Climbing through, the smell of baked clay and burnt carbon hung heavy in the air. Without sunlight pouring in to illuminate the cavern, it was dark, so Chance modified his eyesight to see. Nothing had changed from when they’d left. Rocks were still laid out in a line below the opening of the ceiling and wall. Lumpy, melted treasure gleamed below the surface of the cool water. Blackened charcoal was now submerged in a scattered ring around the old treasure mound. Chance walked across the cavern and laid his hands on the sandstone wall. Heat still radiated from it like a warm-blooded creature without a heartbeat.
Batukhan’s voice echoed through the cave, “I met Mac when I needed him most. He helped me push away the voice of the one I’d absorbed so I could reconnect with myself. He helped send me on my journey of creating balance in this world. I am sad to think I will not talk with him again, but I am happy that his soul gets to take a new journey.”
Chance closed his eyes and said to the wall, “All he did was help me, but the only thing I would have wanted was for him to save Ana. Obviously, he didn’t. Or couldn’t. Assuming he didn’t just use her to become eternally powerful.”
Furious with himself, Chance punched the sandstone, ignoring the pain that erupted in his knuckles. He turned around while he grasped his fist with his free hand. Batukhan’s head tilted to the side while he stared quizzically at Chance and said, “What are you talking about?”
“Something he admitted to me last night,” Chance said. “He was like Daemon. I shouldn’t have trusted him. He was after her the whole time.”
Batukhan looked down at the remains at his feet. “I do not believe that. I don’t think you do either.”
The anger inside of him turned to confusion as he recalled his time spent with Mac. It certainly didn’t seem like he had ulterior motives, but it was so much easier to blame someone else for Ana’s death.
But the truth was, it was his fault. Why blame anyone else when the responsibility rested on his own shoulders?
“Poor Ryan,” Batukhan said. “I never knew him, but it is unfortunate that his life intersected with Daemon’s.”
Bile rose in Chance’s throat. “Daemon was a plague on this Earth.”
They stood in silence, staring at the ground.
“What do you think Ana would want for you?” Batukhan asked softly.
What kind of question was that? She’d want to be here with him. She wouldn’t want to be dead. She’d want them to be together, dealing with normal problems instead of this.
A familiar, gentle voice in his head gave him a nudge. She’d want you to be happy and to follow your path. Even if it was Niyol’s memory trying to guide him, it didn’t matter. It was impossible to be happy without her. His path was walking by her side.
Chance kneeled down and for the first time, felt tears streaming down his cheeks. He cried in silence until he went dry. Staring blankly at the opposite wall, he planted his knuckles against the ground (pain and all) and pushed himself up.
He kicked at the top stone in a pile. The rocks tumbled into the water, finding a new resting place. Then, silence met his ears again.
After a minute, the sound of soft movement caught his attention. Chance turned around to look at Batukhan, assuming it was coming from him. He returned a blank stare. Chance spun back, hunting for the noise’s source.
An oval stone, the size of a loaf of bread not three feet away, rolled an inch. Chance watched it, totally perplexed. Nothing around it was causing the action from what he could tell. He crawled closer and continued to study its unexplained movement.
Rocking back and forth, a crack of light formed in its mantle. In its wake, many more followed. Chance hunched down and touched it. Like burnt bark on a tree trunk, ashes crumbled away into the water. Heart pounding in his chest, he brushed off its charred, gritty exterior. What remained was a brightly glowing orb.
The glassy stone rocked in his cupped hands and then the sound of ringing crystal chimed. He blinked and the object broke in two. The glow immediately dimmed, like a light being switched off, leaving only a flushed coil. Both halves fell into the water, leaving only a black shape.
A charred, limp form lay in his palms. The disheveled bird appeared lifeless. Its onyx wings sprawled across his fingers, and its narrow legs hung off his hands. The only resemblance it had to a crow was its color. A decorative crown of feathers lifted above its head and a pretty monochromatic striping layered its plumage.
