Into the Fire

by Victoria Smith

“It’s Kenneth, thank you very much.” He didn’t move.

  “I don’t give a rat’s ass. I said get me a fucking pillow. Now!” His voice boomed through the room.

  Kenneth shrieked.

  At least the bastard moved. He handed Luke the pillow. “Thanks, Kenny.”

  Kenneth sputtered, but Luke ignored him as he gently moved Olivia’s head to the pillow. According to Sandy, she’d taken one bite of salad. He took both of her wrists in his hands and allowed her heartbeat to fill him while ignoring the sensual pull of her. What she’d received wasn’t any normal dose. He’d bet his car she’d been poisoned by the pretty boy who seemed more interested in his fingernails than Olivia spasmodic on the floor. He had to get her out of here before the patrol came.

  “You two may leave now. I have things under control,” Luke said, dismissing them and noticing Kenneth’s smug satisfaction and Sandy’s worry. When Sandy hesitated, Luke faced him. “Curfew’s in an hour. If you get caught they’ll question you, and you’ll end up giving her away. Go home and pretend nothing happened. I’ll take care of her.”

  Sandy finally nodded, handing him a business card before grabbing Kenneth’s arm and moving him toward the door. Luke almost wished he could witness the coming confrontation. Placing a hand on Olivia’s head, he willed her to rest as Matt entered through the back door.

  “Yikes. This place is like a freaking war zone.” Matt grabbed a wet rag from the sink and dropped it onto a smoldering spot on the counter.

  “It’s ludicrous. We’re taking her to the farm and getting the hell away from her.” Luke didn’t meet Matt’s eyes. He didn’t want to see the mocking he’d find there. After all his strong talk about letting Matt take her to safety, Luke wanted to do it.

  There was something about her.

  ~ ~ ~

  Olivia heard swearing. She knew Sandy wasn’t speaking, or Kenneth. The high-pitched whine was absent. Both voices were deep and masculine. A part of her re-hydrated at the sound. She wondered what it would be like to have one of those voices whisper in her ear while making love. She expelled the thoughts. She’d been drugged. The only thing she knew for certain was that they were on her side.

  Her head pounded as random images popped into awareness. It seemed like every bad thing she’d ever done or experienced replayed in full Technicolor. Her emotions twisted and cried out. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t stop the downward spiral. She tried to relax and concentrate on the voices in her kitchen.

  She remembered some of what happened. She’d taken a bite of salad and, by the burn in her throat and the sparks flying in her brain, she instantly knew she’d ingested the drug. The resulting physical and mental trauma didn’t deserve to be remembered. Instead she thought about the angrier-sounding man. His touch had soothed the raging in her blood and the violence of her heartbeat. Her thoughts calmed, and she’d found enough peace to endure the possibilities of her future now that she’d been poisoned.

  Something about him made her think of desires she’d tried to banish from her needs, and it was probably because of the drug. She knew better than to let her mind wander down that path, though she didn’t seem able to control the thoughts. It was a side effect, one she hadn’t believed until now. She tried to open her eyes when the pain lessened in her head, but sharp shards of agony ripped through her. That was it. She would be blind.

  Why couldn’t she scream? Her body seemed paralyzed, her brain only working in random patterns of self-pity and loathing. She struggled to connect to any portion of her real self, but failed. The acrid smell of smoke was the only thing she’d accomplished.

  “Damn. Stop it,” the angry voice yelled as something wet hit her foot.

  His hands were gentle when he touched her though. Calloused fingers rested against her temples, and a wave of calm spread over her. Her breathing evened as the longing returned. Olivia didn’t know which was worse—wishing for something you don’t deserve or wanting something you know will only make you cry.

  The man sighed deeply, the pressure of his hands increasing a fraction as cooling energy flowed through her. Olivia wondered if he’d absorbed her fragmented thoughts and emotions and decided it didn’t matter. The only thing she’d received from him was that he didn’t want to help her, but his code of honor wouldn’t let him walk away and leave her to the hands of the authorities. At least that was one point in her favor.

