Secrets in Phoenix

by Gabriella Lepore

  Todd groaned and rolled onto his side. “I’m okay,” he mumbled.

  Before I’d had the chance to catch my breath, the booming voice of Mr. Hardy came from outside.

  “Jaxon, fall back!” the older man commanded.

  “No!” I cried. “Don’t leave!”

  He stared down at me through his tormented black eyes.

  “I—” he swallowed. His voice was different somehow, dark and rough.

  It seemed implausible, but I could literally feel him trying to resist Mr. Hardy’s order. Jaxon was fighting to stay with me; I felt it.

  “Jaxon, fall back!” Mr. Hardy’s authoritative voice came again.

  Jaxon flinched, but he stayed cemented to the spot.

  His hand touched my arm, protectively. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I think so,” I answered. “Are you?”

  He nodded.

  I looked up into his eyes, they were still black and vacant, but I wasn’t afraid. I knew him.

  “I can see shapes!” Sam cheered from the den.

  And then they came—loud, intrusive voices rupturing the cottage. Mr. Hardy and his soldiers.

  “Secure the area!” Mr. Hardy roared. “And take him down.”

  Before I knew it, Jaxon was wrenched away from me.

  “No!” I cried, grasping the air where he had just been.

  Jaxon was dragged out of the cottage by three stocky boys—one of whom was Reuben the Magnificent. Jaxon struggled to break free, but the boys restrained his arms and covered his mouth.

  “He’s turned,” one of the boys yelled to Mr. Hardy. “He would have killed the girl.”

  “No!” I shouted. “You’re wrong!”

  All around me, commotion drowned out my pleas. Todd stood helplessly in the kitchen, and Sam in the den. They looked through bleary eyes, watching the scene unfold with quiet remorse.

  “Get him out of here,” Mr. Hardy ordered.

  “No!” I propelled myself forward, racing outside after Jaxon.

  Within seconds, two of Mr. Hardy’s boys had pulled me back.

  “Hey,” Sam yelled, at my side in a heartbeat. “Don’t touch her!” He yanked me away from the boys, throwing his arms around me like a shield.

  “Jaxon!” I screamed into the falling dusk.

  But the only thing that returned to me was the echo of my own voice.

  “They’ve taken Jaxon,” I cried to Sam and Todd. “I have to help him!”

  My brothers swapped an anxious grimace. Together they herded me into the den, away from the others.

  “Calm down,” Sam said “I’m sure he’s fine. They’ll be taking him to the Academy, that’s all.”

  Todd rubbed his neck fretfully. “Are you hurt, Sophie?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “Are you okay, Sam?” Todd asked. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

  “Only my ass,” Sam grumbled. “You know me, always falling around blind.”

  “Okay, good,” said Todd. “Guys, I have to tell you something.” He slipped his hand from his neck, and a trickle of blood leaked down his throat. “I think I’ve been bitten.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The Fallout

  Ness and Mr. Garret arrived shortly after Todd’s revelation. The fact that he had been bitten and was still alive baffled the elders beyond words. The truth was, they’d never had a case like that before. Usually when a Divellion struck, it would feed until the transition was complete. The victim would die, and their essence would transfer into the Divellion. No one had ever escaped mid-feed before, but thanks to Jaxon’s impeccably timed arrival, Todd’s life had been spared.

  After we’d told Ness everything we knew, she took Todd upstairs to clean his wound while Mr. Hardy reattached the front door to its hinges.

  I waited patiently for Todd to return, hoping for an opportunity to catch some alone time with Ness. I had to speak to her, and I’d have rather it be done in private.

  I found Ness upstairs in her bedroom. The door was ajar; I could see her perched on the edge of her bed, staring into space.

  I knocked.

  She jumped in surprise, then smiled warmly at me.

  “Come in, dear,” she said.

  I stepped inside the room. It was small, and decorated in light floral patterns. Her dressing table was cluttered with dozens of near-empty perfume bottles, and everything smelled like peppermint.

  I took a seat on the bed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, looking at my feet.

  “Oh,” Ness chuckled heartily, “don’t be.” She scooped her arm around me. “No apologies here.”

