"I hate flying." I mumbled.
Dominic sighed.
"You're going to have wings when you change back." Stark pointed out. "I'm pretty sure it's genetically impossible or at least really weird if you hate flying."
"Okay, I hate flying in giant metal cylinders with wings." I said. I thumped my tail. "I'm really excited about flying under my own power." I kneaded my front paws in anticipation.
Dominic groaned.
"What?" I asked.
"What if you get in trouble?" He asked. "I can't exactly fly or even levitate."
"Then I zap the trouble." I said. "All powerful half breed with darkness and light powers plus beast communication. I'm sure I whip most of the asses that come near me."
He scratched my ears. "You are way too confident."
"You tell me I'm too confident and others tell me I need more faith in myself." I said.
"Confidence and faith are two different things." He said.
"How?" I asked.
"Give me a couple of years, I'll figure it out. No one's really given me a clear answer on the difference either." He said.
I sighed.
The seat belt light dinged and I hopped out of my seat.
"Come 'ere Ray." Dominic said holding the harness.
"Why?" I asked. I slinked toward the door.
"Cuz people freak out when panthers walk around without some sort of restraint." Dominic said.
Grumbling I let him help me into it. At least after today I never have to wear this again. I think might even burn it. It's just so uncomfortable to wear.
Dominic grabbed my suitcase filled with my gifts and flung his nomad bag onto his shoulder. He clicked the long handle up and wound the leash around his other hand. He looked really weird with the traveler's bag on his shoulder pulling a powder blue suitcase and walking a panther with a three sisters charm collar and a moonstone necklace.
We stepped out of the plane and into the airport. People gave us a wide berth. Maybe because of the vampyre tattoos of Stark's, Dominic's, and Zoey's since they got looks of disgust. Although some of them were giving me frightened looks. I still think it's the vampyres though.
Well, except a dorky cowgirl with curly blonde hair and baby blue eyes. She ran straight for us.
"Zoey! Ohmygoodness, it's so good to see you! I missed you like crazy! Are you okay? It's awful 'bout Jack, ain't it?" She said really, really fast holding Zoey really tightly while she cried.
"Who is that?" Dominic whispered.
"Stevie Rae." I whispered back.
He nodded in understanding. I kinda filled him in on the "nerd herd" while we were air lifted here. He was kinda of curious that if I made a spirit bond with them, why did I make it so quickly? I haven't known these people long. We blamed the reincarnation. Maybe I knew these guys when we were all souls playing around in spirit world.
After Zoey and Stevie Rae had their hug fest we headed for the doors because we getting even more strange looks. Evidently no one has seen a crazy dork cowgirl attacking a vampyre High Priestess before.
"Um." I said when I realized we had to go through ha revolving door. I know I shouldn't be talking, but I don't think anyone was close enough to really hear me. Besides, they're human. They're not going to openly admit to the fact I spoke unless I do it repeatedly. They'll forget once they get home.
"Here." Stevie Rae took my leash and squished herself into one of the little pie shaped slots with me, I swear to God people pulled out the cellphones to possibly tape me eating her. I leapt out of the pie piece and took a big gulp of smog-ish air.
I kinda of miss Skye. The air was a hell of a lot fresher and there weren't so many nasty smells.
"Grandma!" Zoey said and wrapped her arms around her Grandma.
I felt a familiar mind and looked up to see my uncle flying around.
"Where's Snap?"
"Waiting at your parents' graves."
Right, I almost forgot about that. What was I supposed to do? Stand and sob? Ask the spirits of my parents to help change me back? Do the hokey pokey?
"Would you relax?"
"No. I'm going to stress until I keel over."
Grandma Redbird smiled at me. "Hello Raven."
I twitched my ears in greeting. She glanced at Dominic.
"Name's Dominic, ma'am." Dominic said. "I'm helping Stark and Darius babysit Ray."
I just rolled my eyes. I was tempted to bite his leg, but figured that it might cause the security guards hovering near us to either a) shoot me or b) taze me at least.
