Chapter 28

Airborne again. Flying is so underrated. I mean - to stretch your wings out thirteen feet across and soar above the clouds, looking down at an endless expanse of grassy hills and mountains and buildings and cars and people. To catch a current and just coast for miles or to beat your wings hard and have a speed race with Gazzy – who would never win. He had nothing on my warp speed. To fly mindlessy and just have time to think. I guess you wouldn't know anything about that, but trust me – it's the most fantastic, exhilarating experience in the world. I guess it would be kind of like riding your bike down a really long, long hill. But without the wings. Or the seeing from the air part. Or… never mind.

We had been flying for close to two hours and we were gliding somewhere over the eastern border of Pennsylvania. I had enough of flying over the ocean for a bit so we flew inland. I led our tight formation of flying bird kids and bird dog. Usually Fang, my right-hand man, was beside me but today he hung back behind everyone. He still wouldn't talk to or look at me. Again – totally my fault. Just did what I thought I had to do.

Normally when we fought – which we did quite often – he emitted powerful "wring your neck" vibes which tended to boil my blood. Today – I didn't get any of that from him. I gathered more of a resigned, "I'm done with you", hurting vibe from him, which added all sorts of unpleasantries to the growing pit in my stomach.

Angel broke into my thoughts as she sent me one of her own. When you're trying to keep the notion of me and Fang under wraps, telepathy was the hot ticket.

Fang is really upset.

I know, sweetie. I know, I mentally replied.

You should talk to him. I've never seen him this upset. I'm really worried about him. Angel's tone was plastered with concern.

I sighed as I choked back my emotions. It's a little more complicated than that, honey.

He loves you. You love him. How can that be complicated?