Read Fire Within: Book Two of Fire and Stone (Stories of Fire and Stone 2) for Free Online Page A

ability is causing some problems in that quarter. Unfortunately I can do nothing about that. It is part of the terms. However, there are likely measures you can take to control it.” The phoenix sounded unapologetic.
    “Are those all the terms?” Esset inquired.
    “No. The final terms are these; when you see the symbols for my summoning incantation, you must call me without delay. Beyond that, I am not available to be summoned any longer. Clearly, any past cost associated with calling on me will also be revoked,” the phoenix replied.
    Esset considered that; this was all so much more than he’d expected. It wasn’t ideal, but what was? He disliked the idea of being watched—or watched through—all the time, but this would give him the chance to help Toman. Maybe he could even pull off a rescue.
    “Will you also be reading my mind?” Esset asked.
    “Your thoughts, no. Your emotions I will be able to sense.” The phoenix spoke without emotion, like she was commenting on the weather. Esset shifted uncomfortably. Her answer was better than it could have been, but worse than he’d hoped.
    “I’m still not sure what you’re getting out of all of this,” Esset said. Less than ideal or no, he was getting a whole lot of power and the phoenix didn’t seem to be getting much at all.
    “What motivates me is different than what motivates you, but I still would have thought you, of all people, would understand. You are a scholar, after all,” the phoenix said, blandly.
    “How so?” Esset asked.
    “What would you give to see my world?” the phoenix asked.
    Esset was taken aback. “A lot. But still…”
    “The power I lend you is not so great a power in my world, nor often used. Additionally, opportunities to see this world are brief and rare in the order of centuries. Do not undervalue what you are offering me ,” the phoenix replied.
    “I see,” Esset said. There was a brief silence as he considered her response before asking another question.
    “How long are these new terms in effect for?”
    “Indefinitely,” the phoenix replied.
    “Might the terms be renegotiated in the future?” Esset inquired.
    “Such is not impossible.”
    “And if I need to speak to you?” Esset wanted to know.
    “You should not.”
    “But if I do?” Esset pressed.
    “I will be observing through you. Make the fact known and if I decide to, I will bid you to summon me,” the phoenix finally replied. Esset nodded.
    “And if I refuse these changes in the contract?” Esset asked.
    “You are indebted to me,” the phoenix replied. She didn't sound angry or offended; her tone was still neutral.
    “I know. But if I refuse?” Esset pressed. He wanted to know if he truly had a choice.
    “That is your prerogative.”
    “But the cost?”
    “Your indebtedness will continue,” the phoenix replied. Esset wasn’t sure if he should press further—the phoenix was quite inhuman in its behavior, and it was difficult to tell if she was being duplicitous, or if she was trying to threaten him. He didn’t think so, but that didn’t negate the possibility. Finally he decided not to pursue it, since he had every intention of accepting anyways.
    “I accept the terms that you have outlined,” he replied.
    “That is wise,” the phoenix replied. Amidst the flames around them, ashen symbols appeared and rotated slowly around the pair. Esset couldn’t read them, but he knew their meaning. Also, thanks to the original Contract ceremony, he knew what to do. He raised his hand in front of himself, palm-out, and spoke.
    “I, Summoner Jonathan Esset, accept the modifications to the terms of our Contract. I willingly accept any and all costs associated with my actions, as agreed to therein.”
    “We agree to the new terms of the Contract,” the phoenix echoed. The symbols flared through the colors of fire, starting with red and changing through to blue and finally white before vanishing. The flames around them dissipated as the phoenix