by Rosa Rojo
But that day as I stood before the entrance of my Grandmothers office, I knew that Angie was dead.
That Mundane human girl who loved MMORPGs and that girl who dreamt of someday becoming a game designer no longer existed.
For her, the Other World would be too much and so I had to let her go.
To become Angelica.
If that was even remotely possible.
“Stop standing at the door gaping like a gutted fish and come in Angie! For the love of root and branch!” My Grandmother’s irritated voice said slipping from the depts of the cavernous room.
It was no surprise that she could tell I was there.
There was a reason she held the position of Head of House, it had little to do with age and a lot to do with Power.
“Sit down, we must talk.” She said her accent a strange mixture of French Canadian and British and something that could not be found in the mundane world.
I did as I was told, not willing to disobey.
Not able to as a matter of fact.
My Grandmother's abilities are held secret even from her closest family members; her 5 Granddaughters, although I had an inkling that maybe Alisa knew or at the very least that she had a better idea than the rest of us.
The knowledge of my grandmothers’ powers was unnecessary.
In the grand scheme of things, we all knew that perhaps one side benefit of her gifts was the ability to maintain control.
Control not only over her surroundings but of every living thing in her vicinity and wherever else her range might stretch to.
Trying to resist was possible for the strong-willed but would only result in causing oneself harm as one’s body rebelled against the mind in a desperate attempt to obey.
Helena Ash was a very scary lady.
“So, you showed up 2 hours late to your Induction.” She began following the statement with a big forlorn sigh.
“Have I not given you enough time my child?” She asked pushing herself up from her leather office chair.
“You wished for the life of a Mundane, and I gave it to you for 17 years. We both agreed that in your 18th year you would return home and take your place… or was I mistaken.”
At the last words, she uttered the room seemed to close in on me and I inhaled sharply, wincing and hating myself the moment I realised what I had done.
“Stop cowering like a human Angelica.” She said her voice filled with a resigned disgust that I knew only all too well.
For the first time after entering the room, I noticed Ash perched on the designated golden bird perch in the corner of the room.
Next to him was a much larger Carrion Crow.
The leader of my grandmother’s murder seemed to be almost frozen on his perch, but I knew better than to think that meant he was not fully present in this moment.
My grandmother noticed my attention had moved on the Flock mates.
“He is a fine young man.” She began and I swear Ash almost fell off his perch.
She sighed almost deflating, but at the same time losing none of her power of position.
“Angelica, the time is now there are no arguments to be made noting to be considered. We made an agreement and the time has come for you to pay it little one.”
She said almost gently.
Pulling herself back up into her straight-backed stance she moved to the perch her hand stroking her crow in what could not be mistaken for anything but a sensual fashion.
“Your life is just beginning Angelica! It will be a wonderful one! Go meet your murder and prepare yourself classes begin in two days.”
I grimaced as my body stood and made its way towards the door. The entire time I had said nothing but that was normal with conversations with Helena of Ash. She carried on the conversation alone always not needing any interjection from the other party.
As my foot touched the threshold my body stopped, and I pouted.
“Ah, yes before you go let me make it crystal clear Angelica, you will not disgrace the House, don’t pull another stunt like today again and everything will be well.”
With that, she propelled my body over the threshold my feet thumping on the hardwood floor. The only other sound was that of Ash’s wings as he flew ahead of me, likely to show me the way to my quarters.
I stopped walking, only to see if I could.
The sensation of losing control over one’s own body is not one I would wish on my worst enemy.
Even though it had happened to me countless times I still was unnerved by it. The fact that it was my own flesh and blood that enacted such a violation only added to the pain.
We have arrived
Ash said as we reached what seemed to be a small cottage not far off my grandmother’s grand estate.
I sighed preparing myself mentally to meet the people who were to become my servants, my family and if there was precedence my lovers.
For a weaver her Flock mate was everything.
In the instance of a strong bloodline, one was not enough hence my sisters, my grandmother and I all had small groups instead of one solitary bird.
My mother’s Flock Mates were all doves and were her closest companions and lovers until she met my father.
Flock mates and Weavers are compatible, in their human forms, they possess the same equipment as any other normal man. But they are unable to reproduce together which made them perfect for their roles.
I sighed, thinking of all of this was giving me a headache.
“Lead the way” I breathed and motioned for ash to guide me inside what would now be my home.
Introduction
I entered a small alcove, where there appeared to be a shelf designated for placing one’s shoes. I slipped mine off just so and place them in an empty space.
I stepped through the small foyer into a cozy sitting room complete with an already crackling fire.
Please sit, I will gather the others.
