Phoenix Under Fire: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Aries

By Crystal Dawn

There is a battle brewing and the witches are looking for allies. Annie's father plans to force her to mate a male of his choice. She wants her fated one and casts a spell to find him. Problem solved, right?
Ramiros wakes up with sand up his nose. What happened to his nice comfortable bed? When he finds the person who dumped him on the beach thousands of miles from home, there will be hell to pay.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Dawn
• Release date: Mar 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370235384

Crystal Dawn

When she’s not out hunting rogue vampires and werewolves, you can find Crystal Dawn out exploring the galaxy. She can do it all without ever leaving her computer. She kicks ass, takes names, and puts it all down for the enjoyment of her readers. At least that’s what I think she told me. Writing came as a natural outlet for her overly creative mind. She has always told stories and even written some but publishing books didn't start until 2012 with The Rebirth, was the first of the Planet Amazon books. Crystal has also been lucky to have some wonderful beta readers who keep her on track and help inspire her.Secretly, she crushes on all her sexy heroes because all her stories end happily. That is one of the things that makes writing such a joy. Knowing that it makes her reader's day a little brighter. Not that she doesn't read sad books sometimes. While still in school, she read Where the Red Fern Grows and cried like a baby. It was a wonderful book and sometimes a bit of sadness has to be put in books because that's part of life. While she reads all kinds of books at some time or another, PNR and SFR, which she writes is what she reads the most for pleasure.When she started writing, she decided on going Indie after the first two books because an author has more control. She believes Indie will compete well and continues to grow. The need to give pleasure to her readers keeps her going and she sees a long career ahead. Growing up mostly in the NW Arkansas area, it has given her a good place to set some stories and many of her characters come from there or nearby SW Missouri.The start of her stories is the easy part. Finishing them is a little harder when all the stories are in there trying to get out. She loves reading, chocolate, fine sweet wine, and traveling among a large list of pursuits. Her favorite people, after her family and close friends, are her readers who she says are some of the most wonderful people in this galaxy and the next.

Book preview

Zodiac Shifters Collection

Book 7

Supernatural Wars

Book 1

Phoenix Under Fire

(A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Aries)

By Crystal Dawn

Cover by Raven Blackburn

Edited by Addicted to Reviews

Proofread by Tammy Payne

2017 Copyright All Right Reserved by Crystal Dawn

This book is a work of fiction. All contents, including names, places, and

events are the product

of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any

resemblance to persons, living or

deceased, businesses, locations or events are completely coincidental.

None of this work may be used, reproduced, exchanged or transmitted

by anyone but the

person the book was purchased for. Any reproductions of this book in

any part or any form must

be done with the express written permission of the author or not at all.

Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

Dedicated to the surprising ways love sometimes shows itself.

Foreword

The Phoenix have been on Earth since before humans used metal. They became hunted and live on their own island, hidden by magic. Ram wakes up one morning on a beach in Florida. Has he been cast out as a punishment for something he doesn’t remember doing or is this the work of black magic?

Annie is a witch from the most powerful family of witches ever known. Usually that gives her respect and benefits, but not this time. A war is brewing in their world, and it will take all kinds to defeat the growing evil. That’s why her family intends to mate her to a vampire or a werewolf. Those are the two top competitors for her hand. A quick spell cast for her fated mate will stop all the nonsense. Or will it?

Prologue

Ramiros is son of Aha, the only leader the Earth-bound Phoenix have ever had. He was born under the same zodiac sign as his father, which was considered a blessing since he would be their next leader. Since Phoenix are practically immortal and die only through beheading or mortal wounds, it should be many years before he is called upon to take the mantle of leadership. The qualities of the sign Aries according to the Phoenix/Earth Zodiac are such that they will help him be the leader they need him to be.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. Those born under this sign are leaders, the first to step into the fray, ready to get things started themselves and always first in whatever happens next. They are good at initiating things, but not always as good at seeing those things to fruition. Magnetism and dynamism go hand in hand to rally the troops and send them where they are needed. These kinds of people are ready to face each new day with its countless possibilities. Taking on the insurmountable and conquering it is almost orgasmic to an Aries.

The Ram is symbolic of Aries and with good reason. They are impulsive, stubborn, bold, and blunt. Aries are a force of nature with a desire to compete and win. They are ruled by Mars, God of War. Aries is also associated with fire. A burning desire to act, whether in a game or a battle and whether it is their game or battle or not. They are active participants unable to sit on the sidelines. Their color is bright red to go with their fiery personality. The greatest strengths of an Aries-bravery, initiative, and determination- can also be their greatest weakness. They are fearless even when facing overwhelming odds.

