SECRETS OF EVERCREST (BOOK 2)

Chapter 23: "The Secrets of the Phoenix"

Chapter 23: "The Secrets of the Phoenix"

December 22, 2024, 7:00 PM

The Bellweathers sat huddled in the living room of Harrison and Riley’s house, the weight of exhaustion evident on every face. The air was thick with tension, and the clock on the wall ticked steadily as the minutes passed. The constant running and fighting had drained them, but it was Susan who looked the most weary, her eyes heavy with worry for her children.

“We can’t keep doing this,” Susan said, her voice cracking with the weight of fear. “We’re always running—from those creatures, from Lilith… how long can we keep it up?”

Sol, seated next to her, leaned forward, her expression contemplative. “There’s something I don’t understand. What does Lilith want with me? Why is she so focused on me? It doesn’t make sense.”

The room fell silent as everyone mulled over Sol’s question. They had all asked themselves the same thing, but no clear answers had surfaced.

“Maybe it’s not just about your powers,” Max offered. “Maybe there’s something else—something more important.”

William nodded in agreement. “She’s not chasing you just because you’re strong. There has to be a deeper reason.”

“I have a theory,” Jane said, her voice breaking through the silence. “What if it’s not you specifically that she wants? What if it’s something inside you, something that’s been there since Tilda?”

The mention of Tilda’s name sent a ripple of discomfort through the group, recalling the battle that had nearly torn them apart. Sol furrowed her brow, lost in thought.

“You’re right,” Riley suddenly said, snapping everyone’s attention to him. “There’s something I’ve been reading that might explain this.” He stood up and retrieved a leather-bound book from a nearby shelf, flipping through its worn pages. “It’s the Book of the Phoenix. Tilda was obsessed with it before… everything.”

“The Book of the Phoenix?” Susan asked, raising an eyebrow. “What does it have to do with this?”

Harrison chimed in, leaning against the fireplace. “Tilda told me once that the Phoenix could grant six wishes. She believed it would allow her to reshape the world in darkness, but the Phoenix chose Sol instead, keeping her from falling under Tilda’s influence.”

Sol’s eyes widened. “I remember when I fought her… Tilda said something about me having Phoenix power.”

“That makes sense now,” William muttered. “The Phoenix—its power chose you, Sol. But what does Lilith want with it?”

“That’s the problem,” Riley said grimly. “The Book of the Phoenix... someone else has it now.”

The room fell silent as Riley’s words hung in the air.

“Who?” Sol asked cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest.

Riley closed the book and looked directly at her. “Lilith.”

Everyone’s faces paled as the revelation sank in.

“How?” Max asked, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Riley explained, “I read that when the host of the Phoenix dies, the power and everything it summoned returns to its origin. The Phoenix was trapped in the other world after Tilda was defeated. Lilith must have found it, but she can’t unlock it without the right connection.”

Susan leaned forward, her voice trembling. “So, you’re saying that Lilith can see the book, but she can’t use it? She needs someone… like Sol.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Sol, the weight of the realization crashing down on her like a tidal wave.

“That’s why she wants you,” Max said, his voice heavy with understanding. “She needs your connection to the Phoenix to open the book.”

Sol’s mind raced, piecing together the puzzle. “She tried to take my powers before, but she couldn’t. It didn’t work.”

“The Phoenix powers aren’t transferable,” Riley explained. “It protects its host. Lilith can’t take them, but she’s trying to weaken you—probably to control you long enough to use you as the key to unlocking the book.”

“That’s why she poisoned you,” Max added. “It was never about killing you outright. She was trying to weaken your connection to the Phoenix.”

The room grew cold as the truth settled in. Lilith’s plan was becoming clearer, and it was far more dangerous than they had imagined.

“But even if we know what she wants,” Jane said, breaking the silence again, “how are we supposed to stop her? Say we go to the other world and find the book—how do we even know where to start? It’s not like we can just walk in and find it lying around.”

Peter, leaning against the wall, nodded in agreement. “Jane’s right. It’s not like we can waltz into the other world and hope to stumble on it.”

Penelope spoke up, agreeing with them. “We don’t even know what it looks like. For all we know, it could be hidden in the darkest part of the other world.”

Riley’s eyes shifted to Sol, a glimmer of hope sparking in his gaze. “But Sol can find it.”

All eyes turned to Sol, who blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve got the connection,” Riley said. “You’re linked to the Phoenix. If anyone can find the Book of the Phoenix, it’s you. The book will call to you in a way it won’t for anyone else.”

Susan’s voice was hesitant. “But even if Sol can find it, can she use it? Can she control it? We’ve seen what that kind of power can do. If it gets out of control…”

Sol felt a deep pit of fear settle in her stomach, but she didn’t let it show. “I don’t know. But if Lilith is trying to use me to unlock the book, I’d rather get there first. I won’t let her use me like that.”

William stood tall, his protective instincts kicking in. “We’re going with you, Sol. You’re not doing this alone.”

“No way we’re letting you face Lilith without backup,” Max added, his tone firm.

Jane nodded in agreement, her face determined. “You’ve always had us. That’s not changing now.”

Sol’s heart swelled with gratitude, but the weight of the responsibility still bore down on her. “We need a plan,” she said, her voice steady. “We have to get into the other world, find the book, and figure out how to stop Lilith.”

Riley leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “The real challenge isn’t finding the book—it’s what comes after. If you unlock the Phoenix’s power, you’ll have more than just Lilith to worry about. That kind of power… it changes everything.”

Sol knew he was right. But what choice did they have?

“We can’t let her win,” Sol whispered, her voice filled with a quiet resolve. “No matter what happens, we have to stop her.”

Everyone exchanged looks, the gravity of the situation pressing down on them. But there was no turning back now. The stakes had never been higher, and the clock was ticking.

End of Chapter 23, Book 2