Page 28 of Fire Touched

‘Oh. Yeah, well, I stood a bit too close to the cell,’ Carter admits sheepishly. He explains the rest of our encounter with Julian, and they all look at me like I’m crazy.

‘You plan to create a… wave of water when our pack arrive to get their attention long enough for Carter to warn them away?’ Ella says nervously.

I try not to take it as an affront on my Tide Touched abilities. ‘Yes,’ I say, a little stiffly. ‘If they get here in the next few days, Carter won’t have had a chance to fully heal by then.’ I don’t point out that Ella won’t have enough power to create such a large distraction. Most Water wolves don’t.

‘Why not use your fire?’ Killian asks from my side.

I lower my gaze, setting down my fork. I have to remind myself that I’m among friends here. People who, I hope, won’t judge me too harshly. ‘I’ve noticed when I use my fire power… it feels… angry.’

‘Your trigger,’ Killian says, understanding. ‘Wanting to protect those you care about, it’s turned to anger, because of Julian?’

I nod at my plate.

Moira’s booted foot bumps me under the table. ‘Hey. That’s completely understandable. Don’t worry about it. Good thing you’re witchy too.’ She gives me a reassuring smile, and I’m grateful. After a moment, Moira’s gaze turns to Elijah. ‘Hey, are you okay? You’ve gone quiet.’

The Earth wolf shifts uncomfortably in his seat. ‘If what you guys say is true then Elga let the barrier down. Earth wolves died.’

‘Oh.’ Moira wraps an arm around him.

Carter lowers his gaze. ‘It’s my fault they came. I’m really sorry.’

Elijah is already waving him down. ‘No. That’s not on you.’

For a moment, we sit in silence. It takes me a minute to notice, but Ella, across from me, keeps flicking her gaze up to Carter, on my left. His gaze is down, probably feeling guilty, despite Elijah’s words, but she’s definitely looking at him. Is she just feeling bad for him, and maybe staring at the new bruises on his neck? They do look terrible.

‘So, are we just, sort of staying here indefinitely?’ Moira asks. ‘Not that I’m keen on going back to Cinder.’ She squeezes Elijah’s arm. ‘But Killian, what about your father? You’re to lead the Fire Pack one day.’ Her gaze slides to me, apologetic.

I guess it’s a fair question. I haven’t given much thought to the future; the present has been consuming enough. Now, I turn to my mate.

Killian doesn’t shy from the scrutiny of the whole table. Instead, he raps his fingers on the wood and says, ‘It’s certainly something to think about.’ His warm, auburn eyes find mine, and I can see the conflict warring there. His responsibility to his pack—our pack—and, well, everything else.

I press my lips together, debating how to answer. ‘Have you been in touch with your father?’

‘No. I haven’t.’

‘You could send him a letter through Elga. Her magic would be easier than sending a messenger,’ Elijah offers.

Killian winces. ‘Actually, can I find another Starlight Witch? I don’t think she likes me.’

My face splits into a grin, recalling Elga’s near-rejection of me and Carter because of it. ‘What did you do to her?’ I tease him.

Killian folds his arms over his broad chest. ‘I didn’t do anything.’ He looks around desperately for a change in topic. ‘So, Moira, you were dumb enough to drink Starlight wine, despite there being a warning label. How did that go?’

Moira flushes deep red and immediately clamps a hand down on Elijah. ‘You promised not to say a word,’ she growls.

‘Oh, my god, tell me.’ I laugh.

Elijah looks ready to burst, his face reddening, eyes sparkling with amusement.

Moira threatens him some more, but he finally cracks. ‘She stripped and started dancing in our neighbour’s backyard. By the time I caught her, she was in the pool, everyone in the house staring at her, and when she noticed, she blessed they have a good harvest, then when they gawked at her, she tried to set them on fire, missed, and burned down all the shrubbery around the pool.’ Elijah takes a heaving breath. ‘I’m sorry.’ Tears of laughter running down his cheeks.

Moira glowers. ‘I’m never doing that thing you really like again.’

Elijah’s face goes slack, alarmed, eyes wide as saucers.

The rest of us are struggling to breathe, and the evening passes in funny stories, though Moira eventually warns though the wine itself tasted like moonlight, she would not recommend it. Ever.

**scene break**

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