1 comments/ 16264 views/ 3 favorites Phoenix By: Ironrose The cold rain poured down in torrents, stampeding across the roof like a herd of wild horses. It overflowed the gutters and poured like a waterfall into the garden on either side of the stairs. The night was frigid, dark, moonless and starless... cloudy. He opened the door and there she was. She'd been looking downward, staring at some spot in space that was just below his knees. When he opened the door, she looked up. Dark locks of half-curling hair were plastered to her face, her neck, her chest. A zip up sweater was stuck to her shoulders, a white tank top stuck to her breasts, her belly, molding itself to her. A pair of flare-leg blue jeans clung to her legs, and dripped water in an ever expanding puddle around her feet. She stood in silence with her hands by her sides, bleak. It was the first time he'd ever seen her like this... so shattered. It almost killed him... The light in her eyes was gone, that wildness that had been her trademark for so long... snuffed out. She stood before him, a shadow of that sparkling gem that she had once been. When her blue eyes rose to his, they were blank. No, not blank. Banked. The fire was still there, only faded... and it sparked when she saw him. Her body shuddered and her arms lifted, hugging one another tightly against the cold that had so soaked into her very skin... that she doubted she could ever be warm again. There was a moment, an eternally long moment when she waited for him to say something, ask her what she was doing here... here... so far from home. But no... he didn't. Silence. She fidgeted, looked away from his eyes nervously and he was stunned. He wasn't sure what to say, wasn't sure what to do. What had brought her here? Why? What had happened? His eyes met hers again and she shivered once more. Then, he knew. Though not a word was spoken, he knew. She had come, for him. And that thought baffled him beyond words. I couldn't do it. Not without you... No sound passed between them but the shuddering of her cold breath as it puffed little white clouds into the air. He... did not breathe. She seemed just as confused as he was. It was as if she'd been living in a dream and had just now woken to find that it wasn't a dream...but a reality instead. She looked like maybe, just maybe... she wanted to cry. They stood there like that for long, awkward moments. His mouth opened and formed her name, his lips molding around the word. "Sometimes I lay there in bed," She started, her teeth chattering around the words. "Warm and wondering how cold you are. Sometimes I turn on my side and run my hand up my arm... closing my eyes, pretending it's you lacing your fingers with mine. You warm behind me. Pressed against me... and I wonder where those thoughts come from..." She stopped, and he opened his arms. She slipped into them soundlessly... "You... I don't understand. Why you?" She chattered the words into his chest and stood clutching at his shirt. "It was never like this before... you came to visit... we fucked. I came to visit... we fucked. You came to visit... and left... and this time you took a piece of something with you..." Her body was cold and wet. She shivered, her entire frame wracked with chilly shudders. He hugged her closer to him, tighter, and she buried her face in his shirt. He closed his eyes, whispering her name on such a silent breath that he doubted she heard it. So right. She was always so right. Her skin, her body, her oh-so-blue eyes and those small, but full lips of hers that somehow bent into the most wicked smile... that he had ever seen. And loved. He pulled her into the house, hauling her backwards unceremoniously. He wanted her. Wanted her now. In this moment. Now. His hands tore at her shirt, ignoring the zipper and simply pulling the sweater-jacket over her head. She lifted her arms so that he could pull off the tank top. She wore no bra; her nipples were hard as rocks. He stared at them, their dusky tan color that was just a few shades darker than the creamy white of her belly. He saw her blush. And was startled. She never blushed, never lost that 'Devil made me do it' smile that was her trademark. He reached out and touched her face, her skin was free of water now, but it still held that moist coolness that had so soaked into her skin. She closed her eyes and leaned her face into his hand, bringing her own hand up to touch his fingers, glide down to rest on his wrist. She smiled. And he lost his breath. Because as she smiled she opened her eyes and looked up at him with such sadly poignant adoration, that he was taken aback. It was as if she lamented this rise of emotion, lamented the loss of her highly flaunted freedom of heart. And yet, she knew that this was the choice her heart had made. And her head and all its good sense just couldn't compare to the emotion she felt. At this second. After a second her eyes moved, turning their blue stare upon his shirt. Slowly she lifted her hands and slipped them beneath, bringing the fabric ever higher. He gasped as her cold fingers touched his sides, tickling. Up and up she lifted the shirt until he raised his arms over his head and let her pull it free... and toss it aside. He reached out then, and touched her breast. His fingers curved around the fullness of it and she overflowed his hand. So soft and round with pale tan nipples that faded into brown where their tips stood at attention. He felt her hard nipple press against his palm and was hard, achingly hard in an instant. Slowly his hand slid away from her breast and around beneath her arm, to her back. He pulled her to him again, holding her hard against him, feeling those nipples as they pressed against his chest. Feeling the soft globes of her breasts as they were flattened, against his skin. Her hands slid over his sides and across his back, then down beneath the waistband of his jeans where she cupped his backside. Her breath was warm, hot, on his neck, in his ear, he heard her open her mouth... to speak. "I want you." Stepping back, she placed her fingers at the button that would begin her foray into his pants. One second and she was flipping his jeans open and pulling down the zipper. Slowly, ever so slowly she moved. It was as if she was trapped in someplace where time stood still and she was battling against the current. He waited and watched, his dark eyes on the crown of hair atop her head. He felt her push his jeans down over his hips and felt her push them down, down, down until they lay around his ankles. He stepped out of them. Her hands then went to her