Echoes to Ashes (The Immortal Trials Book 1)

by Ainsley Shay

  Raiden knew before I had that I’d been the one who created the roaring fire. The scent of his cologne reached me a moment prior to his mouth breathing hot breaths of air on my neck. He was as close as he could get without touching me.

  Raiden’s eyes narrowed, and his mouth curved into a sick and evil grin. “Be careful, little lamb. someone could get hurt.”

  20

  Cameron was too busy staring at the commotion behind the grill to notice the exchange between Raiden and me.

  “He seems to bring out the bad-girl side of you,” Raiden said close to my ear.

  I backed away from him. “I was thinking it was more of your fault than his.”

  Grinning, he placed the unlit cigarette in his mouth. “I’ll take credit for it.”

  What was it about these people that brought out the worst in me? Wind. Water. Now, fire. Everything was spiraling out of control. The hardest part was no one seemed to have any answers, only gaping mouths, sinister smiles, and clever riddles. The only thing that had given me any insight was the Legend of Veil Rock book, but I didn’t know how much I could rely on it.

  Cameron’s face was a mask of disbelief. “Did you see that?”

  “I’m pretty sure we all saw it,” I said.

  “It was like someone had poured gasoline on it.”

  Raiden wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Yeah, out of control there for a minute.”

  Cameron eyed Raiden’s arm around me. Grabbing Raiden’s hand from my shoulder, I lowered it to his side.

  “Want to go get pizza?” Cameron asked.

  My head begun to pound. “Do you mind just taking me home?”

  He seemed disappointed. But I couldn’t trust myself as to what I’d do next.

  “Sure.”

  Raiden left money on the counter, then walked with us out of the restaurant. I narrowed my sights on him, daring him to draw any more attention to the situation or say anything stupid.

  He didn’t have a chance before Cameron opened the car door. Gratefully, I got in and closed it. Raiden’s form in the side mirror was hauntingly still.

  The five-minute ride home was quiet.

  Gravel crunched underneath the tires as Cameron drove down the driveway. His headlights lit up an empty space where my aunt parked her car. My scooter was parked near the porch.

  “Is that yours?”

  “It is now.” I huffed. “Problem is, I’ve never rode one.”

  He opened his door. “They’re easy. Come on, I’ll teach you.”

  “In the dark?”

  “Sure.”

  He seemed confident enough for us both. I went inside, got the key from the kitchen counter, and went back out.

  Cameron was sitting on the scooter. “Shouldn’t we wear helmets?”

  “Nah, we’ll be fine.” He grabbed my waist, pulling me down onto the seat in front of him. “Start the engine.”

  “I don’t know how.”

  He took the key out of my hand, put it in the keyhole, and turned. Nothing happened.

  “Push that button,” he said, pointing to the one next to the key.

  The engine sputtered to life.

  “There’s no gears like a motorcycle, so that means no shifting. Your brake is here. Always have your brake pulled tight when you’re not actually going. The brake is the most important thing you need to know.” He placed my hand over it and squeezed. Then, he pointed to the handgrip. “You give it gas by turning your right handgrip. And you steer like you’re riding a bicycle.”

  “That’s it?”

  He shrugged. “That’s it.”

  I trembled with excitement. “Want to go for a ride?”

  “I’m not getting off until we do.”

  I laughed a real freaking laugh. Those were down to about one a week lately, two max.

  “Slowly let off the brake and give it gas.”

  The scooter moved forward. The gravel made it difficult to steer, and the tires slid a few times until we reached the road.

  His warm hands held onto my waist. The added distraction was not helping my concentration while learning to drive the scooter. I gave it more gas, and it pulled forward. The grip around my waist tightened. I let off the gas, then pulled back on the brake as we neared Blood Bird’s Way.

  “Turn around here,” he suggested.

