by Natalie Erin
As they were reunited, Lottie gave Midnightstar a disapproving look. “I have to get back to Casiff, and your father will be looking for you. Leave these fools to their chosen end.”
It was unlike her to be so cruel, yet Midnightstar suspected Lottie was fed up with the war. She couldn’t blame her aunt. She was sick of the fighting too, but unlike Lottie, Midnightstar felt she was obligated to do something about it.
After a short flight, Mirabelle and Lyrica landed in the valley. The unicorns scattered at the sight of a dragon unknown to them, stopping a lengthy distance away to peer curiously behind. Lyrica leapt off Mirabelle’s back and ran towards the house.
“Come on! I have to introduce you to my parents!” Lyrica cried eagerly. Enthusiastically, Mirabelle followed.
There were hushed voices at the door. Lyrica cracked it open but Mirabelle brought her tail up and held the girl back from opening it further. Something was wrong.
“Did you find them yet?” Casiff asked from inside.
Vixen hissed. “No. Wyntier is skilled at hiding his tracks. Maybe Vixen was mistaken and he has gone.”
“I’ve never known you to be wrong,” Casiff said.
Vixen sighed. “Vixen knows. But Vixen is not as strong as she used to be.”
Lyrica leaned back in surprise. Casiff said, “You’re tired. You should call off the search. He’ll show himself eventually. He never stays quiet for long.”
There was a loud sound as Vixen slammed her fist against the table. “We cannot let Wyntier run free! Wyntier’s is the reason that dragon doesn’t have her mother, the reason Ionan had to leave Mirabelle behind in the desert!”
Mirabelle jumped backwards, her wings fluttering backwards in surprise. Shocked, Lyrica whispered, “Ionan’s your dad? Why didn’t you say so?”
“I didn’t even know!” Mirabelle replied, her blue eyes swimming with tears.
“We’ve got to find him!” Lyrica cried, and she jumped onto Mirabelle’s back. As she did so, the door opened and her parents calmly walked outside.
Casiff’s mouth was wide open. “What exactly do you think you are doing?” he asked.
“We’re going to find her dad,” Lyrica said, pointing to Mirabelle, who had more tears in her eyes.
“Um, I’m sorry, but who is she?” Casiff asked, completely confused.
Vixen put a hand on Mirabelle’s head. “Vixen is sorry you found out this way,” she said softly. “Both Lyrica and Mirabelle must come inside. Much to discuss.”
“That’s Mirabelle?” Casiff said. “Oh.”
Lyrica got off of Mirabelle and followed her mother inside. Mirabelle changed into a small sparrow and sat on Lyrica’s shoulder, saying, “I’m sorry. I suppose I forgot to tell you that I’m a Changer, too. I hope you don’t mind.”
“It only makes sense, if Ionan’s your father.” Lyrica sat at the kitchen table. “But that must mean Vera’s your mother.”
“Sunset raised me. But yes, Vera is my mother.” Mirabelle hopped on Lyrica’s shoulder, waiting for Vixen to speak.
“When Mirabelle came to Lyrica, what did she say?” Vixen pressed, leaning on the table.
Lyrica tapped her chin. “She said my name twice.”
“Did she say both names afterwards?” Vixen asked.
“Yes. Mother, what does this mean?” Lyrica asked.
Vixen sat at the table and said, “Vixen has wished to tell you this for a long time, but things happen, and she did not want Lyrica to worry.”
“Worry? About what?”
“Vixen’s parents fell in love. They were young, and very wise. And very, very different.” The fairy smiled sadly. “Vixen’s father was a fairy, her mother, an Accompany. Vixen’s mother fled to the Lands from Nesting’s Haven, after she lost her Changer in war. Then she met Papa, and now here we are.”
“So you’re both fairy and Accompany? Just like Kennu?” Lyrica asked in amazement.
Vixen nodded. Lyrica put her head in her hand and said, “If I’ve got Accompany and fairy blood, why aren’t I sick, like Kennu is? And why aren’t you?”
