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Infinity Reaper

Page 22

by Adam Silvera


  I take a deep breath.

  “Pardon me if that was inappropriate,” Wyatt says.

  “What? Stopping me from dropkicking Brighton?”

  “Precisely. Saving phoenixes is my heart’s work but preventing brothers from dropkicking each other is of utmost importance too.” Wyatt’s dimpled smile catches me off guard. Anytime I experience even the quickest jolt of joy I feel guilty because the war is raging. Wyatt’s work is significant, but he doesn’t seem to have the weight of the world trying to straight-up flatten him. “You really wear your stress, you know that? I know somewhere that might help you.”

  I’m missing the sounds of the waves back at the cottage and wouldn’t mind another nature moment to try and center my anxiety. Wyatt asks a passing Halo Knight for directions to some room, I don’t catch the name, and he can’t even hide his own enthusiasm. I bet he’s terrible at keeping surprise parties a secret. He jogs up the stone steps of the south-facing tower. My recovering wounds make the climb a little harder for me without any of the adrenaline that’s pushed me forward so far, but when I get to the top it was worth every single ache.

  The room is one massive nest with three baby phoenixes who immediately stare at us. The sun swallower has patchy orange and crimson feathers and their wide black eyes lose interest in us as two evergreen blazers charge. The world’s most popular firebird coughs out the tiniest of flames, which sends the young brown-and-green phoenixes tripping over themselves as they flee. The sun swallower’s chest proudly puffs out.

  “This is a nursery of sorts,” Wyatt says.

  “Can I hide out here forever?”

  “Be my guest. I wouldn’t mind having some of my ashes spread here.”

  Maybe to a Halo Knight that’s not a grim sentiment, but I’m less concerned about what will happen with my ashes and more hung up on what’s in store for my next life if I can’t break out of this infinity cycle.

  Wyatt carefully scoops up the sun swallower. “Want to hold her?”

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “Come on. She doesn’t bite. Though she might burn off your eyebrows if she’s feeling gassy.”

  I tense up as the memory of Luna stabbing Gravesend replays in my head. Her last cry. Her dark blue blood spilling down my chest before Luna drained the rest over the cauldron. “The last phoenix I held was killed.”

  “But you weren’t her killer. You were her protector.”

  I think about the look in Gravesend’s eyes as all life vanished. “I failed.”

  “You think we don’t fail?” Wyatt rubs the neck of the phoenix pressed against his chest. “Sun swallowers like this little lady are treated as a delicacy in many top-tier restaurants. A plate can cost upward of a thousand pounds. The treatment in those kitchens is cruel. The phoenixes are locked in cages, killed and carved and cooked and served. Unfortunately for sun swallowers, they’re reborn from their ashes a full day later, cursed to die over and over to be someone’s dinner.” There are tears in his eyes and he kisses the phoenix’s head. “I’ve lost more fights than I’ve won setting them free from those conditions.”

  I don’t know what’s worse, Gravesend losing all of her future lives after her first death, or all these caged phoenixes betrayed time and time again.

  I step closer to Wyatt, and my hand hovers over the sun swallower. She flinches, suspicious of me, only settling down once I brush her smooth feathers. I’m scared I might drop her, so I sit on the floor and the evergreen blazers climb my ankles and race into my lap. The sun swallower burrows her beak into me, and I sense some comfort from her, the same way I could detect Gravesend’s thirst for war.

  “They’ve taken to you,” Wyatt says, drying his eyes.

  These phoenixes crawling all over me remind me of the BuzzFeed interview where Wesley was playing with puppies. Brighton probably watched it ten times. Man, he’s probably sliding into BuzzFeed’s DMs right now trying to set something up for himself. I don’t need that kind of attention.

  “I wish I had my camera,” Wyatt says.

  “All good.”

  This is one of those moments I swear I’ll remember in my next life.

  An evergreen blazer pecks at my stomach, and I’m lucky they’re still young because their beaks grow sharp enough to pierce through trees as adults.

  “I can sometimes sense what a phoenix is feeling,” I say.

  “Yeah?”