own jeans and she undid them, slowly easing them down over her hips and catching her underwear on the way. She took them both off at once, over her hips and down her legs until she stepped out of them and then tossed them aside. She was completely naked to his view. Pale, so pale, he knew she had to be cold. Knew he should give her a blanket to warm her, give her coffee and tell her that she needed to rest. He couldn't bring himself to do that. At this moment in time he wanted nothing more than to just... touch her. Only one barrier remained between him and her. His boxers. And she seemed in no hurry to remove those. She just knelt before him and pushed aside the little flaps that covered him from view. Then, she was delving, hand finding and dragging him out. What was half hard at the sight of her became completely hard in her hand. His cock strained against her fingers and he groaned, a deep guttural sound. She stroked him, her hand moving slowly up and down his length. Then it was her mouth, slipping over him slowly, engulfing the engorged head in her sweet mouth. Those 'Devil made me do it' lips closed around him and she sucked, sucked hard, drawing him into her mouth into her throat. He felt her moan more than he heard it, it vibrated down the length of his erection with the power of a lightning bolt. She took him in and then slid back and he felt the first drops of pre-cum as they emerged... felt them only because the tip of her tongue flickered across one, taking it up and spreading it around. She pulled away. "God, I love the taste of you... the smell of you... the feel... of you... " Her face was flushed and her breath ragged. Her eyes, those beautiful blue eyes that were the color of the deepest oceans... were on his flesh. His cock jumped in her hand and he watched as another clear droplet emerged from the tip of his shaft. She watched as well, then reached out with her tongue and took it up. For a moment it glistened there on the tip and then she closed her mouth and swallowed. He could see her savoring it, see her inhaling him spreading the essence of him around in her mouth. He wanted her then, more than he ever had before. It was a driving need so consuming that he thought he may just die... should she deny him now. Grasping her shoulders, he eased her to her feet and watched as slowly, ever so slowly, that smile that he loved so well... began to appear. He dragged her away from the wall, pulling her with him. His lips found hers without pretense and he sucked her tongue, tasted her mouth, and nipped at her lips. He tumbled them into the front room and they stood there, bared before a set of big bay windows. The rain ran in torrents down the glass, obscuring the view out, and quite probably, the view in. There was a mirror on the wall, a big body length mirror and she stared at it, stared at them in it. At first he didn't realize what she was looking at, what she saw. And then he knew. And smiled and heard her breathing become that much more harsh. He could see himself in that mirror, and her. His erect cock strained between them and he watched as the reflection of her reached up and tugged at the elastic waistband of his boxers, pulling them down. The boxers went the way of their other clothing, casually tossed aside the moment he'd stepped free of them. He turned her around so that her back was to his chest, they faced the mirror then. His hands slowly crept around her, one arm sliding across her waist, the other arm snaking just beneath her breasts. His hand rested on the stylized tattoo of a phoenix that was located just under her left breast. He stroked it. He hated that tattoo because it was significant to her in a way that he couldn't stand. She'd been burned by so many men before, so many, and so she'd gotten the tattoo as a reminder to herself. A reminder that no man could touch her... that she would always rise from the flames of ruin. He covered it with his hand so that he didn't have to see it. He covered it with his hand so that he could deny its existence. She reached up, and covered it as well. He looked in the mirror again, and saw that she was smiling. "I know what you're thinking... your thoughts are so much mine... that I can practically hear them..." She pressed her buttocks against him, his shaft sliding between her thighs. She cradled him there, but did not take him inside. "You think that you haven't touched me... you think that you haven't marked me... but you have..." He grasped her tighter, his arms squeezing the breath from her body. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as she spoke, as her voice rustled through the branches of his mind, disturbing. He dug his hand into her skin, pressing against that phoenix even as she pressed back against him. "I need you, I want you. I want you to stake a claim... to make me yours... to hold back nothing... and fear nothing. I know you... better than I know myself... and I know that you've been keeping yourself from me..." She paused her hips moving in a slow rhythm so that the length of him slipped back and forth between her thighs. He choked back a cry and ground his teeth together. Her wetness was beginning to come forth. His pre-cum was beginning to ease the way. She kept him so close to where he wanted to be... but never there. "Keeping yourself from me because you thought I was fickle, callow... that you were nothing but a good fuck..." His arms tightened again. God, how he wanted her. He was keeping himself in check, barely hearing her words. There was a feeling, a tense vibration in the air... and he knew. He knew. If she took him now, he would give, give himself, give everything that he was. Into her keeping. She knew that if he took her now... she would do the same. "I love you." The words cracked like a whip in the quiet of the air. Her soft voice speaking them so solemnly was the breaker. He roared then, a half-broken, half-desperate sound, and plunged into her. He slammed himself into her body and held there, gasping, his breathing labored. He looked past her shoulder and saw them in the mirror. Her eyes were closed, her mouth open, lips wet and waiting for his kiss. She shuddered in his arms, her body shaking with the force of her need, the power of his need. He bent her forward slightly, and wrapped himself around her. She spread her legs a bit and he stood between them. There was no piece of skin that did not touch another. They were sealed, back to chest, man to woman... together. "See how beautiful we look?" Her words were soft, lethargic. "See how we fit... perfect... together...?" "Yes..." His