Aflame (Apotheosis)

by Daniels, Krissy

  Feeble fingers gripped the bark of a hefty fir. Exhausted and hungry, the small boy crouched behind the tree taking extra care not to make a sound. He peeked around to find a giant man and a tiny woman standing on a huge rock above the water. He watched in silence as they argued. He was good at being quiet and very good at hiding.

  He rubbed his eyes when a red glow formed around the woman, afraid it was his imagination. As it grew brighter and wider around her, his own insides warmed. The sharp hunger pains in his belly melted away. Blood pounded through his veins with the need to be near her. He felt strong and brave, and for a moment, like nobody could ever hurt him again.

  No way. She’s like me.

  He should’ve been scared. Should’ve run, but he couldn’t stop watching. The red glow swirled like a tornado around her and then flew at the man like a ball of fire. The man’s body sucked it up. Sucked it right up. He was so huge it didn’t even hurt him.

  Then the air got super hot and he couldn’t breathe. Still, he watched. It seemed like she pulled all of the fire into herself and then just exploded. He didn’t see much after that. Everything turned black and the force of the blast threw him into the trees. His fingers were torn and bloodied from his tight grip on the rough bark. Oh man, it was hot. As ash blew around him, he ducked deeper into the ground. When the air cleared enough for him to see, he snuck around the tree in time to watch the woman fall. The giant man with huge muscles picked her up, walked toward the thick trees, and disappeared in a flash. Whoa.

  They’re both like me. I’m not a freak.

  The small boy, weak and frail, hobbled back to his tent, stuffed as much as he could in his backpack and fought off a smile. Smiling hurt and made his lips bleed, but he couldn’t stop. Maybe he didn’t have to be by himself anymore. By sheer determination alone, he managed to lift the heavy bag onto his shoulder, and head in the same direction as the fighting couple.

  6

  Pain hammered her skull as Grayce struggled to lift weary lids. It was too damned sunny. She attempted to lift an arm to block the painful intrusion on her optical nerves, and found she was unable to move. A sweet, melodic voice came from her left and subdued the panic that rose within her like a bat out of hell.

  “Grayce, you’re awake. Oh thank goodness.” Chelsea stood bedside and straightened the thin sheet. The lingering scent of fresh baked cookies ignited a rumble in Grayce’s stomach. “Nikolas. Honey, she’s awake.” Delicate fingers worked at Grayce’s wrists. “Here, let me get these off.” Chelsea released the cuffs that bound Grayce’s arms to the bed. “You were thrashing. We didn’t want you to rip out your IVs.” Grayce massaged her wrists while she shielded her eyes from the damned light.

  “Is that too bright?” Chelsea pattered to the wall and hit the dimmer switch. “Sorry about that.” Back at Grayce’s side, she offered much needed comfort with the simple gesture of holding her hand.

  “Well, well, well. Look who’s decided to join us.” Nikolas leaned over Grayce’s chest and gave her a scrutinizing once over. “How are you doing, girl?” With a sympathetic pat to her thigh, he checked her vitals.

  “Did I kill him?” Grayce winced. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to...” Tears became a nuisance under eyelids that felt like sandpaper.

  Chelsea provided a reassuring squeeze. “No, Grayce. Oh heavens no. He’s fine.”

  “You scared the ever living shit out of him though.” Nikolas interrupted. His pearly whites were a stark contrast to his olive complexion. He was laughing. How could he make light of this?

  Chelsea leaned over Grayce and punched him in the shoulder. “Knock it off Nikolas.”

  “Why am I here? What happened?” The room was decorated in soft muted tones. Medical equipment surrounded the bed. Opposite where she lay, a large flat screen television hung on the wall. A peaceful nature scene adorned the wall to the left. To her right a picture window overlooked a small grassy area shaded by an overgrown maple tree that looked to be over a hundred years old. The room resembled a luxury suite at a hotel rather than a hospital.

  “Grayce.” Nikolas scratched his head. “How can I put this simply?” He looked to Chelsea for guidance and continued after they exchanged warm smiles. “You burned yourself out, so to speak. When Z brought you here, you were dehydrated, exhausted and well...done. Wiped out, mentally and physically. You’ve been sleeping at least…um let’s see...” He glanced at his watch. “Forty-seven hours now. I’ll get these IVs out of your arm.”