“Kennu is a rare case, honey,” Casiff said. “His cousins Soran and Vivienna are fine. It doesn’t happen to everybody. In fact, so far as we know, Kennu’s the only one with his condition.”
“Dragonstar is Vixen’s Changer,” Vixen said. “Lyrica does not see him change, because he does not wish to. Vixen met her Changer on her trips to Nesting’s Haven long, long ago. And now Lyrica has met hers.”
“What?” Lyrica and Mirabelle both asked at once.
Lyrica shook her head and said, “Mirabelle can’t be my Changer. I’m more fairy than Accompany.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Casiff whispered. The color had drained from his face.
“This isn’t fair!” Mirabelle shook her head furiously. “Not that I don’t like you, Lyrica, but I barely know what an Accompany is! I barely even know what I am!”
“Hush, little Mirabelle.” Vixen soothed. “Her father has been keeping her in the dark for too long.”
“We’ve gotta find Ionan,” Lyrica pressed. “Mirabelle, I know we just met, but if you’re my Changer I want to take care of you.”
Mirabelle’s beady eyes watered. “Thank you, Lyrica. I’m not quite sure what being a Changer and Accompany means, but I’m happy to be in it with you.”
Kennu climbed the trail up to the old memorial by himself, ignoring the twinge of fear that struck him as he made the hike. Allie was training with Ionan, and he’d snuck away from the house, as his parents were arguing again. If he had a seizure up here there would be no one around to help him, but he wanted to prove he could do something by himself for once. He ignored his fear, breathing heavily as he toted himself up to the top. When he had reached the summit, he brought out various items from his small leather bag...a sketchbook, and a pack of drawing utensils. He watched the waterfall flow into the small pool for a second, observing the stones carved with the names of those who had died defending the Verinian from his grandfather Malaki a decade ago.
He began to draw, and his fear was chased away with the passage of time and the spellbinding embrace of art. There was nothing in the world but the water rushing and the stroke of the lead upon the paper.
After a long time, Kennu finished and looked at his drawing of the waterfall. It was okay, but he knew he could have done better. He could tell his mind had been distracted. He stuffed it and the rest of his drawing supplies into his bag, swung it over his shoulder and headed down the path.
A little red bird came landed on his head. “Hello Kennu. What are you doing out here, walking all alone? Don’t you know Wyntier’s about?”
Kennu smiled. “Hey Scarlet. I was just drawing.”
“May I see?” Scarlet asked.
Kennu showed him the drawing and the bird whistled in approval. “It’s good, but not up to your usual standards. What’s wrong?”
Getting a sudden stroke of inspiration, Kennu abruptly stopped, grabbing his sketchbook and utensil. Scarlet hopped on his head as Kennu sat on a stone, scribbling frantically. The fairy drew a handsome face, cunning eyes and a sinister smile in a matter of minutes.
“Oh dear,” Scarlet said. “That drawing is much better than the other one. But I’d prefer it if you didn’t draw Wyntier. It looks too much like him. As if he were to jump out of the page and strangle us.”
“I know.” Kennu crumpled up the paper and threw it as far as he could into the woods. Once he did a jolt went through his arm and he cried out, grasping his wrist.
Scarlet watched him carefully. “Tell you what, I’ll accompany you down the hill. Once you’re at the bottom, I have to go home. You should too.”
The corners of Kennu’s mouth twitched at his choice of words. Slowly, they made it to the base and Kennu waved farewell as lightning crackled above. He looked up. It was going to rain soon. Not looking where he was going, Kennu was thrown backwards as somebody slammed into him from the front.
Hazel eyes met gold
en as a sharp voice snapped, “Hey, watch where you’re going. I’m trying to walk here.”
Kennu stared. It was the same girl he had seen on the seashore. He felt his face redden with embarrassment. He hadn’t wanted her to meet him like this, on the ground. The girl stared down at him, not offering any sort of apology. If anything, she looked irritated that he’d touched her at all.
“Sorry,” he said. “I was just checking out the storm.”
“I thought me and my family were the only people on this island. Who are you?” the girl asked.
“Kennu.” He shifted onto his elbows. “You?”
“Reagan,” she replied. “I didn’t know there were any other kids here.”
