Pisces Phenomenon

Chapter One

SIRIUS BARON STOOD in his bedroom, tired from a long day's work. He pulled his shirt off and did his best to ignore his stiff muscles. It wasn't bad enough he'd spent the night chasing five juvenile vandals hell-bent on tagging their way down a set of parked freight cars, but then he'd ended up having to do his real job—guard the portals to his home realm. Another damn abduction had taken place less than an hour after he confronted several rebel warriors near the Diamond District's portal. He'd been forced to use a great deal of power to mask their presence from humans. The last thing he needed was for humans to realize they weren't alone on the planet.

He stretched his sore shoulder and froze when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Something was close. Turning his head, he tried to sense exactly what was there. When he realized the presence was not only female but also belonged to the one woman who held the power to turn his world upside down, Sirius's cock hardened. The smells of bergamot, vanilla, and a light floral scent surrounded him, making his entire body react. His fists clenched as his pulse raced.

How had she managed to find him? Sure, it was only her essence visiting him or perhaps even an astral projection he could not see, but it was still a feat he'd not expected her to be able to achieve.

Sirius hissed as the feel of her hands moved over his shoulders. He wanted to see her, talk to her, know she was really there, but it didn't work that way. The mere fact that she was able to reach him at all proved how strong their bond was.

Her nails lightly traced a path down his back and, for a second, he could almost feel her naked breasts pressed to him. It was easy to picture her nipples scraping against his skin, following the same line her fingernails had taken. Gods, he wanted her. Wanted to sample her skin, taste her cream and know if she was truly as glorious to fuck as his mystical run-ins with her seemed to be.

She grew bolder, sliding down the length of his body and stopping at groin level. Sirius couldn't hide his surprise as he watched his belt buckle coming undone of what appeared to be its own accord. He knew better. He knew it was une zeena, his mate, and if nature took its course, she would one day be his wife.

The minute she opened his jeans and reached in to free his erection, her presence dissipated. Sirius took his cock in his hand and cursed every god he could think of. He needed to rest before he had to be back at the station, but he'd never sleep until the tension in his cock was released.

"You will be the death of me, Slatkiska."

Chapter Two

SETTING her towel down beside her on the wooden bench, Phoebe Fisher glanced at the twenty-inch television mounted in the corner of the locker room. It had always seemed oddly out of place to her, seeing as how this particular dance studio was geared more toward classical dance and ballet than any other forms. She sighed as the newscaster launched into another breaking story about the "Zodiac Zone" in New York's theater district. The area had earned the nickname over the course of four weeks. In that time, six females had been abducted from the area, making it a media hot spot and law enforcement nightmare. It also made it damn hard to work when the seats weren't being filled in the theaters. Sure, she wasn't the main attraction but being a backup dancer paid the bills.

"Police are advising women to utilize the buddy system and avoid being out in the area after dark if at all possible," the anchorwoman said. How wonderfully disturbing it was that a person who made news her life seemed devoid of emotion. It was probably like other jobs that dealt with sensitive and often violent topics. The woman most likely had become desensitized to the harsh realities she reported on. That or she never cared to begin with. The latter thought made Phoebe cringe only because she often found herself leaning the same way. Shutting herself off from the violence around her was so much easier than sensing the pain.

Keeping an objective stance was all she could do. Besides, until recently, the Zodiac Zone abductions hadn't hit close enough to home to be much more than news to her. It didn't take a genius to figure out that if the abductions continued, the show she'd only just managed to land a job dancing in would close. Finding a good paying spot in a show was hard. Losing this would set her back more than she could afford, not only financially but emotionally as well. She'd worked too long, too hard to let this stop her. Not to mention, it wasn't exactly sitting well with her that six women from the surrounding neighborhoods were missing. Each of them had someone, family perhaps, looking for them, missing them, worrying about them.

Phoebe folded her ballet shoes and wrapped the ribbon around them, tucking it neatly inside one shoe. Stuffing them into her bag, she sighed and did her best to stay positive. It was difficult considering rent was coming due and she needed to work to cover it. Thankfully, she'd kept her job waiting tables or else she'd be short—again. Heather, her roommate, cousin, and one of her closest friends, was a singer so she tended to understand when a short month came up. The reverse was true as well.

