Chapter 1 When I Was A Young Girl. “Anastasia! Where are you?!” Mother was calling me. She had caught me flying outside of the grounds again. “Anastasia Celestial RemRoDeo you show yourself this instant!” Crap! Full name, I’m in big trouble now. What am I going to do? “If I have to call your name one more time missy, so help me you will not live to be eighteen!” I turned to look around the corner. My was back no longer against the outer stonewall of the tower. Looking down into the garden my eyes locked with her's and I knew she was looking right back at me. She pointed her right index finger directly at me, then to the ground just in front of where she stood. I had two choices, stay where I was and get in more trouble, or go down and face my punishment. Even though I rather not choose the latter, I know if I didn't, my punishment would be even worse. Sheepishly I glided down from the tower landing in front of my mother. Hanging my head down I avoided her eyes as they sternly stared at me. Without even looking, I knew her lips were tightly pressed into a thin line, and her eyebrows were scrunched up. Her breathing was heavy and angry sounding. “What do you have to say for yourself?” I didn't know what to answer her with. She wouldn't accept the one I had, it wouldn't be good enough for her. “Well? I’m waiting.” “I... I wanted to fly...” I told the truth anyway and stood there waiting for her to lecture me about the proper times and proper places one can fly. I had heard it countless times before. But instead of a lecture she just placed her hand on my chin lifting my face up to meet hers. The anger that was just there moments before was replaced by a gentle
smile with softened, understanding eyes. “I think it's time your father and I had a talk with you when he gets home.” “I'm so sorry, please, I promise I won't do it again, I swear.” She chuckled to herself as she calmly shook her head. “Even though you should be in trouble, you're not. It's time we talked to you about something else.” “What?” “Just wait until your father gets home, we'll tell you then. In the mean time, go to your room.” “Wait, I’m not in trouble, but I’m still getting sent to my room?” “You're not in trouble for wanting to fly, but you are because you still disobeyed me by doing so.” She then pointed her finger back to the castle. I kicked a clump of dirt as I walked passed her. My wings were slumped against my back as I walked down the corridor which led up to my room. The light of the day shown through the stained glass windows of the hall adding a multitude of color to the white light. The heels of my shoes clicked against the stone floor echoing throughout the hall. As I neared the door into my room it opened. “Is everything alright Lady RemRoDeo?” It was Anne, one of my families servants. She had blonde bangs that would fall out of her maid's bonnet causing her to constantly brush them out of her face. She was was carrying some linens and dirty cloths in her arms. Poutingly I replied. “I'm in trouble again.” She snorted to herself as she attempted to stop from laughing to hard. “Is that all? I thought it was something new.” “Oh har dee har har Anne.” I crossed my arms across my chest as the expression on my face became more soured. “Many pardons m'lady. It's just you're in trouble more then you aren't” My shoulder bumped into her as I brushed past going into my room. As much as I rather not admit it, she was right. I just couldn't help the urge to be free. To go flying like there was something out there I was suppose to be looking for, to find. Flopping face forward onto my bed I pulled my pillow over my head as my wings and feet hung over the edge. What could mother and father want to talk to me about? The last time they both sat me down for a 'talk' they told me I wasn't their natural daughter. That they had rescued me when I was only an infant. They had found me laying on my back on a rock looking up at the sun just giggling to myself. They told me I didn't look
more then a few hours old and was still in my birthday suit. My mother wrapped me up in one of her scarves while father took flight looking for my parents. When no one was found they brought me home and raised me as their own. What could it be this time that they wanted to sit down and tell me? As I laid there pondering what I was in for I drifted off to sleep. The dream I soon found myself in wasn't a new one, but it wasn't one that repeated that often. It was centuries ago, before the age of computers and technology and I was much older. I was in my late twenties and at first I have no wings. I am wearing a lovely red and golden dress while sitting in a garden creating a crown from some flowers I had picked. It's a beautiful day and I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face. The sounds of the animals playing about in the trees and bushes of the garden made me smile. With my crown of flowers completed I put it