Ana studied him suspiciously, but did as he asked. The door opened and she was guided into the center of her room. Chance left her side for a moment, then his strong hand gripped hers and after a quick squeeze he said, “Okay, open up.”
Was she amongst the stars? Soft points of light glimmered around her. An array of Christmas lights shone from the ceiling, gleaming bright.
“Your own night sky and these are for you, too.” Chance handed her a large bunch of Heartleaf Arnica tied with a red ribbon.
“Chance, it’s wonderful.” Ana leapt into his arms, her hands resting at the back of his neck. She dragged her fingers up to the base of his hairline and he shivered at her touch.
“Now, don’t go distracting me. I had something I wanted to ask you.”
She pulled away puzzled, unsure of what he could possibly want to ask.
“Well, I just wanted to lock it in. I don’t want any vampires or wizards cutting in line. Ana, would you be my date for prom?”
Ana laughed at the unexpected invitation. She stopped short when Chance frowned. She didn’t want him to think she was laughing at him.
“Definitely. It’s what? Three weeks away?” Ana pulled back and squinted at a calendar pinned to her wall. The joy of the moment was almost too much. She always dreamt of going to the prom, although she never would have admitted it. But there was one thing she didn’t look forward to. “Hmmm. . .”
“What?”
She lifted her hand to her chest and said, “Oh, it’s nothing for you to worry about. It’s just going to be a pain trying to find a dress that covers my scar.”
“Don’t worry about that. You’re beautiful.” He touched her chin. “I’ve seen you in a hospital gown and ratty sweats. You’re like a star shining through it all—beautiful. Get one you like and don’t worry about your scar. It’s your badge of courage. Be proud. Hey, if you don’t watch it, I’m going to kiss that frown away,” Chance said and kissed her forehead.
After the fifth kiss, she laughed and shook her head. “Fine. Okay.”
Raindrops tapped on the roof when they wandered down to dinner.
“Well Ana, you still have to go back to school tomorrow,” Melissa said as she removed dishes from the table after they finished eating.
“Right.”
School was something Ana had purposefully forgotten about.
Chance stood, stretched and helped remove the remaining items off the table. He stretched and said, “Well, I guess I should get going.”
Ana whipped her head around to glare at him. What about his promise?
He put his finger to his lips and waved her toward the door. She followed him to the entry. They both grabbed their jackets and slipped them on.
Melissa popped her head around the corner and said, “Bye Chance, thanks for everything. You’ve been a big help. And thank your parents again for me.”
Eva jumped up and gave him a giant hug. “Bye, Chance—see you later.”
Ana followed Chance to his truck and said in a loud whisper, “You said you’d show me—why are you leaving?!”
Chance stopped, opened his door and pulled something from the cab. He held it out to her with a grin.
“What’s this?” Ana asked and grabbed the green duffle bag from his hands. She unzipped it and peered inside with a scowl. Folded jeans and a sweatshirt poked out. A slow grin crept across her face.
“Where do you want me to hide it?” she asked and bit her lip in excitement.
Chance hesitated. “Ana, I don’t think tonight’s a good night. You just got home from the hospital.”
He touched the dark bags under her eyes and then her plum colored lips. Ana stepped back and growled. “No way! I’ve been looking forward to it. I’m sitting outside tonight if you come or not—and I suggest you come.”
Ana pulled the duffle from his hands, her agitation roiling below the surface.
Chance sighed in defeat and said, “Okay, but I don’t think you should stay up late tonight. Go ahead and stash the bag behind a tree next to your rock. Looks like the rain’s stopped for the night so give me twenty to get home and check in with the folks, and ten to fly back.” He kissed her forehead and added, “See you soon.”
Ana decided to place the bag out at the trees near her gazing rock before she returned to the house, not wanting to answer any questions about where the duffle had come from.
Ana sat and watched TV with Eva to pass the time. She tapped her foot against the floor, shaking everything in a close radius. Eva glared at her from the opposite side of the couch, groaned and slid off the couch to the carpet below.
