Edge Of Tomorrow (Eternal Flames Maddox Book 6)

by Cree Storm

  An ajutor was like a sponsor of sorts to Ollie's kind. They would agree to keep them safe and they would make their clutch, blaze, pack, or whatever almost indestructible. It was because of the Santorini fox's ability to do this that they had been highly sought after and damn near extinct.

  "Ollie, do you or do you not want to continue our arrangement?" Dain asked more firmly than moments before.

  Ollie sat back, knowing that his time was going to run out. There was no way that Wyndingo wasn't going to figure out they were mates. Unless―maybe Dain or one of his mates had a spell in one of those old books of theirs that could mask a scent? Yes! That was what he would do. He would go to the spell room and find one and this way he could just mask his scent and Wyndingo would never find out!

  Looking Dain in the eyes, Ollie nodded. "Yes, Dain, I can do that."

  Dain smiled and sat forward. "Good, then I want you to go to Wyndingo right this minute, no stopping to get a drink or talk to a friend. You will go there this second and pick up those forms he has for me."

  Ollie stood and started for the door when Dain called his name once more. Turning back toward Dain, he saw the man looking at him knowingly, saying, "If I find you made any stops along the way, our agreement will be null and void, and you will have to find a new ajutor."

  Ollie's eyes went wide and he swallowed hard. Nodding, he opened the door. Dain once more called his name.

  Ollie stopped but didn't turn, as Dain said, "He's at the training facility doing drills with his men."

  Once Ollie left the office, Rune and Kerrick appeared, Rune saying, "I don't like using a cloaking spell against one of our own. Especially with a man as gifted as he is. If we lose Ollie's trust, we could lose him."

  Dain sighed. "I know, sweet heart, but you know what Angelo told the council."

  Nodding Kerrick replied, "Yes, but all he said was that trouble was coming to our world and Ollie and Wyndingo were the only ones that could save us all. He didn't know how or why."

  Dain looked at the door Ollie had just walked out of, saying, "It has something to do with the fact that they are mates."

  Rune gasped, "They're mates? You never told us this."

  "Nor did you tell the council, Dain," Kerrick admonished.

  Sighing, Dain replied, "I've told everyone before, it is not my place to interfere. I did everything I could to push it along, thinking that it would be good for them to come together. I see one hell of a force between them."

  "How is pushing it along and interfering not one and the same?" Kerrick said with a short laugh.

  "Pushing it along is helping and interfering is forcing. However, with Angelo's vision, I was left no other choice," Dain replied.

  Rune’s eyes and features saddened as he asked, "And will you truly give him up as ajutor if he defies you once more?"

  Dain quickly stood and took his mate into his arms. "Ollie is like a son to us all, Rune. Sometimes, it is tough love that makes them find a strength even they didn't know they had."

  Rune snuggled into Dain's arms, asking, "But will you give him up if he goes against your orders?"

  Dain sighed and placed his forehead onto Rune’s, whispering, "Let's hope I don't have to decide that and Ollie does as he is told."

  Kerrick came up behind Dain and wrapped his arms around his two mates. "Let's just hope your plan works. Because if it doesn't, then all of mankind will pay a very heavy price."

  CHAPTER 2

  Wyndingo watched as his crew stood around waiting for him to begin the structure fire training. People don't really understand how much continued training went into being a firefighter. It was imperative that any firemen continue training in order to be able to perform their job efficiently and safely. With the constant changes in building materials, plastics, and even what people furnish their homes with, made these training sessions imperative, and also allowed the newbies to be shown how their actions can change the behavior of a fire so that they are hopefully better prepared when an actual fire occurs. As Battalion Chief, it was his job to make sure the firefighters under his jurisdiction were prepared to save the lives, and possibly the homes or businesses of the people living in Maddox, and on occasion, Crystal as well.

  Wyndingo and his clutch members had been working in California until a few years ago, when Illan had called in for help. Wyndingo had been shocked to learn that the pixies were still alive and that they were taking over a town and would need the dragons to help with safety and rebuilding a broken town. Hell, everyone had thought the pixies had all been killed during the Shuite war centuries ago.

  Wyn didn't like thinking about those times. So many lives lost because the evil leader of the snake den had tricked the phoenix leader into believing the dragon leader’s son was trying to take over the man's blaze and refused to allow his daughter to mate with the dragon king's son. The two lovers refused to be parted and had secreted away, only to be found dead for reasons unknown.

  The phoenix blamed the dragons, and the dragons blamed the phoenix, causing the Great War of the Shuites. Many died on both sides, and after almost a hundred-year battle and the death of both leaders, the war fizzled out, and both beasts went their separate ways. One of the worst parts of all of this was the fact that it was the damn snake den leader that killed them.

  However, when Illan, the new dragon leader's son, mated with Ethan, the new phoenix leader's son, it started a prophecy that brought the two great powers and protectors of the shifter world back together once more.

