Forged from Flame

by Kasey Mackenzie

  “Yeah, but for that he needs me willing.”

  Dia nodded. “Just like with that oath they’re forcing all their minions to take. Apply the right pressure, and someone will agree to just about anything.”

  “And he thinks if he does convince me to bond, I’ll lure Jake into a trap where Dorian can kill him.” That one part of this plan still rang false to me. “I just…I don’t understand how he believes I would actually do that. I could never send you to your murder.”

  Jake set his lips grimly. “That’s the problem with people like Garcia and Garrett. They think everyone is, at the core, as selfish and opportunistic as they are. In this case, it helps us for them to believe they can coerce you into trading me for your mother and best friend. After all, I’m just the random guy you met a few months ago.”

  Breena spoke into the sudden silence. “Well, random guy who’s so expendable, it’s getting close to midnight, so we need to head out now or we’ll be late.”

  Jake nodded, although I could sense through the bond his reluctance for us to go our separate ways. He trusted me as much as I trusted him, but separating like this went against all his Dragon instincts.

  “Suck it up, buttercup,” I murmured with a wink. “This is going to work, so hit the road already.”

  He managed a smile, gave me a quick kiss, and turned toward one of the waiting SUVs. Four mixed groups of our allies would stand ready within the radius of my Mindbending range until I gave further instructions. In the meantime, this was all on me. With one more bracing breath, I kickstarted the Ducati and smoothly pulled out of the driveway. The evening had taken an unexpected turn for the slightly cool, at least for August in St. Louis. This meant my leather jacket didn’t feel insufferably hot as I zipped through the streets, stirring up almost pleasant breezes as I went.

  It took only 15 minutes to reach the rendezvous point we’d chosen. A silent, empty park halfway between our current headquarters and the address we’d had the other phone couriered to earlier. Something about racing through the quiet metro area with the wind snapping in my face soothed me. Something I desperately needed with adrenaline and anxiety warring in my veins. The fear was mostly for my mother and best friend. They were all too human and thus the most vulnerable to harm if things went south with our rescue plan. Losing even one of them would be unthinkable—reality was making me think about it with every mile that the Ducati devoured.

  The closer I drew to the park where we assumed Dorian would already be waiting, however, the calmer my mind became. Pressure tended to do that for me. I’d freak out right up until the point of no return—and then the calm before the storm would strike, granting me enough clarity to see a job done. I just hoped that didn’t backfire against me tonight.

  The park gates had locked at sunset, which was the main reason I’d chosen to travel by motorcycle. It would also make for a quick and easy getaway. We’d chosen a park in a neighborhood where most of the nearby homes were abandoned, meaning fewer nosy neighbors to call the cops if they noticed a suspicious figure sneaking into the park. There was plenty of room to maneuver the Ducati between the front gate and the nearest pillar meant to keep larger vehicles from driving into the park after dark. We were assuming Dorian would choose a similar mode of transportation, something confirmed by the fact they hadn’t used Elemental magic to unlock the gate paired with the multiple motorcycle tracks that had taken the same detour onto the grass I now took.

  I slipped back onto the bike, kickstarted it again, and admired its rhythmic purr before I worked up the nerve to press onward. As if he’d sensed my hesitation, a surge of reassurance flowed through my bond with Jake. That bolstered my spirit like nothing else could have. I smiled down at my Phoenix ring, reminding myself I could draw upon Earth, Air, and Water to augment my own Fire through that ring if necessary. Jake wore its matching Dragon ring that linked us across even far distances. And if things really went to hell in a handbasket, I could add Spirit to become virtually indestructible for long enough to see the job done.

  Assuming my father didn’t put in a surprise appearance when I least expected it…

  That had shudders racking my body and me cursing myself for being dumb enough to plant that thought in my own head. Before I could psych myself out further, I rounded a corner and saw the picnic pavilion where we’d agreed to meet.

