Chapter Eleven: Katrina

I followed Thelda and Blanca over the highways of the forest. Below, the wolves had found us and were keeping pace on the ground, silent and ominous. I glanced nervously down at them. My paws skittered over the trunk. I wasn't used to walking on four legs. That was something wild animals did.

"I don't think I should call you Blanca anymore," I mused aloud. Blanca glanced over her shoulder and smiled, a smile that would never fade. The beautiful markings dotted down her nose sparkled in the slightest glimmer of light. I looked down at the dark gold and purple swirls scattered over my fur and my mind whirled as the magic sense of Sight was gently prodded by my nerves. With a flick of the eyes at a piece of bark, I could sense the entire story of the tree, and what was yet to come. This tree in particular would live a long and happy life.

But something more was troubling me. When I took out the white stone, the silver path of moonbeam white appeared, one trail leading to the mountains, with a side branch pointing at the wolves below. I heard one growl quietly. My paws tingled. Some great magic was interfering with my Sight. Black dots danced before my eyes. I skewed to the side.

"Katrina!" Blanca shouted, whirling around and grabbing the scruff of my neck. I blinked my eyes. The dots were gone, and my paws were normal.

"Something just happened...I'm not sure..." Claws clicked up the tree branch. A black squirrel ran past me, and I felt my paws tingle again. The squirrel paused after it passed Thelda, then uttered a harsh, guttural noise, nothing like the chitters Thelda had made. Thelda's tail flared with alarm, and my fur stood on end. Blanca crouched low to the branch, eyes wide with fear. Several more completely encircled us. They stared at us. We stared at them. They all had red eyes.

"Umm…" Blanca said nervously. "Hi?" One of the squirrels, the leader, it appeared, made something that sounded like laughter.

"Um, I have to…go…go," I squeaked, thinking fast. The circle parted to let me through. I ducked behind a trunk, my tail sticking out so they knew I was still there.

Away from the demon squirrels, my Sight unfroze. My heart thumped, my mind raced. I could use the Sight to my advantage, for I doubted the demons knew I had it, but…how?

Then it hit me.