Burning

by Carrillo, K. D.

  "I don't know. It seems inevitable, doesn't it?" Chloë said quietly.

  I ran my hand through her long, silky hair, tucking some of it behind her ear. I let my thumb graze the skin of her cheek and cradled her face in my hand, tipping it so she looked into my eyes. "Are you talking about them or us?" I crooned.

  Her eyes flashed instantly back to green, and her pupils dilated. Slowly, the warm brown returned. "I'm not sure. I know I'm not ready for marriage yet. I'm afraid our magical biology will speed our relationship faster than we are ready for."

  I pulled her into my arms and leaned down to her ear. "Hey, we will figure this out together. I believe we are meant to be together, but it doesn't mean we have to make it official until we are ready."

  The ‘fasten seat belt’ light flicked on, and I reluctantly let her go. The plane began making its descent. In minutes, we would be in Vegas. Our best friends were getting married, and I was jealous. My body was screaming to bond with Chloë, and not in the usual hormone-driven way. I would have been lying if I’d said that I didn't want her. The number of cold showers I'd taken since returning this summer proved that I did. But I didn't just want her underneath me. I wanted to be near her—and yeah, inside her. I just wanted her to be mine completely.

  Anita

  "Hi, Dad!" I shouted giddily when he greeted us at the plane. I started giggling nervously. I knew Dean wanted to ask him for my hand in marriage, which I thought was totally unnecessary, but he’d insisted. I was worried about how he was going to respond. I sensed Dean walking down the steps behind me, and my giggling started to turn hysterical.

  "Is something wrong, Nita?" my father asked.

  I shook my head a little too vigorously.

  "Can I speak to you a minute, Mr. Sanchez?" Dean asked.

  "Sure. Take a walk with me," my father directed.

  A limo pulled up, and Chloë gestured for me to follow. "Come on, girls! We have some shopping to do!" Chloë called out enthusiastically.

  Leah and Jo linked arms with me and we skipped toward the car. I was actually starting to like the twins. Chloë's grin fell, and I realized Bridgett was right behind us.

  "I called for two limos. The guys' ride will be along in a minute. But before we meet up with them, we have some dress shopping to do," Chloë announced.

  I slid in next to her. "Weren't you going to help bring in your cousin?"

  An apprehensive look passed over her face. "I can't use too much magic right now. I'm not sure I'd be much help."

  I frowned at her. She wasn't telling me something. "Spill it."

  She groaned. "Okay. Something is screwing with my mojo. I get worn out fast, and I've still been having nosebleeds. I promised Finn I would lay off until I figure out what's going on."

  "How long has this been going on?"

  Her eyes snapped up to mine. They were reflecting apprehension and evasion. "I don't want to tell you," she whispered.

  I felt my stomach drop. "Has it been since I...you know...since... Since I bit you?"

  "Anita, please don't blame yourself. I used so much magic in the days before the confrontation with Angeline. Think about it. There was Alexander and the other vampires' attack on the dorm and erasing memories of all of the witnesses. I used a lot of magic when we trained with Eli in the foothills. Not to mention all of the magic I used to save that exchange student at that disastrous Halloween party. Of course, there was the fight by the waterfall. It takes a lot of juice to open portals to the afterlife and fight a demon."

  I hadn't really ever thought about what she had gone through. I’d worried about her when’d she passed out after the vampires had attacked our dorm room. But after she got better I just took her word that she was strong enough. Chloë always seemed so confident that it made me feel like I could do anything too.

  "Really, I took on too much is all. I'm not even sure my screwy magic has anything to do with that," she said and shrugged.

  "Chica, when I said spill it, I meant everything. Don't make me bite you again," I threatened.

  "Chill. Keep your fangs in. I don't really know how to explain this." She looked around and jerked her head toward Bridgett to indicate that she didn't want her to overhear.

  I smiled at her impishly. "I can still hear you like this," I thought at her.

  "Devious. I love it. Okay, here is the deal. I feel strong sometimes, but only when I'm near Finn," she answered telepathically.