"Hey, why don't we," Stark gestured to us non-Redbirds. "head over to the car while you and your grandma talk?"
"Kay." Stevie Rae said.
I nudged against Zoey's leg before letting Stevie Rae walk me through the parking lot, there was a lot of parents grabbing their kids into a the next aisle, and up to a powder blue Bug.
"So…" Stevie Rae asked. "What are we going to do?" She looked specifically at me.
"Drop me off at the graveyard." I said. "Then some mystical stuff will happen and I'll be somewhat human again or that's the plan."
"You want me to go with you." Dominic asked.
I shook my head. "No. I have no idea what's going to happen so I'd rather be safe than sorry. For all we know I could go completely wacko and decide a certain vampire looks really tasty." I was more worried about showing up naked, but I wasn't going to tell him that seeings how that would probably just make him want to come more. He is a boy no matter how old he acts, he still goes gaga over boobies.
Stark rubbed the back of his neck.
I rolled my eyes. "I'll be fine."
"Come on Ray." Stevie Rae said. "Out of all of us, you attract trouble the most."
I scoffed. "Just because I'm in the minority does not mean you get to pick on me."
"Ain't got nothing with you being a half-breed." Stevie Rae said. She grinned. "None of us managed to ourselves changed into a panther and get ourselves stuck."
I stuck out my tongue. I was bit sensitive about the fact that I got stuck, but I did know that it was because of divine intervention. It made me really nervous about any other unknown powers that may pop up any time. I could hurt myself or someone if I wasn't careful.
Which was why Dominic shouldn't come besides the possible nakedness. If I was becoming full half-breed again, who knows what would happen. There could be a lot of mystical stuff and I doubt I would be in full control of my powers in that instance.
Yep, I convinced myself. He definitely wasn't coming. No one was coming.
"Look okay, powers keep popping up and supposedly I'm turning back into a full fledge half-breed. I won't be in full focus of controlling my powers and I would really like nothing bad to happen." I said. "Besides, a graveyard is hallowed ground I'll be perfectly safe."
The boys just rolled their eyes. Stevie Rae didn't say anything. She was the smart one. She knew they weren't going to convince me at all to let anyone come.
Dominic unhooked me from the harness and I leapt into the Bug. Dominic and Stevie Rae squeezed into the back with me while Stark slid into the driver's seat and Zoey into the passenger's.
Stark pulled out of the space. Zoey turned around so she could look at Stevie Rae.
"Okay." She took a deep breath like she was mentally preparing herself for what she was about to ask of Stevie Rae. "So. Tell me about the bullpoopie I'm getting ready to step into back at school."
"Hold on to your horses 'cause it really is one red-hot mess," Stevie Rae said.
"You don't even like horses." Zoey said looking a bit miserable.
"Exactly." She said.
I sighed. "So what has that lousy bitch done now?"
"Wow." Dominic said.
"What?" I hadn't said anything too unusual.
"It's just surprising hearing someone as sweet as you speak with such venom." He said. His dark eyes were serious though.
"She's a fucking control freak who has unbalanced the world with her nefarious wants." I said. "Maybe we should wait for me to change back. There could be a random panther attack and tragically a High Priestess of Bitchness is mauled."
Stevie Rae chuckled.
"I thought you didn't like violence?" Stark asked.
I shrugged. "Being a beast has showed me that sometimes fighting in unavoidable. I would honestly be willing to sacrifice my place in heaven to stop Neferet permanently. Who knows how badly she's screwed up the world by toying with the balance."
Dominic scratched my head. "Relax. Evil always gets its come upens. No reason for you to get bloody paws when the evil she's messing with will just do it for you without thought or remorse."
"I hope so." I said. "So, what has she done now?"
Stevie Rae looked disgusted by the thought having to tell us about Neferet's nefariousness, but she launched into her story about how Neferet completely won over the High Council. I couldn't believe it either. You would think they would be smart enough to see the greedy, self-centered bitch that lay underneath all that ice cold glammed up beauty.
