Diabolus: The Lost Phoenix

Chapter Twenty Four

KAI WOODS

"Are you sure about this?"

I watch the script; the damned piece of paper that ruined so many people's lives. Avery's life. A few words, written in Latin, but having so much power. Giving my brain a lot more questions than it can absorb.

"I'm sure."

Everyone surrounds me, while I stand by the fireplace. We stand by the flame, our features illuminated by the flickering light, the only one in the room, that is supposed to make us feel cozy; but instead, the air is full of anxiety. Though the air isn't smokey we can smell the pine as it burns, just a faint fragrance that tries to reassure our senses that there will be comfort on this chilly night.

After we decided to change the place we're living in, we rented a cozy house outside the city. No unwanted eyes. No witnesses. Just us; a family, that stayed together no matter what.

But I'm waiting, I'm still waiting for a guest. For Daryl; that possibly knows something about the words written in script. Because until I won't find out, I won't be able to sleep. Does it mean that we fought for nothing? And Avery was kidnapped for all those years, for nothing?

Almost nothing.

"There's no turning back after you do this, you know that."

"There will be no treasure to find."

I sigh, feeling Beverly's hand slipping into mine and how perfectly our fingers intertwine. Giving me warmth that the fire can't give me. Giving me the strength that needs to be rebuild everyday. Hoping that the things I'm keeping for myself won't ruin the bond that we have.

"This has to end. Now."

No turning back. No second chances. I look at the script for the last time before my fingers loosen and I release it, letting it freely fly into the fire, the hungry flames that lethally lick everything around them. I look at the little paper, the script, that's probably worth more than my life, being fed into the hungry fire until all that is left of it is some ash and an imperceptible darkening of the sandy brick work. It's gone. Forever.

Beverly's hand squeezes mine even tighter as all of our eyes keep locked on the fireplace, watching the flames beautifully dancing with each other, letting the sparks fly and showing the most beautiful hues of amber and red.

"Hey."

Brent stops next to me, handing me a glass of scotch. I glance at his worried eyes, looking at me, and the reflection of fire in his pupils looks like it's his eyes that are burning.

"You know we still have a fight ahead of us. And probably, a bad one. But this is a first step closer to the end."

"I know. I'm glad that this nightmare is going to end soon."

I turn around to face others, that already took seats on black leather couch and armchairs behind me; but no one seems to be happy. And just a couple of days ago, the smiles were all over their faces...

"Avery."

She suddenly lifts her eyes at me; her raised eyebrows don't bother to show the surprise that she feels, when I said her name.

"I must say, I wasn't truly a believer at first, and I'm really sorry I haven't believed in the gift that you have."

Sadness flashes in her eyes, but she doesn't turn away from me, watching me, being surprised and confused at the same time.

"It is a gift, Avery. And you should appreciate it."

"Thank you, Kai. This really means a lot."