Flesh and Feathers

by Hylton, Danielle; Fifer, April

  “You hide out in a monastery? How fitting that evil would take refuge in a place of sanctity,” Jen said with disdain as Kano grabbed her by the arm, pulling her in the direction of the door.

  “You may find it in your best interest to speak a little more reverential in here. They are not as tolerable as I.” Kano warned. In Jen’s mind, there was no one more ruthless than him–at least that is what she believed. However, she heeded his warning.

  They followed the main hall to a pair of doors at the end. Two men opened them as Kano and Jen approached. Standing at the entrance, Jen could see Tobias at the far end of the room. She had never seen him before, but there was no doubt in her mind that this was him. His pale yellow eyes contrasted with his deep red beard. There were tattoos on his head that weaved in and out of each other as they ran the length of his neck and then out to his shoulders. She made note of the scar on his torso, and his hands that seemed to be stained with blood. His persona screamed hatred and cruelty.

  Walking the aisle, they stopped a few feet in front of Tobias, and Kano pushed Jen powerfully to the floor.

  When Tobias spoke, his chest rattled from the depth of his voice. “Very good. Now let’s see if your plan will, in fact, work.”

  “She is the means,” Kano replied, and Jen knew that somehow she was his approach to get to Az.

  “We will see, won’t we?” Tobias grinned. Jen steeled herself as he watched her carefully. After pausing for a moment, Tobias turned back to Kano. “What are your plans with her until then?”

  “I have an idea.” Kano smiled, grabbing Jen by the arm and pulling her up. When she made it to her feet, Jen reeled back and slapped Kano in the face. His hand tightened around her arm so hard it caused Jen’s knees to buckle in response to the pain.

  “I would suggest you not do that again.” Astonishingly his voice was calm and collected. Jen looked in his eyes, remembering his warning. He pulled at her arm once more, and this time she did not struggle.

  Kano led her to a room down the hall from the main entrance. The room was large, and instead of windows it had a fireplace embedded into the wall. There were only a few items of furniture–a small bed and a single table with a chair. Darkness overshadowed every aspect.

  He let go of her, and she walked to the center of the room. Jen placed her hands on her arms holding herself, and faced away from Kano. “What now?” she asked.

  “Now, we become great friends.” The female’s voice filled the room. Jen turned to see Scarlet standing near the doorway. Her face was pale and porcelain, and the white silk gown that she wore matched the color of skin.

  Scarlet addressed Kano. “Exquisite, this one. I wasn’t expecting someone as striking.” She turned back, tightening her eyes on Jen. “I understand now why Mitch was so fond of you.”

  Every muscle in Jen’s body tensed, and her fingers coiled firmly into her palms. “Where is he?”

  “Dead,” Scarlet responded instantly as if she had been holding it back for far too long.

  “I am going to rip your fucking heart out, you evil bitch!” Jen seethed.

  “Aww, only if I had one,” Scarlet replied, mocking her.

  “Enough!” Kano growled at Scarlet.

  Scarlet held out her hand to Kano, a large diamond ring circling her index finger. “Should I not mention the ring, then?”

  “I think it might have belonged to you.” Scarlet brought her focus back to Jen, watching the despair consume her.

  “Just curious, what would your answer have been?” Scarlet questioned.

  Jen’s wings burst from her back as she lunged at Scarlet. Scarlet smiled, anticipating this and instantaneously removed a silver dagger hidden beneath her hair. Propelling it at Jen, the dagger pierced her wing, pinning her against the wall.

  Jen gasped for air as the intense pain ravaged her. She realized that this was one of the weapons Tannah had warned them about–the soul-devouring weapon. The pain it caused was unlike anything she had ever felt–like tiny slivers of glass pushing their way through her skin and eating at her flesh. Jen screamed out as the dagger released its venom slowly into her body, and she could feel the painful pull towards it. Images appeared in small bursts in her mind. The dagger held many tortured souls inside its element, and she could feel all of their pain and suffering. And then there was one she recognized in particular. Mitch. She could feel his agony. Jen wanted to recoil inside herself. No amount of pain that Scarlet could inflict could be worse than feeling Mitch’s. He was gone forever–lost to her–in a world of torment.

