CHAPTER 13
When Thierry, Bael, and Nix returned to the house, Ryker had three suitcases packed for them.
Dragons must be used to living on the run, Nix thought.
For so long, she had listened to Mr. Oadess preach about the danger of her parents’ murderers, saying how all dragons needed to be hunted until their bloodthirsty and brutal species was wiped out. For theprotectionof others.
First, he had started the same with phoenix shifters, until all of the powerful creatures were gone. Then, he came for the dragons.
How many more species would he eventually convince people were dangerous until there was no one left but cygni? Was that always his goal?
He was the one who ensured the mingling of cygni females with other alphas at the academy. He had told the cygni that it was for their own protection that they marry strong alphas at graduation. What if it was all part of his plan? Whatwashis plan?
Nix wracked her brain for any past details that could be helpful now.
“It is a lot to absorb,” Thierry said, rubbing Nix’s back. Her flames and wings had retracted, and now she strode into the living room completely nude.
“I know you said the books and records on phoenixes were burned, but…is there anything we do know about them? I mean, to warrant the…the extinction of them?” Nix asked hoarsely. “What was said about them to make everyone think they were so dangerous?” she muttered.
Thierry sighed deeply and removed his black-framed glasses. He rubbed the lenses with a dark gray pocket square as he replied, “The Gods created shifters. Many, many species. Many different abilities. If the Gods were to have a favorite creation, then all other creations would have reason for jealousy. Yes?”
Nix blinked, processing the statement but absorbing nothing new or helpful. Her expression screamed, “And?”
Thierry placed his glasses back on and added, “And, of all of the most powerful and fearful shifters—werewolves, basilisks, dragons—only one species has ever been able to move through time, to emit the power of a nuclear explosion, to come back from the dead, to raise the dead—”
Nix gaped. “Raisethe dead?”
Bael nodded solemnly.
Thierry finished, “Because the Gods did have a favorite creation. A favorite shifter. Phoenixes.You, Nix.”
“You have god-like powers, baby,” Bael told her. “Powers that aretoopowerful compared to what others are capable of.”
“No one would have gone up against the phoenixes if the jealousy had not been escalated by Kellan Oadess’s rhetoric. He made every other shifter believe they werepreyto phoenixes. That phoenixes would eventually kill us all or drain ourresources,” Thierry said. “He told everyone that the phoenixes would steal all of the gods’ attention and good fortunes.”
“Would they have?”
Bael shrugged. “Facts don’t matter when your goal is to divide people.”
“Phoenixes lived very long, immortal lives,” Thierry informed her. “Not many were willing to fight them. But, the longer the life…the more they began thinking and feeling like gods.”
He said, “They could move through time and change the future. They couldundodeath. It made some of them grow bored and cold. When you can control life and death and time, how are you not to begin seeing those with less power as your pawns?”
Nix bit her tongue. Were her parents that way? Cold? Compassionless in the end?
I wish I could remember them.
“Even though I was such a threat, why would Mr. Oadess knowingly keep me?” Nix asked. “You said my feathers are powerful, that people would want them. Why?”
“Phoenix feathers, when used in certain spells, can help someone temporarily move through time.”
“Temporarily?”
“They might be able to go back in time for a few hours before returning to their present time.”
Bael added, “There’s also a rumor that if a shifter can cover themself in phoenix feathers, the Gods might grant a wish to become one. Alter their species.”
Nix’s eyes widened. “That could really happen?”