The only reason Phoebe had even ventured out alone was because she felt fairly confident in her ability to protect herself. Not only had her father insisted his children learn the skills necessary to defend themselves, but Phoebe and her family weren't exactly human. She wasn't sure what she was but it was safe to say that anyone foolish enough to select her to abduct would be getting more than they bargained for.

A slight buzz surrounded Phoebe, leaving her biting back a smile. With the advent of the Zodiac Zone abductions, the presence she'd come to think of as a not-so-imaginary friend with perks of the carnal kind had been contacting her more than normal. It used to be he'd peek in two, maybe three times a month. He was now up to several times a day. He seemed to take great pleasure in the simple knowledge that she was fine. As of late, he was simply taking pleasure. Since he was sure to give it in return, Phoebe didn't complain.

The buzz, or power, trickled over her skin, caressing it gently. Her nipples puckered as her breathing grew shallow. It felt as though hundreds of fingers were caressing her. They brushed over her breasts, down her torso, and traced her inner thighs. For one brief, but all too enjoyable, second, the power pushed into her core, fingering her pussy and leaving Phoebe grabbing on to the bench to try to center herself. It didn't help. Her breathing was erratic as her climax neared.

Mmm, I can imagine that tight little cunt wrapped around my cock.

The deep, rich male voice pushed through her mind. It had the slightest hint of an accent but she couldn't place it. His lilt alone could make her come if he spoke to her long enough, whispering sweet nothings and reminding her she was all woman and he was certainly all male. She shivered with delight, pleased everyone else had left the rehearsal studio for the evening. They'd think she was crazy, smiling and reaching semi-orgasmic peaks, especially since no one but Phoebe could sense or hear him.

Do want to be possessed by me, Slatkiska? Do you want to know what it's like to have me dominate you? Do you?

She shifted on the bench as the energy rubbed her clit, causing moisture to pool at the apex of her thighs. Phoebe bit her lip to keep from crying out as her inner thighs began to quiver. The last thing she wanted to do was give in so soon but the man's "touch" was too much. Pure bliss.

Don't hold back, Slatkiska. Give in to the pleasure. I want to hear you scream.

Phoebe moaned, doing her best to keep it to a minimum even though she was alone in the building. She lay back on the bench as the energy cradled her, encouraging her to give it even better access to her body. The minute her back met the bench, the energy thrust into her pussy. It felt as if a cock were buried deep within her still-clothed body. Not just any cock. This one filled her to just this side of pain, yet brought her so much pleasure as it hit that magik spot deep within her body.

So tight, Slatkiska. Give in. Come for me. He drew in a sharp breath. No. Damn it. I'm sorry.

As quickly as the feeling of being fucked came, it went. Phoebe sat up fast, her body mourning the loss of the sweet mystical invasion. It took everything she had not to yell at him. This wasn't his first time offering endless passion and then ripping it away. At first she assumed he was toying with her, teasing her, but when she realized his mystical pull on her lightened right after anything sexual occurred, Phoebe began to suspect he couldn't finish that way. Perhaps it drained him too much to maintain a connection. She wasn't positive. She knew he wasn't finished because she could still sense his hunger and she knew he hadn't yet come.

Slatkiska, tell me you're well. I need to know you're unharmed, he said, his voice weaker than before. It only served to add to her theory in regards to him. Someday soon we'll be together. We'll touch as we were born to touch one another and our passion will know no bounds.

Maybe sooner than he thought. The previous night had been filled with erotic images of a man with bronzed skin and jet-black hair that was tousled on top and short on the sides and back. The visions had started as just that—visions. She'd seen him standing in a darkened bedroom taking his shirt off and had been unable to resist the urge to touch him. Never before had a vision become interactive. The man had called to her on a level she couldn't explain. He felt familiar and seemed to radiate the same energy the man who spoke in her head often did.

