Phoenix Rising

by Anne, Melody

  “Oh man, I’m getting my workout in today,” Sadie muttered.

  “No kidding,” Phoenix responded with a grimace. She started to move to the left of the building, the other two following her lead.

  “Hey! You insulted my capabilities, so you’re working on that side of the building,” Sadie said firmly, turning around to face Brian, and pointing down the hall so he would be on his own.

  “I didn’t mean anything by it,” Brian defended.

  “I want girl time, anyway.”

  “Fine,” Brian conceded, knowing when to stop arguing, and he slowly shuffled toward the other end of the hall, glancing over his shoulder every few feet, hoping Sadie would change her mind.

  She didn’t.

  “You wanted girl time?” Phoenix asked once they were alone. She knelt to the ground and pulled out a dagger, using it to take off the outer jacket of the man in front of her, starting the long process of securing each person in the room.

  Sadie got down beside her and started to do the same, “Well, I always want girl time, we are like macaroni and cheese; we’re meant for each other,” she said with a smile. “But I also noticed that you seemed a bit lost in your head, and I had to get you alone to interrogate you for answers.”

  “I guess I’ve been upset about how things have gone with Jayden, and I know that’s selfish because of what’s going on in the world is so much more important and I realize it’s the first priority. But really, I just want time with him, I want to be able to lie in his arms, let go, and relax. We haven’t had any time with each other,” Phoenix said with a frown. “Am I a bad person?”

  “Oh, Phoenix, you’re as far from a bad person as it gets. Everyone has selfish desires once in a while. You know how badly I want to get Brian alone; we are newlyweds and have had absolutely no alone time. But the thing is, we aren’t acting on those desires. We are working toward making this country habitable. Anyway, getting a couple moments alone with Jayden wouldn’t be bad. It’s just another thing that will keep you sane, so do it,” Sadie lectured.

  “When did you get so wise?”

  “I’m a married woman; it does things to you.”

  “Dang! That’s what I need; I need to get myself a wedding ring,” Phoenix joked, nudging Sadie’s shoulder as they continued with their work.

  “Or you need to focus,” Sadie said. “I’ve tied up eleven guys in the time it took you to do half that.”

  “Well, look at little Miss Perfect.”

  “Hey, girls,” Brian shouted, walking toward them from the opposite end of the room.

  “You want to join us now? Going to repent for your sins?” Sadie asked.

  “No, really, did you guys hear a commotion outside? I swear I heard something,” Brian responded. His brow creased and worry filled his tone.

  At that moment a loud crash echoed through the chamber, and the building shook with the rumble. The girls jumped to their feet and followed Brian to the door. They couldn’t protect themselves if they didn’t know what the threat was.

  “Phoenix, he’s here,” Brian whispered, standing in the doorway and staring out across the base.

  Dread pooled in Phoenix’s stomach. There were very few “he’s” that could make Brian sound so surprised. Taking a deep breath, Phoenix stepped forward and pushed past Brian to see the outside area. The previous knowledge wasn’t enough to prepare her for the sight of her older brother. Her stomach plummeted as she watched him, and it dipped again as she realized he was there with Jessica, in opposition of Jayden.

  “I need to help Jayden, and I need to talk to Johnathan,” Phoenix whispered, trying to build up the courage. She didn’t want to face the changes that Johnathan had gone through, but she also knew he was still in there somewhere.

  “You can’t do that. We have to stay together. I don’t want you getting hurt,” Brian responded. It terrified him to see Johnathan this way. It terrified him to see that the man who had once been his best friend was now changed and so hateful.

  Phoenix turned toward Brian. “You have to understand that underneath all of that hate, he’s still my brother. He’s hurting, but he’s still the man that would lay down his life for mine. I need to remind him of that. Trust me. I can do this, but I need to do it alone. Don’t let his presence compromise our goals. Keep working in here, and I will take care of the problem outside,” Phoenix said, her confidence back and her eyes begging for them to trust her and allow this opportunity.

  “We trust you,” Sadie said. Brian didn’t look as if he agreed, but he let her go.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Allison

  “What do we have here?” a playful voice asked. Shuffling could be heard, coming closer and closer. Ali clenched her eyes shut, terrified by what was to come. Seconds later the cupboard Ali had been sleeping within, and was now hiding fearfully inside, was violently wrenched open.

  Ali blinked her eyes, confused about what was happening, still half asleep, and now blinded by fresh light that poured from above into her small lair. How ironic that such bright light was followed seconds later by such darkness.

  A large hand firmly gripped her arm and harshly yanked, effectively hauling her from her warm haven. Ali looked up at the two men, not really used to seeing other people. The only real contact she’d had with another person that she remembered well was with her mother.

  The men seemed so huge, towering over her. Their expressions were very different from the one her mother always had worn. There was no warmth; there was no open acceptance. Their faces were cold and harsh.

  More than that though, the grip was painful. Ali would surely have a bruise where the man’s hand dug into her soft flesh. These men reminded Ali of the horrible men who had killed her mom that night weeks ago. They wore the same outfits, had the same guns holstered to their sides, and they showed not one ounce of humanity.

