When I awake, the last rays of the sun are bouncing off the metal making it shine. I hadn't planned on sleeping so long, but I guess I needed it. I sit up rubbing my eyes and check the cage. I can't see Alyx. Is she awake? I watch the huddle of blankets and see them moving, Alyx is hidden beneath them again. Whew! I sneak into the cage to check on her. As I uncover her, gold sprinkled feathers fly everywhere. They seem to have fallen from Alyx's wings. I gather them into a pile in the corner, they ooze with magic and could be important. Her wings are smaller, only a few odd feathers poking out from her tumbled mane. I long to hug her. I have missed my friend. She's been through so much. Losing Tyrion, finding her soulmate and falling in love, Bentley, school, learning to defend herself, Charlie, the wolves. And that's the stuff I know about. I haven't been there for her as much as I should have been, and I feel bad about that. She stirs in her comatose sleep, almost as if she can hear me thinking. I clear my throat. "I'm sorry I've been so selfish, Alyx. Finally, being able to access the magic inside of me... I... I took it to my head." I sigh and continue. "Castiel and Sam were right. Just because you have power doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. And you know I am learning to control myself, right?" I pull the blankets from her making sure to shake all the feathers free. She turns toward me, hands reaching, and I grasp one and squeeze. "Alyx. I'm sorry I've been so distant. I don't want that. Please make it through this, alright? I will try harder to keep us connected. I promise." I gasp as she squeezes my hand back.

I hear a sigh and a gentle whisper, "You better! Now give me back my blanket, I'm cold." I kneel to stare at her face. She's still asleep but somehow managed to respond. I smile and pull her to a sitting position. I wrap her in Dean's flannel shirt before tucking her in tightly. "Thank you." She murmurs and settles back into sleep.

I gather the rest of the feathers into a corner and head to the kitchen for a bag to put them in. "I should check into some retreats or workshops. Learn from the best." I found a bag and returned to collect the feathers, setting them near my stuff. Then I pulled out my phone to do a little online research. I remember Hamish's grandfather had suggested a few covens that I should study with. I found several more in the states and a few in Europe that seemed prominent and powerful enough in the witchy community. I stretched and went back to the kitchen to make another sandwich while I sent inquiries to the places I was interested in. Oregon, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, the bayous of Louisiana, the Appalachians and even one in New Mexico. Internationally, there were thousands to be found. In the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Russia, and even China. There was a reputable coven in Devon, England that showed a lot of success in fostering and reforming witches. That was one the Shaman suggested, and I knew I had to go there. I emailed them all, finished my sandwich and headed back to the couch. I thought about going back to sleep but decided that I wanted to do one thing first.

I checked on Alyx again. Seeing she was fine, I crept outside. The snow had started piling up again while I napped and there were massive drifts up against the warehouse. Perfect. Muttering the spell under my breath I felt the stir of magic and I closed my eyes. I felt my body flush and tiny stabs of pain. When I opened them, I saw the world as a bobcat. I was ready to frolic in the newly fallen snow, hunt some prey and enjoy myself. I leisurely strolled towards the woods, smelling for rabbits, voles, any kind of small four-legged creature. I find the path of a rabbit and follow, hoping I can find it. It leads me closer and closer to the forest. As I enter, I hear the crunch of snow and turn to see a majestic moose. Staring down at me, it pauses for a moment. Its massive head moves towards me as if he's sniffing me. I glance into his liquid brown eyes and we seem to come to some agreement. He turns and saunters off deeper into the forest. An owl screeches in the twilight and I notice its nearly dark. I just got out here. How is it dark already? I glance toward the West and see the last remnants of color fading into the inky plum of night.

