Chapter 42: Marinah

"Breathe, Marinah." King talks me through the sudden rush of Kedorine 5, or K-5 as King calls it, that tries to shove itself into my veins. K-5 is the miracle that brings on the shift for Shadow Warriors and it's packed with other powerful hormones too. You can't catch it, it's not a disease, it's something you're born with, and I'm the lucky woman to be the first female Warrior in hundreds of years. "Inhale, exhale. Don't allow your beast to win. You say when she's in charge, not her."

Sweat breaks out across my freshly washed skin. The red haze slowly recedes and I'm able to tug Beast back where she belongs. "I've got it," I practically wheeze through clenched teeth as the room returns to focus and my breathing slows.

It takes most Shadow Warriors a year or longer to control their beasts enough to be around humans. Humans will be present tonight and I need to remember how easy they are to break. As of today, I have little control over my clawed hands and I'm lucky I haven't taken o