2. Olivia

The portal”sedges fizzled in the air, a low hum vibrating against my eardrums as Drew, Ava, Sam, and I stepped through into Ava and Drew”s living room.

The house was quieter than normal. It was usually a buzz of chaos with people coming and going. There weren’t as many people living with Ava and Drew anymore. Alfred and Winnie now lived in Faery. Ava’s parents, John and Beth lived at the Rune Academy, getting it ready to open in September.

Zoey and Larry were still in New Orleans with her tiger pride–the family she just discovered she had. Although they should be returning home soon.

Wallie sat on the sofa, bouncing Selby on his knee, while Michelle cooed softly to Imogene.

”Okay,” Ava said, already typing furiously on her phone. ”Melody”s getting the coven together. We need every grimoire they”ve got.”

”Good,” I replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. My fingers still tingled from the portal”s energy.

Drew made a beeline for the laptop sitting on the kitchen table. “I’m going to search the hunter archives.”

I moved to the bookshelves along the wall opposite the fireplace where Ava had recently moved the grimoires and other magical reference books that used to be in the ritual room in the attic. I pulled several of the grimoires and brought them to the kitchen. Placing the books on the table, I divided them between Ava and me.

By that time, Ava was staring down the coffee pot as if she was willing it to brew faster. I wasn’t going to remind her that I could portal us to the coffee shop in town.

Just as the coffeemaker started gurgling, Ian came through the back door. He stopped short just inside the kitchen and glanced at each of us. “What’s up?”

Drew gave his brother a nod in greeting. “We’re researching nephilim and phoenixes. Apparently, they are real.”

Ava and Drew took turns catching Ian up on our meeting with the Mayor.

“I thought they were myths too.” Ian moved to stand behind Drew to look at the laptop screen. “Did you ask Grandmother?”

Drew nodded. “She didn’t know about them either.”

Ian snorted. “I bet that burns her britches to know that something exists that she didn’t know about.”

“She was annoyed to hear about them,” Drew said with a laugh. Then he pointed to the stacks of books on the table. “Have a seat and help us research.”

Ian looked like he was about to bail out on us when Ava came over and sat between me and Drew. “Melody will be here soon with the coven.”

A faint smile lifted the corners of Ian’s mouth as he picked up a grimoire and sat on the other side of Drew.

”Anything yet?” Sam asked, several minutes later as he stood and yawned.

Drew shook his head, his focus unbroken as he scrolled through files and documents. ”Nothing on nephilim... but wait, look at this.”

He turned the monitor around, revealing a scanned page. Drew”s hands flew over the keyboard, and suddenly, the ancient text sharpened on the screen.

”Phoenixes...” I murmured.

“Yeah. There is a lot of information about them.” Drew leaned back in his chair.

Note from the researcher:

Not much is known about the phoenix. There have been no proven sightings, therefore despite this information we are forced to assume that the Phoenix has always been a myth.

General description

In human form, they are otherworldly and beautiful. Some may have slight imperfections like scars, but that depends on their age. When they are reborn, their scars and imperfections disappear. They have the ability to mask their appearance and force themselves to look older or younger.

Their phoenixes are large, bird-like creatures with a wingspan of 25+ feet and long tail feathers. Their coloring ranges from yellows, blues, purples, and reds with an orange undertone. The rarest have a rainbow of hues.

There are more females than males (2 males to every 50 females), making females the dominant gender. Because of this, females will mate outside their species.

They can mate and have live births as humans do. No matter what species the father is, the child will be a phoenix.

They’ve been known to live up to 500+ years, but no one knows for sure. As they reach the age of 500 their powers begin to weaken, and they prepare for their deaths and rebirths. This varies depending on the individual. They can only truly die by fire hot enough to consume them completely or by extinguishing their eternal internal fires.

Their form of self-punishment within their own ranks is to be chained and dropped to the bottom of the ocean to live forever in darkness and cold waters, never able to use their flames. Eventually this extinguishes their eternal flames, and they die a permanent death.

Abilities

The Phoenix is one of the most powerful creatures ever known. Their power is almost limitless. They can control and create fire, give and take life, and their tears are known to have healing powers.

Strengths

Regenerative powers. They are considered immortal.

Weaknesses

Their only known weakness is iron. But no matter how they are “killed”, they always rise from their own ashes within three days—reborn into a younger, more powerful phoenix. Each regeneration grows their power.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me back from the text on the screen. I glanced at the caller ID and sighed. ”It”s Zoey and Larry.” I pressed the button to answer the call. ”Hey, you two ready to come back?”

”Hi, Olivia. Yes, we’re ready. Can you get us?” Zoey sounded cheerful. ”We”re all packed up.”

”Of course.” I stood up and made a portal to the bayou with a flick of my wrist, the swirling vortex materializing with its familiar hum. Zoey, Larry, and their luggage were waiting, and behind them, Zoey”s family waved goodbye.

”Come on through.” I stepped through and gestured to the open portal then waved at Zoey’s extended family.

Zoey and Larry didn”t need to be told twice. They grabbed their bags and stepped into the portal, emerging into Ava and Drew”s kitchen. Zoey immediately dropped her luggage and made a beeline for the babies. Michelle smiled warmly, handing freshly made bottles to her.

”Here you go, little ones,” Zoey cooed gently as she took one of the bottles and began feeding Imogene.

”Thanks,” Zoey said softly, her yellow cat eyes softening with affection. “I missed these guys.”

”Selby, too” Ava said, taking the little ogre baby from Wallie despite his protest. ”He”s probably starving.”

“Mom, I can feed him.”

Ava waved him off, then pulled Zoey into a one-arm hug. “I missed my ghouls.”

Just as she said that, Larry wrapped his arms around both women and the babies. “We’re glad to be home.”

After the flurry of greetings and hugs, we gathered around in the living room since the kitchen table was filled with magic books and a laptop.

”New Orleans was amazing,” Larry said while waving his hand. ”And Zoey”s family... they”re something else.”

Zoey chimed in with details about her family”s quirks and traditions, her voice filled with fondness despite the oddity of her undead state.

”Her cousin Etienne makes the best gumbo.” Larry licked his lips at the memory.

”Better than any restaurant there,” Zoey agreed, then laughed. ”And my uncle tried to teach Larry how to dance. You should”ve seen it.”

”Let”s just say dancing”s not really in my skill set,” Larry admitted.

As Zoey continued to feed Imogene, her tail occasionally flicked back and forth. It was good to have her back. The cozy chatter filled the room, a much needed respite from the day”s earlier tension.

”I”ll make some tea.” I stood and headed to the kitchen.

”Make mine strong, Liv,” Sam called out with a weary smile.

”Got it,” I replied, pulling out the teabags and filling the kettle.

I got Sam a mug that looked a little different from everyone else’s so I wouldn”t mix his up. He needed a little booster to stomach any human food. A booster, AKA my blood. I took a knife out of Ava’s knife drawer and pricked my finger. I did it often, but it never stopped freaking hurting.

”Shoot,” I muttered, quickly squeezing a few drops into Sam”s mug.

”Here you go.” I handed him the steaming cup, then extended my injured finger toward Ava without a word.

Without looking up from Selby, Ava reached over and touched her fingertip to mine. The skin knit together instantly, the cut disappearing as if it had never been there. We”d done this dance countless times; it required no thanks or explanation.

I handed out the rest of the tea and sat down while Ava filled Larry and Zoey in on all the fun we’ve had the last twenty-four hours while we waited for Melody and the coven to arrive.