Flame and Fury Read online

  Slow down, lover boy. Maya’s teeth ground together at the sound of Kari’s voice, and she tightened her grip on the wheel.

  How can I slow down when Sam’s dead at sunset, and the sun is setting? Aedan.

  Relax. I wasn’t being completely truthful with that threat. Serena knows we need him in order to control you, so he’s perfectly safe. Maya heard the missing words on the end of that sentence as loud as if she’d actually uttered them. For now.

  “Don’t worry, Sparks. I’m going to get him out of there. Both of you. Just hang in there.” Letting him go back on his own went against every fiber of Maya’s being. But she understood. And it was going to be okay. It was.

  “Two Elementals together, less than two months before the equinox,” Maya repeated the information out loud because she really was going against everything she’d ever learned. But who ever said the Circle had it all right? She’d lost Corey. And with him, she’d lost all trace of love and compassion in her parents. Noble ones. What a joke! What was so freakin’ noble about emotionally deserting your kid?

  “They’re afraid they’ll lose you too.” That’s what Toby had said one time. And he’d gotten a fist to the jaw for it too. Because what kind of excuse is that? It’s like saying, “We’ll just treat you like you’re already dead so we don’t have to worry about you dying at some more inconvenient time later.”

  Talk about playing with fire though. She could do it right now. She could take out the truck, and both Elementals, and save the world for the next two-hundred years. Maybe it would even fix her parents. Maya shook her head a little and steered into a parking spot down the street from the drive Aedan pulled into. She yanked up the parking brake because of the steep hill. She felt queasy.

  If she followed them, she might be able to bring down the whole damn organization. Not just this year’s Elementals, but all the Scimitar. Surely the Circle would let Aedan live if he were part of that… Maybe he could even be trained as an Operative like her.

  You’re as white as a sheet. Kari again. She was adjusting Aedan’s collar at the doorstep of a really nice home in the foothills. Lots of natural desert landscape and a sprawling ranch with enormous wall sized windows that lined the curved front of the building.

  I’m worried about Sam. Aedan’s whole body posture screamed of tension. It was visible even from a hundred feet away and behind a Palo Verde tree.

  I know how to help you relax. Maya’s mouth dropped open as Kari leaned into Aedan, kissing him. Maya’s vision flooded with red, and she reached behind her for a weapon. Bitch was goin’ down. But by the time she was ready to spring from her spot, Aedan had already pushed away. What’s the matter, fire boy?

  You really have to ask? You kidnapped my father, Kari.

  The wind picked up throughout the yard, and Maya shielded her eyes from the gravel and dust it kicked up. Aedan held up a hand, a ball of flame floating just above his skin, and the breeze stopped.

  The front door opened, and Aedan’s fire was out, his hand at his side so fast, Maya wasn’t sure she’d really seen it. He was good. And for some reason, it really turned her on. But now wasn’t the time.

  She couldn’t see the woman in the house, but she could hear her. You must be Aedan. Ice poured through her at the sound, sickening sweet like saccharine, and probably just as poisonous.

  The moment Aedan stepped through the threshold the already spotty sound cut out. Damn it! Maya pounded a fist into the tree. Now what? Well, she knew what the “plan” was. Knew what Aedan wanted, or at least expected of her. That she’d wait it out and not go bursting in like a ninja on the warpath.

  God, it was hard to not act. How did Toby sit in the apartment for hours on end? What were they doing to him in there? Visions of Aedan being tortured and reprogrammed swam in her head.

  Compromise. That’s what she had to do. Besides, scouting the surroundings didn’t violate any trust. In fact, it was vigilant. She kept repeating this to herself as she crouched low, black bag slung across her chest, and darted around the side of the house. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much cover available. Not if she didn’t want to impale herself on some cactus. Damn desert.

