Born of Fire

by Danika Kane

  “Fire.”

  Sakima turned. “Yes. Fire. Born of fire. Ending in fire.”

  “So, I understand. Are you going to kill me?”

  The matter of fact way Caldre was asking things didn’t necessarily surprise him. He realized how utterly trained he was as a fireman and as a fighter. For his entire life Caldre had been struggling to find the man hiding behind the mask. Their frank discussions had pushed them closer together. While he wasn’t certain what to believe any longer, he knew this was a cathartic moment. He had no idea what was going to happen with his work or with the fights, but he wasn’t doubting his decision to turn Caldre. He’d ever felt better in his life. Their combined blood was now his life’s blood, keeping him healthy as well as sane. At least a portion of the curse was right. “No, but I fear we do have threats that will continue against us.”

  “Tor?”

  Sakima was surprised. “Yes. I thought I could trust him but I know better now.”

  “He’s in love with you.”

  “Yes.” There was more going on and Sakima was determined to get to the bottom of what and why. Tor was in love with him but he was also working with someone outside of the group of criminals he’d seen in the restaurant. He was certain of it.

  Caldre sipped his wine and looked out the window. “What’s going to happen now? Life as normal?”

  “Whatever and however you want to live your life.” Sakima thought about what he’d just said. How ridiculous a statement yet, one he’d tried to believe since being turned.

  Shaking his head, he laughed. “My life. Then I guess I’ll go to work.”

  The clipped words suggested Caldre required time alone. He needed to find out who the ultimate betrayer was or if this was nothing more than a ruse, one established by a man he perhaps had underestimated. “Understandable but know your strengths are increasing, your powers will heighten. In order for you to maintain a presence in this world, you must keep what you are a secret.”

  “Hide? I know how to do that very well.” Setting his wine glass down on the mantle, he looked Sakima directly in the eyes and sighed before moving past him.

  “There will be those out to get you, to end what you have as well as your life.”

  “As I suspect continues to happen to you. The press won’t stop hounding you. The police will stop at nothing to solve the murder. You know that, don’t you?”

  Touching the side of Caldre’s face, he could see such trepidation in the man’s eyes. There were so many questions to answer, so many moments to share. “I can handle the press as well as the police. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “But they think you’re a murderer. They won’t stop. They need a scapegoat to blame.”

  “We will fight together if necessary.”

  Caldre exhaled slowly. “Fight. An interesting word. Answer me this. Will we have to kill?”

  The question was damning. “Perhaps. To protect.” Protect being monsters. The concept was ironic.

  Lifting his head, Caldre exhaled slowly. “I only hope I don’t disappoint you.”

  Sakima watched his lover, his mate, exit the room. Memories of ancient teachings as well as brief thoughts about the madman who’d tortured him so many centuries before lingered in his mind. He suddenly had a realization, a horrible moment of knowing. The past always repeated itself. Always.

  An ugly series of thoughts racing in his mind, he gripped his glass fiercely.

  Crack!

  As the glass shattered, sending shards into the room, he caught a glimpse of the ugliness of where his mind was taking him. Today and tonight he would get to the bottom of who was behind the mystery. Sniffing, he rubbed his hand across his mouth. First, he had a task to finish, a decision he might regret.

  Just as twilight began to take over the city, Sakima rolled down a nearly deserted street. Turning off the engine, he remained in his car, studying the landscaping around him. The houses were nearly pristine, the lawns well-manicured and safety not a concern. He chuckled as he eased out of the car. Hiding in the shadows wasn’t necessarily needed. No one would think twice about a man dressed in a nice suit walking down the sidewalk.

  He thought about his life, the one before his transformation and the one now. While difficult to compare the two, he would prefer life as a human. Caldre had asked him a question he found difficult to answer. Would they need to kill? He’d spent his life as a monster, creature of the night, refusing to do this very thing he was about to do. Yet there was no choice.

  He could sense Tor’s presence, the lone figure moving toward his house. Could he know the fate awaiting him?