Ash's voice was almost warm this time as if he were trying to soothe my shattered nerves.
He was probably the first person to ever witness my humiliation firsthand outside of my sisters.
I wondered what he thought now he knew why I had been so unwilling to answer his Crow Call.
I wanted to be normal, I wanted to be human, I wanted to be normal.
But that was all a pipe dream.
I wanted to be something I could never be not even through a normal act like sleep.
I felt that just as we were given gifts long ago when we became Able, many things were taken away.
More from some than others, but the trade we made for our abilities was often seen as small and inconsequential in comparison to what we gained.
However, I could not help the longing I felt deep inside for the simple ability to close my eyes and drift off into unconsciousness.
“Angelica?”
I popped one eye open at the low sound of the masculine voice. There in the entry to the small room stood a well-muscled guy who looked to be around the same age as me. He was wearing nothing more than a pair of black track pants, slung low on his hips and his jet-black hair appeared wet as if he’d only just stepped out of the shower.
For a moment I forgot where I was, who I was; and I drifted into the thoughts of the human teenager I used to be.
I averted my eyes from the good-looking guy knowing no matter how attractive I found him we could never interact.
I was my default setting whenever I encountered a guy my age.
My agreement with Helena meant that I could have no lasting attachments of any kind, so that meant things like relationships and friendships were off the table.
I was a beautiful woman.
I knew that just as I knew that I was not human.
So, it was imperative I show no interest in anyone when I lived among the Mundane.
I blinked only then remembering myself and my situation, this boy in the entry of this room was no mortal off-limits to me.
No, this boy was Ash.
My Flock Mate in flesh.
“I feel you are currently having some complicated thoughts…” He said eyeing me mistrustfully.
“Without a doubt,” I replied deadpan.
The sideways smirk on his face felt like the world's best reward and I gloried in it.
“I’ve gathered the others.”
He said breaking my reverie.
“Some of them are to shy to meet you in flesh, so they will greet you clothed in feathers.”
As if his words were a signal the room suddenly filled with wing beats and the shuffling of feet in tandem and soon before me, stood my murder.
Next to Ash stood a slightly larger, slightly older looking guy with tattoos marking him as a warrior.
“This is my brother, Thane.” He said gesturing to the man.
On his other side stood a buxom woman her breasts beat and hanging somehow in an appealing fashion.
“This is our mate Lena; she will bare our chicks adding to your flock as the years roll on.”
Ash pronounced.
The words to the ears of Angie would have sounded strange and in some ways offensive.
But the culture of my people was one this version of me that sat in this cozy room was all too familiar with.
Ash and his brothers had been chosen for me, and Lena had been chosen for them. Yes, in some cases some weavers took the same-sex member of their murder as a lover, however, it wasn’t necessary if one’s preference ran to only one.
There was no doubt that Ash and his brothers loved Lena and would do anything to protect her.
However now I was here her safety would always come second to mine.
“The two clothed in feathers are my twin brothers, Hugh and Moon they are not yet passed their 16th year and do not wish you to see as they put it ‘their chicken limbs’.” I giggled at that.
The two crows somehow seemed abashed and it only caused me to laugh louder.
Of my murder, if I chose a lover, only Ash and Thane were eligible.
However, both weavers and Flock mates had extremely long lives and as the twins grew, they would join their brothers in eligibility.
I nodded at them, smiling a little as I noticed their feathers rustle.
Unlike for humanity, sex was not simply a pleasurable act for a weaver. It was in many ways an energy source just as a good breakfast was.
For us to master our arts all of our desires needed to be satisfied and that included sexual needs.
I stood and approached Ash, leaning forward I kissed him once on the lips in a ritual my body automatically knew how to perform.
“I accept your service,” I said as my forehead touched his.
I don’t know when I had decided that I would not look into petitioning for a new flock mate but somehow, I’d made my choice.
I moved on to Thane repeating the same ritual unabashed.
When I reached Lena, I opened my arms and she fell into them boobs and all.
“Thank you, Lena, I’m grateful for your service,” I said kissing her on the head. She smiled exuberantly, and breaking protocol hugged me tightly and squealed.
“I’m so happy it’s you!”
I felt Thane move to restrain her, but I raised a hand. It was imperative that Lena and I maintain a good relationship. For all intents and purposes, she and I would be often in close quarters, and though I would not have sex with her she would be present for most if not all my sessions with my Flock if not also an active participant.
I wanted her to feel nothing but cherished and loved.
Though cases were very few, jealousy was a possibility, I didn’t want that for Lena. If I had to do this if I had to become the Ash, I was born to be I would not be one who played games with the emotions of my Murder.
