Wishes to Burn

by Ellabee Andrews

  Once I deliver my ultimatum, I lean back, Satine’s hand tightening slightly on my waist as we all turn our attention to Brendan and await his response.

  Mimicking my action, he also leans back, never breaking eye contact. “Okay, I can understand that and will agree to it. But, I have my own terms.”

  Neither of us blinks, our gazes locked onto each other, and I nod for him to continue.

  “I’ll take over handling things here, but I want y’all to come to the party I’m having tomorrow. It’s a get together of family and friends, and I’d like to make things up to you.”

  “A party? Of course we’ll be there! We could never turn down such an offer. Do tell, what can we bring? Dessert, a casserole, biscuits and gravy?”

  “No one brings biscuits and gravy to a party, Fifi,” Gavril says with a grunt, and chuckles at her confused expression.

  "Why not? It's country food, right?"

  We all laugh at Fifi's genuine look of bewilderment, and Brendan leans forward and rests his hand atop hers on the table. "Biscuits and gravy are one of my favorite foods. Y'all don't need to bring anything, but if you'd like, I'd love to eat your biscuit," he says, smiling broadly at Fifi. Who has an actual blush on her cheeks.

  "Don't forget the gravy. You'll get to taste that too," Declan says beneath his breath, and even though it's funny, I kick his leg beneath the table. He grunts but doesn't say anything else.

  Seeming satisfied that we’re going to show up at his party, Brendan lets his hand linger on Fifi’s hand, their gazes locked, before he finally stands from his chair. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulls out a simple leather wallet, retrieving a card from it before putting it back into his pocket. Fifi’s eyes follow the motion.

  “Here’s my business card. It’s got my cell phone number on the back, and I’ve written my home address on there as well. Party starts at five tomorrow. Bring your appetites,” Brendan says, before turning to walk out the door.

  “Oh, we most certainly will,” Fifi says from her spot, fanning her face as her eyes stay glued to his backside until he disappears out the door.

  Once we hear the front door open and shut, we all relax back into our seats, the temperature in the room drop as the two fire-born supernaturals separate, and I turn to look at where Fifi sits staring off, a glazed look to her eyes.

  “Fifi?” I say, but when she doesn’t answer, I raise my voice. “Fifi!”

  Blinking, she seems to shake out of her daze and sends me a sheepish smile, an expression that seems out of place on the self-assured, Fairy Godmother. “Yes, Sugar?”

  “I was just going to ask if you really think it’s a good idea to go to that party. You know Candy will be there, and uh… I’d hate for tempers to run hot,” I say, motioning with my eyes in Maksim’s direction.

  Catching on to my meaning, Maksim sighs. “I’ll behave. Just keep Candy away from me.”

  We all nod that we’ll do that, none of us fond of the idea of being around her again, and everyone gets up to leave the kitchen, except for Satine and I.

  We stay sitting with her arm around my waist, and I shiver a bit as she leans over and kisses my neck. “This will definitely be interesting,” she says between another kiss.

  Wrapped in her embrace, loving the feel of her lips on my skin, all I can do is nod. Interesting indeed.

  Here For The Party

  Brendan's party of family and friends feels more like a gathering of half the town, and we have to park a quarter of a mile down the road behind a line of cars and trucks. There's even a tractor or two interspersed between them.

  Pleased I had declined Fifi's offer to help me get ready, I'm at least comfortable in a pair of relaxed jeans and a shirt, my tennis shoes making the walk easier. The others are all dressed similarly, comfortable and simple, so Fifi stands out with her pink wing, brightly done makeup and outfit of the day. She's paired heeled sandals with white capris that I'd never be brave enough to wear, and a checkerboard red and white, sleeveless button up that she's tied off at the waist. She looks great but is drawing more than a few side looks from those we pass.

  Speaking of the onlookers, my stomach has been tight since we arrived, the feeling growing stronger the closer we get to the party as the energy of so many powerful supernaturals wash over me. I’m used to being surrounded at school, but this is different. The power here has a wild feel that’s missing amongst my elite peers. No, this is raw and untapped potential, not unlike what I’m used to feeling from Maksim.

