Awakening Fire: The Divine Tree Guardians (The Divine Tree Guardians Series Book 1)

by Larissa Emerald

  Cloaking his thoughts, he pursued the most difficult decision of his life. If he sent her away then would Io let her alone? No. He still believed that killing Emma was Io’s end game. Now that the demon had stirred things up, it was just a question of when and how.

  * * *

  Up the drive, he saw her grandmother’s car approaching. A nervous energy bounce inside of him. She hadn’t stayed with him last night, the first time in four nights he’d slept alone. And he didn’t like it, not one bit. His Emma was stunningly beautiful as she strolled across the park in a floral dress. The snow had finally melted, leaving the ground brown and distressed. She lit up the whole dreary place. From across the way, she smiled at him. His heart kicked in his chest.

  “Go tell her not to do this, Guardian,” Seth ordered.

  “It’s not that simple. We don’t even know what “this” is, exactly.” Venn singled out her scent and breathed it in. “I think we have to play along until we have the whole picture.”

  Emma walked over and joined them. She kissed Venn on the mouth, a sad brush of her lips that tasted of tears. She drew back with a frown. Dark circles lined her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked her.

  “Nothing.” She sighed. “I just wish Grams were here.”

  He gave her a hug. “I’m sorry.”

  Seth cleared his throat. “Emma, Venn won’t tell you, so I will.”

  “Do not,” Venn growled.

  “You mustn’t do this, dear. Let Jacob do whatever he must but do not participate. He is the reason your grandmother is dead. He is the one—”

  Venn shoved his palm against the angel’s chest and forced him back a step. “No.”

  Emma inhaled sharply. “Then it’s true?”

  “Ignore him,” Venn told her. “He doesn’t know. Pure speculation.”

  But Seth nodded. “What you’re about to do will somehow harm the Divine Tree, and in turn, harm Venn.”

  “Seth,” he growled.

  “Venn, I know,” she said sadly, with a bitter smile. “Jacob is totally evil.”

  “Then you understand you mustn’t do whatever he’s asked.” Venn set his jaw.

  Emma’s eyes closed slowly, squeezed tighter as her breathing increased, then opened to look straight at him. Tears coursed down her face. “I’m sorry.”

  “Emma. You can’t. This is bigger than you, or me, or Seth, or even Io.” He stepped forward to take her hand and try to convince her not to listen to the demon. She evaded his touch and sidestepped around him.

  Io swaggered over, glaring at Venn and Seth. “Are you ready, Emma? It’s time.”

  Her troubled gaze swept over the three men before her. “I…guess so.”

  Venn’s rage exploded within him. The veins in his temple throbbed. He opened and closed his fists. But with every bit of strength he possessed, he held it together for Emma’s sake.

  “Don’t be pissed off,” Io jeered. “I always told you I’d win.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Io guided Emma to her spot by the statue’s base, and as he did so, he could taste the satisfaction of success. A crowd had gathered and filled the transportable bleachers that had been prepared. He held out the three two-foot-long metal spikes for her to take. “All you have to do is place the stakes into the holes and ceremonially hammer them in. That’s it.”

  The process appeared incredibly simple compared to the historic catalyst he believed the act to be. As she wrapped her alchemist’s fingers around the metal a stream of heat immediately flowed into his hand. A normal man would have had to drop the scorching stakes. Fortunately, demons were accustomed to far more blistering temperatures.

  Excitement nudged him. He peered over at Venn and Seth, a sneer touching his lips. Finally, after all these centuries, he had the means to get rid of a Guardian. He puffed out his chest.

  Emma looked at him, and her eyes narrowed. Had he showed his hand? Had he gotten ahead of himself with his gloating? He considered how many times his weaknesses had gotten the better of him.

  Then she glanced at Venn. He felt her doubt and concern and pain. How sweet.

  “Your grandmother would be so proud of you,” he purred. “And she’ll never know how close she came spending all eternity in hell.”

  She jerked her attention back to him. Yes, that’s as it should be. He was the one with the power this time. And look at them! Venn and Seth, and even Custos, did absolutely nothing to stop him.

