Revolutionary by C.T. Lang (bookstand for reading .txt) 📕

parents laughed softly. I removed the bedcovers and stood up carefully. It hurt awfully, but not for more than a few seconds. Then I could walk freely without pain. I paced the room, then turned to my new family and said triumphantly, "Take me to the Clan."


Revolutionary
Chapter Two: Hiding in Style

On our journey out, I crouched down in the BMW, my head in Naya's lap, covered by the book she carried in her hands. The windows were tinted, but we couldn't risk anyone seeing four figures where there should only be three. When we were ten miles beyond the village limits, I was allowed to sit in the seat beside Naya. I was dreadfully tired, so I rested my head on her shoulder and slept for about an hour. When I woke up, I could see everything with amazing clarity, even though it was nearly sunset and the light was fading. I heard Naya say, "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty!" but I never saw her lips move. Did I just hear her thoughts?
"Yes, you can share my thoughts now, and any other Clan member's. It's much easier than talking, and works brilliantly over long distances." We gazed ahead at the countryside, and I saw that we were heading for the mountains. I'd never lived more than a few miles from the coast, so this was a new experience. The foothills we traversed made for a jolly ride, with bumps and twists. Then we reached an area where the woods clotted densely, green was the primary element here. The road was straight here, and went from highway to avenue. I knew we were in Wolf Territory here. There were lampposts every few yards, beautiful things with intricate designs. There were sundials and statuettes of wolves, and something that looked like a cross of gold sticking up from the ground.
"To keep the vampires away, and all evil creatures," Naya told me solemnly, "It shows them we are under the protection of Jesus the Savior and the Mother Moon. Of course," she added with a smile, "They wouldn't stand a chance against us anyway. But an ounce of prevention and all that jazz."
When Naya's father said we were going to the Clan's hideout, I pictured a group of treehouses, like in Robin Hood, or even an elaborate underground cavern. What I saw before me was the exact opposite; and I felt insignificant before its majesty. I'd never seen a palace before, but this trio of white stone buildings with ivy growing up their fronts, with a front lawn the size of our village square, with a stream and a beautiful little bridge and a rose garden, with a swimming pond to the east side and the mountains to the west took my breath away. We were stopped by a man I knew instinctively was another werewolf. His face was beautiful but angular, as though he was in every bit a warrior. When he saw Naya's father, he bowed us through, and we drove to the parking garage, where a valet took the BMW. There was not a poor car in the midst of these Mustangs, Porsches, Ferraris, limousines, and foreign sports cars. I kept close to Naya, threading her arm through mine, as we walked into the front entrance, led by the fierce-looking guard. Another wolf met us with a cheerful smile.
"Kenjan!" He boomed, and I realized I'd never asked Naya her parent's names. "Cecile! Naya! Cecile, your daughter's nearly as pretty as you today. And our new Clan-mate, welcome. Panchim." He reached out a hand, and I gripped it in friendship. He approved of me from that moment.
"We came to show Panchim the Clan, and to show her to them."
"Wonderful! We shall call a conference tonight after dinner! It is being served as we speak, let us go to the dining hall."
"Which one is it tonight, Mr. Yorkshire?"
"Now, now, Naya, you are supposed to call me Erik. There are no stiff formalities between Fellow Wolves!"
"Yes, Erik. May we go up to our rooms and freshen up before dinner?"
"Yes, of course! Where are my manners! I'll meet you in the Polverian Hall in a few minute's time!" And Erik left us, hurrying to greet a pair of wolves who'd just entered the 'hideout,' which was more of a palace.

Our room was a mixture of the nicest hotel room you can imagine, and the most comfortable lounge you have ever relaxed in. I knew instinctively that I would be surrounded by friends and comfort in this place. Our bed was a queen-sized feather bed, which would be a nice change from the twin-sized box-spring we'd shared at Naya's house. I'd grown used to sleeping with Naya's arms around my waist, and inevitably I always kicked off the bedcovers before dawn. I knew now why she was so warm; werewolves ran a steady temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit, or forty-three degrees Celsius. There were beautiful garments in all the drawers of the wardrobe, and Naya picked a gown of blood red for me, saying it would complement my features perfectly. She dressed to match me in a black gown of the same cut (floor-length, tight bodice and shimmering skirts that layered diagonally). There were sashes across our waists, and she untied mine and swapped it for hers. We traded shoes and accessories as well, and matched perfectly. Then she sprayed me in something with a French name, and I sprayed her back. Then we walked downstairs, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I could walk in the black strapped heels. In my past state I would have surely tripped a dozen times.