voice was broken, the merest whisper into her ear as he closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her hair. "God, I can still taste you on my lips." He heard her groan. "Take me, claim me... fuck me... I want you to." He pulled back, and thrust in again. And again. He grasped her tightly to him and stared over her shoulder into the mirror. He watched her face as he pulled away, watched her expression as he slid into her again. She was wet, so wet for him. He slipped so easily into her body... Into her body... Into... her body... God, the thought just kept echoing in his head. He was inside, he was invading, he was so close to her that there were no walls between them, no barriers... no space. No space, between them. He pounded into her, shaking her body with the force of his thrusts. His hand slid upwards, exposing the phoenix, grasping at her breast. He kneaded, squeezed, and listened to her moan. The slap, slap of flesh against flesh echoed in the room, loud and intoxicating. The wet suction of her passage at it squeezed at him, desperate to hold onto him, was the strongest aphrodisiac that he'd ever encountered. She panted, moving her hips against him, grinding herself against him whenever he stopped thrusting. She hungered for him, wanted, needed, desired... "Oh, god... fuck me..." He withdrew and pressed back, and she could feel him, feel every inch of his hardness as it slid into her waiting cunt. The friction of his skin so deep inside of her. The push of the head of his cock against her womb. She wanted him to feel that... feel how deep he was. She grasped his hand and placed it flat on her belly. He withdrew and thrust and withdrew and thrust. Pounding into her so hard... "I feel that... God... I feel you... feel me inside of you..." He groaned. He could. He could feel every ripple of vibration as he plowed so deep into her belly. With his palm flat on her abdomen... he could feel every thrust. And he thrust, and thrust... reached deeper, deeper, and deeper still. He heard her cry out, heard her moan his name. His hand slid lower, brushing through the tight curls that hid her from his view. Fingers searched, sought out, and delved. He touched her clit and she jumped, grinding herself back against him. He felt the violent shudder of desire as it streaked through her body, and he absorbed it. Around and around, his fingers danced over her clit. He flicked it lightly with his finger even as he pumped in and out of her with his cock. He felt her muscles tightening, felt her entire body tensing, felt her orgasm building... then it broke. She screamed and bucked against him, her passage was so tight, so incredibly tight that it grasped him and wouldn't let go. Grasped him, grasped... and drew his own climax forth. "Come... come in me... I want to feel it..." Still in orgasm's thrall, she spoke, words that made him groan. He loved that, spilling, spilling inside of her. Leaving his essence there where it could blend and mix with her own arousal. Loved the scent of himself mixed with that of her sex. Loved... her... He erupted then, coming violently and he could almost see himself. The white viscous fluid of his desire shooting deep inside of her. He bucked his hips against her and groaned. His hand closed over her breast and he squeezed with near violence. He held her to him, his body pressed to hers... he grasped at her... practically forced the air from her lungs with the violence of his need. To keep her. He came so hard that his cum overflowed her and spilled out. Gathering in the tight curls of her mound, glistening in wet smudges on her thighs. He jerked her roughly against him and heard her cry out. Her head fell back against his shoulder and he watched him in the mirror. His hand closed over the phoenix tattoo and he grasped the flesh, digging his nails into her soft skin. As if he wanted to rid her of that mark. "The phoenix rises from the flames," He gritted. "And she is... mine... Phoenix The wind came up around her with unexpected strength. It left her feeling as if it wanted her to fail, to fall from such a distance and die upon impact on the cement so very far below. But Callista Star hadn't come all this way to fail. She set her jaw, one almost too soft and rounded to actually set, and took another step closer to the edge. She glanced down only once, then she reached out for the low hung railing, using it to drag herself up and over the cement safety rail. The sounds of traffic, of people and the beat of the city below was only an echo as she studied the roofs around her, trying to concentrate only on what she was doing here and ignoring the insane fear of heights that had her trembling. A growl escaped lips too lush and beautiful to make a harsh sound like that. "Just do it!" She stood straight on the slippery rail, grabbing the button that closed the low cut vest. Tearing at them, she pushed it off of her shoulders. She was half naked now, her breasts gleaming in the bright sunlight. She brushed the beautiful golden tresses that kept flying into her face, tucking them irritably behind her ear. Soft azalea colored eyes closed and she took a deep breath. "I can do this, I can." A tight leather skirt barely reached to mid thigh and gave her all the freedom she needed. She just needed to take that final step. "Do it, do it," she chanted to herself, hating the fear that had her almost leaving her perch to step back onto the roof. "No!" she growled and took a deep breath, then dove through the air. The side of the building rushed by her quickly and she arched her back, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Come on, damn it!" A sudden sharp pain had her convulsing and she thought she was going to be sick. But then the sound, like a flag unfurling in a brutal wind, snapped behind her and she felt them. With a little effort, she spread the wings that now sprouted from between her shoulder blades, feeling them catch the wind, lifting her back up. Learning to make them flap was a bit harder but soon she was flying as if she'd been doing it for centuries. Turning into the wind, she flapped them harder, taking her back to the roof top she'd thrown herself from and the small group of women who waited for her. The leader of the group stepped forward, pushing long strands of black hair from her face and holding her hands out to the girl. "I knew you could do it, Callista. Welcome to the order of the Guardians." She slung the cloak she was wearing off of her slender shoulders, exposing her own wings. Callista stood motionless under the eyes of the Mistress of