By the time I get back to the shop, I’m a wreck.

I saw what happened. I’m not sure I really believed it, even though I could see it clearly through the binocs. I have it on video.

There’s no mistaking it. A huge ass bird on fire plowed through the building and exploded.

It takes a while for everyone to get there. As they trail in, the exhaustion on their faces is about more than the fight we just engaged in.

It’s about the tension of a situation that has lasted for months finally coming to a close. When you’re under that kind of low level stress, for that long, it takes its toll. And all the guys wear it as they collapse into their chairs.

I set up next to Varos’ chair, the station cleared so I can open my laptop. I have a lot of data to collate and Carson asked me for a full run down as soon as I can get it ready. Part of me wants to be in on his discovery process as they sort through everything they recovered from the compound.

Something tells me that would be a full time job in and of itself.

When Goldie and Rayne get there, Goldie is a wreck. Not just from the fight, but her face is blotched and red, her eyes red rimmed, like she’s been crying. She’s leaning heavily against Rayne, who discreetly wipes at her eyes.

Once everyone’s there, Taran settles in his chair. “What’s the status, Ronnie?”

“I heard from Carson. They have the site cleaned up as of this afternoon. He said they have gigabytes of data that will take them months to process but they got what they needed. Those who were not shifters have been turned over to the authorities for various other crimes related to the organization. The shifters who were involved, they are processing in accordance to the rules they have set up for policing shifter-kind activities.”

“Regular shifter police force,” Nyve says with an exhausted chuckle.

Austin stands behind him, his arms draped over Nyve’s shoulders. He rests his chin on the top of Nyve’s head. “My father called earlier. He heard about what happened and has contacted Carson to give them all the information he has on them.”

I’m sure that’s a huge relief for Austin. My hope is that one day their relationship can be repaired. I’m still very close to my family and it’s my belief that family is important. “Glad to hear it, Austin.”

Varos reaches out and skims his fingers down the outside seam of my jeans. It’s nice to be touched by him, and not worry if we are overstepping any boundaries.

“So, I have to ask,” Bronaz says as he wraps his arms around Kuras. They’re both squeezed into Bronaz’s chair and Kuras is half asleep. “What the hell happened? Where did that fireball come from? Was that you, Rayne?”

Rayne shook her head sadly. “Wrong direction. I was in front of it until I heard Ronnie’s warning.”

This somber attitude from both the unicorns has me perplexed. Judging from the look on Taran’s face, I’m not the only one. All the guys lean into her, varying expressions from concern to confusion on their faces.

“Goldie.” Taran reaches for her and takes her hand. “What’s wrong? Something has you upset.”

She doesn’t have the chance to answer when we’re interrupted with a hard tap-tap-tap on the front shop window.

Sako leans forward to look. His brow furrows. “It’s Pharos.”

“Pharos? Is that Annika’s…” Nyve waves his hand vaguely, “friend?”

“Yeah.” Carlo gets up to follow Sako to the door. They let Pharos in and invite him back to talk with us.

He’s dressed… I’m not sure how to put it except colorfully. His pink leather jacket is filled with studs in geometric patterns. The arms have fringes. The color contrasts with the black of his pants and boots and the yellow of his frilly shirt.

Sako and Carlo were right. He does look like family of Annika. If not blood, at least spiritual family, except for the fact that he’s more brightly dressed than she ever was. A direct contrast to her dark and somber coloring.

“I’m sorry to disturb you,” he says in a dramatically grave voice. “But in light of the events of the past few days, and instructions left to me, I have something to give you.”

He extends a box to Taran. It’s wooden, about the size of a shoe box. Intricate designs are carved along the surface. It’s a deep reddish brown wood, like cherry or maple. I realize it’s the color of Annika’s hair.

Taran takes it, resting his hand on the top of it. “What is this?”

“Something Annika trusts you with.” Pharos pulls an envelope from his jacket and holds it out. “It’s all explained here.”

Nosko takes it from Pharos and turns it over in his hands. It’s crisp white with gold lettering on the front.

Treasured Ink Friends.

Goldie stands and pulls Pharos into a fierce hug, her sobs causing her to shake in his arms.

He smooths his hand along her back until she finally releases him and pulls back. “Chin up, Goldie. Nothing is forever.”

She sniffles loudly and nods. Rayne hands her a kleenex.

With a wave, Pharos walks with Carlo to the door.

The rest of us are not really sure what to make of all this.

“Well,” Bronaz kicks out at Taran’s thigh. “Are you going to open it or do we have to guess?”

“We should read the card first,” Austin says.

Nosko carefully opens the envelope. Inside is a matching white card. He flips it open and shows it to everyone. The lettering is in a deep reddish-golden ink. He tilts it and turns on the light at Taran’s station so he can read it aloud.

Guys,

There’s never a good way to spring this on anyone. I honestly had meant to tell you sooner but it never came up and then there was never time until the wolf shifter pack was ready to move. So you get a lame letter instead of an in-person explanation.

I’m a phoenix.

Nosko looks up, lips pursed.

“Did you read that right?” Kuras goes to look over Nosko’s shoulder.

He holds it for Kuras to read. “It’s pretty clear,” he says.

