Wings of Fire | The Half-Breed Tales

Chapter 9

"Alright," Crimson said, flapping her large orange wings. "We're on the run from the SeaWing kingdom, we can't go back... where do we go now?"

Quill found himself looking at Sobek and Leopard.

"What?" Sobek said defensively. "Why are you looking at me?!"

"Because you're drawing attention to yourself," Leopard said singsong voice. She got up, sweeping the remnants of food out of the cave, and into the river. "Now spit out what you're hiding or I'll bite you."

"Wait he's hiding food?!" Mango yelped in an outraged tone. "SOBEK THAT'S RUDE! DON'T YOU KNOW THAT SHARING IS CARING?!"

Quill sighed. "No Mango, Sobek is not hiding food."

"Then what is he hiding?" Crimson said in a dangerous voice, smoke starting to curl out of her nostrils. She took a step towards Sobek, her orange eyes narrowed. "Are you about to report us to the SeaWings?"

"No, no," Sobek waved his talons in the air defensively. "I am NOT a sneak."

"Then what are you hiding?" Mango said, turning the same shade of red as Crimson. "TELL ME NOW." She bared her teeth in an imitation of Crimson.

Crimson looked at Mango for a moment, her mouth open as if she were about to say something. She stared, then closed her mouth.

"I'm going to go now..." Sobek said, backing away. "I'll be back in—OUCH!"

Sobek turned to glare at Leopard, who had just stepped on his tail. "Excuse me, stepping on a SandWing's tail is RUDE and NOT a good idea."

"Why?" Mango asked.

"Stop stalling Sobek" Quill said impatiently. "Just tell us what you're hiding or else Leopard and Crimson will eat you."

"This is why I'm a vegetarian," Mango said. "So that this kind of stuff never happens."

"STOP IT ALL OF YOU," Leopard roared suddenly. "Mango, be quiet, Crimson stop blowing smoke in my face, Quill shut up, and Sobek TALK RIGHT NOW OR ELSE I WILL THROW YOU INTO THE RIVER!"

"Sheesh you don't have to be so mean," Sobek said. "It's not like I was stalling or anything."

Leopard glowered at him. "Talk."

"OKAY!" Sobek hesitated. "If we need a place to hide, we could visit my parents..."

"Where?" Leopard demanded.

"In Scorpion Den."

"Wait, wait, WAIT!" Mango protested. "I am NOT flying that far!"

"And I'm not carrying her that far," Crimson added. "She's too heavy—even for me!"

"HEY!"

Oh dear lord. Quill thought. We're never going to get anywhere at this rate.

"The two of you need to pipe down," he said quietly. "Can we please just all get somewhere safer than this cave where we are in complete danger of being found by the SeaWing guard?! Can we take Sobek's offer into consideration?"

Sobek turned to Quill in surprise. "Wow, look who's agreeing with me for once."

Quill narrowed his eyes. "Don't push it, SandWing. I'm only doing it so we can get somewhere safer."

The SandWing laughed for a second. "Whatever you want to believe. Personally, I think you're growing on me."

Great. Off-topic again. He cleared his throat. "Leopard? What is your opinion on this?"

Leopard was quiet for a minute. "Fine. I'll get us there."

Quill sat beside Leopard, who was silent. He was worried about her; was she mad at them for some reason? Was this even a good idea, heading to Scorpion Den!?

"When were you going to tell us your parents belonged to Scorpion Den?" Leopard finally asked.

Sobek was quiet for a moment. "We honestly just met; do you expect me to reveal everything about me? It's not something to be particularly proud about..."

Quill flinched a bit. Sobek, being defensive? Not being sarcastic or even remotely annoying? Something was going on.

Leopard didn't reply.

Sobek was right in a way... Quill thought reluctantly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to agree with the SandWing. But he wouldn't want to give away much about himself, either. He was sure Leopard had many more secrets that she wasn't willing to tell anyone- even her brother. He wasn't going to press her about it.

"I understand," Leopard said after a few minutes. Her face was eerily calm. Quill was a bit intimidated by the icy passiveness that his sister was showing. Sobek bringing up the Scorpion Den might not have been the best idea- it seemed to make the group awkward, and he didn't want to split up, now that the threat of the SeaWings was after them- and his punishment from the Queen from assisting them.

He observed Sobek. His usually bright and challenging face was set in a grimace. I guess he really didn't want to go back unless necessary. Was the happy-go-lucky SandWing all a show to cover his true personality? Quill sighed.

"I don't know if this will work well," Leopard said slowly. "It probably will take a lot of energy out of me, transporting everyone. I might not be able to get everyone to the right place."

"It's the best place for safety," Sobek said. "My parents will take care of us."

"Grip my talons," Leopard ordered. Mango rushed for one, and Sobek the other. Crimson and Quill latched on to them.

Leopard closed her eyes. Quill noticed this. She must have muttered it in her head. Somehow. Amazing!

Before he knew it, he was flying through pockets of space, and it was all he could do to hold on to Crimson's talon.

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We're back wattpad and writing the story again! MWAHAHAHAHAHA THERE IS A CLIFFHANGER (it was Leafspots's idea).

Siya guys next chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The picture is by ValociDragon :)