the Guardians and then felt the softness of the woman's lips feather across her cheek. She was turned, her hand taken and raised into the air. "Welcome! As is the way of our people, the name that you were once called will no longer be yours. You will now be called Tama Seri Ar. In the language of the Guardian...Warrior Woman!" The voices rose in volume and she was passed from woman to woman, each giving her a kiss of welcome and repeating her new name before passing her to the next. All fifteen of the women wore a loin cloth around their slim hips, their breasts bared to the sun, their wings out spread and blowing in the wind. One woman lifted a small iron from a brazier of white hot coals. Callista took a deep breath, reaching down and lifting the hem of her short skirt, exposing her left bottom cheek. The tiny wire at the end of the iron was pressed firmly against that cheek, and Tama, the woman Callista had become, barely managed to swallow the scream that wanted free. Then the iron was removed and a soothing balm rubbed into the burned flesh that was now the perfect outline of a Phoenix, the mythical bird who would burst into flames and then rise once more from its ashes. The leader once more took Callista's hand. "You know of your mission," she said softly, waiting for the girl to nod. "Your sisters are but a call away. I've set up your interview for tomorrow afternoon." She pressed a small packet of papers to Tama. "Your tickets, passport, bank accounts and credit cards are in there. An apartment has been set up for you, along with the clothes you will need for this new job. Getting the job is your responsibility, Tama Seri Ar. As is keeping your identity secret. We can't let anyone know what we are about. Is that understood?" Tama bowed over the woman's hand. "Yes, Mother. I shall succeed and I shall make you proud." "Of that I have no doubt." She pressed a kiss against Tama's temple. "Beware of the men you meet. They shall try to sway your course. Humans are not to be trusted." With one last kiss, she turned, untying the cloak at her neck and letting it fall to the rough surface of the roof. One by one, the woman stepped up to the edge and then dove out, their wings spreading to catch the wind drafts. Then, only Tama was left, her hands filled with the folder that Mother had given her. She opened it, glancing through before lifting a driver's license out. She smiled as she read the name on it. "Tama Phoenix. I did it!" She unfolded her wings, wrapping them around herself and smiling at the beauty of her own feathers. * * * * The next day dawned early but Tama had already been awake for hours. She was studying the case file. She'd read the damn thing over enough that she knew most of the pertinent facts by memory. "If it's worth doing, it should be done right." It was something the Guardian Mother slammed into their heads during classes before they got their wings. A sudden surge of nerves made her belly turn and she cringed at the thought of what came next. A couple of deep breathes pushed it back and she rose, going into the bathroom to start a shower. Her feather cape was now hanging in her bathroom and she let her hand press against it proudly. It had been many years since a girl had been capable of sprouting wings. Years that had the guardians concerned. Many had tried, more had failed until even taking the test to start along the path had others shaking their heads. But that had never stopped Tama. She knew her own mind and knew what she was capable of. She knew when it was time, she would be able to prove her worth and she had. Stroking a specially made cleanser over her wings, she used the smaller shower head to rinse them clean and then hooked the wing cape to finish her shower. Getting dressed was something else she was going to have to get used to. No more bras, they just weren't feasible with her wings. She pulled on a tank-top, tugging the material down so that it caught under her wings. Tight black shorts slid on like a second layer of skin and she buttoned them, smoothing the fabric down over her ass. She glanced at the mirror, slicking down an errant strand of golden hair. Tugging on the bottom of the halter, she sighed then gave herself a stern look. She was ready for this. She'd trained, she'd been counseled. She knew her mission. Spreading out her wings, she shook them lightly. When her cell phone rang, she jumped for her purse, digging it out and looking at the window in the front. She rushed to open it, almost dropping the phone in her hurry. "Yes?" "We're waiting outside, Miss Phoenix." "Oh, yeah, great! I'll be down in a moment." She closed up the phone, sliding it into the back pocket of her shorts. Grabbing her keys, she took one last look in the mirror before leaving her apartment. She had a private elevator and reveled in the fact that she didn't have to share or deal with the stares of those who had no idea who she was. She took deep breaths, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. If this wasn't her only chance at this, she might have taken it a bit less seriously. The elevator bell rang and she stepped out, pushing through the glass doors that led to the sidewalk. She slid into the limousine that was idling out front. "Welcome, Miss Phoenix. If you'll buckle up, we'll be there in no time." Tama looked at the man who was sitting behind the wheel. He didn't look Were or Vampire. She wasn't sure what species he was but the way he was staring at her was giving her the creeps. She buckled her seatbelt and then stared out the window at the buildings as they streamed by. The wharf area of town was soon off to her left and she was a bit shocked when the limo drove into one of the warehouses. The driver stopped the car and then hopped out, opening her door and giving her his hand to help her out. "They are waiting for you, Miss Phoenix. If you'll just go through that door," he pointed toward one of six doors that the room had. She moved toward it but before she opened it, she turned back to look at the driver one more time. Her eyes grew wide when she saw the floor under the limo shift and then drop, the driver standing next to his car. He tipped his hat at her and then another cement looking floor curved up around him and blocked him from her sight. "Shit," she murmured. "Talk about toys." The door opened in front of her and a tall, well-built man wearing sunglasses held out his hand to her. "My name is Protector Reming, welcome to ASP. I hope your trip here was pleasurable." "Very." She glanced in the doorway seeing an oasis of half walls and desks, people