  Kano spoke up, remaining calm. “Scarlet, I know that it is your nature to thrive on other people’s misery. However, now is not the time.”

  “You are all business, Kano. Do you never make time for pleasure?” Scarlet walked over to where Jen was pinned against the wall and ripped the blade from her, repositioning it against her neck. “Next time it won’t be your wing,” Scarlet whispered in Jen’s ear.

  The sound of Kano’s steel sword sliding from its holster caused Scarlet to turn to him. He had pulled it out only partially to warn her that her time here was finished. “That will be all, Scarlet.”

  “Don’t worry. She’s still in one piece… for now at least.” Scarlet vanished through the doorway, and Kano let the sword fall back into place. Jen closed her eyes forcing tears to stream her face. With her back against the wall, she slid down to the floor.

  Jen could feel Kano’s eyes studying her, but she wouldn’t look at him. Her body felt lifeless and lethargic. For her–this was very much the end. “You should have let her kill me.”

  He was quiet and didn’t respond. Jen finally faced him. “I won’t help you. There’s nothing left you can do to me.”

  “I have no intension of doing anything to you. Despite what you believe, I do not kill for the pleasure of it,” Kano said coldly.

  Jen winced in pain as her body tightened. “That’s where you are wrong. Your intentions were just that, when you killed Mitch.”

  She watched as Kano pondered this in his mind. “That is what you would believe.” He paused for a moment. Maybe he was waiting for her to say something, but she couldn’t be sure. She couldn’t understand–was he saying that he didn’t mean to hurt her or that he didn’t kill Mitch? As she wondered, she realized, she didn’t care. To be a part of Tobias’ panel made him just as wicked as they were.

  Kano walked to the door and stopped. He might have turned to face her but thought better of it. Shutting the door behind him, Jen heard him bolt it from the other side, and the room became dark.

  Hours passed as Jen sat motionless on the floor. She couldn’t think about Mitch any longer–it was killing her. Her wing had begun to heal but much slower than it would have normally. The venom from the dagger had delayed its mending, and she wondered if it would stop her power of healing others altogether. She was useless if that was the case. Jen didn’t have the power of strength that Kale had, or the wisdom that Tannah carried, nor did she possess the ability to feel emotion the way Gage did. She would be no different from the humans that she had tried to protect. There would be nothing left she could offer.

  Somewhere inside her failure, she brought her mind to Gage. Her relationship with him was different than the others. When Gage had decided to fall and live out his existence on earth, it was Jen who had replaced him. Everything she had learned, he had taught her. Although, she was not as close to him as she was to Kale, she had nothing but respect for him. She knew his reasons for falling, and no one understood that more than her.

  It was then that she knew what she had to do. Gage was the answer. His ability kept the four of them connected. He couldn’t exactly feel her emotions at this moment, but he would be able to feel the break in their connection. She would have to sacrifice herself. That was the only way that she could warn them.

  For Jen, this would be easy. Mitch was gone, and her powers seemed to be failing. The only thing was, when she died, she would be reborn as a human. That’s what became of
angels when they died. Unlike ones who choose to fall, she would possess no powers… and no memories of what her life was as an angel. In her eyes, it was best that way. There was nothing she wanted to remember.

  Waiting in the corner patiently, Jen could hear the bolt on the door shift. Kano walked in, bringing the light from the outside with him. She stood up to face him.

  “I want to help you now,” she said. Kano’s face tightened. He was no fool, but he was interested in what she had to say.

  Jen stepped closer to him and stopped at arm’s length. “I can tell you where they are… I just want one thing from you.”

  Kano move slowly towards her, and Jen’s pulse raced faster. “What is that exactly?” Kano asked, interested in her motive. He was so close now that Jen began to rethink her plan. However, she had to be strong.

