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I didn’t expect that from someone who engineers weapons.
“We weren’t wealthy, so my parents always encouraged crafts to build something great out of something ordinary. My mother taught me how to make the paper birds for my tenth birthday. We used them as party favors and decorations. . . .” Tala’s eyes search the sky as if she’s waiting for her reincarnated parents to fly toward her, carrying her old soul.
The English accent breaks the silence. “There you are. Tala, we must discuss something that is absolutely skybreaking.”
Tala composes herself. I see so much of myself in her with how quickly she can return to the world when her mind is elsewhere.
“What is it?” she asks.
“It’s unofficial-but-potentially-official Halo Knight business.”
“I’m even less interested in your secrets than I was your tour,” I say.
“Then you won’t mind that I snag this one for a moment,” Wyatt says with a beaming smile, as if he won a match I wasn’t fighting.
“Sunshine,” Tala mutters as she walks after him.
She turns, throwing her paper bird, and it glides perfectly through the air and lands in my palm.
Thirty-Two
Track
BRIGHTON
I don’t like being treated like I’m not valuable. I have millions of followers. I’m pretty damn brilliant. I have put hours and hours into building my online platform. So why am I being cut out of important conversations? Hopefully Emil is giving Wyatt a history lesson that the Spell Walkers drove me away when they pulled nonsense like this and I have no problem turning my back on the Halo Knights too.
I’m not doing a great job masking my annoyance for Prudencia. This mistreatment is going to sour my mood and threaten my chances at a real relationship with her. If this were a livestream I could hide my emotions, I’m a pro at turning on the confident Brighton for my Brightsiders. But Pru sees right through me.
We’re in the dining hall and I finish my soup in silence, doing my best to ignore this Halo Knight staring me down as if I personally slit his phoenix’s neck.
“Don’t mind him,” Prudencia says.
He’s trying to catch a fire-bolt to his face.
We abandon our empty bowls and catch some air. I want to dash around from room to room, kicking down castle doors until I find Emil, but Prudencia wants to do some birdwatching, so we make our way down to the courtyard. I can’t really identify any of these phoenixes, but I take deep breaths because I’m getting worked up again over how Emil and Wyatt took it personally when I hinted at wanting one. Emil is lying if he’s saying he doesn’t want a phoenix companion, and he’s a true fool if he doesn’t see the advantages of having one by his side to protect him in case I’m not around.
This war isn’t ending anytime soon. Even once we manage to wipe out Luna and all her Blood Casters in New York there are still others spread out across the country wreaking their own havoc. They’ll track us down. Not to mention all the alchemists who have sworn allegiance to Luna. If Emil’s powers haven’t bounced back by then and I’ve got to take down all of these foes I won’t be around to babysit him.
A blue phoenix descends from the air and lands a few feet away from us. I’m pretty sure this is a century phoenix given how much it looks like a slightly older Gravesend. Longer tailfeathers, fuzzier chest, bigger bronze beak. Prudencia kneels before the phoenix like she’s going to bow and offers her palm. The century ignores her and takes an interest in me.
“Not me, buddy. Go to her.”
The phoenix cocks its head like I’ve told some riddle. Then I realize I’m the riddle. Gravesend’s blood must’ve called out to this phoenix but I’m very clearly not a firebird. The century comes closer, inspecting me. Perhaps there’s some extension of power to be gained here, or a bond I can build so this phoenix will align itself with me. I’m not sure how the Halo Knights go about claiming phoenixes, but this could be my way in, especially if I’m not able to fly for whatever reason.
I cautiously reach out my hand. “You bite me and I’ll rain down fire on you.”
Prudencia lets out a little laugh. “I could do without the threat, but it’s refreshing to see the boy who grew back his arm concerned about losing his hand.”
The century phoenix squawks and flaps its wings. It jumps on me before I can get to my feet to dash away and pecks my chest. I grab its body, squeezing, and the phoenix’s beak hammers into my cheek before it suddenly flies backward—no, before Prudencia sends it flying. We’ve caught the attention of a couple Halo Knights who are laughing. I have blood dripping down my face and they think this is a joke.
“Did they sic that phoenix on me?” I ask. I’m ready to ask them myself with a fire-bolt when Prudencia grabs my hand.
“Let’s find you a bathroom to wash that off.”
I’m tired of all this walking around, especially when people are ignoring us when we ask for directions. I think the only way to get some respect is if we’re wearing some store-bought phoenix Halloween costumes and demand them to serve us. Someone should teach these Halo Knights a lesson that it’s okay to care about human beings too—especially ones that are bleeding.
“Bright! Pru!”