He was too good to be true and the idea of the mysterious voice in her head belonging to not only a real person but a man who looked like a god was too much. He had everything she found attractive in a man. A squared face and stubble-covered jawline. Short, shaggy black hair. Piercing blue eyes. Tattooed bands on his upper arms that wrapped the entire way around his biceps and a body that was chiseled to perfection.

Deliciously incredible.

Phoebe's time with him had been brief but memorable. The dream man seemed to fully understand she was there but kept begging her to show herself. Since it was only a dream, most likely brought on by her deep-seated desire to put a face with the man who seemed to be a constant in her life, Phoebe didn't dwell on it.

When she'd awakened, she had felt empty, as if something vital had been taken from her. Her fingers ached to touch the man's steely body once more. To be allowed one more second with him. As the energy continued to buzz around her, she could almost feel him there with her.

Slatkiska, talk to me. I love the sound of your voice. If I were closer and you were willing, I could just read your thoughts.

Now, as she sat, sexually frustrated but thankful to have had even that tiny bit of contact with him, she smiled. "That's not my name. You're not even close. You'd think after twenty-two years of guessing, you'd be closer than that."

A deep chuckle greeted her. And you would think after twenty-three years—you always forget to count your first year of life —you'd stop bothering to speak out loud and use our link instead. If you used it, too, our bond would strengthen tenfold.

"Tell me why you keep calling me Slatkiska and I'll think about humoring you," she said, slipping her lightweight zip-front sweatshirt on. Phoebe pulled her hair to get it unstuck from the back of the sweatshirt and let it fall over one shoulder in damp waves. Her muscles were only slightly sore after rehearsing for two hours. She'd spent a good deal of time in the hot shower, letting it work the kinks out.

If you'd tell me your name, I wouldn't have to refer to you in such a manner.

She let out a soft laugh as his power slid over her rib cage, tickling her as it went. "Mmm-hmm, somehow, I think you'd still call me Slatkiska or the other name you like to call me so much. How do you pronounce it again?"

Ah, une zeena?

"Yes. That one. You didn't start calling me that until I turned eighteen. What language is it? I've ruled out French, German, Italian, and Spanish."

I've told you before, it's my native tongue. That of the Constellaziogēns. You just chose to ignore me and keep trying to guess. He sighed and wrapped his power around her, making her feel safe. Ease an old man's mind, Slatkiska. Tell me you're unharmed and somewhere safe.

Phoebe glanced around the studio and shrugged. "I'm safe and unharmed unless you count a slight cramp in my lower back that isn't life-threatening. Just annoying. And stop calling yourself an old man. I told you that I get the sense your magik is old but you're not."

I get the sense you're lying about being somewhere safe. You're close. I can always feel it when you are. That means you ignored my warning and came to me anyway. It's not safe right now. In truth, it may never be.

She huffed as she pushed the exterior door open and walked out into the cool spring night air. The door shut and locked behind her. "Listen, buster, I didn't come this way for you, so get over yourself. I came because I wanted to be here, not because I was hoping to meet the voice in my head."

He laughed and the sound did what it always did: it wrapped around her. I love how you don't fear me.

"Why would I? You'd never hurt me."

Something moved in the shadows in the dimly lit alley. Phoebe stilled, not wanting to be scared but unable to help it. "Of course they'd tag this as part of the Zodiac Zone," she whispered, doing her best to joke off her fears.

Zodiac Zone? Une zeena, tell me you're just trying to get a rise out of me. You can't be that close. I'd have sensed it if you were in this city with me. Hell, I'd know if you were even in the state.

She didn't answer. Phoebe wasn't like normal women. Even without taking the voice in her head into consideration, she was different, powerful, and at times she scared even herself. Normally, her extraordinary gifts were limited to sleeping hours or times when her emotions ran to the extremes. Since the visits from the man in her head had increased, so had her abilities. It was as if he somehow intensified them. Amped them to the point they were noticeable in waking hours.

Something's wrong. You're scared.

Phoebe turned and visually scanned the alley. "Who's there?"

Zeena?