Melissa walked into the living room and said, “Hey Eva, it’s time to go brush your teeth. And Ana, were you going to bed early tonight?”
“Um, no. I think I’m gonna head out to the rock since it’s stopped raining.” She noticed her mother’s distress and added, “I’ll take the waterproof picnic blanket—I’ll be fine. Eva’s pot roast gave me a burst of energy.” She grinned, straightened up and forced an energetic appearance.
Melissa stood still and her face clouded over like the sky outside. “Ana, if you get yourself sick I won’t be happy. Remember your promise.”
After another moment, Melissa stared at Ana and caved in. “Okay, but not too long. It’s still pretty cold out. Wear your jacket—the thick one.”
Ana went to the hall closet and emerged with a red and black checkerboard blanket, threw on her jacket and sauntered out the back door. She settled her chin and lips into the snug folds of the fleece lining to collect some needed warmth.
She stepped into her sanctuary and tentatively called out. “Chance?”
Only sporadic drips slapped the damp forest floor, so she laid the blanket out on the rock, sat down cross-legged and searched the darkened sky.
Although she knew it was futile, she still tried sharpening her weak human senses to peer through the evening gloom. Ana soon gave up, closed her eyes and listened to the wet forest. Tap, tap, thud. She familiarized herself with the its noises until she heard soft flapping.
Her eyes flashed open. A branch cracked and she turned. She spotted a large owl perched on a low lying pine bough. Ana rose, her eyes glued to the regal feathered creature. Cautious in her approach, she stretched out her hand to touch it. The bird remained still and closed its eyes as her hand slid down its feathered back.
The animal turned its head with eyes wide open. Ana pointed in the direction she had hidden Chance’s bag and stepped back as the large wings extended in preparation for flight. The owl swooped down into the forest and disappeared from sight.
Ana couldn’t move. In suspense, her heart fluttered like the owls wings and her breath caught as she stared into the empty space where the bird had vanished, waiting and listening in complete attention.
Ground cover rustled from the spinney covert. As though in a dream, a form emerged. Chance pulled his sweatshirt over his head as he walked forward and Ana noticed his muscular chest before it was covered with black cotton. He stopped before her, looked down to the ground and avoided her eyes.
“Wow,” she said in awe.
His shoulders rocked as he laughed in silence. He tilted his head back, his white teeth gleaming in the dark. He drew her in to him and held her in a tight embrace.
“So, you haven’t changed your mind then?” Chance asked.
“Tch, right. So, does your grandfather know that I know?”
“Yeah. He kinda figured after the whole cougar catastrophe you may have had some questions. He’s always been super protective. He made me swear I would never tell anyone, but the circumstances have changed now. Don’t worry about him—he’ll come around.”
Ana tucked her hair behind her ear and said, “And so, do I get to watch you train?”
He thought about it and said, “Well, how ‘bout the day after tomorrow? I’ll carry you there, since it’s too far for you to hike. I don’t want you hospitalized again.”
<
br /> “Really?! That would be fantastic!” Ana was elated and glanced down the path toward the house, remembering she wasn’t supposed to be talking to anyone outside.
“I’ve always wanted to ride a horse. Can you phase into a mustang again?” Ana’s voice rose in excitement.
Chance cleared his throat and gave a shy smile. “Well, I haven’t tried taking horse form since the other day, but I can try—for you.”
“I guess I won’t need to worry about getting bucked off.” She grasped his hand, led him to the blanket and sat down.
“I’m not your new pet, you know! I’m more than just a cute furry face!” He pushed her back onto the blanket and she giggled in response.
“I’ve always wanted a puppy. Do you like bows?”
The sound of muffled laughter danced around the fir trees and brambles while the clouds parted.
Chance gazed up then grew serious. “So, there’s something I’ve been talking to Grandfather about. Shapeshifting isn’t the only ability my ancestors discovered. Not many have been interested in trying it because it’s so risky. There have been some very powerful shifters who were able to, well, heal. It’s dangerous to try and Grandfather’s told me I’m not ready yet, but it’s something I’m working toward.”
