Ashes (The Firebird Trilogy Book 1)

by Stephanie Harbon

  The reforming of my body increased like the tempo of a song, ending in a sudden burst of heat. An excruciating wave of pain echoed across me and I knew two things for certain. One: my body had transformed into a Phoenix and two: I belonged in medical science.

  Slowly I opened my eyes and saw through that spectacular impeccable vision. The beauty of the earth took my breath away; though it was unnervingly close, if I’d took just a few seconds longer I wouldn’t have made it. I let this thought go. All my previous terror drained away. I opened my wings confidently, the air immediately lifting me. It took a few beats of my wings before I got into the rhythm of it and instinct took over. I felt so powerful and free, everything came so naturally. I loved every moment; dipping through the air and willing the chilling wind to run refreshingly though my feathers. I wasn’t cold. I was exhilarated. I was born for this.

  I was flying; I couldn’t get over the fact. Me, I was in the air, soaring above the world without the assistance of an aeroplane. I was flying, I was a bird and I was flying. Flying! It was unbelievable. At one point I came low enough to realise there was a lake at the bottom of the valley ledge. I headed towards it, dipping lower, pausing my wings so that I could glide and slice through the air and catch my reflection in the water.

  A beautiful crimson Phoenix followed me like a shadow in her watery parallel world. Her body was short but slender, coated in feathers burning like wild untameable flame. She had enormous wings splashed at the tips in sparkling gold. Her gold and black eyes were wide, framed by dramatic ashen lashes. On the crest of her head were two long gold feathers. Her talons were sharp and deadly.

  This was really me. Oh my God, if my friends could see me now.

  Everyone dreams and fantasises about being able to fly; I was living the dream.

  Ignoring the party, I headed towards the surrounding mountains, leaving Forenna behind, flying up across the undisturbed land. Sometimes I would see flickers of colour in the moonlight. Flying closer to one shiny arrangement I realised they were crystals; uncut and unhampered, growing in piercing shards that thrust up towards the heavens. I saw pine trees, smelled them. I watched animals scurry into their hiding places. A pack of grey wolves even howled in chorus as I passed.

  As brilliant as it was, I knew I had to head back. I didn’t want to, not in the slightest, but I knew they’d be waiting for me to return. I flew under the stars, almost swimming through the air, back the way I came.

  As the cliff and the celebration came into view I swooped elegantly over their heads. When they saw me they cheered again. I meant to land where the tent was but my landing was rough and I skidded across the ground, painfully scraped my wings across the rock.

  I might have to work on landings.

  Once I stopped I headed towards the tent and attempted to Change. It took longer than it had before, as I’d forgotten how to do it, and in the end I heard someone on the other side of the tent asking if I was okay.

  Luckily it was Chara’s voice I heard.

  Just struggling a bit, I admitted.

  Here, I heard Ebony say and something was passed through the curtain and onto the floor of the large tent. It was one of those glass spheres that hung from the net roof; within it was a tiny burning candle. Use this, it’ll help you concentrate. Listen to the flame.

  I concentrated on the little light, feeling it flicker near my skin. I tried to block out everything else. Eventually I listened hard enough that I heard the almost inaudible hum of flame. Closing my eyes I followed the sound specifically, imagining I could join it.

  The warmth intensified to heat which spread like a shooting star up my arm, across my collarbones to my spine. Automatically my own trickle of energy intermingled with it. My back was throbbing, almost painfully. I focused on the sensation; willing it to intensify.

  I vaguely heard Chara warn, Just make sure you’re actually thinking of Changing; otherwise it could be a total disaster.

  There was the stretching and shrinking of skin and the sudden excruciation. I opened my eyes and I was me again. I was shaking with immediate exhaustion.

  “You okay?” Ebony wondered.

  “Fine,” I said, frowning exhaustedly. “I take it I have to wear this dress.”

  “Probably,” she called back through the curtain.

  I huffed and struggled into the damn thing. Suitably uncomfortable, the girls helped tie up the corseted back. The skirt of the dress fell just below my knees and the silk material felt soft to my touch. It was ever so slightly too tight but who needed to breathe anyway?

