Page 29 of Fire Touched

Days pass as we settle into Terran, Carter still healing, as we await the arrival of the Water wolves. Killian sends a message to his father, the Fire Alpha, and he and Elga, together, teach me how to use my fire power, though my anger remains when I do so. Every day, Killian goes and talks with Verron, creating a rapport with the Earth Alpha in the hopes of an alliance. There’s even talk of the Air Pack, but their allegiance seems only to be to themselves. Four Packs, four elements to unite, and both covens of witches: Tide and Starlight. A monumental task, to be sure.

Elga and some other Starlight Witches have raised the barrier, and this time I’m positive the light really is a Glowy Wall of Death. Anyone who passes who is not expressly invited inside, regardless of ‘intent’, will perish. That is really not something I want to see.

Carter and I know better than to visit Julian again, so we stay away from the dungeons. What’s odd is that every time I walk into a room with Carter and Ella, even if they aren’t speaking, I feel as though I’m interrupting something. But they always both smile and welcome me.

When we’re not talking, practicing magic or strategizing, Moira and I finally have time to read again, one of our shared passions. The guesthouse has some books, and we find a few to read and discuss, soon including Ella in the process.

Killian and Elijah have taken to sparring, using each of their elemental gifts to fight the other, alternating between magical and hand to hand sparring. We try to stay away from the courtyard when they do that, though, because trying to read with earthquakes isn’t ideal. While I try to encourage Carter to join, he doesn’t feel comfortable, and murmurs that he’s not yet well enough.

For the first time in my life, I’ve found somewhere that feels welcoming. I don’t feel out of place, am not held prisoner, or unwanted. Here, we are looked after and kept safe. Verron provides for us, and has given no indication that our stay is limited. Despite the alpha’s seemingly prickly personality, he’s coming to grow on me, especially with Prescott at his side, who seems to help smooth some rough edges and quick tempers.

We don’t talk a lot about the future. That’s too big, too vast. Only what is about to come. I hope we never go ‘home’ to Cinder, though I know that won’t be as easy for Killian. If I had my way, I’d stay here. With my mate and my friends. In the back of my mind, I know that won’t be the case. Carter and I have a duty to unite the packs which will take us all over the lands.

Carter is soon able to walk more easily, and I’m pleased when the marks on his throat are nearly completely healed. Though I haven’t seen for myself, I hope his other bruises too are nearly gone, and the stab wound in his chest will soon follow, though he’s not nearly back to full strength.

A week goes by. Enough time to allow us to rest and get comfortable, to fall into easy patterns, when Ella comes running inside, her blue eyes wide. ‘I can feel them,’ she says urgently. ‘The Water wolves. They’re coming.’

Chapter Fourteen

Katie

The guesthouse erupts in a chorus of raised, worried voices, mingling together. Killian snaps above the rest. ‘Shut up. Ella, what do you mean? How close are they?’

I look over at Carter, who has drifted to the window.

Ella closes her eyes. ‘A day. Maybe less.’

Killian’s warm, auburn eyes find me. ‘I think you should spend some time by the river, practicing.’ His gaze fixes on Carter. ‘Unless you’re strong enough, so Katherine doesn’t have to stand directly before the oncoming horde of wolves?’

I shoot him a glare, but I know he can’t help but want to keep me out of danger.

Carter turns slowly. ‘I’ve been practicing, but…’

Ella’s deep blue eyes are pools of worry. ‘Maybe Carter and I combined?’

Carter shakes his head, though his eyes soften. ‘No. I’m afraid that wouldn’t be enough. I’ll keep practicing, every minute until they arrive, but Katherine is our best chance. Once she raises a tide before them, they’ll stop, and I’ll do everything I can to convince them to leave without their alpha.’ Worry flows deep in his voice. If they don’t listen, they’ll die.

Elijah nods. ‘I have to tell my dad.’

Moira takes his hand, and they disappear, Killian behind them. Before he goes, he gives me a hug, pressing a kiss to the crown of my head. ‘You practice, okay?’ His thumb brushes down my cheek. I nod.

Carter’s gaze finds Ella’s, then slides to me. ‘Would you like some company at the river?’

I hide a smile, my gaze sliding between them. ‘Nope, I’m good, thanks.’ I turn and leave the guesthouse, making my way outside. I love the guesthouse, but one of the best parts of this place is the outdoors. There’s something about it that feels as though it’s been blessed somehow. The sky is always endlessly blue, the grass soft and silky beneath my feet. I’ve stopped wearing shoes. And the animals. I’ve never seen animals pounce about so freely.

Making my way to the nearby river as the sun slides low in the sky, I toss my head back. And it’s always just the right temperature here. I’m rarely cold. A smile graces my face as rabbits skitter through the grass, chasing each other. They are not hunted, here. In fact, no one is. Not even me.

I inhale deeply as my feet dip into the water, feeling the call to the tide. Unlike my fire power, my tide magic doesn’t make me angry. It calls for me to dive into the water, to float on my back and stare up at the sky, waiting for the stars to burst forth and wink down at me.

As I wade deeper into the river, the slightly cool water lapping up my stomach, I have to remind myself I’m here to practice my power, not just swim. I could get lost in water forever, blissful, like falling between the pages of a great book, lost to the outside world.

The river runs deeper than it looks. I can feel it, the depths calling to me, asking me to come and visit them. I plant my feet in the muddy river floor, my toes curling.

The water bends to my will as I raise my hand, lifting a small wave, and watch it come crashing down with a swoop of my hand. When the Water wolves arrive, they will come charging at the barrier, and if I do not stop them, if I don’t get their attention, they will heedlessly swarm to their deaths. The thought leaves a vile, bitter taste in my mouth. Such responsibility. Something I need to get used to if I’m to help unite the packs.

I exhale, pushing the thoughts away. I won’t do this alone. Carter will be there. Killian. My friends.

It won’t come to a battle, or a war.

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