Volucris_Emmergence Read online

  Mo envied Benji that he felt like this for these people, she did not share this happiness, in fact leaving Rebecca had so far been the hardest and most painful thing she had ever done.

  “So, I have just been learning the Volucris ropes for now, been fetching stuff for Lordes and Ethan as it’s harder for them to be seen even with the packs on.”

  “What do you think about it all?”

  “It’s amazing isn’t it, we are going to have wings and be really strong and fly can you believe it!”

  Mo was impressed by Benji’s enthusiasm but no, she couldn’t really believe it and also found it hard to get excited about., Sshe guessed she and Benji had come from completely different backgrounds, he was being rescued while Mo felt she was being kidnapped. Benji had noticed Mo’s mood change so decided to try and bring her out of it.

  “So, I guess us half breeds have to stick together hey?”

  “Half breed?”

  “Well is that not your story too, why the Volucris have only just picked you up?”

  “She is no half breed.” Ethan hollered from the front.

  Benji turned back to Mo looking at her intriguingly. “Oh really, well do tell young pureblood.”

  Mo laughed at his over acting response and already felt a little cheered.

  “Yeah, my Dad is Lordes, and my Mum, well, they think she died but she is a Volucris too.”

  “What! Get out of here, Lordes is your Dad?”

  “Yeah so show some respect,.” cCame Ethan’s order.

  “Ok ok don’t worry big guy I have a whole new outlook on our new arrival now.”

  “Oh, please don’t, it’s all new to me too, I only met him for the first time this morning, so all this is just as weird for me.”

  “If not weirder, wow you have had a day!”

  “Oh yes.” Mo went on to describe to Benji what had happened to her over the last two days including the girl she saved, meeting her father, finding out her Grandmother had been lying to her all her life, that her mother was most likely dead and the awful decision she had to make to leave her beloved home and Rebecca.

  After she had finished the sun had started to dip below the horizon, they looked up and noticed they were travelling over a very flat bleak landscape not a town or dwelling in sight. Ethan slowed the RV and pulled off the road.

  “We are going to stop for the night.” He drove for a little longer before finding a large rock formation that he pulled the RV into. Both Ethan and Benji set to sorting out a fire and getting things set up for dinner, both clearly having done this for a while and knew their roles. Mo felt a little like a spare part just watching them do things around her. They left the lights on in the RV and the fire gave a warm glow to the evening. Benji had set out a table and camping chairs for the three of them while Ethan heated up a meat stew;, they pretty much ate together in silence. When they had finished their meal Benji started to chat again.

  “Wow, I guess we both have some quite incredible stories but I really can’t believe that Lordes is your father. You know what that means, you might get gold wings too!”

  “What do you mean, aren’t everyone’s wings gold?”

  “No, it’s really cool, everyone has different colour wings but those with gold tend to be clan leaders, hey you could even be clan leader one day.”

  “Ok Benji calm down, don’t scare the poor girl, she doesn’t even have wings yet.” Ethan mentioned, trying to get Benji out of his reverie, the boy really could ramp things up sometimes.

  “How long will it take for me to get wings?” Mo asked.

  Ethan responded, “about six months, sometimes a little longer, and they won’t be gold to start with even if they will end up that colour., Nnew wings always start out white, then they fall out and your new feathers grow in with your colour.”

  Mo wondered what her wings would look like. Sshe was a little disappointed that it would take so long to get them but at least she had chance to get used to the idea. She also was very curious about the colour of Ethan’s wings but she knew she wouldn’t ask him.

  “Will it hurt when they grow.”

  “I’m not going to lie it’s not easy growing wings, it certainly hurts when the skin breaks through but you have cream for that. There is a dull ache as they grow and your body hurts getting used to the weight, but we have certain remedies to help you through it and we will build your strength through exercise and diet so you can cope with them. The next 6 months while your wings grow are the most important in your life., Tthey will determine how well your wings grow, how big they and you become, for once grown that is how they will stay no matter how hard you try to change them.”

