Kizzy sighed. “It’s a long story, but you deserve to hear it first. I’ll start with the fact that there may be things I have to leave out, but I’ll tell you what I can.”
“We understand,” Antonio said. “You don’t know us that well yet, but you’ll learn you can trust us.”
“I’m counting on it. I’m a good judge of character, so I’ve been told.”
The whistle on the teakettle blew, so Gabriella unplugged it, set it on the tray, then brought everything to the table. As soon as she sat down, Kizzy began her story.
“So, here goes…”
Over the next half hour, Kizzy explained about her family having something that a group in South America wanted. She called the group “the entity” and said she would tell the Fierros what she knew about the group, but that was limited, because she didn’t know much. When she got to the part about a big battle in her backyard and how she and Noah went back to his apartment afterward, she stopped and blushed.
“Oh?” Gabriella tipped her head, smiling. She hoped Kizzy would feel comfortable enough to elaborate on her relationship with Noah, but she probably wouldn’t. Actually, she didn’t have to. The look on her face said it all.
“Noah revealed his other form to me. He didn’t have much time to tell me about phoenix shifters, but I’m glad I knew what he was. That’s the only reason I wasn’t totally confused and shocked by…this.” She indicated the cage with a sweep of her hand.
Gabriella was delighted. Her boys didn’t reveal themselves to a woman unless the relationship was serious. Noah seemed to have met the lady love who would understand his paranormal secret.
Kizzy continued. “So, an hour or so later, I called my father. He and a couple of his friends showed up, and that’s when I was transported home—against my will, I might say. A few minutes later, the phone rang, and it was Noah. Dante had come home by then, and they were being held hostage by the entity.”
Gabriella was curious about her father and friends and what she meant by “transported against her will” but didn’t want to interrupt her. They could ask questions later.
“Noah sounded kind of scared, and when he said a couple of guys calling themselves the entity were there, I got scared too. Very scared. These guys think nothing of skinning people alive to get what they want, and both Dante and Noah were innocents caught in the middle.”
She worried her lip as if remembering the moment. “One of the entity said he had a gun pointed at Noah and his cohort had Dante at knifepoint. I would have done anything to save them. I was just beginning to negotiate when Noah called out not to tell them anything and said he and Dante knew how to get out of it.
“A few moments later, I heard an explosion.”
* * *
Mallory jogged up the steps, looking forward to seeing the Fierros again. Upon knocking, Gabriella opened the door.
“Mallory! Come in!” Gabriella took her hand and led her into the dining room.
When she saw Kizzy, she froze.
Gabriella tightened her grip on her right hand.
“Now, girls. We’ve sensed there’s something going on between you two. It’s none of our business, of course, except if it affects our sons. I don’t think anyone wants to come between them, knowing how close they are.”
Mallory’s posture deflated, as did her fear. “I’m sorry. It’s probably my fault. Kizzy? You remember that day…when we almost met but didn’t. You know the day I mean?”
Kizzy seem to understand. “It’s okay, Mallory. I’m not judging. If anything, I need understanding too.”
Mallory gazed at her and saw some sort of sympathy coming back…no, not sympathy. It wasn’t sympathy. Maybe hope?
Gabriella pulled Mallory to the dining room table and said, “Please. Have a seat. We’re just having some tea and appetizers before dinner.” Then Gabriella placed her other arm around her and gave her a friendly squeeze. “I hope you know how welcome you are. We want to get to know both of you better. We know you’re important to our sons.”
A little bird in the cage she hadn’t noticed before chirped and hopped up and down, flapping its wings.
“I don’t know if you’ve met Dante in his other form,” Antonio said.
Mallory wandered over to the cage, openmouthed. “That’s him? He was bigger last time I saw him in bird form. Is he still a phoenix or some kind of sparrow?”
Gabriella laughed. “If he could speak, he’d let you know he’s no sparrow. Yes, my boys are smaller but growing up again in phoenix form. If they shifted now, they’d revert to infants, complete with the amnesia that happens when human souls return. It’s just faster and better if they grow up in bird form.”
“I see they’re still roommates. How did they get this way?”
“Kizzy can explain what happened.”
