Page 41 of Heart Shaped Wreckage
‘Blood makes everyone a fool.’ I looked over at Heath. “Huh… The only blood I’ve seen belongs to Heath. He got hurt trying to protect me.”
“Yes, he always was a kind being.”
‘To find what you seek – the blood must leak.’ And this seemed to be where we were in the stanzas, and it was freaking me out. “Well, I guess I can see that I have to seek help because Heath is bleeding. But it doesn’t say for what? How am I to understand what I have to find?”
“Keep going.”
‘Forms shift to and fro, a hollow shaft will heal. But by the end, you must lose to ever hope to win.’ I stood up and looked down at my sweet love. I loved him. There was no denying it. “Heath shifted to his beast. That’s what he called it and then shifted back in front of me. He really didn’t want to do that. It didn’t scare me, though. It’s just him.”
‘A last gasp and the choice is made – fate is done and it’s too late. A choice to make for a lost mate.’
“And…”
“I have no idea what that means. I’m lost after shifting forms.”
“You will understand it eventually. You heroes always do. Usually, you die once you completely understand it, but I’m rooting for you.”
“So, what do I have to do?” I begged – which was funny since I was talking to a dog.
“Think of it as a side quest. Something that you have to do alone. The only way to save him.”
“I’ll do whatever I have to. Just tell me. Isn’t that why you’re here?”
“Yes. You don’t have to be a bitch about it,” she yipped.
“Sorry, Gula. I didn’t mean to.”
“I know, child. When you’re as old as I am, you get a little snippy. The next line of your verse – what does it say?” she asked kindly.
“A… a hollow shift will heal? What does that mean? It’s way confusing.”
“Who caused Heath’s injuries?”
“That asshole angel, Aurelius. That’s what Heath called him anyway.” I had no idea what she was getting at. But I wished she’d just tell me. Heath was dying.
“He’s always been a… Well, asshole is a good word, I guess. These modern sayings confuse me.”
“You’re saying that I have to go back there?”
“Oh, he’s not there any longer. He’s somewhere else.”
“But what is a hollow shaft? What am I supposed to get from him, and what do I do with it?”
“You heal him.” Gula stood up and walked over to Heath. “I will take care of him, and you must go and get a feather from Aurelius’ wings. Understand now?”
“I have to pluck a feather from him?”
“Yes. And it should have some of his ichor on it. It can’t be a feather that he’s lost or molts on its own. It has to come directly from the source. Plucked from the bone, as they say.”
“Feathers aren’t really connected to a bone. They’re sprouted from a follicle sort of… I have to face him and pull it from his wing. If I fail?”
“Heath will be no more. Not even his essence would survive the blade of a Morningstar.”
“So… Ok… If I go and face an angel, I will probably die. If I don’t, Heath will. Got it. This isgreatnews.” I stood up and held the stones up. They began to glow. “You’ll take care of him?”
“I will. Now, I think it’s time for you to face every human’s greatest fear.”
“What is that?” I stood there trying to find my courage.