  I had a choice of shoes, in a range of sizes, but I stuck to the heelless sandals, ignoring the fact that they matched the least because I didn’t work well in heels. Once I’d finished, the girls fiddled about with my hair for a minute before we finally exited the tent. Now I could finally relax.

  We went to the bar and ordered drinks, which came immediately in the form of large fruit cocktails. The drums behind us were beating loudly; complicated, impressive rhythms that corresponded with a strange bass instrument and higher string instruments. It was fast, electric and exciting. It made me want to dance.

  As we made our way down, people were approaching me and congratulating me. They called me Lady, it was bizarre. I was well-known in my little town in the Lake District, but then again the town was so small everyone knew everyone. I couldn’t believe it, everyone seemed to know me, seemed to know my story better than I did.

  It was then that I spotted Kieran. He was down on the lower level on one of the circular seating arrangements. He was drowning deep in a sea of people; partly-concealed by heaving brown bodies, but what covered him most was the gorgeous pair of tanned legs sprawled across his lap. My relief soon turned to annoyance.

  Those legs belonged to the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Her hair was darker than onyx, flowing like shimmering water down to her narrow waist. Her skin had a brilliant Arabian glow. Her eyes were like milk chocolate, sparkling and framed by the longest damn lashes I’d ever seen. Her lips were full, curved into a sexy twist as she whispered something in his ear, giggling and touching him.

  Have you ever hated anyone for no reason except that they had something you didn’t? Well she was that girl, and she had everything. I hated her.

  “Ruby!” Kieran called, interrupting my thoughts.

  I slowly walked forwards and stood before him. I raised my eyebrows expectantly. He seemed to understand.

  “This is Sofia,” he explained, okay he did not understand. I didn’t want to know her stupid name; I wanted her to get her stupid long legs off of him.

  “Nice to meet you,” I lied between my teeth, not removing my furious eyes from an oblivious Kieran. I was still extremely pissy at him for shouting at me earlier and storming off without another word.

  “Sofia, Ethan, Cole, this is Ruby; I told you she’d come find me.” The girl and the two other men nodded. The men were big and very scary-looking.

  The girl sat forwards, finally taking her legs off him and smiling beautifully at me. She was so gorgeous I could have been sick. “Aww, she’s so cute, Kieran, you never told me how cute she was.” She patted him all giggly and girly on his chest. It made me furious.

  Who did she think she was? I can’t believe she just called me cute, like I was five or something. I hated her. Maybe I should hold her still with my voice and cut her lovely hair until I thought it was ‘cute’. I stopped myself, why was I so irritated? Was it purely just because she was so beautiful? Or was it that arrogant look on Kieran’s face and the fact I was still annoyed at him?”

  Kieran smirked, knowing my face well enough to see just how angry I was. I shoved everything back down; I would not let him have one up on me.

  “What did you want?” I asked.

  “What are you offering?” he wondered, “I could use a beer.”

  “I ain’t offering nothing except a slap in the face.” I muttered.

  He slowly shrugged himself upright. “See you later,” he win
ked at Sofia. Then he came closer, casually nudging me forwards, “Come on, Princess.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you until you apologise to me,” I snapped, carelessly yanking away from his touch. I was so mad at him. How dare he treat me like that earlier.

  He rolled his eyes, “You’ll be waiting a while for that to happen,” he said. God, is he really that proud that he can’t admit that he did something wrong?

  “I’d rather your response to be something like, ‘I’m sorry’,” I told him coldly.

  “Come on,” he said, completely ignoring my comment. “I’ve got you a present.”

  “No,” I stood my ground. “I don’t care. Apologise.”

  He stared at me for a moment, those gorgeous emerald eyes boring deep into me. I couldn’t look away. He released his gaze and turned away calling, “You can either come with me without an apology, or stand there, still without an apology. Up to you.”

  I wanted to scream he was so infuriating, but I followed him anyway. Storming in front of him, I knocked him with my shoulder as I passed. He looked over at me with a quizzical expression, like he was unsure why I’d done that. I just looked away, my chin jutting out petulantly.

