Feathers, page 21
“Besides, you should be thinking about what’s happening with Anna more. She’s been depressed.” I reminded him as he began backing out.
“I know. But I don’t know what else I can do for her. It’s not like we’ve ever had to deal with something like him.” Raziel admitted.
“Maybe the best thing you could do is just be there. She always seems happier when she’s with you anyways.” I told him.
“I guess. But I don’t know if I can give her what she really wants in the end either. It’s not like I’m exactly normal.” Raziel said.
I was about to ask him what he meant by that when I suddenly heard the sound of a loud engine. Of course, that was also the last thing we both heard before the deafening crash.
Twenty
I awoke with my head pounding and my entire body aching. At first, I couldn’t even register anything around me. But slowly, my eyes started coming into focus, and I was able to sit myself up. To my surprise, I was on a make shift bed. There was a chain wrapped around my wrist, which was connected to the nearby wall. Rubbing my head, I tried to remember just what had happened. But it was all pretty vague. I could remember being in the car with Raziel. We were waiting for someone and talking. Then we’d gotten ready to leave. And then… some kind of crash…
The sound of footsteps made me look over. To my surprise, my mother was coming into the room. “Mom?” I said softly.
“Oh good. You woke up. I was beginning to worry that he was wrong.” She said as she came over and sat beside me.
“Where’s Raziel? Is he okay?” I asked. By now, my bearings were getting a little straighter, and I was beginning to realize that something really bad had indeed happened. I wouldn’t have been chained up there if it hadn’t, and my mother certainly wouldn’t have been there.
“Relax dear. He’s fine. Although you both didn’t look in that good of shape when he brought you here. I was really beginning to question him about doing this.” Mom said, looking pretty displeased.
“Who? What happened to us?” I demanded.
“Why, I did of course.”
I looked over quickly to see Flint standing in the doorway. He had Raziel with him, though he was holding him from behind with his arms chained. “Raziel.” I whispered. Now I knew we were in trouble. Flint was behind all of this, including my mother’s appearance.
“No use in struggling now. I told you I kept her safe as well. After all, I can’t have anything happening to the two I need.” Flint told him.
“What do you want with us? You know my father’s going to kill you for this.” Raziel said, looking back at him.
“I have no fear of half breeds, angels or not. All I’m interested in is getting rid of that bastard. For now though, I can make due with the two I have to lure him in.” Flint told him. I watched as he walked him over and set him by me, attaching the chain to the wall as well. He then looked at my mother. “Make sure they don’t try anything. I’ll be back.”
Mom nodded as he walked back out. I watched Raziel struggle a bit against the chains, but they weren’t budging. “You may as well stop all that rattling. You’ll only give us a headache.” Mom told him as she stood up and moved over to the side of the room. To my surprise, there was a makeshift dresser there. Pulling out some knitting, she took a seat beside it and began working.
Raziel sighed. “So you really did come here with that fox. All that stuff about you wanting to take Mia back to Florida was his lie.” He said.
“No. Mia will come back home with me. But Flint says that first we need to finish up here.” Mom said in a matter of fact tone. She didn’t seem the least bit worried about anything.
“You know he’s not letting her or you go. Foxes never let their prey go.” Raziel said.
But Mom just ignored him. Pulling on my chain a little, I moved myself over near him. “Raziel, what happened? How’d we get here?” I asked quietly.
“I was wondering that myself at first. But it looks like he set a trap. This is Flint’s den for now. He helped Anna’s father escape, and he rammed into our car hard enough to damn near kill us. Guess it’s a good thing we’re mixed like we are now. We wouldn’t have been talking like this.” Raziel admitted.
“Is he dead?”I had to ask.
“Sounds like it. Great. I’m really proving something now.” Raziel muttered, pulling on the chain one more time before sitting back and sighing.
