"Yes. You sounded hurt."
Debbie had good ears. But had Raea really screamed out loud?
"Are you okay?"
"Not really." Raea looked out beyond her aunt. Debbie was alone. Could Raea trust her?
If not Debbie, then who? She didn't have much of a choice. Raea stepped away from the door and threw the comforter off. "Not if this is all right."
Debbie didn't look surprised or worried in the least. Okay. That was odd.
"This happened last night?" Debbie motioned for her to turn. "Was this why you screamed?"
"Yes. It hurt. And I can't go out like this." Why didn't Debbie act more surprised?
"No, you can't." Debbie sighed. "We'll have to do something about it."
"What can we do? I can't hide them. I can't even control these wings. What am I supposed to do? My life is ruined."
The smile on Debbie's face said otherwise. Oh, please, let her aunt have a plan.
"I know someone who can help."
Someone else? "What? No. No, no, no. No one can know about this. I'll be picked apart." She could just imagine the doctors and scientists. If Chad wasn't bad enough, being examined would really make her feel like a freak. She wouldn't have any part of that. No one else could know.
"Relax, Raea."
Relax? How the hell was she supposed to relax about this?
Debbie's hands on Raea's face stopped her from panicking, her calm, motherly touch the one Raea wished had come from her real mother. "Your mother hid your wings when you were three."
What? She had not just heard that. Anger flew through Raea and she backed away from Debbie. "You knew about this? And you didn't tell me?"
"Your mother wanted you to live a normal human life. I promised to obey her wishes."
"I don't believe this. You lied to me?" Tears moistened her eyes. Emotions flared strong inside. "You—you lied to me? How could you?"
"Please, Raea. I didn't mean to hurt you. Your mother wasn't from this world. She came here to protect you."
"You should have told me...before...this."
"Believe me, I wanted to, but Padina made me promise that if something happened to her—"
"Shut up!" Raea didn't want to hear any excuses. Nothing could make up for what had happened to her. "Leave me alone! GET OUT!" The wings lifted behind her and bumped the light globe on the ceiling.
As soon as Debbie backed out, Raea slammed the door. How could her aunt lie to her? Debbie knew all along that she was supposed to have wings? Was she an angel or something else? She didn't feel unusual, though she wouldn't know what to expect. Why didn't Debbie rip out her heart and stomp on it while she was at it? Someone she loved had purposely lied to her about who she was, or rather, what she was. She wasn't even normal. Not human.
She didn't try to stop the tears but buried them in her pillow. Debbie's words cut through her heart. Why would they do this to her? And who, besides her mother, could possibly help her now?
Why did she have to be different?
["I'm sorry, Raea. No more flying. Someday, maybe we can return home and you can fly all over, but now we must be human."] Padina gripped the girl's hands in hers, the marks on both their hands glowing with a faint light.
The topless child cried as her brown wings shrank to nothing. Her shrieks rang through the room. Tears streaked down Padina's cheeks also.
When the wings disappeared, Padina held the girl close and wept with her. Soon the child quieted and wiggled to run free, but Padina held her, until Scott entered the room and embraced her.
"It had to be done," he said.
"I know. I can't hide her forever. What kind of life would that be?"
"None at all."
Raea wiped away her tears with the backs of her hands. The marks. Those strange marks were the key. How did her mother make them glow? If she could tap into whatever power her mother had used, maybe she could return to normal.
She had no idea how.
"Raea." Debbie poked her head in the door. "There's someone here to help you."
"I don't need help." Least of all Debbie's or anyone Debbie knew. Debbie had known all along and didn't tell her or prepare her in any way. She, Raea, would figure this out—somehow—by herself. It might take a while, but one way or another, she'd solve the problem and get back to her life.
Debbie slipped out and closed the door. "Maybe you should come back later. She's upset, and I can't say I blame her." The door didn't muffle her voice much—she stood just outside.
"This is the best time. Now that she knows of this, she should know everything. I've waited long enough to teach her." By the pitch of that other voice, it was a man. Who else could possibly know?
"It was her mother's wishes."
"I understand, but now the Starfire forced it on her. The sooner she learns to control its power, the better she'll be at protecting herself if the Shirukan come." Determination hardened his voice.
"I did what Padina asked."
"It doesn't matter. I was sent to teach Padina's child to master the Starfire's power. Now that she knows the truth, nothing else matters."
After a moment, Debbie's voice lowered. "You're right. But she's not going to listen."
"I've gotten used to being ignored."
"All right. Good luck."
Debbie opened the door and stepped aside.
No way. No. Effing. Way. Raea didn't believe it. A moment later, anger seethed inside her. "You! You made this happen."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melanie Nilles grew up on a western North Dakota cattle ranch and farm. Along with her interest in horses, she always had a fascination with science fiction and fantasy. She currently resides in central North Dakota with her family, which includes her husband and kids, and two cats. Her published works include STARFIRE ANGELS, WHEN ANGELS CRY, and LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON. Besides writing, she also trains and shows her horse. For updates, visit her website at www.melanienilles.com.
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