Shadow and Light Book 01

"Why are they called Skins?" Max asked

"Well, to be honest I don't know for sure. I do know that they don't look human so they wear some kind of husks to make them look human. Listen Max, I know you have this need to protect the people your close to but don't do anything."

"What do you mean?" Max asked

"Max, come on. We both know that if you knew where to find them you'd go out there to try and stop them." Philip said, "Don't do anything."

"Dad, they're here because of me..." Max started but his father stared at him, "Okay, I promise."

"Good." Philip said

"So, tell me about this Kivar. What's his problem?" Max asked

"Well, he's anti-lycanthrope. After thousands of years of peace on your world, thanks to your ancestors taking control, Kivar lead an uprising. He rallied a lot of the Antarians on the planet and told them to be afraid of you, that you were animals that were a threat to the purity of the race. He killed your old selves but your mother, your natural mother that is, managed to save your essence and sent you off world." Philip said, "Max, no matter what the Skins do now or in the future, none of it will be your fault."

"Tell that to Alex who would be dead right now if he didn't have powers now." Max said

"Max, he's fine."

"Yeah, what about the next person that get caught in the crossfire?" Max said

"I can't promise that won't ever happen Max. People have always been in the wrong places at the wrong times, it happens and that there isn't anything you can do about it. What we can do is try to make sure that the contact is minimal." Philip saod

"Can that honestly help?"

"It has since they arrived. My people have always been around to make sure that if they ever try anything that no-one is accidentally caught up in it." Philip said

"But that doesn't help everyone."

"No, but nothing can help everyone...except the Sanctuary. The legends go that the power residing there can save everyone if used correctly." Philip said

"Well, I'll leave the Sanctuary to Liz." Max said

"Night son." Philip said as he stood up and left.

Max moved over to his window and opened the curtain. On the other side he saw Isabel with her window opened.

"Curtain closed? That's never happened." Isabel said

Max smiled, "Night Isabel."

"Night Max." Isabel said as they both got into their beds.

Living Room, Evans Residence, 21:30

"Is he alright?" Diane asked as her husband entered

"For the most part. He's just a little concerned that his friend's house is now ashes." Philip said

"Is Tess okay?"

"She's fine. It was Alex that was the closest but he's fine...a little singed but okay." Philip said

"Not exactly the type of thing that happens to a small town." Diane said

"Yes I know."

"I'm concerned about Max being friends with that girl...if it wasn't for her..."

"No, honey, this has nothing to do with Tess. Whatever her father was into shouldn't affect her. She's innocent in all this."

"But..."

"But, we shouldn't rush to judgements. Max likes her, so does Isabel and she's usually a good judge of character. Look who she's chosen as a boyfriend." Philip said

"I guess. How does Liz feel about her?"

"She's putting Tess up for the night in her room, what does that tell you?" Philip said

Diane smiled. "Liz is a good girl. Okay. Max always has been able to take care of himself anyway."

"Yes he can. Come on, let's sit down, have some tea and watch a movie."

"Good call."

Chronicle Room, Beneath the Crashdown, 03:00

In the early morning of the night, Philip woke up in his bed and looked over to his wife. She was sound asleep and he slipped out of bed. Quietly he slipped out of bed and instantly changed shape into an ant, Philip didn't want to squeak any floorboards and wake Diane. Soon he was out of his house and arrived inside the room that held the Chronicles. He found Claudia already waiting for him in the stone room. She was sitting by a desk and reading through one of the older books but the second she sensed his presence, the elderly woman turned around.

"Philip, how's Max."

"Probably going to do something stupid. He promised not to but..."

"He takes after his father." Claudia smiled

"If the Skins try something again, I've just got this nagging feeling that Max will take matters into his own hands." Philip said

"Well that would be a problem. Like hell Liz or the others would let him go alone and if any of them got hurt."

"It's our job to protect them, but we can't stop them running out on their own if they get determined."

"Especially with their powers." Claudia said as she thought for a moment, "I think we might have to speak with a few friends."

"They won't do anything." Philip said

"Let's ask." Claudia said

Philip nodded and both headed upstairs where they left through the back door. Philip changed into his raven body while Claudia changed into a magpie. Together they flew off across the town and deep into the desert.

