Chapter 15
Sunshine poured into her room. The clock on the nightstand flashed six in the morning. Alex groaned and shoved her head under the pillows but sleep eluded her. She climbed out of bed, shoved her feet into pink flannel socks, and wrapped up in her favorite yellow housecoat. People made fun of the housecoat, but her adoptive father had given it to her and she refused to give it up. Plus, it was nice to have a piece of home with her. Thankfully aunt Quinn knew her well enough to pack it. She stared out the window for a while, watched the world, marveled over everything that had happened, before making her way downstairs to the kitchen.
As she rounded the corner, her stomach rumbled loudly. The smells wafting out the kitchen door were heavenly. She inhaled as much of the smell as she could before saying to the older man sprinkling sugar on wicked-looking pastry, “You must be Glenn.”
He dusted his hands on a blue, rhinestone embroidered apron and replied, “That’d be me. You must be our new addition, Alex.”
She smiled. “Your cinnamon buns are incredible.”
“Well, dear, I’m always happy to accept a compliment.” He reached for a fresh bun, put it on a plate, and passed it to her with a wink. “You should probably test this one and make sure it’s up to snuff. Now, can I make you a coffee?”
She nodded while shoving pastry into her mouth.
Glenn reached around her, grabbed a cup out of the cupboard to fill. Her mouth watered as he placed the cup on the counter and motioned for her to take a sip.
She wiped her mouth on her sleeve. “Thank you. I hardly ate last night and I’m starving.”
“Would you like another one?” He scooped up a second cinnamon bun and put it on her plate before she could say no.
She laughed out loud. Pushed her hair out of the way as she accepted the second bun. Sighing with contentment, she said, “Collum tells me you’ve been with him forever. Did you know my grandmother?”
“I’m afraid not my dear. Collum is,” he clicked his tongue, “very private about his friendships. Dragons usually are.”
“Are you an Angel?”
Glenn laughed out loud. “Oh no, no. Valhalla forbid. I’m a raven my dear.”
With a blank look, she repeated, “A raven?”
“I’m a shifter. The raven is my true form. It’s a bit of a gift from Odin.”
Alex thought back to her basic knowledge of Norse mythology. She might not know much but everyone knew about the Ravens of Odin. She gulped down her coffee. “Wow, so, shifters and Odin’s Ravens, exist? For real?”
“Yes, we’re all for real. That’s likely the case for everything you think is unreal.”
She bit her lip as Glenn laughed again. It was a kind laugh, though. “Can I have another coffee please? I think I’m going to need it today.”
As Glenn plucked the cup from her hands, Collum walked in. Surprise lit his face. An entirely ridiculous giggle embedded in her throat. She climbed off the counter. Tried to smooth down her hair without him noticing.
He inclined his head to her. “Good morning, did you sleep well?”
“I did thank you. The bed is very comfortable,” she stammered, feeling like an idiot.
“Your paper is on the dining table. Your steak and eggs are almost ready,” Glenn said as he handed a coffee to Collum.
Fascinated, Alex watched as Collum took the cup and slapped the other man on his shoulder affectionately. She’d never seen Collum touch anyone, well other than her. He appeared completely at ease. She recognized all too clearly that she knew absolutely nothing about him.
“You have icing in your hair, Alex?” Collum said.
“What?” Alex pulled at her housecoat.
“I said—you have icing in your hair.”
“Oh.” She grabbed her hair, found the offending piece and shoved it in her mouth to suck the icing off.
Rushing to cover her embarrassment, she said, “I’d like to go for a run. Do you have any trails I can use or should I run the road?”
Collum shook his head. “You can’t go for a run.”
“Excuse me?”
Glenn began banging pots and pans, but Collum talked right over the noise. “I said—You. Can. Not. Go for a run.”
“I beg to differ. You told me this place would be safe. My back is aching and I need to release some pent-up energy.”
Collum gave her a sinister look. Behind him Glenn began coughing. She ignored them both and carried on, “I need this Collum.”