I looked back at my mother. I really didn’t know what to do now. Both of us were chained up, and I almost feared trying to bring out my wings. No telling if that would set something else off. Of course, my mind was also on my father and on Sean. What would they do once they learned of this? Did they know already? It would be obvious to them that Flint had caused it. I sat back myself and closed my eyes. I didn’t know what to do but pray now. If we were supposed to be descendants of a powerful angel, then something should’ve been able to help us now.
Right?
The sound of my mother’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Mia, do you really not want to come home with me now?”
I opened my eyes to see her looking at me. She’d stopped knitting now, and had a very strange look in her eyes. For the briefest moment, it almost felt like the old Mom was staring at me again. “No. I like it up here with Dad.” I answered.
“Well, I know I didn’t exactly do the best job of raising you, but I did try. So did your grandmother. I do miss her at times though. But she really shouldn’t have gotten in the way like she did.” Mom said quietly, looking back at her knitting.
“Grand mom didn’t die from an illness, did she?” I guessed.
Mom didn’t answer though. By me, Raziel looked up again. “Come on. You’ve got your senses back. I know he gave you that much before he made his moves. So, how’d he kill her? Did he make you do it?” he asked.
I felt my heart beat a little harder. “Did you kill Grand mom?” I dared ask.
“Of course not! Mama was just in the way, and it was an accident.” Mom said, shaking her head and not looking at us.
“I’ll bet.” Raziel scoffed. “And I’ll bet that you’re thinking he’ll give you everything you ever wanted. You know, you’re a stupid woman for trusting a fox over trusting angels. Why’d you really leave Michael in the first place? Were you really that scared of what he was? I don’t believe it.”
“Shut up. That’s none of your concern.” Mom said, standing herself up.
“You think I’m scared of you? You’re a human. And I know what’s gonna happen to you once Flint’s done with you. And I think you know too.” Raziel went on.
“I said be quiet.” Mom said, walking over to us again. Now I saw the familiar, irrational anger. Apparently, Raziel was striking a nerve to bring it out in her.
“Trust me, I’m telling the truth. Once that fox kills Sean, he’ll kill you. I’m surprised he hasn’t already done it. He must think he needs you for something else right now. Or maybe he’s just not bored yet.” Raziel said.
“Raziel….” I started. But I stopped at a sudden, commanding voice in my head.
“Break her.”
This wasn’t Raziel using telepathy. In fact, he was busy arguing with my mother. The voice was soft, yet commanding. “Who are you?” I asked it in my mind.
“Use your ability and break her. She will break now, and try to free you both.” The voice explained.
I felt my eyes widen as it spoke. I’d heard this voice before. Back when I broke Sean, for the briefest moment, I’d heard it command me to awake. And one other place I’d also heard it….
The airport.
The man who had sat with me at the airport on Christmas Eve until my dad had come. This was his voice. Was it possible that he wasn’t what he seemed to be after all?
Suddenly, I felt like something wrapped itself around my soul. It was very warm, and felt very powerful. And I had confidence all at once that I could bring Mom back. She would keep sanity, but she would be out of Flint’s power too. Feeling my wings come out, I looked back over at her. And within an instant, it looked like she’d been pushed back and was holding her head.
It seemed that Raziel sensed this change in power too. But just as quickly, it was gone. “What was that?” he asked me.
“I don’t know. All at once, I heard this voice in my head telling me to break her. But it left.” I admitted. I was a little in shock myself. That man had been an angel. I was sure of it. And he’d been trying to help me ever since all of this started. Was it possible that he may have been the one who started our family? Could that have been why he kept on intervening?
By then, Mom was beginning to come back again. Looking around, her eyes seemed to widen. “Oh my God. We’re really in here.” She said softly.
“Sounds like you’re coming back now. A little help here?” Raziel said, jiggling the chains again.
Mom nodded, hurrying back over there. “Are you two all right?” she asked as she worked on loosening the chains.
“I think so. Can you get us out?” I asked hopefully.
“I think I can. But we’ll need to hurry. Let me find the key.” She said, standing back up. We watched as she went over and ruffled through the old dresser. Apparently, Flint must have been keeping things close.