“Chance, you don’t need to. . .”
Chance touched his finger to her lips and silenced her. “It requires the kind of power I don’t have—yet. To heal, I would link my energy to another’s. I guess it would kinda get sucked out of me. It’s dangerous to test, because it takes twice as much energy to change something outside of myself than it does to change my own body. If there was some condition I wasn’t aware of it could get bad. Like if I set out to heal a cut, but the injured person had cancer, then I’ve overcommitted myself.
“Grandfather explained it this way—imagine a big jug of water, flipped upside down over a basin. If the jug is filled, representing a powerful shifter and the basin below only requires a small amount of water, then the shifter isn’t in danger. If the situation is flipped and the shifter has less energy than needed to fill the patient, then disconnecting before you’re totally drained is near impossible. Which could mean the shifter would. . .die.”
His jaw clenched and he rushed to finish. Ana shook her head vigorously. He held his hand out and said, “I want to help you. I’ve been training hard to increase my power. That’s what we were doing when you found us on the mountain. But grandfather hasn’t exactly volunteered more information about it.”
Ana grasped his hands and said, “Chance! I don’t want you hurting yourself trying to help me. Have faith everything will work out. I do.”
She saw his expression, identifying her own stubbornness reflected in his eyes. He nodded in agreement, but she didn’t buy it. What if he’s only agreeing to stop the discussion?
Obviously, the matter wasn’t resolved. Ana would have to keep an eye on him.
Chapter 24
Ana followed Chance down the walkway. As they approached the porch they spotted Niyol who stood in wait on the top stair. She stopped and greeted him warmly. “Hello, sir.”
Chance leapt up the steps and rested his hand on his grandfather’s shoulder and asked, “Are we ready?”
Niyol nodded with a serious expression and began to lead the way. His steady form was far more solid than Ana had previously thought. She hadn’t realized he was as tall as Chance. His clothing hung away from his broad shoulders, which disguised his true form. He didn’t seem as elderly as she first thought either. The hunched figure engulfed by the comfy chair didn’t represent the person walking before her now.
Niyol paused at the mouth of a trail near the driveway and faced Chance. Ana noticed a woven blanket clutched under his arm and wondered what it was for.
“Time to hop on.” Chance stepped in front of Ana and leaned down.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped on his back, while Chance caught and held her legs around his abdomen.
He squeezed her tight and started up the trail. Without a sound, he and Niyol moved along the path.
Ana was stunned by their speed. They moved more swiftly than she ever would have guessed. Chance followed in his grandfather’s steps with ease, even with the extra load on his back.
Once they reached the top of the ridge, they descended into the meadow where she had discovered them less than a week ago. Gravity pushed her forward into his back as they descended the trail and she savored the closeness.
They entered the center of the grassy field and Ana slid from Chance’s back but kept her hands on his shoulders for support. Once she was stable, she let go.
Niyol stepped between her and Chance and stared intently into her eyes. He spoke in his deep, melodic voice. “Ana, I know Chance trusts you. But the knowledge you hold now has the power to destroy this family—and most of all, Chance. I can see you care for him, but no matter what happens between you two, you must promise to never speak of his powers to anyone.”
Ana answered immediately, without a thought, “Of course. I swear on my life I will never say anything to anyone. I wouldn’t do that to him, or you.”
The lines around his eyes creased as he squinted at her. “I was taught sacrifice is a true way to make a bond.”
A glint of silver shone from his palm. Ana realized he held a knife.
“Whoa, grandfather! It’s cool. She said she wouldn’t tell anyone. I trust her.” Chance lowered Niyol’s hand and cushioned himself between them. Niyol grumbled and backed off, tucking his weapon into a sheath on his belt.
Ana swallowed hard and held her palm out. “I don’t mind. I’ll do it.”
Some blood was an easy payment to display her intention to keep the family secret.
