by C A Ardron
Falcon blinked as he passed, a pleasant smile plastered to his face.
‘Two Stiiven Condores,’ Jackal told the barkeeper.
Falcon’s fists clenched, now trapped. If she didn’t go along with him then everyone would know it was an act.
She took her original position, leaning back against the bar and picking up her bottle.
‘I see you started without me,’ Jackal smirked as two more bottles were brought.
Falcon managed a smirk of her own, though wasn’t sure how. She put the drink to her lips even as Jackal started on his bottle.
Glancing at him, she swallowed the harsh alcohol. Falcon tried hard not to, but couldn’t help being reminded of all the times they’d drank together like this in the past.
Why was Jackal doing this? Why hadn’t he just attacked her? And why had he called her Goshawk, not Falcon? It didn’t make much difference to the people in this club, he could’ve called her Eagle and they wouldn’t have known it for a lie.
Jackal cast a furtive glance about the room before meeting her eyes again. ‘How’s business? Your sclithe all settled in now?’
There were quiet exclamations at the implications of a new sclithe moving into town. Was he using her to gain advantage over the people here?
‘Slow,’ Falcon grated, having no choice but to play along. ‘All these imbeciles keep getting in my way.’
She saw several drinkers shift uncomfortably, but the only person she was really talking about was Jackal.
The general grinned before putting the bottle to his lips again. He’d caught the reference.
‘Red Jackal.’
Falcon’s attention switched as Jackal’s did, studying the well-dressed man approaching. Her eyes flickered over his broad shoulders and groomed appearance. Could this be Caban?
‘You should’ve told me you were coming,’ the man continued. ‘I could’ve arranged a private room for you and your colleague.’
Falcon gave Jackal a momentary glance. If this was indeed Caban, he was being very bold to say he was in the presence of a Sarpien general.
She noticed Jackal’s jaw, he wasn’t showing it, but he was angry. The first genuine smile since she’d entered the place played across her lips.
‘You’re slipping, Jackal,’ she drawled. Falcon saw his shoulders tense. ‘Why are you fraternising with this uninitiated scum?’
She saw Caban tense now too.
‘Business, Goshawk,’ Jackal replied.
His smile was easy-going but Falcon clocked his hard glare.
‘I’m sure you have your own buyers. Initiated or not, they do come in handy.’
Falcon regarded Caban with open disdain, giving the impression she in no way agreed.
‘Though,’ Jackal added, turning thoughtful, he took a slow drink from his bottle. ‘I don’t think it’s a bad idea. What do you say, Goshawk? I think we could use some privacy.’
Jackal looked at her and Falcon realised he was waiting for a reply. She grunted deep in her throat, not trusting herself to speak.
‘Lead on, Caban,’ Jackal said with a grin. ‘Goshawk and I are eager to be alone.’
Falcon stopped her teeth from clenching. What did she do now? Being alone with Jackal was dangerous.
Jackal picked up all three of the bottles and turned towards her, gesturing with his head for her to go in front.
Stepping forwards, Falcon swallowed as she followed Caban to a door on the left. The club owner unlocked it and opened it for her. Falcon strode through, her eyes darting around.
Her throat tightened at the gaudy, red sofas. They were low, deep and wide. Falcon made a point to stay well away from them. If Jackal managed to manoeuvre her onto them she’d find it difficult to find her feet in a hurry.
Falcon turned back to the door as it closed, leaving her alone with Jackal. He shook the bottles, found the one with the least in and tossed it to her.
Catching it, Falcon took a small gulp, just to ease her dry lips.
“Stiiven Condore,’ Jackal noted with a grin. ‘Strip-clubs, grovelling wannabes – it’s almost like old times.’
Falcon put her bottle down on a table. ‘This isn’t a game.’
‘Of course it is,’ he shot back. ‘It’s always been a game, you’ve just forgotten how to play.’
Falcon met his fierce, green stare. She knew what he meant but wasn’t going to go there.
