Awakening Earth and Fire: Earth and Fire Trilogy Book 1

by Jacqueline Edie

  “It…it’s like it’s pulling me somehow. Like little cords are attached all over my body, drawing me towards something.”

  Ember, who’d been standing by quietly this entire time, listening to the conversation between Coal and myself, cleared his throat. “If it’s leading you somewhere, there is a reason for it. And I think we should trust it.” He looked directly at Coal as he said this. Only then did I realize Ember must know the legend of the Healers as well. It was why he wasn’t wearing the expression of utter confusion currently on the other four’s faces.

  Coal shifted his glance between the two of us before it finally settled on me. Slowly he nodded. “Okay. I trust you. If you trust this, then so do I.”

  The sound of pointed coughing filled the air. “I can see you guys are involved in a very deep discussion here, but since this plan involves all of our lives, can you please let us in on what’s happening?” Juniper ran a frustrated hand through his long, limp, hair. “Where do you want us to go? And who are these Healers?”

  Coal moved up beside me. “There may be a group of people who lived in Fire Society many generations ago out there somewhere. I don’t know how many there are or if any are still alive, but the best chance, the only chance we have, is to try and find them.”

  Aurora let out a small sniff of disbelief. “But how will we find them if we don’t even know if they exist?”

  Coal motioned down to the ring still in my palm.

  “But…but…how can a ring…?” she sputtered, her eyes widening at the absurdity of what we were suggesting.

  “I will tell you,” I interrupted. “I promise, I will tell you everything. Once we are out of here and safe.”

  After a heavy pause, she nodded, perhaps a little reluctantly. I would tell her. I would tell all of them about the ring, about the words my mother spoke to me before l left Earth Society. About Coal and his own mother’s words and his chain. About everything we’d kept hidden up until now.

  I’d tell them. After we escaped the Zone of Rogues.

  ✽✽✽

  “Ready?”

  The supplies were now organized and divided into packs for transport. We’d shoved down a few pieces of dry flatbread, several figs, and a hunk of beef jerky to settle our hungry stomachs before wrapping up the rest, Ember and Coal carrying the heaviest items.

  I glanced around at the half dozen nods that met my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I slipped the ring on once more. Instantly the thousands of invisible cords once again seemingly attached themselves to my body. Pulling me, guiding me. “Let’s go.”

  Exiting the crumbling structure, I immediately felt myself tugged towards the right. “We need to go that way,” I pointed. “Back, towards where the woods start.”

  Nodding, Coal took the lead, Finn following right behind him. But as we filed out, a thought kept nagging me. They’d turned the electric barrier off to allow us to enter the Zone. What if they had turned it back on once we were inside. What if we couldn’t get out?

  We continued forward, carefully making our way towards the edge of the trees, the buildings spreading further and further apart as we did so. I moved up alongside Coal. His eyes met mine.

  “Still feeling the tug?”

  I nodded. “I had no idea it would be this strong. I didn’t know what to expect when I put on the ring, but it certainly wasn’t this.”

  He shot me a smile as we continued on, hugging the white crumbling walls. I listened carefully, alert for any signs of others approaching, but there was nothing except our own footsteps. It was quiet.

  Too quiet.

  Just as Finn started to round another corner, a whistling sound pierced the air. “Get down!” bellowed Coal.

  Everyone dropped to the ground as a spear shot directly over us, ricocheting off the disintegrating stone structure, mere inches from where Juniper’s head was just a moment before.

  My chest heaved as I twisted, looking in the direction from which the spear had been launched. And felt sick as I watched two people emerge from behind a nearby corner, moving towards us.

  Blaze. With Ash following right behind.

  Chapter 43

  They walked over brusquely. “Well, well,” Blaze called, grinning sadistically as he approached, his blonde ponytail swinging.

  Aurora and Finn, both at the front of our group, rose slowly into crouches and were the first people his eyes lit upon. Blaze’s face took on a malicious sneer. “The two of you actually found some Rogues. I can’t believe it. Never thought that would happen.”

