A Lightning Storm of Spark and Flame

Chapter 10

Phoebe begins to get nervous at this foreboding statement. Why would Grandmother have lied about her origins? Or could it be Chase who isn't telling the truth? She dismisses that thought almost as soon as it enters her mind. on top of having no reason at all to wish her harm, the shifter had just saved her life a few minutes ago. But that still offers no answer to why her caretaker hasn't told her the truth either. Unless, she thinks in dawning fear as the scenes from her frequent dreams flood through her mind's eye. Could it be? No, she answers her own question firmly. There must be some logical explanation for this. There has to be, otherwise she'll have to come to terms with much more Than the attempt on her life today. A light tap on her shoulder makes Phoebe jump. Chase is watching her with Grimm understanding and a vague kind of sorrow. He gestures with the tip of his pencil to his earlier message about discussing this at a later time. There's no hesitation this time before she shakes her head. She needs to know this. Some instinctive part of her won't rest until she does. "I can't wait for this, Chase." she says as calmly as she can given the circumstances. If she appears too upset, she knows he'll be the one to call it off. "Please, I have to know now." The reluctant nod of his head tells her he gets it, then he leans over his paper again and begins to write in earnest. Needing something to occupy her mind, she gets up to wash their empty teacups. When the shifter is still busy once that task is complete, she decides to check on Grandmother, still concerned over her prolonged silence. Relief fills her when the elderly woman looks up to meet her eyes as she enters the sitting room. She's still seated in her armchair, but the mug cradled in her hands is empty now and she appears slightly more alert. "How are you feeling, Grandmother?" Phoebe asks quietly. When there's no verbal reply, she reaches out to retrieve the teacup instead, intent on washing it and leaving her obviously ill caretaker to rest. A wrinkled hand seizes her wrist before she can fully turn away. The tight grip causes the young woman to jerk in surprise, the ceramic cup nearly flying from her hand as she's yanked sideways until she's leaning down at an awkward angle. "Beware!" Grandmother hisses into her granddaughter's ear, her voice a dry rasping croak that sends chills skittering down Phoebe's spine. "Beware the quiet one. He will be your downfall." With those ominous words, the old woman lets go of her wrist and sinks back into her chair as her eyes fall shut. Straightening up quickly, the girl stares in absolute shock at her grandmother. Moving slowly so as not to disturb her, she retreats into the kitchen again. Chase has finished his note, and looks up as she walks in. His face tightens in confused worry at whatever emotions are splashed across her expression. He starts to rise from his seat, but Phoebe lifts a hand to stop him. "No, it's alright." she says determinedly. "Grandmother is just not feeling well and doesn't realize what she's saying, that's all." Placing the empty mug beside the sink, she returns to the counter and picks up the notepad before the shifter can. With Chase looking on in slight disapproval, she settles down to read. But she quickly starts to wish that she hadn't been so persistent.
"When you were no more than three summers old, your estranged grandmother on your mother's side arrived late in the night. Your parents, Lillian and Roland Winslow, were both asleep of course. So she broke into the house, lifted you from your crib, and left. There was no sign of you by the next morning. I do not know if revenge motivated her, but she had attempted to gift your mother similar abilities when Lillian was your age. They were refused. So, likely to spite her own daughter, your grandmother stole you in turn and gave you the power which you now wheeled. I have been sent by your father to keep you safe and to bring you home. If that is what you wish."
Phoebe's mouth hangs open in complete bewildered horror. "No," she whispers, clutching the paper to her chest so hard that she feels it crinkle threateningly beneath her fingers. "No, no, no! This simply cannot be." Chase doesn't move, just continues to watch her with the keen eyes of a bird and the patience of someone who's seen it all before. "I can't believe this!" she finally says once she's caught her breath. her heart feels like it's trying to pound its way through her rib cage to escape. "this can't be real! It just can't! My parents are dead! They died in a tragic accident. Please, stop joking with me. It isn't funny!" Tears blur her view of the shifter, so she doesn't see him react until it's too late. The feeling of arms around her is wholly unfamiliar. She can't remember the last time she'd actually been hugged, and that takes care of what little remains of her composure. She physically feels it when the dam breaks, and she falls apart against the shoulder of a veritable stranger. He surprisingly doesn't seem to mind, remaining motionless as he simply holds her. After what feels like an eternity, she lifts her head and squints up through wavering vision. "Sorry," she wheezes as she starts to draw away. Chase shakes his head gently, but releases her all the same. Phoebe rubs her knuckles across her face roughly in an attempt to get rid of any incriminating evidence. "you're too kind. Still, that couldn't have been pleasant. Thank you for staying though." This time, he answers her with a smile. He reaches out to take the pad of paper she hadn't realized she'd still been clutching, smoothing it out against the countertop. He writes something quickly before offering it once more.
No apologies are necessary. I am so very sorry to tell you such a terrible truth on the heels of another one. Please forgive me."
Looking up, she feels herself smiling despite her emotions currently going haywire. "I'm the one who asked you to tell me. I know now that I probably should have listened to you." Chase grins in a rye way as if to say, 'Duh!'. The laugh that bursts out of her is unexpected, but welcome in light of all the day's tension. Feeling slightly better, she goes to wash the teacup that Grandmother had used. When she returns, there's another note waiting for her.
"I understand your reluctance to believe me. Rest assured, though, I would not give such heavy information untruthfully. I can do little in the way of helping you cope, but I can provide the facts. But not today. You are clearly exhausted and need sleep. Your grandmother also must be taken care of, so I will leave you for the evening. I still encourage great Caution when dealing with her. Even if you do not fully believe me about her actions towards you as a child, you are certainly aware of how dangerous she is to you right now. I will be here anytime, so you need only ask and I will tell you everything. If you should need me before I return in the morning, simply break the feather I gave you. The power contained within it will return to me and I will come as fast as I can."
Phoebe doesn't know what to say. In the span of just a couple of short hours, the shifter had saved her life and told her more about herself than she had even known. At last, she rests her hand lightly on his shoulder. "Thank you, truly." she says again, meaning it far more than any other time she has said it to him today. Chase gives her a salute and a cheery wave, then leaves the house. A few seconds later, there's the loud, hoarse cry of a bird as it spirals into the sky. With a sigh, the young woman turns towards the living room where Grandmother is waiting. She's got a lot to do before she can sleep.