Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Nineteen: Aura

Aura

I saw a nightbird tonight. It’s a girl nightbird. Ali brought her home with him. I don’t know where he found her, but he had one. She’s only a baby, and Kura says that she shouldn’t have hatched yet. She said that it’s too early, because it’s still winter time.

Her snoring made me smile. It sounded so funny.

The beastkins were curious, but they leave her alone now. I don’t know if it’s because they don’t care about her, or because Ali told them not to, or both.

For a moment, the quill paused, the candlelight flickering as the wind howled around the cosy cottage.

I think Ali’s going to keep the nightbird. I want to see what they look like grown up. I used to be able to hear them, outside my room at the temple, but they’ve gone now. Maybe I should ask Ali about it. He might know why, if he’s been living here a long time.

Purring interrupted the quill’s motion for a time, and it lay still, candlelight flickering over it, making the shadows jump and dance.

I don’t want to make him angry though. If it really was the humans who made the nightbirds leave, then he might be angry and sad about it. I don’t want to make him angry. He’s nice to me.

He notices me.

So does Kura. I like it.

For a moment, the quill was still, and a tear dropped onto the page.

I wish it was always like this. It never was at the temple. They always ignored me, or treated me like they do my mother. I never liked it. I wished they would treat me like I wanted to be treated.

I just want to have fun.

I’m allowed to do that here, and I like it. I like playing with the beastkins and Ali, and Kura sometimes. At least she doesn’t yell at me like some of the warriors used to. They were scary.

The quill settled down in its place, resting at last as the candle flickered out. The light of the moon shone through the window, a cold wintery feel to it, illuminating the last few words.

I want to stay here.