My Wild Beast

{Music Recommendation: Trapped by Sarah Schnachner}

Nova's mind kick-started back into focus, her jaw finally moving enough to whisper Ixana's name. Now was not the time to be her typical ditsy self! Ixana could gouge her eyes out with those claws and not even break a sweat.

She stared at the harpy eagle shifter, who looked as regal as the first time she'd laid her eyes upon her. The difference was that Ixana no longer had the Silver Feather flock behind her. Though Nova sensed this former Sky Matron was not alone.

The eagle shifter might have been dressed for battle, with all those weapons adorning her hips and ribs, but she was not foolish to attack Nova and her friends by herself.

Ixana ruffled her feathers behind her and fretted at her hair, looking down her nose at Nova. "You dare breathe my name? You might be screwing Yiska, and are chosen by Tayun, but you are nothing but a sacrifice to be used."

"A… sacrifice?!" Nova squeaked and internally cringed at the sound of her voice. Of course, this woman wanted to sacrifice her. It was what she fought Vulcan over in the first place. But why?

Ixana took a step in her direction, and Nova inched back, glancing warily at her surroundings.

Aiyana had shifted to try and wrangle herself out of the net that kept her entangled mid-air while Atia fought off guards who must have been loyal to only Ixana.

"This island has certainly agreed with you…" Ixana purred, tilting her head with that imperious grace only a Sky Matron could carry. Malice gleamed in her gaze as talons brushed lazily over the hilt of her blade, a reminder of all Nova would have to face. "A pity. It makes tearing you apart all the more satisfying."

Nova's mouth dried. She'd barely managed to fight Veyra off, and the vampiras were down to pure luck, especially while in that strange state Tayun always put her in, and sharing some of Yoa's powers.

"What have I ever done to you?!" She blurted out, trying to buy herself some time. The sounds of Atia's fight rang back to her, and Aiyana's furious struggle in the net that seemed too thick even for her revealed what great danger she was truly in by facing Ixana alone.

Maybe distracting the Sky Matron was her best option until she figured out how to fight such a warrior. She remembered the stories Yoa told of this woman and how she treated Vulcan. There was a part of her that forgave him for what he did; it wasn't his fault, and he was surely being poisoned by her words and actions from the beginning.

"Oh, sweet child." Ixana laughed breathily, the term 'child' used as an insult rather than that of an older woman talking to someone younger. "You have done nothing but live and appear here on Tayun as her Electa." She stepped closer, folding her wings behind her.

"Oh, it is a privilege," she grinned wickedly, her eyes glinting maliciously, matching that unnerving, stunning smile. "And it comes with purpose… In this case… You will help me."

Ixana shrugged, as if sacrificing her was like ticking off a shopping list, and Nova was one of the items.

"You think by killing me, it will help you?!" Nova shouted, her voice shaking.

Yep, she shouted at a crazed bird brain that wanted to kill her. Best. Idea. Ever. But she needed her blood rushing and adrenaline spiked for what was about to come next.

Ixana's eyes lit with glee at Nova's outburst. Dammit, she could probably hear the fear in her voice like the little squeaky mouse she was. Queen Bird Brain took another step forward, looking down at her, lips curling upwards.

"Why of course… Akura gifts all who wish to serve her. I wanted to make Ayumi stronger, you see…" She looked away, entirely at ease with Nova in her sights and the other two dealing with their own problems. "All know the rules. Only a woman leads the flock. Men are too fickle, you see… And yet… Vulcan had grown too powerful. I sensed the shift in the winds directing to my… to Vulcan. The people saw their next leader…"

Shadows formed over her features, darkening at the mention of her son's name. Nova didn't want to interrupt, no, she was frozen to the spot at the change in Ixana's facial expression. Her son had killed her, after all. Or tried to, it seems.

How the hell was Ixana alive right now? Was it because of Akura? This Goddess seemed to be nothing but trouble for this island, and especially when those in power, like Ixana, didn't care about the price needed to get what she wanted. In this case, it was Nova's life.

Still, Nova would never even consider killing another being all for the sake of power. And that was what rose her blade to the harpy eagle shifter whose attention returned to her and had taken another measured step forward.

Ixana burst into delighted laughter at the sight of First Mark raised towards her. It glinted in the sunlight, the weapon shaking slightly. "Oh," Her voice started to darken the more she spoke. "You silly… pathetic, little girl. The first time you caught me by surprise. A few journeys of the moon training with Yiska and his friends, and you think you can take me on?"

She scoffed, taking one more confident step forward, like she was cornering a little mouse, looming over her like a cat about to strike its prey, or at least play with it first.

Two more harpy eagles dove over her head, towards the earth. An arrow shot through one of their wings, and it plummeted to the earth. Atia. It gave her hope.

All she had to do was… You know, fight this crazy-ass bird until one of the others can help.

"Nope." Nova tilted her chin higher, confidence finding her voice, and the shake in her limbs fading, her hand now steady.

Her answer made Ixana pause with a frown, as though she was trying to decipher Nova's true intent.

Was this a trick? The question was written all over Ixana's face.

"Nope. No trick. Just the truth… I know I can't take you on," Nova answered the silent question, then lunged.