Chapter 26 Fell
FELL
I SOARED FREE, REVELING IN THE STROKE OF WIND ON MY body, the sweet vibrations of my wings on the air, the glorious stretch and bend of my muscles. Muscles too long cramped and inert.
I was no longer trapped in darkness, lost in a void. No longer surrounded by the mist that filled my head and ate at me, consuming me with devouring jaws.
I cut through clouds, tossing the weight of my head left and right, delighting in the freedom. Even if my thoughts still felt loose and foggy, my emotions were keen, my instincts sharp as the talons jutting from my claws.
Mist cooled the battle fever from my skin.
Finally, my mist had somewhere to go. It flowed out of me instead of into me.
My stomach clawed with hunger, and I studied the landscape below, scanning for movement, for potential food. Among other things.
I had many needs. Dizzying, overwhelming urges that filled me with a delicious ache.
I hunted even as I felt hunted myself.
I glanced after me, an uneasy sensation clinging, as though I had left something behind.
The nagging feeling followed me, a constant breath at my neck, filling me with a restless energy.
Fire-gold eyes flashed across my mind, and I shook my head, tossing off the image as though it was no more than a bit of cobweb sticking stubbornly to the skin.
Beating my wings, I flew harder, faster, letting the wind tear the gossamer web away.