  “We shouldn’t have left the Academy,” I admitted. A bit late for hindsight, though.

  “Well, my love,” Ness said kindly, “perhaps I shouldn’t have kept you there against your will. Perhaps there are a lot of things I shouldn’t have made you do. If anyone’s made mistakes here, it’s me.”

  I gazed at her. “That’s not true. You’ve been wonderful to us. You took us in when we had no one.”

  Ness squeezed me tighter. “We’re a family. We Ballesters have to stick together now, don’t we?”

  “They took Jaxon away,” I blurted out. “But he was only trying to help us. I swear to you, Ness, he wouldn’t have hurt me. You have to believe me.”

  “I do believe you, Sophie,” she assured me.

  A wave of relief crossed over me. “Will you explain it to Mr. Hardy?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  And yet, why was I not convinced?

  “You know, Sophie,” Ness went on, dropping her hands into her lap, “I didn’t keep you away from Jaxon to be cruel. You do understand that, don’t you?”

  I remained silent.

  “I don’t think Jaxon is…” she searched for the correct wording, “bad. Nor do I dislike him. In fact, I care very much for him.”

  “So do I,” I said.

  “However, there will be times when Mr. Hardy will see fit to restrain Jaxon, or to take him away, as you put it. And as hard as it is for you to watch, you must accept that Mr. Hardy knows what he’s doing. He is taking the necessary precautions to keep you safe. To keep Jaxon safe.”

  Necessary precautions? I almost laughed. “But Jaxon didn’t do anything. He didn’t need precautions!”

  “I understand, dear. And it’s natural for you to feel that way. You are so fond of him that you cannot see the—”

  “No,” I interrupted her. “Ness, I’m not delusional. I see it all: the good and the bad. And I’m telling you, he was fine.”

  “Mr. Hardy informs me that Jaxon disobeyed a direct command. He also said that when they arrived at the cottage, Jaxon had turned.”

  “Maybe, but he wasn’t a danger to me. And he only disobeyed Mr. Hardy because I begged him to stay with me.”

  “I believe you. But we simply cannot take any chances.”

  “Can you at least tell me where they’ve taken him?” I asked.

  Ness flattened out an imaginary crease on the floral bedspread. “Jaxon will be at the Academy. No harm will have come to him.”

  I let out a breath.

  “Some day,” Ness went on, “I’m sure you’ll understand. I can’t bear to see you so distressed. But it’s my job to do whatever it takes to protect you. So, for the time being, I’ll just have to let you hate me for it.”

  I met her eyes. “I don’t hate you,” I told her. It astounded me that she could even think such a thing. “I just hate your rules.”

  Ness chortled. “Well, would you look at that?” she breathed. “I’m setting rules, and you’re rebelling. Just like a real family.”

  I smiled. “You think I’m rebelling? Try telling Sam to wash a dish.”

  Ness returned the smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Families, eh? Never a dull moment.”

  #

  At twilight we began our journey back to the Academy, escorted by Mr. Hardy and several of the phoenix soldiers. The misted light of the dipping s
un filtered through the sycamores, throwing colourful patterns across the ground.

  Ness and Mr. Garret led the way, fervently discussing Todd’s bite and how it was such a marvel. A lucky escape, they kept calling it.

  Todd walked a few paces behind them, and Sam lingered at my side.

  “He’ll be there, won’t he?” I muttered, half to myself. “Jaxon will be at the Academy, won’t he?” I looked at Sam now as we trudged through the woodland.

  He glanced at me. “Of course,” he said. “Ness said so, didn’t she?”

  “Yes. But they won’t have… done anything to him, will they?” A knot of guilt formed in my stomach. After all, it was my fault he’d disobeyed Mr. Hardy.

  “No way. He’s one of them.”

  I didn’t like that. As far as I was concerned, Jaxon was not one of them.

  “You don’t agree with them, do you?” I asked. “About him being dangerous, I mean.”

  Sam didn’t respond.

  “You’re on my side, aren’t you, Sam?” I pressed.

  “Yes,” he said. “I’m on your side.”

  He still hadn’t answered my question.

