Page 57 of Chasing the Flame
“Averie, honey, she can’t know. Lucy is human. I think you know by now… you’re not. Your mother should’ve explained this to you, should’ve given you the knowledge of your lineage and how our world works.” Elliot groans, running a hand down his face. “I guess I can’t fault Tess for being afraid. Mark is a piece of work, and I’m glad she got away from that sadistic son of a bitch. I only wish she would’ve at least told you what you are. It’s a wonder your powers have stayed dormant for this long… maybe that’s a sign of how powerful you’ll be.”
He’s looking at me like I’m some mythical savior who’s supposed to take the bad guys down. It’s ridiculous. I don’t know the first thing about their—our—world.
I laugh bitterly, “Yeah well, since my father passed away my mother has slowly grown cold and distant. I doubt she is going to be helpful anytime soon. So, you want to give me the cliff notes?”
He grunts, nods once and begins, “Ignivara are powerful creatures, said to be blessed by Nytherion himself. Think of them like lions with a flaming mane and tail. They have horns, black obsidian fur, and it’ssaid that flames and lava crackle against their skin.” Elliot looks awed, and I don’t like the way my stomach twists because of it.
“What does that have to do with Luke?” My words are hushed, shaky despite my best effort.
Jettson snarls, thrusting his hands on the table. He leans toward Elliot, like he wants to strangle his Dad. “Please tell me he isn’t…”
Elliot says nothing, choosing silence while Jettson comes to terms with whatever he thinks this is. “Dad, no. They can’t do this! You know there’s a reason it’s forbidden.”
“I’m afraid there’s no talking them out of it, son. They’ve already made up their minds. Now, we just need to help Averie navigate this.” Elliot is firm, but regretful, like he knows I’m just waiting to snap.
Unluckily for him…I do. “Doeitherof you want to fucking fill me in? What doesanyof this have to do withme?”
“I’ll try to give you the condensed version. I’m not just a magic user, neither is my father and… neither are you.” He pauses, letting me absorb what he said, but all I heard is that there’s something else wrong with me. Something not of this world. “Ignivara are sacred, andextremelyrare. To be gifted with the capability of shifting into such a beautiful form… it’s, well. It’s unheard of.”
“Jettson’s right, Averie. Thessarie, your mother, is a part of an ancient bloodline. The Embergrave’s have long been a part of the covenant, and it is said that their bloodline carries the gene. Until you, there hasn’t been an Ignivara in over a thousand years.” Elliot gives me another sad smile, like it’ll help soften the brunt of what he’s saying.
It doesn’t.
But, a thought strikes me like a match to kindling. “If I’m an… Ignivara. Then, what are you?” I ask, suddenly needing to understand everything about the world I thought I knew. “Wait, you said shift?! Asin beast form? And what does the covenant do—are they basically the government?”
Jettson chuckles, slides back into his chair and takes my hands in his. “Yes, love. There are three types of creatures, or fae depending on who you ask, that make up the covenant. Shifters, warlocks or witches, and vampires. You’re right about them being our government. Our world lives in the shadows but we answer to them. They create the rules, serve as judge and executioner, even select potential mates for rare species of shifters. I’m a Cervari, guardian of the earth and wind. Still rare, but less rare than you. Ignivara’s well… they’re the guardian of the sacred flames.”
My head starts pounding, the room spinning in circles with every breath I take. I need air. This is too fucking much. Just when I feel like I’m about to panic, Jettson’s voice cuts through the haze, jerking my attention back.
“Averie, there’s more. It’s said in the oldest texts we’ve researched, there is one thing that should never happen. An Ignivara is so rare that most of the time when one comes of age, they’re already betrothed to someone deemed as a potential partner. Someone, who could genetically be compatible to make another Ignivara. Luke is a Vraylen, a monster of a beast with terrible power. The type of shifter your magic would give birth to… it’s unthinkable. It could unravel the fabric of our world.”
Jettson looks apologetic, like he knows this is information overload. I thought I was just a normal city girl. No magic. Damn sure not a fucking shifter, or a witch. And absofuckinglutely not some magical baby breeding machine.
I feel sick.
Everything starts caving in, and I don’t think. I jump up and dart toward the front door. As I rush outside, the smells of the forest greetme. The air is chilly, the dampness coating the bannister on the porch and stairs.
But, in the end it does the trick. I’m able to draw a deep breath, clear my head and focus on what I can control.
Which isn’t much, but it’s at least something. Guess you just have to find the silver lining.
Ten minutes go by, and I can breathe easier. Hushed tones have filled the cabin the whole time, a heated debate between father and son. Then, Jettson’s boots thud against the wooden deck, announcing his presence. I turn to face him, needing to be reassured. “Jettson, I—”
“I’m sorry,” he says, his eyes wide and filled with regret. “I shouldn’t have dumped all of it on you like that. But there was no easy way to tell you.”
I freeze, unused to getting an apology. Without realizing it I had geared up for a fight. Immediately the tension leaves my body, “No, I know you didn’t mean to. It’s just a lot, I guess I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.”
“That’s understandable. You’ve spent your whole life thinking you’re human.”
“Yeah, no kidding. Hey, how did your dad figure it out?” The question has been burning at the back of my mind, and now I can’t let it go.
“As far as I know, he broke into Donald’s office. Whatever he found there convinced him of your lineage, and scared the fuck out of him. He says the grimoire he saw contained a ritual, and he’s betting that’s what Luke is up to. He wouldn’t say more than that. I’m sorry baby, but… I think we need to discuss a plan to get you out of Michigan for good.”
A chill runs down my spine, and I have this insane need to beg him to go right now. I can’t explain the fear, or where it came from, but I get the feeling he’s not wrong.
“Okay, let’s get it figured out then. Because I refuse to be a pawn in that assholes game.” I say with false bravado. Truth be told, I feel anything but confident.
I can’t shake the feeling that something or someone is coming. So, when Jettson takes my hand and leads me back inside, I paint a fake smile on my face and get down to business, settling in for the long night ahead.
