𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𖥸 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙨

06 | A Hawk's Gaze

The boy didn't know why he saved the girl.

     Whether he did it impulsively or just for the money, he had no idea. But watching her sleep so soundly, as though she had never slept before in her life, made something in his chest constrict as he watched her. He was tending to the snake that was with her while he waited for her to wake up, keeping the head pinned in case it woke up and attacked.

     He didn't know the girl, nor had he ever seen her in his life but the condition she was in was terrible. The redhead only had one arm, her face was so pale that she looked like a ghost, and there were countless bloodstains all over her body. Clearly, she had been in a fight, or perhaps she had been mobbed. That was common around this part of the town.

     He had placed a rag that had been soaked with cold water on her head and had just finished taking care of the serpent's wounds. Now he either would steal the jewelry she had on her or simply wait things out and see what happened next.

      Stealing the jewelry held more benefits, as he could get himself a meal with it. However, something told him that leaving this girl was a mistake. He had found her in this condition. What if whatever put her into this position came back?

     There could be great danger after her and he knew the wisest choice was to get away from her as soon as possible. But she was a woman, and women were his weaknesses.

     The boy let out a huff of frustration, running a hand through his hair and leaning back against the filthy wall behind him. The tattoo of his spirit animal throbbed, and he decided to let the bird out. She never enjoyed being cooped up as a tattoo anyway.

     Lilith gave a small squawk as she fluttered over to rest on his shoulders, her yellow eyes narrowing as she inclined her head in confusion. The little bat hawk gave a shrill screech of distaste towards the female lying pitifully on the floor and spiked up her feathers.

     "No need to be jealous Lilith," Callan chuckled as he smoothed her feathers down gently with his index finger. He could already tell the Bat hawk hated the newcomer but there wasn't much to do about it. She wasn't fond of any stranger to be honest, so it wasn't all that surprising.

     Lilith gave a small shriek and pecked his cheek hard enough to draw blood. It was as if she were asking why he had brought such a pathetic, half-dead girl and was helping her out. 

     Callan gave a wince as he rubbed his throbbing cheek, shooting a glare towards the little hawk. "Hey! Uncalled for. I just decided to help her out because look at all that gold. It could buy us meals for months."

     The bat hawk was not pleased. She only narrowed her eyes even more and gave another angry shriek directed to Kyran. He just hoped the little bat hawk wouldn't attack the girl's face.

     Callan gave a lazy stretch of his limbs, glancing sideways at his spirit animal. "All we need to do is wait for her to wake up, sweet talk her into giving up the gold, and then we're free to leave."

     Lilith gave him a long stare and then fluttered off his shoulder, hovering in the air and perching on a nearby box that was as far away from the redhead she could get.

     "Think of the money you vain pigeon," Callan grumbled. "Think of all the things we can get with that gold. I'm not telling you to like her, I'm just telling you not to harm her in any way we wouldn't be able to snatch that jewelry."

     A soft groan drew his attention as he turned to look at the girl who had woken up, her dull blue eyes glazed over as she struggled to push herself up using her remaining arm.

     The serpent was still out cold, scales covered in some sort of medial paste he had scavenged in order to save its life. He had a feeling the animal would possibly threaten him so he placed him high up where he wouldn't harm him or his spirit animal.

     "Who the hell are you?" The redhead asked, finally turning to look at him as she studied him with sapphire eyes. Her voice was surprisingly deep and it was hoarse from the lack of water.

     Callan gave her a dramatic bow, the hint of a smile forming on his lips. "Callan Hale m'lady. I believe I've just saved your life." He only needed to stall her for quite a bit before he could rob her.

     The redhead raised an eyebrow in obvious confusion, shifting her attention away from him and instead staring up at where he'd placed her spirit animal.

     "Took me a while to tend to the noodle's wounds but he'll be just fine. That treatment should work. I've used it on Lilith countless times." Callan gave a nod towards where his spirit animal was perched, the little bat hawk glaring holes at the redhead as she let out a shrill shriek. "Who are you by the way?"

      "That shouldn't matter to you." She grunted. "It doesn't matter at all. Where's my spirit animal?"   

     Callan raised an eyebrow at her. "You're looking right at him," He stated bluntly, gesturing towards the box where the serpent was resting. "I-did you even hear what I said?" He tilted his head at her and furrowed a brow.  

     It was like she was in a different world. The girl gave a few blinks of confusion, using the wall for support as she began to slowly push herself to her feet. It was clear the moments were painful for her as she gave a wince and bit her lip. She didn't look at him and instead heavily limped over to the snake.

     Callan raised an eyebrow and gave a huff of irritation, not liking being ignored. He shared an exasperated look with his spirit animal who gave another shrill shriek. "I take it you're an orphan like me?" 

     "It doesn't matter. I shouldn't . . . I need to go." She seemed to be desperate to leave. Did she know he was planning to rob her?

     No . . . that couldn't be it.

     "Go exactly where? You don't look like you'd be able to walk that far," Callan stated firmly. "You're still healing after all."

     "Sh-Shut up."

     He gave a chuckle at that. "I see Juliet is feisty after all and that's right. Since you won't give me a name, I'll make one up myself."

     Her sapphire eyes glazed over. "Go away."

     "Nah I think I'll stay. There isn't anywhere else for me to go away." A simple shrug of his shoulders. From above the perch, Lilith hissed threateningly at the girl and he lifted a hand to smooth her feathers and calm her down.

     "Juliet" stood up with the snake in her arm, and she moved toward the edge of the alley. He noticed that she looked out before making her way slowly across the street. That was suspicious. Who was she hiding from?

     Having nothing better to do in his life, he decided on following her to see where exactly it was she was heading. Lilith spread her dark wings and took off into the sky.

     The girl continued on, jumping at every sound, every motion.

     Callan opened his mouth to demand who the Hell she was avoiding, but he didn't need to.

     He got his answer.

     And it was very unexpected when suddenly, four armed men ran around the corner and lunged toward them.