"I still love you," Rachel whispered. This battle was one she could not fight and Phoenix had stopped protesting, realizing this.
Her head snapped to the side as three long strokes dug into her cheek. The blood was dripping down her face mixing with her tears that ran freely now. The taste of blood entered her mouth, that bitter metallic taste.
This has gone far enough.
The Phoenix Force was not about to leave her host simply because Rachel didn't 'feel' like fighting. Rachel didn't want to hurt this girl, but Phoenix didn't mind. This girl was clearly not whoever Rachel thought she was and that was fine with her.
Flames encased Rachel and came out to lick Rose, warning her to back off. While harmless to Rachel, they grabbed hungrily at Rose's skin. Even Rachel's eyes burned as she watched for she wasn't the one fighting this battle anymore.