Stark suddenly stopped. Tall stone walls and large gate loomed in front of us. I took a deep breath.
"If I'm not back in time for Jack's funeral, then you can worry." I said.
"Try not to get in trouble Ray." Dominic said opening the door up for me.
"I'll try." I hopped out and walking into the graveyard and melted into the shadows.
"Light, come to me. Lead me to the Earthly marker of my parents." I whispered before I realized the words slipped from my lips.
A, dare I say, ghostly silver light appeared and began twining around the grave stones. I followed it into the newer section. I felt a familiar mind reach out to greet me and I almost cried.
Snap stood under a ball of that ghostly light in front of a tombstone. I skipped up to her and purred. I didn't want to pounce on her. I would probably squish her.
She stood up. I swear she was trying to not look too happy to see me. She was trying to be professional with her cat duties or whatever, even though I could tell she had really missed me and probably almost worried herself white over me.
"I see you've managed to stay out of trouble while you were away." She said.
I shifted my eyes guiltily. "Sorta."
She tapped her tail.
I started to explain until I actually looked at the tombstone.
It was rather simple. Curling vines with small leaves and flowers curled in the corners. Their full names, including my mom's maiden name, where included above their dates of birth and death. Above their names though was a picture fastened into the stone. The ghostly light had condensed into a blue ball that illuminated the marker really well. The picture was the first taken of us as a family. I was four-ish when my parents finally got around to taking a proper family pic. My hair was pulled back in pigtails with my favorite pink butterfly clips. I think I had them stuffed somewhere in one of my many memory boxes.
I don't think I mentally prepared for this moment enough.
I sat down in front of the marker in between two slightly raised lumps in the ground.
"Hey Mom, Dad." I said. "Sorry it took me so long, I had other things that were a bit…time sensitive."
My eyes prickled. I really hated crying. Your eyes hurt, your nose runs, and you look like shit when you're done and your cheeks are sticky too. I never learned how to cry prettily. Was it even possible in the real world to cry prettily?
"Did you guys ever guess or realize how much of a freak that I was or would be when you adopted me?" I sniffled. "It's really because of you guys that I'm not like my brothers. And my grandfather. If he didn't have the courage to stand up against Kalona and kill me, then I probably would be just as bad as them."
I sniffed and rubbed my paw over my muzzle.
"Is it bad that I'm almost glad you guys are dead? I mean, at least you don't know suffering anymore and Neferet and all her bitchness can't harm you too." I sniffled again and tears ran over my nose and made it itch. "I'm going to miss you guys, a lot. I'm really sorry things turned out this way for you guys too."
I watched as dark vines broke the ground and began reaching up towards the sky. I didn't feel too incline to question it, instead I just watched it grow and bud appear. Defining all logic and botany a vine grew and sprouted a bud in about a minute.
A lily bloomed and it glowed with the moon's radiance. More sprouted until the area was illuminated with a heavenly glow.
"Thank you." I whispered even though I wasn't sure who I was thanking.
I stood up.
That's really what happened. I just stood up and it was almost like the panther melted off or I just tossed off its fur. I expected some pain or something, but no. I just stood up and poof I have hands, fingers, and wings.
I looked down expecting to be naked, but, nice surprise, I was wearing the outfit the fairies made for me. I glanced at my hands and saw the curling tattoos. At the crease of my elbows thick golden lines made jagged and fierce looking patterns. It ran up my arms and curled around my shoulders.
"Why do I have all these tats?" I asked.
"They're markers. Ancients have always used tattoos as a way to mark their own." My uncle said.
"What do these markers mean?" I asked.
"You're the mediator between Upwalkers, spirits of the Earth, beasts, and Immortals."
Lord. Really?
"Mediator? I thought they help dead people?" I asked. I mean I've only heard of mediator through the mediator series by Meg Cabot (who by far is one of my favorite authors).