  “What about Jaxon?” I tried again.

  “I don’t know. What do you want me to say?”

  “The truth.”

  Sam heaved a weary sigh. “Okay. They seem to think he’s dangerous, so... I don’t want you around him.”

  My face fell.

  Sam shrugged. “You asked for the truth.”

  “Yes, but I was kind of expecting you to lie.”

  “Wait,” he added, “I’m not done yet. I was also telling the truth when I said I was on your side. And, that said, I don’t want you to be sad, like you are right now. So, in light of everything, I’m decidedly on the fence.”

  I laughed quietly. “Hold on. You’re abstaining from an opinion? I never thought I’d see the day.”

  “I didn’t abstain. That was my opinion. I’m on the fence. I can’t fully agree with it because, when all’s said and done, he is still a phoenix.” He mimed a gag. “But I can’t completely disagree either, because, well, he makes you happy. And he’s your…” Sam hesitated, “friend. Your friend who is a boy. Not to be confused with a boyfriend, because you’re far too young for that.”

  I grinned. “You had girlfriends when you were my age.”

  “Yes. And that is precisely why you’re not allowed a boyfriend.”

  I linked my arm through his. “Thanks for being on the fence. You’re a good brother.”

  He beamed. “I am, aren’t I? Much better than that Todd, anyway,” he joked.

  We neared the Academy boundary wall. My heart rate began to pick up.

  “I’ve got to go,” I said to Sam. I broke away from him, running towards the school.

  At the manor, I threw open the main doors and raced up the staircase. The building felt dark and lonely, and the rasps of my breath sounded deafening in the hush.

  I paced quickly along the upstairs corridor to Jaxon’s room. When I reached his door, I collapsed against it, banging on the solid oak.

  “Jaxon?” I called into the dense wood.

  No response came.

  I twisted the handle and pushed the door ajar.

  The room was empty, lit only by a strip of moonlight creeping in through the narrow window.

  My mouth went dry. Where was he?

  #

  “What’s wrong?” Sam asked as I burst into our bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

  “He’s gone,” I told them, throwing up my arms. “Jaxon’s gone.” I dropped onto my camp bed. “I knew it! They’ve taken him somewhere. God only knows what they’ve done with him.” I raked my hands through my hair. “They wouldn’t listen to me. They think he’s dangerous.”

  Sam strolled across the room and joined me on my bed. “And you’re one hundred percent sure that he isn’t?”

  “Yes,” I replied irritably. “How many times do I have to tell you?”

  “Just twice,” said Sam.

  “Maybe he’s gone for a walk or something,” Todd offered from his bed across the room.

  It seemed highly unlikely, but I nodded all the same.

  “Just one question,” Sam ventured. “How come everyone in this place thinks this Jaxon’s dangerous except you?”

  “Because they don’t know him,” I answered.

  “And you do?” he shot back. “Remember, love is blind, and all that. That’s what Todd’s banking on, anyway,” he teased, laughing wickedly.

  “You do realise you’re identical,” I pointed out.

  Sam glanced at Todd. “Yeah. I guess we do look kind of similar. Shame about his dull personality, though.” He chuckled. “Hey, Todd, what’s it like to have such a good looking, charismatic brother?”

  Todd scowled. “Shut up, Sam.”

  Huh? It wasn’t like Todd to get riled up so easily.

  “Must be great,” Sam said dreamily. “I’ve got this brother, but man, he’s such a bore…”

  “Shut up, Sam,” Todd hissed through clenched teeth.

  “Sorry, what was that, buddy? Must have dozed off for a second there.” Sam erupted into puckish laugher.

  “Shut up,” Todd growled.

  Sam pretended to snore. “Whoa. Sorry, bro. Just keeps happening.”

  Todd leaped up from his camp bed. “Shut up!” he bellowed.

  This time, even Sam was taken aback. He let out a low whistle. “Whoa. I think someone went a little overboard on the crazy flakes this morning.”

  “Shut up!” Todd roared. “Just shut up.” He knotted his fingers through his dark copper hair. “I’m sick of the sound of your voice.”

