Phoenix King

by Miranda Martin

  "That was really mean. You knew we didn't have time to do anything after you riled me up!" I said. "That's diabolical."

  He chuckled, not denying it. "It's only fair after you got me going," he said. "Come on. At least I can use the car ride to calm down."

  He definitely needed it. There was no mistaking that bulge for anything else.

  I really wish we had more time. He took my hand and led me out of the office. I felt like I spent a lot of my time being hot and bothered since I met Ashur. I didn't mind, but I just wish we had more opportunity to act on it.

  One plus was I didn't have to walk or take the trolley this time to pick up Omari. I'd gotten ahold of myself by the time we pulled up at the school.

  I saw kids' and parents' heads turn to look as one. For someone trying to avoid extra attention, I sure was managing to garner more than my fair share. I sank a little lower in my seat. I was never going to fit in here. It was official.

  "What's wrong?" Ashur asked, frowning at me.

  "I feel like everyone here is judging me," I said. "And you're not helping."

  He glanced out the windshield and waved at the kids. They waved back excitedly.

  He chuckled. "Want me to get Omari?" he asked. "I think I can handle a bunch of kids and judgmental parents."

  "Sure. It's easy for you. They all want to see you naked," I muttered.

  He laughed. "Well, you know I only want to see one person naked," he purred.

  I gave him a look.

  Flashing me a grin, he got out of the car and circled around the front. I watched his progress towards the kids. The women weren't even pretending to hide the fact that they were watching him. Those jeans did cup his butt nicely, I had to admit. The men there stood up straighter and sucked in their stomachs as Ashur reached the kids. I saw the same hero worship in the children's faces that I saw in Omari's.

  Omari was saying something excitedly as Ashur walked up, practically jumping up and down in his joy. Aw. When they started back to the car, I saw how he puffed out his little chest and almost swaggered to it. Obviously, he was really excited to be seen with Ashur and with the car. Maybe he'd have some cachet with the other kids now.

  When they reached the car, Omari's eyes were as wide as saucers as he took in the shiny black beast of a vehicle, his cool demeanor vanishing in his excitement. He scrambled into the back as Ashur got into the driver's seat.

  "Wow!" he exclaimed, craning his head to see the bells and whistles in the front. "This car is so cool!"

  "Hi, Omari," I said wryly.

  "Hi, Mia!" Omari said, his bright smile making me feel instantly happier. "Did you see, Mia? All the kids thought Ashur's car was the best!"

  I laughed. "I did see. But remember, it's still just a car," I said.

  "I know. But it's still cool."

  "That we can agree on," I said mildly. I hoped I wasn't teaching him to be materialistic.

  "I'm glad you like it," Ashur said, looking back at Omari. "I'll take you out of the dome in it sometime—where we can go as fast as we want."

  "Wow, really?" Omari said, bouncing in his seat now. "I can't wait! Can we go right now?"

  Ashur laughed. "Not today, but soon," he promised.

  I could see I was going to have to keep an eye on these two, but I was smiling as we pulled into the parking garage at my apartment. I was glad to see Omari so upbeat.

  School was definitely wearing on him. I hoped the little bit of social boost Ashur gave him made things a little better for him the next time he showed up. I couldn't do anything about what they thought of dragons and phoenixes here, but being higher in the pecking order usually made things easier for kids. At least, I was hoping it would.

  Omari ran up the stairs as usual, with Ashur and me bringing up the rear. I was again struck by how nice it was to have him here. I again pushed that feeling down. I couldn't get used to this, though I knew I was fighting a losing battle the longer he stayed.

  "Hi, Jacob!"

  Ashur tensed a little, but went up the rest of the way at the same pace. When we reached the landing, Jacob was handing Omari a cupcake.

  "I know you really like the chocolate ones," he said with a smile.

  "Thanks!" Omari said, taking the delicious-looking cake.

  He didn't waste any time taking a bite, and I didn't have the heart to stop him. I guess the cupcake was his after school snack for today.

  When Jacob straightened, he looked over at Ashur, his face neutral. As neutral as Ashur's was actually. They eyed each other for a moment.

  I almost expected a tumbleweed to roll by and old western music to twang. I didn't know what their problem was. Seemed like they'd been working together just fine when it involved me.

  Ashur nodded at Jacob.

  Jacob nodded back.

  I guess they reached some sort of silent truce through that stoic ritual.

  "Any new developments, Mia?" Jacob asked, finally turning his attention to me.

  I had been starting to think I might be invisible.

  "Nothing yet."

  "At least that means you were safe." He glanced over at Ashur. "Well, I won't take any more of your time—just wanted to give Omari some of my leftover batch."

  "Thanks, Jacob," I said.

  Tossing a sloppy salute our way, he disappeared back into his apartment.

  We followed suit and got right into our routine, Ashur fitting in as if he'd always been there. That night was as nice as the one before. As was the next one. And the next.

  A week flew by without another incident.

  I started to relax.

  I should have known better.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I opened the door to my office and walked in, Ashur on my heels.

  "If you want me to wear that thing, you're going to have to shell out something of equal or greater value," I laughed as I sat down at my chair. "So think long and hard about how much you really want me to."

