Of Flesh and Fire - Book I: Everything Will Burn

by Tuesday Cross

  Olivia gestured to Rowan to calm down. My friend became silent, but her face remained a mask of anger.

  “Olivia, is this true?” Marcus asked.

  She nodded. “The spirits said it was important, I couldn’t waste time. Now, Nyminia, why are we running from the Headmistress?”

  My blood ran cold. “She… she killed Professor Starling.” All three of my companions drew in a sharp breath. “And she’s coming for me next.”

  “Then the next part of my question will have to wait, we need to get you out of this place.”

  “If we pass the perimeter of the campus, Nyminia will be in a different kind of danger, but one just as serious.” Marcus’s eyes flashed.

  Olivia glanced sideways at Rowan before turning to Marcus. “Well then, I know just the place.”

  Marcus set me down gently at the mouth of a dark cave while Rowan and her mother morphed back into their human forms. I greatly admired Rowan’s red wolf, and it was obvious she had inherited the beauty from her mother. Olivia’s coat was a thick dark crimson, dappled with honey.

  A cool, damp breeze drifted from the mouth of the cave, making me shiver. Like the breath of a dying man. Creepy as heck.

  “Now I know it’s not very welcoming, but we should be able to hide out here at least until sun up.” Olivia strode through the open maw of the rock, her footsteps echoing off the uneven walls.

  The cave was dry, and large enough for the four of us to stand inside comfortably. Long jagged markings etched the sides of the cave as if a creature had been captive here long ago. Maybe wolves learned to shift here, once upon a time?

  In the darkness of the back of the cave, Olivia swiftly produced a small knife.

  “Olivia–” Marcus spoke through gritted teeth.

  “Nyminia won’t know how to knit a proper cloaking spell, so just shut up and do it, Marcus.” She placed the knife on her palm.

  “Wait.” Marcus stopped her. “It’s alright, I’ve just fed.”

  Olivia and Rowan glanced at me. There was humor in my friend’s eyes, but her mother’s face remained a mask.

  “Get on with it then.” Olivia nodded towards the mouth of the cave.

  “Have you seen vampire blood magic performed before, Nym?” Rowan whispered as Marcus walked to the entrance.

  I shook my head. Farsky’s human, so his disgusting display doesn’t count.

  The faint moonlight glinted off Marcus’s fangs as they descended. Piercing his wrist, he wet the palms of his hands with his blood. My blood.

  With eyes shut, Marcus extended his hands. The crimson liquid ignited, casting a flickering yellow red across the floor of our hideout. The flame pulsed in time with my heartbeat, creating the eerie sensation that the flame was alive.

  I shivered. That’s not spooky at all.

  Lifting his hands above his head, the crimson fire trickled down Marcus’s arms, shoulders, and back. For a moment I thought his whole body would catch fire, but instead the flame slowly dissolved, as if being absorbed.

  Silent and with eyes shut, Marcus lowered his arms and turned his palms outwards. The same light of the flame which Marcus had held moment’s before reappeared, but this time igniting the edges of the cave mouth. Spirling, the light began to build upon itself, knitting towards the middle of the the opening.

  It’s beautiful. Like watching some sort of crazy fire spider build a web from the outside in.

  Five minutes passed before the net was complete. Once the glowing edges touched in the middle, it faded to orange, to yellow, and finally to white, illuminating the interior of the cave as if the full moon was shining in.

  “You’ve still got the knack I see.” Olivia smiled.

  Marcus turned, his expression dark. “It’s done. The spell should last until morning, no one will be able to find us until then.”

  “So what’s the plan?” I asked.

  “We kill Midwood.” Rowan huffed.

  Olivia gripped Rowan’s shoulder. “First, Nyminia, we need to discuss your vision. What happened, exactly?”

  As I explained my out-of-body experience in Midwood’s office, Marcus became more and more distressed, pacing the cave.

  “And that’s all you saw?” Olivia asked.

  “That’s all I saw. Before that though, I was just lost in a fog, and I kept hearing these words.”

  Olivia frowned. “What words?”

