Ashes (The Firebird Trilogy Book 1) Page 16

  “Now,” her father continued, “make it burn.”

  “Won’t that hurt it?” asked the girl, around four years old.

  “Of course it will,” he replied, “but pain is a good thing, it makes you see clearer.”

  The child looked at her father who gave her an encouraging nod. She began singing again, louder now, persuading the tiger forward at her father’s command. The white tiger walked into the flame without hesitation, completely infected by the monstrous power of her voice, it sat immobile as the sparks slowly ate away its fur.

  Only its eyes were screaming.

  The little girl watched the tiger die because of her. She was crying. Then her father made all her doubts and fears disappear as he touched her on the shoulder.

  “Very good,” he smiled and she beamed because he was proud of her. His enchanting voice let her know that she had done the right thing.

  “Very good,” he repeated quietly, looking out at the burning animal with flickers in his own golden eyes, “my child.”

  My disgustingly sweaty body jerked bolt-upright. My eyes darted open. Breathing heavily, the blood gushed to my head, making me dizzy. I was shivering in uncontrollable convulsions. It had just been a dream.

  “Ruby?”

  I screamed automatically, flinching back from the noise so fast that I smacked my head on the wall behind me. Ouch.

  A hand clamped across my mouth and an image of that alley flooded into my mind. Terrified, I kicked out at the person who was restraining me. The darkness was closing in on me again. I couldn’t see my attacker. My heart was hammering a million times a minute, at least that’s how it felt, and I punched the shadow clean across his jaw.

  He swore angrily as he held me down. Muscled arms restrained me inescapably as I squirmed like a worm on a hook.

  “Ruby, calm down,” I eventually realised that I recognised his voice. I looked up to see Nik. He released me, then sighed, “What am I going to do with you?” He rubbed his jaw where I’d punched him. “I heard what happened.”

  I nodded, and then said shakily, “I’m sorry… I didn’t know it was you.” My voice worked thankfully, but it did crack and throb painfully.

  He just smiled with kindness, “Don’t worry about it, you’ve had a rough few hours. It’s time for us to go.”

  I slowly sat up; my body ached tremendously, “Where?” then I remembered. “Oh God; the Flight,” I swallowed with sudden terror, “Where is it at?”

  “Has nobody told you yet?” he rolled his eyes exasperatedly, “Jeez, Chara’s been out with you all day and not spoken to you about it?”

  I looked at him expectantly, taking his question rhetorically.

  He sighed, leaning forwards and speaking calmly, “What will happen is you’ll have to climb up to the top of the north cliff. That’s where the celebrations will be. There’ll be a lot of people. When you get up there you’ll have to do a couple of things to do with your element, I’m not quite sure because I’m of Earth, but you’ll probably have to walk through fire. Then you’ll have to dive off the cliff. The adrenaline should make you Change.”

  “Should,” I repeated nervously, “Does that mean some people don’t?”

  “Sometimes,” he answered honestly.

  “You’ve got to be joking. Why is everything in this place so dangerous?”

  “Why do you think we left,” he muttered quietly.

  I glanced over at him. “Why did you?” I wondered.

  “You’ll have to ask Chara that, not me,” he answered, and then assured me with that calming gentle smile. “You’ll be fine anyway, tonight, you’re a natural.”

  I took a deep shaky breath, “Thank you Nik.”

  “Are you ready?” he asked, standing up and offering me a hand.

  “Not even close,” I admitted, staggering up, my nerves jittering already.

  “Come on,” he grinned. “Just think, after you’ve jumped off a cliff in front of thousands of people, achieved your First Flight, been the perfect party host, then you might even be able sit down for ten, maybe even fifteen whole minutes.”

  “Really? That long,” I laughed exhaustedly, “In that case let’s get going.”

  When we went downstairs everyone was standing by the door except Kieran, who was nowhere in sight. Good, I thought, though felt secretly stung. It was dark outside, the storm clouds from the mountains earlier had dissipated and the sky glittered with golden stars. It seemed cold too, though my body didn’t feel the temperature like it had before. It was rare that I felt truly cold now.

