Blood Of Fire (The Blood Burden Series)

by Wenona Hulsey

  "Luke, don't you think you could try to be nicer to Slade. After all he did help us escape from Loch."

  "I'll be nice to him when he stops trying to steal you away from me."

  Nicole's couldn't believe his words, "Steal me away from you?" She stepped back from his arms, "Since when do I belong to anyone? No one can own me or choose my life for me—not you, not Slade, not Loch or anyone else."

  Luke rubbed the back of his neck, "Nicole, I just mean that I want you to be with me and only me. I've always wanted it to be us," he pleaded.

  "Then don't start acting like a possessive jerk. Slade may be a little pushy but he can help us stop this war."

  Luke threw his hands up in the air as he walked to the door, "You can't really say you trust him after all he has done to you. He's the one that had you locked up for Loch. He deceived you for his own gains, Nicole."

  Nicole stood her ground; her chin held high, "He's not that person, Luke. He's on our side."

  Laughing darkly Luke opened the door to walk out. He stopped in the doorway and then turned back, "Tell me one thing."

  "What," she crossed her arms over her chest. Her anger was starting to give way to fear of losing Luke again. She had just gotten him back, the real Luke, the one that she had back in Alabama and she didn't want to let him go.

  "Did you really hate it when he kissed you that night? The night he was drunk and pinned you against the glass of your balcony door?" His jaws were flexing with tension as he spoke, "I watched you kiss him back. Slade knew I was there and that I couldn't reach you so he let me watch as you went weak in his arms."

  "I…" Nicole's voice trailed off as she tried to find the right words. Her heart was thumping in her chest and her throat was closing on her. Maybe she did enjoy Slade's company more than she wanted to admit to anyone, including herself.

  Luke turned his back on her as he ran his hand across his face, "Save the excuses, Nicole. Just know this, you can't have both worlds, you will have to choose." He slammed the door behind him when he left.

  Nicole sank down onto her bed, the bed she had just shared with Luke, and stared down at the rumpled sheets. "Damn it, Luke."

  Chapter 17

  The pain was gone in Sage's arms and replaced by an unsettling numbness after countless hours of hanging from her wrists. Her head lulled back heavily leaving her staring up into the chains that looped over a wooden beam. Aimlessly her mind drifted, wondering how many thousands of years these shackles had been used to hold prisoners until the moment of their judgment.

  Laughing at her train of thought she reached back into her memories for the last time she was wrapped up inside her own head. She was trapped now, unable to reach outside of this room into another mind, by the charm that enclosed the dungeon. This must be the first time since her mind reading ability surfaced that she was truly alone with her own thoughts. Such a boring place inside my head, she thought. She was always in the know before anyone spoke, ahead of the crowd and a seer of dark secrets. Maybe that's why I'm really here. Not just because I wouldn't send Nicole away but because I know too much. Her mind kept bouncing around ideas as to how things got this bad but they all came back to two people: Teya and Loch. They were both greedy and power hungry in Sage's mind.

  But what could she do now as she hung from chains? This was a situation that she had seen end exactly the same way each and every time—death. There was no swaying the Queen once she had you imprisoned. Teya's mind was made up the second she ordered those cold cuffs to be wrapped around her wrists.

  A dry laugh escaped Sage's lips, "Bring on the judgment, I'll die with my honor before I betray this kingdom." She yelled out finding strength in her own words. Sage was prepared to die today because in her heart she knew she was doing the right thing not only for Nicole but also for the future of her people. Nicole could change things if she could find the belief in herself. Sage knew it in her heart that Nicole could rule this kingdom and put a stop to this war if she could only keep her safe for a little while longer.

  The sliding of a metal plate in the door drew Sage's attention to eyes peering through the hole. Normally that would be all the opportunity she needed. Just a split moment of direct eye contact would let Sage drill into her target's mind making him a puppet, but her powers were as useless as her numb arms that were allowing the tips of her toes to scrape the surface of the dirt floor.

  "Quiet in there," demanded the guard.