  “The first time it happened was when I was close to Gravesend’s egg. Her song was this beautiful chaos that told me how lethal she would be.” There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to talk about these powers that I shouldn’t have so Wyatt won’t see me as a specter. But this is why I’m here. I’ve got to share these insights so we can stop this. “Then I felt her warning me of danger after she hatched. That’s when she was stolen from me and . . .”

  Wyatt sits beside me. “It’s odd that Luna wanted a century phoenix. If killed, wouldn’t she want to be reborn sooner than one hundred years?”

  “I was told by . . .” I remember the conversation with Ness in the supplies closet where he laid out everything for me. The sun swallower cuddles up against my chest and maybe she can feel my emotions too. “I was told by an insider that Luna has been very calculating. Maybe the regenerative essence of the golden-strand hydra has some effect on the century phoenix’s rebirthing?”

  “I’m sure many alchemists who had hoped to accomplish a similar elixir of their own would’ve overlooked century phoenixes since resurrection may ultimately feel like death if they return a lifetime later to find their loved ones gone and the world changed. She’s certainly a genius if this is the case. Evil genius, but a genius nonetheless.”

  If only we had someone as brilliant on our side to solve this power-binding potion.

  “You recall nothing from Bautista’s or Keon’s lives,” Wyatt states.

  “Nope. Luna believes she fractured my ability to remember past lives when she stabbed Bautista with an infinity-ender blade. I’m only alive because she didn’t deliver an instantly fatal blow during that lifetime.”

  “But then that would mean that Bautista knew he was Keon. Perhaps there’s a chance we mend that ability for you or even . . .” There’s so much life in Wyatt’s eyes as his thoughts have carried him away, like he’s flying away on Nox to his next destination. “What if . . . But no . . . except not impossible all things considered . . . work our way back and then . . .” Wyatt stops talking to himself as he stands. “Emil, take care of these little nuggets. I have matters to discuss with Tala.” He has one foot out of the door when he stops. “It’s clear I mean nuggets as the little precious babies of gold they are and not to be eaten, yes? Wonderful, wonderful.”

  Wyatt leaves, this time for good.

  The sun swallower and evergreen blazers continue crawling all over me, and even though I’m not fully convinced I deserve it, I take Wyatt’s words to heart that I’m not the same as the killers I’m trying to stop. Playing with the phoenixes is a small joy I give myself, and I’m going to keep my eyes open for more.

  Thirty-One

  Paper Bird

  MARIBELLE

  This may be a paradise for some, but watching Tala scrub Roxana’s belly with a sponge makes me miss a city of people trying to kill me.

  “So Wyatt seems to have gotten on your nerves,” I say.

  “He’s very irritating.”

  “You two seem like tolerant exes.”

  “We’ve never dated because I’m not his reflection.” Tala throws the sponge back into a bucket and sits next to me on the bench. “Also because I’m a lesbian. Wyatt is an exceptional Halo Knight who will do great things, I’ve thought this since meeting him two years ago. But sometimes it’s hard being around him. It’s as if . . . it’s as if he’s walking sunshine in a colorless world. I know that death is part of the cycle, but my loss is still fresh and I can’t imagine a future where I’m giving out fun Sanctuary tours or flirting with someone upon meeting them.”

  I r
elate to so much of what she’s saying. I’m further along on this journey of grieving parents, but I still have great distances to travel too.

  “Atlas is the reason I wasn’t angry all the time.”

  “No one would’ve described me as quick to anger before my parents died.”

  “It’s like you’ve lost yourself.”

  “All the good parts of my soul,” Tala says as she pulls out a piece of paper from her pocket and begins folding. “In some ways, the old Tala has burned out and I’m still getting used to the new Tala who has been reborn in her place.” She focuses on what appears to be origami. I can make out the wings right before she presents it. “Paper bird.”

  “Is origami your thing?”

  I didn’t expect that from someone who engineers weapons.

  “We weren’t wealthy, so my parents always encouraged crafts to build something great out of something ordinary. My mother taught me how to make the paper birds for my tenth birthday. We used them as party favors and decorations. . . .” Tala’s eyes search the sky as if she’s waiting for her reincarnated parents to fly toward her, carrying her old soul.

