Fledgling (28 page)

“Well, we thought you could use the money for school or whatever it was you planned on doing. We know you want to travel. You’re welcome.” Aunt Tera blushed, growing quiet.

Melissa was on cloud nine chatting with anyone near her, overjoyed about her daughter’s accomplishment. Ana achieved more than a diploma. She was alive.

The mass of families and friends filed out of the auditorium, leaving behind scattered chairs and blue caps. Their group followed everyone out into the parking lot.

After Ana thanked her aunt and uncle again for their gift, she waved goodbye, climbing into Chance’s truck. “Bye Mom, see you in a minute.”

When Chance and Ana entered his house they were welcomed with balloons and ribbons. Food was laid out on the dining table buffet style and a burst of colorful flowers centered the ambrosia.

Aiyana walked in from the kitchen with a bowl in her hands. “Hi, guys. What do you think?”

“It’s great. I can’t wait to try…everything,” Ana said as her eyes passed hungrily over the table.

A voice rose from behind the graduates, startling Ana, although Chance remained unsurprised. “Congratulations to you both.”

They turned to face Niyol greeting them with his hands held out to each.

“Thank you,” Ana accepted what he placed into her palm.

Chance held his gift, beginning to study it.

“Chance, this is something that was passed to me from my father,” he said catching Chance’s eye. “Something that has been passed through many generations. Keep it
protected
. I believe it will prove to be useful…somehow.”

A huge claw-like nail extended from Chance’s hand, like a scythe. He inspected it, puzzled. Was it a fossil? It was far too large to belong to anything he had ever seen.

Niyol rounded his attention to Ana, his eyes softening. “Ana. This is something I’ve had a long time. I think it belongs to you.”

As he spoke, she held the silver ring between her fingertips, and slid it onto her finger; a perfect fit. It was a simple band, but had an intricate feather design with a solid tip.

“It’s an eagle feather,” he continued. “Something sacred. Eagles hear and see all. They represent courage and guidance. Eagle feathers were used by shamans as tools in healing because of their power. It may bring you closer to your potential.” Niyol caught her eye and held it.

“Thank you, Niyol-it’s beautiful. Are you sure?” Ana studied the design, admiring it, flattered he chose to give her his ring. She wasn’t even family.

“It’s yours.”

A loud knock at the front door drew their attention. Melissa’s compliments rose from the entry, “Isn’t this a beautiful home, and so big. I
love
how you’ve decorated it.”

Melissa and Eva were welcomed into the living room. Eva’s eyes went right to the food, hungrily.

Aiyana carried in a stack of plates, setting them on the table. “Well, if you’re ready we can begin eating.”

Everyone milled toward the table, eager to taste the piles of steaming meat, potatoes and grilled vegetables. Eva stood with a plate in her hands, eyes closed, as she inhaled the aroma from each tray. Aiyana stood beside her with an appreciative grin.

Ana and Chance sat beside each other on the brown suede couch while they tucked into their food.

Eva placed herself beside Aiyana, quizzing her about ingredients, “Is there rosemary in the beef? And orange?”

Aiyana answered in appreciation for her new little friend, “Why, yes, Eva. You have excellent taste buds. You must like to cook?”

The phone ringing from the kitchen interrupted their conversation as Aiyana jumped up, running to answer it. Melissa and Ben continued their conversation unphased and soft sound of classical music danced through the air.

A moment later she wandered into the living room with a confused look. “Father, you have a phone call. It’s George.”

Niyol’s eyes shot to the doorway where Aiyana had just appeared. He rose from his chair and proceeded to the kitchen as though something unwelcome lay ahead.

Chance turned his head catching his mother’s eye. “George, the ranch manager? Did he say why he was calling?”

Aiyana shrugged, “No. You’ll have to ask when he’s off the phone.”

He ate in silence until his grandfather reentered the room. Chance followed him with his eyes, and seemed to sniff the air. Niyol lowered himself into his recliner and stared at the Thunderbird weaving on the wall.

