Watch Me Burn

by Nikki Drost

  “Run, Kelsey!” Jamie growls, no sooner as he releases my hand fireballs appear in his palms. He throws them into the darkness one after another.

  I can barely hear the screams and cries of pain over the thunderous sound of my beating heart. More gunshots and various snarls echo around me as I blindly make my way through the dense forest. It’s so dark I have no idea if I am even going in the right direction, but stopping to check my surroundings is out of the question.

  With my focus aimed straight ahead, I fail to see a large tree root protruding from the forest floor. It all happens so fast I didn’t even have time to brace myself for the fall. A sharp pain has me wincing as I push myself into a sitting position. I tentatively probe my temple with my fingers. It’s too dark to see anything, but the warm liquid coating my fingertips says it all.

  Panic sets in as I realize that not only do I have no idea where Jamie or any of the bad guys are, but I also dropped my only weapon when I took a face plant.

  Ominous sounding laughter erupts from the men. I try not to draw attention to myself as I blindly search for the gun I had dropped when I took a nosedive. It has to be around here somewhere. Just as I’m about to give up my search for the gun, my fingertips brush against a hard surface, oh thank god.

  “Lookin' for this?” a thick Irish accent asks.

  Oh, shit. I lift my head to see a tall, dark silhouette standing before me, somehow I had mistaken the top of his boot for the hilt of the gun. Stupid, stupid, stupid, I silently berate myself.

  With lightning fast speed, I’m grabbed by my arms and hoisted several feet off of the ground. The strangers hold on me is painful, I’ll definitely have bruises tomorrow, that is if I live that long. The brute pulls me forward until my chest is flush with his, my head snaps back with the force of his quick movement.

  “My, aren’t yer a pretty lass. How about a taste before yer put on the auction block?” He leans forward, pressing his nose to the base of my neck. Just as his tongue runs up the side of my throat to my ear a low growl echoes from my right.

  Oh, thank god. I swallow the lump in my throat as I frantically search the darkness for Jamie.

  “I knew that would draw yer out of yer hidin’ spot.” My captor chuckles humorously. “Yer were a difficult man to locate Mr. Trudeau. Please join us, there are a few things we need ter discuss, like yer burnin’ down my farmhouse and destroyin’ my inventory.”

  “Well, congratulations, cougar, you found me, now, how about you take your fucking hands off of my woman!”

  Jamie’s warning growl sends mixed messages to my body. I can’t help but be affected by him even though this is certainly not the appropriate time to be turned on. I curse my lust induced hormones and the man who controls them.

  The cougar chuckles as several other men join his side. Each of them looks beaten to hell some are even sporting charred patches of skin. Gross.

  “No, I think I’ll hold on ter her if yer don’t mind. At least until we have come ter some sort of understandin’.” He tilts his chin at one of his associates who then tosses a set of ancient looking manacle’s at Jamie’s feet. “Put them on.”

  Jamie’s eyes never leave mine as he bends down and retrieves the bulky handcuffs. His body language resembles a caged animal preparing to strike out at the first unfortunate soul to cross his path. The smell of ozone wafts from his direction, I can almost feel the power that is coursing through his veins.

  “It’s going to take more than handcuffs to stop me,” Jamie deadpans. “I hope you have a plan B.”

  The Irishman doesn’t bother with a reply. Instead, he shifts me around in his arms until my back is to his chest. The gun I had dropped earlier is pressed firmly against my temple.

  “Oh, I do, it involves blowin’ yer girl’s brains out. The choice is yers.”

  Without so much as a hesitation, Jamie snaps the cuffs into place. Suddenly his expression changes from angry to pained, he drops to his knees almost as if he no longer has the energy to hold himself up.

  “Back away…from her cougar…or I swear…you will regret it,” Jamie pants, he pulls on the his bindings, but his body tenses like he is in terrible pain.

  “Don't bother, Enforcer, those chains are unbreakable. Did you happen to notice the sigils etched into the cuffs? Those chains were made to hold angels and apparently, they work on Horsemen as well. Your powers are useless and so is your ability to shift. You are completely at my mercy.”