Out in the Desert, 1 Hour Later

They arrived where the Chimera usually met in this neck of the woods. Philip and Claudia stayed in their animal forms and waited, and then waited, and then waited. For a long time they stayed by themselves, not hearing anything. They were beginning to worry when a large pack of dogs ran over a dune and surrounded the pair.

"Why have you requested this meeting?" one asked

"We were not scheduled to meet until the next moon, and why are you both here?" asked another

"Yesterday Tess Harding house exploded." Philip said

"Yes."

"We are aware of this."

"Are you also aware that it was most likely the Skins?" Claudia said

"Yes."

"That's it? Yes?" Philip asked

"What would you have us do?"

"To remove their power basis. We could easily track them to their base and stop them before they strike the Pride again." Philip said

"Protecting the Pride is not our calling. They must protect themselves and face the challenges alone."

"Besides, attacking the Skins will alert them to the fact that we and the other tribes are not extinct. To do so will draw even more attention to the girl and her Pride. We cannot do what you ask."

"However..." Another said from across the pack, "There is something else. All prophecies say that while the girl is the key, all members of the Pride are important and have great roles in times to come."

"What is your suggestion?" Philip asked

"We can weaken the Skins. It would not take much for even one of us to disrupt their future activities. Their current husks are near the end of their life-cycle. Preventing them taking on new husks will make sure that their attention is distracted and make sure their actions in this part of the country is limited."

The pack sent on, debating for a long time on what to do. Many didn't want to risk exposure to a race of people that had already wiped out their fellow Chimera on Antar, the Chi'emara. They argued until the sun started peaking up over the horizon, as the light flooded the sands, all of the Chimera looked over and watched it come up. That was when they made their decision.

"Very well, but at no time will a change occur except when in the location in their facility."

"Agreed. Only three will be sent. It is safer if whoever goes has backup. You two, return to Roswell and do nothing."

"Thank you." Philip said

Soon he and Claudia flew back to town while the pack left.

Town Hall, Moon Peak, 10:00

In the hall of intricately carved wood the council of the 6 tribal leaders had gathered around the glass case that held the gifts to the tribes that were now extinct. Many were becoming impatient after the Rakas leader had called them for an urgent meeting.

"What are we looking for?" asked the Bear leader

"Wait for it." The Rakas said as he looked at his watch and counted down the seconds, "...There."

The gem on the metal triangle rippled with light before it glowed brightly and then died. All the leaders looked at it and then at each other.

"What the hell?" The Oceanic said

"That's never happened before." The Flier said

"Every 4 hours or so it does that. Right on time and every time it gets brighter." The Rakas said

"As though what ever is causing it was getting closer." The Reptilian said

"That's what my concern is." The Rakas said

"But that Gift belonged to the Vampires. We wiped out their race at the end of the 19th century." The Wolfen said

"I know. When the last one dies of any tribe the gem goes dull just like it did when we took that from the neck of the Vampire leader. Now it's coming back to life."

"We made sure there wasn't any left."

"Well now it looks like we missed a few. If this is reacting now then something must have happened to surface them. We need to find them."

"Okay, pull off one member of each of the Hunter Packs and send them to Romania. Start their track now." Said the Wolfen

The others nodded their heads and looked to an aide who stayed with the Council. He nodded and left to relay their orders. All of a sudden there was a loud shriek. A deafening high-pitched noise rang out that pierced through them to their souls. It was so painful that they covered their ears with their hands in a vain attempt to stop it. As they looked around, all the gems on the metal triangles were glowing brightly, even the ones they wore around their necks.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING?"

Granolith Chamber, Same Time

In the chamber, the alien device was glowing with a dark light that filled the chamber. It was resonating at a fast rate; the whole mountain shook a little causing dust and rocks to fall from the cliffs. The sound from the Granolith itself was like a scream and on the walls of the chamber three glyphs appeared, all black.

Deep in the Rainforest, Brazil, South America, Same Time

Fire streaked across the skies of the jungles, the roaring sound flooded the area sending birds from the trees and most animals running from their shelters. Soon the fireball started to descend, allowing the gravity of the planet brought it down. It was so hot that the glow from it lit up the rainforest for miles like a tiny sun.

