Fledgling (24 page)

Ana grasped his hands, “Chance! I don’t want you
hurting yourself
trying to help me. Have faith everything will work out-I do.”

He saw her serious expression. It was best to leave the subject alone; his own stubbornness reflected in her eyes. But he had no intention of resting. If he didn’t do anything when he had the potential to help, he’d be a waste of space. What was the point of his abilities if he didn’t at least try?

Chapter 30.

Thursday afternoon Ana followed Chance home after school, anticipating the training session with his grandfather.

Drifting down the walkway, they approached the porch and spotted Niyol, who stood in wait on the top stair. Ana stopped and greeted him warmly, “Hello, sir.”

Chance leapt up the steps and rested his hand on his grandfather’s shoulder and asked, “Are we ready?”

Niyol smiled, and nodded, beginning to lead the way. Ana watched his steady form; it was far more solid than she previously thought. She hadn’t realized he was as tall as Chance. His clothing hung away from his broad shoulders, disguising his true form. He didn’t seem as elderly as she first thought either. The hunched figure engulfed by the comfy chair didn’t represent the person walking before her now.

Niyol paused at the mouth of a trail near the driveway and faced Chance. Ana noticed a woven blanket clutched under his arm and wondered what it was for.

“Time to hop on.” Chance stepped in front of Ana, leaning down.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped on his back, while Chance caught and held her legs around his abdomen.

He squeezed her tight and he started up the trail. Without a sound, he and Niyol moved along the path.

Ana was stunned by their speed. They moved more swiftly than she ever would have guessed. Chance followed in his grandfather’s steps with ease, even with the extra load on his back.

Once reaching the top of the ridge, they descended into the meadow where she had discovered them less than a week ago. Gravity pushed her into his back as they descended the trail, each savoring the closeness.

They entered the center of the grassy field and Ana slid from Chance’s back, keeping her hands on his shoulders for support. Feeling stabile, she let go and Chance turned around, meeting her dazzling green eyes.

“You can watch from over there,” he pointed. “I was going to try the mustang again for you. And I
still
need to perfect the cougar.” Chance grasped her hand and led her to a fallen log about ten paces away. He placed a soft kiss on her nose before walking back to where Niyol stood.

Ana flushed and watched holding her breath, feeling a little exhilarated. She held still, not wanting to miss a moment.

Chance pulled off his shirt and sat down cross legged before his grandfather and closed his eyes. Niyol unfolded the blanket he had carried, and stood waiting with it in his arms. After a few minutes Chance reopened his eyes and stood, staring intently at his grandfather.

Niyol opened the blanket, holding it in his outstretched arms. Chance disappeared behind the screen and Ana realized what it was for.

She heard soft words from Niyol, “Focus. Close your eyes and visualize it. Touch it with your mind. Your body knows its form. You
can
do it again. It will be easier this time. There you go…”

Niyol dropped the blanket exposing a beautiful chestnut mustang with a dark brown mane. It tossed its head uneasily, snorting.

Ana stood and began moving forward, but Niyol met her gaze and held his hand out, indicating she needed to wait. She remained in place and watched in awe as the animal before her adjusted to its body.

The brown stallion turned and began walking, occasionally catching its sole on the earth. The snorting continued, its head whipping around as though it had an itchy nose. After giving a long blowing blast from its muzzle, it seemed to calm, beginning to trot in a tight circle.

She couldn’t help but smile watching him explore his new form. In her amusement she turned to Niyol, who wore a small reserved grin. It was clear he enjoyed observing his grandson. He met her gaze and nodded.

After bucking a few times, the horse calmed and walked toward Ana. Large russet eyes confronted her before dipping its muzzle down to her hand. She placed her cool fingers on the beautiful creature’s head, feeling its muscles twitch and quiver at her touch. It moved sideways and she let her hand drift down the breadth of its strong back. It shuddered as she combed her fingers down and whinnied, turning its head to look at her.

“What-you want me to get on?” Ana laughed.

Its head lowered down with considerable effort and stomped its front hoof.
Well, I guess he can understand me in animal form
, she thought.

With quivering legs, she stepped up onto the log and her pale shaking hand reached up to grab a handful of the horse’s mane. Her other hand moved to its back as she lifted her leg to jump onto its back. In an awkward motion she was able to pull, half jump her way on. She settled herself in place gripping the mane tight, her knuckles growing white.

“I’ve never done this before,” she said in warning.

The mustang whinnied in response shaking its head up and down; Ana imagined he would be laughing right now, if he could.

“Right-I guess you haven’t either.”

He moved forward tentatively, making sure she was secure on his back. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. After making a loop in the meadow, he began picking up speed, trotting.

Ana’s happy laughter met his quick ears and he started moving in a canter, enjoying the speed. His legs were doing what they were made to do.

This form was comfortable. It did take a little getting used to, although after transforming into other four-legged animals he adjusted easily. But his face felt strange, his nose in particular. It tingled for a while, but then it faded.

Chance slowed down, concerned Ana would tire from holding on. She leaned forward hugging his massive neck, and whispered, “I love you.”

The mustang snickered and stomped its foot twice on the ground. It walked her back to the log and Ana slid off his back. She reached out to rub his forehead, and he leaned his long muzzle in to her. She rested her forehead to his as she held his smooth jaw in her grasp. Then he turned, heading back to his grandfather.

Niyol lifted the blanket again, blocking her view. She saw hands curl over the top as it was lowered and wrapped around Chance’s human form. He walked over to her with a broad smile, displaying his bright teeth.

“So, you love me?” he whispered as he lifted her up with ease.