I head deeper into the forest and come to a rock formation. It smells intoxicating. My whiskers tingle and I see him. Another Bobcat. A male. I realize what I was smelling was his mark. I sit down where I am and watch for a female. It is spring and they could be mating. I don't want to come across a cat in heat. He catches my scent and makes his way toward me. I hiss and back away. I'm not interested but he sure seems to be. Maybe I should leave. Suddenly I hear a loud growl and am knocked over by a ball of fur. A female leers over me, hissing violently. I'm confused. I'm impersonating a bobcat, she can't possibly think I'm a threat. I try to throw her off but she leans into me harder. I try a different tactic. I relax and reach for her mind, poking at the hazy swirl of anger. She eases up. She's not sure what's going on as I send calming and soothing thoughts her way. She backs off letting me scramble to my feet. I try to make her understand what I am, but it's too complicated for her animal brain. I back away a great distance before breaking the connection between us. The male perched himself on top of the rock to watch us fight. She joins him now, perplexed by my psychic touch, just glad I've left. They snuggle together as the snow begins to fall again.

I realize how dangerous it is to be out here by myself and head back to the warehouse. The snow falls thickly and quickly coats my fur, making it hard to move. I think about changing back, but I would freeze within a minute. Having fur is keeping me protected from the elements... at least for now. Soon I can't tell where I'm going, the snowflakes are so blinding, and I start to freak out a little. Stopping, I take a deep breath and try to use my other animal senses. I sniff the air and smell metal, aluminum, and tin. I listen for animals and hear the scritch-scratch of tiny paws on metal. I open my eyes and move toward the sound. Suddenly the warehouse looms above me. I found it. Thank goodness! I press against the door trying to get in forgetting I propped it open. I plop into a heap inside. Moving the rock, I make sure the door is closed against the elements. I shake off as much snow as possible before shifting back. The remaining snow melts on my hot skin and I wait for the pins and needles to stop. Standing, I rush into the office to the tiny shower hidden in the back. I jump in and turn the heat up high. I am freezing, even if my skin is heated from the change. Warming up I call upon my bag of clothes so I can throw them on when I get out of the shower. Sometimes it is nice having powers to do the simple annoying things such as forgetting to grab a towel or turn off a light. On the other hand, using magic for everyday things like that got me into a mess in the first place. I have to remind myself.

I sigh, dry off and get dressed in a thick, heavy sweater and fleece leggings. I go to the kitchen and make some hot tea and grab some cookies. I check on Alyx again, nothing has changed, before settling on the couch to drink my tea and read. I finished two books of magic this morning before my nap and was reading over my notes, making sure they made sense. I'd need to make sure I could do the spell again from my own grimoire. I give a big yawn and decide to go to bed. It was a tiring day and every witch needs her beauty sleep, otherwise, we'd have to steal it.

Alyx:

I wake slowly, not wanting to enter the world again. I ache all over and I know it's going to be hard to get moving. I hope I'm human, but I don't know yet. I listen hoping to hear a sound to inform me what time of day it is. All I hear are the gentle snores of Mina close by. I guess I'll have to open my eyes. I spy her through a thick tangle of curls, on the couch from the office. She must have pulled it out here to be nearer. A cup of tea and her grimoire lay discarded by her head. The other end has her backpack and a garbage bag full of something. The light coming in from the windows is grey, not alluding to any specific time. It probably snowed. I see that I am indeed human, and I give a sigh of relief. It worked. I lift my arm to move my hair out of my vision. It feels rubbery and weak. I try moving my other limbs. The same. They all feel frail and flimsy. I sigh and lift my head. A dull ache picks up immediately and I lay it back down. My mouth feels very dry. I lick my lips and manage to squeak out "Mina."

She stirs on the couch. She turns and almost falls off it but magic lets her glide slowly to the floor. When her cheek hits the cold concrete, she pops her eyes open. "Shit! That's cold." She hovers a few inches above the floor while she grabs her socks and slippers to put on. Even with all the magic I have been privy too, Mina still amazes me. She grabs the blanket from the couch wrapping it around herself. Once she's ready, she glances my way. I smile at her and whisper out hello. "Alyx! You're awake!" She shouts in excitement and makes her way to me. Peering in my eyes she asks. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty weak." I cough. "And thirsty."

