by Natalie Erin
She bolted from his room, leaving him alone and tearing back towards her house. Branches lashed into her face and pine needles scratched at her hands as she ran, but she didn’t care. She didn’t stop until she had reached her bedroom, collapsing unto her bed and weeping into her pillow until her eyes were just as red and as teary as Kennu’s were.
“Reagan?” Her father opened the door, walking to his daughter’s bedside and sitting down next to her. “What’s wrong?”
Reagan sniffed as her father began to stroke her hair. “Dad, I want to go home. We’re destroying this place. We need to go back to Detroit.”
“I know you don’t belong here. You belong back in the city,” Adam Royals said calmly. “Taking you away from civilization was the worst thing I could’ve done.”
“So we’re going back?” Reagan said hopefully, sitting up.
Adam sighed. “Not exactly. I have to go with my employer, to a place he calls Nesting’s Haven. He won’t fund my experiments if I don’t go with him.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere else but back home, even if it means I don’t get to be with you!” Reagan shouted, her misery getting the best of her as she shoved her father away.
Adam nodded sadly. “If that’s what you want, I’ll send you back.” He got up and walked away from his daughter, pausing at the doorway. “I’ll arrange a plane to fly you back home. You can stay with your friends until you’re ready to go to college, like you wanted. I won’t make you be with me any longer.”
He closed the door. After a few minutes, Reagan guiltily wiped the tears off her face and stood up to follow her father. “Dad, we should talk about this...”
Her footsteps paused at the top of the staircase as she heard someone he didn’t know say, “I don’t believe you understand, Adam. I need you where I need you. And at the current moment, that is with me.”
There was a strange man in her house. From the staircase she watched her father gaze humbly at the stranger, who was hidden in the kitchen.
“Mister Wyntier…sir…can’t there be a way that I can work from home?” Adam protested.
Reagan emitted a strangled gasp. Wyntier. Her father was working for Wyntier.
“No. You must come with me to Nesting’s Haven,” Wyntier said coolly.
Adam swallowed. “Then it seems that I have to force myself to quit. I can’t keep working for you if it’s ruining the relationship I have with my daughter.”
While Reagan silently cheered, Wyntier laughed. “I believe you misheard me. When I said you must, I meant it. You have no say in the matter.”
There was a loud, crunching noise from above. Reagan glanced upward as several talons pierced the roof of the house, ripping a hole in the ceiling. A brown, scaly monster, one with a scorpion’s tail and a dragon’s wings, grabbed Adam around the middle with its foot. Reagan watched as the one she assumed was Wyntier climbed onto the monster. They flew into the sky, Adam emitting yells of utter terror.
Cowering against the railing, Reagan suppressed a terrified scream as she watched her father be kidnapped by the monster, the one called Wyntier riding upon its back.
Chapter Sixteen
Betrayal by Fire
The entire family had come out to support Kennu. They didn’t hold a funeral for Allie, as they didn’t have a body to bury, but Kia thought it best that they have some sort of memorial to honor her life. That resulted in Vixen, Casiff, Lyrica and Mirabelle gathered around Kennu in a circle in the backyard. Sunset had come to support Ionan, lying her tail across his in a gesture of comfort. The wolves had been told what happened, but for various reasons, had decided not to come.
Kennu knew they blamed him for Allie’s death. It didn’t hurt him much to know that, because he blamed himself, too. He knew they couldn’t face him right now.
“Are you ready, Kennu?” Kia held a basket of flowers in her arms that she had picked that morning. The plan was to throw them over the waterfall at the memorial, as a final goodbye.
“I don’t care,” Kennu mumbled. “I just want to get this over with.”
“Kennu, you must allow yourself to grieve,” Ionan said. “Suppressing your sorrow will only make this worse.”
“Worse?” Kennu asked. “How can it get any worse? My father’s gone and my Changer’s dead. My Changer is dead.”
Before much more could be said, Mirabelle screamed. The group turned towards the sound and saw Nineva, standing at the edge of the woods alone.
