Phoenix Fire

by S. D. Grimm

  I opened the fridge and poured a glass of orange juice. I held up the full glass, asking if she wanted any. She shook her head and set her books on the kitchen island.

  Then she looked down, holding one arm across her stomach, classic distance-increasing posture. “I shouldn’t have told you to stay away.” She looked up at me. “You scare me.”

  “Umm.” I set the orange juice on the kitchen island that she had conveniently wedged between us. “You just pinned me to the front door.”

  She closed her eyes, but smiled. “I’m really sorry about that.”

  Truthfully, she scared me, too. I knew her. And if she was another Phoenix, maybe she needed some guidance as the memories returned. I would be lost without Nick—which I would never admit to him. I leaned my elbows on the kitchen island. “Does it help if I forgive you?”

  Her gaze flickered to mine. “Yes.”

  “Good. You’re forgiven, but don’t tell anyone at school that it was that easy for me to drop a grudge. It’s not good for my reputation.” I smiled.

  She moved around the side of the island. Closer. I froze as I watched her. She stopped inches away from me. And I stood straight, facing her. Her gaze didn’t leave mine. Her eyes seemed a little sad. “That’s a pretty heavy burden, trying to control what everyone else thinks about you. How’s it working?”

  I swallowed. “I…think I have no idea what you think.”

  “About you?” She moved so close, I actually felt her body heat. Her smile melted away at my resolve, and I wanted to kiss her so badly.

  Her arm reached around me and I froze, waiting for her to touch me. To invite me into her space. But she brought my orange juice glass to her lips and took a drink. Her eyes glued to me the whole time. Then she set the glass down and smiled again. “I think I changed my mind.”

  “Why didn’t you say so?” I leaned in and kissed her soft at first. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me in. I kissed harder. Cupping her head. Feeling her move her arms up my back. Across my neck. Into my hair. It was all Satsuma and familiar and cherry blossoms. And like something I’d dreamed of. Surreal and real at the same time. I didn’t even know what Satsuma was until this moment. Which meant I knew her. And I kissed her deeper. Sweeter. And she pulled me closer.

  When she backed away, her cheeks flushed and lips red, she smiled bashfully. She pressed her fingers against her lips, and her eyes practically gleamed. I’d never seen a girl look so beautiful after a kiss. She moved a step away, biting her lip.

  “Yuki? Are you okay?”

  “You feel so…forbidden.”

  Yeah. I got the same vibe. In fact I was forbidden. So was she. Phoenixes were not allowed to fall in love. At this moment, I didn’t really care about that. “Is that a good thing?”

  She giggled. “I think so. Yes. I—” Tears coated her eyes.

  “Hey, what is it? What’s wrong?” I took her hand. Had I misread everything again?

  “I’ve never kissed anyone before.”

  I stared at her, relief flooding my veins. I just wanted to remember her beautiful, unsure smile right now. This moment. I never wanted to lose it. I rubbed my hand over her arm. “You had me fooled.”

  She sort of laughed.

  I tugged her closer. “Thanks for letting me in.”

  She sucked in a breath and it exhaled shaky. “Cade, I—I thought you were safe.”

  “I’m not?”

  “No. Because I thought you’d kiss me once and be done.”

  Why did that cut so deep? Right. Because I’d put that image out there. Maybe subconsciously, I knew about the stupid Phoenix rule. Maybe that was because I always managed to sabotage anything good. “Is that what you wanted?”

  “Maybe before.”

  “And now?”

  “I’m not sure what I want.”

  “One step at a time then.” I touched her hair. And she flickered in front of me, a wisp of a memory. She was surrounded by swirling cherry blossom petals. A voice echoed on the wind. You know this isn’t right.

  And I was back in the kitchen, staring at Yuki and her soft smile. She stepped away from me. “I’ll see you in school on Monday.”

  “If not before then.”

  She bit her lip and scooped up the history book. “You have my number.”

  “Yeah. Hey, I have a couple of hours to kill. You want to go for a ride?”

