Page 33 of Heron's Flame

Hawk tossed his cigarette to the ground and stomped out the cinders with his boot. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“To set your crow free.”

That sentence confused me. “What?”

“Stop scowling. We can’t fix what you messed up until you’re in sync with your crow.”

“He’s right,” Talon added.

“Don’t you have anything better to do?”

“Nope. I’ve got snacks. All ready for a show now.”

Flipping him off, I followed Hawk, ignoring Talon as he followed us, munching on peanuts from a bag he carried as he tossed some into his mouth. I hoped he spilled the beer he held in the other hand. His amusement rankled. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with his shit right now. And Cuckoo better not show up, or I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from kicking his annoying ass.

Hawk led us away from the crowd, entering an alley that appeared abandoned. There were no security cameras or anyone loitering close to us. As soon as we stopped, the murder of crows that circled the nearby buildings landed. The black-fleeced birdsseemed to settle on rooftops, metal stairs, windowsills, and road signs with anticipation. They formed a tight barrier to ward off unnecessary attention. An excited chitter rippled through the group.

One lone crow landed at my feet. A single kraa rumbled up his chest and launched in my direction. He hopped a few steps closer, blinking at me with intelligent, onyx-colored eyes.Let’s go!

I tried this before, although not in front of Talon. On multiple occasions, it ended in disaster. But maybe they were right. Perhaps it was finally time to get in sync with my crow. He sure seemed to think so.

Hawk urged me to fly on multiple occasions, but I never seemed to master completing it. Something always seemed to hold me back. I hadn’t been able to find the right balance.

“He’s waiting for you,” Hawk informed me.

“I know.”

“Then why are you hesitating?”

“I don’t fucking know,” I snapped, cracking my neck.

“You’re thinking too hard.”

Talon snorted, and I shot him a glare.

“Ignore Talon. This isn’t about him. It’s you and your crow. Nothing else matters right now.”

He was wrong. Rebel mattered. So did Cerys. My dead family. Even my biological parents. Hell, the club. My bike. The list was fucking endless.

“You gotta let it go, Heron.” Talon stuffed his nuts into a pocket inside his cut and approached me. One hand lifted to my shoulder. “Brother, you focus on one thing at a time. Clear your mind. Think of the crow. Seek your bond and let the rest fade away.” He dropped his hand and stepped back.

I closed my eyes, focusing on my crow. His loud squawk. The ruffle of silk feathers. A thread of connection that pulledtaut, stretching between us. The sensation of lifting off the ground and weightless abandon. Wind in my face. Freedom. Exhilaration. Brotherhood.

My eyes opened, and I no longer stood on the asphalt. My arms stretched wide, gliding on a current as I felt the whispers of the crows surround me. Wait. That wasn’t right. No arms. Just beautiful, onyx, soft feathers.

Holy. Shit. I did it.

I wasflying.

Below me, I heard Hawk and Talon holler, whooping as they pumped the air with their fists. If I had a face that would allow a grin, I would have felt it widen. Surprise gave way to fascination as I felt at peace, a single part of a greater whole. The murder flew above the bike rally, twisting and moving over the people below. Some glanced up at us, shielding their eyes from the glare of the late afternoon sun.

I never experienced anything like this. The integration of my conscious mind with those of the crows. Their excitement and awe transferred to me, and my beak opened, letting a caw slip free.Wow, I’m one of them.

It ended far too quickly. The transformation happened before I could think of leaving the crow’s form and returning to my human body. I didn’t have to worry about how I would accomplish that task. Maybe it was magic or luck or something hidden deep in my DNA. Hell, it could be a little of all three combined.

I stood with Hawk and Talon, feeling for the first time that I belonged with the crows and the men who called me brother.

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