Forged in Flames

by Harper Wylde

  She smiled at him, cupping his cheek in her palm. “Because it’s our best option. Because I know I can. My Phoenix knows she can. She's not very happy with anyone who suggests she doesn't know her own strengths.” She glanced at Killian and me as she added that.

  He sighed, leaning in to lay his forehead against hers, before turning to face me, tugging her tightly back against him. “I vote for Nix.” Even as I grimaced he arched a brow. “You think she'd be safer than this on the run? That there won't be dangers we can't help her with? If we do join them, you think this will be her only challenge? What about in a war?” He stepped both of them forward, until Nix was pinned between us. “You either look her in the eyes right now, tell her you don't think she's strong enough to do it, or you just deal with it. The same way she's going to have to deal with us putting ourselves in danger for her and each other.”

  He reached out, grabbed my hips, and pinned her completely between us. Her chin was up, her mouth firm, as I looked between the pair of them. “I know you're strong enough, that's not what I meant.”

  “Then that's the end of it,” he interjected.

  “Killian?” She turned her head to Kill, though she soothed a hand down my arm as I shook with tension.

  “I'm sorry, Nix.” Kill shook his head. “I understand what Hiro is saying. I understand what you're saying. But it doesn't change the fact that no matter how much logic you throw at me, I will never be alright risking you.”

  “Killian,” she said softly, but he shook his head.

  “You mean the world to me. I would do anything and everything for you. I won't stand in your way, but I can't say I approve. All I'll say is that you better come back to me perfectly safe, or I will tear this world apart.”

  “Then we're decided. How are we going to do this?” Theo asked.

  “Simple is best, I think,” Damien added. “I already hinted to my father that Nix is ready to move forward with her suitors, to take her place among other mythologicals.”

  “I still don't want her going alone,” I objected.

  “If we don't let them have an unsupervised date, I doubt he will shift for her,” Theo countered.

  “We get them somewhere we can control,” Damien mused. “Somewhere one of us can hide, just in case. We can ensure you come home with us immediately and aren't taken by the Council.”

  Nix shivered against me, but nodded. “Molly said something about meeting Joshua before. She said it's because he likes to hike. Something about a waterfall on the far side of the island. If we found that secluded area and one of you could hide, it could work.”

  “Which of us though?” Killian asked. “I—I don't think I could face it.”

  “Basilisks have a strong sense of smell,” Theo mussed. “We'd need to be very careful.”

  “I'll do it,” Hiro said, offering me a small smile. “My scent should be easily masked if we do a hike. I'd have an excuse for being out there as well, with my powers no one would think differently.”

  “Fine,” Damien agreed. “I'll reach out to Gaspard, let him know Nix wants to setup a date with Joshua. Let's find a day when the Council is away from the Lodge. The less Councilmen around, the better."

  “Let's get this over with, then,” I grumbled, even as Nix's arms tightened around me. “I just want you back safe in my arms. We'll do this ridiculous date, get it done, and then focus just on us.” I brushed a kiss over her lips, and stepped away. “What else do we need to do?”

  Eighteen

  Nix

  Sunlight slanted through the tall windows of the Lodge, catching and lighting the small particles that floated through the air as I walked through the massive front door. The silent hinges were swung open by a man not much older than myself, outfitted in a uniform that clearly marked him as an employee of the Council. One of many who helped run the hotel-like building that housed the Council members and their families—at least, the ones who choose to stay within its walls.

  I dipped my head in a nod of thanks, and inhaled to try and scent what type of shifter the guy was. While I wasn’t the best at picking up animal scents, the sandy musk that filled my lungs and the feline way he moved had me guessing that he was a lion shifter. It made sense that he would be a predator, since he was the first line of defense at the front door of the house. However, it didn’t escape my notice that the guards who were stationed outside were mythologicals, albeit lower ones, each dressed to militaristic perfection—honored in their position through their clothing and metal rankings pinned to crisp shoulder patches—whereas the regular shifter was in simple, dark tailored slacks and plain black button-down shirt. His position was clearly lesser, and I knew he was thought of as such from the mythologicals who lived within the Lodge.