  As expected, several motorcycles sat off to the side of the pavilion. Their headlights provided the sole illumination, presumably because Dorian’s people had knocked out the surrounding lights to make concealment easier. Speaking of the devil, he leaned against one of the picnic tables beneath the pavilion, Si Si sitting beside him. I could see four Elementals—one for each physical element—standing at full attention between their boss and escape vehicles. I assumed there were at least twice their number concealed somewhere nearby; which was okay, because my own cavalry was spread out to each cardinal point directly outside the park.

  And I was capable of far more than these opponents suspected.

  I parked the Ducati on the opposite side from theirs, casually slipping off the bike and shrugging out of the helmet. I cradled it against my body with one arm. Hitching a final, steadying breath, I strolled closer to the wolf and his lamb as if without a care in the world.

  Unsurprisingly, he couldn’t bear the silence longer than it took me to stop a few feet short of his picnic table. By the blank expression upon Si Si’s face, she was being held under heavy control. Dorian apparently believed that meant she couldn’t pass me any critical information against his wishes. My lips twisted into an amused smile.

  “Ah, querida, there is that lovely smile I have so missed. It’s been too long, Cassidy. Sierra and I have been looking forward to this reunion.”

  I took a page from his book and leaned back against one of the support beams along the outside edge of the pavilion. My smile only grew, which seemed to unnerve him.

  “Care to share just what has you so happy?” The edge to his voice warned I should play his game or expect Si Si to suffer the consequences.

  “Why, finally getting to see my best friend in the flesh again, of course. I could have gone without seeing your vindictive, weaselly self again, but we can’t always get what we want, can we?”

  Rather than anger him, my words only seemed to amuse. He pushed up straight and flashed a grin. If I didn’t know how much cruelty lurked beneath, that megawatt smile and handsome face would have charmed me.

  “Taming you without breaking what I most enjoy about your spirit is going to be so much fun, querida. I can’t wait to have you beneath me when I come inside you.”

  All amusement fled my features, but I didn’t let him provoke me into rash action. “Let’s cut to the chase, Dorian. I don’t have time for the rape-tastic verbal sparring you seem to enjoy. Where is my mother?”

  He focused his attention on me, and the verbal sparring began for real. With his focus divided, Si Si’s expression grew less vacant. Exactly the signal I’d been waiting for. I embraced Elemental vision with a smoothness I’d lacked just over two months previous. Hell, the last time I’d gone up against this prick, I hadn’t been able to willingly channel Fire at all. Thank God I’d fallen in with Jake out of all Elementals. His mother might be tough as nails and often scary as hell, but there was no other I’d rather have as a teacher.

  For now, I channeled only Fire and Spirit, using Fire to sharpen my physical senses and Spirit to send tiny psychic tendrils toward the fringes of Si Si’s mind. Those tendrils would allow me to pick up on her surface thoughts while I kept Dorian talking. Hopefully I’d quickly land the information I needed on this fishing expedition.

  “Don’t worry your pretty little head over that, Cassidy. I’m keeping your mother somewhere safe and sound.”

  ((She’s okay for now, but for how long?)) The stray thought from Si Si was just the sort of information I needed, although not nearly detailed enough. Good to know Mom was still alive and well, though.

  I tried to
subtly signal to Si Si that I could hear her loud and clear by repeating her words verbatim. “She’s okay for now, but for how long? And my pretty little head? Jesus, Dorian, where do you get your lines from? Or do they just sound like shit when you translate them from Spanish?” Before he could actually respond, I narrowed my eyes and channeled my sister’s sass to give a good Death Stare. “Contrary to what your ego might delude you into believing, I only came here to find out what you want in exchange for what you stole from me. Because believe me when I say that neither my mother nor Si Si will be suffering through your hospitality even one more night.”

  He threw back his head and laughed like I’d said the funniest thing ever. “I do believe you believe this to be true. And I also believe you have reinforcements posted nearby like I do. However, my reinforcements can arrive far more quickly than yours. And I was not foolish enough to bring your mother somewhere your reinforcements could spirit her away. Not before I get what I want.”