on and stood up twirling about in my dress. I was dancing to the sounds of nature around me. The singing of the birds, the chatter of the squirrels and the sound of the wind blowing through the tree. While dancing I closed my eyes. I had been in this garden enough times that I knew where each root, and hole was so I was sure not to fall. Nearing the center of the garden I stopped dancing and turned my face up to the sun while stretching my arms out to the side and keeping my eyes closed. The combination of the warmth from the sun and the breeze against my face filled me with such happiness. Then, the sun becomes blocked out by something. I worry that it's a rain cloud and I would have to leave this wonderful garden. When I open my eyes to see the cloud, it isn't a cloud that I see. Instead a man with wings is gliding down from the heavens towards me. At first I am frightened because I can feel him before he is close enough for me to touch him. His, energy, is of such strength that it's overwhelming. I want to run and hide somewhere in the garden from him but I find it impossible to move. He lands softly only a few yards from me, and while his face is hard from me to make out any details. I can tell that it has a timid smile directed to me. The feeling I initially got from him has changed now, to something familiar to me. A love. There is still the strength and power of it, but it's of love, for me. I’m able to move again and I find myself running to him and collapsing into his arms. As I feel his loving embrace I’m filled with a warmth and happiness I could never get from anywhere else. His arms feel like home to me, for me. Resting my head on his chest I can heart his heart beating strong, I can feel the rise and fall of his chest with each breath he takes in. Lifting my head back up I look up at his face hoping that I can see it more clearer now that I’m in his embrace. But, it's just as unclear, unfocused as before. He is looking back
down at me and I can tell there is a love in his eyes even though I can not see them, I know that love is for me. With a whispered tone I speak to him. “Who are you?” “I am -” And before I can hear the rest of his answer I wake up. Every time I have this dream, I never get to hear his answer to my question. As I laid there in my bed, awake again, I kept my head under my pillow. I barely heard the knocking from my bedroom door, but I heard it. Sitting up in bed I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. My room was dark now, the sun had set while I was a sleep. Again there was a knock at my door. I called across the room to it. “Enter!” My mothers personal servant Susan walked in carrying a lit candle. Susan was older then Anne and with gray hair mixed in with her dark brown. I closed my wings against my back while pulling my legs up to my chest as she made her way to my bedside. “Your mother and father would like to speak with you now.” “Are they mad?” “No sweetheart. The have a guest they would like to introduce to you.” “Who is it?” “I don't know. Come on, light some candles and put on something nice to wear before coming down to the library.” Yawning I stretched both my arms and wings out as I nodded to her. She left the candle on the nightstand next to my bed before leaving my room. I used it to light the other candles in my room. Crystallized glass domes sat just atop each one while allowing for room at the bottom for the flame to breath. This caused the candles light to shine brighter then if there were just simple flames. With my room well lit now, I had to find something proper to wear. Only, Susan didn't tell me what would be proper to wear for this guest. Well, I was already in trouble today, might as well stay comfortable and just go down stairs in the loose light pink blouse, and dark burgundy maxi skirt I already had on. Slipping my buskins back on I headed out down to the library. Wanting to keep in the tradition and style of living in a castle, my parents only installed electricity in the bare essential rooms. The rest of the castle was primarily lit with candles. My family's castle wasn't a very large one, just one of modest size as opposed to the ones you read about in the time of kings and knights like King Author and Sir Lancelot. It wasn't always considered a castle. It had been an abbey. But that was a long, long time ago. Where it sat on the land meant it was a trip to go into town, but that
didn't mean there weren't homes and people living near by. The land was also lush with wildlife which brought about hunters. This was the main reason mother didn't like me flying about; she didn't want a hunter to mistake me for his dinner. Before I knew it I was standing in front of the large mahogany doors that led into the library. I could hear fathers deep laugh coming from inside, this brought some comfort to me. At least he was in a good mood. Taking a deep breath in, I opened the doors and walked in.
