Burning Ashes

by Jadyn Chase

  His response was to plunge deep inside of me with power and strength. I could still feel him holding back. I didn’t want to be made love to. “Julian, please. I need you to fuck me.”

  “Are sure about that?” he eyed me with sweat beading across his forehead. I nodded not wanting to say anything more to him. Julian inhaled the scent of our sex while a grin spread on his face. He hoisted me into his arms and wrapped my legs around his torso while he pushed us against the wall. The feeling of every inch sliding back inside of me caused a bright spark behind my eyes. If I'd lost full control, I'm sure I would have blown a beam of fire into his face.

  Julian kept one hand pressed against the wall with every stroke. I let one foot down with the other draped over the crux of his elbow. He moved into me with vigorous desire begging to be satisfied. We took our passion back to the bed where he bent me over the edge onto my stomach. Feeling his cock push inside of me from behind sent shockwaves to my clit and down to my toes. I tried my best to take every inch, but the pressure of the pleasure was too much to bear.

  I scurried away from him, across the bed trying to catch my breath.

  “What’s wrong?” he said. I could hear the exhaustion in his voice, but the rock hardness of his manhood told me he wasn’t nearly done.

  “This is too much,” I told him running my fingers through my tousled hair. It was pinned up into a bun before the party. Now? Sagging and dropping to the side, my bun plopped onto my shoulder.

  “I asked if you were sure, but we can stop,” he said.

  “I don’t want to stop,” I blurted out. “I just need to slow down.”

  “Oh,” he snickered, “You actually meant how fast I was moving not how fast we were moving.”

  “Exactly. So slow it down.” I certainly did tell him to fuck me, but he was too good. I didn’t want him to fuck me into obsessing over him. All I thought about was us cooped up in my dwelling spending hours upon hours tasting and gratifying one another. DAMN THIS HEIGHT OF PASSION!

  I crawled back toward him, and he got into the bed next to me. Julian pulled me on top of him, and this time it wasn't awkward. I hovered around the tip for a minute before sliding down and gyrating my hips. Rocking back and forth, with every roll of my waist let me control how much of him entered inside of me. Being in control would surely ease the emotional connection my body was trying to make with him, but that didn’t last very long.

  Julian flipped me over onto my back, taking his time moving in and out of me. His massive arms cradled me, lifted me up into his body where we meshed together. We moved as if we’d been tangled in the throes of intimacy before. We made a clear picture together. We climaxed together. We finished together and collapsed onto the bed desperate to catch our breaths.

  It took a few moments to recuperate, but once I was ready to move, I got up from the bed to get myself together. I tried my best to have my hair exactly as it was before Julian entered the party. The mirror wasn’t the best, nor was the lighting. I wanted to be sure that no one would have anything to say if they saw us walking out of this room together with me looking disheveled. I wanted to keep my reputation mysterious and aloof.

  My eyes couldn't stop drifting over to the stranger putting his clothes on. He wanted to tell me something, but now that I'd been quenched of my lust, I had no intentions on sticking around to hear what he had to say. Sexy and all, I didn't want anything more than this.

  “Thank you, Julian,” I told him walking toward the door. “It’s been far too long since I’ve been with another Siren. This was well worth your journey here. I do hope you enjoy Black Harbor. If you’re in need of further gratification, well, you know Skinner. He’s into sharing these days. One of his pets will be happy to take care of you.”

  “Aya, wait,” he told me touching my hand delicately as I reached for the door. “I have to talk to you about why I came to Black Harbor. I’m here to warn you.”

  His white hair shifted back to its grey hue. The same shade when he first arrived. Pondering its actual shade is all the thought I wanted to give Julian.

  “I am Aya. I don’t need any warnings. I’m fine. I can take care of myself. I have been all this time. I truly understand how this works, Julian. You don’t have to make up some elaborate tale to excuse what just happened. Sirens have a wonderful system of coming together once or twice a year, if that, to create a family but I don’t want that. I don’t need a stranger coming into my life to disrupt what I have going on.”