  Jamie stares at his open palm like he is trying to make something happen. Only nothing does. He raises his head and for a brief moment, I see real fear in his eyes.

  “Well, what do yer know?” The cougar laughs with merriment. “That demon has been tellin’ the truth. Guess there is a first time for everythin’. Boys, why don’t yer make Mr. Trudeau more comfortable?”

  He motions to his men who begin to punch and kick at Jamie. They strike him in his face, chest, and stomach with enough force to break his bones. He must be in enormous pain, although you would never know it. Jamie has yet to show any sort of reaction to the assault.

  At this point I begin to struggle for all that I am worth. I kick at his shins and sink my nails into my captor’s neck. All the while, I send a prayer to whomever may be listening that we need help. Unfortunately, it seems my pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

  Hold on, baby. It’s only a matter of time before someone realizes that we never made it home. I’m sure the Enforcers will come looking for us.

  “What a feisty wee minx.” The cougar leans in close until his mouth is near my ear. “I like that.” He purrs like a contented house cat.

  “Stop it,” I beg. “Please don’t hurt him.”

  My pleas go unanswered as the men continue their assault on Jamie. He struggles to push himself off of the ground, only to receive a kick to his ribs for his efforts. Time seems to slow to a crawl as the love of my life is beaten into a bloody pulp.

  “Alright, boys, that is enough for now.” The man in charge hands me over to the nearest thug. “Now be a good girl and do what yer told or I’ll make yer.”

  Yeah, right, does this guy think I’m stupid? I watch enough TV to know how bad guys work. He plans on using me to hurt Jamie. The last time I found myself in this position Jamie took a bullet to his leg. I nod my head and take the opportunity to check him out.

  The Irishman stands at around six foot one, it’s too dark to make out his hair and eye color, but from what I can tell, the man has striking features. Prominent nose, high cheekbones, and a strong looking jaw. He is also dressed to the nines in an expensive three-piece suit, unlike the rest of his cohorts who are in battle gear. I’m guessing by the size of his shoulders that this guy is packing more than guns underneath that jacket.

  Jamie spits out a mouthful of blood, he then grunts while using his upper body to roll himself onto his back. “Your men hit like girls.” His taunt only seems to amuse the gun-toting cougar.

  Jamie turns his head, his eyes meet mine, and my heart breaks at the sight of his injuries. Bruises have already started to form along his jaw and cheeks. Blood is free flowing from his nose and a cut on his bottom lip.

  “How about you unchain me so we can deal with this like men? That is, unless you left your balls back in Ireland.”

  Has Jamie lost his mind? Even I know it’s never a good idea to taunt a maniac armed with a gun. He’s going to get himself killed.

  “I’ll make yer a deal, wolf. Yer give me the two million dollars yer cost me or I kill yer and walk away with yer mate, I’d be happy with either outcome.”

  Jamie sighs, but then he proceeds to utter something in Gaelic.

  The Irishman perks up when he hears his native tongue. “Now where did yer learn—”

  “Finnegan McDermott, ever heard of him?” Jamie smirks like he knows some big secret.

  As if Jamie summoned the devil himself each of the men make the sign of the cross while uttering a phrase in their Celtic language. I had no idea, Finn was such a badass.<
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  “Tell me how yer know him!” the shifter shouts and once again points his gun at Jamie only this time his hand is shaking.

  “Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Yer can tell Mr. McDermott that I spared yer life, but I’m taking the lass as me consolation prize.”

  “She isn’t going anywhere with you!” Jamie shouts, despite what the cougar had said about the chains Jamie continues to fight to break free. He pulls at his restraints with all of his strength causing blood to drip from his wrists.

  Just as I am about to be lead away Jamie tilts his head back and lets out a high-pitched howl. The sound seems magnified due to the surrounding mountain landscape. Seconds later, numerous howls blend-together like an eerie chorus.

  “He's calling his pack, everyone move!”

  This can’t be happening. Jamie will never break free in time to save me and what if the Enforcers can’t get here in time.