No, I’d leave that kind of sick twisted mindset to my sister Alexa.
I squeezed Lena one more time and whispered into her curly black locks “I’m glad it’s you too.”
Then I moved to the part of the room where Hugh and Moon perched. As I grew closer, I realised that the two were much smaller than their brother. Probably on account of their teenage status.
I ruffled their feathers as gently as I could manage.
“Don’t worry you two will outgrow Ash in no time.” At that, the man scoffed playfully.
I moved away only to take my seat again in front of the calmly crackling fire. This was my life now, and these people were going to be the best part of it.
Outside these walls loomed Ash Academy, my family’s seat of power and as dangerous a terrain as any warzone.
And though I was aware of the fact that my power was nothing in comparison to the dangers I would face; I vowed I’d keep my flock safe.
Banishing my serious thoughts, I took Lena up on an offer of a house tour. There were two bedrooms each containing a large round bed reminiscent of a nest in their shape.
The bathroom was spacious and looked to be new, and the same could be said about the kitchen, where when we arrived ash seemed to be cooking dinner.
“Very nice for a dorm room?”
He asked noting my eyes lingering on him. I nodded not willing to add anything.
I knew that this cottage was no dorm room, normal students those with only one or two Flock Mates would make do with a small room in the main residence hall of Ash Academy.
Only the powerful and the privileged lived in these cottages, and I couldn’t help feeling as though I was stealing someone’s space.
With a frown of concern Ash looked at me;
“Please Angelica, go and get some rest dinner will be ready soon and you’ve had a hard day, food and rest will right you.”
He said and I could see that even he did not believe his own words.
Incantation
“She has accepted her flock,” Alisa said as she paced in front of the monitors that showed here sister’s cottage plainly. She was nervous and a bit apprehensive about the entire situation.
“Do you think she is ready for this?” She asked an eyebrow raised in question to the woman seated in the chair opposite her.
“It matters not, there is no more time, gather your sisters we must unbind her.”
Alisa turned to her Flock Mate and without words conveyed to him that she needed her sisters present.
Before long Alex, Aria and Anna entered after their Flock Mates.
“Do you think she is ready?”
Aria asked her face pale with concern.
“Even if she is not, we do this today.”
Without another word, they stood hands linked each with the leader of their small Flock group on their shoulders.
“Alisa commence with the incantation I will send word to Ash to make sure she is braced.”
The woman still seated in the chair said.
And without another word the four sisters, hand in hand began to recite the words they had only spoken once before; 10 years prior.
The incantation was in the ancient language of the Able. One thought to have been the inspiration behind many of humanity's tongues. The loose translation of the words they spoke did not matter.
It was the intent with which they spoke it.
The first time, the words were used to bind power that was out of control.
This time the words would do the reverse unleashing the power they had all bound in their youngest sister.
∞ ∞ ∞
People’s eyes gave away a lot of information if you just took the time to look carefully.
It was rarer with those who counted themselves among the Able.
It was even more so with those who counted themselves among the Night Flock.
So, when I looked at Ash and saw that his face showed alarm, I knew what he was truly feeling was more akin to pure terror.
“Everyone, main bedroom now!”
He shouted making a b-line straight to me.
Without preamble, he scooped me up and took me to the room where my entire Murder was waiting.
�
��What’s going on?” I asked so far past the point of confusion it came out as a casual question.
“I do not know but Lady Helena has told us to brace you!” He said laying me on the bed and showing more emotion than he had since the first moment I met him.
“My Grandmother?”
“No Time! Everyone on the bed and focus we must anchor her.”
Ash settled next to me, Thane on the opposite side, I felt two surprisingly substantial weights land on my arms and Lena laid directly atop me her black curls cascading around us like a waterfall.
I opened my mouth to question ask again but I didn’t get the chance.
Humans often write about dying.
Some had experienced what they refer to as a state of near-death.
Some only imagining what it would feel like to no longer exist.
It was something they all dreaded but couldn’t define until it happened to them.
Death was something that could come for the Able.
We were long-lived, not immortal.
So, as the light burst from my body and the pain cascaded through my center, I thought this was the moment.
I would learn the knowledge that humanity coveted and dreaded in equal measure.
I would learn what it truly meant to die.
Lucky me.
A Word from Rosa
Thank you for reading this book, your feedback is appreciated and considered on all my works.
It had been a long time coming but I’m finally able to work on my passion again I hope you can all come along for the ride. This series is not a replacement for my Lynx Harem Series I am still working on that and the second installment will come soon enough. This rather is another expression of my thoughts the ideas that float around in my brain.
Thank you so much for reading, please look forward to Part 2.