Illuminated Embers

by Jasmine Flowerday

  **********

  Savannah was grateful that the graduation was an outside ceremony. The school had set up folding chairs on the football field near a makeshift stage with a podium. She couldn't imagine being surrounded by all these people in the auditorium. As it was, the Blood Moon Pack members that came took up almost three rows of bleachers, with everyone from the apartments squeezed in the middle. She was currently sandwiched between Betty and her mother, and the noise level was at an all-time high. Scanning the crowd below, she tried to pick out Harry and Chrystal. She was sure that she had found Harry because he towered over everyone else, but Chrystal was another story. All of the graduates wore royal blue robes and matching graduation hats, which made it difficult to tell who was who.

  The warm, sweet scent of the air told Savannah that summer was almost here, and she couldn't wait. She missed her bees and running through the woods during the day. School had put a damper on all of that. While the students on the field were celebrating the end of their childhood and the beginning of the next chapter of their lives, Savannah focused on getting her freedom back during the day. The last day of school was coming up.

  They turned on the football field floodlights as the stragglers got seated, and the sun dipped below the horizon in the west. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the noise became deafening. A high pitched electronic feedback tone sounded throughout the stadium, instantly silencing everyone. It was followed by thunk, thunk, thunk. Principal Haymer was standing at the podium, testing the mike. As he gave his rousing speech of how proud he was of the students and how he couldn't wait to see what wonderful things they would contribute to the world, Savannah couldn't help but wonder if this would be her someday.

  Gazing down at the sea of blue, tasseled hats, she thought about what it would be like to truly integrate into the human world, to have a future with a normal job and a house, to pay bills and have barbecues with the neighbors while her husband played sports with the kids. She had been in survival mode for so long that getting married and having a family of her own one day had never even crossed her mind. Even now, when she was in a more stable environment, it didn't feel secure. The prospect of that normal life seemed so impossible that she dismissed it almost as quickly as she thought it.

  Next up was Alana, Jen's cousin. She was the Senior President and the Valedictorian. Listening to her speech was like falling into a dream. Her voice was soothing, and Savannah found herself blindly believing everything she said. When it was over, she had to shake herself to wake back up.

  "It's a little scary. She didn't even use her Nix powers," Betty said, shaking her head.

  "Wow! Are you sure?" Savannah asked, turning to Harry's mom.

  Nodding, Betty said, "Yeah, that is just how she talks. Her mother told me that Alana is getting married next week and they are moving to Genoa."

  Searching her memory on the maps she had studied in the library, she asked, "Italy?"

  "No, Savvy," Lanie cut in. "Genoa is an underwater city past the Great Barrier Reef."

  "The word is that Colton has a high-paying job waiting for him," said Betty.

  "Alana's mother is Kelara, right? How is she doing? She must be very proud of Alana," Lanie asked the Werewolf mom.

  Feeling another bout of gossip coming on, Savannah tuned the ladies out and watched the procession of students crossing the stage. Before long, she heard Harry's name, and his tall frame walked to Principal Haymer to shake his hand.

  Harry turned and flashed everyone a gleaming smile and pumped his fist in the air. A few howls erupted from the graduating class, and then the pack went wild. Betty let out a high-pitched howl followed by a brain-piercing whistle that forced Savannah to cover her ears.

  To Savannah's surprise, this explosion of noise repeated five more times. With how big the pack was, she should have guessed that Harry and Chrystal weren't the only ones graduating. She was left wondering if this happened every year, or maybe every football game. They probably had a couple of players on the team.

  After the last graduate crossed the stage, Principal Haymer said a few more words before hats flew and the sea of spectators spilled onto the field; everyone looking for their students to congratulate them. Savannah and the others from the apartment building waited in the stands. There was no way they were going to get mixed up in the sardine-packed crowd below. Though they only claimed six out of the six hundred graduates, the pack seemed to make up the majority of the mob. They could see Harry lifting Chrystal up into the air and twirling her around. Deciding that it might be better to congratulate them in the morning, the group went home.

