Forged of Fire (11 page)

****

Earthy, like rotten bark and worms mixed with sweet moss and clover. The rich soil screams at me from its beautiful destruction. With each fall of my bare feet, more of its lush aroma reveals itself to my intrusion. Its glorious rape bleeding into the night’s embrace like a virginal flower, open, ripe and honest. It’s intoxicating smell wafts up through the live oaks branches, dancing around the great trees’ roots and flooding the witching hour with magic. My senses grow in awareness and pleasure as the black envelopes me entirely, its thickening fog lacing around my legs as the cool mist lays a delicate sheen atop my skin. Come home…

Kielyn hurried down the long intertwining maze of underground halls and tried to shake off the dream. The words still clung to her. She had been in that forest in her dream but the words that described it in whispering sensual tones were not her own. It was as if she were sharing the visions with another. She shivered. It was as if someone was trying to get in her mind and control her thoughts.

Kielyn pulled her hair back into a ponytail as she walked. Perhaps it had been brought on by falling asleep reading the leather bound bible. She was only a fraction of a way into its pages and she was utterly spellbound by its contents. All the traditional stories were in there, in one fashion or another. But, it was the order of events and the addition of beings such as Vampires, humans with the ability to bend the elements, Dragons and other supernatural creatures that was so vastly different than what she had read growing up. Stefen was right, given the new information, nothing felt like an abstract concept to her anymore. The stories housed in the pages of the book were right on par with everything she had been witness to over the past forty-eight hours.

It all seemed to make sense, but now she had even more questions regarding her own species. Had the Council at Nicaea and Carthage, the men that dictated the New Testament, not known of the other stories, or had they had chosen to leave them out? Kielyn could only imagine that utter chaos would have erupted if the bible she was currently reading had been presented to the masses back in the day. But surely, surely humans had an idea that others walked among them. Look at the pagan holiday of Halloween she thought. Angels were a commonly accepted idea, along with Demons. Why not the others
?
A grain of salt in every tale
,
her grandmother would say. Perhaps Angels and Demons were accepted because they were safely housed in a faraway places called Heaven and Hell. It would be a totally different story if humans knew they were also within arm’s reach. Regardless, there was more to it, that was for sure, and Kielyn could not wait to uncover every last detail.

Her thoughts were interpreted when she entered the chosen meeting place of the library and spotted Stefen kicked back on an oversized leather sofa. He gave her a boyish grin and rose. “Are you ready?” He asked as he walked to meet her.

“As ready as I will ever be.” She half chuckled.

“This way.” Stefen led her towards the hall from which she had just come. “He is not that scary is he?”

“I have never met a more intimidating person.” They took another hall to the right. “I guess it’s all in my head.” She mentally chastised herself for feeling the way she did.

“It’s not.” They paused to allow a Gilcolm to open a large door for them. “All in your head that is.” Stefen continued as they ascended the steps. “He is naturally intimidating. Some of it comes from the era he was raised in and the family he was born into.” Stefen paused, causing Kielyn to halt also. He looked at her. “Most of it comes from the spirit that he was born with and what he has had to endure to be the King he is today.”

He proceeded up the stairway and Kielyn was forced to take the steps two at a time to catch up to him again. “By endure do you mean what Dante did to him and his family?”

“That, and I am sure much more over the centuries.” Stefen pushed a button at the top of the stairs. “Think about all the joys and heartaches you have had in your twenty one years.” The door opened and Kielyn had to shield her eyes from the blinding natural light. She slowly opened them when the burning began to cease, giving her retinas time to acclimate. “Now multiply those experiences by hundreds of years.” Stefen concluded as he stepped into the foyer of the main house.

Kielyn followed him as her eyes raked in the beauty around her. The downstairs quarters they had come from were lavish in its more modern, sleek lines and classy details but the main house was something out of a fairy tale. The old Victorian house had to be sporting 12’ foot ceilings with ornately carved crown molding. Every inch of every room that Kielyn passed was decorated as if from a magazine. The artwork was…
Oh My God!
Kielyn froze.
Was that a Monet?
Her feet carried her on their own accord towards the painting.

“The owner has good taste.” Ash’s silky voice feathered through the air.

Kielyn could not pry her eyes from the canvas. “I have never seen one this close.”

“The house is a collector’s dream.” Stefen commented. “Perhaps Ash can show you the rest after your training is done later today.”

