Phoenix Rising

by Theo Fenraven

  A thrill went through Artemis. Christ, what is happening to me? “That sounds wonderful.” He turned and jerked his hips against Talis’s. “You said we couldn’t fuck yet, but how about other things?” He surprised himself by grabbing Talis’s crotch, closing his hand around a cock growing hard. “Let me jack you off. Suck you off. What the fuck ever. Just let me dosomething.”

  Talis groaned, grinding his pelvis against Artemis’s hand. “I want you always, every minute. I… don’t know if this is allowed, if we can….”

  “You’re strangely reticent for a world-famous rock star,” Artemis teased, his breathing ragged. His pants felt far too tight, and he reached between them to unzip. “There are lots of things we can and should do. Immediately.”

  Talis put his hands on either side of Artemis’s face. “I want to do this right, because it will last forever. Do you understand that? Forever.”

  Artemis gulped. That word, combined with the intensity in Talis’s voice and the look in his eyes, made an impact, sort of like a bomb going off in Artemis’s stomach. Abruptly, his raging hard-on lost steam and wilted. “There’s no going back, is there?”

  “If you love me… no. Never.”

  Talis hadn’t qualified it, hadn’t added “When you love me…”. Was he starting to think it wasn’t possible, that it wouldn’t transpire before time ran out?

  “What will happen? You know, when we….” Artemis swallowed a sudden mouthful of saliva. “Will I die, like the others?”

  Talis wrapped his arms around Artemis and spoke softly against his ear. “I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I’ve never done this before.”

  A shudder went through him, and he felt fear he hadn’t experienced since the first time he’d chased some asshole with a gun down a dark alley, back in his rookie days. Then, he’d worried he might piss himself. Oddly, that same feeling swept over him again, and he tightened his bladder muscles against the urge. “But nothing happens if I don’t come to love you… is that correct?”

  Talis ran his tongue along the edge of his ear. “Correct. You go home, back to Rachel and your job and your life, and we never see each other again. I promise.”

  Because he’ll be dead, and a new phoenix will have risen from his ashes. Artemis buried his head onTalis’s shoulder, finding the thought abhorrent.

  Ammon’s voice floated to them from across the courtyard. “Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”

  “Please serve us out here,” Talis said before kissing Artemis with gentle lips. “Your heart is in your keeping, but know that I love you, and if you should not return that love, I will see you safely home with no regret.”

  Talis excused himself, and Artemis went to the fountain, trailing his hand in the cool water that flowed from the statue’s mouth. Startled, he realized it was a phoenix, its glorious wings outstretched. Jeweled eyes flashed amethyst in the setting sun.

  THEY were in Luxor for two weeks before flying to Belize. Talis’s home there was in Corozal, on the coastline, and hardly more than a beach house. There were no guards or other employees there, only Talis, Ammon, and Artemis.

  “This may be my favorite place of all,” Talis said when they’d changed into shorts and tank tops to walk along the water’s edge. It was just past eleven o’clock, and the sun was burning hot without clouds to dampen its force.

  “I notice you’re not walled off here. How come?” Bending, Artemis picked up a shell, appreciating its elegant beauty before tossing it into the ocean. The temp was in the high eighties with a dew point to match, and already his tank was sticking to his back. A light breeze out of the northwest lifted the hair off his forehead.

  “It’s not necessary here. The native people lead simple, rewarding lives, and while they do visit Phoenix in large numbers, they are content to wait upon his presence. If he doesn’t get to them one day, they return the next. Their respect for him is overwhelming.”

  “Why do you talk about yourself in the third person like that? You are the phoenix, and he is you.”

  “Phoenix is a creature of burning light and true magic. I am only a man.” Picking up a small, flat rock, Talis skipped it off the water, where it bounced three times before sinking. “I have no magic.”

  “I’ve heard you sing, watched you perform. Your control of a crowd is impressive. Also, you’re one sexy fucker. Rachel was panting over you after that first meeting.”

  Laughing, Talis skipped another rock, getting four bounces out of it. “Sex appeal can be contrived, fostered, used like any tool, and I admit I use it.”

  “Why a rock star? Why not an international businessman or even a self-indulgent playboy?”