  He lowered his foot to the ground as we made a U-turn. “Use your foot to stable the scooter when you’re making tight turns.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  We headed back to my aunt’s. The scooter jumped and slid over the gravel. I pulled the brake, and we steadied and came to a stop near the porch.

  “Not bad,” he complimented.

  “Thanks for the lesson.”

  He jumped off the back. I threw my leg over, then let the scooter go. His fast reflexes caught it before it fell.

  “I probably should have showed you the kickstand you need to put down before letting it go.”

  Feeling like an idiot, I pursed my lips. “Right.”

  I looped my fingers in the band of my jeggings. “Thanks for the lesson.”

  “You’re welcome.” He patted the seat. “It should get you around a little faster than the bicycle.”

  “No doubt.”

  An awkward minute rolled by.

  “Do you want to come in?”

  “Nah, I’m going to get something to eat. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Being the exciting person I had become in Veil Rock, I was in bed when my aunt came home around nine. Back home on a Friday night, my curfew was midnight and I was never home a second before then.

  Aunt Juju knocked on my door. “Ev, you in there?”

  “Come in.”

  The latched clicked as she opened my door. She was fidgeting with an uncontrollable edginess that bordered on anxiousness and happiness.

  “Which is it?” I asked.

  “Which is what?”

  I narrowed my eyes on her. “Nervousness or happiness that has you bouncing?”

  Giggling, she put her hands over her mouth. “Both, I can’t help it.” Kicking off her heels, she sat on the end of my bed, laid back, and dazed off into her memories. “He’s just so… I don’t know… nice, gentleman-like, handsome as hell, kind, and smart. Did I say handsome as hell?” She laughed.

  It was contagious, and I found myself laughing, too, again.

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “Me too, Ev. Me too.”

  I picked up the key for my scooter from the kitchen counter.

  “Wait a minute, young lady.”

  My hand paused in midair.

  She set down her mug of tea. “Are you sure you know how to ride that thing?”

  “Yep. Piece of cake,” I said, not actually knowing how true that was since I’d only had one lesson that entailed having a guy on the seat behind me and I was taught in the dark. “Cameron showed me how last night when he dropped me off.”

  “Cameron, huh?” She wiggled her brows, bringing her mug to her lips.

  He was starting to grow on me, but if anything were to develop between us, we’d first have to jump several hurdles. Magic, Hartley, and more magic.

  “Don’t get any more of those ideas. He’s just a friend and a guy I sometimes work with.”

  Grinning, she drew a cross over her heart. “I promise, no more of those ideas. Although he is really cute.” She gave me a wink.

  I clapped my hands. “Okay, subject change. I’m going to work. I’ll be home later.”

  She nodded. “Ditto. Meet you back here after the sun goes down.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Aunt Juju stood to give me a hug. “I know you miss home, but I am so happy you’re here.”

  I closed my eyes while in her embrace. “I am, too.” And I really was, except for all the weird crap and drama.

  She pulled back. “Are you sure you know how to ride that thing?”

  “Yes. Tomorrow maybe I’ll
take you for a ride, and we can get ice cream or something.”

  “Sounds like a date.”

  With only a few minor hiccups, I got to Carousel without any injuries to myself, others, or the scooter. Not bad.

  The shop was slow most of the day. Isla went into the back to tend to her dragon eggs. I took the time to read Legend of Veil Rock.

  The Experiments -

  Veil Rock was the place the Warlock performed his numerous experiments. Although no one had ever found any evidence of this throughout the years, no matter how many times the rock had been searched. There had been no secret chamber, secret passage, or secret entrance, nothing. The only evidence experiments had taken place was the magic left behind.

  What magic? Why hadn’t I felt it? The massive rock should have caused me to have some sort of sensation. Maybe the entire thing was a hoax to get visitors—like a tourist trap. But what about Taryn’s pendant? That had been very real. She was the Artisan of Earth, and she showed me as much when she shook it under my ass that day near the carousel.