  But as he was about to share a smirk with Ash, Coal rose to his feet, impossible to miss now. Blaze’s face wiped clean, steps pausing as he stared at Coal. “Well. Now I know why.”

  Speaking more to Coal than anyone else now, he continued. “We just killed a Rogue. You should have heard her plead for her life. It was pathetic,” he snorted. “Acting as though she were innocent.”

  I shuddered, Raven’s death replaying again over in my mind. I glanced at Aurora. Though her legs trembled, her face was impassive, chin raising ever so slightly as she visibly steeled herself against the onslaught of his words.

  “So, Coal, are you going to take care of these two, or do you mind if I have a go at them.” He lightly ran his thumb along the edge of his sword and studied Juniper and Shale with emotionless eyes. “Where did you find them anyway?”

  I could see the change in Coal. See the dominance, the leader come out as he narrowed his eyes at Blaze. “We caught them,” he growled coldly. “Their ours to kill, so yes, I do mind if you have a go at them.”

  I had no idea what the plan was. But I couldn’t let Juniper and Shale just stand there, the blade in Blaze’s hand angled towards them. He could be set off at any moment. Juniper and Shale were weaponless. But I wasn’t. Slowly, discretely, I inched myself over to where they stood, intent on positioning myself between them and Blaze.

  My eyes watched Blaze carefully, studying his body language as I continued to move. He and Ash seemed annoyed by the turn of events, Coal ordering them to leave us. Maybe there would be a way to get out of this yet. But as I took another step, putting myself right in front of my two old friends, my boot accidently hit upon a shard of turquoise glass, shattering it beneath my feet.

  ✽✽✽

  The conversation ceased as both Blaze and Ash twisted around, startled by the sudden noise, frowning as they realized my shifted position. Blaze took a step forward and instinctively I lifted my blade.

  “What is this? Ash asked loudly, confused. But Blaze caught on at once.

  “This is priceless,” he said, false laughter touching his words. “She’s protecting them. The Rogues. The criminals, the enemies. Here she is, protecting them.” He shook his head, the hand holding his sword clenching tighter as his dark eyes found mine. “I didn’t trust you. I never did. You may have gotten into Combatant thanks to Coal, but I knew you weren’t one of us. And here’s the proof.”

  He turned back to face Coal. “This is the type of person you trusted. The type of person you shared your skills and knowledge with. A person who chooses Rogues over the members of her own Division.” He paused, shaking his head slowly, an evil smile pulling at his face.

  “You know what, though? I’m glad this happened. Because maybe now, you’ll remember the people you belong with, Coal. The people you grew up with. Not…this.” Disgust twisted his face, the blade of his sword quivering as he aimed it towards me now. “Maybe we should just kill you. Kill you right here. Just like a worthless Rogue. I’m sure the rest of those at Combatant wouldn’t miss you. Especially when they hear how you protected these two. I’d be doing them a favor, actually. Getting rid of a traitor.”

  At the movement of his blade and his words, Coal’s face turned to pure ice. With the quickest movement, he slid himself between me and Blaze. “You won’t touch her. You won’t touch or hurt anyone here. These people aren’t criminals. They are innocent. They don’t deserve this.”

  Ash’s mouth droppe
d open in shock. “Coal…?” he whispered, eyes widening at the turn of events.

  Blaze, however, just stared at Coal, shaking his head slowly, a strand of blonde hair falling across his face. “I knew it,” he whispered. “I knew she would turn you. You said you were just training her. That she needed your help. But she’s turned you against us. You don’t even know who your real friends are anymore.”

  Coal’s eyes grew deadly, deepening to the color of a turbulent sea. “That’s where you’re wrong, Blaze. I was never your friend. I tolerated you because I had to. But I was never like you, never will be. You won’t be laying a hand on anyone here. And you will never threaten Sage’s life again.” The icy tone of his voice sent a chill through my bones. “Turn around and walk away. If you value your lives, do it now.”

  Blaze and Ash met each other’s eyes briefly, a wordless exchange passing through them. “I don’t think so,” Blaze said, his lip curling in a sneer.