  Stepping inside, I shrugged out of my jacket while the lion shifter all but prowled forward to take it from me.

  “You don’t have to do that.” I clung to the material, refusing to release my hold on the coat, perfectly happy to hang it myself or bring it with me.

  “It’s my job, miss,” he said politely, making me feel much older than my mere eighteen years. His sharp, light green eyes flashed as he shot me a hard gaze, and then he quickly flicked his eyes sideways, indicating something beyond us without so much as moving his head.

  Peeking off to the side, I saw Councilman Maldonado with his eyes narrowed on my interaction with the doorman, analyzing every move I made. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I made eye contact, and an uncomfortable smirk, edged with the ever-present danger that Maldonado seemed to carry, tilted his lips as his eyes turned steely. Fighting the urge to purse my lips and glare back at the man, I turned back to the shifter and relented.

  “Thank you,” I murmured as he took the jacket. “What’s your name?” I whispered almost silently, but I knew his hearing would allow him to catch my words.

  He gave a minuscule shake of his head, just enough to dislodge a few locks of his perfectly styled golden hair, as he tried not to glance over at the Councilman watching us. It was easy to see how uncomfortable the guy was. How nervous he must be to not even feel comfortable offering me his name when I asked. Anger rose within me, bitter and hot. Without making further eye contact, he bowed curtly in my direction—which made me wildly uncomfortable—and disappeared into a large coat closet to hang up my article of clothing.

  I refused to allow my nerves to show, straightened my shoulders, and pivoted toward Maldonado, facing him head-on. I had to walk straight past him to get to Joshua’s quarters. My feet moved forward before I had a chance to hesitate and my Phoenix squawked her approval in my mind. We were strong, and we wouldn’t show weakness to our enemies. Whether we joined the revolution or not, I knew that Maldonado was an enemy.

  Goosebumps rose on my arms, the only outward sign of my nervousness as I strode forward. Just as I reached the Councilman’s side, he tilted his head downward in a nod, his dark eyes never leaving my face, and the unsettled smirk never leaving his lips.

  “Annika,” he greeted me in his thick, Puerto Rican accent. I had to fight back the need to roll my eyes at his use of my full name. I allowed a slight smile to bloom on my face, but even without a mirror, I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. “It is wonderful to hear you are finally taking your responsibilities seriously.” His drawl rolled over me. “We have been waiting for you to acknowledge your suitors, and yet this is the first date you have had since the Gala.” Clicking his tongue, Maldonado tsked. “We have been worried about your…” He paused, and seemed to mull over his words like a man rolling tobacco across his tongue. Standing almost shoulder to shoulder with the man, I watched as he gestured with his hand while he continued to speak, landing on the word he wanted to make his point. “Commitment. It does not look good to have such a sought after mythological so disinterested in saving her own species.” He dipped his head closer to my ear, his shoulder rubbing against my own as he spoke quietly. “I would hate to think that more drastic measures must be taken to ensure the continuati
on and survival of the Phoenix.” Fear crept down my spine from his implied threat, and my Phoenix rose inside of me in scorching flames. I felt her heat press against my skin, and I gritted my teeth to hold her back.

  His light, brushing touch had my stomach turning over in a sudden wave of nausea, as did the dark swirling power I felt radiating from him. There was no doubt that the dude creeped me out, but I wasn’t about to show him that, nor give him the satisfaction of knowing that his sheer presence affected me in any way. I’d be damned if I was going to let Maldonado see me cowed by his menace and intimidation tactics.

  Still, my Phoenix and I filed his words away to analyze more closely later. Something in the way he’d phrased his threat had raised all kinds of red flags, and I couldn’t help the gut-wrenching feeling that he knew more about what had happened to me on the island than I did, and that deep within his barely veiled threat was the information I’d been looking for.

