Episode 4

A voice broke through the nightmare as large snapping teeth slowly gave way to softly whispered words.

Swimming to consciousness, I evaluated my body. Goddess, my head hurt. My stomach was trying to eat its way through my spleen. When was the last time I ate?

Lying on possibly the most comfortable bed in the world, I inhaled. It smelled like home.

Home... what?

Snapping my lids open, I immediately located Blaze sitting near the foot of the bed on a black leather wingback. The ankle of one scuffed combat boot draped over his knee as he dwarfed the chair beneath him.

Nodding toward me, he spoke louder into the phone. "No, I don't care... Send one of the Menagerie.... I know... no, it must be at least an inch thick... A few pounds, yes... Right, the thickest cuts... Good." His phone made an audible clicking tone as he ended the call.

Eyeing him from my prone position, I croaked, “Water."

He tipped his head toward the side table, and his blond hair slid over one eye with the movement.

Asshole. Sitting up proved difficult. My muscles twanged at the abuse. It felt like I had run a marathon. I gave him the stink eye as my seeking fingers finally curled around the glass. Bringing it to my parched mouth, I slowly sipped.

Clearing my sore throat, I snarked, "What happened?"

“You passed out. Too much magic for your newly awakened powers would be my guess. I had to carry you here."

Still dressed in my tank and shorts, I fingered the soft grey duvet tucked in around me. Looking around the room, I noted I was on a king-sized bed. The walls were a light grey, and nothing like the cheery canary of my home. Home. My gaze drifted to the vacant fireplace and nickel wall sconces. “Where is here, exactly?"

Cobalt eyes twinkling, he smirked. “My room.”

“Your room," I murmured. Breathing through my mouth to shut out the familiarity around me, I pretended nonchalance. "How long was I out?”

“Just the night. It's seven in the morning.” He glanced at the blacked-out window with a lost expression. “I always know where the sun is.”

Shelving his reaction, I shuddered in remembrance of my dreams. “Did the Shifters come?”

He tipped his head back to rest on the chair. “Yes. It was close. Too close."

We sat in silence while I tried to make sense of the next step.

A knock at the door startled me from my plans.

"Enter," Blaze commanded. The handle turned.

Before I knew what was happening, I was out of bed and pulling the door open. The aroma of fresh grilled steak was too strong to deny. I snatched the plate from the alarmed man like a rabid animal and licked my lips. His strange look slowed my movements. “So sorry," I muttered as a blush lit my cheeks, "I don't know what came over me." That was embarrassing. I swallowed hard against the saliva pooling in my mouth.

He smiled tentatively. “No problem, miss.” Bypassing me, he moved to the side table. “You must be famished.” Setting the tray down, he turned to the wingback. "Will there be anything else, Master Blaze?"

Master, huh? Rolling my eyes, I stalked to the bed and began busying myself with arranging the setting over my legs.

Blaze's amusement colored his reply. "No, thank you, Julian. That will be all."

The door had barely closed before I was stuffing barely cut-up bites of rare heaven into my mouth as fast as possible. The bed dipped, an I almost growled, MINE. Mine? The thought snapped me out of my haze. Where the hell did that come from? I looked down at the remains of my steak.

Of what must have originally been two pounds of meat, only the fatty edge remained. I fought back the urge to lick the blood off the plate. Sighing softly in contentment, I sat back while Blaze removed the tray.

Pinching the napkin in one large hand, he strode toward the door and placed the setting outside. I caught a glimpse of silver-lined wallpaper in the hall as it closed. Silently, he walked back to my side and reached toward my face. I instantly pulled away.

His eyes flashed black before he set the cloth on the table. Turning away, he moved back to his post on the chair. “You have blood on your cheek."

Cheeks heating, I grabbed the napkin and mopped my face. The blush traveled to the tips of my ears as I looked at the evidence of my savagery. Trying not to die of embarrassment, I met his eyes through my lowered lashes. “Have you had a chance to do any research?”.

He nodded. Thankfully, he didn't draw any further attention to my animalistic behavior. His mask slid into place. “Yes, although we have a few things to discuss before I get to that."

