Anira

"Okay, I understand. Now I want to see."
"What?" Black asks.
"Everything you told me about an ancient species called férnus that can shapeshift and all, I understood it perfectly. Trust me, that’s exactly what he told me."
"What do you want to see, Ann?" Arow seems skeptical.
"Come on, haven’t you seen Twilight? When Jack reveals himself to Bella’s father, that’s what I mean—seeing you as férnus."
"Things aren’t like that, Miss Montecião. Transformation is like changing clothes. Do you change in front of others?" I widen my eyes at his response.
"No!"
"Exactly. Even we don’t transform in front of other férnus’ companions."
"I don’t have a companion," I say. "I mean, I’m not anyone’s companion." Arow smiles but quickly quiets under his father's reproving gaze.
"You do. An elder would never be wrong."
"I still don’t understand how a human like me is a companion to one of you."
"Ann..."
"No, Arow, let her and Auror talk."
"Do you really think he’ll give her that chance, Father?"
"One way or another, they’ll have to get close," Black replies. "And, Miss Montecião, we’re not in some silly TV show. We’re real, lethal, and extremely protective of our companions. Don’t go asking a férnus to transform in front of you, you could get your head ripped off by a jealous companion."
"I understand perfectly." I rub my neck, and Arow keeps that small smile on his lips.
"And Arow, don’t do what you’re thinking. Auror isn’t known for his benevolence." I see my friend swallow hard at his father’s words. "Now I must go, Miss Montecião."
"But how can I learn more if he doesn’t want me around? I need to know about this angelic, what it’s about. My mother was a single woman who died on the day I turned 18; there’s nothing extraordinary about it, it was just a train accident. I think you could explain a lot more than just these implied pieces of information."
"At the right time, Miss, everything will be revealed."
"Can I at least meet this elder? If I’m of their lineage as you said, I have the right to access where they are."
"She’s right, Father."
"Maintain your routine, Miss, and soon you will know."
Without saying anything more, I see him leave, leaving me feeling disheartened, sitting in the chair.
"Seriously, Ann, Twilight?" The way he says it makes me laugh.
"Arow, how old are you?"
"Hahaha! Ann, I’m a young férnus. This year, I’ll enter my first heat."
"What’s that?"
"It’s the heat, Ann."
"Oh!" I feel quite foolish now. "At what age does this heat start?"
"At 100 years."
"What? No way! You’re too young to be a hundred fucking years old."
"Hahaha! Believe me, there are much older férnus out there."
"It can’t be real. Wait! How old is Auror?"
"400 years."
"Shit! Arow, this is unreal, you know?"
"Ann, I’m really worried about what your mind might be concocting. I’m expecting your outbursts and screams of fear echoing through the city as you disappear from here."
"Arow, believe me, I will freak out, but right now, I’m more curious than hysterical. It can’t be real."
Without saying anything, he stands up, starting to remove his clothes, leaving only a type of thin fabric pants, and right in front of me, he grows almost thirty centimeters, becoming exactly like Auror.
"Now I believe you believe everything we’ve told you."
Arow has gray fur mixed with white and black, resembling the traditional pelt of a wolf. Though he is very handsome, he lacks the powerful aura of Auror that hypnotizes me.
"That's more than enough for me," I say, nodding in a nearly comical way.
"Now you can return to normal. I don’t want your companion ripping my head off."
"I don’t have a companion, Ann..."
But he doesn’t finish his sentence. A powerful crash and a loud, furious snarl nearly shake the house as Arow’s body is thrown against the kitchen cabinets.
"Arow!" I shout as my friend groans in pain, but I believe he’ll retaliate when Auror’s deep voice makes him cower as if in pain.
"DO NOT DARE TOUCH HER!" His command is so forceful that Arow shrinks further.
Like a dog whimpering in distress, every step Auror takes towards him makes Arow writhe even more.
"Stop! Stop now, you’re hurting him!" I scream, seeing Auror turn towards me.
"I haven’t even begun to hurt him yet."
"Who invited you into my house? He’s my friend!"
"I don’t need an invitation to come here, just as you didn’t need one to enter mine."
Wow, that one hurt.
"Stop hurting him, I’ll tell Black!" I threaten, hoping he’ll fear Arow’s father.
"Hahaha!" His laughter is demonic. "I’m the leader of my clan; everyone must revere me."
I don’t think about what I’m doing when he turns back to Arow. I just position myself between them and place my hand on his chest.
"Stop, please, it was all my fault, I asked him to show me."
"Ann, get out of the way." Arow tries to move me, but he won’t succeed.
"No one should reveal themselves to a férnus’s companion, especially when she is an angelic. He should stay away and silent."
"Stick your laws where you like, if you hurt him, I’ll hurt you!" I grab a knife from the sink near where we are.
"Are you challenging me for him?" His question has a hint of pain or disappointment; I’m not sure.
"I know him, unlike you."
"Ann, please stop trying to defend me," Arow says as he gets up and tries to move me, but a loud roar interrupts us.
"GRRRRRR!" The sound serves as a warning, making Arow’s hand freeze in mid-air.
We’re locked in a stare when I notice more people arriving at my house. My anger intensifies as their astonished looks take in the situation.