Embers

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  Thoughts of Ember were affecting me also, making me look at these humans with even more guilt than usual. How could I feed on one of them when a member of their own race had pulled at my heartstrings with such a powerful tug? If she knew what I did to survive, she’d be completely horrified, and justifiably so. I really was a monster and she’d hate me for it.

  The snapping of Renna’s teeth turned my attention to her. She licked her lips with relish to further frighten the humans, as if it was needed. Even my friends’ faces showed desire for the living souls. Patrick was definitely the most reserved, clear of any emotion, but the hunger was glowing in Charlotte and Colten’s staring eyes. Pricilla had slid into the crowd of humans and was caressing the arm of one of the two females in the group. The female was taller than the average human woman. She had tattoos running the length of each of her arms of a unique vine design. She was rather homely to look at, but radiated vitality and good health. They would be fighting over her soul for sure.

  My kind had quickly reverted back to their original ways, when the seed of evil thoughts had been planted in their minds. They certainly didn’t appear to be a more civilized species at the moment.

  Pricilla pressed her fingertips into the human’s skin. She grazed her canines across its shoulder. The sight of her doing this caused a tingling sensation to surge through my veins.

  My mouth watered and my vision suddenly sharpened. The feelings that I’d mocked the others for having were beginning to take hold of me.

  I had to get away.

  Quietly, I slipped from the crowd into the shadows of the trees. Swallowing a gulp of saliva, I let out a shaky breath. I wanted to be far from the scene that was creating havoc with my own black soul. Walking up the pathway to my house, I could still hear the commotion in the distance as the humans were herded roughly into the building. The squeals, obscenities and wailing all rolled into a cackle of noise that lashed out, sparking the air. I was sure the searchers and Garrett were assisting Charles with the hands on contact of the humans. The rest of them certainly wouldn’t be up to it without creating a blood bath, and ruining the much anticipated hunt.

  I sprinted the remaining few yards to the house, slamming the door behind me. Leaning heavily against the wooden frame, I took rapid breaths. The house was dark except for the light spray of moonlight coming through the windows. I stumbled to the couch, half collapsing onto its softness. I buried my face in a cushion and tried to erase the images that were threatening to pull me back to the humans.

  I was the same as the rest of the rabble. I was pathetic and weak.

  “It is quite barbaric, is it not?” Horas’ voice made me sit bolt upright. The rush of blood pulsated behind my eyes.

  He was a sneaky bastard.

  “You weren’t there?”

  “Don’t you know that if you enjoy the alcohol too much, you don’t go to the pub?” He chuckled after he said it.

  “Yes, I get it. Have you heard what the latest plans are for the hunt?”

  “It will begin at six o’clock in the morning. The most interesting detail is that the humans will be given guns to protect themselves.”

  He waited for my reaction, but he was probably disappointed for the news did not shock me. The size of the humans that the searchers brought back this time, combined with what Garrett had said about needing to learn the old ways had mentally prepared me. We would give the humans a fighting chance. I had read enough about our history to know that most of us were warriors and that our kind used to stage mock battles with humans the same way the Romans did with the gladiators. I glanced at Horas who had taken the seat next to me. He was sipping a large goblet of wine. His demeanor was cool and collected, as usual.

  I wished I could put on the same face. My emotions were bursting through my skin. Anyone could have easily read my discomfort. I slowed my breathing and thought harder about what Horas had said. The guns might give me the chance I was looking for.

  “Exactly which guns are they giving to the humans?” I asked.

  *

  Six o’clock arrived quickly after only a couple of hours of sleep. I was taking care of last minute details when I looked at the clock. Ivan had already gone into the woods with Lutz and Cray to defend the perimeter from any human intruders who might unwittingly stumble into the middle of the hunt.

  I hoped the kid could handle it.

  Seriously vexing me, I was becoming quite fond of the pup. It was never good to have attachments that could be held against you. I had gone fourteen decades of not feeling the draw to protect another being. Now I had the Growler and a human girl clouding my mind.

  I double checked the small revolver and tucked it into my jacket pocket. I’d said nothing to any of my friends, even Horas, about the plan. This way, if I failed, they wouldn’t be implicated, too.

  When I stepped out the door, I was hit by a blast of warm air that was unusual for this hour of the morning. Even though the temperature would be rising with the sun, I had to keep the jacket on. The enticing scent of Ember still lingered in the fibers making it bearable to wear in spite of the heat. I had to look at the bright side of things or I’d go insane on such a day.

  The faint sunlight was beginning to burn off the pockets of mist that were floating here and there in the forest as I purposely made my way towards the donor building. When I passed through some of the cooler, moist air, I took a deep breath. The refreshing sensation strengthened my resolve for some reason, giving me more confidence that I might actually succeed.

  It was a good thing Horas had told me what the others were planning. I’d missed the meeting while I was at the falls. Without the information, I wouldn’t have had any plan at all. Horas had said that seven of the male humans were to be selected for the hunt today and that the six remaining males would be saved for the following week. The two women would be used as donors for a short time before they too would be hunted.