The wind blew Nineva’s red hair and she stated simply, “I see Keota has left. There’s nothing more for you to gain by fighting against us, Kia. Join us. I want to help.”
“Is your idea of help putting your nephew in this state?” Kiatana dropped the basket and gestured angrily to Kennu, a hand on the knife tucked in her belt, shaking furiously.
“It had to be done. Wyntier would’ve never left your family alone otherwise,” Nineva said. “Now that the prophetess is gone he agreed to let you live, on the condition you join us. Now are you going to come with me, or not?”
“Never,” Kia snarled.
“Kia. Please,” Nineva said, in a nearly pleading tone.
Kia said nothing. Nineva’s face was near begging, until her temper bounded loose and she snapped, “Very well. You made your choice.”
“Vixen will not allow this to happen!” Vixen cried, pulling out a knife and charging towards Nineva. “The witch’s time is at an end!”
As Vixen was charging towards her, Nineva flicked her hand carelessly upward. A blast of black magic darted from the witch’s palm and hit Vixen directly in the chest, causing her to tumble to the ground, clutching her heart and gasping for breath. Kennu stumbled backwards in shock as Casiff ran to Vixen’s side, trying to help her up.
Something wasn’t right. Nineva would’ve never risked approaching Vixen unless she knew the fairy wasn’t at her full power. The Great One wasn’t well. What was wrong with her?
Nineva raised her hands, and from them black fire emerged, igniting the trees and spreading at a rate faster than was physically possible without the aid of magic. The area surrounding Kia’s house caught flame, and Nineva aimed her hand at the small hut, opening her hand quickly. The entire house combusted into a massive inferno, the black flames devouring the hut as if it were nothing more than paper cast into a fireplace.
And the Lands that will not bow, the witch will cast them black, Kennu thought. There was no escaping the prophecy. It was going to come true, whether he wanted it to or not. Even though Allie was dead, her words would still bring the future, no matter what happened.
They fled. Casiff helped Vixen run as they headed for the safety of the plains. No matter how fast they were, the dark magic was faster, and flames encompassed them wherever they stepped. Kennu clutched at his chest, struggling to run, before Ionan scooped him up on his back as a stallion and began racing for an exit. Snow Drop and Dragonstar emerged from the flames, surrounded by hundreds of animals fleeing the same, fiery fate, and scooped the fairies onto their backs to charge towards refuge. Lyrica cried loudly as Mirabelle darted this way and that as a tiny pony, her Changer’s eyes wide as her hooves touched crumbling ash with each step.
When they had finally broken free from the burning trees and reached the plains, Kia slid off of Snow Drop and turned to her only son. She had tears in her eyes. “Ionan, you need to take him.”
“What?” Kennu gasped. “No, Mom! I want to stay with you!”
“I can’t leave the forest, not while Nineva is burning it to the ground. If I don’t save it, I’ll die,” Kia whispered. She kissed her son’s head. “Casiff and I will remain behind, to try and stop her.”
“Mom, you can’t do anything! She’ll kill you!” Kennu looked at Vixen, wanting her to do something, but the fairy made no protest. Her head was slumped on Dragonstar’s back, and her mouth was open as she gazed at something none of them could see, crying out in pain and clutching at her stomach.
Casiff was holding onto Lyrica. The
small girl sobbed as her father spoke calming words to her, glancing behind him at the blazing inferno.
“Kia, I won’t leave you behind,” Ionan said. He changed into a dragon, bearing his teeth. “I will fight this with you, until the bitter end.”
Kia placed a hand on the dragon’s cheek and put her forehead upon his. “I know you would, Ionan. But you need to take Lyrica, Kennu and Mirabelle to Nesting’s Haven, and find Keota. You can’t be apart from him. Heaven knows we should understand by now what happens when Accompanies and Changers are separated.” She laughed, and a fountain of tears leaked out of her eyes. “You’re the only one in the world who I trust to take care of my son.”
Ionan’s gaze softened. “So you’re still the Kiatana I know.”