  Moving closer to where Maksim walks, I study his furrowed brow, his hands opening and closing at his sides, and rest my hand on his arm, wincing slightly at how hot his skin has become.

  “Sorry,” he mumbles when he catches my reaction, and a sigh of relief leaves me as I feel his skin cool slightly beneath my hand.

  “You okay?” I ask as we pass by another group of people, these appearing around our age, and I feel Maksim stiffen as he eyes them. The group returns his stare before lowering their heads in a deferent gesture.

  “If I lie, you’ll be able to tell. So let’s just say that I’m taking it all in. I’ve never been around so many fire users, and it’s playing hell on my control.”

  Nodding like I understand, which I really don't, I just move in closer to him, as he slides his arm around my waist. "If it becomes too much, tell me. We don't have to stay."

  He doesn’t respond since we have arrived at the house, but I feel some of the tension leave his body. The prospect of leaving helps him calm down. Satisfied that I helped, I look around at the others as Brendan appears from the side of the house and begins to approach us.

  He moves with a predatory gait, one that speaks of his confidence at being the strongest around, but I don’t miss his quick assessment of Maksim when he joins us, his gaze darting over the rest of us, but lingering on Maksim before Fifi steps forward.

  “Thank you so much for your invitation. You have a beautiful home. Now, where do you want me to put my biscuits? You can butter them if you’d like, as I left the gravy on the side. Some people like more than others.”

  Declan and Gavril chuckle at Fifi’s choice of words, and even Maksim looks like he’s fighting back a grin. Satine, too, has a small, secret smile playing across her lips, but Fifi and Brendan don’t seem to be in on the joke.

  “What? Some people don’t like a lot of gravy. What’s so funny about that?”

  Laughing harder, none of us able to tell her we’re laughing because our heads are in the gutter, she just screws up her nose before turning back to Brendan, looking for all intents and purposes, like a wary mother trying to deal with her wayward young.

  “You’ll have to excuse this bunch. They seem to have left their manners at home. I’ll never understand kids these days.”

  Smiling, Brendan shakes his head. "Me neither, ma'am. And thank you for being so thoughtful. Why don't we head inside, while these youngsters go out back to mingle? We'll get started on buttering your biscuits in the kitchen."

  Their combined words and general lack of awareness about what's so funny is too much, and I bust out laughing along with the others. Even Maksim and Satine are laughing now, and Brendan and Fifi walk away, leaving us to it.

  It takes a good five minutes for us all to finally stop, and I scrub the tears that have fallen from my face as I work to get my breathing back under control. Satine is doing the same as a hiccup leaves her, which makes us all laugh again. We don’t stop until we catch sight of a familiar redhead walking our way. By the time Candy arrives, all of our humor has died out as we eye her in suspicion.

  "Candy," I greet when the silence between us stretches, and she pulls her sullen gaze away from where she stares at Maksim. He doesn't even glance her way. Just stares out over the top of her head.

  “Look, my uncle already told me to stay away. I just came by to apologize. Uncle seems to think I came on too strong, so sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I just know that as a dragon, I’m able to satisfy needs that he has
and I’m good at it.”

  “Enough!” Maksim roars, everyone gathered turning to stare at us as Candy’s eyes widen. Breathing hard, he shakes his head. “I’ve heard enough. Listen very closely, Candy. I don’t plan to say this again. Dragon or not, I’m not interested. I have the one I want, and it’s not you. Don’t approach me, or my friends, again.”

  Taking my hand, Maksim stalks by a stunned Candy, ignoring those that rush to her side and glare at us. He doesn’t stop walking until we’re at an empty picnic table, where he only releases my hand when he drops heavily onto a bench.

  “Was I too harsh with her?” he asks once we’ve all joined him, his jaw clenched.

