Phoenix Child

  * * *

  "We're going camping!" Gavin announced when he got home Monday evening.

  Anali and I looked at each other than at him, waiting for more information.

  "What are you making?" Gavin asked, coming further into the kitchen.

  "Sapphire is helping me make vegetable soup with dumplings," Anali answered going back to chopping.

  "Oh, that sounds good." Gavin lifted the lid on the pot. "It smells good too."

  "Camping?" I asked. Like in heated cabins or in tents?

  "Ah, yes. I talked to Philip, and he talked to some people he knows, and we think we have a way to help you. There is a group called the Guardians. They travel around the U.S. checking in on magical creatures. Philip thinks they might know how to help us."

  "Who are they? I've never heard of them," Anali asked.

  "Well, they’re Children of Fire, and they come from different Native American tribes. Philip says they are very powerful. They mix their Phoenix gifts with traditional spiritual practices from their own tribes. Philip went to a powwow the Guardians held and every Child of Fire began to glow with power." Gavin explained as he snatched pieces of carrot from my cutting board.

  "When do we go?" I asked. I wasn't sure how I felt about meeting the Guardians or camping, but I was willing to try.

  "Next week over spring break. Kayin and Taliesin are going to come with us."

  Slowly, I took a deep breath and let it out. "Okay."

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  "Appearances are not held to be a clue to the truth. But we seem to have no other."