  “We have to leave. Curfew checks start soon. I don’t have enough antidote for the amount of poison you were given. The prick you’ll feel is a regular dose mixed with painkiller. It’ll take care of most of the symptoms until I can get you more. If we don’t get another dose of antidote in you by this time tomorrow, you’ll blaze out and be permanently affected. What the hell happened to yours?”

  It took Olivia nearly a full minute to comprehend what he’d asked. She shook her head. “Kenneth.”

  “Kenny has your antidote?”

  The painkiller he’d given her filled her system with relief. She finally took a deep breath and opened her eyes. That same breath caught halfway out, and she couldn’t unhook her gaze from his. The rush of adrenaline heightened her awareness. Reminding herself it was the poison didn’t help. Right now, it didn’t matter. All she could think about was touching him. She had to be imagining the similar vibes coming from him. She closed her eyes for a second to dispel the rising tide of need.

  “What happened to your antidote? You gave it to Kenny? The pretty boy?”

  “Kenneth. And yeah, he asked if I could get him some for a friend. He knows I have a soft spot for specials and could get some. I didn’t think he knew I had abilities.” She laughed, a dry sound that accompanied flames erupting in the vase of dried flowers on the table. “I gave him mine figuring I’d get some tonight when I meet my contact. And then . . . That bastard. He set me up. How did he know?”

  He laughed as he dumped a water glass onto the fire on the table. The jerk. “Well, maybe it has something to do with his relationship with your ex-husband. Don’t lovers tell each other everything?”

  “Sandy promised he wouldn’t.”

  “Seems like Sandy made a lot of promises he didn’t keep.” His voice was soft. Shame filled Olivia. How much of her inner thoughts had he witnessed while easing the ravages of the poison from her system?

  “We have to get out of here. You should be able to function almost normally now.” He helped her stand on wobbly legs.

  Olivia did her best to shut down her overactive brain as she opened the closet to grab the bag she kept hidden for this situation. When she arrived in the kitchen, she realized she had no idea if this was Luke or someone he’d sent.

  “Are you Luke?” she asked, setting her bag on the counter.

  “At your service, And my brother, Matt.” He smiled, and all the thoughts she’d hidden away raced back.

  Matt was a beautiful man, but Luke pulled at her. Maybe some of the stories about him hadn’t been exaggerated. The man was perfection—from his dark hair to the tips of his cowboy boots, and everything in between—especially everything in-between. Snug jeans hugged his hips and legs, set off by a belt buckle with a silver star in the middle. He was like a well-muscled mix of cowboy and bad boy. She pretended to check her watch, so she could put the thoughts away. With the way she was projecting right now, he’d probably picked up on her mental ramblings, and she was embarrassed enough already.

  “What were you saying about watching Kenneth?” she asked.

  “Kenny’s up to something.” Matt glanced out the window at the lone tree in her backyard.

  “He hates to be called Kenny. Makes him absolutely crazy. I never would have expected him to do something like this. His main concern is getting his hair just right.” Olivia shook her head, wondering why she was defending him.

  “Everyone is capable these days. You know that.” There was no censure in Luke’s tone, but Olivia felt it anyway.

  “Okay, fine. What are you going to do?”

  “Matt�
�s going to check things out while I take you to safety. Can you make this place seem like something really bad happened?” Luke pointed to the charred remnants of a plant stand.

  She nodded, still too aware of Luke, and picked up her bag, following them out the door and down the sidewalk. She wasn’t really sure she could pull off major disaster to her house with the way her abilities arced against each other. She handed Luke her bag and turned toward her home, fighting the remorse at what she was about to do. It was only stuff—stuff she could replace and stuff she couldn’t use if she was dead.

  They’d investigate. She’d have to be thorough and totally devastating. She concentrated on the furnace, heating the element white hot. What she was doing was only going to motivate the passing of the new legislations about home heating and cooling systems, but the decision to force them into government-built housing would happen no matter what. The fuel in the tank bubbled, slowing when she lost her focus as a wave of despair filled her.

