Page 10 of Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 7

These dead things glowed in his vision. He hadn’t realized that before. While the living creatures had a sound to him–their heartbeats, their breathing, the tap of their claws–the dead had a look. His bird head twitched around as he scanned the forests, fields and oceans. There were so many glows. So many dead. So much he could do if he only knew how.

Grayson? Ryder’s voice was a little worried.

Sorry, Ryder! I was just resting for a moment, Grayson assured him.

The falcon came and settled down on the balcony railing beside him. They side-walked over to one another and pressed their feathery bodies together. Ryder was so warm and it was cozy.

I can’t believe how incredible this is! I am going to shift multiple times a day. And if I have other forms I’m going to make sure I change into each and every one. That’s going to be the best! Grayson enthused.

I’m so glad, Ryder chuckled. You sound so… so joyous. It’s been some time since I’ve felt this from you.

Have I ever felt so happy like this? I wonder, Grayson rested his little head against Ryder’s chest. I thought I had to separate myself from everyone in order to look at things with clear eyes. Cold precision. And maybe that’s not altogether wrong. But this kind of belonging? Now that I know what it’s like I can’t imagine going back to that. I don’t want to.

You do not have to, Ryder assured him. When I went into battle, I felt every death, Grayson.

But you were able to still follow orders and give them, Grayson said softly.

Yes, because I believed in what we were doing. It was hard, but I believed in it, Ryder said. One should never go into battle lightly. Taking lives should never be a distant act. It makes them too cheap, I think. They are all precious. Even the lives of our enemies.

I don’t know about Artemis, Grayson said after a minute.

They both cawed their laughter.

But he’s not really dead, Ryder, Grayson suddenly said. I… I have the Kaly gift. I can feel it.

What’s that like? Ryder asked, sounding genuinely curious and not jealous or worried, which Grayson was pleased about.

But he realized he wasn’t surprised. The connection between them was so solid. So true. There was no room for doubt.

Strange. Wondrous. Turns things on its head, Grayson admitted. Because death is not an end. It is not a hard stop. It is just a phase of things like life is a phase of things. Of something greater.

When we get back, you must speak to Caemorn.

I know. It will be interesting to tell him all of this. I’m afraid it will upset him, Grayson said.

But you’re not upset? Ryder confirmed.

No, I mean we took Artemis down. You turned me. But I also got the Kaly powers. I feel like we made out pretty darn good, Grayson admitted.

You have three gifts, Ryder said with a soft chirp. I do believe that Balthazar will be jealous.

True. Eyros already is, Grayson laughed. I wish I could show you what I see. The Kaly stuff, I mean.

We already share so much. More than we did before, Ryder did. We are one in so many ways.

We are. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, Grayson said with a contented side.

The wind stirred their feathers. They stared at how the moon turned the ocean silver. Waves rolled in and beat a pleasant tattoo upon the white sand. The hiss and shush of the waves met and matched the stirring of the trees as their limbs moved almost hypnotically in the breezes. There was this sense of connection that Grayson wanted to hold onto always.

But then there was a knock on the door. Both fluttered their wings and hopped around. Ryder shifted. Grayson did not. He tried. He really tried. Willing it with all he had. But nothing. Still little bird feet. He cawed up at the Weryn Vampire. Ryder scooped him up in his hands.

“Don’t worry, Grayson. You’ll shift back,” Ryder promised. “You’re just not ready yet.” He kissed Grayson’s head as there was another knock. “Come!”

It was Elgar, which was unexpected. The tall, elegant Eyros Vampire stood awkwardly in the threshold for a moment before he swept inside. He closed the door behind him and stood there again. He was such a mixture of confidence and diffidence.

“What can we help you with, Elgar?” Ryder asked as he carried Grayson in his arms inside to the bed.

He gently placed Grayson on the duvet. Graydon hopped on top of Khos so he could have a better view of both Vampires. The Dire Wolf didn’t even crack an eyelid as he perched on his furry side. The urge to pluck some of that long fur and build a nest with it amused him. Elgar stared at Grayson for long, unblinking moments.