Blood Of Fire (The Blood Burden Series)

by Wenona Hulsey

  A dark laugh echoed around Nicole. She turned her back on the tree and stood preparing to defend the gateway at all cost. She had somehow opened a rift that wouldn't close but she wasn't going to stand by and let her mistake be the end of the Fae. "You're such a brave warrior," crooned Loch. "Now step aside and let destiny take its course."

  A tingle in Nicole's mind caused her to step to the side. The tides were changing….good or bad she didn't know…but it was now. "You forget, I'm also a brave fairy." She swept her hand around her head and twisted in a complete circle sending a gust of wind out from her in all directions. Warriors tumbled to the ground but a few remained covering their eyes from the sand and leaves that pelted them but that was all Nicole needed. The gateway ripped to full size and blurs of fae and warriors came pouring out.

  Chaos consumed the area in seconds. The stream from the gateway seemed endless but no one hesitated to jump right in. Swords clinked together, bodies rolled and tumbled, and the night sky lit up with balls of fire. Just as Nicole lunged forward a strong arm caught her around the waist, "You're safe?" Nicole spun in Luke's hold slinging her arms around his neck and not wasting a second to press her lips against his until she pulled away breathless. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on. I've got to get you out of here."

  "Not a chance. I'm fighting. Not all of Loch's warriors are against us."

  "That's good to hear," Slade had slipped up behind Nicole. She smile widely and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you're both alright."

  "What? No kiss for me?" he teased.

  Nicole rolled her eyes, "Come on, we've got a war to stop."

  Chapter 24

  Nicole darted out from under the willow and across the small stream temporally bolstered by the fact that she had stopped Loch from crossing into the fae realm. About a hundred yards out Loch was surrounded by warriors. They were creating a shield around him giving him room to retreat back toward the road as fire rained down on them from all directions. All attention was on him because, like her, everyone knew he was the one to take out. You chop off the head of the snake then the body lies there confused and rolling in circles until all life is gone. She locked eyes with him for only a moment but she could see the smile on his face. He was up to something—something big.

  Nicole then remembered the army of troops that he had lagging well behind them. She whipped her powers out farther but it was too late. They were pouring out of the woods behind her. "Protect the gateway," she commanded. Instantly the rebel warriors joined with the warriors and fae from the kingdom and charged the fast moving army. "Shala, Kade, Rain, stay in front of that door."

  The night sky was lit up by all the fires burning as the two sides collided. Wave after wave of Loch's warriors kept flowing into the area but they weren't getting close to the gateway. Nicole turned her cold eyes back onto Loch who was watching her closely as she quickly closed the distance between them, "Seems you made a few friends while you were at my home but it doesn't matter. They will fall and so will you." His whole body was instantly covered in flames. The warriors that surrounded him stumbled away from the scorching heat. The waves of power and flame rolled around him like the incoming tides of a stormy ocean. "And to think, you've sacrificed your father, your best friend and that whole pathetic country town that raised you all so you could pretend to be a hero." His voice roared with the lick of the flames, crackling and popping as it ate away her confidence.

  "You have to survive for that to happen and I'm not going to let that happen." A scream turned her head just in time to see Brien driving a sword into the stomach of Shala. He yanked the blade from her in one smooth motion letting her fall to the ground at his feet. "Luke, stop him." Nicole commanded but before anyone could move a wave of power slung them through the air. Nicole slammed into the willow. The limbs of the tree were split by her body causing the tips of the broken stems to bleed blue magic. When her eyes cleared from the impact she crawled to Shala who was gasping for air. "Will your body heal this?" Shala nodded. Her brow was covered in sweat as the pain riddled her body. Nicole knew she had to move, to get back on her feet, but she couldn't leave Shala like this. She was an easy target while she tried to heal. "Hold still." Nicole placed her hand over the wound. The white flame she had used only once before poured from her fingertips covering the crimson stained area. Nicole could feel her own energy leaking out of her and into Shala as it healed.