  Tears filled her eyes. “I have nothing left. I just want….” She paused, and her eyes followed his back and forth. She swallowed hard to work up enough courage to place her hand on his arm. “I just want to see Mitch one last time.” He took a step backwards, and Jen’s hand fell back to her side.

  She had managed to surprise Kano–this was not at all what he had expected. “I’m afraid that is impossible,” he said, holding her gaze.

  “That’s not true. You can become him.” Jen was almost pleading, realizing how honest it was that she wanted to see him one last time.

  Kano breathed deep, the request disturbing him. “I cannot become him.”

  “But, at the cemetery… it was you there.”

  Fury consumed Kano’s eyes, and Jen wondered why this would make him so angry, but she was determined. She took a step towards him, filling the gap he had made between them.

  His voice was almost shouting. “I cannot become him. It is only an illusion.”

  Jen relaxed her shoulders, acting as if she had given up. “I just needed to say goodbye… that was all.” This was her final attempt. She thought that learning the location of where they were hiding Az would be all he needed, and he would give in. But she was wrong.

  Kano’s face changed, becoming harder and cold. “I’m sorry…, but I cannot.”

  Jen’s frustration took over. “Can’t or won’t?” she spat out. “You are no better than the breed you serve.”

  Kano would not resort to arguing. Her need for closure would not trouble him. There was nothing he could do for her… there was nothing he would do for her.

  He took his eyes away from her for only a second, but it was long enough for Jen to make for his sword. She pulled it from its holster and she held it out, pointing it at him.

  Kano smiled at her keenly. “This was your great scheme? To attempt to kill me with my own sword?”

  The sword shook in Jen’s hands as she tried to steady herself. A smile crossed her face, although it was uneasy and not genuine. “Not you…” She turned the blade down, pointing the edge at her abdomen. Her eyes closed as she used all of her might to plunge it into her torso.

  The blade barely pierced her stomach before the power of Kano’s grip stopped it. Jen opened her eyes to find his hand on the double edge. Blood ran from his fingers and down the length of the steel. If he was in pain–she couldn’t tell–there was no sign of it on his face.

  “Sorry, but I need you alive,” Kano said. He twisted the sword out of Jen’s hands. She was no match for his strength and lost her grip on it.

  Jen’s black satin shirt had a hole in it from where the sword had been. Kano watched her as she walked to the corner of the room and faced the wall. Her satiny smooth hair stretched to her waist and shined even in the dark room.

  “Why did you come here?” she asked. However, he didn’t respond. Jen looked at Kano. She took in his dark features…. His eyes were solid black, and his soot black hair almost matched them. Although she should have been frightened of him, she didn’t have the energy to be.

  Kano had never met a creature quite like Jen. There were few willing to sacrifice themselves for another, and this bemused him. He continued to watch her. Her hazel eyes fixed on him.

  “Why did you come here?” she repeated.

  Finally, Kano’s eyes turned away. He reached for the door and pulled it closed behind him.

  Chapter 15

  Signs

  After coming to the conclusion that my dream had some kind of meaning, I went to Jen’s room to find her, but she wasn’t there. The breeze from the open window lifted the curtains, causing them to dance in place.

  I needed to find Jen and tell her that I remembered what Scarlet had said. Gage’s room was next door, and as I looked in, I noticed his room was just as empty. Where was everyone? I walked to the end of the hall and noticed a partially opened door. I hadn’t been down the hall this far until now. Pushing it open, I looked inside. Immediately, I knew this was where Kale stayed. The room smelled like him, and I felt a fluttery feeling inside.

  I sat down on the edge of his bed. I couldn’t help but be curious about Kale, and now inside his room, I realized there was so much more to him then I could have ever imagined.

  When I laid my head back on his pillow, I heard something crumple. I reached my hand underneath of it and pulled out a piece of paper that had been neatly folded in fourths. I started to put it back, but I felt a need to read it. I opened it and saw it was in Jen’s handwriting.

