Fae from Memory: Oak Stone Chronicles, #3

Prologue

After a hot day at work, Buzz, a slightly overweight middle-aged man, hauled garbage bags out the back door of his pet shop. He was in his favorite red checkered flannel shirt, which fluttered in the evening breeze.

He rubbed the back of his neck, stretched a little, and then flung the top of the dumpster open. The lid slammed against the back and the sound echoed through the alley. The streetlight at the end was the only one that was on.

Just as he was about to throw the first bag in, he heard a moaning sound. He set the bag down and walked around to the end of the dumpster. There, he found a woman lying against it.

He quickly bent down. Hey. Are you all right?

As he reached to remove her hood, which almost covered her face, he heard the flapping of wings behind him. Each beat sent a rush of air, nearly knocking him over. He turned to see a massive raven with immense wings swooping down on him, its deafening caws forcing him to cover his ears. A set of talons dug into one of his arms. He cried out but managed to break free. He then scooped up the girl, hoisting her over his shoulder like a sack of pet food.

Dodging the raven’s attacks, he aimed for the back door of his business and dashed back through the open door. He quickly put the girl down, grabbed a towel next to the pet washing tub, and wrapped his arm.

The heavy metal door was taking a beating as the raven kept pecking at it, trying to fight its way in. Its loud caws rattled the door.

The girl made a few more moans, and her eyes slowly opened. She forced herself off the floor, turned her attention toward the door, and yelled, Stop!

The raven stopped. Buzz glanced at her, then the door, and back at her. Her eyes rolled back, and she fell to the floor. A wooden box tumbled out of her pocket.

Buzz bent over, picked the box up, and turned it, revealing the name Talia etched on one side. On the other was a picture of a raven named Sciathon. The box didn’t have any seams anywhere.

The motion of the girl’s head caught Buzz’s attention. A few moans came from her, and her eyes slowly opened again.

It’s going to be okay. Are you far from home? Buzz asked.

The girl could hardly force the words out. I don’t know.

Her eyes widened when she looked around at her surroundings. Where am I? Who are you? She struggled to move away from Buzz. What am I doing here?

Easy now. I’m not going to hurt you. My name is Buzz. What’s yours? He smiled at her. You were unconscious, and I brought you into my store.

She could sense that he wasn’t going to hurt her. Her eyes widened and her breathing became erratic; she could feel her heart racing.

I-I don’t know.

Chapter 1

The smell of the morning in the city still wasn’t Talia’s thing; she would love to work somewhere in nature instead. The town of Gala wasn’t big, but for being six in the morning, the traffic was busy in front of her work. She pulled a set of keys out from her hoodie. She fit the key into the lock and glanced at the window before she turned it. The sign painted read Buzz’s Creatures and Pet Supplies.

The bell above the door jingled, a familiar sound that sent a wave of barks and meows rippling through the pet shop. A chorus of canine woofs and feline yowls erupted, a cacophony announcing the arrival of a familiar presence.

Calm down, guys. It’s just me, Talia soothed, her voice a gentle counterpoint to the animalistic outburst.

The animal choir subsided, replaced by a quiet rustling of fur and feathers, save for one particularly attention-seeking feline. A sleek black cat, Fred, continued his insistent vocalizations.

Fred! That’s enough. I will come give you some love in a moment. I have things to do first, Talia chided gently, her tone firm but kind. She attempted to push the door closed, but it resisted, stubbornly refusing to budge. Turning, she found the source of the obstruction: a large raven, its obsidian eyes gleaming, was blocking her entryway.

How do you always manage to get out of the apartment? I swear you’re magic or something, Sciathon, Talia muttered, shaking her head with an amused exasperation. The raven responded with a low, rolling caw, a sound that somehow conveyed both defiance and affection.

Go and get up on your perch, Talia instructed, her voice laced with a mixture of fondness and resignation. The raven, Sciathon, remained unmoved, its intelligent gaze fixed on Talia as if silently challenging her authority.

Sciathon thrust her massive wings down, causing Talia to almost lose her balance; she leaned against the door for support. With a few flaps, Sciathon landed on her perch next to the register.

She reached over to the wall and flipped on a series of switches, lighting up the whole shop. A banging sound from the back room made Talia’s heart jump when the lights slowly came to life. Sciathon cawed loudly and flew toward the sound.

Sciathon! You know you don’t always need to protect me all the time, Talia said, letting out a weary sigh. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, trying to calm her nerves. It’s probably one of the dogs in the kennels.

She said the words aloud, more for her reassurance than anything else, before slowly walking towards the back of the shop. As she rounded the corner, a couple of dogs in the first two kennels jumped up, barking excitedly and straining at their fences, eager for attention. Talia smiled, chuckling softly at their enthusiasm. Reaching the next kennel, which was supposed to be empty, she found her best friend Brie lying on the small cot inside.

What are you doing in there? Talia asked, her voice laced with surprise.

Brie flung a blanket off of herself and staggered out, trying to tame her long, stringy blonde hair. Hey, Tal. I crashed here because my landlord decided to be all up in my face about my rent being late, on one of his early morning benders. Brie waved her hand in front of her nose. Whew, he stunk like always.

And you slept here in a kennel? You could have slept upstairs in my apartment. Talia couldn’t hide her amusement.

Well, I didn’t want to bother you, Brie mumbled, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Instead, you decided to give me a fright this morning, Talia teased, shaking her head.

I’m sorry. I was going to get up and out before you opened the store. Brie squinted her eyes a little then opened them wide. Where are my glasses? Oh, yeah.

Brie grabbed them off the fenced door, her movements a little clumsy.

