Raven (12 page)

I felt
more alive than I ever had and I was ready to face the world. More
importantly though, that morning I had the overwhelming sensation
that my father was still alive and I wanted to do everything
possible to find... and help him.

I had
obviously slept for quite some time because after I had showered
and dressed and walked into the kitchen, everyone looked as though
they had been waiting for me for a while. Clearly they were unsure
as to how I would be after all the news of the previous night had
sunk in but they smiled when they saw that I looked positively
happy and refreshed.

“
So,
when are you going to show me how to change into a raven... or a
cat?” I said, breaking the ice with a smile.

Gabriel
smiled and said, “Now Lilly is truly home.”

I felt
more at home then than I ever had and it felt so good to be
surrounded by such loving family members. Real family. I had a real
family. A family who had finally revealed the truth about who I am.
No more secrets. No more lies. This was the truth and I was
accepting it.

I
wondered who else knew of our secret... whether it was a curse or a
gift I didn't know but I would in time. Was it just my immediate
family or did friends know who we truly were too? It would have
been wonderful for me to be able to confide in my dear friend,
December, in England, but I feared I could not. My mind then
drifted to Oliver and Ben. Would I have to hide my true self from
the boy I had fallen for? The boy that made my heart leap just at
the mention of his name?

I asked
my family and I was told exactly what I didn't want to hear.
Neither Oliver nor Ben knew the truth and it was better to keep it
that way, especially in light of the fact that their parents were
killed by mountain lions. After all, we did not know yet what kind
of cat I would have the ability to transform into. It would be
heartbreaking for them to know.

I felt
heavy-hearted. Would this mean the end of our relationship before
it had even begun? I was saddened because I had felt such a
connection to Oliver and was developing such a close friendship
with Ben. I certainly didn't want to lose what we had so I had no
choice but to keep my secret closely guarded.

“
It is
for the best, at least for the moment Lilly. We understand there is
a connection between you and Oliver,” said Gabriel and I gasped in
embarrassment. They knew? I blushed.

Meredith
smiled, as did Rose, who winked at the same time. “It's no secret.
It was obvious the moment you laid eyes on each other that sparks
were flying,” she laughed.

I was so
embarrassed that I had hoped the floor would open and gobble me up
but I was growing up. I had to act like a grown-up, not like a
child.

“
I
hate to have secrets from him before we've even got to know each
other. But I do understand. I won't say a word to him or to
Ben.”

As I
thought about the fact that nobody else knew of our family's
remarkable abilities, I was reminded of Vivian. How had she known
that there was a raven gene if it was such a guarded
secret?

I was
told more about all the weird, wonderful and frankly terrifying
things that really existed in our world. That it was a completely
different world to that which most people know about. It was a
world full of supernatural entities and people with superhuman
abilities. This was a world more like that of the fairy tales than
the one I'd become accustomed to. I had to be careful who I trusted
and I had to watch out for things I wouldn't normally have to look
out for...

A
person's excessively beady and watchful eyes could indicate a
changeling – a human that could morph into any number of other
beings in the blink of an eye.

A person
who avoided the sunlight with the palest of skin and a certain
redness to their eyes could be a vampire, eager to feed on the
blood of others.

I might
notice someone with sharper looking teeth than usual – this could
potentially be a werewolf. Their teeth becoming fangs during the
change, and contrary to popular belief they couldn't just change
during a full moon, they could change at any time,
anywhere.

These
were just some of the beings that I might be able to identify but
the most dangerous ones were those that I would have no idea who or
what they were. Like me, for example. Nobody would ever think that
I was capable of changing into an alternate being (neither did I,
for that matter, at that stage) so I had to be ultra careful around
everybody, at all times.

Some of
these others could be everywhere and anywhere, including people
that could change into a variety of beasts. Gabriel mentioned some
of the animals that he knew about, but he was certain there are
more.

Bears,
already known as one of the most dangerous animals in the world –
imagine one with the intelligence of a human and no way of knowing
who could change into one.

Sharks –
provided I steered clear of the ocean I wouldn't have to worry
about these, as long as I took note of anyone who had an unusual
love of the ocean.

What he
told me next really gave me the creeps. I've never liked the idea
of any form of reptiles so to hear that there were people out there
that could change into large slithering serpents, that just freaked
me out. Give me a bear any day.

There
were also mountain goats, elk and coyotes in these parts
too.

Gabriel
described how he had heard of a man who could change into a
crocodile, although he'd never seen it with his own eyes.
Apparently this man was originally from Africa, where crocodiles
are common. He told me that I should note that these beasts were
only the ones he had heard of in Canada and the United States –
there would undoubtedly be hundreds more across the world. And in
this day and age, with global travel at its peak, they could be
anywhere.

I was
astonished that we were constantly surrounded by so much danger and
yet millions and millions of people had no idea. There were many
myths and legends in all corners of the world but to know that they
were probably true was shocking almost beyond belief.

“
The
only way you can prepare yourself for any of these beasts, Lilly,
is to start doing a lot more reading. Not just the supernatural
stuff your father gave you, but you need to understand everything
you can about these deadly animals. What makes them tick. At least
then, in the unlikely event that you should ever come across any in
a dangerous situation, you'll at least have some semblance of
preparation on how to deal with them,” said Wyatt.

I agreed
that knowledge was important. I also thought that I could learn a
lot from Ben, being a vet. I knew then that he would be an asset,
as well as a friend.

