Ashes (The Firebird Trilogy Book 1)

by Stephanie Harbon

  Max let go of the tattooed guy, racing over to stand before me. His back was arched, his pointed teeth glistened and his piercing golden eyes flickered from man to man. I was in the corner, looking desperately at the man who was pointing the gun at me, his eyes were wide and I could see faint tremors in his fingers. He was afraid. A low threatening growl rumbled from Max as the other two men struggled to stand up. The tattooed man had deep bleeding gashes across his face, the other limped badly as he walked over to the man with the gun. Max barked furiously, standing his ground.

  Just then the tattooed man snatched the gun off the hesitant man, aimed and fired. I closed my eyes, anticipating the pain, flinching at the sound of the bullet exploding from the barrel. I felt a sudden surge of agony, but it wasn’t from a bullet, it was from the excruciated squeal that cut through the air like a polished blade. My eyes darted open. Down on the floor there now lay my most loyal, loving companion in a rapidly-growing pool of his own blood. The bullet had punctured straight through his skull; killing him instantly.

  “We’ll come back tomorrow,” Stated the tattooed man with a deadly emotionless voice, “and you better have an answer by then.”

  Before he shut the door behind him, the limping black-haired man turned back to me and said, “Oh, and we’ll be watching you as well, just in case you decide to run to the authorities.” And with that he shut the door.

  A terrible silence filled the house; it seemed to evaporate from the cracks in the floorboards, from the very foundations of the building. My back felt embedded into the wall, sinking deeper like a coffin being lowered into the earth. My chest heaved as I tried to stop myself from hyperventilating. I collapsed to my knees before Max, folding myself into his fur. I cried hysterically for what seemed like hours, eventually my broken sobs fading into silent devastated tears. Only a short time ago I’d been lying on him like this, his steady heartbeat constantly thumping in my ear. Now I heard nothing. Only a short time ago his body was warm and comforting underneath me. Now it was cold and lifeless, like his beautiful empty eyes.

  I couldn’t believe it. Max was dead. He was the one soul in this world who was always there for me, the one stable figure in my life. I loved him more than I loved anything else, without him my world suddenly seemed empty.

  I had never felt so unbearably alone.

  I didn’t know what to do, but I began with burying my dog. I spent hours digging in the forest behind my house, until a deep enough grave formulated. I ignored the chilling feeling of eyes on me, straightening the hairs on the back of my neck. The process took longer than I thought and the sweat and tears ran like tracks through the dirt on my face.

  He was heavy, nearly eight stone; which as a dead weight wasn’t that easy to move. I ended up wrapping his lifeless body in a bed sheet, saving his collar, and half-carried, half-hauled it over to the grave; suddenly wishing I’d dug it closer to the house. As night fell and the final shovel of dirt was added to the pile, I stood for a moment that soon became a minute, which soon turned into two, then ten, until finally I made a decision. I was leaving.

  I knew someone who’d just moved to Manchester for University, so I rang her up to see if I could stay with her for a couple of days. She’d said yes immediately, that would be fine, so I booked train tickets. The only tickets I could get at such short notice were for tomorrow morning. I’d have to stay at someone’s house until then. Alex’s was the closest. I packed everything essential and of emotional value; which turned out to not be that much really, then eventually I conjured enough courage to pick up the phone.

  His office phone answered on the second ring. “Dad, I’m leaving.” I told him seriously. All emotion had drained from my voice, I was beyond caring.

  There was a long silence. Eventually his voice came. It was quiet and hopeless.

  “I knew you would eventually…When you found out.” There was a pause “Are you wearing your mother’s chain?” he asked, surprising me.

  I glanced down unnecessarily; I knew it was there. My mum always used to wear a golden chain which was coated in interlocking symbols that appeared to be burnt into the metal. From it hung a stone, richer in colour than any ruby, though it blatantly wasn’t part of the original necklace. Before she died she gave it to me and made me swear I’d protect it; it was important.

  “Of course I have it,” I frowned, “I always have it.”

