Page 27

Chapter

Seventeen

ARA

“I want to make sure you understand me here.” Professor Sanders pauses.

“They are not pets,” he emphasizes the last four words.

“Those Strix were raised and trained by humans, are far gentler than their wild brethren and any other kind of bird raised here. They will tolerate you on their backs, but”—he lets his gaze wander over us—“and this is important… they have no connection to you, they are not invested in your welfare, and they couldn’t care less if you fall to your death.

So, under no circumstances are you allowed to loosen your straps.

You will follow my instructions and those of your squadron leader to the point.

No shenanigans. No excuses. Understood?”

We all nod. The thought of falling to death is savage enough to cow us into silent obedience.

We stand in front of the stables, or coop, which is what the building housing the birds is called.

It’s an impressive tower, not too far off the main building, with countless open arches on various levels for the birds to come and go as they like.

But it’s not the building I’m looking at. My eyes are on the seventeen harnessed Strixes waiting in front of it. They are massive and majestic, their white and gray feathers sleek, their intelligent eyes on us as we approach.

Sanders gives us the go, and I head to the last one on the right. The violet streaks adorning his head indicate he is male. Like we have been taught, I lock my eyes with his, my posture straight and proud, not hesitating in my advance but not rushing either.

Slowly, I lift my hand to his beak and nearly sigh in relief when he rubs it against my palm. The strong beak feels smooth and surprisingly warm against my skin. There is a short spark when magic starts to transfer, but I quickly stifle it. I’m getting better and better at suppressing it.

“Hey, beautiful. You ready to soar through the sky?” I whisper.

He makes a clicking noise that sounds like agreement to me.

“You two seem to get along well.” His caretaker, a giant strawberry-blond man with more freckles than I have ever seen before, smiles down at me.

“How could I not adore a beauty like him?” I grin at the creature next to me, letting my fingers slip through his soft feathers.

“Oh, stop complimenting him, or his ego won’t fit into his nest tonight.” The man laughs. “Let me help you up and show you how the straps are tightened so you are ready to go.”

We have just finished when I hear him mutter a curse and rush off toward the building the birds are housed in.

Another group of Strixes and one Night Raven are led over to another group of recruits.

I guess we aren’t the only ones starting flight lessons today.

I’m confused by the Night Raven, though.

Didn’t Sanders say unbound Night Ravens are nearly impossible to handle?

Did someone borrow a bird from another rider? Is that even possible?

There seems to be a disagreement because the helpful man who was all smiles with me only minutes ago is facing off against another caretaker, both shouting.

Joel lands with Asta, his Rukh, right next to me, drawing my attention.

“Are your straps tightened?” he asks.

“And good morning to you, too, Joel. Yes, I have slept very well, thanks for asking. How are you today?”

He stares at me, not amused by my antics. “I’m serious,” he says and looks around, but everyone’s attention is on the arguing men. “If I have to tell —”

“You don’t have to tell anyone anything,” I snap. “And yes, they are tight enough. I even let the caregiver check. Satisfied?”

“No need to get pissy.” He gives me a hurt look. “I’m only worried about you.”

Great, now I feel bad.

“Yes, and that is very sweet of you.” I heave out a breath, trying to curb my irritation.

“But please tone it down a little,” I plead.

“I’m fine,” I reassure him with a smile.

“I’ll even let you check again if that will make you feel better, but you’ll have to check everyone else, too, or they’ll think I get special treatment. ” I wink at him, making him laugh.

Joel raises his hands in surrender.

“Okay, I’ll back off if you promise to leave those on no matter what.” He points at the two pairs of thick leather straps securing my legs. “And I mean for all flight classes and not just today.”

I crinkle my nose.

“I hate promises like that. They are so absolute. No wriggle room.”

His face is serious. “That is exactly why I want one from you.”

I shake my head. “How about I’ll leave them on unless I have no other choice?”

He looks at me, contemplating my offer. Then he huffs out a breath. “Okay, fine. I’ll take it.” He holds my gaze expectantly.

I groan. “You are going to make me say it, right?”

He nods. “You seem to forget that I know you.”

“Fine.” I sigh. “I promise I’ll leave those straps on unless I have no other choice. Happy?”

