Spiritus Animalis (Empath #2) ✔️

Chapter Twenty

Of all the things that Emily wanted to talk about, she didn't expect to have to talk with her brother. But ever since they got trapped in the cages by Mammon, there were so many questions left unanswered. For starters, she noted that Ezra was beginning to become pale. Usually, Ezra was so full of light. She stared at him, but the natural blue light surrounding his halo seemed to be fading even his black wings were starting to wilt. It seemed like Ezra was becoming human.

"Ezra?" Emily said. "You're different now,"

Ezra looked at her confused, his eyes were filled with worry.

"I don't know what you're talking about Em," Ezra responded.

He turned back to the book believing it to be more interesting. Emily rolled her eyes and took the book out of his hands tossing it onto the oak side table. She sat down across from him and frowned.

"What?" Ezra asked. Annoyed.

"What is wrong with you?" Emily questioned. "It's like your becoming human,"

Ezra remained silent. His eyes clouded over as if realizing that she was right. Emily assumed she'd touched a soft spot.

"You are, aren't you?" Emily said. Deflated. "But...how?"

"Look, Em, I don't want to talk about it," Ezra responded.

Emily was stunned. Here she was with her brother whom she looked up to and here he was admitting that he was turning human. The most she knew was that the longer an angel stayed on earth the more chance they became human.

*~*~*~*

Althea took a step outside just to get some fresh air. She never expected much as her brown eyes stared out at the forest in the distance. She couldn't help but think that there was something wrong with Ezra, she could feel it. Althea remained deep in thought when an owl flew down from a tree and landed on the balcony. She paused and watched the animal, her eyes filled with curiosity. She and the owl made eye contact like they were full out communicating.

The mottled brown and white feathered bird with deep dark almost black eyes seemed to stare into her soul.

"Hoo..." the owl said.

"Um? Hi?" Althea answered. "What are you doing here?"

"Hoo...?" it answered.

Althea stepped away; the owl moved toward her.

"Abigail!" She called as her best friend came running out. Since they'd been back, Abigail changed into a pair of black shorts with a plain sleeveless white shirt. Abigail had been caught off guard as if she was having a mental conversation. Althea almost forgot that Abigail could talk to animals.

*~*~*~*

Abigail didn't expect to come across an owl sitting on the balcony. Especially since owls were nocturnal. Not to mention she wasn't expecting it to be a barred owl. The way in which the owl moved was the same way her best friend moved. It was like the owl and Althea were in sync with each other. She couldn't help but guess that the owl was Althea's spirit animal.

"What are you looking at short stuff?" the barred owl questioned.

"You did not just call me short?!" Abigail exclaimed.

"What are you going to do about it?" the owl demanded.

"Abigail?" Althea asked. "Are you arguing with an owl?"

Althea raised an eyebrow.

"The owl started it!" Abigail exclaimed. "However, Althea, the reason why the owl keeps following you is because it's your spirit animal,"

Abigail looked at her friend and saw the initial reaction. Althea didn't know what had happened or how, but she also couldn't figure out how to react.

"You're telling me that this owl.... Is my spirit animal?" Althea questioned.

"Yes, dumbass," the owl stated.

Abigail gave the owl a sideway glare which made the owl cower in fear.

"What? Can't she hear me?" The owl asked. "Or has she not gotten that far yet?"

Abigail assumed that even though Althea couldn't speak to animals she believed that it was going to be the next step. How could they learn to talk to their spirit animals if they don't know where to start?

A sudden thought occurred to her. She remembered that Peter knew a thing or two about spirit animals and that he was a wiccan.

"Althea, I think it's time we talked to someone about animal spirits," Abigail said matter-of-factly.