Chapter Two- First Features

The curse was on Zane's mind when he awoke the next morning, particularly when he found the little sunlight in his room to be a bit hard on his eyes. He narrowed his eyes to slits as he got out of bed and into the bathroom where he left the light off. He fully opened his eyes and found that he could see the room easily. The animal in my soul must have nocturnal eyes. That will be rough on me until I have adjusted to them. He turned to the mirror over the sink, looked into it, and stepped back in surprise. His eyes were still blue, but they had an intensity that made him think of a wolf.

They look like wolf eyes, he thought as he stepped closer and studied them. They gave him an intimidating look that he didn't like. He tried different facial expressions and found that his eyes did express the emotion he was projecting. He smiled at this. I can handle having wolf eyes. The rest of the curse may not be so easily handled. He lowered his gaze as he washed up and got dressed with the lights off. It was upon leaving his room that he had to squint and navigate his way to the cafeteria in this manner.

He blinked as he entered the cafeteria, his eyes now fully adjusted to the light. He sighed in relief. That's better. He got his breakfast and sat down to eat. He noticed others glancing at him and whispering to each other. No doubt some noticed his eyes and were telling others.

No, no doubt at all. They are telling one another. I can…hear them. They're whispering but I can hear them clearly. My hearing is sharper now. Well, that's interesting. It's not annoying or bad, although sharper hearing may lead to me gaining wolf ears. A curse of this nature usually involves one having the ears of their animal half.

"Hey! Zane!" called the voice of his best friend, Atticus, as everyone was heading to school. Zane winced at the volume and actually put his hands over his ears and had stopped walking and his eyes closed as Atticus came up with his easy smile that faded at seeing Zane's hands over his ears. "Zane? What's wrong?"

"My hearing. It's gotten sharper. Everything's so loud," he whispered.

"Oh, Zane. I'm sorry. Then, the curse is real then."

"I knew it was real even when I said it wasn't; after everything I've seen with the Shadow Riders, I have no reason to doubt Melinda." He opened his eyes and looked at Atticus who recoiled slightly.

"Your eyes. So intense and they make me think of wolves."

"I thought the same thing. This confirms that I will be half-wolf."

"No offense, Zane, but you don't strike me as the wolf type."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, wolves are usually loners, right? Plus, they're aggressive and territorial."

"Actually, wolves are social creatures like us and protective of their pack which could make one aggressive. I am a social person and protective of my friends and especially my brother."

"I stand corrected."

Zane smiled at this as he sat down in class. He believed in the points he had made concerning his curse. It had looked into his heart and soul and apparently found a wolf there. He currently had the eyes and hearing of a wolf and knew it wouldn't stop there. He knew he would end up looking half-human and half-wolf in ways there were very noticeable. I can still go pro and call myself a wolf duelist the way Melinda calls herself a witch duelist.

The news of Zane's eyes had spread quickly and people were slowing as they passed Zane, trying to get a good look. Zane, aware of this, would oblige them and they hurried off upon realizing that Zane was giving them a look instead of letting them try to sneak a look. Their reactions amused him, a fact that Syrus had noticed.

Naturally, he had heard that the curse had begun and how Zane's eyes looked wolf-like. He further heard that Zane thinks he will be half-wolf. Syrus didn't think wolf suited Zane; to him Zane struck him as cold and calm with an occasional sense of humor. He wasn't sure what animal fit that criteria and besides, Zane did not deserve to be cursed. Syrus inwardly fumed about the whole unfairness of the situation as the gang left school for the day. Syrus looked in the direction of the docks and saw Zane in his favorite spot.

"Uh, guys. I'm gonna talk to Zane," Syrus said.

"Sure, Sy, just don't be too long or you won't get any dinner," Jaden teased, looking at Chumley.

"Very funny," Syrus heard Chumley say as he headed for his brother.

Zane stood in his favorite spot, the water lapping against the cement. His ears heard sounds both soft and loud and he took them in easily. He had grown accustomed to his sharp hearing as the day wore on and he drew comfort from that. When I get the ears, I will only need to adjust to them and not the volume. That's good.

"Zane?" came a cautious voice. He turned to see Syrus behind him. He smiled warmly as he gestured for Syrus to join him. "Hi, Sy."

Syrus saw the intense eyes soften at the sight of him and it comforted him to know that Zane could look something other than intimidating. He went to Zane's side as the older boy faced forward again. "Zane," he said gently. "Are you all right? Of course you're not," Syrus asked and then answered himself. "You were unfairly cursed."

"Actually, I am all right," Zane said. "It was a shock when I saw my eyes this morning and…I was having trouble with my sharper hearing, but I've adjusted to both."

"Sharper hearing?"

"Yes. You and Atticus are the only ones who know about that. I believe my hearing is a sign that my ears will be changing."

"I think…they already are," Syrus said, looking up. "They're pointed."

Zane lifted a hand and traced his ear. It felt longer and did indeed come to a point. "I guess I look strange with longer and pointed ears."

"No way," Syrus said. "They actually suit you."

"Thanks, little bro. Be sure to tell me what you think when they become wolf ears."

"Sure, but Zane? I think it was unfair that this happened to you."

"I know and Jaden blamed himself for it until I pointed out that it was my words that set her off. I will still be a pro and I will call myself a wolf duelist the way Melinda calls herself a witch duelist. No one will think my wolf features are actually real."

"Really? Everyone will think they're a costume and contacts?"

"Sy, you would be amazed at how easily some people can be fooled."

Alexis stared at Zane who smiled in amusement. "I know, it looks a little strange."

"A little," she said. "But it looks good on you."

Zane gave a chuckle. "Sy said the same thing earlier."

Alexis smiled at this. "So, you're fine with the curse?"

"As it is permanent, being fine with it is the logical thing to do."

"Of course."

Zane was about to tell her about having sharper hearing when his head began throbbing painfully. He gave a pained gasp as he dropped to one knee and squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't hear Alexis call his name over the pounding in his head and the burning of his ears. Slowly the pounding and burning ended and the murmurs of his dorm mates were heard.

"Zane," Alexis said in stunned awe. "Your ears. They've changed."

Zane opened his eyes before reaching up to the top of his head. His fingers felt a soft furry object up there. He moved his fingers over to find another one. She's right. I now have wolf ears.