  A smile and a hint of danger hit her gleaming eyes. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Wow. Okay. I could really get used to this. I handed her a helmet. “First, you have to tell me if you start to feel weak.”

  That soft, innocent look took over and she nodded once. “I promise.”

  “Okay. And I will pull over the moment I feel nauseous.” I paused. “We really are quite the pair, huh?”

  She tilted her head sideways, hiding a shy blush. “Yes. I think we are.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Ava

  “Now. Concentrate. And shoot.” Nick’s calm voice coached me.

  I focused on the target Nick had placed at the end of the yard, letting the anger of what he’d said to Wyatt fuel me. Letting the fear of what had happened earlier with Gwen burn the sides of my heart and cause me to quake. I tried to call my fire. Embers, red and orange and yellow, glowed in my fingers, warmed my palms.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, knocking me out of my concentration.

  “What?” The spark of flame died and I faced him.

  He searched my face with narrowed eyes. “You seem off. Something’s bothering you.”

  I leaned away, sucking in a breath. “You can tell?” I always hid it so well.

  The slight smile that curved his lips challenged me to try and hide from him. “I know you.”

  Did he? That thought opened the compartment in my heart holding the anger like the opening gate at a horse race, and an explosion came out. “You talked to Wyatt behind my back.”

  Nick crossed his arms and widened his stance, as if bracing for more yelling. Maybe he did know me, because now that it was out, it was coming harder. “You trained with Wyatt behind mine. After I warned you—”

  “You aren’t my father.”

  “I know.”

  “You had no right.”

  “To protect you? It’s not a right. It’s my purpose.”

  “Oh.” I flourished my hand. “Well, for your information, training with Wyatt goes very well. He is good at helping me find my fire. He’s gentle and he doesn’t push me like you do. He—”

  “Is a distraction.”

  “What?” Where did that even come from?

  “You’re in love with him. Don’t get me wrong, I would have been fine with the two of you training together if I had known about it.”

  “It’s not your business, Nick.” I spat his name, but in truth, my mind was still trying to catch up with his words. Love? I loved Wyatt? No. Yes. I—my heart didn’t know how to take that right now, so I had to bury it. Was I starting to love him? Yes. Did I want to love him? Yes. Realization started to slow my pulse, and I needed to lean on something.

  “What do you remember, Ava?” His voice was quiet.

  “A lot, including you sending him away to keep me ‘safe.’” I used air quotes around the last word.

  “Well, I remember.” He raised his voice, which was something Nick rarely did. “And I am trying to keep you safe from Gwen. Once she’s no longer a threat to you, to Cade, to Wyatt, then please, pursue that. But for now, while we’re trying to defeat Gwen, please let me know if you’re going to talk to people who might be on her side, voluntarily or not. After Gwen is gone, whatever you decide to do with Wyatt is up to you.”

  “Do?” My heart skittered.

  “All I’m saying is Wyatt knows how dangerous he is. He knows when he’s done fighting the darkness inside of him. He can only fight who he is for so long. I don’t know how Gwen’s demise will affect him.” He paused, his eyes showing compassion. “Just let him go if he asks.”


  “Let him go?” I backed away from my brother, breath leaving my lungs like air from a punctured balloon. “If he asks? That’s the most disturbing thing I’ve ever heard anyone say.”

  Nick stared at me like he’d accidentally opened Pandora’s Box.

  I wanted to yank my hair. “Have you never been in love, Nick? Never even tempted? It must be nice to be so cold-hearted that you don’t even know what affection is.”

  Wow. Nice, Ava. Yell at him now. Why couldn’t I control my tongue? I grabbed my jacket off the chair. “If this is what family is, I’m sorry I ever thought I wanted it. Alone suits me so much better.”

  I thought I saw a tiny wince. “Ava, I—Wyatt is a good guy. He’s just not always in control. I’m sorry this is hard for you.”

  And my heart crumbled. Why did I hurt people who tried to get close to me? “You loved someone before, didn’t you?”

  A little pain and a little pride mingled in his features. “Your intuition is as sharp as ever, little sister. Use it to your advantage. It’s your strongest asset.”

