Of Thorns and Glamour

Nest

I woke up, but not in my own bed, instead the room was massive and the sheets a pure satin black. The room was open, no glass windows between me and the outside. Blue and purple curtains swayed on a phantom wind, and my room was lit by dim glowing glass orbs that attached to the marble pillars. I felt for my key between my breasts, but it was not there. I realized I was still in my clothes, only my shoes were missing as my white stockings still covered my feet.

My heart started beating fast as anxiety over took me, and I pull the sheet off of me to run to the edge. Part of the room was walled off with a door that led out, and as I looked out further I realized there was nothing but stars and darkness before me, as if I was left outside in space. I reached my hand out, and looked further over the ledge but it was just a void below. Vertigo got to me as I became dizzy and I stepped back. I walked this time to a door, and it did open for me, but it led down a narrow stairway.

I took a few steps down, but as the wall turned I ran into Korv in his human form. His eyes widen, but I stood my ground. If I had to fight him to get out of here I would. "I didn't realize you'd wake up so soon," he says to me. I stare down at him with a frown, "No worries you're safe."

"Safe where?" I ask him, my voice low and almost set with a growl. I realize Umbra wasn't in my shadow either. He glances at his feet, and when he was silent I felt my temper rise. "Korv, where have you taken me?" I demand him, bile rising up my throat. I felt myself trying to change, to be bigger and more intimidating, but to no avail.

He leans his head back and moves to the side to open the way for me, "It's better if I show you." He wasn't in his usual black leather fighting gear, but instead in something more loose, with a blue tunic with silver embellishment, and waist high leather pants that had a scarf tied around his waist like a belt. His pointed ears I notice peaking out had jewelry in them and his hands hand multiple rings on his fingers as well. I don't move and instead he just takes a couple of steps down the staircase and I follow him, they spiral down a few flights and lead out to a hallway. It too has opened windows, only the stars showed, as if always in night. "We are not in the corporeal plane," he explains, "It's Malphas's personal realm, and no one outside of us crowlings and him know of it." I raise my brows, "I worried if I didn't take you here that you'd be exposed. It was my own action to take you, and I'm sure I'll hear of it. Malphas isn't here, but we sent someone to notify him as soon as I brought you."

I didn't care, "Where is my key," I say impatiently, "and where is Umbra?" Soon we entered through a living room, a gigantic fireplace was lit with multiple cushioned chairs and couches in front of it. I noticed a few bodies in the chairs, some with large crows feet and some with wings hanging over the couch edge. They were just lounging when Inchiki was fighting a god, it made me feel so sick. I noticed the large black fur of Umbra in front of the fire. Her head peaked up as we walked closer. Her eyes roved over me and she stood up, making some of the crows fidget and move their feet to make space for her. In a moment she was a human, and walked over to us, her long black hair glowing behind her. "Time to go," I tell her.

"Little star," she says to me and pats me on the head. Her gold eyes star down at me, "Come, let us eat something first."

I don't follow her as she starts walking to another room. "Not until I have my key," I state, standing my ground.

She turns around, her eyes guilty of something she will not divulge to me, "In due time." I felt my blood boil, but still I couldn't change. "Come," she beckons me again, her hand waving. I suddenly feel an arm slack around my shoulders, this one had feathers sticking out of its skin.

I turn my head to whoever had the audacity to touch me, "So flustered little fledgling." A cocky male voice says next to my face. I pull away from their grip spinning towards them. I glare up at him, his hair short and stood up in a scrambled mess of feathers fray and peak out of it. His black eyes rove over me and he grins a toothy smile. "She's more of a pigeon then a crow, don't you think? I wonder if she learned to fly yet."