33. Phoebe

33

PHOEBE

I t wasn't until after they had flown through the deep red gash in space that took them instantly from The Twisted System back to the Mother Ship that Phoebe started getting worried about the tingling.

The thing was, it wasn't getting any fainter. In fact, if anything, it was growing. So was the aching need inside her—an emptiness like nothing she had ever experienced before.

She did her best to ignore it as she and Sirex made their way to Commander Sylvan's office to present him with The Finger of the Goddess.

"You've returned so soon?" Sylvan looked surprised to see them when they knocked on his door. "Was there a problem?" he asked as they settled themselves in the chairs opposite his desk.

"No problem unless you count nearly being killed," Phoebe said, trying to smile. "But of course, that's part of the job," she added quickly.

"Are you all right?" Commander Sylvan asked, looking concerned.

"Perfectly fine, Commander," Sirex said firmly. "Things got a little dicey towards the end of the mission, but we completed it without any major incidents. I can also say that Agent Jenkins is ready to work on her own from now on—she performed admirably and she's also the one who secured The Goddess's Finger."

He nodded at Phoebe who unwrapped the towel and offered the shimmering opalescent crystal to their boss.

"Well! It is a beauty," Commander Sylvan murmured, reaching across his desk to take the towel from her and admire the crystal. "Very good work, Agent Jenkins! I know the Head Priestess of First World personally—in fact, she's my cousin. I'll call her at once to let her know The Goddess's Finger is going to be returned to her. I'm sure she'll be very happy—she has several couples already lined up for fertility treatments."

"We were more than happy to retrieve it," Sirex said, nodding and Phoebe agreed.

"Well, you did excellent work," Sylvan told them. "From now on I'll be sending you both on solo missions, since you did so well. But I'd like to thank you again for working together on this one."

"It was my pleasure," Sirex rumbled, casting a look at Phoebe that she couldn't read.

"Yes, it was mine as well," she agreed politely. "Thank you, Commander Sylvan."

"Thank you both," he replied. "I'm sure I'll be seeing both of you again soon. For now, though—dismissed."

They rose from their chairs to leave but Phoebe suddenly felt wobbly and wrong. The tingling that had been concentrated in her core suddenly seemed to sweep over her entire body in a wave. A wave of dizziness followed it, leaving her seeing stars flashing before her eyes.

She gave a little gasp and grasped the edge of Commander Sylvan's desk with both hands to keep from falling.

"Phoebe? Are you all right?" Sirex gave her a concerned look.

"I'm fine." She tried to smile as she straightened up. "I just felt dizzy for a minute, that's all."

"Are you sure you're all right?" Commander Sylvan asked, frowning.

"Yes, perfectly sure." Phoebe gave her boss a smile as she let go of the desk and straightened up. She turned to leave his office…and promptly fainted on the carpet at his feet.