  "Stop it," Shala shouted slinging Nicole's hand away. "You have to fight. Don't use all your energy on me." She pushed herself up against the tree keeping a tight hold on her stomach, "I will heal. Now go end this."

  Nicole jumped to her feet then gave Shala a quick nod. She couldn't help but see Sage's face staring back at her from the strong woman in front of her. Turning on her heels she darted from under the tree. She spotted Luke battling with Scarface. Each read the others move before blood could be drawn but everywhere else there were the casualties of war. Bodies were being trampled, wounded were looking for a safe place to hide and blood painted everything. The rocks, the ground, the dead leaves—all dripped crimson as the battle raged on.

  "No," Nicole gasped. This is what she wanted to stop. The death, the hate, and the fear all poured out as everyone fought to survive. With each slash of silver a new trail of red appeared causing Nicole's heart to pound harder. With each familiar face she found lying on the ground her body became numb with anger…no, not anger—hate for Loch.

  A guttural roar from Nicole's left spun her just as Scarface swung his sword down catching the sleeve of Nicole's black shirt leaving a long cut in her skin. She gave a quick glance past him to see Luke struggling to fight off three men but that's all she had time for before Brien swung again. Nicole darted to the side and slung a ball of fire at his face. He blocked it with the blade, "You and I have a score to settle."

  Nicole spun around sending a gust of wind toward him. He staggered backwards but regained his footing. "I have bigger fish to fry so you'll have to take a number." Nicole aimed for his chest and fired. A large fire ball hit him in the face before Nicole's hit its target. Luke gave her a quick wink then ran back into the fighting. Just as he reached his first target he was lifted from the ground like he was being grabbed by an invisible hand and slung through the air. His body cut through a large pine tree then he fell with a lifeless thump to the ground.

  Running with all her might she crossed the distance to Luke. She dropped to her knees beside him but before she could touch his sweat covered skin she was lifted into the air and slammed to the ground at Loch's feet. All the breath was knocked from her lungs but instead of collapsing she stood up facing the roaring inferno that was Loch. "You have failed," his voiced rumbled over the roar of the war. Nicole could feel the lights disappearing in her mind as warriors crossed the gateway into the fae realm.

  Closing her eyes she shut everything else out. There was no war, no lifeless bodies littering the ground or screams of pain echoing in the night sky. In her mind there was only Loch. She could see him inside her head. He was the brightest of all the lights. He pulsed in red and blue as his power grew into something she had never felt before. Nicole took a deep breath refilling her battered lungs then began to pull her power to the surface of her body. This war would end here. Failing was not an option. Sage died to bring about change and she would have it.

  Just as she had reached her body's limit she noticed the life around her offering strength too so she pulled from everywhere. Earth, water and even the great willow filled her soul with a power so deep she thought she might burst. When she opened her eyes the world was bathed in indigo flames. The hottest of all fires was hers to command as it danced across her skin from the soles of her feet to the tips of her hair. Her gaze locked with Lochs and she smirked. "Are you sure you want to play this game?"

  His face twisted with hate as he lunged forward sending a red flame like the breath of a mighty dragon down on her. Nicole pressed forward sending blue flame into his with a thunderous crash. The world ar
ound them glowed bright as everything burned. With each push her fire gained a little more strength and shoved Loch's flame back but it also became hotter. The trees turned orange with embers and the rocks between them became lava as the battle raged on. Nicole, it was Slade inside her head, fighting fire with fire is only going to burn everyone. You have to be smarter.

  I'm way ahead of you. Watch for my signal then do what you do best."

  Nicole trained her eyes on a large Elm tree behind Loch. It was already damaged and burning so she just had to wait until the right moment. Suddenly Loch slung a massive wave of power out from him knocking Nicole off her feet. Her head slammed into a rock leaving her dazed and stunned. She couldn't pull herself together before the blue flame she held slipped out of her grasp leaving her panting powerless on the ground. She reached up swiping at the blood that dripped down into her eye. Her hand blurred as she tried to gauge the amount of blood on her fingers.