  “Successful rock groups travel everywhere and meet everyone, and the phoenix’s voice in human form was compelling. It was the perfect way for me to move around the world as I searched for you.”

  “Uh-huh.” Artemis folded his legs and sat in the sand within inches of the waves. When Talis dropped to his side, he said, “The full moon is in two days.”

  “I know.”

  “You’re going to do it then?”

  “What is itI do, Artemis?”

  “I don’t know, but someone ends up dead when you’re finished.” A sour taste rose at the back of his throat. He knew he could never love Talis until this thing was dealt with. He was pretty sure Talis knew it as well.

  “I want you there this time. You will see it firsthand, and all your questions will be answered.”

  A chill ran through him despite the sun beating down on his head. “Where will it happen?”

  “Not here,” Talis said with some force. “There are plenty of hotel rooms available, if it comes to that.”

  “Elsewhere, because they will track you down and throw you in jail? Because the fine name of the phoenix would be forever tarnished?”

  “Because they do not understand what happens between me and the young man.” He turned to meet Artemis’s eyes. “You will know. Soon.”

  Chapter Nine Artemis

  Love taught me to die with dignity that I might come forth anew in splendor. Born once of flesh, then again of fire, I was reborn a third time to the sound of my name humming haikus in heaven’s mouth.

  Aberjhani, The River of Winged Dreams THEY walked through Corozal Town dressed in pale-colored tropical shirts and pants. Talis was relaxed and smiling; Artemis was tense and riddled with anxiety. The full moon was just rising over the water, sending a silver trail from horizon to shore. The temperature had fallen into the high seventies, and a strong ocean breeze mitigated the humidity.

  Tourists sporting cameras and wide smiles walked with them. Corozal didn’t get the number of guests Ambergris Cay did, but it did okay. Expats from America, Germany, and Great Britain had settled in the area, bringing their money with them. In most cases, the town was better for it. It was cleaner, for one thing, and the infrastructure was improving. A couple of places even offered Wi-Fi now.

  Talis stopped in front of a bar with the fetching name of Dickie Does It. The door was open, and music and smoke poured out. “Here.”

  Artemis, brow creased with apprehension, stopped beside him. “Yeah? How can you tell?”

  Smiling, Talis walked toward the pounding bass. “I’ve been here before.” He paused on the threshold. “Coming?”

  Of course he was. This was it, the night that would change everything, one way or the other.

  Inside, Talis walked to the bar and ordered a beer, no glass. Artemis seconded the request and parked himself beside the blond man. “Do you need to tell me anything?”

  Talis looked at him. “Stay close but don’t talk. Consider yourself an observer tonight.”

  Nodding, Artemis grabbed the beer placed before him and gulped half of it down in one long swallow that burned his throat. He was pleased to see his hand wasn’t shaking. Hell, he was a cop. He’d beaten fear years ago, pummeling that bitch into the ground. A little thing like watching someone die shouldn’t upset me in the least. He quailed inwardly at the
mental sarcasm. All these years later, every unnecessary death still pissed him off, still made him crazy.

  Talis turned so he was facing the room, eyes scanning everyone there. “Who do you like, Artemis?”

  “You’re asking me?” He glanced around quickly. The mix appeared to be tourists and locals, talking, laughing, drinking, and throwing money in a jukebox. “Doesn’t it matter,then? As long as he’s young and beautiful?”

  “He’s young and beautiful for me, for Talis. Phoenix doesn’t care.”

  Artemis made a face. “Then that guy, the one in the corner with the smoky eyes.” And then he realized he’d just identified someone that would die, and shivered. “Wait”

  Talis’s beautiful amethyst eyes turned to him. “He will make the choice.”

  Right. Like anyone would choose to die. Artemis finished his beer and slammed the bottle down on the bar. How the hell am I going to get through this night?

  Talis approached Smoky Eyes, exchanged words with him, and then they were slow dancing crotch to crotch as Linda Ronstadt sang about a desperado. Artemis had to admit they made a nice-looking couple, Talis so tall and blond and gorgeous, and his partner, lean and intense and seething with sexual energy. Artemis sported a semi, watching them weave around the floor, light head bent to dark.

