by Janelle Peel
Standing, Daisy strode to the teen and lifted her from the floor in a sweeping hug, “Well done, Mila!”
Mila squeaked a laugh, “It was nothing, Councilmember.”
Stiffening at the title, Daisy lowered her to the ground.
Realizing her faux pas, Mila back peddled, “Apologies, Daisy. Please,” her lids clenched closed as if expecting a reprimand.
Thinning her lips, Daisy jerked her head, “No, Mila. It’s okay. You’ve done nothing wrong. Your help is extremely appreciated.”
Hesitantly, she peeked up, “You’re not mad?”
Ruffling her blond hair, Daisy smiled, “No.” Taking the book in one hand, she gently patted her shoulder, “Thank you. Go on, now. Back to your studies.”
Beaming, Mila nodded once and skipped away.
They’d been pouring over both tomes for the better part of an hour when his phone rang. Hitting the speaker function, he set it on the table.
Blaze barked, “What have you found?”
Shrugging off his short greeting, he answered, “One book. It’s made of human skin.”
Sarcastically, Blaze drawled, “They are Demons, Cooper. What does it say?”
Daisy fidgeted anxiously beside him.
Thank the Goddess they found the tome, but translating the strange text was slow going. He sighed in frustration, “We’re working on it. Demonic is a dead language, Blaze. It’s going to take some time.”
“We’re out of time,” his voice caught. “Jackson is barely alive.”
“H-how?” He stammered.
Irritated, he growled, “I need you to work faster. I’ll not lose my Brother. Narrow your search. Look for key words only. Poison, venom, anything of the sort. Whatever was done to him stems from the wounds he endured,” he paused. “Jackson won’t last very much longer.”
An audible click sounded as he disconnected.
Grabbing her notepad, Daisy got back to work while he scanned the tiny print before him.
All Mother, he prayed silently, help us.
Nat
Running the perimeter in Wolf form beside Kane, my thoughts spun with worry.
Was Mel all right? Would the others find him?
A pit of doubt nestled beneath my sternum. Like a rotten seed, it burrowed deeper as I my mood soured.
Kane snapped at my chin. Flicking an ear toward the house, his green gaze conveyed his understanding if I needed a break.
I rumbled back, No. I needed to do something. Sitting around on my ass was driving me insane. Tossing a snort in his direction, I moved to the last known location of the Fire Elemental.
Notes of nitroglycerin and cloves met my nose as I memorized his fading scent. If he came around again, I would know.
“Nat!” Sora’s shout carried from the mansion’s door.
Her tone immediately set my senses on high alert. Closing the distance at a frantic pace, I arrived at her side. The air shimmered as I shifted back to human, “What’s wrong?”
The line of her lips thinned. Shaking her head, she backed into the foyer, “Something’s happened. We need to talk.”
“I thought Vampires were immortal…?” What the hell? How could Jackson be sick?
Sighing, she tugged at her silver braid, “I thought so, too.” Pressing her forehead to the bar, she continued, “He lost control during a feed. That’s never happened to a Vampire as old as he. I don’t know what to do… Blaze thinks,” she shivered, “that he’s dying.”
Stunned, I took her hand in mine.
Anger laced her voice, “I can’t send you and Kane, we don’t even know what we’re dealing with down there. First, the Fire Fae. Now Demons… I just don’t know what to do.”
“Hey,” I soothed. “Come here.” Pulling her into a hug, I patted her back, “What does the Goddess say?”
She bit out a ragged laugh, “Nothing. The realms of Heaven and Hell are outside Her domain.”
My brow furrowed, “That’s crazy, Sora.”
“I know. She isn’t the only deity, Nat. The humans have their God. Supernatural beings have the Goddess. That’s the only information She would give me. Everything else is on us.”
Squeezing her once more, I released my hold and stood, “I’m going. Kane can stay here-”
Her spine stiffened as she cut me off, “No, you’re not. Mel is already missing, I can’t lose you, too. Cooper said he’s close to some information. He just needs a little more time.”