“I didn’t either, until I saw you yesterday,” Kennu answered.
“What? You were spying on me?”
Kennu shrunk back. “No. It was an accident. I wanted to introduce myself but you and your dad were fighting. It didn’t seem like a good time.”
“You saw that?”
Her eyes narrowed. She went to turn away, but Kennu asked feebly, “Um…can you help me up?”
Reagan turned to see Kennu still sprawled in the mud. She gave an exasperated sigh and held out her hand. He grabbed it, liking how warm and soft her grasp was in his own.
“So what’s the deal? How long have they made you stay in this place?” Reagan asked.
“I was born here,” Kennu answered.
“Well, that sucks.” Reagan sympathized with him for the first time, making a face.
“Not really. I love it here.”
Reagan looked at him scathingly. “Why’s your head all green, anyway? Did you dye your hair or something? It’s totally lame. And why are you named after a boat?”
“My hair has always been green. And I’m not named after a boat, thank you very much.” He crossed his arms. “It’s a different spelling. With a K.”
“Still makes me think of a canoe.”
“Don’t be so mean.” Kennu said, frowning.
“Then stop being overly sensitive,” she said carelessly. “And why are you dressed like that? You look like you walked right out of the Middle Ages. Is there a geek festival going on or something?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re the one dressed weird.” Kennu scrunched his nose.
“It’s jeans and a t-shirt. There’s literally nothing more normal that I could wear.”
Kennu’s wings, black and powdered with starlight, appeared behind him. Reagan gasped, leaping backwards. “What are those?”
He looked at them. “My wings. Where are yours?”
“I don’t have any, you dimwit!” she shrieked.
“What do you mean? I thought you were a fairy!” he exclaimed, pointing at her.
“A fairy?” she screamed. “Are you crazy or something?”
“If you’re not a fairy, what are you?” Kennu said, confused.
“I’m a human being, you freak! What else did you think I was?”
Kennu’s eyes became fearful at her words. “You’re a human?” he whispered. He took a few steps away and put his back against a tree trunk.
Reagan shook her head. “I guess that’s what happens when you live on a deserted island your whole life. You start to lose it.”
“I’m not crazy! I’m a fairy!”
“There’s no such thing as fairies!”
“Yes, there is!” Kennu flew into the air, struggling to keep himself aloft. He couldn’t remember the last time he flew on his own. Taking a deep breath and leaning against a tree trunk, he said, “See? I thought that humans were extinct, but apparently they’re not, so I’m willing to believe you. Give me a chance.”
Reagan’s chest heaved up and down. “Alright, fine. You’re definitely a fairy, whatever that is.”
“Only half-fairy. The other part of me is Accompany,” he said.
“And what the hell is that?”
“A person, like us, only they are super strong and kind of tall. Except for me. I’m different that way. But I still have a Changer.”
“Okay, I don’t know what’s up with all the names, but they’re getting really annoying,” Reagan puffed.
“It’s an animal that can take any shape, whenever they want. They don’t have Changers where you come from? I’m not surprised. They’re kind of rare.”
Reagan’s eyes widened. Then she began to laugh, holding onto her stomach and bending over. Annoyed, Kennu asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” she giggled. “I just realized how funny this is. It’s all a joke, isn’t it? You’re trying to mess with me. Typical stupid freshman. What are you, fourteen?”
“I’ll be sixteen in two weeks!” he burst out, not knowing what a freshman was. “And what exactly are you doing here, anyway?”
She stopped laughing. “My dad’s a scientist.”
“What’s that?”
“I thought homeschooled kids were supposed to be smart. He studies things. How the world works?”
Kennu looked at her blankly. Reagan sighed in irritation and said, “He made me move from Detroit so he could study your dumb island. I turned sixteen last year.”
“Where’s your mom?” he asked.
“She ran away when I was eleven and never came back.”
“Oh.”
They jumped when the bushes crackled behind them but it was just Allie, coming to bring him home before it rained.
