Blaze Page 12

  The ground beneath me is shaking. Or is that me? Opening my eyes, I'm surrounded by pure white light. Whoa, where am I?

  "Kayla, my daughter."

  My entire body freezes, snakes slither inside my stomach. "Mother?" Turning without even moving, I come face to face with my dead mother.

  "Sweetie. Oh." Her hand goes to her mouth, "What happened?" I look down at my body because that is where her eyes are staring in horror, to find I’m on fire.

  "Shit!" I bat at the flames consuming my body with my hands. Only, they aren’t burning me, their gentle caress tickles like feathers across my skin. Ok, this is some weird shit right here. I'm on fire, but not. I'm burning but feel cool to the touch. I stop slapping at my skin.

  I look around, spinning in a circle, my feet not moving because I'm fucking floating, seeing nothing but white. I face my mother once again. "Who are you? What is this? Why's it so white? And why. The. Fuck. Am. I. On. Fire?" My head spins from the onslaught of thoughts running through my head. I'm dead-dead. Not just dead, but really fucking dead. That’s me, just floating around in white hell, my not-mother before me. I’m completely naked too, fire dancing across my skin. Because… why not? The dead walking, mind readers, healers, talking fucking zombies. Why not the crazy bitch on fire?

  "Be calm child. This," she spreads her arms wide, indicating nothing because we’re surrounded by bloody white. "Is limbo. It's my domain now."

  Hold up. Limbo? "Um… what's limbo?" Don't freak out Kayla. You're dead, but you could still give yourself a heart attack.

  "The edge of Infernum," the woman wearing my mum’s face says like I should know what that is.

  Ookay. Not-mum has lost her mind. I blink and when my eyes reopen a ginormous tree has appeared. Shitting hell.

  "Not hell dear. Just right next door. This,” Not-mum places her hand on the mammoth tree, it's trunk so wide I can't see where it ends, a kaleidoscope of colours dance within its surface. "Is the world tree. It connects all of the Celestial planes to each other."

  The branches I see are all different shapes, sizes and colours. It's beautiful. My mouth pops open audibly as a limb moves closer, revealing what seems to be a water planet dangling from a leaf. So being dead made me lose my shit. Because this is beyond belief. The branch snatches away just as my finger is about to touch the water world.

  "Ok. Could you point me to the exit, please? Because this," I spread my arms wide. "Is batshit. I need to leave. Ya know, got stuff to do." Are my four guys still alive? Wait… four? Is Chris one of my guys?

  "Hmm yes, the undead one." Not-mum and me dove headfirst into crazy land. "Your undead choice was a surprise, daughter. You know," not-mum floats closer to me. As she approaches the flames on my skin pull in, leaving me completely butt naked. Oh great, just great. Not-mum snaps her fingers. I jolt as material wraps around my body. Blue cargo pants that feel soft yet sturdy, a green strappy top and chains wrap around my neck, twisting around my belly. A simple glove appears on my arm. Wow, I look… badass.

  "There you go, daughter. Green was always your favourite colour," she says.

  I whip my eyes to look at not-mother. "Mum?"

  "Yes dear. We don't have much time now I've robed you." She looks around like she's expecting someone to attack. I look around us too; except for us, the giant tree and all the white, I see nothing. She's really my mum? I float closer to her, wanting to wrap my arms around her and never let go. "Kayla focus!" she bellows, the sound really loud in this place.

  I swallow audibly. Yup, this is my mum.

  "The Earth realm needs you. You must find the answers, quickly now," her voice breaks in fear. "Go save them. And Kayla." Her hand touches my arm, her fingers ice cold.

  Earth needs me? What the bloody hell could I do?

  She continues, "The fate of everything depends on your return!"

  "But mum?....."

  "Go!" she booms. "Henceforth thou shalt be set free!"

  Darkness consumes me. Again.

  "No! Try your hands, Charlie. Now!" Crowley growls. Something wet hits my face, pat, pat, pat, in quick succession.

  "Not dead. Not dead. Not dead," Connor chants.

  "She set me free. Mine," Chris' gravelly voice whispers. The pain in my body recedes slowly with each wet droplet that hits my skin. Charlie's tears.

