Fire and Fantasy: A Limited Edition Collection of Urban and Epic Fantasy

by CK Dawn

  No wonder Gabe doesn’t trust him. She stared at him. Remember what they say about trusting pretty people. Laughing inside, she disguised her amusement under a hardened tone, “Aha, sacrifice. What’s in it for you, Rafe?”

  “You are clever, aren’t you?” Rafe’s eyes gleamed. “Well, like I already said, I like my world as it is and my place in it. The status quo is enough of a reward.”

  Cassie remained stock still, her silence urging him to spill the rest.

  “I’m starting to understand what Gabe sees in you.” Rafe nodded his head in approval. “Perhaps, there are a few extra powers I might get. Can’t say more. Nobody knows. We never had a case like you before.”

  Cassie said after a pause, “Fair enough. I’ll give it some thought.”

  She rose from the chair, indicating to him she didn’t want to hear anymore. Rafe remained sitting, giving her an appraising look, a suggestive grin on his handsome face. Cassie flushed, raised her chin and moved toward the door. She didn’t have a chance to open it, however, because in the next breath, she was whirled around and Rafe’s hands rested on either side of her, an effective trap.

  “I know you find me attractive, Cassie,” he murmured against her ear. “I suggest you think about my proposal. We could share the power from the bonding...as well as a bed.”

  Cassie bristled even as she resisted the heat from his body. “Let go of me!” She pushed against Rafe’s chest hard but met with no success. The corner of his mouth rose. He lingered for a heartbeat and then stepped back, putting his hands up in submission. Cassie’s hand found the cold doorknob. She rotated it and stepped outside of the tiny room. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with much needed air. I have to get it together before I reach Gabe.

  “Have a nice flight.” She heard Rafe’s voice behind her, loud enough for Gabe to hear as well. His laughter was enough to snap Cassie into determined action. She stalked over to Gabe, throwing at him a sharp glance before boarding the plane.

  “Rafe’s charming personality strikes again,” Gabe said behind her. “No surprise there.”

  As soon as they were seated on a soft brown leather couch aboard the plane, the engine roared to life and the aircraft rolled onto the runway. Cassie observed the luxurious surroundings of the cabin with a detached coldness. They remained silent until the plane started climbing. She was lost deep in thought when Gabe turned to her. She felt his beautiful eyes examining her face.

  “What did he talk to you about?”

  The conversation with Rafe left her rattled as did her reaction, or rather her attraction, to the fallen boss. I can’t tell him. Not now. She had to understand it herself first. She sighed, leaned her head against the cushion, and said, “He was just trying to hit on me. One day I’ll have to hear his story.”

  Gabe gave a dark laugh, lacking any humor. “Yeah, sure. One day.”

  After their conversation, Cassie managed to nod off. Dreams came to her fast and strong. Faces went in front of her--Albert, Val, Gabe and Rafe all took turns. Then, another face appeared, a woman with golden red hair. The woman’s face replaced them all. Mother. The fiery haired beauty leaned over Cassie, touching her cheek with slender fingers. “Make your choice with care, my daughter,” she whispered as she placed a kiss on Cassie’s forehead.

  Cassie opened her eyes to find herself leaning against Gabe. His strong arms wrapped around her, giving her comfort and reassurance.

  Outside the plane window, New York City loomed dark and rainy.

  Twenty-Two

  The sky pounded the city with a torrential storm as they approached Cassie’s apartment. The cold swept through the streets, invading both outdoors and inside with equal measure. Cassie could feel the chill down to her bones and deeper still, as if it invaded her very soul. As she walked into her home for the first time in many days, it felt as if she’d been gone for years. Her safe little haven altered to something far more alien.

  “It’s a bad idea to be here,” Gabe said for the tenth time. He had checked the exterior of the building three times before he’d allow her to enter the apartment. Now, he searched each room just as well. Cassie had to wait at the doorway.

  “I don’t want to argue about this again. We’re already here. And it won’t take long anyway.” When he gave the all clear signal, she staggered to the kitchen counter. “Okay, can you just sit down now? You’re making me nervous.”

