Central

by Raine Thomas

  “She seems very satisfied this morning,” he said. Although he didn’t understand her humor, he could appreciate the effect it had on him. For some reason he didn’t understand, the sight of her bright smile combined with her laugh all but cut him at the knees.

  “That’s because she mated last night,” she replied bluntly.

  He froze. “I beg your pardon?” He looked back at Aurora. The panther was staring right at him with green eyes very similar to Olivia’s. If he didn’t know any better, he would have sworn there was humor in the cat’s gaze. Sighing in resignation, he said, “Well, I certainly hope he treated you well.”

  Then he patted the side of her neck and let her lick his hand. The loud sound of her purring filled the morning quiet. When he glanced again at Olivia, he caught her watching him with an expression he didn’t recognize.

  “What?”

  “Nothing,” she responded. She smiled, but he thought it looked a bit unnatural.

  Wondering what he had said to cause the look on her face, he started to push her for an explanation. Then the back door opened and he shifted his attention to Jabari.

  With his dark skin, black eyes and bright smile, the elder made an impression regardless of what he was wearing. Since he chose to adorn colorful robes and togas with equally colorful undershirts sporting rear cut-outs for his wings, he commanded even more attention. When you added the fact that he was the oldest of all the elders in both age and appearance, having gray streaks in his tightly-cropped cap of hair, there were very few Estilorians as remarkable as he was.

  “Good morning, Olivia and James.”

  They issued responsive greetings as the elder took a third one of the chairs on the large porch. When Aurora walked up to him and lowered her head, Jabari reached over companionably and rubbed her behind the ears.

  “Are you ready to begin your training, Olivia?” he asked.

  “Sure,” she answered.

  James sensed her hesitation, but didn’t comment.

  “We will begin with flight training,” Jabari explained. “We thought about starting with defense, but in essence, flight is its own form of defense. Fight or flight, they say.”

  Now, her face lit up and she sat forward. “Really? Cool!”

  James had already learned that colloquialism. One corner of his mouth rose at her enthusiasm. Flying was something every Estilorian was innately able to do. He knew it had perplexed her to know she had the ability to fly, but not the instinct to know how to do it.

  “Indeed. Ini-herit will commence with your training shortly. We will need to rouse your sisters.”

  “Right,” she said, getting to her feet. She collected her cup and saucer. “Well, I’ll go get ready. If Skye isn’t awake by the time I’m dressed, I’ll get her up.”

  Then she turned and hurried back into the house. James figured she was eager to begin the lessons she had been awaiting for weeks.

  “I wonder why she did not mention Amber,” he said after a moment of thought. “Their rooms are right next to each other.”

  Jabari chuckled. The elder had recently reacquired his sense of humor due to his mental connection with Gabriel, a fellow elder. “I imagine it is because Amber is a newlywed and is sharing a bed with her husband.”

  Finally, the puzzle pieces fell into place. James understood now why when Olivia had discussed her night’s sleep that she had sounded odd and then blushed when he asked for more details. She must have overheard something that disturbed her slumber.

  As realization hit him, he felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment for the first time in all of his existence. And for some reason he absolutely couldn’t explain, the sensation gave him hope.

  Chapter Four

  Olivia stood between her sisters on an expanse of smooth, gray rock an hour later, thrilled and terrified at the prospect of learning to fly. She struggled not to wring her hands as she watched the muscular, tanned and intimidating instructor stride into view. Ini-herit’s glimmering silver eyes took their measure as the sound of waves crashed in the distance and the wind swirled around them. She had already gauged that the cliff about thirty feet from them was at least a three hundred-foot drop to the water below. What she didn’t know is why they needed to train in this area instead of near the house. She was so much more comfortable near the forest, kragens and all.