  Kale,

  Please cover for me. Mitch called asking me to meet him at Hillside Cemetery. He said it was important. Please don’t be mad. I had to go. I’ll be back soon.

  Love, Jen

  I felt my stomach drop. He had gotten to her before I could warn her. I had to find the others to let them know.

  Running down the hall, I took the main staircase to the first floor. I shouted for the others, but no one answered. I searched the East Wing with no luck either. I could be here for hours looking for them, and there was no time.

  I dashed up the stairs to my room and changed out of my nightshirt into regular clothes. Running back to Kale’s room, I flipped Jen’s note over and scribbled a note of my own.

  Kale,

  Gone to find Jen. She’s in danger. I hope you find this.

  Az

  I wrote the word over and drew an arrow pointing to Jen’s note with the hope that Kale would find us. It was possible, if he found the note in time, he could beat me there.

  Outside the castle, it was extremely bright for the late hour. I was able to find my way to the small fishing boat with ease. I remembered everything Gage had told me that day at the marina. Starting it was no problem. It was figuring out where I was going–that was the challenge. The tiny engine roared to life.

  Earlier in the evening, I had watched the sun set behind the castle. I knew if I went in the opposite direction, it would lead me to land. I was full of confidence, until I noticed that the castle had disappeared in the background, and I was now completely surrounded by water.

  After several hours, I realized I had sadly misjudged my abilities to get to shore. The sea was merciless, and the waves became heavy–crashing against the boat.

  I killed the engine, saving what little fuel I had left. I decided to wait for dawn to break. Maybe I would have a better chance when daylight came of finding land. Even that too seemed hopeless, but I had to try.

  I lay down on the floorboard of the boat, looking up at the stars that were swiftly vanishing from the sky. I waited for the sun to make its way over the horizon. But when it did, I didn’t get up. The more I thought about it, the more impossible it seemed. Even with the sun, there was nothing but ocean. I would never make it to land in time…. I would never make it to Jen in time.

  Rolling to my side, I pulled my knees to my chest. My stomach rumbled with hunger, and I wonder what would kill me first… the ocean or starvation.

  A flock of seagulls flew above me, squawking loudly as they headed out to sea for their morning feast. I envied them as my stomach grumbled again. But as I lay there, I became aware that the hope I had clung to, was completel
y gone.

  Another flock of seagulls flew above me. They were graceful, and I thought how freeing it must be to soar through the sky.

  Suddenly a memory it hit me…. I remembered Gage had told me about the birds when he had taken me out in the boat. They flew out in the morning to catch fish, and then they would fly back to land in the evening. I jumped to my feet, looking in the direction that they had come from. I squinted my eyes and could see a landmass far off in the distance.

  It took a couple of tries to get the boat started, but luckily it did. I plowed through the waves, heading towards the land. It was far enough away to make me worry about the fuel, but I tried to push that thought out of my mind and focus on getting there.

  I felt relief when I got close enough–if I had to–I could swim to make it. It was a sandy shore, and there was nowhere to dock. I drove along the shoreline, my hand hitting the steering wheel repeatedly with impatience. Finally, I drove up to a remote home that sat on a hill in front of the beach. There was a long dock that led out to the water.

  The boat bounced off the dock as I jumped out. The hunger I felt earlier had been replaced with adrenaline. I ran at full speed up the hill to the house.

  I wasn’t sure where I was and needed help. Trying to keep low key, I knocked on the door softly instead of banging on it like I wanted to. However, my eagerness got the better of me–and I knocked again, this time with a little more vigor.

  A little old lady came to the door, holding a small with dog with pink bows in its hair. She looked somewhat uneasy about my presence and spoke through the glass door, not opening it. “Can I help you?” she asked.

  “Hi, I’m a little lost.” I tried to keep it short and casual. “I just wanted to see if I could use your phone to call a cab.”

  “That’s strange. How did you get here? I’m quite a ways off the main road.” Apparently this lady was a lot smarter than I gave her credit for.