As it reached closer to the surface, the atmospheric disturbance and turbulence sent tress crashing to their sides as it moved over them. Soon it impacted the ground leaving a mile long crater trailing behind it. The immediate region was burning but light filled the crated and beyond. There was a steady pulse of light coming from the object but that didn't stop a group of people who approached in a jeep.

They stopped at the edge of the crater and got out, they stood looking into the light before a sound echoed throughout the forest. The three individuals dropped to their knees as an opening formed and another person came out. His skin rippled and twitched as it sealed down his back.

"My lord." One of the people said

"So, this is Earth. As soon as we're finished here remind me to blow it up."

"Yes Lord Kivar."

Kivar then turned to his ship and held up his hand. Three points formed on the surface and a red line traced between them, drawing a triangle that Kivar touched before he called out, "Destruct."

The light of the ship started to pulse faster and faster as Kivar and the three got into the jeep. The drove off quickly and within minutes of their departure the pulse peaked and cracks formed all over the ship. The whole thing contracted before exploding in a wave of light. Soon there was nothing, the whole place looked like a meteor impact.

However, up in the trees, covered by a mass of leaves was someone looking out onto the site. The hands were the only part of him exposed to the light and although they were human shaped, they were covered in snake like skin. Soon the creature jumped away between the trees before reaching a river. Once there it changed shape and became an anaconda that swam upstream to an old Incan temple carved into the side of a mountain. All over the stones were carvings of snakes.

Sweat Lodge, The Reservation, New Mexico, Same Time

In the steam and heat filled lodge, several men sat with their shirts off and chanting away. Their eyes were closed as one continually threw herbs onto the hot coals. The steam and smoke wafted over all of them. All of a sudden they felt something and their eyes opened.

All stepped out of the lodge and looked up to the sun. They felt it beating down on them before they walked to the totem pole at the heart of their community. Each looked to the bottom of it where a symbol was carved, a triangle that had a circle within it and had three glyphs carved at each point. One was Antarian, one was lycanthropic of the Vampire tribe and the other was Egyptian god symbol and all were glowing.

The eldest of the men nodded and gazed into the symbols, "Three Curses will come to blight the land and the path to darkness will follow." Then he looked to the others, "It has begun." River Dog said

Liz's Balcony, Noon

Under the blazing sun, Tess lay outside Liz's window on a plastic reclining chair. She had borrowed one of Liz's bikinis and was relaxing. One of her few pleasures in life that Nacedo would allow was for her to lay out where ever they were and soak up the sun's rays. After yesterday she needed it.

She lay there, using her powers to protect her skin from the negative effect of sunbathing since she didn't have any lotion for it. Over her eyes was a pair of sunglasses; one leg was bent slightly upward and tiny beads of sweat formed on her skin. Nearby on a table was a CD, spinning around on it's own with a glow over it. The music flowed from it, it sounded much better than having a CD Player play it, it was clearer and crisper.

Eventually Tess heard a noise. It was the sound of metal squeaking she looked around; she couldn't see anything until she looked at Liz's fire escape. She saw it move slightly but calmed when Kyle's head came shooting up from behind the brickwork.

"Kyle. What are you doing here?"

"Needing to talk about last night?" Kyle said

"Talk? You can talk about it?" Tess asked while looking at him

"Uh, of course I can talk about it. I didn't tell my dad last night... although there were times when I wanted to. Something was stopping me but I'm glad it did."

"Really?" Tess said, {Guess my little trick ran its course.} she thought to herself

"Okay, so...you're an alien."

"Yes. And a fairly cute cat as well I'm told." Tess said and saw his eyes go wide, "Okay, not time for jokes."

"Uh...what kind of cat are you?"

"Snow Leopard. White...spots...the usual."

"And Liz?"

"Liz is a lion, same as Max."

"Right." Kyle said

"So are you going to tell your dad?" Tess asked

"No." Kyle asked, "When...well, last night. I just spent hours in my room going over everything but every time I started to think about telling my dad...there was something that wouldn't let me but there was also thinking about you. If I told dad they you'd be gone."

"And?"

"And I...don't...want...to...you know..."

"No I don't." Tess smiled

"I don't want to loose...someone I'm only just getting to know." Kyle said quickly as he changed the words before they came out.

