Ashes (The Firebird Trilogy Book 1)

by Stephanie Harbon

  I pointed over to them and Jayson nodded; we walked forwards. I realised the steps were cut into the rock and went down into the ground like a cellar in an old house. We edged closer uncertainly, Jayson taking the lead. We carefully climbed our way down the steps, realising that here we were in the most danger; if someone came now we had nowhere to hide.

  I held onto Jayson’s hand tightly, ignoring the sweatiness between our fingers. I was scared, there was no denying that. I was also paranoid; I kept glancing back behind me, into the deceptive darkness, thinking I’d heard something other than the rapid beating of my own heart.

  There weren’t many steps and we soon discovered what must have been a much larger room. I shivered in the stagnant air, following Jayson’s light as it licked the walls. I could hear something, a faint disturbing scratching, almost like nails against metal. My fear picked up again.

  Jayson immediately pointed the light in the direction of the source. It was silent again, all we saw before us was rocky floor then the more distant bottom half of table legs. We edged closer cautiously. The sudden eerie silence was worse than the darkness.

  Then abruptly Jayson lifted the light, urging me forwards as I reluctantly tugged against his hand, wanting to leave. The firelight spread up a high table, filtering across the bottom of what looked like a metal cage. He took a deep steadying breath then lifted the light one more time to reveal what lurked, scratching inside the cage.

  I yanked free of Jayson’s grasp like lightning, shuffling back instinctively. Jayson flinched as the light settled on a pair of slit purple eyes and a terrifying screech filled the air. It was loud, horrifyingly so and the creature grasped the bars of the cage it was contained in, its clawed hands tugging at the bars as if it was in extreme pain. Its fingers were too long, all bony and crooked.

  My hands pulled over my ears at the second assault of screeching. I tried to shield my ears from the shrill piercing noise. The creature thrashed about wildly in the large cage.

  It had a flattened head and long horns. Its body was deformed, its limbs oddly contorted and short. Thick brown skin stretched over prominent bone. As it scrambled back to the other side of the cage and I gained the courage to venture forwards slightly. I noticed it was about my size.

  Its legs were unnaturally long, the flesh on them rigid and hard and its feet were like its hands. But what I focused on most was a huge rounded stomach that protruded, unnaturally far, from its body. My only guess could have been that it was heavily pregnant.

  I glanced over at Jayson with a horrified expression. When he looked back his face mirrored mine, “You see,” he uttered, his voice saturated with a worried confusion, “that’s a Daemon. Those things outside were not Daemons.”

  I swallowed anxiously as Jayson walked, parallel to the table, downwards, lifting the light to reveal cage after cage of the screaming creatures. Judging by their reaction I guessed that they didn’t like the light. We kept going, counting twenty, thirty cages just in one row. All had unnaturally gigantic stomachs.

  As we came to the last cage in the row, I whispered, “Jayson, I want to leave.”

  He nodded uncertainly, his eyes distracted and his thoughts elsewhere. Gingerly we crept back towards the steps, but then Jayson extinguished the light suddenly, grabbing a rough hold of my hand and pushing me back behind a narrow section of rock. My heart thumping dramatically again, I held my breath and listened.

  Scratching footsteps stomped down the steps, followed by the sounds of grunts and heavy breathing. My limbs froze, feeling a powerful impulse to curl up tighter. Jayson was frozen too, his body so still it morphed into the rock.

  We waited. Adrenalin pumped in my veins. We only had two choices now, one: try to sneak out the cave in the darkness, or two: wait until they go, which could be never. I decided not to risk it, buckling myself down for a long, intense wait. Jayson followed suit.

  There was rattling in the darkness, every now and then a short shrill screech of the Daemons. I cringed at every sound, flinching at every footstep that came closer than the previous one. My back began to ache in the awkward position I’d been put in. We waited, unable to see what was happening. My body shook, the adrenalin preparing me to kick-start at the opportune moment.

  It slowly went silent. A long gap of silence, where had they gone? When had I last heard them, how long ago was it? I couldn’t think. Jayson nudged me uncertainly; I guessed he was wondering the same thing as me. I shrugged in the darkness, my shoulders touching his so he knew. Do we go? In the end he made the decision, he touched my hand slightly, urging me forwards.