She mentally stayed the voice in her head as she tried to focus on her surroundings. "Someone's here. I can… umm… I know you're here." It was on the tip on her tongue to say she could sense them there but she'd managed to hold back. Her sister had been overt about the gifts she possessed and the state had tucked her safely away from mankind, deeming her a threat to herself and others. Mentally unstable. The desire to follow that path wasn't in Phoebe.

"Aren't you a talented little human," a deep voice said from the shadows.

She tried and failed to locate the direction it came from.

An eerie laugh sounded. "You will not see me until I am ready to be seen, une zeena."

Phoebe stifled a scream as she heard the stranger utter the name she'd grown accustomed to hearing from another. "No. How do you know that name?"

"What, une zeena? It simply means mate, wife." Something brushed past her shoulder and she shuddered. "For that is what you are, Phoebe. You are my mate. I selected you because you are a Pisces and tied to our race. As a mate should be. You may not have been selected by the Fates to be mine, but they have been wrong before, as they are now. The others who agree with me have selected the mates they wish to have. Some have collected their une zeenas already."

What is happening? You're terrified.

Then stop messing with me and I wouldn't be scared. Why in the hell would you be calling me your mate all these years? Your wife? And why pretend to not know my name? You just said it plain as day.

The familiar, safe power she'd come to know as the man in her head enveloped her. I'm not there. I can't come to you unless you call for me. You know this. I've explained it before. You have to come to me or invite me to you. How do you know what une zeena means?

Before Phoebe could answer, a man stepped forth from the darkness. At five ten she wasn't short by any means, but his height unnerved her. Six feet five inches of well-oiled man stood about ten feet from her. Auburn hair went to his broad shoulders and his light gray eyes seemed to see through her, leaving her feeling naked before him. The dark navy robe he wore hung open in front, showing off a set of abs that rivaled those of the man from her dream. The matching pants weren't like anything she'd ever seen a man wearing. The style was unique to say the least. Made of leather and open on the sides but tied with laces, the pants made the man look like a stripper. The robe took that straight to the crazed stripper category. Never good.

"Fear me not, une zeena. I have simply come to collect what is owed to me." He smiled and it made her skin crawl. "I have come for you. The Gatekeeper was foolish to think he could keep you a secret for all eternity."

"The Gatekeeper?" she asked, backing up slowly.

Gatekeeper? Who the hell is talking about a Gatekeeper? Runff Get to a place with a lot of peopleff Better yet, tell me your name and give me permission to come to youff Do that and I can track you. I can help.

Fight or flight kicked in. The man was huge, and taking him on wasn't something Phoebe wanted to do if she could help it. Turning, she ran toward the main street. The man was suddenly in front of her, blocking her path. She stopped so fast she slipped and landed on her backside. "Who are you?"

"I will be your husband soon enough but you may call me Xipil." His gray eyes locked on her and she immediately began to crab-walk backward. "Such spirit in one so young. I will enjoy bedding you."

"Enjoy bedding me? What the hell?"

Tell me your nameff Give me permission to come to youff

Every instinct Phoebe had told her Xipil was deadly. Her instincts didn't feel the same way for the mysterious man in her head. She trusted him. Exhaling, she nodded. "And you can call me Phoebe, not une zeena," she said to Xipil in hopes the other would be able to use the information to help. "That name is reserved for someone else. He's welcome to me, you're not."

The tug of her invisible lover's power increased, coating her while she pushed to her feet and made another attempt at running. Xipil reappeared in front of her. This time, Phoebe didn't fall backward out of fear. Taking a fighting stance, she brought her fists up to protect herself, bent her knee, and kicked him in the chest. Dancing professionally left her legs strong and her ability to kick off the charts. Being raised by parents who were convinced the skies could open up and allow supernatural warriors to walk through them at any given moment meant she was taught to defend herself, so she did.

His gray eyes widened as he staggered backward. Phoebe didn't stop. She rushed at him out of a need to get past him more than anything. Punching out, she caught him in the cheek and hissed as pain shot through her hand.

Xipil wore a look of pure shock as he brought his hand to his lip. When he came away with blood, a sick smile moved over his face. "Oh, you are a wild one, une zeena."