  “Sakima.” Bristling, Tor rose to his full height.

  He remained quiet.

  “I thought you’d come.” He managed to unlock the door, the clang of keys hitting the metal handle floating into the night.

  “You knew I had to,” Sakima said quietly.

  “I guess I did.” He turned slightly, a look of dread on his face.

  He could sense Tor knew what was about to happen. “You betrayed me.”

  “Yes.”

  “I can’t allow that to continue.”

  Tor sighed and fiddled with his keys. “I know. I made a mistake, but not why you think I did. You have no idea why.”

  “Then tell me.”

  He hesitated, his mouth twisting. “I guess we all have something to hide.”

  “Interesting words.” Fear was swimming through Tor. Sakima watched as he darted a glance toward the forest, as if someone was watching. There was a presence, something or someone.

  “If it’s all right with you I’d like to do this inside. I honestly don’t want my neighbors to be too freaked out.”

  The manner in which he was handling his imminent death was admirable. “Of course.” Sakima followed Tor inside, closing the door with a soft click. The smell of terror was strangely arousing.

  “Look, I want you to know I really did love you. I knew what I was facing. I realized there could never be forever.” Tor tossed his things down on the small coffee table and turned around to face him, his breath shallow.

  “I know you did and for as much as a monster like me can love, I cared for you immensely.” Sakima allowed his fangs to slowly erupt from his gums. He certainly didn’t relish what he was about to do. Closing the distance, he admired the black skinned man. Tor was gorgeous as well as intelligent. The combination had been irresistible for him.

  Tor held out his hand. “Before we do this, please allow me to give you some information. I was contacted by an entity meant on taking you down. At first, I didn’t know who and I fought the command. I really did. I tried to push back, but they knew things about me.”

  “And so, you supplied them with information.”

  “Worse,” Tor whispered as he looked down. “I gave them everything I knew about you. Everything. I was angry and hurt and I’m sorry.”

  “Who are you working with?”

  Tor’s eyes filled with tears as the name slipped past his lips.

  Enraged, a series of lights flashed in front of Sakima’s eyes. As sizzling visions thwarted him he struggled to breathe. The face. The past. Of course. Then he knew why. Terror raced down the length of his spine. This had been more of a game than he realized, but the intended victim was yet to be known. Baring his fangs, he jerked Tor forward and lowered his head just as he heard a sound. Snarling, he turned to the left.

  “There are some things you don’t know. I never meant for any of this to happen. I never wanted to do anything to hurt you. I just…” Tor sputtered.

  “Hello, old friend. You are nothing if not predictable. I knew I’d find you here. This one was an easy mark.” The voice held amusement.

  Sakima studied Tor. The man was terrified. “What did he do to you?”

  “You see we all have dirty little secrets. His was ever so tasty.” Evil laughter slipped from his mouth. “Let’s just say molesting children was his hobby.”

  “God help me,” Tor groane
d. “I’m so sorry. I am so very sorry. If I would have known I…”

  “Little boys to be exact. I simply kept his secret for him if he paid me in kind.”

  Sakima released his hold on Tor and inched toward the monster. “You. You’re the one who began Caldre’s transformation.” The past had slammed into the present.

  “Now you do understand. I’m not who you think I am. I am a creature like you, only more powerful. The man eased out of the shadows. “If you are wondering why I’m here. I’ve come back to settle the score, just as I told you I would. You seemed to enjoy our time together centuries before.”

  “Enjoy? I loathed you and all you’d become.” Sakima took a step forward, the same terrible feeling of apprehension filling his system. The curse had come full circle. He could see the man in his true identify for the first time since he’d been the one transformed. This man was responsible for an entire change in his life. “You killed Zamir.” The words were a statement.

  “I did as I killed the man who was about to blow the secret to your lover all those years ago. Oh, and Caldre is going to make a fascinating slave.” He took another step forward until he was merely six inches from Sakima. “Now, I’m going to kill my nemesis. Pity. I truly enjoyed the cat and mouse game. But I much prefer being in charge.” Holding up his hand, he smiled and exposed his fangs.

