Free Feathermore by Lucy Swing

her, but it was no match for her. As it grew closer, Claire in lion form rose on its hind legs and jumped onto the panther with its huge, taloned front paws. The panther went down, and Claire the lion went for its throat. The panther gave a muffled yowl, kicked, and fell still.
    Claire became herself again, though her wings remained. “Still up for it, Lilith?” she said.
    And just like that, Lilith was gone, swallowed in the air.
    I started toward her, but before she could see me she flapped her long wings and rose back up into the sky. I walked to the pond, looking around for any sign of anyone at all, and then I saw it. In the pond, under the water, I could see myself, sleeping. Or, if I could be so lucky, maybe I was dead.
    I wandered about, and my surroundings changed once again. This time I found myself in a lonely cemetery. Dark and leaning gravestones cast shadows that seemed to move and follow me.
    I found him by the big banyan tree, resting against its trunk. I was alone with him in a cemetery, with shadows that danced on their own, moving as if taunting me. I stared at him for a good while. He didn’t seem to notice that I was there.
    “ Who are you?” I tried to sound tough but failed miserably. My voice creaked, and I looked at my feet to hide my reddening face.
    “ Someone to steer you away from trouble,” he whispered as he closed the space between us. I looked up at him. Seeing his face clearly for the very first time, his mouth just inches away from mine, I immediately forgot how to breathe. I just stared at his tender, full lips, wondering what they would feel like on mine. He chuckled and backed away from me, finally letting me remember to breathe. I examined the rest of his face. His features were soft and his skin pale. He was utterly gorgeous. His green eyes glistened as he looked at me.
    “ Why am I in trouble?” I hated that he had moved away, for I felt as if my whole being was seeking him, longing for him to draw closer again.
    “ There are some people whom it is better to stay away from,” he said, his face turning grim, and he looked away.
    “ I’m sorry, but this is a dream—”
    “ You really think so?” Within the blink of an eye, he was beside me again. He took my hand, and I reveled in every second of his touch. “You do remember me, don’t you?” His hand slid onto my cheeks, lifting my face to his.
    I nodded. “You have been in my dreams before.” I couldn’t tear my eyes from his. It felt as if he held me at his will.
    “ It is no dream,” he said. “It’s a different dimension—another realm, if you wish.”
    Okay, pretty boy has lost it. I knew this dream was too good to be true. I pulled my arm away, even though I didn’t want to. I wanted to feel his touch, the electricity that he radiated when he was near. I turned around to look at him, but to my dismay, he was gone. I tried to find my way out of the cemetery but finally gave up, willing myself to wake up from this now miserable dream.
     
    * * *
     
    The knocking on the door pulled me out of the strange dream. As symbolic as it had been, it had seemed thoroughly real. And as for Lilith, she seemed so familiar. I kept searching through my mind and memories for just where I knew the woman from, but once again Claire pulled me back to real life. I sighed at the memory of the stranger and the way he had made me feel.
    “ Jade?” Claire called from behind the door. “It’s time to start getting ready. Is there anything special you’d like for breakfast?”
    Ooh, right. The funeral. “No.”
    I pulled the covers over my head. I needed it all to be over. I had to get through today, and then it would be done. Life as I knew it—gone.
    “ We need to leave in an hour and a half, hon,” Claire said before I heard her walk away.
    What had I ever done to deserve such an amazing friend as she, I had no clue, but I was infinitely thankful. I could not have dealt with everything that the tragedy brought. She had