Page 54
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We follow Nova to the town square. Just past the fountain, there is a large, paved space which is used for summer festivals, street parties, and to display Phoenix Falls’ traditionally huge Christmas tree.
Jake and Tanya—who are still running the Sheriff’s Office in Mack’s absence—spot us almost immediately. I’m surprised they haven’t left town; neither struck me as the type who’d put themselves at risk to stay and herd cattle in a situation like this. Yet here they are. Tanya tries to wave and mouth something at Mack and I through the crowd, but we push on, following Nova.
There is no stage for her to stand on and we have no idea what she’s planning, so the five of us just gather at the front of the gathering and wait.
The air is tight and cold. An icy breeze whips around the corner of the town hall—located at the back of the square-and swipes at our faces. Instinctively, the supers who have come are staring at it; probably waiting for their sheriff , Mack—even though he was robbed of his position—to speak up.
Nova straightens her shoulders. At her sides, her fingers twitch, and sparks flutter to the ground. Without looking back at us, she strides forward and ascends the town hall’s steps. When she reaches the top, she turns.
There is a moment of dull chatter before people realize she is there. Then a hush falls over the crowd. Nova scans their faces slowly. Up there alone, she looks completely vulnerable. Small, wide-eyed, young.
Everything in my body is telling me to go up there with her. My skin begins to warm. Heat rushes to my palms. Next to me, Mack is breathing deeply. Snow’s protective purr rumbles in his throat.
“It’s her,” someone shouts. “The witch who killed the human!”
“The sheriff’s witch!”
“She was at the mansion with the sheriff. He was protecting her.”
“Did you do this?! Did you bring evil to our town?”
“Is this because of you?”
The shouts grow louder. Kole’s eyes darken. Head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd, his muscles tense. “Quiet!” he roars.
The voices die down to a nervous murmuring.
“Let her speak,” Tanner adds, his fists clenched.
“Yes!” Nova’s voice sings out above the rest. “I’m the witch. The one who killed her human boyfriend.” She draws her shoulders back and casts her voice so it floats on the wind. “I have a lot to explain to you, and not much time, so please listen.”
Something in her tone has made the muttering around us stop. Everyone is watching her now. Everyone is listening.
“I was born a human to human parents. You all saw my blood tests on the news. They proved that is no longer the case.” She draws in a deep breath. As she moves her arms, flames spring to life, trickling from her wrists up to her elbows then to her shoulders, tracing the contours of her hands and fingers. “Many years ago, Mack—your sheriff—Luther, and Kole came upon a prophecy called The Phoenix Prophecy.” Her voice is growing louder, and bigger, and so are the flames. Her hair is redder, too. Glowing. Moving like liquid fire.
The murmuring starts again, but this time it is laced with a mixture of awe and fear.
Nova casts her gaze in our direction. Kole steps forward and recites the words we now know by heart. Tanner joins in, then Mack. I add my voice to the chorus. Finally, Sam and Nova do too.
When above turns to darkness
And below breaks free
A witch born to humans
Salvation shall bring
Fated to five who are not what they seem
The Phoenix will rise and become Earth’s Queen
Into the embers
Devoured by Flame
The Phoenix is She
