Page 12 of Phoenix Chosen 2

“What the hell is that?” Kalistratos asks.

Nelly shrugs. “Well, I’d say it’s some kind of an eye. I dunno. I’m no artist. But that’s pretty close to what I saw. He said it would help guide you to him.”

Kalistratos and I exchange another glance. I know he’s thinking the same thing I am—are we sure this guy isn’t just crazy?

We part ways with Nelly outside of my apartment complex.

“Thank you, friend,” Kalistratos tells him. “If I had any treasure to part with, I would give it all to you.”

“Nah, don’t mention it. I’m just honored I was able to help out. I promise, your presence here stays secret with me. Ol’ Nelly won’t snitch. But, hey… If your kind ever is gonna do any abductions, I volunteer. Bring me up to your spaceship, baby.”

Kalistratos looks perplexed.

“Thanks, Nelly,” I say, ushering Kalistratos along. “We’ll pass that along to the Bird Man for you. We’d better get moving.”

“Take care, kiddos!”

With a squeal of rubber, Nelly peels away from the curb. Kalistratos steps back and staggers. I’ve seen him in this state before, completely drained of his energy after using his powers. Not good. He’s on the verge of passing out—and I don’t want to be seen dragging a shirtless man back to my apartment.

I put his arm around my shoulder and guide him through the complex as I dig through my pocket for my keys. This is all so weird. I’m going through a routine that feels like it belongs to a different version of myself, one that I let go of a long time ago.

I unlock the door and help him inside onto the couch. On the coffee table is the bowl of popcorn I left out when I’d knocked out watching YouTube videos all night on my phone. I’d gotten up and rushed out to catch the bus to work. It’s still crunchy and fresh. And why wouldn’t it be? Here, it’s only been a day since I left.

I find a blanket and drape it over Kalistratos. His eyes are shut, his forehead dotted with sweat, and his chest rises and falls with deep, even breaths. I brush back a strand of his dark hair and take a seat on the arm of the couch. The wall clock ticks loudly in the quiet apartment, joined by the steady hum of my refrigerator. A helicopter drones on overhead. I feel like a stranger in my own home.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Kalistratos,” I say softly. “I don’t know what I would do otherwise.”

He stirs and reaches for my hand. I take it and press it to my lips.

“You’re a fool if you think I wouldn’t come after you,” he grumbles. “You are my mate.”

“I’m your mate?” I say, gently teasing him. It’s the first time I’ve heard him call me this. “Am I your mate, now?”

“I hope so,” he murmurs, peeking at me from one partially opened eye. “I came all of this way.”

I laugh. “Mate,” I repeat, then lean over and kiss him. He tilts his chin to push his lips to mine and brushes my cheek with his fingertips.

“Don’t underestimate the devotion of a Phoenikos,” he says, opening the other eye. He smiles at me tiredly. “I am by your side forever, even into the afterlife.”

“Well, I know this place feels like it could be hell, but we’re not dead yet.”

“Your world is chaos. Nothing makes sense.”

I laugh. “Says the man from a place where frogs can talk. Speaking of frogs, I can’t believe you beat that man up, Kalistratos! He was wearing a costume!”

“What kind of idiot would dress as an Erpetosi?” he says. “How did you even know about that?”

“I saw it on the news. Imagine my surprise seeing you half-naked on the TV pummeling the shit out of Kermit the Frog.”

“You…saw it? I don’t understand. A vision?”

I shake my head and brush his hair with my fingers. “Don’t worry about it.”

“You must tell me what happened to you. How were you injured? And what happened to your chiton?”

I sigh. “I don’t know. I found myself back in the exact moment when I was taken to Circeana. And then I got hit by a car.”

“Kah. Those metal chariot beasts.”

---