Read Phoenix for Free Online Page B

suspect and should be treated as one."
    I glance out the window. "I need a change of scenery. I'm going to Kyra's."
    Quickly, before Henry can stop me, I transport to my friend's home.  
    I blink my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the light of the foyer and take a moment to smooth my hair. Transporting often leaves me looking windblown.  
    There's no one in the chilly, main foyer. I want to yell out for Kyra, but pause. Not that I believe it's possible, but could Kyra be behind the attacks? If so, I just put myself in harm's way.
    Don't be ridiculous, Lark, I scold myself.  
    I yell out, "Kyra?"
    "Lark?"
    "Yes."
    "Up here!"
    I scurry up the steps. "Where?"
    "In my sitting room."
    Like at school, her private sitting room is an explosion of purple and glitter and mirrors. I bounce on the balls of my feet and hundreds of me bounce back in the reflection. How she finds this relaxing is beyond me.  
    "Why so deso ?" she asks tossing aside a tablet. The surface is covered with gossip feeds.
    "Why do you think?" I answer. "I'm stuck at home all day, and you didn't even come to say 'hiya'."
    "Annalise told me to stay away until you felt better. She said there were plenty of guards. Besides, I'm on administrative leave until my test results come back."
    "What tests?"
    "From the attack and kidnapping. They want to make sure I'm still capable of protecting you."
    I playfully nudge her arm. "They obviously didn't see you take on Eamon. That was impressive."
    "Thank you!"
    "What was it you said? 'Don't underestimate me?'"
    She giggles. "Something like that."
    "I'm lucky you're not just my best friend, but you're a pretty good guard too." I give her a tight hug. "But really, are you okay?"
    "I'm totally okay. I promise. They only stunned me when I came to Dawson's aid."
    I scrunch up my nose. "I thought only Annalise responded to the distress call?"  
    Kyra shakes her loose curls. "I was there. I swear to you, I was. Dawson was bleeding everywhere, and they stunned me before I could reach you." She pauses to take a breath. "I've already told Annalise all of this. They got Maz and Beck from their cells. I overheard them say that they had a guy on the inside."
    My brain aches.  
    "You okay? You look pale." Kyra stares hard at my face. "Let's get you home. I'm sure you're not completely healed yet."  
    I want to tell her that my head is spinning. Annalise knew how Kyra was captured, but she gave me the impression it had to do with Maz. How could she forget such important information?
    And why?
    Instead, I change the topic. "What's on the feeds?
    She tries flipping the tablet over so I can't see, but there in big letters is what we've been trying to avoid: Beck Channing: Love Interest or Mortal Enemy? Followed by: Ryker Newbold: Too Hot for Lark to Handle?
      "I'm sorry, Lark. I thought maybe you knew?"
    I shake my head. "Have you shared this with Henry or Annalise?"
    Kyra drops her eyes. "No."
    "Well, hand it here. Let's see what people are saying."
    She reluctantly gives me the tablet. There are over a dozen feeds – all about Beck, Ryker, and me. How dangerous is Beck? Who is on Team Beck versus Team Ryker?
    "Seriously," I say. "As if there is any competition. Beck loves me, and Ryker wants to kill me."
    "You have to see this." Kyra giggles. "This one has the best charts. Look at all the pro's Beck has. My favorite is that his eyes match yours. It's so romantic."
    "Oh, nutter," I say looking at the lists. "Ryker gets a pro for looking handsome in his Enforcer uniform?" I blush as I toss the tablet aside, remembering the way the fitted suit hugged his muscular body. "This can't be real."
    "It's what everyone is talking about. Forget the food crisis." Kyra throws her head back and laughs. "Ryker gets points for being part Asian. Beck gets points for being so good with his lacrosse stick. Ohhh...now that's something I've been meaning to ask you, how good is he with that stick?"
    Heat sears my cheeks. "Kyra!"
    "What? I tell you