Dark Callings (Phoenix Intelligence Agency) by Taige Crenshaw Page A

glanced at Allure. She shook her head. Seems as if Ebony hadn’t told her, either. Harmony reached for her. Lennox beat her to it, lifting Ebony onto his lap.
    “Even if they do, your mom or I will always come find you. You’re not going anywhere away from any of us who care for you.” Lennox wiped her tears, then continued, “I grew up around others who have abilities. I was taught how to use them. You should listen to those who care about you. They’ll guide you in how to use them.”
    “Will you help me, Mr Lennox? Will you teach me to use my abilities?”
    “Of course I will. But I don’t know everything about the Maji ’s. So you will also need your mommy’s help, and those she knows who are like you, to guide you.”
    “Okay, Mr Lennox. I’ll learn really hard. I’m glad you’re part of our family now.” Ebony hugged him.
    Lennox went stiff. He looked at Harmony. She nodded, tears filling her eyes. His shoulders lowered as he relaxed. He slowly lifted his arms around Ebony and hugged her.
    Ebony withdrew, the big smile on her face and the twinkle in her gaze signalling she was about to say something outrageous. “But it’s fun to catch people unaware. Mr Cipher was really colourful when I went to the agency. But this really interesting man with deep red hair told him to hush. He introduced himself as Mr Lupo. He knew you and Mommy. He took me around to meet others who were there, too. They were fun. Doing some neat things. Mr Cipher wasn’t his usual self. He was watching us, and, when I asked him why, he said to keep having fun. So I did.”
    Harmony exchanged glances with the others, then focused on Ebony.
    “What else happened?” Lennox asked.
    “We baked a few types of cookie. Mr Lupo loves caramel, like you do. We watched TV for a bit. Since it was getting late, I told them I had to get back to Aunty Allure’s. Before I left, Mr Cipher asked me about them. He had lots of questions.”
    “I want some caramel cookies, too,” Harmony said. “Want to make some?”
    “Yes.”
    “Go and start getting the ingredients ready,” Harmony said.
    “Okay.” Ebony slid off Lennox’s lap and ran out of the room.
    “I didn’t even know she was gone from the house,” Allure said.
    “Cipher made sure of it,” Lennox stated.
    “But why?” Harmony demanded.
    “I don’t know. But we’ll find out.”
    The sound of running feet made her and the others look towards the door. Ebony stopped in the entrance of the living room.
    “Oh, I forgot. Mr Cipher sent you a message. It doesn’t make sense, though.” She wrinkled her nose.
    “What is it, sweetie?” Harmony urged.
    “‘All clear. Begin tomorrow’. See? It makes no sense.”
    “We know what it means.”
    Ebony shrugged. “Okay.”
    She turned then ran away. Harmony stared at the empty doorway. Cipher had cleared the Shadowers, and they would begin working tomorrow.
    “Her seer and empathy abilities are increasing,” Lennox said.
    Harmony focused on him. “Yeah. When she’s at full strength, she’ll be much more aware than me or Aunt Storm.”
    “She’ll be formidable.”
    “She will. And if she’s as headstrong as Aunty Storm, who she seems to be taking after, God help us all. ” Harmony moved closer to Lennox, snuggling against his side.
    “I’m thinking it’s her mama she’s like.” Lennox chuckled.
    “Hush, you.” She poked him in the side.
    Lennox caught her fingers, lacing them with his. Harmony glanced at Allure and Vaughn, who were staring at them, smiles on their faces.
    “Are you staying to make cookies?”
    “Yep. And you’re feeding us, too,” Allure stated.
    “Only if you watch The Flintstones with us,” Harmony countered.
    “If you watch this.” Allure materialised a VHS, showing her the picture.
    “ Gargoyles. I can agree to that. Goliath’s voice is sexy.”
    Lennox squeezed her. “I thought that’s what I was.”
    “You are all that, Honey Pie, and more.” She winked.
    “That is not an