“Oh my god,” Chance choked out.
With one of his hands, he touched the onyx wings. Like the hull of its prison, paper thin ash fluttered away, revealing iridescent golden feathers beneath. He felt his heartbeat pounding in his throat as he stared at the creature’s closed eyes. He stroked the top of its head, laying down its crest of feathers, saying a silent prayer when its lids opened. Emerald green hues cut through the darkness.
“Ana.”
Before he knew it, the weight in his hand grew as the bird morphed. Charcoal-dusted feathers brightened into peachy flesh. His hands were pressed into the water, against the rocky ground. No longer was he holding a phoenix, but a real, live woman.
And not just any woman, but Ana.
His breath caught in his throat and he laughed aloud, pulling her against his chest. Tears that had run dry flowed fresh again. He held her so tight nothing could have freed her from his grasp.
“I can’t believe it,” he whispered into her hair.
“Ow,” she gasped, sounding groggy as if he’d woken her from a deep sleep.
He pulled his hands out from under her and instead, cupped them under her shoulders and head, lifting her closer. His eyes traced over the planes of her face, remembering every contour as if it were his own. “I’m sorry.”
“Chance.” Ana adjusted in his arms and tilted her head to look at their surroundings. “Where are we?”
With her face only a foot from his own, he answered, “We’re in Daemon’s hideout—I thought I’d lost you.”
She frowned, confused. From behind Chance, Batukhan cleared his throat. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
Chance watched him move through the crack in the wall from over his shoulder. When he turned to face Ana, he noticed she was shaking, so he slipped off his T-shirt. Just before offering it to her, he noticed some markings on her shoulders. His hands brushed along her healthy, pink flesh, feeling only a smooth surface.
“What is it?” Ana’s face contorted in fear.
“Your skin feels fine, but there’s like a pattern on it. Does it hurt?” Chance asked and moved around her, following the design onto her back.
She asked in an undertone, “No—what is it?”
It was unlike anything he’d seen before. Lighter flesh tattooed an intricate pattern from her shoulders down to her lower back. Organic shapes, like feathers, fell in layers down to the base of her spine.
“They’re beautiful,” he answered, assuring her.
Noticing again her arms wrapped around her abdomen while she shivered, he pulled his shirt over her head to help her cover up. His hands traveled with caution over her arms, trying to warm her.
“Are you okay? How do you feel?” he asked.
Her face wrinkled up as she appeared to concentrate. “I feel pretty good, actually. But something’s different.”
“What do you mean?” Chance asked, feeling his anxiety rise again.
Waiting for her to respond tried his patience, but she finally spoke after a few minutes. “I can’t see the energy around us—I can’t feel my energy anymore. It’s changed.”
That wasn’t what he’d expected to hear, but he was still too happy and shocked that she was alive. It didn’t matter to him.
“C’mon, let me help you up.” Chance lifted her to her feet. She wrapped her arm around his waist and he held her against him, not wanting to let her go. All the while, she craned her head while she looked around the cavern.
“It’s so dark. I can’t remember what happened . . .”
For hour
s, Chance had been left wondering what had happened in the cavern. Now that she was in his arms, the answers were near. He rubbed her back and waited in silence.
“Oh.” With that one word, the weight of realization seemed to sink onto her shoulders. The pain reflected in her eyes made him ache. “I was so hot. So, so hot and I couldn’t contain it. You were there and so was Mac.”
“What about Mac?” he sponded. “I didn’t see him.”
She turned her head toward the opening of the passage and pointed. “He took you away after I healed you—to keep you safe, like he promised he would. Then Ryan freed himself from Daemon long enough to show me where the talisman was.”
Ashamed of previously doubting Mac and resenting Ryan, he couldn’t have been more appreciative of their sacrifice. “I never thought I’d like Ryan, but right now he’s at the top of my list with Mac. I owe them both so much, I don’t even know how to make things right.”