  In the last seconds Sakima realized his life was ending. The moment was cathartic, as if this chapter had ended and a new one was beginning. He only wished he’d been able to warn Caldre.

  Whoosh!

  Caldre remained in a fog, the new life unfathomable. He stretched out his hand, tingling sensations covering every inch of his body. Pain and pleasure mixed together until he was reeling. The last forty-eight hours were nothing but a wild ride of emotions and sensations. He had no knowing if there would be any kind of normal life. What he did understand is that there were threats surrounding both he and Sakima, ones he needed to find a way to curtail. To think he was a reincarnation of a man who’d been Sakima’s lover before was unrealistic. Now he burst into laughter. Who the hell was he to wonder about realistic? He was a freaking vampire. Caldre sucked in his breath and glanced up at the darkening sky. He was no longer going to enjoy the same things. He could drink, have sex and even endure the sun but the rest was iffy.

  Leaning against the driver’s door, he placed his hand on his chest. Maybe he was absolutely out of his mind. Your destiny fulfilled. He closed his eyes and smiled. Great. There were missing pieces and he had work to do.

  Climbing into the truck, a series of sensations slithered down his spine. He was being watched. A black car followed closely behind, the smoky windows preventing him from seeing the occupants, but he’d seen the vehicle before. Hearing his phone, his attention was dragged away. “Draper.”

  “I thought you’d left town, buddy. Christ. I’ve been calling you,” Draper said as he laughed. “Got some news for ya.”

  “Just had a few things to do.”

  “I tell you what, the news is all abuzz after that fight. Did you see?”

  Caldre looked for the car. The Mercedes had disappeared. “I’ve been out of pocket.”

  “Well, you’re a huge hit. That I can tell you. Do you ever check your freaking phone? But that’s not why I’m calling.”

  “Then why are you calling?”

  “We heard from the Medical Examiner’s office and I had a call from my detective friend. The body they found in the fire? That wasn’t William Forester, but given the man’s criminal ties, he believes half the mafia in the mid-west is looking for his ass.”

  Tingles prickled down every inch of his body. He opened his mouth, realizing he had no control over his fangs. Gripping the steering wheel hard, he almost jerked the truck across several lanes of traffic. “Who was it?”

  “Nobody that we know of but from the evidence pieced together, the person was pretty brutalized before the fire. My bet is he was left to die, which means when you heard someone calling for help, you really did,” Draper said, his voice clipped.

  “Is Sakima under investigation?”

  Draper snorted. “He’s a person of interest but that’s it right now. Mr. Forester has such a long line of enemies, anyone could have done the deed.”

  Well, this certainly boded well with his thought that William had faked his death. All of it certainly made sense.

  “I…”

  He heard a noise in the background. “Is that the alarm?”

  “Shit. Another fire. Are you on your way?”

  Caldre turned up his scanner radio. A house fire. Shit.

  “Oh crap. A damn house exploded. Get your ass over here,” Draper commanded.

  “On my way.” Caldre caught the address and put the pedal to the metal. Within seconds the DJ on the radio announced a series of streets were blocked off due to a raging fire, consuming several homes in an upscale neighborhood. He turned up the volume as he tried to figure out the quickest way to get to the scene.

  “And in breaking news. A massive fire is rolling through the city limits in the Reed’s Landing subdivision. We’re told several houses have already been consumed in the fire, including the home of one of the city’s beloved chefs, Torrence Wilson. Several fire companies are already on the scene and we will have a crew there in a few minutes.”

  Torrence Wilson? Suddenly he knew what was happening. The single piece of destruction for a vampire. Fire. Born of Fire. Ending in Fire. Dear God. Flooring the engine, he raced through the streets. He knew instinctively what had happened. The betrayer wasn’t who Sakima had thought.