  "I've felt on edge lately. Like my temper could explode at any minute. I can feel my vampire half fighting against me. The only time I feel calm and in control is when I'm near Dean. I'll let you know if that goes away. You know… After tonight." I giggled out loud. Today I was getting married, and tonight was my wedding night.

  "Why are you two gazing at each other like lovers? Does Finn know you have a thing going with your best friend?" Bridgett taunted Chloë.

  "God, you're stupid," Jo snapped at her.

  "They're witches," Leah said, finishing Jo's thought.

  "What are you saying? All witches are lesbians?" Bridgett scoffed as if the word witch were dirty.

  "No moron. They are telepathic," Jo ridiculed.

  "You know, I'm really starting to like you," I said to Jo.

  "Yeah, you're not so bad yourself. Sorry I was such a bitch when we first met," she apologized.

  "Totally forgotten. I have my moments too," I admitted, accepting her apology.

  A sly smirk crossed Jo's face, and she glanced sideways at Bridgett. Oh, she was the best kind of bitch—my kind. I knew now that we were going to be friends, and Jo was the type to stand up for people she cared about.

  "We need to go dress shopping, and afterwards, we need to hit a lingerie store. Anita needs to blow that man's mind tonight like only barely concealed flesh can accomplish. I think Chlo should pick out some sexy nighties too, seeing as how she never seems to sleep alone," Jo said, waggling her eyebrows.

  "True. I think Dean should suffer for keeping me waiting all this time. What about you, Chloë? Ready to drive Finn a bit crazy?" I asked her, playing along with Jo.

  Bridgett snorted. Chloë's eyes burned bright green, and her hair started blowing around her.

  "Got a problem with me flirting with my man?" Chloë asked Bridgett. Her voice was cold and had a knife sharp edge to it.

  Bridgett turned her glacial-blue eyes on Chloë. "He isn't yours yet."

  "Please. That boy has been hers since the moment he laid eyes on her," I mocked.

  "Finn is a prince among the elves. Our families are connected. In fact, the only family higher than mine in the elvin hierarchy is the Christensens. Politically, we make sense together. My father wants the connection and is preparing to speak to Finn's parents. You might have him now, but I'm not giving up," Bridgett responded coldly.

  "See now, what you said is really funny," Jo taunted.

  "I'm not trying to be funny. Logically we make sense together," Bridgett stated.

  "Leah, remember what Mr. Christensen said when they rescued us from Oregon?" Jo asked her twin.

  "That thing about arranging a marriage for Finn?" she questioned, playing along.

  Sparks started dancing on Chloë's skin. Her magic was out of control, and we were heading into nuclear Chloë territory here. Not good.

  "Yeah. He was talking to Carlos about the future of the Council. I remember Carlos saying he hoped Anita was going to marry Dean, but he wasn't comfortable arranging a contract the way the Christensens had. But who did he say the contract was with?" Jo contemplated, tapping her lips with her index finger.

  "How could you forget, Jo Jo? I mean, Marguerite Du Lac is only the most famous witch in the world. I remember you saying it was weird that they were arranging a marriage between a witch and an elf," Leah reminded her sister.

  Holy shit! Chloë was arranged to marry Finn? Did she know this? I sneaked a look at her. She cocked her head to the side, and the sparks died down. But her eyes were still an intense green.

  "Did you
know about this?" I asked silently.

  She nodded slightly. "I didn't know per se, but Grey hinted at it."

  "Mr. Christensen said the contract didn't seem to matter since they had both naturally gravitated toward each other," Leah continued.

  "Nice try, but the representative of my people would never consent for his only child to marry a witch," Bridgett said in disbelief.

  "Oh, I think you'll find my mother can be quite forceful when she wants something," Chloë said ominously.

  "You didn't know about any of this, did you?" Leah asked, concerned.

  Chloë shrugged. "I had my suspicions, but I don't think Finn does."

  "How are you going to respond to this?" I asked cautiously. Chloë could be stubborn where her mother was concerned.

  She waved dismissally. "What can I do about it? I love him. If it happens to coincide with my mother's wishes, all the better. I'm tired of fighting her all the time. Maybe if she thinks she won this one, I can scrape out some kind of independence." A naughty smile spread across her face. "Besides, why would I fight her over Finn? I mean, he is painfully sexy and very talented." She waggled her eyebrows.