I scoffed, “We don’t have any more, Sora! Mel has been missing for over 24 hours! He could be dead by now!”
Baring her teeth in a snarl, she hissed, “He’s alive, Nat!” Her fist thumped against her chest for emphasis, “I would know if he was dead. We’re joined, remember?”
The fight drained from my shoulders, “So?”
“We wait.”
Bex
The sound of Blaze’s shitkickers thumped down the hall.
Panicking, I hopped into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin as he knocked on my door.
“It’s open.”
Popping his head in, his expression shone with such devastation that my eyes pricked with tears.
Swallowing audibly in the silence, he panned the room, “Don’t get any ideas, Bex. We’ll figure this out.”
Sniffling, I nodded. How did he know what I was planning?
Shadows marked the lower lids of his eyes as his brow lowered in disapproval, “I mean it. Even if we went to the rim, there’s no telling what would happen. We are unprepared. If a Demon got a hold you… not to mention the heat from the volcano itself…” he shook his head. “Cooper and Daisy found a book that might help. They’re having trouble translating it, though.”
“Translating?” I questioned.
“It’s written in Demonic.” Tipping his head to the side, he added, “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid, Bex.”
I didn’t think my plan was stupid. Crossing my fingers, I whispered, “Promise.”
With a bleak smile, he left.
His door clicked shut a moment later.
Counting to sixty, I waited.
The sound of his rumbles met my ears. Assuming he was on the phone with Sora, I quietly got up.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I tip toed down the hall. Snatching my boots to my chest, I retreated back to my room.
Tossing every pillow available beneath the blankets, I hoped the lumpy shape would pass a cursory inspection.
Snatching up my bundle of clothes, I stepped onto the balcony.
Kai
Paying his driver extra for not having pesos, he grabbed his bag and exited the cab.
Soft white light lit the two story Hacienda de San Antonio. Posh with a modernized feel, he perused the tall archways.
Different from the tall Americanized hotels, the Spanish style suited his expensive tastes.
Movement near the courtyard drew his attention. One lone figure slipped into the darkness with the flash of a white ponytail.
Could it really be so easy? Sending out a pulse of power, the cool flare of hers answered.
She froze instantly and began sniffing in short bursts.
Had she felt his touch?
The breeze shifted; carrying away his scent before she could catch it. Lifting one shoulder, she prowled silently into the night.
Hmm, he wondered. Follow, or await her return?
His curiosity got the better of him.
Stashing his pack under a nearby bush, he checked his surroundings. Ducking behind a tree, he called to his magic. Ruby light lit its base as he shifted into his favored form.
Beating his large wings, he shot into the air.
Circling high above, he scanned the ground for her, but she seemed to have vanished.
Silver and blue flames brightened a hedge nearly 200 yards away.
Banking, he caught sight of the beautiful Wolf as she gathered a black bundle inside her maw. Her blue eyes panned the area.
In a quick burst of speed, she
loped off.
Nearly an hour later, her pace slowed as they neared the peak of the volcano. Dropping to the ground, her heavy pants met his ears.
Seeking a better vantage, he adjusted his trajectory and landed on a rock.
Soot marked her fur as she lifted her chin toward him with a growl.
Clacking his beak, he mused she must have spotted him at one point or another. Calling to his magic, he changed.
Black jeans replaced his avian legs. A matching tee covered his thick torso. Crossing his ankles, he leaned back, “Why so far from home, Bex?”
Lifting her upper lip, she snorted. Turning her back, she began digging into the ashy ground.
Confused at her behavior, he stood and moved closer.
Her paws glowed with an azure hue.
Dropping into a crouch, he readied himself to defend against her if he must.
Flicking one ear in his direction, her forelegs disappeared into the hole. Crouching lower, her nose followed.
A wet slurp rent the silence.
She was drinking!
He marveled at the Wolf. The ability to pull water through the heat of an active volcano was simply unheard of.
