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And so for her sake, I practiced my focus. It worked for a time until Vane called me last night. The human was run out of town. They just missed him. It was not all a loss. The human left in such a hurry that he left some belongings, including his phone.
I asked Vane to deliver it to me.
It’s been a few hours, but I’m close to unlocking its secrets. “There!”
Hundreds of images of Val burst from its memory. None of them looked personal. They all look like they are taken from afar.
As if this person is hunting her.
Hunting my mate.
My beast’s rage tears through me. I let myself go and with it my relentless anger. Howling winds roar down the mountainside, covering the valley with my blinding white fury.
A red blot approaches my greenhouse. In a blink I’m there, ready to take on the intruder.
I charge up through the tunnels, exiting just outside of the greenhouse entrance. I brace my feet and charge.
A wave of heat slams down on me.
I shake my head, rearing up to my full height and swiping through the heat hze in front of me.
“I would really hate to burn you into a crisp, old friend.”
The voice is familiar. Ally.
“Friend?” The word is barely more than a snarl.
“Yes. Friend. Lucky. You know me.” Red wings as large as sails float above me, carrying the Firebird aloft.
“Lucky. Friend.” Words aren’t very useful to me in this form.
But I can understand. I see now the Firebird above me. I know him, recognize him as someone who fights different battles of the same war.
Lucky balances himself on the corner of my greenhouse. Strategic move; even in this state, I am not willing to damage my plants. “Is something wrong, beast? There a threat? The Wulvers have been seen down the mountainside.”
“My mate.” That’s all I can say before I let loose another frustrated roar.
“Your mate? I didn’t know you had one.” He turns and narrows his eyes at the house. When he sees Val, he turns back to me.
Good thing he didn’t linger. I’d have torn his eyes out.
“I’ll do a few fly-bys down the mountain. See if I can see what the Wulvers may have missed. I’ll keep you posted.”
Lucky flies away before I can tell him not to bother. I spy Val bounding through the living room, a little dance to her steps. Seeing her safe and happy soothes something inside of me.
The phone. The messages.
She needs to know about them. I need to know about them. It’s time for her to share what she knows.
Val stands before me in my laboratory, equal parts fearful and bewildered.
I want to hold her. Comfort her. Kill for her.
“It seems heavy-handed to ask. But I must know. Is anyone threatening you?”
For long seconds, she stands there, taking in the data I unlock from the human’s phone. Val looks lost, like an abandoned child seeking guidance.
I ache for her, but I make no move, waiting for her to be comfortable. Waiting for her to process what is happening. Waiting for her to feel safe enough to confide in me.
