Trust him? Alexis barely had time to think the question before the warrior pulled her close. She lost her balance as gravity released her. His chuckle rumbled under cheek. Alexis blinked and reared back from his grasp.

 

 


 


 

Alexis eyed him. Why was he referring to her as Lady? And why did she feel so drawn to him?

She did feel no fear with him, though, and after her fright over the creatures coming toward her, she was grateful for that.

"Thank you," she said, when she realized with a blush that he was waiting for her to respond.

"We should leave," he said in his deep voice.

"Leave?"

"More will be coming."

"Why? And I won't leave with my mother."

"Your mother isn't here."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "How do you know that?"

"We don't have time to argue." He touched her shoulder, and a spark passed between them, which caused Alexis to jump.

"But--"

"Do you trust me, Lady Alexis?"

She felt the night wind caress her skin like the touch of a hand, brushing her forehead and cheeks. She pulled her rug closer around her and wished her mother, Kallyn, had stayed with her. All the legends of Kallyn's time, legends she had secretly listened, legends told by the old ones around the fireplace when the women had retired...they all stirred her mind and roused her curiosity.

She knew her mother had lived great adventures, had fought weird and strange creatures, escaped death more than once with her lover as the world blew apart and changed drastically. Existing creatures morphed into new ones and made new places for themselves, some good but others pure evil.

She wondered where Tallis was tonight and if her mother knew they had become lovers. Something evil was in the air and she wanted the security of his strength. He would protect her against anything.

"Don't wish for adventures you aren't prepared for," Kallyn had told her over and over again. "There deadly creatures out there that sprang from the crack in the earth's surface during the change. They will destroy you."

But she had the confidence of youth. Besides, she had been sure Tallis would be with her. Would wait for the creatures of the night to arrive and help her fight them off.

The wind suddenly changed and the sky darkened. The moon was lost behind a curtain of darkness.

Alexa gasped. But wasn't clouds that blackened the sky but strange creatures with wide wings,   flying so closed together they seemed as one. As they moved coder she could see the evil in their faces, in their hooked beaks and glowing red eyes, and fear crept into her for the first time.

She tried to call for her mother but no words would come. her throat was closed up tight. She tried to close the casement window but it resisted all of her efforts. And still the mass came closer.

Just as it was about to reach her a fireball burst in the sky and from its living flame emerged a warrior, magnificent in his glory.

"I will save you." His voiced boomed across the night.

With one sweep of his spear he seemed to effortlessly push the black mass away. A weird screeching sound filled the night as the mass moved and slowly began drifting away from her. She sat, mesmerized, as the Phoenix warrior moved closer to her, standing on a fluff of cloud. He swept off his helmut and bowed low.

"I will take you under my protection, Lady Alexa. With me you will have no fear."

Tap. Tap. Tap. The soft sound echoed in the night. Alexis clutched her purse close. She had walked along the boulevard since she was a young girl. But tonight felt different. Something--or someone--waited. The street lights sparked to life, breaking the darkness into pieces. She quickened her pace as the darkness grew darker surrounding her. Taptaptap. She felt her pulse thump in her throat. Swoosh. Alexis ducked. "What the..." Asphalt bit into her palms and her bare knees. Swoosh. A cold breeze washed over her. Peeking through her hair, a black cloud passed just outside the circle of light. Unbidden she regained her footing, mesmerized by the spectre before her. Spinning itslf, the cloud changed direction, heading directly towards Alexis. A blast of fire erupted just a few feet in front of her, effectively breaking the spell. She jumped back, losing her footing and effectively landing on her backside. She didn't understand what she was seeing. Flames without smoke attacking a smoky cloud. Indesciferable shouts and grumbles. Then they were gone. Alexis shakily returned to her feet. This seemed to be becoming a habit. What the hell happened? She dusted her bottom off. "Are you alright?" A deep voice queeried behind her. Alexis spun around assuming a protective stance. So what if she only had two self defense lessons. Her stranger didn't know that. "Who are you?" She asked, secretly proud how confident her voice sounded although she was sure he could hear her heart pound a mile away. "A friend. And you still haven't answered my question." "I'm fine, thank you." She replied. There was no way she was relaxing with this strange man. Regardless of how sexy he was. "Did you see...Nevermind." He'd only think she was unstable. Besides he was just some curious passerby. Alexis was just overly tired and on edge. "Do you need a ride? You look a bit shaky." "No. Thank you." Was he out of his mind? There was something about him though. Something she couldn't put her finger on. Something...comforting. "Then I'll walk with you." His strong finers gripped her elbow. It was obvious he wouldn't take no for an answer. Besides what could it hurt? Cat

From the relative comfort of her personal sky cruiser, invisible to most, Sre-Ka, watched the ancient Being flame to magnificent life. She would not interfere with the phoenix at this time -- but merely observe.

There was no need to guide the Dragonfire as he flash-speed soared toward the great glob of evil that had been manifested by the global coalition's sorcerers to test his strength. No, as a member of the ancient race who had built the largest pyramids on Terra-Earth before and after the deluge, Sre-Ka had returned to assist her people and humanity.

The time of Trial and Triumph had arrived. Currently, she served by patrolling the skies. Her ability to gather information, to influence when necessary, and remain undetected had become legendary across the near galactic. So had her expertise in being 'discovered' whenever it served her ultimate purpose.

With writhing ease, the Dragonfire twined his monstrous form around the gelatinous shadow creature who battled to glom onto his body and suffocate his life force. Sre-Ka couldn't help but admire the phoenix's twisting fiery power. As she watched, he created a blazing, spinning inferno, so ferocious in strength, it devoured the black arts' creature like it never existed.

Sre-Ka followed the Dragonfire as he slithered higher in the night sky. Even though his victory had been overwhelming, he had dimmed a fraction, his pyro-beauty not quite as brilliant.

Quickly, she realized the Dragonfire's flight path was one of 'knowing', of high intention. He traveled toward a certain point on Earth, or he flew to meet someone. Perhaps, his twin soul.

Sre-Ka frowned as she took full control of her cruiser. Was the Dragonfire already aware of The One? Never had that happened before upon Earth. No, never this soon.

Yet... all the time cycles spun together. The end had come, and the beginning arrived.

The frequency screech of a drone jet assaulted her ears. Instinctively, Sre-Ka took evasive actions yet kept pace with the Dragonfire. That changed suddenly.

An entire squad of drone jets, used by those who controlled Earth's secret space program, advanced on her location.
~~~~~~

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~