The subtle reminder brought her head up. “Yes, sorry. Art is a passion of mine.” She smiled, turning toward the two royal supernaturals. Both of them stared at her from where they stood, looking as if the very fiber of their beings had been drafted in elegance and refinery for the finer things in life. They were both equally as exquisite as the very art that adorned the walls of this home. Feeling suddenly under educated, Kielyn cast her eyes back one last time to the Monet. “Perhaps you should blindfold me until we reach the outside.”

Stefen laughed but Ash only studied her in a fashion that made her knees grow weak.
How did he do that?
Just a look and she was demolished. Utterly captivated by him and lost in those piercing blue eyes. “The idea has its merits.” He said smoothly.

Stefen cleared his throat. “Proceeding on.” He turned.

Kielyn and Ash followed him on down the impressive hall and through the double French doors that led to the most stunning grounds Kielyn had ever seen at a personal residence. The lawn was perfectly manicured and outlined with a high hedge row that served as a visual barrier. Various grassy paths wove around miniature gardens comprised of large palms, ferns, gardenias, hibiscus and other delicate foliage. Two live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss flanked an impressive stone water fountain. Just behind the water feature was an arched lattice tunnel covered with purple grapes and ivy leading away from the main yard.

Just when Kielyn was about to inquire as to where it led, Ash spoke. “There is a clearing beside the river just through the archway. We will begin our practice there.” He turned to Stefen. “If you don’t mind I would like to be alone with Kielyn when we begin.” Stefen opened his mouth on what looked to be a protest but Ash cut him off. “I need her full concentration so I can best assess her strength.”

Stefen nodded after what seemed a rather drawn out pause. “I will be right here. Waiting.”

“Thank you.” Ash extended his arm, just as he had done last night. Kielyn looped hers over the crook of his forearm. It was a formal escorting, one Kielyn knew was bred into his bones but something about the way he held his arm perfectly straight to support hers, leading her in the direction of his choosing, felt sexy as hell. She had never thought herself a delicate woman that needed caring for but walking beside this man made her feel both respected and protected, feminine. Something about the simple gesture of accepting his control, giving complete trust in his guidance made the apex of her thighs ache. The feeling of his firm muscles beneath her arm served to both soothe and empower her at his side.

Kielyn ventured a side glance up when they walked beneath the canopy of leaves. The sun broke through with every step alighting different parts of his flawless complexion. His jaw, brow line, bridge of his nose, his eyes…A knowing glint lit in the icy blue orbs.
Busted!
Kielyn quickly averted her gaze, embarrassed in her blatant voyeurism. A low chuckle vibrated from beside her. “Does the sun not affect you at all?” She tried to change the subject.

“You seemed to be making a good study of my form.” A slow grin tugged at the edge of his lips. “You tell me Kielyn
.
And please, don’t leave out a single detail.
”
The smile spread to his wicked eyes.

****

She looked away but her telltale signature blush did not lie. It swept across the top of her flesh in a most seductive fashion. Ash momentarily found himself envious of its caress. “We have all day so take as long as you need.” He teased.

“I was only noting that your skin does not seem to be affected by the sun. Your complexion is darker than everyone else but Marcus. Does the ability to walk in the sun give you that tan?” Kielyn asked.

Ash felt himself smile again.
Clever girl.
“No. The UV protection I create does not allow the sun to touch my skin.” They stepped out of the archway’s canopy and into the clearing. “Here feel.” Ash took her hand and raised it to his cheek. “Not a hint of warmth is there?”

“Not at all.” Her hand stayed there. “But you’re not cold either. Another Vampire myth?”

Ash nodded. “My core temperature is lower than yours but no, I am not made of ice.” He chuckled. “My skin tone is the same as when I was turned. My complexion is naturally a dark olive.” He eyed the perfect splattering of tiny freckles adorning the top of her nose. “Just likes those freckles would not fade from you if you were turned.” The thought slammed into his mind like a sledge hammer.
She would have to be turned!
No human could bare the birth of a Vampire child and live. Same as his mother, as strong as she was, could not live through the birth of Ash’s half-sister. Some beings could cross breed but Vampires could not. Not without killing the mother of the baby during childbirth. Ash felt suddenly sick to his stomach. He had not even considered Kielyn being forced to turn in order to live.

“Ash?” Kielyn’s concerned tone pulled him from the thought. “Everything ok?”

