Fifteen

Two days after I saw Lucas, Roan led me to a meadow. He just told me to relax and that he wouldn't let me go anywhere. Gingerly, I lay in the grass and sucked in the rays, slowly relaxing as the minutes passed by. It felt good, and it was the best thing I had in a while. I didn't have to look for Roan because I always sensed him beside me or heard his breathing, or hear him shift. I felt at ease.

Later that day, when I finally had to move, I asked him a question. "How old am I?"

He looks up at me with a confused expression. "You don't remember?"

I frown. "I don't think I was ever told."

"You are twenty years old. You will be twenty-one this spring."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-five."

"What about that woman? What was her name?"

Roan chuckles. "June?"

"Yeah, her!"

"She is just a year younger than me."

I lay on my stomach and play with a blade of grass. "I keep seeing wings in my dreams. And then I think I see them on this one woman in the village."

"Which woman?"

"She has brown hair and brown eyes and for some reason has holes in her shirt."

"You're talking about Cat," Roan announced. "And if you want, I can have Finx tell her to come and show you her wings?"

I stare at him. "She really has wings?"

He grinned. "Do you want to see?"

"Will she take me up into the sky?"

Roan hesitated, then said, "You have to promise me to warn her if something is wrong. If you feel anything, hurt anywhere, tell her to fly straight back."

I frown now. "I don't want to feel anything."

Sighing, my brother said almost to himself, "Just have her come and we'll talk." When he turns to me he said, "Cat is a very strong woman. I trust her with you. Can you at least try to warn her. I don't think anything will happen, but just in case."

I nod and there was a gust of wind before a woman appeared. She had on a bright smile and warm eyes. Those eyes made my fingers twitch. "What's up? I heard someone wanted to fly?"

Roan smiled. "Zahra wants to fly again."

Barely listening to the conversation, I stare at the woman intently, willing myself not to move. I willed myself to not lunge and start doing something I would hate myself later for. This wasn't me. I can't do it! I can't forget!

I snapped out of my trance when large, white feathered wings spread out before me and I gaped. "Well, come on!" she said and held out her arms.

I stood and looked at Roan once more for permission. He nodded and I went into her arms. Next thing I knew, we were in the air and above the trees.

I returned hours later giddy with being up so high and giggling uncontrollably. Cat grinned at me as I went up to my brother and fell into his bed, holding my stomach from laughter. He smirked at me and thanked Cat, then shook his head and went back to sharpening his weapons.

When I finally stopped, I was hungry and asked him if we could eat. Roan set aside his weapons and tools, and led me to where food was being served. I ate a large portion, then played with Loki for a while until it got dark. He brought me back to my brother and nuzzled me inside the shelter where I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed.

A week later, my brother took me on a ride through the forest. The day after, he spent all day with me alone in the meadow and we played and played until we were exhausted. It was a few days after that wonderful day when I noticed he was different. He didn't smile at me. He didn't want me around. He made me stay with other people and wouldn't listen when I told him I didn't want to be with anyone else but he said I had to be.

Feeling lost, I wandered the village, having escaped from June to be alone. I was about to go to Roan's shelter when I saw the man again, the man with electric blue eyes. He gestures for me to follow, then slips back into the forest. Curious and scared, I begin to follow him, having nothing better to do.

"Zahra!"

I jerk out of my walk and turn to see Roan's friend with blonde hair running over. "I want to be alone," I tell him.

"But I want to hang out with you," he says back with a smile.

I look back to the village entrance and see the man glaring at me. I swallow and say, "I don't want to talk with you. Please leave me alone." I go around him and start for the forest.

"Zahra, where are you going?"

"For a walk," I say absently.

A hand grabs my arm and pulls me back. I blink and stare up at the man. "Don't go out there," he whispers. "It's not safe."

"But..."

He shakes his head. "Listen to me. You will get hurt if you go out there alone. Wait until one of us can take you."

I look back and see the man waiting. I turn to Roan's friend. "But, I won't be alone."

He tilts his head. "Who's taking you?"

I point to where the man is, but don't see him. "He was just there..."

"Zahra, don't trust anyone you don't know. Don't trust anyone who isn't inside this village."

I frown. "But, I can't stay here...he's waiting."

"Zahra, listen to me!" I look at the man holding me still. "He isn't safe. He will hurt you. Can you understand that?"

I slump and nod my head. "Okay."

"Good. Now, why don't we find your brother?"

"He's busy," I say softly. "He doesn't want me around."

The man looks down at me. "What do you mean?"

"I keep trying to stay by him but he pushed me away and told someone else to watch me."

He stops walking and turns to face me. "Zahra, it's not his fault."

I shrug. "It's fine. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Come here," he pulls me into an embrace and I wrap my arms around him. "Do you want me to go with you and walk for a bit?"

I nod and we leave the village.

We walk for hours and talk softly with each other. I finally remember his name is Aspen and begin to feel relaxed around him.

It was just getting dark when our walk was interrupted by the man I saw earlier. Aspen gets in front of me and shields me as he says, "Leave her alone and take me back."

The man laughs. "Why would I take you back? She's got more power! Besides, why would I take you when she is so much faster at catching her prey?"

"She's different! You made her into a different person."

"She's fine," the man waves his hand. "Let me have her and I will not try to make you stab yourself."

"Leave her alone!" Aspen growls.

The man looks at me and his eyes turn white with blue streaks. I widen my own eyes and feel my body begin to move. "She's obedient, she's pliable, and she enjoys herself."

A hand grabs my arm and I stop. "Zahra. Look at me. Please don't go."

I look at Aspen and see sadness in his eyes. "I have to," I say. "If I don't, you'll be hurt. Let me go please?"

"What about Roan?" he asks and I stop. "Don't leave him behind. Remember he's your brother, remember he's been there for you? Remember he helps you whenever you need it?"

"Roan isn't here," I say and look around.

"Let's go find him. Let's go see him?" He holds his hand out and says, "We can find Roan and you don't have to be afraid anymore. He will help you. He will protect you."

I glance at his hand and then at his face. After another moment, I take it and he pulls me close. Behind me, the man screams in rage. "No! No one can overpower me!"

In my ear, Aspen whispers, "Run back to the village, Zahra. Go! Find Roan and don't leave his side!"

"Please come with me. I don't want to go alone," I whimper as he begins to pull me along.

"You have to find Roan. I need to hold Lucas back so you can make it safely."

I shake my head. "Please don't!"

Aspen makes me look at him. "I will come behind you, Zahra. I just want you to find your brother. He is the only one who is going to be able to keep you from getting hurt."

Shaily, I nod and begin to turn away. I look at Aspen once to see him turning away, and then run for my life.