  Illan had said Wyn would be the new battalion chief over Crystal and Maddox. It was an honor for the dragon leader to have so much faith in him and he told his men Illan's request. None of them thought twice. It hadn't taken long for them to pack up and get to Maddox.

  Wyn and his men had all been shocked at the devastation the town had been in. Here it was a little over three years later, and they were all still building and bringing damaged buildings up to code. With the attacks from Fallon and the structural damage most of the places were already in, fires were not uncommon, and it was up to him to make sure his men were prepared for anything.

  Today they were at an old three-story abandoned home. Two of Wyndingo's more experienced firefighters, Terry and Colin, were inside. They would be his ignition team for the day. Their job was to light the fires that his men and new recruits would essentially be trying to put out. Today they had scheduled a four room and basement fire scenario.

  Gill, Tobias, and Hewitt were the newest members of Wyndingo's team and currently in the top floor with Neil. Terry and Colin had lit a fire, allowed them to watch how the fire begins, grows, and behaves. Neil's job was to make sure that the recruits remained safe while learning everything they could learn from an actual fire. Terry and Colin will then put it out and once everyone was back outside and ready, Wyndingo would begin the hands-on training.

  Unlike an actual fire, the men had gone through the entire home, knew its layout, where the steps are and windows in case a hurried escape was needed. It might be baby steps, but the point of the training was to make your mistakes here, so that when you got out into the field to fight a fire, those mistakes were not repeated.

  "Wyn, here's the files you asked me for and the rapid intervention team is set up and ready," Dallas stated as he handed over the requested items.

  That sweet sexy smell still lingered on the papers as Wyndingo looked through them, and Wyn couldn't stop himself from taking in a deep breath to catch as much of that fresh morning dew mixed with chocolate mint as he could. Gods, it still made his dick hard.

  "Boss, what are you doing?" Dallas asked.

  Sighing, Wyndingo replied sadly, "It still smells of my mate, Dallas. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is knowing that my mate is so close, yet so damn far away?"

  "And you're sure it isn't Pascal?" Dallas asked.

  Thinking about the fight that almost occurred when Wyndingo made the mistake of sniffing Zen's mate, had Wyn scoffing, "Trust me, he isn't."
<
br />   Wyn turned and saw Day and his men standing next to the orange tarp filled with supplies needed in case a firefighter goes down or gets trapped, they can go in as backup to try and get everyone out and into safety.

  "Well I hope you find him soon, Wyn. If anyone deserves their mate, it's you," Dallas responded.

  Wyndingo gave his friend a small smile. "Thanks, Dallas. I just don't get it. I've gone all over Maddox searching, but I come up empty. I went to the club the other day and there was a small scent of him there. I followed it to Jagger's office, but Pascal was there."

  “Did you ask him who he was with or who might have had the file first?" Dallas asked.

  "I was going to, but I couldn't stop myself from drawing in that sweet scent and Zen came unglued. He took a swing at me and partially shifted into his elephant. Pascal got him calmed down before he completely shifted and destroyed Jagger's entire office," Wyndingo said with a deep exhale.

  Dallas was wide eyes, saying, "I can't believe that the gentle giant was set on killing you."

  "Wouldn't you if someone tried to sniff on your mate?" Wyndingo said with a raised brow.

  The sound of someone coughing had Wyndingo turning around, seeing Hewitt, Tobias, and Gill coming out of the smoke-filled house. "Gill! Where the fuck is your mask? You never take your mask off until you are cleared from the scene."

  "Sorry, sir," Gill rasped replacing the mask.

  "What the fuck do you think you're doing, newbie? Never touch the RIT team’s equipment! You fuck anything up on this orange tarp and that could mean someone's life. Everything you see here is for the rapid intervention team. That means if you do something stupid, we take this equipment, go in there, and save your ass," Day snapped.

  Wyndingo watched as Tobias tripped over the oxygen canisters and fell on his ass, muttering nervously, "Sorry sir, I didn't see it."

  Sighing heavily, Wyndingo turned back to Dallas. "Are the portable water tanks ready?"

  Nodding Dallas replied, "Yes, sir. The water tenders are filled and ready to fill the tanks as needed."

  "Good, let's get this show on the road," Wyndingo stated.

  Grabbing for his communicator, Wyndingo called out, "Terry, Colin, you ready to get this show on the road?"

  "Yes sir, we're in place and ready," Terry called back.

  "Ready on my end, Wyn," Colin stated.

  Wyndingo looked around and saw his guys drinking some water and talking. "Gill, Hewitt, Tobias, get over here."

  The three men dropped their bottles and made their way to him as quickly as their firefighting equipment allowed. "I want you guys to stay close to Neil. If he tells you to do something, do it. Don't argue or think you know better. A fire can go from safe to life-threatening in seconds. Remember, the fire is not the enemy here, time is."

  "Yes sir," they all called out.

