The Gathering Storm Read Online Free Page A

superheroes or zombies . . .”
    â€œComic-book stuff,” Darren scoffed.
    Fiona stood up. “May I go to the main office?” she asked. “I need to make sure my transcript will be okay, and this definitely doesn’t sound like gym class, which is a requirement for graduation, like I said, and—”
    What happened next was so sudden, and so surprising, that none of the students could quite describe it. The lights of the ancillary gym flickered unevenly, as though a sudden surge of power had drawn electricity away from them. The air crackled. A brisk breeze ruffled Gabriella’s hair, like a storm was brewing. But that didn’t make sense; they were indoors.
    There was a flash of light so blinding that Gabriella had no choice but to shield her eyes. A fire, she thought wildly as she caught the acrid scent of burning wires. Gabriella pulled her hand away from her face, searching desperately for the exit as her eyes adjusted.
    But there was no escape, even though the doors were still unlocked. Because there, in front of the exit, stood the most massive, terrifying creature Gabriella had ever seen.

Chapter 3
The Changing Stone
    The beast’s sharp claws went click, click, click on the cold wooden floor. Gray, shaggy fur covered her tense muscles. When she turned to look at the students, she peered at them through hard, glittering eyes over a long snout.
    Darren had seen wolves before—his uncle had taken him camping last winter, and for Darren, once had been enough—but this wolf was so much more terrifying than anything he could have imagined. Instinctively, he thrust his arm in front of the other kids to protect them. Gabriella batted his arm away. Darren glanced at her in confusion and got his second surprise: there was something wrong with her eyes . . . Their color and shape—
    Another flash blinded Darren. Bright sparkles crowded his field of vision; he rubbed his fingers against his eyes, trying to clear his sight. As the sparkles began to fade, Darren realized the wolf was gone. In its place was Ms. Therian. She regarded them with a calm, even stare.
    â€œNow that I have your full attention,” she said, “I’ll proceed. Sit down, Fiona.”
    Darren glanced over at Fiona out of the corner of his eye. She was so shocked that she didn’t sit until Mack tugged her arm.
    â€œThat was my Changer form,” Ms. Therian explained. “You all look so alarmed. I assure you that you’re not in any danger. . . . Not from me, at least. I know what I have to tell you is difficult to comprehend. But as they say, seeing is believing.
    â€œLike I was saying, you are all Changers,” Ms. Therian continued. “What does that mean? Well, it’s a lot more than what they tell you in comic books.”
    Darren flushed as Ms. Therian looked at him.
    â€œEach one of you can change into a unique animal, animals that humans today believe only exist in myths and folktales. With your other form comes incrediblepowers—powers that ordinary humans can only dream of.”
    Powers? Darren thought. Now he knew that Ms. Therian was full of crazy talk. The only power he had was the ability to sleep in past lunch.
    â€œYou are not the first of your kind, not by far. You are the next generation. In ancient times we lived openly among ordinary humans, who were grateful to us for our protection and aid. But as most things go, the humans eventually turned on us, frightened of our power. Many Changers died, but some went into hiding and survive today, through you.”
    Ms. Therian stopped speaking and gazed upon the students. Darren stared back, but it was impossible to even think that what she was saying could be true.
    â€œBut we can talk more about history later. For now, all you need to know is that your identity as a Changer must be kept secret at all times—not just for your own safety, but for the safety of all of