  I set my coat back down. “Wyatt can stand up to her.”

  “I love that you see the best in him, but the truth is—”

  “The truth is, while we were at the beach today, Gwen showed up in some strange ball of fire and told Wyatt to kill me. He resisted. So, yes, he can.” Why was I still yelling?

  Nick just stared at me. The only part of him that moved was his chest as he breathed in. He kept breathing in, though. Like an inflating balloon that was sure to pop any moment. Part of me wanted to step back, the other part wanted to trust him.

  “Nick?” Contrast to a moment ago, my voice was meek and quiet.

  “When were you going to tell me about Gwen?”

  “Today. Here. At this training session.”

  He breathed out, the air audibly shaking. He wasn’t looking at me anymore. It seemed as though he was completely lost in thought. He started to walk away, toward the family room.

  “Nick.” I followed. “I swear, I was going to tell you. I—” Coming tears stung my eyes. He wouldn’t answer me, just opened the weapon’s safe and started digging through it. “You’re scaring me.” My voice trembled.

  He paused and faced me, everything about him a coiled spring. “You should be scared.” He gripped my arms and I realized I wasn’t the only one quaking. My blood frosted. “I had no idea she’d reclaimed that much of her power back.” He rubbed a shaking hand over his face. “Where did this happen?”

  Nick’s eyebrows pulled together and he shook his head. “She might be powerful enough now. I’ve—” His voice broke and it slayed my heart. “She’s never been ready this fast before.”

  I would not let her win. I straightened my spine. “What do we do?”

  I told him exactly where on the beach, his eyes focused on thoughts. Then he looked at me. “We can run. We—”

  “You think she’ll come tonight.” My insides hurt.

  “It’s a full moon. But I don’t feel her that close yet. And she didn’t reach out to you in person. I think we still have time. Not much. We can hold off for more if we—”

  “No.” My insides shook and a tear leaked out of my eye. I could not tell him she’d snuffed my fire. I just had to make it stronger. “She’ll only get stronger, too. We can pick a place to fight her and lure her there.”

  He breathed deep and seemed to pull himself together. He placed his hands on my shoulders. “I will be there with you. You understand? No matter what, I will be there.”

  My heart clutched. Even after the things I’d said to him? “And if it’s tonight?”

  His grip on my shoulders strengthened. “You will not be alone.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You use your fire.” He leaned down and looked me right in the eyes. “You are stronger than you think. Your fire is stronger than you think. When you feel it’s pushed to the limit, remember that I’m here for you. Cade is here for you. And push harder. Can you do that?”

  I looked at the target outside. “Yes.” I squared my shoulders and my fire burned in my hands, but it wasn’t the angry fire I normally had. It was the same one I got when Wyatt trained me. Only it burned brighter. Hotter. And the tips of the flames glowed purple.

  “That’s right.” Nick smiled. “You can kill her with that; I don’t care how strong she is.”

  And I held on to that. Because I was going to need it.

  The door opened and I heard two very familiar laughs. Cade’s and—“Yuki?”

  “Hey, stranger.” She smiled at me.

  Cade ushered Yuki inside and shut the door behind her. “And this scary, brooding guy is my brother Nick.” He motioned to Nick, who stood behind me.

  Yuki smiled and extended her hand.

  Nick took it, rather gently, but didn’t say a word. Then her eyes widened and a strange look—like a mix of confusion and fear—crossed her face. “I know you.” Her eyes rolled back and she fainted.

  Cade and I both rushed toward her, but Nick caught her.

  She fell limp in his arms.

  “She needs a hospital!” I yelled. “She has a heart condition.”

  Nick looked up at me, something had clearly left him shaken and it showed in his eyes. “How do you know her?”

  “She’s my best friend.” My heart was pounding. We didn’t have time for questions.

  “She’s a Phoenix, isn’t she?” Cade said. “I’ve had memories of her.”

  “What?” I stared at my brother.

  Nick stood there staring at Cade for moments when I thought he should be taking my friend to the hospital. “She’s not a Phoenix, Cade. But I’ve met her before. In the past.”

