Embers (The Wings of War Book 1) (35 page)

By the time I got back into my truck, it was almost five o’clock.  I was glad the day was getting closer to ending.  Lindsey had decided to keep me company on the ride over to the lake.  She spent most of the time rummaging through my CDs and complaining that all I had was rock.  She was a country music kind of girl and didn’t appreciate the grungy, angry bands that I listened too.   

When we pulled into the gravel parking lot above the lake, there were a couple dozen or so kids already there.  In the late afternoon sun, there was a sparkling sheen on the water’s surface. Two sides of the lake were cleared fields where the grass was mowed short.  On the other sides the trees encroached straight up to the water’s edge.  Gripping the door handle, I admitted to myself that the place was beautiful. 

I had only taken a few steps when a pocket of cooler air touched me.  I ran back to the truck and grabbed the old flannel shirt Dad had leant me on one of our hiking excursions the previous year.  The shirt had been in my truck since then and whenever I got the chance I’d wear it.  It still had a faint smell of Dad in its fibers. 

I tied the shirt around my waist and followed Lindsey across the clearing to the large pavilion situated in the trees beside the lake.  The scent of roasting meat and pine needles mingled, tugging at my memories.  The place reminded me of long ago trips with my family to the mountains.  The thoughts didn’t bring tears as expected.  Instead, my soul lifted and my mood brightened considerably.  Those were wonderful times and I could find only joy in remembering them. 

I took a deep breath and decided that I’d try to have fun in the company of new friends.  I wouldn’t allow Sawyer to ruin the evening.  With renewed determination to have a good time, I joined the girls at the nearest picnic table. 

Randy was having a difficult time starting the fire in the grill and I watched him for several minutes before impatience got the better of me. 

I wandered over to the grill, leisurely hanging out until Randy turned away.  In a quick action, I slid my hand over the charcoals and pushed the fire out of my fingertips in a steady stream. 

Whoosh.

A four foot flame surged up to the shelter roof.  Randy spun around and shoved me out of the way, saving me by his estimation, I’m sure.  He was sweet, but ignorant.   

“Holy shit, did you see that? God, Ember let me see your hand!”  Randy lifted my hand and examined it closely.  He shot me a look of disbelief. “I could have sworn that your hand was right there in the flames—you scared me.” 

The girls began poking and prodding my hand too, and with growing irritation, I snatched it away and said, “Really, I’m fine.  It just got a little hot there for a second.”

Preston arrived just when everyone had settled down over my supposed near miss at being barbequed.  Randy told him what happened and then he went through the same act of turning my hand over and studying it up close.  But instead of giving my hand back, he kept hold of it, dragging me out of the pavilion. 

“I want to show you something,” he said excitedly.

“You can let go now,” I informed him. 

My temper flared and I fought to keep it in check.  After a few more steps he slowed, asking, “Are you sick or something?”

“No, why?”

“Your hand is so hot.”  He stopped and placed his palm on my forehead.  I tried to protest, but he shushed me. “You’re really warm.  Maybe I should take you home?” he said with genuine concern.

“I’m okay.  I run hot.  It’s normal for me,” I snapped.

He seemed to accept the explanation, but when we started walking again, he moved much slower.

“Where are you taking me?” I had about given up on getting my hand back without a fight.   

“You’ll see,” he said as we neared a small green building at the edge of the water that resembled a dog house.  There were a few ducks on the surface of the lake and I realized it was for them.  The soft whine of an animal made me glance up at Preston.  He shrugged his shoulders and grinned. 

Colby sat in the grass beside the structure with a puppy in his lap. 

“We found the little booger when we got here.  Someone must have dumped him off,” Preston said, lifting the squirming puppy from Colby’s lap.  He handed it to me. 

The pup was covered with tan fluff and had a square snout and wide spaced eyes.  I guessed it was a Labrador mix.  I breathed in the wonderful smell of its puppy breath and then cuddled it against my neck.

“He’s very young, probably only about five or six weeks old.”  I looked at the two football players and said, “Why would anyone do such a thing?”

“People dump dogs around here all the time. This little guy is lucky we found him.” Preston rubbed the pup’s excess flabby skin between his fingers. 

“Should we run him over to the animal shelter before it closes?” Colby asked Preston.

“No, I’ll take him home.  My Ma won’t mind.  Our old dog died a few months back and she was talking about getting another one.”

The poor thing was so hungry that he gulped down each small piece of hotdog that we handed him, and then turned his shiny golden eyes on me begging for more.  I sent the pup an image of him lying contentedly on the ground while I cut up some more meat and filled a cup with water.  I hid a smile when everyone commented about what a well behaved dog he was. 

After the puppy had finished eating, Preston and I wrestled him away from Lindsey.  We walked to Preston’s truck.  I made a bed for the pup on the floor of the passenger side with a couple of Preston’s jerseys.  Before we even shut the door, the puppy’s head flopped over and he was asleep.   

As we walked slowly back to the pavilion, Preston told me about his other two dogs, a Rottweiler named Fang and Daisy, the Plot Hound.  With motherly pride, I told him about Angus. 

The thought occurred to me that Angus would probably like Preston, unlike someone else I knew.  I found myself studying Preston with strategic glances that I didn’t think he noticed.  I also listened intently to his deep voice, suddenly thinking that it had a pleasing tone to it.   

After we ate our share of the hot dogs and chips, the guys began gathering dried branches from the ground at the border of the woods.  They piled it high in a place where there was just dirt and the charred remains of previous fires. 

With my belly full, I wanted to stretch my legs.  I wandered in and out of the shady tree line alone, picking up an armful of sticks as I went.  I paused at the edge of the forest, feeling drawn to enter the thick vegetation and darkness beneath the trees’ branches. 

