Phoenix Under Fire (Afterlife Book 5) Read online

  Samuel shook his head. "No, you don't."

  Heather and Wren added their agreement.

  "You're not wrong," Brittney said. "We're here because we've heard some of what you've been doing. Punishing the guilty throughout the city -- whether they're demonic or human in nature. You're earning quite the reputation for yourselves."

  Miriam tilted her head. "And let me guess," she said. "You're here to put a stop to it. You don't agree, and so you want to make sure we stop, so we don't expose the underworld that exists so separately from peoples' fields of visions. Like so many other good-doers out there, you believe that we should limit ourselves to fighting the demonic side of wrong-doing and leave the human side to the police."

  "No," Brittney said. She turned to the others. "Is that what we're here for, guys?"

  "Not at all," Chloe said.

  "Nope," Sarah added.

  Conner shook his head.

  Harper stayed silent and immobile. She was studying them, trying to decide what their weaknesses were, should they have to fight their way out. She didn't know if they would need to, but she wasn't going to take any chances. The problem was, the Sight told her what they were, not how to fight them. She reminded herself that they had weapons in their purses and that Sarah could change into a large panther.

  Of course, she had no idea what their shape-shifter could turn into. She continued staring at each of them in turn.

  "Then what do you want?" Miriam asked.

  "We want to help you," Brittney said.

  Miriam raised her eyebrows. "And you think we actually need your help?"

  "Yes," Brittney said. "I would think that you do. I mean, you can't do everything on your own. Based on our reaction to our presence, I'd wager that you've had other people -- human or supernatural -- try to stop you already. Perhaps that's why you weren't surprised when you thought the FBI was coming to investigate."

  "And how did you get those badges?" Wren asked. "We've been considering infiltrating the FBI for some time now, and haven't figured out a way to do it."

  "We're resourceful," Brittney said.

  "And what exactly do you think you can bring to the table?" Miriam asked. "I'd like to believe we're doing very well on our own, even if you are correct in your assumption that we have had our share of... guests who've disagreed with our way of doing things. We're still here, after all."

  "Well for starters," Brittney said. "There's Harper."

  Harper smiled a little at that; she had sometimes felt like she was the least effective of the group; she wasn't strong like Alec and Conner and Sarah. She couldn't levitate or track people or cast spells like Chloe could, and she couldn't shoot nearly as well as Brittney, nor could she talk the way her best friend did.

  Yet, right now, she felt like she had the most powerful ability of them all. "She's right, you know," Harper said. "You don't have a gypsy on your team. I provide a service that's very valuable. Imagine being able to look at someone and tell what they are, right away. To know what they can do is to be able to counter it."

  Miriam considered this for a moment and then dipped her head in a small nod. "I suppose I can see the benefits of having you with us," she said to Harper. Then she turned back to Brittney. "But the rest of you? We already have a harpy and a shape-shifter and a fairy. We don't need more. And, as you said, you're simply a human."

  "Simply?" Brittney repeated. "Have you heard of the Trinity gang?"

  Samuel sat up straighter, suddenly far more alert. "Who hasn't heard of the Trinity gang? They're a prominent gang in Las Vegas."

  "And did you hear what recently happened to them?"

  "Yes," Samuel said. "One of their wings collapsed. Something to do with art theft."

  "That was us," Brittney said. "In particular, that was me." She shot Harper an apologetic glance, but Harper didn't mind her taking all the credit. It was important to their story that they believe Brittney to be their leader, and to be powerful, even for a human.

  Samuel gazed at her with a new level of respect. "You took on Trinity?"

  "Yes."

  He let out a low whistle.

  "Be that as it may," Miriam said. "I don't know that we have room for more. As I said, you would be merely duplicating our ranks. What good would the rest of you do us?"

  Sarah stood suddenly. She stretched her arms above her head, let them drop, and then transformed into a panther. She lunged directly at Samuel. Samuel slid his chair back instinctively and the next thing Harper knew, there was a black bear where he'd stood. He let out a growl and he and Sarah began circling each other. Every second seemed to draw out.

  Then, as if on cue, they lunged at each other, and began fighting. Everyone got to their feet, including Harper. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the battle. It was like nothing she'd ever seen; fur and blood was flying everywhere, and they toppled chairs, and roared at each other.

  Chloe put her hand in her purse, grabbed something, and dove at Wren. In an instant, she had him pinned against the wall, a knife to his throat. Conner and Heather began circling each other, their hands up in classic boxing stances. They began fighting as well.

  Miriam stood back, watching this with a tilt of her head. She let the fight drag on for several minutes before glancing back at Brittney and Harper, who stood side by side.

  "Call them off," she said with a smile.

  "You wanted to know what we could offer," Brittney said. "Let them fight it out. See who comes out on top. See who ends the night in a body bag."

  Harper thought she sounded a bit too confident. Wren was now fighting back, and Conner was taking quite a few blows. Sarah was holding her own but bleeding. If they kept fighting, Harper had no idea who would come out own top. She put a hand in her bag, clutching the holy water that Chloe had given them and watching Miriam closely.

  "Call them off," Miriam repeated, this time frowning. "You've made your point."

  "Are you sure?" Brittney said. She glanced at Harper and nodded. Harper drew out the holy water, and uncapped it. She pulled out a crucifix with the other hand. Miriam hissed and stepped back from it.

  "Are you sure?" Brittney repeated.

  "Yes!"

  Brittney let out a loud whistle. "Enough!"

  As if they'd planned it, everyone stopped fighting at once. Sarah stayed in her panther form, but she backed off.

  Miriam glanced at her men, who were just as injured as the Afterlife crew. "You truly want to help us?"

  "Yes," Brittney said.

  "You can meet me tomorrow," Miriam said. "In the evening, of course, for obvious reasons. We'll have dinner at the Italian restaurant just down the street. They make a wonderful mostaccioli. You'll love it. Just the two of us. We'll discuss what we can do for each other."

  Brittney nodded. "Sarah, shift back."

  Sarah hissed at Samuel and then shifted back to her human form. She was still bleeding, and her clothing was a little ripped up, but otherwise she seemed alright. She pushed her hair out of her face, and nodded to Brittney.

  "Just the two of us," Brittney said. She turned to everyone. "Come on guys. Let's go."

  ELEVEN

  Alec adjusted the duster he'd bought and let it float out behind him as he walked down the streets of Phoenix. He was careful not to approach anyone, keeping his distance away from anyone who seemed in a hurry, or in a group.

  He thought about Harper and Conner, though he knew he should have his mind on the task at hand. He needed a clear head if he was going to pull off anything, and he didn't have one at the moment. It was pointless to dwell, he knew that. He'd always known it wouldn't work out with Harper. Still, when he'd seen Conner kiss her forehead, he'd felt like ripping out his throat.

  No, he'd have to control that. He couldn't hold grudges against them; he had to be happy for them. He had to be happy for Harper, just like he'd had to be happy for Ileana.

  His thoughts on the matter were distracted when he saw a woman walking a few blocks ahead of him. There was a man t
railing her. He couldn't tell if he was a vampire, like Harper could have, but he had his suspicions. He sped up his walk, and covered the distance until he was only a few feet behind the man.

  When the man lunged at the woman, Alec saw everything clearly; the way the man's eyes had suddenly darkened, the way his fangs had protruded from his mouth, the way he seemed more muscular and strong.

  There was no room for hesitation. He leaped at the vampire and drove him to the ground.

  "What the hell?" the vampire said. He struggled against Alec, but Alec was stronger. This was a new vampire, and he hadn't reached his full strength yet. The woman ahead quickly turned a corner and disappeared from their field of vision.

  When the man turned on Alec, ready to feast, he quickly became a vampire himself, no longer hiding his true self. They fought on the ground for a minute, and then Alec had him pinned, his arms behind his back.

  He whispered down into his ear. "Stop struggling, and I'll let you up. Keep it up, and I'll snap your neck."

  The vampire ceased his struggles, and Alec let go of him, standing up. They faced each other for a long moment.

  "I don't understand," the vampire said. "You're one of us."

  "The woman isn't ready," Alec said. "She needs more time before you turn her. She's strong, but not strong enough. You don't go after weak prey. They make terrible vampires. That's what you were planning, right? To turn her?"

  "Yes. You could have helped me. We could have feasted together. Nobody ever told me anything about strength. They just told me to turn anyone I could."

  "Then you were informed wrong," Alec said. "Not that I'd know. You're fresh, aren't you? Like me?"

  "What's it matter to you?"

  Alec studied the man; he couldn't have been older than twenty-two, maybe twenty-three. He felt his heart break a little. This man would never grow any older. He was stuck in a life where his only true pleasure would come from draining the life from others. That's the only time he'd ever feel whole again.

  "It matters to me, because I want to make sure we change the right people," Alec said. "People who can do what we need. People who are going to fall in line. That woman wouldn't have. She would have been a liability. I mean, you're taking her for the army, aren't you? I mean... there is an army forming, isn't there?"

  The vampire stared at him for a moment. It seemed to him that he was trying to peer into Alec's soul. "You don't know?"

  "I was changed a few days ago," Alec said. "Nobody told me anything. They just left me to turn. Trust me, I want to go after everyone I can. I'm so thirsty. But we have to put the safety of the group first."

  "If nobody told you anything, how do you know about the army?"

  Alec made a show of rolling his eyes. "It's obvious, isn't it? Since I came to, and realized what I was, I see you guys everywhere. If there's not an army forming, then why are there so many vampires hunting the streets? Why is everyone being changed?"

  "They didn't tell me anything either," the vampire admitted. "Nothing. They attacked me, an entire group of them, and they left me to bleed out. I thought I was going to die, but then my wounds healed, and I felt strong, stronger than I ever had before. Then they came to me and told me the plan. They told me to spread the message and to spread the vampirism. They said we wouldn't have to live in the shadows any longer."

  "Nobody came to me, but that's because I'm never in one place for long," Alec said. I don't have a home. I lived on the streets before they found me. My name is Alec."

  "I'm Jeffrey," the other vampire offered. "Look, you don't have to sleep on the streets. Come back with me to my house. I'll get you up to speed."

  "I don't want to be an imposition," Alec said.

  "You're not," he said. "I live alone. I mean, I used to live alone. I guess now I live with other vampires now, but my place is still empty. I haven't been back since I realized what I was... what I am."

  "Well, if you're sure..."

  "I'm sure," Jeffrey said. "I know what it's like to feel like you're in the dark, not knowing what you are, or what you're supposed to do, or why they made me this way. Once I explain, though, you'll understand. You'll get it, and you'll be one of us."

  "Thanks," Alec said. "You really have no idea how much this means to me."

  TWELVE

  Everyone, excluding Alec, headed back to the hotel after the meeting with Miriam and her men. None of them wanted to be out in the dark. They ordered room service from Sarah's room, and had a cold dinner of sandwiches and chips. Then they all went to their separate rooms to try and get some sleep.

  Brittney soon realized she couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she thought of Miriam and the meeting she'd set for tomorrow. Would she be able to do it? Would she be able to pull it off? It would be so much better if Alec was with them, and if Alec was the one meeting her. He could defend himself if things got dicey and he gave off such more of a stronger presence.

  After pacing around her room for what felt like hours and skimming through the television channels with no real inclination to watch anything, she tried laying in bed counting sheep. It didn't work and she finally got up.

  She didn't want to wake the others and let them know how frightened she was. She had taken on the responsibility of acting as their leader, and she would follow it through. After a bit of consideration, she stripped out of her clothes and put on the bikini she packed. She slid on some sandals, and wrapped a towel around her body, slipping out of the room.

  Brittney was just passing by Chloe's door when it opened. She nearly screamed in surprise, and then caught herself.

  "Hey."

  "Hey," Chloe said back. "Where are you going, dressed like that?"

  "I saw a sign that said the swimming pool and hot tub are twenty-four hours," Brittney said. "I thought I'd go soak for a while. My muscles are all tense from the stress."

  "Or, you could come in here, and I could give you a massage..." Chloe said.

  The offer was very tempting, but Brittney thought she knew where that would end up going, and she didn't think she was ready for that yet. "Why don't you up on your swimsuit and come with me?" she asked.

  "Sure," Chloe said. "Just give me a minute."

  Brittney waited out in the hall while Chloe changed. She returned wearing a one piece suit that fit her frame perfectly. Brittney whistled. Chloe tied her hair up in a ponytail, smiling at her, and together they headed to the elevator, taking it to the bottom floor.

  Brittney started heading towards the pool area, but Chloe caught her arm. She pointed to the dining room. "Let's get something to drink first," she said.

  "Sure," Brittney said.

  They headed towards the room together. Since it was an upscale hotel there was a full bar set up. It was still before closing time, so they both ordered martinis in tall glasses. Then, sipping at their drinks they went to the pool room and turned on the hot tub.

  "Ah, this is nice," Brittney said.

  "Yes, it is," Chloe agreed. She stretched out, setting her drink on the edge of the tub. "Hey, are you sure about tomorrow?"

  "Not really," Brittney admitted. "I'm scared out of my mind, but I'm excited too. It's difficult to explain. In a way... it's kind of how I feel about you."

  "What?"

  "I'm scared," Brittney said. "I've never liked anyone as much as I like you, Chloe. When you were under the effects of Nick's spell, I don't think I've ever hurt that much, not even when Clinton Chandler cheated on me only a week after we got engaged."

  "You were engaged?" Chloe asked.

  "Very short lived," Brittney said. "I dumped his ass when I found him in bed with one of my old friends."

  "Good for you," Chloe said. "And about Nick... I'm sorry."

  "Don't be. It wasn't your fault. You couldn't control how you felt at that moment. But it got me thinking. I think if I lost you, I don't know how I'd recover from that. You know?"

  "Yeah, I know," Chloe said. "I feel the same way. You know, Brittney, we've never talked
about exactly what we are. I know I like -- no, I love you -- and I think you feel the same way about me, right?"

  Brittney considered for a moment, but in truth, she didn't need any consideration at all. She knew exactly how she felt about the other woman. "Yes," she said. "I love you too."

  "Then are you're officially my girlfriend?" Chloe asked.

  "Yes," Brittney said. "And you're mine. I feel, in my heart, that I've been in love with you since the first moment we met, it just took a while to recognize what it was I was feeling. You're the first girl I've ever had feelings for."

  Chloe gave a small smile. "You're the first person I've ever had feelings for," she admitted. "I always thought it would be one of the fey. I wish my parents were alive so they could meet you."

  "Oh!" Brittney said. "That reminds me. I told my parents about you."

  "You did?"

  Brittney nodded. "I called my mother and told her about you. They want to have dinner. That's big for them. I thought for sure they'd try to talk me out of it, and maybe even disown me. They're very old-fashioned. They expected me to marry some businessman like my father."

  Chloe laughed.

  "I'll tell my brother about you too," Brittney said. "Don't worry, he'll be happy. He's not like my parents. He always knew I'd do my own thing."

  They leaned in and shared a kiss. Then Brittney leaned back, taking a sip of her martini.

  "This is nice," she said. "Just relaxing and not worrying about everything that's going on. I don't remember the last time I had the chance to just sit in a hot tub and enjoy a good conversation."

  "Comes with the job," Chloe said. "Constant danger and no alone time." They both laughed again.

  Brittney looked up at the sound of footsteps. There were two men in their swimming trunks headed their way. She tried not to stare, but there was something about them that didn't feel right. Then she saw their eyes; they were dark black, like Alec's were when he was in his vampiric form. It was only for a second, and then they returned to normal.

  She scooted closer to Chloe. "Vampires," she whispered.