  “Dragons scream and oceans boil, blood falls wet onto dry sand. What has come will come undone, and what is history will pass again.” Marcus halted, narrowing his eyes. “When the white one sings false the blind snake will whisper truth, but in the end the flood of our tears will make both mute.” Olivia covered her mouth. “Salvation for the sacrifice is found in the blood of her blood, in family lost and new. The dust of time is falling away, and soon the gods will come for those with debts to pay.”

  Marcus appeared by my side in a flash. “Nyminia, those words–”

  “Are from the Elemental Divine.” Olivia finished. “You’re the true sacrifice, aren’t you?”

  It wasn’t a question, but I nodded slowly anyway. “The Elemental Divine?” I asked.

  “The text of the old religion.” Rowan piped up. “You’ve never read it, have you?”

  I shook my head. “Do you have any idea what it means?”

  “The first few lines are word for word from the book itself. The last one however… I’ve never heard it before.” Marcus gazed at me intently.

  Olivia took my hand. “Nyminia, the spirits wanted you to hear this, which means it must hold some significance to your path. Think hard, does any of it make you think of anything?”

  Well it all sounds pretty terrifying, but I’ll try. “I don’t know about the first part, maybe that’s to do with when the dragons disappeared?” I looked to Marcus. “Did the oceans boil around that time?” He shook his head.

  Hmmm. “The white one, maybe that’s Midwood? And the blind snake… I’ve got no idea.” I shrugged. “The sacrifice has got to be me, so I guess the way to save myself is going to be through my blood family?” Great, capturing a great white shark would be easier than finding a blood relative. “But I’m not sure about the last part.”

  Marcus turned away. “It most likely refers to the return of the old gods, and Madanama’s destruction of those he deems unworthy.”

  I raised my eyebrow. Come again?

  “Don’t be melodramatic, Marcus, we all know the gods don’t exist, and if they ever did they are long dead.”

  Marcus shrugged.

  “Well, this riddle has been fun, but not super helpful.” I frowned.

  “You were meant to hear it, Nyminia, I’m sure it will all make sense when the time is right.” Olivia smiled warmly, and I did my best to return the sentiment.

  The theft-proof dracendium vial is missing, Midwood wants to kill me before some other crazy person does, and I’m hiding out in a cave with my best friend’s mom who also happens to be a shaman lady bent on interpreting the hallucinations she induced without my consent.

  Moving towards the back of the cave, I yawned. “This has been enough crazy for one day, I’m going to get some sleep.”

  Olivia simply tilted her head in agreement. Rowan squeezed my hand and gave me a fierce smile. Thank god for Ro. It’s like she believes we can’t lose, and I need that right now.

  Once I had sat down in the shadows, Marcus joined me.

  “Do you mind if I stay with you?” He asked, brushing my white hair out of my face.

  “I would prefer if you did,” I said as I took his hand. I don’t actually believe I’ll be able to sleep.

  Marcus smiled sadly and made a move as if to speak, but stopped short.

  “What’s on your mind?” I asked.

  “I have felt strongly about many things, Nyminia. About war, peace, right, and wrong. I have tried to make this world a better place, to do my duty.” He closed his eyes. “But in all of my time on this earth, I have never felt as strongly as I do about th
e need to protect you. It’s more than a feeling of responsibility, it’s…” His voice faltered.

  Love. Love is the word you are looking for.

  “Anyway.” He sighed. “I hope you know what I mean.”

  “I think I do, Marcus.” And I think it’s possible I’m starting to feel the same way too.

  The early morning light filtered through the maw of the cave, sparkling as it reflected off the hexagonal structure of Marcus’s spell. I must have drifted off. My body was surprisingly comfortable on the dirt floor of our sanctuary, and my head gently rested in Marcus’s lap. From my position I saw Olivia and Rowan slumped against each other, leaning on the wall of the cave, eyes still shut tight.

  Time to get up I guess, we’ll need to move on soon. Turning onto my back, I looked up into Marcus’s face.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He smiled.

  “Good morning.” I returned a small grin.

  Scratching at my stomach, I sat up. “How long do we have?”

  “A few hours,” Marcus replied.

  The itch on my stomach wouldn’t go away, so I scratched harder.

  “Are you alright?” he asked.