I found myself missing the smirk. If he was going to do all business, I could too. Stifling the urge to stick my tongue out, I requested calmly, "Well, I have to work today. Can we address that issue first?"

He shook his head. "You can't go back to work. You need to come up with an excuse to take a leave of absence.”

"What!” I exclaimed, losing my poker face. “I can't do that! What about my home? Money? Giselle?”

“Unless you want to essentially be a slave for Mel, you will. As I told you last night, your presence will only endanger anyone you knew before." His tone was neither mocking or jovial. It was simply a fact. My thoughts bounced around inside my skull. How could I leave the life I had just barely built? I loved Giselle like a mother. What could I say to make her understand? I didn't want to be anyone's slave. Slapping my curled fists onto the bed, I shouted, “I can't just leave everything!”

He raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at my outburst and patiently aited for me to come to the only logical conclusion.

Why did he have to be so reasonable? I wanted a fight, and he just sat there, waiting. Damn it all! Taking a few deep breaths, my shoulders slumped in defeat against the plush pillows. I guess I could have a family emergency, some lost relative or whatever. Giselle never pried about my life before; she assumed my parents were dead.

I sighed. “How long?"

He braced his elbows on his knees. “I don't know. A few weeks at least.”

"Weeks," I whispered, closing my eyes against the ache inside of my chest. Resigned, I uttered, “I need a phone."

A thump drew my attention to the bed.

He'd tossed my Nokia near my hip. Irritated by his uncaring attitude, I snapped, “Um, some privacy?”

Slowly, he stood. His large build made the big room seem smaller. I tried not to cower as I remembered that he was an apex predator. Staring hard at the bed, I grasped my cell as he departed.

With shaking fingers, I found her number. Tears blurred my vision as I connected the call.

“Hey, hon! Good morning," she cheered. “I was just getting ready to text you. I know you work the lunch rush today, but I thought maybe we could get together for dinner tonight? I have someone I'd like you to meet."

My thoughts screeched to a halt. Who could she have met? If anyone took advantage of her from the fucked-up parts of my life... My left hand flared with blue flame as my magic instantly responded to my anger.

Shaking out the flames, I tried to inject enthusiasm into my voice. "You met someone?”

"Yes! His name is Gary. He's a longtime friend of mine. I finally decided I've grieved enough and want to try for some happiness with the years I have left."

Oh, thank the All Mother. A longtime friend. She sounded so happy, I hated myself for ruining it. "That's amazing;

you totally deserve it." I took a deep breath. “I was calling to tell you I'll be out of town for a while. I left last night, actually. A relative of mine in Seattle passed, my uncle. I need to help my cousins with the estate.”

Sorrow colored her voice. “Oh, hon, I am so very sorry for your loss. You take as much time as you want, and let me know if you need anything." Her words took on a mother-hen tone. "I mean it. I know you've been saving, but do you have enough money?”

Fat tears rolled down my face, and I sniffled. “Yeah, I'll be all right. Thank you though, really. For everything."

“Come, now," she chided. “You'll be home soon. I'll even make that pie you like to celebrate. Just be sure to keep in touch, okay?" Clearing my throat, I swiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. “Okay, sounds good. I'll miss you.”

"I'll miss you too. Sometimes these things just happen. You stay safe up there, all right?”

“I will. Bye, Giselle.”

"Bye, hon.”

Blaze

He paced in the hallway while listening to her soft sniffles and one-sided conversation with his enhanced hearing. He felt strangely sympathetic for Sora. After centuries of ruling his Clutch and placing their interests above his own wellbeing, the emotion was oddly foreign.

Several times he stopped at the door with his and hovering over the knob without realizing he had stopped at all.

He wanted to comfort her. That thought alone stayed his hand.

As he continued to pace, he only hoped she wouldn't hate him when he told her the truth...

Sora My feet sank into the thick black carpet as I staggered to the attached bathroom. Trying to rub away the ache in my chest with one hand, I flipped the light on with the other. Shock coursed through me, and my mouth dropped open in awe. Wow, this bathroom was bigger than my entire studio.

