Phoenix Betrayed: An Urban Fantasy Adventure: Mythical Alliance: Phoenix Team, #6

By Claire Luana

A shocking betrayal. A leader fading fast. It may take divine intervention to see them through…

 

Falsely accused of betraying Veil Force, Phoenix Team is forced to flee to an unlikely haven—the home of demi-god member Rexsis Ahmad. Yet Rex's return triggers uncontainable powers that will keep him from ever returning to Earth, and Konstantin's condition is grave—throwing his and Zariya's future into question.

 

Determined to clear their names, a beleaguered Phoenix Team devises a plot to break into MASC headquarters and secure the help they need. But unbeknownst to them, a darker enemy is waiting in the wings, and their plans play perfectly into his hands. With help from some alluring allies, Phoenix Team will have one shot to expose the true traitor, bring the team home, and secure Zariya and Konstantin's happy ever after.

 

Phoenix Betrayed is the sixth and final episode of a SERIALIZED urban fantasy tale.  Approximately 30,000 words or 150 print pages. Cliffhangers ahead...

 

The Mythical Alliance series is perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Lindsay Hall, and B.R. Kingsolver! Scroll up and one-click today to sink your teeth into this urban fantasy tale filled with fierce heroines, non-stop adventure, and irresistible romance! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Live Edge Publishing
• Release date: Nov 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781948947084

Claire Luana

Claire Luana grew up in Edmonds, Washington, reading everything she could get her hands on and writing every chance she could get. Eventually, adulthood won out and she turned her writing talents to more scholarly pursuits, graduating from University of Washington School of Law and going to work as a commercial litigation attorney at a mid-sized law firm. While continuing to practice law, Claire decided to return to her roots and try her hand once again at creative writing. Her first novel, Moonburner, was published in 2016 with Soul Fire Press, an imprint of Christopher Matthews Publishing. She is currently working on the sequel,Sunburner. In her (little) remaining spare time, she loves to hike, travel, run, play with her two dogs, and of course, fall into a good book.

Book preview

1

We emerged from the Chinvat Gate into the familiar halls of Tartarus Base. But everything was wrong. Instead of arriving home as heroes, ready to arrest our director, Cyriaque Broussard, for his crimes against Veil Force, we stumbled through the magical portal with our leader, Konstantin Bauer, near death.

I hit the ground hard, banging my chin and my knee. But the pain was nothing compared to the thrumming panic I felt.

I hadn’t been able to help Dad before he’d died. I hadn’t been there. But I was here now, for Konstantin, and I was going to do everything in my power to see him safely healed.

I shoved to my feet and offered a hand to Galu. The nereid, now in command, clasped my wrist with blue-tattooed fingers and hauled himself up.

Rex had managed to come through the portal mostly on his feet, cradling Konstantin’s unconscious body in his strong arms. He wore his jackal-furred head—its tall, pointed ears and sloping snout reminiscent of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Of all the Phoenix Team guys, Rex was the most enigmatic. He was the descendant of Anubis, the Egyptian god, and had mysterious god-like powers himself. I knew little beyond that, except that I trusted him with my life. And more importantly, Konstantin’s.

We need Oliver. I panted, trying to fight my lingering nausea. He should be in his lab.

Signe and Verte too. If anyone can find a cure for the poison Konstantin ingested, it’ll be them. Luiz darted for the hallway, but before he rounded the corner, he came up short, his handsome face a picture of confusion. Easy, boys. The incubus slowly raised his hands.

Next to me, Daevin, Phoenix Team’s caco-demon, pointed his rifle at whatever was rounding that corner opposite Luiz.

Galu did the same, after quickly returning the Chinvat Gate to its normal size and shoving it into his cargo pocket.

I didn’t have any weapons, but my muscles tensed just the same, ready for a fight. What was going on? Had Tartarus Base been breached while we’d been gone?

Luiz’s opponent came into sight around the corner and I snarled. Cyriaque Broussard pointed a modified AR-15 directly at Luiz’s heart. Our werewolf director wore standard-issue black camouflage pants, leather boots, and a black T-shirt that stretched over his bulging muscles. His brown, curly hair was wild, and his lean cheeks were unshaven. He looked a far cry from the neat, orderly supe in gray slacks who’d given me my shot to join Veil Force. It seemed the past weeks hadn’t been easy on him, either.

Good.

Just a small taste of the punishment he deserved. There was a special place in hell for men who betrayed their brothers and sisters. Daevin had even confirmed it.

More figures followed Cyriaque. More armed Veil Force Phantoms. A few I recognized. The huge, towering bulk of Commander Strongroot, the Sequoia dryad who ran Aquila Team, was unmistakable. He was Alviya’s team leader.

More familiar faces followed. The dainty blonde form of Signe, one of Veil Force’s two norn Demi-goddesses. Leilani, the kapua shifter and Draco team commander. Kiki. These were our teammates. Our friends.

