Page 3 of A Silenced Midlife

“I thought they were myths too.” Ian moved to stand behind Drew to look at the laptop screen. “Did you ask Grandmother?”

Drew nodded. “She didn’t know about them either.”

Ian snorted. “I bet that burns her britches to know that something exists that she didn’t know about.”

“She was annoyed to hear about them,” Drew said with a laugh. Then he pointed to the stacks of books on the table. “Have a seat and help us research.”

Ian looked like he was about to bail out on us when Ava came over and sat between me and Drew. “Melody will be here soon with the coven.”

A faint smile lifted the corners of Ian’s mouth as he picked up a grimoire and sat on the other side of Drew.

"Anything yet?" Sam asked, several minutes later as he stood and yawned.

Drew shook his head, his focus unbroken as he scrolled through files and documents. "Nothing on nephilim... but wait, look at this."

He turned the monitor around, revealing a scanned page. Drew's hands flew over the keyboard, and suddenly, the ancient text sharpened on the screen.

"Phoenixes..." I murmured.

“Yeah. There is a lot of information about them.” Drew leaned back in his chair.

Note from the researcher:

Not much is known about the phoenix. There have been no proven sightings, therefore despite this information we are forced to assume that the Phoenix has always been a myth.

General description

In human form, they are otherworldly and beautiful. Some may have slight imperfections like scars, but that depends on their age. When they are reborn, their scars and imperfections disappear. They have the ability to mask their appearance and force themselves to look older or younger.

Their phoenixes are large, bird-like creatures with a wingspan of 25+ feet and long tail feathers. Their coloring ranges from yellows, blues, purples, and reds with an orange undertone. The rarest have a rainbow of hues.

There are more females than males (2 males to every 50 females), making females the dominant gender. Because of this, females will mate outside their species.

They can mate and have live births as humans do. No matter what species the father is, the child will be a phoenix.

They’ve been known to live up to 500+ years, but no one knows for sure. As they reach the age of 500 their powers begin to weaken, and they prepare for their deaths and rebirths. This varies depending on the individual. They can only truly die by fire hot enough to consume them completely or by extinguishing their eternal internal fires.

Their form of self-punishment within their own ranks is to be chained and dropped to the bottom of the ocean to live forever in darkness and cold waters, never able to use their flames. Eventually this extinguishes their eternal flames, and they die a permanent death.

Abilities

The Phoenix is one of the most powerful creatures ever known. Their power is almost limitless. They can control and create fire, give and take life, and their tears are known to have healing powers.

Strengths

Regenerative powers. They are considered immortal.

Weaknesses

Their only known weakness is iron. But no matter how they are “killed”, they always rise from their own ashes within three days—reborn into a younger, more powerful phoenix. Each regeneration grows their power.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me back from the text on the screen. I glanced at the caller ID and sighed. "It's Zoey and Larry.” I pressed the button to answer the call. "Hey, you two ready to come back?"

"Hi, Olivia. Yes, we’re ready. Can you get us?" Zoey sounded cheerful. "We're all packed up."

"Of course.” I stood up and made a portal to the bayou with a flick of my wrist, the swirling vortex materializing with its familiar hum. Zoey, Larry, and their luggage were waiting, and behind them, Zoey's family waved goodbye.

"Come on through." I stepped through and gestured to the open portal then waved at Zoey’s extended family.

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