Bounty Of Ash (The Phoenix Series Book 2)

by Sarah Rockwood

  The hands shifted, I felt a body between my wings as arms wrapped around my shoulders. Powerful legs kicked beside me. Faster and faster we rose. I cried out. Begging my captor to let me be. To let me drift. Salt touched my tongue. Maybe they were too late.

  Suddenly air filled my lungs. My body gulped it down as my mind reeled. My vision returned as a familiar face formed before me. We bobbed up and down with the waves.

  "Don't you ever, ever do that again!"

  Hmm, I thought, Noiryn is yelling at me, then everything went black once more.

  15

  I screamed as I nearly sprang from the tub. Icy cold water splashed everywhere as my wings spread violently. I struggled in the water, slipping on the soapy bottom of the bath as my brain and body tried to find each other. I tumbled from the tub, my wings the only thing sparing me from cracking my head on the marble. I crawled on hands and knees to the bench and leant against it, pulling my robe over me with shaking hands. I forced my breathing to slow and my mind to focus.

  "It was only a dream. Only a dream." I intoned.

  But was it? It had felt very real; even now I could taste salt on my tongue. Since we had reunited, my wings had been showing me snippets of my past, what if this was one of those visions? What if I had actually tried to swim to the bottom of the ocean?

  "No, Phoenix,” I said to myself, "it was a dream. You fell asleep in the tub, you probably swallowed some water, and your brain freaked out trying to wake you." I wiped the tears from my eyes. "That's all."

  I was having a full on conversation with myself. And we disagreed. The realisation of this made me laugh, and the action made the deep core of my power tingle with warmth. I let the laughter grow, and the warmth in me filled my torso and cascaded through my body. I started to feel better. I started to feel hungry.

  "We need to eat!" I told myself with a chuckle.

  I rose to my feet and headed to the kitchen.

  16

  Once fed and clothed, I sat by the fire and plotted my next few moves. I definitely needed to go see Benyst and Noiryn again before I looked for Ganaraj, and I definitely need to find Archer before I did that. Once I'd found Archer, and bitch slapped Big G a few dozen times, I needed to locate the asshole who put this Bounty on my head and make them remove it. With force, if necessary. Everything started with a trip to the jungle, but first I needed some supplies. Time to go to the war room.

  Okay, it isn't technically a war room. There aren't huge banks of computers and giant screens and lots of men in dishevelled suits yelling at each other, but there’s a lot of very cool Traveller warrior type things.

  I had discovered the room on my second day back in the house. I was exploring the greenhouse when I noticed a door hidden behind some vines. It opened at my touch to reveal a room full of interesting things. Standing in the middle of the room now, in a jumpsuit made of thick stretch cotton and a pair of far more rugged boots, I surveyed my options.

  There was a wall of satchels and harnesses each custom designed to hold one of the weapons on the opposite wall. Weapons might be too strong a word. It was mainly a wall of wooden staffs and short pipes. When I'd first found the space, I wondered why a Traveller would need weapons when they held so much personal power. I had since been physically overpowered enough times to know it was nice to have a backup.

  I had added the broken half of my bat that I'd pulled from Archer's belly to the wall, and its bright blue paint stood out amongst the dull wood and muted metal of the various staffs and nunchuck type items. I ran my fingers over the bat, tracing over the bits of Archer's blood that had dried on the shattered end. Archer. Where could he be? Why had I never insisted he showed me where his home was? I was scared, and I could really use his support. I didn't want to do this alone, but I would if I had too. I looked at the destroyed bat, even whole it was no longer adequate defence for the world I lived in. It felt bittersweet to remember a simpler time when finding my wings was all I had to worry about.

  A glint of silver caught my eye.

  I looked directly at where I had seen the spark but saw nothing that might cause the shimmer. I stepped back from the wall and surveyed the expanse but could see no metallic bright enough to catch my eye.

  Using my brain box, I stepped up to the wall and waited for the glint to shine again.

  Nothing. I sighed deeply and looked at the bat. The Archer's silver blood was soaked into the wood, it looked like mercury. I reached out and touched it, feeling the texture of splinters and the traces of Archer's energy that had fused to them.

