Epilogue

The grand city of Athenos lies ahead of us, bustling and alive with daytime activity. I have Tyler clutched carefully in my talons and hold him preciously against my belly plumage where it's warm and safe. His pained groans rise over the rush of wind.

Somehow, this is even more frightening than the shadow monsters. I need to get Tyler to someone who can help us, and there's no time to lose. Being my phoenix form is a sure way to flag the attention of phoenix poachers, especially flying in broad daylight over a place like Athenos, where every road, every checkpoint and every tavern is bound to have hunters looking for prey. I know this will put us in danger, but I have no choice. Without help, Tyler's life is at risk. The poachers and hunters are a problem I can deal with later. I just need to get him into the city.

I fly over the Athenosian boundary, past the great statue of the goddess of war and guardian of the city, and head south. I pass over the grand temple and see the priests staring up and pointing at me. As I feared, people in the street are stopping to look.

Alyx would be mortified to know I'm so openly using my phoenix form.

Where are Alyx and Airos, anyway? How long has it been since the day Tyler and I were sent to Gaea?

"Arghhh, fuck!" Tyler groans. "Kalistratos, this is not good! Wherever we're going, get there now, because I don't think it's a good idea to poop out a baby two hundred feet up in the air!"

I pin my wings and fly with the thermals, scattering a flock of startled pigeons wheeling over the crowded marketplace.

"We're almost there," I tell him.

Athenos is the biggest city in the region, the capital, and the hub of trade, government, royalty, academics and crime. This is where Alyx and I cut our teeth, joining up with a gang. I know a healer here who specializes in treating members of the Thieves Guild, who can do their job and keep their mouth shut… but can they be trusted to keep the secret of a phoenix?

I don't know. But right now, I don't have any other choice.

TO BE CONTINUED…