Little Phoenix (The Census Book 1)

by Willow Dean

  Let’s just say...their recovery time was a lot longer than the one guy who seemingly got off lucky.

  Tip to y’all…don’t get on Paladin’s bad side!

  The music is cut, causing Micah to let off a disgruntled sound before putting me safely down on the floor. Once I find my feet, Linc pinches my side in revenge for me scaring him, eliciting a squeak from me.

  Lachlan, who stands over at the sound system with a large box in his arms, clears his throat and stares back at us expectantly with a hesitant smile on his face.

  Aus and Jax move over from the kitchen as the rest of us take a seat on the empty sofa. Rick continues to laze where he is, all king-like.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your celebrations, I just wanted to come and offer my congratulations.” He pauses, casting a glance over us all. “Despite what you’ve all been through, past and present, you have never given up.”

  My throat clogs up as my gaze drifts to the floor. Out of my peripherals, I see the others either staring intently at the floor like me or off into space.

  Micah strokes my arm tenderly as Linc places his hand on my thigh and gives it a small squeeze. Peeking at them under my lashes, I place a hand over Linc’s and my other one on Micah’s thigh, giving them both a gentle squeeze back.

  “I just wanted you all to know how proud I am of every single one of you,” his voice strains to be heard. Every syllable, quiet and vulnerable.

  Gaining the courage to look up at Lachlan’s words, I find him with glossy eyes as he turns his attention to each one of us in turn.

  “You’ve all been through hell and back, and you have not once, let your experiences affect you negatively as a person. You have used your past experiences to progress in life and surpass all expectations. You’ve all grown up into respectable, mature adults and…” He swallows thickly as he fiddles with the box in his hand. There’s a few beats of silence before he straightens to his full height, clears his throat and continues. “Well, I just wanted to give you all something for your hard work,” he admits timidly.

  Pulling out six small boxes from the one in his arms, he distributes one to each of us. “Don’t open them now. Open them in private when you feel you are ready. Keep the contents on you at all times to show the world that you never gave up. To remind yourself that you can survive anything.”

  Closing the big box in his hand, he tucks it under his arm and stands in the middle of the room. Keeping us all in sight.

  “Your past didn’t bury you. Your past shaped you and gave you the courage to be who you are today. Wear them with pride and think of all that you have achieved.”

  Not one of us breaks the silence that descends over us after his final words. Without checking for acknowledgment or awaiting a word of thanks, Lachlan strides out of the room. His exit is followed by the quiet click of the front door and still, no one moves.

  Each of us is lost in our own thoughts. Sitting there, simply sharing company whilst contemplating the meaning behind his words.

  We are not victims. We are survivors and we will never give up.

  No matter how bad the pain becomes, or how poor the outcome is, we will continue to thrive and protect.

  To survive and progress. To live and love.

  “Wake up sleepy head.” Turning over and pulling the covers over my head, I hide away from whoever dares try to drag me, kicking and screaming into the land of the living. It’s too damned warm and cozy in my little cocoon for me to want to go anywhere.

  “Sa-yu-ri,” the voice sings as someone tugs at the covers. My covers!

  Grumbling, I pull the covers tighter over my head again, hoping they’ll just go away. I hear subtle movement, the tinny sound of metal being moved and a little snicker before silence falls.

  Finally, I can relax again and enjoy the comfort and safety of my little hermit home.

  Peace reins for all of a minute until a torrent of freezing cold water envelops me. With a shriek and a creative string of curses, I throw the covers off and jump out of the saturated sheets.

  Scanning the room, I find Aus standing by the bedside with a bucket in hand and a twinkle in his eye. I growl. How dare he ruin my cozy nest?! I’m not a morning person at all, and what he just did takes the fucking biscuit!

  He’s in for a world of trouble and he knows it. Yet, he still stands there all smug-like, snickering at my scowl.

  “You didn’t get up,” he says nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders and placing the bucket on the floor by the door.

