Page 18 of Twi-Flight
I grip a hand around his arm, there’s hard muscle beneath the soft feathers. He’s still himself. He’s still the tall, thoughtful person I’ve been getting closer to. He just doesn’t look the way I expected. Why didn’t I notice?
I’m an idiot. I saw in him what I wanted to see. I should have known; I should have realized.
I tentatively touch him. First his chest, covered in soft feathers that he lets me dig my fingers into before I raise my fingers to run them through the red mohawk of his comb. It’s kind of rugged, flopping to one side like bangs. The feathers on his cheek are softer, shorter and more delicate. They tickle my palm when I stroke his cheek.
“You’re—always a chicken?”
He nods, there’s amusement in his dark eyes.
“How did it happen? Were you born—human?”
His head shakes slightly. “I hatched from a normal egg, from a normal hen, I just kept growing until I became this. I learned to talk. Eventually I moved away from my flock to find my own way in the world.”
“And you came to live here? In secret?”
He shrugs. “It’s easy to blend into Ghostlight. But most people know what I am.”
“Not me,” I say quietly. “I’ve been so stupid.”
“No, you haven’t.” His voice is hard, his waddle moves as he talks. “You couldn’t have known. I should have trusted you more. I should have told you the day we met.”
“I’m glad you told me.” I say truthfully. “It’s okay, I understand why you’d want to keep this to yourself.”
“I wanted to tell you, but...”
“You weren’t sure how I would handle it. What I would do if I found out…” I finally drop my hand from his face.
There’s a subtle concern in his eyes. “Eggward. I need you to take me home. There’s something I have to do.”
He nods solemnly and turns his back. I climb on and let him carry me back to my house.
Chapter Six
“I’m sorry Lucy.” I say the second my best friend steps foot in the house.
“Sorry for what?” she asks, setting her school bag beside the door.
“For pressuring you about telling other people’s secrets, for not believing you, for leaving for so long that I didn’t notice that you’d become a vampire.”
“I’m not mad. You don’tneedto apologize.” She grins slyly and leans against the wall. “But please, go on.”
I take a deep breath before I can bring myself to continue. “You were right, I’ve hidden things about my own past. You’re right it’s not fair for me to expect other people to be open when I don’t talk about why I haven’t been around.” The last part is the hardest and the simplest to say. “And you were right, Eggward isn’t a vampire. You were right about everything.”
“So he told you the truth?” Lucy asks eagerly.
I nod.
“Finally! And?”
“And I’m in love with him.” I admit cautiously.
Lucy’s smile is wide. “Then what the hell are you doing here right now?”
“Well—I didn’t exactly admit that to him.”
Lucy rolls her eyes but catches herself with her pupils halfway to the ceiling. “I’m sorry.” Lucy’s voice is quiet. “I didn’t like keeping secrets from you. You are a good friend. You always deserved the truth. From him, and from me.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say it.” I say, feeling the hot tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