manning them and walking between them. There were all kinds, Weres, Demons, Vampires, even a Witch or two. Each was wearing a different color jumpsuit, all made of fine grained leather. "This looks like an office building." "Well, we do try not to let ourselves be noticed. The humans are a very curious species." He waved her through the door and then closed it softly behind him. "If you'll follow me, we'll go to one of the conference rooms." He started walking and Tama couldn't help the way her eyes watched the way he walked, almost as if he were a predator and he was stalking his prey. It was very sensual. "What are you?" she asked before she could help herself. Protector Reming glanced back at her through the dark protection of his glasses. "I am Protector of ASP, Miss Phoenix. I've had this job for ten years and as such, I am very used to the job that I hold." Tama held out her hand in a soothing manner. "No, sir, that's not what I meant. I just...you don't look Vampire or Were, I couldn't help but be curious about..." She let her voice die off, her eyes trying to see behind the dark lenses of the Protector. It annoyed her that she couldn't determine his mood and she sighed. "I'm very sorry if I've offended you. It wasn't my intent." Protector Reming smiled and she breathed a sigh of relief. She'd thought she'd blown it but he didn't seem upset. "It's okay, Miss Phoenix. I've been asked the question before. It's just really hard to give an adequate description." Tama grinned. "Phew, I thought I'd already blown my interview." "Nope, at least not yet." He held open a door and closed it behind them, drowning out the sounds that were usual in an office building. "Why don't we sit?" She took a chair and watched as he did the same. A file sat before him and he opened it, scanning quickly over the information it contained. "I really only have one question, Miss Phoenix. Why do you think you are the right person for this job opening? You've never worked enforcement. As a matter of fact, I don't find any information on you before six months ago." Tama had been ready for this question. "My parents loved to travel, and being supernatural, they avoided paper trails. I guess I didn't fall far from the tree. But when I decided to apply for this position, I decided I should do what my parents didn't and become a citizen. As to why I think I'm the right person, that's easy. I have a strong sense of right and wrong; I've been trained in different forms of martial arts and know weapons. I do not jump to conclusions and I know that I'll be working with many different types of supernaturals." "And you think that you can handle the training as well as the work?" His brow arched above the dark glasses. "I do," she said simply. "You're very self-assured." Protector Reming flipped over a few pages in her file, checking his facts before he closed it. "The position is to fill a vacancy in my own team. As such, you will be working with myself, a Witch, and a Vampire. That won't be a problem?" Tama shook her head, her golden hair spilling over her shoulders. "Definitely not. I think I'll enjoy the diversity." "Good. Then I'd be happy to offer you the position. You've been recommended highly." She grinned. Holding out her hand, she waited until he offered his, feeling a bit of a shock when their skin met. She hesitated just a moment, her eyes trying to bore through those damned dark glasses. He was a mystery and she very much wanted to know the answers to the questions that circled in her mind. But she wasn't dumb enough to ask and jeopardize the position she just gained. Working for Reming and so closely might give her enough clout to find what the Guardians had sent her here for. If she had to use him, considering how important this mission was, she'd do it. "When do you want me to start?" "Right away, today if it's convenient. Oro was a member of my team but his pack called him back. It's been a strain on the rest of us. So if today's good, I'll get you set up with a uniform and your gear and introduce you to the rest of the team." "I can't wait," she said, giving him a flirty little smile. It wouldn't hurt to have a small flirtation with the boss, especially if she might need to use him in the future. She rose when he did and walked in front of him , waiting while he opened the door for her. "So, may I ask a question?" "Sure," Reming said, his head tipping so that she knew he was looking at her. "What are the different colored uniforms for? I thought ASP used a standard gray uniform?" "I've found it's much easier to rank my people by color and species. Just the Were population alone here at ASP would confuse anyone not used to them. It's actually pretty easy." He waved his hand at a woman sitting at a desk, biting on a pencil with sharp white teeth. "Tessa is a Vampire. She works mostly with the Beta crew. Because she's a Vampire, she wears a red jumpsuit. The bars on her collar indicate her rank and the small, round pin signifies what unit she's in." "What color will I be wearing?" "Blue for now. We'll change it as you gain experience and I see how well you fit in here. We'll get you validated on weapons and see what you can do in one on one combat, then I'll introduce you to Mariska and Sage. They'll be happy to see you. Since Oro left, we've been stuck on desk duty. They'll be excited to get back out in the field." Tama filed away the names to check out when she got home. She talked easily with Protector Reming, enjoying his easy charm and finding it fascinating how everyone they passed stepped back against a wall and at attention. "You run a tight ship." "It's a big ship, as I said. One warning about your new team mates. Do not touch Mariska unless it's absolutely necessary. She's what they call a touch/know. If you were to touch her, she'd know your entire life story in just a few seconds." "Noted." She went through the door he held open and into a huge room full of everything and anything that an ASP agent might need. A short, squat redhead stood behind a long desk. She smiled up at Protector Reming and greeted him warmly. "And what can I do for you today?" she asked. "Tama, this is Jude Bottomly. She is our equipment clerk. If you ever find that you need something, do not hesitate to ask her for it. Jude, our new agent, Tama Seri Ar. She is starting today if we can get her set up with equipment." "It's a pleasure, Tama. And thank God for you. Sage is going nuts strapped to a desk." Jude reached out, taking Tama's hand and turning it over in his. She traced her fingers over the lines of Tama's palm, smiling as