  “Yeah I’m fine, I must have slept in something funny.”

  “Let me see.”

  I leaned back, pulling up my shirt to reveal my navel. “Marcus, what’s th– ah!” The itching became a carving, like someone was dragging a blade across my skin. My scream woke Olivia and Rowan, who came rushing to my side.

  I can’t… move… The muscles in my body had become rigid, my back contorted in a painful arch.

  “Marcus! What’s happening?” Rowan gripped his arm as Olivia hovered in the background.

  “Rowan, look,” he whispered.

  With everyone’s eyes trained on my exposed abdomen, finally my muscles relaxed and the pain subsided. Tenderly, I bent my neck to take a look.

  There on my skin as if carved with a knife, was a message.

  Meet me at the waterfall.

  “Well, that is obviously a trap.” I said, sinking down.

  Rowan tore a square from white shirt and helped me mop up the fresh wound, her brow knitted.

  Marcus’s eyes flashed up to mine. “This kind of message can only be sent by someone who shares your blood. All they would need is your name and general location.”

  My stomach turned to ice. “You mean this person is related to me?”

  Marcus nodded and Rowan’s face broke into a huge grin. “What was it that the spirits said? You’d find salvation in your family, right? Nym, you have to go meet this person!”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Marcus smoothed his thumb over my cuts, healing the wounds. “Even if it’s not a trap, it’s too dangerous.”

  “What what if Rowan is right? This seems like too much of a coincidence.” Rolling my shirt back down, I rubbed the tender skin.

  “Yeah come on, Marco, the spirits–”

  “Spirits or not, this relative of Nyminia’s could be a hostage, forced against their will to send that message.” Marcus crossed his arms. “If they truly wanted to get in contact, why pick such a harmful way to communicate?”

  “Wait, did they have to cut this message into their own skin?” I asked. The look on Marcus’s face spelled yes, and I gulped.

  “Well, obviously they can’t find Nym, and it’s important!” Rowan gave Marcus a small shove and he frowned. “What do you think, Nym?” She asked.

  “I’m… inclined to agree with Marcus.” Although to be honest, my feelings are mixed. Could I really have family out there who are looking for me?

  Rowan batted my shoe with her hand. “Fine, I’ll just go myself.”

  “Rowan Aubrey Litefoot, you will do no such thing.” Olivia’s voice reverberated off the walls. “It is too dangerous, and besides, it is Nyminia’s decision.”

  Rowan opened her mouth to retort when a high voice from outside the cave mouth wafted in.

  “Nyminia? Nyminia, are you out here?” Midwood’s voice acted like a spell of silence upon me and my friends, and no one moved a muscle. “Please Nyminia, we need to know if you’re safe!” Midwood walked into view, her typically tight curly hair was frazzled, and her robe-dress stained with mud.

  “She can’t see or hear us, can she?” I whispered the words in Marcus’s ear.

  “As long as that spell holds strong, no.” He answered.

  Midwood paused for a moment before turning and walking towards our hiding place. We all held our breath as she stood in the opening of the cave, peering in.

  This is it, I’m toast.

  Midwood sighed, and ambled out of sight. Collectively, we let out a large sigh.

  “I’ll make sure she’s gone,” Rowan mouthed as she stepped gingerly towards spell net.

  Olivia crouched down beside Marcus and I. “Once we feel it’s safe to make a move, you two are more than welcome to seek shelter at our pack house.”

  “Thank you, Olivia, but perhaps it’s best if we just leave town immediately.”

  Marcus is willing to leave his life behind, just like that?

  “Nonsense, Marcus, you’ll need at least a day to plan and gather supplies. The Cheronook pack is more than capable of keeping you two hidden and protected for that amount of time.”

  “Sorry to interrupt, but where’s Rowan?” Panic crept into my voice.

  Olivia whirled around, sniffing at the air.

  I stood and walked swiftly towards the entrance. “She’s gone to that damn waterfall, hasn’t she.” My voice was tight. I don’t know the way. “Marcus, take me there please.”

  Marcus stood and gripped my arm. “Let me and Olivia go, Nyminia, you should stay somewhere safe.”