Chapter 2 A Higher Education. “Ah there's my princess right now.” Father always called me his princess even though we were not royalty. In the library was my father, mother and another woman I had not met before. She had very dark hair that was pulled back into a french braid and wore a business suit with skirt. She had dark gray wings that were both sleek and elegant. Both my father and this woman stood up as I entered the room. I stood next to my father. “Princess this is Jane Silverton. She's from abroad and is very interested in talking with you.” She extended her right hand towards me, not wanting to be rude I gave her a firm handshake. We all then sat back down. I was between my parents and Ms. Silverton was directly across from me. “What is it you want to talk with me about Ms. Silverton?” “It's actually Mrs. Silverton, I’ve been mated for over two hundred years now. But that's not what you asked. I’m here to talk with you about a place in my country that you might like to come live at.” Live at? What? My mind was now struck with both panic and shock. With tears nearly in my eyes I looked at my mother. “You're sending me away? I’m so sorry, I’ll never fly again I promise. I won't be bad anymore, I’ll be good. Just don't send me away.” Mrs Silverton interrupted my pleading before I could continue. “Anastasia you miss understand. What I’m talking about is a school, a safe haven for our kind. You'll be able to learn anything you'd want. Meet new people, even train for special jobs that can help our kind. I myself have one of these special jobs. I’m not usually a recruiter, you're a special case. You're the
first and last one I’ll recruit. You see my normal job is being an Agent. I help track down and capture misbehaving phoenixes. It's one of the highest ranking jobs you could train for. You'll learn things that no other phoenix would normally learn. And with the high marks you've made at the local phoenix school here, you caught our attention. I think I should also mention, that we have special land and air space set aside to fly and train in without worrying about prying eyes. You could go flying there when ever you wanted too.” I wiped the few tears that managed to escape away. “How long did it take you to become an Agent?” “Ah, so I’ve sparked your curiosity. Well it took me seventy-five years before I was skilled enough for my first case. But I was no where as intelligent as you are now. You would most likely be ready in less then eight years.” Sheepishly I looked down at my feet. “And, I could go flying when ever I wanted too?” “For as along as you wanted too. And the best thing is, it won't cost you or your family a cent. With the way it's setup, any phoenix from any walk of life can come and study there and even live there if they wished. All of the funding is handled by outside programs.” Excitement was growing inside of me now. I would have never guess that this is what mother and father wanted to talk with me about. Even though they weren't really doing any talking I knew Mrs. Silverton wouldn't be here if they didn't think this would be good for me. It wasn't the potential classes or lessons I could take by going there or the idea of special jobs like becoming an Agent if I went there that arouse my interest. It was that I could fly when ever I wanted too. Because of this, I began to smile. I looked back at mother who was smiling back at me, then to father who just nodded his head. “I'd like to go there then. When would I be able to?” “When ever you're ready. Even though I’d liked to stay here and take you back myself, I have other matters to take care of while I’m in Ireland.” “Other matters?” “Yes, remember, I’m an Agent.” “Oh... ohhh alright.” “But I’ll leave directions and your plane ticket with your parents. So when ever you're ready all you have to do is call the number on the directions to let them know your leaving so someone will be at the airport to pick you up when you arrive.” Father placed his hand on my left knee catching my attention.
“Why don't you go see if Susan will make you something for dinner. Mrs. Silverton has other matters she needs to speak with your mother and myself over. I’m sure you'd also like to call your friends and tell them the news as well.” “Ok. Thank you both.” I hugged my father and mother tightly before standing and shaking Mrs. Silverton's hand goodbye. Leaving the library I headed right towards the kitchen where I was sure to find Susan. She and Anne were the only servants my parents employed. They were both human, but knew well to not let anyone else know what we were. For as long as I can remember or my parents since they're older, humans have always fear phoenixes. Mainly because they don't understand us. So we live among them in hiding. Wearing coats, or cloaks to conceal our wings when we need to go out in public. At the school I attended the student body and faculty are all phoenixes. It is a small school because there aren't that many phoenixes as young as I am. Like the other students that attended my school, it's understood that we were phoenixes that went through a rebirthing that resulted in complications. Causing our ages, or our bodies and memories to sort of rest. None of us have any memories of any past lives we may have live or of people or phoenixes we may have known, but we're all making the best of our new lives by making new friends and memories. And going to this school Mrs. Silverton invited me to would be a great memory to have. “Is everything alright Lady RemRoDeo?” “Hm? Yes Susan, I’m just a bit lost in thought. It looks like I’ll be moving away from home soon.” “Really? Is it because of something serious?” “No, nothing like that at all. It's actually a good thing. There is a special place where I’m going for our kind. We can learn and live abit more freely then here. That and, they have a special place where we can fly freely without being spotted for as along as we want.” “Ah that's the real reason you want to go isn't it?” I gave a light giggle in between taking a bite from the sandwich Susan had made me. “I guess you found me out.” Susan dried her hands on her apron before sitting down with me. “So Lady RemRoDeo, when will you be leaving?” “I don't know yet. Mrs. Silverton left me an airplane ticket and list of instructions so I can go when ever I want to. I was planing on saying good-bye to all my friends and classmates before