  The glow of the metal stakes changed from red to a bluish white.

  Venn and Seth walked in a steady rhythm closer. Venn held a sword tight against his leg. It had been eons since Io had seen such a fine weapon.

  “They’re making the announcement, dear,” he said to Emma. “Go ahead and drop the stakes into place.”

  Just steps away, Venn stopped, and in a voice thick with emotion declared to Emma, “I love you. No matter what happens. I love you…for all of time.”

  Woefully, her lips parted. Somewhat in a daze, she knelt and followed the directions he’d given her. Good girl. He passed the hammer to her. “Drive them in.”

  And she obeyed.

  As Emma drove the fourth and final stake into the ground, Venn doubled over in pain grabbing his gut.

  Io was ecstatic. That would teach them to play favorites.

  * * *

  The pain in Venn’s abdomen was excruciating, and every muscle in his body vibrated with tension. He felt shackled, tied as if anticipating being drawn and quartered like in the days of old. His hand tightened on his sword.

  Custos, do you know what’s happening?

  A violent rustle of leaves came to him, the oaks voice rumbling in a sturdy, coarse tone. “We’ve entered the one thousand days before the Age of Atonement. The Dark Realm has issued a ransom in exchange for the secrets of the universe.”

  Venn’s gaze met Io’s and the evil one smiled in wicked satisfaction.

  Fuck. The rush of malevolent forces would go berserk now with every evil act deemed justified in an effort to protect the Dark Realm from extinction.

  Emma faced him, her eyes wide, searching, pleading. “He was going to take Grams’s soul. She doesn’t deserve hell.” She pressed her fingers to her lips, as if holding herself together. “I had to…”

  Venn threw back his head and howled, closing his eyes. He marshaled his temper. Scenarios flickered through his thoughts. Of him snatching the stakes from her hot hands. Of Io snapping her neck with one twist. Of the people scattering in terror. Of Io abducting Emma and torturing her. Of Emma dying with an arrow through her heart.

  His eyes opened, filling with the beautiful sight of his mate as he made a decision.

  If the tree dies, he’s a dead man anyway. Whether he’s able to kill Io, or not, the demon needed to suffer.

  Venn raised his sword and turned on Io, trying to shield Emma from the view.

  In the blink of an eye, everyone in the audience collapsed, tipping over onto one another, dropping in a collective unconscious heap. Seth’s handiwork, he thought.

  Putting all his strength into the movement, all his anger, Venn slashed the sword across Io’s left arm, severing it just above the elbow. The demon screamed and cursed. He whirled on Venn, drawing a long blade from beneath his coat.

  “Get her out of here,” Venn ordered.

  He was vaguely aware of Seth moving to Emma, and of the two arguing, of the angel guiding her away. The chink of metal clashing against metal echoed throughout the park. Venn parried and thrust, moving with great speed. They were both strong, and both fueled by hatred.

  Io’s blade came down on Venn’s shoulder, cutting deep gash. Blood gushed from the wound along with a thick, fibrous liquid from where the tree tattoo had been split open. Venn dropped to the ground and rolled in a way that took him closer to the demon, jumping up right in its face. Io growled and transformed into a barghest. The beast launched himself at Venn, flattening him on the ground, the impact knocking his sword from his hand.
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  Emma yelled his name. With his muscles bulging, he tried to hold off the demon’s horrible claws. Off to the side, the clap of running feet came at him. From the corner of his eye, he witnessed Emma, his brave, foolish mate, lift the heavy sword and thrust it hard into the heart of the barghest.

  The beast fell heavily to the ground, inches from landing on him. With a shot of black smoke, Io vanished. Emma’s knees seemed to buckle and she landed hard on the ground.

  “Emma,” he cried. He stood and stumbled over to her. Venn stared at the angel, his heart pounding as he lifted her, cradling her in his arms.

  She glanced back to where the barghest had dropped. "Is he...is he dead?"

  Seth exhaled loudly. "Afraid not."

