Ignis Avem!

Photo copyright – J Hardy Carroll

Charcoal and water shone black in the moonlight as Bateman picked his way through the charred ruins of the house, the old man’s warning echoing in his head – Ignis Avem!

“This is where the fire started.” The fireman said, pointing to a scorch-mark on what used to be the conservatory floor. “Did you have underfloor heating sir?”

Bateman nodded absently, stunned by the devastation.

Ignis Avem! The old man had shouted, as he’d stolen the egg from the nest, deep in the volcano caldera.

High above them, the shrill cry of the Phoenix carried on the air.