  “Kelsey!” Jamie yells. The panic I hear in his voice is palpable. The sound of rattling chains pierces the darkness.

  “If you and your men wish to walk away with your lives, I recommend that you let go of the human!” a male voice shouts from out of nowhere.

  The cougar and his men whip their heads around searching the darkness for the unseen voice, but seem to come up empty. Whoever this guy is, he must be a hide and seek champion.

  “Why don’t yer come out from where yer hiding and make me?”

  “As you wish,” the stranger steps out of the darkness and into the moonlight.

  The first thing I notice is the impressive silver recurve bow the man is holding. As far as I can tell, it’s his only weapon, but then again he is wearing a long hooded cloak so for all I know he could have an entire armory hidden inside that thing.

  Whoever this guy is, he is packing some serious power underneath all of that material. I’m human and even I can feel his don’t fuck with me vibes.

  “Well, well it looks like we have a modern day robin hood on our hands, yer a long way from Sherwood Forest.”

  The shifter in charge points his weapon at our savior, his men quickly follow suit, all except the one still holding me captive. The cloaked man removes his hood to reveal a head full of curly dirty-blonde hair and a mischievous smirk. Holy shit, he can’t be any older than thirteen or fourteen years old.

  “I’m curious,” the cougar says as he inches his way closer to Jamie. “are yer a part of this Enforcers pack or just a random do-gooder out for a midnight stroll?”

  The stranger follows the cougar’s movements with his eyes. “What I am is up to you. I can either be your savior or your destroyer, the choice is yours.”

  Before the young stranger has a chance to react, the cougar pulls the trigger of his gun. The single shot sounds like a bomb has gone off. The young boy holds up his hand and if by magic, the bullet freezes inches from his chest.

  How in the hell did he do that?

  “I guess I have my answer.”

  The stranger doesn’t waste any time, faster than my eyes are able to track he lunges forward. The sound of snapping chains and Jamie’s angry growl competes against the blood-curdling screams of his enemies. I take the opportunity to stomp on my captor’s foot, with a curse he releases me and not being one to waste any time I scramble far enough away that I won’t get caught in the crossfire.

  Chaos ensues all around me as gunshots ring out. I close my eyes and cover my ears with my hands, but it’s not enough, I can still hear the shifters agonizing cries, the sounds of tearing flesh and bones being snapped. The smell of burning flesh permeates my nose causing me to gag. Bile rises in my stomach with each sickening resonance. I have no idea how long the fight actually lasts, but finally there is nothing but silence.

  “It’s okay, you’re safe now. No one is going to hurt you.”

  I cautiously open my eyes and find the stranger crouched in front of me. His bare chest is now covered in blood. I try to peer over his shoulder, but he follows the movement.

  “Trust me, you don’t want to look, there isn’t much left to them anymore.”

  Oh god!

  “Kelsey!” Jamie shouts.

  I quickly scramble to my feet and race to get to Jamie’s side. Once there, I wrap my arms around his neck, tears fall freely as I sob against his neck.

  “I was so worried, I thought—” The rest of my thought is interrupted by a heart retching sob.

  “Shhh, princess, please don’t cry I don’t like it.”

  Jamie places several kisses to the top of my head as a form of comfort. Of course, this only makes me cry harder.

  “I’ve got you now and I ain’t letting you go.” Jamie’s comforting words and familiar warmth instantly banish my fear. I lean back as Jamie pushes my hair out of my face.

  Reality hits me like a Mac truck. If it weren’t for our new friend, I would be at the mercy of that cougar and his buddies. And who knows what they would have done to Jamie, he could be dead right now. I’m startled by the bright flashes of lighting that dance angrily across the autumn night sky.

  Jamie turns toward the boy who saved us. “You really made those fuckers pay, didn’t you?”

  “Well, I did liquefy their insides.”

  Despite the tremendous pain he must be feeling, Jamie starts to laugh. “Do you have a name kid or should I just call you the prophet?”

  “If I give you my name, you promise not send me back?”

  What the hell are they talking about? I wonder to myself.