As if
reading my mind again, Meredith mentioned that Ben was looking for
a trainee assistant. She was sure that he would be delighted if I
applied for the position. She said I could continue with school and
work with him at weekends and then take up the job when I'd
completed my studies in a few years. It sounded like a great plan.
Something to work towards. I liked the idea.

The
others approved too. I would have a word with him later to see if
he would be interested, but I had to make it clear that I didn't
want to be a charity case, just because we're friends...
practically family.

As
lunchtime approached, I suddenly realised it was Friday and I
hadn't gone to school. I voiced my thoughts aloud and was reassured
to hear that Gabriel had phoned the school that morning and told
them I was unable to attend, for personal reasons. He told me I
shouldn't worry because, under the circumstances, they were very
understanding.

It also
dawned on me that Friday was when I had a date with Oliver. I
blushed at the thought. Meredith smiled. She knew what was going
through my mind.

“
I
think perhaps we've put rather a lot on poor Lilly since last
night. We should all go home and leave her to think about
everything. After all, it is a lot to take in,” she said, standing,
“plus, John will be coming home for lunch so I'd better go and get
him some food ready.”

She
kissed me on the top of my head, kissed everyone else before
putting on her warm green coat and walked out the front door
without a backwards glance.

The
others stood and said similar things, before they prepared
themselves for the cold weather outside with coats, scarves and
gloves before following along behind her.

As Rose
stood up, she took my hand and offered to make me some lunch at her
house if I wanted to walk her home. As Gabriel had also gone out, I
locked up and wrapped up warm as we headed off in the direction of
her home. Instead of walking along the roadside, we chose to take
the scenic route, the way I had walked when I had first come across
the lovely Portuguese music.

I
thought back to that day, to my first impression of Rose and
wondered if I looked anything like a cat... or a raven for that
matter, but I couldn't see it in myself. Perhaps others saw me that
way. Although I hoped that the dangerous ones couldn't tell, I
certainly wouldn't want them to know.

As we
wandered along the shoreline, I heard the plops again of the fish
jumping out of the water and back again, wondering if they were
simply fish or fish that had another secret side to them. A human
side.

They
looked pretty harmless so I assumed, and hoped, that they were of
the simple fish variety. They were small creatures so it was hard
to imagine them changing into human form. But then, so were ravens
and cats. I wished I knew how the change took place. I didn't feel
the need to change myself, but I would have liked to witness
someone else changing – perhaps then I would feel better prepared
for what was to come in my own life.

Just 24
hours ago I would have walked down there by the sea and I wouldn't
have had a care in the world (other than that of my missing
'mother' and father). I would have seen everything in a completely
different light. Innocent and naïve to the real world. That was
me... yesterday.

How
things can change in less than a day. Now everything I looked at
appeared different. Everything that once would have taken my breath
away because of its natural beauty would be scrutinised in a way I
never dreamed possible. Even the other birds that sat innocently in
the trees above us could be more than just birds. Were they really
birds? Or were they humans that could change? As they watched us,
what were they seeing? Did they see innocent bystanders to the
world? Or did they see us as threats? Particularly Rose with her
catlike appearance? Could they sense the cats in us?

The
world was a completely different place to what it was
yesterday.

As we
wandered through those immensely tall cedar trees and I noticed
glimpses of the bright blue sky between the branches, Rose stopped
and turned to face me.

“
I'm
sorry that I couldn't tell you the truth when we first met, my
dear. I do hope you understand that I had to wait for your
grand-father to speak first. It was between him and
you.”

I told
her that I did understand the reasons behind the decisions and I
didn't hold it against her. It was irritating at first but not any
more.

“
I so
wanted to tell you about your mother.”

“
You
can now, though,” I responded hopefully as we wandered through the
trees along a winding pathway that had probably been created by my
family over the years.

It was
what she wanted to hear and so she began to tell me what my mother
was truly like. Beautiful, honest and playful. From childhood until
her early death, she was the same. Devoted was another word she
used. “Devoted to me. To our parents. To Neleh. She was devoted to
you the whole nine months she carried you, too, Lilly. You mustn't
forget that. Although you didn't have the chance to know her, you
two developed a bond during that time and that's a bond that can
never be broken. I think this is why she is able to get through to
you so strongly in your dreams. You need that bond to be able to do
that.”

That
simple sentence meant the world to me. Even though I had never had
the opportunity to know this remarkable woman, I did have an
unbreakable bond with her. She was my mother. She gave birth to me.
She loved me and she would never forget me. Not even in
death.

“
I was
always very envious of her thick dark hair. She only ever had it
trimmed – so it grew very long over the years and she didn't have a
single grey hair!” Rose reminisced. “Whereas I had grey hair from
my early twenties,” she laughed.

“
But
isn't that because of the cat... business?” I asked.

“
That's a good way to put it, dear. Cat business,” she
laughed out loud again, a graceful deep sound that matched her own
grace and beauty.

“
I
guess you're right. It must be the siamese in me,” she chuckled as
she unlocked the white wooden back door of her house. Four of the
cats were already with us, they had joined us in the forest a good
few hundred metres away. The others gathered in the kitchen as we
walked in. When they had first seen me, they hadn't appeared
interested at all. Now, they all made a point of brushing up
against my legs, purring loudly. It was as if they were welcoming
me.