  "Wait—so you might actually wear it?" Ashur asked hopefully as he settled into the chair across from me, what I now thought of as his chair.

  Yup, completely losing the battle against getting used to having him here.

  "Only if you wear what I pick out for you," I warned as I opened up my computer. "I think you might be missing the point of what I'm saying."

  He smiled, setting his forearms on my desk, the corded muscle bared by his rolled up sleeves, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Man, he was so hot. My heart actually skipped a beat, but I wasn't going to tell him that. He was confident enough and I didn't need to give him more ammo.

  "Well, I might be persuaded to put on what you have in mind," he drawled. "So long as I get to see you in that lacy number." He smile widened. "And if it'll get you going, I'll gladly put on whatever you want."

  "You might not say that when you see what I'm thinking of," I teased, wagging my eyebrows at him. "Assless chaps might be on the list."

  He laughed. "I don't think—"

  His watch started beeping, a high pitched steady sound that immediately got both of our attention.

  He frowned, bringing it up and turning the sound off.

  "What is it?" I asked. It sounded like an alarm of some kind.

  He didn't look ready for it. Ashur's mouth pressed into a tight line as he read whatever was on the display.

  "It's Enzi. Someone's taking issue with the instructions I left," he said grimly.

  That didn’t sound good at all.

  "You should go," I urged, my stomach sinking even as I said it. But that was my own selfishness speaking—I really liked having him around.

  He looked up at me.

  "I don't want to leave you here alone," he argued. "You're more important."

  My heart melted a little. I didn't want him to go either, but not because of my safety.

  "Everything's been quiet," I said. "Nothing else has happened. You can go take care of this." I stood up from my seat and walked around the desk to lean against the side in front o
f him. "I'll be fine."

  He shook his head as he stood up and braced his hands on the desk on either side of my hips, leaning against me. He searched my face, his eyes worried.

  "I don't know. I don't want to leave you vulnerable."

  I sighed. I uncrossed my arms and wrapped them around his waist. I really didn't want him to go, but he couldn't neglect his responsibilities for me.

  "You can't be my bodyguard forever," I said softly. "As much as I appreciate it, I'm going to have to do things on my own eventually, right?"

  "All right," he said, leaning his forehead against mine. "I don't like it, though. I'll be back as soon as I resolve this, okay?"

  "Everything will be fine," I reassured him. "Don't worry, okay?"

  "I'm going to worry," he said wryly. "Check your messages while I'm gone," he ordered. "If you don't respond quickly I might just drop everything and show up."

  I laughed. "I will," I promised. "I'm not going to add to your worry."

  "Okay,” he said. “Okay."

  Then he stepped back and pulled me hard against him to lay a warm kiss on my lips, his arms tight around me. I kissed him back just as heatedly, not wanting him to go. But we lived in the real world where there were other things to think of besides us. He broke the kiss reluctantly.

  "The quicker I go, the quicker I can come back," he said regretfully.

  I already felt the loss, but I tried to inject some cheer into my voice. "Go. Let me know how it turns out."

  "I'll see you soon, Mia Hill," he said as he stepped out of the office. "You can count on it."

  "I'll look forward to it. And have a pair of chaps ready for your return."

  He flashed me that panty-dropping grin.

  And then he was gone, striding out my office and out of the building.

  I immediately felt more alone.

  "Get ahold of yourself," I muttered, sitting back down at the computer. "You're a strong, independent woman. You're fine."

  I couldn't shake the feeling of melancholy no matter how sternly I spoke to myself. That didn't mean I didn't have work to do. No matter what else happened, the grind was always there to get back to. I sighed and checked the time. I needed to head out to a job.

  I grabbed the rectangular, flat box I needed to deliver, tucked it under my arm, and got up. I locked my office door, stepped out of the building and onto the sidewalk outside. I needed to drop the package off at a construction site not that far from my office, so I decided to walk the distance. It was far enough that I would normally have taken a trolley for some of the distance, but I needed the walk to clear my head too.

  I cut through a short alley after making sure it was empty, and came out onto another crowded street, but I caught something in the reflection of the storefront across from me.

  I glanced over my shoulder at the crowd behind me.

  Nothing.

  Maybe I was just being paranoid now that Ashur wasn't here with me anymore. I kept going, though I was on higher alert now. I never ignored my instincts.

  I took a more winding route to the site than I had to, in order to make sure. I caught a flash of something again when I abruptly crossed the street without warning.

  A large shadow, there and gone.

  Maybe I really was being followed.

  I checked my watch. I really didn't have time to deal with this since I'd taken the extra time to walk the distance. I'd drop off the package first and then see about my tail.

  I turned onto the street the construction crew was on. An entire building had been razed and the pieces carted off, and now Better Views Construction was handling the building of whatever was going to replace it. A lot of the buildings here were torn down and rebuilt since space was limited and there weren't new areas to develop. The construction side of the street was closed off, directing all traffic to the other side and clogging the place up even more.

  What a nightmare.