  "Or what? You're going to string me up," Sage taunted. "I don't think it can get much worse for me," she mumbled.

  Instead of the guard sliding the plate close again he turned his attention down the hall. Sage could hear the approaching footsteps just before the door opened.

  "Sage, my dear, you look dreadful," crooned the queen as she gathered her long, eloquent dress up in her hands so it hovered above her ankles before her shoes hit the floor. Her nose wrinkled from the putrid stench of old blood and rotting flesh that lived in the walls and in the soil floor of the dungeon. "I really wish you hadn't pushed me into this. You are too valuable to this kingdom to waste away in this horrid place."

  Sage glared at the queen, "I'm enjoying the peace and quiet."

  Teya looked back at the guard, "Leave us."

  When the door closed Teya stepped closer to Sage, taking in every inch of the confined woman's hardened face, "You have such a strong spirit. So loyal. Believe it or not I do find that a wonderful trait."

  "It seems to be a trait you are lacking in," spat Sage.

  "Ah, my dear, don't you see? I am very loyal but my loyalty is not wasted on a silly girl who dreams of playing queen. My goal is to protect our kingdom's future."

  "By getting rid of the true queen so you can keep the throne? Sounds a little bit like you have some self-serving goals, sweetheart." Sage shifted slightly trying to watch Teya as she circled her slowly but all she could manage was a glimpse in her peripheral.

  "I guess it might seem that way to you. Maybe I give you too much credit." Teya stepped forward putting her face within inches of Sage's. A dark grin bared her perfectly white teeth as her eyes narrowed, "How about I give you one last chance to make things right for your people? You wipe Nicole's mind and I'll forget all about you being a traitor to the kingdom."

  Sage spit like a venomous snake in Teya's eyes causing the queen to take a step back, "You make me look however you want to. I will not betray Nicole."

  Teya wiped the wetness from her face with the back of her hand, then without hesitation, she slapped Sage across the cheek causing her body to sway from the chains like a helpless punching bag.

  After a moment Sage trained her cold eyes back on Teya, "Is that the best you've got?"

  A dry laugh cut through the space between them. Teya raised her hand as she continued to laugh sending a single, dark thread of power rushing to Sage, "I've only begun."

  Sage shook and swayed trying to put some distance between the snake-like darkness and herself but it was no use. It wrapped around her bare ankle causing a gasp to escape Sages' lungs from the contact. A chill as cold as a December's wind danced underneath every spot where the evil power touched her. But, unlike last time, it was not hurried or rushed to confine and subdue her. Now it moved slowly and calculating as it curled its way inch by inch up her legs.

  "Do you really want it to end this way, Sage? All you have to do is say you will send Nicole back to her life in Alabama. You know it is what she wants."

  Kicking her leg in attempt to dislodge the coiling black mass had no effect so Sage let out a frustrated scream, "Fuck you!"

  The door to the dungeon swung open, "My queen, is everything alright?" The guard who had let Teya in passed a confused look between the queen and Sage.

  Teya waved a hand at him dismissively, "Go back to your post. I'll summon you when I'm ready to leave."

  "But your majesty—"

  "Go!" Teya's voice echoed off the stone walls. The guard quickly closed the door. Teya turned her hard eyes back on Sage. "
Really? Is that how you address your Queen?" Teya gave another flick of her fingers and the power sped up its ascent, wrapping around Sage's waist then becoming as thin as a worm to shoot two threads up above her hands and lock onto the cuffs that held her.

  "You're a coward and they will see that. You're lucky that you’re the only one who can use powers in this room or I would make you my lap dog after I beat the hell out of you." A wide grin lit Sage's face but her eyes stayed cold and dark. "I would make you like it too. Convince you that you enjoy licking the dirt from my feet."

  "Such a powerful woman," teased Teya, "Too bad in here you are no better than your useless brother." Teya took in a deep breath as she tapped her chin with a finger, "But I am a fair Queen so I'll grant you that one last request."

