Hidden Fire

by Deirdra Eden

  “No! Azrael, look out!” I screamed.

  Azrael whirled around. The slave master plunged the blade toward Azrael, slashing the dagger across his chest. Gold sparks sprayed off Azrael’s body like iron hitting perfect steel. Azrael reached out with inhuman speed, snatched the sharp edge of the blade in his bare hand, and crushed the metal.

  “What the devil?” The slave master said.

  “Demons!” The slave merchants scattered in confusion.

  I covered my mouth to keep from screaming. The event replayed in my mind as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

  “I knew it,” Ruburt mumbled. “I knew they were Immortals.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Immortals

  I raised my eyebrow. “Immortal?”

  Azrael’s hand shot to my lips, hushing me. He snatched my wrist and pulled me inside Ruburt’s shop. Orion shut the door behind us. I suddenly felt trapped in a room with two dangerous creatures I knew nothing about. I pulled free of Azrael’s grasp and stepped away from him. They looked so human and acted so normal. How could they be Immortals? My fingers gripped the edge of the counter.

  Orion furrowed his brow and folded his arms across his bulky frame. “Great way to break it to her easy.”

  “How was I to know that human would try to attack me?” Azrael drew the curtains over the windows, making the room dark like a dungeon.

  I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Azrael. His chest flashed like perfect marble between the slash in his tunic from his shoulder all the way to his hip.

  Orion narrowed his eyes. “What’re we goin’ to do with Aura now that she knows our secret? You know the High Druid of Fire is going to be furious.”

  Azrael shook his head like he didn’t know what to do.

  Orion blocked the door. “We have to find some way to shut her up. You know what could happen if even more people find out we’re Immortals.”

  I took a step back. This wasn’t good. “What are you going to do to me now that I know your secret?” I tried to sound brave, but they were Immortals. I couldn’t fight them and I certainly couldn’t outrun them.

  Azrael turned toward me and slowly approached with his hands up. “Don’t be afraid, Aura. We’re not going to hurt you. We’ve been more than careful this whole time. We promise to be on our best behaviour.”

  “You don’t know how hard that’s been,” Orion mumbled darkly.

  Azrael continued to take slow, deliberate steps toward me.

  I held my breath and gripped the pommel of the sword Azrael had given me. I swallowed several times to be sure my voice wouldn’t shake. “Stop, Azrael.” I lifted the sword and pointed the tip at his chest. “Stay where you are.”

  Orion laughed. “See, Azrael—I told you she would think you were a monster. We’re too different from her. She’s been living like a human her whole life. She doesn’t know anything about our Neviahan culture or people. She doesn’t even know why she should or shouldn’t be afraid of us.”

  My sword was useless against him, but Azrael respectfully took a step back. “Please, Aura, let us explain what we are.”

  Orion advanced toward me. “It would be easier if we tied her up and just took her to the sanctuary. ‘Tis too complicated to explain, and we’ll just end up scaring her more.”

  I turned and pointed the sword at Orion. He vanished and then appeared in the corner of the room, holding my sword.

  “That’s not funny,” Azrael scolded. “Don’t you remember how fragile mortals are? You could have ripped her arm off running that fast.”

  Orion didn’t look sympathetic.

  Azrael held out his hand. “Sit down and talk with us, Aura,” he offered.

  I balled my hands into fists at my sides and stood my ground. I didn’t know if I should be afraid or amazed, but my heart was aching. I had just started to fall in love with Azrael. He actually had me believing that we could one day have a life together if I chose him over Lucas.

  The image of me, old and grey, standing next to Azrael, who would be still just as beautiful, young, and strong pierced my mind. Liquid pain burned in my eyes as I stared at him. I blinked several times, refusing to cry over my own foolishness.

  Azrael let out a surrendering sigh when I didn’t take his hand. He slid a stool to the counter and sat down. “What Ruburt said about us being Immortals ‘tis true. I was born in 1057 as a mortal. I started my Watcher training when I was only twelve. When I was twenty-four, the King of Neviah granted me immortality so I could stay on Earth and fight the Rebellion until Erebus is destroyed.”