  I stepped in the clearing at the same time that everyone else was arriving. When I glanced at Horas, he looked at me with unexpectedly bright eyes. Charlotte stared at the dirt on the ground while Colton gripped her shoulder tightly. I’d always envied the intimacy between them. They were truly a bonded pair.

  Pricilla appeared eager. She stood between Bethany and the statuesque Renna, whose black skin gleamed in the first rays of sunlight. My gaze lingered on Bethany for a few seconds longer. Since she spent most of her time on the road, I hadn’t been around her that much. Seeing her weight poised on the balls of her feet, her light brown hair pulled up in a ponytail, there was no question in my mind that she was as lethal as the others. She had the ability to control her emotions better than most in the group, and she lacked any compassion for the prey. She would rip them apart systematically in a business-like way. The fact that the hunger lust wouldn’t completely take hold of her made her dangerous to my plans. I’d have to keep a close eye on her.

  Bethany bent down and whispered something into Pricilla’s ear causing Pricilla to giggle. It was a shame that little red head had no will power. This was Pricilla’s equivalent to a coming of age party, monster style.

  The awareness of being watched brushed my senses and I turned my head slightly. Kimberly stood beside Garrett and she was staring straight at me. It had been a while since I’d fallen victim to that seductive look of hers. I glanced away, trying not to give her any reason to hope.

  Everyone came to attention when the door opened. Charles led the way, holding a rope that was tied to each of the human’s hands, keeping them in an orderly line. Their heads were covered with black cloth bags and since they couldn’t see, they walked with short, clipped steps. Donnelly brought up the rear shoving the human in front of him hard. It caused a domino effect, making several of the men fall. Donnelly then shouted for them to get up. The blind humans stumbled to get on their feet again.

  I held my breath at the sight. There was nothing I could do for them at this point. Only if I kept my head about me would any of the humans be sav
ed.

  Garrett followed the scene with a brief speech, reminding us to stay in the paired groups already decided. He also reiterated in a strong voice that whoever brought a human down, owned their souls and that he wouldn’t tolerate any bloodshed between the hunters.

  Not only were the humans’ souls up for grabs, but Garrett made it perfectly clear that their bodies were, also. The primitive urges that our ancestors had had when the world was full of evil chaos would no longer be denied us. After their souls were harvested, we were welcomed to consume their flesh and blood. It was our birth right, Garret told us.

  No one was worried about the guns. Our ability to heal from the bullets made us almost indestructible. The only fatal shot a human could deliver would be if a bullet struck our brain. With our super-fast movements, success would be highly unlikely, especially when they didn’t even know how to kill their foes. The weaponry would make it exciting for the others to avoid being shot and they’d hone their attack skills in the process.

  Charles pushed on the fence with both hands revealing a hidden doorway. Donnelly wasted no time shoving the humans through the opening. They were to be spread out and then turned loose after the bags were removed. This part would take a few minutes, and we all waited for the signal whistle from Charles.

  Once again, I reminded myself that these humans were lost to me. There was nothing I could do to save them. The only hope was that my plan would eventually come to fruition and future humans would not suffer. Ember’s face flitted across my vision and guilt swelled within me. I would have to commit evil today to stop more evil from happening in the future. Would she understand that? I doubted it. I tried to push all thoughts of the fiery girl with the chestnut hair from my mind. I needed to keep my wits about me. I’d deal with the regret later.

  I turned my attention to Gabrielle. She purred words into Horas’ ear as she leaned against him, purposely rubbing her full breasts against his chest. She’d volunteered to be his partner, but the Roman had insisted on being with me instead. He used the excuse that he was more comfortable traipsing through the battlefield with a seasoned soldier, rather than the beautiful brunette who would only distract him.

  I didn’t know about me being seasoned as compared to the Roman, but if I had to have someone with me, he was the best pick under the circumstances.

  The shrill whistle pierced the air, followed immediately by hoots and war cries. Everyone flew into action, several of them jumping the high fence with no hesitation while the others streaked through the doorway.

  Taking a measured breath, I prepared myself for what was to come. Horas and I went through the opening last, moving slower and more deliberately than the others. We entered the trees stealthily as one. Horas signaled me to follow him. Since he’d gone out with the others during the planning excursion, I followed him without question. The Roman probably had a good idea of where the humans would be left.

  I shadowed him, quietly slipping through the thick undergrowth, continually searching the landscape. I caught sight of Kimberly and Donnelly climbing the ridge to the left. They disappeared over it in a blink of an eye.

  Slowing my pace, I allowed Horas to pull further ahead, hoping he wouldn’t notice too soon. At just the right moment, I dropped down a rocky ledge, leaving the Roman altogether.

  I ran and jumped steep terrain, mindful to use the trees as cover and be always on the lookout. I hoped that everyone would be too involved with the hunt to pay any attention to me.

  I’d glimpsed Lutz in his animal form once, but the bear was ambling in the opposite direction, too far away to be concerned with. Now, the cat was a different story. I continued glancing into the trees, paranoid that I wouldn’t see him spying. Missing him could mean a death sentence.

  Caboom, Caboom, Caboom.