“As happy as I’ll ever be as long as you are still here,” Joel responds.

“Ouch,” I wince, “great way to give me a complex.”

He laughs. “For that to work you’d have to give a shit about other people's opinions.” That comment stings a little. Does he really think I’m that callous?

Sanders clears his throat at the front. He sits on a Strix too. The big male with a scar across one eye is probably his bondmate.

“Okay, you are about to take your first ride.

Just a little reminder: These birds are not horses, so don't dig your legs in or do anything like that. Most of the navigating is done by shifting your weight. If you need more, you tap the bird's neck. Everyone should know the commands by now, I hope. Also, they do understand you, but wind and other weather conditions can make it hard to communicate up there. Of course, you won’t have that problem with your bonded birds.”

Then it’s time for take off. When the Strix catapults off the ground, I’m very happy about the straps keeping me in place. I nearly topple over backward, and my stomach visits my knees, thanks to the sudden acceleration, but I know one thing instantly: flying is awesome.

My Strix climbs, every powerful stroke of his wings vibrating through my body.

Then he tucks them close and dives, and a mix of whooping and laughter bubbles out of me.

This is incredible. I have never felt so alive before.

Gravity claims me again when he flares his wings, and up we go again.

Faces flash past us, all of them with the same wide smile.

Calix raises his hands over his head while his bird does a hard bank, his laughter infectious and carefree. Mariel’s Strix shoots up in the sky, and she throws herself forward to keep upright. This is so worth all the risk and sore muscles.

I’m so grateful to this wonderful creature carrying me that I throw myself forward and hug him.

He makes a few clicking sounds, and I hope he understands what I’m trying to tell him.

With the wind whistling past us, a conversation is impossible, but he reacts so sensitively to weight shifts and taps on his neck, there is no need for words.

I’m so caught up in my bliss that it takes a while for the sound of shouts to register over the wind whipping past my ears. Above me, I find the cause for it. A Night Raven attacks one of the Strixes. Sunlight catches in bright red hair, and I realize the attacked Strix is Mariel’s.

I get closer. The Night Raven’s rider is Gorgon. His frantic gestures and commands don’t seem to faze his bird.

Why is he riding a Night Raven?

The Night Raven climbs higher, ready to strike from above. Mariel’s Strix tries to evade the attack, twisting and turning faster than I have ever seen a bird move. Mariel is tossed around like a rag doll, only the straps holding her in place.

Joel gets closer, shouting something. His Rukh dives in, hacking at the Night Raven, trying to drive him off. But the black bird only evades and goes for the Strix again.

The Strix twists, trying to evade the beak striking for him, then tumbles when they collide. Mariel cries out in pain, and I see a dark stain spreading on her left shoulder. If we don’t do something, this will end badly.

Professor Sanders is now on it as well. He and Joel hover over the fighting birds.

They try to force them to land .

The fighting birds are descending, but slowly, too slowly.

I guide my Strix closer. He obeys, his feathers bristling.

“Mariel,” I shout, trying to draw her attention. I have to yell her name a few times until she looks at me, her face tight with fear. The Night Raven attacks again.

Gorgon clings to the harness, his face pale, while his bird ignores his frantic commands.

“Watch out,” I scream a warning. Mariel ducks, the Night Raven’s talons missing her face, when her Strix dips hard to the right, evading the attacker.

Mariel is jostled around, clinging to the harness for dear life.

“I’ll get you out of there,” I promise even though she can’t hear me.

My Strix is reluctant, but I steer him closer. Only two wingspans separate me and Mariel. Joel and our professor are still above us, slowly forcing the two birds to go lower.

“You’ll have to jump,” I shout. I start gesturing when she looks at me helplessly.

Mariel finally nods and starts loosening the straps on one side of the saddle. She leans over to get the ones on the other side when t he Night Raven barrels into her Strix. Both birds twist in the air, and my bird dives to avoid a collision.

When I look back at the fighting bird, my breath catches. Mariel slides sideways, her form limp and slumped over. Only the strapped-in leg keeps her from falling.

“Mariel!” I shout, but she doesn’t react and makes no move to right herself.

Shit, shit, shit.

Another collision. Her body slides farther to the side. With only one leg strapped in, I’m not sure how long she will stay in the saddle.