“Yes. I just remembered something I wanted to test you on.” He forced a half smile. “Shall we begin?” She nodded and followed him to the center of the clearing where a fire pit was set up. “Have a seat.” He motioned her to a stone bench and she did as bid. “I would like you to try and light the logs on fire.”

Kielyn looked up at him from where he remained standing. “Are you not going to show me how?”

“Not completely. I want you to try and figure it out on your own first.”

“But Walter and Kizer gave me strict instruction before they let me begin.” She worriedly bit her bottom lip. “What if I cause an accident?”

“You can’t hurt anything unless you are frightened and I intend to keep that emotion away from you today, dear.” Ash took a seat across from her on the opposite bench. “Water and fire are very different. While both can be deadly, fire is harder to control for the bender. It cannot be contained like water so it’s important that the bender let the fire guide their education, not the other way around. The gift to bend fire is very personal, very owner specific. I can’t show you how I would do it because I am not you. Each Fire-bender must come to know fire on their own terms and understanding. All I can do is help you learn to strengthen and direct it when you do discover its power within you.”

“Oh.” She looked at the wood piling. “But, I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Continue to focus on the logs.” Ash said. “Look closely at their specific patterns. There is oak, pine and cedar in that pile. Each has their own unique vascular systems. Follow those lines until you see a way in,” he instructed. “Do you see a splinter in the bark, a deep crevice, perhaps a knotted hole?”

Her eyes searched the wood. “Yes, I see a deep ridge in one.”

“Good! For now focus just on that one ridge and think about what it would be like to be able to see the inside of the piece of wood. Let your mind’s eye paint the trail.” She closed her eyes. “Don’t!” She opened them quickly. “You have to find the path with your eyes engaged.”

Her brows knitted with concentration. “I see it!” She exclaimed excitedly after a few minutes! “I can visualize the center!” She beamed.

“Good girl,” he praised. “Now, you will feel your palm warming as you think about placing fire into the log’s center. When the heat starts to burn, send it into the wood. Make sure it travels the exact path your eyes mapped out.” Ash directed.

Kielyn squeezed and un-squeezed her palm. “I feel it. It’s warm.” She smiled but it withered instantly on her face. “It’s hot!” Her eyes went wide with panic.

“Put it in the log!” He ordered.

“I can’t…”

“Now!” Ash said sternly as he stood.

A puff of smoke rose out from the ridge. “I…It worked! It worked! What do I do now?”

Ash smiled. “Fan it with your mind. Draw it out the same way it went in. Focus on that burn and give it a clear path out of the wood.”

Her beautiful face became serious once again and within seconds a yellow-orange glow began to dance atop the bark, running alongside the crevices of the ridges like lava before giving life to a flame. Kielyn leapt to her feet and squealed. Ash had never heard such a wonderful sound. “I did it!” She gasped. “I created fire!”

She threw herself into Ash’s arms, hugging him tightly. His arms instinctively embraced her and for the second time in the course of a mere minute, Ash knew he would move heaven and earth to hear and feel this woman’s joy.

****

New Zealand

The head hit the ground with a resounding thud, its lifeless body crumpling to the dirt to lay beside it. Zander’s neck slowly lifted his steady gaze from the carnage around him. Twenty lay dead by his hands, seven by his blade and one by his fangs. His tongue still tasted the bitter sweet tannin of the Air-bender’s blood on his canines as they retracted with a snap back into his gums. The thin cat-like slits of Zander’s eyes began to grow round again as the fever slowly subsided in his veins. He did the only thing left to do and breathed in the stench of their demise, swallowing it whole to complete his hunger’s desire.

His appetite sated, Zander looked over the small village just outside of Napier. Off to his right his sister joyfully kicked a torso down the hill, chuckling as it rolled. The Air-benders had not even seen them coming. He almost felt sorry for the poor mortals.
Almost…
Their leader could have better prepared them by turning more of them into immortals. His eyes sought out his commanding officer. “Did we get Marcus?”

The large Vampire turned and walked over to Zander. “The King is not on the continent Your Grace.”

“King?” Zander’s pivoted to face the officer head on.

“Yes your Grace. We caught one of his Gilcolms.” The general smiled coldly. “It’s amazing how quickly the weak trade loyalties when you promise to let them live. He was full of information. Including the interesting fact that the elemental houses are reestablishing. Marcus was chosen to be the Air-benders’ King.”