Finished, she sat back with her tongue lolling. Chuffing once, her lips lifted to reveal very sharp teeth.
He guffawed.
She was laughing at him.
Bex
The expression on his face was priceless. Calling to my well, I shifted in a bright shimmer.
His pink lips opened and closed in shock.
Rolling my eyes, I shimmied into my bra and tugged the leather vest over my shoulders. Snapping the buttons, I grabbed my pants. Pulling them on was a bit more difficult, and I almost fell over before the deed was done.
His deep chuckle sent a warm heat fluttering through my belly. Shelving the reaction, I yanked on my socks and knee high boots.
Placing my hands on my hips, I growled, “Kai, what the hell are you doing here?” In truth, I was glad for the company. His presence ensured the Clutch’s safety.
His brow furrowed, “You left San Diego, why?”
Hooking a thumb to the rim, I grunted, “My Uncle is down there somewhere, along with a bunch of Demons.”
Roving my body with a keen gaze, amusement colored his reply, “I see. And how do you plan on getting inside?”
Oh fuck. In my haste to get away unnoticed, I’d forgotten. With no rope or harness, I was screwed. Turning on one heel, my shoulders dropped. Maybe I could get back before anyone noticed.
“I could take you, if you’d like.”
His words rooted me to the spot, “Why?”
“Honestly? I find you intriguing. I’ve yet to see another of my kind, and it would be foolish for a Water Fae to enter an active volcano alone. Call it chivalry, if you like.”
Chivalry my ass. He was right, though. What the fuck had I been thinking? Sure, I had a decent understanding of my magic, but would that be enough?
Clearing his throat, he interrupted my thoughts, “How old are you, Bex?”
Flipping around, I expected to find mockery lining his handsome face. Instead, there was only curiosity.
“A little over three human years.”
His eyes widened as they skimmed down my leather clad state, “Three? How is that possible?”
I scoffed, “And how old are you?”
Tipping his chin, the ginger strands of his hair covered the point of one ear, “Centuries.”
Stunned, I gasped. Was he an original Elemental? Recovering, I bit out, “I’m part Shifter.”
Rubbing his chin, he muttered, “The Water Anchor. I thought so.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shook his head, “It’s not important. Do you want my help or not?”
Indecision warred within me. His Fire might be the edge I needed. Then again, he could kill me. I sensed no ill will from him, though. If I waited any longer my uncle might die, and Jackson most certainly would.
Resolved, I met his aqua orbs, “How do we do this?”
Jerking his strong jaw to the brim of the crater, he smirked, “Can you describe these Demons?”
The seconds dragged by as I critiqued each of his shifts, “No, change your skin tone. Viv said they had a gray leather look. Try that.”
Sighing in annoyance, his flesh changed to the dull color of lead.
Nodding in approval, I kept my eyes high above the evidence of his masculinity, “Can, um, you conjure a loin cloth or something?”
A ruby flare lit his lower half. Dark fabric draped across the v of his hips as it hid his member from view.
Strangely disappointed, I fiddled with the loops of my pants, “Do you think you can support my weight?” Shifters in general were heavy, and I did not fancy the idea of falling to my death inside a dark volcano.
Flaring the thin membranes of his bat like wings, his lips lifted to reveal yellow, needle like teeth, “Come find out, Bexxx.”
Wrinkling my nose at the exaggerated slur of my name, I stepped beside him on the ledge. Towering over me at a rough six foot four, he radiated heat like a furnace. My body relaxed at his nearness. Cheeks pinking at the betrayal, I muttered, “Ready.”
His thick arms wrapped around my waist; encasing me in a cocoon cloves and the bitter tang of explosives. Goddess, I never expected that combination to smell so good…
Focus!
Tightening his grip, my hands wrapped around his enlarged neck of their own accord. The hard lines of his thick chest pressed against mine; instantly hardening my breasts to peaks beneath my thin vest.
“Hold tight,” he rumbled, throwing us from the rim.
My teeth clenched as my stomach bottomed out. Swallowing the scream threatening to fall from my mouth, my breath rushed out instead.