“Nope. Not happening.”
“Look, buddy, I don’t think you get it. I’m going for a run. I’m only asking you the best route to take.”
Her tattoo tingled against her skin as she stepped into his personal space. She could smell the shampoo he used. He smelled good in the morning. She inhaled. Why did he have to smell so good when he was acting like a cretin.
His eyes narrowed. “You can’t protect yourself if something happens and I don’t have time to follow you. Go work out in the gym on the lower level.”
“I can’t what? Maybe you haven’t heard, but I can protect myself just fine. I’ve already saved my own ass once. It’s not like I’m talking about leaving your precious estate. Man, you’re being a total jerk.”
She glowered at Collum but the jerk refused to give in. Behind her, Glenn interjected. “I can follow her.”
Alex clapped her hands. “There, see, Glenn will follow me. You can drop the male chauvinist act now.”
Glaring at Glenn he retorted, “Fine, you fly behind her and keep an eye on things. But you two had better not leave the fucking property. I don’t know who else is out there, and I can’t bloody well protect you if you won’t listen.”
He stormed out of the kitchen with his coffee in hand.
As soon as his footsteps faded in the hall, Alex hugged Glenn. “Thank you. Is he always so grumpy?”
“Well, actually yes, though he’s usually not so talkative or accommodating,” Glenn replied with a confused smile.
Alex snorted. “You call that accommodating?”
“Trust me dear, that was very accommodating. Now why don’t you go get changed while I finish up here. I’ll meet you out front in twenty minutes.”
“Done.” She gulped down the last of her coffee before rushing out of the room.
~ ~ ~
True to her word, Alex was waiting on the front steps when Glenn showed up. They went over a map of the surrounding property before agreeing on a five-mile trail that looped past the river near the back of the property. As Alex tightened her laces and stretched, Glenn disappeared around the corner of the house to shift into his raven form. Within minutes a gleaming, deep purple bird cawed at her from the tree.
As she jogged through the trails she felt the raven’s steady flap of wings behind her. How odd it was, to feel such calm with his presence. What a fascinating and bizarre world she found herself in.
She heard the lapping of water not far off. Other sounds joined in. Grasshoppers and woodland bugs talked in the underbrush. Dew on the tress and ferns sparkled. It was cooler here in the shade. As the sweat ran down her back, she was thankful for the shadows. Small animals rustled nearby. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought she was home on Vancouver Island with Quinn waiting up at the house with hot chocolate.
She was still angry with her aunt for not telling her everything years ago. It could have saved her so much pain and confusion. If she’d known, perhaps she’d have started this journey long ago, before she was in danger. It certainly would have been a lot easier in college if she’d known why things frequently combusted around her or why her dreams seemed to predict the future. She’d been a freak. She would’ve like to not be a freak.
She brushed off thoughts of the past. None of that mattered now. It was ridiculous to complain when more important things needed her attention, like the sun and the trees, and a hidden fresh water lake she’d noticed on the map earlier. It was within the boundaries of the estate. Glenn said it was the perfect place for a rest before heading back to the house.
She slowed to a walk as the trail grew thicker. The scent from the water hovered in the air. Alex checked her timer. Thirteen minutes to run two and a half kilometers. Not bad but certainly not her best time either.
Ahead of her, Glenn perched on a low branch. She pushed through the foliage and came upon a small clearing with an emerald lake. Large boulders created a wall. She scrambled down to reach the water.
“I’m jumping in, Glenn,” she shouted as she pulled off her socks and shoes, and dove in the water. Behind her the Raven shrieked.
She squealed with unconcealed delight as her head broke the surface of the lake. “Glenn, get your feathered ass in here. It’s perfect.”
~ ~ ~
“I sent him home.”
She shrieked. Frantically shoved the mass of wet, red tangles out of her eyes to see Collum standing next to her shoes. He was in fine form, dressed head to toe in black. Black track pants that hugged his quads. Black T-shirt that hugged his chest. She lost her breath for a minute.