  “Hey! You found a little one,” the other man’s voice chimed in with a gleeful chuckle. Even while laughing, his face lacked the warmth associated with true joy. Ali didn’t understand, but that chuckle wasn’t from being happy.

  “What are you doing?” Ali demanded. She was terrified, but she had to know. She needed answers. She needed reassurance that everything would be okay in the end.

  The man that had pulled her out brought back his other hand then slammed it forward, slapping her across the face and immediately bringing tears to her eyes.

  “I do whatever I want, and you don’t get to ask questions.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jayden

  Jayden let out a sigh of relief as the last portion of the air traffic control panel was disabled. He had deactivated the radio tower after contacting those stationed at Drake and Elise’s home so a group could secure the area and care for the prisoners held here. Next, he’d entered the weaponry storage and shut down the electronic safety system and secured that area, and his final area of business was disabling all aircraft parked at the base and shutting down the communication tower. Knowing those tasks were completed was a weight off his shoulders. One less base to worry about.

  The relief filling Jayden quickly vanished as the click of the door opening penetrated the enclosed room. Jayden turned, not willing to be left unaware. A mortal adversary would be no problem, but he was aware this world held much more than human foes.

  “Johnathan,” Jayden whispered. Dread pooled through his core as he stared at the twisted rage on his old friend’s face. Jessica stood behind him, toting an evil grin. She must feel so satisfied with herself, Jayden thought. He was furious with the wench who seemed to escalate every bad situation into something worse.

  “I don’t think we’re on good enough terms for first names, although I wouldn’t mind you calling me master,” Johnathan snapped, taking one slow calculated step forward. He could see the worry in Jayden’s eyes and the rush of power that followed was intoxicating.

  “What are you here for?” Jayden questioned. He drew i
n a deep breath, trying to calm the bundle of emotions that flowed through him. He was furious. Furious to be in this situation, furious that Johnathan wanted to ruin their progress, furious to have lost one of his best friends, and furious at what Johnathan could do to Phoenix; her own brother was willing to break her heart. And if Jayden hurt Johnathan that would also break Phoenix’s heart. He was in a lose-lose situation.

  “I was coming to help the progress on world leadership, but taking your life seems a much better task for the evening,” Johnathan stated calmly, reaching behind him, gratified as Jessica pressed the handle of an old sword into his palm.

  Without a second thought Jayden moved to the window and leapt from the building. He’d been alive long enough to know a fight in such small confines wouldn’t end well. He needed the advantage, because he wasn’t quite sure of Johnathan’s capabilities right now.

  Before the glass had time to settle on the ground, Jayden twisted his body so he could keep his adversaries in sight. He couldn’t imagine Johnathan as the enemy. It would be a difficult fight, as he could not use deadly force. He couldn’t take the life of his love’s brother.

  A second later Johnathan hurtled through the opened window, landing a few feet from Jayden, a bit flustered that events weren’t going quite as planned.

  “Give up this mission of anger. You’re a good man; you don’t have to stoop to this level,” Jayden urged, knowing it wouldn’t work, but also knowing he had to try.

  “Not a chance in hell,” Johnathan snarled. Seeing Jayden brought back flashbacks of Cassidy’s demise. He would find peace; he would get revenge.

  Johnathan lunged forward, sweeping the sword wide, his style sloppy as his emotions welled up. Jayden dodged away, not quite sure how to fight back. He was used to a ruthless style; he was used to fights to the death. The only way to spare Johnathan’s life was to dodge, but that would leave them at a standstill of lunge and parry. There had to be some way to end this.

  “Stop,” Phoenix shouted as she sprinted forward, never more grateful for her prowess as a quick runner than now. “Stop this right now!” She sent up a quick prayer; she needed strength. She prayed she was right about Johnathan’s character.

  “Johnathan, don’t quit. You need this. It will help you heal,” Jessica urged, fire burning in the pit of her stomach at the sight of perfect little Phoenix. The best thing in the world would be if Johnathan became so overwhelmed with emotion after killing Jayden that he killed Phoenix as well or just didn’t notice Jessica doing the job for him. She would happily take that job any day of the week.

  “Johnathan, don’t you dare raise that sword to me. No matter how angry you are, I know you don’t want me dead, and if you want to kill Jayden you had better be damn well prepared to strike me down first,” Phoenix commanded between pants. She stood between Johnathan and Jayden, staring Johnathan dead in the eye, searching for any hint of the brother that had meant so much to her.

  Jayden stepped forward and placed his hand upon her shoulder, lending her strength and silent support. Johnathan stared at the two of them, his sword lowered, his body tense. He hadn’t expected this, nor had he expected the rush of emotion as he heard his baby sister speak. It was too much.

  “Johnathan, master, you’ve worked so hard for this. You can’t let it go,” Jessica pleaded. She grasped at his arm, begging for him to agree. Begging him to side with her.

  “Stop interfering, Phoenix. We aren’t brother and sister anymore, and I don’t want you in my life,” Johnathan growled. He hoped to get his point across. He wanted her gone. He wanted the messy emotion gone. He wanted to end the hurt, and that couldn’t happen with her there. With an angry snarl he turned and ran. Jessica stared a moment, wide-eyed, before angrily scuttling behind.

