Thankfully, Solarys was able to kill that thing. Of course, he arrived in a blaze of glory just as the corrupted phoenix had me pinned against the blackened remains of an ancient tree, its violet flames licking at my throat.
One moment I was staring into those hollow, mocking eyes, and the next—
Incandescence.
Pure, white-hot fire erupted between us, so bright it seared my vision. The dark phoenix's shriek cut off abruptly as Solarys' flames consumed it, leaving nothing but swirling ash in its wake.
I blinked up at my brother, his golden wings haloed by the dying light. His jaw was set in that stubborn line I knew too well, but for the first time in months, I saw something else in his eyes—
Doubt.
"Vayra." His voice was rough as he hauled me to my feet. "What the hell was that?"
I w