Chance stood up and walked over to his grandfather, squatting down beside him.

“What’s wrong?” he whispered.

“Not now, Chance.”

Chance raised his eyebrow and snorted.

“Not now.” Niyol avoided eye contact with Chance. With no consolation, Chance returned to his place next to Ana.

“What’s up?” Ana had watched the entire interaction with interest.

He turned his head toward his grandfather, looking at a stoic, hardened expression on his face. “I don’t know. Something’s wrong. Stay after dinner-I’ll offer to drive you home.” He spoke casually to Ana and she nodded back.

Niyol seemed aware he was being monitored throughout the evening. He kept his eyes averted.

When Melissa gathered her coat, Ana went to talk to her quietly, “Mom, do you mind if Chance drops me off a little later?”

“Oh, sure I guess that’s fine. You deserve it.” Melissa picked her purse up and flung it over her shoulder. “Eva, its time to go.”

Eva dragged herself off the couch, grabbing her stomach. “Thank you so much for that delicious food.”

Aiyana smiled proudly and handed Eva some note cards.

Eva read them and leapt to hug Aiyana. “Thank you so much. I can’t wait to make the beef recipe, it was sooo good!”

“Thank you, Ben and Aiyana for your wonderful hospitality. I look forward to seeing you again soon.” Melissa made her way toward the front door with Eva on her trail.

Chapter 34.

After Melissa’s headlights wove down the drive and disappeared into the night, Chance approached his grandfather again. Niyol shook his head and mumbled, “Not in front of your parents. Let’s go stargaze on the porch.”

Ana grabbed her jacket for warmth. Chance didn’t require any extra clothing and followed his grandfather out the back door to the deck. Before Niyol slipped outside he said to Aiyana, who was doing dishes with Ben, “I’m going to teach the kids some constellations out back. It’ll be a little while.”

Aiyana waved her dripping gloved hand as they dissolved into the darkness.

Chance followed close behind Niyol as though he thought his grandfather might escape.

Niyol ignored his human shadow and settled onto the wooden stairs.

Ana and Chance flanked him, waiting for him to speak.

“First, Chance, I recommend you take Ana home. If you love her, and want to protect her, she shouldn’t hear this. She shouldn’t get involved.”

“Well, you can tell me and I tell her later, or you just tell us both now.” Chance shrugged.

Niyol faced Ana and asked, “Are you sure you want to hear this? It could risk your safety.”

“If Chance is in danger I want to know about it. My life is already balanced on a knife,” she took a shaky breath. “I’d rather know what’s happening.”

“Very well.” Niyol focused on the stars above, avoiding eye contact with either of them.

“This story begins a long time ago, but I’ll start when I was a young teenager,” he sighed. “I lived on the reservation in Arizona with my brothers, my mother and father. My father was a shapeshifter. We came from the direct line of the
original one
. Stories of our ancestors were passed down by every generation, something our family was proud of and careful to protect.

“My father always taught us that the power was to be used to keep balance in the universe. There were other shifters who chose the path of imbalance and destruction. It was these evil doers who forever ruined the name of shapeshifters, and that was why we were never to reveal what my father truly was to
anyone
.

“When my two older brothers started behaving differently they were older teenagers. I didn’t know what was happening-but my father did.

“One day my middle brother phased right in front of me-a small bobcat. I was surprised and envious. At first, I looked up to them in admiration. They both were honored with having the
gift
. My father, he was so proud-two of his sons had the rare ability.” Niyol stared at the night sky before continuing.

“Well, then things started happening-bad things. A girl was found killed by an animal, a sweet girl my brother had shown favor towards. Then, my older brother disappeared. Gone without a trace. My remaining brother became very dark and frightening.” Niyol shook his head as though he were trying to shake the memory from his mind. “After my eldest brother disappeared, my father seemed to understand what was happening. He confronted my brother. They argued, fought and my brother disappeared. A couple days later, while my father slept, my brother returned-and killed him.”