“Reestablishing?” Katara joined them. “I thought father laid waste to all the elders from those bloodlines. What?” She scoffed. “Are they going to try and build from the ground up with mortals and the few half breeds that remain?”

“Bring the blood slave to me!” Zander bit out, ignoring his sister.

His general headed over to the few cowering slaves. “There can’t be more than seven still alive,” Katara continued. “It will be easy to weed them out.”

Zander cut his eyes to her. “We don’t know how many there are you fool! How can you assume anything when we did not even know they were reorganizing in the first place?” He hissed.

Her eyes lit to a devilish red and she leaned in. “Another one of your great disappointments. Father will be thrilled to learn of this oversight of yours.”

Zander focused on the bloody Gilcolm being dragged towards him. The little bitch was right. Zander was head of communications. It was his job to know everything about the Benders and rogue Vampires. “Leave him and get a body count.” He ordered the commander when he pushed the blood slave down to Zander’s feet.

“Please have mercy, my Lord.” The Gilcolm begged.

“Your Lord? I thought Marcus was your Lord?” He sneered down at the much smaller man.

“Forgive me. Master Marcus is away. I only meant respect…”

Katara kicked him in the ribs. “We don’t care! Where is your King?”

“In the US.” The man spat up blood. “Seattle. Meeting with the three other Kings.”

“Who are they?” Zander stared down. “What are the names of these other Kings?”

“I only know two. King Bane and King Montis.”

“Well, there are your Earth and Water lords.” Katara said sarcastically. “Wonder who the Fire King is?”

“There is only one that it should be but he reigns alone.” Zander said. “Father cured him of his desires to ever sit a throne again.”

“You can’t mean Ashdon.” Zander could feel his sister’s eyes on him, ferreting out the truth. “Father said he was dead.”

It was the great lie their father told in order to escape his own failure. Ashdon was the biggest mistake Dante had ever made. After the Fire-bender turned Vampire had escaped, their father had hunted him unmercifully for the better part of a hundred years. During that time his father’s obsession with Ashdon grew so rabid he allowed his government to weaken. Chairs sat empty, council members too afraid to rule in his absence. With no clear set order, many other turned benders escaped. Dante cared not. He only needed one back
. Ash...
The handsome second son of the house of Ushum. His father’s protégéé and Katara’s half-brother. When Dante finally accepted the fact that Ashdon was too smart to be caught he created the lie that the Fire-bender was dead. Zander was the only one that knew better. He had been watching the boy, jealously from the shadows, his whole life. Zander knew Ash was far too strong to be dead. His father knew it too.

“Your Grace, the head count is one hundred and sixty-five. I believe we got them all.”Zander’s commanding officer announced.

Zander knelt down in front of the Gilcolm. “How many total Air-benders are there?”

“Two hundred.” The man answered before raising his head to look at Zander. “The rest of which are in Germany.”

Before Zander could ask his next question Katara swung her sword and severed the blood slave’s head from his body. “He is lying to you.” She said flatly. “Gilcolm’s don’t betray their masters and people truly afraid to die won’t look you in the eye.”

“Still!” Zander stood and wiped the blood spray from his face. “That was not your call to make.”

“Well here is a call you will approve of and the only one that might actually save your ass with Father.” She stepped forward. “Let’s go find my big brother.” She tilted her head to the side. “The favored one.”

****

Stefen watched as Alaric perused the library’s shelves, hands clasp behind his six foot five frame, his studious clear-green eyes missing nothing as they scanned the bindings. They had been at this stand off for twenty minutes now. Other than Alaric’s arriving instructions to be left alone with his brother and his swift dismissal of the others, no words had left either of their mouths. Stefen knew Alaric well and in all his years he had yet to render his older sibling speechless…
For this long
. Alaric was never without an order, an invitation, a judgement or a reprimand. This was worse than Stefen had imagined.

“Alaric…”

One commanding finger sliced through the air leaving no quarter for speech. “One simple task!” Alaric focused on one book amidst the thousands. Stefen knew his stoic brother had not just decided on Moby Dick as an after dinner read. No, what Alaric was really looking for was the strength to not kill him here in the Vampire-bender’s library. “Would it be so hard, for once in your life, do what is asked of you?”

“Are you wanting an answer or is that a rhetorical question?”

Alaric turned to face him. “You have displeased the elders and I am not sure I can get you out of this one.”