Page 61 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

“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. Ihave 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 whenthe 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.

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