  What she did notice through the quickly dimming light was the lack of windows on the side of the house. While the front was basically transparent, the rest was thick salmon colored adobe. Maya knew better than to trust appearances. Just because this Serena didn’t want others looking in, didn’t mean there weren’t cameras watching outside. Maya’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the underside of the orange shingles above until she spotted it a bit further down. The bumpy gray protrusion had the markings of a wasp’s nest, but there was no activity around it, and it was just a tad too symmetrical. Maya leaned back into the side of the wall and prayed that she was right about being just out of the perimeter of the camera’s view. Then she reached into her bag, removed a small dagger, and depressed the button on the handle. Some of Toby’s crazy wires spun outward rotating like a little satellite dish and Maya had to smile. At the same time, her heart lurched. She couldn’t deny the vision of Toby’s too-pale face in the motel room bed, and no matter how much she said otherwise, she knew deep down there was little she could actually do for him.

  She let this thought propel the blade from her hand, and it found its mark, square inside the tiny opening at the bottom of the nest. As expected no actual bugs came out. And now, if Toby’s design held true, all connected cameras would remain frozen on whatever picture they were recording five seconds prior to the blade hitting it.

  One obstacle down. Time to move on.

  The backyard was as closed off as the front. A high wooden gate protected the sides (not a problem for Maya). And the back was a nearly vertical wall of rock. Nice. It was almost completely dark out now, but the whole thing was lit beautifully. A raised Jacuzzi spilled water over the side in a mini waterfall directly into a pool below. The water seemed to glow with eerie blue lights from within. No sliding glass door to the house like at Aedan’s though. Just double French doors, with curtains that effectively hid the inside. Damn. Now what?

  Maya squatted down near the pool and dipped a hand inside while she considered. Still, if she hadn’t seen the glint out of the corner of her eye she would never have noticed. The movement of the water had caught the overhead light, only it wasn’t really the water because whatever it was, was inside the water. Maya lay flat on her stomach, head leaning over the edge, heart frozen in her chest. That couldn’t be what she thought it was.

  But the longer she looked the more certain she became that Sam’s body was staring up at her from the bottom of the inky pool.

  Chapter Forty

  Maya

  She didn’t think, which was nothing unusual. She slid the bag off her shoulders, and dove in. The thing was deeper than it appeared, though nothing insurmountable. But the moment her fingers reached for him, she realized her mistake. It was like touching frozen glass, not human skin. It was ice that held him to the bottom. Ice that held him still. And she hoped it was ice that meant he was actually still alive despite the blank open stare that met hers.

  And it was most definitely Sam. No one else would wear a shirt sporting a giant hamburger with a bottle of ketchup on one sleeve and mustard on the other. She knew enough of him to know this.

  Maya broke the surface and sucked in a deep breath. How was she going to get him out? She ignored the other thing. The thing that made all her senses kick into high alert. The magic used was a clear indication that a third Elemental was here somewhere.

  If she could just get Sam to safety, then maybe Aedan could defrost him or something. Okay. That was the plan then. Besides she was shivering even in the desert heat. She had to do something quick or she’d turn into an ice-cube too.

  She kicked off her shoes, and dove again, cutting through the water with precision and speed. This time she reached beneath Sam’s body and tugged, ignoring the biting temperature against her skin. He was heavy, even in the water, but she was stronge
r than she looked. And using the floor of the pool for leverage she pushed off and rose. She kicked hard, watching the shimmering surface above as it grew closer and closer.

  And when she finally broke through, she was trembling almost uncontrollably. She wasn’t sure if the blue in her skin was from the reflection of the creepy underwater lighting, or the icy feel of the water. Either way, she wasn’t planning on sticking around for long. But now that Sam was out, he was even heavier. And just dragging him onto the deck and out of the water was a huge effort. The minute he cleared the water, Maya collapsed next to him, withdrawing her freezing hands.

  She might be good, but there was no way she was going to get him out of there without Aedan’s help. Hell, she wasn’t even sure he was still alive. How could he possibly survive encased in ice and under water for so long? She leaned up on her hands and peered into his face. No sign of life. But it was magic, right? And she of all people knew what magic could do.

