Page 67 of The Mating Fire
Seemed paranormal Others like her were so rare, only one or two were born every century. Or, in the case of need, the goddessbestowed a special couple with such powers to pass along to their offspring.
“In times of great trouble, when the world is overrun by supplicants of the Dark Lord, a coldfire pyrokinetic will aid the forces of good to defeat the evil,” she read aloud. “Such an Other will need mentoring from one who has embraced both darkness and light, to know how to use the coldfire to eliminate the Dark Lord’s supplicants.”
Interesting. Harper shut the book, wondering what it meant.
Hearing the door open, she glanced up and set the book aside. “Jared. I hope you don’t mind me indulging in your library.”
“What I have is yours. All the books are yours to read.” He leaned against a bookcase. “But I thought you’d like to get out of here. See a little of the surroundings. Go for a hike.”
Harper brightened. “What should I wear?”
Jared snapped his fingers and suddenly he was clothed in faded jeans, leather hiking boots and a checked shirt. He unbuttoned the shirt to show a white T-shirt beneath. “Make sure to layer. First rule of dressing for a long hike. When you get too warm, you can take off the shirt.”
Harper waved a hand and dressed in the same kind of clothing. Jared conjured two backpacks and she put one over her shoulders. He took her hand.
She sucked in a breath, still accustoming herself to this kind of transit.
When they materialized they were in a peaceful town ringed by majestic mountains. In a nearby field, horses grazed while young men played a vigorous game of soccer.
“We’re in Chachapoyas, about an hour or less hike to the Gocta Waterfall. Northern Peru. It’s faster than taking a tuk tuk.” Jared winked at her.
He paid 30 Soles at a ticket booth in the town square, and they proceeded to the trailhead.
Stone steps provided for easy navigation, but the pathway was also dirt and somewhat slippery due to a recent rainfall. Every once in a while they stopped at viewing spots to take in the breathtaking view of the valleys and canyons. It was gorgeous here, with a quiet peacefulness she enjoyed. Even the coffee plantations added to the ambiance.
The steep inclines proved challenging. Jared helped her through. Soon she was working up a sweat, and they both removed their shirts, tying them around their waists. When they had ascended after a couple of hours, they took a break, chugging water.
Birds called overhead in the tall trees. Hearing an odd bird call that resembled a squealing pig, she craned her neck. “Did you bring binoculars?”
Jared snapped his fingers, and they appeared in her hand. “Better than a camping supply store.”
“And less weight in the backpack,” she said, smiling.
She used the glasses and gasped. “Wow!”
Harper handed the binoculars to him. “Look up at the tallest tree. See that bright red bird with the oddly shaped head?”
Jared looked. He whistled. “Nice.”
Harper remembered the photo DarkBird1790 shared with her. “I can’t believe it! It’s a cock-of-the-rock! I’ve wanted to see one ever since hearing about them. National bird of Peru.”
Jared’s eyes widened as he lowered the binoculars. “A…what?”
“I know, I know the name is nuts, but what a beautiful bird! I never thought I’d see one in person! My online friend, Darkbird, in my birding chat group, has seen them.”
He gave her an odd, searching look. “What’s your name online?”
“Rockstar00, after my profession, studying rocks, and the year I was born. Why?”
As he snapped his fingers and the binoculars vanished, he cleared his throat. “Rupicola peruvianuis its scientific name. Or to use the common vernacular, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, found in Peru.”
Jared’s expression filled with emotion. “Nice to meet you in person, Rockstar.”
She stared at him, touched his face. Her trembling hand fell away. It was hard to comprehend. “You… you’re Darkbird1790?”
A torrent of feelings rushed through her as he nodded. Wonder, gratitude, and desire, along with oh, so many questions. “How… why…”
Picking up her palm, he kissed her knuckles. The warm caress of his mouth made her shiver with need. “You know what I am, Harper. Alone in my room, night after night, never wanting to show my face because, well, I am a beast. My solace was found in reading, the internet and interesting chats with a certain fellow bird watcher.”