  Taking a deep breath, I faked sincerity for his benefit. “I can assure you, Councilman, that I take choosing mates very seriously.” The promise was not hard to infuse into my tone. I did take choosing mates seriously. Just not the ones they were forcing upon me. I’d already chosen, but the Council didn’t need to know that. I’d play their game their way—for now. Maldonado opened his mouth to speak again, but I hurriedly continued on before he could get a syllable out. “In fact, I’ve made a very important decision I believe the Council will be pleased to hear.”

  He studied me cynically. “And what decision is that, girl?”

  I smiled sweetly, as if this was the best news I could deliver. “I realized that my education seemed to be taking up the majority of my time these past few weeks, and with all the classes I had missed, my backlog of studies had been keeping me very busy. So busy, in fact, that I couldn't keep up, and decided it was in everyone's best interest if I withdrew from the university.” I gauged his reaction, catching the spark of victory that crossed his features before he shifted his stance and appraised me shrewdly. For a moment, I worried he would see straight through my coated lies, but instead he smiled a creepy, chilling smile.

  “This is good news. I will make sure to inform the rest of the Council members of your decision. We look forward to seeing you more dedicated to your future mates and to our cause.” His eyes flashed, congratulating me while challenging me simultaneously.

  A familiar voice called out to me before I could respond to Maldonado.

  “Nix.” Joshua grabbed my attention as he strode down the hallway next to his father. Dressed casually in a pair of dark wash, well fitting jeans, stylish shoes, and a white button-down, Joshua looked like he’d just walked right off the pages of a magazine. I had feeling that he and Ryder would have fashion in common if they ever became friends. Offering him and his father a warm smile, I took the opportunity they provided to step away from Maldonado, more than happy to end our terse conversation.

  The way Joshua’s lips curved as he ran his eyes over my body had guilt rising in me at what I had to do today, and I glanced away, fidgeting with my fingers as they approached.

  “How are you today, Nix?” Councilman Williams held a hand out and ushered me forward, casting a hard glance at Maldonado as he gave the man his back, clearly not appreciating the delay that took time away from his son. Dressed similarly to his son, Williams was decked out in tailored slacks, a blue button-down that brought out the blue of his eyes—which I promptly made sure never to meet directly—and an expensive watch glittering on his wrist. The likenesses between father and son was striking.

  “I’m doing well, thank you Councilman,” I replied, as he ushered me toward his son.

  “Joshua, why don’t you and Nix disappear, and make the most out of your time together,” he encouraged, with a sparkle in his eyes that eluded to his excitement over this potential match. While I didn’t appreciate feeling as if I was a prize to be won, it was endearing to see the affection the father had for his son. For whatever reason, Joshua had decided to place his bid on me after years of inaction when it came to competing for a mate, and his father was clearly happy to see him making an effort.

  “Nix, would you do me the honors?” Joshua held out a bent elbow and I latched on to the opportunity to escape the hallway, and the Councilmen filling it. Taking his arm, I let him lead me away.

  “Thank you,” I breathed quietly, keeping our conversation just between us.

  “I grew up here, and it doesn’t get any easier to face some of the members of the Council.” He peered over his shoulder before we rounded the corner, taking in the two Councilmen who were watching our retreat.

  “So it’s not just me then?” I wanted to say more, but it was hard to know how if Joshua was in the Council's pocket, or how closely they monitored him,, so I decided to let him forge the way through the politics and simply follow his lead.

  “Not at all. Maldonado is always hard to bear. The same can be said for Stepanov.” He nearly rolled his eyes and I gained a new level of respect for Joshua. It was good to know that not everyone saw golden gods where the Council was concerned. It also told me that Joshua might not be as power hungry for the spot he was practically being raised to walk into. Like Damien, Joshua was a Councilman’s son… a legacy, and his path in life had been set at an early age. I wondered if it was a path he wanted to take, or one he’d rather avoid. As much as I didn’t want to necessarily date Joshua, I was looking forward to getting to know him—even if that made my job today harder.