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Emma hadn’t seen Venn since the park dedication, and she missed him dreadfully. The good thing was the past few days had given her a chance to check in with her roommate in Paris. The fire had been fairly destructive, but her savable belongings had been boxed and were being stored in a new apartment Becky had acquired. Emma agreed to send money to cover her share of the expenses. What she didn’t tell Becky was, that she may not be returning. Her grandmother’s place belonged to her now as her father had no interest in it. And there was Venn. She couldn’t fathom what would happen with him.

  Funny, she didn’t feel a thing after ending it with Todd, but even a day without seeing Venn or hearing his rich baritone voice made her heart ache something fierce. She’d texted him about Grams’s memorial and had only received two brief responses that sounded cold and distant. His withdrawn reaction worried her. Had the ordeal with the tree driven a division between them that couldn’t be mended?

  She’d also been able to get reacquainted with her father. They had reminisced as they’d gathered materials to display at Grams’s celebration of life. Her mother had flown in yesterday, making it the first time they’d all been together in the same house in several years.

  It wasn’t until the conclusion of a memorial service for her grandmother, that Emma saw Venn again. He stood at the back, leaning against the doorframe, and he looked absolutely horrible. His coloring was ashen, his eyes bloodshot, his hair lifeless. Emma inhaled a sharp breath. So that’s why he hadn’t come to see her. He was sick. But then she recalled that he had self-healing abilities. Why weren’t they working? Each step she took toward him hitched her anxiety higher. His face appeared gaunt. Had he lost forty pounds in three days? Impossible.

  “Your grandmother would have enjoyed all this,” he said with a sluggish wave of his hand and a lifeless smile.

  “You’re ill.”

  “Yes.”

  She placed a palm to his burning cheek. “Where’s Seth? We need to speak to him.”

  He gave a sad smile. “That will not help.”

  She grabbed hold of his hand and tugged him along behind her. She paused to speak briefly to her father and let him know she was leaving. Venn needed her.

  “Why didn’t you call me?” she asked over her shoulder.

  “Emma, there is nothing you can do,” Venn said, stopping her and placing a kiss on her forehead. “Stay here.”

  She enveloped him in her arms, holding on for dear life. Something wasn’t right here. “No. I’m taking you home. Where’s Seth?” she asked again.

  “He left.”

  “At a time like this?” She ushered him out to Grams’s car, which was now hers. “Stupid angel.”

  As she drove him to his mansion, they passed by the park. Her heart caved in on itself when she saw Venn’s Divine Tree. She pulled into the lot. “Oh my God. It’s dying.”

  But Venn eyes were shut.

  She opened the car door and stood, peering around its frame. The tree’s spring leaves were completely gone, the limbs had turned a brownish-black color and had the brittle appearance of death, and the trunk was gray. The park even emitted a musty odor that hadn’t been there a few days before.

  She hurried back into the car and drove the rest of the way to Venn’s place, a growing lump forming in her throat with each mile that passed. Venn had to pull out of this.

  Henry helped her get him settled into bed. Then she pulled up a chair, placing it close-by and took up a vigil. Glen and Loch ambled over and assumed a post beside her. She laced her fingers in Glen’s thick fur, savoring its comforting rich texture. Watching the rise and fall of Venn’s chest, she prayed for a miracle.

  * * *

  Emma paced in Venn’s suite. He had not budged from the bed in twenty-four hours. She was extremely distraught. As was Henry.

  “Madam, what is it I should do?” Henry asked.

  She looked at his pinched, worried features and sighed heavily. “Make some soup. Cook Venn’s favorite meal.” She shrugged, sadly. “I don’t know.”

  As the assistant left, she wrung her hands, stared at them. They were simply the utensils necessary to get by every day, yet also the instruments that had wrought all these problems upon them. Could her touch really have changed the spikes into something that would kill the Divine Tree and Venn as Seth had said?

  She lifted her gaze skyward and yelled, “Seth. Seth. Get your ass down here this minute.”