  The English accent breaks the silence. “There you are. Tala, we must discuss something that is absolutely skybreaking.”

  Tala composes herself. I see so much of myself in her with how quickly she can return to the world when her mind is elsewhere.

  “What is it?” she asks.

  “It’s unofficial-but-potentially-official Halo Knight business.”

  “I’m even less interested in your secrets than I was your tour,” I say.

  “Then you won’t mind that I snag this one for a moment,” Wyatt says with a beaming smile, as if he won a match I wasn’t fighting.

  “Sunshine,” Tala mutters as she walks after him.

  She turns, throwing her paper bird, and it glides perfectly through the air and lands in my palm.

  Thirty-Two

  Track

  BRIGHTON

  I don’t like being treated like I’m not valuable. I have millions of followers. I’m pretty damn brilliant. I have put hours and hours into building my online platform. So why am I being cut out of important conversations? Hopefully Emil is giving Wyatt a history lesson that the Spell Walkers drove me away when they pulled nonsense like this and I have no problem turning my back on the Halo Knights too.

  I’m not doing a great job masking my annoyance for Prudencia. This mistreatment is going to sour my mood and threaten my chances at a real relationship with her. If this were a livestream I could hide my emotions, I’m a pro at turning on the confident Brighton for my Brightsiders. But Pru sees right through me.

  We’re in the dining hall and I finish my soup in silence, doing my best to ignore this Halo Knight staring me down as if I personally slit his phoenix’s neck.

  “Don’t mind him,” Prudencia says.

  He’s trying to catch a fire-bolt to his face.

  We abandon our empty bowls and catch some air. I want to dash around from room to room, kicking down castle doors until I find Emil, but Prudencia wants to do some birdwatching, so we make our way down to the courtyard. I can’t really identify any of these phoenixes, but I take deep breaths because I’m getting worked up again over how Emil and Wyatt took it personally when I hinted at wanting one. Emil is lying if he’s saying he doesn’t want a phoenix companion, and he’s a true fool if he doesn’t see the advantages of having one by his side to protect him in case I’m not around.

  This war isn’t ending anytime soon. Even once we manage to wipe out Luna and all her Blood Casters in New York there are still others spread out across the country wreaking their own havoc. They’ll track us down. Not to mention all the alchemists who have sworn allegiance to Luna. If Emil’s powers haven’t bounced back by then and I’ve got to take down all of these foes I won’t be around to babysit him.

  A blue phoenix descends from the air and lands a few feet away from us. I’m pretty sure this is a century phoenix given how much it looks like a slightly older Gravesend. Longer tailfeathers, fuzzier chest, bigger bronze beak. Prudencia kneels before the phoenix like she’s going to bow and offers her palm. The century ignores her and takes an interest in me.

  “Not me, buddy. Go to her.”

  The phoenix cocks its head like I’ve told some riddle. Then I realize I’m the riddle. Gravesend’s blood must’ve called out to this phoenix but I’m very clearly not a firebird. The century comes closer, inspecting me. Perhaps there’s some extension of power to be gained here, or a bond I can build so this phoenix will align itself with me. I’m not sure how the Halo Knights go about claiming phoenixes, but this could be my way in, especially if I’m not able to fly for whatever reason.

  I cautiously reach out my hand. “You bite me and I’ll rain down fire on you.”

  Prudencia lets out a little laugh. “I could do without the threat, but it’s refreshing to see the boy who grew back his arm concerned about losing his hand.”

  The century phoenix squawks and flaps its wings. It jumps on me before I can get to my feet to dash away and pecks my chest. I grab its body, squeezing, and the phoenix’s beak hammers into my cheek before it suddenly flies backward—no, before Prudencia sends it flying. We’ve caught the attention of a couple Halo Knights who are laughing. I have blood dripping down my face and they think this is a joke.

  “Did they sic that phoenix on me?” I ask. I’m ready to ask them myself with a fire-bolt when Prudencia grabs my hand.

