“What?” he arched a questioning brow, as a grin emerged. “Can’t feel sparks without me?”
“You—” I spurted, as my cheeks heated, yet a little puff of flame escaped my fingertips, proving his point.
Ashley began cackling. “Ohhh, he’s got you combusting already! Do it again, maybe she’ll blow the whole forest sky-high.”
“Or maybe, don’t bait her into torching the entirety of nature… Some of us like breathing clean air,” Lionel said dryly.
Eve snorted. “Yeah, and some of us don’t trust mages setting fires next to our faces.” She glared at me.
“Calm down, she’s not the problem, remember?” Nate sighed, as he began walking, taking point. “Demons are. We only need to find one and bring it back, don’t push her.”
“She’s so strong, I hope I’ll learn how to handle water like that one day,” Mey muttered as she stepped after Nate.
“Yeah, strong enough to roast you, if you keep running your mouth,” I threatened Malakai, before following the others.
“I got the effect I asked for,” Malakai smirked.
“Funny, how she only sparks when you ask for it,” Lionel snapped, a little too sharp, as if the words slipped out against his will. Everyone turned and glanced at him, baffled, making him stiffen before giving a forced shrug. “Just… hope you’re not planning to make a habit of winding her up like that, it isn’t smart.”
I had to focus not to gape at him, his words surprising me. Lionel saw my stare and began scratching his neck, the sign of him being embarrassed. Malakai took two easy steps closer, eyes locked on Lionel.
“Maybe, or maybe it takes someone who isn’t afraid of her fires,” he said low, voice edged with something dark. He huffed before turning to me, voice softer, caressing. “Besides… I’ve always liked playing with fire.”
My jaw tensed, and I turned away from them as I continued after Nate and Mey. I’d had enough of their silly bickering, placing me in the middle. I wasn’t some damned price for the wittiest answer.
“Watch it, you’ll get burned,” Lionel taunted, his voice strangely threatening, more so than ever before.
Malakai chuckled. “That’s the point.”
“Gods, this is better than any bomb I’ve ever made,” Ashley squealed delighted.
“Don’t encourage them!” I snapped at her, my flames burning brighter.
Then a shadow swept in, out of nowhere. Obscuring my vision was a large demon looming in front of me. My eyes widened when its claws came carving towards me. I threw myself to the side as I heard someone shout behind me. “Here they come!”
Guns began firing, while I rolled against the ground and pushed myself to my feet next to a tree, trying to avoid thebullets. How many demons were there? Another shadow with tattered wings came at me, I swung my arm out, imagining myself throwing fire at it.
No fire, not even a spark.
The demon continued its assault, burying sharp claws into my shoulder and I screamed.
Thick red threads of blood swirled around the demon, trapping it, before they sliced through its flesh like it was made of paper, tearing the abomination apart.
The limbs fell into a pile, before it turned to black ichor, quickly seeping into the ground. Where the demon once had stood, Malakai lingered, scarlet eyes glowing as he watched my bloodied shoulder.
Fear struck me, as I glanced behind him. Had he lost his mind? What if the others saw?
But they were busy fighting other demons that had appeared. I exhaled slowly, relieved, before my eyes glared at Malakai again.
“I had it, why did you kill it?” I hissed.
“Sorry,” he murmured, eyes not moving away from the blood that trickled down. “My handslipped.”
He took another slow step closer, cornered me against the tree.
“Don’t look,” I said, trying to get his attention, but those eyes kept glowing, focused on the blood. I placed my hand over my shoulder, trying to hide it.
He grabbed my wrist, yanking my hand away from it with force, a low growl rumbling from inside of him.