  “Like here? What if something goes wrong, and I’m all by myself?”

  Marcus’s face darkened. “We’ll take you to the pack house.”

  “If it is a trap we’ll be losing valuable time to come to Rowan’s aid. And–” I ground my heel into the dirt. “I’m powerful, I can help. If there is trouble. There is still a chance this is the right thing to do.”

  I’m going to meet a part of my family.

  Marcus held my eye contact, unsmiling and steady. Obviously he’s not fan of this idea.

  “Fine,” he spoke. “Let’s get moving.”

  Striking out through the forest, Olivia sprinted ahead of us in her wolf form, keeping an eye and nose out for Midwood or any unknown person. Marcus carried me on his back in super speed style, something which made me feel quite ridiculous. But I’d do anything right now if it meant making sure Rowan is safe.

  Trees, rocks, streams– they all blurred by. The wind whipped at my face, kissing my skin and stoking the urgency in my gut. Finally, we came to a stop near the farthest edge of the lake. The crashing of water in the distance filled my ears, and the moisture in the air clung to my skin.

  Olivia, Marcus, and I crept through the trees, taking care to avoid stepping on twigs or loose stones. Peering through the underbrush relief flooded my body at the sight of Rowan, alive and well, standing on the far bank of a rippling pool. She was talking to someone, but through the mist and thunder of the falling water, I couldn’t see or hear who it was.

  My muscles tensed as I made a move to stand, but Marcus’s strong hand held me down. He placed a finger over his lips, and motioned towards Rowan. Keep watching? Why?

  Rowan seemed to let out a deep belly laugh, letting her head fall back. Obviously everything is fine. Finally, a break in the mist allowed me to catch a glimpse of the woman Rowan was speaking with. I couldn’t make out much, except for the woman’s brilliant red hair.

  Attempting to stand again, a hand brought me quickly back down to earth. Frowning, I turned to Marcus.

  I’m alone? Panic flared in my chest, I looked back through the brush, Rowan and the woman were nowhere to be seen.

  Launching myself into the woods, I made it two steps before I felt hot hands close around my neck from behind.

  I couldn’t se
e my attacker, but I could hear him laughing wildly. Attempting to call up my magic I found myself blocked and powerless. Violently twisting against my assailant’s grip, I managed to turn just enough to catch a glimpse of the pale face above me.

  It was always going to be you, wasn’t it.

  CHAPTER 27

  BETWEEN LOVE AND FIRE

  I sat at the far wall of the cell. Although a glittering cage is a more accurate description. I certainly don’t have to look with my mind’s eye to determine its magical origins. I shivered. Not that I can look at anything with my mind’s eye at the moment.

  For the past four hours I had desperately tried to reach my magic with no results. Glancing towards Marcus’s still body, black against the glowing floor, I shuddered. Please wake up.

  Images of fire flashed through my mind, accompanied by the screams of my friends. Taking a deep breath, I struggled to quiet the rising panic. It’s going to be fine. We’re going to find Rowan and Olivia, and get the heck out of here.

  Between the hexagonal strands of our enclosure the room beyond was in clear view. Grey walls stood like dull guards on all sides, holding us and our prison within something reminiscent of a portable trailer. Minus the windows. He really is a freak.

  Peering around the room, my eyes found nothing useful. Apart from a small speaker mounted on the wall and the buzzing fluorescent lights overhead, the space was empty.

  “Nyminia?” A weak voice called.

  I flew to Marcus’s side. “Are you okay? How do you feel?”

  He blinked, glancing around. “Magically repressed, but otherwise alive.” Grunting, he pushed himself up to a seated position. “What is this place?”

  “You were right, it was a trap. We were attacked by–”

  Before I could finish my sentence, the tiny silver speaker across the room crackled to life.

  “Dear Caleb, my whole life I’ve felt so alone. That is, until now.” A familiar voice distorted by static sprang forth.

  I clamped my mouth shut, and looked at Marcus with wide eyes.

  “Until now, you see, because I have you. Caleb, you of all people understand what it’s like to be different, to be alone. So I hope you can relate to this feeling of having found a similar soul, and how profoundly wonderful it is.” The static disappeared and silence filled the room.