44. Merle
Merle
Iwant to run.
But I lock my legs and stare into the dark. All around me is silence, but there are killers here who are going to want to take me out. Who believe they have no choice.
A whistle.
The attack whistle.
My heart jumps into my throat.
“Relax, little bird. We can take them.”
I turn my head to the side, seeing the uncovered face of Korax. The relief makes me sway. He reaches out and grips my shoulder.
“I’m here. Did you think I wouldn’t come? Of course, I had to be here. I want to see his corpse. Dance on it.” His voice is a rough whisper of sound, barely heard.
He’s got tanned skin, high cheekbones, and dark eyes. Korax means raven in Latin. I know, I looked it up because I thought he had a cool name.
I was almost sad when I realised that he was a prisoner just like me.
Just another bird.
He’s not sane, though. He’s broken, just like me. None of us birds are sane when Father finishes teaching us. We’re broken and put back together all wrong. We can’t fly anymore.
I give him a look. You’re going to help me? Really, I try to say.
“Yes. I’m going to keep you safe, Blackbird. Until your pack of dogs arrives.”
I shudder.
“Here they come,” he whispers and winks.
He steps past me and goes to meet the tiny assassins. Korax is fast, like lightning. He looks as if he could fly. He looks like he’s made of shadows.
I am so grateful he’s here.
When one gets past him and turns on me, I hesitate because the form is tiny.
Pigeon.
She comes at me, and even though she’s tiny, I know that she will kill me if I let her, so I block all her moves. Refusing to give ground, but refusing to hit back.
She turns and charges one of the Flock standing in the shadow, waiting for orders. It’s so random, I just stare at her, trying to figure out what she’s doing.
The big male knocks her into the wall. She falls to the ground and doesn’t move. I launch at him, attacking faster and wilder. My violence knows no quarter. He ends up stepping back, walking away, driven away, as I punch into every soft spot he has.
He spins and stumbles, then is shoved forward and to the side, out of my path. Suddenly, I’m facing a shadow that is my height.
Exactly my height.
My heart pounds as I stare at the way she moves. She’s leaner than I am.
I know her.
She’s as familiar to me as my shadow.
Dogs pour into the warehouse. Five growling, attacking dogs, followed by alphas, omegas, and hope.
I can’t take my eyes off her.