  Doubling her efforts, she superheated the fuel. She had to create the hottest fire she could produce. With the heating element contained, she gathered oxygen to add more fuel to the fire. Releasing the components, she shielded her eyes as her home exploded in an enormous ball of fire. Flames dripped from the trees, branches falling to the ground along with sections of roof and walls. She felt a pop in her brain, like a blood vessel exploding. Everything went black. She closed her eyes, sure she’d lost her sight. When she opened them again and could still see, she blinked back tears.

  Her house was leveled to molten rubble. It appeared as if she’d set off a volcano. At least the reason for the fire would be easily visible. The twisted metal of the furnace was the only thing left.

  “Let’s go. The sirens will start in a few minutes.” She got into the Corvette.

  Luke slammed his door, not looking at her as he did a three-point turn and floored it. Waves of bitterness washed over her. His distaste filled her with each pump of her heart. He might be helping her, but he definitely didn’t want to.

  She fought the emotional onslaught again. “Where are we going?”

  “First, we’re making a stop to get you some antidote before you catch me on fire. You can decide what to do after that.” He didn’t face her.

  “How do you get away with driving this car?”

  He shrugged. “The same way I manage everything else I do. You don’t like my car?”

  “It’s beautiful. ’67, right?”

  “Impressive.” His smile jumbled her insides.

  “It’s a beautiful machine. My dad had a ’65 back in the day. How do you find parts for a car this old?” Because of emissions, there was sector-wide ban on all vehicles manufactured before 2000.

  “I spent a lot of time in salvage yards before the law took effect.” Luke paused as his cell phone rang. He answered with his name, glancing at her. “Damn it. Fine. We’ll head south to Tom’s. What do you mean it’s not working?”

  Olivia’s stomach dropped at the shock in Luke’s voice. She had no idea who he spoke with, or what they discussed, but it didn’t sound good.

  “Damn. Fuck.” He held the phone in his fist like he was going to throw it through the window, but after a glance in her direction, he dropped it into his lap.

  Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Problems?”

  “Yeah. I’d say. Our original destination is quarantined. They’re not sure if the farm’s been infiltrated, or if it’s really the flu. No one is allowed in or out until they know.”

  “Good. I don’t want to go there,” she said.

  “We have to head a lot farther south. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us. And you’re like a fucking time bomb. Any minute you could set my car, or me, on fire. Makes me wonder why the hell I do this.” He continued to grumble.

  “What else? You were more upset than having to wait a little longer to get rid of me.”

  “Rockhill’s a dead town. They’ve taken everyone and have moved on to Southport.”

  “Everyone? That was quick. Jake said it would take a few more days.” She rested her head against the seat and hoped Jake had made it out to meet his family. “What else?”

  “Any antidote acquired before yesterday morning isn’t working. Either someone messed with the formulation, or they’ve changed the drug. Apparently, the old antidote is causing instant death.” Luke watched her. “Relax. I got new antidote last night. I would have smelled the old stuff. And you’d be dead already.”

  Numbness filled Olivia, along with the urge to ignite the dry grass outside. She doused the desire by thinking about diving into a swimming pool. At least she thought she’d stopped herself. When Luke swore and slammed on the brakes, she realized she hadn’t. Fire devoured the brown foliage alongside the road. Luke grabbed an extinguisher from the space behind his seat. This sure wasn’t going to improve his mood. He glared at her when he got back into the car.

  “Stop that.”

  “You stop it. If I could, I would. I’ll bet you don’t treat all the people you help this way. I don’t deserve it. It’s not my fault you hate firestarters.” She crossed her arms and stared out the window.

  Luke didn’t say anything. The acceleration of the car was the only indication of his temper. And that was just fine.

  “There’s a closer place you can take me, and I’m sure they’ll have an antidote that works.”

  “Where? I don’t know of anyone nearby who would have the new stuff already.”

