Chapter 1

The wind came up around her with unexpected strength. It left her feeling as if it wanted her to fail, to fall from such a distance and die upon impact on the cement so very far below. But Callista Star hadn't come all this way to fail. She set her jaw, one almost too soft and rounded to actually set, and took another step closer to the edge.

She glanced down only once, then she reached out for the low hung railing, using it to drag herself up and over the cement safety rail. The sounds of traffic, of people and the beat of the city below was only an echo as she studied the roofs around her, trying to concentrate only on what she was doing here and ignoring the insane fear of heights that had her trembling. A growl escaped lips too lush and beautiful to make a harsh sound like that.

"Just do it!" She stood straight on the slippery rail, grabbing the button that closed the low cut vest. Tearing at them, she pushed it off of her shoulders. She was half naked now, her breasts gleaming in the bright sunlight. She brushed the beautiful golden tresses that kept flying into her face, tucking them irritably behind her ear. Soft azalea colored eyes closed and she took a deep breath. "I can do this, I can." A tight leather skirt barely reached to mid thigh and gave her all the freedom she needed. She just needed to take that final step.

"Do it, do it," she chanted to herself, hating the fear that had her almost leaving her perch to step back onto the roof. "No!" she growled and took a deep breath, then dove through the air. The side of the building rushed by her quickly and she arched her back, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Come on, damn it!"

A sudden sharp pain had her convulsing and she thought she was going to be sick. But then the sound, like a flag unfurling in a brutal wind, snapped behind her and she felt them. With a little effort, she spread the wings that now sprouted from between her shoulder blades, feeling them catch the wind, lifting her back up. Learning to make them flap was a bit harder but soon she was flying as if she'd been doing it for centuries.

Turning into the wind, she flapped them harder, taking her back to the roof top she'd thrown herself from and the small group of women who waited for her. The leader of the group stepped forward, pushing long strands of black hair from her face and holding her hands out to the girl.

"I knew you could do it, Callista. Welcome to the order of the Guardians." She slung the cloak she was wearing off of her slender shoulders, exposing her own wings.

Callista stood motionless under the eyes of the Mistress of the Guardians and then felt the softness of the woman's lips feather across her cheek. She was turned, her hand taken and raised into the air. "Welcome! As is the way of our people, the name that you were once called will no longer be yours. You will now be called Tama Seri Ar. In the language of the Guardian ... Warrior Woman!"

The voices rose in volume and she was passed from woman to woman, each giving her a kiss of welcome and repeating her new name before passing her to the next.

All fifteen of the women wore a loin cloth around their slim hips, their breasts bared to the sun, their wings out spread and blowing in the wind. One woman lifted a small iron from a brazier of white hot coals. Callista took a deep breath, reaching down and lifting the hem of her short skirt, exposing her left bottom cheek. The tiny wire at the end of the iron was pressed firmly against that cheek, and Tama, the woman Callista had become, barely managed to swallow the scream that wanted free. Then the iron was removed and a soothing balm rubbed into the burned flesh that was now the perfect outline of a Phoenix, the mythical bird who would burst into flames and then rise once more from its ashes.

The leader once more took Callista's hand. "You know of your mission," she said softly, waiting for the girl to nod. "Your sisters are but a call away. I've set up your interview for tomorrow afternoon." She pressed a small packet of papers to Tama. "Your tickets, passport, bank accounts and credit cards are in there. An apartment has been set up for you, along with the clothes you will need for this new job. Getting the job is your responsibility, Tama Seri Ar. As is keeping your identity secret. We can't let anyone know what we are about. Is that understood?"

Tama bowed over the woman's hand. "Yes, Mother. I shall succeed and I shall make you proud."

"Of that I have no doubt." She pressed a kiss against Tama's temple. "Beware of the men you meet. They shall try to sway your course. Humans are not to be trusted." With one last kiss, she turned, untying the cloak at her neck and letting it fall to the rough surface of the roof. One by one, the woman stepped up to the edge and then dove out, their wings spreading to catch the wind drafts. Then, only Tama was left, her hands filled with the folder that Mother had given her. She opened it, glancing through before lifting a driver's license out. She smiled as she read the name on it. "Tama Phoenix. I did it!" She unfolded her wings, wrapping them around herself and smiling at the beauty of her own feathers.