  I glanced at Orion in the corner of the room. He still had his arms crossed, and my sword was propped against the wall. They had immortal speed and strength. That’s how Azrael was able to catch me so fast when I fell off my horse. That’s why I never saw them eat or sleep. Orion could probably chop down a mighty oak with just one swing of his massive battle axe. Everything made sense now.

  Azrael narrowed his eyes and stared at me as if reading my thoughts. “Our bodies are different from yours, but I promise you, our hearts and Neviahan souls are still the same.”

  I nodded to the cot where Korban lay. “Why was Korban hurt?” I asked, trying to make sense of the Immortals’ strengths and weaknesses.

  “We will never die of old age or illness,” Azrael answered. “But there are a few things that can hurt an Immortal. Starfire is one of them. There are enemies that can destroy even an Immortal Watcher. Shadow Lords can kill Immortals.”

  “Only if they stab us in the heart,” Orion amended.

  Azrael nodded and continued, “Since Korban wasn’t stabbed in the heart and he didn’t feel the full force of Starfire, his body has gone into survival sleep until he heals.”

  Orion fumbled with a smithing hammer in his hands. “The longest anyone has ever slept is forty-eight years.”

  “Forty-eight years?” I hoped Korban didn’t take that long to recover. “I’m not an Immortal, and I can’t afford to wait another week like you can, let alone years.” I didn’t hide the panic in my voice. My time on Earth was only temporary. I had to do what I was sent down here to do before my time was up.

  Azrael threw Orion a warning glare. “That Watcher had both his arms ripped off. It took forty-eight years for everything to grow back.” Azrael turned toward me and relaxed his expression. His voice filled with compassion. “Don’t worry, Aura. Korban’s injury wasn’t nearly as severe. He will awaken any day now.”

  I watched Korban’s motionless body, hoping he would awaken now. Azrael caught my attention again. “Korban will be fine. We are different from mortal Watchers, like you,” he said. “The strength of our bodies and powers are increased. We are over a hundred times faster and stronger.”

  I didn’t feel as afraid since Azrael was voluntarily giving me more information, but my heart still ached for the loss of our potential romantic relationship. Perhaps this was a sign that Lucas and I were supposed to be together.

  I sat at the table across from Azrael. “How many Immortals are there?”

  Azrael looked to Orion for an answer. Orion shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “The twelve High Druid Neviahans are Immortal,” Azrael said. “John and Enoch are Immortal.”

  “So are the three Nephites,” Orion added.

  “No one knows for sure,” Azrael said. “There are probably hundreds of Immortals who get to stay on Earth until Erebus is defeated. We each have a role to play in this battle and the twelve High Druids send us Watchers on quests wherever heroes are needed.”

  Orion relaxed and leaned against the counter where we sat. “Some Watchers have been fighting Erebus for over a thousand years.”

  The thought of battling the Shadow Legion for a thousand years exhausted me.

  “I know ‘tis a lot to take in,” Azrael said. “I don’t want you to be afraid of us. I will tell you all you want to know.”

  I wasn’t afraid anymore, but my mind filled with more questions about my cultur
e and identity. “Outside our human bodies, do Neviahans look different from humans?” I imagined the most alien creature I had ever seen. Some sailors had brought a giant squid to a festival in London a few years ago. I’d never seen anything so strange.

  “Oh, yes! We look very different from humans,” Azrael answered.

  I clenched my hands together as panic flooded me. I was probably a hideous creature in a human body. “I don’t have tentacles, do I?”

  Azrael and Orion froze in place. Orion’s eyes went wide. Azrael studied my face. Then they both erupted in robust laughter.

  “No, no, no.” Azrael shook his head. “We have a human-like form, but we’re taller, much stronger, and we radiate Neviahan light. Remember how your skin looked when you created Starfire?”

  I faintly remembered my skin glowing with pure light energy. I nodded.

  “‘Tis what we look like,” he said. “Humans who have seen us in our Neviahan form sometimes call us angels, or gods.”