A porcelain jacuzzi tub took up at least eight feet of space on one wall. The sounds of rushing water brought my eyes to the giant glass-enclosed shower with ten shower heads and... a waterfall inlaid with a mermaid-scaled mosaic pattern. A waterfall... in the shower. I'd died and gone to heaven.

Panning the rest of the room, I noted the marble double vanity with reflective veins of silver running throughout the white stone. The lighting was excellent. Brushed nickel sconces lit the twelve foot-high ceiling and drew the eye to the flecked travertine tile on the floor and walls.

Taking care of the insistent urge of my bladder in the separate powder room, I located my bag tucked into a corner below the light switch.

Hmm... turning on my heel, I locked the door. Where would the towels be? More importantly, which would be better: a nice long soak, or a shower under a waterfall...?

I opted for the waterfall. Yes...

Over an hour later, I stepped back into the bedroom with a bounce in my step.

Admiring my ensemble in the floor length mirror, I fingered the holes of my band tee. Strategically placed, they bared my defined naval. My grey jeggings hugged every curve like a second skin and made my legs look even longer. I quickly plated my wet hair into a sloppy braid down my back while musing over the extraordinary shower. I could definitely get used to that bathroom.

A knock at the door drew my attention. I hesitated. "Yes?"

The same man who delivered the succulent steak entered.

Quickly, I regarded attire. Pressed black Dockers paired with shiny dress shoes and a simple tucked-in white polo. He almost looked ready for a casual Friday at the office. I judged his age to be somewhere in the mid-forties. The creases at the corners of his brown eyes and thinning hair confirmed it. Pleasantly, he smiled. “Hello, miss. The Master has turned in for the day. Would

you like a tour?" My brows drew low. "Turned in?"

“Yes, to sleep."

Slightly disappointed, I murmured,

“Oh, right.” Lifting my hand, I wiggled my fingers. "Sure. I'm Sora, by the way." He bowed once. “Julian, Head of the House. Pleased to meet you."

I grinned at the pomp and circumstance. “Likewise."

Gesturing to the hall with a flourish, he said, “This way, please.”

Could this get any crazier? Smirking like a maniac, I followed him out.

Evidently it could.

This place was huge. At least six floors of towering stairs, two kitchens, plus a rec room complete with a bar and pool table. The formal dining room could seat over thirty people.

My mouth gaped as we stopped at the entertainment room. A giant projector took up one wall opposite multiple overstuffed leather reclining chairs and tables.

They even had an indoor infinity pool. The water ended with a glass wall that showcased an underwater view into a well-manicured courtyard complete with topiaries. The birds of paradise were in full bloom. Their orange petals were completely open inside their mock avian beaks.

This was the only place in the entire house I'd seen sunlight. Glancing up, I noted a steel retractable roof

Bewildered, I wondered just how loaded Blaze was.

Curious, I turned toward Julian as he stood just inside the doorway. “Are you not a Vampire, then?”

He chortled, “No, Miss Sora. I'm human and am a part of the Menagerie Master Blaze employs here. I take care of the day-to-day things.”

My cheeks reddened. “Uh, sorry about that. This is all very new to me.”

Eyes softening in compassion, he nodded. “It's quite all right. I can imagine the shock of it all. I was born into this role. In fact, generations of my family have served Master Blaze."

Shocked, my voice quivered. "Generations..."

If he noticed the question in my eyes, he ignored it. Turning, he tipped his head back the way we'd come. “Would you like a snack? Perhaps a drink service in the library?"

My brows rose. "Library?" Maybe I could get some answers there.

"Of course, we have everything one could need here. Right this way." His shoes whispered on the endless black carpet as he left me to follow.

I don't think I would classify it as a library. It was more like a museum of rare books.

The rows extended beyond my vision with lighted cases sporadically butting up against the tall stacks. Plush chairs were strategically placed near nickel lamps at varying intervals. A genuine crystal chandelier hung roughly thirty feet overhead at the center of a tinted, dome glass ceiling.