  “Let’s find you a bathroom to wash that off.”

  I’m tired of all this walking around, especially when people are ignoring us when we ask for directions. I think the only way to get some respect is if we’re wearing some store-bought phoenix Halloween costumes and demand them to serve us. Someone should teach these Halo Knights a lesson that it’s okay to care about human beings too—especially ones that are bleeding.

  “Bright! Pru!”

  We turn and Emil is coming down a set of stairs from one of the towers. Dad used to love saying when we had a pep in our steps and Emil certainly has one in his. I don’t know where Wyatt is, but maybe he and Emil hooked up. Any other day I would be proud of him, but not right now. He notices the blood.

  “What happened?”

  “Some bastard phoenix.”

  “What did you do?”

  “You for real? Do you think I maimed some phoenix?”

  “I don’t know what you’ve been up to.”

  “Likewise. What did Wyatt want?”

  “He wanted to talk about my past lives, so he took me up to this tower with young phoenixes and—”

  I force out a laugh that shuts him. “I’m happy that you’re playing with phoenixes while I’m getting attacked by one. Did you at least bring up using Nox to track down Ma?”

  Emil’s flushed cheeks say everything.

  “Wow, Emil.”

  “I didn’t get a chance. Wyatt had some sort of breakthrough and he ran off to find Tala.”

  I’m boiling because I’m tired of Ma’s kidnapping feeling like something that can keep being overlooked. “Whatever. I’m going to go for a run and wash up. Have fun telling Prudencia about the phoenixes.”

  I dash down the halls, and I’m a little dizzy from the blood loss. Wesley wouldn’t have advised me running in bursts of swift-speed in this condition but I had to get out of there before I could lay into Emil. I find a bathroom and immediately get a wet towel against my cut until there’s no more blood. I scrub my cheek clean and I’m left with a nasty scratch. It’s frustrating and ridiculous that I’m not self-healing yet, especially since phoenixes and hydras both have that ability, but it wasn’t instant for Emil, so I got to hang tight.

  I’m not in a rush so I walk back, catching up on my messages. I’ve got a text from Nina, who I haven’t heard much from since we broke up. She left a voice message after Dad died, but that’s about it. Even with everything that’s thrusted my family into the public eye this past month, this is the firs
t time I’m hearing from her. Her little brother apparently wants an autograph. That kid snitched on us when Nina and I were planning on having sex. Normally I wouldn’t do him any favors but it works out since I’m glad I got to have my first time with Prudencia. I tell Nina I’ll send something when I get the chance. I really got to get my merch shop open.

  “Brighton, Brighton, Brighton,” Wyatt calls out to me. “You know, my mum is from Brighton. She took the train into London and met my dad. Great name you have.”

  I was supposed to be Miguel, but Dad wanted to honor his best friend and named me after him. Not that I’m telling Wyatt any of this.

  He stares at my scratch. “Are you well?”

  I cut right to the chase. “You said your phoenix loves tracking. Help us find our mother and the Blood Casters will be there too. Kill two birds with one stone.”

  Wyatt cringes. “Surely you understand that expression is distasteful around these parts.”

  “Please educate me on phoenix-friendly expressions after my mother is no longer locked away with major heart issues in a severely stressful situation.”

  He looks embarrassed. “Sorry, mate. Nox is indeed a brilliant tracker. Do you have any of your mum’s personal belongings?”

  “Not on me, but back at home. Can’t you use my blood?”

  Wyatt shakes his head. “’Fraid not. The Reaper’s Blood will throw the whole hunt out of whack. It needs to be pure, and we sadly can’t use Emil’s blood either since . . .”

  “Since he’s not her biological son.” This is the one curse the Reaper’s Blood has cast on me, but it’s still valuable. I may not be able to use my blood to find Ma, but I will use the powers the blood has given me to be her Infinity Savior. “Then what do we do?”

  “I tell you what. We can send for some of your mum’s clothes back at your house and see if Nox can pick up a trail. But for now we should gather your lot and meet with Tala and Maribelle in the library because I may have discovered a skybreaking way to channel your phoenix abilities.”

 

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