A Timeless Change. A Collective Story.

Meadowsweet

Phoenix

I looked at Talon as he laid on his sofa doing nothing. Again. Ever since I told him I had powers. We've spent three days in his Quarters. At first we spent a day talking. He filled me in on the House of Artair and how it worked. Then he broke down everything slowly. It took hours to go over. He even went into detail about his great grandfather and Grandfather starting a war because they believed they should be Gods worshipped by humans. It was overwhelming. It was wrecking my brain. I went from knowing nothing about what I could do, to knowing too much. Too fast. I had no where to stick it in my brain. Of course nothing he told me explained why I had powers.

"How sure are you that your parents are your real parents?" He had asked me. The question actually destroyed me. I couldn't think about not being my parents daughter. I completely loved them so f*****g much but the truth was the more I learnt about the World of Mageia, the more I was beginning to think that was more possible than me being human. Talon had his own theory. He thought that I was either Tainted or the first Half-bred to have powers. Though once again that meant that my parents had adopted me. Or my mother had a wild affair with a Powered. I mean with everything I could do it was never something I picked up. My parents worshipped me but I always wondered why they only had me. Why they never had more children when I knew how much they adored children. 

Since being in the Quarters Talon hadn't left. Despite his phone going constantly. His two friends Luke and Mosi  pounding on the door demanding to know where the f**k he was. Food was delivered to the door for us to eat by a young girl who wore all Grey clothes. Which I learnt meant that she was a Half breed. Those who wore Red where either Soldiers to the Collective or Council Guards. Security Soldiers wore a light Blue or Grey. Defenders..... Soldiers who went out into the Human world looking for the House of Orpheus and other enemies of the Mageia wore Navy or Black. Depending on how good they were at their jobs. Teachers in the school all wore normal clothes. Those working in the hospital wore purple. Those who worked in the Greenhouse and Farm lands wore Green uniforms that were much like Soldier uniforms. Talon had written alot of it down for me to remember. He even broke down what was the best powers and what were the worse.

Mindcrawlers, Were considered brilliant and Powerful. They could get into anyone's mind and mess with it. Of course most of Magna's powers were considered great. According to Talon anyone with powers from the House of Magna were popular and held in great regard. The Mind Wraps could also be considered very Powerful. Hector was able To Mind Wrap.

Quakers, Are those with power who can create earthquakes with just a snap of their fingers. Apparently it was a rare power given only six people in one Generation at a time. There were Five here living in the House of Artair. The other was believed to be in the House of Orpheus. Though Talon said anyone usually from the House of IceWater were pretty laid back people and friendly. No matter what or who you were. Which explained Luke's personality. Not many were going to join a course that wanted war. 

Healers, Those with Healing powers came in all sorts of forms. Some could only heal illnesses. Other could heal Mental illnesses or Traumas. Some could heal any wound. Though however any Healer was valuable of course. Only twenty Seven of them were allowed to serve as an Active Defender at a time. Most had to work in the hospital. Those who became Soldiers like Mosi were usually those who had some sort of horrible tragedy happen to them.

 Much like Mosi who's parents were killed after being kidn*pped by Members of the House of Orpheus. Mosi was only fourteen. It seemed a common thing between Talon and his friends. Having a Parent killed. Luke's Mother was killed while serving as a Collective Guard. Talon's mother was murdered by someone. They shared a great pain the three of them. I could see and feel how much Talon cared about his friend and how much he valued them in his life. Especially as he had so little. I saw that now. I saw alot now.

Whispers, those were people who could speak to animals. Although the House of RavenWolf wasn't so liked that only extended to close Relatives of Easton and Rowan Ravenwolf. Distant family and those with the powers of the House were treated fine. Anyone with the Whisper were highly thought of. They helped alot in the Farming Land. They were also mostly Security Guards. Using their powers on Birds to check the area.