“Hey Al. Did you see anything?” Kennu rubbed her head tenderly, but Allie didn’t seem to enjoy it. The griffin was giving the human girl a cold and judgmental gaze. She snapped her beak at Reagan, letting out a loud hiss.
The girl screamed and jumped backwards, clinging to a tree. “What is that thing?!?!”
Allie cawed angrily and he said, “A griffin. Haven’t you ever seen one?”
“They aren’t supposed to exist!” she screeched.
“Well, I know they’re supposed to be extinct but I’m sure if you looked hard enough you could find a few...”
“No! They’re made up!”
Kennu looked at Allie. “I guess she doesn’t like griffins. Can you change into something else?”
Allie glared at Kennu, but obeyed his request and changed into a lynx at his feet. Once she did so Reagan floundered backwards, giving a loud and obnoxious scream. The girl slapped a hand to the side of her head and said, “I’m either on drugs or nuts. Where did my dad bring me?”
Confused about her reaction, Kennu went to speak, but at the worst possible time his body spasmed into a rapid convulsion. Allie spun around as he fell to the ground, voice frantic. “Kennu!”
Reagan bolted at the sound of Allie’s voice. Rain began to fall at a rapid rate, drenching his clothes as he writhed against the ground for two minutes...three minutes...endlessly.
As the seizure ended Kennu sat up slowly, wiping the blood from his mouth. He’d bit his lip as he fell, cutting the skin deeply. “I can’t believe she saw that,” he muttered. “She’s never going to want to be my friend now.”
“I’m sorry, Kennu.” Allie was soaked from the rain as well. Through the seizure, she’d sat diligently by his side. She put her head to his and said, “It’s better this way. She’s a human. She can’t be trusted. The only ones who will ever understand what it means to be us, is us. It’s just you and me. Like it should be.”
Kennu let her comfort him, but couldn’t resist being disappointed. He couldn’t help the fact that he wanted somebody else to share in his troubles for once. Somebody who wasn’t Allie.
Chapter Six
The Forgotten Souls Return
The Accompany sat calmly upon the massive black dragon. Her light pink eyes stared off into the distance as the wind blew her long, snow white hair behind her. Her skin was nearly the same shade as her hair, absent of all color, as the woman seemed absent of everything that resembled being alive. One hand was locked firmly onto the dragon’s right horn, the other placed protectively over her large, pregnant stomach.<
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The dragon was as black as night. Two horns sat on the top of his head, and huge claws decorated his four feet, with teeth that were large and menacing. His figure was thin and wispy, yet powerful. Everything about him showed his strength, brilliance and grace. His eyes sparkled the same black color as his scales.
“Can we land so I may change already? You know I hate flying. It always annoys me to have wings,” the dragon complained. Though his voice was soft, it had a controlled power behind it, one that silently threatened death to those who attacked the rider upon his back.
“I guess we can.” The Accompany’s voice was shaking and filled with pain, as if she were weeping without tears.
“I’m sorry, Luciana. I know you want to get there as fast as possible, but I can’t take much more of these things.”
“It’s fine Rex,” Luciana said softly. “I don’t care when we get there, as long as we arrive quickly.”
“I promise you we will get there soon.” Rex spiraled down to the ground and landed softly, despite his large form. Luciana climbed off his back and he changed into a large black panther, snarling and shaking his back in relief as his wings vanished. Luciana cumbersomely climbed back on him, and off they went through the forest.
“Do you think he remembers me?” she asked her Changer.
“How could he forget you, Luciana? You were his best friend. He didn’t abandon you, even when you were dating his enemy,” Rex encouraged. “If he doesn’t remember you than he’s stupider than I remember.”
“Yes, but you know Keo. He was always a bit...well.”
Luciana laughed, and Rex purred happily. He loved it when his Accompany laughed, but she rarely did anymore. Life had been too hard on her.
Rex moved with incredible grace through the trees. His muscles flexed and propelled him forward much faster than a panther should be moving.
Luciana looked down at the ground and watched it zoom by beneath them, become entranced by the muddled colors as they rushed by. “We have to stop soon. Being pregnant makes it really hard to sit for a long time.” She wiggled slightly as if to emphasize her point.