  Vaulting over the bed, I go to tackle him as he steps back out of the room but Micah takes his place, standing there with a coffee and a massive beaming smile. Skidding to a halt, not wishing to enjoy two extremes of temperature this early on in the morning, I eye Micah.

  Aus peers over his shoulder and throws a wink in my direction which earns him another growl as Micah attempts to placate me. “Come on, Lala. Coffee time,” he coos as if I’m some kind of dog.

  I watch him carefully as he walks over to place the coffee on my bedside table. Not taking his eyes off me, he considers me carefully before his grin widens. “It’s your favorite,” he taunts.

  Slowly backing out of the room, he keeps his eyes trained on me with his hands raised and open by his head. They both watch me as they close the door slowly, regarding me as if I’m a cornered animal ready to pounce.

  Maybe I am. Especially after being woken up like that.

  The door is just about closed when Aus pops an arm back in, offering a pack of Oreos. “Truce?” He asks innocently.

  There’s a hint of something in his voice that I can’t quite make out, but after my rude wakeup call, I can’t quite find it in myself to care. Instead, I hum my approval and snatch the packet out of his hands as they quickly shut the door behind them.

  Placing the pack of deliciousness by my coffee, I head for a shower to try and warm myself up. Huffing and cursing the entire time.

  They may think that coffee and biscuits gets them off the hook, but they can damn well think again! It’ll take more than that to get back in my good books.

  At least now I can bring out the big guns in the form of a big, scary Scotsman. An evil grin splits my face as I imagine him chasing the guys around the house.

  Oh yes, I think I can get used to this newfound weapon.

  After getting dressed in yoga pants and a tight tee, I sit down on the edge of my bed to enjoy the liquid bliss I’ve been gifted. Even if it was sullied by the hands of two pranksters.

  Reaching my hand out to grab the coffee, I can’t help but look at my palm in confusion. The cut I made during the sims yesterday is completely gone. No sign of it even being there in the first place. Nothing.

  My busted lip and nose must have been more or less healed by the time I reached Micah in the sim as well. I’m pretty sure that if he had seen my busted nose, swollen eye and massive split lip, he would have lost his shit and practically died of guilt.

  Maybe it’s time to bring this little development up with the guys. My healing has always been quicker than most, but it seems to have sped up in the last couple of weeks.

  It may just be my overactive imagination, but I just can’t help but think that something else is going on. The thought of this being normal for me constantly niggles at the back of my mind, yet I can’t for the life of me figure out why.

  Maybe the wounds just feel a lot worse than they actually are? Hell, if I know! Whatever, it is, it’s not exactly important anyway. I’m healthy and that’s all that matters.

  No. What’s really important, is the golden creamy bliss and scrummy biscuits just waiting for me to give them a new home.

  Now…everyone thinks that the unwritten rules with Oreos are twist, lick and dunk. I don’t have the patience for that. All or nothing is my rule.

  Dunking the biscuit in my coffee, I let it drip for a second before placing the whole thing in my mouth and relishing the chocolaty go-

  Diving for the metal bin under my desk, I lift it out and
empty the contents out of my mouth. I’m about to put the bin down when something tickles my feet.

  Yelping, I jump backwards onto my bed as a swarm of cockroaches scuttle across the floor towards me.

  “AUUUSSSSTTIINNN!!”

  He. Is. Dead! So is that little Sonic bitch boy. They are done. Finished!

  I guess that was the present Aus was talking about. He knows how squeamish I am of creepy crawlies, and to put toothpaste in my Oreos, well that’s just sinful. It’s also plain boring.

  Why use the oldest trick in the book? Because it’s effective, that’s why!

  Abandoning my coffee that I’m surprised I haven’t spilt a lick of, I race to the door and almost tear it off its hinges. Linc and Jax dart out of their rooms to see what all the noise is about as Micah warily pops his head around the door of his room.

  Catching his eye, Micah pales. His Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows thickly. Pointing my finger in his direction, his eyes go wide and he raises his hands as I head straight for him.