The sound of car tires screeching and shouts drew Xipil's attention. Tipping his head slightly, he licked his lower lip. "Until we meet again." In a flash, he was gone.

"Miss?"

Turning, Phoebe struck out before looking. She came into contact with something hard and realized it was a chin. The blond man she'd hit blinked once and moved his jaw around. "Ouch." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. The minute he flashed a badge Phoebe cringed. There was no way she could tell him about a man appearing out of thin air and then disappearing just as quickly or she'd end up in a straitjacket. One Fisher family girl wearing one was too many already.

"I'm Detective Aland Werner." He put his wallet back and reached for her. "You okay? You look a little shaken."

"I'm fine."

"Aland, I can't find…"

She spun around and found herself staring at the man from her dream. Shock didn't even begin to cover what she felt. His piercing blue eyes locked on her and she took a giant step back. The second Phoebe bumped into someone else, she turned and kicked out. As her foot came into contact with the side of Aland's head, she cringed.

"Ohmygod, I'm sorry." Phoebe went to him and reached out tentatively. "I didn't mean to—"

"Punch me and then kick me?" He chuckled as he looked past her at the man from her dream. "Detective Baron, so good of you to join us." The end note in his voice made it sound as if a finally had been on the verge of escaping. "I found this young woman looking a bit shaken but otherwise unharmed. She's not wanting to tell me what spooked her but it's clear to see something did."

"Is it her?" Detective Baron asked. His voice sounded so much like the one in her head that Phoebe couldn't help but sneak another peek at him.

The snug-fitting black T-shirt he was wearing drew attention to his equally black hair. Her urge to touch him was great. She wanted to run her hands over every plane on his body and know if he was as wonderful in real life as he was in her dreams. She also wanted to know how it was he came to be in her dream. Since she didn't feel like being hauled down to the station and labeled insane, she resisted voicing the questions in her mind.

Aland moved up next to her. "You got a name, sugar?"

Glaring at him, she nodded. "Yes and no part of it contains the word 'sugar'."

Phoebe?

She didn't respond. The idea of letting the detectives bear witness to her talking to thin air did not appeal to her.

Phoebe, talk to me. Give me a verbal sign. Anything. Please. I need to know if you're safe. You've not fortified our bond on your end so I can't just read you. Please. Anything will work. Look around and tell me what you see, who you're with. I'll know it's you then, Phoebe.

Ignoring the voice, she glanced around the alley for her bag and spotted it behind Detective Baron. Of course the sexy one who intimidated her on levels she didn't want to think about would be the one closest to the bag. Nothing could ever be easy. "Excuse me, Detective, but I need my bag."

His blue gaze raked over her, heating her body as it went. "Call me Sirius."

Sirius? Of course he'd have a sexy name to go with his sexy self. The man oozed alpha maleness and it took all Phoebe had not to offer submission. Somehow, she not only managed to hold back but she did so with dignity. He was so close and the scent of oak, cedar, and musk filled her head, and visions of licking her way down his body consumed her. She dug her nails into the palm of her hand in hopes the action would bring her back to her senses. While it did provide a small distraction, it did little in the way of diminishing the hunger she felt for Sirius.

"Excuse me," she murmured again, her voice as mousy as her will to refrain from touching the man.

"Miss," Aland said. "We've had a lot of problems in the area and I'm sure you've seen on the news that we're asking women to avoid being out after dark by themselves. Now, I see you rushing out of this alley, looking scared to death. I'm going to assume the worst. Could you set my mind at ease?"

As much as she wanted to keep up a hard façade, Detective Werner was making it hard to do. Something about him was soothing. Phoebe couldn't remember meeting a man who radiated that particular feeling, though she had recognized it in her cousin Heather. It tended to help calm Phoebe's irrational moments, which, as of late, were becoming all too common.

She smiled. "I'm fine, Detective. Really. It was dark and my mind was playing tricks on me. That's all. I appreciate your concern. Thank you."

"It would make us both feel better if we got you home safely." Aland's gaze went to Sirius.

