Carver heaved a sigh of relief when the silver Dodge Charger pulled into the driveway of the Victorian house. Everett stepped out of the driver's seat, making the other man's heart seize. It eased again when he opened the back door, and a grumbly canine hopped out. He shook out his fur then trotted up the drive and steps.
Everett looked worn as he followed a more sedate pace. He looked worse than he did when they'd left the precinct in the early morning hours. Whatever had happened in New Port had crushed his spirit more than it had been when Carver had last seen them.
The two ventured into the house. Mal disappeared upstairs while Everett went into the kitchen. He put on coffee and put some cinnamon rolls in the oven. He waited quietly until human Mal returned. His body was a bundle of nerves as he leaned against the counter, and his eyes were unfocused. He looked so lost right then Carver wondered briefly if he should say something.
The detective watched as his friend and partner wrapped the young man up as soon as he came in. They held on for dear life, Everett's face pressed into Mal's shoulder. His hands gripped his shirt tightly, his knuckles going whiter than white. Whatever had happened had shaken him to his core, and the only relief he found was in his lover's arms.
Mal pulled away and rubbed at his hair, pushing it away from his face. He pressed a kiss to his forehead. Everett held his wrists to keep a little contact. It was almost as if he let go he would fade away.
"Go shower. If you want to come out when you're done, you can. But you can also go to bed. It's up to you," Mal said. His fingers were gentle as they rubbed the tender skin under Everett's eyes.
The young man nodded, swallowing hard they all could hear it. "Mind the timer."
When he was gone, Mal sat heavily in the chair. Carver watched the doorway as they waited until they heard the faint sound of water running.
The other detective made two cups of coffee and sat down at the table. They sat in silence for a long while, long enough for Ezra, Donovan, and Astra to come in to find their seats. The time went off and Donovan pulled the snacks out of the oven without having to be asked.
"I heard from Mitch Lassiter," he said. He set the cast iron skillet in front of them with icing, plates, and knives. "He said you had a grand adventure."
Mal barked out a laugh. "Is that how he described it?"
"It was a little more colorful, but basically he said you have a lead."
"Astra, Everett should have brought a bag with him. Is it by you anywhere?" She pulled it up from behind his chair. It was in clear sight, but he was so distracted he didn't even see it. "Thanks."
"You must be tired," Ezra mused. His hands were busy with icing his cinnamon roll.
"Mmm, a sudden chane against a fae woman and meeting a new pack will do that." Mal rolled his neck, popping it loudly in the process. The release felt great.
As he rummaged through the bag, Donovan watched him closely. "You're more than tired. What is it?"
"Hang on." Mal pulled out the file then the red feather. Despite being stuffed in the bag, it didn't look crumpled. "Mitch gave this to us. He said he found it by Everett on the night of the crash. It's faint, but you can feel the magic on it."
Donovan stared at it, eyes alight with something from long ago. "I haven't seen this in nearly two hundred years."
Mal stopped what he was doing and slowly looked up. "You know what it is?"
The Alpha nodded, eyes never leaving the brightly colored feather. "He was an old man at the time, but he was well-equipped in magic. He was nearing the end of his life and was preparing for it. The last time I talked to him he turned into a great red bird and flew away."
"A great red bird?" Ezra asked. His brain started turning. A light bulb went off, lighting up his face. "Are you talking about a phoenix?"
"I assume so. He was about three or four feet tall, and I remember his feathers were that long." Donovan pointed to the feather between them. "And if he was a phoenix, he would go out in a surge of flames and smoke, almost like an explosion."
Mal grabbed the folder and flipped through it quickly. With response form the fire department, the fire inspector would have to find the flashpoint or the start of the fire. If the police asked, it would be incorporated in the report. Mal and Carver had done that when they'd had a murder in an abandoned car lot a year or so ago.
He found it on additional notes supplied by an outside source. He read through it, his heart dropping instantly. He scratched his forehead as he stared at the paper.
"The crash was secondary," he muttered. He had to swallow several times to get the knot out of his throat. "The fire inspector said an explosion was the cause and it started in the passenger seat. According to Everett, he was in the passenger seat when the car crashed and was ejected from the car."
"Maybe… maybe that's the way he thinks it happened because that's what everyone told him," Ezra suggested. "From everyone else's perspective, he was thrown from the car. Most of those people are probably human so they won't know or see anything beyond that."
"That doesn't explain how he's been able to hide," Astra countered. "Magic that powerful would have drawn some attention. He shouldn't have been able to hide if he is that powerful."
Donovan shook his head. "Magical creatures, natural magical creatures don't age the same way we do. We've never experienced a newly spawned firebird so we have no idea how they lived, how long they lived or what age they came back as. All phoenixes of myth are actual birds. So we're not sure if being human is a base form or an assumed form."
"Is there anyone we can ask?" Mal wondered. His Alpha cast him a pained look. "I can't hide it from him. He's wondered for thirteen years if he'd had any family, and if the man in the car was related to him. If he finds out I know and didn't tell him, my relationship is over."