"Hold on!" She rushed back to grab her backpack and pulls out some water for me. "Here, but you're going to have to sit up to drink it. You need some help?"

I nod. "Slowly, please." Mina helps me unfurl myself from the bedding and sit up. The pounding in my head increases the longer I'm in that position. I take the water and sip it, noticing my aches seem to fade slightly. "How long was I out this time?" I ask.

"Only a day." She checks her phone. "Yeah. It's about 8:30am, on Wednesday. The day before your birthday. Happy early birthday! You're a human!" She hugs me enthusiastically.

"Ow!" I cry. "I'm really sore."

"Sorry. I'm just excited to see you as you again." She cheers clasping her hands together.

"What's that on your hands?" I ask noticing a red stain. "Is that blood?"

She stares at her them. "It is but..." Her eyes widen. "Turn around, Alyx!"

I stare at her confused and try. "I...I don't think I can yet."

Mina gets up and jumps on the pile of bedding to get behind me. She moves my hair off my back. "Oh, my!" I hear her titter.

"What?! What is it?" I ask terrified.

"Well, you have two, make that three gashes on your back here. Two of them are bleeding a little bit." She reaches around me to pull a box of tissues out of her bag. Pressing gently, she dabs at the wounds. "How come they are bleeding? Don't you have elevated healing powers?" She inquires.

"I don't know what I have now, Mina. I may have all the powers I had before. I may have none. Only time will tell." I answer back.

"Oh, my!" She says again laughing. "You definitely have healing powers. The wounds are closing. You are going to have some gnarly scars though."

"Where are they exactly?" I ask. Mina gently touches each one, tracing their paths. Two parallel vertical lines about nine inches long near my shoulder blades. And a smaller horizontal one about four inches long near my tailbone. I tremble at her touch. It feels strange when she touches them.

"I bet I know what these are from," Mina whispers.

"Tell me what happened. I don't remember anything after the crows attacked me. Only that it was so cold, and they kept squawking." I quiver at the memory. She grabs a fleece blanket, draping it over my shoulders.

Sliding off the pile, she pulls from her bag my necklace with the pentagram and Castiel's feather. Handing it to me, "I thought you might want this back. Are you hungry?" I nod placing it over my head. "Let's go get some food and I'll tell you everything."

I lean on her and we cross the floor to the kitchen. Mina seats me inside near the cooking area and makes us omelets while recounting the events of yesterday. She hands me a plate. "And that's where we left you. Bundled up under the blankets to heal." She skips from the room and returns with the garbage bag. Pulling out a feather she hands it to me. "They are beautiful. What I used to imagine an angel's wings might look like." She laughs, "Although Cas informs me all angels are different and their wings not always what we expect them to be."

I stare at the quill. "These are mine? They came from my wings?" I realize now why the placement of the scars is significant.

"Yes. You had wings and a tail. Gradually they both faded away. But why would you keep the scars?" Mina queries. "If you heal, wouldn't they heal?"

A voice sounds from outside the kitchen door. "One of the great mysteries of the universe... or should I say magic." Rosemarue appears at the door. "I'm glad to see you have awakened, Alyx. I was pretty certain you would be alright, but until you awoke, there was cause for concern." She enters the room and gives Mina a warm hug. "May I have a look at them?" She murmurs. I nod, shrugging the blanket off my shoulders. Rosemarue traces the shiny pink scars, probing them. It doesn't hurt like I think it should. More of a tingling sensation. I tell her that. After several minutes she speaks. "Magic always leaves a mark. Usually, it's on the soul or aura. For some reason, yours are going to be quite visible. We may not have seen the last of your transformations."

"What does that mean exactly?" I ask Rosemarue, a little hesitant at what her answer will be.