Two Aries together can either be an amazing combination or the world’s greatest disaster. If they can find a way to cooperate and move toward a common goal, they are unstoppable. If not, they will fight each other until they are both exhausted, accomplishing nothing and leaving chaos in their wake. Ramiros’ parents are both Aries, but they are not warmongers. They put the welfare of their people above any desires they may themselves have. If Ramiros can just find a mate half as wonderful as his mother, he will be a happy man.

Chapter 1

Beached

Ramiros breathed deeply in his sleep, only this time something went up his nose. That startled him awake. It was still dark outside, but his location had changed. He’d gone from his soft and comfortable bed in the crystal palace beneath the ocean to here. This unknown place seemed to be a beach covered in wet sand, some of which had made it up his nose while he’d been planted face-first in it. His whole body, which was nude at that, was covered in the wet sand. Even had he not been in the habit of sleeping nude, wearing PJs wouldn’t have been much better.

He coughed, desperately trying to dislodge the wet grains of sand that irritated his nose. By the ancestors, he had some in his mouth too. It wasn’t very graceful, but he nearly hacked up a lung trying to get the sand loose. Breathing deeply, his nose now felt much better, nearly free of the obstructions. His mouth was still gritty with the sand he was spitting out. If someone happened by, they would think he was a drunk vomiting.

In the distance, he could hear music and laughter. A party? Probably so and here he was, nude, without any means of protecting himself or any way to purchase anything. The only thing he knew for certain was he couldn’t remain here like this. First thing he needed to do was get clothes and although guilt would fill him, he had no choice, but to acquire it without purchase.

With no way of knowing where he was or where to find clothing, he picked a direction and began to walk. The beach seemed to go on forever and he walked at a fast, but easy pace. Mansions sat off to one side, just within sight. Those homes probably had security, so they were no help. The beach got rockier and the homes less valuable.

At this point, he decided to investigate the next home he saw. There, that was the one. It was still a decent-sized home and well maintained. He moved around to the back of the house and found a clothesline. Studying the clothing carefully, he pulled off a pair of swim trunks and a T-shirt.

Phoenix had good night vision and he determined the clothes would fit him well. Clutching it, he started to leave slowly, but the back door opened, and a rather large dog came out and growled at him. Dogs weren’t usually a problem, but under the circumstances he decided running was the best option. There was no point in drawing attention to himself.

At a dead run, he moved until he began to feel a burn. The dog was far behind and there was a hint of dawn in the east. He needed to dress now. Once he had the clothing on, he continued along the beach until the sky lightened. Now he turned inland looking for a sign or someone he could ask for directions.

An old man was up ahead. Excuse me, Sir? Can you tell me what the nearest town in this direction is?

Orlando is about five miles away. Did you drink a bit too much last night?

Yes, Sir. I’ll be more careful from now on.

I said that a hundred times in my younger days. Still ain’t nearly careful enough, he said, and he continued on his way.

What the hell was he doing in Florida? All he knew was he was feeling pulled toward Orlando and his people had a place there. Once he arrived, he would be able to get on top of things. Hopefully, he’d figure out what had happened and who had brought him here. He’d never even heard of something crazy like this happening to any of his people before. Ram continued on his way.

A woman jogged by, and she turned to look at him with admiration in her eyes. He moved on. Females often looked at him that way and if he’d had time and the situation was different, he might have stopped and found satisfaction for both of them. That time was not now. Ram was a physical being, all Phoenix were until they found their fated mate and then their souls bonded. His mate wasn’t among his people. Or she’d not been born yet.

The road he was on met up with the highway and he walked along it, seeing a sign that told him Orlando was three and a half miles away now. A car went by full of girls that whistled and yelled when they went by. Humans were funny creatures. Picking up his speed, he regretted not stealing a pair of shoes when he got the clothes he’d taken.

The weather here was hot, much like it was back home on Phoenix Island. Ram spent most of his time under the ocean in the crystal castle, but he traveled to the island regularly. It was a tropical paradise full of game to hunt and tasty fish to eat. He missed home already. Why would anyone bring him here?

He was down to one mile and making excellent time, but he was in perfect physical condition, so it was no surprise. Once he was in Orlando, he needed to find a phone book. The address for one of the clubs they had set up in all major cities would be in there. That’s where he would go and find help. There was a convenience store on the outskirts of town. He headed in and the young girl was happy to let him look at the phone book.