  “Dude, no. That girl can’t take a hint. It had to be said, and it had to be said by you. Maybe now, she’ll move on,” Declan says, claiming the seat at my side, leaving me sandwiched between him and Maksim.

  “I agree, Maks. She needed to hear it, and unfortunately, she had to hear it the hard way. Nothing else was getting through to her. I think her heart was in the right place though, despite how poorly she went about it.”

  Hurt, I look toward Satine, and she throws her hands up in a placating gesture as I stare at her in disbelief. “Why would you even suggest that? Her heart had nothing to do with it. That was all hormones,” I say, anger making my words come out tight.

  Eyes softening, Satine reaches out and grabs my hand. “Don’t misunderstand, Rhia. I’m not saying that Maksim didn’t do the right thing. I’m saying that, as another supe that deals with fire, she probably believed everything she was saying. Maksim doesn’t have any others of his kind around, and a dragon may very well be the closest thing to him,” she says, and my heart gives a hard thump at the implications of what she’s saying. Seeing this, her face pales. “Not that he should be with her. Ugh! I’m saying this wrong. I just mean that being here, around all of these other fire users might actually be good for Maksim. Not Candy, of course. But maybe Brendan could help him. Kind of like how Fifi helps you.”

  Pushing away any hurt feelings, I actually think about what Satine is saying. Sighing, I close my eyes before turning to look at Maksim where he sits, face blank. “I don’t like it, but Satine is right. Brendan probably could help you more than we can.”

  Maksim doesn’t respond, but he holds my gaze. So many emotions play across his face, but one sticks out, hope. He agrees with Satine, too. This is a place he could really learn from. He doesn't get the chance to reply, however, because Brendan walks out onto the back deck of the house and rings a large cowbell that's attached to the post.

  “Dinner’s ready! Get it while it’s hot!”

  Conversation tabled, for now, we all join the line of hungry partygoers and wait to get our food. The topic isn't settled, but for now, it can wait.

  With exception of our run-in with Candy, the party ends up being a lot of fun. There are games set up, and we've all taken part in more than one of them. I see the others often, but Gavril has stayed on their makeshift football field, enjoying the challenge of playing some of the other strong guys and girls here, while Declan is cleaning up at the poker table. His lucky nature and poker face hard to beat.

  While they’ve found what they like, Satine, Maksim, and I have wandered around, joining a game of horseshoes here, or volleyball there, but after our last game, Maksim disappeared inside to use the bathroom, leaving Satine and I playing the hellhound triplets alone.

  At five foot even, the ginger triplets don’t look like much, but they are fierce competitors, and even with Maksim’s height advantage, they had smoked us every game. It’s just too difficult to beat a team that moves as if they share one brain.

  It’s almost poetic watching them work with each other, anticipating the other’s moves, and just knowing where the others will be, and I make a mental note to see if they’d exchange numbers with me. Their bond obviously goes deeper than just blood, and I’d like to see if they have any insight into helping me manage the other three voices I find bouncing around my head sometimes. Voices that, surprisingly, have been quiet all afternoon.

  “Damn it. That’s it, I’m done. I concede to the awesomely creepy triplet powers. I’m not worthy to play against you.”

  Satine sounds serious, but when she laughs, the triplets join her, and Hillary, the triplet with the shortest hair steps forward. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Succubus. You played a good game. You just never had a chance.”

  “Now, Hillary, that’s not very nice. Remember what Uncle Brendan said?” Hailey, the triplet with the pigtails asks, prompting a groan from Hillary.

  “Don’t say everything that I think. I know. But it’s true. No one beats us at sports,” Hillary whines, making me dock a few years off their age. I had clocked them at about sixteen, but now I’m leaning more toward fourteen or younger. It’s hard to tell these days.

  “Yes, well, right or not, we’re not supposed to rub our superiority in. Uncle says it’s rude and not how we make friends. Please excuse our sister, she just really enjoys winning,” the last sister, Holly, says, her sharp eyes appearing to take in everything around her.

