Page 28 of Flames

Slipping my arms from my leather jacket, I throw it across the back of one of the dark brown chairs sitting in front of my desk. It’s my favorite jacket, and while I have several extra sets of clothing in my closet, I’d rather not ruin my favorite jacket. It took me years to get it worn in. I feel a shift coming on, the monster within itching to be unleashed on the asshat pointing a gun at my woman. While I have no doubt she’d put up an epic fight with my letter opener, I have no problem helping her turn this jerk into lunch meat, especially after hearing what he’s been doing right under my nose… or beak I suppose.

“Mate?” Marisa’s voice sounds small, shocked, scared even. I don’t like that. That’s not how she should ever feel, especially when I’m around.

“My mate,” I confirm with a nod. “It’s a long story, one that I’m happy to share with you at a later time, but all that’s important right now is that Aleksander moves the fucking gun out of your face.”

My gaze flits to the man in question. I can feel the monster roaring to the surface, ready to be unleashed. My temperature is rising with each moment that he doesn’t put the fucking gun down.

“I cannot do that,” he says as he raises his arm higher and cocks the weapon.

The sound of the metal clicking, the bullet slotting into place, is enough to send me over the edge. A roar leaves my lips that is entirely inhuman. My back bends then bows, my spinal cord snapping as it elongates. My flesh tears and rips, revealing the blackened rough skin beneath. I roll my shoulders as my wings burst forth, brilliant golden feathers shimmering in the low light of my office. Horns rise from my skull, curving back towards the back of my head. My fingers grow longer and sharper, as do my teeth. And finally, flames fill my veins as fire courses through me. Bone to bone, inch to inch, from toe to head, I shift from one form to the other. Once my transformation is complete, I hesitantly glance towards Marisa, terrified of how she might look at me now. No woman wants a monster.

“Wha—what are you?” Her voice breaks as her eyes go wide.

“I am still me, still Phoenix,” I try to say reassuringly, but unfortunately, sparks fly from between my lips and land on the surface of the desk between us. Several papers end up singed and I watch as she tracks the burns with her wide-blown pupils. “This is just my other form.”

I wait with bated breath as her eyes rove over my monstrous form. She doesn’t look terrified, but she’s probably just still processing. Finally, her eyes land between my legs, going wide as saucers when she takes in my two monstrously twisted cocks. Her lips fall open as she stares. A growl rumbles through my chest as the sweet smell of her arousal intensifies. Her gaze flits to mine and a blush stains her pretty cheeks.

“Mine,” I growl as I stare at this beautiful woman who has stolen my heart and my sanity, turning me into not just a monster—but her monster.

Shit, I think I might be whipped.

“You’re a firebird,” she says finally.

I nod in agreement. If I wasn’t already on fire, my heart would warm with pride that my mate is not only beautiful and smart-mouthed, she also recognizes my true self almost instantly. My need to claim her as mine, fill her with my seed, and breed her until she’s ripe with child is so strong that I can’t help the way my cocks harden. My taloned toes scrape the hard ground as I try desperately to stop myself from going over there and ravaging her.

Later. First a very, very painful death for Aleksander.

“Come stand behind me, moya pŭtěnĭcĭ,” I demand, hoping she won’t argue with me on this.

To my surprise, my fiery girl complies without complaint, rising to her feet with the dagger letter opener in her hand.

“Not so fast,” Aleksander snaps as he raises the gun again. “I don’t know what the fuck this is, but neither of you are leaving this office alive.”

Bold statement for a man standing before an eight foot tall ancient beast of fire and fury.

“Marisa, come to me now,” I demand again, drawing her attention back to me and away from the gun.

She moves swiftly, stepping around the desk and towards me as quickly as possible in her heels. The outfit she’s wearing is not like anything I’ve seen her wear before. She’d look beautiful in anything, but I won’t feel bad about ripping this one when I tear it off her later.

“Take one more step and I’ll shoot!” Aleksander yells.

I watch, almost in slow motion, as Marisa glares at the Falcon, her eyes filled with fiery defiance. Her foot raises as she cocks an eyebrow, stepping just within my reach.

“Fucking bitch,” Aleksander snarls, his lips curling in disguist as he raises the gun.

I’m aware of the strengths and weaknesses. Mikhael has more bark than bite. He comes across volatile and scary but is secretly a bit of a softy. Aleksander is the opposite—seemingly harmless but ruthless beneath the surface. It’s what makes them excellent counterparts for each other—or it did. Obviously, The Falcon is out of a job after this since I intend to murder him in roughly ten seconds or less.

“Marisa!” I shout as I grab her and pull her towards me.

She stumbles just as the shot rings out. The bullet leaves the barrel with a flash and a bang. Marisa screams and throws her arms up over her head. Without a second thought, I wrap my left wing around her, covering her cowering form. The bullet sears through me, tearing through feathers and cartilage. But it doesn’t go clean through.

Marisa is safe.

I pull her into my chest. I’ve never held a human woman before and I’m worried I’ll be too hot for her, but my girl surprises me, as always, by curling around me and wrapping me in her arms.

“Phoenix,” she sobs into my chest as I hold her tightly, reveling in the feeling of her soft curves pressed against me.

The gun cocks again. But this time we’re ready.