Page 189 of Firestorm
Another man screamed from behind me, and Wyatt was shouting as he pulled Rafe back from the fire ring as it surrounded me and Landon.
Aiden jumped through the flames, nearly barreling over me. Static danced in the air as the clouds overhead grew heavier. I put out the fire on Aiden’s clothes with a flick of my wrist.
I slowly rose to my feet, the maelstrom around me not affecting me in the slightest. I’d been here before. I could handle Landon when he lost control.
The static grew stronger as the heated air over us expanded. The hair on my arms stood on end, and then the hair on my head began to float, too. I looked up into the clouds, my eyes widening when I realized we were about to be struck by lightning.
“Aiden,” I gasped, pushing him away, but I was too late.
Aiden shoved me, hard, and I fell to my knees in the dirt. He took two steps away from me and raised his hands.
In the blink of an eye, lightning streaked down to earth, and…
Hecaughtit.
Aiden caught the lightning in his hands, crying out in shock as he bounced it back and forth. It was so bright it nearly blinded us, and then he threw his arms up, casting the lightning back into the sky, where it disappeared into the clouds. An ear-shattering boom of thunder rattled my teeth.
I stared at him for just a beat, before I remembered I was in the middle of a firestorm and Landon was losing his shit.
“Skye.Please. Help me.” Landon whimpered, straining as he crawled toward me. Smoke rose off his arms, his skin sizzling slightly as errant raindrops fell from the sky.
Tears streamed down my cheeks while Wyatt and Rafe screamed my name, neither of them able to get through the ring of flames. I ignored them, focusing on my friend in front of me.
He needed my help.
And hopelessness was setting in.
“Landon,” I said brokenly. “Please don’t make me do this. Please.”
“I know,” Landon choked. “I’m sorry. But this can’t keep happening. I can’t…not forever. Please.” He grunted, sending a small stream of fire at me. I dodged it easily. He was losing steam as he fought the torrent inside his mind. More blood oozed from his noose, and a drop from his eyes. “So much pain.Skye.”
My name was a broken plea, and the sight of him bleeding in front of me, risking his own life not to hurt me, knowing he’d die a horrible death just to keep from harming me or anyone else…
Aiden caught another bolt of lightning. He hissed as it singed his hands.
“I can do it, Skye,” he panted. “I’ll blast him.”
“No.” I said, my voice shaky. “No, I have to do this.”
“Skye,” Landon cried.
“Okay.” I whispered, holding my hands up in surrender. “Okay, Landon. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t need to see anymore. I could see everything with my mind’s eye. The scene in front of me fell away as I gave myself over entirely to my mind.
I reached inside him, caressing his beating heart. Landon gasped.
Please, he begged again.Please.
I’m so sorry, Landon.
It’s okay, Skye. It’s okay. Thank you. Thank you for helping me. You are the kindest person. I’m so sorry I was so horrible to you.
It’s okay, Landon. I forgive you.
I gripped his heart, then squeezed.
Tell Lana I’m sorry,he pleaded.