  Before Sage understood what was happening she hit the floor. The black power had released her bonds then retreated back to its master leaving Sage to try to pull herself together before the Queen attacked. She had to buy some time because she couldn't feel her arms yet, "What are you doing?"

  "You wanted a chance to, oh how did you so delicately put it? Oh, yes, beat the hell out of me, so I'm giving it to you." Teya took a step back leaving about ten feet between them then gave a taunting curtsy. "Now is your chance to have what you want, dear. Don't waste it by sitting on the floor like the fae trash you are."

  "What's the point? You'll use your magic to kill me before I can reach you." Teya was pushing her too fast. Sage could see the calculating look building behind the queen's eyes but her arms were just starting to tingle as the blood rushed back into her limbs. She rubbed the chafed spots around her wrist then held them up, "This isn't a fair fight either way. I'm wounded and weak from hanging for almost two days."

  "Are you afraid you will lose? This is the chance you wanted Sage and I'll even sweeten the deal for you." Teya pulled her long hair back and started working it into a braid as she talked, "You beat me and you go free. As far as everyone outside of this room knows you are away on a mission so no one ever has to hear what happened. You'll be able to go back to life as usual."

  Sage could hear the deceit behind Teya's words but knew the alternative would not be much better, "If I don't win? Then what?"

  Teya shrugged her shoulders as she released her hair into a long white braid down her back, "Then no more fighting me. You do what I ask and remain my loyal servant for all of eternity."

  Sage pushed herself to her feet dusting off her dirt covered hands on her sweat stained yoga pants, "And I can assume your first command when I'm your servant will be to wipe Nicole's mind?"

  No answer came from Teya. A grin turned up the edge of her lips as she motioned for Sage to make her move. She knew Sage wouldn't walk away from this gamble for revenge no matter how high the stakes were. She had her right where she wanted her.

  Circling to the right, Sage kept her eyes on Teya while she tried to figure out what to do. She needed to end this fast before the queen had a chance to take advantage of her weakened body and lack of powers. Sage studied the walls behind Teya as they continued their dance, looking for a weapon or an escape, but before she could spin out an idea Teya dashed forward, leaping up into the air and coming down with her elbow with precision. Sage managed to keep the blow from hitting her in the face with a quick lunge but still took a hard hit on the shoulder.

  Sage fell to one knee but pushed herself back up with as much speed as her drained body would allow.

  "Come on, Sage. You're holding out on me." said Teya as she took a step back giving Sage room to recover.

  Turning to face the queen as she struggled to regain her balance she laughed, "Let's take this to the training field so it's fair."

  Teya went for Sage again but this time with a sweep of her legs knocking Sage into the dirt, "You will fight me here or you can cuff yourself back into those chains right now," she growled then kicked at Sage's ribs.

  With surprising speed Sage caught Teya's leg and yanked her down into the dirt. A cloud of dust swirled around them as Teya struggled to regain control but Sage swung her arms as fast as they would obey and hit the queen in the face sending deep red blood trickling down from her nose. She swung again but Teya shoved using her power to send Sage across the room to land under the chains that had been holding her.

  "You've had your fun now it's time to admit defeat. You can't win." Teya appeared in front of Sage as fast as a breeze. She wiped the blood from her face with a shaking hand.

  The fear in Teya was easy for Sage to see though the queen was trying to hide it. She knew the queen was done with fighting fair so she had to think fast. She reached up and held a cuff in her hand, "I would rather rot in these chains."

  "Have it your way!"

  Teya swung her fist toward Sage's face but right before impact Sage dodged letting Teya's momentum carry her forward then she wrapped her arm around Teya's neck and clamped the shackle she held onto the queen's wrist.

  "I will have it my way," shouted Sage as she released her hold on Teya to leave the surprised queen staring at the cuff. Sage knew the bounds wouldn't hold long so she swung an uppercut hitting Teya on the chin. She could see the fairy's eyes glaze over as she started to pass out from the blow that would have made any boxer proud but just as her knees started to buckle the black power began to seep from its master's hands and wrap around Teya. The dark mass cocooned the queen from head to toe, leaving only her closed eyes exposed.