  Savannah was ready to crawl into bed when Johnna reminded her of their sparring date. Groaning, she followed Samuel's mom to the portal on the fifteenth floor. She was beginning to wonder whether everyone was conspiring to wear her into the ground. Her muscles had barely recovered from that afternoon, but she was glad that at least the pack was preoccupied for the night. It meant that it would be quieter and filled with less nudity.

  Chapter 17

  Three cups of coffee, six hours of sleep, and a dozen conversations about the graduation ceremony later, Savannah and Johnna were at it again the next morning. Her muscles were still sore from the previous day's workout, but it wasn't as bad. They had appreciated the rest, and she could feel herself getting stronger. If someone had told her two months ago that a stay-at-home artsy mom like Johnna would be giving her the workout of her life, Savannah would have laughed them out of her forest. Not that she was out of shape, but Johnna somehow got her to use muscles that she wasn't used to using. Running around the forest and climbing trees apparently didn't give her the full body work out that she thought it did.

  Savannah tasted salt on her dark lion lips. Trampled greenery from the forest gave off a thick herbal aroma. Breathing it in, she allowed it to relax her. This was her favorite part of Four Corners, the place she felt as though she had the upper hand.

  Samuel, Henry, and Michael were flying with Lanie, letting out whoops as they circled around. The boys were making shapes with their magical residue and writing things in the air. Savannah remembered when her mother would take her out at night when she was a little girl, and they would make messages in the sky. She loved seeing the glowing purple hearts in the sky.

  Eamon walked through the portal with a solemn-looking Thalia. The air in the room shifted, and everyone stopped their practice. Thalia didn't often come to the Four Corners; at least, not since that first day. Not wasting any time, the Wizard made her way to Savannah.

  "What's this I hear about your not being able to freely manipulate energy while in animal form?" Thalia asked. Tipping her head to the side, she stared at the girl. What was holding her back?

  Changing from her green mountain lion form to her Kite self, Savannah took a moment to catch her breath. "I did it before, but it was an accident," said Savannah.

  "Not an accident," said Thalia. "You also mix your powers a lot more than you think."

  "What?" Savannah asked, leaning against the back of a nearby tree. She felt and saw the air particles shift around her and noticed Samuel flying down towards them. "What are you talking about?"

  "You never change into a Human, which I find interesting as you seem to be one of their biggest advocates. However, you change your hair color and skin while in Kite form," said Thalia.

  "Yeah," Samuel chimed in, "I've been meaning to ask you how you do that." He ran his hand through his magenta hair. "Oh! And remember during that big fight? You had a Werewolf head and a Kite body! You had your green hair and used energy manipulation!"

  "But you mix forms all the time," Savannah said turning to him. "Like the skin changing thing, or the cat eyes to see in the dark."

  "Yes, I can do that. But, the second that I change any part of my Kite form, I can't see or feel the particles anymore. The same thing happens when I use a Vampire or Werewolf form. I can't change anything about the Humanoid forms and still retain the powers," he replied.r />
  "Yes, that is true," Johnna said, backing up her son.

  "Interesting!" Thalia said. "That seems rather obvious, doesn't it?"

  "No! I'm not sure how I do all of that. I just do it!" Savannah said, feeling like she had missed the boat on the conversation.

  Patiently, Thalia waited for Savannah to put the pieces together. When she didn't, Thalia sighed, "Stop thinking of yourself like you are two different parts. You are both Kite and Morphling. Not one or the other. You are not like Johnna or Samuel. They are Morphlings learning how to use a Kite form, but it does not make them a Kite."

  "So, you're saying to remember that I am a Kite/Morphling? One and the same?" Savannah said, her voice filled with doubt.

  "Yes! You are one of a kind!" Thalia replied. "I believe that you are the only Morphling that may have been born with a true form. You were born as a Kiteling if I am not mistaken."

  "Yes! Of course she was," Lanie said confused. "What else could she have been born as?"