  “Jenner will have it.” She already knew her suggestion wasn’t going to go over well.

  “Are you fucking insane? He’s the reason you’re in this position. You can’t believe what he’s saying.”

  “He’s not the enemy.”

  “Like hell he isn’t. Do you really think this sector would be this fucked up if it wasn’t for the way he mismanaged his power?” Luke glared at her.

  “Jenner didn’t mean for this to happen. He was sick. He’s better now and wants to make things right.”

  “And you believe that? Even when he came right out and said people with abilities should be exploited for the good of everyone? Seriously? When he wanted to force us to be tested so we could use our gifts to their full extent? Have you forgotten the revolution? And now the current administration wants us eliminated because we’re too dangerous. You can’t tell me Jenner had nothing to do with that.”

  Olivia didn’t know what to believe. The truth warred with her loyalty, leaving her even more confused. The way the rules changed as soon as Dan Jenner had taken a leave of absence to get his health back had to be a good sign. Right? It meant he wasn’t responsible for the current condition of the sector. Now that he was well, he’d fix things.

  Luke shoved a Metallica cassette into the radio and turned it up to a volume that meant he was done talking. Jackass. They had several hundred miles to go before getting close to Jenner’s compound. She’d work on him again soon. He tapped the silver band on his right pinkie against the steering wheel. The contrast of the delicate ring against his big, tanned hands stole her breath.

  “Take me to Jenner.” Okay, so her soon was just two minutes.

  “Not a chance, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t remember you being in charge of me. And to tell you the truth, I’m about sick of having people tell me what to do all the time. Jenner will have the right antidote. He still has supporters on the inside.”

  “The man is a fucking lunatic. He’s directly responsible for the revolution and for the treatment of the serum babies even though he wasn’t governor at the time. He’s the one who started, or supported, all of this bullshit. Things won’t change if he regains power.” Luke scowled at her. “They’ll only get worse.”

  “I disagree. And he’s not responsible for the past few years, maybe not even a long time before then. I think he realizes how far over the line he went. Besides, he was sick and being drugged, and he was forced to make those changes by the cabinet he fired. Remember how bad things were before he took office?
How we paid ten bucks for a loaf of bread?”

  “Is that what you believe?” Luke snorted.

  “It’s the truth.” She somehow managed to keep her cool.

  Luke laughed. “Then you’re the only one who believes it. Don’t you listen to the intel? This is about way more than overpriced groceries.”

  “It’s all lies. The drug changed him, sure, but he’s not the monster some people make him out to be.” He couldn’t be.

  “I’m not taking you. You called me for help, remember?”

  “And you’ve treated me like crap ever since. I appreciate that you got me out of there, but you’re judging me, and you don’t even know me. I’m sick of it. And you’re going to take me to Dan’s whether you like it or not. I can trust him.”

  Luke raised his eyebrow. “How do you know?”

  “Because he’s my godfather.”

  Chapter 3

  Luke sneered. “How is that psycho your godfather?”

  “He and my dad grew up together. Dan was always part of my life. He’s not the man you think he is.” She wanted to continue to argue her godfather’s good points, but Luke’s statements had her questioning everything she’d ever known. She didn’t want Dan to be responsible for everything that was going on.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Totally.” She wasn’t anymore, but there wasn’t much choice if she wanted to live. “Unless you want to be stuck with me until we find some antidote.”

  “Nope. Sorry, babe. Nothing personal.” He stared at her for a few seconds before shaking his head. “We’ll have to find a place to stop soon. Traveling at night is too dangerous. There’s no schedule to the patrols outside of town. They might not come by at all, or they might ride around every fifteen minutes.”

  “Fine.” She didn’t know the back roads were being checked now. Citizens had been forced to move into suburbia to help reduce protection costs. Only a few had been allowed to remain in their rural homes, though the criteria seemed to be on an individual basis, which translated into who could pay for the privilege. She realized those decisions had been made well before Dan announced his illness, further shredding her convictions about him.