  "Archer," I whispered.

  The glint of silver sparked again. I focused on the blood, wood and love before me.

  "Archer," I said more forcefully.

  The silver shone again, longer this time, but still, it faded before I could move. Pulling on the coil of energy in my belly, I drew my love's name from the centre of myself. I felt power course through my wings.

  "Archer!"

  It was a shout of power, and a silver light blazed in the room. It shone like ice and sun. I stood back from the wall to track it. There, near the bottom of the wall was the source. I moved closer, and the light dimmed revealing its shape to me.

  It was a sword.

  An elegant silver sword the length of my arm. I reached for the hilt, and my hand met jewels. I pulled it from the wall to find it was lightweight yet firm as stone, straight as an arrow. "Archer," I whispered to the sword. An engraving appeared on the shaft, and I lifted it to my eyes to read the word. Phoenix. It was a gift from him; I knew it in my bones.

  "Thank you," I spoke to him, hoping the sentiment would find him.

  I swung the sword a few times as I had done hundreds of time with my bat. The metal felt like a natural extension of my body. Energy prickled my hands as I held the blade and I knew it would happily travel down the shaft if called. I smiled.

  "Now to find your holster."

  The words had barely left my mouth when the sound of leather hitting the floor filled my ears. I turned to find a bundle of grey leather lying on the floor. Placing the sword on a small table at the end of the room, I scooped the leather pile up off the floor.

  It was the sheath for the sword. The long tube inlaid with mother of pearl was the exact size and shape of the blade. The straps, however, were longer than I would have expected for a sheath worn at the waist and it took me several hilarious attempts to lash it around me before I realised where it was meant to be worn.

  The straps entwined the base of my wings and around my shoulders thus placing the blade at a slight angle along my spine. This meant I would draw the blade by reaching over my right shoulder and pulling it out and down in an arch to the left of my body.

  With the harness in place, I lifted the blade and made to put it in the sheath. The blade was light enough that I could lift it easily with my right hand, which was good because my left hand was trying valiantly to hold my hair out of the way. I poised the blade above what I hoped since I couldn't see behind me, was the mouth of the sheath.

  "Oh please don't cut off my hair."

  The blade took over, sliding into the sheath with ease. I felt it move against my hair and yet it didn't cut a single strand. Like Noiryn's lamp and Benyst's string, it heard my request and made it happen. This was a great present.

  Dressed for adventure, I walked back through the greenhouse to the front hall. I grabbed my starry coat from the bannister and slipped into it, with my hair draped over the jacket's collar the sword was completely hidden. It still felt strange to leave the house without a purse, but with power at my fingertips, there was no need for kleenex and a driver's license.

  I stepped quietly out the front door, hoping that the gargoyles were asleep. They were and I tip-toed quickly past them. I didn't want to answer any awkward questions about where I was going, and I really didn't want to lie to them. Yes, I said I wouldn't go to the city in the caves, and I honestly hoped I'd never have to see the inside of that hell, but if that's where my journ
ey took me, well, that's where I would go.

  But first I needed to check in with my jungle friends.

  17

  I landed in the circle of torches; they blazed brightly against the dark sky. It always seemed to be night in Benyst's world. I paused for a moment, waiting for the inevitable squeal from Noiryn as she dashed around the hut to meet me, but all was silent in the clearing. I rolled my shoulders, feeling the sword move against my back, and walked towards the hut.

  All the curtains were drawn, and as I walked around to the front of the hut, I discovered the curtain that acted as a door was also pulled tight. Weird. The only time I'd ever seen a curtain pulled was when I took a shower out back. Usually, everything was left open so the rare jungle breeze could flow through. I stepped back from the door and called out.

  "Benyst?"

  I heard a feminine gasp, a thud, and a deep grunt. So they were here after all. Things seemed to be getting mighty interesting between these two.

  "Just a second, just a second!" Benyst's deep voice sounded, it felt less gravelly than before. A huge grin spread across my face.

  "Take your time,” I retorted.

  "Well, maybe you should announce yourself next time,” Benyst responded.