“I’m a fighter who’s been sitting on the sidelines too long,” she said harshly. “Now go, Ionan.”
Kennu didn’t have time to say goodbye. He felt his mother’s hand brush out of his fingers as Ionan took to the skies, tumbling forward onto the dragon’s neck. Dragonstar had grown wings, and had to lean this way and that as he flew to keep Vixen from falling off. Sunset was following, hovering protectively over Mirabelle as the small dragon carried Lyrica to an unknown fate. Below them, the forest appeared nothing more than a cluster of flames and smoke, a black splotch in the land that had once been lush and green.
It was over. His home, the only place he’d ever known, was nothing more than kindling for Nineva’s fire. He’d lost everything.
“Kennu!” Lyrica screamed.
He knew the seizure was coming long before it happened. Kennu slid off Ionan’s back, falling towards the ground slowly as if sliding through quicksand.
Everyone’s gone, he thought. Mela...
The ground grew closer and closer.
Midnightstar…
He was still hurdling through clouds.
Dad…
It was a wonder he hadn’t hit already…
Mom…
He was near death now. He had to be.
Allie.
Someone caught him in their talons, spiraling upward and refusing to let him perish, though he sorely wanted to.
Allie.
The beating of Ionan’s wings slowed and became a steady pace as the dragon held the fairy in his steady claws. The five of them pointed towards the desert, which they would need to cross in order to get to Nesting’s Haven. The wind ruffled Kennu’s hair as they drew closer with every weakened heartbeat.
Allie.
Part II
Nesting’s Haven
Chapter Seventeen
Welcome to Dinkleberry University
Vivienna and Soran looked up at the massive, towering school in front of them, Melodi as an owl on Vivi’s shoulders, and Zorna a furry bat on Soran’s. It was the beginning of spring, and the start of a new semester. Today, they’d be starting new classes. Blossoming flowers grew all around the courtyard in clumps, minuscule next to the giant, ancient castle that was Dinkleberry University.
“I can’t wait for summer,” Soran said, shifting his shoulders. “I want to go back to the Verinian.”
“For now we should just worry about school,” Melodi hooted from her spot on Vivienna’s shoulder.
“What do you guys have to worry about? You graduate this year!” Zorna laughed, digging his claws into his Accompany’s shoulder.
“You two don’t,” Vivienna said. “And if you want to next year, you guys should focus more on your classes rather than goofing off.” She nudged her brother playfully with her shoulder.
“Right,” Soran said, rolling his eyes and grinning. “I’ll remember that.”
A large crowd began to form nearby, near the edge of the courtyard. Wheels rumbled down the stone road on the outskirts of the university’s grounds as a large black carriage came into view.
“Now what is that all about?” Vivienna asked. “Come on, Sor, let’s go check it out.”
As they pushed through the group of loud and noisy students, the black carriage pulled up to the school and stopped a few feet away from the massive crowd. The carriage was pulled by two beautiful and strong horses wearing silver harnesses. A large orange mare stood closest to the gathering, shaking her head up and down as if she was showing off. Next to her, an equally large brown stallion shied away from the crowd, as if he hated the attention.
The carriage they pulled was just as gorgeous as the horses were. It was made of black wood, carved with the images of flowers and animals. The handle on the door was made of intricately sculpted metal, and the curtains in the window were purple velvet. Soran stared in wonder at the whole ensemble, taking in every detail. Whoever owned this carriage had more money than the Creator himself. The door slowly began to open and he turned to see who could afford such an expensive ride to school.
A young girl about his age poked her head out cautiously and then slowly stepped out of the carriage, closing the door behind her. She had bright pink hair that was put up in a mass of curls on the back of her head, with distrusting, dusty eyes that had the same shade of pink within them. Her lips were a very light shade of red, and she wore blush on her cheeks. The silk gown she wore was white in color, covered in lace and tiny glass beads that caught the light and reflected it in rainbow colors. Her earrings were made of the same glass beads and dangled an inch away from her earlobe. The necklace around her neck was gold, and in the shape of two ferrets twined around a tiny diamond.
