Phoenix's Fate (RARE Series, #2) Read Free Page A

talk.  Could not breathe.  Phoenix walked into the barn, grabbed the tape off a shelf, and started wrapping up his knuckles.  Nico came in behind him.  Not saying a word, they walked over to the punching bag.  Nico held it while Phoenix pounded the piss out of it.  After thirty minutes, he finally stopped, grabbed a towel, and wiped the sweat off his face and the blood off his hands.  Then, while Nico waited by the door, Phoenix dropped to his knees in the middle of the old barn and prayed.  He prayed for the life of his mate, the life of his sister, and his own soul if anything were to happen to either of them. 
    Once they got back to the house, Nico went to check in with Angel while Phoenix took a quick shower.  After Phoenix was done, he headed back down the basement stairs towards the conference room.  He heard a loud roar when he hit the bottom landing.  Sounded to Phoenix like Jeremiah Black had shown up and he was one pissed off bear.  Phoenix entered the conference room, took a seat at the table with the rest of his team, and waited for the bear to find his way to them.  It did not take long.
    “Where is my mate,” Jeremiah growled as he stood at the entrance of the room.  Wow, he was one big grizzly.  As Phoenix watched, Jeremiah’s fangs dropped and his eyes turned bear.  He had never seen a bear shifter before.  Only wolf and cat. 
    “Knock it off, Jeremiah,” Angel growled.  “You can’t shift in here, dammit.  You are too freaking big.  Get yourself under control and sit your ass down.”
    Jeremiah continued to growl, but he visibly pulled his bear back and took a seat by one of RARE’s team members, Trace.  While they waited for Chase to arrive with the necklace, Angel gave Jeremiah a rundown on everything that had happened. 
    Once she was done, Jeremiah asked in a low deadly voice, “You mean to tell me that some sick fuck has Rikki and wants to breed her?  My mate?” 
    “The General wants to breed Serenity.  If he is aware of Rikki’s gifts, then I am sure he will want to use her, too.  We are not going to let that happen, though.” Angel told him.
    “You said they have had her for four days, Angel,” he growled.  “Four days!  How can you tell me that something hasn’t happened to her already?”
    Just then there was a noise up in the kitchen.  A moment later, Chase stood in the doorway.  His Beta, Bran, was right behind him.  Chase held up the necklace for everyone to see.  “I got it.  Let’s hope this works.”
    As he moved over towards Angel, Phoenix got a glimpse of the necklace.  He swallowed hard and then ground out, “A Phoenix.  It’s a Phoenix.” 
    Chase nodded.  “She told Summer a shaman made it for her a few years ago.  He told her the phoenix was her future and would keep her safe.”
    “Find her, Angel,” Phoenix ordered through clenched teeth.  “You find Serenity, now.  I’m ready to start hunting.”
    Angel nodded.  Looking over at Chase she held her hand out for the necklace.

Chapter 6
    S erenity cautiously peered around the dimly lit room keeping her eyes closed most of the way.  She was not sure where she was and wanted a chance to assess the situation before letting whomever else was in the room know she was awake. 
    “You’re back with the land of the living,” a voice whispered as a hand gently moved her long dark hair out of her face.  Serenity’s brown eyes flew open and she stared up into the face of the woman that she had saved.  “Your fever is gone.”
    “Are they watching us?” Serenity whispered.  She sat up and gingerly scooted back to lean against the wall.  Titling her head back, she took in a deep breath, before letting it out again.  The pain in her chest was now just a dull ache.
    “I checked the room out.  I did not find any cameras or bugs, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t here,” the woman responded.  “Some scientists were here earlier.  They checked your temperature, took