Page 86 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
Her message was clear. He looked out the window into the snowy darkness.
“Has Ebony ever spoken before?” Briar asked.
“That’s her first time.” But there was no time to marvel. “We have to go. Now. Percy is in trouble.” Leo ran to the door and yanked it open.
Ebony flapped her wings. They brushed his cheek as she flew into the air. Leo ran down the stairs, following her, knowing she was leading them to Percival.
Footsteps pounded down the stairs behind him. He looked back to see Wulfric, Briar, and Grady coming down after him. They tugged on their coats. Uzoth stood at the top of the stairs. He stretched his wings. He flapped, taking off after Ebony.
Grady threw Leo’s coat at him. He’d forgotten to grab it. He tugged it on.
Jasper ran out. He sprinted down a few stairs. He panted, leaning against the railing.
Leo stared up at him. He could see his twin’s desire to come too. But already Jasper struggled.
“You stay here!” Leo called out.
Breathing heavily, Jasper sagged. He nodded. “Good luck, Leo.”
Leo turned and ran.
Ebony flew ahead. Uzoth followed her in the air. Leo, Briar, Wulfric, and Grady followed on foot.
Leo didn’t know why Ebony was panicking. He didn’t know how Percival was in trouble. He just hoped they weren’t too late.
Because even if Percival didn’t remember him, even if Percival didn’t love him, even if Percival hated him, Leo still loved Percival. And he would do anything to keep him safe.
Chapter
Forty
Percival fought to open his eyes. He tried to move his arms. His legs. But his limbs felt weighed down. His head felt like it had been filled with sludge.
Finally, he managed to blink his eyes open. His vision took a moment to clear and stabilise. He stared down at his arms. They’d been tied to the chair.
What?
He struggled. The rope bit into his wrists but also his chest and legs. He’d been bound to the chair. Squinting around, he realised he was still in his office. Then he saw his uncle beside him, tied up to a chair as well. And he was unconscious.
What happened?
“Cousin, you’re awake.” Cyprian strode into the room with Luna, the banshee servant. “That was quick. I thought we might end up finishing you off before you’d regained consciousness. Lucky, we tied you up.” Cyprian laughed. “So how did you enjoy your tea?”
The banshee smiled.
Percival’s lungs clenched. “You!” The word slurred from his lips. “What have you—” Then the words died on his lips.
Because the ice sorcerer, the one who’d attacked Percival, stepped into the room. Two other ice sorcerers followed her in.
Percival’s throat dried. He’d thought the ice sorcerer who’d attacked him was dead.
The pale skin of her face had been scratched up. Dark scars ran across her lips, nose, cheeks, and especially around her eyes. One eye had scarred over completely.
Patchy red burn scars covered her neck, chin, and lower face. They also covered her hands and wrists. He could not tell where else she’d been burnt, as the robes covered most of her skin.
Her lip curled. “Hello, Lord Percival Everflame,” she said, voice raspy and hoarse. “I’m glad to see you again.”
Percival looked between his cousin and the sorcerers as the pieces slid into place. “You.”