  Ironically, just before closing, a few tourists came in to buy tickets to see the massive dud. I smiled and sold them tickets, the maps, and the T-shirts. I sold them the lie, and I didn’t feel that bad about it. Shame on me.

  Isla and I closed the shop around five. She kissed my forehead, then told me to be safe. I’d certainly do my best. One would think it’d be easy in a town this size. Nope.

  Taryn, Raiden, and Narina were hanging out near the carousel when I left work. Didn’t they have their own private hangout instead of a public one? Avoiding them seemed like my best option. Knowing they were probably watching the shop like the paparazzi, I said my goodbyes to Isla and snuck around to the side of the building to where my scooter was. I got on and started the engine. Before I pulled out onto the main road, I saw Raiden in the side mirror on my right. Behind him was a car with two girls I assumed were Taryn and Narina. It hadn’t taken them long to realize I had left. I pushed the scooter to its limit, thirty-five mph.

  I knew I barely had a chance to escape them, but I had to try. I turned down a side road I had never gone down before. Music blared, and I followed the thumping beat to an old house. I drove around back and parked. Cameron’s car and a bunch of other vehicles I recognized from school were there. A few people stood outside the house holding red cups, which I assumed were filled with alcohol.

  The motorcycle and car followed me into the empty dirt lot. I hurried to unclasp my helmet, put down the kickstand, jumped off, and joined the crowd. Melding my way into the thicket of peeps, I tried my best to get lost within them. Mina would kill me if she found out I was here. And, if she did, I’d have to lie. Running from a pack of possible supernatural freaks wasn’t going to hold up. Although, knowing the little bit I did about Mina, she’d love to know the truth.

  I needed to find a way to get back on my scooter and head home. That was the safest place, considering I didn’t think they knew where I lived yet.

  A guy I never saw whizzed by. I barely saw his face, but there was something about him. But I wasn’t sure what or why I had even noticed him. He was gone before I had another reason to think about him.

  I heard the two car doors slam shut. Bumping into a few people, I said, “Sorry, excuse me, sorry again,” until I was inside the old house. When I saw the red hair in the corner with her groupies, I cursed. I should’ve known Hartley would’ve been here. Had I noticed her car out front, I might have tried to outrun the freaks. Hartley or freaks—what kind of a choice was that? A sad one.

  A guy I recognized from my advanced physics class was standing by himself near the keg. I strode over to him, then began to make small talk. My attention was half on him and half on scanning the doorways and the room for my stalkers.

  “How often do you guys come here?” I asked.

  “Only when Ralph, the old quarterback, can get us a keg or something.”

  “What is this place?”

  “Just an abandoned house we get together sometimes where none of our parents ever look. So, we come here drink, party, listen to our music as loud as we want, and get out of town for a little bit.” He looked at me then. “Hey, you’re the green-eyed hottie from my advanced physics class!”

  To say he was a little drunk would be an understatement; he could hardly hold himself up.

  “If you say so,” I said, feeling a bit conceited about the hottie part.

  “I’m Blake.”

  I pulled him to where others were dancing. “Great, I’m Everly. Let’s dance.”

  Liquid splashed out of his cup. “You’re hot and all, but I don’t do the dancing thing,” he slurred.

  “There you are.” Raiden’s voice tickled my neck. My stomach fell. The blood in my veins began pumping harder and faster.

  He took in a deep breath, his eyes rolling back into his head. Then, his dark eyes found mine. “You shouldn’t tempt me like that,” he whispered.

  A thin flame sparked to life near the entrance where Taryn and Narina were standing. Narina jumped back, trying to douse the flame with her gift of water. The flame only grew.

  A scream alerted the others that something was wrong. The flame licked the side of the staircase. The wooded slats were like matches.

  Spark. Flame. Fire.

  Spark. Flame. Fire.

  Spark. Flame. Fire.