"A mediator is a neutral third party, or in your case fifth party, who helps negotiate peace." Snap said.
Why me? Was Nature's Champion not enough? Did I have to have this job too?
I sighed. "Come on we got to get to the House of Night." I picked up Snap.
She dug her claws into my skin.
"What?"
"Cats were not meant to fly."
"You're my cat. You should probably get use to it." I said.
She growled. I flared my wings and swept them down. My heart skittered and my stomach clenched with nerves. I gave another tremendous sweep and flew up into the sky.
My uncle flew around me giving me advice, mostly telling me to feel the wind beneath my wings and pay attention to the flow of the air. Flying really isn't that hard to figure out. Move the wings up and down and you'll stay afloat, or maybe the correct term is aflight.
Tulsa was really amazing from this height. Lights glittered in weird patterns in different colors and sizes. Buildings made funny shapes too. I was really jealous of birds.
I spun around. The little chains the fairies had put in my hair clinked across one another with a musical chime. Snap yowled.
"Never do that again."
I grinned and dove for the House of Night. A bunch of shadowy shapes made a circle around something purple. I spotted Zoey and her group making her way toward the circle. I swooped down and landed beside them.
Stark jumped in front of Zoey.
"Oh, it's you Ray." He said.
"Oh it's you Ray." I mocked in my guy voice. "Who'd you expect?" I let Snap go since she was more than happy to escape from me.
Aphrodite frowned. "What are you wearing?"
"Is it bad?" I asked. I touched my hair. A flower crown was in my hair. I couldn't remember much when they dressed me. It was a big blur all I really remembered was them making the cloth from light and shadows.
"You look like a fairy." Dominic said.
"Well, the fae from the Isle of Skye sorta made this for me when I went to dance with them." I said.
They all blinked at me.
"I'll explain later." I said. "You want me to change?"
Damien shook his head. "You look fine."
I felt my heart go out to this kid. He looked horrible. I went over and hugged him.
"Sorry hun." I said.
"It's okay." He said kinda of hoarse. "Zoey said that-that you saw it."
I shivered. "Yeah." I stepped away. Snap wound around my ankles. I started shaking when I remembered the nasty blood thirsty darkness and poor Jack falling.
I squeezed my eyes shut tightly when I felt something nudge my elbow. I turned and saw a certain Friesian.
"Hey Hecate."
She tossed her head and snorted. She lipped my hand and I stroked her nose.
"Is good to see you child and I see some of my brothers have marked you as our mediator."
I sighed. "Right." Who decides this stuff? I mean come on! Me both the Champion of Nature and the mediator between mortals, Earth spirits, Immortals, and beasts? Come on! I AM A CHILD! I'm going to screw up and it's going to be really bad because people are giving me all this responsibility. Can they not see that this a little more than a bad idea?
Not to mention a friend of mine is dead and I would really like to focus on that before I worry about my 'destiny.'
I pushed all that destiny bullpoopie out of my head and focused on the funeral stuff.
I glanced at my tattoos and had an idea on how to mix them.
"Do you mind," I bit my lip when they looked at me. "if I do something…different?"
"Different?" Zoey asked.
"I want to call the Fae. They told me that I could call them whenever I need help. Why not call them to honor Jack?" I said.
"You can do that?" Damian asked.
I was pretty sure. "Yes." I said. I'm sure they would appreciate it. They want to dance and sing with mortals again. This wasn't the prefect celebration, but it might be a good introduction for them and an honor for Jack at the same time.
"I think Jack would like that." Damian said.
I smiled. Damian grabbed my arm and began escorting me to Jack's funeral. Dominic walked on my other side. I hooked my elbow with his and he smiled down sadly at me.
It was nice being surrounded by friends on our way to honor a fallen one.
If I had known the shit that was to befall us I would have grabbed everyone by the short hairs on the back of their necks and dragged them the heck out of there.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Teehee. I had thought about giving you guys more, but I'm evil so I'm just going to make you wait longer. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Please review if read, thank you!