Chapter 6: The Live Shift

On Saturday evening, forty of my classmates crowded into the dorm common room to watch my sister turn into a wolf.

I had not asked them to.

Cora's first full public shift was trending across three territories, and everyone wanted to see it.

My roommate had claimed the couch and patted the cushion beside her.

"You don't have to watch," she said.

"I know," I said, and sat down.

The big screen showed a stage in Blackridge's town square, ringed with ring lights and a banner in silver and blue.

CORA IN MOONLIGHT: THE FIRST FULL SHIFT.

Four sponsor logos hung over her head.

Cora stepped out in a white silk robe with her hair in loose waves.

She looked beautiful and very small.

My father stood at the edge of the stage in his gray suit, his hands folded.

My mother waited behind the curtain with a velvet case.

I knew what was in the case.

I had watched her fill it a hundred times and had never asked.

"Welcome, moonlighters," Cora said, in her bright voice.

The chat on the side of the screen moved so fast it blurred.

She talked for a minute about courage and about her sister who had been so sick.

She did not look at the camera when she said it.

Then she dropped the robe and knelt on the stage.

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