  "Ughh," I manage to groan out. Every sound around me just stops. Cracking open an eye slowly, the light greeting me is blinding so I snap it shut again.

  "Did you see that?" Connor gasps out.

  "Brother, she's gone. Let her corpse be," Crowley’s tone is as dead as a doornail.

  "Fuck off, Crowley. I ain't dead yet," I grind out. Mother fucker can’t even shed a tear for my death?

  "Holy shit!" Lips crash against mine, Charlie. Throwing my arms around his neck, he pulls us both to a standing position. "Oh my god! You're alive!"

  "Yup. Can't get rid of me that easily." Not a single point of pain remains, healed again by Charlie. I feel more alive than I’ve ever felt in my whole life. My heart lighter, freer. "Charlie, I think your tears healed me." Huge rough hands clamp around my face and I look up into Crowley's green eyes.

  "Never. Do. That. Again." He thrusts his body against mine, our lips smush together so hard, I taste blood. When he pulls away, my body hums with need. So, the giant does have a heart, huh? Chris steps forward as Crowley pulls away. His eyes glistening with tears.

  "Mine?" His black surrounded blue eyes shine with unshed tears. Well shit, zombies can cry.

  "Kinda. Come here," I order, and he comes to me without hesitation. I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze. Sure, I might have a soft spot for my zombie. Why not?

  His arms are so tight around my waist I can hardly breathe, but that's ok. I like it. Letting go, Chris moves so Connor can throw himself at me, nearly knocking us both to the ground. "Ugh. Easy big guy, just died over here." The men surrounding me laugh, the tension broken.

  "Knew you wouldn't be dead, Kay Kay." Connor's voice doesn't hold the cocky timber I'm used to. I cock my head at him in question. "I think I shit my pants." So serious are his words we all burst into laughter again. Crowley's breath tickles against my ear as he pushes his body against mine from behind. Something hard and huge presses against my arse. Oh shit.

  Another hand reaches out and snatches me from Crowley's arms, I find myself face to face with Connor, his lips crash against mine as he kisses me.

  "Beautiful. I can't wait to taste you," Connor says.

  Huh? Like… is he a cannibal?

  Laughing he answers my unspoken question. "Nah sweet face, I'll explain it another time." He grins widely. I’m missing something, I just know it. Next, I feel a smaller hand take hold of my elbow, Charlie doesn't pull me roughly to him nor does he press his dick against me like Crowley and Connor did. Instead he waits until I throw myself into his arms.

  "I'm not like them, Kayla." He moves his chin a little to indicate Crowley and Connor, "I'm not…they're…" He struggles to say what’s worrying him, so I softly press my lips to his. His arms snake around my waist as I push myself against him. The height difference between us smaller than it is with Crowley and Connor. I don't have to stand on my tiptoes to kiss him.

  Lacing my arms around his neck, we kiss slowly, lovingly. I break the kiss to hug him close to me. Even though he doesn't do it purposefully like the other two had done, I still feel his hardness against my belly. Oh boy. He feels bigger than the others. I can't believe this is happening right now, but it is. The beginning of something very special with Charlie and me.

  The guys form a semicircle around me, their eyes on me. I squirm a little.

  "We should go back to your bus, regroup," Charlie begins, but I cut him off. Louder than I intended.

  "Shit!" Everyone jumps a little, my voice loud in the now completely silent field. Looking around I see the ground is covered in black ash. Did I do that?

  "Sure did, you bad bitch. Flames shot from your skin and burnt these fuckers to a
crisp," Connor provides.

  Shit. I'm a…

  Charlie says, "Fire elemental."

  My eyes flick to Charlie, fire what now?

  "Fire elemental. You control fire, can produce it from deep within it seems." His eyes scan the area, the ground was black when we got here. Now it's definitely charred. Pieces are still glowing red with heat and steam rises from a spot or two. The side of the grey metal container Chris was standing on is now burnt black. Don’t freak out Kayla.

  "How'd you guys manage to survive the fire?" I ask as it occurs to me my flames had reached them.

