Shifters of Night and Day

Jakob's POV

From Memphis, Onyx and Jakob made their way into southern Arkansas. While passing through a rogue community they heard a tale about the first a village that has the largest group of shifters versus any other area.

Jakob figured it would be a good idea for them to head that way. They definitely can't let the opportunity to learn more about the spirit link between them pass by.

After several more miles they came to a fork in the road. It was kind of ironic really. One road lead towards Kansas the other leads to the village they were searching for. Looking up at the sky Jake could almost make out the purple glow from Violet City. Apparently the city takes up most of what used to by the state of Kansas. It is huge.

"Onyx, as soon as we are done learning what we can in this village we leave. I don't like the idea of being here too long."

"Relax Jakob, if anyone tries to follow you with Ill intent we will kill them. You are safe now that we are brothers. You have my form now so protecting yourself should be easier."

Jakob was walking along next to him on all fours. When he first shifted it was kind of jarring. The feeling is indescribable. They took the path to the villiage running together side by side.

After a couple more miles they saw the dirt road leading into a large wooded area. Turning left to go down the road they slowed their approach. There was worry that two large male tigers waltzing into town would cause a panic. Once the building came into view Jakob did shift back to his true form.

As he was walking his fur turned into a glittery golden shine and the wave of light spread down his body and as he went to take a step with his giant paw it was his human foot that hit the ground instead.

In the village were no cars, no big buildings. It seemed there was a central marketplace surrounded by tiny homes or buses converted into homes. There was an electrical system that was powered by a river running along the side of the village.

At the market very few people used money. From what Jakob could tell everyone here knew one another closely and used a bartering system instead.

Suddenly the cash in his bag felt useless.

The thing that caught Jakob's attention the most was a girl who was trading a deer skin for some fruits and vegetables. She then took antlers to a man surrounded by hand made daggers and bows and arrows. She traded the antlers for some arrows. Next she walked to a woman with all kinds of breads and jams and traded paper wrapped meat for two loaves and a jar of the jam.

She caught Jakob staring at her and then ignored him as she walked past him towards what Jake assumed was her home. Once she went through the kittled picket white fence she stopped and caught him gawking at her once again.

Onyx stood next to him. He could feel how Jakob's body had reacted to the girl.

"She is lovely, do you wish to mate with her?"

Hearing those words broke Jakob out of his trance. "What? No! I do not even know who she is but I couldn't look away. I've never seen a woman so beautiful. Her skin was luminescent and actually looked like it glowed in the moonlight. When she looked at me I could have sworn her grey eyes were actually silver. If ever a goddess on earth existed it would be her."

Onyx shifted his weight. The tiger's laughter could only be heard in Jakob's head as he made fun of Jake for having his first crush. "Go talk to her and see if she will mate with you."

"Onyx shut up. I'm not mating with anyone. We need to see if anyone can tell me where to find the old owl woman."

With Onyx still snickering inside his brain Jakob tried to focus as he asked a random guy how to find the first shifter. "Uhm hi. I am looking for a woman linked to an owl. Rumor has it she has been a shifter for over 100 years and knows everything there is to know about a spirit link."

The guy looked down at Onyx. When he looked back up to make eye contact with Jakob he looked so intrigued by them, " You linked with a Tiger!?!?! Dude that is so badass! I am not a shifter yet but I know the lady you asked about. Her name is Adelaide. She is actually my great great grandmother."

"So it's true that her link gave her immortality?"

"No man, Grandma ages. It is just very very slow. Please don't mention it to her though. It is not easy for a mother watch her daughters die of old age. Most people think longevity is a gift but Nan doesn't feel that way about it. If it wasn't for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren Nan would be so lonely."

"I can see how that might not be easy to endure. I won't mention it. I more or less want to learn more about spirit links."

"I'll introduce you, she is tutoring my sister now. Be careful of my sister though. She likes to cause drama. My name is Kyrhen by the way.". He said that while extending his arm out to shake Jakob's hand.

Jake took Kyrhen's hand and introduced himself, "I'm Jakob and this is Onyx."

The three of the started walking and pretty soon they were at the white picket fence that Jakob had watched that beautiful girl enter just moments ago. Kyrhen led them inside and quickly Introduced them to Adelaide.

"Kyrhen," she said, "it is rude to not also introduce your twin sister."

Kyrhen pointed at Kalysta. "That's my sister"

Huffing out loud the girl stood up and introduced herself to them. Once finished she sat back down.

"It is nice to meet you Kalysta. I'm Jakob and my brother here is Onyx."

She eyed them both up and down. "Tell him not to try to eat my eagle. Also, stop staring at people. It is creepy."

Jake was caught off guard by that and gulped out loud. Embarrassment washed over his face and all he could manage to say was, "mkay."

He could feel the eye roll coming from Onyx.

Adelaide watched their exchange with amusement. She pointed to a chair and motioned for Jakob to sit down. Once he was settled she asked, "What do you know about The Event?"

He didn't understand what it had to do with shifting so he was honest when he said, "Not much at all. I'm sorry. Back home no one ever taught me much about it, but I do study astronomy and have yet to deduce a legitimate cause for the earth to stop on its axis."

Adelaide smiled, "Science won't explain it. We caused this to happen, or more like our ancestors. Humanity pissed off the wrong celestial beings."

Her words were a shock to Jakob. Sensing that he really didn't know the lore she sat down with him and explained about how humanity was being punished.

Jakob listened to her intently. Once she was done he heard Onyx's voice in his head.

"It is all true. Father Time himself told me to wait at the zoo for you."

Through their link Jakob asked, "Why would Father Time want you to wait for me?"

"Because of who your father is. You're the key to stopping the biggest source of pollution left. Father Time wants the Earth to be clean again."

"Is it a coincidence that we are here?"

Onyx answered him in one word.

"No."