Burning

by Carrillo, K. D.

  "I would like to try."

  "Okay, but only if you promise to try and be friends with Finn too," she agreed.

  "I can agree to that. I owe you that much at least."

  Finn

  I clenched my jaw, and my fists tightened by my side. I’d known that the dead guy would make a move soon. I’d seen it written on his face when he saw us together tonight. I forced myself not to barge into her room and interrupt their conversation, but it was hard.

  I wanted to press my ear to the door and listen to their conversation. The unease raced through my system. I had just managed to get her back. I wasn't going to get in my own way this time, and I'd be damned if I was going to let him take her from me again.

  My arms and chest started to sting. I tried rubbing my skin, but the pinpricks of pain were happening more often and lasting longer. If that wasn't bad enough, it was also getting more painful. The only time the pain went away completely was when Chloë was right next to me.

  I paced the floor, waiting for her to end her call so I could hold her. My anxiety spiked, and it felt like I couldn't breathe. Great, now I got to add panic attacks to my infliction. I slipped into a heavy fog of stress and didn't hear my door creak open.

  I noticed the disappearance of the pain and the slowing of my heart rate immediately. A fraction of a second later, smooth, tan skin wrapped around my middle. I took a deep breath and laced my fingers with Chloë's.

  "Hey, you okay?" she asked worried.

  "I am now," I answered in a rough voice.

  "Were you having a panic attack?" Her dark chocolate eyes bored into mine, searching for signs of distress.

  I sat down in my desk chair and pulled her onto my lap. With her close to my heart, I was able to take another deep breath. "Yeah. I've been under a lot of stress lately," I admitted.

  "Why? Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked, concerned.

  I laughed. I couldn't resist her pouty, berry-colored lips, so I pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth. "Have you ever heard of an incomplete bond?"

  Her eyebrows scrunched together, and she shook her head.

  "Well I hadn't either, but I told you about the withdrawal-like symptoms I had when I was visiting my parents."

  "What were you withdrawing from?" she asked innocently.

  "You," I answered simply.

  "Me?" she squeaked.

  "Mmmhmm." I kissed her again. I wanted to keep kissing her. My body started burning slightly and urged me to complete the bond. "My dad pulled me aside and explained it to me. Apparently I am completely bound to you, but you aren't bound to me. My body is trying to force me to finish the bond, and until I do, it is physically painful for me to be away from you," I explained vaguely.

  I should have known she wouldn't let it go. "How exactly do we complete the bond?"

  I gave her a wicked smile. I was sure it was wicked because my thoughts after her question strayed past an R rating.

  "Oh, so we would have to..." she trailed off. Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink, and I kissed her again.

  "Don't worry about me. I don't want you to feel any pressure to be with me. I love you. When we take that step I want you to know it will be forever. I can wait," I reassured her.

  "I don't want to rush things this time," she said quietly.

  "We have been doing the friend dance for the last ten months. I have waited for you to be ready to give me another chance this entire time. I can wait longer. I told you last winter that I'll wait forever for you," I told her again.

  "Why couldn't you have been this sweet from the beginning?" she asked.

  "I'm an idiot. It's a character flaw I worked hard to get rid of. I must have done something right. I've got you right where you belong," I teased.

  "Oh yeah? And where do I belong?" she challenged.

  "Right here. In my arms and next to my heart," I answered and kissed her again.

  I grabbed her hair and tilted her head. I could feel my heart racing, and I was desperate for more. I gently nibbled her bottom lip, and when I felt her gasp, I slid my tongue against hers. I growled, and my kiss became more frantic. She turned on my lap until her legs and knees framed mine. My other arm pulled her tight against my chest. I wanted to carry her to my bed and make love to her until she was completely mine. I pulled away from her with the last scrap of my self-control. I was panting.

  "Sorry. It is getting harder to control myself with you. I'm not trying to pressure you," I apologized.

  "Don't apologize to me for kissing me. That was the hottest kiss I have ever had," she said, unconsciously touching her lips. I groaned as I watched her stroke her kiss-swollen lips and then buried my head in her neck. "Are you going to be okay?" she asked, stroking my hair.

