09 The Enemy

CHAPTER 9 THE ENEMY Blaze stepped in front of Claw and held out her wings. "Wait!" she cried. "Blaze, be careful!" Talia said. She turned to Claw. "How did you get here, Thorn?" "He's not Thorn," Tag said quickly. He didn't want to see Claw turned into toast. "He's Thorn's twin brother, Claw."

Talia narrowed her eyes at the vulture. "I didn't know Thorn had a brother," she said. "Claw is our friend," Skyla said. "He saved my life in the Cloud Kingdom." Claw nodded quickly. "I'm not here to hurt anyone," he said. "I just want to go home. I need your help getting back to Perodia." Talia waved a wing at the other firehawks, and their flames went out. "Is this true, Blaze?" she asked. "Yes," Blaze said. "Claw helped us find the Golden Temple. We would never have found you without his help."

Talia watched Claw carefully. "Thorn would never have helped my daughter," she said. "I am not like my brother," Claw said. Talia nodded. "If Blaze trusts you, then so do I," she said. She looked at Tag, Skyla, and Blaze and smiled. "Let me show you all around." "I actually need to rest," Claw said. "This has all been very tiring." A flrehawk showed Claw where he could sleep, while Tag and the others followed Talia outside. The temple was on a small island surrounded by a golden sandy beach and clear blue water. Along the beach were small wooden huts where the firehawks lived.

Talia introduced them to some of the other firehawks. "This is Maya," Talia said. "She is our healer. She helps anyone who is ill or hurt." "Welcome home," the older firehawk said to Blaze. Tag could see her hut had rows of small bottles filled with colorful liquids. They moved on to the next hut. "And this is Melody," Talia said. "She has the most wonderful singing voice you've ever heard."

Melody sang, and Tag couldn't help but hum along. The song was beautiful. Blaze swayed back and forth with the music. When the song was over, they said goodbye to Melody and walked on. "What's that up ahead?" Blaze asked, pointing to a big pile of branches and sticks. Talia smiled. "It's a nest," she said. She moved a few palm leaves aside. Six golden eggs rested inside.

"These eggs are almost ready to hatch," Talia told them. "There is a special ceremony that takes place when the nest catches fire. The baby firehawks rise from the ashes." Tag remembered how the old oak tree had caught fire when Blaze hatched. He had found her in the ashes. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you hatch," Talia told Blaze. "Maybe I could take part in the ceremony when these eggs hatch?" Blaze suggested. "That is a wonderful idea, Blaze! Your friends can help, too," Talia said. "Even Claw?" Blaze asked. Talia smiled. "Yes, even Claw." Tag's tummy churned. I should feel excited for Blaze, he thought, so why do I feel so worried?