* * *
Death hurt. It wasn’t surprising, but it didn’t seem to be very fair either. If she wasn’t supposed to have a body anymore, why did hers hurt so much? Or maybe the pain meant she hadn’t quite managed to die yet. The thought that the agony might eventually end was comforting even as the pain changed. The terrible cold became burning hot as a thousand fiery needles pierced her skin.
But then the pain shifted again. She could feel her lungs taking in aching breaths and her blood pumping through tired veins. And just when she had decided that the pain would never end, Larkin managed to open her eyes.
She was staring at a bright white ceiling with florescent lights above her. She couldn’t be at home. Isadora Gray would never allow florescent lighting in her home.
“Looks like the little bird might live after all,” a deep voice said from beside Larkin’s bed.
“Little bird?” Larkin managed to croak out.
Stone lifted her by the shoulders, holding a cup up for her to drink. “On your ring,” Stone said.
Larkin’s eyes stung as she glanced down at her hand. The silver ring with the tiny bird carved on it was still there. “Isadora Gray’s ward picked the bird for me,” Larkin said. “Larkin, lark, she thought it was funny.” Larkin tried to laugh, but her chest ached too much. “Did the team stop the wyvern?”
“No,” Stone said, laying Larkin back down. “I did just before he tried to eat you.”
“And I thought he was almost cute,” Larkin said. “The others are all safe?”
“Depends on what you call safe,” Stone said. “Coldwater’s been sent home, and Belfry, too. They were the ones that stopped the others from helping you. MAGI agents don’t sacrifice their team. That’s not our way. I’d hate to be sent back to the Wayland or the Proctor Clan as a MAGI failure.”
“Not so bad for a Gray though,” Larkin said, her heart dropping. What would she tell Isadora Gray. They would take her back. They would give her a home. But to disappoint Iz…
“I don’t think you’re going to have to find that out,” Stone said, his brow furrowed as he looked down at Larkin.
“But I’m in a hospital bed,” Larkin said. “I failed.”
“You saved the humans and managed not to die,” Stone said. “I think that makes you a pretty good MAGI candidate, Little Bird.”
“Is that my new name?” Larkin asked as Stone stood to leave.
“Be happy, Little Bird,” Stone said, and for the tiniest second, Larkin almost thought she saw him smile. “I only bother naming people I think will live long enough to bother me.”
“Thanks then,” Larkin said, lying back in her bed as MAGI Stone disappeared through the door.
Little Bird. There were worse nicknames.
Megan O’Russell’s Bio & Links
Megan is thrilled to be a part of the Awethors Anthology! Her other published works include Young Adult fantasy series The Tethering books one and two of which are currently available with book three out in spring 2016. Megan’s Christmas novella Nuttycracker Sweet will be release by Fiery SeasPublishing this holiday season. Megan is also a featured author in the Athena’s Daughters 2 anthology of women in speculative fiction.
Megan is a professional performer who travels the country living out a thousand lives on stage. Her wonderful husband and frequent dance partner is always by her side.
For more information on Megan’s books, you can visit her website at www.meganorussell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ORussellauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeganORussell
Nina
A Deathless Trilogy Short Story