Read The Last Phoenix for Free Online Page A

“we’ll have no trouble finding a shaft of sunlight from tomorrow.”
    â€œI hope we can start today,” said Milly longingly.
    Jason nodded. “ I hope this kiln place works out okay for Fenella.”
    â€œWhere is she?” Milly wondered. They’d left their new friend to make her own way out of the den window.“Perhaps she’s turned invisible?”
    The phoenix suddenly flapped into view. She landed heavily in a tree, sending two plump woodpigeons clattering from its branches. “Sorry, lovies!” she called after them.
    â€œOr perhaps not,” said Michael.
    â€œOh, but I will be invisible, my little goslings,” Fenella called. “To anyone but you. Come on, then, lead the way!”
    Jess looked at Milly. “You do remember the way to Mr. Milton’s, don’t you?”
    â€œI went in the car with Ann last time,” Milly recalled, “but I think if we go up the road away from town and then cut through the churchyard and out along the footpath that should get us there.”
    They set off, Fenella flying above them, her egg held in her feet, belting out a song about an oak tree.
    â€œI love singing too!” Milly called. “I’m hoping to be the star of a show. Only a local one…”
    â€œMilly, shhh!” Jess looked around anxiously. It was hard to believe that passersby wouldn’t notice the big, golden turkey-shaped bird flapping along, singing at the top of her lungs. “Michael,” she whispered, lagging behind Jason and Milly. “You do think Fenella’s invisibility charm is working, don’t you? I mean, she’s a bit scatty, isn’t she?What if she’s got it wrong?”
    â€œGuess we won’t know until someone else comes along,” said Michael grimly. A gang of boys bustled into view around the corner of the street ahead of them. “Look, we can test it…oh, no!” He broke off, stumbling to a halt and looking horrified. “No, please, no!”
    Jess caught her breath. The people coming down the hill were Michael’s friends Josh, Sam, and Thomas—and with them was the new boy-heartthrob, Rick. He was laughing with Sam and slapping Thomas on the back.
    â€œThis is a disaster!” Michael hissed.
    â€œDon’t be daft, Michael—my magic’s still working.” Fenella swooped merrily down straight toward the gang of boys, and not one of them so much as blinked. She flew back up to the nearest tree. “Ta-daaa!”
    Jess smiled. “Panic over!”
    â€œThe disaster I was talking about was being seen out with my little sister, stepbrother, and uncool older stepsister,” Michael muttered. Jess elbowed him in the ribs, but he hardly felt it. What were his friends doing out together, anyway? He hadn’t known they were meeting up—especially not with Rick.
    â€œHey, Michael!” called Josh.
    â€œHi,” said Michael.
    Rick threw a look at Milly and Jason. “Off on anursery-school outing, are you?”
    For a moment, Michael wondered wildly if he could deny all association with Jason and Milly. But Milly threw Rick a withering look. “Oh, ha, ha. Very funny. Come on, Michael, we’re busy.”
    â€œOh yeah?” said Josh. “What’re you up to?”
    Michael shrugged. “You know. Stuff. What about you?”
    â€œWe were just going into town,” said Thomas.
    Michael felt his cheeks prickle. So they’d been about to go into town, but without him.
    â€œWe tried giving you a ring,” said Josh, looking awkward. “But there was no answer.”
    Yeah, right, thought Michael.
    â€œDo you want to come with us then?” Rick said.
    â€œWe’ve got to go, Michael!” Milly insisted.
    Michael ran his hand through his hair trying to act cool but it was hard with Milly tugging at his T-shirt.
    To Michael’s relief, Jess came to his rescue. “Hey, let’s get a move