Sofia: Phoenix Rising - Fire and Water Book 2
Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

“So, we were thinking that maybe you know about the Tama family and who the person could have possibly been in Sofia’s dream.” Ash says as he takes a seat on the couch in Charlie’s quaint living room. As like the rest of her house, her living room is decked out in all shades of blue. I think she likes to feel like she is in the sky even when she isn’t in her owl form.

I look to her, hopeful for some answers and I watch her as she thinks about what Ash had just told her. “Oh, now. That does answer a few questions that had been rolling around in my head. From what I’ve heard and things I saw when I was a young bird myself, there has been some type of conflict between the Tama’s and the Einan’s families that go back a few centuries, maybe even longer. Quite possibly as far back as the Maid of Orleans as well, around the same time period that the scrolls came to be.”

“But what kind of conflict could span centuries. That’s just crazy,” I ask baffled that something could go on so long.

“I think it is all tied into how Joan of Arc was burned at the stake and the abuse and use of the last phoenix and the consequential extinction of the phoenix shifters. I’m not a hundred percent sure but somewhere amid the capture of the phoenix, the Tama family were promised wealth, fame, and immortality within the World of Tenebrosity. However, I would have to replace an immortal being who lived through that time period to be able to give you a solid answer.” Charlie looks as though she is trying to think of anyone, she currently knows who would fit that description.

“Well, if you replace anything out, let us know. For now, though, Sofia and I should probably head back to her house so that we can be on time for school tomorrow. We will come back to The Nest on Saturday so that Sofia can continue her training with Kestrel.” Ash stands up and bending about half-way down, gives Charlie a hug. It is amusing to watch this transaction occur. The giant, because he is nearly six and a half feet tall and Charlie at full height, is at best 4’11. I smile and then give Charlie a hug myself. I don’t have to bend down like Ash does, but I do stoop over a little bit because I am 5 foot 6 myself.

Unconsciously I have been looking for Blake all day while in school as it is now Friday, and he hasn’t shown. I wonder why he would suddenly stop attending and am very close to sending him a text message during lunch hour but then I hear his ex-girlfriend a table down from ours giggling with her friends. “Oh, he has definitely made up for breaking up with me. He has been staying at my house since he dropped that little twit like a bad habit, and we’ve been going at it like rabbits every night since then.” Well, so much for worrying about him. What an ass! I have never truly hated someone until now. I can’t believe he was using me. I’m just glad I hadn’t fallen in love with the jerk.

“Hey babe,” Ash leans in next to me. “Just ignore those girls. I can feel your anger radiating off of you in waves. They, nor Blake, are worth getting upset over, especially since you’ve got me.” He winks at me as he says this and then shocking me, he kisses me on the lips for everyone to see and I let myself melt into him and the kiss. I know we can’t continue it for more than a couple more seconds before our twin flame shows itself and we will undoubtedly be yelled at by a teacher for P.D.A. (public display of affection), but I don’t want to stop kissing him. He is the only thing keeping me calm right now. Most of the student body around us have gone quiet and are watching us and as I break away from him, I see Ashley staring at us too. I give her a smirk and then take a gulp from my water bottle. Bet she and Blake can’t match the intense passion that Ash and I have!

Lately I have noticed that I have become more in tune with Ash’s emotions and nearly able to read his thoughts without him tapping into my mind first. I also know that he is getting closer and closer to breaking the promise he made to my dad and honor and all that nonsense. Not that I need any of those thoughts running through my head while I am at school...

Thankfully the rest of the school day is uneventful. The final bell rings, and I pack up my school items as quickly as I can and then go out to the parking lot where Ash and I had agreed to meet. We were planning on going to The Nest straight from the school so that I would be able to take full advantage of the weekend and being able to train with Kestrel. I was hoping that Lori would come and hang out with us since it is Friday night, but she is scheduled to work and will not be able to come.

A couple of minutes later, Ash arrives and asks me if I’m ready to go to The Nest, to which I say yes as I am closing my car door. He peels out of the parking spot and heads towards Charlie’s house. We don’t stop at her house though; we go straight through the invisible, magical barrier and on towards my house.

“I cannot believe I’m saying this, but I am actually quite excited for the next two days of training with Kestrel. I think I’ve improved quite a bit since having first started the lessons.” I look over to where Ash is still seated in the driver’s seat as we have just pulled into my driveway, and I smile at him. “Don’t you think so?”

“I do. And I can’t wait to see how much more they will develop and for you to see how magnificent I already know you are.” He leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek before hopping out of the car and hurrying around to my side, opening the door before I can even think about placing my hand on the lever that opens it. “We have a little time before you are supposed to meet up with Kestrel, do you want me to make you something to eat, help you keep your energy levels up while you train?”

I am so bad because as he tells me we have a bit of time to kill, I can honestly say that the last thought to pop in my head is of eating food! I see Ash’s face turn a shade of pink that I didn’t think was possible, however, he chooses not to acknowledge that he was reading my thoughts at that moment which causes a wide grin to spread across my face. A giggle slips past my lips, and I skip up the sidewalk like I’m five years old.

Once I am inside my house, I go and change into sweatpants and a sports bra, with an oversized tank top over the top of it. Ash has me sit down at the kitchen table and eat a peanut butter sandwich and I oblige him for the simple fact that I hadn’t eaten any real food during lunch hour. After I chug a glass of chocolate milk, I look to Ash; “are you going with me?”

Disappointment falls upon my face as he shakes his head no. “Not tonight. I told Charlie I would meet up with her and see if anyone has information about your parents’ whereabouts yet. I will come with you tomorrow and stay with you all day though.” I nod my head okay and then tell him I will see him in a few hours before shutting the front door behind me, and then I head to the gym for my lesson with Kestrel

“Makayla, we have seemed to hit a brick wall for ideas of luring Sofia to us. Do you have any suggestions on what we could do?” Donovan runs a strong hand through his sandy blond hair as he looks at Makayla, watching her sip tea from a white cup with blue swirls on it.

Dressed in all black as he normally does, Donovan Tama could be very intimidating with his ice-cold, hazel stare that he knowingly directed towards Ashley’s mother. Makayla didn’t even acknowledge his stare-down as she took one last sip of her tea before placing it on the massive black desk that sits between her and Donovan. Purposely, she slowly leans back into the dark red upholstered chair that Donovan has in his office. “I have a way to bring her to us and it should work. That Australian fella won’t be able to interrupt this spell either.”

A grin appears on Donnovan’s face, “that is great to hear dear. When will we be able to proceed with the spell?”

“We will be able to put the spell into motion by Saturday night.” Makayla responds with a wicked grin.

“Fantastic news. Is there anything you require of myself or Blake for then?”

Makayla shakes her head no, “just be waiting for her to arrive here at your front door around midnight.”