  ((He’s lying, gringa. If you can hear me like you did before, he’s got your Mom in a dark blue van with tinted windows parked in the nearest Starbucks parking lot. Nod if you can hear me.))

  My pulse picked up speed, but I disguised my burgeoning excitement by arching a brow. “And just what is it that you want?” I glanced at Si Si as if I were just reassuring myself she was okay, meeting her eyes to give one subtle nod.

  ((There are four Elementals—one for each element just like here—and two gunmen in the van. The gunmen have orders to shoot your mother if anyone tries to open the doors without the password.))

  Dorian had closed the space between us while I stared with only slightly feigned longing at Si Si. He reached a hand out to touch my face, only to smirk when I moved as if burned. “Come, querida. We both know how much you enjoyed my touch last time we met.”

  I didn’t have to fake the scowl that crossed my face. “We also both know you magically manipulated me to feel that desire last time we met.”

  He stroked my cheek a second time, emerald green energy flaring to life as he began probing for my own weaknesses. “Perhaps, but old habits die hard, my pet.”

  “I am no one’s pet,” I growled, tempted to hijack his Elemental hands and dose him with some of his own damned medicine. See how he liked being forced to feel intense longing that wasn’t natural.

  ((He never shared the password with me. But surely you can come up with some way to save your mom. Because if you don’t bond with Dorian or save her tonight, he’s planning to give your mom to Garrett to seal their bargain of cooperation.))

  ((Over my dead body.))

  “Are you telling me you’re not the pet of that second-rate Dragon with whom you had the poor taste to bond?”

  I ducked away from his arm and put some distance between us, setting my helmet upon the nearest picnic table. My fingers began twisting the Phoenix ring inherited from my mother, doing my best to appear as if Dorian’s magic was beginning to have some small effect.

  “N—no, I am not his or anyone else’s pet. He and I, we’re p—partners.”

  His eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction. I took advantage of his inner gloating to send Spirit and Fire flowing into the Phoenix ring, activating the magical link between it and the Dragon ring that my mother had gifted her ex-bondmate, Keith. Once also my lover—I hadn’t known about his ties to my mother—and the distant cousin of my biological father. Now, the ring belonged to Jake and allowed us to connect on the Elemental level as if we were inches apart.

  I used Spirit to quickly relay all of the information Si Si had revealed. His excitement echoed through our link loud and clear. ((That’s like six blocks from our SUV. We can easily handle those four Elementals and the gunmen. I’ll activate the link from my end once your mother is safe. Isaac, Dia, Avani, and Shan will head your way immediately to help you extricate Si Si when I send the signal. I’ll have the other two groups stand by to cover our retreat.))

  ((Please be careful,)) I sent through the link. ((I know you’ll protect my brother and mother, but don’t forget to protect you, too.))

  He sent another surge of affection through our bond before breaking the connection. Rather than feeling a sense of loss, renewed adrenaline flooded my veins. The moment Jake confirmed my mother was safe, I was going to unleash every ounce of fury I’d been feeling toward Dorian since the first time he’d dared lay his hands and magic on me before abducting my dearest friend. This sleazy guy had a bitter defeat coming his way like no other—except my father—deserved.

  Dorian tilted his head with another pitying expression. “Come now, little Cassidy. Be honest with yourself at least this once. If you and Zi were true partners, then why is he not here at your side? I would never have let you walk in here alone to confront dangers such as these, no matter what someone else demanded. I protect what I cherish; and I would cherish you like no other.”

  I twisted my ring again, urging Jake to hurry. Then I allowed a frown to touch my lips. “The way you cherished Bianca and those other Phoenixes before her?” It still blew my mind that he thought I would give up the amazing true partnership and abiding love I had with Jake to settle for whatever little crumbs he might be willing to bestow. Ironic because he needed me far more than I would ever need him.