  She had no way of knowing if she could actually summon the angel or not. She sat curled up on the sofa and waited while Venn slept in the bed across the room. Absently she fingered the wolf statue on the coffee table. She realized too late how much she loved him. She should have listened to him. She should have trusted him. A tear trailed down her cheek. Vaguely she comprehended that the wolf statue had distorted beneath her fingers. She swallowed hard.

  Io had used her.

  But she refused to be defeated.

  With the heat in her hands, she reshaped the wolf and set it back on the table, thinking. It was imperative to undo her mistake. If the stakes were gone then there would be nothing to leach into the ground and poison the tree. As for the statue, she’d have that moved, too, anything to make certain whatever was killing the tree was gone.

  Would that be enough to make things right? She pushed out a frantic exhale, ignoring the ache beneath her diaphragm. There was only one way to find out. Now. Not another second could be wasted. She'd kiss Venn goodbye and pray it wasn't for the last time.

  She traveled into the other room, crawled up onto the bed, snuggled up next to him, and rested his head on her lap. He opened his eyes just barely and tried to look up. “Hi there,” her voice caught as she dipped down and put her mouth to his dry lips.

  Her hands shook as she stroked Venn’s dark hair, recalling the way it felt when she entwined her fingers in it when she kissed him. Then he rolled onto his side and her vision filled with the tree artwork on his back. Her stomach knotted in shock. The wound on his shoulder had not healed, and the image of the magnificent tree had altered into one of shriveled, dropping twigs. She brushed over the thick fluid seeping from the tattooed branches, rolling it between her fingers. Liquid sawdust. The tattoo was filled with bits and fibers of the tree, she realized. And like Venn, it was dying.

  “Don’t worry. I have a plan,” she stated.

  “A good one, I hope.”

  “Only time will tell.” She grabbed the phone, dialed her father, and told him to meet her at the park project.

  When she placed the phone on the receiver, her hand began to shake. This had to work. She poured a cool glass of water from the pitcher on the tray and got Venn to drink a few sips. And seeing how even that slight task took such enormous effort, her eyes misted all over again.

  With the slightest of smiles, he murmured, “Don’t cry. It’s okay.”

  She shook her head and the tears flowed more profusely, running down onto his face, wetting his cheeks, his eyes, his mouth. She leaned down and kissed him. “You were right. I didn’t know.”

  He seemed to gather some strength. “You are safe. That’s all the matters.”

  She tipped her head back until it collided with the wooden bed frame. What had she done? God, she didn’
t want him to die.

  Seth appeared then, as if he'd walked straight through the window from outside the house.

  “It’s about time,” she bit out.

  “There’s nothing I can do,” Seth replied.

  “He’s your friend. You can stay with him.” She caressed Venn’s cheek.

  Seth pursed his lips and slouched, folding his tall form into the recliner in the sitting area.

  Leaving Venn curled up in bed, she rose. “I’m going to the park.”

  “And do what?” the angel said sarcastically.

  “Move the statue and prevent any more poison from the stakes from leaching into the soil.”

  * * *

  The essence of the grounds had entirely changed. Before it had felt like spring, despite the cold. Now it felt like death.

  She took a shaky breath. The tree hung wilted, its branches lifeless. It made her heart ache to look upon the decaying oak. For the hundredth time she wondered what she had done.

  But in actuality, that was a form of protective denial.

  Her father approached on silent feet. He sat next to her on the bench. “Do you know what happened?”

  He was looking at the tree, his face filled with sorrow. A fortunate thing, she thought, that he seemed to care.

  “My touch changed the metal into an element that is killing the tree,” she said appealing to him. If ever there was a time she needed him to get on board with her abilities, it was now. She twisted in her seat to watch his reaction. “We must move the statue. You still have friends in this town. Can you get them to help?”

  Her father was slow to react, most likely wondering if she was nuts. Don’t refuse, she begged in her head as if her will would prevail. “I’ll do anything you ask. Please just help me.”

  “All right.” He glanced back to the oak. “Though I fear it might be too late.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and placed a call. “Fred, meet me at the park. Bring the equipment you used on that statue.”

  Shocked that he agreed so easily, she asked, “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because I fix my wrongs. And I love you.” He reached out, and she fell into his hug.