  Mo was not sure what he meant, but she also thought it sounded like the next few months were going to be really tough.

  Ethan went back into the RV and returned with a couple of bottles for him and Benji. Mo realised this must be the blood. Benji nodded his thanks to Ethan and they both started to drink. , Mo watched, fascinated with this particular part of the special diet. Benji looked up at Mo and smiled, his teeth were blood stained and for the first time she could see why people may think they looked like vampires.

  “Can I try some?” Mo asked.

  Benji looked at Ethan for approval, he shrugged,

  “No time like the present.” Mo felt proud of herself and she felt they were also impressed with her keenness.

  “It doesn’t taste great at first but it also gives you a kind of weird feeling.” Benji explained.

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s hard to explain, for Volucris it’s a bit like a drug, but you don’t feel out of control, you feel more in control, more than ever before, like you could achieve anything., iit’s great, there is no low from it you don’t crave it like a proper drug, it’s just great when you drink it.” Benji passed his bottle to Mo who took it with a reserved look on her face. She first smelt it, it smelt like the butcher counter at the supermarket, the bottle was warm, she guessed Ethan must have warmed it up. She put the straw to her lips and sucked, the taste was full of iron, quite a bitter taste, she swallowed and felt it drop down every inch of her, it felt weird but Benji was right, it felt good too. Both Ethan and Benji were smiling at her reaction.

  “I think she likes it.” Benji laughed taking back his bottle.

  “I think you’re right,” Ethan laughed back, it was nice to see him smile, Mo thought this must be the first time, he had a nice soft smile that rose to his eyes. Mo smiled back and asked. “So, when do I get a bottle?”

  “When Lordes says so, he should be around tomorrow, he will give you a better idea of your diet then.” Ethan spoke softly, some ,oof f his earlier tension had left and he sat up rolling his shoulders. Benji was right, there was a change in both of them, they both had risen out of their chairs stretching their backs and rolling their necks.

  “I need to fly” Ethan announced. He grabbed the cord out of his backpack and pulled off the bag. At first Mo, could not make out his wings at all against the black sky but then he drew them out behind him, huge dark wings, the light that caught them showed a deep chocolate colour that danced with the flicker of the fire light. Ethan turned without warning and ran out into the desert, they were both left gazing in his wake at this amazing spectacle., Benji’s envy poured out of him as his wish and need to fly was so strong. They heard Ethan’s padding footsteps running away then a swoop and rush as he must have left the ground.

  Mo stood in a stunned silence as Benji paced around the small camp dragging his hands through his hair. Mo felt a little uncomfortable, this was the first time she had really experienced her new life first hand. She had not had time to get used to what it meant in reality., Sshe watched Benji, could see how badly he wanted to join Ethan, how he could barely contain the desire pulsing through him. She wanted to help him, to bring back the fun loving happy soul of only a few minutes ago, but she had no idea how to, it scared her that the blood had this type of effect. , Wwhy were they making Benji drink
it if he couldn’t yet fly, it seemed cruel to put him through this. After what seemed like an eternity but was probably only few minutes, Benji turned and faced the darkness, “he is coming back.” Mo heard nothing, could see nothing and wondered how Benji knew, then a rush and footsteps coming close to the camp. Ethan loomed out of the dark and into the camp, he was breathing heavily and he looked up at Benji, “go, you can run for at least 500 yards there is nothing around us for miles.” Benji did not hesitate. Aall his bent-up tension surged through him as he ran off in a sprint into the darkness.

  Mo gave Ethan a curt smile. Hhe was bare chested now, he had an impressive body and his skin was a beautiful dark olive colour, his wings were huge, at least 6ft each, Mo felt like she was sitting in-front of a giant and that she was only a small mouse. His hair was,, it appeared, almost the same colour as his wings. She could see he still had a lot of energy but he seemed to be able to control it better than Benji;, Mo thought he must have been doing this a lot longer.

