Light in the Shadows

Changes

Corbin wasn't mad at me, but it felt like he was. A lot had changed since we had last seen each other. When he had come out of the bathroom in the form of his wolf. He had growled at me as he rubbed his head against me. I understood, he could smell David and it didn't smell right to him.

I had studied his grey and black coat for a qhile as I scratched him hehind the ears. While I hadn't seen David in wolf form I assumed his coat would be lighter. After a moment I looked at Corbin in the eyes.

"I need you in human form so we can talk," I said.

He let out a yip and padded back to the bathroom. He walked out of the bathroom ten minutes later. He appeared stiff. "We are not made to change rapidly back and forth." He said in explaination.

"I'm sorry, I was selfish, I knew that."

He pulled me to him. "It's okay. I wanted to do it, and you are right we do need to talk." He sat down on the couch beside me. "So tell me about David."

I had to think for a moment. How did you describe a person?

"He's complex. While I know he cares about people, he keeps them at a distance. Even me...I think he smells you on me and wants to respect that, but he is drawn to me." I paused. "I don't mean that..."

Corbin squeezed my hand, "Most the guys at school are drawn to you, but you are mine."

"You believed that last week, but not today." I said.

"I know what I feel for you, Jayla; I no longer know how you feel about me." He said.

I drew in a breath; the simple truth was, I didn't know. I mean, I wanted things to be like they were, but David had changed everything. It was so unfair. I wanted to lie to Corbin, but I didn't.

"I've known you my whole life and I will always like you...I don't know what I feel for David, it is complex. I hold a part of his soul. Even before that, I liked him." I paused. "For now, lets try to figure this out."

Corbin growled again. "I want to kill him, but that is the wolf in me. Wolves mate for life...not that we've mated." He spluttered.

I laughed and kissed hi cheek. "You're cute when you're confused."

He frowned at me. "I'm trying to be real. I don't like talking about my feelings."

"Get used to it," I said.

He gave me a crooked smile. "He saved your life..."

"He brought me back from the dead," I corrected.

"You look good for a zombie." Corbin laughed.

"I'm not a Zombie. They smell bad."

"You smell like him, that's bad enough." Corbin countered.

"Let's talk about something else. How was the cruise?" I asked.

"It was nice, I guess. A wolf doesn't belong on a boat. So many people made me uncomfortable. The ziplining and paracelling were fun, and I loved scubadiving, but too many people. My dad got on to me for spending too much time in our cabin. He said I need to get used to being around lots of people." Corbin said.

He turned and looked at me for a moment. His eyes seemed to bore into me. "You aren't a werewolf, but you can change...how does that feel, do you need to hunt?"

"I've only been this way for two days...do I have a swimsuit here?" I asked.

"Yeh, why?" He asked.

"I want to show you something." I said.

"I've seen you in a swimsuit, not that I'm complaining," He added.

I gave him the bird.

"I'll get you one." He said, as he returned the gesture with both hands.

A few minutes later he returned with a swimsuit and a towel. "I'll get dressed." He said.

He was waiting for me when I stepped into their poolhouse. He whistled and I gave him another finger. He simply laughed. The laugh turned into a gasp as I sprouted fins. A Nixie doesn't truly have a set form, so I could choose my fin style. I turned so that Corbin could see the long dorsel fin on my back. Smaller fins ran down the outside of my legs and arms and my hands and feet were webbed.

"What is this?" Fred, Sams second, said as he entered the pool house.

Fred was used to cheporoning the two of us so I was comfortable with him. I spun slowly showing off my fins. "Whatch this," I said as I ran and dove into the water.

I had always been a good swimmer, but with fins I was exceptional. The far side of the pool sped toward me. As I neared the far end of the pool, I kicked my webbed feet against the bottom of the pool. My body broke through the surface of the water, in moments I was feet above the water. Instinct or fantasy took over because my body shifted again. My fins vanished as wings jerked me back into the air.

"It's not everyday that you see an angel in a bikini." David's voice said from the poolhouse door. I turned as my feet touched the concrete. David, Sam, and Peter were entering the poolhouse.