  "Talking about sexy... Uh, is Cooper with anyone?" Jo asked shyly. Jo, shy?

  "Not that I know of," I answered her and winked.

  She blushed under her cinnamon-colored skin.

  Leah looked up at Chloë and bit her lip. "What's Grey's story?"

  "We were together last year, but I always had feelings for Finn, and Grey couldn't handle it. I can't say I blame him. He left after the battle with my sister to fix the exposure she created. It was really for the best. Finn and I sorted out some of our drama. Grey's a great guy though. You have my blessing if you want to make a play for him," Chloë answered Leah.

  "Really?" Leah squeaked.

  Chloë nodded, smiling compassionately at the quiet, lovesick shifter.

  "Well, ladies"—I clapped, getting their attention—"I've got a dress to buy."

  "And lingerie. I think we have some men to torment," Jo said, giggling.

  Dean

  I was nervous asking Carlos for Anita's hand in marriage, but he seemed to be anticipating my question.

  "Dean, I couldn't be happier that you are going to marry my little girl. I know she is strong, but I still want her taken care of. You are a good man and good for my daughter. Politically, all of the main families have been discussing unique arrangements for our children. Surely you know marriages are usually arranged in the supernatural world. Well, at least among those families with as much political influence of ours. Your parents and I have discussed our desire for a match between the two of you, but we wanted to see how it played out once you met."

  The limo pulled into the hangar behind the plane, and the doors were sealed tight. The doors to the plane were opened, but before the stairs could be rolled over, Grey leapt from the plane and landed gracefully. This was going to be a stressful ride, having Finn and Grey in the same car. I was still reeling from Carlos's comments. They had been considering arranging a marriage between Anita and me?

  Turns out I didn't have to worry much about Finn and Grey. Finn seemed to be too distracted by Carlos's comments to pay attention to Grey. "You said families, as in more than one. Who else is arranging marriages?" Finn demanded.

  Grey's head jerked up, and his eyes bored holes in Carlos. I could see the shutters closing on Carlos's willingness to talk. Apparently so could Grey. "Tell him."

  Carlos exhaled forcefully. "Yes, Finn. Your parents have entered a marriage contract for you."

  "Is that why Bridgett is here? Because if my parents think I'm going to give up Chloë and marry her, they are mental," Finn sneered.

  "Good to hear," Grey stated amusedly, "because the arrangement is for you to marry Chloë."

  Finn sat back, suddenly deflated. "Shit," he blurted out.

  "Not the reaction I was expecting," Grey responded crisply.

  "C’mon. Chloë is gonna freak. We all know it. Any time her mom is involved in something, she does the opposite. I'm going to lose her," Finn moaned and dropped his head into his hands.

  The cool expression fell off Grey's face. "She loves you. I've always known it. Hold tight to that and be ready to fight for her," Grey advised.

  "What the hell? Don't get me wrong. I'm pleased, but I think I'm missing out on something," I blurted out.

  Grey looked at me and shrugged. "I'm over a thousand years old. I know when to call it quits. She loves him, and I love her enough that I want her to be happy," Grey answered honestly.

  "Okay, but what's your excuse, Finn? I mean, don't take this the wrong way, but you've never been very understanding when it comes to Grey," I asked, confused.

  "Like he said, she loves me, and I think Grey has proven himself a friend. I trust her. I'm not going to insult her by continuing to fight with Grey," he explained.

  "That is unexpectedly mature of you," I said, astonished.

  Finn shrugged. "I have my moments."

  We went to drop Grey off at the hotel in an underground parking garage before intercepting Nik Athenos.

  "Are we picking up Chloë before we go find Nik?" Carlos asked.

  "I forgot to ask her. Grey, Finn, I saw the two of you talking to her on the plane. Are we picking her up?" Cooper asked.

  Grey shrugged and looked at Finn to answer.

  Finn fidgeted in his seat. "Actually, she won't be joining us. Her, uh, powers have been on the fritz."