  Remembering what was coming, he ordered another beer and moved his hips in time with the music. Dare I believe him? Do they actually volunteer to give up life? Dredging up the cop side of himself, he was determined to see this through to its inevitable end. Any further decisions could wait until then.

  When the song ended, Talis led Smoky Eyes over and introduced him. “This is Trey. He’s an American, here on vacation.”

  Trey stuck a hand out, which Artemis shook. “Hi. Nice to meet you,” the young man said.

  Trey had a nice smile with lots of even white teeth. “How old are you?” Artemis asked. Talis shot a disapproving look at him, but he didn’t back down. He fixed a hard eye on Trey and waited.

  The young man flushed. “Nineteen. Old enough to drink and everything.” He signaled the bartender. “Beer, please!”

  Artemis looked at Talis, frowning. He’s a kid, he thought at the man, his gut muscles tensing. Talis gazed back calmly, unmoved, and slipped an arm around Trey’s slender waist.

  “Trey and I are going to his hotel room.” Talis bent and grazed the young man’s cheek with his lips. “Coming?”

  Artemis didn’t miss the look of surprise on Trey’s face. Obviously,he’d expected this evening to end with him and Talis alone in bed. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Trey’s owl eyes turned toward him.

  “Kinky,” he said, with no enthusiasm.

  Talis smiled. “My friend will watch, not participate. Is that okay?”

  “I guess.” Trey drank his beer quickly, as if in search of liquid courage. “Can we go now?”

  Artemis trailed after the couple as they left, headed back to Trey’s hotel. The moon was well up now, limning everything in silver. He usually liked looking at the moon when he remembered to notice it, but tonight it seemed tinged in red.

  It was an ordinary room in a cheap motel. A television had been bolted to the laminated dresser, a desk and chair occupied one corner, and two single beds took up the rest of the space. A soft-sided bag overflowing with clothes sat in the middle of one of them.

  Trey turned the dresser light on, and the one between the beds. It seemed too bright to Artemis, who hovered against a wall with crossed arms, watching as Talis pulled Trey close for a deep kiss. Artemis twitched, feeling out of place and kind of sleazy, watching them swap spit while they moaned into each other’s mouths.

  You’re here as a cop , he told himself sternly. Remember what that felt like? To be a cop? Get a grip and pay attention.

  Talis didn’t look at Artemis once. All his attention was focused on Trey as he removed that man’s shirt, yanking it off over his head so it mussed his dark hair. Laughing, Trey fumbled with Talis’s buttons, undoing them one by one with dramatic flair before sliding the shirt off his shoulders and letting it drop to the carpet. Leaning forward, Trey locked his lips around Talis’s left nipple, sucking greedily before moving to the other one.

  Talis wound one hand in Trey’s thick hair, gazing down at him with beatific hunger. “You are incredible.” He pulled Trey’s head back until their eyes met. “Do you know how special you are?”

  Grinning, Trey undid Talis’s pants and slid them down over his slim hips. “Everyone’s special when you’re about to fuck.”

  Artemis snickered quietly. This kid was smarter than he looked. Watchingcorrection: observingthem was definitely having an effect on Artemis. As they removed the rest of their clothes, he started to sweat in his. Dropping a hand, he quickly adjusted himself.

  While Artemis appreciated the smooth roundness of women’s bodies, it was the sharp angles and beckoning shadows of men he thought beautiful. The hard curves of Talis’s pecs, the long lines of muscle in his arms and on his torso, and the hollows inside Talis’s hip bones made his breath catch. And there! As he turned to pull Trey onto the bed, Artemis huffed out a hot breath of appreciation at the graceful curve of Talis's spine flowing into the perfect globes of his ass. The darkness of his crack made Artemis’s mouth water.

  It should be him in that bed, running his hands over Talis’s shoulder and down his side to that perfect hip, not Trey, not a kid who had no idea what he’d gotten himself into.

  For a moment, Artemis considered breaking this up, saw himself throwing Trey’s clothes at him and telling him to get out while he still could, but he clamped his lips shut and remained near the wall, locking his muscles so he wouldn’t move. He had to find out if Talis was a killer. Any future they might have together depended on it.