if she saw something she liked. "Uh, hi," Tama said, extricating her hand from the woman. "Thank you?" "Jude is a Mystic, Tama. She loves to play matchmaker, but she's mostly harmless and is absolutely crucial to keeping this place running as smoothly as it does." Jude nodded, reaching up to pat the strange man on the cheek. "Thanks boss." Then she looked back at Tama. "You're a four." It was a statement, not a question and she reached back into the racks, pulling out two sapphire blue jumpsuits and laying them on the counter. Then she placed a large black backpack on top of it and began to pack it full of all manner of equipment. "Shoes?" "Seven and a half," Tama said, reaching out and snagging one of the jumpsuits. It was a bit different than the ones she'd been seeing today. The front was the same, a long silver zipper closing it to the neck, a black belt with a military buckle in the front. But the back was very different. A blue strap held the neckline and then the back was open to the waist, giving her plenty of room for her wings. "How many women do you have working here that have wings?" Reming picked up the black combat boots up and held them up to her. "I think you're my one and only, but ASP is a huge law enforcement community. They are setting up offices in every major city in the States. There's a dressing room back there. Why don't you try it on?" Tama nodded and then went through the doorway that Jude held open for her. She could almost feel Reming's eyes on her ass and she made sure to add just a bit more wiggle to her walk. Following Jude, she stepped into the tiny cubicle, closing the curtain. She could barely contain her satisfaction. She'd gotten the job. Mistress Jade was going to be pleased. She'd thought the leather would be heavy and cumbersome but it wasn't. It was actually comfortable. She reached up and buttoned the strip of leather across her neck and then turned to stare into the mirror. The blue looked good on her, making her hair gleam in the light. Her eyes danced and she crouched into an attack position, enjoying the way the leather moved with her. The boots were heavy, but not overly so and she'd get used to them. Twitching the belt one last time, she picked up her clothing and folded it before going back into the equipment room. "Oh yeah," Jude said with a grin when she spotted her. "You look as if you were made for that uniform." She picked something up, clipping it in the small holes at her waist. "Now you look official." Tama stared at the bright shine on the badge. "It feels pretty good." Reming handed her the full backpack. "Now we have to get you over to the gym and set you up with a locker and with a laser." They got her set up with a weapon and then gave her a locker. Then Protector Reming took her to the weapons range. "Have you ever used anything like this?" he asked, picking up the laser she'd been given. It was a duplicate to the one he wore at his hip. Tama smiled. She'd used the exact same model and had become more than proficient with it. "I think I can figure it out." She held out her hand, waiting until he set the laser into it. Then she checked it out, sliding the power lever on the side down to the target setting before lifting it and sighting down the sights. Squeezing the trigger, she sent five bursts of brilliant green down toward the sights, hitting the middle of the bulls-eye with each burst. Protector Reming picked up the validation form and scrawled his name across the bottom. He handed it to her without a word, watching as she folded it and stuffed it into her backpack then holstered her laser at her hip. "Back to the gym? We can get you through training in the next couple of days and then get you out and into the field." Tama nodded. "I'm ready." Reming shook his head. His head tipped down and she knew he was looking into her eyes. "Somehow I get the idea that you're not lying." Tama laughed. "I told you, I was prepared for today." Phoenix "We'll see. If you feel that confident, maybe we should dispense with the need for a trainer and you and I should hit the mats." His smile was only slightly mocking and she nodded her head. "I might be tempted so spot you a few points as well," she smirked. "We'll see when we get on the mats." He led the way, turning into the men's locker room. He beat her out to the gym. When she came out, she was dressed completely different. A tight white tank top was tucked under her wings, the front dipping low. Dark gray shorts were tight across her firm, curved ass. She had legs that looked miles long. Reming stood on a corner of the mat. His dark glasses still covered his eyes but she could see the way his head was tipped that he was watching her. He lifted his hand and wiggled his fingers at her in a come hither way. Tama bent and stretched out her legs, warming up her muscles before moving toward him. Then the fight was on! Phoenix Hekate was a warrior, a damned good warrior she thought. But even with her skills she wasn't able to keep her lover Demetrius protected, he had taken on a lot more than she had but what she would consider a fated blow slipped through his defence as he landed the killing blow on his last opponent. Quickly she dispatched the last bandit, shoving her sword through his chest, she turn to see Demetrius on the ground bleeding. "Demetrius!" she cried as she rushed over to her dropping her sword, she quickly unfastened his armor and inspected the wound a gash slashed his side, blood seeping out, she winced as he groaned in pain. She looked at the tear in his tunic, the sword wound was deep, she could feel his life slipping away slowly. He reached up and grasped her hand and gave her a look of such sorrow, he knew that death was upon him. "Don't you die on me, you're not done yet there is one thing I can do. Hold on for me," she said as she lifted him. He cried out as it pulled on his wound, she carried him over to their cart, they were mercenaries. She knew of an altar to the gods close by, which is why they received the job to clear the area of the bandits to keep the altar safe, she knew limited witchcraft it aided with injuries and she knew the injury he had sustained was too deep. She pulled the cart and dragged it forward, she knew that this must be fate. Knowing the time and when the spell needed to be prepared was of the utmost importance, she had to get him to the altar before sunrise or she would be lost. It felt like ages dragging the cart, hearing his breathing sharp and jerky as pain stabbed him. She would not lose him, he was the only man that had ever respected her, and had