Cover created by Alessia Brio
E-book ISBN 978-1-59426-857-1
Print ISBN 978-1-59426-881-6
Publisher: Phaze
Publisher URL: http://www.phaze.com

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Coming Together: Under Fire is a multi-author anthology of erotic fiction and poetry edited by the dynamic writing (and now editing) team of Alessia Brio and Will Belegon. ALL proceeds from the sale of this volume will benefit relief efforts for the victims of the 2007 Southern California wildfires. With stories and poetry by Alessia Brio, Will Belegon, James Buchanan, Aurora Black, Jamie Hill, Brenna Lyons, Victoria Blisse, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Vincent Diamond, Laurence Doyen, Jeremy Edwards, Justanne Farrow, Mari Freeman, Shanna Germain, Nicole Gestalt, Tilly Greene, Michelle Houston, Lauren Hynde, Selena Kitt, Vana Lafayette, Rebecca Leah, Rachelle Le Monnier, Dr. Madeuse, Sommer Marsden, Jude Mason, Gwen Masters, Lefty McGee, Gabrielle Miel, Sapphire Phelan, Teresa Noelle Roberts, Lisabet Sarai, Skylar Sinclair, Samantha Sommersby, and Stephanie Vaughan.

Flaming Rescue
by Jude Mason
 

 Time stood still for me as the ship took me to my love. Days or weeks, it didn't matter, I simply slept and dreamed of our time together, and what was to come.

Finally, I awakened. Excruciating pain tore through me for the first few minutes as the last of the gas' effects wore off.

When I could take a deep breath without wanting to scream, I found that I was ravenous. That had been foreseen, and all I had to do was pull the soft nipple from above and suck. Thick creamy nourishment soon washed away the last traces of my harsh awakening and eagerly, I proceeded.

Releasing the catch above my head, I swung open the top of my coffin-like chamber and pushed it open. The air smelled stale, as if it had been canned for too long, but was breathable. Moving around was, at first, a little slow, but as I used my muscles they regained their fluidity. I was soon taking the tests as they'd instructed, and I sent the results home. The heat was just as intense as they'd said it would be. Molten rock and the superheated atmosphere were measured and analysed, and I was suddenly awestruck by the enormity of what I was doing. I would never return. This was my home now.

As my departure from the relative safety of the pod drew near, I found my thoughts returning to Christopher. How I ached for him. Each time my thoughts dwelt too long on him, my skin prickled with an even greater heat. When I was sure all the tests were completed and the results sent, I allowed my mind to focus on him and stay there.

Our passion for each other had been intense, but it had been so long since I'd allowed myself to dwell on him, and the alteration of my body made it all seems so strange. An unfamiliar itch got my attention as one of the new organs awakened and my mind reached out for him, searching. I'd had no practice with it, but as I gave it more time I 'heard' separate noises—so subtle and far off it proved frustrating at first—louder, clearer, as time passed and I gained control. Still, I was going crazy trying to hear what was there. It seemed as if something was out of range, just beyond my grasp.

"Damn, freakin' doctors and scientists. I've got to get out of here!" My voice sounded odd, even to my ears. Harsh and dry, but what could I expect? Looking down, I saw the heat waves moving along my arm and lifting it, felt flame licking along it, caressing the new skin.

Trembling with unexpected exhaustion, I realized I needed to rest before I did anything and headed once more for my pod. Crawling inside, I was soon asleep and dreamt of my sweet, beautiful Christopher.

I awakened to the silence of the ship. I was eager to be on my way. I sent the last message home and made sure the ship was secure. No other preparation was needed or even possible. I was ready.

I stood facing the outside hatch with my finger on the release button.  A moment of fear grabbed me. This is it. There's no turning back, I told myself. I took a huge gulp of canned air, then pushed.

* * *

 This is just a small taste of the story I donated to this worthwhile cause. There are many other talented authors included in this work. All of us are incredibly pleased and proud to have been accepted, and hope that the book will help those who lost too much to the fires in California.

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