  “We’ll take you up to the bottom of the cliff,” Chara said, “But you’ll have to climb it yourself.”

  I frowned “On my own? I don’t know where I’m going.”

  Chara smiled patiently, “Someone will be with you; it just can’t be us. To be honest this is quite an important event. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to stay clear of us for tonight; for suspicion’s sake.”

  I frowned, waving this suggestion off; still feeling unbelievably anxious. Briseis noticed this, smiling, “You look terrified. What are you worried about?”

  It was time for me to laugh, “Just the whole jumping off a cliff thing.”

  “Your body will know what to do,” Nik promised. “Even if you don’t.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded. The others went off to Change and while I waited for them to return I gazed up at the sky, suddenly wondering whether or not my mum was watching me. Would she be annoyed that all her hard work to keep me from this place had inevitably failed?

  The others returned and I climbed onto Chara’s feathery back when she offered. We leaped off into the air for what I hoped was my last piggyback ride. The flight was quick and we soon landed, separated from the others, at the base of the north side of the valley, where the wall was so steep it was a vertical ledge. The others had continued straight up to the top of the mountain ledge, where I could just make out the orange light polluting the sky from blazing bonfires.

  I jumped down off Chara, my knees buckling as I landed. I was so exhausted, I felt like time was zooming ahead of me, faster every second.

  There was a young man standing in front of me.

  He was golden and angelic; the first male blonde Phoenix I had seen, other than Lynk of course. His skin was dusted in pale gold tan, no freckles and absolutely flawless. His eyes were amber, tinted slightly orange which was in some way both mysterious and alluring. He was tall and athletic, built like a runner but not quite as muscular as an Ashaik. As I neared I realised he was Kieran’s exact opposite.

  He was light; Kieran was dark; soft and hard, fire and Earth.

  Good luck chick, Chara said encouragingly, before sweeping off into the air.

  “Jayson,” the guy smiled warmly, offering his hand to shake. I took it, his grip was strong, his skin startlingly hot. “You must be the Swartette.”

  “That’s me,” I said tiredly.

  “You excited?” he wondered as we began walking up the side of the cliff, where the rocks tumbled from the top in a steep slope.

  “Nervous,” I admitted.

  “Why?” he inquired, grinning excitedly. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”

  “Falling?” I laughed.

  He shook his head with a light easy-going laugh. “Flying.”

  “What’s it like?” I questioned.

  “Do you want to know the soppy truth?” he asked and I nodded interestedly, “It’s beautiful.” He sighed, glancing over at me with those strange amber eyes, “The whole word disappears underneath you and suddenly you’re free. Everyone does it the same way: over the edge. The fear and adrenalin apparently draw out your instincts.” I listened quietly, trying to picture what he was saying, imagining the drop. “I remember my First Flight was a summer’s day. The sun was brilliant. I flew above everything, through the clouds; they’re kind of soft, you know, like a damp blanket. But the sun kept me dry and warm and the wind lifted me…it’s hard to explain,” he sighed dist
antly, “but it was the best.”

  “It sounds it,” I agreed, noticing the glacial foothills that were beginning to peak into my view as we climbed higher up the slope; the sparkling folds of rock were sharpened impressively. I tried to imagine what it’d be like to fly but I couldn’t. It was like a blank wall stopped me. Perhaps I wasn’t meant to experience such a wonderful-sounding thing.

  “What’s it like up there?” I asked as the climb grew steeper. To my surprise, I felt instantly comfortable with Jayson. He reminded me a lot of Alex back at home.

  “There are a lot of people,” he answered, “and, of course, a lot of fire displays. There’s a tent on the right where you can get undressed.”

  I stopped in my tracks, staring at Jayson with wide surprised eyes, “What do you mean, undressed?” I demanded.

  “Well you aren’t exactly going to be diving over the edge fully clothed are you?” he laughed.

  “I’m not doing it naked if that’s what you’re thinking,” I said sternly.

  “No, no,” he waved me off, “you’ll have the ceremonial cloak; of course.”