Kuras nods in bewilderment. “That’s what it says.”

“Keep going, Nosko,” Nyve prompts him.

There aren’t that many of us who could come aid what you were doing. Pharos was the closest of my kind. The rest are spread out all over the world. Many were not in a place where they could come. Those who were, couldn’t get here in time. They extend their apologies.

Since you’re reading this, most likely also holding the box I instructed Pharos to give you, it should be clear that I am not around now.

“Holy…” Carlo covers his mouth. “Is she dead?”

I’m not dead.

Nosko smirks.

It’s very hard to kill me and mine. But we do occasionally have to sleep for long periods of time. This is what I was doing when I dropped out of the scene before I met you guys. It’s a very vulnerable time for us when we are in this state, and we require either ultimate secrecy, or we are held in safe keeping among those we trust.

Which is why you hold the box now.

In order to help you close this hate-mongering business, and keep you from being overrun, I did what is considered my kind’s specialty.

Namely, blowing the shit out of that asshole so hard that he couldn’t get up.

I know the wolves are pissed he’s dead.

Ask me if I care.

Actually, you can’t. Not yet.

Ask me when I come back.

In the meantime, I’m asking you to watch over this egg. It’s me.

It’s a phoenix thing, you know. Death and rebirth, all the stuff from mythology is right. I trust you with my safe keeping until I’m reborn again. I figure you guys have experience taking care of fragile things since you now all have families of your own.

Except you, Varos. When are you going to nail Ronnie down?

Or just nail him. Take your pick.

My face feels like it was set on fire. I look over at Varos, who is stifling a laugh. Jerk.

I’ve already made arrangements for Goldie to have my power of attorney until I return. Immortal Ink is in her capable hands. I’m sure she’ll do great keeping my legacy alive.

Remind her every so often, would you? Sometimes, she forgets and gets all wiggy about it.

I’d say don’t cry over me, but I’m sure Goldie’s cried enough for everyone there. I won’t be gone long. What’s a few dozen years when you live as long as we do?

In the meantime, I wish you all well. Good fortune and health for you and your loved ones.

I will see you all soon.

Yours in kinship,

Annika Amaranthine

Nosko slowly closes the card and stuffs it back into the envelope.

We all are looking at the box expectantly.

“For gods’ sake, Taran, open the damn box,” Sako says, breaking the silence.

Taran flips the latch and opens the box lid.

Inside, nestled among silk and soft feathers the color of a sunset, rests a golden egg about the size of my fist.

Goldie reverently reaches out to stroke her fingertips over the surface. “Wake up soon, Annika. We miss you already.”

Rayne leans heavily into her sister. “I’ll come up with some warding and defense spells to keep the box safe.”

Taran’s lips twist and press closed. I haven’t known the man long but even I can see he’s holding back his emotions as he stares at the fragile egg.

“Well… shit.” Bronaz slumps back. “No pressure.”

We all get a chuckle out of that. There’s no mistaking the immense responsibility that one box represents.

“This actually makes sense.” Varos waves his hand at the box. “When she disappeared from the ink scene, it was… damn, what? Ten years ago? Twenty? Nosko?”

Nosko purses his lips in thought. “The last records I have on her art are from over ten years ago for sure, but there’s no indication if the previous owner had contact with her or one of her agents. You know, when I first looked her up when she ‘came back’ on the scene,” his fingers crook in air-quotes, “remember when I said that she was a little different? Not that she had grown older, because obviously she hadn’t, but she had new tattoos? I bet that’s tied to this rebirth cycle of hers. Either it happens naturally or she gets ink done to commemorate it.”

“That makes sense,” Goldie says. “Phoenixes are very particular about who touches them. I think a little has to do with how their body heat is a little warmer than most shifters. Some of it is also that they consider their bodies sacred. So she wouldn’t just do anything to her body without very good reason.”

I stare at Goldie like she has three heads. “How do you know so much about her? Did you know she was a phoenix?”

“Oh yeah,” Goldie says with a quick nod. “I’ve known since I was a little girl. That was when I first met her. She’s why I wanted to learn how to tattoo.”

Taran comes to his wits as well. “And there are more?”

Nosko elbows him and waves the card. “She said there are.”

“I mean how many more are there?”

Goldie shrugs. “Not a lot. They’re pretty rare.”

I pull my laptop into my lap and start a ‘net search. “Really rare. There’s nothing out there in the general search other than the usual mythology stuff. I wouldn’t have believed they existed if I hadn’t seen her crash into the building myself.”

Taran scrubs his hands through his hair. “Looks like we dragons need to stop being so reclusive ourselves. Apparently there’s a world of mythical shifters out there we have no idea exist.”

He doesn’t get any argument from us. But it could also be that we are bone ass tired.

“Alright. Shop will be closed tomorrow.” Taran stands and stretches. “Everyone take the day to rest up. Goldie, I’d suggest you do the same.”

“Sounds good,” Rayne says, giving her sister’s thigh a light pat. “It’ll give me time to get to the shop to get some spells ready to protect the box. Who’s keeping her?”

Taran picks up the box and reaches for Nosko’s hand. “I’m going to take her home for now, until we figure out what to do to make sure she stays secure. It would suck to wake up in a safety deposit box.”