What’s going on, Director? Galu asked, the barrel of his gun drooping. Konstantin needs immediate medical attention. He’s near death.

We’ll make sure he gets the care he needs. Cyriaque nodded to Strongroot. Arrest him.

Galu’s gun barrel went back up, and we tightened into a line before Rex and Konstantin. Luiz fell in beside me.

"What are you doing, Director? I’m telling you, one of your commanders is dying. He needs care now. Why are you arresting him?" Galu asked.

Konstantin Bauer is under arrest for the theft of the Chinvat Gate from the Veil Force evidence locker. And for treason, in supplying it to a foreign, enemy force. Cyriaque’s voice was hard, his back rod straight. He didn’t appear concerned that two weapons were pointed directly at him. He had to know that with the other Phantoms around, we weren’t going to shoot unless absolutely necessary.

A disbelieving laugh escaped me. "You have the fucking nerve to accuse Konstantin of stealing the Gate? You stole it." I jabbed my finger at him.

Cyriaque crossed his thick arms over his chest. You can’t believe that. When clearly, it’s how you traveled back here. Konstantin took it. Konstantin had it.

We have it because we took it from the Authority after Konstantin killed her. Konstantin caught you on camera stealing it. You’re the mole! You’re the one who’s been working with the Collectors and the Authority all this time. You’re the one who set up my dad. You’re the reason he’s dead! My voice was growing high and wild.

Cyriaque exchanged a look with Strongroot that was almost pitying.

Luiz’s hand locked around my forearm, and I looked down. I hadn’t realized I’d been surging forward to pummel that smug look off the bastard’s face.

Did Konstantin ever show you this supposed video of me stealing anything? Or did you just take his word for it? Cyriaque asked.

I frowned. I didn’t want to admit that we hadn’t seen it. We just hadn’t had a chance, with all the madness in the DRC. Right?

Cyriaque smirked. "I thought so. Well, I actually have a video of Konstantin taking the Gate. And they’ve all seen it."

That wasn’t possible.

You’re lying, Daevin said. His gun was still pointed at Cyriaque’s heart. The barrel hadn’t wavered.

He’s not, Commander Strongroot rumbled. We watched it in the briefing before coming here. It was clearly Commander Bauer. I’m sorry, child.

No. No fucking way. He’s doctored the video somehow! It has to be. Cyriaque is the mole, not Konstantin. This is all part of his plan to deflect the blame onto Konstantin.

Across from us, gazes softened, mouths twisting. They didn’t believe me. They felt…sorry for me! Like I was some love-crazed girl who’d been brainwashed by her evil genius boyfriend.

And while we all stood around and had a chat, Konstantin was slipping away from us. Which was exactly what Cyriaque wanted. If Konstantin died, there was no one to get us the real footage. No way Konstantin could defend his name. No way to get to the bottom of this.

Let us take him. Cyriaque held out a hand. We have no reason to believe any of the rest of you were in on this. Unless you resist us now. And then I’ll have no choice but to assume you’re collaborators. And arrest all of you.

Give us a minute to discuss, Galu said. You have to understand; it’s not easy for a team to hand over their commander, even if it’s to their director.

Cyriaque nodded. One minute.

Daevin kept his rifle trained down the hall at Cyriaque and the other Phantoms while we huddled up.

There’s no way we can let Cyriaque take him, I said under my breath. He’ll let him die.

Oliver would never let that happen, Galu murmured.

He could have sent Oliver on an all-inclusive vacation for all we know, I shot back.

I agree with Six, Luiz said. No way we’re handing Konstantin over. This smells dirty.

We have to consider Konstantin’s condition, Rex said. Do we have the resources to heal him if we flee?

Fuck. No. We needed Tartarus Base. Oliver. Signe. Smart supes who knew about magical medical treatment. Okay, so we fight our way into Oliver’s lab, barricade ourselves in, treat Konstantin, and then run, I suggested, even knowing as I said it how impossible it would be.

I don’t see how we have any choice, Galu said. Konstantin needs medical treatment.

The threat of tears stung my eyes. If we let them arrest him, he’s as good as dead. I feel it.

Your time is up, Cyriaque called out. A bit too gleefully for my liking. How had he known about the video Konstantin had made? And how had he doctored one to show the other Phantoms and get them on his side?

I supposed it didn’t matter. We were no closer to finding a solution. We had to turn Konstantin over and hope for the best. A weight settled in my chest, smothering my lungs. Konstantin was going to die. I was going to lose him too.

Breathe, Six, Luiz murmured as my tears started flowing.

Galu turned back to Cyriaque to give him our decision. Resigned.

There is one other option, Rex said quietly. Out of MASC’s reach, with medical aid for Konstantin.

Where? I asked eagerly. Let’s go!

Rex looked down at Konstantin, hanging limp in his arms. Konstantin’s color had faded even more. He