But just as she seemed to find it, we heard footsteps once again. Mom quickly shut the drawer and turned to face the doorway. Both of us pretended to still be struggling. Within moments, Flint was walking back in. “Well, I see things are going smoothly now. I was beginning to wonder if you’d get along with our friends here.” He said, smiling at Mom as he walked over near her.
“Of course. They’ve been quiet enough, even though I’m getting tired of hearing those chains. Couldn’t we hold them another way?” she suggested. I’ll admit that now she was being a very good actress. It was hard to tell any difference in her.
Flint just smiled. “Well, you know we have to be careful. After all, they aren’t exactly normal, are they?” he said.
“No. I guess not.” Mom relented.
Flint just moved a little closer. It was strange, but I had the distinct feeling that he was sniffing her. But he didn’t act aggressive at all. “Why don’t you come with me for now then, my dear? I believe being away for a while may help your headache.” He suggested.
Mom hesitated for a moment, but really had no argument for it. So she agreed. Watching them walk out, I couldn’t help but have a very bad feeling. Flint knew. Somehow, I was sure that he knew what I’d just done.
Beside me, Raziel listened for a moment, then tried to stand himself up. “Hey, we need to take our chance while we can.” He said quietly.
“How? If the key’s in that thing, we can’t reach it.” I whispered back.
“I’ve got an idea. You think you could get yourself down here?” he asked.
“I could try.” I said. Pulling a little more at the looser chains, I was able to get myself to the floor as well.
“Good. Turn around and hold still.” Raziel ordered.
“What are you doing?” I asked him.
“I’m going to melt some of this chain. I can’t do it with my own, but I bet I can with yours. So sit very still.” Raziel explained.
I could feel the heat from the chain, but I did as he said. Within seconds, it felt like it loosened a lot. “Good. Now this is more like it.” Raziel said, pulling it off.
I quickly got up and went back to where Mom had been looking for the key. It didn’t take me long to find it. “So, how do we get out of here?” I asked as I helped Raziel out of his.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea. But we’d better hurry. I’m not too sure we could handle Flint if he catches us.” Raziel said, pulling out his wings as he stood up with me.
“What about Mom?” I asked him.
Raziel looked at the doorway for a moment. “I don’t know. Maybe we can get some help for her once we get out of here.” He said. He seemed conflicted about leaving her, but he also had a point. Neither of us really were able to handle Flint ourselves.
The hallway was dark as we peeked out. Seeing no sign of either, we quietly slipped out. I followed Raziel until we reached a large room. “This must be near the entrance. I remember it from before.” Raziel whispered.
I was about to say something back when we both heard loud screams. They were almost ear piercing, and chilled both of us to the bone. “That’s…” I started, but couldn’t make myself finish.
Raziel took a deep breath, and like me, he didn’t dare to turn around. “There’s nothing we can do right now.” He whispered.
“But she’s…” I whispered back.
“There’s nothing we can do.” Raziel repeated. The pain was there, but he was also telling the truth.
However, just as quickly, I felt myself suddenly being jolted back. And the next thing I knew, there was something sharp to my throat. Raziel turned quickly to help me, but ended up standing perfectly still as he stared at the one holding me. I could hear Flint at my ear. “Leaving so soon, are we? Now that isn’t very polite.” He said.
“Let her go.” Raziel said evenly, though I could hear under his voice that he was shaking now. With this sharpness at my throat, I knew that he couldn’t really make a move without me being harmed.
“Bold words from one who rode right into my trap. True, I wasn’t quite expecting to catch you two, but you’re serving my purposes nicely. And I cannot let you leave until the half breed shows up. After all, what better bait is there then the one he cares so deeply for?” Flint told him.
“What did you do to my mother?” I managed to ask. It was kind of hard though with that blade pressed to my neck.
“You’d really want to know? I didn’t think you were one for mental torture.” Flint noted.
“You know he’ll kill you now. There’s more then enough for us to go after you.” Raziel warned him.