  Her attention remained riveted on the Corgloresti standing before them. Like the rest of them, Ini-herit was young in appearance, no more than early-twenties if she was gauging him as a human. He was wearing a gray tank top and matching gray pants. His laced black boots reached his knees and looked like they would aid him in kicking in a steel vault. Silver tattoos decorated the backs of each of his well-muscled arms and all along his shoulder blades. She imagined they covered the entire expanse of his back, as well. James had explained that they were markings from past pairings with Gloresti.

  “Today, you will fly,” he finally said.

  She fought back a jump at the sudden words after the prolonged silence. She glanced to her right and saw that Amber was standing with her arms crossed over her chest and a nonchalant expression on her face. Today she was wearing a brown tank top and khaki-colored pants that seemed suited to a human military soldier. They had all discovered that tank tops—specially-cut tanks designed to allow for easy extension of their wings—were a commonly worn clothing item among Estilorians. Because the Estilorians didn’t have sneakers, Olivia’s older sister wore brown boots rather similar to Ini-herit’s, if a bit more feminine. Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail.

  In contrast, Skye was practically radiating enthusiasm and wore tight blue leggings that ended just below her knees. Over the leggings was an even lighter blue skirt comprised of many panels of sheer fabric. Her tank top was electric blue, matching the pretty but far-from-functional slippers on her feet. As was usual for her, she wore her hair down. It fell almost to her backside. Olivia had also opted for a tank top, hers in a sage green, with white linen capris and white leather moccasins. Her hair was pulled back in a practical bun.

  Behind each of the girls stood their Gloresti. She fought the urge to look over her shoulder, knowing that they were all there about ten feet back and watching.

  “Flight is about faith,” Ini-herit continued in his usual unemotional monotone. “You must believe you can do it. Or else, you will not.”

  Olivia’s brows drew together at that announcement. Faith? That was rather vague, wasn’t it?

  As a human, she had been drawn to measureable and calculable problems that resulted in logical and methodical solutions. Telling her that this was all about faith was like saying a rainbow contained the color black if you just looked at the correct angle.

  “Skylar,” Ini-herit said, turning to the youngest sister. The Corgloresti elder occasionally forgot that they preferred to be addressed by their human names versus their Estilorian names. “Bring forth your wings.”

  Bouncing a few feet further away from Olivia, Skye smiled and did exactly that. From the light blue crescents etched around her shoulder blades in a similar way that the three light blue swirls decorated the edges of her eyes, her wings unfurled. Olivia couldn’t contain her smile. Skye’s wings were incredible. They looked like they were made of soft blue clouds, swirling in misty wisps so that the edges and tips looked blurred against the landscape behind them.

  Just as Olivia was about to ask if she could touch one of her wings, Skye issued a combination between a gasp and a laugh and suddenly launched herself from the ground. Olivia’s eyes widened as her younger sister soared higher and higher, then suddenly lost altitude. Before she could plummet more than a few feet, however, Caleb was there, his midnight blue wings making a slow and calm contrast to Skye’s more rapid pace. Although the couple was too high to hear what was said, Skye seemed to slump slightly and retracted her wings. Caleb carried her back to the ground, his face impassive. Olivia imagined he had been doing quite a bit of rescuing just like this since Skye had discovere
d her wings.

  “As you can see,” Ini-herit said as though the disruption had been his plan all along, “there is a certain degree of control required for flight.”

  Olivia bit her bottom lip when she saw Skye’s defeated expression. Moving to her left, she rubbed a comforting hand over Skye’s shoulder. “Hey, at least you can bring your wings forth,” she said supportively. She knew the comment helped when Skye smiled.

  “Now you will try, Olaya,” Ini-herit instructed.

  Flinching, she glanced around and realized all eyes were on her. She fought the urge to wipe her damp palms on her capris and took the few steps sideways until she was again between her sisters. Clearing her throat, she admitted, “I’ve been trying for the past couple of weeks.”

  Amber laughed and stepped closer so she could lightly smack Olivia on the arm. “Of course you have.”