The Alpha looked at him intently. He inhaled deeply, taking every scent into his lungs. He went past those sitting with him. He found the old wood smell of the house's structure. There was even mildew and termites that would have to be treated. Those weren't what he was looking for.
Malcolm's room was still on the ground floor, and the smells wafting from there were intense. Sex, soap, water, and musk were the main culprits, but it was what was underneath that made Donovan smile. He had already had an inkling, but having it confirmed was different.
Mal's wolf had long ago claimed Everett as its mate. When he'd felt the pack bond expand while they'd been gone, he'd thought it had simply been due to Mal changing shape. It had actually been because Mal had claimed him - Everett - publicly as a man and as a wolf. The pack bond would extend to protect him.
"Let me reach out to one of my contacts before you say anything. I may be able to get you some answers. I just need a day," he compromised.
"That's all I can give you. I have to tell him why people are dying." Mal frowned as he realized something. "Who did we lose?"
"Tyler Farris was killed after canvasing Club Tails again. He fought, but the fae woman attacked him from behind. No, it's not the same woman who attacked you in New Port, but she is definitely from the same area or family. Hell, I don't know what to call them," Carver said.
Mal didn't know Tyler very well, but losing a pack member would weaken the bonds until the magic adjusted to his loss. He wasn't sure if the boy had family or not, but Donovan would cover all the funeral costs.
After discussing the rest of the day trip, the others left Mal's house, but even more took up residence outside on the property. They were going to keep watch until this case was solved. He hoped they weren't freaked out if he and Everett got handsy.
After doing the dishes and putting the leftovers up, he flipped off the lights as he headed down the hall. The light was out in the bedroom, and when he opened the door, he smiled. Everett was on his stomach with his arms tucked on his pillow. Mal could see the waistband of his underwear peeking out from under the duvet.
He could smell the shampoo and laundry detergent, but there was also another lighter smell. He ventured in and over to the bed. Once he was by it, Mal pressed his nose into Everett's warm skin. Magic thrummed under his skin, and it wasn't pack magic. It was the same kind from the feather and what had been imprinted into the ground. What had started as a mild scent was now becoming a prominent part of him.
Everett didn't even move when Mal kissed his shoulder blades. Mal couldn't help but smile wider. He was so exhausted he didn't even move when his lover was trying to keep his promise. Mal wasn't going to wake up so he got up and went into the bathroom. He showered and quickly returned to bed.
He slid in beside Everett, molding his body to the other man's. If he was truly a phoenix, what powers would he have? Would he delve into them, or would he choose to ignore them? Many more questions filtered through his mind as he dropped off to sleep.
~~~~~~~
Flames leapt higher and higher. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to move. It hurt to do anything. It hurt until it didn't hurt anymore.
Everett opened his eyes and looked around. The flames he had been so scared of for all these years rose before him. He stared at them, mouth dry as he was unsure what to do. He didn't want to touch them, but for some reason they called to him. Like a moth a light, he stared at the flames and wanted to touch them, but that underlying fear kept him paralyzed.
"Go ahead. They won't hurt you."
The young man whipped around every which way to see who was talking to him. No one was there. He shouldn't be hallucinating a voice he didn't even know. Usually he heard people's voices he was used to such as Mal, Carver and every so often Mitch. This shouldn't be happening. Then again, he was dreaming of a wall of fire.
"No, you're right. You don't know who I am, but I was once you."
Everett turned around again. This time he came face to face with a massive red bird. With a body as big as a medium sized dog, it sat perched on nothing in particular. Its head held high, the golden eyes watched him carefully, knowingly. Its talons adjusted their grip as it looked on curiously.
The man was given ample opportunity to take it all in. Fiery red feathers adorned its entire body. Those on its chest were shorter compared to its tail feathers. Long, luxurious ones cascaded over whatever invisible perch and curled on the floor. The breeze caused by the wall of flames batted at them gently. Everett saw the golds, oranges and hints of violet in them as they swayed.
The great bird flapped its wings, giving the young man an impressive view. The underside was a light orange while the top layer was a deep red. Everett realized he'd seen those feathers before.
The bird's head was held on a slender neck with feathers forming a mohawk on from the front of the head to lay gently at the base of the neck. Four long tendrils dropped over the top and each was a different shade of fire. It was a mighty and magnificent beast, and Everett understood why it was hunted.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am you, or the you that you will soon become. Don't be afraid of those flames. Soon you will be able to master them," the bird replied.
Everett frowned deeply. "What do you mean you are me?"
The bird raised its left wing. Scenes Everett had never seen before began to play in thin air. "Thirteen years ago, I entrusted myself to a kind man. I was at the end of my time, and I needed to be able to finish my cycle. We were chased to a small town. Before I could warn him, I regenerated in a massive explosion of fire and ash. My friend was killed. All that was left of my time was a flight feather."
Everett watched the scenes play out before him. He knew the car and the scene well. He dreamed of it every now and then. He saw the feather lying on the ground in the exact spot where he'd been found.
"Returning to the site unlocked the magic that has been dormant for thirteen years. You will soon be able to do things you never thought. You will be a burning inferno that you must control. Without that control, you will hurt those dear to you," the creature continued.
