The Phoenix Prophecy: Nova

IN hen I pull up to The Hollow, the lights are on. I’d expected everyone to be sleeping. I’m not sure if I’m glad that they’re not.

I’m at the front door when Snow comes ambling out of the woods. Before he reaches the steps, he’s Mack again. He looks pissed.

“You okay, Boss?”

Mack takes in my uniform. We’ve been alternating shifts the past few days, watching Nova and Kole. Tonight was supposed to be a normal one. But the shit hit the fan before I even got behind my desk. “Are you okay?” Mack asks. “Thought you were on shift ‘til the morning?”

“Something happened.” Used to seeing his naked butt, I follow it into the hall and wait as he pulls spare clothes from the cupboard near the door.

I should be the one who’s on edge, but Mack looks like he’s about to explode.

“Did something happen here too?” I put a hand on his now clothed shoulder.

“New.” 

My throat tightens as Mack says her name. Sure, she’s hot. Curves in the right places. Attitude for miles. But she’s also dangerous. Until we know who and what she is, we should all be keeping our distance. Seems I’m the only one of us who thinks that way, though.

As if he’s reading my thoughts, Mack says, “I didn’t do anything.”

“But you wanted to?”

He curls his lip and almost growls at me as he says, “Yes. I did. But I left her with Tanner.”

I pat his back and nod. “You did the right thing.”

“I did?” He rubs his neat gray beard. “Doesn’t feel like the right thing.”

“It was. And when you see what I’ve got to show you, you’ll agree.”

“Show me?” Mack stops half-way down the hall. He notices I’m holding my phone and glances at it.

“It’s not good, Mack. It’s not good at all.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

We find Tanner and Nova in the kitchen. She’s wearing his tee shirt, sitting on the table with her bare legs dangling. They’re laughing like a couple of teenagers.

“Evening, fellas.” Tanner is stirring a pan on the hob. He turns and gestures to it. “Hot chocolate?”

“No thanks.” I walk over to the table, sit down, and wait for Mack to do the same.

He declines too, but exchanges a long lingering glance with Nova as he sits down.

Finally, after adding cream and marshmallows, Tanner plonks two large mugs of cocoa down on the table and sits next to Nova. He strokes her leg as he takes a sip from his drink.

“Luther has something to show us.” Mack taps the tabletop and looks at me.

I put my phone down and push it into the center so everyone can see it. “We have a problem.”

Nova puts her hand on Tanner’s, and he squeezes her fingers.

“This just showed up online. It’s everywhere. I’ve got guys trying to track down the source, but the chances of getting it removed are pretty slim.”

Mack is watching me. He’s worried now. They all are.

I press play and sit back.