A flicker of movement snagged Leonie’s attention. A bright spark arced across the sky, like a falling star. It was only small—just a pinpoint of light—but it seemed to be getting closer.
“Hey,” she said, staring up. “What’s that?”
Everyone else looked up too, though from the blank expressions, they had no idea what she was talking about.
“What’s what?” Lola asked. “We don’t all have your eyes, Catbutt.”
“That.” She pointed at the descending spark. “That little light, right there.”
“I don’t,” Paige started, and then sucked in her breath. “Oh. I see it now. Is it some kind of drone?”
Conleth stiffened, pulling his mate closer to his side. “Whatever it is, it’s heading straight for us.”
“Zephyr,” Shan said, sharp and urgent. “Zephyr, your daughter?—”
He didn’t get a chance to finish the sentence, or warning. The glowing spark streaked out of the sky, making them allduck. Close up, it was no bigger than a candle flame, but eye-searingly bright. It hovered above their heads, just out of reach.
“Stay back!” Leonie shouted at the campers who’d come running out to see what was happening. “Shan, what is that? Is it dangerous?”
“No.” His claws had slid out, but otherwise he seemed quite calm. He wasn’t even looking at the light. All his attention was fixed on Zephyr and Ashley. “Wait.”
All color had drained out of Zephyr’s face. He clutched his daughter to his chest, hand spreading to shield her from that incandescent light. His mouth shaped a silent:No.
The floating spark bobbed in the air, as if coming to a decision. It made a tight loop—and shot straight into Lola’s chest.
Lola blinked. “What the?—”
And then she burst into flame.
“Okay,” Lola said, some time later. She squared her shoulders. “I think I’ve got it under control now.”
Leonie stayed poised on the balls of her feet, a bucket of water in her hands. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” Lola cautiously edged out of the main firepit. “There we go. We’re cool. Literally.”
Leonie let out her breath, lowering the bucket. She’d already had to drench her sister twice—not that mere water did much good against phoenix fire.
“Everyone can come back now!” she called to Ragvald, who’d been keeping curious campers—and counselors—away from the central square while Lola got to grips with her new animal. “Lola, do you want to sit down? You can use my cabin if you need to rest.”
“Think I’d better avoid going into any flammable structures for a bit,” Lola said wryly. She tugged her borrowed shorts a little higher. “Thanks for lending me some spare clothes. And, uh, sorry about the other ones.”
“That’s okay.” Her sister had managed to accidentally incinerate half her wardrobe, but as far as she was concerned, a few clothes were a small price to pay. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”
“I’m more than all right.” Lola touched her chest, over her heart. A slow, awed smile lit her face, like the sun rising. “Ifeelright. Like…I’m what I was always meant to be. Finally.”
Shan came back from the office, where he’d been updating Shifter Affairs on the situation. Zephyr was with him, though not little Ashley. That was a relief. It had been a little worrying, the way the baby kept trying to poke her tiny fingers into Lola’s white-hot fire.
Shan surveyed the soot-streaked Lola. “You seem to be making progress.”
“We’re getting there,” Leonie said. “Did you get permission to share the content of that alert message with us?”
He nodded. “Min-Seo said that under the circumstances, there was little point in secrecy. We know the former host of this particular phoenix. An elderly woman in Michigan. She passed away from natural causes.”
“Oh, thank fuck,” Lola sighed. “For a second there, I was shitting myself thinking that Ash must have dropped dead.”
“He’s fine,” Zephyr said. “Though you might want to give him a call. Or Blaise. They both have some experience with this sort of thing.”
Lola grimaced. “Yeah, I could definitely use some advice.”
