by Tina Holland
Tierra was not about to let the skin-walker leave, let alone live. How dared he threaten Max! She allowed the phoenix to burst forth, sending scorching flames in his direction. His unearthly cries were more than pain. It was torture, and the witch in her smiled. He deserved every hurt. Tierra remembered his harem well, and allowed her hate for him to control the fire. The flames wrapped around his bones like a rope, reducing them to dust. She kept burning him, ensuring his demise.
Positive no creature could arise from those ashes, Tierra allowed her power to return to her. The walls were black and the bars molten hot. A few small wooden objects around the perimeter remained on fire, but it was nothing compared to the flames engulfing the cell just a few moments ago. She turned to where Max hid. The bed was still on fire; she walked over to the corner and looked beyond the bed to find a metal trunk. It was warped on the edges from the intense heat. The lock seemed to have melted. She pulled on the heavy trunk and screamed down the hall. “Michael!”
There was no answer, but the latch gave way and she moved the chest outside the cell.
Tierra continued dragging the trunk down the long corridor until she felt something cold hit her back. The steel door was still intact. Unbelievable. She pounded on the door. Finally through a sliver of glass, she saw Michael.
“Help me!” she screamed.
Tierra saw him punch a key pad and the door released.
“Where’s Maximilian?” he asked
“In here, I hope.” She tapped the trunk.
“And Limikkin?”
“Ash.”
“He’s ash. Get the container,” Michael called over his shoulder
Nizhoni ran past them to Z’s cell and gathered up the glittering ash and put it in an ornate glass container with a silver top.
“I’m locking this up.” Nizhoni nodded toward the glass container in her hand.
“I can’t open this.” Tierra struggled frantically with the lid of the chest as tears formed in her eyes.
Michael grabbed the trunk and walked up the stairs almost faster than she could keep pace with him. Tierra followed him down the narrow, sterile corridors until they arrived at small room.
“Get Doc,” he said to the room at large.
Nizhoni arrived a few minutes later. “What’s the problem?”
“This!” He threw the lid off the trunk, hurling it across the room.
“Oh my gods.” Tierra couldn’t stop the hot tears falling down her face as Max’s body was revealed. His muscles bulged against his skin, and his fingertips and toes were charred. She turned away, her heart constricting in her chest.
“I think he’s fixable, but I’m going to need some blood,” Michael said as he put a stethoscope to Z’s chest.
“Take mine.” Nizhoni held her arm out, wrist up.
“And mine,” Tierra said.
“It won’t be enough,” Mike said. “Even if I give him mine, it’s not enough.”
“We will give additional blood.” Tierra turned to see her brother Rolfe, standing in the doorway. Behind him were the Omega and her mother.
“Thank you,” Tierra cried out as she ran to her brother. “I thought you couldn’t afford to help me.” She leaned back.
“Limikkin is dead, is he not?” Her brother looked around the room, silently demanding confirmation.
“Yes, but how did you--?”
“You know witches are an endless source of information.” Rolfe nodded to their mother’s smug face.
“That we are,” Sierra answered.
“All right. Where do we donate?” The Omega moved past the siblings into the room, eyeing the beautiful Nizhoni.
“Don’t even think about it.” Mike bared his fangs.
The wolves laughed.
“Follow me.” Nizhoni led the way down a corridor to a small room.
Tierra looked at Max’s corpse; it didn’t seem possible they could resurrect him.
*
Z awoke with a hell of a headache. He opened his eyes to find he was in a metal coffin. He pushed against the cool silver surface, but it didn’t give. He was sealed in. Z pounded on the lid. He heard the hiss as the pressure was relieved, and the fastener opened.
“You look good.” They were the first words Z heard.
Z turned to see Mike sitting there. “We weren’t sure if you would make it. It took a few weeks, but you seem recovered.”
“How?”
“We gave you a lot of blood and sedatives, and your body healed.”
Z looked at the fresh pink scars where new skin grew.
“Where’s Tierra?”
“I think she’s eating dinner with Nizhoni. I’ll go get her; we’ve been watching you in shifts.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Not yet.” Mike looked away from Z’s inquisitive stare.
“Why?”
“You’ve developed some strange properties since you were given a multitude of blood,” Mike said.
“I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle.” Z walked toward the door, only to stare down as his feet caught fire.
“That’s what I mean.” Mike gave Z a wide berth as he exited the room.
“I catch fire now,” Z spoke to no one in particular.
It seemed like the clock ticked slowly while he waited for Tierra to arrive. He missed her entrance but felt her arms close around him. Her scent wafted to his nose.
“Max.” Her voice whispered against his skin sending shivers along his limbs.
“Tierra, my love. I’m so glad you are safe.” He turned to face her.
“And I’m glad you finally awoke.” She trailed kisses along his throat, and the flames popped up again in his hands.
He backed up. “What happened to me?”
“I gave you some of my blood, and you developed the ability to catch fire.”
“You gave me your blood.” It was unreal.
“You needed it, or you would have died.” Z watched Tierra’s anguished face. “I love you. You were willing to die for me. I could at least help save you. Does it hurt?” A look of concern etched her features.”
“No.” He walked toward her. “But I still burn,” he said, staring at his now pink feet.
“I’m sorry.” Tierra’s tender caress on his face set him ablaze.
“You misunderstand me. I burn for you. Will I hurt you?” He didn’t dare touch her.
“No.” She wound her arms around him.
“Good.” He lifted her up and kissed her hard.
“Max,” she panted between breaths.
“There is a serious fire between us, princess.” She wrapped her legs about his flanks as he pressed her against the wall.
“I know,” she sighed.
Z pressed her harder against the cement, letting the fire take over.
The End
About the Author:
Tina Holland was born in Frankfurt, Germany.
Tina was first published by Liquid Silver Books in 2005. She writes Erotic Romance in Contemporary, Paranormal and Sci-fi sub-genres.
Tina continues to write as her schedule allows. When Tina is not writing she can be found enjoying her hobby farm. It may seem like a desolate place but with her husband, horses, dog and cats, it's rarely lonely. It's the perfect fit for a wonderful imagination and an opportunity to be a little naughty.
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2007: Terran Realm
Urban fantasy world: TerranRealm.com
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