  Loch stood towering over her laughing darkly. "Game over, princess." He held his hand out inches away from her face and she watched it fill with a red orb. The orb would take her life if she couldn't pull herself together.

  "Not yet." She slung wind like a saw blade but Loch dodged out of its way with ease. He smiled at her failed attempt to save her own life. "Now," Nicole shouted to Slade as she sent another gust of wind into Loch hitting him hard and flinging him onto his back. He lay there just long enough to realize two things: his powers were gone and so was his life. The great flaming Elm crashed onto his powerless body with a sickening crunch. The shot Loch had thought was meant for him was actually the final cut that sent the tree falling.

  The fighting stopped. Both warrior and fae stood confused. "Game over." Nicole whispered as she stood. "Enough of this grudge between you. Too many friends have lost their lives because of this pointless hate. My body bleeds fae and warrior blood because I am both. I cannot be divided or be loyal to only one race." She held her hands wide as she took in all the battered faces that surrounded her, "I am proud of my heritage and would never want to be only one because they are both great races. Today is your chance to have the life you really want—to be united again but this time as equals. I will take the crown and we will share the kingdom once more."

  Silent stares met her. Nicole was preparing herself for the fighting to start again. The atmosphere was tense and heated as glances were exchanged but then Shala stepped forward tossing her sword to the ground with a loud clang. "About damn time we had a real leader." The crowd erupted with cheers as everyone tossed their weapons to the ground. Shevea, the warrior who commanded water during her training at the Fae Kingdom, pulled a large, blue orb from the stream and sent it high up in the air to rain down on the burning embers that remained from the battle.

  Strong arms pulled Nicole tight, "You did it, love." Slade hugged her then kissed her cheek. She smiled up at him then her face turned somber. "Where's Luke?" She couldn't feel him. His light was gone from her mind. There was only an empty hole where he was moments ago. Pushing past Slade she ran to the spot where she a left him. Nothing. No sign of him at all. He was gone.

  Chapter 25

  Nicole dove through the gateway with Slade following close behind. Luke had to be in the fae realm. She wasn't ready to accept that he could be dead. She hadn't come this far just to lose him now. Digging her toes in she barreled forward. As soon as she passed the limbs of the willow she could see the orange glow below them. The town was burning.

  "How many warriors are down there?" Slade yelled over the roar of wind as they rushed forward.

  "I don't know for sure. I can't tell who's friend or foe but I can feel close to twenty warriors." Just as she reached out her powers searching for Luke a large arm caught her around the throat stopping her in her tracks and slamming her to the ground. They had reached the edge of the town and the smoke was thick and choking but it didn't stop Nicole from seeing who was holding her. "Brien, you can stop fighting. Loch is dead." Nicole fought for air as he tightened his grip on her neck. "I killed him," she wheezed.

  "Good, then I can take his place." Brien laughed dryly as he drew his fist back. Just as he swung Slade knocked him into the dirt. Within seconds Scarface was back on his feet staring coldly at Slade, "Do you think just because you suck my powers away you'll win? I'm not helpless like your little princess without my warrior gifts." In the blink of an eye he tackled Slade and they both went rolling in a cloud of smoke and dust.

  Nicole couldn't stand by and let Slade fight her battle. Brien had wanted this fight since the day they met and he was about to get it. As soon as the two men rolled apart Nicole slammed her fist into Brien's face sending him stumbling backwards and, to Nicole's surprise, a jolt of pain had her shaking her hand. "Damn it, Slade. Pull your power back."

