Chapter 58
“Relax, human,” Aiden’s phoenix purred. “Climb up. I promise you will not fall.”
Jamie kept silent but hauled himself up onto the back of the creature. He maneuvered himself until he was seated on its neck.
“How do I hold on?” he asked the phoenix.
“Grab my feathers.”
Jamie clutched the orange and red feathers. “Won’t my hands just slip?”
“My feathers are not like those of a bird. Go on, pull them. Your hands won’t slip.”
Jamie did as he said. “OK, got it.”
“How’re you doing up there?” Heath asked. He, Iris, and May watched from the Jensens’ back deck.
“Alright,” he said. He refused to look down at them. He stared at the feathers in his hands.
“OK, now I’m just going to walk around the yard.”
“OK, he’s just going to walk around the yard,” Jamie told the others.
Jamie held on tightly while the phoenix slowly and smoothly strode across the grass.
“This isn’t too bad,” Jamie said silently. After several minutes, he felt comfortable enough to look around as they moved.
“Let’s go faster,” his wolf added.
“No, let’s not,” Jamie said.
“What was that?” Iris asked.
“Just arguing with my wolf. He wants to go faster.”
May and Heath chuckled.
“We’ll go a little faster,” the phoenix said.
He did indeed move into a jog across the lawn. Jamie was grateful that Piper’s magic spell kept the phoenix hidden from view. Oh, wait! Was he also hidden while he was on the phoenix?
“Guys?” Jamie asked. “Do you guys know if Piper’s spell will prevent others from seeing me while I’m on the phoenix?”
He looked down to see the three of them frowning.
“I don’t know,” Heath said.
“Good question,” May said.
“I’ll call Piper,” Iris added. She walked back inside the house while the phoenix continued moving across the yard.
“Feeling better about this?” the phoenix inquired.
“Still reserving judgment,” Jamie answered.
The creature chortled, causing Jamie’s ride to suddenly become bumpier.
Iris walked back out holding her phone by her side. “Piper says she thinks Jamie will be hidden by the same spell.”
“Great,” Jamie mumbled.
“Why don’t we try a short, low flight?” the beast suggested.
Be brave. Do it for your friends. Do it for Aiden. Jamie sucked in a breath and blew it out. “Sure. Let’s do it.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Jamie felt the beast take flight. He tightened his grip and held his breath.
“Breathe, my human. Just relax. I have you.”
He forced himself to breathe. He pushed thoughts of Aiden into focus.
“See, we’re staying low. I have you.”
“OK.” He forced the word out. He was absolutely terrified.
He heard his friends hooting and hollering down on the ground.
“Look around. It really is beautiful.”
Jamie heard the joy in the creature’s silent voice. Though he was still petrified of falling, he made himself look around as they flew.
“You’re right, but I’m still scared.”
“You’re doing amazing,” Aiden’s voice added. “I love you.”
“Me, too.”
“You ready to go a little higher?” the phoenix asked.
“OK,” he choked out.
They continued flying for close to an hour. Finally, the beast landed effortlessly right in front of the deck. Jamie lowered his head to rest on the creature’s neck.
“You did very well,” the phoenix said.
“Thanks. You, too.”
The creature huffed a laugh. “I’m going to get lower so you can climb off.”
Minutes later, Iris pulled him into a hug. “That was amazing.”
“It was just like I drew it,” May added. “So cool!”
“Guys, can I get a little help?” A completely naked Aiden stood where the beast had been. Jamie ran to him and wrapped him up in an embrace.
“I’ll get your clothes,” Iris said.
“I was shaking so much,” Jamie said, his voice muffled against Aiden’s body.
“I know, but you did it.”
“You didn’t drop me.”
“I told you I’d never let you fall.”
Iris ran back to them with her eyes averted from Aiden. She thrust a bag at him. “That was wonderful, but you need to put these on.”
“Jamie, we need you,” Heath called.
“What’s up?” he asked as he helped Aiden with his clothes.
“Jasper called. He’s ready for you to scan some minds.”
“Wonderful.”
He and Aiden groaned.