Aflame (Apotheosis)

by Daniels, Krissy

  Her body trembled with need to let loose the fury. Grayce quelled the inferno. It danced, swirled, taunted and begged to be unleashed, but she held it at bay.

  It wasn’t time. Not yet.

  She turned her thoughts to Zander, her refuge. She imagined him wrapped around her as she swam in those mystical eyes of his. As she relaxed, the energy dissipated and receded back into her skin. Her clothing was nowhere to be found.

  Fuck it. If she had to do this naked, so be it.

  15

  Zander’s anger swelled, pushing the limits of his sanity. The pitch black tunnels made it impossible, even for someone with his superior senses, to travel any faster than a turtles pace.

  The deeper he wandered, the more treacherous the terrain, the more complex the web of corridors. He would’ve skipped to the end and brought the whole mountain down on top of Tyr and himself if his Grayce hadn’t been trapped inside.

  It was an endless network of passages. One opened to two. They opened to two or three more. There were so many. Like a labyrinth. The monster hid Grayce and Stephen in a fucking labyrinth. It was the perfect place to hide. Or to hide somebody.

  A child’s scream echoed through the dark corridors drawing his attention to the left. A smaller passage he would’ve otherwise passed held the faintest illumination. One a normal human eye wouldn’t have registered.

  With a huff and a shove, he reduced the ominous heavy wooden door at the end of the trail to splinters. Energy flooded his veins. His strength increased. Heart rate, too. Grayce was close.

  So help him, he would tear the psychopath limb from limb without a moment’s hesitation this time.

  He entered an empty room lighted with a small bulb hung over a ceiling beam. At the far end, a door hung ajar. Stephen’s scent and the stench of sulfur filled the air, the remnants of his lightning.

  With savage fury he tore through the open door leaving rusted hinges in his wake. Fuck. Another tunnel. This shaft was lit with several dim LED lamps spaced every five feet. Several more doors lined the dirt walls.

  The first was ajar and revealed an empty cave. Door number two led him to a makeshift bathroom. Bloody rags lay on the floor in the corner. His rage spiked, beating through his ears like the hoof beats of a thousand stallions marching off to war, carrying armor clad warriors upon their backs.

  He walked straight through the next door with not so much as a flinch. Zander stopped dead in his tracks and pressed his palms to his temples to stop his brain from exploding with rage. He stood in an exact replica of the room Grayce had been tortured in for years.

  Burnt ropes lay on the ground at his feet. Good girl. She was fighting.

  He turned to leave and a searing heat struck his head and threw him back through the doorway. Dirt and rocks exploded around him as his body made a permanent impression in the wall behind him. The earth rumbled, bits of the ceiling fell, black air filled his lungs.

  Zander didn’t bother to wipe the dirt from his eyes.

  Attack. Kill.

  Full blown rage consumed his thoughts, his actions, switching his brain to hard-core combat mode.

  No thinking. Just doing.

  He pushed himself from the gouge in the wall and charged. Blinded by dirt and dust, he slammed the attacker to the ground, wrapped both hands around his neck and prepared to detach it from the shoulders. A deep ancient battle cry escaped his lips, so fierce the walls trembled.

  “Zander?” A soft voice pierced his scream.

  What the fuck?

  Blinking the grime from his eyes, he looked down to see Grayce underneath him, naked and beautiful, her red glow a protective shield. “Shit. Zander I’m sorry. I thought you were—”

  His lips were on hers before she finished. Hunger, need and desperate gratitude rushed through him. He chewed her lips, savored the flavor, then moved to her neck.

  “Grayce, baby. I’m so sorry. Thank God, you’re alive.”

  She trembled under his touch, covering her breasts as he performed a thorough examination of her body. Scratches and bruises, but nothing life threatening. “ Did he hurt you?”

  “No. I’m fine. He didn’t touch me.” The quiver in her voice was faint, but enough so that her lie was obvious. Zander took his shirt off and pulled it over her head. His breath caught when he spied the gash across her chest.

  She glared and shook her head in warning. “Not now. We have to get Stephen. He’s here somewhere.” The panic in her eyes set his blood aflame.