  Trey was on his back, legs locked around Talis as they rocked against each other. They kissed open mouthed, moaning with desire, eyes closed. Sweat began to gleam on Talis’s pale skin.

  Talis was talking, almost under his breath. Trey’s eyes opened as he listened. Ears straining, Artemis shoved Trey’s bag aside as he stretched out on the empty bed. Trey didn’t seem to notice he’d moved closer; his attention was fixed on Talis.

  “You are beautiful and perfect,” Talis was saying, “and I want to keep you with me always, take you with me everywhere….” He urged Trey to raise his legs and place them on his shoulders.

  Trey’s eyes were slightly glassy, whether from sexual excitement or Talis’s presence, Artemis didn’t know. “What?”

  “Do you know what a phoenix is?”

  The young man rolled his hips upward, seeking pressure. Talis’s hand went beneath him to finger Trey’s hole. “Yeah. Mythical bird that can heal. Lube’s in the drawer, man, along with condoms.”

  Not so out of it, then, that he didn’t know what was happening. Artemis bit his lip almost hard enough to make it bleed. Tension was making him tremble, even as his erection moved against the thin material of his pants. He wanted to touch himself but resisted. That wasn’t what he was here for, however arousing the two were.

  Talis slipped a lubed finger inside Trey. “Not mythical. I am the Phoenix, the only one of its kind in the world. My tears have healed thousands of people and will heal thousands more, with your help.”

  Trey smirked. “Whatever drug you’re on, can I have some?”

  Talis slipped a second finger inside him, working him open for his cock. “No drug, my beautiful man, and you are beautiful.” He traced over the arch of Trey’s eyebrow. “Beautiful and perfect, and with your help, I can remain human.” For the first time, Talis glanced at Artemis, who startled at the sudden contact. “I have found my soul mate, but I must be human to claim him.”

  A shiver went through Artemis, and the tremble became a deep shake that made his teeth chatter. In that instant, Artemis believed, and heat flooded him even as his hand, seemingly of its own will, went down between his legs and pressed hard against the burning need there.

  Someth
ing passed between them. Artemis couldn’t describe it in words, but it set every cell in his body on fire. Talis’s eyes widened as he breathed in sharply, and then he was turning away, turning back to Trey, who was making small sounds in his throat.

  “I’m ready,” the young man said. “Fuck! Come on….” When Talis slid inside him sans condom, Trey, not noticing, keened thinly and thrust higher, impaled and loving it.

  Artemis quivered, still aflame, breath rasping harshly in his throat, unable to take his eyes off them and past caring about the propriety of his presence; hurriedly unzipping and shoving the pants down out of his way, he grabbed his cock and stroked.

  Talis was whispering as he slowly thrust into Trey’s willing body. “I need your soul, lover. Give it to me and live forever, always inside me, wherever I go, however old I get…. Are you listening, Trey?”

  He grunted. “Yeah… you want my soul, blah blah… move just there… oh god, that’s great….”

  Talis slowed even more. “Open your eyes and look at me.”

  Trey did so, body straining. “You’re making me crazy! Don’t stop.” Abruptly, his eyes remained locked on Talis’s amethyst-colored ones, Trey went still, and his mouth opened in a perfect O that had nothing to do with coming. “Who…?”

  “Do you see me, Trey? I am the Phoenix.”

  Artemis’s hand stopped moving as he leaned forward. There was no fear on Trey’s face. Rather, he looked… exalted.

  “You see me,” Talis said with quiet satisfaction. “I am all. I am nothing. I am your brightest, most beautiful dream, and your darkest, most secret desire.” Trey listened, entranced, a smile starting to curve his lips upward. “I am the burning golden heat of the sun and the quiet silver-blue shadows of the moon. I am man.” Talis plunged down into Trey’s body, causing him to gasp. “I am woman. I am nothing.” He withdrew slowly before ravaging him again. “I am all. Will you give me your soul?”

  “I… what will happen to me if I do?”

  “You will die.” He said it simply, without emphasis, grinding his hips against Trey’s ass.