  Extremely slowly, I straightened out on my hands and knees on the cold uneven floor. Jayson followed behind me. Crawling as silently as possible, we cautiously edged towards the only feeble light source, coming from the top of the stone steps at the other end of the room.

  I barely breathed. The atmosphere was so intense. A pebble rolled across the floor; I flinched, stilling, but Jayson forced me forwards. We were nearly at the exit; we’d have to make a run for it. All of a sudden a monster screamed in the cage above me and that was it, we exploded into action.

  We scrambled up the steps, hearing a commotion behind us; the sound of claws scratching the surface of the rock coming our way. My heart was flying now. I couldn’t move fast enough. I was trapped in my own weak body. Low roaring screams bellowed behind me.

  We’d reached the top of the steps, racing through the rock cavity. Before I knew it my body was reacting. I could feel a fiery energy building in my body before I even gave it permission. As we raced outside, the adrenalin was causing my body to Change. I could feel it. The fear was overwhelming and before I knew it I was leaping into the air, my clothes tearing underneath me. I was flying instantly.

  Vital moments later, I noticed Jayson beside me. In bird form he was glorious; a beautiful golden colour with long slicing wings. I barely had time to register this; my mind voice came out in a panicked shout, I’m sorry Jayson, I didn’t mean to Change.

  No worries, Ruby, he said back, just fly faster, I don’t know if those things can fly and I don’t want them following us.

  We raced through the skies, my wings beating faster and faster, exhaustion already plaguing me. My breath came fast and hard, my body was not used to this.

  Do you know anywhere that’s safe? Jayson wondered, realising that we weren’t being followed but that we were heading nowhere.

  No, I replied, even my mind voice seemed breathless, but we need to go see the Ashaiks. Head west, we’ll go to Ebony’s.

  I can’t go there. If you remember, Kierakai and I do not get on.

  Well for tonight you’ll have to, I snapped, this is important.

  He didn’t argue, instead continued in a sulky silence.

  We flew, slowing, straight to Ebony’s homely cottage. Landing outside, I realised it was ridiculously late and I had no clothes. I frowned irritably then distanced myself from Jayson to Change, telling him to meet me in a minute on the right hand side of the house, where the training courtyard was. Once back in human form I looked around for something to cover myself with.

  I headed to the training courtyard, slipping inside the weapon’s pavilion, looking for anything other than blades to clothe myself with. On the wall was a large leather wing brace, similar to the one Jayson had worn tonight –I bet he had a spare set of clothes. I lay the straps and buckles against my skin, there was not enough material to cover me in the slightest; it looked more like a restraint suit.

  “Well I’m up for a bit of bondage if you are.” A voice said from the other side of the room, it was deep and full of an amused arrogance.

  I turned around, dropping the brace and trying desperately to hide myself. My cheeks burned brilliantly as Kieran sat on the other side of the room, on a bench, smoking God knows what from a fat roll up. I’d never even seen him as I came in.

  His eyes swooped up and down my body naughtily, an amused twist at his lips. I shivered feverously, feeling his gaze
like it was his fingers he was running over my naked body. Suddenly Jayson walked in from the other side of the room. He had no shoes, but was wearing jeans and a shirt. My face burned even redder. Bloody hell, why not invite Nik and Chara to see the show as well while we’re at it?

  Kieran frowned at Jayson, taking another relaxing drag, his voice perfectly calm. “I am not, however, up for a threesome. Two girls?” he considered, “Yes, that’s always fun. But I do not cross swords with another man.”

  Jayson just stood there too, staring at me. For God’s sake: men. “Are either of you going to give me your shirt,” I said through clenched teeth, “Or are you just going to carry on staring.”

  “I’m going to carry on staring,” Kieran said, smirking. He was really enjoying the embarrassment on my face.

  Jayson tugged his shirt over his head, throwing it at me immediately. He at least had the decency to look ashamed of himself. I put it on instantly. It was massive on me, concealing down to the tops of my thighs. Kieran however, was still looking at me as if I was naked. Why the hell was he still up? Stupid insomniac freak.