  I reached the address and glanced around at the empty steel frame that was being erected. It was already high enough that it made me slightly dizzy to look at. A small office was set in the corner of the first floor, a temporary bungalow construct standard for sites like this. There were maybe fifteen guys working, complete with yellow hard hats and heavy tool belts.

  Maybe I'd add a construction worker costume to the list for Ashur.

  I looked at one of them as I made my way to the office, but he turned away, his hat shadowing his face. Guess he was shy. Shrugging, I knocked on the door to the office.

  "Come in!" a voice barked from inside.

  I stepped in, taking in the small, cramped room quickly. There were tools, chairs, a small cooler. Looked like a storage area for a bunch of stuff. And then a desk with a bunch of tools in the corner, with a middle aged man behind it.

  He had the build of an aging athlete, with broad shoulder and muscle under the layer of fat the years had put on him. He was working on something on his computer when I came in, his broad, ruddy face focused. I checked the plaque on his desk. Roy Schumer. This was the guy.

  "I have a delivery?" I prodded when he didn't look up.

  He glanced up at me. His eyes went first to my face and then to the package.

  "Oh, great. I was waiting for that." He held his hand out for the package and smiled at me. "Thanks."

  "You're welcome," I said, smiling back.

  If only every job went this smoothly. I stepped back out of the office within a minute of going in. That was easy—and yeah, I totally jinxed it by thinking that.

  I walked across the smooth concrete, towards the street.

  A few of the workers started moving too. I didn't think anything of it.

  Until they blocked my way to the street, arranging themselves into a semicircle in front of me.

  Until the weapons came out.

  Shit.

  I came to a stop as I saw a bow, a couple of knives, and what looked like a machete.

  Their faces were shadowed by the hats, but now that they were all together and in front of me, I could make out familiar features. And the familiar eyes of that same damn guy who'd followed me before. Did he follow me again today?

  "Shit, they have weapons!" I heard another of the workers say. I heard curses as the legitimate workers stopped what they were doing and scrambled away, but I didn't turn to look.

  The threat was in front of me.

  I was in the worst spot.

  Too far from cover, blocked from the street.

  If I moved in, the close quarter weapons were dangerous.

  If I stayed here, the guy with the bow would get me without breaking a sweat.

  So I needed to move in.

  I couldn't just stand there like a sitting duck.

  All of this went through my mind in a split second, time slowing as adrenaline burst through me.

  I slid my knives into my hands and threw one in the direction of the bowman as I ran towards the opening in the center of the group.

  He cursed. I think it was a hit, but I didn't think he was incapacitated.

  I didn't look as I focused on the ones directly in my way. This wasn't going to go well, but I had to try something. I pulled out the short sword, a weapon in each hand.

  I glanced over at the bowman as I reached the halfway point between me and them, the others starting to move towards me. He was raising his bow, his arrow already notched. The knife was embedded in his thigh. A hit, but not a useful one in this case. He was going to get me before I reached their line. I knew it.

  I pushed more speed from my legs even as I braced to take a hit that could be fatal.

  A blur of movement caught my eye.

  What the—

  Life sped up again as I heard the arrow leave the bow with a familiar twang.

  And hit Jacob.

  "Jacob!" I shouted, grabbing him as he stumbled back, the arrow embedded deep in his chest.

  Too deep.

  He was too heavy for me to keep up, so I helped him lie down quickly.
r />   "Watch your back, Hill," he ordered, pulling out a smaller knife and throwing it almost without looking.

  I heard a short scream behind me.

  Shit.

  I turned around to see them closing in, only a few feet away. The bowman was just reaching for another arrow, his face grim.

  I got to my feet and held my sword out.

  They weren't getting to Jacob.

  Two of them came at me at once. I stabbed one in the side and thrust the sword at the other, only managing to graze the side of his arm. The one I stabbed snarled, and I quickly ducked a punch as I pulled another knife and stabbed him in the thigh. He really wasn't happy after that.

  I took a punch to my side that was really going to smart later.

  Stepping back, I yelled as I kicked the guy who punched me in the upper stomach, his breath bursting out of him in a wheeze.

  But the other two were closing in as well. There was no way I was going to be able to hold them all off.

  My grip on my sword slipped and I thought it was because I was sweaty. But when I looked down, my hand was bloody from a slice to my forearm I hadn't even noticed. I quickly rubbed my hand on my jeans even as I knew it would take too much time.

  This was it.

  I thought of Ashur, of Omari.

  But then froze as something whizzed by my ear.

  And then something else on my other side.

  Shit!

  I crouched down, scrambling to cover Jacob even as he tried to push me off.

  "Get to cover!" he demanded, his voice too weak.

  Blood was spreading across his chest from where the arrow pierced his chest.

  "No," I said shortly, glancing up to see what was going on.

  The arrows were coming from . . .

  I glanced over at the office. The other workers hadn't run away. They'd run to their own weapons. Four of them were in shooting stances, the others, at the ready with bats, knives, and . . . was that a crowbar?

  My attackers didn't stand a chance. They were outnumbered.

  They turned and bolted.

  I watched as one took a hit to the shoulder as they ran away.

  And another took one to the calf.

  They were lucky. I didn't think the workers were aiming to kill. Too bad.