Shapeshifters by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Author:Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Australia
Published: 2007-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

AS DUSK FELL, Lily hurriedly led me through the glittering streets and toward the triple arches I had seen from a distance, but had never tried to locate.

“There are three arches, at different heights,” she explained as we approached. “Talented air-dancers test their wings by trying to fly through the tiny space between where the arches almost intersect. I’ve known more than one arrogant dancer who has lost pinfeathers and pride to that trick—myself included, I admit. The air-dancers we will see tonight are all of the highest rank.” She squeezed my hand. “Trust me, you will be amazed. Especially since you have only seen the dull imitations done by the serpiente. These are real.”

I was about to defend the dancers I had grown up with when we passed through the veil of magic that separated the arches from the rest of the city. The air changed, cooling slightly. The music around us also changed, from the indistinct singing of the roads to the murmur of voices hushed in anticipation.

The five dancers were gathered at the center of the arches, facing each other with their arms crossed at the wrists and their fingertips touching those of the person next to them. They stood like statues, moving only to breathe, which they did in perfect unison.

“What do you mean, these are ‘real’?” I asked.

“Serpiente dance with their bodies, and that is it,” Lily said. “A falcon dancer uses her body to weave magic. When the serpents perform the daraci’Kain, you watch and perhaps enjoy the dance. When Indigo Choir performs the daraci’Kain, you feel the rain on your skin. You are the thunder. The magic speaks of love, and you feel love so powerfully, you would give everything to keep it; it speaks of fear, and you shake in terror. Wait and see.”

Lily’s description didn’t make me eager to experience this, but in that moment the last of the day faded, and the five dancers hit the first note of the music together. They were answered by the arches themselves, which began to sing as the five moved into the first steps of the dance.

The first turn left a trail of silver magic. The dancers were like shadows, silhouettes against the colorful patterns the dance left behind.

I closed my eyes for a moment and could still see the dance and the magic, ripples of silver, plum, violet, burgundy, deep sapphire and rich emerald building and hanging in the air.

Suddenly I could feel more than myself, more than the dancers; I could feel the breath of the city, how the magic was wrapped into everything—even the shm’Ecl. I felt pure love as the city kissed its sleeping kin.

I dropped to my knees, and I felt Lily do the same beside me. We were breathing in sync, hearts beating together. I opened my eyes and nothing changed.

There were tears on my face, and I did not brush them away.

The performers sang another note and moved into another dance, and now it was not perfect love I felt, but awe.

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