  Raising his sword into the air, Blaze charged towards Coal, bringing his weapon down forcefully. But he wasn’t quick enough. The sound of the metal clashing resonated through the air as Coal flung his own sword upward, thwarting the attack.

  Meanwhile, Ash launched himself towards Juniper and Shale, his sword aimed directly at them. Directly at me. I crouched low, watching his every movement, my grasp tightening as I prepared to swing my own blade at him. Until a flash of movement darted in front of me, a massive figure blocking Ash and tossing him back

  Ember. Ember had gotten there first, deflecting Ash’s sword. But Ash recovered quickly, surprise initially flashing in his eyes at his opponent until pure rage took over. Though he was leaner than Ember, he was still pure muscle. Which was clear when he tore forward, this time slamming his fist into Ember’s jaw. They both tumbled to the ground as Finn raced over, joining Ember to fight Ash with everything they had.

  Quickly, I twisted back towards Juniper and Shale. “Go in one of the empty buildings and wait there.”

  “Sage, we’re not leaving you,” Juniper argued, but I shook my head. They were weaponless, weakened from being here this entire time, and stood no chance if either Blaze or Ash or one of the others got a hold of them. “Get Aurora and hide. NOW!”

  Hesitating only a brief moment, they both ran to Aurora, who was still hanging back, watching in shock at the fighting unfolding around us. But as soon as they reached her, tugging her arms, she snapped out of it. Handing her sword to Juniper, she quickly removed the knife from the sheath at her thigh as the three darted into a nearby alcove behind a crumbling pile of rubble.

  My gaze darted back to Coal, and there he was, still battling Blaze. Their swords flew at one another, barely visible as they slashed viciously.

  Suddenly, a startled cry filled the air. I twisted around, a horrifying sight meeting my eyes.

  Finn staggered back, his hand clutched at the front of his shoulder. He collapsed, blood quickly staining the ground beneath him. Ash held a bloodied sword up, ready to launch it through Finn’s heart.

  “No!” Aurora shrieked just as Ember slammed into Ash, so instead of plunging into Finn’s chest, the sword met with solid ground.

  A whoosh of air swept past me as Aurora ran towards Finn, Juniper and Shale right behind her while Ember and Ash still battled ferociously.

  But that gasp from Finn, that cry from Aurora, was all it took. Coal glanced away for just the briefest moment, distracted by the commotion. Blaze’s sword crashed down, knocking Coal’s blade from his hands. Cocking his head to the side, Blaze hissed, “Now what? How are you going to fight me now, Coal? With no weapon?”

  He moved forward, the sharp point of metal hovering at Coal’s chest. Coal crept backwards, his hands held in the air. His back hit against the nearest crumbling wall while Blaze continued to move closer. Trapping him.

  ✽✽✽

  Quickly closing the gap between them, Blaze jammed the handle of his sword against Coal’s throat. “You know something? I think I’m really going to enjoy this. Coal, the leader. The strongest and fiercest trainee from Fire Society. Now standing in front of me. Helpless.”

  Coal struggled to break free, but the pressure against his neck was too great. He was choking, running out of air, the strength leaving his body with each passing second. Blaze leaned in close, jeering at him. “How does that make you feel, Coal? How does it feel to be helpless?”

  My heart raced, watching as Coal’s face paled, his eyelids starting to droop. Taking my knife, I quietly crept up behind Blaze. He was so intent on taunting Coal, trying to make him cower while he choked him, he didn’t even notice me. Clenching my fingers around the base tightly, I met Coal’s eyes, hoping he would understand what I was about to do.

  Darting forward, I plunged the blade into the back of Blaze’s shoulder and dragged it down, creating a deep, gory gash. Blood poured out, running down the knife’s handle and covering my hand in sticky redness.

  “Ahhh!” he roared, whipping around, his hand grasping at the deep slice in his shoulder, dropping his sword to the ground. Instantly Coal fell to his knees, gasping.

  Grabbing ahold of the knife’s handle, I wrenched it from Blaze's shoulder. There was a squelching sound as his muscles and tendons reluctantly gave up the metal embedded in them, then a satisfying scream. I twisted around, moving to get away from him. But I wasn’t quick enough.

