Page 28 of Phoenix Fated (The Phoenix Guardians #4)

AIROS

A low rumbling vibrates through the ground beneath us, pulling me from sleep. My eyes snap open, and beside me Jackson is up and alert, his instincts much quicker than mine.

"What the hell is—" he starts, but cuts himself off as the sound grows louder.

The dim light of early dawn filters through the smoke hole at the tent's center, and then something passes overhead, plunging the tent into darkness. The rumbling builds into a thudding, drum-like pulse that makes the sand on a nearby chest jump and dance.

"A flyer," I say.

" Shit ."

Jackson pulls his clothing on while I quickly slip into my robes. The shadow moves on, but the sound lingers as the flyer circles overhead. It's searching for something. Or someone.

I hear the nomads shouting in confusion outside the tent as the thumping grows more intense. Whoever it is, they're preparing to land.

I throw the tent flap open, and Jackson and I hurry outside.

The encampment is stirring to life as people emerge from their tents to see what's happening.

Above us, hovering over the oasis, is the transport vessel we'd chased from Sylla's ship.

Its power churns the water below as it descends towards the sand.

“That's the buzzer!” Jackson exclaims.

“We're in for a fight," I tell him, grabbing his arm. "Get ready. We might be able to ground it."

“Get back!” Jackson shouts at the villagers as we run towards the vessel. "Stay away!"

Niah appears and rushes to intercept us. "What is this?" she shouts over the noise.

"Get everyone away from it!" Jackson tells her. "They're only here for us."

We leave the cover of the tents and advance on the vessel as it pivots, bringing its port side around. On the deck, the cabin door swings open. Jackson and I drop into ready stances, calling up our phoenix powers to shape the sand into weapons. But then, a familiar face emerges from the doorway.

It's Tyler! He waves frantically when he sees us, a wide grin on his face.

Jackson and I wave back, completely caught off guard by his arrival. The flyer lands on the sand at the edge of the oasis and its power drops to a low vibration.

"What the hell!" Jackson shouts at Tyler. "Dude! Nice fuckin' ride!"

Kalistratos appears from the cabin and comes to the railing. He looks just as surprised to see us as we are to see him.

"I told you we'd find them here," Tyler says, elbowing his arm. "Come on, guys! We gotta go!"

He throws a rope ladder over the side, and we quickly climb up to the deck. Kalistratos offers a hand and pulls Jackson up. I wave him off and pull myself over the rail.

"Another happy reunion," I say to him. "It's... surprisingly good to see you."

A smile cracks his mouth. "Yes. Same to you."

He and I clasp forearms.

"Where's Dustin?" Jackson asks. "You got him, right?"

Tyler's face becomes serious. "No. They fucking got away with him."

"But we have an idea of where they're taking him," Kalistratos says. "Tyler can point the way."

Tyler jabs his finger at the horizon. "I can feel him."

"Al'Phaer," Jackson says. "That's where they're going."

The name hits me like a cold blade. Kalistratos's face goes dark.

"You know it?" I ask, surprised.

"Alyx told me the lore," he says grimly. "A fortress city built on Phoenikos blood and bone."

"Jesus," mutters Jackson.

"Well, come on inside," says Tyler. "We'd better get a move on, and we have a lot to catch up on."

"Yes, indeed," Kalistratos says as he eyes my hand resting on the small of Jackson's back.

"Give us a second," Jackson tells them.

"We'll go get her started," Tyler says.

Jackson and I turn around. Gathered at the edge of the encampment are the desert people, with Azin, Onar, and Niah standing at the front of the group.

Niah raises her hand into the air, as if to both bid us farewell and give us her blessing.

Onar lowers his head in thanks, and Azin grins and lifts his fist.

"Thank you!" Jackson shouts, but the sound of the flyer's core roars to life and drowns out his voice. He raises his hand and waves.

The ship lifts into the air, and we peer over the railing and watch as the encampment and its people shrink into the distance.

The desert is beautiful. It stretches out for miles in every direction, an endless ocean of sand, marked with wondrous pillars of rock standing like majestic guardians of the land.

I take in the sight of this land and will myself to keep the memory of it protected in my mind and my heart.

I take Jackson's hand, and together we follow the others inside.