  “Kieran we came because we need to tell you something,” I said seriously.

  “If it’s that you two are shagging, I really couldn’t care less,” he offered. I glanced at Jayson, cheeks flaring but Jayson just shrugged good-naturedly. He was used to Kieran’s manners.

  “Look, mate,” Jayson began calmly, “Here’s the thing-” but was interrupted.

  Kieran whirled on him furiously, his voice suddenly dangerous, “I am not your mate. Don’t insult me you piece of crap. I don’t give a shit what you have to say.”

  “How many times can I say I’m sorry?” Jayson snapped angrily.

  “At least one more,” Kieran glared, “This time on your hands and knees.”

  “You can’t keep pretending I don’t exist,” Jayson warned.

  Kieran laughed, “I’m not pretending you don’t exist. I’m pretending you exist somewhere else; like in the bottom of a well or on the end of my boot.”

  “You still hate me, don’t you Kieran? Even after all this time.” I heard a twist in Jayson’s voice I’d never heard before.

  “Okay,” Kieran said, “I changed my mind. I am going to pretend you don’t exist.”

  I stepped forwards, anger still dominating my body from Kieran’s unashamed staring. “Kieran shut up and listen,” I practically growled, staring straight into those devilish green eyes. “Yesterday, I snuck out of the Palace at night. I was alone and thought I saw something in the forest, something strange. The next morning I told Jayson what I saw and he said to meet me at the same time and place again that night. This time there were two of them.”

  Kieran, despite himself, looked interested, “Go on.” He instructed patronisingly.

  “They were, we think, Daemon half-breeds,” I said nervously.

  Kieran just laughed arrogantly, taking one last drag then stubbing the end. He threw it out of the window.

  “We’re being serious Kieran,” Jayson said honestly. “They were taller than Daemons, very intelligent, with wings, horns and talons. I was shocked, but what’s more, we followed them underground where there were hundreds of cages of real Daemons; pregnant real Daemons. We got trapped and had to run out, they nearly caught us.”

  Jayson gestured down at his ankle, where I suddenly realised there was blood soaking into the denim of his jeans. My eyes widened, but already Kieran had a serious expression and was waving us to follow him into the house.

  At the foot of the stairs, he shouted obnoxiously at the top of his voice, “Wake up every one; get your lazy asses out of bed! Get up! Our dear friend Ruby is here and she’s brought her girlfriend.”

  Eventually everyone stumbled awake and grudgingly came downstairs, hair a mess, sleep in their eyes, to see what the commotion was all about. Grumpily they piled onto the sofas in the living room. I realised that someone was missing.

  “Where’s Briseis?” I wondered.

  Chara, yawning wildly in a dressing gown, rubbing her face as she spoke, said, “She didn’t say she was going out tonight.”

  Ebony frowned, “She was in bed last thing I knew. But she wasn’t in her room.”

  Everyone looked to Adrian, all thinking the same as me, but he shook his head. “She wasn’t with me.”

  Nik shrugged, he looked, for once, grumpy. “Why have you woken us up, Kieran?” He glanced suspiciously at Jayson, who sat uncomfortably beside me.

  “Sorry,” I apologised, “it was me who came over.” I quickly explained what happened to us and everyone stared back at me dumbly, disbelieving.

  “You’re being serious?” Chara said slowly and when I nodded she took a deep calming breath, “Oh my God. What does this mean?”

  “I don’t know,” I frowned. “But it ain’t good. My attacker had been right.”

  “Speaking of,” Kieran interjected, “Did you know that Lynk’s called a hit on him.”

  I stared at Kieran in confusion. “What?”

  “Yeah, my hit has red eyes. Red eyes are not common. And Lynk’s the source. I looked through the files on the Boss’s desk,” he answered.

  I frowned then remembered that Jayson had mentioned something about that; I doubted he had time to look into it further. I asked, “Did it say the reason why?”

  Kieran shook his head, “Nah, I doubt the Boss even knows that. The only reason I guessed that the source was Lynk was because it was sent from the High Slave of the Fire Palace; Evelyn something.”

  The name sparked a flash of memory.