  Carlos wiped his hand on his forehead. "I was afraid something like this could happen."

  Finn's eyes started to glow a brighter blue, lighting up the dim interior. "Why did you think something like this was going to happen?"

  Carlos ran his hands through his jet-black hair, tugging at the roots. "It's the bond. Your magic ties together. It starts with a spark, like a jolt of static electricity. The longer the couple resists, the weaker they become. Tell me, has Chloë been experiencing weakness, nosebleeds, or blackouts?"

  "Yeah, she has for a while actually. When the vampires attacked our dorm last fall, she passed out after the battle. She used too much magic, and after that, she started to get nosebleeds. Now, it seems even a small amount of magic is too much," Finn answered.

  "How about Anita? Has she become more volatile?" Carlos asked me.

  "She lashed out a few times, but it got worse after Chloë had to feed her blood."

  "How do the girls fare when they are with the two of you?" Carlos continued.

  I looked at Finn, and he nodded. "No, they don't have any problems when we are together," I answered for both of us.

  "Why haven't Dean and I experienced any weakness?" Finn asked.

  Carlos lowered his eyes. "When your kinds bond, both the male and female experience a drain in powers until the bond is complete. I believe, since witches can manipulate more of their physical surroundings with magic, they have a little more power to drain."

  I slapped my head when the realization hit me. "That's why Finn passed out the other night. My power is more internal. The physical change is me. Finn can affect the elements. I guess that means his powers have started to drain too."

  "Exactly. There is an amulet I can give you, Finn, and a matching one for Chloë,” Carlos explained. “There have been occasions when the bonding process begins when a couple is too young. The amulet buys time. If you wait too long to bond, the physical effects become more dangerous. Still, the amulets only buy time. Bonds are not reversible. Once they begin, they are completed or you die. Chloë can't be that stubborn.

  "I have a wizard to punish and a daughter to marry off. Cooper and I will handle Nik. I don't want to risk either of you powering down on me while dealing with a mature wizard. Get out here with Grey, and get your tuxes. We'll meet up with you later."

  I laughed a deep belly laugh.

  "What is so funny?" Finn asked, irritated.

  I wiped tears from my eyes. "It isn't really. Just… Chloë can be that stubborn."

 
; He sighed, stress pouring off of him in waves. "Don't I know it," he mumbled.

  "Let's go find some monkey suits that make girls drool. Women love weddings. Maybe we can soften her up for you," I suggested.

  "If she wavers even slightly, I'm going to marry her tonight," Finn declared.

  I laughed again, even though I knew he wasn't joking.

  Chapter Seven

  For as Long as We Both Shall Live

  Grey

  "How did the confrontation go?" I asked Carlos over the phone. The sun was going to set in a few minutes, and I would go meet them if they needed me.

  "It went about as well as I thought it would," Carlos responded.

  "That good huh?"

  "I'm texting you the address I need you to meet me at," Carlos said, resigned.

  My phone chimed with an incoming text. "The sun is setting right now. As soon as the light has faded, I'll be on my way," I agreed.

  "I'll send a car for you."

  I laughed. "We both know I can get there faster than a car."

  I felt the last of the daylight slip beneath the horizon and then exited my hotel room. I moved so fast that even the security cameras wouldn’t catch me leaving the room.

  "I forget how fast vampires can move," Carlos snickered.

  "Told you I was faster than a car," I answered smugly. "Hey, Coop," I greeted.

  "Hey, Grey. Glad to see you. So this little shit laughed at us when we told him he needed to head for the hills. He actually told us to make him. Can you believe that?"

  I smiled as my fangs slid free from my gums. I hadn't had a good fight in months. This was going to be fun. "Let's go make him then."

  "Carlos, I thought I told you I wasn't going to France," Nik said from the doorway. Cooper and I moved to stand on either side of Carlos. "You hanging with lower life-forms now, Carlos?" Nik sneered.

  I hissed. I hated uppity wizards. Especially those who had descended from the "gods." They felt like they were above everyone. In their mind, they were higher than shifters, vampires, elves, and especially humans. They wanted to rule the world again.