Falcon Feathers

Falcon Feathers (Chapter 25)

"Come on, breakfast," she said gently.

Even though I wasn't hungry, I didn't protest and followed Unule downstairs. As she took me to get a plate I noticed people staring at me, whispering, "That's him" or "He's the one." I ignored their stares as I put pancakes on my plate. I sat down at a table near the edge of the room, and Unule sat across from me, watching me eat. I stared at my food, poking holes in the pancake's surface.

"The headmaster wants to talk to you about what happened. He wants a full account."

I looked around and saw people look away when I glanced at them. (It seems like everyone already knows what happened.) I closed my eyes and listened.

"Why would they let him in here?"

"He's hiding something, I can tell."

"Watch your back around that one."

"He can't be trusted."

"I bet it's his fault."

"He ought to be locked up in cell."

"They should give him over to the council."

"You said the headmaster wants to see me?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Let's go," I said, leaving my plate full as I got up. We went out the front and I closed the door, glad to have a physical boundary between me and everyone inside. We walked in silence towards the other, larger building I saw last night. I zoned out and was startled when we stopped walking and were standing in front of a door. I looked back at Unule and she nodded, so I drew a breath and went in. Sitting at a wooden table was a tall man in a dark suit who looked like he hadn't slept in a while. His eyes stared into mine for a moment.

"You must be Alec," he said by way of greeting. I stared blankly back at him. "Please sit."

"You wanted to see me so I can talk about what happened," I said quietly, staring through him and out the window.

"Yes, indeed I do," the headmaster agreed.

I looked him in the eyes and said, "You're not thinking. I take it you already know what I can do?"

"Indeed. I am quite aware of your..." he paused, "powers."

"Which is why you are being careful to keep your mind empty. You're also leaning away from me because you don't want to touch me. But I don't care about that. You want to know what happened, so here's what happened," I said stiffly, and told my story from my time at the mansion all the way to arriving at the school last night. All the while the headmaster remained silent, processing my words and mulling over my story's credibility.

"Thank you. Now, Alec, do you have any questions for me?" the headmaster asked.

"Why did you need to ask me to tell you what you already know? Couldn't you have just asked Gagan what happened?"

"Gagan can no longer speak. He seemed to has lost that ability, just as Unule has lost her magic," he explained. I blinked and glanced at the tattoos on my arms.

"What happens now?" I asked. The headmaster sat up in his chair and looked me in the eye. I returned his gaze.

"Unule has agreed to take care of you. You will live here on campus, where you can learn to control your powers, and attend school here, where you can be safe."

"Safe from who, Dana?" I asked, suddenly irritated.

"Not just your sister, but from the council. I report to them and they don't trust you. Derek's move with their end-all weapon bothered them. And they fear that your being Coyote's vessel might be a problem."

"They want me dead," I said flatly.

"Yes, but that is only because they fear your instability. If you live here you will be safe and happy. If you get good enough you can get sent on missions. None like this of course, but you could do good work."

I thought for a moment before answering, "Fine by me." I turned and got up to leave, suddenly feeling claustraphobic in the samll room.

"One more thing before you go," he said as I reached for the door handle. "The funeral is this afternoon at four."

I drew in a sharp breath. "Thank you," I said, and walked out of the room.

I met Unule outside. She placed a hand on my back and led me down the hall and back to the room. She stopped at the door, and I sat down on the bed next to the black suit. She placed a hand on the door frame and said, "I'll come by and get you in a little while."

"Okay," I said, laying back down on the bed. I looked at the clock and decided to take a shower. I let the water run and I just sat on the floor under it with my chin on my knees. I cried until I couldn't anymore. When I finished I got dressed for the service. I only had to wait a few minutes before Unule knocked on my door. Together, we went downstairs and met up with everyone. The girls wore plain black dresses and Will wore a suit. Atsila wore a plain black suit similar to mine, as did Unatsi, for once not wearing something flashy and over the top. Unule had on a black dress with silver trim to it and a matching hat. Each of them had on different individual rings: red, light blue, and silver.

Together, we walked to where the funeral was being held. It took place in a cemetary on the far side of campus, in the open fields. We passed rows of headstones, each of a student who had attended the school. The entire school was there and we were at the front of the assembly. Unule and I stood several feet in front of the rest in the area designated for family only. (I guess we were his family, but now I've lost that too.) Gagan stood perched on Derek's gravestone as he looked with his raptor gaze centered on the crowd. Akita stepped forward and began to address the congregation. She talked about Derek's time at the academy and about his bright personality. Many people in the audience mumbled assent at her words. Then she spoke about his fatal mission that he embarked on, due to a sense of obligation and duty. My heart constricted into a tight, choking knot in my chest. Shortly after she began this final part Nala began sob. Joelle wrapped an arm around her, even as tears ran down her face. Then people made way as a casket came forward. My anguish turned to rage as I saw the casket being lowered into the ground. My emotions boiled over and I could feel my arms begin to tingle. I couldn't bear it any longer.

"This is so stupid!" I yelled, and a gust of wind swept through the crowd. Tears welled up in my eyes and gushed forth.

"Alec--" Angel said, laying hand on my shoulder.

I brushed it off as the tears kept coming, "There's not even a body in there!" I said and ran through the crowd back the way we came. I stumbled over a rock and scraped my hand on the ground, but I barely noticed. I ran faster; I needed to feel the wind. I finally stopped on the tallest hill overlooking the campus. I collapsed down on the ground and slammed my fists against the earth. I lashed out again and again until the rage left me. I sat up, resting my elbows on my knees as I stared up at the sunny sky. I saw as Gagan circled overhead. He landed on the ground and stared up at me with his big eyes.

"Please, not now," I said, "I want to be as alone as I feel."

Gagan blinked and then took off into sky. He circled once, let out a cry, and flew away. I sat alone, looking up at the clouds as a feather fell down onto the ground before me. I picked it up and held it to the light. It was just a feather, a single falcon feather.