Page 55

"Stay clear of them," I managed. "Just a moment."

The feathers began to change.

Their edges grew pale and translucent. Through the outermost layers, I could see the brick wall and the harbor lights beyond the windows.

I watched the great black wings that had been part of me for longer than I could measure grow thinner, their weight diminishing until I could barely feel them against my back.

Then they were gone.

My knees buckled.

I caught myself against the sofa, but the impact jarred through my arms and shoulders. A sharp ache spread across my back, and I bent forward, struggling to draw a proper breath.

Everly dropped to her knees beside me.

"Cillian, look at me. Can you breathe?"

I nodded and managed another breath, slower this time.

The pain was already easing, although it hadn't disappeared. My muscles ached, my throat felt dry, and my heart was pounding with a force I'd never experienced before.

Everly slipped an arm around my shoulders.

"Can you sit down? You're making me nervous down here on the floor."

I let her help me onto the sofa.

For several moments I sat with my elbows braced against my knees, drawing air into lungs that suddenly seemed to require far more effort than before.

Everly crouched in front of me, her hand resting against my cheek.

"Talk to me. How do you feel?"

I looked at her.

"Tired," I admitted. "And rather thoroughly beaten up."

She gave a shaky laugh.

"That's not particularly reassuring."

"I'm all right. It hurt more than I expected, but it's finished."

She studied my face, then glanced toward my chest.

The celestial markings had disappeared. My ordinary tattoos remained, dark against my skin just as they'd been before I chose the Second Life.

Everly reached for my right hand and turned it over.

The pale crescent scar was still there.

She traced it with her thumb before lifting her gaze to mine.

"You're really human?"

"Completely."

I could feel my heartbeat against my ribs, strong and ordinary. The familiar awareness of my wings had vanished, leaving nothing behind my shoulders but sore muscles and bare skin.