  Anger flashed across his face like quicksilver, there and gone so fast I might have imagined it. “Those other Phoenixes were the dregs of Elemental society. Freeholder and Beholden oathbreakers who were little more than wildlings. They brought their fates upon themselves.”

  “And Bianca? What about the fact you lied that she would be having your children, but helped impregnate her with potential freaks of nature like my biological father?”

  He deflected rather than answer my true question. “Is that how Jake really sees you, querida? As a freak of nature? Nothing could be further from the truth. You are beautiful, vibrant, and strong. Garrett believes you have the potential to be the most powerful of his children.”

  “Even more powerful than his golden child Drew?”

  Dorian blinked, then twisted his lips sardonically. “I see Nic and Dia have been filling your head with all sorts of information.”

  “Yes,” I replied sweetly. “They are my baby brother and sister, after all. Blood runs thicker than water when you aren’t a psychotic tyrant trying to take over the world.”

  “You can’t believe a word they say, Cassidy. Your father deliberately allowed them to escape so they could lead him straight to you. We knew Bianca would head directly to Clan Zi and that she’d take them with her. I believe at least one of your siblings is bound to him magically.”

  Well, one of them used to be, I thought smugly and then flashed him a frown. “Are you saying Drew isn’t our father’s favorite? That he didn’t have the luxury of being raised by his Phoenix mother rather than burning her to ashes like I did mine? And was Bianca lying about what you did? How could I ever trust you any more than I can them?”

  The link with Jake flared back into full force. ((We have your mother! She’s safe and the others are now inside the park waiting. Kick his ass, sweetheart.))

  Dorian eased another step closer to where I stood next to the picnic table holding my helmet. When I didn’t immediately bolt, he dared another step.

  “Careful,” I warned with a sickly-sweet smile. “Playing with Fire will get you burned.”

  “Oh,” he said with another smirk. “That’s why your father and our strongest Quatrain prepared a special spell just for me. It makes me immune to your Fire.”

  “Dorian, my very-much-not-a-dear. Your first mistake was stealing people I love from me. Your second, even bigger, mistake was in assuming I can only use Fire.”

  I channeled all four physical elements through the Phoenix ring, summoning a simple, first-level firewall around the pavilion. Dorian’s reinforcements were left outside looking in. Shouts rang out, and they ran straight at the innocuous-looking barrier—only to bounce back hard. Fortunately for them, I hadn’t laced the wall with S
pirit. Dorian threw a cautious glance over his shoulder, only to see that he was cut off from the support he’d counted on. He did exactly what I expected, but I beat him to the punch by throwing a smaller firewall around Si Si before he could run even a few feet in her direction. She got a huge grin on her face when she saw the rage that inspired.

  He cursed out loud in Spanish and spun back to me. “This changes nothing, Cassidy, except to annoy me. I am still immune to your Fire, and your father already told me about your little barrier spell. It is defensive only. I have been a Dragon for centuries. You have been a Phoenix for not even three months. Do not pit your skills against mine. You will lose, I will kill you, and then I’ll take my anger out on your mother after I revive you.”

  Centuries? Jeez. For him to have made it this long without the wildness overtaking him completely, he must have bound himself to at least one or two of those Phoenixes he’d used and discarded. Or I should say used and killed, whether actively or passively, since only permanent death could end such a bond. Sounded like Bianca had dodged a bullet in running from him when she had.

  “I suppose you think to make me watch you torture her,” I said in a completely bored voice.

  His cheeks flushed in anger over my lack of concern. “That would be why I said after I revive you.”

  “Yes, well, there’s another little problem you didn’t take into consideration.”

  “And what is that, pray tell?”

  I bared my lips in a feral grin. “Jake already rescued my mother, and the only one about to die in this pavilion is you.”

  His centuries of experience did him well enough to already be casting a defensive spell when I launched my attack. Emerald energy flashed in the air, and a dozen basketball-shaped chunks of concrete shot up from the pavilion floor, spinning in front of Dorian in a makeshift barrier of his own.