I stared at Jack as he snapped his head back to R?ven whom he glared at.
During my moment of speechlessness I turned to watch the beautiful girl before me. She was only a few paces from us now, staring at me intently. Her face held no emotion and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this. My feet felt paralyzed and I noticed that I had become numb from the cold due to fear. I was useless. I couldn’t even protect myself.
“Avalon, you should run.” Jack whispered so soft that I barely heard him.
“No.” My eyes widened.
“I will stall her.” He promised as R?ven took another step closer, “She is only small.”
“Jack, I’m not leaving you!” I said a little louder than intended in my panicked state.
R?ven stopped and looked at us curiously. Her expression was one of confusion. She smiled.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Please.” Jack said to her, “You don’t understand.”
“No, Jack, wait.” I said, realizing something and putting a hand to his chest as he prepared to step in front of me.
“Avalon, no, I won’t let you be taken away.” Jack said angrily, “She’s stalling us because reinforcements are on the way.”
“Jack, shut up you silly boy.” I hissed, tugging at his shirt, “Look.” I said pointing to R?ven, “Really look at her.”
She stood there, her short black hair blowing slightly in the light breeze, the gathering darkness surrounding us. The moon was reflecting upon the snow and an eerie glow seemed to emanate from R?ven as she opened her mouth ever so slightly to whisper.
“Do not worry.”
Her voice carried on the wind like an angel’s and my breath faltered momentarily. Her voice was a pure song that felt as though it were caressing my ears as the wind blew past me. I looked at Jack and his mouth was hanging open, his eyes slightly unfocussed and arms dangling limply at his sides.
I couldn’t pin point the feeling but somewhere deep in my gut I really had stopped worrying. About everything.
I shook my head and attempted to remain focused, but I felt slightly dazed and lazy.
“Her voice.” Jack whispered, “It … I … I mean … she spoke … and it … it-”
“It affects everyone differently.” I said slowly as my head got clearer.
“It … it … I-” Jack struggled to find the words.
“Jack?”
Jack seemed to have forgotten who he was momentarily so I took the opportunity to sort this out once and for all.
“I know who you are.” I breathed, pointing a finger at R?ven who took yet another step closer to us. She was a mere meter away now. It seemed she was refraining from talking, which I appreciated for I needed to keep my wits about me for the time being. The effect was extremely pleasant, but not appropriate right now.
“Ava.” Jack muttered, returning to his senses, “Ava, do you realize who this is?”
“Yes, Jack, I know.”
“Ava, its Madame Feather.”
“Jack, I know.”
“But it’s her, it’s really her! That’s why she never talks!” He seemed quite excited that we were about to be given-away by his ultimate fantasy-woman, so I decided to ignore Jack for the time being.
“You have two Powers?” I said to R?ven quietly.
She nodded slowly her eyes focused on me as though she were trying to communicate something.
“I’ve never heard of that before.” Jack chimed in.
“You never talk because you lead two lives.” I confirmed, and R?ven nodded again. I couldn’t figure out what her eyes were trying to tell me. Could she really not talk without bringing me to the brink of unconsciousness?
A twig cracking in the distance made Jack and I spin on the spot and search for the cause of the sound. We saw nothing but a squirrel scurrying away. Turning back to R?ven I eyed her skeptically.
“Are people on their way?” I asked her seriously.
She shook her head and I saw no shadow of a lie upon her face.
“Why have you been following us?” Jack asked, sounding a little too eager. As usual R?ven completely ignored Jack and kept her eyes glued upon me. Jack hadn’t exactly asked a ‘yes or no’ question though.
“Are you going to hand us over the Sebastian Forsythe?” I asked, holding my breath.
R?ven shook her head again and I felt myself relax. I didn’t know why I believed her, I just did.
I wanted answers, but I could not get them without R?ven explaining herself. Perhaps I should take the chance and risk being incoherent for a few short moments in order to understand what she was doing here. Perhaps she knew where Hawthorne was!
My heart drummed wildly in my chest, “Do you know where Hawthorne is?” I whispered, my voice faltering, “Is that why you are here?”
Jack shot me a look, but I simply held R?ven’s gaze. Time seemed to go at a snail’s pace as I waited for her answer. Very slowly, R?ven nodded.
Before I knew it my hands were on R?ven’s shoulders and I was shaking her, “Please, you have to tell me. I don’t care if I pass out or go stupid, I have to know.”