  "I get all of that, but I'm not making anything up. I need you to know that the Sect of Zion is coming here to capture you. They will kill you, and they're bringing in two Jade Sentinels to help them do it."

  5

  Julian

  I don't know why I thought I could roll into this town and have their Siren believe me. The Sect of Zion wasn't exactly common knowledge, and the fact that they were continually moving didn't help either. Aya's brilliant green eyes, so similar to mine, glared at me. They shifted from indifference to anger as she refused to accept anything I had to say. She thought I was trying to manipulate her into starting a family. How many other Sirens had come to her with ploys to control her heart?

  "Aya, please," I begged her, "I don't know how much longer we have. I shouldn't have even taken it this far but my urges, I couldn't stop myself... I'm not here to control you or tell you what to do, but I will tell you that Six and Axel are Jade Scalers you don't want to handle on your own."

  She paused and turned to me, still with doubt in her eyes, “So you’re telling me that some group with two Scalers who don’t even reside in this country are on their way to Black Harbor to capture and kill me? Why?”

  The disbelief in her tone gave me an inkling of how difficult this was going to be. Frustration began to take over. My voice refused to hide it, “They want to use your scales and blood to gain immortality. I know it sounds absolutely insane, but you have to believe me. Six and Axel are the Jade Sentinels traveling with them. They do whatever the leader Cyrus tells them to, and he’s sending them after you.”

  “Enough!” she said firmly, “Whatever happens, I will react accordingly. Just leave me alone.”

  “Aya please,” I touched her hand to stop her from leaving. “Just stay with me so I can explain it all.”

  The gaze in her eyes softened. Her hair had lost it's white luster as it transitioned to its natural auburn shade. She was beautiful with her freckles circling her eyes and then that body. I wanted to drag her back to bed, tie her down, and keep her there until the Sect gave up and left the city. She never gave me a chance as she took my face into her soft hands. Her lips pressing against mine sent a shiver down my body that I didn't want to ignore. I let go and gave into my urges again. It wasn't until I felt her fingers graze across my scalp as she ran them behind my ears that I knew it was too late. She pressed against a spot that stunned me into incoherency. Her beautiful face was the last thing I saw before everything faded to black.

  The dreams unfolding in my mind kept me unconscious. Visions of my parents floated by. They were so in love. It's what they told me. Emerald Sirens, although living the bulk of their lives in solitude, once they've found their mate, they mated for life. A bond forged between two souls inclined to be alone made for one of the most robust relationships of the Scaler species.

  Thinking about forever with someone you've just met is overwhelming. I understood Aya's apprehension. If she assumed that's what I wanted, it would be hard to take me seriously. The Sect of Zion didn't help either. It wasn't until they destroyed my home that I even believed they were real. Stories were passed down to me, but they were so outlandish. The idea of destroying someone for a ritual that has no basis in reality didn't seem plausible, and I witnessed it.

  The soft and then very vigorous shaking of my body forced me to wake up. Opening my eyes, I'd hoped to see Aya, but instead, they met the gaze of Skinner. He said something to me, but the room spun, my head throbbed, and I couldn't get my bearings. I sat up, pushing
myself off the bed. It felt like I was learning to use my wings all over again. That uneasiness of air and gravity pulling at me from both directions made me sit back down.

  “Take it easy,” Skinner told me. This time his voice rang through my head loud and clear.

  “Is she still here? I have to get to her before they do!”

  “No, Aya has left and from the looks of things,” he picked up a section of my dark brown hair, “It looks like you already got to her. Satisfied, huh? Can I interest you in one of my pets to tie you over?”

  "No!" I pushed him away, "I came here to warn her, and she didn't believe me. I need to help her before Cyrus, and the Sentinels reach her."

  "Oh, you were serious about that? Listen, I'm all for selling the story. Believe the lie until it rings true, but that craziness about the cult group coming here to catch her didn't seem … well, it's a bit far-fetched. No one's heard of them outside of a few myths. They're supposed to be as real as that jolly old fat guy who wore red and delivered Scalers to good little Anthros all over the world in one night. I'd believe it if he had scales and wings, but flying deer? Ha!"