"I'm actually headed to my other job. Thanks though." Phoebe walked around Sirius, keeping her distance from him as she snatched her bag off the ground. Her ballet shoes fell out and he grabbed them before she could.

"You dropped these." He held them out to her. "You dance?"

Since he was holding her ballet shoes, she didn't feel the need to answer. Apparently, though, he wasn't accepting anything other than a direct response. "I bet you're very good."

"I'm okay."

"Modest, too." A thread of amusement hung on his voice. "Just ballet or other forms as well? Or is this just a hobby?"

"More like a passion. I've been studying dance since I was little. I've had my hand in every form from ballet to zoppetto."

"Zoppetto?" Aland asked.

Sirius's lip twitched slightly before a smile broke over his face. "It's an Italian style of dance."

Impressed by his knowledge, Phoebe found herself returning his smile. It bordered on infectious. He held her shoes out toward her and lifted a brow, almost as if in a dare. Part of Phoebe wanted to tell Sirius to keep the shoes just to avoid touching him. Something about him left her with the knowledge that one touch could drop her defenses and leave her begging him to do things to her body that she'd never allowed another to do.

The idea of her dream man being real was too much. It was both overwhelming and terrifying. Dreams in her past about people she didn't know never meant good things. They ended up hurt or dead. The idea of something happening to the raven-haired detective made her stomach clench.

"Miss…?" His smoky voice rolled over her, leaving her fighting a full-body shudder. The fact he had that much power over her body stunned her. The attraction she felt for Sirius couldn't possibly be natural.

"Fisher," she whispered, unsure why she was whispering. The urge to touch him was great and she had to force her hands to remain where they were.

"Phoebeff" another male voice called out, breaking the spell that had seemed to settle over her.

"Phoebe?" Sirius echoed, relief evident in his voice.

She jolted and turned to see Forest, Heather's longtime friend and hella hunk extraordinaire, standing at the opening of the alley. His light blue gaze drifted over her before settling on Sirius. It hardened. "Phoebe, what the hell are you doing? And who is he?"

"I-I'm, umm," she snatched her ballet shoes from Sirius' grasp, careful to avoid skin-to-skin contact, "gathering up my things. I'm fine."

Sirius shot Forest a vicious scowl. "I think the better question is, who the hell is he?"

Aland was suddenly next to them with his hand on Sirius's shoulder. "Easy there, I'm sure there is a perfectly logical explanation for all of this. Relax."

Phoebe wanted to comment but Forest picked that moment to do what he did best, beat things up. He charged at Sirius and tackled him to the ground. Aland went at Forest and yanked him off Sirius.

The fiery look in Forest's eyes shocked her. "If you harm one hair on that little girl's head, I'll—"

She let out a loud laugh. "Little girl? Oh, Forest, cute. You're what? Maybe thirty? Please, you're hardly an old man." Rolling her eyes, she sighed. "Do all the men in my life view themselves as ancient?"

"Exactly how many men do you have in your life, Ms. Fisher?" Sirius asked, his voice hard. He pushed to his feet and looked like he was about to go at Forest.

As much as Phoebe wanted to wring the sexy, obviously jealous, detective's neck, she held back, deciding instead to head off any more problems. She rushed forward and put her body between Forest and Sirius. "Detective Baron, Forest and I need to be going. Thanks for your concern."

"Call me Sirius. I've already told you that," he bit out. She wanted to kiss away his harsh tone and hold him close. It was illogical so she resisted.

Forest let out a disgusted grunt. "You've got to be fucking kidding me. Sirius Baron? I should have known. I can't believe I didn't recognize you."

"You know him?" She spun around and stared at Forest with wide eyes. Phoebe didn't wait for answer. In an instant she was on Forest, hugging him tight. "Thank the gods, I thought I had a dream about a random person and you know how those end for me. I was terrified he was going to end up dead or something."

"You dreamt about him?"

Deciding it was best to ignore the question, Phoebe hugged Forest closer.

Forest peeled her off him and shook his head. "Enough with the hugging. Whenever you do it, I realize you have breasts and I sort of like thinking of you as permanently six years old."

