Shadowfire Book Two: Ice Cold

Chapter 9

When I walked into my room, I was surprised to see Kira sitting on the bed crying.

"What's wrong?"

"She's dead...Lyra's dead."

Lyra was Kira's twin sister. They had grown up together and took every mission together. There was no such thing as a closer pair of people. Her death obviously would've scarred Kira. But I knew there was something else. Kira was far from the type of person to let a death paralyze her. Something else had happened. But I wasn't going to push now. Instead, I did my best to cheer her up.

"I know something that can help."

She quickly wiped her tears and looked up at me hopefully.

"You need a familiar. I, unfortunately, can't be next to you every second. But a familiar can."

"The fuck is a familiar?"

I psychically summoned Aisu, saying "Aisu is a familiar."

"Really? I thought he was just some magic dog or some shit."

"Aisu is a dragon. I have him take this form so he's easier to move with, but I prefer his dragon form."

"What can he do?"

"Well, technically he's a piece of my own soul. That allows he and I to telepathically communicate. And he has my ice fire abilities."

Petting Aisu's head, she asked "How do I make one?"

"Well, you have to take a piece of the purest form of your power." I generated a small piece of blue ice fire in my palm as an example.

"Then you just give it form." The flame lifted out of my hand and seemed to mold and change until it was the shape of a bird. The glow receded to the bird's center, and a mix of white and black feathers appeared in its place. The bird's body was about 3 feet long, with wings that were 5 feet across when extended. Its tail extended another foot down. The bird's body was like that of an eagle, but with a much sharper beak and far more aerodynamic. It's long talons seemed powerful enough to cut steel.

Kira seemed stunned. "How do you give it form?"

"You'll have to figure that out for yourself. Since this is your first familiar, I need to leave so my own power doesn't infect it."

Kira seemed far better now. And though I had lied to her about my having to leave, I was content with her mood now. I needed to speak with the Oracle.