  I looked up into her face and melted at the sight of the love I saw there. I didn’t care if that made me seem like a pussy. This girl had me completely.

  I gave her a half smile. "I'll be fine. I'm just not looking forward to the pain coming back. It is happening faster each time you leave now," I admitted.

  "Do you want me to stay? I know you asked earlier, but I didn't think you meant it," she whispered.

  Did I want her to stay? Hell yes, but I could tell that she was unsure. "I won't let this speed our relationship up faster than you are ready. Go on to bed. I'll take some ibuprofen and I'll be fine," I reassured.

  Okay, I’d lied because it was going to hurt like hell, but she didn't need to know that.

  She cocked her head to the side, gesturing toward my alarm clock. Ah, it was only 9:30. I scratched my head and laughed at myself.

  "A bit too early. Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked half teasingly, half nervously.

  "Never," I promised.

  "Finn," Chloë began hesitantly. I looked up again. "Are you sure about us? I mean, that girl tonight is an elf like you. Are you certain you wouldn't want to be with someone like you?"

  "There will never be anyone else for me. I know I haven't completely earned your trust back. I wish I could convince you not to worry, but I know I have a lot to make up for. I won't let you down again, Chlo." I took a deep breath. "Was that Grey on the phone?"

  She smiled at me, and I didn't know how to interpret it. "Yeah. He called to apologize for what's her face. Also he wants to have a coven meeting. He has information we need from the Council."

  "Is he back for good then?" Please say no, I chanted in my head.

  She shrugged. "I don't know. He says he wants to be friends. I told him he has to be friends with you too."

  "You want me to befriend your ex-boyfriend?" I shook my head and squeezed her tighter. "I want to be open-minded here. But, babe, I'm not sure if I can be friends with a guy who has seen you naked. Especially now with the bond uncompleted I'm a powder keg. My possessiveness is growing. I don't want to be a jealous dickhead, but I'm not sure I can be nice to that guy."

  "Honestly, the way the new girl was checking you out, I'm not sure I can work with her. Forget being friends. I told Grey not to bring her here. I get it," she admitted.

  "I'll shoot for friendly. I don't think I will be able to stand you spending a ton of time with him though," I told her. I could see her mind flashing through responses. I knew anger was there. Love and lust shined through too.

  "Are you telling me what to do?" she narrowed her eyes at me.

  "No, spitfire, I'm begging you to preserve my sanity," I said.

  "I don't really want to spend time with Grey. Will you promise me the same thing?" she asked.

  "No problem. I won't spend any time with Grey," I teased.

  She slapped my chest. "No, dork. The girl, what's her face. I don't want you alone with her. She wants you," Chloë clarified.

  "I should make love to you right now so you never doubt how I feel about you again. It would be so easy if our bond were already completed. You would feel what I feel, and vice versa. We would be connected no matter how far apart we were. But I want you to feel it before magic takes over. I want you to
know I'm yours in your heart before you feel it in your body."

  "You shouldn't say things like that while I'm sitting in your lap. God, is it me or did it get twenty degrees hotter in here?" she asked, fanning herself.

  "I'm always burning when you are nearby." I waggled my eyebrows at her.

  "Maybe I should just turn in early, before we combust," she said, getting up.

  The pain hit fast and hard. I sucked in a breath and hid my agony from my face. I wanted to say goodnight, but the pain was scorching. I nodded and collapsed to the floor after she left the room. This was going to be a very long night.

  Anita

  "Ugh." Thud.

  I shoved Dean's shoulder.

  "Mmm, babe, did you need something?"

  Dean's arm tightened around my middle, and he rolled me toward him.

  "Ugh." The groaning was louder this time.

  "Did you hear that?" I asked.

  "I think it is coming from Finn's room," he said, becoming alert. Dean was only wearing a pair of basketball shorts. I picked up his shirt from the floor and tossed it to him.

  "You go check on Finn, and I'll go find Chloë." I turned toward the door.

  "Anita, what if they are, you know, together?" Dean asked.

