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“But he technically is, yeah?” Wyatt replies. “His past life gave you yours. But what does that make you? I thought you were a celestial.”
Maribelle’s left eye burns like an eclipse and the right glows like sailing comets. Dark yellow flames encircle her fists. “I’m a hybrid.”
“Didn’t have to demonstrate; I would’ve believed you,” Wyatt says as he digs inside his satchel and withdraws a logbook. “That said, this is all a lot.” He mutters as he takes notes. “Emil is Maribelle’s father, but not really. . . . Specters with phoenix blood can come back to life but apparently as new people. . . . Celestials and specters can procreate. . . . Oof . . .”
I keep my eyes on Tala the entire time in case she’s feeling trigger-happy while Wyatt is writing away as if this has been a chill environment before his arrival.
“Did I miss anything?” Wyatt asks.
“The power-binding potion,” I say.
“Aha! You’ll make a fine assistant back at the Sanctuary,” Wyatt says.
Tala looks like she might fire an arrow straight between Wyatt’s blue eyes. “You’re clearly still lacking oxygen from your flight over if you think we’re bringing specters onto any of our sacred bases.”
Wyatt puts away his logbook. “Tala, please. We have more to gain as Haloes by learning from them than by avenging our fallen companions. Think of all the people who won’t bother harming phoenixes if the authorities have a potion that can prevent them from using their powers. It’s especially critical if word gets out that specters can resurrect if they possess phoenix blood. Crest will want word on this.”
I don’t know who Crest is, but Tala doesn’t argue any further.
“It’s best if we go sooner rather than later since you and Roxana have caught the city’s attention,” Wyatt says with a raised eyebrow. Something tells me this isn’t the first time Tala has done her own thing. “The New Ember Sanctuary is located in Storm King State Park. Beautiful scenery all around, prepare your hearts.” Wyatt hops onto Nox. “Care to go for a ride, Emil? I’d love to pick your brain further.”
It’s tempting to ride a phoenix, but I’m not flying away with some stranger. “I’m going to stick with my people.”
“Suit yourself. Safe journeys, everyone.” Wyatt strokes Nox’s neck and the phoenix spreads his magnificent wings. They shoot across the blue sky like a shadowy star.
I watch the Halo Knight take off, envying his closeness with a beautiful phoenix.
Out of all of my lives, I wish one had been more like his.
Twenty-Nine
Impersonate
NESS
Since being locked in the panic room two days ago, I’ve been forced to memorize new lines in advance of my interviews where I’ll be posing as Carolina and Eva. Roslyn gives me her latest script and I can’t believe the big news that’s being dropped here: Brighton revealed last night online that he has powers. It’s not clear from these sides which ones, but I care more about the fact that Emil is seen alive and well too. If I can get back downstairs, I can report that news to their mother. I can barely focus, so relieved that Emil is okay, and honestly, a little grateful that his brother is packing powers to help keep him alive since I can’t trust Emil to take care of himself.
I’m on my bed, almost done memorizing the pages, when the slow knock I’ve grown up with catches my attention. The Senator has returned and he doesn’t look like himself. His thick glasses don’t hide the deep shadows underneath his reddened eyes. He’s lost noticeable weight in his cheeks and the public will be sure to scrutinize what that means for him.
“You look like hell.”
“Campaigning to be the leader of the free world isn’t without its sacrifices,” the Senator says. I expect some comment about how he tried to do away with me to further his goals, but he doesn’t seem to have that snideness in him at the moment.
“Sounds like you’ve got some more competition out there.”
“The Infinity Kings? Another threat we’ll neutralize.”
I’m sure Brighton came up with that name. I hope there’s truth behind it.
“I trust you’re prepared for your interviews,” the Senator says.
“Just about got the new lies memorized.”
“If you don’t sell those lies as truth we will kill those women right in front of you.”
“Then you’ll lose your leverage against me.”
The Senator smirks. “You can’t possibly believe that we’re relying solely on their lives to get you to cooperate.”