  “Good, keep it with you. It’ll help you with the change.” He told me.

  His words didn’t make sense, but as I was about to ask he interrupted me.

  “I know I’ve not always been there for you Ruby, in the ways you most needed, and I’m sure you know the truth by now, but I did try to protect you from it all.” He said deeply, “I did try.”

  I took a breath then whispered, “You’re not my dad are you?”

  There was a pause, then a nearly inaudible, “No, just a servant of a higher authority.” Then he spoke again, and I knew in that moment this would be the last thing I ever heard from him. “Be strong and fly free, little fledgling.”

  Then the phone clicked off.

  I didn’t understand anything that he said, so I tried to ring him back. The line was dead. So I forced it to the back of my mind for now.

  My suitcase was loaded with my clothes, larger items and toiletries; I dragged it downstairs while picking up my backpack from the landing. Inside my backpack were all my savings, my legal documents, photos and all my other essentials. I carried them all with me as I took one last sweeping glance of the house, then I locked the door with a sinking feeling in my chest.

  I was beyond tears as I dragged my things to Alex’s, my thoughts a confusing blur, uncomprehending of today’s events. This was really it, I was leaving. I was entirely alone. It hurt to think what I’d do now.

  Alex’s house wasn’t far from mine. He also lived on the edge of the town, though in a massive luxurious home that just cut into the forest. After about ten minutes walking I arrived and went to knock on the door, noticing the sign that said, ‘go around back.’ I wound my way around the side of the building into his backyard, immediately being ambushed by hundreds of teenagers. Most I knew from college but some I barely recognised at all. There were girls in ridiculously skimpy outfits, dancing about ‘sexily’ to the drum and bass booming from the impressive sound system.

  Oh right, the party. I had forgotten about that.

  Apparently the party was outside on the roofed wooden decking that dominated a space the size of my whole garden. There were steps that led down into the actual garden where a gigantic bonfire was just being lit.

  The atmosphere was electric. All around me everyone was dancing and screaming lyrics. Massive fishbowls of cocktails, which people were gulping down through giant straws at an inevitably treacherous rate, were scattered across a table. At the far edge of Alex’s garden, I could just make out the fireworks speared into the soil in preparation for later.

  I could see Alex now, rushing off the decking and into the house. I left my suitcase in the corner, clutching my backpack firmly, trying to make my way through the heaving crowd. No one would shift and eventually I was forced to shove and elbow my way through the sweaty bodies.

  That was until I came to a human barrier that wouldn’t move at all. I looked up and to my horror saw the dark perfect face of Kieran.

  My scream was lost over the blasting noise of the speakers.

  I couldn’t believe my eyes, but he was there, standing before me like a figure conjured from a haunting dream. How was it possible? I saw him jump over a three hundred foot cliff barely hours ago, he should be dead. I scanned my eyes frantically over his perfect form, there wasn’t a cut or blemish on him.

  I shook my head, staggering backwards, this wasn’t real. I was imagining it.

  But I wasn’t. “How are you here?” I said; overwhelmed by shocked horror.

  He grinned naughtily, those full lips curling and flashing teeth I swear were pointed like fangs. “Plus one babe,” he
nodded over to where a girl was dancing; she was beautiful with cheekbones that would cut through ice. I recognised her immediately from the other night at the pub. Kieran continued, “Apparently the new girl got an invite.”

  She must be the new girl my friends were talking about. This thought flashed and disappeared across my mind so quickly it barely registered. The only thought I could concentrate on was how the hell was Kieran alive?

  “You should be dead,” I breathed, so quietly it was nothing but a whisper.

  How Kieran heard my voice over the music I had no idea, but he grabbed my shoulder and practically hauled me through the crowd. I pried his fingers off my skin but he yanked hold of my wrist and pulled me into Alex’s vacant dining room.

  “What makes you say that?” he demanded, his face suddenly so serious and fearsome it was like looking into the eyes of a hunting predator. His face was inches from mine; his skin stretched taunt over flesh and bone.

