Phoenix Chosen #3 (The Phoenix Guardians #3)

16. Tyler

16

TYLER

T here are seven single-use packets of burn gel, their wrappers pristine and clean like they were just plucked brand new from some box of medical supplies.

“Boil some water,” I tell the old woman who’d been caring for Agis. “Let it cool, then wash him with a fresh cloth. After, apply the ointment contained inside of these. Make sure you use new bandages.”

She’s skeptical and mutters about how her salves are perfectly effective, but she does follow my instructions.

“I didn’t know you knew healing craft,” Airos says.

“I mean, I had to get certified for basic first aid with the company I worked for.”

Airos looks to Kalistratos like he’s expecting him to translate what I just said. Kalistratos shrugs and asks, “How in the name of the Gods did they get these?”

“They must’ve belonged to one of the others ,” I say, staying vague. I know it’s not a good idea to let Markos and the others hear too much, even though they wouldn’t understand what we’re talking about. “Remember the thing we found in Aelonos?”

I’m talking about the CD player we found locked up in a chest in the Aelonos treasury, a massive question mark that has been sitting in the back corner of my mind.

Kalistratos nods. “They could’ve been captured,” he says, “and these stolen from them.”

“Yeah. That’s what I’m thinking.”

Airos picks up one of the packets and turns it back and forth. “One problem. You say this is medicine for burns? How do you know?”

“Because it says it right there.” I tap my finger on it. “Emergency burn relief gel with antiseptic.”

“Tyler,” Airos says calmly. “I’ve studied many languages. I cannot make any sense of the runes affixed to these things. I don’t think these bandits would fare any better.”

Oops . I feel dumb.

“Then… I don’t know,” I say.

Kalistratos lowers his voice so only we can hear him. “They could be holding him captive.”

“None of this is adding up,” I say. "I think we need to get out there and figure out what’s going on, ASAP."

Blank stares.

“Er, that means as soon as possible.”

“I agree,” says Airos. “This situation has become much stranger.”

“The less time we spend in one place, the better,” Kalistratos says. “And we’ve already dawdled here for long enough.

“Cool,” I say, clapping my hands together. “Then what’s the plan?”

Kalistratos rubs his chin. “Markos? Load up the wagon with all the supplies you promised us as payment for this job. We’ll use them as our bait.”

Gral stops Markos as he moves for the door.

“You cannot be serious,” Gral says. “What if you turn and run for the hills?”

“Bro,” I mutter. “You have some real trust issues…”

“Easy,” Kalistratos says to Gral. “You can come along and drive the wagon.”

Gral sighs, his fur bristling in irritation. “Alright.”

The wagon is packed with baskets of travel supplies: dried olives, dates, raisins, goat jerky, aged cheese, and an amphora of wine. Three empty wooden boxes are also placed along the edges of the wagon to fill the space and create a hideaway area for Kalistratos and me. We have just enough room to squeeze together, like a couple of sardines in a can. Gral pulls a linen cover over everything, and he and Airos get onto the driver’s bench.

The donkey brays with a snap of the reins, and the wine sloshes noisily as the wagon jerks into motion. My head thunks against the floor, a rude reminder that this thing doesn’t have modern suspension.

“Are you alright?” Kalistratos asks, touching my temple.

“Uh-huh,” I say before I’m immediately bounced like a goddamn basketball as the wheels clatter across what feels like the world’s largest rumble strip and speed bump combo. Kalistratos grabs hold of me and pulls me into his warm chest.

Unf. Yes, please.

The wagon’s wooden frame creaks noisily around us, and our bodies bump and rub together as it rocks and shudders its way along the path. Through the gaps in the floor, I can see the dirt and stones passing beneath us.

“You know,” I say into Kalistratos’s ear. “If I wasn’t worried about one of us kneeing each other in the nuts, we could probably sneak in a quickie back here. No one would ever know.”

Kalistratos holds me a little tighter, and his palm slips across my ass cheek and gives it a good squeeze. “Can’t help yourself, can you?”

I reach between us and grab a big handful of his package. “How can I?”

“You and your appetite. I still need to experience… What did you call it? Road head.”

I grin. I’d forgotten about our little road trip downtown when a cop almost caught us boning on the side of the road.

The cart bounces again. I feel Kalistratos swelling in my hand.

“Not really the best place for road head,” I tell him. “Unless, you know, you want teeth marks in your dick.”

“Some would sacrifice a hefty sum of coin for that type of experience,” he says.

“Oh yeah? You?”

“I bet Airos is the type who secretly enjoys getting his bits bitten.”

I laugh. “Why the hell do you think that?”

“He’s a monk who works as a mercenary. A man who covers up his dark side with such a pristine shell must have some pretty interesting kinks, don’t you think?”

“You find yourself often thinking about Airos’s kinks?” I ask, grinning broadly.

Kalistratos scoffs. “No more than I must.”

“Then why is your dick getting hard, you perv?” I squeeze the thick outline of his cock and trace its shape with my fingers.

He grabs my hand and interrupts my harassment. “Tyler. We’re about to go into a fight. You want me running around with my cock swinging around?”

“I would sacrifice a hefty sum of coin for that type of experience.”

“Has your appetite grown since you birthed our egg? Or have you always been this hungry for it?”

“Can you blame me? I no longer have a goddamn mystery football in my stomach, I’ve stopped feeling like I’m going absolutely bonkers insane, and even though I’m shitting my pants scared and probably in the worst danger of my life… I wouldn’t trade this for anything. I’m living . And, dude…” I press my face into his neck and speak right into his ear. “I love being your omega.”

Sproing goes Kalistratos’s cock against my left thigh.

“Gods,” he mutters. “I would fuck you right here in the back of this wagon, were attention not needed elsewhere.”

“But don’t tell me you’re not feeling riled up and full of energy,” I say.

“You’re teasing me!” he says, laughing. “Oh, you bastard. I can’t fight like this.”

“But that’s where a phoenix gets its power.”

Before Kalistratos can reply, Airos raises the front of the cover a few inches and peeks inside. “We’re entering the forest. Be ready.” He squints. “Are you having fun back there?”

“We’re ready,” Kalistratos says quickly before grabbing and pulling the cover back down.