“What are you doing here?”
“You told me you could save your own ass so I decided to see if it was true.”
His arms were folded over his chest. Tattoos covered his muscled forearms. “Get out of the water, princess.”
“I don’t think so. Not with that look on your face I’m not.”
“I don’t have a look on my face.”
“You sure as hell do have a look on your face.”
“Get out of the water and show me what you know about protecting yourself.”
“Yeah, cause that doesn’t sound at all ominous. I’m good right here.”
He growled at her like the predator he was. “I can see you shivering from here. Get out of the water. I’ll give you a head start.”
“Head start? What do you think’s going to happen here?”
“You need to burn off some energy. I need to know if you can protect yourself. We’re going to find out.”
“I can’t believe Glenn left me. Traitor.” Her teeth chattered. She took perverse pleasure in seeing Collum grimace.
“He isn’t a traitor. He’s following orders. Now get out of the water before I come in and drag you out by that hair of yours.”
Alex had forgotten about her hair and groaned at the mention of it. Goddamn hair would take hours to dry. “Well at least step back. You’re blocking my path.”
A wicked smile curled his lips. He retreated three steps before handing her a towel from behind his back.
She pulled herself out of the water and on to the rocks. Practically launched herself at him to get the offered towel. She was so cold she felt like her bones were going to crack.
“You know you’re made of fire, right?”
“So you keep saying.”
“You’re standing there shivering so hard you look like you’re having a seizure and I’m reminding you that your element is fire.”
At her blank look, he stepped close and traced his finger along the flame tattoo that wrapped up her body.
“You are fire, Alex. Warm yourself.”
He stroked the flames on her shoulder. Alex thought she might faint from his touch. He leaned down and licked the water off her skin. Her tattoo writhed, strained to reach him.
“Why is it doing that?”
“I’m fire. It recognizes itself in me—even if you don’t yet. You aren’t human anymore, Alex so stop acting like it. Stop pretending this is a holiday.”
“I’m not pretending anything. This is my life. Stop treating me like I’m a child.”
He ignored her. “Try to hit me.”
“I’m not hitting . . .”
“Hit me, girl.”
Finally, angry—really angry—she pulled back her fist and swung.
He blocked her, easily twisting her arm behind her back.
“I’m a dragon, Alex. You can’t hit me with your fist. Use your fucking flames.”
“Let go of me. You’re hurting me.”
“It doesn’t hurt. You’re an immortal. Now wake up and let your fire out.”
“I don’t know how,” she cried.
Collum released her and stepped back. His voice was gentler when he spoke again. “You do know how. You fought off that raider in the parking lot. You’ve been dealing with this since you were eighteen, right? Channel it. You know what you feel like when the fire is rising.”
She squared her shoulders. He was right. She never backed away from a fight and she wasn’t going to now. But she wasn’t going to let him off that easy.
“You’re an asshole.”
“He grinned down at her. “Babe, you ain’t seen nothing yet. You ready?”
With a big breath and last long look at the boulder baking in the sun, she shoved her feet into her runners and replied, “I’m ready.”
“Good, now put your hands out.”
“Why?”
“Just put them out and stop asking me questions.”
“Fine. Here.” She thrust her palms up to his chin and stared defiantly at him.
He clasped her hands in his own. Alex felt the rush of heat flowing between them. He pulled her hands up to his mouth and blew little sparks onto her fingers.
“Quit flirting and do it,” she grumbled to hide the catch in her throat.
“I’m showing you how simple this is, channeling energy into something I want. I want to burn you, Alex. I want to singe your flesh and taste your heat. That’s what the beast in me wants because he knows you can take it.”
The tattoo burned against her skin, squirmed with need. She pulled her hands away as a shiver raced up her spine.
“Let the flame off your flesh.”
She thrust her chin out. “How?”