I was about to step into the shadows when Maddie’s squeal made me pause. I turned around to see the bonfire was already blazing high into the sky.  The fire severed the invisible strings that connected me to the earth.  I couldn’t stop myself from going to the flames. 

The sun was close to disappearing behind the mountain and a hazy yellow light settled over the lake.  The air, abandoned by the sun, swept over the water with a coolness that tickled my arms.  I untied Dad’s shirt from around my waist and pulled it on.  Preston lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t ask me about it. 

Maddie and Randy were leaning against the side of the closest tree, their bodies almost blending into its bark. Randy’s fingers were in her hair, tilting her head back.  He leaned in to kiss her.  I quickly averted my gaze. 

Thankfully, Lindsey and Colby were the comic relief.  They were near the fire, attempting to roast marshmallows, but having some difficulties.  The intense heat from the blaze kept them at bay. Their antics were hilarious until Colby almost fell into the fire and Lindsey’s quick hand saved him from third degree burns. 

Oh, how I wished I could hold out my fingers and take some of the flames for them, but I could only imagine the pandemonium that would cause.  It was sad to think that I’d always have to keep it secret that I was a Watcher.  They’d never understand.  It would only frighten them. 

It was different with Sawyer and Ivan.  I could be myself with them, and that was a very special thing. 

The commotion on the other side of the fire wrenched me from my melancholy thoughts.  Hannah had the football between her hands.  One of the players was chasing her.  I recognized him, although I didn’t know his name.  When he caught her around the waist she was actually laughing.  Hearing Hannah’s happy outburst was new to me and I smiled at the cheerful sound of it. 

The fire sent hot sparks whisking out, playing with the humans gathered in the bright glow of its heat.  The warmth reached out to me, too, caressing my skin delightfully.   

The laughter floating in the air tantalized my senses and I gazed over at Lindsey and Colby who were finally enjoying the rewards of their hard earned roasting endeavor.  I also watched the teens running in the open field, happy shouts in the air as some of them dodged and others chased.  Finally, I looked at Maddie and Randy, still in their tight embrace. 

As corny as it might sound, I was suddenly filled with the strong emotion of complete love for all of them. It was as if my heart opened wide, filling me with all of the teenagers’ youth and vitality at once.  Their lives were so short, yet they were going to live every minute.

They were not so different from the Druids in Ila’s stories who had danced among the stones.  This is why the earth loved its human children.  I understood it right then, the reason I was a Watcher.  I was meant to protect them. From what, I wasn’t sure yet.  But I was wholly on the side of humanity. 

Suddenly, as if a blanket was thrown over the lake, the air became misty and my body tensed to cold steel.  The hairs on my neck shot up.   My stomach did a somersault.  Before I had the chance to whirl around and defend myself, I heard his familiar voice.  It sent icy tentacles straight to my heart.

“May I speak with you, Ember?” 

I turned slowly.  Sawyer’s legs were slightly apart and his thumbs were hooked through his belt loops.  He wore his leather jacket over a dark gray t-shirt. 

His face held me captive; his beautiful face that was completely masked of any emotion.  And his eyes—they were the same as a snake’s, cold and calculating, patiently waiting to strike.  He smelled different too.  The musky scent emitting from him told me that he was now a hunter.   

And I was suddenly afraid. 

Exodus 3:2

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

Sawyer ~ Thirty-Three

I
decided not to drive for fear that the others would see the Hummer and know that I was there.  I could run down the mountain easily enough.  It was one of the benefits of being a monster. 

I had told Horas that I was going to the lake to watch the hunt, but not participate. I was beginning to feel I could trust the Roman and had his full allegiance, but I wasn’t going to take any chances with Ember’s safety.  I would keep her a secret from him for now.

At last count, Pricilla had chosen to go, making seven hunters.  The odds would be too much for me to overtake them, unless I came across one alone.  More than likely that wouldn’t be happening.  The Demons always hunted in pairs or small groups.

Charlotte, Colten and Patrick were staying behind.  They didn’t want to partake in something as barbaric as hunting the humans from the town.  And Garrett, Sarah, Charles and Mary were allowing the others to initiate a war with the humans, while they sat back and watched.   

I arrived at the lake in the middle of the afternoon, giving me more than enough time to select the best vantage point in the area.  I picked a wooded knoll above the lake where I had a full view of the fields, the pavilion and the small gravel parking area. 

I would definitely see Ember if she joined the other humans.

There were so many youngsters.  The hunters would have a variety to choose from, I thought in bitter distaste.  The poor creatures had no idea what was coming for them.   

After a while, the task became monotonous.  It seemed to take forever for the afternoon to pass.  I leaned against a tree, boredom numbing my senses, but relieved that Ember wasn’t among the humans below.  The contented feeling was short lived, though.  My stomach clenched when a red blur slid past my vision.  It was Ember’s truck. 

My eyesight was far superior to any human’s and I saw her in detail as she got out of the truck.  After only a few steps, she hurried back, retrieving a shirt out of the cab and tying it around her waist. 

Ember walked to the pavilion with a blonde female companion.  It was startling to see how bright she was compared to the other humans.  It was as if a little sunbeam was always shinning down on her.  She was magnificent to behold.  Her long hair fell about her shoulders and she walked with smooth confidence. When she entered the pavilion my view of her was temporarily obscured.   

With each second that Ember was hidden from me, I became more uncomfortable.  I didn’t like being separated from her and I hated not knowing what was going on under that roof.  I tried to remain calm, reminding myself that I was here to rescue Ember and not to judge her.  She was free to be with whoever she desired.  I had to accept her decision, regardless of what it was.