  Turning, Sage started for the door. She knew this couldn't end well so she needed to get out of this room. She needed her powers back to finish this fight and the only way to do that was to get past that closed door. Two steps and she was at the bottom of the small stair case leading up to the door but then she felt it, the all too familiar coldness seeping into her skin as the dark mass wrapped around her waist and mouth, cutting off the scream that was on the tip of her tongue.

  In one rough jerk she was pulled backwards. Sage's feet left trails in the packed dirt as she tried to fight. The mass spun her around to face the wide open, dark pools of evil now staring back at her from the still cocooned face of Teya. The sight was overwhelming, making Sage struggle harder to break free. The coldness and evil that radiated from the queen was sucking the life and soul straight from Sage. Bleakness and despair replaced any hope that lived inside of Sage with each inch closer her body got to the puppet-like figure.

  "Did you really think I would let you win?" The queen's voice echoed in an unnatural way, like a second, deeper voice was talking in unison with her. She shook the one arm that was still hanging from the chain, "Did you think this through?" She winked, "Because I did." With a whip of her free hand Teya commanded the blackness to feed into Sage's nose and mouth. The darkness consumed the fairy as she fought to break free.

  Sage clawed at her neck. An ice cold, thick tar filled her throat, blocking any air from entering her burning lungs. With each ticking second her panic grew stronger, her heart thumped harder and her vision became spotted as her body begged for that life force that no fairy could live without. She could live for thousands of years and heal from the most severe of wounds but cut the air off and all those powers and years of experience meant nothing.

  The spots dancing across her vision began to pulse larger and larger as the world around Sage tilted. She gave up trying to pull the dark mass from her because she didn't have the energy to fight any more. Calm overtook her. A sense of peace, happiness and acceptance all balled into one filled her mind just as the darkness took her under.

  After a few moments of silence Teya pulled the power back inside of herself then stood staring down at Sage's still body, "Such a stupid girl."

  "Guard!" Teya called out in a desperate voice. Within seconds the door opened and the guard she had dismissed earlier came bounding down the steps. He stopped as soon as his eyes spotted Sage on the floor.

  "You idiot, don't just sand there. Get me out of this awful thing."

  "I don't understand. What could have possibly happened to cause
all of this?" The guard stammered as he hurried to the Queen's side.

  "It would seem the prisoner was immune to the dungeon's power shields. She tricked me into getting close then she attacked me, locking me in these chains and even hitting me." She gritted her teeth as if the pain of admitting getting tricked, even if it was a lie, hurt her to speak of. "I had to defend myself."

  The guard went to work on the cuff, "I'll call a healer for the both of you."

  "No, there's no time and, well, she is a traitor so death was coming for her soon enough. Just return to your post until I come back. Don't let anyone in and tell no one of what you've seen."

  The guard nodded obediently as he followed the queen up the steps. He was well trained and knew his place. Don't ever speak of what you see and never question any order. Following command was drilled into warriors from day one of training as the ultimate trait. Obey without questions because your commander, or in this case the queen, knows what is best for everyone even if the warrior cannot see it at the time but it didn't stop him from taking one worried glance back at Sage before he locked the door behind him.

  Chapter 18

  Nicole stood in the center of a green field with the sun on her back. She turned in a circle, watching her footing, keeping her hands up in front of her and probed with her mind for any slip. Eyes glowed back at her in red, blue and yellow from each different face—all piercing and determined, waiting for her to let her guard down so they could prove how worthless she was.

  A bead of sweat dropped from her hairline and rolled down her neck like it was a small insect crawling along. That was all the distraction it took. A lunge to her left had her spinning quickly to intercept the large, gorilla sized man who was inches from her in under a second. His rotund build would lull anyone into a fake sense of security but as Nicole flipped backward narrowly escaping his sledge hammer fist she realized that looks were very deceiving here.