  “If she’s not a Phoenix, then how—”

  “Phoenixes have the power to heal one person from the brink of death per lifetime. That person, however, will be stuck on that Phoenix’s life cycle.”

  “Forever?” I could hardly breathe.

  Nick looked right at me. “Or until that Phoenix kills them.”

  My heart stalled. Like that one human who had created the race of Dark Phoenixes. Wyatt had tried to explain this to me. That meant Yuki was here because someone had healed her? Someone had broken the laws.

  Cade stared at Yuki. “That means one of us brought her here?”

  Nick glared at Cade. “No. One of you two. I suggest you remember which one.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Ava

  Once Yuki was feeling better, I drove her home. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Ava. Stop it. I’m fine.” She sulked in the passenger’s seat.

  “Excuse me for being worried about my friend.”

  She sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m just exhausted.” She offered me a small smile.

  I pulled into her driveway. “You sure you’re going to be okay tonight?”

  “Now that I know I’m not crazy.” She touched my hand. “Or alone.”

  That hit me hard. Alone. My whole life I’d thought I was alone. Now I had the chance to not be, as long as I could kill Gwendolyn. Because if Cade died, I would die, and whether Cade healed her or I did, Yuki would die, too.

  I couldn’t let any of that happen.

  I squeezed her hand back. “You’re not alone.”

  She got out of the car and headed to her huge house, waving at me over her shoulder. It wasn’t just Cade I was trying to save now. But did her sickness have anything to do with his dying? Nick didn’t know.

  Maybe I could heal Yuki. Nick said we all had healing capabilities. He also said we could heal other Phoenixes. But he said to wait until I’d faced Gwen. Because of strength and all that. One look at Cade, and I’d agreed.

  I had too much at stake now. And something in my gut told me Gwen knew all about it.

  My brothers. Yuki. Wyatt.

  Wyatt. My pulse still buzzing as I thought of our time together this past month. Did I always fall for him?

  The faint tug in my brain told me a memory swirled ne
ar the surface. A strange feeling of dread accompanied, and I swam in my own thoughts for a moment, terrified of what I would recall. Then I realized I wanted to know. So I sank into the depths of them and let everything flood back.

  I knew this one. Wyatt taking the beating for Tommy. But this memory didn’t stop where I’d ended before. This one kept going.

  I raced through the crowd and knelt beside Wyatt, not noticing who walked past us to untie Tommy. All I could see was Wyatt hunched on the ground, bleeding, his back ripped up from the whip. “I need spirits and oil. I need—” My voice was shaking.

  “Hey, we’ll help you.” Cade touched my shoulder. He and Nick helped Wyatt to his feet and brought him to my quarters on the property.

  Tommy, who was also sobbing, got me the supplies I needed to care for Wyatt.

  After I’d disinfected and dressed every wound, he lay sleeping across the table.

  I stared out the window at the setting sun. Nick and Cade were getting their weapons ready just outside, hidden from view, in case Wyatt woke. I’d planned to go with them—tonight’s moon would be full—but I couldn’t leave Wyatt now. My worry for my brothers—going hunting alone—pulsed through me, but it shouldn’t. They’d be fine.

  Cade ducked in to ask how Wyatt was doing before he headed out with Nick.

  Wyatt hadn’t woken. Hadn’t stirred.

  The sun sank lower. My worry grew. Wyatt’s eyes finally fluttered open. “Ava?”

  I fled to his side. “Lie still.” I touched his hand. “Would you like something to drink?” I had medicated wine ready for him.

  “In a minute. Thank you.”

  I trailed my fingers over his hand and rested my head on his arm. “That was a very brave and selfless thing you did.”

  “Tommy was innocent.”

  “How do you know?”

  “He was with me yesterday morning, chopping wood. Helping me carry it back toward the house.”

  I picked my head up, surprised, and looked at Wyatt. “Tommy? You do know he has a limp.”

  He let out the faintest chuckle, and it warmed my insides to see him smile. “I’m aware. He can carry wood, though. And he wants people to know that he’s able to do things. To hold his own around here.”