‘So,’ he said, cocking his head to one side, studying her. ‘The Unicians are in town, the Dakkonin might be imploding and what do you do? Come to South Sector and pretend to be a Sarpien.’
Falcon’s smile was forced, she couldn’t let him know why she was here.
‘Though if that’s what you really want, all you had to do was ask.’
‘What?’ Falcon asked, surprised out of her silence.
‘We can take a walk to the tunnels right now if you’re that way inclined.’
‘Funny,’ she bit off. ‘What do you want, Jackal?’
‘You.’
Falcon felt her blood freezing at his sudden, dreadful gaze.
‘You can’t have me,’ she replied.
‘You can’t stop me.’
‘Yes I can.’
Jackal shook his head, placing his bottles on the floor. ‘The old you could stop me.’
Her breath caught as he stepped forwards and she backed from him.
‘You’ve changed, Karen,’ Jackal’s voice was soft now. ‘You don’t fight the same, you avoid the kill.’
Falcon gasped, her back hitting the wall.
‘You’re scared,’ Jackal told her, his smile cruel.
As he closed in she reached for her medallion. Jackal caught her arm, pinning her against the wall.
Falcon shuddered, feeling his fingers running over her left arm. She saw him glance down at it.
‘Gavelgash,’ he murmured. ‘I miss those times.’
‘I don’t,’ she told him, meeting his hard gaze.
She tried to move away but he grabbed her other arm. Falcon couldn’t hide her fear, or the way her breathing turned raspy.
‘You know this is pointless,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘Do you think the Emissaries have forgotten about you?’
Falcon hated herself for how her breath caught.
Jackal’s lips twisted in another smirk as he looked down at her. ‘I know you’re afraid, you don’t have to be. Come to Trine, Karen, let all your fears melt away.’
Falcon glared up at him, ‘never.’
Jackal’s hands tightened on her. Falcon gritted her teeth, gathering her strength. The fiery-maned Sarpien swore, his hands freezing as Falcon covered herself with a thin, icy veil.
She took the opportunity to kick out his legs and leap over him as he tumbled. Falcon glanced back when she reached the door, drawing a ragged breath.
‘Fine,’ Jackal said, getting to his feet. ‘Go do whatever it is you do. Next time we meet they’ll be no drinking, no playing of games. Next time, I take you to Trine.’
Falcon wanted to counter his words, brush them aside, but as she met his intense stare she had nothing. His words had cut into her, and Jackal knew it.
She opened the door and left, wanting to put as much distance between them as she could.
Falcon stopped to retrieve her jacket from the bar and strode across the room towards the entrance.
‘Sarpien Goshawk.’
Falcon ground to a halt at Caban’s voice. She turned to him, putting her denim jacket on and covering up her snake.
‘I trust you found everything to your satisfaction?’
Her eyes narrowed, her mouth opening to deliver a scathing remark. She paused, becoming aware of the oddest sensation.
Falcon stared at Caban when she realised he was the source of it. She couldn’t place the feeling. It felt wrong somehow but not life-threatening.
Deciding not to comment, Falcon left, not giving him a backwards glance. She quickly dug the brown leather gloves from her pocket, covering up the last h
ints of her old snake mark.
Once out in the fresh air she didn’t dither, making straight for the small street where Dove and Dingo were waiting.
‘Finally,’ Dingo exploded when he saw her. ‘I was about to come find you.’
‘Falcon,’ Dove breathed, ‘what happened?’
Falcon flinched from the question, the woman’s empathy was inconvenient right now.
‘Please, Falcon,’ Dove said, placing a hand on her arm. ‘Don’t shut me out.’
Falcon glanced at Dingo before turning to view the street, Caban’s Lounge still too close for comfort.
She strode down the street, forcing the others to follow. ‘Jackal was in there.’
‘What?’ Dingo hissed, ‘the Red Jackal?’
‘Falcon,’ Dove pleaded, catching at her arm again, ‘please stop.’
Falcon breathed out, trying to get her emotions under control. She didn’t know if she wanted to cry or go hit something.
‘He…was already there, Dove. I think he was waiting for me.’