  “Will you fly again?” Mo asked

  “No, that was all I needed and to check out the area to make sure we are not seen., Iit’s easy for me to fly at night, I am so dark no-one will see. It’s important for Benji to run now, build up his strength and burn off his energy.”

  “He seemed so uncomfortable, like a caged animal.”

  “Yes, it is strange, don’t worry we are not all effectedaffected in the same way, I guess some can control the energy a little better., Iit’s been hard for Benji, he has not had a proper induction. Uusually we would be back at a commune by now before we gave him blood, but Lordes decided he needed it straight away as his wings were already starting to come through.”

  Mo nodded not sure if she understood but also unsure of what to say.

  Ethan noted her reaction. “We all know this is a lot for you, when Lordes is back he will explain it much better than I can, I have never been very good with others.”

  Mo nodded again. Sshe felt so out of her depth, the realisation of her situation hitting her straight between the eyes, had she made the right choice, was this really the best life for her?

  “What is it like?” She asked looking up towards the sky

  “Flying?” Mo nodded.

  “Flying is life itself, for a Volucris it’s just as important as breathing.”

  The answer was short and not really what Mo was looking for. Sshe meant what did it feel like, was it scary or exhilarating but she didn’t feel she could ask again especially with Ethan. An awkward silence fell between them and Mo was unsure what to ask next. She had many questions but she would rather ask Benji than Ethan, he was so cold and unapproachable, even more with his wings on show.

  Ethan seemed to understand what Mo was feeling.

  “You should get some sleep, it’s been a long day.” Ethan suggested.

  “What about Benji?”

  “He will be out for a while, don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on him, I can keep an eye on both of you quite easily from up there, and as I said, there is nobody about.”

  “How?”

  “How, what?”

  “How can you see in the dark to keep an eye on us?.”

  “I just can, trust me.”

  The answer was abrupt and not what Mo wanted, she got the impression Ethan wanted the conversation to finish so she got up. “I’m in the back bed?”

  “Yes.” Ethan was already starting to walk away into the darkness. Mo climbed the steps of the RV suddenly feeling a little bereft and alone. She grabbed her holo projector and went into the small room at the back of the RV. Iit was cosy she thought, basically just a bed with a few shelves. She shut the door behind her feeling a little more comforted to be in a closed space. She flicked on her holo. Sshe had already messaged her grandmother to let her know everything was ok, but she didn’t feel she was up to a full-blown conversation now. She thought she would try Lizzie, her grandmother would have told her by now and her friend might be able to cheer her up a little. She swiped the various options until she came to the phone. Sshe picked Lizzie’s number but straight away it came up as no network. That was strange, she usually always had no problem getting reception. Disappointed she came out of the phone section, maybe she would read a book or play a game but she really was not in the mood. Sshe turned her holo off and lay back on her bed. She imagined Ethan flying above her and wondered if he got cold, it must get cold with hardly any clothes on. She wasn’t sure how she would get an answer to this question as she knew it was not something she wanted to ask Ethan. Then she remembered he said her father would be back tomorrow, maybe she would get a few more answers then. T

  he thought made her smile, a small feeling of warmth spread through her stomach, she was excited about finally getting to meet her father properly.

  Chapter 14

  Mo gradually woke, the sunlight filtering through the thin curtains above her bed. It took her a moment to remember where she was and when she did, it did not fill her heart with joy but more sadness that she was not going to see her grandmother. Her dreams had been anxious, of her grandmother calling out to her, but her own voice could not be heard no matter how loud she shouted. She reached out for her holo and checked the reception, still nothing. She sat up in bed and peeked out of the window. The landscape was that of a desert with small bushes and cacti surrounding them, it looked and felt hot already. It was early maybe only 6.30. Sshe could see Ethan preparing breakfast, his wings were still on show and in the morning light they really were the most beautiful colour. They reflected a deep blue as the sunlight caught them and she saw now on the underside that there were flecks of a lighter colour running through them, more like a falcon. He was still bare chested, his trousers seemed to be made of a strange material though he had now discarded the more modern clothes on he had on previously. , Iit must have been some kind of animal skin. Iit was tan in colour and looked rough round the waist and ankles, it made him look even more fantasy like. They seemed to be clothes from an ancient era. He turned and caught Mo looking at him, she sank back into her bed embarrassed she had been caught looking.

