‘Don’t cry, I said, my voice softening despite myself,
A shadow passed overhead, drawing our attention upward. A wounded hawk was struggling to fly across the courtyard, its wing movements uneven. Suddenly, it plummeted, landing on the grass not far from us with a soft thud.
Lyra gasped, instinctively moving forward to see the bird, but Orion grabbed her arm, holding her back.
I saw my opportunity and took it, though uncertainty flickered through me. Could I do this? I hadn’t tried in years.
“Don’t be afraid,” I said, walking steadily toward the injured hawk. “I’ll handle this.”
The hawk watched me approach, its wings slightly extended in a defensive posture. I crouched down, keeping a safe distance, and then did something I hadn’t done since I was a teenager–1 produced a low, gentle sound, somewhere between human speech and wolf howl. The “beast tongue, an extremely rare talent among werewolves.
The hawk’s posture gradually relaxed, its head tilting as it listened. Eventually, it allowed me to move closer.
I mind–linked Darius: Bring me some first aid supplies for a bird. Quickly.
I could sense the children’s curiosity. Lyra’s eyes had widened in wonder, and even Orion had taken an unconscious step forward, his perpetual scowl momentarily replaced by interest.
“Would you like to see?” I asked, gesturing them closer. “It won’t hurt you.”
Lyra approached first, with Orion following closely, positioning himself protectively at his sister’s side.
“It’s a red–tailed hawk, about three years old,” I explained as Darius arrived with supplies. “The wing is just slightly sprained. It’ll recover in a few days with rest.”
“How did you make it not afraid?” Lyra asked softly.
I carefully bandaged the hawk’s wing as I answered. “We call it the ‘beast tongue.‘ It occasionally appears in the Silverblood bloodline.” I glanced at both children. “You might have inherited it too.”
“Really?” Orion asked, the first time he’d initiated conversation with me. “How would we know?”
A small thrill of victory ran through me at his question. “It usually manifests before puberty,” I explained calmly. “I could teach you the basic vocalizations, and we’d see if animals respond.”
I carefully held the hawk on my arm and demonstrated a simple soothing sound. “Like this. Try it.”
Lyra attempted to mimic me, not quite succeeding but coming close enough that the hawk tilted its head toward her curiously.
Seeing this, Orion tried as well, pretending indifference though I noticed his effort. His sound was surprisingly close to the correct frequency, but I didn’t point it out directly.
“Good,” I said instead. “Keep practicing. It takes time.”
When the hawk had settled completely, I looked at the children. “It needs to rest for a few days. Would you like to help take care of it?”
Both nodded immediately, even Orion showing clear interest.
“We’ll set up a comfortable place for it, I promised, feeling an unfamiliar sense of accomplishment as the twins gathered closer to observe the
bird.
1/2
Chapter 188
Later, as I left the garden, I found Selene waiting by the doorway. She glanced at the children, then turned to me.
“You love them, she said, her voice soft.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra)