Attor was called to duty. V had said he was as useless as tits on a turtle at the Nest. He had barely knocked before demanding Attor suit up. It was a mission that required his presence. Explaining to him as they got ready to exit the Nest that Jo and Ladon were handling the ladies and Vern was chasing the Q trail.

“My head isn’t right, V,” he said to his brother, it was difficult admitting his brother was right. As warriors, weakness wasn’t tolerated. Weakness would end up with someone being killed.

V reluctantly nodded. “I don’t think it’s been right since the Oasis, Attor.” V placed his hand on the shoulder of his brother, a sincere look flashed in his eyes. “It’s been a tumultuous time for us all. Some more than others.” He gave an extra slap to his shoulder before returning to fasten his vest. “We are our strongest when we’re as one.” V’s words were hauntingly honest. “We will always be one, brother.”

“How can I…” Attor paused mid-question, reluctant to admit he was struggling.

“Handle a mate… plus, the responsibilities of a clan warrior?” V finished his question.

“How did you know?” he whispered with bewilderment.

V’s deep belly laugh rolled up his chest. “You have met Payton, right?” Another rumble of laughter thundered from him. “The turmoil that woman put me through… man-o-man… I questioned everything about myself. My strength, my own ability to function as a leader, or even a basic partner…” Taking a breath before he continued with one of the first genuine discussions he’d shared with Attor in well over a year, “I didn’t know how to be a mate. A leader, yes, because we were bred to do that. But a mate? Fuck! Having this mind-blowingly beautiful creature love me, was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced. I still look at her and wonder how the hell did I get this lucky?”

“She terrifies me,” Attor admitted loudly.

“She will always terrify you. I’m terrified now, with Payton being at a hotel with Taryn and Kylee. I hate the feeling of not being able to be everywhere at the same time,” V spoke honestly. “Trusting us, the brothers, is the only way. I know that Jo and Ladon will defend them with their lives. Besides, Payton isn’t a defenseless little girl either. I still feel the bruises.” He laughed as his hand went to his nose from where Payton had punched him in the nose and broke it.

Attor shifted his weight as he adjusted his leathers. “Yeah, I learned the hard way that Taryn can take care of herself, too.”

“So… we adjust, we evolve, we grow,” V said. “Together, as one.”

Attor nodded. “Where are we going?”

“We’re going to talk to Cinders.”

“Yeah? You think she’s going to talk?”

“Look…” V exhaled. “I’m done pussyfooting around. From now, if we want questions answered, how about we’re just up front and ask. It’s in public, and at her work, there’s only so much she will react to without risking her own identity… whatever that might be.”

“Alrighty, let’s go.” Attor pushed the button as they both watched the door to the ocean open. A few seconds to change and the brothers were gone.

 

 

Attor and V stood at a desk, looking down at this small woman with long blonde hair, waiting for her to finish the call she was on. The woman placed the phone down as she looked up, and up, and into the eyes of two ginormous men who practically cast her entire desk into shadow.

She swallowed loudly. “Can I help you?”

Attor smiled widely. They had discussed on the trip that getting past the receptionist might be the hardest task. So happy, happy, all the way. “Yes…” Attor bent to look at the woman’s name tag. “Allyson? Is that your name?” The woman nodded attentively. “That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. I especially like the uniqueness of the ‘y.’ Can I call you Ally?” Attor had her locked in his eyes, and he wasn’t about to let go. As soon as he mentioned the word beautiful her breathing increased. He looked at her hand and saw no ring. “How can someone with such radiant beauty be single? Are the men blind? Or stupid? If I had the chance, I would take you out and ravish you with all the passion that a princess would deserve.” The woman giggled as she leaned forward, her hand raising to loop a finger into her long blonde hair.

“I’m free later,” she said in a husky breath.

“As soon as I get to see Ms. Cinders I am free aaalll afternoon.” He drew out the word ‘all,’ letting his tongue slowly run across his lips as he gazed at her with all the hunger of a predator to its prey.

“She’s on a no-contact morning,” Ally replied automatically.

Attor pouted slightly. “Then how will I ever be able to take you out?”

Ally looked left and right, focusing back on this wall of lickable muscle that stood in front of her. Lust winning out, she grinned. “I’m sure she won’t mind.” Pressing an unlock button which was hidden under her desk. “Later?”

Attor winked causing her to squirm in her chair. “Later, Ally.”

“Manwhore,” V murmured to Attor as they went to open the door.

“Men-whore, V. We are one, remember?” Attor chuckled as they walked into the office, closing the door behind them.

“Ally, I said no interup—” Cinders barked as she lifted her head. Freezing mid-sentence as she saw that in place of her small blonde receptionist was two massive males. Dressed head to toe in black leather, and by the way they moved, she would bet there were weapons hidden.

“Ms. Cinders?” V said, seeing her hand reach for the side of her desk. Assuming it was a panic button, Volos said, “I wouldn’t.” He shook her head. “How would it look if the security guards come running in, to only get eaten by dragons?” V normally wouldn’t confess something like that so openly. However, he knew this woman was a shifter, and by the smell he leaned toward the feathered variety, but the masking was very cleverly done.

“Dragons,” she exclaimed, her hand lowered as sat back. The energy in the room spiked as she flicked her eyes between the two men standing before her. “I saw you the other day…” she looked at Attor, “… talking to one of our girls.”

“Taryn.” Attor nodded.

Cinders eyes went wide as the puzzle pieces slotted in to place “You have to stay away from her…” The panic in her voice rose as she shortened her breathing.

“What are you?” V asked as he glanced at Attor with a shrug. “Pussyfooting.”

Nodding at his brother, he looked back at Cinders, still sitting behind her desk. The tension rippling across her shoulders and up the muscles of her neck, as it throbbed with an increasing speed. “And what has Taryn got to do with it?” he added to his brother’s question.

Cinders got up nervously, turning to the floor to ceiling sized windows on either side of her desk. Quickly pulling both the curtains shut, she then hot stepped it to the door and clicked the lock from the inside. The last thing she needed was any more uninvited guests. Going to the shelves that occupied the entire wall space, Cinders traced her finger across the books until she hit one, pulled it out and switched a small black button on its underside. Then fluttering over to the other side of the room, she lifted a blue vase from on the top of a file cabinet. Turning it over, she switched a button on that too. After taking a look around the room satisfied she’d done what was needed, she went back to her desk and took a seat.

“What was that all about?” Attor asked as he used his fingers to point to the places she had darted.

Cinders took a breath as she said, “Cameras outside my windows… one in the vase, and a voice recorder in the book. The main door is for well…” She lifted one eyebrow. “One set of uninvited guests per day is my quota.”

“You record everything?” V asked.

“Everything.”

“Why?”

“Partly for park business. Disgruntled employees can be difficult at times. Partly because of why you are here. Protection.” Cinders motioned for them both to sit.

“And that is?” Attor asked as he pulled the chair back from being too close to the desk. In case he needed to change, space was preferable.

“First…” Cinders said. “I need an agreement of calm heads. Before any reactions are to be decided upon, you should hear the entire story.” Her gaze flicked between the two men as she leaned back in her chair. “Getting all antsy isn’t going to help anyone… especially Taryn.” Looking at the male who she’d seen speaking to Taryn earlier. “Are we agreed?”

Attor and V looked at each other and shrugged. “Agreed.” A single word spoken in unison.

‘Attor, keep this open, I don’t think we’re going to like what we hear.’ V let his inner beast partially alter in his brain, just enough to send his message directly to his brother’s mind, to which he saw the smallest of nods of acceptance.

Cinders took a deep breath. “I am a phoenix.” Her words bounced around the room with the potential to derail the dragons’ hard-fought peace once more.

‘Yep, told you we wouldn’t like it,’ V messaged his brother.

‘Kill her,’ was all that Attor sent back.

‘Not yet,’ V returned.

Cinders knew they were talking within themselves. “We agreed on calm heads, right?” The men both nodded so she continued, “Yes, I am phoenix, but I am not one of those phoenix.”

“Define the difference,” V spoke calmly.

Cinders shifted in her seat uncomfortably, her energy was sharpening to a level of danger as she risked it all. “I have been on the run for years. I hate what I am. I loathe what I’ve been made to do. Made to be a part of. It’s…” She shuddered. “It’s not right. When I refused to be a part of it any more, my termination was ordered, and my ordeal began.”

“You turned your back on the blaze?” V’s words were part shock, part awe. That took some balls to say no to your family.

Cinder’s nodded. “The constant hunting and killing isn’t right. Why can’t we all just live? I don’t get it?” She shrugged. “Apparently my father didn’t get it either because he signed my death warrant. He would rather have a dead daughter than a traitorous one.”

“Is this common amongst the…” Attor tried to say the word with as little hatred as possible. Obviously, if this woman had turned her back on her species, she couldn’t be all bad. “Phoenix? We have numerous dragons who choose a more humanized existence. It doesn’t put them on the termination list, though.”

Cinders shrugged with a lift of her lip. “I don’t know of any who have left and lived. The Phoenix take family very seriously.”

“Interesting. I believe we all have the choice. Keeping the secrets of the species isn’t a choice, but if you wish to live a human life…” V paused for a moment as his mind flashed to the poor soul who’d chosen a quiet life. Yet his body still ended up splattered across the Nest’s hallway. Continuing with a shake of his head, “I will still provide protection for all dragons, active or otherwise.”