Pictures of Mal and his employees popped up; Carver, Donovan, and those of the pack. People in town. All of those were before him.
Everett turned around and looked at the wall of flames. Imposing and demanding death, they didn't feel dangerous. In fact now, they felt more like comfort. Like these were the things he'd been missing his whole life. He felt stupid for fearing them for so long. If he listened closely, he could hear them laughing at him.
"What should I do?" he asked.
The bird's eyes glinted with humor. "Seek out the fae."
This time the man turned to the creature with confusion and anger in his eyes. "You mean the ones who tried to capture me?"
"No. Those are the ones who wish to imprison and enslave you. Seek out the one who is called Bastian. He will lead you to his mistress in Newlan. You will find many answers there."
Everett nodded absently. Then he looked back at the blazing wall. "How do I leave?"
The bird flapped its massive wings twice and took flight. It disappeared, but its voice floated to him. "Walk through the fire."
Everett frowned at the wall. Now he didn't feel any heat. It was as if it had been absorbed with the departure of the creature. All that was left was the wall.
Sucking in a deep breath, he took a chance and faced his fears. He walked through the fire.
~~~~~~~
Mal woke up to Everett's skin scorching. Jerking away, he looked down at the man at his side. The mark on his back glowed brightly, hotly before it faded to its normal color.
He waited patiently, anxiously. Slowly, Everett's eyes opened, and Mal gasped. They were a swirling inferno instead of their normal violet. There was also a slight sheen to his skin as he rolled over and looked at him. As if he knew, Everett rubbed his eyes until they were back to normal.
They stared at each other for a long time. Mal's wolf ached to touch him, but the human side was wary after the light show. He didn't want to make things worse.
Everett sat up and reached for Mal first. Tentatively, the other man put his hand in his. He was jerked forward and a mouth crashed against his. Heat he had never felt before poured into him. It wasn't necessarily a sexual heat, but it was there. No, this was a heat Everett could only produce. It was heady and very intoxicating, so much so that Mal could get lost in it.
He had to rip his mouth away, but Everett followed. His mouth found as much skin as it could and latched on. The heat from it scorched him. He felt as if he was on fire.
Not wanting to be a buzzkill, Mal had a hard time pushing him away. Everett cast him a smoldering look before dipping his head to Mal's chest. The owner's breath stuttered out as a tongue flicked around at regular intervals.
He sighed as his lover traveled lower still. He couldn't help but watch those mystical eyes as they focused on his task. His tongue traced his lower abs then dipped into his belly button. He followed the happy trail to the waistband of his briefs.
Mal grabbed his hands as he reached for the waistband. Everett looked up at him, face turning into a pout. Mal didn't want to stop him, but he wasn't sure what was going on. He couldn't read his mind anymore. Those eyes were foreign to him where they used to tell everything Everett was feeling and thinking.
"Mal," he whined. He swung their hands in an attempt to be cute. "You promised."
"I know, love. I know I promised, but it will have to wait. We have more important issues to worry about currently," he whispered.
Everett pouted then let out a sigh. He lay his chin on Mal's thigh and stared up at him. He ran his fingers along the insides of his thighs right up to the juncture of his hip. Mal twitched involuntarily, but he didn't react. Finally just giving up when he realized he wasn't getting what he wanted, Everett kissed his thigh and sat up.
"Not even a blowjob. What a pity," he groused. "I sure do love the way you pulse inside my mouth and inside me."
Mal frowned. "What has gotten into you? You have never spoken like this."
"Nothing. It's nothing."
"Everett Michael." His tone was so sharp Everett stopped and looked at him. "What is going on with you? You were fine when you went to bed, and now you're like this."
"Mal, I just want to have some pleasure. I want to feel everything. But if you don't want to, I can't force you. I will get ready and we can go to the precinct"
"No." There was a command there that anyone else would have listened to. Mal watched him, waiting for it to sink in.
But Everett wasn't pack. He was merely a mate. The magic didn't compare to that coursing through his veins. So when he looked at Mal again, he was confused.
"What do you mean 'no'?"
Mal got up and tidied the bed. He couldn't help the wandering eye as he walked past Everett. He had to force himself to look up, away from the straining erection every instinct was telling him to play with.
"You are not going anywhere while acting like this. You are too volatile and may run the risk of altering the pack magic. I cannot in good conscience let you near the Alpha until we know what's going on," he explained.
"Did it ever dawn on you that I may have an inkling?" Mal turned back to him. Everett crossed his arms, the muscles bulging slightly. Mal had never really noticed how built he was. "I had a dream of a bird. He said I need to find a man named Bastian so I can speak with the fae of Newlan."
The werewolf was taken aback. That was nearly the exact thing Donovan had said last night. He hadn't said any names, but it was damn near the same.
"Donovan said he was making some calls. He'd get back to me once he found it out," he said. He watched Everett for a moment. "Why do you ask?"
Everett rubbed his arms. Now he was acting shy when he was trying to get his way a moment ago. Mal couldn't figure out what was really going on, but he knew he wasn't going to let him out of his sight without a good reason.
"I think I may be a phoenix, Mal," he whispered.