While Chance wallowed in his own emotions, Ana’s gaze fell to the ground. Her face pinched up and she let out a shuddering gasp. Tears sprang from her eyes. “I killed them—it’s all my fault.”
Not giving it a second thought, Chance held her in front of him. This was one thing he was confident about. “You had no control over this—you didn’t do it on purpose. They died trying to help you. Don’t let it go to waste.”
Cheeks shuddering, Ana nodded, although the flow of tears couldn’t be contained. He pulled her against his chest and kissed the top of her head. Time passed and they stood, rocking each other, until she mumbled against his neck, “He’s gone. He won’t be back.”
She didn’t have to say who “he” was—Chance knew.
Epilogue
Ana scratched the baby fox’s chin. Its eyes closed and tilted its ears down. While it was in a blissful daze, she slipped the medicine into the back of its throat. The creature swallowed and blinked with wide surprised eyes.
“That’s it, baby,” she whispered.
At the sound of her voice, the young fox settled onto its bedding and relaxed. Ana closed the door of its enclosure and wiped her hands off on a rag hanging from her pocket. She walked down the hall, passing birds in an aviary and stopped at a large stall with an old chestnut mare. The horse was lying down with its hooves tucked beneath its body.
“Rosie, you should be up on your feet.”
Ana opened the door and walked over to the creature. She placed her hand on the mare’s forehead, then let it drift down its crest. With gentle coaxing, the elderly female got up. Ana wrapped her arm around its neck and reached into her pocket to pull out a carrot.
“Look what I found,” Ana said.
Rosie swayed her head to the side, grabbed the treat and started crunching on it. Ana rubbed the horse’s forehead once more. The sound of footfalls echoed through the vaulted building.
George appeared at the stall door and said, “Ana, I can take Rosie for her walk. You should get back—I think they’re ready.”
“Don’t feel like having some cake?” she asked with a smirk, knowing full well George wasn’t one for groups.
His boots scuffed against the hay as he walked beside her and patted Rosie’s withers. “Save me a slice and I’ll eat it later when everyone’s gone.”
“Will do.” She exited the stall.
Ana walked to the end of the building and out through the wide double doors. Parked beside the animal rehabilitation sign was Tallulah, the vintage Ford 150. She climbed behind the wheel with just enough room for her burgeoning belly, turned the key and brought the engine to life.
It was a quick drive back to the house, even creeping along slow over the bumps and potholes. She pulled up beside the log cabin and the other vehicles. Tallulah creaked to a stop. Through the windshield she could see everything was shaping up. The picnic table and a few foldout tables were covered with food. Balloons and streamers covered everything tape could stick to.
She slid off the bench seat, holding on to the door to steady herself. Before she could close it, she was caught up into a hug.
“You thought you could sneak off to do some work without saying hey to us?” Aunt Tera said. “My you’re getting so big now. You sure you’re not carrying twins?”
“Leave her alone, Tera,” Uncle Jace said with a wink at Ana. “A woman doesn’t need to be reminded about her size—that’s what you always tell me.”
Aunt Tera hooked her arm through Ana’s and guided her toward the party. “I put out the soup Chance made, but I think it could use a little thyme.”
“That’s his Three Sister’s Soup. A special family recipe passed down to him. I wouldn’t touch it, Aunt Tera. He likes you—let’s keep it that way.”
Her aunt shrugged and waved her hand. “Very well. Just promise you won’t leave us alone again. Only problem was that you left that precious child for us all to fight over. It’s like old times—your sister still won’t share with me.”
On the grassy slope in front of the tables, Melissa and Aiyana were both clutching the hands of a little girl and swinging her like a bell. Clothed in a yellow dress and barefoot, brown hair curled to her shoulders. Her green eyes twinkled in delight as she giggled with joy.
“Mama!” she squealed. Melissa and Aiyana set her down and she immediately sped over to Ana, who scooped her up in her arms.
“Hi, sweat pea. Having fun with your grandparents?”
