Phoenix watched the dead leaves spiral down from the wind-tossed trees before picking up a slender green branch to bring back to Raya.
23
He knocked on Raya’s hotel room door, then held up the branch as she opened it. “I told you I’d bring you the stick.”
Raya stepped into the corridor and shut the door behind her. “It’s not big enough to do any damage.”
“Oh, come on—now you’re being picky.”
She took the stick and whipped it through the air experimentally. “Nope.” She handed it back to him as they walked down the stairs.
Phoenix tossed it to the curb outside. “How about you just forgive me for having an angel watch out for you? Most mortals would appreciate that, I would think.”
“I’m not most mortals.”
“True.”
“But … I can let this go.” Raya nudged him playfully, nearly sending him into traffic. “Where are we meeting Justine, anyway?”
“At an abandoned railroad track south of here.” He flagged down a passing cab and inquired if the driver would take them to their destination. Having received an affirmative answer, Phoenix held the passenger door for Raya and hopped in after her.
The snug backseat meant closer quarters than he had imagined.
“You’re going to end up sitting in my lap, little prince, if this guy takes a sharp corner.” Raya gestured toward the driver as the cab sped down the street.
“Don’t call me that. Especially not in front of Justinian.” He realized his tactical error as soon as the words left his mouth. Telling Raya not to do something was as good as guaranteeing she would do it.
“Why am I coming, anyway? Shouldn’t you supernatural beings sort this out amongst yourselves? Not that I mind—I mean, it’s not every day you get to meet an angel.”
“He just wants to attack me—but you, he might be curious about. I doubt he’s even seen a witch while he’s been in hiding. He’d probably be just as curious about you as you are about him.”
“So you’re banking on his curiosity outweighing his desire to hit you with a flaming sword?”
“That about sums it up.”
“I feel like a human shield.”
Phoenix smirked. “In a way, Witchiepoo, you are.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Witchiepoo.”
She caught his gaze with a challenging stare. “Little prince.”
The driver looked in his rearview mirror and raised his eyebrows at them.
Raya subsided. “Fine. It’s more adventure than I’ll get in a lifetime once I get back home. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.”
They arrived at a small park and stepped out onto the sidewalk.
“Got your flashlight?”
Raya nodded and patted her bag.
“This way.” Phoenix gestured toward a line of trees in the distance.
They crossed through and clambered down a hill that ended at an overgrown railroad track that hadn’t been used in years. A short walk along the track led them to a rocky outcropping.