Noting my gaze, Julian tilted his chin upward. “It's strong enough to keep out ninety-eight percent of UVA and UVB light."

“Impressive. I've never seen a tinted bubble before."

He smiled. "Quite. Well I must be off. Are you sure you don't need anything else?"

My cheeks flushed. “Of course! I didn't mean to keep you. Um, just one more thing: I haven't seen another soul." I stammered, “Is, um, everyone... asleep?” Cocking his head, he silently evaluated me. “Most of the Menagerie keeps the same hours as Master Blaze."

He didn't mention any other Vampires, and that was the second time he'd said Menagerie. What the hell was that? Keeping my curiosity to myself, I nodded. “Oh. Okay. Sorry for keeping you for so long."

"Nonsense, it was my pleasure." He hesitated. “I trust you can get back to your room on your own?"

Definitely not. I lied, “Of course! Thank you.”

With another small bow, he left.

I wandered around for a good fifteen minutes before finding anything noteworthy.

Yes! An entire section on magic Perusing the stack, I looked for a rhyme or reason to the organization. It seemed to be divided by the type of magic...

Blood Magic

Water Magic

Memoirs of a Fire Mage

Defensive Magic

I kept skimming the titles before finally finding what I was searching for. Warding

Excited, I grabbed the thick tome, relaxed into a cushy chair, and tucked my legs beneath me.

The book was well over a hundred years old. Its spine was bound with a thick leather cord. Gently, I ran my fingertips over the tooled cover. With a shaking hand, I opened the tome. Yellow with age, the vellum showcased cramped cursive, complete with whorls and

flourishes popular during the period. Thank the Goddess it was English. I began at the beginning...

By the third book, I was beyond frustrated. Every single page spoke of spellcasting, circles, ingredients to imbue a portable ward, but nothing on what I had done with my magic.

Standing, I stomped out the pins and needles in my legs.

Skimming the titles once more, I settled on Defensive Magic and hoped there would be something useful inside.

Blaze

Rising at dusk, he didn't immediately recognize his surroundings.

As I took in a quick breath of air, everything came rushing back. Sora...

Quickly dressing, he began following her unique, delicate fragrance. Her scent crisscrossed all throughout the mansion.

Stopping at his personal suite, he knocked. No sounds of movement met his ears.

She'd obviously taken the tour with Julian. Perhaps he should check in with his Head of the House first.

Zipping through the multiple hallways and flights of stairs at Vampiric speed, he quickly arrived in the kitchen.

Anxiety to find the woman in question colored his words. Briskly, he barked, "Julian, report."

Julian bowed. “Good evening, Master. All is well.” Smiling thoughtfully, he interpreted Master's objective. left Miss Sora reading in the library." Lifting his wrist, he checked the time. His eyes widened. "Several hours ago. Has she not returned to your suite?”

Blaze barely heard the last word before he flashed away with his mind swirling. In his haste to get her settled, and with his strength sapped by the dawn, he had forgotten to issue the order that she was not a part of the Menagerie... She had better be safe.

Sora

The feeling of being watched jerked me awake.

A tall man loomed before me. The book I'd been reading hit the floor with a dull thud. Gripping the leather chair, I choked out, “Who are you?"

He inhaled. “Jackson. My, my, don't you smell delicious." Grinning, he flashed two sharp canines against his lower lip.

Vampire, my mind screeched. Time slowed. "Stop."

Jackson's eyes glazed over as he froze with the tip of his tongue touching one fang.

I stood, and my heart slowed to a calmer rate. Slowly, I circled him.

Dirty blond, his hair was cropped close in a military cut. The color of his irises was nearly black with hunger. High cheekbones paired with a thinner jaw... He looked just like... Blaze. Strong, commanding, and corded in the same thick muscle, but shorter. Almost identical in their attire, except this Vampire wore a hunter-green T-shirt.

Returning to perch on the edge of my chair, I pushed my will. "What do you want?"

Without missing a beat, his tongue slipped back into his mouth. “To taste you.”

