It took years before I understood that my body was being worn like a coat and used to do its bidding. Even now, it’s hard to believe. But it’s happened so often that I’ve come to get used to it.
“Why can’t I be rid of you?” I wonder aloud.
There is no answer.
I hear the sweep of wings beating the air just behind my shoulder, and I don’t need to turn around to know who it is.
Dravik.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, not taking my gaze off the horizon.
“Same reason as you, I guess. Can’t sleep.” Dravik takes a seat next to me on the cliff, his massive orange wings spreading out on the ice at his back. “How are you feeling? Since… you know?”
Sinceitwent to sleep and gave me control of my body again? Not great.
If I was being honest, that’s what I’d say.
“Feeling fine,” I mutter, gazing out at the rainbow light dancing across the darkened sky. “Thank you for bringing me back and healing my wing.”
Dravik gazes at me from the corner of his eye, his mouth tipping in the barest of smiles. “You never have to do that, you know. I’m just glad you didn’t take a bite out of my forearm this time.”
“The brooding Dravik making a lighthearted joke? I think I may die from shock.”
He barks a laugh, slapping my knee as he doubles forward. “It’s notthatshocking.”
“Uh-huh. And I’mnotpossessed by an evil parasitic being that wants to kill you all.”
He snaps straight, all the laughter dying from his expression. “Fuck, Cin. I hate when you joke about it like that.”
I shrug, trailing the dancing light across the horizon. “What’s that human saying?If you’re not laughing, you’re crying?I feel like that one is particularly useful here.”
He shakes his head softly. “We’ll find a way to fix you, Cin. You know we will.”
I don’t say anything. I can’t. My hope has died long ago, but Dravik still clings to the idea that we can carve the evil thing out of my head and make me whole again.
I’ve stopped trying to talk him out of it. Some things aren’t worth the fight.
He clears his throat, and I can tell by the shift in his voice that whatever’s coming next is important. “I need to speak with you about Willow.”
“What of her?” I ask, my heart thudding wildly against its cage.
“She is not human.”
I bark out a laugh, sharp and humorless. “I am surprised how long it took you to realize. What gave it away?”
“When I gave her breath, I felt…something.Like she was…feastingon my power. My magic.” He shudders. “It was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever felt. And also the most terrifying.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever been so open, Dravik.”
He shakes his head, dragging a hand down his face. “I’m all messed up. It’s her. She’s… I’m not thinking straight.” He lifts his head, his gaze sharp, almost desperate. “What is she? Some kind of rare demon hybrid?”
I shrug. “Maybe. Probably not, though.”
He steps closer, looming. “Do you know what she is?”
“I have a theory.” I turn my gaze to him, weighing whether I actually want to say it out loud. “Should we see if ours are the same?”
Something akin to dread creeps into his gaze. “Her eyes… the stories…”