  I remembered the paintings of mighty archangels on the cathedral walls. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

  Azrael leaned forward, his eyes wide with resolute promise. “Trust me, Auriella—you are the most beautiful creature in the Kingdom of Neviah. Here on Earth, your pure spirit radiates past your human façade. You are a beautiful woman both on Earth and in Neviah.”

  I paused and tried to shake off his flattery with curiosity. “How are Neviahans born?” I blushed at my own question. “I mean, how do people like us get to Earth?”

  Azrael shrugged. “Just like everyone else. We are born into human bodies and give them life. We don’t steal human bodies like the Shadow Legion. The humans are able to raise us until we are ready to fight the Rebellion.”

  My brow creased. “What about eating? I’ve never seen you eat.”

  Orion cracked a wry half smile and said, “Since we are Immortal, we won’t starve to death if we stop eatin’. We haven’t eaten much on this trip. We’ve been saving all our rations for you.”

  I softened my stance and relaxed my tense arms.

  Orion gave me a soft smile. “When we’re not travelin’, we enjoy a good meal every once in a while. Why would we want to give up sweet, juicy apples, seasoned bread soaked with warm butter, and rosemary grilled potatoes?” Orion reached into his pack and pulled out several apricots and handed one to me and one to Azrael.

  “Thank you.” I waited until they started eating before I took a bite. I actually concentrated on enjoying the taste instead of eating just for the sake of nourishment. The sweet fruit flowed through my mouth and down my throat.

  “Food is not just for survival,” Azrael said. “It brings people together and can actually be quite enjoyable. We get a small amount of energy from food, but most of our energy comes from our elemental sources.”

  “Like how the sun gives me extra energy?”

  “Exactly,” Azrael said. “But as Immortals, we depend on our energy sources much more.” He set the apricot pit on the table and Orion held out his hand. The seed burst to life and sprouted into a tender young sapling. Perfect leaves fanned open and emerald light showered around it. Orion’s eyes glistened like jade stones as he used his powers.

  “Amazing!” I placed my seed next to Azrael’s and watched Orion intertwine the two tiny trees together until they formed one tree.

  Orion gave me a satisfied smile. “It doesn’t matter how strong a person is,” he said. “We are stronger when we work together.”

  Azrael lifted his gaze to meet mine. “After Korban awakens, it will take all four of us to defeat Erebus.”

  I shook my head. “But I’m not as strong as you, and I can’t control Starfire.”

  Azrael reached for my hand. “I wasn’t flattering you when I told the slave master you are the strongest warrior.”

  I pulled away from him and stared at his perfect strong hands, then gazed into his glittering eyes. I didn’t dare touch him. It would be like touching a timeless angel from the heavens, and my heart would only break more knowing I couldn’t be with him.

  Azrael would live on as an Immortal, and I would grow old and die. Is this why he kept his secret from me? He knew all along we couldn’t be together. Was winning my affection just a game to him?

  I looked away, and he slid his hand over mine. I froze as he spoke. “I love you, Aura. My feelings for you haven’t changed.” A breeze blew a lock of hair over my shoulder. “I am completely dedicated to you for all of my immortal life on Earth, and I want you by my side for all of my eternal Neviahan existence.”

  I still couldn’t look at him. Why was he doing this to me? Why was he setting us up for tragedy?

  Another phantom breeze ran through my hair and lingered like a kiss on my cheek. It felt so real. I raise my hand to my face to hold the sensation there. “Wind,” I realized, and turned back to Azrael. “Your power is the wind element.”

  Azrael nodded. A gust swirled through the enclosed room and blew the fire from the lamps in the shop. I just knew Azrael grinned at me in the darkness like a mischievous bandit. Using my power, I lifted my hand and the lamps blazed back to life.

  I stared at Azrael in the lamp-lit room. My breath quickened as I allowed myself to get lost in his silver eyes sparkling behind his mask.

  Warm wind danced around me, making my hair look like living fire.

  “Even the shadows flee from the light of a single flame.” Azrael touched my fingertips with his. Silver sparks skittered up my arm and filled me with celestial energy. “Our time on Earth is only temporary, but I will love you for eternity.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Wedding Gift

  I put my hands on my hips and playfully narrowed my eyes. “Now I know why you are some of the most frustrating and reckless men I have ever met.”