He stated it so nonchalantly, I shuddered. I was NOT chattel. Glaring, I confidently ordered, “I am NOT food. You will respect me. You will forget your hunger for me."

“I will respect you," he parroted in a monotone. “You are not food. I will no longer seek your blood."

Satisfied, I nodded. "Go."

He was there one moment and gone the next.

Blaze instantly appeared. His eyes flashed black as he growled, “We need to talk.” Turning, he strode away.

I scrambled after him, as his long legs quickly outpaced mine.

What the hell did I do now? He was going to bite me! Me! What does he have to be so pissed off about?

By the time we reached the interior of my, er his, room, I was furious.

"What?" I half yelled, kicking the door closed with one heel. No way was I going to sit on the bed for one of his mood swings.

He paced, his muscular legs making short work of the large room. “You," he whispered. “You lied to me!"

Defiantly, I jutted out my chin. “About what?"

Abruptly, he stopped at the wall. “You compelled my Trackers... and my brother.”

"So what?" I spat. “He wanted to EAT ME!”

His shoulders slumped. Sighing in defeat, he rumbled, “It's my fault. I should have told the Clutch you were off limits.” Staring at the floor, he uttered, “I'm sorry."

I was taken aback, and my mind stuttered at the flip of his emotions. I expected a fight, and yet... he was apologizing. Studying his stance, I tucked my chin. "It's okay, we both have our secrets."

He fell onto the wingback. Rubbing his face with one massive hand, he ran his fingers through his hair.

As I watched the blond strands settle, I had an overwhelming urge to touch it. Focus!

My Chucks sank into the carpet as I strode to the edge of the bed to face him.

"Where should we start?” His eyes roamed my face. “I need a promise from you first."

Suspicious, my brows lowered. “A promise. What kind of promise?"

He leaned back, his gaze drifting to the white ceiling. In a factual tone, he stated, “Your magic is new. I have some things to tell you, but I don't want to be fried to a crisp by any outburst of your power. My Clutch needs to be kept safe. Can you promise to keep a level head?”

I waited a beat and answered honestly. “I'm not sure. I guess it would depend on what you have to tell me. I can promise to try though."

Jerking his head, he seemed to come to a decision. “Okay. I'll start with what my research revealed. I placed several calls while you were sleeping last night, to ferret out secrets from the Seattle Clutch Individual Clutches are extremely territorial and don't share lightly. About twenty-three years ago, their previous Master went mad. He had just passed his first millennium."

Appalled by the thought of a millennia old mad Vampire, I interrupted, “How old are you?”

“That's not important, just listen. His erratic behavior gained the notice of Seattle's Magic Council. They in turn deployed two of their most powerful Mages to make an example of him. There was a massive battle near the shore of an unpopulated stretch of Oak Harbor. Both Mages were badly injured, but managed to circle him inside a ward. Using his blood on their weapons mixed with their own, they summoned dire-fire and burned him !alive."

He paused.

I knew of dire-fire from my many tutors as a teen. It could only be summoned by the strongest Mages, and only with Blood Magic. Nothing could survive it. The soil where it was used would be fallow for decades. I answered his unspoken question: “Yes."

Making a noise of approval, he continued, “The Mages survived. From what I gathered, there was a male and female. The female was pregnant. Eight months later, she birthed a healthy baby girl.” I waited.

Sighing heavily, he spelled it out for me: “I think that baby was you."

What? No way. My parents were powerful, sure, but I would remember a story like that. Clenching my lids, I tried to remember something, anything from my buried past.

A single memory came forth. I was maybe four or five. My mother was teaching me how to swim. She wore a red swimsuit, and I had asked her about a scar on her left shoulder. She said it was just an old wound.

Seeing it in my mind's eye, I deduced now what my young self could not. Two ragged parallel lines marred her perfect skin. They hadn't healed properly and had left a four-inch scar. Two fang marks...

Coming back to the moment, I quipped, “So?”