Flint just chuckled though. “I told you before, I have no fear of Nephilims. Besides, the one I want is already here.” He said.
At that, Sean quietly stepped out of the far shadows. “I figured you’d catch my scent fairly quickly. I’m here now, so let her go.” He ordered.
I watched as he walked over by Raziel. “Took you long enough.” Raziel muttered.
“Sorry, but finding a fox’s den isn’t always that easy. Although he left us enough clues for it. Honestly Flint, if you wanted me so badly, why go after so many innocents? You’ve left yourself open to death if you manage to kill me now. First you kidnap the two Nephilims, then you murder the wife of another. I’m beginning to think they told the truth of insanity with you.” Sean said.
But Flint didn’t seem fazed. “Say what you will. But you know you can’t face me without risk either. I’ve been waiting for nearly eighteen years for this moment. And I certainly don’t intend for you to walk away from this den. It’s going to be your grave.” he said.
“Very well then. But let Mia go. This fight is between us.” Sean told him.
I gasped as I was suddenly pushed forward. Sean easily caught me and handed me to Raziel. “Keep back. You don’t want to be in the middle of one of these fights.” he warned us.
“You sure about this Fox? You know you might be outmatched.” Raziel said.
“I know. But this is something I have to do. I’m not losing anymore now.” Sean replied.
I really wanted to say something to stop him, but I think I knew it wouldn’t do me any good. Sean had made up his mind. And also, I knew in my heart that this fight was inevitable in the end. Flint had laid the cards out for it, and Sean wasn’t going to stand by and watch the people he’d come to care for get hurt because he felt he was being a coward. And, if I was completely honest about all of it, I wanted to see him get rid of Flint now. Flint had apparently just killed my mother. And no matter what had happened in the past, it still hurt to lose her like that.
Flint seemed to regard him quietly as Sean stepped up to about a foot from him. “Interesting to actually get to see you in person. I can say that one now. You don’t look anything like our father.” He commented.
“So I’ve noticed. However, there is something I want to know from you before this starts.” Sean requested.
“Very well. I suppose I can grant a dying wish.” Flint conceded.
“Why did you target Missy Renaldi so early on? Were you that aware of my interest in her daughter from the beginning?” Sean asked him.
Flint shrugged. “Of course not. That was just a stroke of luck that her child turned out to be the same one you picked as a mate. The woman was more to just bide my time away with until I got bored of her. However, she did prove more useful in the end. Now, if you’re done with the questions, why don’t you show your true colors?” he said. With that, he suddenly changed. But it was only his ears, eyes, and his having a tail now. His ears turned to those of a fox, and his eyes turned completely golden. I was immediately reminded of my encounter with Sean that first time when I broke him. All I had remembered for a long time after was those eyes, but now I also recalled the ears and tail appearing as well.
Sean sighed, pulling off the silver chain he wore on his wrist and changing himself to the same. Silver ears and a tail, along with golden eyes. I suppose it was only then that I recalled him talking about it before. That chain he wore was what he called a Limitor. Apparently, it held back his powers enough to allow him to appear normal. “It seems my hand in much of this is forced, isn’t it?” he said quietly.
“And this is the proof of the abomination you are. Without suppressing things, you’d always look like this. You’d be nothing more then a freak of nature to those humans.” Flint told him.
“That is true. I’ve seen myself as nothing more then an abomination for much of my life. However, I believe I am learning now that perhaps everyone is born for a reason as well. And if I have to face you down to protect that reason, then I will. Trust me Flint, you may have just found yourself in over your head.” Sean replied.
“We’d better move.” I heard Raziel say in my head.
The two of us quickly flew up to a nearby ledge. It seemed it was just in time too. Flint and Sean were ready to begin their death match. Honestly, I hadn’t really thought of what these foxes could do up until I was seeing it. They could make weapons out of anything. And Flint also had something extra. He could create fire. I suppose it was a good thing that Sean had a good head on his shoulders. If he hadn’t been able to make a shield, he probably would’ve been burned into nothing.