  Mo decided to get up. Sshe pulled on her hoody and sweat pants and went out into the main part of the RV., Benji was sprawled out on the sofa snoring loudly, how could he sleep in such bright light? She gingerly opened the door and stepped down the steps into the camp. , Tthe food Ethan was cooking smelt great, it looked like pancakes with bacon, one of her favourites and Mo’s tummy rumbled in anticipation.

  “Hungry?” Ethan asked.

  “Yeah starving actually, shall I wake Benji?”

  “No let him sleep, he was out all night and we are in no rush this morning, we made good progress yesterday and we need to wait for Lordes anyway.”

  “You know he is coming?”

  “Yes, we already organised this rendez-vousrendezvous, please,.” hHe gestured for her to sit.

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Not yet but don’t worry, we will get you working later.” Ethan placed the food in front of her, iit looked amazing., Tthere was a bowl of blueberries and nuts on the table too which Mo greedily snacked on. They ate in silence. Mo, was slowly beginning to realise this wasn’t really out of rudeness. Iit seemed to the Volucris that food was very important and it came before anything else. Once finished they still sat in silence but it was not as awkward as the previous night. It was a beautiful morning, the sun rising above the desert, the heat of the day not yet upon them, birds were darting all about picking up the morning spoils, and apart from the birds it was perfectly silent, they both sat enjoying the tranquillity. It was broken by the noise emanating from the RV, the sound of Benji’s snores reaching their ears even with the door closed. They looked at each other and both smiled. Mo felt Ethan’s usual frosty persona melt slightly and she was enjoying being in his company.

  “When will Lordes come?” She asked.

  “Soon, we arranged to meet in the morning unless he has been held up.”

  “How will you know?�
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  “I won’t. Tthere is no reception so he knows I will leave when the sun is at its highest with or without him.”

  Mo was not sure she liked the sound of this, not knowing where he was, she was not sure she liked the idea of it just being the three of them until they reached wherever they were going. She just realised she had not even asked this question, she had just trusted the fact they were taking her somewhere safe.

  “Where are we going, I haven’t even asked?”

  “South, somewhere remote where our kind is safe, it’s always been a kind of homeland for the Volucris. Yyou will like it there, we all do.”

  “Are you not worried about Lordes if he doesn’t show?”

  Ethan smiled again, as though he knew something she did not and she had just asked a very silly question. “Not at all, Lordes will always be, he has always survived, he is stronger than us all.”

  The answer confused Mo, she did not understand what Ethan meant but again did not feel she could press him further., Sshe had felt more comfortable with him this morning but only just and she still found the answers to her questions short and confusing. She hoped her father would be more open.

  The silence descended between them once more as they once again enjoyed the morning., Tthis was broken by Benji, but an awake Benji now stumbling out of the RV. He looked just like his years, a scruffy teenager just getting up from his pit, he squinted at the sunlight that both Mo and Ethan bathed in.

  “Blimey, can we turn down the light and heat a bit.” Benji complained.

  “Good morning to you too.” Ethan retorted, he seemed a little put out that their peace had been disturbed.

  “What’s cooking?” Benji responded, pretty much ignoring Ethan’s comment.

  “You can get it yourself, there is the usual waiting to be cooked.”

  “Oh man, come on feathers I was up most of the night.”

  Ethan relinquished and got up as Benji sat heavily down on a chair grabbing a few berries as he sat.