Phoenix of Dawn

Deliverance

The ringing in my ears was obnoxious and clanged against the splitting headache slicing its way from the base of my head to the tip of my nose. It felt like a cleaver was trying to hack it's way from inside out. My existence was hazy, the world vague and detached from my body even with the quiet voice in the depths of my misery telling me to wake up. 

My eyelids were like lead, pulling up to the blurry bright scene around me. Quickly I shut my eyes again, the sunlight burning and only adding new fire to the blooming pain in my head. A groan slipped from my mouth, my jaw stiff as though it had been clenched for hours. 

"Settle down."

The voice was masculine and unfamiliar but for some reason it brought comfort to my throbbing body. Without my permission my muscles relaxed, easing myself down again the soft mattress beneath me. 

"Breathe this in, it'll help with the headache."

He held something up to my face that smelled of mint, the feel of a cool wet cloth touched my temple before sliding down to the nape of my neck. My eyes fluttered open, the light not as bright and my head significantly better. He was cradling my head at it's base, the cool rag somehow satiating the radiating pain. The small bowl before me held a green paste that was exuding the mint aroma. 

Above me was a tall figure haloed by the filtered sunlight from the open window. His chestnut hair was a mess atop his head, strands of gold glimmering in the light. From the angle of the light his eyes looked like fresh honey, swirling as they met my gaze. We couldn't be more opposite what with my gray eyes and dark long locks. My own skin was pale like cream while his held a warm brown tone.

He was quite handsome, in fact I felt my heart begin to stutter in my chest as he continued to stare down at me intently. It was clear that he was older than me, maybe three or four years older? 

The memories of the night before slowly crept back into my mind. The beast, the car crash, my aunt screaming... and a man wearing the insignia of my enemy. 

My eyes went wide, my chest tightening in fear just before my instincts took over. Ignoring the stiffness in my muscles or the throb in my head I moved fast shoving him off me. The bowl clattered to the floor, spilling its contents across the stone floor. I kicked out at him, bracing myself against the cot as he advanced to restrain me. 

Getting to my feet I stuck to the wall, keeping my eyes on him as he righted himself. I'd been training to ignore pain, to fight to the death and come out victorious always. That's what Ky had taught me. What he had taught us all. Its what made us dangerous, we'd been taught to enter every fight, even a sparring match as if it were our life or theirs. 

"Kyra, calm down," He lifted his hands to show he meant no harm but I knew it as a cheap trick.

My gaze hardened, "Where is my aunt. Where is she!"

"I don't want to fight you."

A growl crawled up my throat, shaking in the air between us to serve as his only warning before I launched myself at him. He seemed shocked at my strength, most wolves were since I hadn't shifted and I was only a small girl. I took him down rather easily in his stunned state but I underestimated his strength as well. 

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

He got the upper hand, pinning me down to the ground despite my impressive struggle. 

"Get off," I shouted, twisting in his hold. 

I lurched, hooking my foot at his hip and shoving hard. My fist was clenched and ready to fly when the door slammed open and Claira ran in. She took me under the armpits and wrenched me away from the man.