Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,174
us to make it back to the plane, but the difficult trek was worth it when Emersyn noticed Ryder. Launching herself into his arms, she clung to him for dear life and drew in deep lungfuls of his scent, her little fists balling in his shirt as she shivered.
“Uncle Ryder,” she whispered contentedly, shocking the hell out of all of us. “Mommy always said you were the only other person who’d smell like me.” Lifting her sweet little head, she wrinkled her nose. “But I think you need a bath.”
We all broke out into laughter that helped ease the tension as Killian steered the plane into the sky, more than ready to bring our weary but completed family safely home.
Forty-Three
Nix
Killian’s arm was around my waist, supporting me gently as I hobbled into the hotel. Hiro was aided by Theo while Ryder leaned heavily on Damien, the Ceraptor’s face nearly gray under the brilliant purple of his hair. It had taken a huge toll on him to heal us throughout the fight and then save Hiro, depleting his healing energy to keep everyone alive and get us home. I bit my lip, eyeing him warily, but he gave me a weak grin.
“I’ll be okay,” he assured me. “I just need to rest. I tapped most of my reserves.”
“I still vote we find whoever taught that bastard how to throw meteors and kick his ass,” Killian grumbled.
“Seconded,” Joshua added with a breathless laugh. His gaze turned soft as he looked down at the small blonde in his arms. When Ryder had nearly passed out on the ride home, Joshua had reached for her, and Emersyn hadn’t questioned it, merely curling into his arms with a contented sigh before falling asleep. Joshua had been staring, awestruck, at the little girl ever since.
“We’re making progress,” Theo said softly. “They’re down another Council member. Only three remain.” A dark smile graced his soft lips, and I felt a fierce grin of my own echo it.
It took me a moment to realize that the hallways were empty as we walked, and I blinked, tilting my head and tugging Killian to a stop with a wince. “Where is everyone?” I hadn’t expected a giant welcoming committee, especially with how we’d left things with Risa, but the hallways were eerily silent. There was no way the rebellion could have mobilized a total evacuation that quickly, though I didn’t doubt that they’d already arranged transportation for the women, children, and frailer members of the community--hurrying them to another outpost for safety. Still, it was odd that a faction leader wasn’t waiting to greet us--or scold us--and find out what had happened so they knew just how worried they needed to be. The guys froze, their tension ratcheting up as they realized the same.
“Killian, take Emy,” Damien ordered. “Create the strongest illusion you can.” Killian grumbled slightly at having to leave my side, but he gently slid Emy from Joshua’s arms and, without complaint, immediately wreathed them in illusive shadows. “Tao, Cederic,” Damien turned to the two men who’d been trailing behind us, “cover Killian and Emy.” They both nodded with fierce gazes, taking up offensive positions. “Joshua, take the back of the group. Don’t let anyone sneak up on us. Nix, you’re with Hiro and Ryder. Theo, you and I will lead.” We all murmured our agreement as Damien led us carefully through the echoing, empty halls. I could feel Damien reaching out with his magic, searching for anyone nearby. “The training grounds?” he whispered, confused. I couldn’t blame him. My heart was thudding, and my Phoenix was thrashing in my head. Something wasn’t right. Even if Ciarán and Gaspard had been sparing again—a feat of magic that shocked many of us—not everyone would have evacuated the safety of the mine.
A breeze snuck past us, and Hiro hissed. “Damien, I don’t recognize some of these scents,” he warned, his voice sharp even as his hands stayed gentle as they supported Ryder.
Damien growled his agreement. The closer we got to the entrance, the more noise began to filter through. Rather than the excited murmurings or even training yard taunts I’d expected, I heard weeping, moans of pain, and fearful sobs. A shiver ran through me, and I pulled my magic into my hands, prepping the flames for what we expected to see as my adrenaline pushed away the pain of my injuries. Everyone be careful. Remember Ryder’s not