  I swallowed down my guilt and turned my attention to the elegant hallway we were heading down, trying to memorize the turns we took as we made our way through the Lodge.

  Descending a set of stairs and turning down two more hallways, we finally stopped in front of a large wooden door that Joshua pushed open.

  “You either like games way more than I would have guessed, or this is not your bedroom.” I laughed as I disengaged my arm from his and strode into the room on my own, turning around to take it all in. Lush, green carpet covered the floor, and windows lined one side of the room, admitting plenty of daylight. A large pool table was centered in the middle of the room, surrounded by a poker table, an air hockey table, and various machines that reminded me of an arcade. On the far wall was a humongous TV boxed by three couches. In the corner was a set of double doors with the word ‘Theater’ written in gold lettering above the entrance to the room. My eyebrows skyrocketed, but I realized how naive it was of me to think that the Council didn’t indulge in every luxury the world had to offer. “No wonder you like to live here,” I mused.

  “It has its perks.” Joshua smirked, rubbing a thumb under his bottom lip as he gazed around, trying to see the room from an outsider’s point of view—my point of view. “Someday, I’ll have my own place, but until then, I figured this is a good place to crash.”

  “I can understand that.” I walked to the pool table, running my hand along the smooth walnut wood as I rounded the table slowly. “I know you’re a little older than I am. Did you ever go to college?”

  “I’m actually in my last year.” He walked toward me and tucked his hands into his pockets, watching me with his intense, light blue eyes. “Online classes.”

  “That’s amazing.” I was slightly envious. “What are you studying?”

  “Business and Management.” There was a scoff in his voice that drew my attention.

  “Not what you wanted to study?” I asked with an arched eyebrow, making sure to look to the side of his eyes just slightly.

  “They were the practical choices,” he hedged.

  I called him out. “Because you’re going to be on the Council and you were encouraged to seek a relatable field.” It wasn’t a question, and he noticed.

  He huffed a laugh. “You don’t mince words.” Luckily, he didn’t seem upset or put out by my bluntness.

  “I figured we would only get so much time together.” I shrugged. “We might as well make sure we use our time wisely to get to know each other, don’t you a
gree?” It was the first bait I dropped, and I worried the inside corner of my lip as I waited for his response.

  He lowered the pitch of his voice, his eyes growing softer from the intensity they always seemed to hold, and he said, “I can’t lie. One of the reasons I bid on you was for the uncanny honesty you hold. My father was amused by it, although he would never admit as much in front of the other Council members. It’s one of the things I respect about you.” He took a step closer, leaving a few feet of space between us as I ended my trek around the pool table. “I appreciate the new perspective you have.”

  I sucked in a breath and decided to take a chance. “Of the shifter world?” I let the question hang in the space between us.

  His gaze ran over my face, and for once I didn’t glance away from the deadly promise his eyes held. When they locked on to mine, I saw the way they widened, the pupil dilating and darkening the natural sky blue of his eyes. I didn’t think he was used to anyone making eye contact with him. As a basilisk, he’d have spent his life with people’s constant avoidance.

  “Yes.” His breathing increased in speed and he stepped forward. “You don’t play by the rules. I’m rather drawn to that.”

  “A quality I’m not sure your father or the other Council members appreciate,” I said quietly, fully aware that there were no protective wards to keep my sentiments from being overheard elsewhere. The guys would be ridiculously unhappy at the risk I was taking, but if my womanly intuition was right, the direction of my conversation with Joshua would only help our cause.

  “And yet it’s one I respect.” Joshua sauntered nearer. “You’re not a vying miss, you’re not cold nor calculating. You don’t play the games that other girls do, nor do you bend to the will of others like a reed in the wind. You’re strong, and I can see that strength within you. I could sense it from the first moment I saw you.”