Immortal Fire - Book One

I was still dripping wet from Shaleigh’s drink and reeking of beer. Fucking fantastic. I would have to repay Cassie for her clothes that were now ruined and smelling of booze.

Trampling through the woods with my mind on everything that had just happened, I eventually came across a small pond. It was beautiful. There was an opening in the trees that let the silver moonlight reflect on the water like diamonds. There was a large rock to the left of me that hung slightly over the water.

Heading towards it, I noticed black orchids were growing around the water’s edges. Sitting down on the rock with my legs spread out before me, my heart sank. Was I ever going to fit in? It did not feel like it. I was always going to be alone, forever the outcast; nothing special.

Assholes…

I sighed heavily whilst fiddling with my hand that had glowed and tingled earlier. It still felt like there was a humming of electricity going from it and up my arm. None of this made sense.

A branch was snapped near where I had come from, and I sat up straight. I was not in the mood to be made fun of again. It could be Hayden a voice in my head said joyfully.

It was not.

It was a guy that came into the slight clearing that I hadn’t seen anywhere before. He was tall, about Hayden’s height. He had short brown hair and a runner’s build. Looking at me and smiling, he then headed toward me like a predator. Something about him gave me a cold shiver.

“You must be Aria, I’m Hunter. Mind if I join you?” Was this guy kidding?

“Um, I guess not. I am not exactly the best company right now. I think you would enjoy yourself more at the bonfire.” I said whilst looking in the direction of the party.

“Now why would I want to be there with all of those jerks?” he then climbed up onto the rock beside me.

“Maybe because those jerks aren’t the losers getting drinks thrown all over them...?” He laughed at that.

“Well, put it this way, if anyone deserves to be covered in someone else’s drink it’s them.” Looking at him now, he had a strong jaw and high cheekbones. There was a slight scar that was near his left eye, at the top of his cheek. He had a tan like someone who was in the sun a lot. His eyes were a hazel color with a slight tint of green. He was not as beautiful as Hayden, but he was still beautiful in a dangerous-looking kind of way.

He was wearing a black button-up shirt that was unbuttoned at the top showing a bit of chest. A tattoo that I could not make out peeked out just over his heart. He also had a backpack that he had set next to him.

“Why are you being nice to me?” curious, I could not help myself from asking. Also, who the fuck randomly just appears in the middle of the woods?

“Maybe because I know what it feels like to be an outcast from the beginning, and no one bothers to find out who you are.” Now I was the one to laugh at him.

“Sorry but I find that hard to believe. You look like you fit in just fine with everyone here. You probably don’t have a problem going to school with all these people.”

“I don’t go to school with anyone here, I’m here looking for an old friend of mine, Hayden Levi. I haven’t seen him for ages and thought that I would catch up with him seen as though I was in the area.”

“You know Hayden?” I could not believe it. Of all the people to find me here; it had to be a joke the universe was playing on me.

“Yeah, we go way back. Do you know him?”

“Yeah, well sort of. Today was my first day here so I only really know of him. He’s in some of my classes…”

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence?” He picked up a stone and threw it into the water. There was a note of sarcasm in his voice. Turning back to his backpack he pulled out a flask and took a sip. “Want some?”

“No thanks, I’m good.” A chill ran up my spine., Creepy vibes coming from this guy…

Something was not right. The feeling in my gut was telling me to run but it made no sense. Trying to ignore the feeling but failing, I decided it was probably better to go back to the party and find Cassie. Pushing myself up from the rock, Hunter’s hand grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back down.

“I don’t think that’s wise. I’m not done with you.” Terror rang through my veins like ice. Looking at him wide-eyed I was screaming in my head. He was taking another swig of whatever was in that flask.

“I would like to get back to my friend at the party…”

“Too bad” he interrupted sounding irritated. Facing me now, he was looking me up and down as if equally intrigued and disgusted.

“I can’t allow that. I have been assigned a job and I plan to do just that. I would have preferred it to have been able to take care of Hayden; however, the fact that you have already met him changes everything. Tell me, have the dreams started?”

The cold tone in his voice was deadly. I froze.

“Dreams...? W- What do you mean?” I stuttered. My God, I was in an extremely dangerous situation and here I was stuttering like a complete fucking idiot…

“I’ll take that as a yes then. Sorry, it is nothing personal. I wanted to be able to eventually kill Hayden, but, as I said, this changes everything. It’s a pity to have to kill such a pretty face.” He said, whilst rubbing a finger down my cheek, a look of anger and something else graced his face… regret?

I did not even think; my legs were moving for me. Hunter was fucking insane. I had to get away and fast. “Oh, I don’t think so Angelis Mortis.” Angel of death...? He was out of his fucking mind.

Running towards the trees, he was in front of me in a flash. No one could move that fast.

“Why are you doing this?” I forced out breathlessly. I had to know.

“If you live, we all will die.” He deadpanned. The tingling in my hand had started again.

Here in the darkness, I could see that my hand was glowing. The soft electric blue was casting shadows in the area around us. Hunter’s face was one of confusion. He grabbed my wrist then as if to look at it. I did not know why but on pure instinct, I opened my palm as if for him to see. He was looking at my hand in horror when the words left my mouth in a hastened whisper.

“Angelus in igne, venerunt tibi. Libera me et pone.” Hunter’s eyes widened as he dropped my hand and stepped back quickly. There was a look of sheer terror on his face.

Blue flames shot from my hand and knocked straight into Hunter. My hand was burning as it glowed. What the fuck just happened?!