Page 33 of Cam's Treasure

I smiled widely, giving him an appreciative look that made him blush. He was a sweet one, wasn't he? Though I sensed some steel under that sweet exterior, I had a feeling I'd need to get to know him before getting to see that side of him. "Yes, exactly. Every hundred years, a phoenix turns to ash and is then reborn. My hundred years will end in less than a year, but the warning signs have already started, as you saw today."

"Does it hurt?" Micah asked, his brows furrowing, and my smile gentled.

"No, not really. The worst part, at least for me, is the six months afterward that it takes me to, well, grow back up."

I held my breath at the admission, wondering how they'd feel about it. I'd never spent my rebirth with anyone else, and if they felt uncomfortable about it, I'd stay away this time too. I was used to it.

"So you turn into a baby when you're reborn?" Cam asked, his eyes wide, and I couldn't tell how he felt about it.

"I do. I grow up a lot faster than a human child. It takes me six months to reach full maturity, but I can imagine how that might feel...strange to you."

"Are you kidding? It sounds amazing." Micah nodded along with Cam's assertion, and I relaxed a little.

I was surprised to be talking about this so soon after meeting them, but I supposed it was good to get it out of the way.

"Wait. Where do you live right now?"

Micah placed a hand on Cam's knee, leaning forward a little. "Before you answer, would you like something to drink? Or eat?"

Cam blinked, then nodded encouragingly, and I was fascinated by how close they were. They were completely in sync. It was rare to find a pair—even a fated pair—that was so close. I wondered how long they'd been together. Their parents seem to live nearby, and I'd sensed Raiden's ward over this whole town on my way down. Had they grown up together?

"Kind of. I've known Cam since I was ten or so," Micah said, and then the color disappeared from his cheeks as his eyes went wide.

Cam took his hand in his, giving it a squeeze as he smiled at me. "Micah is a telepath."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." The fear in his voice made my heart ache, and I wondered if someone had made him feel bad about his powers before.

"It's okay. I don't mind. I do not wish to hide anything from either of you."

Cam smiled, the look on his face telling me I'd said the right thing.

Micah stared at me like he didn't believe me, but then nodded. Remembering his earlier question, I said, "I wouldn't mind a glass of water."

"Of course," Micah mumbled before racing out of the room, and my eyes slid back to Cam. I was curious about Micah's fears, but I didn't want to talk about him behind his back.

Cam didn't seem to have such a problem. "He's not a big fan of his powers," he admitted, his lips turning down in a frown. "They've caused him a lot of trouble, not that it was in any way his fault."

I nodded, not wanting to pry. I wanted to get to know these two, yes, but slowly. Properly.

When Micah came back with the water, I took the glass from him, our fingers brushing. Sparks flew up my arm at the contact, and Micah's deep brown eyes flashed to mine, as if he'd felt it too.

We gazed at each other for a moment before he retreated, and I took a sip of water as I watched him settle back beside Cam.

"To answer your earlier question, Cam, I have a place a few towns over."

"A few towns over," Cam mumbled, shaking his head. "Have you lived there long?"

"Not long, no," I said, squinting as I tried to recall. "Twenty years, give or take."

Cam sputtered, and a small smile curled Micah's lips.

"What? What is it?"

"First of all," Cam said, leaning forward. "Twenty years is not 'not long.' I mean, we were babies twenty years ago."

That was something I'd prefer not to think about.

Micah snorted, and I wondered if he'd caught my stray thought or if he was amused by Cam's declaration.

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