Andy plunged from the sky, his outline tinged with fire, and Phoenix followed in his wake.
30
They settled unseen and unheard on the roof of Mark’s house.
Andy sensed the sleeping mortals without having to see them.
“How do you want to do this?” said Phoenix.
“Remember that time in Paris?”
Phoenix smiled fondly. “How could I forget?”
“Like that.”
“Can I do that thing from Madrid, too?”
“Go for it,” said Andy.
“I’ll see you on the inside,” said Phoenix, closing his eyes.
Andy closed his eyes and concentrated on the dreamers, his consciousness seeking out Mark like a homing missile. Awareness of the warm night faded away as he dropped into the mind of another being.
It was so rare that he had the opportunity to manifest himself creatively that he hardly knew where to start. He deepened his outline of fire until it blazed. He allowed two curving horns to protrude from his forehead. His teeth sharpened to points as his wings transformed from their neat salt-and-pepper coloration to a light-sucking shade of black.
Phoenix, on the other hand, dialed up the deep red velvet color of his wings to a lurid shade of crimson, and outlined himself in flickering black shadows. The irises and the white of his eyes were subsumed by darkness.
“No horns?” said Andy.
“Must I?”
“They expect it.”
Phoenix sighed. “Fine.” Spiraling ram’s horns grew from his head. “I look bloody stupid.”
Andy observed the effect. “Nonsense. You look terrifying.”
“Great. Are we going with formal regalia, or more of a rag-and-bone look?”
Andy considered. “Formal’s too good for this clown.”
“So I get to look stupid and ugly. You’re going to owe me for this, Andy.”
“Just do it.”
Arrayed in their best—or worst, depending on your point of view—outfits of soiled sackcloth, they faced the void of Mark’s dreams.
“Where is he, anyway?” said Phoenix.
“In between dreams.”
“Well, get him here and let’s get this over with.”
Andy concentrated, reached out, and pulled.
Mark appeared before them, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts and looking very confused.
It was time to raise the stakes.