  “Why is my skin burning? Shit, it itches like hell,” Grayce complained and rubbed frantically at her arms.

  “Hmm. That’s interesting.” Nikolas poked and prodded for a few minutes then turned to his wife. “Darling, how long has Zander been gone?”

  “Close to an hour now, lover.” The way Chelsea regarded her husband made Grayce’s heart ache. Such love and adoration. And it came so naturally.

  “Grayce. You’re having withdrawals.”

  “No, I’m not. I’ve never taken drugs. Not even to experiment.” Drugs were her mother’s gig. No way did Grayce want to follow in mommy’s footsteps.

  Nikolas laughed. “I want you to rest. When you’re feeling up to it, we’ll sit down and talk. There’s plenty to tell you.” The doctor blew his wife a kiss. “I’ll be outside if you need me.” A quick wink to Grayce and the door closed behind him.

  “Where’s Zander?” Grayce asked with a shameful tremble to her voice. Chelsea plopped herself on the edge of the bed and blew an unruly hair from her forehead.

  “He’ll be back. He’s been by your side the whole time. Something important came up. It killed him to go.”

  “I tried to reduce him to ashes. Why would he want to come back?” Turning a heated cheek into the pillow, she replayed the events in her head. How could she lose control like that? Or was it take control? It was amazing and terrifying at the same time.

  “You’ve got some serious shit bouncing around that brain of yours.” Chelsea clasped a hand over her mouth, as if horrified for saying shit.

  “I know.” Grayce almost wanted to smile at the expression on Chelsea’s face. Almost.

  “Someday, you’ll have to open up about it. It’s not healthy to hold such dark secrets. I hope if it’s not Zander, you’ll trust me enough to share. I’m a good listener.”

  Grayce managed a half-hearted shrug. “I’ve never trusted anyone. Don’t think I know how.” That was a little white lie. She had trusted somebody once. He stole her soul.

  “I’m going to get lunch ready. I’ll be back soon.” Chelsea tossed a remote on the bed. “Here, help yourself. There’s at least three thousand channels to choose from. Should keep you busy until I’m back.” Grayce was left alone, hungry for cookies and facing a huge decision. What channel should she watch?

  * * * *

  Homemade chicken soup and warm wheat rolls had satisfied her appetite, but did little to soothe the violent itch ravishing her flesh. Neither did the stunning view through the picture window. Channel surfing had offered some distraction before lunch. Maybe she’d try again.

  Where was Zander? Would he speak to her again? If he were smart, he’d be halfway to the moon by now. Probably much safer there.

  Soul mates? Yeah, right. Soul mates wouldn’t try to kill each other. Proved his theory wrong. She turned on the television to distract her mind from traveling to the dark place it wanted to go.

  “Oh fucking hell.” Jane’s face was on the big screen in glorious high definition. Grayce fumbled with the remote.

  “The body of Jane Christine Montgomery, owner of Jane’s Bar in downtown Chastain was found today in this apartment complex.” The pretty reporter gestured to Grayce’s building. “Police are not yet releasing the tenant’s name, but have confirmed disturbing evidence was found inside.”

  Grayce sat up and feverishly tried to find the volume button. “Sources are telling us Ms. Montgomery has been missing for over twenty-four hours. An anonymous phone call led detectives to this address.�
�

  She flipped through channels hoping to find more information. A bleach blond woman wearing too much eye makeup talked to the camera with an almost believable pretending-to-care face. “Authorities have confirmed the victim appears to have been tortured.” The camera panned behind the reporter and scanned the parking lot.

  Grayce’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. Oh, God. Please, no. As the camera angle widened, she got a spine-chilling gander at a tall, dark and demented nightmare. Beyond the crowd of police officers and curious onlookers, leaning casually against the exact black sports car she watched Jane drive away in, stood Tyr. Smug as shit, looking straight into the camera and smiling. Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck. He killed her. Holy shit. Grayce threw off her blankets and came two feet short of the bathroom before her lunch made an unwelcome reappearance.

  After cleaning herself and the floor, nervous energy nixed any desire to return to bed. A pale blue sundress hung neatly over the back of the chair. No doubt left by Zander. He seemed to have a thing for short, barely-there attire. She dressed and headed outside to the patch of grass she’d admired earlier.

