Phoenix Flying: Intro

Quiet. Absolute silence. Tension; feeling the tightness stretching. Slowly she reached forward, fingers outstretched and trembling as they neared the object of observation. Letting out a quick sigh of relief, she settled the tips of her glove-encased fingers gently on the computer keys, almost stroking the smooth surface. Quickly, she tapped out commands, typing hurriedly with her nose glued to the screen. She opened file after file and searched all contents, letting her eyes scan in impatience. Suddenly, she froze and stared. She found it. The file: Lelaine File. Clicking twice to open, she watched the contents sprawl almost lazily across the screen. Nodding, she locked eyes with the picture of the woman on the screen. They were mirror images of each other, down to the sarcastic quirk of the eyebrow and the curled lip of disdain. A heavy mane of dark brown hair with orange highlights framed the delicate face. Clear skin tanned from the sun proportioned by well-set eyes of amber color was placed above a perfectly placed nose and generous lips. Beautiful, yes. But no love reflected from the eyes, no compassion or pity made itself known. She was cold, and she knew it. Smiling to the pic of herself in the computer, she typed out a new command. 2% loaded. The virus blinked on and injected it’s poison into the memory, and in it’s process wiped out the Lelaine file rapidly. 32% loaded. The installation was almost complete. Nervously, she glanced at the door behind her, making sure it stayed closed. 59% loaded. Breathing rapidly and feeling the heightened sense of power and pleasure, she felt a turning on in an almost sexual intrigue. 77%.
“Lelaine! Don’t!” Spinning around in the chair, she smiled at the figure in the doorway. Tall, taller than even her, he pleaded with wild, beckoning eyes that swallowed all light. Black. Black eyes. Dark brown hair-cut short and mussed as if just out of bed seemed almost tense as his body. His tan skin, slightly darker than hers, seemed flushed and sweaty. His clothes seemed put on with barely a thought, the fighter’s body suit of equal black with his eyes.
“Brad. Please stay out of this.” She looked on him with nothing but coldness in her eyes.
“I can’t let you do this!” Unharnessing his Apollyon, he aimed the barrel towards the computer. 96% loaded.
“Brad! Don’t!” Crying out in horror, she flung herself out of the chair and in front of the screen. 98%. The force of the shot threw her backwards and she stumbled against the table before crumbling into a heap. 100%: done. The screen blanked out.
“NO!” Brad ran to the computer and typed frantically on the keys. Terror streaked his features, then he turned and stared at her. Going down, he took her into his arms and cradled the head. Bending his head in pain, he gritted his teeth before a single tear of anger and love dripped down his cheek and dropped to her face and ran down her neck.
“What?!” Suddenly, he felt himself surrounded by nothing, flying through the air and crashing against a wall. Lelaine jumped up and quietly looked at his unconscious figure.
“Sorry, Brad.” She slipped a silver ring from the middle finger of her left hand and slipped it onto his pinky. Bending down, she pressed her lips softly to his forehead. Regret, the first emotion to mar her coldness, flitted across her features. It was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Pulling a wallet from an inside pocket of his suit, she darted out into the darkness through the gaping door. (*~*)

He felt a stiffening pain all along his back and attempted to sit up. Groaning at the strenuous effort, he rolled onto his side and paused to gasp for breath. Brushing his hand through his hair, he caught his hand on some strands. Looking at his hand in question, he stared at the ring on his finger. Frowning, he patted his suit and checked all the pockets and unzipped all the zippers.
“No.” His wallet; gone. His ID, security cards, and $2000 all proved their disappearance. Lelaine, how could you? What did we do wrong? You were the best and the most trusted on the team… what are we without you? Slowly standing, he glanced dolefully at the computer. She was gone. Clenching his jaw in determination, he strode out the door. He hailed a cab, “2943 Omri Avenue.” (*~*)
Jumping on a sky shuttle, Lelaine tapped in passage to Orlando on the keypad. Then taking a seat, she calmly pulled out her hand phone and pressed a couple of buttons.
“Lelaine, you’re an hour late. The meeting starts in 50 minutes and they’re expecting you. If you are not there by the time it starts, you can consider our deal off.” The holographic face frowned out at her, eyes narrowed and spit flying out of the furiously yelling mouth.
“I’ll be there in 20.” Click. She glanced at her watch after putting away the phone. She had 15 more minutes. Impatiently, she tapped her foot and glanced around her compartment. There were only five other people. Two sets of couples and a lone man. The old couple looked like they were in a state of vegetation. The young couple giggled and fondled in the corner. She envied the young girl and her handsome lover. She had once been like that. Brad and Lelaine, the most perfect couple in Manhattan. But that was over.
Shifting attention, she stared straight at the lone man. He stared back. For some strange reason, she felt a stirring of attraction for this man. His raven black hair with it’s silky tresses adorned his beautifully sculpted face. His skin was like pure white marble. But it was his eyes, his eyes, which struck her. They were violet; the thick black lashes darkening his aura. They stared back at her and seemed to beckon. For several seconds she gazed back. Suddenly, she checked herself and kept on assessing this alluring man. His mouth had taken on a knowing smirk. Around his neck was a low-hung choker with a milky, violet gem. It was just barely seen in the open neck collar of the black leather coat that topped the black pants and boots. Before she knew it, she was seated next to him. Had she moved…or had he? His arm was casually up on the seat behind her, pulling her close. She could smell his dark, spicy scent. He drew her closer and bent down to her ear, his hot breath tickling her neck.
“I know who you are, Lelaine. I know everything about you.” His whisper sent shivers running through her. His eyes locked onto hers, and the smirk seemed to grow wider. He leaned in close, lips magnetizing towards hers. The soft caress of a kiss brushed her lips and filled her with warmth. Pushing him away, she sat up and pulled slightly back.
“How do you know me? And who gave you the right to hold me like this?” Guilt flushed through her. Brad had never made her feel like this. This was a deeper, darker yearning. Bringing up a hand, he stroked the side of her face and pressed his forehead to hers.
“I was sent to help you. To be your partner. I have to admit that it was more than money that made me want to work with you…” His hand slid down to her waist and he nuzzled her neck, tongue flicking her throat.
“How do you know I’ll accept your help?” Her protest was much fainter now, lust smoldering her every desire.
“The same way I know that you want me…the way I want you.” The shuttle came to a halt and he drew her up with him. Wrapping an arm around her hips, he led her out onto the platform. He then proceeded to lead her out to the private loading areas. There was a hover car waiting there, a classic edition. It had the look of a 1963 Sport Jaguar, but with the modern equipment of a hover system. Only those with the closest of connections had the privilege of driving those beauties. Palming the identification pad, the door slid open and he helped her into the passenger seat. Smoothly moving to the other side and sitting down with a fluid-like grace, he revved up the car. Just before he could type in the destination, she put a hand on his arm and brought his attention up to her.
“I suddenly realized that I don’t know your name.” An embarrassed smile came over his features, almost like an apology.
“Demeter. My name is Demeter.” Then turning, he sent the hover car gliding out the portal doors and out into the city. (*~*)