never underestimated her. "So cold," he whispered as they closed in on the wild altar to the gods on the edge of a cliff overlooking a valley. "Hold on Demetrius, we're almost there," desperation entered her voice as she pushed through the trees dragging the cart, her arms burned the wheels weren't designed for traveling over rocks and thick grass, she winced every time a bump caused him to groan in pain. The trees parted as she saw the altar standing on a stone platform, the wide smooth slab of rock supported by pillars of rough marble glowed subtly in the pre-dawn light. She was not religious, she didn't pray to the gods. They never stepped in to help anyone, but with her tentative connection to the arcane there was a glimmer of hope she could connect with them. She dragged the cart to the edge of the platform and looked in to see his eyes barely staying open his now pale skin glistening with sweat. She quickly lifted him, his skin was cool to the touch. He reached out and grabbed her weakly as he groaned. She carried him to the altar and laid him down, quickly she refastened his chestpiece and pressed his sword into his hand which he grasped. His breathing came out short and sharp as blood continued to seep out of his wound. His free hand grasped hers and squeezed it, as he looked at her, pain written over his masculine features. She wouldn't know what she would do if this didn't work, it had to. She looked up at the sky, it was lightening around the horizon, it would happen soon. She stepped back from the altar and closed her eyes, digging deep inside herself she found her tenuous connection to magic and tapped into the well, she sent out a prayer to the gods to save him. She knew of the god's penchant for heroes and he was a hero not just to her to many people. She opened her eyes the magic still bubbling inside of her, Demetrius' eyes were locked on her as the life faded from him. She wished this wasn't necessary she wished she could give him her strength to help him fight the injury, he was strong as a titan. But that sword had cut him too deeply for her to save him. Her only hope was her plea to the gods, the light around the horizon had paled to light blue shade as Demetrius whispered to her, "I love you," then the life faded from him as his eyes slid shut. Tears pooled in her eyes as she felt his life force drain. She felt trapped on the spot as light brightened quickly, this had to work. It just had to. The first burst of sunlight raced across the valley and climbed up the cliff, then slid up the altar before bathing Demetrius' body in the golden glow of dawn's light. She held her breath for a moment fearing the worst that it wouldn't work as the light spread up her legs. Then a burst of light surrounded his body and he exploded into flames. Shock grasped her as brilliant flames of gold and deep orange surrounded his body. Leaving nothing but a pile of pitch black ash and his sword glowing red from the heat, she was about to drop to her feet and wail in despair, but then there was another burst of light as a magnificent bird of fire exploded into view. The flames of its body radiated heat over her, the shimmering dancing flames of gold, orange and red flickering in front of her. The spell had really worked, the gods had answered her prayers. Tears streamed down her face as the bird looked at her and took to the stone platform the flames fading as they morphed into brilliant golden feathers. Then it started to change again. Demetrius soon looked up at her, the brilliant dawn light haloing his naked body. *** His thoughts were a mess, a jumble. He was in pain from the sword wound then suddenly calm seeped through him and he was floating, he had been sure he had died. He had never wanted to leave Hekate, she had been everything to him. He had wanted to start a family with her, he wanted children. He had respected and admired her before they had even gotten romantically involved, but fate had ripped that away from him. He didn't want to be calm, he wanted to be angry, furious at the situation. He would be forced into the underworld against his will, well before he was ready. Then intense heat had filled his being, as he opened his eyes again dawn light spreading around the landscape but he didn't feel normal. He felt far more than he ever had. Then he realized he had wings, massive wings made of glorious flames. Then he looked down and saw his chest tapering down to bird feet, his whole body shimmering with living flames. Then he noticed Hekate standing there tears running down her face, the happiest he had ever seen her. Then he noticed he wasn't on the ground, he was hovering above the altar, with a push of his wings that seemed to come by instinct he settled back on the ground, the stone under his bird feet felt unusual. Far different then he had experienced before, than another instinct flooded into him. The heat vanished as the flames formed golden feathers. Suddenly his world view shifted again as his wings shortened and slid into his shoulders as his arms formed to take their place. Soon he found himself crouching in front of Hekate, the woman who had saved him from death. He had no idea of how powerful her magic had become, to reach out like that. Then he felt the cool dawn breeze sweeping around him, he looked down and he was completely naked. The flames of the phoenix had incinerated his armor and tunic, but the only thing he could think of was the woman in front of him. How she saved him from the torment of losing her, he stood and walked over to her and kissed her. "I love you Hekate," he whispered as her hands slipped around his back and pulled him closer kissing him harder, the sensations of her fingers on his back. Her arms around him, felt different then it had before, sizzling sparks of sensation flooded through him. Blood rushed to his groin as the sensations flooded him, richer and more powerful than ever. He needed her naked against him, to feel her skin against his. It drove deep inside of him, it was a primal need. He continued her kiss then slid his fingers down her sides and unclasped her armor and slid it off. He reached for the tie of her tunic and released it he had to break the kiss, a groan of complaint came from her lips, and he grinned and then pulled her tunic over her head. "I need you against me," he whispered and kissed her neck making her groan and arch her back as he reached down and unlaced her leg guards and pulled them off. He lifted her up and carried her to the altar, he had a feeling that this was where he needed to place her. He removed her sandals