  The curtain began to twitch as I prepared my witty response, but the words died in my throat as Benyst stepped out into the torch light.

  His tumours were gone.

  All of them. Gone. My jaw hit the floor. In their place was a face more handsome than any I'd seen in a long time. Benyst looked like he'd stepped out of a romance novel. Strong square jaw, thick neck, soft lips and piercing blue eyes. He gave Archer a run for his money. He was standing taller too; I had never noticed how broad his shoulders were. He moved like a king as he pushed the curtain aside and tied it back.

  "Are you going to just stand there staring?"

  I continued to stare. It was remarkable, Benyst's skin was smooth and whole, his eyes clear, his hair lay flat against his skull.

  "You're blowing my mind right now."

  He smiled and, I didn't think it was possible, but my jaw dropped further.

  "Holy shit," I whispered.

  "It's amazing, isn't it?" Noiryn slipped by him and ran to my side, grabbing my hand. "They were getting better and then all of a sudden, gone!" She beamed at him.

  "Not all of a sudden, Noi."

  He reached out a hand for her and she went to him. He kissed her deeply and I watched shamelessly, they were a hot couple. They broke from their kiss and smiled at each other.

  "Now the outside matches the inside," I said.

  "Exactly!" Benyst exclaimed. "You always were a smart one, Phoenix. My insides and my outsides match. That's how my people are. For the first time in a long time, I'm happy."

  "That's wonderful, guys." And it was, but for some reason, Noiryn was frowning. "What's up Noiryn?"

  "Why are you carrying a sword?"

  Shit.

  "Damn. You can see it?" I asked, trying to look over my shoulder. I'll never learn.

  "What sword?" Benyst asked, his tone growing concerned.

  "The one she is hiding at her back."

  Damn, she's perceptive.

  "Let me see it."

  I drew the blade from its sheath; it slid through my hair like silk. I stepped forward and twisted the sword, so the hilt was within Benyst's reach. He took the blade from me and walked away. As Noiryn and I watched he tested the sword, swinging it back and forth, parrying and jabbing occasionally. Noiryn and I shared a glance; apparently, we were both shocked by his prowess with a blade. When he was satisfied that he had inspected in thoroughly, he handed the sword back to me. I offered it to Noiryn, and she shook her head no. As I put the blade away, Benyst spoke.

  "That is a remarkable blade. Where did you get it?"

  "Archer gave it to me." The blade became momentarily hot in my hand but slid home without incident.

  "A very powerful gift."

  "But why are you carrying it?" Noiryn asked again. I sighed. They weren't going to like this.

  "Because..." I kicked at the dirt at my feet and then, mustering the strength, looked her in the eyes. "Because I'm going after Ganaraj."

  Their reactions were as I expected. A lot of yelling, a few tears, and some heavy foot stomping as I was told over and over how terrible my idea was. When they both took a breath at the same time, I slipped into the silence.

  "I agree with you. It is a stupid idea, one that's guaranteed to backfire in some way. However, it's the only way. Ganaraj has sent every minion in the Void after me. They've almost caught me twice. He may not have put the Bounty on my head, but he's determined to collect it. I need to get to the bottom of this, all of it, and every time I think it through it all leads back to Big G himself."

  "Big G?" Benyst whispered the question.

  "Ganaraj, Big G is just easier."

  "I like it." He chuckled. Noiryn slapped his arm.

  "I need to find him, kick his ass and make him take me to whoever has put this Bounty on my head. Then I'm going to kick their ass and make them call everything off."

  "So why the sword?" Noiryn asked, again.

  I knew what she was really asking. A sword is a lethal weapon; you don't take it out just to scare people. Noiryn wanted to know if I was prepared to use it. And, well, I wasn't sure yet, but in the game of them or me, I knew whose side I was on.

  "Things might get heavy."

  She looked away, but that third eye stayed locked on me. It was unnerving, but I didn't flinch.

  "First I need to find Archer. Any leads?"

  "Nothing concrete," Benyst replied. "But we did hear that Silverwood has been to his place. He may be willing to tell you where it is if he's actually been there."