  I shook my head, ripping my wrist free of his iron grasp and shuffled back from him. “I saw you, I saw you jump,” I muttered, trying unsuccessfully to piece together the possibilities of this notion. I’d had too many shocks today. Any more and I might spontaneously combust.

  His mouth shut and whatever he was going to say was lost. The marble contours of his face had relaxed of emotion completely, liquefying.

  I looked up at him, so tall so strong, and for the first time saw a weakness.

  “I saw you jump off a cliff, I saw you strip off your clothes then dive over the edge. It was at least a three hundred foot drop. I rang mountain rescue and there was no body. You should be dead. Why aren’t you?” I asked firmly.

  He looked at me as if I’d gone mad, but I saw through it instantly. I was right. He said, “I think you’ve had a little too much to drink, Princess.”

  “Ruby,” I said.

  “What?” he looked at me.

  “My name is Ruby.” I tried to sound unafraid; secretly my heart pounded.

  He said nothing; instead he turned and walked away.

  “They’re here,” I called after him; he paused slightly. “Whoever is after you; they’re here. They came to my house. They shot my dog.” My bottom lip trembled on the word dog. I held back stinging tears with a determined fury.

  I walked up to him, stood before him, looked straight into those dark emerald eyes and saw a different world entirely lurking beneath the surface. “I have a right to know why my life is suddenly in danger.” I said bitterly.

  “You are not my responsibility,” he growled, the sound as vicious as the crack of a whip. “Stay away from me if you want to live.”

  He just pushed past me. I stood there for about three seconds before I chased after him; still clutching my backpack. He shoved his way through the crowd outside, grabbing hold of his friend and saying something in her ear; she nodded then went off in another direction. I pushed my way through the crowd, struggling to follow him as he dashed off down the patio stairs. The bonfire was blazing furiously by now. Alex’s little sister, Lucy, in her pyjamas, winter coat and woollen mittens, was standing near it, waving a sparkler. Alex was kneeling on the grass beside her. I guessed it was past her bedtime and she was staying up to see the fireworks.

  Kieran rushed past them, towards the edge of the garden, where the dark forest loomed mysteriously. I was about to dash after him but I caught a glimpse of something in the corner of my eye that halted me in my tracks.

  Alex’s Dad was rolling a propane canister towards the barbeque as a drunken girl from the year below me staggered towards him. I saw the look of irritation on his face as she came closer, but then her heel sunk into the grass and she tripped over. Alex’s Dad dropped the propane canister and caught the girl just before she smacked her head, but in doing so the canister hit the floor and rolled down the garden towards the bonfire.

  Alex, seeing this, tried to stop it, but it was a steep hill and the canister picked up speed and he ended up helping it further along. It crashed deep into the bonfire, burning splinters of wood and effulgent embers scattered everywhere, like petals of exotic flowers.

  I had no choice really, my instincts had already begun taking over.

  I knew I had to get the canister out of the fire before it cracked and exploded. Lucy, oblivious to what was happening was still happily waving her sparkler around as Alex sprung forwards, lifted her into his arms and ran. There were others loitering around, I knew what I had to do.

  I launched my body forwards, automatically reaching my arms out and into the furious flames. I wasn’t thinking. My actions didn’t catch up with me until I felt the searing pain shoot up my arms. A noise escaped from my mouth, high and shrill, as I continued to dig through the blackened wood, my eyes stinging as if someone had poured vinegar in them. Then I discovered the canister. The heat was incredible, stabbing into my skin, imitating the way the excruciation was tearing through my flesh. My fingertips grasped the burning metal, pulling hard. I screamed, my face scrunching up in agony as I forced it from the fire with my nails; ripping some of them clean off. My heart compressed as I heaved up the boiling canister with a sudden spurt of strength, then dropped it, kicking it away from the fire and people.

  I was free of the flames, but the pain was engulfing me still. My vision was blurring around the edges, tension seemed to be building in my skull, like a migraine and I collapsed as my legs gave way underneath me. I felt my whole body convulsing with violence. I shrieked as the pain intensified, like a knife down my spine. I could feel myself being lifted; then everything went black.