  One after another… until the fire had climbed to the second floor. People screamed and ran from the house. At the top of the staircase was Cameron. His expression was wide-eyed with panic. I called out his name, but he hadn’t heard me over the screams of others. I hated to leave him, but I wasn’t sure I had a choice. Taryn and Narina just stared at me. The expressions on their faces were the opposite of Cameron’s. They looked as if they had won the lottery. I needed to get away from them. I took one last glance at the top of the stairs. Cameron had disappeared. Silently, I said a quick prayer he would be okay.

  “Everly, we need to get out of here,” Taryn called out over the roar of chaos.

  Darting in the opposite direction, I ran toward the kitchen where the other door to freedom was. Making my way outside, I stood among the crowd of quickly sobering people.

  “Nothing like a fire to end the fun.” Blake idled up next to me. The guy still had his red cup in hand, and it was filled to the rim.

  Someone must have called 9-1-1. A siren wailed in the distance.

  “Veil Rock has a fire station?” It was a stupid thought, and I hadn’t realized I had said it aloud until Blake answered me.

  “No fire station, only a fire truck. The owner of the tattoo shop is the main volunteer, and he keeps the truck at his house. This is the first fire since I’ve lived here, so I’m surprised it started.”

  “How long have you lived here?” I asked.

  He took a sip from his cup. “All of my life.”

  A scream blasted from the house. Hartley stood in the upstairs window. Flames rose and licked the walls behind her.

  “Help me!” she cried.

  “The fire truck is on its way,” someone hollered back.

  She disappeared from the window.

  I hadn’t noticed, but her two friends had come to stand next to me. They called out for her, but she didn’t return to the window.

  I searched the crowd for Cameron, but only saw a sea of panic-stricken faces. A red shirt like the one he had been wearing when I saw him at the top of the staircase darted back into the house. I broke through the crowd and tried to yell over the screams, but it was no use.

  Fire was everywhere. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to Cameron, or even to Hartley. This was my fault. I covered my mouth with my hands at the realization I had caused this amount of fear and destruction. Tears blurred my vision.

  This couldn’t be happening.

  How was this possible?

  What the hell was wrong with me?

  This isn’t really happening.

  What was I?

  The siren broke me
from the badgering of questions I had no answers for.

  I saw Taryn, Raiden, and Narina on the far corner of the house, knowing I had to get out of here before they saw me. The fire truck came down the drive. It cut its siren, eliminating some of the deafening noise. Two cop cars from the surrounding town pulled in behind the truck.

  There was too much commotion for anyone to notice me as I made my way through the crowd to my scooter. I jumped on it. Without putting on my helmet, I started the engine. My heart pumped so fast I swore it would leap out of my chest.

  The tiny headlight beam led the way to my escape as I drove out of the hidden drive. A single headlight raced behind me. I cranked the throttle to its full capacity. The motorcycle’s engine grew louder and louder the farther we drove away from the fire. Blood Bird’s Way was so close. If I could just get to it, I’d—

  Raiden came up next to me. “Pull over!” he yelled.

  I shook my head. “No! Leave me alone.” Without my helmet on, the wind blasted by me. The hollow pounding of it against my ears couldn’t drown out what he said next.

  “You know you can’t run from what you are.”

  His words were like canons going off in my head.

  A dip in the uneven gravel caught me off guard, and I stuck out my leg to steady myself. Letting off the gas, I slowed until I reached the even pavement of Blood Bird’s Way. Raiden didn’t follow me onto the main road.

  It didn’t matter, though. It was too late for me to ever go back now.

  21

  I spent the entire day in bed Sunday, and most of yesterday. If I didn’t have class today, I would have repeated it. The last thing I wanted to do was see all the people I could have possibly set on fire and killed.

  The thought of being a possible witch, like Isla, had crossed my mind, but I quickly extinguished it. Isla was a witch, not me. Oddly enough, though, I had never actually seen her perform any specific magic—be in wind, rain, or fire. Her magic seemed to come on a smaller scale, and it seemed to be more coincidence at times than actual magic.