  “Enough!” I shouted, “I don’t have time to convince you or anyone else about how real this threat is! I need to get to Aya, and now! You said there was a way I could get into her home; through the water in the harbor?”

  "Well yes, that's the foolproof way of getting in without being rejected prior to entry. It will be fairly easy to spot. Dive down about 30 feet and swim through the hole in the cement wall of the docks. You'll come up in a cave of sorts, but you can walk through and get into the dwelling of the Enchantress. I love a good break-in role play."

  “That’s not what this is, Skinner.”

  He raised his hands up with a sly grin, "I don't judge. After all, I am Skinner Finch. Even I can't believe half the shit I've done. Have fun and remember your debt to me. I believe this tacks on another favor since I'm helping you, yet again."

  “Fine.”

  I couldn’t believe that I had a running tab with the infamous Skinner Finch. I’d have to worry about his favors after I got to Aya. Convincing her of the impending danger is all that mattered to me. Skinner had one of his pets deliver my satchel to me. In it were my elixirs and vials, along with the clothes I’d worn into the city. Thankfully clean and ready to wear, I could maneuver better in cargo pants and a t-shirt. The linen apparel would have to be stowed away.

  “What’s the fastest way to get to the docks?” I asked.

  “Are you not a Siren?” his pet answered with enough sarcasm to irritate me.

  “Yes.”

  “Follow your instincts,” she shrugged before walking out of the room.

  Were they all this difficult? I imagined it was a bit lazy of me, but having been put under by Aya left me feeling uncertain of my instincts. I guess there's no truer test than to go outside.

  The moon's beam shined like a spotlight over the city. A crisp breeze wafted through the air that would make anyone shiver, but it invigorated me, recharging my battery. We were so close to the water my gills began to flare in and out again. My Scaler wanted to be set free so badly, but he was bigger than most Sirens. With the threat of Sentinels lingering, I couldn't tell how violent I'd become if I caught sight of them. I didn't want to destroy Black Harbor. I merely wanted to save Aya.

  My anger remained subdued as I made my way toward the water. The subtle mixture of salt grew stronger the closer I got to the shore. The scent of salt wasn't all that hit me. Cyrus was near, and he wasn't alone. I wish I could pinpoint their location, but my body was in desperate need to locate Aya. It was stupid to give in. Blindly jumping into the sack with anyone would have irreparable consequences, but the Height of Passion for any Siren is such a rare thing that when two are in the same vicinity in that time, it couldn't be ignored. We wouldn't be able to get anything done. I guess in hindsight we're still not accomplishing much.

  Once I arrived at the edge of the city, a row of abandoned warehouses didn't show any signs of life. The solitude was familiar. Not a Jade Sentinel in sight. At least they hadn't gotten to her yet. I stared out at the open water wondering if I had to jump in. I saw a long wooden dock extending into the bay. My gaze shifted to the murky deep. I couldn't see anything down there. Would Skinner set me up? Was he really out for favors from powerful Scalers or was he willing to take delight in knowing that he tried to kill me by sending me underwater to a tunnel that didn't exist?

  Fine time to gauge the Onyx Skull's honesty. What did I have to worry about? I could swim in both forms. But if he's lied to me, he'd be the next name added to my list. I was apprehensive about challenging the Jade Sentinels on my own, but Skinner Finch? There wasn't a doubt in my mind that if he screwed me; I'd tear his throat out.

  6

  Aya

  Why did he have to get all crazy on me? Especially after that amazing moment we just shared. Stepping out of the bedroom, I’d left Julian knocked out and closed the door behind me. Laura was still laughing and talking with her guy by the time I made my way back down to the bar. I didn’t want to stop her night, but I didn’t want to be around when Julian woke up.

  “Heading home,” I mouthed to her with a half smile and a shrug as if to say I tried.

