Phoenix Reborn (Woodland Creek)(33)

“It would be a risk,” said the wizard. “Your father is considered a traitor of sorts, you see. Shifters attacking others of their kind place permanent targets upon their own backs. Perhaps soon the time will come for you to find your way to them. But for now, you must stay put.”

“But…”

“Patience, Ashling. Now that you’ve come into your own, you will find your way to them, if you so desire. But we need to confront this threat against you.”

“How are we going to do that?” she asked. “Now they — he — the Vulture — knows who I am — he knows that I can fly. He’s seen it.”

Ranach scratched his chin thoughtfully, his intelligent eyes looking into the distance for a moment before he spoke again.

“It’s possible that he’s the only shifter who wishes you harm — the only one who’s convinced that you pose a threat. Take my word for it when I say that the vast majority of shifters are like Hawke, here: good people who would never look to threaten a fellow shifter. As for the Vulture, he will need to be persuaded to leave.”

Hawke had remained silent, patiently listening to the conversation as he took in the information.

“So what do we do?” said Ashling. “How do we find this man, and convince him to leave me alone?”

“We lure him. And you will have to be the bait.”





15





“No. I don’t like this one bit,” said Hawke, unable to remain silent. “Ashling, you’re not bait for some psychopath.”

“Well, I suppose we could call the cops,” she laughed, thinking the sentiment outrageous.

“The police chief is an ally to our sorts of people,” said Ranach, who stood by. “He might actually be willing to help.”

“We can’t risk it,” said Ashling. “I’m sure he’s a good man, but if he learns what Hawke is, it could ruin his acting career.”

Hawke began to protest and she held her hand up. “I’m serious,” she said. “Trust me.”

“I understand,” said Ranach. “Well, Ashling. It’s to you to decide. Are you willing to take another risk?”

She looked at her mentor and then at Hawke, the Golden Eagle. The creature who now lay sculpted in silver on her chest, close to her heart.

“I will do whatever it takes,” she said. “I want my life to begin over again, now that I understand who I am. Now that I have Hawke.” She took his hand in hers and squeezed. “I want to find my parents. And we can’t do any of that with this man’s shadow looming over us. So tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it.”

“Good. So here’s what I propose: You go back to where you camped to retrieve your gear.”

“Don’t you think he’ll know we’re trying to ensnare him?” said Hawke. “It seems pretty obvious.”

“I don’t know,” said Ranach. “He’s not the most rational creature in the world, remember. He may just see Ashling as overly-confident; she’s a Phoenix now, after all.”

“True. But he brought a knife last time — what if this time he brings a gun?”

“Hawke Turner, remember who you are. An Eagle, gifted with eyes that can see to every corner of the cosmos. Your body has the speed of a fastball. You will be at him faster than he can aim any gun. And Ashling has defences that she’s not yet even aware of. Though something tells me she won’t need them.”

“I hope so,” Hawke said.

“Whatever happens, I will be close by,” said Ranach, putting a hand on Ashling’s shoulder. “You are like a daughter to me — the child I never had. I would not let harm come to you. All your life I’ve tried to protect you. But now it’s time that you learned what you’re made of. Are you ready?”

She looked him in the eye, smiling affectionately. Wherever her parents were, as much as she loved them, she couldn’t feel more warmth for anyone than she felt for the old wizard in that moment.

“I’m ready,” she said.

“Good. Let’s go.”



* * *



Ashling followed the trail that she’d hiked days before. Though Hawke, in Eagle form, flew overhead, there would be no exploring the sky for her today. She was too conspicuous, too much like a fiery comet shooting through the air above, and there was no concealing herself from prying eyes.

In addition to that, though, she wanted the strange assailant to see her as potentially vulnerable; not entirely in control of her powers. A human with a human’s flesh. But as she walked she held out her hands, occasionally initiating a spark or a small flame. At times, she even managed to create the small fireballs which hovered above her hand, ready to be used as projectiles. Ashling had discovered weaponry, and it was her own invention. Even better than a unicorn’s horn.

Though she hoped never to have to use it.

She’d gone, over the course of days, from being an abnormal, insecure thing to something supernatural, superhuman, even. But her flight with Hawke had been the first experience of this new strength, and she hadn’t enjoyed the benefit of training, of learning all that she could accomplish.

And so there was fear as she walked alone, Ranach somewhere unseen, but not too far off, his location carefully hidden. Hawke’s keen eyes were no doubt fixed solidly on her from his vantage point above the treetops. But even with his speed, he would not be able to beat a flying bullet, or even a knife thrown at a good clip. It would be up to her to take on this man. But, if she were successful, her life could begin again; a renewal could occur at last for her. A rebirth as someone else; the woman she’d always been fated to become. The woman she’d always wished she could be.