  The last section of rock was nearly vertical; it took all my concentration to climb. I gripped my hands tightly into available cracks, following Jayson’s capable lead, thankful that I was used to tackling such mobile rock faces because of living in the Lake District.

  When I clawed my way over the last section of rock I saw that a massive sheet of red material, painted over with golden spiralling patterns, covered my view of the celebrations. There was a great amount of noise propelling from the other side of the sheet, sounds of talking and metal clashing and the bang of tribal drums.

  To the right was a tall wide tent that I assumed was where I was supposed to get dressed. I turned to Jayson, my eyebrows raised. “So you’re telling me I have to go out in front of thousands of people, in nothing but a cloth?!”

  “Cloak,” he corrected light-heartedly, “yeah, here it is.” He went off into the tent and brought out a long cloak shimmering with gold thread woven into beautiful intertwining patterns. “It’s not that bad, get going.” He shoved the cloth into my hands and half-pushed me into the tent.

  I reluctantly surrendered, grudgingly stripping off. There was another outfit hung up in the tent and I was under no illusion that I could wear my own clothes: I guessed that the gold halter neck dress before me would also be forced onto my skin. It was a gorgeous dress, corseted and made of fine silk, but I was more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl; personally. How did they know it would even fit?

  I wrapped the cloak around my body, finding no way of tying it. I looked around for something to tie it with, having no intention of wearing it open, if that’s what they expected they were kidding themselves. In the end I used the rope that tied the curtain of the tent, wrapping it round my waist and wearing the cloth as a wraparound makeshift dress. I took off my mother’s chain, placing it safely on the side so it wouldn’t snap when I Changed; if I did.

  When I came back out the tent Jayson laughed at my appearance, but it was a genuine humorous laugh, not in any way nasty. “Well that’s different.”

  His smile was quite infectious. “Look, I’m wearing it like this. If you try to stop me I’ll yell pervert really loudly.”

  He grinned manically, “No, don’t. I can’t wait to see Lynk’s face.”

  We walked over to the curtain. “Ready?” Jayson asked.

  I nodded and he pulled back the gap in the curtains. I heard a crowd roar.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The moment I stepped under the curtain, light burned down onto me. Thousands of glass spheres floated above my head from strings attached a net roof; bright candles burned encased within the orbs. Fountains of flame ran around a startlingly large audience, amazing displays of fireworks boomed in the starry night’s sky and bonfires lit a gigantic dance floor.

  Behind that were rows of tribal drums and strange musical instruments I’d never seen before in my life. To the right, dug into the ground at a lower level were rings of cushioned seats and to the left, nearer the cliff ledge, was a bar pouring out cocktails at an unhealthy rate. I was standing at the highest level, the VIP section. Surrounding me were the entertainers; acrobats on ropes, fire-eaters, sword jugglers and dancers in ridiculously skimpy outfits, their Phoenix wings somehow displayed while the rest of their body remained human; like angels. Except angels wouldn’t dance like that; in a way that mocked their virtuous appearance.

  The atmosphere was hot, electric and intense. I glanced back uncomfortably, searching for Jayson and luckily he was at my side. The instant people started to realise I was there a thunderous applause erupted. It surprised me, these people didn’t know me; it was like being a celebrity.

  As it quieted I noticed Lynk stalking across the main platform towards me. As he approached I saw him note my appearance with a twitch of his otherwise indifferent expression. He wasn’t happy about it. I almost smiled. As he faced the crowd, there was an eerie silence.

  He opened his mouth and addressed them. “Tonight we celebrate my daughter coming of age. It’s been a long wait,” he glanced back at me and I looked away, feeling the power of his gaze too much to bear. I hated that he called me his daughter. I wasn’t his daughter. He continued, “But tonight she will take her First Flight. Let her Change be swift, her wings strong and her journey true.”

  Everyone stared at Lynk, seemingly transfixed by his presence; it was strange how someone could be so influential even among others of equal status, though I knew it was nothing to do with his sparkling personality. It was that voice, that evil beautiful voice that would make you feel happy to drown just to hear some more of its words; its notes and textures. It didn’t work on everyone, not when he wasn’t concentrating, only the weaker Phoenix felt the fascination, but it was still difficult not to be enraptured by such a perfect sound. It was a dangerous drug to indulge in. A drug I also dealt in.

