Rushing through the doors, I see Ryze is perched in a tree, and two men stand below it, trying to hit him with a fireball. I gasp in horror and run over to stop them when Tobias comes up behind me.
“You touch that f*****g bird, and it will be the last thing you ever do,” Tobias bellows, and they both stop and glare. Tobias looks furious while Darius wanders out.
“But it’s a phoenix,” one says.
“That bird is off-limits. Now, go!” Darius snaps, also coming up behind me while I race over to the tree and look up to see not only one but another higher up. It looks older, and I am surprised they didn’t notice it among the orange-red leaves of the tree as it tries to blend in. Darius talks to the men, and Ryze flies down. Darius yells out to me, making me jump and look at him.
“Aleera, no!” h