  Finding herself smiling over her normally-reserved sister’s reaction, Olivia caught Ini-herit’s gaze and added, “Well, I haven’t been able to do it on my own. I need more instruction, I think.”

  “I see.”

  Ini-herit looked consideringly from one sister to the other, seeming to gauge each of them. He knew a lot about their individual personalities from their time on the human plane. In conjunction with the Orculesti class, who could connect mentally with Corgloresti on the human plane, he had been monitoring them throughout their lives. As he thought, he paced, his hands held behind his back and his head bent. The long tail of his black braid whipped through the air as he moved, drawing her nervous attention.

  Finally, he stopped. He nodded as if he had answered his own question. “Very well, Olivia. Come with me.”

  Curious more than nervous now, she stepped forward a few paces until she was right in front of him. She thought he might do something like a tandem flight with her to give her the sense of flying. It couldn’t be that different from having training wheels on a bicycle, right? But instead he lightly touched her shoulder and urged her to walk with him. They moved away from the others and she figured he wanted to discuss something privately with her. Because her gaze was centered on him, she only belatedly realized they had walked nearly all the way to the edge of the cliff.

  “You were an exceptional student on the human plane,” he observed.

  “Um,” Olivia responded, her gaze moving warily to the cliff’s edge. She took a half-step back. “Okay...”

  “Why do you suppose that was?”

  He stood calmly a couple of feet from her, his hands still held behind his back. Switching her focus to his question rather than the cliff, she said, “Well…I studied.”

  “Why did you study?”

  “I wanted to learn.”

  “Humans have tests to determine the level of a student’s learning, correct?”

  Thoroughly distracted by the off-turn to the conversation, she merely nodded.

  His face expressionless, he pressed, “So, you were studying to pass these tests.”

  “I suppose so.”

  “Did you ever fail a test?”

  “No,” she said, shocked at the very idea.

  “So it is safe to say that failure is not an option you are willing to accept,” he deduced.

  Now that she understood the point he was making, she relaxed a bit. “Okay, I’ll admit that’s true. I never—”

  And then he suddenly stepped up to her and lifted her from the ground. She couldn’t even manage a squeak because his hand was pressing so tightly against her abdomen. He took a few long strides forward until they stood at the edge of the cliff.

  “Very well, Olaya. Here is your flying test. You either pass or you fail.”

  And he threw her over the edge.

  The air filled her lungs so quickly as she plummeted that she couldn’t even scream. Ini-herit’s words clashed through her brain, overriding her absolute terror.

  You either pass or you fail.

  She would not fail.

  Even as the ground rushed toward her, she drew on the well of determination that had seen her through her entire human education. She knew now, as she had always known, that there was absolutely nothing she couldn’t learn, especially when challenged.

  And as that knowledge flooded her, she realized that she was no longer falling, but soaring.

  “Woohoo!” she shouted exultantly, bringing her arms up in triumph.

  Giddiness overtook her as she swooped down to the water and then used her intuition to climb higher. She had thought that flying would prove tiring, but it took surprisingly little physical effort at all. Laughter bubbled from her throat as she circled and veered to different sides, testing her abilities.

  When she again moved closer to the water and skimmed above it, she saw her wings reflected on the stiller parts of the surface. Unlike Skye’s wings, hers were segmented and rounded, like the wings of a dragonfly or one of the images of fairies she had seen many times on the human plane. They glowed a brilliant, iridescent green and had intricate detailing etched all through them, making them look a bit like stained glass. Most importantly, they obeyed her every thought.

  After another minute, she sensed James. He hovered at her height near the cliffs, his dark blue wings barely moving as he watched her. She guessed he was making sure she didn’t need any assistance like Skye had. As elation coursed through her, she zipped over to him.

  “Look at me, James!” she exclaimed breathlessly. She slowed a bit as she got closer, but ultimately threw herself into his arms and gave him an enthusiastic hug around his waist. “Oh, my goodness—just look at me!”