Attor slapped his hands on the desk, the sudden loud clap of sound vibrated around the room like a gunshot. “How are we expected to trust you? You are, after all… still a phoenix. A species known for over a millennium to have waged an unrelenting war upon the dragon’s existence. We have lost many a warrior to wars waged by you feathered beasts. Children have screamed as their life was snuffed out by the talons of a phoenix.” Attor stood. “Yet, you sit here and claim to be different. No precedence has been laid to ever have a phoenix turn away and live. You, yourself admitted it, no one leaves the blaze. How in the fuck are you expecting us to trust you?” He took a breath. Attor was agitated and was pacing the room’s space. “You have something to do with Taryn…” His mind went back to his woman. “Is Taryn?”

‘Attor, stop pacing brother, we need her calm,’ V sent to his brother’s mind.

‘What if she’s a phoe…’ Attor couldn’t even finish the sentence.

‘She’s your mate. Chosen by the highest of powers,’ V replied

‘But… what if,’ his breath hitched at the thought.

‘Enough,’ V shouted to his mind. ‘She is your mate. End of subject.’

“Taryn has nothing to do with the blaze.” Cinders words were immediate and sharpened to a pointed end. Her eyes darkened as she dared any of them to question her further.

“Why….” Attor started to ask.

Cinders stood abruptly, pushing her chair backward with enough force to cause a crack in the wall behind her desk. This movement caused both dragons to leap up, taking a stance ready for an attack. Their hands poised over hidden weapons, legs spread slightly, knees bending with a bounce as they both braced for what was interpreted as a potential attack.

Cinders face elongated to a partial beak, her screech caused the boys to cover their ears from the piercing sound. Cinders’ eyes were widened and black as the darkest coal. Her breathing had shortened into pants as she struggled to not completely change, but it was causing her body to shake.

“Calm the fuck down,” Attor said. He could hear the footsteps outside the room. The sound had caused more than just them to take cover. “Cinders… Calm. The. Fuck. Down,” he repeated firmly. “Security is about to burst through the door. Want them to see you all…” he pointed to her face, “… beaky?”

Cinders grabbed onto the desk, her face contorted as she flicked her head from side to side. Clenching her teeth as she desperately tried to pull her face back into a human form. “You will…” she groaned in pain at the forced change, “… not…” her eyes scrunched as she spat through her teeth, “… touch her.” She threw her head back as she pulled her form back entirely. Taking a deep breath as she slowly lifted her head back to a central position. Cinders’ eyes having returned to a completely human appearance, she locked them on Attor. “You will not touch her. She is under my protection.” Cinders’ words were borderline lethal. “I may have turned my back on my own family, but she is not my family. I am entrusted to protect her, and protect her I will.”

“At what cost?” V asked, his pose still held ready for attack.

Cinders turned her eyes on him. “Touch Taryn and find out. As you said, I’m still a phoenix. Don’t mess with what’s mine.”

A sudden thunderous burst of wood breaking had all three of them flick toward where the door once stood. In its place were three massive security guards holding a large metal door breaker. “Ms. Cinders,” one said. “Are you okay? A scream was heard…”

Cinders smiled softly, all signs of the deadly danger she’d just displayed vanished. “Oh, Oscar… yes, hon, I’m fine. But please, can you escort these two men off the property.” She looked at V and Attor with a smile. “Our business is over. I don’t expect to see them back here again.”

‘Time to go,’ Attor V messaged

‘But…’

‘Now…,’ V answered firmly.

V stood tall as he looked at Cinders. With a nod of his head he spoke with a voice he saved for business transactions “Truly appreciate your time, Ms. Cinders. I will certainly keep an eye out for those points you mentioned.”

Attor followed his brother’s lead as he nodded. “The pleasure was ours. We don’t need an escort. We didn’t come to ruffle any feathers. We know the way out.”

Attor and V turned and walked past the security men. They stood a few inches taller than the men supposed to provide the protection, and they were twice as wide. Not many men or women scared the brothers.

“Ma’am?” Oscar asked.

Cinders shook her head. “Let them go. Just keep an eye out, so they don’t ever come back.”

Oscar nodded as he and the other two guards went back to their own office.

“Ally?” Cinders called out. She waited until she saw her receptionist’s face pop up, motioning her to come into the office. She spoke softly, “Ally, call the maintenance people, organize a new door and a wall repair.” Her eyes glanced at the crack behind her. “Oh, and Ally?” Cinders waited for her eyes to come back from the wall crack before she continued, “You ever let strangers in my office again, and I will kill you. I will have your lifeless body put where they will never find you. Do you understand me?” Ally nodded, her face going white as the blood drained away. “Good.” Cinders lifted her voice to a happier level. “Go, call maintenance. Thank you.”

Ally walked back to her desk, her hands shook with visible fear as she reached for the phone.