Page 57 of Doyle

"Hey, none of that," I said firmly. “Healing takes time, remember?”

Michael glanced at me, a flicker of a smile on his lips.

"Yeah, I remember,” Michael answered.

We drove in silence for a while, the dark woods passing by in a blur. Finally, I pulled over at a secluded spot I knew well.

It was perfect for shifting, far enough from civilization that no one would disturb us.

"Go on," I said, nodding toward the trees. "I'll be right here."

Michael hesitated, then stepped out of the truck. He took a few steps forward and paused.

He looked uncertain, almost troubled. I walked over to him, concerned.

"What's wrong?" I asked, gently touching his arm.

Michael hesitated, then sighed. "I haven't changed forms in five years," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

Horrified, I pulled him close, holding him tightly.

"Of course, being a prisoner, Liliana and her coven wouldn't have allowed it," I said.

"Sometimes, I wonder if my fox is still there, or if he died in that place so my human half could survive," Michael confessed, his voice trembling.

"He's there, Michael. He'll always be there," I assured him, my voice firm but tender.

"How are you so sure?" Michael demanded, looking up at me with a mixture of desperation and hope.

"I feel him sometimes, especially when we're together," I said, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

"Yeah?" Michael's eyes softened, and he tentatively touched the scratches he'd left on my arm, wincing. "I'm so sorry I hurt you just now."

"You didn't. The scratches are already healing, see?" I showed him my arm, where the wounds were already closing up. "It's okay, Michael."

Michael tried calling out to his fox a few more times, but nothing happened. I could see the frustration building in his eyes.

He needed a different approach, some encouragement.

"Maybe what you need is some company," I suggested.

I moved a distance away and began taking off my clothes.

"W-what are you doing?" Michael asked, confusion and curiosity in his voice.

"We'll be in our other forms together," I said, hoping that would encourage him.

I focused, feeling the familiar surge of power as I shifted into my dragon form.

My body expanded, scales replacing skin, wings unfurling. I let out a deep, resonant growl.

Michael watched me for a moment, then closed his eyes and tried again. Slowly but surely, he began to coax his fox out.

His body shimmered and shrank, fur sprouting as he transformed.

His fox form was small, agile and beautiful. He ran up to me, panting, then licked my huge muzzle.

I gave him a gentle nudge with my snout, and he barked in response, his eyes shining with a mixture of relief and joy.

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