  She held a finger up for me to wait, but I couldn't. The pressure point behind a Siren's ears was sensitive, but the effects weren't long term. One of my treasured techniques to get Scalers to relax while I set broken bones or other painful injuries. I hated having to use it against him, but he wouldn't stop about that Sect of Ion, or whatever he called it.

  The last time my life was in danger came at a time I tried my hardest to forget. I'd lost my home and my parents in one fell swoop. I never saw the person responsible, but I'd remember that scent forever. Courage never found me to seek him out. Revenge damages the inner being far too much for me to take on some treacherous journey to seek justice. So I let it go like I did most things in my life.

  I just wanted everyone to be safe, and I'd done a great job of that in Black Harbor. Through all of its changes, from the rigid regime of the Golden Imperials to the balanced leadership with the Heads of Clans, I'd kept the majority of its inhabitants safe and healthy. That's the job of an Emerald Siren, and I was great at it. I couldn't sense the life-threatening force making its way into the city for me. Julian had to be wrong.

  Crazy is a word I hated using to describe anyone, but that's the behavior he exuded. It didn't matter how much truth I saw in Julian's eyes. I made my way out of the Onyx Skull party cautiously without waiting for Laura to try and stop me. The night air was fresh as I tugged the jacket closed over my dress. I closed my eyes taking in a deep breath. It felt magnificent.

  “So, did Romeo find his Juliet?” Skinner asked quietly from the doorway. I don’t know how long he’d been standing there, but I’d known him long enough to understand he enjoyed startling people. I didn’t happen to scare so easily.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  "Oh come now, Aya. My dear, Aya," he sang, "That gorgeously reddish-brown hair of yours was white when I saw you earlier. I can't find my new friend-"

  “Speaking of which, how did you happen to come upon Julian?” I asked him.

  His eyes widened, “So you did see him, interact with him, fall in love?”

  “What do you know about him, Skinner? Where did he come from? Why did you bring him here?”

  “Interesting. You always seem to be so short on words, but tonight you’re a reservoir of conversation. He’s been traveling, quite some way to find you. He says he needed to warn you, to save your life.”

  “And you didn’t think it would be a good idea to tell me that before you sicced him on me?”

  “You don’t need my protection,” he replied. “But he needed my help, so I helped him to find you. You two were in dire straits without one another. When’s the last time-”

  I cut him off, “Don’t you finish that! I’m tired of everyone tracking how often I hav
e sex. Did he tell you about this Sect? This group of people looking for me?”

  “He mentioned something or other, but honestly, I had Melody and the girls taking care of him, so you’d have to ask them. You already know how much they like to use their mouths. I’m sure using them to speak words would be just as enjoyable for them knowing it’s to help you.”

  Rolling my eyes couldn’t be enough to show much disdain I carried for Skinner and his lifestyle. I didn’t have time for this, “He’s going to be waking up soon. Get rid of him and don’t tell him where I’m at by the docks. I don’t want him following me. I don’t want him bringing whatever nonsense he was talking about to my doorstep either.”

  “I think you should hear him out. He sounded sincere,” Skinner reasoned.

  “Why are you vouching for him? Do you owe him something?”

  “Don’t you trust my word, Aya?”

  “I know you don’t do anything without it benefitting you in some way, shape, or form.”

  He gleamed with pride, “You know me so well, but he’s actually in debt to me. I could use a favor from you if I steer him in the wrong direction.”

  Giving Skinner Finch a favor would be carnage. No, too drastic. The idea didn’t sit well with me.

  "No, don't do me any favors. I can't have owing you one on my conscience. Tell him whatever you want. I'm going home. ALONE, Skinner."

  “You didn’t even give me a chance to say anything disgustingly salacious to you,” he whined. “But fine, have a good night.”

  I stopped for a moment, uncertain of the emotion coursing through me. I faced Skinner with a hint of a smile, “Go ahead.”

  While I expected him to summon words of a grotesque nature, he tipped his head to me, "You are truly enchanting, Aya. Goodbye, my Siren."