  Jamie places the palm of his right hand over his heart. “On my honor as an Enforcer and one of the four Horsemen I promise not to rat you out to the halo brigade.”

  “Thank you,” the young man sighs with relief. “My name is, Alaric.”

  He holds out his hand for Jamie to shake while a look of awe crosses his flawless face. Now that I’ve had the chance to get a look at Alaric, I can’t help but notice how breathtakingly handsome he is. Not only does he have awesome hair, but his eyes are a deep shade of brown not unlike Jamie’s. Add in his chiseled cheekbones and lips that any teenage girl would die to kiss and he is adolescent perfection.

  “Actually, kid, I should be the one thanking you. If you hadn’t shown up when you did—”

  “You would be dead, yes, I know.” Alaric carefully says, “I knew my escape would have consequences, but I had no idea Michael would go to such extreme lengths to find me. Please accept my apology, I never meant for anyone to get hurt.”

  “Take a breath, kid, Michael may be a dick, but he didn’t have anything to do with what happened here tonight. Those men were my enemies looking for some revenge, that’s all.”

  Alaric shakes his head, “If that were true, then how did they come into possession of these chains? Only two species in the world know about these cuffs and I haven’t been here long enough to alert any demons.”

  Jamie shrugs his shoulders. “He mentioned getting them from some demon, but it doesn’t matter if he picked them up at a yard sale. I’m going to need more proof than a pair of fancy handcuffs if I’m going to accuse the chief of the Archangels of foul play.”

  Alaric nods his head, then turns his attention toward me, “May I?” he points at the small cut on my forehead.

  With all of this angel and demon talk, I had almost forgotten that I’d been hurt.

  “Sure.” I offer him a tentative smile.

  “Please do not be afraid of me,” he says as he inspects my injury. The moment he touches my skin, I instantly feel calm, almost euphoric in nature. After a moment, Alaric drops his hands and inches away from me.

  “You have a warrior’s soul,” he says with a curious smile.

  I open my mouth to thank him, but I am distracted by the three large wolves trotting toward us. My eyes grow as big as saucers when each of them shifts into human form. Standing before me are Micah, Cass, and Adam and all of them are buck ass naked. Good grief the temperature outside has gone up at least ten degrees.

  “Jesus, James, what happened?” Instea
d of waiting for a response, Micah wraps his arms around his baby brother. Jamie claps Micah on the back and proceeds to explain what happened.

  “Are you alright, Kelsey?” Micah asks once his brother is finished.

  I nod my head, but despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help but notice his manly attributes and let me just say, I now see the family resemblance.

  With a wave of Alaric’s wrist, each shifter is now wearing a pair of jeans.

  What a killjoy.

  Jamie lets out a small chuckle as he pulls me into his embrace.

  “Who’s your friend?” Adam eyes Alaric with suspicion.

  The boy drops to a knee and lowers his head. “My name is Alaric, and it is a privilege to be the presence of the Four Horsemen.”

  “Is he who I think he is?” Cass looks toward Jamie for some sort of confirmation. “But he’s just a kid.”

  “Yup, and he’s definitely the prophet. Check out his markings.”

  I follow everyone’s example and inch my way closer to Alaric. The only thing I see is several strange designs in the middle of his chest. It’s almost as if they were branded one on top of another.

  “Holy freaking shit you have all seven Archangel Sigils,” Adam gasps.

  Once again, the discussion goes straight over my head, just once I’d like to be in the loop.

  Jamie holds out his hand and helps Alaric to his feet. “You can skip the formalities. kid. I think your higher up on the angelic totem pole than we are.”

  Micah steps forward and extends his hand. “The privilege is all ours. You saved my brother and his mate and for that I am forever indebted to you.”

  Alaric appears to be stunned by Micah’s gratitude.

  “Guys, we really should get out of here,” Cass says as he scans the darkness.

  “I’ll come back for my bike later,” Jamie tilts his head to the side, “You got a place to hide for the night, kid?”

  Alaric shakes his head no.

  “Then get your stuff cause your coming home with us.”

  Chapter 12