  “Fuck that.”

  He carried her through several long corridors before Grayce found her voice. “Zander. What are you doing? Put me down.” Pounding his chest and arms with useless abandon, she tried to free herself from his embrace. “We have to get Stephen.”

  “I’m getting you the hell away from here first. I’ll come back for Stephen.” He searched the darkness, trying to remember which way to go. The absence of light and sound played tricks on his senses.

  “No!” She punched at him harder. “No Zander. We get him now. Together. Don’t fucking do this to me.”

  The growl that rumbled deep in his chest and throat surprised even him. Grayce froze. “Don’t fight me right now, love. I can’t think straight until I know you’re safe.”

  “No. I can help. Please.” In a display worthy of an Oscar, Grayce hugged his neck, buried her face in his shoulder and begged. “Don’t leave me alone. Don’t leave me.”

  Oh God, this was not in her character and pathetic as hell. He may have laughed at her audacity if the situation weren’t so dire.

  “Zander. I need you, I’m scared. Let me stay with you,” she whimpered against his neck.

  “For fuck’s sake. Grayce. You’re killing me.” He lowered her to the ground. “I’m not an idiot. I know what you’re doing.”

  She pulled his shirt over her bare ass. “Sucker. Don’t be mad. I can help.” He watched with pride as a warm, red glow illuminated the tunnel. “See?”

  With a deep sigh, he shook his head. She was right. “Damn, Grayce. Fine.” He wrapped his arm around her and guided her back through the dark maze. When they were back in front of the playroom, Grayce paused.

  “Give me a sec.” Placing her hand on his abdomen to block his entrance, she lifted her chin, rolled her shoulders and entered. Standing in the doorway, his heart damn near burst in his chest as he watched his woman raise her arms, and with complete control disintegrate the entire contents of the room, right down to the paint. It bubbled and blistered on the walls until there was nothing but ash. It was necessary. He understood. It was healing, soul cleansing. She turned and pushed her way past him. Mouth sealed tight, he watched her wipe a tear from her cheek and carry herself with a new found confidence.

  “They went this way.” Grayce stormed through the door to the left. Her glow cut through the dark better than a flashlight. Barefoot and half naked, Grayce led the way, her determination stronger than the cuts and blisters on her feet.

  God he loved this woman.

  * * * *

  The man yanked Stephen through a dark tunnel into the fresh air. He glanced around at his surroundings. Above the entrance, which hid behind large boulders, the mountain towered in a steep stretch toward the sky. Around him, tall grass and smaller trees spread down a small hill. He tried to decide which would be the safest direction to run. But if he ran, he couldn’t save his sister. No way was he going to leave her alone.

  “Come here, boy.” Long fingers stretched in front of him. Fingers that hurt people. Fingers far too pretty for a man.

  Stephen backed up one tiny step at a time, careful not to take his eyes off the creep in front of him. The ropes binding his wrists loosened as he wiggled his arms, frantic to free himself.

  “We’re going to have fun together.”

  What would Marcus do? Marcus would fight.

  Zander would smash.

  Still struggling to free his arms, he ignored the blood that formed around the binds. Stephen jetted toward the man with girl hand
s and kicked him in the shins with ferocious strikes.

  “Where’s Grayce?” He charged again, shoved his shoulder into the man’s thigh, bounced off and tripped over a large rock. “Asshole! Where’s Grayce? Take me to her.” He leapt to his feet and gave the man the most threatening glare he could muster.

  “Boy. Maybe we got off to a bad start.” The man tapped his chin with his long finger, folded his arms over his chest and backed away.

  Stephen bit at the ropes on his wrists. He had to save Grayce.

  “That isn’t going to do you any good. You could chew on those for a week and you wouldn’t be free.”

  Stephen spat at the man. His blood boiled and a hundred different ways to kill the black-eyed beast flashed through his mind. Anger pounded and beat against his temples. He was angry for getting captured. Mad he couldn’t get himself loose. Most of all, furious he hadn’t protected Grayce.

