Page 89 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
Percival closed his eyes. Although the sigils didn’t keep his powers at bay, he had still been drugged. He tried to find that spark inside him. He clenched his jaw, trying to force it. It felt like he was trying to hold on to a cloud. His brows furrowed as he struggled to find the power of his flames.
A spark ignited within him. He focused on it and felt it grow. Heat spread through his limbs. With a cry, his eyes snapped open. A ring of fire exploded around him and Leo.
Leo sat up. His mouth fell open as he looked at the fire ring surrounding them.
Another of Sorceress Elayna’s random shots came straight towards them. It hit the flames surrounding them. It sizzled and steamed. Percival’s ring of fire protected them.
“Good work!” Leo began to untie the binding around Percival’s wrist.
Percival swayed as he kept the fire burning. Keeping it up took energy.
Uzoth flew straight at the windows, shattering through the glass and carrying one of the sorcerers outside into the air.
Wulfric faced off against the third sorcerer. His shoulder hung limp at his side as if injured. The sorcerer shot at him. But Wulfric dodged and lunged.
Leo finished untying Percival’s wrists. He moved on to the rope around Percival’s chest. Percival tried to help, now that his hands were free. But he barely had the strength to keep the fire protecting them. Once Leo had finished untying the rope around Percival’s chest, he moved on to his ankles.
Orange and gold flames burst, engulfing Cyprian, who lay on the floor. Sorceress Elayna must have killed him before Ebony attacked. Now it seemed Cyprian was in the process of being reborn.
Percival grunted as maintaining the ring of fire sapped his strength.
Uzoth flew back into the room. He strode towards Sorceress Elayna, who lay on the ground, still shooting in all directions as Ebony continued to swoop at her.
Leo undid the bindings around Percival’s ankles, tugging the rope free completely.
“There! Got it!” Leo said.
On shaky legs, Percival stood. Leo wrapped an arm around his waist. Percival looked around. He let out a breath. “It’s over.”
Uzoth dropped Sorceress Elayna’s lifeless body on the ground before Uzoth and Ebony. Breathing heavily, Wulfric stood over the other dead sorcerer. Percival assumed the third sorcerer was dead outside the factory. Uzoth had no doubt dropped him.
Percival relinquished his hold on the ring of fire. He also dampened any stray flames in the room.
Then Percival met Leo’s gaze. “You came.” Even after all the horrible things Percival said, Leo had still come to rescue him. “Thank you for coming.” He reached for Leo.
Leo wrapped his arms around Percival’s waist. “Of course I came. I wasn’t going to abandon you.”
“I’m so sorry, Leo. I’m so sorry for everything!” He touched Leo’s face.
“You remember me?” Leo gazed at him, brown eyes so hopeful.
“I remember you.” Percival cupped Leo’s cheek. “And I remember how much I love you.”
“Percy.” Leo’s face crumpled. “I love you too!” He buried his face in Percival’s neck. “I thought I’d lost you,” he choked.
“I’m so sorry, Leo.” Percival clutched at Leo. “But you didn’t lose me. I’m here. I’m right here, and I love you.”
Leo squeezed him. “My firebird. My phoenix. My Percy,” he said, voice muffled.
There was so much Percival wanted to say to Leo. But for a few moments, they just held each other.
Ebony landed on Leo’s shoulder.
Percival lifted his head. “Thank you, Ebony. Once again you saved my life.”
She cawed.
Leo patted her. “You’re my hero, Ebony. Thank you.”