  Another pained groan sounded through the walls. "That doesn't sound like the kind of noise he would be making if he was having fun," I observed. I rushed out the door toward Chloë's room.

  When I was halfway down the hall, Dean shouted, "Finn's unconscious! Hurry!"

  I turned around to run back to Finn's room, but Dean stopped me before I took a step. "No, we are going to need Chloë to help him."

  I nodded and ran at vampire speed to Chloë's room.

  "Chloë, come on! We need your help! Finn's unconscious!" I shouted as I burst into her room. That is when I found her rolling on the floor, her back arched in pain. She was grunting and covered in sweat. "Dean!" I screamed.

  He raced into the room.

  "What is wrong with her?" I asked frightened.

  "Shit! This is worse than I thought," he muttered, scooping Chloë into his arms. I followed behind him. "Stretch him out. I need to lay her next to him. Pull his shirt off if you can," Dean ordered.

  I arranged Finn and pulled off his shirt. I didn't even take a moment to ogle his chiseled perfection. Dean gently laid Chloë on top of Finn, mostly on his chest. Almost immediately, her muscle contractions released and her groaning stopped. Finn's breathing calmed down, and his eyes began to flutter open.

  "What happened?" Finn asked in a rough voice.

  "You have an incomplete bond?" Dean asked Finn.

  "Yeah. I didn't realize it was hurting her too," he replied, lovingly rubbing Chloë's back.

  Her eyes opened. "Why are we lying on your floor?" Chloë asked Finn.

  "You might as well get comfy. It looks like the two of you are going to be spending a lot of time together until this gets worked out," Dean ordered, pulling the covers on Finn's bed back. "This is only going to get worse, not better. You both know that, right?" Dean lectured.

  "I won't rush her. You should understand that," Finn snapped.

  "I do, but the longer you wait, the more pain you will both suffer every second you are apart," Dean replied.

  "Why is it different with them than with us?" I interrupted Dean.

  Dean rubbed his hand across the stubble on his chin. "I'm not really sure. It probably has something to do with what we are. I've heard that elves are drawn together the way we are seeing with these two. They experience almost an instant physical attraction, and they have a noticeable electrical connection."

  "And shifters?" I pushed.

  His cheeks turned pink. It was really adorable. "You haven't noticed?" He searched my face for recognition. I shook my head. "Horniness," he exclaimed, fighting a smile.

  "It gets worse?" I choked.

  He laughed a deep, rumbling laugh as I bit my bottom lip. "Okay, gorgeous, you are thinking really hard over there. Out with it," Dean demanded.

  I swallowed down a lump of fear and tried to talk to him about my worries. I opened my mouth, but no sounds came out. "I, uh, I... It’s nothing. I'm just tired. I'm going to go to bed now," I rambled.

  "Okay. These two should be fine. Let's go back to bed," Dean prompted.

  "I'm going to go to my room. I'm just really tired. I'll see you in the morning." I excused myself and hurried toward my room. I only made it as far as the door before Dean grabbed my arm and pressed me against the wall.

  "I'm not going to let you push me away anymore, Anita. I'll give you tonight and that's it. We are meeting up with your mom tomorrow and telling her we are getting married. Stop second-guessing everything."

  "Dean, maybe we are rushing into this. I think we should slow things down." I jerked my head toward our friends. "Look at them. How much more obvious can it be that they are supposed to be together? What if that shifter Jo was right? What if we are too different? I love you so much, but I don't think I'm good for you. I probably can't have children. How could I? I'm, like, half dead. You deserve more than what I can give you. Maybe that is the reason our bond isn't as strong as theirs," I said and walked away.

  My room was stuffy and stifling hot. I shoved open the window and leaned my head out, trying to feel the cooler night air. Sweat beaded near my hairline, and a prickling sensation spread over my skin.

  Chloë's bedroom shared a bathroom with mine. I turned the shower on as cold as I could stand and locked both doors before getting in. The water numbed my super-heated skin. I dressed in a pair of boy shorts and a camisole. I left the window open, turned on my ceiling fan, and slept on top of my covers.