The Polverian Dining Hall was a stunning room with one wall completely of glass window. Outside the window was the pond, which I saw now was more like a lake, lit up with thousands of tiny glittering lanterns. I caught my breath when I saw the huge yacht, empty now, beached on the eastern side. Naya caught my hand and pulled my mind back inside the room, where dozens of werewolves, my new Clan, sought to meet me. I felt uncomfortably shy. These charming, cultured people were not the savage rebels I'd expected. But, as Naya explained, that was their (our) greatest weapon. Using our stolen high status, we could infiltrate the highest Matador ranks, and destroy them from within. There were commanders here, and generals who led charges against los Matadores. There were soldiers with medals, but also scientists, doctors, orators even. Naya assured me I might be allowed to continue to study medicine and still be a part of our movement. It was like a dream. I met the Percivals, an ancient family of werewolves which now included Jane and Hans Percival, their daughters Nicola and Robin, and their son Arkule. There was the league of scientists and doctors, which consisted of Dr. Zinser the cardiologist, Dr. Yokel of internal medicine, Dr. Guarantina, the NICU overseer and family practictioner, and Dr. Theronius, the psychiatrist. They all shook my hand warmly and said they would be happy to teach me all they knew. I met Naya's cousins, Zyan and Glichet, who were twins with pale blonde hair who resembled Matadors. When I thought this, they laughed and said they were metamorphmagists-- werewolves who could change appearance at will, beyond the phasing between human and animal. But my favorite acquaintance by far was Jacob. Jacob Ranger was his full name, and he came from the wilderness itself. Child of the Wilderness, they called him. He was a poet and artist, and the first thing he said to me was, "Goodness, you're the nicest thing I've seen all day. Would you mind if I sketched you?" Before I could answer he pulled a small pad from his pocket and a charcoal pencil and began to draw in long, sweeping strokes. When he'd rapidly finished, the likeness was incredible. And yet, I looked much more beautiful in his drawing. He then asked me, "What name shall I put with it? Or shall I simply name it 'Beauty Uncovered'?" I murmured my name, and he wrote it in swirling calligraphy, saying it with a song-like tone.
“Nai-yah. I like it. By the way, I’m Jacob. Just Jacob.”

The hideout quickly became our home, and that week was spent in bliss. We ate like kings, dressed like nobility, and exercised like athletes. There was never an idle moment. When we awoke in the morning, Naya and I went running in the woods, down the shorter of three trails, designated for children and beginners. Sometimes, to my thrill, Jacob would come with us. Naya didn't like this, because she claimed he slowed us down. It wasn't that he was slow, but every so often he would stop to draw a hummingbird, or to sketch out a tree branch that lay across the path. But he always caught back up, and I suspected Naya was just jealous of all the attention Jacob gave me. Not that Naya lacked for male suitors: I noticed from the first night that Sam, one of the beta wolves, showed a keen interest in her. She played oblivious, which seemed to me rather pointless, since we all heard his thoughts. After our morning runs, we'd return to the hideout to shower and dress, and then go down for breakfast. Breakfast was nowhere near as formal as dinner, although it was just as sumptuous; you could see the ladies and gentlemen of the Clan decked out in jeans, polos, and the occasional swimsuit and sarong. After breakfast we had lessons, where I had to leave Naya with her tutor and go spend two hours with the doctors. It was very interesting. I trailed them as they set bones in place, removed bullets, and stitched battle-wounds. Dr. Theronius's work was confidential, though. I did meet with her for counseling myself, so I could observe the process, but I was not permitted to even know the names of her patients. I suspected that every wolf had seen her at some point, as she was well-liked by all.
After lessons, I'd meet up with Naya, Jacob, and Sam for fighting tactics. Sam and Jacob were our instructors. Sam taught Naya, who was under his rank, and Jacob was good enough to teach me. It was an awkward deal at first, neither of us wanted to hurt the other. I remember when he tackled me to the ground right by some bushes, and as he pulled himself off me I heard the reluctance in his thoughts. I tried to reassure him, but then Naya and Sam came upon us. Naya fumed at me the rest of that day. After fighting tactics we returned to the Polverian for lunch, which was a simple thing, usually sandwiches or rice and vegetables. After lunch were dance lessons, with Ms. Leigh, the amiable dance teacher. Sam and Jacob had opted not to take dance, but Naya didn't mind being my partner. We learned to tango, to waltz, to cha-cha, and to salsa. Ballroom dancing we skipped, bringing the wrath of our unfortunate classmates upon us. After dance lessons we met the boys again for swimming and saving.