"Okay. So why are you here now?" Tess asked

"Well...I wanted to know what you looked like. You know to see you change into..."

Tess smiled and closed her eyes. As she opened them a second later they were cat-like, "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Kyle said

Tess reached up behind her and undid the ties of the bikini top; she didn't want to stretch it. The blond pulled off the top and stood for a few moments, baring her breasts to Kyle. He did his best not to look and continue to stare into her eyes but he couldn't help but peek. Soon Tess started to change, a fine layer of gold fur coated her body as her muscles and breasts swelled. Her muscles became more defined and her toned body became even tighter. Her face changed and her tail grew as her hands and feet developed claws.

"Well...this is me." Tess said, "Well at least how one part of me looks."

Tess's eyes didn't look at Kyle, her chin lowered as she looked at the floor. Kyle then came closer and put his finger under her chin. He raised her head and looked at her.

"You look beautiful." Kyle said, "In both forms."

Tess smiled as he ran his finger over the fur on her face.

"Hey, you have a tail." Kyle said

"Yeah." Tess smiled, "We all do...still have to be careful when I sit down in this form but I'm getting there."

Kyle looked over Tess, he couldn't believe he was seeing her like this and he couldn't help his curiosity. Soon his hands reached out but he pulled them back.

"Sorry." Kyle said

"No, it's okay. Go ahead." Tess said

Kyle reached out and caressed her arms but went the wrong way.

"Ohhh."

"Sorry." Kyle said

"It's okay, just...think about stroking a pet, go with the flow of the fur." Tess said

Kyle tried again, this time getting it right and smoothed over her fur. He felt his way down her arms to her hands and smiled.

"What?" Tess asked

"I didn't think it would feel so soft." Kyle said

"Thank you." Tess said

Kyle then backed off and sat down on the chair. Tess stayed in her animan form and sat next to him on the long plastic. Kyle felt her tail brushing against his back and smiled as it tickled his skin.

"So what do you do now?" Tess asked

"I can't tell my dad and I don't like keeping this a secret."

"Maybe you won't have to for long." Tess said as she shivered, {Oh god, not now.} she thought

"How can you be cold in this heat? And with the fur?"

"Oh no, I'm not actually cold. This is something else." Tess said as she pressed her thighs together.

"Oh okay." Kyle said, dismissing it. "So, what's it like?"

"Being alien or lycanthrope?" Tess asked

"Well, both I guess." Kyle said

"Hm, yeah, well both ways you have secrets to keep and that's always a downer. But it does come with perks..." Tess said but what she was feeling right now wasn't a perk.

"I did mean it by the way. You are beaut..." Kyle started but Tess leaned over and put her hand on the other side of his face as she pulled him into a kiss.

Her body changed quickly back to her human body. Kyle felt her skin and instinctively wrapped his arms around her as they continued to kiss. The next thing he knew was Tess grabbing his t-shirt and ripping it down the middle and exposed his chest. Her tongue went into his mouth and she licked the underside of his. Kyle had no idea what was going on, all that he did know what they he could feel her heartbeat as he held her. As they kiss stopped, Kyle looked at Tess as she breathed hard. "What's going on?" he asked, not that he really cared

"It's one of the things about being us...we need sex. We need it, crave it, beg for it." Tess said, emphasising each word before kissing him again. Her body pressed up against his before she backed away.

Tess took his hands in hers and brought them up to her breasts, Kyle looked to where his hands were and then looked into Tess's eyes before he gently squeezed. He watched as her eyes closed in pleasure and then he started to circle her nipples with his fingers. Tess groaned and flipped Kyle around onto his back before she straddled his waist.

She kissed him hard as she lay on top of him. Her hands ran over his chest as she ground herself against his jeans, Tess could feel his cock getting harder and knew that he must be feeling very uncomfortable. Tess stood up from him and slid her bikini bottoms down her legs seductively. Kyle didn't even think about it as his hands shot to his jeans and quickly undid them. His eyes never left her body as he lifted his hips and started to push his pants down his legs. His hard dick strained and bounced a little as it was freed. When the stiff denim was by his ankles he kicked off his sneakers and then off came his jeans after which he pulled off what remained of his t-shirt.