  Johnna pulled her mom friend aside to explain the birthing process of Morphlings.

  Trying to process what Thalia had told her, Savannah decided to give it another shot. She morphed herself back into her mountain lion form, but this time remembered that she was also a Kite. She was frustrated when it didn't work right away. Savannah felt the pressure of those around her. They stared at her in anticipation. It took several more attempts, but when she succeeded, she immediately felt the difference and was able to still see the energy particles in the air. Tentatively, she dug her large front paws into the ground. Utilizing the energy, Savannah tried to grow onions. As soon as she felt it working, she jumped back in surprise.

  "Keep going," Thalia said.

  Savannah pushed her paws back into the dirt, and green onion shoots came out. Big white bulbs pushed their way to the surface. It worked! She couldn't believe it! She gathered the air particles around her and pushed herself into the air and rode the wind, leaving a thick purple haze behind her. She felt fantastic! She was a giant flying cat! Below her, everyone was clapping and cheering. All except Thalia, who just smiled, but that was something. Continuing to fly, she changed into a sea turtle. More cheers! It still took her almost half a minute to change, but she felt the accomplishment in flying while doing it. Morphing back into her Kite form, she landed and gave Thalia a hug. Awkwardly, it was returned.

  "Now, since that silliness is over, I have more questions for you pertaining to the Siphons," Thalia said, taking a step back and brushing down her robe.

  "Anything!" Savannah said, gratefully.

  "I have not been able to figure out why you are able to understand what the Siphons say. I was hoping that you might be able to tell me more of your interactions with them," Thalia said.

  "Of course she can understand what they say," said Samuel. "How can you miss it? It's awful!"

  Shock spread through Thalia. It hadn't even dawned on her to ask the other children what they had experienced. She had been focusing so acutely on the one who could slay them. It had been remiss of her to not explore every avenue of information. Inwardly chastising herself, she asked the boy, "You can understand what they say, as well?"

  "They're in pain! They want to be free!" he said. "It's agonizing to listen to and distracting when you're trying to run away! Are you telling me that you don't hear that when they are around?"

  Eamon and Thalia both shook their heads in awe. How had they missed such a vital piece of information? The Morphlings that the Wizards had sent in the past had never mentioned being able to understand them. But then, the Wizards had never asked for that kind of report.

  "I need to confer with Zeke," Thalia said.

  "You can't leave here without putting everyone in danger. Give me the message, and I'll go," said Eamon. "I now have a few new questions for him, anyway."

  "Very well," Thalia said, clasping her hands in front of her.

  Eamon began walking towards the portal, and Savannah had to run to catch up to him.

  "How is my mama doing lately? We haven't gotten to talk for awhile," she said, grabbing his shoulder.

  "I know. We have both been very busy. I do miss our conversations, Savannah. Lanie has been good lately. Only a few visions, but all have been benign. We watch the footage together. Lately, it seems to be about a Nix of all things," Eamon said, continuing to the portal.

  "Well, that's good, I suppose," Savannah said. She felt very out of touch with her mother lately. "The Nix is probably Jen. She seems to think that she's my nemesis or something."

  "Interesting," said Eamon. "If she only knew. I was a little worried that it was her cousin from the graduation ceremony last night," he chuckled. "I will be back soon, and we can talk more then, all right?" he said, giving her a half-hug.

  Savannah, feeling more comfortable with him now, pulled him in for a fullhug.

  Smiling, Eamon kissed the top of her head. This was a big step for them, and he couldn't help the warm feeling that ran through him. She finally trusted him. After she went back to the group, he called down Lanie so they could have a more private 'good-bye'.

  Watching Eamon and her mother slip through the portal, she began to wonder if she would be having a new 'step dad' soon. Never in a million years did she think her mother would ever start dating again. A lot of things were changing, but she thought that she might be okay with this one. She pondered why Jen would be in her mother's visions. Maybe Eamon was talking about a week ago, when she stole the prom dress. Shrugging it off, she went back to working on her change speed and throwing some energy manipulation into the mix. Suddenly, she couldn't wait to wrestle with Samuel again.