  It began.

  Gunshots rattled off in several different locations echoing off the hill sides. I turned and ran toward the closest source with all my speed.

  Only a minute from the time the whistle was blown, I found myself lying flat on my belly on the crest of a steep hill, looking down on a scene below. It was exactly what I’d hoped to find. Jason and Bethany had one of the humans against a tree. The human had gotten a few shots off before Bethany had jumped on him full force and immediately sunk her teeth into his neck.

  I had been a sniper for the North during the War Between the States, and it was all too easy for me. In an instant, the gun was steady in my hand. My mind and eyes united and tunneled on the target. The bullet planted between Bethany’s eyes a second later. Jason had only enough time to register shock on his face before he had a similar hole in his head. I raced down the hillside, not even glancing at the dead. I scrambled to the human, checking his gun to verify that it matched my own. I placed it back into his twitching hand.

  Leaning over the dying human as he convulsed on the ground, I got a strong whiff of the blood flowing from his wound. He was dying and my body was crying out for nourishment. I was all too aware of his pulsating soul, so available for the taking.

  I hesitated, honing in on the stir of air from his mouth. His blood was seeping into the dirt, his breaths close to disappearing for good.

  I stalled just as my mouth was close enough to feel the pressure of his spirit trying to escape through his parted lips. After so many decades of feeding on humans, my mind reeled. I imagined Ember staring at me. The vision cleared my head a bit. My thoughts were less jumbled. I would need the strength more than ever if I was to succeed with my plan. Although this human might still be breathing, it would be dead soon anyway. But if I ingested its soul, the spirit would completely cease to exist. It wouldn’t have the opportunity to go to the afterworld. I wasn’t even sure if Heaven and Hell really existed. The only way to know was to experience death. And the dead people weren’t coming back to tell us about it. Still, if we were all born from the creatures that God created, it would stand to reason that there was an afterlife of some kind.

  If so, then perhaps this particular soul would go down, instead of up. Maybe I’d be doing the man a favor by saving him from an eternity of torture and pain.

  I didn’t need much coaxing, and that’s what decided it for me. Closing my mouth over the human’s, I pulled from a place deep in my gut, where a small, living mass resided. It was an organ that the human’s hadn’t inherited from their forefathers. It’s what made us different than our prey.

  Sucking deeply, I rattled the human’s soul until it broke loose and flowed into my mouth. Down my throat it went and into that place that hungered for it.

  Immediately, I felt the sustenance strengthen my body, giving me longer life and supernatural powers.

  When there was nothing left of the human but an empty carcass, I broke contact and leaned back to catch my breath.

  I looked up to a pair of eyes that sparkled with amusement.

  And I knew he’d seen everything.

  Matthew 13:49

  So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.

  Ember ~ Twenty-Five

  The day was going by in a fog. I’d been so preoccupied with my thoughts of Sawyer that I barely remembered eating breakfast with Ila, the drive to school or my first few classes.

  Most teenagers had issues to deal with, but my life was ridiculous. As if being a Watcher wasn’t bad enough, I had a friend who could change into a wolf and a rather confusing relationship with a Demon.

  I took a swig from the soda that Preston had bought for me, wondering how the star quarterback fit into the equation. He was my shadow now, moving from class to class beside me as if he was my bodyguard.

  The one good thing about Preston was that he talked a lot, distracting me from my bigger problems. He’d go into detail about who was who at school, at least if they were some kind of jock. He knew a few of the band kids, but other than that he didn’t cross the school social class lines. I was impressed to find out he was takin
g some AP classes, so he wasn’t a dumb jock, and his three older sisters had trained him how to treat a girl well.

  I had to admit, Preston wasn’t as bad as I’d originally thought.

  Looking up from the lunch table, I wasn’t surprised to see him standing there with a piece of chocolate peanut butter pie in his hands. When I had commented earlier that the piece he was eating looked good, he immediately went back to the cafeteria line before I had a chance to stop him. I refused the soda too, but that didn’t matter. He got it for me anyway. He seemed bothered that I always brought my lunch, saying that, “It wasn’t enough food for a scrawny bird to eat and that I needed to put some meat on my ribs.”

  I gave in and took the offering, saying, “Thanks.” I wasn’t one to turn down a piece of pie.

  “No problem,” he smiled.

  Secretly, I was thrilled about the soda. It had been a week since I’d last had one. After taking one sip, I knew that I’d been suffering from serious caffeine withdrawal.

  Maddie and Lindsey were still talking about homecoming and the bonfire, and I tried to block the repetitive conversation from my hearing.

  “Hey, Ember, don’t forget to bring all your stuff with you to school tomorrow,” Maddie reminded me once again.

  “I’ll put everything into my truck tonight,” I sighed.

  The rest of the day turned back into the same wispy fog of existence. As interesting as my first few days were, I really missed being home schooled. I liked setting my own schedule, breezing through the easy things and spending more time on the difficult subjects. And there were so many distractions at school. Between Maddie and Lindsey’s gossip and Preston’s puppy dog ways, it was hard to stay focused on trigonometry and chemistry.