Chapter 6: The Great Horned Owl

Danny’s huge golden owl eyes locked on Kaplan, that smug grin plastered across his face as Maddie draped herself close like she already owned him. People orbited Kaplan without effort, drawn in like moths to firelight, laughing too loud at his jokes, leaning in as though every word carried weight. He sat there like a king on a throne, surveying his court — and it made Danny’s stomach knot with rage.

He had been at his friend’s apartment located below the party. They were wrapping up the latest meeting for the Kyiyo Pow Wow, something Danny hadn’t cared about much until his itákkaa, Jacy Walks the Path, pulled him in. Now, sitting with Valene Talks Different and the others, he felt the quiet hum of belonging. For once, he didn’t have to measure his words or explain himself — he could just be.

The floor began to tremble under a pulsing bassline, rattling the table. Danny frowned.

“What the hell is that?” he muttered.

Valene rolled her eyes, not even looking up from her notes. “That’s just John Matthew’s wannabe club night. Every damn Friday. We tune it out. It’s not like we’re on his guest list.”

Her tone had bite, the edge of long habit. The group chuckled, but Danny’s gaze drifted back toward the ceiling, where Kaplan’s laughter carried faintly through the thudding beat.

“I, uh, have to go,” Danny sheepishly announced.

Valene looked at him with quizzical eyes, but nodded her head assuming he was leaving because of the music, which was partially true.  Danny really wanted to see what was going on upstairs.

Danny lingered in the hallway, forcing his breath steady. His thoughts spun between anticipation and doubt, each one tangling tighter in his chest. Why did Kaplan get under his skin so badly? He was the perfect picture of the All-American golden boy—blond hair, straight teeth, easy smile. Danny had been surrounded by men like that his whole life, these napikwán with their unshakable confidence. Normally, it barely registered. But Kaplan… something about him was different. And that difference made Danny’s blood burn.

Danny could not hold back his curiosity any longer.  Maybe if he could see Kaplan in his natural environment he would feel differently.  His clothes were off and hidden behind a bush as he transformed into a beautiful Great Horned Owl.  His bones hollowed, wings unfurled from his shoulders with a painful grace. Feathers whispered into place until the boy was gone, replaced by a shadow with burning golden eyes. His feathers were large, dark brown and gray mottled plumage with prominent ear tufts (“horns”).  His yellow eyes were like the lenses of binoculars, but singularly focused.  He flew up and landed on the patio’s edge.

When Kaplan’s eyes lifted, they weren’t casual—he was scanning, measuring, like he knew the watcher wasn’t entirely human.  Danny watched him as he scanned the crowd looking, hunting.  He saw Kaplan’s muscles tense with his every move, slow and stealthy like a large cat studying its surroundings for danger.  Danny thought to himself, “that’s right.  I see you,’ while he remained completely still studying Kap. 

Kaplan took a few strides toward the patio and locked eyes with Danny.  There was a look of knowing behind Kap’s eyes that made Danny feel less protected in his owl form.  Did Kaplan know that it was Danny looking at him?  Did he recognize him, or did he just feel the hate emanating from Danny’s glowing yellow eyes.  Kaplan remained resolute in his gaze and peered deeply into the soul of Danny like he would not soon forget what he saw.  Danny launched into the night, wings beating hard, but the weight of Kaplan’s stare followed him into the dark.