then kissed up her thigh. She arched and dug her fingers into his hair as he slid his tongue along her folds before slipping his lips over her bud and sucked, she arched and screamed under him as he continued his path up her body, kissing, nipping and licking up her body to her luscious breasts curling his tongue around her nipple. Sensation fizzled through his body as his legs pressed against hers, being with her was different, now he was changed. He knew he was no longer human, the bird form and the raging flames attested to that. She arched and dug her fingers into his shoulders as he continued his path up her body, kissing and licking up her neck to her lips where he kissed her passionately with all the fire and energy he could muster, her legs wrapped around his. His full cock rubbing against her groin, sparks of pleasure shooting through him every time she rubbed against him. He had enough of their foreplay, her wetness rubbed against his thigh as she kissed him back with equal force her arms around his neck. He reached down and grasped his cock before sliding the heat into her heat, he groaned against her lips as he slid in slowly inch by inch. Her heat running up his cock, surrounding him entirely, he soaked in the sensations as he slowly pushed in savouring every sensation. He growled as she suddenly grasped his ass and shoved him down into her, the pleasure surging up his spine. Then he began to thrust, the sensation burning over his body with each pull and thrust. *** Hekate had always craved his touch, it was like a drug to her. She had to speed it up, she was desperate for him, his hard muscles rubbing against her drove her mad along with his slow thrust inside of her, she reached down and grasped his tight ass and shoved him down inside of her. The punch of sensation sent her reeling, his hungry growl vibrated through her body. His lips still hungry on hers, she drank in his taste. The rich hot surge of power running through his body ran into hers like a river current, she could feel the change, he had changed. Demetrius had grown more potent, hungrier as he kissed her and thrust into her. Sensation charged through her, building higher and higher, she felt like she was going to burn up. But it wasn't her, with his thrust of his cock Demetrius' skin grew hotter, it was like the sun was wrapped around her. She could barely breathe, the heat from his body and the searing passion he laid into her were overwhelming her senses, she dug her fingers into his back hard. His lips still fused to hers growled as she felt his blazing hot skin jerk until her nails. He thrust harder into her, angling his cock just right to hit that special spot that never failed to make her explode. One thing she learned that never failed to make him squirm was biting his neck, it would throw him over she was sure of it. One thrust later, he slammed into her spot her orgasm shattered her, she wrenched her lips from his hungry ones and dug her teeth into his neck, he roared as she came around him massaging his cock. He slammed into her as he came, pulse after searing hot pulse jetting into her. But instead of the pleasure dissipating it continued to increase, she couldn't breathe as she shattered again, squeezing his cock harder as he continued to slam into her. His eyes bulged as she knew he had come again, more fiery hot liquid bathing her insides. His chest seized as his skin ignited, she screamed as the conflagration surrounded her, engulfing both of their bodies. The intensity of the orgasm continuing to escalate until there was nothing but ash left on the altar. Moments later two fiery birds erupted into being, they then flew off from the cliff away from the altar. *** His skin burned, heat flooded through his body like the mountain's blood, he thrust into her hard, he devoured her lips hungrily absorbing her feminine taste, soft but powerful. It energized him, he knew he couldn't hold on for much longer, she was rippling around him. Her nails were digging into his back, sensation flooded his body. Sweat ran down his back only to burn away from the intense heat radiating from his skin, he really was going to burn up. Before he could think about it and worry, she came around him squeezing him, massaging him as she ripped her lips away from his then dug her teeth into his neck. The sudden shock of her bite made him roar as his orgasm ripped through him, pulse after pulse flooding into her sheath rippled around him. Massaging his cock, he expected it to burn out now but the pleasure increased ramping up higher and higher. His breath caught in his throat as fire surged through his body incinerating his senses as he came again right on top of his last orgasm. Fiery streaks of pleasure burning through his body as he pulsed into her again and again as she tightly squeezed him. His chest tightened, all his muscles seizing up as his body incinerated, flames roaring over him, he roared mixing with her scream as the pleasure continued to mount another explosion ripping from him then his mind blanked out. Suddenly he was aware again, but he wasn't alone this time. He looked to his side and saw another phoenix, golden shimmering flames, she looked at him and he knew why he needed her on the altar. It was the second half of the spell, only there would it have worked or he would have killed her. He jerked his head towards the valley, if he could have grinned in this bird body he would have. He spread his wings and took flight as if he had been born to it, he felt a draft beside him as he knew she followed him. 2,500 years later Hekate entered the bedroom of their apartment and watched Demetrius at the window only wearing his red boxers, even after all these millennia she still hungered for him. It was a never ending craving she hoped would never die. They had seen much in their extremely long existence, they still looked back to the day they were reborn anew. "What are you doing sexy?" she asked with a purr. Demetrius looked over and smirked at her, "Hey gorgeous, just waiting for the sunrise." Hekate walked over and wrapped her arms around his chest and kissed his neck, "It's still beautiful even after all these years." "Somethings never change," said Demetrius as the first rays of sunlight burst over the horizon, making the ocean spread out in front of them shimmer like gold. "I love you," whispered Hekate as she kissed his neck. "I love you too," he said huskily and turned in her grasp and kissed her back and then lifted her up and carried her to the bed. He smirked then leaned in to kiss her deeply, pressing against her.