As the rune finally settled, Kieran opened his eyes and staggered a little, catching himself before he fell.
He clenched his teeth, fist tightening as he tried to swallow the pain tearing through his body. The summoning had drained him badly, but the beast was here—and to him, that made it worth every drop of energy spent.
Slowly, he turned his gaze back to the group waiting a few steps away.
Mira's chest tightened as she watched. Worry churned inside her like a storm she couldn't calm. Every part of her screamed to move, to do something, but she stayed still.
Not only were Nasha, Henry, and Stan keeping her under careful watch, but there was something else—something heavier.
Kieran.
She couldn't read him, couldn't tell where his limits were, or if he even had any at all.
And now that she knew he was the master of the Phoenix, her courage to test him had vanished completely.
"What are you planning to do?" she asked finally, her voice soft, unsure.