  “Hey, Lala.” His voice trembles slightly. “Wh- What’s up? The coffee I made you that bad?” He enquires on a wince, fear literally wafting off him.

  Squaring up to him, I dig my finger hard into his chest. “Where is he?” I grit out.

  “Where- Where is who?” He stutters.

  I snarl and he looks past me towards the front door where Aus is standing. Playfully leaning against the door jam, he looks up to me with his bag casually slung over his shoulder.

  We stare each other out for a moment before he dons a smug look and salutes me, disappearing through the door as fast as he can.

  Forgetting all about Micah and where we are, I go to hop the railing just as Jax grabs me and hauls me back. “Woah there! Let’s not go breaking anything or landing yourself in hospital again, you just got cleared for missions. Bide your time, Noo-Noo,” he chuckles.

  My head slowly turns in his direction. I’m pretty sure death by strangulation is written across my face too considering he lets go of me and backs away quickly. “What. Did you just call me?” I ask calmly, my head tilting in question.

  “Noo-Noo…you know li- Like off the tele-tubbies?” He blushes, fiercely rubbing the back of his neck. “I- I’m sorry I just- When there is chocolate or biscuits you just seem to inh-” Noticing my pointed look, he sighs as his voice quietens. “You just enjoy them so much that you never leave any leftovers. It just reminded me of Noo-Noo that’s all,” he drops his head and his shoulders slump, shame clouding his features.

  Darn it, now I feel bad! My poor Sparks just wanted to give me another nickname.

  It’s obvious he genuinely didn’t mean it as a way of antagonizing or teasing me. I suppose it’s kinda cute.

  I approach him to give him a hug and he flinches at first. My face drops and I give him a sad look as I open my arms to him, allowing him to come to me. He relaxes and pulls me into his embrace.

  “Sorry, Sparks. I thought you were teasing me. I guess…I am kinda like Noo-Noo.” I reluctantly admit. “Minus the blueness and the whole elephant trunky-thingy-mahoojit.” The sound of his chuckles warms my insides. “I like it.”

  “Really?” He asks dubiously. Pulling back to look at him, I smile shyly.

  “Yeah, it’s…cute, I suppose.” I answer honestly. “I do like Sunshine though too,” I admit quietly. A blush tinging my cheeks.

  Shit, his bashfulness is catching!

  He beams in response. More than happy with my answer. “Whatever you say, Sunshine,” he jests with a wink. I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the grin that splits my face at his enthusiasm. “It’s your first day on assignment and there’s a lot to do. Go get ready and meet us in the study. We’ll fill you in.”

  Nodding, I turn to head back to my room, giving Micah one last death glare before remembering about the roaches.

  “Erm, Jax? How are you with cockroaches?”

  36 Lincoln

  I shiver in terror as I watch Hime corner Micah beside me. She’s super scary when she’s angry. I’m not surprised it’s aimed at my brother though. Him and Aus raise hell when they’re together.

  Which begs the question…What have they done now?

  My heart suddenly jumps to my throat as Mila goes to vault the bannister. Thankfully, Jax is already there and hauling her back by the time my body registers what’s going on.

  They have a heated discussion -something about Noo-Noo- before she returns to her room with him in tow, muttering something about cockroaches and stupid boys.

  Damn, they are really playing with fire if that’s the prank they set for her. I would hate to be in their shoes right now. That’s going to rebound on them something fierce.

  I struggle to hold back a laugh as Mila watches Jax from the threshold of her room. Squeaking and jumping on occasion when the scuttling creatures make it too close to the door. Thankfully, he’s finished rounding them up in no time, allowing Mila to finish getting ready.

  Today’s our first day on assignment together as a full team, and although a part of me isn’t happy that Mila will be put in harm’s way, it makes me happy to know that she’ll be working alongside us.

  Our assignments aren’t without risk, and are understandably, completely different from the simulations. However, I have no doubt that Mila is more than ready for that next step.

  During the sims, she worked fluidly within our team. Outsmarting both us and the opposing team on more than one occasion, she showed that she’s more than capable of looking after herself.

