Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera (new books to read .TXT) 📕

Another evergreen blazer, this one the size of a hen, flies directly onto the raptor glove of a man who is looking my way. No, he’s staring me down. I’m uncomfortable so I turn away only to find pretty much every other human outside my party watching us closely with rage in their eyes.

“These people hate us,” I say.

Wyatt lets out a low whistle. “They’re certainly not fans of specters with phoenix blood, but our commander Crest made a call and ordered for their cooperation as we explore our work. Granted access to the castle is one thing. Acceptance is another.”

“We should bounce then,” I say.

“Bounce?” Wyatt asks.

“Leave,” I clarify.

“Oh, no. These trainers are harmless. They’ve all seen the videos of your powers and will know better than to try and scrap with you, Infinity Son.”

If only the Halo Knights knew how much respect I have for phoenixes, if they knew my true story about how I became a specter, I doubt they would see me as a threatening weapon. “Feel free to tell them I’m harmless. Luna Marnette stabbed me with an infinity-ender blade and my powers haven’t been working right since then.”

“Good gods, she stabbed you?”

I’m surprised that surprises him. He might have scars on his neck, but I have them across my body during my short time in this war. “I was trying to protect Gravesend.”

Wyatt’s blue eyes follow Brighton as he tries petting the sky swimmer in the lake and gets splashed in return. “And Tala tells me Gravesend’s essence is now coursing through Brighton among that of a hydra and ghosts. Between that mouthful and Maribelle’s soap opera family drama it seems I’ve arrived at an exciting time to help.”

“I swear you’re going to turn on us any second and attack,” I say.

“It would probably be to my advantage to keep that fear alive, but I’m disastrous with any weapon. I pierced my own mum’s shoulder with an arrow.”

“Yeah, but how long ago was that? When you began training?”

Wyatt blushes. “That happened this summer.” His little snicker that follows reminds me of people who find something funny at funerals and are struggling to keep it together. “Anyway, Tala’s flair for combat suits her role as a field Halo, but I work more closely with the phoenixes themselves.”

“Then you should be more pissed off at me and everything I represent,” I say.

We’ve almost caught up with the others at the opposite gate when he rests his hand on my shoulder and stops me. “I’ve traveled the world meeting with countless organizers that specialize in alchemy, caging, slaughtering, and hunting to get them to cease all harm for their own personal benefits. I’ve met specters who either don’t value creature lives or believe they’re more equipped to do good with powers that don’t belong to them. You’re the first specter to say you want to end this too. Your first life may have started this mess, but you’re not stoking that flame, Emil.”

It’s almost as if I can’t feel every other Halo Knight’s eyes on me knowing I have one who believes in me.

“That said, to pay for Keon’s crimes against phoenixkind, you have to clean up all droppings from the grounds.” He cracks a smile.

I almost smile back as we rejoin the group, but things feel so tense between Brighton and Tala that I’m scared another fight is about to break out. Even if Tala throws the first punch, we’re the ones who will be blamed for bringing chaos to the Sanctuary. I doubt Wyatt will be able to vouch for us then. I stand at Brighton’s side, ready to hold him back if he gets bold.

“Anyone care for a tour of the castle?” Wyatt asks. “It’s been years since I’ve last been here, but it’s truly marvelous and—”

“This isn’t a field trip,” Tala interrupts. “While your parents may be living their best lives in London I can’t say the same for mine. If you can’t help these specters figure out this potion, then send them packing so we can fully focus on the Blood Casters.”

“Absolutely,” Wyatt says. Tala walks away without another word and Maribelle is ready to follow. “I’d give her a moment, Maribelle. Personally, I’d give her an hour because I’ve learned the hard way what happens when you try to be helpful.” Wyatt mimics getting punched in the face.

“I’ll take my chances,” Maribelle says as she jogs across the courtyard to catch up with Tala.

“Wouldn’t you all stick together? I thought you were all teammates,” Wyatt says.

“Think again,” I say.

“Friends?”

I let out a little laugh.

“Duly noted.”

Wyatt takes us into the castle. The great hall isn’t as big as I expected it to be, but its greatness is legit. I step inside a circle of bronze statues, admiring all these well-crafted phoenixes, and I back away when I notice a Halo Knight kneeling before one in prayer. Colorful banners hang from the high ceiling and whoever sewed the patterns did so lovingly; the gray sun with its golden feathers in particular is so beautiful I want to make it my phone background. Brighton confuses the sky swimmer at first for the century phoenix since they’re both blue but once I correct him he takes a selfie under the right banner. Not even being able to tell apart Gravesend’s breed from phoenixes known for flying underwater is the thousandth reason Brighton shouldn’t have her powers, but I’m staying shut because I don’t want to ruin this experience.

We pass a circular room with all sorts of weapons on the walls—staffs, crossbows, daggers—and two blindfolded women are having a swordfight. I’m so nervous as metal clangs against metal, but no matter how fast they are every sweep and jab of the sword never cuts into either Halo Knight. Wyatt explains that these extreme training methods are one of many reasons he has avoided taking on a more active combat role like Tala. Brighton swears he could endure all of this,