The offer is still open if you want to move in, Talia said, her voice softening.

Brie flashed a smile. Thanks, I’ll think about it. I guess since I’m here now, I’ll give you a hand opening the store.

You don’t work until nine, Talia pointed out.

Oh, well, Brie said with a shrug, starting to walk back into the main part of the pet shop. Hey, Sci.

Sciathon let out a low caw and strutted back to her perch. Once she was settled, she began to preen herself meticulously, her sharp eyes watching Brie’s every move.

Since you’re here, why don’t you feed all our little friends? Talia asked, ducking into the office.

Sure, Tal, Brie said, feeling something rubbing her leg. She looked down to find Fred, the resident tabby cat, wanting attention. Hey, Freddy boy.

She gave him a few strokes down his long, sleek fur, and he began to purr contentedly.

Hey, Tal! Brie yelled, grabbing an opened bag of cat food from the supply closet.

Yes? Talia called back from the office.

Do you know if Buzz is coming in today? Brie stopped and peeked in the office doorway.

I think so, Talia said, cocking her head a little. Seems that he said he would be here for a short time today. I believe he said he was going to pick up his nephew.

Oh, his nephew?

Yes, I guess Buzz needs another hand around here, Talia said, getting up from behind the desk carrying the money for the register.

Wonder if he’s cute? Brie mused, unable to resist a playful tone.

Talia popped the register open. Brie? Is that all you think of? Besides, I thought you were seeing some fellow named Derek.

I am, Brie said, flashing a mischievous smile. Just leaving my options open.

She giggled and returned to feed the rest of the animals, her mind elsewhere.

A moment passed when Brie came up behind Talia, who was staring out the window, her brow furrowed in thought.

Wondering about things again? Brie asked softly, sensing Talia’s preoccupation.

Talia jumped a little, pulling her eyes away from the window. Yes. I am, she admitted quietly.

Must be weird not knowing anything of who you are or where you came from, Brie offered, her voice laced with empathy.

Yes, it is, Talia sighed, letting the weight of her amnesia settle over her. It’s been a couple of years since I was found by Buzz, and still, I cannot recall anything. The only thing from my past life is Sciathon. She cannot tell me anything about it.

Talia glanced at her raven; a strange feeling traveled through her body when their eyes met. It made her shudder, a shiver running down her spine.

What’s wrong? Brie asked, noticing Talia’s sudden discomfort.

Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Talia said quickly, forcing a smile. Now, it’s about time to open, so go get your name tag on and we’ll begin this day.

Sometimes the way you talk, you almost sound like someone of royalty or something like that, Brie remarked, teasingly.

Who knows, maybe I was a queen, Talia cracked a smile, shaking her head. She headed towards the door, jiggling the keys in her hand.

She turned the key, and the lock snapped open, then yanked the small chain dangling from a neon OPEN sign that hung in the window.

Talia turned away from the door, expecting the usual morning bustle, and instead, saw a big, tall, burly man standing there.

She looked up at him, startled. Hello, Mr. Adkins.

You can call me Buzz. I think you’ve known me long enough now, Buzz smiled warmly. You don’t need to be so proper all the time.

Yes, I know, Talia smiled back, relaxing slightly.

Hey, B! Brie yelled from behind the counter.

Hi, Brie? Talia looked at Buzz’s confused face.

Ah, she decided to come in early, Buzz explained, chuckling.

Brie gave Talia a knowing glance. Yes. That’s what I decided to do. Don’t worry, B, I’ll work my full shift.

Buzz stroked his long gray beard and gave both of them a once-over. I am glad you’re here early since I won’t be.

Buzz walked into his office, grabbed something out of his desk, and proceeded back out the door.

See ya, B!

Goodbye, Mr. Adkins, Talia said politely.

He stopped the door from closing. Bye, I hope nothing goes wrong, he said with a wink before finally closing the door.

The mid-day lull was a sign it was time for Talia’s lunch break. The pet shop was quiet, the usual chorus of barks and meows replaced by the gentle hum of the refrigerator. I am going to the park, Talia announced, her gaze drifting toward the window where sunlight streamed through the glass.

No problems. Have fun, Brie answered, her attention still focused on the fluffy kitten she was trying to coax out of its hiding place.

Sciathon let out a sharp squawk, her dark eyes fixed on Talia with an intensity that bordered on pleading.

You stay here. I will be back, Talia said, her voice soft but firm. Sciathon, in protest, ruffled her feathers and turned away, her head tucked under her wing. Talia couldn’t help but smile. The raven was as attached to her as Talia was to Sciathon, a bond forged in a shared past that Talia couldn’t quite remember.

The sun's warmth awakened Talia’s skin when she exited the pet shop. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She headed towards Denny’s Drivable food truck, always on her way to the park.

Hey, girl. How are ya doin’ today? The usual? A tall, lanky, dark-skinned man popped his head out of the side of the truck.

I am well, Talia smiled and continued. Yes, I will have the turkey club sandwich with edges cut off and a bottle of water. Thank you.

Comin’ right at ya.

She watched a couple of small birds in the tree next to the parked food truck, dancing around each other, jumping from branch to branch. She admired how nimble they were in flight, and somewhere deep inside her, she felt as though she knew how they were doing it.

That is preposterous, she mumbled under her breath.

Talia, your order is up.

Oh, thank you. How much do I owe you, Mr. Strom? She began to dig in her small coin pouch.

It’s free today. You come here almost every day, so today it’s on the house. And you can call me Denny.

Talia looked at him. Thank you, but I do not need charity. She took some money out, laid it down, swiped the sandwich and the water off the small counter, and headed to her destination.

Denny smiled, tucked her money in a charity