Bite Marks

Magic was the worst of barely kept secrets. This secret was all anyone talked about, modeled after and sought. It was a known truth just under proven and documented. Magic was in fashion, but not truly grasped.
That is, until the Red Shadow came. It crept in subtly, in the air and water. A tinge to the lakes, a haze in the air; all over the world. And as this discoloration took root, the red visible and alarming, people started to change. Some not so obvious, and other much more, most of the population became something else. Children could become animals and men grew food with their hands. Gibberish of spells worked and, in some, a hunger for blood grew.
The world fell into chaos as magic was realized. What had been thought to be a safe diversion became a deadly reality. Those who were sick died in that short span of time. The red that was breathed choked them softly. Neither mask nor machine could purify the air. The weak died or grew stronger in their change; the healthy feared and destroyed in their confusion.
The Red Shadow left, but the effects did not.
The earth fell into chaos for many years. Those who did not die from the red or each other starved as traditional methods were abandoned. This was a dark period where lives were lost.
People, as things calmed, decided the way of operating must change. Governments agreed and this time was called the Acceptance of Magic. Power of people were given in regards to what magic they help. Men and women organized and formed groups to order themselves.
That is the story of the Red Shadow.

Many years after the Red Shadow; life has a semblance of normalcy. People know what is expected of them and their magic. All have a part to play and a clear path.
All, that is, until a certain female, daughter to the King of her Clan, decides she wants less than what she is expected. Different than her family and wanting to be free of the precious life she has, Tarja leaves her people to live with more common of folk; those who truly know her.
Pravin has always known exactly what his life is destined to. As a man that can turn into a Panther and just a bit beyond, he is happy with his lot and is content to live it out.
Poor man has no hopes of keeping that content little life as Tarja catches his eye. Unapologetic and just strange enough to set her own worth, Tarja is everything Pravin needs in his fast changing life.
But will he be able to win the love of a Princess with a lonely past. Will his words sooth her, his embrace excite her; will his bite claim her?