Ana stared at her hands and felt her heart flutter in excitement, having him so near. He absorbed her hands within his, staring into her eyes. Time stood still for a long moment until Chance kissed her nose and chuckled, “So, any other wishes I can fulfill?”

“You’re more than I
ever
could have wished for.”

Lifting her up he kissed her on the forehead. She accepted him so openly it baffled him, but he didn’t linger on it. He was enjoying her hands on his skin and his flesh burned below her fingertips.

“And here I was thinking
I
was the lucky one.”

They pulled back, feeling Niyol’s gaze on them.

Chance continued training, phasing into his cougar form. It was easier for him to revisit this shape, compared to last time. Repetition made it more comfortable to phase, because it didn’t require the same amount of focus when he grew familiar with an animal’s structure. The more accustomed he was with a mapping, the easier it was. Not burning up as much energy.

As a giant cat stalking around the meadow, he didn’t screech, remembering the outcome from his growling the other day. But he did creep through the tall grasses in the field enjoying his lanky, sinuous body. The large feline provided claws for climbing, which he pleasured in, finding himself swaying high up in the treetops. He remembered back to when he had struggled with shifting into the cougar. Everything seemed so much harder before he met Ana, now his energy flowed with purpose.

After each and every practice session he felt stronger, especially after taking on larger forms. His focus intensified as his confidence grew. He wanted to keep going so he could begin experimenting with healing.

It was his priority now-training. Nothing else mattered.

Chance was driven to practice at least once every day. He wanted to continue expanding his power.

Niyol told him it was something that took time, and not to rush it. He emphasized that to truly understand the way his talents worked it would require detailed focus and attention. This was something that couldn’t be measured in the period of a week, month or even a year.

Niyol warned Chance, “Healing isn’t something you should try yet. It’s too dangerous. It requires more energy than you have. Remember, Chance-things can go wrong fast.”

And saying the word Chance was beginning to loathe, he cautioned, “Patience.”

But Chance had very little, if any at all.

He was anxious. Time wasn’t on his side. He knew Ana’s health could decline at any time and didn’t want her to suffer through a transplant.

He listened to his grandfather’s warnings about healing, but it only pushed Chance to train harder. He needed more energy to heal, like training for a weight lifting competition, and needed to bulk up, fast. Unfortunately, there was no special drink or exercise he could take to bulk up.

He had to do it the hard way.

Chapter 31.

A week after Ana’s first training session Chance slipped up to her at lunch period and pulled her away from any listening ears.

“Ana, can you come over tonight?!” He urged her, grasping her hands.

She looked at his bright eyes and wide smile and wondered what he was so enthusiastic about. “Sure, what’s up? Something special going on tonight?”

He tugged her into his chest and with an arched eyebrow he said mysteriously, “We’re supposed to have a lightning storm tonight.”

Ana frowned, “And why would I want to come over in a lightning storm? You aren’t training-are you?!”

“Uh, that’s right-I haven’t told you yet.” He gave her another mysterious grin. “When electricity’s in the air, I can pull from it. It helps me expand my own energy,” he gestured around him. “It’s perfect for training. It lets me phase into larger forms I couldn’t do otherwise. The larger the form, the more power it requires. Along with the first time you try to take a new form-that also sucks a lot out of you.” He whispered into Ana’s ear, holding her against him, “Tonight I’m going to try…a bear.”

“Wow, I wouldn’t miss it. But are you sure it’s safe?”

“You’ll be fine. You’ll be with me. But don’t forget to dress warm-don’t want you catching cold.”

“Okay, Mom.”

He kissed her nose and zipped her jacket all the way up.

After Melissa returned home from work that night, Ana grabbed a coat and headed to Chance’s house.

The clouded sky left the landscape gray and bleak. The statuesque pines reached upwards, feeling the dry static air, and stretched for a dewy drink.

A bright yellow van cut through the shadowed forest, creeping its way to the dimly lit home at the end of the drive. Ana snuggled her face into the fuzzy lining of her coat as she walked around the house to the front door. She rang the bell, moving her feet up and down as she waited, trying to keep warm. A moment later the door opened with Chance, waving her in.

She darted through the entryway into the ambient warmth and Chance closed the door, sealing out the bitter cold.

Sounds of clanging came from the kitchen as Chance led her to the dining room. Ben was sitting at the table eating the rest of his dinner. There were two empty place settings, and one plate sat with half eaten food.

“Hi, Ana. How’re you tonight?” Ben welcomed her with a smile as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“Oh, I’m fine. I’ve been busy studying for finals though. I’m ready for a break.”

Chance invited her to sit down at the table and asked, “Did you eat yet? I was just finishing up. Grandfather’s already done and getting ready.”

“Oh, no. I ran out of the house too quickly.”

“Let me grab you a plate real quick.” Chance walked out of the dining room and through the archway.

Ben balanced his fork in his hand, poised to take another bite. “Chance has been busy studying too. I hope he didn’t drag you out here if you should be resting or studying instead.”

“Oh, no-not at all. I’m burnt out for today. I couldn’t study if my brain allowed it.”

Chance walked back in carrying a full plate of steaming rice, green beans and roast beef. Aiyana followed him in, wearing dripping yellow gloves and gave Ana a careful hug before going back into the kitchen to finish the dishes.

Ben asked, “So, you guys are going out for the lightning show? Now, we’re responsible for Ana while she’s here. I don’t want to make a habit of taking her to the hospital. You take care of her tonight-you hear me?”

“Of course, Dad. Grandfather will be with us. Trust me, I wouldn’t put her in danger.”