  “I’ll untie you, but hear me child. If you run, I’ll catch you. The punishment will be severe.” The man slanted his head and looked Stephen up and down. “You’re a fighter, boy. I like that about you.” In one stride, the man had a grip on Stephen’s arm and swiped at his feet, knocking him to the ground. “Don’t try to escape. I’m tired and not in the mood for playing chase.” He straddled Stephen’s thighs and unknotted the rope. “Now boy, you are going to help me—”

  The moment his wrists were free, Stephen sent a blue bolt straight at the man’s heart. The force threw the man backwards and he landed with a thud against a tree trunk. Stephen’s lightning danced playful and free around the man’s body as he looked down at a charred wound in the center of his chest. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  Before Stephen could stand, the man’s skinny hands were wrapped around his throat.

  “What was that, boy?” Evil spirits danced in the man’s eyes. The same demons he used to see in Shayde’s glare.

  If he didn’t get away, he was going to die.

  Death by girlie fingers.

  No. Not gonna happen.

  Stephen struck again, but the man disappeared. A fearsome chuckle gave away his location behind a nearby tree.

  “Where’s Grayce?” Stephen screamed. Another shot hit the tree dead center. Sparks and sticks flew. The tree snapped at the point of contact.

  The man stood and looked down at the hole just below his chest. It was a perfect circle and went all the way through.

  The scent of burning flesh filled Stephen’s nostrils, stinging his eyes. The man laughed. He wore no smile on his face, but he laughed.

  “A boy? Bested by a pathetic child?” He cackled. “Impossible.” He staggered and balanced himself against the tree stump.

  “Boy.” The scowl he shot Stephen would be forever burned in his memory. “I’m going to have to kill you now. It’s a shame. We could have done—” He stumbled forward and clenched his chest. “We could’ve done some amazing things, you and I.”

  Stephen watched in horror as the man staggered toward him. The hole in his body oozed black goo.

  He was mesmerized by the wound. Looked like he could fit his arm clean through it. He made that hole. Where was the blood?

  Gross.

  His knees wobbled. “Where’s Grayce?” Stretching his arms toward the man again, Stephen crouched, ready for battle.

  The man swayed toward Stephen, reached for him with long trembling arms. “You won’t kill me. I’ll take you to Grayce. Come here boy. Help me. I’ll take you to Grayce.”

  Bracing to strike again, Stephen nearly jumped out of his skin as a large hand lay across his arms, forcing them down to his sides. “Get behind me Stephen. Now.”

  For the first time in what felt like hours, Stephen breathed.

  Familiar arms pulled him behind Zander and locked him in a tight embrace. “Oh thank God. Are you all right?” Stephen nodded but didn’t answer. Relief washed away the crippling fear. She was safe. Grayce was safe.

  “Stephen. Listen to me. You need to go back into the tunnel.”

  He shook his head no. “No way.” If there was a fight, he was gonna help.

  “Don’t argue with me. Just go. We’ll be right there.” Grayce’s eyes were red. Bright, shiny balls of red. He knew better than to argue. Slumping his shoulders, he turned toward the entrance.

  * * * *

  “My little dove. You’re here.” Tyr held welcoming hands toward Grayce. A wet cough had blood and black liquid spewing over his chin. “I’m already feeling better. It’s amazing, the effect you have on me.”

  “You’ve got a bit of a hole in your chest.” Grayce stepped out from behind her giant guardian. “Does it hurt much?” Her lips twitched and the coldness in her glare gave him cause to take a step back. Fear no longer existed behind those hazel eyes.

  Hatred. Fierce, flaming hatred.

  Tyr’s body convulsed as he tested his ability to teleport. Too weak still. Perhaps if she came closer he could grab her and disappear.

  “You’re mine, Grayce.”

  Dead or alive.

  “Remember that.” He warned.

  “Like hell I am.” Raising outstretched palms, she took a confident step toward him.

  “Grayce no.” The giant commanded and grabbed her arm. She turned with shocking speed and forced a red flaming ball at the blond warrior. He stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.

  “This is my fight” She glared with stone cold fury. “Stay the fuck back.”

  Tyr struggled to maintain his composure along with his balance. What was this? A red glow enveloped Grayce, swelled like a rising tide, expanded and spread toward him. His mind raced with possibilities. How did he not know of this power she possessed?