  The sun, despite its biting heat, eased some of the unrelenting itch. It also reminded her of Zander and the sun kissed glow he carried. She sat and stretched her legs. It was safe there. Even with the knowledge that Tyr was close, she felt sheltered, hidden from the world. For a moment she allowed herself the luxury of accepting this place as her home.

  As she lay on her back in the spongy grass and inhaled the summer air, Grayce hoped that someday Zander would be able to forgive her. She’d never desired absolution, nor had an inclination to offer any. With him, everything was different. The rage needed to be tamed. What if someone else had angered her? Somebody who didn’t have Zander’s strength or power or whatever the hell it was?

  Under Tyr’s control, she hadn’t been allowed to show anger. Couldn’t show any emotion without being punished. If she’d known her power back then, the fuck-head would be stewing in a lake of fire, somewhere between Hitler and Charles Manson. The mental image brought a wicked smile to her face.

  Why kill Jane? Did he think she’d go to him if he threatened people around her?

  “Firecracker.” The familiar tingle jetted down her spine and ignited the energy explosion through her veins. Oh thank God, he’s here. In an instant she was flushed, swollen between her legs, and tempted to pounce like a cat on the hunt.

  “Zander.” Shit. Where did she start? How did one apologize for attempting to annihilate the other? He crouched, flaunted his dimples, and she knew in an instant, forgiveness was hers without having to ask. “I thought I killed you. I thought...” He placed his index finger over her lips to silence the unnecessary explanation.

  “You can’t hurt me Grayce. I’ve told you that before.” He traced her bottom lip with his forefinger. “I’m sorry for the things I said. I needed to know how far you’d take it.” He stood and brought her with him. “Walk with me?”

  They strode hand in hand through the small meadow just beyond the ancient maple tree. “I didn’t think you’d come back.” The forest floor passed in a blur as she stared at her feet, unable to bear the weight of his gaze.

  Exasperated, he sighed. “There’s nothing you could do to keep me away. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me firecracker.” Zander grabbed Grayce’s hips and effortlessly swept her over a bubbling brook that trickled through a patch of tall grass.

  “I’m completely blown away by you.” He whispered as he set her down.

  “Blown away? You’re joking.” Grayce fought hard not to smile. “That’s not funny.”

  “I’m sorry. Hey, I want to show you something. Come this way.” Zander grabbed her hand again and led the way to a small footpath that took them up a hill through a dense patch of pines. On the other side, it opened to a grassy area that overlooked a deep wide valley thick with wildflowers and blackberry bushes.

  “This is my favorite spot.”

  “It’s beautiful.” Grayce turned her attention to Zander. Hungry, heated blue eyes stared down at her. A gaze so intense, so filled with promise, her sex clenched.

  “You’re beautiful.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand and let it rest at the nape of her neck.

  Her dark side wanted to push him away, while the rest of her wanted to eat him alive.

  He teased with a feather light kiss. Squeezing his eyes closed, he pleaded through gritted teeth, “Let me love you, Grayce. I can wash the dark stains away.” Slowly he opened his eyes and searched hers for a response.

  With a force she’d never felt, her heart pummeled against the restraints of her chest. The familiar burn of insatiable need rose through her center. How was it possible, this intense desire? Why would this perfect man want her, when she was so damaged? Fuck her, but at that moment, she didn’t care. The formidable ache in her soul, in her heart, overrode the self hatred.

  Rising to the tips of her toes, she placed her hands around his neck and pulled him toward her, never breaking eye contact. Powerless to say no, or refuse him anything when lost in those eyes, she licked his soft, full lower lip, then grabbed it with her teeth and nibbled. The moment she released him, a groan rose from his chest and he devoured her mouth.

  With lips locked, Zander lifted Grayce by the waist and wrapped her legs around his middle. His scent, mixed with the flavor of his kiss, sparked a hunger that disintegrated any and all inhibition. He walked with her coiled around him until he found a soft patch of grass. As he released her mouth to let her down, Grayce protested with a whimper. It hurt to be separated for the few seconds it took him to remove his shirt and lay it in the grass.