  Crowley answers me. "We saw you getting bitten, the Brute-like Panda had you by the neck, your feet dangling in the air. We were just about to jump down and come for you when you burst into flames." He runs his hand over the back of his neck, looking down with a smile on his face. Huh, Mr Grumpy Pants is smiling. "We hightailed it over to the other side." Turning his body, he reveals a scorched patch of material on his back. "Only just made it." Crap. I almost burned them to death.

  "Sorry. I didn't know that was going to happen but," I start to walk backwards slowly. "We need to move, back to my home. I'll tell you on the way." Turning I break into a run. The sound of pounding feet behind me tells me the guys are following. As we run back to Old Yella, I fill the guys in on what happened when I died.

  "Are you sure it was your mum? I mean… not-mum could’ve been anything?" Connor asks, disbelief easily heard.

  Yeah, I understand that. I didn’t believe at first. "It was her. I felt it," I reply, not even out of breath, I push my legs faster. The guys try to keep up but can't. I reach my home before they do. Standing in front of my bus I lean back against the rough metal and watch as four hot as fuck men run towards me. White-hot fire pools between my legs at the sight. It's hot out here, huh? Too many t-shirts around here.

  I say the words in my head loud enough I know Connor can hear me. I watch his face go from "I'm running" to " Talking in my head." Then one by one the guys remove their t-shirts while still running. It's a sight to behold. Even Chris removes his shirt. Which means Connor feels a bond towards him. This gives me an idea. As Charlie passes me, I lay a hand over the scars on his chest, "Hey." With a wink, I let him know I find his body attractive scars and all. His smile melts my heart further.

  As they approach, minus t-shirts, down girl, I ask Charlie, "Charlie, do you think you could heal Chris?" We all turn to look at him. "Um… where were you bitten, Chris?"

  "I wasn't." A series of pops fill the air, all of our mouths drop open at the same time. "I was created." He shakes his head like he's trying to clear it. "All white. Humans in white. Doctors."

  Shit.

  "A lab." We turn to Crowley, a lab? What's that? The question must be on my face because Crowley continues, "Where scientists and doctors work. They’re the ones who created the Panda virus."

  "How old are you, Chris?" Charlie asks, his face a picture of confusion. I try to concentrate, I really do. But so much skin is on display for my eyes it’s hard. Really hard.

  "I do not know." Chris shrugs. As Charlie approaches him his body visibly stiffens but he doesn't move away.

  "Maybe it isn't possible?" Charlie places his hands on either side of Chris's face, nothing happens. "Guess not." Charlie steps to my side, taking hold of my hand. A small smile plays on my lips as I look up at him.

  "Thank you for trying," Chris says with his head down. Well… it was worth a try.

  "Let's get inside, I'm starving. Oh shit!" I scream as I open the door to my home and Baby pounces on me. His massive body sends me flying back and I land on the ground with an oomph. The breath leaves my lungs and I cough repeatedly as his rough tongue licks my face making the skin sting. "Easy boy! I'm fine," I say once I'm able to draw a breath again.

  "Look at the door!" Connor yells. Peering around Baby to look at what Connor’s pointing out. Huge, deep claw marks on the inside. Charlie climbs into Old Yella and shouts out to us,

  "This place is torn apart. Looks like Baby was trapped in here."

  "Oh shit! I'm so sorry, boy. Oh." I wrap my arms around his neck, I can't get them around fully because he's so huge. "I'm fine. Ugh, you're squishing me." Removing himself from my body, Baby crouches and growls loudly at the guys. "Hey boy, no! Friends. They saved me, well, not really, but they're friends." Standing I run my hand over his giant head and walk into the bus.

  Baby stops growling, but his lip remains curled as we all pile into the bus. The settee isn't big enough for all of us, so Charlie and I sit on the floor. Chris crouches next to me. I sweep debris out of my way with my leg. Crowley and Connor sit in front of us. I'm surrounded by half-naked men. It's a distraction. But a good one. I feel comfortable-ish with them, and none of them are trying to make a move, which helps. But it also leaves me feeling a little hollow.

  Baby stays outside, the bus isn't big enough for us all. "Once we've got supplies, we need to go to the city." All eyes are on me, making my whole-body tingle. I'm well aware things went from "Don't come near me" to "I need everyone's hands on me" faster than I can run, but two near-death experiences in as many days kinda puts things into perspective for a girl. At this moment, I really want them close. Maybe even touch me? I’m a mess.

