‘I have an idea,’ said Louis. He was once again surprised to hear Hasib’s strong accent.
He held up his arm, allowing Hawk to walk down from his shoulder to his wrist, so he could more easily talk to him. ‘According to Hasib, there’s a secret entrance underground,’ said Louis. ‘Hasib is the sphinx’s name, by the way,’ he added, a little irritably.
Hawk’s dark eyes looked blankly at him, waiting for him to continue.
‘Anyway, Hasib knows his way around here, so he’s got a better chance of finding this entrance than we do. I’m not sure if this will work, but I think I can let him take charge for a bit. I’m hoping I can stay in control just enough to keep him on target and to take control again when I want to, but I need you to look out for me, alright? If Hasib tries to escape--I mean, I don’t think he will--but if he gets distracted or you think I’ve lost control, you’ll have to stop him. I’m not sure what you’ll do, but… well, I’m sure it’ll be fine.’
Hawk stared at Louis. It was hard to read a bird’s emotions. He’d been so quiet lately that Louis wasn’t sure if he was feeling guilty after their spat or if he’d accidentally picked up a real hawk.
‘Caw twice if you understand,’ said Louis.
Without hesitation, the bird cawed twice.
‘Good,’ said Louis. Then he shut his eyes.
Something bubbled in the back of his mind. Someone stepped out from the shadows. When Louis opened his eyes, he was completely Louis anymore.
Hasib opened his eyes. There was a hawk on his arm. With a start, he yanked his arm away, sending the bird fluttering into the air. It perched on a nearby wall, looking disgruntled.
Hasib looked down at himself. He touched his fingertips upon his arm, his chest, his legs. He felt just as he always had when he’d been alive. But his mind was different. Though he still had his old memories, his old wits, his old wants and desires, all that came second to the goal. Louis’s goal. Hasib wanted just as badly to find and kill the gargoyle. And for that, he’d need help from an old friend.
Hasib looked back at the hawk. This was the other shapeshifter, the same hawk that had stolen his coin purse and lured him to his death. Once inside the tent, the bird had become a monstrous bull and Hasib was wary that it could do this again at any time it chose. However, while it was a bird it was vulnerable. If Hasib caught if off guard...
Hasib sensed Louis’s alarm at the back of his mind and quickly dismissed the notion as a wild impulse. Nevertheless, the thought was there. Louis clearly thought it a risk that Hasib might claim total control. If Hasib managed it, he could have a second chance at life.