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“I know that he blames himself for my brother’s death. We all make choices, so if you want to blame someone for Elliott’s choices, blame Elliott!”

She hung up before he could respond. She felt angry on Phoenix’s behalf, considering how lonely his life must have been. At least she’d had her father – until recently. It didn’t sound like Phoenix ever had anyone for long.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on her door. Unsure who would be visiting, she got up and headed toward the door. She looked through the peephole but didn’t see anyone. Then they knocked again, this time at her back door.

Frowning, she shifted and padded her way to the kitchen. She looked up through the vertical blinds and the glass of the back door. Standing next to the door was the man she was trying to contact with.

Stepping back, she shifted, then opened the door. “Elliott! How did you figure out where I live?”

“I texted Phoenix since I know you two have been talking. You may want to listen to him there and be careful. May I come in?”

Astrid folded her arms across her chest. “You know, I just chewed out your brother for talking like that about Phoenix. I’m not above doing the same to you.”

“Apologies. If you want to throw your life away, that’s not my business. May I come in?”

“No,” she said and stood in the doorway, blocking him. “Ijusttalked to Cooper. How did you get here so fast?”

“I flew. Judging from his tone, I was under the impression that this was an emergency. Glad to hear it isn’t.” He then turned to leave.

“How can the curse be broken?”

Elliott stopped walking. She could see him ball up his hands a few times. “If we knew that, we would have done it already.”

“Do you knowanythingabout the curse besides the fact that it might kill you?”

“No. I’ve heard of about a half dozen people who have died because they got close to Phoenix. No, I didn’t know any of them personally. I’m sorry that I can’t help you further. Good luck.”

Then, he just walked away, disappearing into the woods behind her place.

Astrid was at a loss as to what to do. Elliott hadn’t seemed particularly warm, but she hadn’t thought of him as being this cold either. When she saw something move across the sky in the distance, the cat shifter knew it was Elliott.

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so short with him. He came here with no warning and without talking to me. Was he concerned?

Guilt began to set in, and that’s when she realized that she hadn’t gotten what she needed – Elliott’s contact information. Letting out a frustrated grunt, she pulled out her phone again. Calling Cooper after hanging up on him didn’t seem like the wisest idea, and she doubted that Elliott would return even if she did.

That really only left one option.

She rubbed her forehead, not really wanting to reach out to Phoenix again. After all, texting him was what had gotten all of this started.

I don’t really have much of a choice.

Putting aside her annoyance, mostly at herself, she responded to Phoenix’s last response.

Please tell Elliott I’m sorry and really appreciate him stopping by to help. His concern is touching.

The response was almost immediate.

What happened? Are you ok?

Astrid looked at the message, unsure why he would be concerned.

Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t have his contact information and had some questions for him. Unfortunately, it’s been a trying day, and I took it out on him. So please, let him know I’m sorry.

There was no response. Feeling like she had just wasted most of her afternoon, Astrid returned to her desk. She flopped down and slouched against the back of the chair. Her eyes followed the continuous argument going on in the chat.

“How in the world do these people end up in their positions?” she muttered as she swiveled around in her seat, very displeased by the direction her day had taken. “Maybe I should just go ahead and hack the base. At least that can get me somewhere that actually matters.”

As she continued to consider her options, there was another knock at her door. Astrid wondered if Elliott had returned because she had apologized. Deciding she wasn’t needed on the chat any longer, she messaged the managers.