  His hand shot out and clamped around my upper arm, pulling me roughly back towards him. But I still held the knife. Putting as much force as I could behind it, I swung the blade, but this time he managed to move out of the way. Catching my wrist in his other hand, he closed his fingers, crushing it tightly between them. I gasped from the pain, the knife dropping from my hand and clattering to the ground.

  “You little bitch,” he growled, jerking me around to face him. Blood poured down his arm, covering it in shiny, crimson streaks.

  His eyes were dark, no trace of emotion in them. Just a cold, heartless stare. Grabbing me tightly by the shoulders, he threw me backwards, ramming me against the wall he’d just held Coal against, my head hitting against the hard stone. A dizzy, sickening sensation passed over me as the edges of my vision blurred.

  Blaze moved closer, but not before picking up my dropped knife. Pointing it directly towards my chest, he closed the last few feet between us, his hand thrusting up around my neck, pinning me there. The sharp point moved closer. And closer.

  I tried to scream, but no sound emitted, his fingers tightening around my throat. The jagged edge of cold metal touched against me.

  Burning, prickling, white hot pain coursed through me as he dug the tip of the blade into my skin, just below my collar bone. He dragged it across my flesh, creating a long thin slice. Small streams of blood cascaded down my chest.

  An almost maniacal smile came over him. “That was just a taste,” he murmured, his tone sickeningly sweet. Then he drew his arm back, preparing to slam the knife directly into my stomach.

  ✽✽✽

  Suddenly Coal’s hands appeared, grabbing ahold of the knife and wrenching it from his grasp. Shock exploded across Blaze’s face as Coal grabbed the front of his armored black shirt and shoved him forcefully away. I collapsed to the ground as Blaze stumbled backwards, his body crashing into a nearby tree. Coal quickly closed the gap between them, placing the knife at Blaze’s throat. Anger rolled off him in waves.

  A small trickle of blood ran across the side of Blazes’ head and down his cheek. Panting, he stared at us, wild-eyed. “So you choose her,” his words came out in ragged spurts. “You choose her over us. You turn your back on your brothers. The only ones who know who you really are,” he finished, his voice muffled against the pressure of the knife.

  Coal just shook his head and looked at him, almost with pity. “You’re wrong. I was never like you. And I never will be.”

  Blackness shrouded Blazes’ eyes. “Then all of you will die.”

  “No, we won’t. But if you come after us, threaten us again.” Coal leaned forward,
closer to Blaze’s face. His knuckles were white against the blade in his hand. “If you ever hurt Sage again…”

  With that, he slammed Blaze backwards against the tree. His head bounced off it and slowly his eyelids drooped, dark irises rolling up into his head. Knees giving out, he slumped to the ground, unconscious.

  For a second, I sat there frozen, stunned by what had just happened. Blaze’s sword lay abandoned on the ground nearby. Leaning over, I clasped my fingers around and lifted it up. And saw the red sheen still covering the tip

  Blood.

  Raven’s blood.

  A shudder ran through me. Swallowing back the bile building in my throat, I closed my eyes for a second and tried to steady myself, shaking my head. I could fall apart about this later if I needed to. But not now.

  I moved the sword behind me, handing it to Coal, then crouched beside Blaze’s body. Rolling up his pant leg, I opened the sheath attached there, removing his own knife.

  If he woke before we got far enough away, at least now he’d be weaponless.

  ✽✽✽

  Looking towards Coal, I saw the panic from what had just happened still fresh on his face. I was so used to his sheer strength, to that ferocious mask. This was the first time I’d seen any sign of fear in his eyes. Slightly out of breath still, he moved towards me. “Others are going to come. Someone will have heard the shouts.”

  I nodded and followed him to where Ember stood over Ash’s body. As we approached, I could see Ash’s body on the ground, blood oozing from a gash on his head. Moving closer, I saw his chest rise slightly.

  So, he was still alive.

  “What happened?” I asked. Ember stared down at Ash, an unreadable expression on his face. “How did you stop him?”