  When she pulled back from the hug, she realized he was smiling. Not just a little half-smile, but a full, show-your-teeth smile. And the impact it had on his already handsome features was devastating to her senses.

  “You are magnificent,” he said with more feeling than she had ever heard from him.

  Her heart did a little trip and she thought, Uh-oh.

  Not dropping her smile because she didn’t want to concern him, she flew backwards a foot. “I can’t believe this!” she breathed, throwing her arms back and doing a little circle right where she floated. When she again caught his gaze, his smile was gone. Now he looked curious. “What?”

  “How did you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Fly backwards,” he responded, moving closer to her.

  “Oh.” Blinking, she did it again. It hadn’t taken any real skill, so his reaction confused her. “I don’t know. I just did it.”

  Now he flew around her, giving her wings a closer examination. “I see,” he said, obviously impressed. “The different segments of your wings work independently. Like a damselfly. I have never seen anything like it among Estilorians. That will assist you in having exceptional flight control.”

  “Huh.” She wasn’t sure what to think about that. Being an oddity wasn’t something that she generally relished. But then, she and her sisters were already oddities. What was one more thing?

  She couldn’t contain another laugh as the euphoria of flying once again flowed through her. Turning, she said, “Come on!”

  They darted among the surf for a while longer as she explored every nuance of the new experience. He called out to her a few times with instructions, and she listened with rapt attention, absorbing it like a sponge. Eventually, though, he pointed up. They had to get back to the others. Trying not to feel disappointed, she flew with him back up to the top of the cliff. With barely a thought, she landed lightly about three feet from Ini-herit.

  The Corgloresti stared at her expectantly.

  She grinned and gave him a light punch in the arm. “Thanks for throwing me off the cliff.”

  He nodded and waved her in the direction of her sisters, who had been sitting on the ground and now got to their feet.

  “That was awesome, Liv!” Skye declared, hurrying forward and giving her a hug. “I wish I had that much control.”

  Amber smiled at her. “Glad you’re not a big splat on the rocks.”<
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  That made Olivia snort with laughter. “Yeah, well, I think it’s your turn now, big sis.”

  That statement made Amber’s face fall into its usual serious lines. Her eyes moved to Ini-herit, who had cocked his head and was giving her a challenging look.

  “Don’t think throwing me off that cliff is going to work,” she said with a flippant wave in their instructor’s direction. “I already tried it with Gabriel.” Here, she exchanged a conspiratorial smile with Olivia, as they had both “cheated” and tried to figure it out on their own.

  Ini-herit shook his head. “No, what you did was jump, knowing that Gabriel would catch you if you did not succeed. That is not a demonstration of faith in your own abilities.”

  Amber frowned. “I guess you’re right.” Then she shrugged. “Well, okay. I guess it worked for Olivia. I’m game.”

  She walked toward the cliff with Ini-herit. The others trailed behind, edging closer to watch. Rather than waiting for Ini-herit to grab her and toss her bodily off the cliff, however, she broke into a run a few yards from the edge and then simply leaped off. Olivia joined the others at the cliff’s edge, watching Amber disappear along the cliff face.

  “Come on, Am,” Gabriel said under his breath. “You can do it.”

  When Olivia glanced at him, she saw his eyes had flashed to the Gloresti dark blue as his protective instincts kicked in. She imagined it had to be difficult for him to resist jumping after her, and wondered if James had reacted similarly when she was thrown the edge.

  After a long, tense moment, during which time Amber’s wings failed to appear, Ini-herit cursed loudly and cast his hands out toward the roiling water and jagged rocks below. Gabriel ran, his wings emerging as he reached the edge of the cliff. Then he dove. Olivia watched incredulously as Amber came into contact with some kind of invisible trampoline only a few feet from the water. She was barely visible from the top of the cliff, but she bounced up quite a distance from the barrier. Gabriel caught her before she could fall again and carried her back to the top.