"Only time will tell." Sitting down next to me, she continues. "When the spirit possessed me, I experienced most of what he did. I saw how he was able to look at you on a molecular level and find the parts of you that are not human." She began. "He was well versed in their magic and knew right away that you were Valkyrie. It is written in your DNA. Somehow, he talked with the magic in you and found your lineage. That's why I'm here now. To tell you what he showed me. The others only know that you are the sign we have been waiting for. That's all they need to know."

She pats my arm. "Valkyries started out as mortals but were given the gift of immortality once they were chosen as warriors. Your ancestors were from the upper Germanic regions of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and/or Iceland. I don't know where exactly. I also don't know when your ancestor was bestowed with this gift, but regardless, she ended up in the area of Louisiana. They came across many creatures here that had not been seen in their own lands. The red wolves being one. Without her knowledge of his secret, your Valkyrie met, fell in love and mated with a red wolf. Later, when the child was born, she questioned her lover. He admitted he was wolf but only half. He thought it wouldn't be a problem, he also did not know her own secret. In a human, there wouldn't have been a problem. Humans dilute out magic. But her being full-blooded Valkyrie there was a problem. Her son was both and would pass it down to all his generations, the magic of two supernaturals trumps normal human evolution. Your father's side is where you get your Valkyrie from. The wolf is also present in his blood but not as strong. Your mother's side also happens to have both red wolf and Valkyrie, and when you were conceived, something wonderful happened. You are five percent red wolf and five percent Valkyrie. Thus, when you changed it felt natural, it is already a part of you. Does that make sense?" She finished.

"Not really." I squeaked back. "I have learned, that when it comes to magic. Things don't make sense and you just have to go with it."

Rosemarue laughs at that. "True, my child. True. As for your scars. I'm not sure why they are there if you truly have the power of healing. Tell me what about your other preternatural senses?"

"I'm not 100% sure yet. I can barely walk. It may take me some time to discover what exactly I have, still have or don't have." I answer.

"Of course. I'm pressing too much. Let's get you back home." She tsks and helps me from my chair. "You know if you need anything, you can come to me or Hamish. You are important to our tribe and we will help you with whatever. Hopefully, you can help us too."

She steers me to the office so that I can use the tiny bathroom in back and put on the clothes that Mina brought. "Call if you need help." Mina reminds me handing me my own pack. I am feeling much stronger, the dull aches have all but disappeared. I sit on the toilet and close my eyes wondering if I can sense anything. I don't. I appear to only have normal human senses. I sit there for a while thinking about Dean and what he might say about all of this. There's a rap at the door and I hear Mina's voice. "Are you okay in there?"

"Yeah fine. I'm just slow." I take Dean's flannel off and try to feel the scars. They are raised and I'm sure red and angry looking. I stand and glance at them in the mirror. They are. "Great. There goes my bikini days." I chuckle. I put on everything and try to get a brush through the tangled brambles that are my hair. I can't and sigh. "Mina!" I call.

The door opens right away. "Yeah?" She pops her head in.

"Can you do anything with this mess of hair! I can't even brush it!" I whine.

"Sure thing." She enters and stares at it hard, her hand on her chin. She waggles her fingers and it untangles itself, separating into perfect corkscrew curls like I was just at the salon.

"Thanks. It was pretty messy." I smile. "I think I'm ready to go rejoin civilization now."

"You got it. I bet you're ready to be home." Mina says taking my bag in her free hand. "Are you okay to walk? It's pretty snowy out there."

I stop leaning against the wall as we leave the bathroom. "I'm fine. I feel much stronger after breakfast."

"I'll help her out to the car. You go get it ready and throw all the stuff inside." Rosemarue says reaching for me. "Even if you do feel better, you have been through a lot and need some time to heal."

"Thanks." I smile at her and we slowly, ever so slowly, make our way to the warehouse doors. By the time we get there, Mina has gotten everything in order and takes me from Rosemarue. "I promise I'll keep in touch," I whisper in her ear. "Thank you for everything." She smiles and fades into the interior of the warehouse to keep warm. I wave goodbye as we pull away from the metal structure.