Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards Read Free Book Online

isn’t perfect at everything.
    “It’s a masterpiece,” I say.
    Day rolls her brown eyes. “It’s the last time I’m ever baking, so you better enjoy
     it.”
    “Make a wish,” Harold says.
    I blow out my candles, wishing for a positive outcome at tomorrow’s vote.
    Day serves everyone a slice of cake while I sneak off to the restroom to get a moment
     to myself. I splash some water over my face and check my reflection in the small mirror
     above the sink. My cheeks are flushed, and my curly hair is a bit frizzy from being
     spun around by Ash, but I look
happy.
I smile. I’m about to turn away when something makes me pause. The corner of my left
     eye looks strange. Is it my imagination, or does it look a little yellow? It must
     be a trick of the light.
    When I join the party again, the mood has shifted, and I soon see why. Juno has arrived,
     her long red hair a tangled mess, her cheeks pink, as if she ran all the way from
     work.
    “The network got the report an hour ago. The news is about to break on every station
     across the country—” she says, then cuts herself short when she sees me.
    “What is it?” I say.
    Sumrina comes over to me and takes my hand.
    “It’s your mother,” she says.
    “Is she all right?” I ask, worried.
    “Your mom broke out of prison two hours ago,” Juno says. “She’s on the run.”

6.
    ASH
    JUNO FILLS US in on everything she knows. There was an explosion at the prison, which killed six
     guards and took down part of the building’s west wing. The bombing was just a distraction,
     to keep the guards busy as Emissary Buchanan was extracted from her cell in the east
     wing. It took the guards a few hours to notice she had even escaped, and by then,
     it was too late.
    Natalie tightens her shaking fingers around mine, her lips pale.
    “Do they know who helped her escape?” she says.
    “No, but it was a professional job,” Juno replies. “Probably ex-military.”
    “Where do you think she’s gone?” Day says.
    “Heavens, you don’t think she’d come back
here
?” Sumrina says, worry in her eyes.
    “No, she wouldn’t do anything so risky,” Natalie answers.
    “Is Mother going to be okay?” Polly says quietly.
    “You know Mother, she’s a survivor,” Natalie says. “She’ll be fine. Just—” Her last
     word gets caught in her throat. Tears spring to her eyes.
    I glance at my dad. He nods, understanding.
    “Perhaps it’s time to call it a night,” Dad says.
    Michael and Sumrina take Polly to their house on Cinder Street, while Natalie comes
     home with me to the Ivy Church. Dad kindly stays at the barge with Roach and Beetle,
     to give us some time alone.
    We climb up the twisting staircase leading to my bedroom in the church’s bell tower.
     The moonlight shimmers off the brass bell hanging down the center of the hexagonal
     room. Natalie sinks down on the bed while I move the wooden boards over the arched
     windows to keep out some of the chilled night air. I freeze. Two Sentry guards are
     sitting on the gravestones outside—they must’ve been following us. They catch my eye,
     and one of them waves, a smirk on his lips. I quickly place the board over the window
     and join Natalie on the bed. I don’t tell her about the guards, not wanting to worry
     her.
    “Your mom’s going to be all right,” I say.
    Natalie nods, wiping the tears from her eyes.
    “I just wish she’d contacted me.”
    “It would’ve been too dangerous,” I say gently.
    “I know, but it still hurts that Polly and I weren’t part of her plan.” She sighs,
     playing with her engagement ring. “I’m sorry. This was supposed to be a special evening,
     and I’m ruining it.”
    I tilt her face up. “In good times and in bad, remember?”
    She smiles. “I love you so much, Ash. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    My heart cramps as I think about tomorrow. What am I going to do? The right choice
     would be to vote no, but then Natalie will be taken. I