going. It's sounds like a real exciting place to go and attend. Mrs. Silverton said that can even train me for special jobs for our kind.” “So do you think you'll find a boy while over there?” My cheeks ran hot and flushed as I blushed. The idea of meeting a boy had never crossed my mind. I can't find fault in her asking me that though. I was nearly eighteen and without a boyfriend. It wasn't as if I didn't have any suitors asking for me. It's just, none of them seemed like the one for me. None of them made me feel the way I did as the one from my one dream. I know he probably doesn't exist but surely I should be able to find someone kinda like him. I don't know maybe I’m just being to picky. I finished my sandwich and excused myself from the table to head back up to my room. On my way I day dreamed about what it would be like at this facility Mrs. Silverton had invited me to. I wondered what kind of place it was. What it looked liked and how many other phoenixes were there. It was all so exciting to thinking about. Before I knew it I was back in my room sitting on the edge of my bed. Relaxing my wings I fell backwards pulling my pillow over my face. I knew I was going to be to excited about this venture to fall asleep, but I wanted to try anyway. Susan's question about if I would find a boy there got me thinking about the one from my dream and I wanted to try and see him again. To see if this time I’d get to hear him tell me his name. I just didn't have any control over which dreams I dreamt so it was really a toss of the dice that I would have his dream. It was still a chance I wanted to take. Since I was planing on going to sleep I popped up out of bed and blew out all of my rooms candles and changed into some sleep wear. With the only light in my room coming from the moon outside my window I crawled into bed. Folding my wings close to my back I turned over onto my right side and closed my eyes. I tried to silence my mind to let it relax and drift off to sleep. I laid there for several minutes before finding myself in a dream. Instead of finding myself in the past, I felt as if I were in a time to come. Looking down to my left hand I noticed I wore a black rose ring on my ring finger. I walked around to find I was the only one in an old farm house. There was a fireplace in the living room with a burgundy armchair in front of it and a small table beside the armchair. I could hear laughter coming from outside so I headed to the front door. Opening it, it lead out into a screened in porch. Out in the yard there were two little girls playing with an older man. I stepped out of the porch. As the screen door closed behind me the two girls that had
been playing turned blurry faces towards me. They both shouted with excitement in their voices. “Mommy!� I could feel my heart flutter a bit and I knelt down to catch them in my arms as they ran over to me. Even though their faces were still blurry I knew in my heart these were my girls, that I was their mother. They arms hugged me tightly and I could feel my love for them and their love for me. It was wonderful, almost overwhelming. I took each girls hand and stood back up as the man that had been playing with them walked over to us. His face was also blurred out but I could still feel his love for me. As he neared us four large wings opened from his back and I knew this was the same one from my other dream. He held me in his arms and wrapped his wings around me and our daughters. It was truly amazing the happiness I had at that moment. He opened his wings from around us and knelt down to whisper something in the girls ears. The looked up at me and even though their faces were blurred I knew the were smiling at me. Both let go of my hands and ran off down the path. As the neared the gate their wings opened from their backs just as his did. And just like him, they had four wings as well. They flew with such carefree and grace in the sky, it put me to shame as I was not that well at flight at the same age. But It didn't bother me, I was just so happy to watch them fly freely in the sky. Playing without a single worry about being seen or caught by prying eyes. The dream began to fade away from me. I was waking up. Even though I knew I had too, I didn't want to leave this dream.
Chapter 3 “Oh wow Anastasia that's so cool you get to go to a place like that. I’m super jealous of you now.” “Yeah Anastasia, I wish my test scores caught attention like that.” Beth and Jenny were definitely two friends and classmates I was going to miss. The three of us always hung out both in school and out. “Well I figured I’d come to school and let everyone know and to say good-bye to my friends. But it's not like I’m really saying good-bye. I’ll write to you guys as soon as I get settled to let you know what it's like.” “You better. I don't care how big of a hot shot you become over there, you're still our bestest friend.” “For sure!” “I spent the weekend packing my things so all I have to do is give them a call so there we be a car waiting for me.” Neal, an older boy with short hair and deep green wings who always had a thing for me, walked over to sit with us. “So is it true Anastasia? Are you really leaving to go to some school over seas ?” “Yes Neal. I’m gonna leave in a day or two. Then I’m off on a whole new adventure.” “I um, I don't suppose I could ask you out before you leave then?” “Well I hope that wasn't your attempt at doing so because it wasn't very impressive if it was.” Beth cupped her hand over her mouth in an attempt stifle her laughter. Neal just sort of stood there in something between shock and confusion.
“Well?” “Anastasia, would you like to go out on a date with me before you leave?” “That's a bit better, but I don't want to get tied up in anything before I leave.” His wings slumped in disappointment. I wasn't trying to be mean to him, I just wasn't interested really. None of the boys at school caught my interest. I was somewhat strong willed, smart, adventurous girl and I wanted someone else like that.