  “Where are you going?” Jessica cried between pants as she hurried to keep up with Johnathan’s brutal pace.

  He sent her a quick glare before continuing on his way. He needed to clear his head. Seeing his sister had sent him down a spiral of emotional turmoil, and it didn’t help that Jayden had been there as well. He knew Jayden’s death would bring him sweet relief. It would free his soul, but he couldn’t get that at the last encounter, or he would have brought about the death of his sister, something he couldn’t stomach the thought of.

  Johnathan rounded the crest of the hill and sneered as the remnants of a great city came into view. Maybe destruction would ease his mind.

  “Why are you moving toward the city?” Jessica muttered petulantly, the question once again ignored. She hated not being the center of attention; she couldn’t tolerate him ignoring her. She couldn’t tolerate anyone ignoring her. And she hated that Phoenix was the reason for it. Phoenix would die. She would die painfully.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Falcon

  The cold stone wall seemed to be mocking him. He glared at the blank surface, frustrated over the situation he’d gotten himself into. Why couldn’t he be as strong and steady as the wall? Why couldn’t he stand tall, ready for anything, immovable and powerful?

  Instead, he was reduced to cowering in a dark empty corner of this hidden cave. Cowering from his only home, from those he considered below him, from those who had been above him. Anywhere he went there always a chance of death.

  Falcon had gotten used to being number one. He had become accustomed to life as the top dog. When Vyco had descended to the underworld followed by a legion of beings, Falcon had been there by his side. Rather than fade into the background, he’d stood tall and made himself known as a powerful ally and a prevailing asset. Vyco needed him, and he liked feeling needed.

  It gave him power, and it gave him worth.

  He hadn’t realized Vyco’s true purpose until the decent, after it was too late to change his mind. But Falcon hadn’t cared when it was realized, which helped him get and keep his right-hand position. Many other fallen immortals had been horrified and hadn’t dealt well with the realization. Many had taken their lives as a way to escape the only fate left after such a choice.

  That was one of many moments that had turned Falcon into the dark being he was. Watching his comrades, friends, and family fall apart had been painful. Watching them die had ripped a part of his soul away he never thought he’d get back. But he had transformed.

  His once friendly personality vanished forever and was replaced by an immortal who had seen too many horrors. He was cold. He was empty. He didn’t care, not about his life, and not about anyone else’s. That was what had made him so dangerous and valuable when Vyco had been creating his underground empire.

  Falcon had been loyal and held no inhibitions, no moral anxiety to hold him back in the world. If Vyco wanted a being killed, Falcon didn’t hesitate. If Vyco wanted information tortured out of an individual, Falcon happily took them away to a hidden chamber and worked all of their secrets from them. He followed every command, and worked hard for what he had. There was nothing else to live for after all.

  He hadn’t always been so cruel and uncaring. It was hard to remember a time when he cared, when life was important. Falcon faintly remembered the sweet laughter of Evelyn, the one who had been his entire reason for existing.

  He remembered the way her hands felt so fragile and small as they held one another, he remembered the mischievous glances she’d send him as she dragged him through the gates of the heavens in search of solitude so they could reconnect and prove over and over again the extent of their love.

  Their relationship had been perfect; a relationship Falcon had been lucky to have. She had been a blessing. Evelyn had always had her mind set toward the betterment of others. If another being had been upset, she had been there, a steady rock offering support and solutions.

  She had been utterly entranced by Josiah’s earth. The mortals were a fascinating concept. They were filled with so much emotion that she had wanted to be there for them and ease some of their suffering.

  In the end it had been her need to help others that
had led to their end. There had been so much destruction and conflict in the heavens, started between Vyco and Josiah. Never before had that amount of contention been witnessed outside of Earth. The rift had torn Evelyn apart. She had been horrified by the conflict among those she held so dearly.

  There had been screaming and yelling, followed by violent battles. There had been no safe zone, and no way to avoid the destructive atmosphere. The entire ordeal had ripped Evelyn apart from the inside out.

  He hadn’t done what he should have for her, as his main focus should have been to keep her safe, and away from the mayhem, which also meant she couldn’t be out and about, helping the injured beings and trying to halt the violent tendencies, the one thing she’d truly wanted.

  They hadn’t had much time for themselves. The relationship had changed. When they saw each other, they fought; what they wanted was at odds for the first time. They hadn’t been able to enjoy each other any longer.

  He’d wanted to push his agenda of safety onto her, while she’d wanted desperately to be out helping and creating a better environment. Falcon was gone a lot. He told Evelyn it was to create change and help the war effort, but really he couldn’t stand the distance between them, so he put his entire effort into a new area.

  During some stretches of time, they’d go days without even a glimpse of one another. Warm touches and tender greetings were far and few. Affection had faded, pulled apart by distance.

  It had been near the end that Falcon’s warmth and will to fight for morality, rather than his own needs and comfort, had faded. He’d been fighting for a week straight and was finally getting away for a bit, coming home to rest. Their front door was wide open, gently swaying in the wind. With each forward moment an ominous creek would echo through the air.