‘Are you sure?’
Falcon shook her head. ‘No, I just…what are the chances, really?’
Dove studied her. ‘Something happened in there, what is it?’
Falcon stared, not wanting to say it. ‘Jackal…said the next time we met he’d be taking me to Trine.’
‘He’s said that before, Falcon,’ Dove told her. ‘Ignore him, he’s just trying to get under your skin.’
Falcon nodded, ‘I know.’
She didn’t say any more but Dove was wrong. This time had been different. All the other times Jackal had tried to capture her he’d been in the middle of something else, distracted.
Falcon had the sinking feeling Jackal had been telling her the truth. He was through playing games – he was coming for her.
Chapter Five
Jay walked away from the Predgarian Centre, glancing back often as he hurried down Islejur Road towards the intersection.
Jay smiled as he thought about that. Six months ago he wouldn’t have called the distance short at all. A month or so into his training, Jay thought he hated the Predgarians. He’d just got used to the harrowing fitness classes when they upped their game, getting serious with the martial arts. Jay remembered thinking at the time he’d never survive it – especially after the first time Hawk hit him with a Wind Kick.
He’d been waiting for a moment like this for ages. Falcon and Dove were in South Sector whilst Wolf and Coyote were on patrol. Leopard was on leave visiting friends in Havelo, Tiger was shopping and Hawk was in Central Sector.
Lion was the only one at the Predgarian Centre so Jay had taken the opportunity to go for a walk.
He glanced up, noticing the first few flakes of falling snow. Just as well he’d put on his new sweater and coat.
Jay glanced down, the light grey woollen sweater had a single horizontal white stripe running across the chest. He didn’t think he’d have chosen the design personally, or the warm brown coat with fur lining.
He was thankful Dove had bought them for him though. Jay walked on, glancing at his watch. He couldn’t afford to be out for long, or Lion might notice he’d slipped out.
It wasn’t like he was deliberately disobeying the Predgarians, but it felt like he hadn’t been outside in ages. There was a whole city outside the Predgarian Centre, and Jay liked to see it from time to time.
Jay zipped his coat up as the snowfall grew heavier. For a moment he considered going back, but it might be ages before a chance like this presented itself again.
He dusted off his short, dark blond hair as he crossed the intersection, heading onto Lister Road.
Jay looked about with a wry smile. It was more than just a street for him now. It was here he’d been given his first ever glimpse of Dove and Hawk. It was also here he’d been taken by the Sarpiens.
He sighed, looking down at himself in the drifting snow. He’d changed so much since then. His fifteenth birthday last month had passed more or less uneventfully, apart from the pile of new clothing the Predgarians had given him.
The Bronze Hawk said he’d shot up like a weed, and Jay knew he had. The Predgarians didn’t pat him on the head anymore now – which he was glad of.
Jay grinned as he picked up the pace, heading further into West Sector. He was taller than Falcon and Tiger. Jay wondered if he’d grow any more. It’d be great if he got to be as tall as Hawk, though the man was of Ischaclappe descent, so that probably wouldn’t happen.
His pace slowed again, the thoughts on his height leading him in a direction he didn’t really want to go.
He was already there now though, so let the images of his parents surface. His eyes closed a moment, why couldn’t he remember how tall they’d been?
Jay shook his head, the clearer picture of his uncle springing to mind. Light no, anyone but him.
He still couldn’t shake what Uncle Max had done to him, handing him over to the Sarpiens for money. Jay realised he was lucky someone as caring as Falcon had been the first to find him when he’d managed to escape Jackal.
A small smile came to his lips. Six months later, Jay knew the woman would blush to the roots if he told her that in public. She tried so hard to hide her feelings from everybody, to act the tough ex-Sarpien everyone expected her to be.
Jay knew better now, able to see what the White Dove had all along. His empathic abilities had sky-rocketed in the last few months. Falcon couldn’t hide from him anymore – none of them could for that matter.