  He led me away from the main celebrations, past all the seats and over the normal undisturbed land. In the distance I could see a small bonfire surrounded by people about two-hundred yards from the main party.

  As we got closer I realised there were only seven or so people, of mixed Tribes. There were three Earthbirds, an Airbird, a Firebird and two Waterbirds, all in human form, lying on the ground or propped up against a long wooden log. Some were chattering quietly, other’s smoking something that stunk like crushed pine leaves and dirt.

  There was only one girl, with long nearly diaphanous silver hair that had clumped together in spindly dreadlocks. She was speaking to an older guy with fiery eyes that sent shivers to my spine; even though I knew the shade was slightly off to be my attacker.

  “Kierakai,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly, he stood up and clapped his hand together with Kieran’s, “It’s been a long time. Not long enough, though,” he considered, “to remember exactly how much you owe me; in kills or cash.”

  Kieran laughed, “You’ll get it, my friend, after-“ But he was interrupted.

  “After the next hit,” the other guy finished, smiling. “You’ve not changed.” They both sat down, I followed suit. “What’s it like on the other side?” the man questioned.

  “Shush,” Kieran pulled his finger to his lips mockingly, “You know I never left these shores.” He leaned in close to the other guy though, whispering loud enough so everyone could here, “Its shit. Rains all the time.”

  “Ah,” the guy said, and then turned to me. “You must be the one they brought back. I would guess you’ve been through a lot too.”

  “She’s exactly why I’m here,” Kieran said, “I need someone to train her. A lot of people want to kill her, including me at times, and she’s a bit pathetic.”

  “Isn’t she supposed to be able to do Chyun’ju?” the man frowned.

  “Yeah, but she’s crap at that as well.”

  I glared at Kieran, irritated, but before I could say anything the man spoke again, “Why can’t you train her?” his expression was openly calculating.

  Kieran answered, “I’ve got some other things to take care of.”

  I didn’t like the way Kieran said ‘take care of’ and felt it was time I spoke up. “Who says I need training?” I demanded, “So far I’ve been perfectly capable of not dying.”

  “Elegantly put,” Kieran commented.

  The man’s eyes flashed from me to Kieran, “And how are you going to pay for this? If you’re demanding the time of one of my assassins I’ll need a replacement.” My eyes widened as I finally grasped what they were talking about.

  “I’ll be perfectly capable of filling that void, on one condition,” Kieran said.

  “What’s that?” the man asked, then guessed, “You want some Leaf don’t you?”

  Kieran nodded.

  “You know the deal,” the man said, “kill first, Leaf later.”

  “I know,” he said. “I need it.”

  “Alright,” the man said, “Deal. Jayson,” he called loudly, “I’ve got you a job.”

  I looked over to where he directed his voice and saw the same Jayson from earlier. I hadn’t noticed him before as he was perched right on the lower ledge of the cliff.

  He got up and smiled at me, “Hello again, gorgeous.”

  My cheeks burned brightly, for some unknown reason. Nobody had ever called me gorgeous just like that. I guessed he said it to everyone. He really was attractive, I thought as he stepped into the light of the fire, the gleam off the embers making his blonde tendrils shine gold.

  Then he froze as he glanced over at Kieran. Kieran froze also beside me.

  “You,” Kieran snarled.

  I looked over at him and his eyes were black, his pupils dilated so much in anger that they devoured the vibrant colour of his iris. His breathing quickened and the expression on his face was positively murderous.

  Before anyone could react, Kieran, in a blindingly fast motion, took two steps; simultaneously reaching inside his clothes for a sharpened blade. He moved swiftly to Jayson, who staggered backwards, inches from the ledge. Kieran was immediately upon him. It happened so quickly. I barely seemed to blink before the knife was at Jayson’s throat as he dangled over the cliff ledge, held up only by the Kieran’s fist as it clutched his shirt.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Kieran,” I screamed, racing towards him, “Don’t!”

  He wasn’t looking at me; he didn’t even glance my way. His eyes were cold, black and full of an animalistic fury. He bared his teeth, practically growling. There were no other emotions in him except anger and hate, it radiated from him, from the upraised veins in his clenched fist and the stiff unmoving muscles of his shoulders.

