Page 23 of Phoenix Chosen 3

“It doesn’t really smell like anything,” I say.

“In crystal form, it’s odorless,” Airos explains. “But a small shaving heated over a flame can be overpowering.”

“It’s worth a good weight of drachmae,” Kalistratos says.

“It may be useful, given we don’t have much in the way of resources,” Airos says. “Give it to me, I’ll keep hold of it.”

Airos tears a strip of cloth off his tattered robe, wraps up the little stone, and tucks it away.

Kalistratos flicks off the blood from the end of his sword before returning it to its sheath with a quick twist of his wrist. He looks feral, covered in blood up to his forearms like a pair of crimson gloves. It’s kind of fucking hot.

“The nest must be up there somewhere,” he says, holding his hand up to shield his eyes from the sun. “A harpyia egg could also be pretty useful.”

“Also a delicacy,” Airos points out.

“Ugh… really?” I say.

Airos points to the feathered carcass. “It’s naught but a giant bird. We could eat well tonight.”

“Reminder…youguys are giant birds. And you know what I just remembered, Kalistratos? We atechickenthat first day in Aelonos, remember?”

Kalistratos gives me a look I can read perfectly.“Donottell Airos I transformed into a chicken.”

“You get accustomed to the idea after a while,” Airos says, shrugging.

“I’m going to get us an egg,” Kalistratos says decisively, and he breaks into a jog for the rock tower arches. Airos and I follow him.

“Wait, you’re not going to climb that thing, are you?” I call.

“Phoenix form is too conspicuous,” he says. “I think we’ve already put ourselves on display enough. Besides, it’s an easy climb.”

That’s an easy climb?!

The base of the formation, sure, but it quickly becomes a sheer vertical face up to the top of the arch. But Kalistratos is already traversing it, wedging his feet into cracks and pushing himself up the wall like Tom Cruise inMission Impossible II.

“You’re not impressing anyone!” I shout.

I know if he falls, he can just shift into phoenix form… but I still can’t bear to watch.

11

KALISTRATOS

Halfway to the top, I anchor my knee against a knob of rock and rest my hands. I’m up here because I need a moment to gather myself. My heart is still thumping from the attack, from seeing Tyler carried away.

Luck has been on my side so far, but I’ve allowed this to happen too many times. A single wrong step could’ve meant losing him forever. The soul reaver. The shadow beast. Praxis. Am I really fit to be Tyler’s guardian? To be his mate?

Am I fit to be a father?

I make the final climb and pull myself over the lip of the ledge. The wind tugs at my robes, carrying with it the sweet scent of the harpyia’s lure. I follow the scent trail. To my left, far in the distance beneath the sinking sun, glints the river Delos from between the rocky hills protecting it. Further south, a trail of smoke is visible over the trees. Our destination—Aelonos.

The nest is surrounded by the scattered remains of the harpyia’s prey. Bleached and stripped bones, but also gear. Ipause to inspect the treasure. Tyler needs a weapon, and there’s another material here for another sling. And…

“Hm, exellent,” I mutter, extracting a finely crafted dagger from beneath an Aylourosi skull. It has a slender fluted blade with a small pommel, like a very short xiphos. Perfect for throwing, and an excellent companion to my new short sword, which I’ve grown fond of.

I climb the twisted branches and peek into the nest. As I hoped, there’s a single egg sitting in its center, its grayish shell mottled with red marks.

“Sorry, friend,” I say to a nearby skeleton as I pull off a satchel tied around its shoulder. I dump the contents—some desiccated fruits and petrified bread, put the egg inside, and make my way back down the tower.

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