  Even with that knowledge, it doesn’t make it any easier to allow her to be exposed to danger. No matter how small that danger may be.

  Jax inclines his head downstairs for us to follow. As I move towards the stairs, I realize Micah hasn’t followed. Turning back, I find him staring at Mila’s door. Still a sickly shade of white.

  “What?” I question. He doesn’t give me a reply. Instead, he shakes his head and follows us downstairs.

  Stepping into the study, he shivers dramatically. A sliver of terror seeping into his quiet voice.

  “I’m reconsidering ever playing a prank on our girl again. She can be one scary-”

  “One scary what, Sonic?” She purrs in his ear, causing him to jump in fright as he lets off one hell of a girly squeal.

  Darting behind me with the intent of using me as a shield, I snort as his naivety. A Linc shield will not stop a hot-headed Mila. Nothing will.

  My shoulders tense at the expression that darkens Mila’s face. An evil glint lighting her eyes.

  “You cannot hide behind my stoic Ice Bear all the time. I will get you and Aussie when you least expect it.”

  I wouldn’t dare say it, because she’d probably have me strung up by the balls, but she looks like the devil personified.

  Micah trembles slightly and I swear I can hear him swallow. Jax breaks the intense stare down as he speaks up from behind one of the computer screens. His attention focused on the data scrolling across the monitors.

  “Let’s get started before Rick and Aus get back. They should have an update for us and we need Mila clued in by then.”

  Grabbing a wheelie chair each, we gather around Jax. Just as Micah is about to sit down, Mila kicks his chair from underneath him and sends it rolling across the room.

  Already half way down to sitting, Micah can’t arrest his movement and ends up falling straight on his ass. I can’t help but join Mila and Jax, roaring in laughter at the surprise on his face.

  Mila wipes tears away from her eyes with a victorious expression plastered across her beautiful face. Studying her features, I soak up all the joy and happiness she radiates.

  Although less than desirable circumstances led to her bulldozing her way into our lives. I can’t say I’m sorry that it happened. I would do anything to erase the suffering she has been through, but if not for that incident, she’d not be here with us.

  Unbeknownst to us, she’s been the one thing that we have been missing in our lives up until now
. We just didn’t know it. Sure, we’ve had each other to turn too, and although we aren’t related by blood, we are brothers in the truest sense. Comforting each other as much as we can.

  Despite that, we don’t always feel able to confide in each other. Maybe it’s because we are men caught in the stigmas of society, or maybe it’s because we’ve all been through traumatic experiences and don’t want to burden each other.

  Either way, I know the guys would support me if I chose to confide in them, but I can’t. Not only do I not want them to think badly of me for my choices, but I want to protect them. I don’t want anyone to shoulder my burdens, not even Mila.

  Yet, she continues to chip away at my defenses.

  My Hime is someone who genuinely cares. She is a kind, gentle and patient soul that has been through the same pain as we have.

  As a courageous individual who owns their past, she pushes forward and strives to make others happy, even if it’s to the detriment of herself. Mila is someone who demonstrates her love for you without being overbearing. Sitting by your side for however long it takes, she’ll wait an eternity, just so long as it eases your pain.

  She sees past the mask and provides the comfort that you need without having to utter a single word. She is someone who breaks down your iron clad walls and makes you feel able to divulge your deepest, darkest secrets without fear of judgment or rejection.

  I can’t even remember a time in my life where I’ve laughed as much as I do now.

  I think the guys were just as surprised to hear my laugh as I was. It’s not something that happened often before Mila arrived. Even when I was little, bubbly happiness never slipped past my lips.

  My shitty childhood was to blame for that though. Our parents were strict and ruled with an iron fist. Although we were twins with only five minutes separating us, I always felt that Micah was my responsibility to look out and to care for.

  To protect.

  Ever since we were young, I opposed the expectations of our family. I would take on the consequences of not conforming to their whims to ensure their focus was taken off Micah.