  It couldn’t save Corey.

  A new surge of strength pulsed through her and Maya pulled her bag of tricks over, hauling out a length of specialty rope that Toby had reinforced with some super-strong filament. She wove it around his body, with some difficulty, and began dragging him toward the gate.

  It wasn’t easy, and it was most certainly slow going, but she managed to get it open, and him through to the side of the house. But when she heard the sound of the French door opening, she knew time was up. Shit.

  Maya had two choices in those precious seconds. Prepare for battle, or hide Sam. With one giant heave, she shoved Sam’s frozen body into the small patch of thorny brush along the far edge of the yard. It wasn’t lit by the ground lights so it should mask him, at least for a bit. And the ice should protect him from the prickers. Now to lead them away from his location.

  She made it all ten yards back to her bag before it hit her. And the last thing she registered before her lungs filled with water were both his cold blue eyes and the thick metal collar glinting beneath the overhead light.

  The water flooded her nose, her mouth, filled her lungs even as she fought to push it out. But her body went on autopilot and gasped for breath, reaching for what wasn’t there, even though she was standing in the middle of a desert.

  He’d moved the entire contents of the pool through the air like it was nothing, and she was five feet under, pushing toward a top that didn’t exist as the whole thing moved with her. And then it was over because she couldn’t fight it anymore. Because you can only hold your breath for so long even if you jump in prepared. Her chest burned, her brain fogged. And darkness claimed her.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Aedan

  “I don’t get it. Why are we here?” Aedan asked. He was having a lot of trouble controlling the fire within. It seemed to want to burst free with a life of its own the minute he stepped through the door.

  The house itself wasn’t all that strange, open living area with soaring ceilings and curved archways throughout. It was what was inside that made the hairs on his arms stand up. The magic in the house was so concentrated it felt like stepping into a tube of static electricity. There was no denying it was magic. It spoke to something deep inside of him and stoked the flames.

  Serena was hot. That was the first thing to register. But then again, so was Kari. He knew better than to be fooled by big brown eyes and long lashes. Or those legs that seemed to go on for miles. Okay, fine, he was staring. But he’d expected someone much different. Like an ancient crone or something. Not a girl only a few years older than himself.

  “So the Prodigal Son returns,” she said. “Welcome home.” Then she smiled, and it was a brilliant smile that tugged at something within. But some other saner part of him realized that it didn’t reach her eyes. Her eyes seemed somewhere far away, under glass.

  “Well, I wouldn’t exactly get biblical,” he said.

  “No. You didn’t leave us of your own volition, did you, Aedan?” she asked, coming close. She smelled like cherries. Aedan shook his head. “Of course not. And we are so sorry it has taken so long to come for you. But we are here now, and not a moment too soon.” Her hand cupped his face, and stroked his cheek and neck, making him draw in a sharp breath.

  Kari cleared her throat somewhere behind him. But it sounded far away. All he could see were Serena’s deep, sad eyes. Eyes like endless night.

  Merlin’s ring burned against his skin, and he jumped a little. What the hell was that? Had she been trying to put him in some kind of trance? He averted his gaze. He’d have to avoid the eyes. And it wasn’t so unbelievable his gaze would wander toward her chest, right? And suddenly everything came back. He hadn’t even realized he’d lost it. But somehow walking inside the house had sifted everything else out of his head.

  He let the blaze flare a little inside and flexed a hand.

  “I want my father back,” he said maybe a little too loud.

  Serena’s smile faltered into something more like a grimace, but only for a moment. Aedan focused on the bridge of her nose, so he wouldn’t fall back under her spell while still appearing to look her in the eyes.

  “Your father was murdered nearly fourteen years ago by the Circle,” Serena’s voice shook slightly. “Along with your mother, your sisters, and three other members of the Scimitar. But you, Aedan, you survived.” She clasped a hand on his shoulder, then withdrew with a yelp, clutching her burnt hand.