  “What happened to your face?” Chara said warily, her eyes settling on the prominent bruises on my upper cheekbone and eye.

  “Just my father going on a power-rant,” I sighed.

  “Bloody hell, Ruby,” she came forward, lifting her hands to my face with delicate precision. She examined me thoroughly, then let me go. “Didn’t you try and stop him?”

  “Of course I did,” I frowned. “I actually used my voice on him a little.”

  “Did it work?” Nik wondered.

  My frown deepened embarrassedly, “Well, it stunned him I think; but ultimately no.” Kieran smirked and I whirled on him with a vengeful fury still brewing from earlier. “Don’t you dare smirk Kierakai; my gift is a lot more powerful than you think. I can sedate two full grown guards with just a few notes so shut the hell up.”

  Even Nik looked dubious, “Really?”

  I tried very hard not to be irritated by Nik; after all I really did like him. “Yes,” I said slowly. “That’s how I snuck out of my room last night.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t just kill them?” Kieran wondered ignorantly.

  I glared, “Yes. They were both wide awake this morning.”

  “I think I hear a hint of hostility in your voice, princess,” Kieran noted innocently. “Life at your Palace not as fun as you thought it would be?” he smirked. “Did someone put vegetables under your mattress again?”

  “I’m only hostile now I’m with you and your lovely attitude,” I smiled charmingly.

  “Wow,” Nik breathed, looking thoughtful and ignoring us both completely. “Do you think Lynk can sedate people?”

  “Probably,” I admitted reluctantly, “though it was my mother who taught me; I just didn’t realise at the time.” I cupped my hands, intertwining my fingers.

  “Can you show us this place then?” Nik asked seriously.

  I glanced over at Jayson, who appeared very uncomfortable. “I can, but I’m not going back in,” he said finally.

  “And I’m not going at all,” I said, shivering at the memory of waiting in the dark.

  Nik took a deep breath, knowing that he would have to be the one to go; there was no way Kieran or Adrian would go with Jayson. Then, to my surprise, as Jayson and Nik got up, both brothers stood too. My nervousness showed in my expression. As they made their way to the door, Jayson smiled a reassuring smile.

  “You look worried,” he commented.

&
nbsp; “Well, it was a bit dangerous, if you remember,” I said.

  He smiled, a relaxed look coming across his laid-back face. “I’ll be fine, but maybe we should give training a miss tomorrow. I’m sure you need to head back anyway.”

  I nodded, “Yeah, but I’ll probably stay the night here, if I’m allowed.” I glanced at Ebony who nodded consentingly, “I really don’t want to go back alone tonight.”

  “Okay then,” Jayson smiled one last time. “See you then. And hey, maybe you can practice your voice on me some time,” he winked. “Be a fun experiment.”

  I shook my head, grinning. “Go on.”

  He continued out the door, followed by Nik and Adrian. As Kieran cockily strode by I raised my hand to stop him momentarily. I turned on him, my smile dissolving rapidly under his intense stare. “Be good to Jayson.” I warned. “He’s my friend. Don’t drop him off the edge of a cliff again.”

  Kieran raised his eyebrows, uttering under his breath “Friend.” He scoffed. “I know why you like him, and it’s got nothing to do with friendship.”

  I glared at him. “Why would you care why I like him?”

  “I wouldn’t.”

  “Good.” I snapped.

  “Good.” He repeated then continued on down the hallway. God he was so infuriating. I wanted to scream.

  “Try not to get eaten by a Daemon,” I called after him, “You’ll give it indigestion.”

  He turned around and winked, “Don’t worry, if it’s hungry, I’ll make sure I offer it your girlfriend first; just to save its stomach, of course.”

  I turned around and stomped off in a huff. The girls were already going upstairs, probably back to bed. I followed suit; irritated. In that moment I wanted Kieran to get eaten. Just a little. Maybe just a leg or something. At least.

  The next morning after breakfast I stumbled outside, finding the house utterly empty. Briseis hadn’t been in her bed; Nik, Chara and Adrian were nowhere to be seen and Ebony had left to go to town, taking Libby, after we’d eaten. I found Kieran outside, bizarrely hauling a massive hunk of ice across the training courtyard.