  “Holy fuck.” Grayce mouthed to herself. He was so impossibly perfect and sexy kneeling there, shirtless. Not a flaw anywhere, only muscle that bulged and writhed, performed a mating dance under his taut skin. Grayce’s own muscles tightened as heat swirled and churned in her belly.

  “Grayce.” He whispered as he slid his hands up her thighs and under her dress. With adept fingers he explored and rubbed her abdomen, then made his way to her backside. “I need to tell you something.”

  “Shh. I don’t want to talk. Please, not now.” A warm glow spread across the surface of her skin.

  “My firecracker. You’re hot for me already.” Pulling her close, he guided her panties down her hips and thighs, her calves and ankles.

  He pulled the hem of her dress over her waist and held it in place with one hand at the arch of her back. With the other, he traced her scar, pulling her near to kiss the spot where it met her hipbone. Shockwaves rocked her body as his lips brushed against her skin. Weak in the knees and head spinning, she rested her weight on his shoulders to stay upright. Nimble fingers leisurely made their way across to her navel, his lips in hot pursuit.

  Trailing kisses downward and stopping at the apex of her thighs, he cupped her ass on both sides, squeezed and pulled her closer. A yearning groan escaped his lips as he buried his nose in her moist folds that ached with need, then inhaled deeply. “Good God, baby. You smell like heaven.”

  Grayce gasped as he guided her legs apart and his tongue invaded her like wildfire, doing things she never could’ve imagined, let alone considered pleasurable. With her head tossed back, she buried her fingers in his hair and pulled him harder into her. Strong arms held her steady as he massaged her trembling rear. Her hips swayed and pushed against him as he continued his slow sweet exploration.

  Greedy for more, needing him deeper inside her, she lifted her leg and rested it over his shoulder. His tongue and lips explored, pleasured and pushed her body beyond any emotion, thought or reason as they circled, kissed and loved her down there. Her hips ground against his mouth as her body hummed and her blood turned to warm oil oozing through her veins.

  Molten once again, the fire swelled, a good burn, not angry, and definitely not out of control. Her climax built rapidly. She wasn’t ready, didn’t want the pleasure and escape to end. But shit, how she needed the rele
ase. With a death grip on his head, she gyrated, harder and harder against him until... “Oh fuck. Oh Zander. Fuck.” Grayce came undone and collapsed into the strength of his arms. Zander supported her full weight through the last jagged breath, last quiver and last whispered profanity.

  After one final lick of her sensitive nub, he lowered her to his lap. His erection rubbed against her moist sex through his sweatpants. “Kiss me, baby.” He begged.

  Grayce lifted her chin to oblige and was shocked by the flavor and scent of her arousal on his lips. “Now that wasn’t a gentlemanly thing to do, was it?” She moaned and licked the taste from her lips.

  “I did ask first.” Zander leaned forward on powerful haunches and lay her on the shirt he’d spread in the grass. As he stood to remove his unwelcome clothing, Grayce gasped at the sight of his erection jetting between his prodigious thighs. It bounced thick, proud and heavy. How, in the name of all that was holy, did that thing fit inside her?

  “Grayce, I can’t hurt you, remember?” He knelt next to her. “We were made for each other. Every inch of our bodies.”

  She wasn’t sure what he meant. In that moment, she didn’t give a shit. She only wanted him on her, in her. Wanted him to fill her until there was no room for loneliness, fear or self loathing.

  “Let me love you, Grayce.” Laying next to her, he peeled one spaghetti strap off her shoulder, then the other. One at a time, he circled his thumb over her nipples then pulled the bodice of her dress down to free her breasts. He leaned in to kiss her chin, her neck, then her shoulder. With each brush of his lips across sensitized skin, shivers danced through her soul. Cupping one breast in his hand, he nudged it to his lips, then paused to meet her gaze.

  Grayce fisted the grass at her sides. She couldn’t help but swivel against the erection that lay heavy and heated across her leg. Warm summer air swirled around them and filled her lungs with the scent of pine, wildflowers and sex.

  “Your body makes me crazy.” His tongue flicked over her nipple and her body spasmed. He pulled it into his mouth, teased, taunted, pulled and sucked. Grayce squirmed under him, tried to control the fire that seared her insides. Fuck. How could she feel pain and such intense pleasure at the same time?