His wings snapped out; loosening my hold. Terrified of the fall, my legs locked around his hips. The tips of his sharp claws dug into my rear as he pulled me closer with a quiet laugh.
Sucking in a greedy gulp, I snarked, “That wasn’t funny.”
His lips moved against the shell of my ear, “I will never let you go.”
My mind stuttered to a stop. Surely he meant literally, as in he wouldn’t let me fall… Right? Rolling my eyes, I took in our surroundings.
Zilch met my gaze.
“Kai,” I whispered. “Can you see?”
“Yesss.”
A blast of dry air flowed across my skin. Tipping my head, I anxiously searched for a point of reference.
Sensing my distress, the end of his whip like tail lit with a scarlet flame. The flickering light danced along the leathery appendage as it revealed the rocky walls around us.
Relieved, I awkwardly patted his shoulder, “Th-” Could I thank him? Nat warned me about thanking the Fae. Adding it to the list of shit I didn’t know, I corrected, “That’s appreciated.”
“You’re welcome.”
After a few moments of complete silence, I decided we needed a distraction. Leaning back, the glow from his flame highlighted the top of his hairless head. Creepy, but it was better to look at something rather than nothing. Gathering my courage, I asked, “Where have you been all this time?”
Dipping his wings, we swayed to the side. Fanning them fully once more, he hissed, “Hawaii isss where I awoke.”
“When?” I pressed. “This place is freaking me out. Tell me about it, please? Are there more Fire Elementals?”
Kai
Her questions caught him off guard. Perhaps if he appeased her, he could figure out what happened. Calling to his magic, he reformed his mouth to speak properly, “Do you know of the onyx stone?”
Biting her lip, she nodded.
“Its destruction awoke me. My Mother,” his voice caught, “our Queen, died shortly thereafter. All of our people perished as well. I am the last.”
Her expression softened, “I’m sorry, Kai.”
Pushing down the grief threatening to overcome him, his tone hardened, “With her last breath,
she gave me her power and memories. I swore vengeance on whomever shattered the stone.”
Rigidly, she lowered her soft cheek to his shoulder, “Vengeance?”
Confused by her reaction, he rumbled, “It killed her. I wandered around the Big Island before an old spinster took me in. Feigning memory loss, I was shown nothing but kindness. The world had changed much, and it was nearly a year before I was able to master it with any semblance of confidence. While I waited, I sent out random pulses of power to locate our ally, Air. My efforts only resulted in a dull ping. Assuming it was due to my location, I booked a flight to California. It was there where I found you.”
“I can’t imagine waking up like that,” she murmured. “How did you get money?”
Shifting her weight, he checked their descent, “I used my power to pull peridot from beneath the sand. The old woman sold it on what you call eBay. I’m told it fetched a fair price.”
Slowly, igneous rock came into view. Tucking his wings, he touched down on the uneven surface, “We’re here.”
Chapter 7
Lillin
Pain crept along the edges of my dream, drawing me awake.
Moving an arm to grab my screaming belly, something halted the motion.
“Don’t touch it. I’ve only just staunched the flow.”
Snapping my eyes open, I took in the slate walls of my room. Swallowing, I croaked, “What happened?”
Mel’s cloth covered hand released mine, “Your Father nearly killed you.”
Sardonically, I chuckled. Sharp stings pierced my side, abruptly changing the sound into a hiss, “He’s a master of torture. It’s not life threatening.”
He shook his head, “Could have fooled me.”
Shifting to my side, I watched him pace around the room, “Trust me. This,” I gestured to my gut, “was only a warning. I’ve had worse.”
He froze, “I know.”
The sympathy in his voice surprised me. Before I could reply, he added, “Why haven’t you left?”
I sighed, “Where else would I go? The Fracture just opened. That’s where my Father’s legion found you and your friends. He’s been waiting thousands of years for it to reappear. Soon, he’ll flood the Earth with his hordes and claim it as his own.”