  "Remember, this fire is real. If a beam falls or the flames catch your skin, you will be hurt and possibly killed. The smoke in there is real, keep your masks on at all times. You won't be able to see the nose in front of your face. If at any point you feel panicked, say something, and I will make sure a RIT member comes in and gets your ass out of there. I don't need you freaking the fuck out and causing others’ lives to be put on the line."

  "Yes, sir," they all called out.

  Wyndingo could see Hewitt rolling his eyes even as he gave his call out to Wyndingo. Wyn knew this asshole was going to be trouble. He was good at fighting fires, but sucked when it came to social skills and teamwork.

  Hewitt had come to him a month ago from the Denver fire department. He said it was because he felt he needed a new start. When Wyn had contacted the man's old chief, the guy seemed a little too eager to praise Hewitt's abilities. Wyndingo had a bigger idea that Hewitt's chief was eager to see the man go and with the man's attitude, Wyn could understand why. He didn't take kindly to being corrected. His "I know it all" attitude was something that pissed his men off and had Wyn ready to fire his ass.

  Hewitt didn't know it, but today would be Wyndingo's final decision on whether he would continue with his crew or not, as it would be for Gill and Tobias.

  Gill was a nice guy and was fresh out of firefighting school, the problem was he showed no heart in what he was doing. As every fireman knows, you had to want this to do it. You had to eat, breath, and sleep fire. Firefighting was a calling, and Gill didn't seem to answer that call. He spent more time typing away on his computer than he did practicing drills at the station.

  From what Wyndingo could find out, he had gotten into the firefighting school because his father was a very rich man in Maddox with great ambition for his son. Destrain had asked Wyn to give the kid a chance, since his dad was opening up a multitude of businesses and going to provide a lot of jobs to the community.

  Wyn would give the guy a chance, but if he didn't cut it, Wyn damn sure wasn't going to keep the guy around, jobs or no jobs. The safety of his crew was Wyndingo's priority.

  "Check your tanks, we are going to start in less than five minutes," Wyndingo ordered.

  Tobias turned so quickly his tank slapped into Hewitt's and made the man stumble, turn and snap, "Watch where you're going, dickhead!"

  "Sorry, Hewitt," Tobias muttered and took off to the main engine where the extra tanks were stored.

  Wyndingo's brows drew together angrily. Hewitt just didn't get it. Teamwork was imperative to fighting any fire or dealing with any disaster. If you couldn't count on the man next to you, lives could be lost.

  "I really can't stand that fucker," Dallas muttered.

  Sighing, Wyndingo replied, "I know what you mean, Dallas, and if he continues being a self-serving ass, he won't last long here."

  Pressing his com-link, Wyndingo ordered, "Start her up."

  "Yes, sir," Colin called back at the same time

  As the fires began Neil, Dallas, and York entered into the building with the newbies. Each veteran was assigned a newbie, and right now Wyndingo had a feeling York was feeling like he drew the short straw, because his new guy was Tobias. He might have had a point, Wyndingo was still not happy about the man's new living arrangement since York found his mate, Timmy.

  York had moved to Crystal so Timmy could be with his Chimera and now was on Day's crew, but trainings were trainings and it just made sense to have both Crystal and Maddox together for these things. However, truth be told, Wyndingo felt that Neil was the one with the short straw, since he was responsible for Hewitt.

  Neil was explaining what they were seeing as they walked through the structure. How the bubbles and color changes on the walls and ceiling would indicate gas build up and possibilities of rollover and flash fires. He reminded the men to check for heat before entering a closed door, due to the threat of backdrafts, all situations that a fireman faced, and all life-threatening if you didn't know what the hell you were doing.

  "I thought this was just a structure fire testing? I didn't know it was a rescue one as well," Tobias softly said.

  York responded, "It is just a structure practice, what would make you think otherwise?"

  Wyndingo felt his blood run cold when Tobias stated, "Because someone is above us, in the attic."

  Pressing his communicator, Wyndingo snapped, "Tobias, did you see someone in there?"

  "N──No si──sir. I──I sme──smell them," Tobias stammered fearfully.

  Wyndingo hadn't meant to scare the shit out of the guy, and right now he didn't have the time to fix it. If Tobias was right and someone was in that building, that would mean their life was in danger. "Terminate the training. Neil, get to the attic and―"

  "I'll go, sir," Hewitt interrupted.

  Neil yelled, "Stand down, Montgomery!"

  Wyndingo turned to Day. "Get in there now! Hewitt, do not fucking move! You follow Neil's instruction, he is the senior officer in charge!"

  "Fuck, get out of here now, we have a flashover ready to occur," Colin shouted.

  "Don't fucking open that door!" Neil yelled out.
>
  Wyndingo could hear a car pulling up but didn't have time for whoever was arriving just as the left side of the house blew out. "Shit!"

  Wyndingo raced to the RIT tarp, snatched up one of the tanks, and raced into the burning building. "Call out! Call out!" Ignoring whoever the hell it was screaming his name.