  As he roared toward the neighborhood, there were areas already blocked off by the police and several fire trucks. Sakima was here. Seconds later he was out of the truck, racing through the crowd, the horrible destruction of burning timbers littering the ground. The earth around him was scorched as if he was in a war zone. He concentrated on the Indian, trying to feel the man that was his master, his lover and his…

  Caldre…

  He stopped short and jerked to the left, staring at the house engulfed in a roaring fire. The flames licked up toward the darkened sky. “Sakima.” A knowing set in as well as blinding torment filling his system. His lover was dying, his life being extinguished by the flames from hell. He took several steps toward the fire.

  Boom! Whoosh!

  The explosion pushed him back, forcing him onto the ground. He exhaled and shoved away debris. Jerking up, Caldre hissed, his fangs aching as he bit his own lip.

  “Caldre!” Draper grabbed his arm, yanking him back. “It’s too hot right now. You can’t go in. You can’t.”

  “I am not allowing anyone else to die in fire,” Caldre snapped as he jerked his arm away.

  “You don’t know anyone is in the fire.”

  “Yes, I do. Let me alone.” Another presence was easily detectable. As embers rained down, he continued to move closer to the horrific scene. The stench of death hung in the air, the blanketed cloud surrounding the property. Sniffing, he walked closer, careful in his steps. He heard a noise and out of the corner of his eye saw movement. He raced toward the area, bursting through a wall of fire, a horrible sense of dread filling him.

  Caldre made it to the other side of the house, just beyond the blaze, his body singed, his anger off the charts. Stopping short, a wash of pain coursed through him. Just in the distance stood the source of the nightmare. A man yet a monster, much like he was. In what was left of his soul he knew Sakima was dead. He felt an odd sense of foreboding, a strange knowledge he was supposed to live, carry out what Sakima had created in his legacy.

  The man turned and smiled, tipping his head.

  He felt a murderous wrath building as he watched the man they called William Forester back into the shadows of the outlying forest. The recognition from so many years before was stilling. His destiny had indeed started so long ago. Some said hiding in plain sight was the more effective method of taking out your enemy. In this case, whoever had coined the phrase
had been correct. Caldre wanted to kill, but he was no killer. He took several steps forward, knowing the man was daring him to come after him. The fury was there, pushing him forward until he was within a few feet, his fangs fully erupted.

  “You can’t do it, boy. But you’ll be given another time when I come back for you.” William’s voice boomed into the night.

  He was frozen to the spot, something he’d never been before. Caldre heard the sounds of Draper and other firefighters coming for him. They couldn’t know. He couldn’t kill. He…

  Fire…

  “Caldre!” Draper called.

  William laughed as he tipped his head.

  As he watched the monster slip into his car, a sense of such loss gutted his system. Caldre fell to his knees.

  Boom!

  “Buddy, you still look like hell. You sure you’re up for this fight?”

  Caldre grinned at Draper. He’d never been more ready for anything in his life. “Never better my friend.” The wretched fire from almost two months before would never be forgotten. An entire street full of people had lost their homes, but other than Tor, no humans had lost their life.

  “Good man. I admit, you’re energetic as hell lately,” Draper said as he slapped Caldre on the back.

  Grinning, he had to admit he was feeling damn good. So many things had changed in the last few weeks. Living life as a vampire certainly had its perks. Downfalls too, but he was getting the hang of being immortal. The thought making him chuckle, he turned his head as the single man responsible for him being at the top of the heap walked toward him.

  “Don’t look now but your owner is here,” Draper said as he laughed.

  “Owner?” Caldre raised his eyebrow as he turned toward his friend. The fact he was gay was fully embraced by the firemen at his station and given he was now living with such a damn hottie, few secrets remained. He was expected to win this fight and the championship would put Mixed Martial Arts on the map. What few knew is that he was retiring after this fight. It was too risky being a vampire and fighting. How ironic. He thought about William for a minute and the notion he’d been the ugly monster to turn Sakima, brutalizing him before lying in wait, killing every Soul Monger that came close was interesting. Finding Caldre, knowing he was the next to care for Sakima then killing Michael was horrible, but at least he had closure. He thought about the explosion, the fire eating away at the monster, and smiled. Justified revenge.