The next day dawned early but Tama had already been awake for hours. She was studying the case file. She'd read the damn thing over enough that she knew most of the pertinent facts by memory. "If it's worth doing, it should be done right." It was something the Guardian Mother slammed into their heads during classes before they got their wings.

A sudden surge of nerves made her belly turn and she cringed at the thought of what came next. A couple of deep breathes pushed it back and she rose, going into the bathroom to start a shower. Her feather cape was now hanging in her bathroom and she let her hand press against it proudly. It had been many years since a girl had been capable of sprouting wings. Years that had the guardians concerned. Many had tried, more had failed until even taking the test to start along the path had others shaking their heads.

But that had never stopped Tama. She knew her own mind and knew what she was capable of. She knew when it was time, she would be able to prove her worth and she had. Stroking a specially made cleanser over her wings, she used the smaller shower head to rinse them clean and then hooked the wing cape to finish her shower.

Getting dressed was something else she was going to have to get used to. No more bras, they just weren't feasible with her wings. She pulled on a tank-top, tugging the material down so that it caught under her wings. Tight black shorts slid on like a second layer of skin and she buttoned them, smoothing the fabric down over her ass. She glanced at the mirror, slicking down an errant strand of golden hair. Tugging on the bottom of the halter, she sighed then gave herself a stern look.

She was ready for this. She'd trained, she'd been counseled. She knew her mission. Spreading out her wings, she shook them lightly. When her cell phone rang, she jumped for her purse, digging it out and looking at the window in the front. She rushed to open it, almost dropping the phone in her hurry. "Yes?"

"We're waiting outside, Miss Phoenix."

"Oh, yeah, great! I'll be down in a moment." She closed up the phone, sliding it into the back pocket of her shorts. Grabbing her keys, she took one last look in the mirror before leaving her apartment. She had a private elevator and reveled in the fact that she didn't have to share or deal with the stares of those who had no idea who she was. She took deep breaths, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. If this wasn't her only chance at this, she might have taken it a bit less seriously.

The elevator bell rang and she stepped out, pushing through the glass doors that led to the sidewalk. She slid into the limousine that was idling out front.

"Welcome, Miss Phoenix. If you'll buckle up, we'll be there in no time."

Tama looked at the man who was sitting behind the wheel. He didn't look Were or Vampire. She wasn't sure what species he was but the way he was staring at her was giving her the creeps. She buckled her seatbelt and then stared out the window at the buildings as they streamed by. The wharf area of town was soon off to her left and she was a bit shocked when the limo drove into one of the warehouses.

The driver stopped the car and then hopped out, opening her door and giving her his hand to help her out. "They are waiting for you, Miss Phoenix. If you'll just go through that door," he pointed toward one of six doors that the room had. She moved toward it but before she opened it, she turned back to look at the driver one more time. Her eyes grew wide when she saw the floor under the limo shift and then drop, the driver standing next to his car. He tipped his hat at her and then another cement looking floor curved up around him and blocked him from her sight.

"Shit," she murmured. "Talk about toys."

The door opened in front of her and a tall, well-built man wearing sunglasses held out his hand to her. "My name is Protector Reming, welcome to ASP. I hope your trip here was pleasurable."

"Very." She glanced in the doorway seeing an oasis of half walls and desks, people manning them and walking between them. There were all kinds, Weres, Demons, Vampires, even a Witch or two. Each was wearing a different color jumpsuit, all made of fine grained leather. "This looks like an office building."

"Well, we do try not to let ourselves be noticed. The humans are a very curious species." He waved her through the door and then closed it softly behind him. "If you'll follow me, we'll go to one of the conference rooms." He started walking and Tama couldn't help the way her eyes watched the way he walked, almost as if he were a predator and he was stalking his prey. It was very sensual.

"What are you?" she asked before she could help herself. Protector Reming glanced back at her through the dark protection of his glasses.

"I am Protector of ASP, Miss Phoenix. I've had this job for ten years and as such, I am very used to the job that I hold."

Tama held out her hand in a soothing manner. "No, sir, that's not what I meant. I just ... you don't look Vampire or Were, I couldn't help but be curious about..." She let her voice die off, her eyes trying to see behind the dark lenses of the Protector. It annoyed her that she couldn't determine his mood and she sighed. "I'm very sorry if I've offended you. It wasn't my intent."