Page 40 of Love Fire

“HELP! HELP! ANYONE! PLEASE, HELP!”

The one who answers my plea is Alessandro. He comes dashing out of the house with a gun in his hand.

“What happened?” he asks, pointing the gun around at no one.

He finally notices me on the ground, hovering over Brent. His question is answered at the sight of my tear stained face and blood stained hands. His eyes widen when he realizes the blood’s coming from Brent’s chest.

“Wait here!” he says before going back inside.

“Alessandro, wait! Come back! I need you!” I beg.

This all had to happen just when I started to really care for him. Maybe I’m already in love with him. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here on the floor, covered in his own blood, crying my heart out.

My tears won’t stop. They fall on Brent’s paling face. His lips are drying out after he coughed up the blood.

In his dragon form, he looks so powerful and invincible. All it took was for me to get in the way. He could handle his own with a bunch of dragon hunters until I came into the picture.

I messed everything up. This is all my fault. I did this to him. I should’ve left the very first chance I got.

I can never escape my father. I knew that since the beginning of time. He and Hank were right, I should have listened.

“I’m so sorry Brent,” I whimper.

I lay my forehead against his. This is the only affectionate gesture I can give him before it’s too late. His skin is still warm to the touch, but there’s a slightly cold sensation. He’s not gone from me yet.

But he’s getting closer to being gone.

“ALESSANDRO!” I yell.

“I’m coming! I’m here!” he says.

He finally emerges from the house with something in his hand. I recognize the baggie holding a few ounces of Iridescence.

“What the fuck are you doing with that? You’re supposed to be sober!” I frown.

He kneels next to me and takes out his car keys.

“Don’t worry. I am.”

He dumps some of the dust on his car keys. Thinking he’s going to snort some himself, I reach for his hand. What he does next is much worse. He dumps all the contents into Brent’s nose.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I shriek.

I swat at him, but it’s too late. It’s deep in his nostrils with some of it dusting his Cupid's bow. I start to cry again and even let myself freak out. I know what it does to people. I’ve seen it and I’ve been through it.

35

BRENT

The first thing I notice is the sudden rush of stimulants going through my body. I feel all my veins pulse at the same time. I can hear them too. It’s like I’m inside the heart’s chambers.

I hear every rumble in my stomach. The blood cells traveling throughout my body. The neurons in my brain, trying to process what’s going on with me.

I clench my jaw as this new overwhelming feeling becomes too strong for my body. My muscles flex. Suddenly, there’s a current of electricity going through my body. As if I’m being brought back to life.

I shoot up and gasp for air. I feel Erin hold me with her small body. Her hand’s over my chest while holding my back. Concern’s written all over her face.

Something’s off though. Everything’s so bright and vivid. Erin’s green eyes resemble the light of a firefly. Her hair resembles a pile of embers.

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