that means he’s decided you’re not a threat.”
“What if he decides I am?”
“Just try it.”
The nerves tickled in my fingers and pumped adrenaline through my system. I could do this. I could do this.
“Hello.” With my arm stretched as far as it could go, I approached the beast. Closer, and closer, until my fingers brushed across the softest hair I could imagine. Was I doing it? Did I touch him?
I looked up at the catzel, just in time to see his sharp teeth flicker and hear Brynhild scream my name.
Great. I survived the Veil, I made it out of the forest of Illusions, all so I could die at the academy from a vicious catzel attack. What would Mamma say when that news reached her?
Before I could entertain myself with more sarcastic thoughts, the world faded to black. Again.
- Writer