Ana gasped, putting her hand to her mouth and Chance’s foot slipped from its resting place.

“My brother disappeared, but before he left he made me promise I’d never return or threaten his power. I didn’t have the family talent, so I wasn’t a threat. I was as useless as dirt, he said. He thought I was pathetic and that was what saved my life. I fled and never returned. I’m not sure where he settled, if he did at all.

“The pact I made with my brother applies to my kin as well. To you, Chance.

“This gift has only been passed to the males in the family. So I knew your mother wouldn’t show the skill. When you began to show talent I knew I’d have to train you and keep you hidden. I decided using the gift for good was a responsibility. And necessary to continue the honor of our blood line. I’ve had to be so careful teaching you.”

Niyol sat stone still staring at the stars. “Now, the phone call. George, my ranch manager, he called to say a young man came through asking for me. He had Native American bloodlines, and George thought he might be one of my grandchildren.”

Niyol stared Chance in the eyes. “I might be jumping to conclusions, but my brother’s blood line may have survived. And maybe his kin is asking questions about me and about where I live. If I am right, he will come searching for us-here.

“No one can know you’ve been given the gift. Too dangerous for all of us. Your parents can’t know about our family history. They need to be sheltered from this. They have no way to protect themselves. Son, you must stop ALL use of your powers, for the time being.”

Ana’s mouth hung gaping open and she nervously inspected the forest for gleaming eyes.

“Well, if you insist. I’ll lay low.” Chance glared into the wilderness as his mind reeled with questions.

“Yes, I do. For everyone’s sake. Be normal for a while. This boy could be here already-the ranch isn’t that far as the bird flies. He could be watching us right now,” he said while scanning the black profiles of the towering evergreens. “We have to show there are no powers on this side of the family. None.” Niyol leaned forward to look his grandson in the eye. His face remained like stone, unmoving.

“Why do you think this guy’s bad news anyway? Just because his grandfather or whatever was some crazy shapeshifter?”

“Listen to me Chance! It’s
important-
you can’t give your cousin any reason to kill you. I
can’t
let that happen.”

“Kill?!” Chance bellowed, whipping his head around to search his grandfather’s solemn profile. “What’s going
on
grandfather?! Is there anything you’re not telling me?!” Chance stood, clutching the stair rail. His jaw clenched and his gaze forceful. “Why can’t I just fight, then? Let me end it now. I’m strong, I have bear form.” His mind was spinning. What was his grandfather talking about? Why would anyone want to kill him?

“Chance, settle down. Understand this-you have no experience fighting your own. There is
much
you don’t know. You can’t enter a fight with an unknown enemy. What if you’re outmatched?!” Niyol shook his head. “You need to stop all use of your powers. Now. Once he sees our family is powerless, he should move on. Please, Chance. I don’t want anything happening to you. Promise me you’ll stop practicing for now. Until we determine it’s safe,” Niyol pleaded with him.

After listening silently, Ana interjected, “Chance, maybe you should listen to your grandfather. Really, he only wants what’s best for you. I don’t want anything happening to you either. It’ll just be for a little while. Try not to think about it.”

“
Fine
. I don’t like just sitting idle. But I’ll stop using my ‘special abilities’.” Chance made finger brackets and spoke mockingly. His anger was framed in his locked jaw and tensed muscles. Why hadn’t his grandfather told him any of this before? Agitated, he glared at Niyol.

Ana rose and laid her hands on his shoulders to calm him. His stone body seemed to grow tighter under her touch. She leaned in and nuzzled her face into his back. His muscles loosened at her soft caress.

He growled and turned, “Okay, okay, I guess we’ll do something like the movies
instead
. I’ll take you out to dinner, too. A real date. We’ll stay out of the forest-for once.”