When We Spirits Awaken

Chapter 8: Lesson and a Laughing Lynkire

I sat on my balcony and waited. The clouds slowly changed from their brilliant reds and oranges of the sunrise to soft whites, contrasting with the vibrant blue of the sky.

He had agreed to Saturday morning, had he not? I rolled my eyes. Perhaps his commitment to time was as important as his commitment to fatherhood--non-existent.

I glanced over at Shade as he lazily rested on the balcony next to me, his black fur absorbing the sun's warmth.

I leaned up next to him and let the sun lightly kiss my pale skin while the breeze played with the loose strands of hair that escaped my braid.

I smiled in contentment and, for the first time, enjoyed the peace and beauty of the New World.

Not realizing I had closed my eyes, I opened them when I heard raised voices.

I sat up and peeked over the edge of my balcony only to see exactly what I expected.

Shade stretched and let out a yawn as he stood. "They do not seem to like each other very much."

I coughed a sigh, irritated by the bickering I heard below me. "Of course they don't. Emily cares about what's best for me and she knows Morgan is not it. If it were not my mother's wishes for him to be a part of my training, I would have nothing to do with him."

Shade tilted his head. "I cannot help but think that you do not entirely mean that."

"If he had been taken from us that would be one thing, but him leaving is another thing entirely. If I was not worth his time for the last 16 years, he will not be worth mine," I stated, keeping my voice as monotone as possible.

"Perhaps he is not as terrible as you make him out to be?"  It was something that should have been a statement, but Shade made it sound like a question, as if he expected me to be open to the possibility that my father was not as awful as I believed.

"Are you honestly taking his side?" I asked, questioning my Lynkire's loyalty.

Shade shook his head. "I do not like him any more than you do, but I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. So much as you hate the thought he is still your father."

I gave Shade a scolding look, but he simply nudged me with his nose and left.

I sighed and got up. I had no choice but to put up with Morgan; that did not mean I had to enjoy spending time with him.

The moment I walked into the back yard he and Emily stopped fighting and looked away from each other as if they had not yet said a word. I shook my head and laughed a little. If they were going to convince me they were trying to get along, they still had a long way to go.

"Where were you?" Morgan suddenly demanded, "I agreed to Saturday morning, did I not?"

I put my hands behind my back as they balled into firsts, trying to control myself. "I was awake at dawn, waiting for you, if anyone has the right to ask that question, it is me."

His face turned red, from embarrassment no doubt, as he realized he had already made a mistake as far as I was concerned.

I watched as Emily tried her hardest to hold back a laugh, but when we met each other's gaze we could not help ourselves.

Morgan crossed his arms as we calmed down. "Are you two about finished? We do have a lesson to get to."

"I've been ready for hours," I stated with a less then respectful tone.

Morgan gave me a sly smile. "I certainly hope so."

With that, he came at me full force and my instincts kicked in. Clearly, this was a physical lesson, and I would enjoy beating my father.