Covering her face with her hands, Phoebe did a rather dramatic sigh. "Not this again. I'm begging you. My nerves can't handle the 'even though you didn't see me, I was there when you were growing up' speech right now. The creepy guy already freaked me out enough tonight. Gatekeepers my ass. Freak. Or excuse me, Xipil the Freak."

All men present drew in sharp breaths. Forest grabbed her to him, holding her so tightly she thought she might burst. "Phoebe, what did you just say?"

"I said freak." She glanced at his hand on her arm and smiled. "So, it's okay for you to touch me but I can't touch you. Got it. Does that go for Heather, too?" She batted her eyes playfully and puckered her lips. It was almost too easy to tease Forest. "I bet you'd let her touch you."

Forest's face fell. "Heatherff She's closeff They'll go after her, too. Sirius, watch Phoebe for me. I need to check on my…umm…my friend."

"I'm not staying with him. I've got a strict no-cops policy. You know that. I don't really care if you know the guy or not. Besides, I'm late for work. But I'm guessing you know that already too since it's your bar I work at."

"You work at a bar?" Sirius asked, still sounding pissed.

Phoebe ignored him and stared at Forest. Her power surfaced just enough to tell her that her cousin was extremely close. She could sense Heather's concern as if it were her own. "Heather's fine."

"You don't understand, Phoebe. If one of them managed to find you, they can find all of you," Forest said. He went to rush out of the alley and she ran after him, stopping him before he got out.

"What do you mean them? Them who? And why would they go after Heather?"

Deep in her gut, she knew the answers to her questions; she just didn't want to accept them. Phoebe and her family were special. The target had been painted on them years ago, costing her sister her sanity.

Forest touched her cheek and forced a rather unconvincing smile to his face. "Stay with Sirius. He won't let anything happen to you."

"No. You stay with him." She didn't tell Forest how she was fighting the urge to lick every square inch of Sirius's body. He'd most likely freak out again. She'd managed to go this far in life without giving in to the temptation of men but since no man had ever made her think of spreading her legs for him upon first sight, Phoebe wasn't sure how much weight that carried here.

"I need to find Heather."

Grabbing hold of Forest's belt loop, Phoebe gave him a good yank to stop it. "No, you don't. She's fine. I promise."

"Phoebe, let go. I need to find…"

A tall blonde woman with emerald green eyes barreled around the corner. Phoebe giggled. "See? I told you that you didn't need to find her. She found you."

Heather's eyes widened as she almost knocked Phoebe over, hugging her tight. "Don't ever do that againff Do you hear me? If you're going to be late, call. Don't leave me there worried sick about you. Too much weird stuff has…" She glanced at Phoebe's hand, which still held Forest's belt loop, and arched a brow. "Do I even want to know? If you're sleeping with my best friend, could you spare me details about him sexually? Thanks."

"I'm not sleeping with Forest. Eww— ahh, eww. I got a mental image and now I'm sick to my stomach."

Forest unhooked her from his pants and gave her a droll look. "Oh, I'm that bad to look at?"

"Yes," Sirius said, suddenly behind her. He slid his hand over Phoebe's lower back and fire shot through her. She yelped and Sirius rubbed the area he'd touched. "Sorry."

Sorry?

She'd have commented but Heather attacked her with kisses and hugs again. "Phoebe, I was so scared. All day I've had this sick feeling in my gut that something bad was going to happen to you and then you didn't show up for work tonight. I lost my mind. Poor Forest got screamed at to the point he bolted out the door to find you." She glanced at Forest. "Sorry."

He winked. "It's fine. I'm just glad to see you're both okay."

"Did something happen?"

Aland cleared his throat. "That is the question of the night. We've been trying to find out what spooked your friend here but she's rather tight-lipped."

Heather shot him a hard look. "My cousin is not tight-lipped. Phoebe talks to everyone. In fact, her sister and I used to have to threaten to tape her mouth shut to keep her from talking to strangers. At least she's stopped talking to herself. And if she's being selective about men she just met, all the better."

