I rushed off into the woods, the exceleration of it calming me down. What was she? I asked myself.

She didn't seem like a threat. That was for sure.

I always wonder why hunters try to kill me. I mean, can't they just let a rare creature like me live? Seems not.

When I arrived at the stream, I changed back into a human. Some days, I wish I could pernametly be a panther, running in the wind, basking in the sun.

But, as Biltimore's protector, it was my job to make sure everyone is safe.

Including creatures on its land.

Braeden and Rowena were already there, bickering about the best way to train animals. Braeden was saying that being kind was the way to go, while Rowena was saying that pushing them hard and giving them treats for listening was the best.

Waysa was also there, leaning against the tree and sharpening his new pocket knife he got last Christmas.

"You see, animals have a free will of their- Hey, Serafina!" Braeden's face lit up at my appearance.

"Ugh, can you please tell Mr. Fancy here that the best way to train animals is to push them hard and reward them?" Rowena asked me.

"My name is not Mr. Fancy. And the best way is to be kind! They won't listen to force." Braeden told Rowena. Rowena snorted.

"Okay, enough of the fighting, lets get to the subject," Waysa said, stepping into the conversation.

"I agree with Waysa." I told them. "Now, what are we here for?"

"This," Braeden picked up a stone. It was milky white, in an sphere. 

"Whats so special about that? Its just a rock," Rowena plucked it from Braeden's grasp and inspected it from different angles.

"Well, watch this," Braeden picked up another one and held it in the moonlight. 

The stone turned kalidescope. From one angle it was ice blue, another green, another turquoise.

"Well, whats so special about that?" Rowena asked. 

"Well, I don't know, we could get Rich!" Braeden stated.

"Are we sure we should give those away?" Serafina asked.

"Its not like it will be bad." Waysa butted in.

"Well, seems I am outnumbered." Serafina shrugged. "But, if I am right, then I get one favor from each of you."

"Deal," They all said at the same time.

"Well, we better start collecting them," Braeden said, picking several up.

"Lets get to work," Rowena agreed.

3rd person POV

So, they all started picking up the stones. Little did they know, that those stones were cursed. And that without them, the plants in the forest would all shrivel up and die.

Little did they also know, that a certain someone was watching them *Hint Hint.*