Seriously the deeper you went into the World of Mageia the more there was to be fascinated over. I wanted to see it all but Talon had basically Quarantined us to his Quarters. He said between his Wolf reacting to mine and me having powers that I couldn't control it was too dangerous and we were just asking for trouble. A part of me understood but this was getting crazy. There was nothing to do in his Quarters besides watch TV and feel that constant link between the Wolves that lived in us. I knew it was getting to him. Each time I saw his eyes shift Orange I prepared myself for anything. It seemed I had control over my Wolf. It was the only thing I could actually control. Which I was grateful for. I honestly didn't know what would happen if I just let go. Talon would growl at me each time I wore his clothes. Which wasn't my fault. I had no clothes so I had to wear his. He's growl at me each time I got out of the shower. He said that my scent was too strong and it was consuming him. He had licked me again which he wasn't happy about. I have to admit it both amused me and actually turned me on. Though of course he could smell and sense that too which didn't help no one. Once or twice I thought that he was actually going to just body slam me onto his bed and have his way with me. It didn't happen of course. Talon was able to get control. I don't know if I was grateful or disappointed. I mean it would have been a better way to spend being locked up.

At night time was fun. Both of us would lay in our designated place completely still. The tense was so bad. I don't know how much more could take. 

"Stop looking at me!" His deep growl vibrated across the floor to me. Ever since the first night here Talon had slept on the sofa that was much too small for him. I had slept in his bed. Which swamped me. Twice I had offered to swap but he said it was too late. My scent was all over his bed and he couldn't sleep on there. The man was hard work. I looked at him now. Laying there. His right arm draped over his face. He was in a vest flashing his muscles on his arms and his tats on his forearms. He had black joggers on and his feet were bare. "Seriously Cretin. If I cross this room and lick you again I'm going to cuff you to a chair, gag you and put a bag over your head." I laughed at his threat. He was still calling me Cretin. Even when I thought we were bonding. I think we both knew he enjoyed liking the shower water off my face. I opened my mouth to say something but was swiftly cut off by a pounding on his door. "No one's home!" He shouted sounding pissed off. His voice was gruffed and heavy.

"Talon. You have Orders to report in for work now. I have clothes for Miss Juniper. The General is not happy with you missing three days of work." Luke's voice shouted. s**t he's in trouble. "Don't make me water blast the door!" I saw he wasn't going to do it so I got up and walked over to the door. I yanked it open. Even with tied wrists. Luke and Mosi stood there. Luke had a water ball hovering in his hand. Both of them were in uniform. Navy Uniform. Mosi eyed my tied up wrists. It took Talon about a day to realise I could get out of Cuffs and cable ties. So he tied my wrists with a tie he found in the back of his cupboard. He was not gentle as he wrapped it around my wrists six ties before tying it off. I had tried to get out of it but honestly I gave up. I saw no point in caring. It didn't change much. I stepped back for them to come in.

"Miss Juniper..." Mosi greeted me with a nod of his head. Luke lifted up a ruck sake in his left hand.

"There's clothes in here for you. Why don't you change...." He said before tossing the ball of water that was in his right hand at Talon. It hit him in the face making him jerk up quickly with a growl. I couldn't help but laugh. I took the bag off Luke while watching Talon send Luke a glare as his long black hair stuck to his face. I could practically see steam coming out of his ears. Mosi shut the door looking at him.

"Dude get dressed for f**k sake. The General has been trying to get in touch with you about Hawk RavenWolf. The lad wants to talk to you. Only you. He said he'd trust no one else...." Talon shook out his head much like a dog before he got up and came over to me. He looked down at me. With narrowed eyes.

"I don't like you." He hissed before stomping to the bathroom and slamming the door.

"Ignore him." Mosi said going over to the chair and sitting down. Luke moved in front of me pointing at my Wrists.

"Can I get that for you?" I lifted my arms. Luke reached down to his thigh and pulled out a knife. He cut the tie off me before spinning the knife with talent and tucking it away.

"He's gonna be pissed you did that." I watched the pieces of the tie drop to the floor.

"Let him.... I hunted down as much as I could for you. Amber was also able to add a few more bits. So all together there should be what you need Miss Juniper...." I lifted my eyes back to Luke.

"Phoenix please...." He bowed his head at me respectfully. "Thank you." He gave me a smile then went to sit down. I looked between them.

"Has there been any word on how long I'm here for?" Mosi answered me. He ran his left hand though over his cheek as he looked angry.

"Hector said that until you are Mindswept you're not leaving. Linc brought up the fact that more than one Mindcrawler had already tried and failed. That there is a chance that you could never be Mindswept. Hector said that if that was the case you were going to be put with the Half breeds and be force to stay here....." No. I couldn't stay here. I looked down at the bag in my hand. I couldn't go without seeing my parents. It had been three days and I missed them so much. It was torture. Dean.... To be honest that didn't bother me. I don't really understand why I was with him. I didn't. My parents however..... No. I had to see them again. I felt my emotions take over before I could pull them back. Tears fell down my cheeks.

