“But he’s—” Jamie’s words come in frantic gasps as he tries to break free.
“Listen to me,” Solan growls, his tone brooking no argument. “He’s not hurt, but the flames will burn you. Stay with Calythra.”
Jamie hesitates, tears streaming down his cheeks, before Solan shoves him gently but firmly towards Calythra. The young Veilvox steps in without question, his expression unusually serious as he wraps an arm around Jamie, holding him in place despite my nephew’s protests.
And then Solan is on me.
His hands are firm but careful as he guides me, his voice a steady anchor amidst my rising panic. “Focus on me,” he says, his golden eyes locking onto mine. “You’re not hurt. The flames—just breathe.”
“I don’t know how to stop it!” I rasp, my voice shaking. “What’s happening to me?”
“I’ll explain,” he promises, brushing his hands over my arms, coaxing the fire into submission. “Just focus. Calm your breathing. Feel it.”
I do as he says, though my heart is hammering against my ribs. Slowly, impossibly, the flames begin to dim, their wild flickers settling into a soft glow before fading entirely. My skin is unmarked, though it feels warm, tingling with energy that wasn’t there before.
“What the hell just happened?” I whisper, staring down at my hands as if they belong to someone else. “I should be dead. That fire?—”
“You’re not,” Solan says firmly, scanning me for injuries even though there’s no sign of a burn. Relief wars with somethingdarker in his expression—something that sends a chill down my spine. “My fire willneverhurt you.”
His eyes flick to the blood on my face, and his jaw tightens.
“Solan,” I start, but he’s already turning, his entire body tensing like a predator scenting its prey.
The rebels.
They’re clustered together a few feet away, wide-eyed and wary, but Solan’s murderous gaze zeros in on them like a nocked arrow.
“You,” he growls, his voice low and lethal. Flames ripple across his arms, and for a moment, he looks every bit the monstrous warrior of stories that are whispered about him—unstoppable, terrifying, and breathtakingly beautiful. From the rebels’ reactions, it’s clear Calythra wasn’t exaggerating.
The American who’d introduced herself as Shanae edges forwards, her hands raised in a placating gesture. “Wait—please. We didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“You hurt him,” Solan snaps, his voice like thunder. “I should burn you all where you stand.”
“Solan, stop!” I step forwards, catching his arm. He flinches at the contact, his eyes darting to me as if to ensure I’m still there. “I’m fine. They didn’t know.”
His gaze softens when it meets mine, but the tension in his body doesn’t ease. “They drew blood.”
“And we need their help,” I remind him, my voice firm despite the trembling in my hands. “If you kill them, we lose any chance of finding safety.”
Shanae takes a cautious step. “You’re right. You do,” she says, addressing me directly. Her voice is steady, but I catch the way her eyes flicker nervously to Solan’s blazing arms. “We didn’t know who you were. That’s why we acted the way we did. We’re trying to survive, same as you.”
“Survive?” Solan’s voice drips with scorn. “By attacking innocents?”
Shanae holds his gaze, her expression hardening. “You’re not innocent. None of us are. But I’d rather fight alongside you than against you. If you’ll let me.”
The tension in the air is suffocating. Solan’s flames flare brighter, but I squeeze his arm right over the flames, grounding him, though I’m still not quite sure how I’m able to do so. Hell, if I’d had this ability when I was a firefighter, my job would have been a whole lot safer and easier. “We need them,” I say softly, pleading with my eyes.
For a long moment, he doesn’t move. Then, slowly, the fire ebbs, retreating beneath his skin.
“Fine,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “But if any of you so much as breathe wrong, I won’t hold back next time.”
Shanae nods, relief flickering across her face. “Fair enough.”
Jamie breaks free from Calythra’s hold and rushes to my side to throw his arms around my waist. “Don’t do that again,” he mumbles into my shirt, his voice thick with tears.
“I won’t,” I promise, ruffling his hair. But as I glance at Solan, his golden eyes still burning with barely restrained fury, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll have a choice.
CHAPTER