  Gabe draped a leg over the same stool he’d occupied when he’d told her she wasn’t human, but a Key, a creature born of a supernatural union, a being who would decide the fate of the world. Cassie shook her head at the memory and focused on making tea instead. The tea had no time to brew when the bell rang. She knew who stood on the other side of the door.

  “Cassie! Open up this minute!” Zoey cried from the hall. Sharp knocks against the front door preceded each word. “You can’t just call me from the airport after days of not speaking to me, and then not even answer my questions.”

  Cassie glanced at Gabe. He shrugged as if to say, “What did you expect?” She took a deep breath, trying to prepare for this conversation. With heavy steps she skulked to the entry and wrapped her hand around the metal knob. With a jerk, she pulled the door wide and peeked with just one eye open.

  Zoey stood in the hall like a marble statue--a gray, ashen, and worn out marble statue. The cat carrier weighed her down, causing her body to sag to the right. Her appearance took Cassie aback. She had never seen her friend look so serious and disheveled. Zoey’s faded jeans and black t-shirt stuck to every part of her body from the heavy rain. Her honey blonde hair matted to her head and looked far browner from lack of care. No trace of light could be found in the usual happy friend Cassie knew and loved.

  Zoey’s gaze lay heavy upon Cassie before the stare moved to just beyond Cassie’s shoulder. Surprise flashed in Zoey’s eyes for a heartbeat, then disappeared.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Zoey asked, turning her attention back to Cassie. Tears sprang to her eyes as her voice trembled. “Why didn’t you answer any of my calls? Why would you make me worry?”

  “Zoey, sweetie, please come in. I’ll explain.” Cassie took the cat carrier from her arms and let Maia free into the apartment. “I missed you, my baby,” she cooed to the cat. Maia decided to show her obvious disdain by turning up her tail and walking away.

  Zoey followed Maia’s lead and cast a suspicious glare upon Gabe. She took two steps inside dragging water across the entryway.

  “This better be good,” Zoey muttered under her breath.

  “Gabe. Don’t just sit there. Grab her some towels.” Cassie scowled. Gabe trotted to the bathroom without a word, and Cassie motioned to the couch. “Here, sit down. Do you want anything to drink?” She moved toward the kitchen as Zoey sat.

  “No. I just want some answers.” Zoey crossed her arms, rubbing her hands up and down her forearms. She shuddered.

  Gabe returned and walked behind the couch. “Don’t bite,” he said as Zoey spun around. “I come in peace.” He placed one towel around her shoulders and handed her another.

  “Thanks,” she said monotone and turned her full attention to Cassie once more. “Now. How about some answers?”

  “You’ll get them, but let's get you warm first,” Cassie said softly. “I think this might help.” She pulled out a bottle of vodka from the freezer. It was the only alcohol in the house and had sat in hibernation since their last girls’ night almost a year ago. They had gone through half of it that evening, but it hadn’t moved since.

  She poured a shot for Zoey and one for herself into red plastic cups. After eyeballing the measurements, she shook the bottle toward Gabe, but he refused the drink. She shrugged and downed the shot in one gulp. Zoey’s eyes widened, surprise written across her face.

  “What has gotten into you?” she said. “What happened?”

  Cassie sighed. She could stall no longer. “Zoey, promise me you’ll keep an open mind.”

  “Okay, you’re scaring m
e.” Zoey slammed the cup on the coffee table, spilling some of the contents onto the counter. “Out with it!”

  Cassie nodded and began talking. “You know the old saying boy meets girl, girl meets boy, well in my parents’ case, my biological parents that is, it was more like angel meets demon, demon meets angel.”

  “Fallen angel.” Gabe coughed the words out.

  “Thanks for the correction.” She eyed him. “Yes, fallen angel. So, basically, we’re looking at a whole lot of supernatural shit...”

  An hour, and four vodka shots later, Zoey looked like she didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, hysterically in both circumstances. She sat on the couch, hands supporting her head, while Cassie kneeled in front of her on the carpet. Gabe sat in the chair by the couch, distancing himself as if to give the women some semblance of privacy. Cassie was grateful he let her do all the talking.

  “So let me get this straight,” Zoey said staring straight ahead, her voice shaking. “Demons and angels are real, check. Fallen angels, check. My best friend’s half demon, half fallen angel, check. Oh, and Las Vegas really is Sin City. Does that about cover it?”

