Authors: Theo Fenraven
Tags: #Gay, #Romance, #Fiction, #Fantasy, #Suspense
settled into a peaceful state, his cheek nestled against Talis’s abdomen. The man’s fingers in his hair were soothing, even as they aroused him. The truth was, he’d never felt more comfortable with anyone, not even Richard when they’d been at their best. He hadn’t forgotten that Talis was a murder suspect, hadn’t forgotten the victims Jason Embry, Ken Darwin, or Donny Carlson, the latter only twenty years old, who’d traveled to New York City from Illinois in search of a new life. All dead now, and someone had to be held responsible.
Sticking his nose in Talis’s crotch, Artemis inhaled deeply. The faint, musky scent made his head swim. He could not deny the effect the blond man had on him.
And let’s face it, he’s a fucking phoenix who can heal and isn’t supposed to exist in the first place. How cool is that? It’s like finding Superman flying around in Midtown.
The drive was long, and Artemis had plenty of time to think. He knew two things: 1) he wasn’t behaving like a cop should, and that worried him; and 2) his life had irrevocably changed.
Was he ready to give up his career in law enforcement? He’d toyed with the idea, sure. He didn’t know anyone on the force who hadn’t during bad moments. But how would it feel to never carry a badge again? To never get called out of bed at three in the morning to race to a homicide? To gather the clues, work the puzzle, and arrest someone for murder? Being a cop was a fantasy come true. Even the boring bits, like endless paperwork, were okay because the adrenaline rush of nailing a perp was like no other high in the world.
It wasn’t only a question of whether or not he could live without it, but did he want to? Because it seemed to him, once he committed to Talis—
if
he committed to him—his days of being Detective Gregory were over. Talis traveled all over the world, and he’d want his lover with him, and Artemis would certainly want to be with Talis.
The idea of giving up his career was sobering. If he did that, Rachel would kill him. Numbnuts would throw things at his head after issuing a wave of verbal abuse. His mother would look at him with disappointment. Squeezing his eyes shut, he burrowed deeper into Talis. His feelings for the man had flipped since he’d woken up in the Nepal house.
fountain occupied the center, and flanking it were chairs and tables interspersed with lush, exotic plants. Fairy lights were strung through the greenery. The splashing muted the city sounds. Artemis loved it immediately.
“Can we just move a bed out here?”
Talis slipped his arms around Artemis from behind,
placing his chin on Artemis’s shoulder. “Every room opens onto this courtyard. We can leave the doors open and hear the water all night.”
Artemis leaned back into him. “You noticed the tents?” “It’s miraculous how quickly they learn of my presence.” Talis pressed his lips against Artemis’s neck. “But that’s for tomorrow. Tonight, we dine beneath the stars.”
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
do
something.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.