  "You're too close to him. If I pull my power back he will have—"

  Brien slammed his fist into Nicole's face knocking her into the dirt. The world spun on its axis as she tried to keep conscious. She was back to being human and Brien knew it. As her vision danced she saw Slade and Brien grappling for the upper hand. They swung fists, exchanging blow after blow until they moved out of her sight. Black dots covered her eyes and she knew was about to pass out just as a figure moved across her vision. She prayed that it was Slade but the man reached down and grabbed a fist full of her curls and pulled her to her feet. "Ahhh..." he breathed into her ear. "I've been waiting for this day for so long." Brien spun her so she was facing him and pulled her tight against his body. "Maybe I'll keep you instead of killing you. I'll make you my whore."

  The edge of Nicole's lips tilted up just slightly as memories flooded her mind. She had been in this exact position before on a deserted stretch of highway with a drug dealer who thought he had the upper hand. She didn't have powers that day either—just the know-how of a police officer and the seductive body of a woman. "Do you think you're man enough for me?" she laughed dryly in his face. "A weak warrior like you couldn't satisfy me. You're nothing without your power and you know it" she taunted him.

  The anger building in Brien's eyes was dark as he yanked Nicole's head back exposing her neck. He stared down at her body greedily, "Shall I prove you wrong right now, sweetheart?" His breath was putrid as it rolled across Nicole's face.

  He yanked at her black shirt popping the buttons off with one move. The shirt fell open exposing her thin, white t-shirt that was damp with sweat making it easy to see the lace material of her bra underneath. "Men," Nicole whispered smugly. Using the exact motion she had used that day on patrol she took advantage of Brien's distracted state and drove her elbow into his stomach then spun driving the same elbow into his nose with a sickening crunch.

  "You forgot one thing." She spoke as she swung her foot planting it between his legs. "I'm twice as strong as you." She held out her hand in front of his face to be sure he saw the power pooling into her palms. "I'm not so easy to control." Without another thought she sent flames out of her hand in one powerful burst then she turned away. She didn't want to see. She knew he was dead just like he deserved but she couldn't stand to see any more death. She rushed over to find Slade who was pulling himself from the bottom of a ditch.

  "So much for you needing my protection," Slade said dryly as he knocked the dirt from his shirt.

  "No time for ego petting. There are houses on fire in the town."

  Slade nodded and they ran toward the town. Nicole could feel warriors all around but it wasn't the pattern of fighting. There were no grunts or roars like people at war. The yells and screams were commands, "More water before it spreads. You, take these people to the castle until it's safe."

  "Luke!" Nicole ran in the direction of his voice. She could see the silhouette of a man through the smoke but the pulling in her mind told her it was him. She blurred forward and without a seconds hesitation wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him tight. "Damn you, you could have let me know you were okay. I thought you were dead," she whispered into his chest.

  "I
saw you kill Loch at the same moment the warriors started crossing over. I knew you were safe so the town needed my help more." Luke kissed the top of her head. "The town needs you now too. Do you think you could make it rain?"

  Nicole nodded. The flames were fading as the warriors and fae people ran about but she knew how to finish this off and put out the fire completely. Closing her eyes she focused on the sea. The smell of salt water filled her lungs and the damp spray of the waves danced in the air around her as the water awaited her command. She held her hands up and imagined a large ball of water pulling together on the surface then, with a whip of her hands, she pulled it up into the sky. Large droplets like a sudden summer shower rained down on the town causing the embers to hiss and smolder as they were extinguished.

  As soon as the fires were dowsed Luke retrieved Teya and stood her in the center of the town for all to see. Nicole ripped the necklace from around the woman's neck so she would be fully aware of the world that now surrounded her. "Tell these people why you locked the gateway to the burial grounds."

  At first Teya was confused and timid but as reality became clear her face hardened. "To keep control. You all are sheep who need a shepherd. Without it you would all fall to those warriors. Even now you prove your stupidity by following this…child."

  "This child understands that these people need their powers. It's what makes them fae. You will unlock the gateway." Nicole demanded.