“Yesss,” she said, squishing up her face. Then, she straightened up and asked, “Where’s Daddy?”
Ana adjusted her on her hip. “Remember he went to show Mama and Daddy’s friends around the ranch?”
From around the side of the house a voice called, “Where’s my birthday girl? Come here, Ryann.”
Her green eyes widened and her lips pursed. Ana set her on the ground, pulled the skirt of her dress down and patted her bottom before she went running.
“Daddy!”
Beside her, Aunt Tera put her hand on her hips. “I don’t understand why you gave her a boy’s name. Pretty little thing deserves a name that suits her.”
She’d heard it so many times before, it didn’t bother her anymore. Ana simply smiled and watched her daughter get swept into Chance’s arms. “It suits her just fine.”
Without another word, Ana walked away from her aunt and uncle so she could greet Derek and Gabby who were standing beside Chance. She gave them both hugs and said with a grin, “You guys look amazing. Haven’t aged a day since I saw you two years ago at Ryann’s birth.”
“See. I told you it’s been too long.” Gabby elbowed Derek. “Sorry we have not visited in a while. We have been traveling so much.”
Derek flinched. “Speaking of which—we stopped by Lifen and Batukhan’s house on the way here. They sent a present for the littlest Morgan.”
Ana rubbed her round belly. “Ryann won’t be the littlest one for long.”
Around the front of the house, Ben, Aiyana, Melissa and Michael called out in unison, “Time for cake—where’s the birthday girl?”
In her father’s arms, Ryann’s eyes bulged. She grabbed Chance’s collar and said in a serious voice, “Cake, Daddy.”
From behind, a very tall, lanky and full-grown teenager held her arms out for her niece just ten feet away. Eva’s long golden brown hair swept past her shoulders to her elbows. “Come here, girlie! Want a piggyback ride?”
“Go on,” Chance said before giving her a big raspberry on the cheek and setting her down.
Derek and Gabby began walking away to join the others, following after a very excited two-year-old who was chanting, “It’s my birfday, it’s my birfday.”
Ana sighed and put her hand on her hip. Chance stepped closer to pull her into him, his hand cradling her low back and the other resting on her baby bump. “Hey, beautiful. How are you holding up this morning?”
“Good. Slowing down a bit, but I saw all my patients. How was it showing Derek around the property?” Ana nuzzled her nose against his cheek. “Did you go flying?”
&nbs
p; Chance met her eyes and said with concern, “It’s the best way to see the land. I didn’t want to rub it in though—I know you miss it.”
Ana shrugged. “I do, but I still have my memory of us flying together. It’s been so long since that day—I may have lost my ability to shift, but I have so much more now.”
“And you’re the best healer I know,” Chance answered.
In a low whisper, Ana said, “Don’t let Gabby hear you say that.”
Inside her belly, she felt movement and grabbed his hand to place it on her stomach. A rolling kick collided with his palm and he laughed. “I think Jordan’s telling you she wants cake.”
“Oh, you think so, do you? How do you know he isn’t just taking after his father?”
Chance’s face grew serious, his hazel eyes lowered. “You really think it’s going to be a boy? You know what that means—what if he has powers? I don’t know if I’ll be a good teacher.”
Ana took his hands in hers. His youthful features couldn’t display how much he’d matured since she’d first met him. How he’d grown. They both had, together.
Pinching her eyes shut, she calmed the torrent enough to say, “That night in the cavern when I was feeling lost, you told me not to waste what had been given to me. The same goes for you. We were given so much by Niyol, Balam, and Mac. They didn’t always make the best choices, but they left us both with memories of their wisdom, kindness and love. We’ll have to do our best, just like they did. That’s all any of us can do.”
Chance wiped away her tears and kissed the tip of her nose. Hand in hand, they walked to the front yard to join the party in progress. Birds chirped from nearby bushes and the distant bleating from a sheep echoed through the valley. Happy giggles rang out after two very small birthday candles were blown out.
* * *
The End
Also by Natasha Brown
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