"Miss Juniper.... Phoenix..." Luke corrected himself. I glanced at him. "We're going to figure this out alright. All of the RavenWolves are looking for a way to fix this. Even if we have to sneak you out of Artair. We'll figure it out. We won't let your life end here." I could see and feel that what Luke said was truth. Both of these men were willing to do what it took to get me home. I really admired that. Talon came out of the bathroom wearing just a towel. A very low riding towel. I couldn't help my eyes that wondered over his rock hard body. Water run off him. I had no time to prepare myself for him coming over to me. Grabbing my right arm and my chin. Tipping my head back and turning my face a little before licking me painfully slow up the side of my face. Licking away the tears. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were bright Orange. I had never seen them that Orange. Crap. His breath smelt like Mint. His body smelt like coconut and almonds. I swear I could feel something in me change and want to growl at him but I knew better than to give into that. I wasn't so hopeless as him. He dropped his soaked forehead to mine.

"No one is putting you with the Half breeds to be a slave. They'd have to get through me first." He growled seriously pissed off. In that moment he was so possessive but in a protective way. I could sense his need to protect me from Hector. It burnt a hole from his chest into mine.

"He's still licking her?" Luke whispered as it was the only thing that broke the pull making Talon quickly withdraw his hands from me and step back. He ran his hand over his face dropping his head back letting out a groan.

"This s**t is getting annoying now." He muttered more to himself than anyone else. I used my shoulder to wipe my face before I stepped around him and went to the bathroom to change. I wasn't all that disturbed by him licking me. I knew it wasn't his fault. It was the animal in him that he called Demon Wolf. I put the bag down and got in the shower. I made quick working of scrubbing my skin and washing my hair. When I was done, I went through the bag pulling out jeans, a white t-shirt and a red leather jacket that I instantly adored. I found a brush, toothbrush, spray. Honestly I could kiss Luke. By the time I was dressed and checked myself over in the mirror I actually looked like me. Phoenix Juniper. Not some kidn*pped victim. Which no matter what Talon said that's what I was. He told me that I was temporarily misplaced. I was f*****g kidn*pped. The d**k could dress it up anyway he wanted. I had been chased down. Grabbed by an overbearing man. Put in a van. Tied up and kidn*pped. I didn't go out one night out in Blackpool and magically woke up in Some Scottish Highland. I'm not f*****g Dorothy from OZ or f*****g Claire from Outlander.... Though to be honest Talon's Scottish accent was very much like Jamie's.... I shouldn't moan. It could be worse. He could be Ugly. "Cretin hurry the f**k up!" Now who wants to leave? I moved to the door and yanked it open about to tell him to go f**k himself but before I even made it out the door and I was grabbed. I was slammed into the wall. Bloody man! I looked up at him as he pinned me there with his body pressed against mine. His nose was against mine. His eyes were flared with Orange.

"f*****g hell he's useless...." Luke muttered. I knew they were stood behind him ready to grab him but I knew it was pointless. I watched Talon's eyes lashes flutter. They were so long they almost got trapped in his eyebrows. When he closed his eyes they fanned his cheek. f**k this man was like a God. His warm breath blew against my lips as he panted.

"This is going to start getting annoying if he attacks her every couple of minutes...." I liked that Mosi and Luke were having a causal conversation about it while the tension between Talon and I was burning like the sun. Wanting us to give in. Talon's Orange eyes moved over my face. Though the longer I looked at them, I saw the Orange fade from almost aluminosis to nothing. It wasn't the Wolf pinning me right now. It was the man and he didn't even know. He inhaled deeply making his eyes fall shut.

"Meadowsweet...." He whispered so quietly I almost missed it completely. I reached up and put my right index finger to his forhead.

'I promise, I'll behave.' I thought. Using my power to place the thought into his mind. He didn't jerk like I thought he'd might. His chest was falling up and down carefully. 'We can't hide in this room for however long I'm here and you have talked about the Lad. I know you want to check on him. I can feel it.' His eyes opened and lifted to mine. They were perfectly deep brown.

"You don't behave I'm duct tapping you to a chair and leaving you somewhere for the House of Orpheus to find. Alright?" I knew it was a threat that was suppose to scare me but I could feel that he didn't mean it. He was getting use to having me around. He liked me. Whether he wanted to admit it or not.