The mention of Phoebe's sister dampened her already somber mood. Heather cupped her cheek and met Phoebe's gaze head-on. Since they were the exact same height, it made for easy eye-to-eye conversations. "Hey, don't be sad, baby girl, Sidney's fine."

No part of Phoebe wanted to discuss Sidney in front of strangers. Backing up, she went into the warmth of the body behind her and closed her eyes as large arms wrapped around her, instantly soothing her. Given the fact that life had been anything but calm as of late and men appeared out of nowhere, Phoebe was a bit shocked by just how relaxed she truly was.

Phoebe, tell me why you're sad.

Peeking out of one eye, she glanced around, looking for the owner of the voice in her head. While she wasn't able to locate him, she did find Heather staring at her with a questioning look upon her face. "What's wrong?"

"I like to think since we live together and are basically inseparable, you'd tell me you were seeing someone. I wouldn't have freaked out had I known you were with your new boyfriend, Phoebe."

Boyfriend?

"My new what? I'm not seeing anyone."

Heather's green gaze narrowed as she grabbed hold of Phoebe's arm and yanked her out of the safety of the arms she'd been in. "Who the hell are you and why are you touching my little cousin?"

"No, Heatherff Don't…" Phoebe didn't get it out of her mouth before Heather was smacking Sirius on the side of his head. Gasping, Phoebe jumped in front of Sirius. It took a minute to pry Heather off him but she managed. The woman was tenacious, she'd give her that. "Don'tff He didn't hurt me."

"I don't really care. He was acting like he knew you a little too well for my taste."

Forest grinned. "I agree. Kick his ass, sweetheart."

The smug look on Forest's face infuriated Phoebe. She lunged at Forest, only to find herself being lifted off the ground. Moisture flooded her cunt and visions of satin sheets and the memory of endless nights of passion attacked her. She could almost feel Sirius deep within her, filling her completely while they wrought pleasure from one another. The sensation overwhelmed her senses, leaving her clinging to the arms around her waist as if they were a lifeline and silently praying she had the willpower to walk away from him.

The minute Sirius's clothed erection pressed against her ass, Phoebe had to bite back a moan. Sirius didn't bother. He grunted in her ear and gripped her tighter to him as he began rocking ever so slightly against her. She wanted to bend forward and beg the man to take her, to take what she'd saved for so long, but she held back. Where she drew the strength from to resist the urge she didn't know but she was thankful for it.

"Put me down," she whispered without conviction. "I still want to smack Forest."

"Enough," Sirius said, his voice deep. "Aland, wipe the stupid look off your face. This isn't funny."

"Oh, I beg to differ, Sirius. This is the funniest thing I've seen in centuries… erm…ages. I'm thinking about going to get popcorn and coming back to watch the show. My money is on the girls. I think they could take you both."

Heat rushed through Phoebe as Sirius held her. She gasped as he pressed his lips to her ear. "I think we can all play nice here. Don't you?" he said softly.

Slatkiska, why do you keep ignoring me? Talk to me. Tell me what you want.

Phoebe tried to stop her body from showing signs of arousal but failed. Her nipples were hard and sensitive, scraping lightly against her shirt, and her breathing was erratic at best. Sirius's hands seemed to scorch everywhere they touched and she immediately began imagining the various places he could put them.

Breaking his hold and wiggling out of his grasp should have been easy. It wasn't like Sirius was using force to hold her in place. He was using something else. Something she couldn't fight. He was using her own body against her. Her desire. Somehow, Phoebe managed to break his hold but stumbled a bit as the loss of contact shocked her system. She almost went back into his arms but stood her ground instead.

"Phoebe?" Heather asked, her voice low. "You okay, baby girl?"

Her gaze went to Sirius and she nodded. "I'm fine." She took a deep breath. "Thank you both for your concern."

Sirius reached for her. "Don't go. Stay with me."

It was such an odd request from a man she'd technically just met that Phoebe was speechless. Heather, on the other hand, was not. She grabbed Phoebe's bag and took her by the hand. "Come on. You obviously need some sleep."