Noting my acknowledgment, he continued, “As Vampires age, they gain power. That is why there is a Master in each Clutch. We police our own with that power, and gain it from our Clutch in return. I really don't know what happened with whatever injury your mother sustained, but Vampire venom is incredibly toxic. Lethal even, if the Vampire chooses it to be. If she was bitten, combined with her own power and that of a growing child, I don't know what the outcome would be. There are too many variables to be certain, but I think that bite, while you were in utero, transferred something to you."

“And you think I am this child. I didn't even have magic until a few days ago." Chuckling, I dismissed his words. "What you're saying makes no sense."

Guiltily, he added, “There's more.”

My hackles rose at the look in his eyes. I threw my hands up in an “out with it" gesture.

Standing in one smooth motion, he stepped closer to the door. “That night at Curley's, yes?" I nodded.

"I could smell a touch of Vampire. As I left, I brushed against you to gather your scent. Curious, I waited until you left, and followed you from a distance. I'm not sure exactly how I lost control, but one moment I was a block from you, the next my fangs were in your neck and you were sprawled on the ground."

I balled my fists on the mattress, and he held his hands placatingly. “I sealed the wounds and moved you to the grass. I was confused, and euphoric with the taste of you. I have never tasted anything so sweet in all my years. Your blood called to me. It was all I could do to resist. I had to leave you. I couldn't risk losing myself to the bloodlust and injuring you further. I think my bite activated something in you on a cellular level, something dormant. You can control Vampires, something only a Master can do. You even smell like we do."

My clenched fists lit. The blue flames licked up my arms. My braid glowed liquid silver in the flickering light. Standing, I faced him. “You. You're the reason for all of this! You left me there?” My flames grew larger by the moment as my face turned red in anger. “I was robbed! I could have died! YOU HURT AND LEFT ME?"

He stepped toward me. “Calm down. I honestly didn't mean to hurt you." I put a hand out to stop him from coming closer. Vivid azure light shot from my outstretched palm an raced toward him. He barely flashed out of the way before it hit the door where he'd been. Instantly, it ignited.

Stunned, the fire on my hands winked out. Mesmerized, I watched the white flames lick at the wood paneling.

Blaze

That was too close, he thought, rushing into the bathroom to unlatch the fire extinguisher underneath the sink.

Zipping back to the bedroom door, he pulled the pin and sprayed the growing flames.

****! It was dire-fire!

Dropping the canister, he turned to Sora. Gently, he grasped her shoulders and shook her. "Sora. Sora!" It wasn't working! Taking her delicate face in his large hands, he did the only thing he thought might work.

He kissed her. Softly, he murmured against her mouth, “Sora.”

Life returned to her vacant form. Beautiful sapphire eyes flecked with silver, like the bioluminescence of sea life deep below the ocean's surface, stared back at him.

Lifting his other hand, he placed his palm between her ****** he the center of her magic lay. “Call it back, Love. Call the flames back to you."

Sora

Staring into the depths of his anguished cobalt eyes, I slowly came back to myself.

“Sora, please," he begged. Seeing me finally focus, he stepped

behind me and gripped my shoulders. I cried out in shock at the destruction of my power. “I don't know how!"

Seeking more fuel, the flames crawled over the door frame.

He leaned down, and his breath tickled my neck. "Shh. It will be okay. Just touch it. Your body will know what to do."

My Chucks felt like leaden weights as I stumbled forward with Blaze's reassuring presence at my back. Reaching out, I expected to be burned, but wasn't. It felt like warm bath water to my splayed fingertips. The flames licked and bumped against my hand like a playful puppy. It was alive.

Feeling the echo of it in my chest, I called it back. The tendrils receded from the wall first, then the frame. Lingering on the door, they begged to stay. Tethering it to my center, I tugged harder. As it reconnected with my well, I leaned against Blaze with a relieved sigh. Everything was untouched, as if my fire had never burned at all. My thoughts tripped. He could have been killed. I was a monster.

His lips brushed the shell of my ear.

“That's my girl.”

I no longer had the energy to fight. Turning out of his arms, I walked to the bed and curled into a ball. Tears hit the pillow, leaving dark splotches where they landed. “Just leave me alone.”

As the latch clicked, I cried myself to sleep.

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