  Chapter 18

  That night, the four teens decided to go on a double date as a small graduation celebration. The previous night had been fun-filled pack time after the ceremony for the graduates. Harry and Samuel decided that they needed a celebratory friends' night out as well.

  Savannah and Chrystal didn't argue since they were also in desperate need of a night away. Savannah needed to get away from the training room, and Chrystal was worn out from entertaining the whole pack at her house. She had been up until three in the morning, throwing away trash. Luckily, she had lots of help, but it was still a lot of work being the daughter of the Alpha. She was ready to get away and get some quality friend time in. Besides, she needed to talk to Savannah.

  Sitting in a booth at the diner, Samuel and Harry were boasting about their improvements in training. Savannah worked on the delicate chore of downing her chocolate shake without invoking a 'brain freeze', while Chrystal kept asking her questions about Thalia and Eamon.

  Chrystal was sure that there was something that everyone seemed to be missing, but no one had all of the necessary information. She just hoped that it was figured out before anyone else got hurt. While she was getting ready for her date, her dad was watching the news. What she had heard brought her from her room. A family of campers in the marshlands two towns over were found mutilated. There were two adults and three children-- ages eight, six, and three. Her father's voice had brought her out of her shock. He had said, "At least the monsters weren't in Greenhaven, anymore." She knew that he was prioritizing the pack's safety, but it broke her heart that the Siphons were still attacking the Twitchies. There had to be a way to get rid of them once and for all. Her new bestie was the only one who had the answer. She just didn't know what it was, and no one else seemed to know either.

  "Relax, Chrystal! Let the girl enjoy her shake," said Harry, putting his arm around his beloved and pulling her in close. He tried to nuzzle her hair and breathe in her musky, wolfy scent that he loved so much, but she pulled away. "What's going on? What happened?" he asked her. Harry knew that Chrystal would never do that unless something bad had happened.

  "I-- I'll tell you later," she said, not wanting to put more pressure on Savannah. The poor girl was getting it from every angle, it seemed.

  "Well, I'll tell you what I know," a familiar voice said. Hearing the screeching
of a chair being pulled on tile, they looked up. "It's not every day that I see my closest friends out. And you didn't even invite me."

  "Hey, Jen," Samuel said, all smiles now gone from his face.

  "It's been, what? A week since you stood me up for prom, Samuel? Lucky for me, I have a handy waiting list of guys that are just dying to take me out," said Jen, with her sickly sweet voice.

  "I told you before that we weren't going to prom together," Samuel said, exasperated.

  "Technically, you said that you were not going. So when I found out you were, I naturally expected you to pick me up," Jen said. "I mean, really! Who would have thought that you would pick this 'thing' over me? Just bad taste, really," she said, as though a giant dung beetle had just landed under her nose. Growls erupted from the table, and she could see their hairs bristling on their skin. "Oh, don't get so worked up. I know you don't think I'm the brightest and probably not smart enough to be a part of your new group --"

  "-- That's not why we don't like you, Jen!" Chrystal spat.

  Jen waved her hand to dismiss the comment. "One thing I did learn in school was how to play 'Connect The Dots'."

  Samuel didn't like where this was going. Jen was acting like she was the cat, and they were mice. She was waiting to pounce. "What are you talking about?"

  Jen took a beat to brush the wrinkles out in her crocheted lace and silk skirt, before leaning forward for emphasis. "It's very strange that Siphons show up right after your little friend here. I figured out that she was a Kite, but on the night of the prom, she proved that she was a Morphling. No one else can change their skin like that!" Jen enjoyed toying with them. It served them right for treating her so poorly. She hadn't been lying about them being her closest friends. All of the Twitchies that surrounded her were more like puppets than friends. These three in front of her were the closest she had ever come. Joleen or Sarah, whatever her name was, didn't count. In fact, she was at fault for taking her friends away from her.