Chapter Two

Holden

I liked living in my turtle form rather than my human one. With my hard shell and soft underside—unlike the delicate skin of my other profile—I didn't worry about hurting myself in the Enchanted Forest. Plus, I always had my house with me, painted in its own distinct pattern. I was faster in the water than on land, but I never had any need to be in a hurry. Yet, there was something about lying on a log in the sun in my human form, soaking in the bright star's rays that I couldn't experience as a turtle.

As the security officer of the area, I never had much to do. I had to break up the occasional fight between shifters or other magical creatures, but everyone got along for the most part. We rarely had anyone arrive from the outer-world—only our wizard friend, Ahmed Proudfoot, who only stopped by here and there. He preferred to live among the full humans for some reason I would never understand.

A sudden pop and puff of smoke startled me from my thoughts. In fear, I quickly shifted to my turtle form, noticing a hooded figure blocking the sun before I tumbled off the log and tucked myself deep into my shell. Yes, I was a security officer, but beings didn't just appear out of thin air.

Miffs! Ahmed did. And I'd made myself look foolish in front of him.

Wind whooshed past the holes in my shell as I was lifted into the air. Then something knocked on my shell.

"Holden, please come out. I need to talk to you."

When my feet touched the bumpy and rough surface of the log once again, I shifted back to my human form. "Sorry." I should have known better, but Ahmed usually only came to see members of the forest council. Never me. Miffs, and I stood naked before him. I sat on the log, crossed my legs, and covered my genitals. Always wearing a dark cloak and other outer-world clothing, he was the only being I'd met who made me conscientious of my nudity. "Um, what are you doing here? I mean, how can I help you?"

He'd assigned me the position of security officer, but I was sure my reaction had proven why I no longer deserved the title. I would be replaced then reassigned to compost duty.

Ahmed chuckled at me. "I have come bearing wonderful news." After fanning out a handful of something that looked like it came from the outer-world, he passed one to me. "I've been handing out these enchanted cards to those in the outer-world I think would make great mates for all of you in this world. Men who seemed more likely to thrive in the Enchanted Forest and accept the changes that would happen to them. And I wanted to let you know before they start arriving." He glanced around the meadow and along the perimeter of the forest. "Possibly any moment now."

"Okay." I nodded, ready to perform my duties instead of hiding in my shell. Though, along with the sudden alertness, a strange weight settled into my heart. "I will take them to Banir as they arrive." Of course, the Head and other forest council members would be given mates first. It was their right. And I would have to watch as they started their families. Something I never realized I'd wanted until it suddenly became possible. Though, if those brought to the Enchanted Forest by Ahmed's magical cards proved anything like the possible mates he'd procured with his last scheme, we'd be lucky if even one of them chose to stay in our world. Walter, along with several others, had arrived when I was only a hatchling, but he'd been the only one who remained with us. The rest had returned to their own world.

Ahmed took hold of my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you, my friend." He began to walk into the forest then paused before looking back at me. "And be sure not to shift into your turtle form when they arrive. Your shell may be pretty, but it's your human form that will land you a mate. And don't let them drink from the pond! You have wells for that."

A mate for me? I didn't have time to ask Ahmed if that's what he meant. He disappeared in a puff of smoke as quickly as he'd arrived.

Within moments, another pop sounded nearby. I expected to see Ahmed again. Maybe he decided to demote me after all. But, instead of the wizard, I spotted a strange being in the meadow. A human. One of the possible mates had already arrived. I walked over to him, not sure whether to consider him dangerous. He might be angry he'd been transported to our world. Or terrified by his new surroundings. Either way, I expected him to lash out at me. I would in his circumstance. Though maybe, before I greeted him, I should put on some clothes first. Ahmed told me he wore clothes to fit in among outer-worlders, and it would be best if I did, too, when greeting them.