  "It's a start. How do I get to Silverwood?"

  "Ah," Benyst let the word drag on. "That's the problem. We know approximately where he is, but once you're there, you'll have to do some serious legwork."

  "Such as?" I asked suspiciously.

  "Hiking. He's somewhere near Deer Cave in old time Borneo."

  "What do you mean, old time Borneo?"

  "Well, that's what your time calls it." Something moved in his cheek, like a bug under the skin, and was gone.

  "Well, Borneo is a pretty big place and 'old time’," I made angry bunny ears, also known as air quotes, with my fingers, "isn't very specific. How am I supposed to find Silverwood?"

  "Alright, now just calm down," Benyst said.

  Never tell me to calm down. Never. It just makes me, as it does most women, go silent and visualise the ways in which I will exact my revenge when you least expect it. Noiryn knew this and just quietly said Benyst's name. He took a deep breath, rolled his sizeable shoulders and continued.

  "The image has been given to me, I may not be able to articulate the time he is in, but I can take you there."

  "What do you mean ‘the image has been given to you’?”

  Before he could explain, Noiryn jumped in.

  "Because we operate outside of Time, directions can be difficult, so we take a moment to place an image of the location in the heart of the other. When tapped, this image will take you to the place and time intended by the other Traveller. "

  "Sounds reasonable. So who gave you the image, Benyst? I thought you didn't go out much."

  "I still have a few friends on the outside."

  He said it without a trace of mirth and did not elaborate. I let the matter drop. He was already heading to the clearing.

  "Let's go."

  "Sure," I said to his back as I made to follow.

  When Noiryn made no move to join us, I turned to her.

  "You're not coming?"

  "No. I'll wait here."

  I prepared myself for the usual robust goodbye, but it didn't come.

  "Well... bye."

  I moved to hug her. She responded physically, but her heart was nowhere near the embrace. "Noiryn, have I done something wrong?"

  She laughed b
itterly.

  "I guess sometimes I miss the old you."

  Without another word, she went into the hut.

  18

  Man, I hate co-Travelling. The trip through the portal with Benyst was a real hack job. The last time I'd Travelled with him I'd had one wing and no idea what was going on. That was the Phoenix he'd expected on this journey, and so he flooded me with power as he gripped my arms. I spent the whole trip stuck in a circuit of his energy with his hot breath on my face. It was uncomfortable, to say the least.

  We landed flat out on the spongy ground front to front with, thankfully, me on top. The sword would not have felt good jammed into my back. Both of us tried simultaneously to get away from the other, causing us to wriggle against each other. I was about to start complaining when I looked into Benyst's face. His devastatingly handsome face. I stopped moving. He stopped moving. We stared at each other. One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. Something inside me began to wake up. Benyst shifted against me as his hand lightly brushed my thigh, and that thing in me began to tingle.

  "Oh, this is bad. Very bad." The words were coming out of my mouth, but my body remained where it was.

  "Yes, yes, it is." His voice was husky and low. My toes curled ever so slightly. He cleared his throat. "Mainly because you wouldn't have lingered this long if I was still disfigured."

  His words slapped me across the face. With a quick flap of my wings, I was standing, looking down at him.

  "Wow.” I shook my head. “Thanks for the ride."

  I turned on my heel and marched away from him. He didn't call my name, didn't come after me, and when I turned back, he was gone.

  "Well, that's two friendships I've screwed up today. Good work, Phoenix." I wiped some sweat from my eye. It was sweat, I swear. I forced myself to breathe deeply. I was so not going to cry right now. Making air move in and out of my lungs, I began to take in my surroundings.

  I was in a jungle, again, but this jungle was not as open or dry as the place Benyst called home, this jungle was thick with vines, and the air was so moist each breath felt like soup moving in and out of my lungs. I unzipped my jacket and dug a hair elastic out of a pocket. Humidity and my hair do not get along. I twisted my hair into a high bun and wrapped it in the elastic. Between my hair being up and my jacket open, the hilt of the sword was visible above my collar. It couldn't be helped, it was way too hot to do otherwise.