She was even willing to let him use the phone for a local call. He gave her the number and she dialed it for him, handing him the phone when it rang. It was answered right away. This is Sandy at Phoenix Rising Bar and restaurant. How may I direct your call?

Hello, Sandy. I need to talk to the manager.

I’m sorry. Mister Coal isn’t available right now. Can I take a message?

Yes, tell him one of the major stockholders wanted to talk to him, but he wouldn’t take the call. That’s what he can put down for the reason he was fired.

Ex-excuse me. Let me see if I can find him. I’ll be right back.

Damn! He hated drama and he hated to be an asshole, but this situation was serious. He could hear elevator music playing, but she would be back soon. Hello? Are you still there?

I’m here, Sandy.

Mr. Coal will speak to you now. I’m transferring the call.

Hello? Who is this and why did you feel the need to scare my secretary half to death?

Cam? This is Ramiros and I’ve got a serious situation. I need to be picked up at a convenience store just outside of Orlando. It’s a Kwikeee Mart.

I know the one. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Have one of their Kwikeee cappuccinos while you wait. They are good.

Ram decided to take his suggestion since twenty minutes with nothing to do was boring. Hey Sweetie. My friend is coming to get me, and he said to try your cappuccinos and he’d pay when he gets here. Okay?

Sure. I know you’d never cheat us. She smiled all sweet and Ram thought about how naïve she was.

It didn’t stop him from getting his drink, but he thought it all the same. He sat there sipping the drink and waiting, but he had to admit, the drink tasted great. It was less than twenty minutes later when his old friend Cameron came striding into the store. He looked dapper and professional.

What the hell happened to you? He asked stunned. Ram knew he looked bad, but was it really that bad?

I’ll explain later but pay the girl for my drink and let’s get out of here. Ram urged.

Cameron stepped up to the cashier who giggled and flirted just like she had with Ram. She was fickle, it would seem. Not that Ram was interested or had the time to pursue her if he had been. He walked out with Cam and sat in the back where they would be able to talk.

You have a driver these days? Ram asked.

It’s easier to have business conversations on the phone when you’re not driving. He doubles as a guard, we’ve had some threats lately, Cam admitted. Now tell me what’s going on.

I went to bed in my room in the castle and woke up choking on sand here on a beach.

That would take incredible power to manage.

I agree. I still can’t imagine why they would do it unless it’s a show of strength.

Maybe something went wrong, and you didn’t end up where they intended? Cam speculated.

That makes as much sense as anything. We need to hire a powerful witch to unravel this thing fast.

I agree and I know just the family to ask. Meanwhile, we’ll go back to Rising and I’ll put you in the royal suite. You can take a shower and make yourself presentable. I’ll have clothes sent up to you and you can meet me in the restaurant for brunch.

That sounds good. While I’m here, maybe we can catch up.

That sounds nice, Ram. You can tell me about everything that’s happening at home.

You know little ever changes. Ram went upstairs and showered and dressed. All their buildings were laid out the same, so he had no trouble finding everything. Once he was ready, he went downstairs where Cam was still where he’d left him, only working on his laptop.

Ready to tell me all about home and what everyone’s up to? Cam nudged.

Fine. Dani is in Europe running the Phoenix Rising Headquarters there for now. She seems to like it. Ram noted Cam’s immediate interest. He’d never understood why those two hadn’t gotten together. Cam would make a great addition to the family and tie together the two strongest families the Phoenix had.

"I bet your sister is doing a great job.’

Probably like the job you’re doing here running the U.S. headquarters.

It’s not always easy, but I try, Cam assured him. So now that you’ve had more time to think, any ideas on who has it in for you?

I’m not sure they do, have it in for me that is. They didn’t hurt me, they just tried to bring me somewhere. Have you had any luck bringing a witch here? He asked since Cam had been on his cell phone the entire time they’d been talking.

There’s one on the way. Her name is Annie Worthington.

Why does that last name ring a bell? Ram asked.

"They are the first family of witchery in these parts, maybe in any parts. They came here from England when the witch hunts began. Actually, they came before that in 1542 when the first Witchcraft Act passed. The one that made witchcraft against secular law. They saw the writing on the wall and left before things got crazy. Some of the family stayed behind and some spread out to other places, but all of them have magic in their blood. Here comes