Feather Light

Chapter 23

"That day changed everything," I told Keira. "I had a goal, I really got into my studies, I got the grades I needed for qualifying to study veterinarian science. And I love what I do now. Being a vet is the best job in the world. I may not be a superhero, but I make a difference every day."

Keira's smile was warm. "You save lives. Birds or people, it doesn't matter. You're a hero in my book."

"Thanks," I said, trying not to blush or drive off the road. "So, we're nearly there. I have to tell you, I'm feeling pretty excited."

"Why?" Keira asked, tongue in cheek. "Are you planning on losing your pants in the big city again?"

"Ha ha," I spoke sarcastically. "Nope. I'm looking forward to hitting the tables at the casino, get my roulette on. That's the one with the little ball, right?"

She laughed again, then sighed deeply. "It feels good to laugh. It doesn't feel like we've had much to smile about lately."

She was right. On some level it still felt unnatural to sit and banter and giggle as if nothing was out of place. As if my brother wasn't missing and the world wasn't slightly out of kilter.

We hadn't spoken about Noah's highlighted Bible since the night of the pelican. I didn't exactly want to bring it up, but I felt we should probably address it at some stage. "Keira," I started stiffly, "About the other day..."

"Forget it," she cut off my awkwardness. "We don't need to talk about it." I was concerned by the flat tone of her voice, feeling her hurt so close to the surface, but she looked over at me and smiled. "Really Leigh, I'm okay. Noah is who he is. I'm worried about him, of course, but I'm okay, I'm over it. Look at this day," she indicated out the window at the cloudless sky and bright sunshine. "I'm healthy, it's beautiful and I'm happy to be out of the house. With you."

My stupid mouth hung open slightly in a big, dumb grin. "Really?" Say something intelligent dude... "I'm happy too. Too. Two? It's a sign! Bet it all on number two!"

And, thank Vishnu for small miracles, she laughed again.

Navigating around the crowded city streets was harder than I remembered. It had been a while since I'd needed wheels. Not wanting to appear flustered in front of Keira, I parked at a lot several blocks from the casino and we strolled along the packed sidewalks.

A crowd of school children flowed around us, happy and noisy. Keira grabbed my arm to keep us from getting separated, and when the kids had passed, she didn't let go. We walked arm in arm in the sunshine, and it felt like the most normal thing in the world.

As the casino loomed in front of us, I felt a moment of cold dread wash over me. It was just a second, a random feeling of eerie terror that trailed down my wings from base to tip. It doesn't mean anything, I told myself. I was just unused to being out in the sun, unused to all the people. It was probably the building itself, an old converted bank, very gothic looking with columns and arches. I shook it off and followed Keira into the artificial light and noise of the casino.

All around us, machines beeped and lights flashed. Despite being noon on a weekday, the casino floor was packed. Asian business men sat calmly at long velvet tables, grannies pumped coins into slots, young men ordered drinks for over-dressed young women. I let Keira escort me through the pits and around to the large doors leading to the casino theatre.

The doors swung closed behind us and suddenly there was quiet. The theatre was dark and strangely still after the racket of the gaming floor. My eyes adjusted, but it still seemed gloomy and foreboding as we padded across the back of the seating to a concealed door. A concrete stairway led up to a control room overlooking the stage and waiting for us was a tiny person with long dark pigtails who lunged at Keira.