  “Let me repeat; I want my father. Meaning Sam Sparks. You will get him for me now, or this house might turn into ash. When I get angry it’s hard to control. But you probably know that since you’re such an expert.” Aedan stood his ground, but inside he was feeling seriously queasy. He’d never follow through on that threat, certainly not while Sam could be in the building somewhere. And he was afraid she might see right through his bluff.

  “So much anger, so much hurt. I’m so sorry, Aedan. I should have come for you sooner. Should have come myself.” Serena’s hand glowed a little, and she dropped it to her side. A tear slid down the side of her nose, and she turned her disconcerting gaze over his shoulder. Aedan swallowed.

  “Aedan-” Kari started. He’d almost forgotten she was behind him. But Serena held up a finger stopping her short. She obviously had some kind of clout, if not power over Kari, and that did not make him feel better.

  “There is no need to apologize. This is a good trait. His heart is that of a Scimitar, volatile and filled with passion. It confirms what I already know, I am just sorry I couldn’t prevent all the pain.”

  “I wasn’t going to apologize,” Aedan said, which didn’t come out nearly as cool as he’d intended. Her words were unsettling, and so was her seemingly sincere pity. He had to remind himself she was the bad guy here. She’d taken Sam and no amount of tears were going to change that.

  “You are home now, Aedan. You will find peace with us.” It was quiet, no more than a whisper, but the absolute conviction behind Serena’s words chilled him to the bone.

  “Just let Sam go. I won’t even listen to someone who kidnaps innocent men, let alone come to live with them.” Aedan felt he was getting nowhere rather fast.

  Serena studied him. He remained still, fist clenched at his sides as she circled him slowly. When she stopped in front of him again, she held his face between her palms. But despite the fact she was a breath away, he kept his gaze firmly locked on a spot over her shoulder. A high arched entryway to some room beyond that lay in darkness. A kitchen? A hallway? Was Sam down there somewhere, just feet away? Was he scared?

  “Are you so very certain he is innocent?” she asked. Her breath warmed him, and her words were tender, as though she were afraid he might shatter.

  “What else would he be? He isn’t like us,” Aedan said.

  “Still, everyone has secrets they must eventually pay for. But you know that intimately don’t you, Aedan?” More pity.

  Aedan wanted to burn her hands right off of him. He could see her in his mind, incinerated in silent screams like Megan. Then a w
ave of nausea overtook him. How could he even think that way? “What right do you have to judge him or anyone else?” Aedan spat. This would be so much easier if Serena were more… evil.

  “I have no reason to keep him here against his will if it displeases you, Aedan,” Serena said. He almost looked her in the eye then but caught himself first. “I just have to be absolutely sure about where your loyalties lie.” With that, she slid her fingers to his lips, then traced her way to his heart. She was testing him. He fought the urge to burn her again, sure it wouldn’t do Sam any good, and unsure how far he might go. Why was her kind and reasonable attitude making him so angry? Or was it the magic in the house that still tugged so hard at the fire inside?

  “My loyalties lie with the people that raised me,” Aedan said. “Therefore, those who hurt them, hurt me.”

  “Then perhaps I shouldn’t be so quick to let him go,” she said, genuine sadness permeating every word. “If you’ll do anything to keep him safe, I would be a fool to lose such a valuable weapon. Please don’t make me hurt him, Aedan. I would not enjoy that because it would hurt you. And I care about you.” She stared at his chest, where she pressed both palms open against him.

  “You don’t even know me! What you want is my power.”

  The fury and despair inside boiled over, and his skin began to prick. The scent of singed hair and clothes wafted up between them, and for a moment he did look at her eyes. What he saw was both fear and understanding as she yanked her hands away and backed up. He felt the wind rush over him from behind, but this time he wasn’t ready to be put out. He focused on the fire, imagined Kari fanning the flames. And when Serena screamed, he smiled.