  He turned to me. “Follow me to the flames, Ruby.” It was all an act. Past the voice and those golden eyes, identical to mine, past that smile, was the same cold vindictive man calculating how best to use me to his advantage.

  I had no choice but to follow him through the crowd. People parted like the red sea as we came closer and made our way down some steps, no longer covered by the lit net roof. On the other side of the main section of the crowd was a path covered in golden petals. On either side of the path were beautiful flower arrangements meant to look like fire; red, yellow and orange buds bursting with sweet fragrances. One particular blossom that captured my attention had electric-orange petals with streaks of yellow running down them like buttercup paint.

  The path led to an archway made of what looked like wooden reeds. Underneath it was more wood and behind it was about a metre of rock before the sheer drop of the cliff. I took a deep breath as we neared it. Lynk edged closer to me.

  “You have to take the cloak off before entering the arch,” he hissed petulantly. “Don’t you dare embarrass me or burn that two hundred year old ceremonial cloak.”

  That’s why it smelt so musty, it was a museum relic.

  I knew they’d make me do something like this. I would just have to take it off the moment before I step through the arch. I assumed it was going to be lit. I guess people won’t be able to see me properly through the flames. I’d just have to be quick. God, Phoenix really didn’t seem to have any shame whatsoever. They seemed far too pro-nudity.

  “Fine,” I growled back. “But I am not your daughter.”

  “You are mine,” his snaring eyes flickered to me, his voice quiet but intense. “You’ll learn your place, Ruby.”

  “I am not the child I was when my mother took me,” I said. “Don’t underestimate me.”

  He looked back at the crowd, who’d edged closer. Jayson was suddenly beside me again holding a lit torch. Lynk nodded and took the torch.

  “As High Fire Elder,” Lynk said, raising his voice to the audience “I will light the Ceremonial Arch.�
�� As he spoke he lowered the torch to the wooden base.

  The arch sparked up instantaneously, it was blatantly coated in something flammable. The fire spread up each side of the arch and across the top, creating almost a door of flames. I stared at the blaze and my human instincts, drilled into me when I lived in England, were screaming not to walk closer. The fear of burn was dominant for a moment, until my deep rooted Phoenix instincts took over. I could feel the warmth from the fire tickle over my skin, encouraging me forwards, giving me an unexpected bout of confidence. I glanced over to Lynk, waiting for my cue.

  “Be blessed by the Flames.” Lynk said loudly.

  With that the drums began a slow beat, which soon picked up the pace into a chaotic rhythm. People cheered and clapped. The drums were too loud, their tune too boisterous and obtrusive. I blocked the sound out.

  I took a deep calming breath and ignored the world, forgetting the crowd, forgetting my father. All that I focused on was me and the flames. One more breath and I moved my hand to the curtain tie that held my makeshift dress together. Facing the flames, I opened up the material, feeling instantly naked and exposed; even though I knew no one could see me yet. Then I lifted the cloak from behind me so it still covered my body before letting it drop. I felt a rush of excitement. My heart pounded as I stepped confidently –if not a little quickly-through the flames.

  My eyes were tightly shut but there was no pain. It was an uncomfortable feeling, too much heat; it made me feel light headed, but I was soon free of it. I was standing at the edge of the cliff, my toes practically hanging off the side, and before I could even think about it, before I could even take a breath or hesitate as I saw the 400ft+ drop; I bent my knees, raised my arms, and dived over the edge.

  There was no fear, only freedom and adrenalin.

  I fell through the sky, wind flooding up from underneath me. I somehow managed to think of Changing, of becoming a bird, realising how much I actually wanted this. It was exciting. I was thrilled to be doing this. It was an unexpected shock that drove my muscles to tingle and convulse violently. I could feel my body stretching and shaping. It was a bizarre feeling, something indescribable to anyone who’s never felt it. It all happened so fast.