"Have you got your jacket?"

"Yup. Let's go," Ava smiled to Will, grabbing his hand as they left the bar. Night had fallen since they went inside to share a bottle of wine on their date night. They had been together for over a year and, especially with Ava's busy schedule, really had to make an effort to spend time together away from their mutual friends and to avoid falling into the rut of lying together in bed for hours reading or watching movies.

Ava grabbed her tall, tattooed boyfriend's hand as they went to cross the street, heading back towards the apartment Will shared with friends. The night air was still slightly damp from earlier rain and she looked forward to getting into bed and warming up with him. She had been having nightmares the past couple of months, waking up twisting in the bed, imagining she was being pulled in two. She hoped the alcohol would numb any subconscious stress for tonight at least.

Will pulled her close and gave her a kiss on her forehead as she giggled, both of them a little tipsy from their evening of wining and dining. They pulled apart and Ava smiled again. She was more content with Will than any other person she could remember. It had taken a long time to trust him when they began their relationship, not from any fault of his, but because of her natural distrusting nature. Time and time again, he had proved himself loyal and true, even putting up with her occasional bouts of suspicion. Eventually she relaxed into the companionable rhythm of their relationship, opening up to him and even letting him take her down a notch when she became haughty or cold. Most of the time though he was happy for her to take the lead, something that also came quite naturally to her.

Lost in thought for a moment, they both gave a start when a large, midnight blue cat seemingly materialised in front of them. The cat was about the size of the leopards Ava dragged him to in the local zoo, fulfilling her frequent desire to go and spend inordinate amounts of time staring at the large cats there. This one though had glowing silver eyes and markings on its side. Most curiously, however, was its behaviour. It sat still, apart from the swishing of its tail, staring resolutely in the direction of Ava. She stared right back at it, her head tilted to one side, mouth slightly open in wonder. To Will though, the cat looked angry and he instinctively turned to put his arm around her front, urging her to step backwards.

Immediately the cat reacted, leaping to its feet and growling dangerously. Ava gasped slightly, snapping out of her admiration for the animal and clutched Will's arm, edging away from the animal. This action only seemed to enrage the cat further but at that moment a musical voice called softly from the shadows.

"Now mon, I know ye don't wanna be messin' up our fine plan with a little kitty tantrum."

The voice belonged to a hooded figure gliding towards the cat. Ava was still fixated on the cat and all Will could see of the stranger were green – green?! - hands clasped together and a pair of tusks – yes, those were definitely tusks - sticking out from the darkness of his robe. The cat became silent once more though still seemed ready to pounce at any time.

"Ye've had yer reunion now, ya? Time for da big reveal brutha."

Still keeping its eyes on Ava, the cat rose and shapeshifted elegantly into the largest man the couple had ever seen. Standing at 7 feet tall with impossibly broad shoulders, he dwarfed Will's lean 6"4 frame. So startled was he at the sheer size of the man, it took a few moments to register the other unusual aspects of his appearance. His ears were long and grew out from his head, as well as long, midnight blue hair. The creature had a beard of the same colour, covering the strong jawline of his hard, stony face. His eyes remained angry, moon-like orbs and were locked on Ava while he spoke.

"Salandria. You have hidden like the coward you are for too long but you will pay for your crimes against my family and against me."

Ava shook her head and quickly exchanged a confused look with Will. "Um, I'm sorry", she stuttered, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm not...Salandria, is it? You must have the wrong - "

"ENOUGH!", the creature bellowed, "Enough of your lies. You will pay for your crimes. But first you will remember them. Change her back, Za'zera."

The hooded stranger turned to Ava. "Now let's see if dis borrowed magic works good dis time."

Both humans went to turn away but before they could run, a deep purple light engulfed Ava and she fell to the pavement. Will watched in horror as she began to writhe and twist in unnatural angles. He reached out to her but quickly snapped his hand away as he brushed near the light, it felt like acid on his skin. He looked at the huge man, who was watching Ava with an air of impatience and fascination.

"What the fuck are you doing?! Can't you see she's in pain?"

"Not enough. Not nearly enough," the creature replied softly, almost sadly, without ever breaking his gaze away. Ava opened her mouth and screamed, but it sounded like it came from far away.

This was too much to bear for Will, and he charged at the larger man, taking him by surprise and knocking him to his feet. Before he managed to throw a punch, the thing underneath him transformed once more into the midnight blue cat. The animal let out a strangled growl and clawed him right across the face. Will kept his grip and threw the animal away from him. It may have gained agility and claws in its shapeshifting, but now Will had the height advantage. As he got to his feet, the cat rolled as it landed and got ready to pounce again, until another voice interrupted them.

"Stop ya fightin' mon. It's done."

The pair turned and saw the purple light had vanished. Instead, Ava lay huddled on the pavement, her hands covering her head. Will rushed over and knelt beside her, stroking her blonde hair. The cat has shifted once more into a man but that didn't stop him from growling. The green, hooded figure put a hand on his arm, urging him to patience.

Ava stirred, looked up and reached for Will. He gasped as her ears unfurled and grew into points above her head. That wasn't what he was looking at though. He was staring into her eyes. Her sea-blue eyes were now glowing green back at him, large and scared. A voice from behind Will interrupted his thoughts:

"Now stand and face me blood elf. I've waited for this for too long."