Page 53 of Green Ravens

“Here you are.” She smiled.

The guards stood several feet behind him, and Zorion turned slightly, watching them out the edges of his vision.

Each of them had strong, stiff postures. Zorion noted the harsh lines marring their faces and deep divots around their eyes as if a sculptor had carved out all kindness until only cruelty remained.

He took one last look at the foreboding door, unable to shake the feeling whatever was behind it was important.

Dr. O’Reilley opened the door to his new home and swept her arms wide as if displaying a grand prize on a game show.

Zorion stepped over the threshold, and the suffocating tension he’d had seconds ago was replaced with peace and serenity. It truly was a place tailored for him.

He removed his sandals and walked across the smooth dark wood floors. The air was rich with the scent of earth and fragrant flowers, the kind of naturalness found within forests man hadn’t touched.

The walls were textured stones with thick twisting vines creeping upward and into the high, vaulted ceilings. Hidden lights mimicked the warm glow of sunlight.

The living area furniture was various shades of brown and green, the material softer than anything he could remember.

The farthest wall was made entirely of glass and divided his bedroom and living space, filled with big potted trees and a simulated sky-like ceiling.

There were high perches and wooden platforms made of interweaving branches.

A sheer curtain hanging from a wrought-iron rod separating the inside from the outside.

The curved patio could only be described with two words: majestic paradise.

He would never understand how they’d designed a pond with water bubbling over small stones on a terrace. Ficus and broad-leafed palms filled the remaining space. The occasional flutter of small birds darting among the foliage made him feel a twinge of joy. It was a haven of tranquility and tamed wilderness.

“I can see everything meets your approval, Zorion.” Dr. O’Reilley beamed. “I’ll leave you to get acclimated. You’ll have a few days to enjoy your sanctuary, and at the end of the week, you’ll meet your project manager to begin your training.”

Zorion didn’t conceal his scowl.

“Everything will be explained to you in due course.”

His glare must’ve seared her because she suddenly looked guilty and her eyes filled with tears.

“Zorion. I know the actions taken by the director were wrong, immoral, and most of all illegal.”

He cocked his head to the side.

“But you heard what happened when we tried to refute him or threatened to go to the authorities.”

Zorion remembered hearing arguments, a lone gunshot, and cries of fear.

“I have a family,” she whimpered. “I had no choice but to comply. But I swear on my daughters’ lives I did the best I could. I made you both stronger, more acute, aware, and gave you more unique abilities than all the Ravens.”

“Ravens?” Zorion croaked. “Both?”

Her eyes widened. “I’ve already said too much. But if you trust nothing else, trust that you will be treated better than good. You’ll be given the utmost respect, and your well-being will remain my team’s top priority. You were chosen because of your strength. Trust in yourself.”

He was the only person he’d trust for the rest of his days.

“You will not just be a weapon, Zorion. You’re going to be a man of great importance and honor one day, something I believe you’ve strived toward all your life.”

She was almost out of the door when she turned and added, “I ask for your forgiveness, Zorion, and I hope one day you’ll give it.” Her tears fell. “I vow to make amends before he considers me too much of a liability and takes my life.”

And with that final statement, she left.

Chief Aiken Oakley

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