  Azrael and Orion laughed as if taking my declaration as a compliment.

  “We weren’t supposed to tell you about our immortality,” Orion said. “Once we defeat Erebus, we will take you to the sanctuary. Zacaris, the high druid of the Northern Sanctuary, was suppose to explain all this to you.”

  I thought about my commitment to go with them to the sanctuary. It weighed on my mind like an unpaid debt. There were many problems waiting for me when I got back home. Lucas and I had to convince the king to give the Scottish their independence, I had a wedding to postpone, and then there was the threat of Erebus and the Shadow Legion. “We don’t have much time.” I twisted my hair nervously around my shoulder. What if Erebus was already in London and Lucas was fighting him alone?” The only thing that comforted me was knowing that Lucas had my ruby necklace. It could heal him as he fought and help him survive the Legion’s attacks.

  I knelt next to Korban’s cot. “Come on, Korban,” I whispered. “We need you to wake up.” I brushed his hair back. Hot white sparks skittered from my fingers across his face. I gasped and jerked away.

  “Aye,” Korban moaned.

  “Korban?” I leaned over the cot.

  He put his hand over his brow.

  “Finally,” Orion breathed.

  I leaned closer, but was careful not to touch him. “Korban, say something,” I begged.

  Korban moaned, then said, “You sure know how to throw a punch, Aura.”

  Azrael and Orion burst out laughing.

  I didn’t think it was funny. “Are you hurt?” I pressed.

  Korban sat up. “I’m great, actually. I feel like I have more energy now than the last few times I’ve awoken from survival sleep.”

  Orion crossed his burly arms. “‘Tis about time you got your lazy butt out of bed.”

  “Aye.” Korban shook his head. “You know it takes me a while to recover from elemental strikes. That hit would’ve killed me if I were mortal.” He met my eyes and covered his mouth.

  “‘Tis all right,” Azrael said. “We already told her we are Immortals.”

  Korban lowered his hand. “Zacaris isn’t going to be happy with you. He has that step-by-step training program, and
the lesson on Immortals isn’t until lesson thirteen.”

  “When do you think you will be able to travel?” Azrael asked. “A battle in London awaits us.”

  “Maybe tonight.” Korban stumbled to his feet. “Don’t worry about me. The one we should be worried about is the mortal.” He nodded toward me.

  “I can make it,” I assured. “I’m pretty tough for a mortal.”

  Korban stretched his neck to one side. “No kidding.”

  “What about sleep?” Orion asked.

  “I promise I won’t fall off my horse,” I said before he could say it.

  “There’s no time to lose,” Azrael said. “I need to find Baby, and then we should pack and leave right away.”

  “You should get a leash for that cat, Azrael,” Korban teased.

  Azrael shook his head. “He’s probably sleeping off a good meal. Hopefully he didn’t eat anyone’s livestock again.”

  Azrael and I both reached for the handle on the door. A purple spark jumped from my hand to his.

  I pulled away and ignored the illumination. It struck me with wonder every time our energy connected. I couldn’t allow this connection to influence my feelings for him. The worst sin I ever committed was momentarily falling in love with an Immortal. I wasn’t going to let it happen again. “I won’t need an escort,” I said coolly. “Just meet me at Ruburt’s house in an hour.”

  I lifted my skirt and rushed down the narrow road to Ruburt’s cottage. As I neared, I lowered my gaze and slowed my pace.

  Ruburt was outside, bent over, working in his garden at the edge of the meadow. He straightened when he saw me.

  “Korban is awake.” It took all my strength to hold back the flood of emotion and worry inside me.

  “You don’t seem too happy ‘bout it,” Ruburt noted.

  I took a deep breath. “I’m happy he’s awake.” I focused on my horse grazing in the meadow. “After the battle in London, I will leave for the Watcher sanctuary. I may never see you again.”

  Ruburt gave me a soft smile. “You have a great destiny, Lady Auriella. Don’t let anything hold you back or distract you from your mission.”