  “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t slit your throat,” he demanded. His voice was low but smooth, perfectly calm; contrasting the hostile set of his features.

  Jayson didn’t speak, only stared unyieldingly back at Kieran.

  Kieran moved the knife forward, just piercing the flesh of his neck a millimetre deep. I didn’t recognise him in that instant; he could have been mistaken for Adrian.

  “Kieran,” I said slowly, trying to reason with him. I didn’t like this Kieran, for the first time since our initial interaction I truly comprehended just how dangerous he was. An assassin, they’d said; a cold blooded killer. “Kieran,” I said again, “let him go.” Kieran flinched at the sound of my voice, but he ultimately ignored me.

  “Do you have any idea what you did to us?” Kieran snarled. “He sent hundreds after us. So many people were killed, innocent people, because of you.”

  “I have my reasons,” Jayson replied, utterly apathetic.

  “What reasons?” he said, leaning forwards, forcing Jayson lower off the edge of the cliff. Nobody around me spoke or even moved; the air was so tense. Kieran took a breath then shouted infuriatedly, “What reasons?!”

  “Kieran, come on,” I said warily, edging closer.

  “Ruby,” Kieran glared at me, “Stay back. This is nothing to do with you.”

  “Kieran,” it was another voice, similar to Kieran’s but deeper and rougher. “Leave him, I’ll deal with him.” It was Adrian, suddenly looming behind me. His expression was stern, his eyes indecipherable; his motive incomprehensible.

  Kieran stopped momentarily, glancing back at his brother. “You sure?” He’d calmed down dramatically at the sight of his brother, I could see the emerald colour of his iris again, but he was still dangling Jayson off the edge of a cliff.

  Adrian nodded. I looked at Adrian, really looked at him, and for the first time noticed the slightly off look in his skin, the startling paleness of his cheeks. Was it the heat of the bonfire making him uncomfortable? Why was he all of a sudden stricken and ill
-looking, despite doing a credible job of trying to disguise it?

  “Well you’re going to have to give him a minute,” Kieran said, and I saw the glint in his eyes, “he’s got a long way to climb.”

  Then to my astonishment Kieran looked back at Jayson, smiled, and abruptly let him go. I dashed forwards but it was too late, Kieran had already dropped him. He was already falling.

  I stared at Kieran completely gobsmacked, but he just grinned sadistically and I eventually remembered that Jayson should be alright…if he Changed before he hit the earth. The drop was shorter here and my concern showed in my features. Kieran shrugged nonchalantly and continued forwards, his face once again a mask of quiet fury.

  I followed him in amazement, dumbfounded that he’d actually just dropped someone off the edge of a cliff and not even glanced back. I heard it then, the piercing cry of a Phoenix. As I turned around I saw an impressive golden Phoenix bound towards us through the air. It skidded furiously across the floor as it landed in front of Kieran, hissing maliciously and digging its massive sharpened talons into the soil.

  Kieran didn’t flinch, didn’t make a move to turn and continued arrogantly stalking away, his back confidently to the monster. It spread its wings, a four meter wingspan, and snapped forwards to attack but Adrian slipped in front of Kieran. The beast halted momentarily, to my surprise, and there was silence.

  Kieran walked over to the older man he was talking to earlier, his face unreadable but his voice rough and firm. “You’ll get your kill. Where’s my Leaf?” he demanded.

  The man stared quizzically up at Kieran, unfazed by everything that had just happened, “I’m not switching Jayson,” he said, “it’s him or no one.”

  “I don’t care,” Kieran growled, power practically streaming off him, radiating from his pores. He towered over the man dominatingly. “Just give me my Leaf.”

  The man shrugged and handed over some small pieces of extraordinary thin paper, almost transparent, and an open box the size of a small matchbox, filled with a strange greenish moss-like substance. Kieran snatched it from him, snapping the tiny wooden box shut, and continued walking away from the bonfire and the celebrations. He made his way away from the cliff ledge, walking directly to where the trees began in numbers. I followed him uncertainly.