He’d taken Dove’s advice and not let everyone know just how far along he was. It would make them uncomfortable. Jay had seen their reactions when Dove second-guessed them so often and could see her point. He didn’t want Falcon to distance herself from him.
As always, the thoughts of Falcon and Dove and all the others washed away the feelings of his nasty uncle and his dead family.
He had a new family now, one that genuinely cared for him – he knew that because he could feel it. Jay felt a surge of guilt, wishing he could gift his empathy to Falcon. She’d be so much more at home with the Predgarians if she could feel what he did.
Jay had thought she would’ve opened up a bit, and he supposed she had a little, but she still spent so much time alone in her room, hiding from everybody.
Dove said she just needed time, but Jay didn’t see how Falcon was ever going to change if she continued to hide away.
It ate at him, especially late at night when he’d wake up, assaulted by her emotions. Sometimes it was fear from a nightmare she’d had, but a lot of it was just a sense of deep sadness and regret. Jay was sure she was crying during those times, but there was nothing he could do to help her.
His thoughts had passed the time and he reached the market. Deciding to set the problem of Falcon to one side for now, Jay stepped in amongst the stalls. He couldn’t stay long. A brief walk and look about was all he had time for if he wanted to get back without anyone missing him.
Jay cast his eye over the different items for sale. All the things he couldn’t buy only reminded him of his frustrations. It had been all right at first, but lately, every time he saw the Predgarians go on patrol or one of them went on a special mission – like Dove and Falcon that morning – it made him want to be out there with them.
Lion said he was doing really well on his studies, but it wasn’t enough. There were still things he didn’t know. It annoyed him that Falcon had been able to join instantly while he was stuck doing exercises.
Jay scowled at the inoffensive, stuffed lion on sale at the nearest stall. He sighed, letting it go. He knew he wasn’t ready, every time he sparred with Falcon in the training hall proved the fact. She was amazing, Jay didn’t think he’d ever reach her level.
Until he could hold his own in a fight against even a single one of the Predgarians, he wouldn’t be ready to take the tests. Which meant no wage, no leaving the Centre by himself and most importantly – no medallion.
Jay yearned to have one of his own. Tige
r had told him his fire powers would be amplified if he had medallion armour. He remembered her asking what kind he’d like. Jay didn’t have a clue. An Avian would be great, but to own a medallion at all would be enough.
It wasn’t just the extra power and protection Jay wanted though. He wanted the name. Owning a medallion and having Lion, Dove and Falcon calling him by its name meant he would’ve done it – he would’ve reached the standard and they’d treat him like an equal.
It wasn’t that they didn’t now, but Jay couldn’t help feeling inadequate. He was the odd one out – the trainee.
A girl his own age brushed past, nudging him from his thoughts. Jay blinked, their brief contact filling him with her emotions.
He inhaled, the sharp stab of panicked fear washing over him. Jay turned in her direction, watching as she hurried through the tangle of people.
Jay’s eyes slid across her quickly, inspecting everything he could – just as Falcon had taught him. He wasn’t good at it yet, he still had trouble reading expressions, but he catalogued everything else.
The girl’s sunny blonde hair was similar to Dove’s. Jay couldn’t see her face but the plain white dress she wore was an odd style. It hung on her, reaching her ankles, the sleeves covering her forearms.
Jay’s eyes dipped down, sandals? in winter? She was dressed awfully funny to say it was snowing.
The girl looked back. Jay swallowed as he met her blue eyes. Her face held the same fear he’d sensed when her skin had brushed his momentarily.
Someone else pushed past him. Jay’s breath caught, different emotions coursing through him now - determination, intent, confidence. His eyes lifted to the tall man, dressed in a pair of smart trousers and a button-up shirt. He’d had the presence of mind to put a coat on though.
Jay was filled with the certainty this man was the reason the girl was afraid. He didn’t really know how he’d come to the conclusion but was sure it was right.
He stood there a moment, watching as the two began to be lost amongst the crowd. There was nothing he could do to help, he wasn’t a Predgarian.
That never stopped Falcon, a tiny voice said in the back of his head.