Phoenix Chosen #3 (The Phoenix Guardians #3)

29. Kalistratos

29

KALISTRATOS

T yler and Airos help me to my feet. My legs can barely keep me upright, but I refuse to sit. Rest can come later.

The icy chill has retreated from my body, replaced by a welcome, normal pain.

I’m alive, that’s what matters.

Tyler slings my arm around his shoulder and supports me as we follow Airos through the charred forest to a clearing, where a black pile sits alone in the middle of the swaying brome grass. It's Jackson’s bag and his cloak, which is ripped along the center as though it’d been forcefully torn from his body. Tyler retrieves the healing kit from the bag and treats my wound with a stinging ointment and salve before covering it with a fresh bandage. Then, as Airos works some incantation over my shoulder with his staff, Tyler uses the cloak to fashion a new sling for Eggy. A sharp prickling feeling goes through my shoulder as the lacerated muscle pulls together, encouraged by Airos’s magic and Jackson’s medicine.

“That’s all I can do,” Airos says. “Try not to move it too much.”

“It’s good enough,” I say, and as he’s turning away, I grab his forearm. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

I firmly hold his gaze. He protected Tyler and tried to save my life, and I want him to understand my feelings.

Airos brushes his golden hair back from his forehead and gives me a nod. “I’m pleased you’re still living, Kalistratos,” he says, “though these near misses are starting to become a habit.”

“You damn phony priest,” I say with a smirk.

“If you two want to make out, I won’t stop you,” Tyler interjects.

I pull away with a snort. Airos laughs heartily and folds his arms across his chest.

“Right,” he says. “We have a friend to rescue.”

“Two friends,” I remind him. “Gods. This is not going to be easy.”

“But was it ever going to be?” he says.

“We’re blind,” I say. “How do we know Jackson isn’t already dead?”

“He’s not,” Tyler says. “They need his egg. And the only way he’s gonna pop that thing out is if he gets it on with a mate. Right?”

Airos nods slowly. “Yes…”

“You don’t sound very certain about that,” I say.

“The question, I’m afraid, is whether they know this. And whether Praxis or Umbrios himself would try to take him as their mate.”

I shiver. “Cheesus… Is this why Umbrios wanted him and Tyler? To somehow corrupt the children?”

“I don’t know, but I trust Jackson’s resourcefulness. He won’t fall so easily.”

“Still, how in the name of the Gods are we going to find them? How many leagues away could they be?”

“I… think I can help with that,” Tyler says. “No, I know I can.” He closes his eyes for a moment. “West. They’re going west.” He raises his finger and points to the horizon.

“Your powers?” I ask.

“I can almost see them in my mind.” He places his hand on his heart. “And it’s like I can feel a little pull on my chest to where Jackson is.”

“Can you do the same for Alyx?”

Airos holds up his hand. “We can do nothing for our friends without first finding a transport. We must continue on our route to the flier graveyard. We need a ship.”

“Alright,” I say. “Then what are we waiting for?”

A warm wind swirls across the clearing. It makes the grass shimmer like waves on a pond and blows away the lingering smokey haze. It tugs at our clothes and pushes at our backs as if urging us forward.

Tyler’s fingers push between mine, and I tightly grip his hand. Eggy is wrapped safely against his chest. The clear sky is like a doorway, where everything begins. I lean in and kiss him on the forehead. He smiles at me.

“Let’s go find our friends,” I say.