  Sam’s jaw dropped. “Okay. No need to take it out on my voice. Psycho,” he added under his breath.

  Todd picked up a pillow and lobbed it at Sam. “You’re not even sorry, are you?”

  Sam caught the pillow and tossed it aside. “Um, no. Why would I be?”

  “Ha!” Todd spluttered. “Classic Sam. You’re so self-involved that you don’t even know what you did, do you?”

  Sam looked at me in confusion.

  I held up my hands impassively. It seemed safer to keep my head down for this one.

  “Please,” Sam drawled, “enlighten me.”

  “Today,” Todd spat. “The Divellions. It was all your fault.”

  Sam rolled his eyes. “Oh, you caught me. It was an inside job. Me and the Divellions,” he crossed his first two fingers, “we’re like that.”

  Todd stalked across the room towards Sam, towering over him where he sat. “You made us go back to the cottage, even though we told you it wasn’t safe. Everything that happened was your fault!”

  My eyes widened. “Todd, don’t say that! It wasn’t Sam’s fault.”

  “Yes it was!” Todd yelled.

  “Okay,” Sam said calmly. “For some reason I’m getting the impression that you’re a little upset—”

  “I told you to shut up!” Todd interrupted.

  Sam rose to his feet, sizing up to Todd. “Oh, you told me, did you?”

  “Oh no, please don’t fight,” I begged them.

  “You don’t get to tell me to do anything,” Sam said tautly.

  “That’d be right,” Todd sniffed. “You don’t like to be told what to do. You prefer to do the telling.”

  “Yeah, me and all the other billions of people in the world.”

  “Well, I’m not following your orders anymore,” Todd spat. He tugged on the collar of his T-shirt, exposing two purple marks. “This is your fault. I was bitten because of you.”

  For several seconds Sam was lost for words.

  “Todd didn’t mean that,” I jumped in.

  “Yes I did!” Todd exclaimed. “I meant every word of it.”

  “If I could have stopped it…” Sam stammered. “I would have done anything—”

  “It was your fault!” Todd looked Sam square in the eyes. “You did it! You made me the weak one!”

&nb
sp; It suddenly dawned on me—the Divellions hadn’t been tracking me, like we’d initially thought. They’d been after Todd. That’s why they’d hesitated before attacking me, and that’s why they’d zeroed in on him instead.

  But surely I was weaker than Todd, wasn’t I? I cast my mind back to the worksheet Mr. Garret had assigned on my first day of school. One of the questions stood out above the rest: Which of the sins will a Divellion prey on?

  Envy.

  I gasped. “Todd, are you jealous of Sam?”

  “He has everything!” Todd shouted. “And he always makes sure that I have nothing!”

  Sam frowned. “Are you for real? We have the same. Anything I’ve got, you’ve got too.”

  “No!” Todd barked. “You have to be the popular one. You have to be the better looking one—”

  “Don’t blame nature,” Sam interjected.

  “You have to be bigger than me,” Todd went on. “You can’t stand it if anyone speaks to me first.”

  “Guys,” I cut in, “I hate to tell you this, but most people can’t even tell you apart.”

  “And what about you, Mr. Perfect?” Sam scoffed. “You, with all your secrets and lies. All this time, knowing that we were witches and never telling us. Was that just so you could be Wilber’s favourite? You can get off your perfect high-horse pedestal because—”

  Todd raised his voice and interrupted, “You’re not happy unless I’m in the background. You make sure I am always less than you.” He took an agitated step forward and shoved Sam forcefully. “You made me weak.”

  “No, Todd,” Sam spat, shoving him back. “You made you weak.”

  Todd staggered backwards. He lifted his hand, and for a second I thought all hell was about to break loose. But Todd simply touched the bite marks on his neck.

  “I’m dizzy,” he murmured.

  And he collapsed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Beneath the Surface

  Todd lay on his camp bed, motionless and serene. Two swollen puncture wounds stained his throat.

  Sam and I watched with bated breath while Ness and Mr. Garret peered over Todd.

  Mr. Garret straightened his glasses. “He’s been infected,” he deduced at last.

  I stared at the two elders. “Infected? With what?”