  Chloë

  "Are you okay now?" I asked Finn. I brushed a thick, brown wave off of his forehead so I could look into his vibrantly blue eyes.

  He gave me a half smile, and hugged me tighter. "I am now that I'm holding you. Are you okay?"

  I nuzzled my cheek against his chest. "I am now that I'm being held."

  "I'm sorry, Chlo. I didn't know you were going to be hurting too. I want to give you time to make up your mind, but I don't want you to hurt either. I won't rush you, but we are going to have to stay together." Finn stroked my hair a few times before sliding his hand to cup the side of my jaw. His fingers caressed my face and guided me into a kiss. "I love you, Chloë. I want to spend forever with you, and I don't want to make love to you until you believe me."

  "I do believe that you mean what you say right now. I'm just not confident you won't panic and take it all back tomorrow," I muttered.

  He pressed his lips against my forehead. "I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry I broke your trust. Just give me the chance to earn it back."

  "I really hope you can," I whispered.

  "What are we going to do with these refugees?" Finn asked.

  "We need to have a meeting with Cooper and Grey to find out what is going on," I answered. I felt Finn tense underneath me. "Finn, we need to learn to work together. He is part of our coven."

  "Do you think he'll bring Bridgett with him?"

  I narrowed my eyes at him. "Do you want him to?"

  His fingers dug into my hip and pulled me to him. "No, I don't want him to bring her here. I didn't like how she treated you or how she looked at me like I belonged to her. I don't care if we are both elves. You and I belong together. I'm afraid she will come here and try to convince you otherwise. I can't ask you to trust me, but I can hope that you will. The ironic thing is if we were to make love right now, you would never question my loyalty to you."

  "But—" I began, but Finn pressed a finger against my lips.

  "But you need to know what you are feeling is real and not created by magic. I understand. I would like to know that your feelings for me are real as well."

  I tucked my hand under his T-shirt and lightly traced his abs. I felt him shiver under my touch. "I definitely have real feelings for you. I love you, but without trust, how strong can we really be?"

&nb
sp; "And that is the reason we are waiting," Finn said before he kissed me softly.

  Chapter 5

  Bound to Happen

  Chloë

  My lungs and muscles burned, but I continued to run. A steady pounding of feet sounded behind me along with a rhythmic crunch of gravel. My feet stung as rocks ripped into the soles. I could feel the slick and sticky blood pooling under my feet.

  Straight ahead was a small grassy area, and I pushed myself harder to escape. My bloody feet were slippery on the tall grass, and I fell hard, mixing grass stains with bloodstains. I screamed for help, but the nearest neighbors were several miles down the road.

  The pounding cadence of my pursuers' footsteps came closer. I couldn't stand up fast enough, and scrambled as fast as I could on my hands and knees.

  Suddenly, I was jerked backwards by my ponytail. My scalp screamed in protest as I was dragged across the ground. I tried digging my heels into the ground, and pulling at the ground, but I wasn't able to slow him down.

  He pulled me toward the center of the field, where there stood a large, wooden stake surrounded by a pile of firewood. I renewed my struggle, but we continued to move closer and closer to it. I tossed an elbow and hit the man to my right. He stopped, and slapped me hard across the face, filling my mouth with the coppery taste of blood.

  Despite my struggling I was tied to the pole with a thick, scratchy rope. Behind me, the slosh and splash of liquid being tossed on logs startled me. The air filled with the tangy scent of gasoline as the guy continued to douse the wood around me.

  I prayed to be saved, or to die quickly, anything to escape burning alive. I heard the strike of a match followed by the whoosh of gasoline catching fire. The heat crawled up my body, making my skin blister. The smell of burning skin and hair—my skin and hair—made me gag. I tried to breathe, but the smoke shoved down my throat, making each breath more difficult. I gasped as my lungs burned, not because of the fire, but because of the lack of oxygen. I was trying to decide which hurt worse—suffocating or burning alive. It was a difficult choice because both hurt pretty damn bad, but combine the two and I had a pretty good idea of what Hell must feel like.