“Talk to it. That tattoo is more than a drawing. It exists to serve you. Visualize letting it free. Can you sense what it wants?”
Digging deep inside herself, she focused on the intensity of the feeling flowing from the tattoo into her. It wasn’t alive, more like a manifestation of who she was now. Alex pictured the flame travelling to Collum. She closed her eyes. Ignored the noise around her. Felt the fire climb off her flesh. Felt it touch Collum as though it were her own hand. Startled, she opened her eyes to see fire wrapping around his hands, crawling up his chest.
His jaw was clenched. Sweat glistened on his top lip. She watched entranced.
“Call it back now,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t want to yet. I like how this feels. I feel powerful.”
He curled his fingers through her flame. Caressed the blaze crawling against him.
“Call it back now, baby,” he said as he closed the distance between them. “Or I’m taking you right here and now.”
She let him come. I should have had this feeling from birth. Fuck them for keeping her from it. Alex tested the heat. She reached into the flames climbing over Collum. Let them cover her skin. She could feel what he felt through the flame. It was agony. It was more pleasure than she’d ever thought to feel.
He grabbed her arms. Leaned down and smashed his mouth onto hers.
Their tongues met. Fire exploded behind her eyes. Her legs gave out.
Collum ripped his mouth away, drew himself back. “Take your fire back, Alex.”
“No.”
He planted himself firmly in front of her. “Do you want this?”
She matched his posture. “You know I do.”
“Good. Use that to learn to fight,” he growled. “Call your fucking fire back now.”
She did as he asked. Focused on her flame and visualized it crawling back to her flesh. A little piece of his fire seemed to follow.
As soon as the flame retreated, he grabbed her hands and pulled her along behind him to the edge of the clearing. “Now, throw it at that tree.”
“Throw the fire?”
“Yes. You can’t outrun Wind. Water can drown you. Earth will try to swallow you. You must be able to control your flame, and your emotions, to defeat them.”
She furrowed her brow, focusing her energy on the flame still crawling along her arms and legs. Visualized drawing it into her palm. Sparks ignited against her flesh. She pictured a ball. Commanded the sparks to join. Used the passion ignited by Collum to control her fire. Within seconds a fireball rested in her hand, waiting to do her bidding. She launched it at the coniferous tree Glenn had sat in earlier. The fire connected and shattered into the base of the tree like a lightning bolt. Bark flew in the air and the tree toppled over, smoldering at the base.
She jumped in the air and twirled around to high five Collum. “I did it. Holy shit. I can’t believe that. Did you see it?”
“Glenn’s gonna be choked. That was his favorite tree.”
She smacked his chest. “What? Are you kidding me?”
He actually laughed. She almost begged him to kiss her again.
“Ow. Take it easy, I’m screwing with you. Keep that control and you’ll do fine. But remember the tattoo is only a tool.” He tapped her forehead. “You are fire. And this today,” he swept his hand at the downed tree, “is only the beginning.”
“I know, I know. Can’t you let me have this little bit of excitement?”
“Keep practicing.” He turned away.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving.”
Alex couldn’t believe it when he started walking away. “You’re actually leaving?”
He swung back around and his dark gaze pinned her. “Glenn will be right back. I can’t stay out here with you all day, sweetheart. I have things to do.”
“But I thought . . .”
“What did you think? That we’d play in the flowers all day?”
“Wow, okay. I get it.”
“I don’t think you do. I’m not your college buddy or your girlfriend. I’m a dragon, Alex, and my instinct is to score your flesh with my claws until you beg me to claim you. That’s what my fire calls to in me.” He turned as Glenn flew into the clearing. “So, I am going to leave you with the only being in the world I won’t kill for being near you right now.”
She gaped at him. “What if I want the same thing?”
He replied without looking at her. “I’m not having sex with you in a field. That isn’t what we’re going to be.”
“We’re going to be something?”
“You know as well as I do that we are,” he said before leaving the clearing, and her, behind.