  "Agreed. Kayla," Crowley concurs, always the boss. "You know this area better than us. Know anywhere we can find food and water?" He leans back, his hands balled into fists on his thighs. His go-to stance. This is as relaxed as this man gets.

  "Nope. This area’s picked clean. No wildlife," I reply while crossing my legs, these new jeans sure are comfy. They’re tough, but still allow me full freedom of movement.

  "I know where." We all look to Chris; his language is improving quickly. He no longer slurs his words. He almost sounds normal now, but still misses words here and there. It's a huge improvement from his one-word conversations. "Travelled a lot. Not far from here is a… a lot of trees. Inside - food."

  A couple of hours away from here is a large forest, I'd never attempted to hunt in there because it's filled with Panda. I tell the guys as much. Crowley sits forward, lost in thought as Charlie laces his hand in mine. Turning slightly so we’re face to face I smile at him. His answering one tells me he's thinking the same thing.

  "So, we hunt. Little fire Queen over here can just flame on and toast them," Charlie announces proudly, warmth spreads through my chest. What is that?

  "No. A few are my people." Chris shakes his head, his people are in the forest too? Well, that complicates things. Doesn’t it?

  "Ok, so gather them, Chris. Actually, that reminds me of a problem." I turn away from Charlie’s umber eyes reluctantly. The spark between us is growing quickly, making it hard to not crush my lips to his.

  "What?" Connor asks.

  I jerk my chin towards Chris, his eyes dart around us all. Probably wondering why we’re now all staring at him with confused looks on our faces.

  "How will we get Chris into the city?" Leaning to one side, I grab a piece of wire off the floor and use it to tie my hair back. The heat is stifling inside Old Yella and taking my hair off my neck brings a little relief. "How are we getting me into the city?" I ask Crowley. But it's Connor who answers me.

  "Me," he says simply.

  "Huh? You? Um..." I no longer think Connor’s an inept idiot, but how could he get us into the city?

  He chuckles and continues, "I'll plant the thought in the guard's minds that they’re expecting us to arrive with a female." He thinks for a second, rubbing his now prickly chin. "If we could hide the black across his eyes and nose, I could get them to believe there will be an extra male in the group."

  "Huh, great idea! Will it work though?" I ask a little too loudly, excited at the prospect of a plan forming. I don't want to go to Tri-City, but apparently, I need to… so I’ll go. Masters could be there, two birds with one arrow.

  "I'm confident it will. But how can we hide what he is?" Connor rubs a hand across his forehead and then massages his temple. St
ressed?

  Turning my eyes to look at Chris’ handsome face, the black around his eyes has spread across the bridge of his nose, making it look like he's wearing a mask. An idea pops into my head, filling the guys in on my plan as we all begin to pick up things from Old Yella we can take with us.

  "I'll be back in a second," I tell the guys as they attach blades to holsters, strapping them to their bodies. I have a good collection of them around my bus, picking them up whenever I found them. Even some I'd made from bits of metal, adding bone handles from the wastes. My katana strapped to my back, the holsters on my thighs filled with my old friend, cold hard steel. I jump out of the door and make my way inside the building across from Old Yella.

  The hallway floor is stained with my blood and memories assault me. Being almost crushed to death does things to a girl, suppressing a shudder I continue. Careful not to trip over chunks of roof, I enter the room where I almost lost my life. Digging through the rubble carefully, I search for my device.

  "Please be here." As well as the music I love so much, it also contains photos of my mum. Seeing her in limbo, talking to her, made me miss her even more. Searching around one last time, I stand. "Fuck! It’s gone," I say aloud. Wrapping my arms around myself I close my eyes, bringing my mother's face to mind. Things were hard for mum when I was small. I didn't know it then, but losing my brother must’ve changed her, made her cold and unable to bond with me. We may not have been close, but I loved her very much.

  The guys are waiting outside Old Yella armed and looking hot as fuck. They've put their t-shirts back on. I let my bottom lip slip forward, pouting a little.

  "Sweet face put your lip away before I bite it." Connor's words and the look in his eyes make me gasp. The sexual tension between the five of us is so heated that I couldn't already set myself on fire, the heat would do it.