As the girl began to walk forward, the crowd formed a path for her to walk through. She looked at everyone as though they might randomly attack her, though from her proud stance, it appeared she didn’t mind having the opportunity to fight back.
Halfway through the crowd, she stopped. “Pumpkin. Martin. We have to go now.” She called them softly, in a voice like a soft summer’s breeze.
“Coming, Cameliyon,” the two horses replied in unison. They changed into two small ferrets, one orange and one brown. They ran up the Accompany’s legs and took their places on each of the girl’s small shoulders. Once the two Changers were situated, she walked up to the front door and into the school, leaving the carriage behind as if she no longer needed or wanted it.
“Great. Like we need a pompous rich kid running around,” Vivienna complained.
“That’s not just any rich kid.” A young boy with curly, dark-blonde hair spoke up from behind her, his grayish-blue eyes locking on hers. “That’s Cameliyon. She’s the daughter of Nicodemus. He was the old head of the Council, until he was poisoned years ago.”
“Hi Daren,” Soran said, greeting his best friend. “So she’s all alone?”
“Well, no.” Daren informed him. “She lives with her godparents.”
“Why does she have two Changers?” Vivi asked.
“Pumpkin and Martin are twins. They refused to split up when they went into their finding ceremony, so they were both bonded to the same Accompany.”
“How’d you hear all this?” Vivienna asked, putting a hand on her hip.
“Rumors have been going around about her for days. I paid attention to the most interesting ones,” the boy responded.
“Of course you did,” Soran said, laughing. “Well, at least it’s an interesting story.”
“Ready to go to our new classes, Soran?” Daren asked.
“I’m more than ready. Anything’s better than having to take Changer Science again,” Soran replied. “See you later, Vivi.”
Vivienna stayed behind a moment longer. “Twin Changers,” she murmured. “Now where have I heard that before?”
Soran sat in class and wondered what Daren was up to. The two friends had separated to find their new lockers, which changed every semester, and now Daren was missing. Soran’s first hour was History of the Lands, and he was incredibly bored. The teacher rambled on about the First Despondent, a topic Soran already knew everything about, thanks to Aunt Vixen. So, rather than hear it all again, he daydreamed about what to do when school got out.
The minute the bell
rang he ran down the hall towards the locker he had been given, Zorna following as a small coyote. On his way, he heard a very familiar cry for help.
“Get me out of here!” a familiar voice begged.
“Where are you, Daren?” Soran asked, trying not to laugh and failing epically.
“In the locker,” Daren replied meekly.
“Again?” Soran asked.
“Yes. Antimaus shoved me in here. Federin is in here with me,” Daren said sadly.
“Can’t Federin break down the door?” Soran said, tapping on the lockers and trying to figure out which one Daren was in.
“No. He’s resting like last time,” Daren grumped. “I told him not to curl up in my bag, but he did anyway.”
Soran chuckled and looked down at Zorna. “Should we help him Zo, or just leave him to fend for himself?”
“I think we should leave him. That would be hilarious,” Zorna barked, wagging his tail.
“Come on, guys! Get me out of here!” Daren whined.
“Well, it’s kind of hard to do if I don’t know what locker you’re in,” Soran complained.
“I’m in the one that’s talking to you, genius.”
“Yeah, but which one is talking?”
“Fourth locker from the door.”
“So this one?” Soran banged on the locker specified.
“Jeez, that’s really loud. Knock it off already!” Daren complained. “Yes, that’s the one.”
“Okay, we’ll get you out. One minute.” Soran stepped back. “Just like last time, Zo,” he said, looking down at his Changer.
“Can do.” Zorna took the form of a phoenix and flew upwards, picking the lock with his talon. The locker clicked open and Daren fell out onto the floor in a heap, his books tumbling out with him.
“Thank you.” Daren sat up and rubbed his head. A small tan hamster waddled out of his bag and looked up at him.
“Why are you on the floor, Daren?” the Changer asked, twitching its nose.