  “No worries. Really. We enjoyed it. But I do have a question,” I say, and when all three fix their identical stares on me, I fight not to squirm. The way they move, their motions completely in sync, is creepy. Keeping those thoughts to myself, I focus back on the three unmoving girls before me. “You called Brendan your uncle, but I thought he was Candy’s uncle?”

  “He is Candy’s uncle,” they all three answer in unison, not even blinking as they stare at me.

  “Oh… okay,” I say, not sure if asking more questions will even help, but Satine doesn’t seem to have that problem.

  “So you’re telling me, not only is Brendan, an ifrit, uncle to a dragon, but to hellhounds as well…. How exactly does that work?” she asks, and I nudge her with my arm, not wanting to appear rude.

  "We are not family of blood, but of loyalty. Our ties go much deeper than that of the flesh, as respect and obedience must be earned, not freely given. Brendan is an uncle to us all, as he has mentored and helped us all in some way. That is what binds us as family. Not some ridiculous notion that shared genetics trumps all."

  I look from Hillary to Hailey to see if they’ll disagree with their sister, but when all any of them do is blink at the same time, I decide not to question them further. No need to anger or offend the three.

  “That’s very kind of him. And I agree, there are many things that can make a family. If you’ll excuse us, I think I’m going to go grab a drink,” Satine says, gracefully ending the conversation, and we both smile and wave as we walk away. The feel of three sets of identical eyes staring into my back is disarming as we walk up the porch steps, and into the back door of the house.

  “I understand that you feel obligated to stay. Hell, anyone would. But what has that school or council ever done for you? I mean, really think about it. Have they helped you learn to control your power? Or, out of fear, do they force you to lock it away? I know it’s a lot, but I think you could really learn a lot here.”

  Satine and I both freeze in our spots as we hear Brendan’s voice coming from the living room, and when she tilts her head toward the connecting door, we silently take a step closer as we continue to listen.

  “No, they haven’t helped with my power, but that’s not why I stay. I have reasons.”

  I freeze when I hear Maksim’s deep voice, and looking at Satine, I see that her eyes have widened as well. Maksim had made it clear on more than one occasion that he isn’t a fan of Brendan, so it’s surprising to hear them talking now.

  “What could possibly make you stay at a school of stuck up assholes? You’re stronger than them all. They’ll never trust you, and they’ll certainly never understand you. Not even your friends can. I know that you care for them, but as it stands right now, you’re a danger to them. Stay here with us, we can help you. We can show you how to live up to your full potential.”

  Heart pounding and stomac
h turning, I spin away and rush out the door, leaving Satine behind as I jump off the porch.

  I never hit the ground though, I give a few powerful beats of my wings as I rise up into the air. The party, and everyone there, shrinking away as I rise higher into the sky.

  I fly for around fifteen minutes before the blurring of my vision becomes too much, my falling tears ruining my line of sight, and I land in a field, nothing but grass and daisies as far as the eye can see.

  Sitting on a large rock I find, I angrily scrub my tears away. “You should have stuck around,” I say to myself, angry. “You don’t even know what he was going to say. He could have been about to tell Brendan off. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.”

  “That’s the worst pep talk I’ve ever heard. But then again, the fact that you’re having a conversation with yourself may be more cause for alarm than the actual context of the talk.”

  My head whips to the side at the unfamiliar voice, and I find a tall man… No, not a man, an elf, if his pointed ears are any indication, standing about twenty feet away watching me.

  His long silver hair hangs down past his shoulders and he's dressed in all black. The color offsets his pale skin and even paler eyes, and I frown at the manic look in his gaze.

  He's not making any move to come closer, but a cold sensation slithers over me. The same I felt that night at the bar, and I dart my eyes around as I seek a way out. "Who are you?" I ask when nothing sticks out to me, and I take a small step back.

  The stranger's eyes follow the motion, and I freeze mid-step. "Who I am is unimportant. It's who you are that matters.”

  Swallowing hard, I ignore my fight or flight response and force my voice to remain even. “And why is that important?” I ask, trying desperately to think of what I should do.