  “I know how crazy all this sounds, Zo.” Cassie touched her friend’s knee as if to substantiate the reality of what she just said. There were a number of facts she had to omit in the story, mostly so she would not put Zoey in danger. Like her father being the most powerful demon in Vegas and hunting her was one of them.

  “I don’t think crazy quite covers it,” Zoey said after a few breaths. “Cassie, are you sure about all this? Are you sure he,” she nodded towards Gabe, “didn’t just brainwash you?”

  Cassie heard pleading in Zoey’s voice, as if she was making the last attempt not to believe, silently beseeching Cassie to say this was all just a joke and burst into laughter. A sick joke, but a joke nonetheless. Oh how I wish it was, Zo. She sighed and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she took her friend’s hands. A faint purple glow emanated around from Cassie’s hands and encompassed their connection.

  “I’m sure.” Cassie smiled. “Besides this...” She motioned to the energy swirling around. “I’ve seen all the evidence I need in the last few days. Believe me, as insane as it is, it’s all true. And I’ll understand if you walk away from all this...and from me. I can’t, but you can. No matter what, I needed to tell you this. I couldn’t keep it from you. You’re too important to me. But, now the choice is yours.”

  Inch by excruciating inch, Zoey picked up her head until their eyes met. Cassie could see resolve enter her friend’s gaze and hoped it was in her favor.

  “You’re my best friend and I want to be in your life, Cassie. It’s going to take some time to get used to all this, all this supernatural stuff. I mean, you know I like the whole gothic craze, but this is a bit out of my league.” She grinned in a way somewhat reminiscent of the old Zoey, the happy Zoey. “But I will, and I want to, be there when you need me.” Zoey squeezed Cassie’s hands.

  Cassie felt her eyes filling, but there was no time for tears. They had to move to the next step of the plan. Dropping her hands to her knees, she concentrated on pushing the energy inside her once more. She relaxed enough to accomplish the task, but the unshed tears stung her eyes.

  “Zo, I need to ask you for a favor,” Cassie said once she was able to swallow the lump in her throat. “We need to get away awhile.” She glanced at Gabe. “I need to think about all this. Can we use your cabin in the mountains?”

  Zoey laughed. “You’re going on a romantic getaway with a fallen angel?”

  If Cassie were a cat, her fur would be standing on end and the claws would be out. Sneaking a glance at Gabe, she noted him standing by the couch with his hands behind his back. His expression remained unreadable.

  “No romantic getaway here. Believe me,” she said, then bit her lip. “It’s just a lot to deal with, as you know now, and I just need time. I met my father, who is not getting any awards for father of the year. He wants me to get to know him better. I have to figure things out, away from it all. And well, Gabe is part of the whole equation now.”

  Zoey shook her head as if to clear it. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Of course you can have the cabin, for as long as you need it.” She paused and then added, “I’m worried about you. Really worried.”

  “I know. I’ll be okay.” Cassie’s voice sounded firm as she said it, but she felt far from confident.

  “What about your job?” Zoey asked as an afterthought.

  “I think it’s time for me to say goodbye to Mr. Turpis.”

  The two women looked at each other and broke out in giggles, which brought down the tension a notch.

  Cassie had already considered her financial situation. She’d lived paycheck to paycheck because she didn’t want to touch the money her parents’ insurance had left. But, the rainy days seemed at hand. She’d have enough to last her for awhile, if necessary. Once this is all over and I can go back to some semblance of a normal life, I’ll find a better job. She almost believed it too, the part about a normal life.

  Zoey left after a long emotional hug and promised to bring by the cabin key the next morning. She also agreed to pick up Cassie’s last check from Mr. Turpis. Cassie decided to break the news to him over the phone. He didn’t inspire enough loyalty to tell him the bad news in person. The call to the boss went just like this, “Mr. Turpis, I’m not coming back to work. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” He took it the way a man like him would--he cursed and hung up the phone on her.

  The fabric of her life unraveled.

  Deep in thought, Cassie spent the evening packing two suitcases for the trip. Gabe went out and came back with a few new shirts and pants, which amused Cassie. Even a fallen angel needs new clothes. He also brought back a box of pepperoni pizza, the greasy, typical New York City type. They devoured it in a matter of minutes.