  She moved closer. His body warmed.

  That’s it, keep coming...just a little closer.

  With every step she took toward him, his body strengthened. The pain in his chest subsided, his breathing came easier. She was so close. He just needed to touch her...

  * * * *

  Time slowed almost to a stop. The familiar snap, pop and buzz of electrified heat swarmed around Grayce’s head.

  This was it. Her only chance to stop him, to end Tyr. The monster lay on a silver platter. Apple in his mouth. Just for her.

  Shit. It was almost as if he begged her—come and get me. Was he anxious for the end? He appeared weak and vulnerable. A state she’d never seen him in. The hole in his chest was a pleasant surprise. Gruesome as hell, but amusing to see nonetheless.

  “Yes, my little dove. Come to me.” Fingers splayed, he reached for Grayce, nodding as if to assure her everything would be fine.

  With measured steps she inched toward the monster. Fury swept around her, turning underbrush to embers at her feet. The demon who’d turned her into a shell of a human, who had made sure she’d never love or feel loved, stood powerless before her, yet dared to assume control.

  Zander loomed behind. Vibrations of protective rage radiated against the back of her head with each angry breath he released.

  Tyr stood straighter, took a step forward, eyes filled with hope. “That’s it. Yes. My little dove. My Grayce. Mine.”

  “Yours, yes yours.” Grayce stopped just close enough to envelope Tyr inside her red field of retribution.

  “Your pain.”

  His clothing smoked and charred. Thread by thread it fell away from his body.

  “Your suffering.”

  The deep black hair on his head turned gray and piece by piece blew away, ashes on the wind.

  “Your demise.”

  His perfect skin bubbled and blistered.

  He didn’t flinch. Didn’t scream. Didn’t try to get away.

  “Mine.”

  A large hand wrapped around his neck, held him just out of arms reach. Zander lifted Tyr off the ground, an offering to her. A gesture she would hold dear to her heart until her dying breath. A simple act that proved without a doubt his deep love for her. Her mate, her lover offering up a chance for true healing.

  “Your an
gel of death.”

  Grayce pulled hard from the molten depths of her soul and forced every bit of fury, fear and torment straight at the monster now dangling in Zander’s hand.

  An unholy scream spilled from Tyr’s bloodied lips as his skin charred and peeled away from his body in flakes. His flesh ignited, turned to flame then ash. As Zander released his bones, they hung for a moment, floating and dancing, suspended on a gust of thermal wind.

  Grayce screamed as a flaming ball erupted around her. Tyr’s bones were carried away, embers glowing through the darkening sky. Zander was thrown back through the trees. Above, the mountain rumbled as rocks tumbled and rolled toward her.

  Bone-tired, Grayce fell to her knees and sucked hard to pull oxygen back into her lungs. A boulder missed her head by inches as it skidded and bounced down the mountain.

  Oh shit, Stephen.

  Grayce forced herself to her feet and ran toward the tunnel opening, dodging falling rocks. A sharp pain bit her shoulder and knocked her backwards. Hot, hard muscle broke her fall and she was whisked deep inside the mine.

  Zander and Stephen were at her side. The threesome covered their ears. A thunderous roar echoed through the opening as the entrance was sealed by rocks, dirt and collapsed mountainside.

  * * * *

  Stephen rubbed at the bandages around his wrists and smiled. They made him look tough, but they’d be so much cooler if they were black. There had to be a magic marker lying around somewhere.

  “Stephen, aren’t you hungry?” Chelsea asked and leaned her elbows on the table.

  He glanced down at his grilled cheese. “Not really.”

  “Does it taste bad?” She picked up his sandwich, took a bite and chewed. “Nope, no poison. It’s safe to eat.” Chelsea always made jokes and usually he made them too. Just didn’t feel like it today.

  “Did I kill him?” He picked up a pickle spear and stabbed it at his fruit salad. “I made a huge hole in him.” Disgusting too. Made his stomach sick. But he didn’t need to tell Chelsea that. She would worry.

  “No Stephen, you didn’t kill him. You were so brave. I’m very proud of you.” She scooted her chair closer and rubbed his back.