Excerpt: Dust Feathers

“Was your father’s name Leighton?” Lee started.

“Yeah.” Dakota replied cautiously.

Lee hesitated again, so Phineas just cut him off. “You are Dakota North, born to Leighton North and Virginian North, maiden name West. Correct?”

Dakota’s eyes traveled back to Phineas. “Yes, that is true.” She wasn’t sure that she liked Phineas, or if she even cared if he liked her right about now.

“I knew your father before he married.” Dakota wanted to say ‘He never mentioned you.’ but refrained. “After your parent’s death, you were taken in by your father’s business partner, Jon Doe and his wife Jane Doe(will fill in names later). They already had a son Aiden and a daughter Sarah.”

Dakota just looked at Phineas. Did this man really need an answer?

“That feather that you have, it belonged to your father did it not?” How did he know about the feather? Lee must have told him. Did that mean that Lee had known about this for a while and still had said nothing to her?

“He gave it to me.” Dakota didn’t like the way this conversation was going.

“I know what your father was Dakota.” He stated. Dakota felt her heart start to race, Dakota wondered if they could see her nervousness.

“I’m afraid that I don’t know what you mean sir.” Dakota replied smoothly, being very polite as she tried to fake innocents.

“I think you do. Your father, Leighton North, was a were-gryphon and that feather belonged to him did it not?” Phineas’ gaze was piercing.

Dakota didn’t answer, and if it wasn’t for the thundering in her ears, Dakota would have sworn that her heart had stopped.

“Lee and I are both were-gryphons. We know the difference between a real gryphon feather and that of a bird.” Phineas continued.

Dakota had pretty much missed the end of what Phineas had said. After saying that Lee was a were-gryphon, Dakota’s eyes had snapped to him. He was a were-gryphon and he hadn’t told her? So she had only known him for almost two weeks, but hadn’t he suspected or known that her father was one too? If he had, why hadn’t he said anything? She had always thought herself alone since her father’s death, now here comes along another gryphon. Why hadn’t he told her?

Her heart was beating so hard, her chest hurt. She felt closed in, trapped. Lee looked sorry about her apparent upset state. Upset being the kindest word anyone could use. Lee reached out to take her hand, probably to offer some sort of comfort, but Dakota pulled her hands away before he could reach them. A pained look crossed his face.

“Dakota.” Phineas’ voice called her attention back to him. “Your father obviously did not have time to teach you what you must know and the rules of our kind. Therefore, you will refer to Lee if any problems arise. You may also speak to Professor Shamus Grey.”

So Professor Grey was another were-gryphon in this totally messed-up world? Well Lee had said that Professor Grey was a friend of the family.

“Lee has informed me that you have the weekends and Mondays off from classes. So you will be taking extra classes at the were-creature community in Muskoka. My family is staying there so my daughter can be taught properly in the ways of the were-gryphons.” He said it like Dakota’s father had somehow failed at raising her. Her father had done a dame fine job with the time that he had Mr. Gryffyn!

“Had your father informed the council of your birth like he was suppose to, you would have never been raised apart from the were-creature community. Lee will see to it that you have transportation there. You will come up to the were-creature community this weekend to begin your training. Do you understand?”

Dakota’s eyes narrowed. “Yes I understand.” Her voice was deadly calm, like any girl close to loosing it, but trying desperately to keep control.

“Dakota?” Lee said as he hesitantly touched her arm.

Dakota pulled away from him and got to her feet. “Thank-you for coming all this way to talk to me Mr. Gryffyn, but I’m afraid that I am going to have to ask you to leave now.”
Phineas got to his feet smoothly. “Remember Dakota, you are to start your training this weekend.” That was his parting line before getting his coat and exiting the building.

Lee got up and hesitantly walked to Dakota’s side. “Dakota…”

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave too Lee.” Dakota interrupted him.

“I’m sorry. I tried to keep him from coming. I knew he wouldn’t handle this well and…”

“Handle this well?” Dakota turned quickly towards him. The very violent way in which Dakota had moved towards him made Lee back up a step. “I don’t think your father could have handled that any ‘better’ had he been a convict!”

“I am really sorry Dakota…” Lee tried again to apologize.

“Lee, I believe that I asked you to leave.” Dakota turned away from him. “Now leave before I do something we both might regret later.” Her intention was to march over to the door and hold it open until he left.

Lee grabbed her wrist, successfully stopping. “Dakota please let me explain…”

Dakota whipped around, pulling her hand out of Lee’s grasp. Moving much to fast for any normal human, Dakota slapped Lee across the face. His head snapped to the side and he stumbled back a few steps till he hit the wall. Dakota was stronger and faster then any human she had ever met. In her anger, she hadn’t been able to control it.

Slowly Lee raised his hand to touch his cheek where Dakota had slapped him. His eyes rose to hers. The pain that was obviously there within those green depths made Dakota’s broken heart shatter. She looked down at the floor and crossed her arms in front of herself.

“I asked you to leave.” Dakota’s voice broke on the last word.