  Chapter Four

  I felt a strange rocking motion chorusing through me. It was disorientating, like being on a little boat in a storm or on the back of a galloping horse; it was a sickening feeling. I could feel myself becoming more conscious, my body shooting into action like I’d been zapped with electricity.

  My eyes sprang open. It was dark, too dark for my eyes to adjust instantly. The world was bathed in shadow and mystery. My aching back was arched, unsupported, as my body was battered about in that nauseating swaying movement. As my eyes finally settled, I managed to make out the clawing fingers of branches as they swept past. Straining for vision hurt my eyes. My neck rolled painfully. Gazing upwards, I could just make out the night’s sky dusted with distant galaxies, like a fine sprinkle of icing sugar on a rich chocolate sponge. I turned my head, tucking it against something warm.

  The next thing I noticed was a quick repetitive thump beating into my ears. A heartbeat, I realised. I truly awoke then, my eyes reopening and actually seeing this time. I was clutched in the strong arms of a man, and he was running. His eyes were deep green, his hair darker than the night sky above.

  He was speaking in a voice barely breathless, “Can you run?”

  I looked around, why were we running? What were we running from? I focused on his question, could I run? My legs felt numb, would I fall?

  I was so confused but I managed to mumble, “What’s happening?”

  “We are stopping,” Kieran answered, suddenly halting. “You have your own legs, start using them. I am not a donkey.”

  He set me down onto the floor, my legs barely held me.

  “Where are we?” I didn’t recognise this part of the forest, “Why have you brought me here?”

  “Because you, stupid girl, have gone and made yourself my responsibility,” he snapped angrily though gritted teeth. “I can’t abandon my own.”

  “Your own…?” I asked. He ignored my question.

  “You just threw yourself into a bonfire to retrieve a propane canister. Now look at your arms and tell me what you see,” he demanded.

  I looked down at my arms. There was nothing there to see. My skin was pale in the dim light, scattered with golden freckles and covered in stripes of black ash, but obviously unflawed. “Nothing,” I said, shocked.

  “I gave you a lighter to touch, a lighter, not a bloody bonfire!” he yelled suddenly, his face a mask of fury. “If you were immune to a tiny
lighter flame it wouldn’t have mattered, I was just curious to see if I was right, but this. There’s no going back from this. You’ve screwed me over, Princess.”

  “Immune?” I repeated, unable to digest such a word.

  “More than immune,” he said, “You’ll have affinities, if you survive that is.”

  My eyes widened “I might die?”

  He shook his head; his voice was so casually factual that it made me think that no emotion could sink through such thick skin. “No, you’ll definitely die. That’s a fact. You’ll have just over a day before the flames come.”

  I was about to respond when the faint sound of running footsteps stopped me short. “Who’s that?” I whispered anxiously.

  “You know those people you were telling me about, who came to your house?” Kieran asked, I nodded frantically, “Well, it’s most likely to be them.”

  “Most likely?!” I repeated. “How many people are after you?” I demanded.

  “You’d be surprised at the numbers,” He grinned, “even if you exclude the long line of women who are just chasing me in a desperate hope that I’d have changed my mind and suddenly become available.”

  I stared at him for a moment, was he being serious? He was screaming at me a minute ago and now he’s full of conceited remarks. What is wrong with him? Are there really people coming or is this just one big joke?

  “Why are they after you?” I asked slowly.

  “I accidentally slept with one of their wives.” He explained casually.

  “Accidentally.” I repeated.

  “Okay,” he surrendered, “Maybe it was deliberate; but the guy was a dick. He thought just because he’s some big Manchester drug lord he could get away with putting a bullet through my chest over a little misunderstanding. It pissed me off. So I slept with his wife. She was way too hot for him anyway.”

  “He put a bullet through your chest?” I repeated, horrified.

  “Yeah. He was a bit surprised when I got back up and broke his nose.”