Chance shook his head and met her eyes. “No. It’s not necessary. Let’s just get started. You can watch from over there.” He pointed to a fallen log about ten paces away. “I was going to try the mustang again for you. And I still need to perfect the cougar.”
Chance led her to her perch. He placed a soft kiss on her neck before walking back to where Niyol stood. A few whispers were passed between the men.
Ana watched as Chance waved to her with a smile. Niyol stepped away from his grandson. Chance pulled off his shirt and sat down cross legged before his grandfather and closed his eyes. Niyol unfolded the blanket he had carried and waited with it in his arms. After a few minutes, Chance reopened his eyes, stood and stared intently at his grandfather.
She held her breath. The exhilaration was almost too much for her to take. Completely still, she didn’t want to miss a moment.
Niyol opened the blanket, holding it in his outstretched arms. When Chance disappeared behind the screen, Ana realized what it was for.
She heard Niyol say, “Focus. Close your eyes and visualize it. Touch it with your mind. Your body knows its form. You can do it again. It will be easier this time. There you go. . .”
Niyol dropped the blanket, exposing a beautiful chestnut mustang with a dark brown mane. It tossed its head uneasily and snorted.
Ana stood and began to move forward, but Niyol met her gaze and held his hand up. She remained in place as the animal before her adjusted to its body.
The brown stallion began to walk, occasionally catching its hoof on the earth. The snorting continued, its head whipping around as though it had an itchy nose. After a long wet blast from its muzzle, the horse calmed and began to trot in a tight circle.
She couldn’t help but smile as she witnessed him explore his new form. In her amusement, she turned to Niyol and thought she noticed a reserved grin. He met her gaze and nodded.
After it bucked a few times, the horse calmed and walked toward Ana. Large russet eyes confronted her before dipping its muzzle down to her hand. She placed her cool fingers on the beautiful creature’s head. Its muscles twitched and quivered at her touch. The mustang moved sideways and she let her hand drift down the breadth of its strong back. After a whinny, it turned to
look at her.
“What—you want me to get on?” Ana said between giggles.
It lowered its head. Well, I guess he can understand me in animal form.
With quivering legs, she stepped onto the log and grabbed a handful of the horse’s mane in one hand. Her other hand moved to its back. In an awkward motion, she was able to pull and half jump onto its back. She settled in place, gripping the mane so tight her knuckles grew white.
“I’ve never done this before,” she said in warning.
The mustang whinnied in response and shook its head up and down. Ana imagined he would be laughing right now if he could.
“Right—I guess you haven’t either.”
The horse moved forward slowly, as though it wanted to make sure she was secure on its back. After a loop in the meadow, it began to pick up speed, trotting.
Ana’s happy laughter encouraged a canter. Her hair pulled back in the breeze and the mustang’s warm muscular body moved through the wilderness like it belonged there.
***
This form was comfortable. It did take a little getting used to, although after transforming into other four-legged animals, Chance adjusted easily. But his face felt strange, his nose in particular. It tingled for a while, but then it faded.
Chance slowed down, concerned Ana would tire from holding on. She leaned forward, hugged his massive neck and said in a whisper, “I love you.”
He snickered and stomped his foot twice on the ground. Chance walked her back to the log and Ana slid off his back. She rubbed his snout and he leaned his long muzzle against her. She rested her forehead to his as she held his jaw in her grasp. Then he returned to his grandfather. He had too much to say and couldn’t in this form.
Niyol lifted the blanket again and blocked Ana’s view. After the transformation was complete, Chance wrapped it around his human form and walked over to Ana with a broad smile.
“So, you love me?” he said and he lifted her up with ease.
Ana avoided his gaze, but she couldn’t for long. Chance absorbed her hands within his and stared into her eyes. Time stood still for a long moment until he kissed her nose, chuckled and said, “Any other wishes I can fulfill?”
She accepted him so openly it baffled him, but he didn’t linger on it. He enjoyed her hands on his skin and his flesh burned below her fingertips.
Fledgling Page 15