  They didn’t talk much. At around 2:00am, exhausted, Cassie collapsed on the couch. Gabe approached her for the first time in hours and sat down beside her.

  “Cassie, I can’t lie to you,” he said as he massaged the knots in her neck with his strong hands. “I can’t promise it’ll be fine. I don’t even know what fine would be in this case.” He stopped and slid his hand down her back. “But I can promise you I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and to help you fulfill whatever destiny lies ahead of you.”

  For the second time that night, Cassie’s eyes filled with unshed tears.

  “I know.” It was all she could force out.

  Gabe nodded and smiled at her. All the air in the room seemed sucked out. When he smiles at me, I don’t care about anything. She tried to calm her racing pulse. As much as she wanted him, she was tired and needed some time alone. She touched her lips to his and got up. He didn’t try to stop her.

  She brought him a pillow and a blanket and said goodnight in a hurry. As she closed the bedroom door, she fought the urge to run to him. The feel of his strong arms enfolding her, the heat of his body near hers, it made her blood boil. Yet, weariness crept its way through every muscle, every bone. She looked from the door to the bed. Exhaustion won out and overtook her as soon as she lay on top of the soft sheets. Being safe in her own bed, no longer keeping secrets from Zoey, and Gabe resting in just the next room, gave her a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in so long. No dreams would disturb her sleep this night.

  Or so she hoped.

  Twenty-Three

  “I can’t believe you had me lug this thing all the way here,” Gabe said as he dropped the cat carrier on the front porch.

  Cassie stood a few feet away admiring the quaint Vermont log cabin in the mid afternoon sun. It had clean white snow on the rooftop from a storm the weekend prior. Clean snow. Not something you see much in the city. Two large picture windows framed the antique oak door. A canopy covered the porch from the elements and gave the cabin a cozy feel.

  “Perfect,” she murmured as she climbed the rest of the way up the hillside and onto the front steps.

>   “Did you even hear me?” Gabe’s irritation became apparent in his sharp tone. “We are supposed to be hiding out, not having a vacation.” He emphasized his point by dropping her suitcases onto the porch next to the cat carrier.

  “As I told you in New York, Guardian,” she said the last word with mild distaste. “If you want to protect me, then Maia, who is a cat and my friend, not a thing by the way, comes with me. Not leaving her again.” She sighed adding, “Gabe, is it that big a deal?”

  “No,” he said. “It isn’t.” His hand stroked her hair, his fingers working through the tangles. “I forget how much you’ve had to deal with.” He gazed into her eyes before leaning in close and brushing his lips across hers.

  Before Cassie could react, however, he pulled away. Without another word, he unlocked the door and brought all of her things inside. She remained stunned into immobility even after he’d finished the task and let Maia loose from her carrier.

  “Did you plan on letting your cat roam free in the woods or are you going to come inside and shut the door?” He leaned against the doorframe, his emotions a blank void.

  “Um. Yes. I mean no.” She stuttered a bit as she struggled to get her bearings. “Yes, I’m coming inside. And no, Maia can’t roam around. She’s a house cat not a mountain lion!”

  Cassie heard his low chuckle as she stormed past him and into the cabin. The sound was rich and alluring. She could feel his eyes on her back as he closed the door. Her heart began to beat faster, the blood pumping harder and filling her with an exquisite heat. The feel of his lips on hers, the hard stare at her back, and the memory of their intimate night together ignited needs she hadn’t felt in some time.

  “Get a grip,” she whispered to herself as she tried to shake the images from her mind. Needing to buy a few minutes to settle her emotions, she took a long look around the room. The interior mixed contemporary designs with antique flair. The large open space consisted of a massive stone fireplace enclosed by oak bookcases on both sides, and floor to ceiling windows accented with thick bamboo shades on the adjacent wall. A burnt orange sofa with cherry end tables sat parallel to the fireplace. The opposite side of the room was dedicated to a dining and kitchen area, further back laid the bedroom. A set of six wooden chairs and table captured Cassie’s attention. The magnificent wood seemed to be handcrafted by a skilled artisan. She couldn’t imagine the strange pattern manufactured. “Maybe, Native American?”