A Lightning Storm of Spark and Flame

Chapter 7

From that day forward, Phoebe becomes captivated by learning as much about shifters as Grandmother's enormous collection of books has to offer on the subject. She continues to practice strengthening her power as well of course, but her absolute focus is now directed toward something she feels is much more fascinating. The more she pays attention, the more often she spots the black bird from time to time. It's usually perched in a tree near the edge of the woods or on the clothesline. When she settles down to read in the afternoons following her training sessions, it will come to rest close to her if she's outside. Phoebe can't help but be intrigued by the creature. She also takes note of how it immediately vanishes at any hint of Grandmother's presence. The elderly woman has grown increasingly sharp with her granddaughter as of late, especially around meal times. She'll watch Phoebe like a hawk until her plate is clean and her glass is empty. She has even started to remain in the study with her while she reads in the mornings, just like she used to do when the girl had been younger and untrustworthy around the many dangerous jars on the shelves. Still, Phoebe manages to carve out time for herself throughout the days. The first time she feels a noticeable change in her power, she nearly loses focus. Hovering very high above the ground, she has her arms outstretched to prevent the harsh winds from buffeting her around wildly. A sudden, drastic increase in strength makes her eyes fly open, searching for anything that could have caused this to happen. It doesn't feel like the sensation of being struck by lightning, but that's the only reason She can rationalize. That is, until she regains her concentration and becomes aware that all at once, she can feel the storm. Not just around her anymore, but within her as well. It feels as though it's part of her body now. She can sense the water droplets gathering in the clouds that grow heavier and heavier until the weight becomes too much and they fall with lashing speed down upon the earth below. She can feel the leaves and branches of the trees as the wind makes them bend and sway. She can Perceive the microseconds of heat and rapid pressure change just before a brilliant bolt of white electricity pierces the air, and experiences the aftershocks of the discharge even before thunder rips through the sky. Phoebe is amazed. She's never felt entirely one with a thunderstorm before. to experiment, she channels a burst of anger and the wind howls like a battle cry in response. The rain begins to blow about fiercely, being carried almost horizontally through the air like hundreds of thousands of tiny missiles. She focuses on the cement steps leading up to the front porch far Beneath her, and seconds later, a fiery streak of lightning strikes the focal point with such force that she sees the concrete ripple. That's when she begins to get scared. This newfound strength and control is a wonderful sign that her hard work is at last paying off, but it also means that she must never unleash it. Seeing how much damage she is capable of potentially causing in real time makes her wary of her own strength. As she tries to force herself to calm down, she sees Grandmother exit the front door of the house and look up at her. Phoebe doesn't have to squint through the driving rain to know that there is a look of profound shock on the older woman's face. Gradually, the storm quiets down as her heart rate slows. The wind grows steadily softer, and the clouds start to Disperse. Lowering herself carefully to the ground, she finally allows the bone-deep exhaustion to permeate every cell of her body now that she has released the hold on her power. Approaching Grandmother, she freezes in place when she spots something black cradled in her hands. She knows instinctively what it is even before she rushes up The now slightly Warped steps to get a closer look. "I warned you, child." Grandmother hisses, glaring at Phoebe. "I tried to caution you of the harm that would befall you if you had not destroyed that feather as I told you to. Clearly however, you saw fit to disobey me!" There, lying motionless in the crook of her arm, is the easily recognizable form of the starling. One of its majestic wings is half spread and its claws are extended as if in defense. A cry of horror leaves Phoebe's mouth when she sees how still the creature is. "oh Grandmother," she breathes as she reaches for the bird. "What have you done to it?" The old woman takes a step away, her cane thumping loudly on the porch planks as she shakes her head in disgust. "Your tender heart will be the end of you one day, mark my words!" she snaps. "This deadly beast was lurking upon the sill of your open bedroom window when I went in to clean. It was waiting for you to return, do you not understand that?" No longer listening, Phoebe makes another attempt at taking the unmoving starling, and this time Grandmother does not bother to stop her. She doesn't even have time to register the smooth silkiness of its glossy plumage as she studies it for the slightest signs of life. "Is it dead?" The question is spoken so quietly that the elderly woman appears not to have heard it. But it is answered by the soft, clear whistling note That issues from the beak of the bird as she holds it tenderly in both hands. Her previous exhaustion is long forgotten as she looks up and glares at Grandmother, who watches her in icy silence. "I don't know why you would lie to me," Phoebe's tone is as sharp as a blade, and her gray eyes are no less warm. "But this is no monster. In fact, shifters often take jobs as protectors! I am beginning to understand Why this one has shown up here!" Grandmother's pale skin whitens even further with growing fury, and she moves faster than Phoebe could have thought possible anymore. Before she can blink, her shoulders are being grasped so hard that it hurts, and she's being shaken viciously. "You foolish, naïve girl!" the old woman spits. "How dare you accuse me of doing anything but caring for you? I have done nothing but give you a life and a home after your ungrateful mother refused to accept the power I gave her! You have no idea how blessed you are! But instead, you want to force me into a villain's role? Fine. I can play my part!"