Page 63 of Immortal Origins
“Ambrose! We need you. If you can produce Water, now would be the time!” Podara yelled over the roaring flames that had claimed the home for their own. “We can’t hold these back anymore!”
The words tore her from the trance she was in as Ambrose stared at what was left of the deacon. Her fury clouded her vision, but it didn’t matter now.
She forced herself to let go of Antony’s body, making sure to cover his wound so Artie wouldn’t see what had become of his youngest son. He’d already lost his eldest, and now his wife and youngest son, all in one night. The ground threatened to swallow her but she willed her legs to move.
It didn’t work. She couldn’t save him.
She was useless. What was the point of being able to wield more than one Element if she couldn’t use the one that mattered the most?
Everyone had taken to throwing water from the well onto the fire but it was no use. The small hole couldn’t produce enough to stop the Wyldfire that spread throughout the house and claimed the fields. She placed a hand on Artie’s shoulder and allowed herself a moment of grief before turning her attention to the fire.
When she reached Podara, the flames danced above their heads ready to devour anything in sight. The town seemed alerted to the fire, based on the shouts coming from the distance.
No one would help them.
They were used to this.
Houses and families going up in flames in the middle of the night. Thedraconians no doubt kept the villagers at bay.
The only thing that outweighed her grief… was herrage.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she forced a few deep breaths. Lifting her hands to the sky, she willed the heavens to give her what she needed. Clouds shifted above them as they swirled together, thickening with each moment until they formed a ceiling above the farm. Thunder rolled and lightning illuminated the sky as the clouds grew darker still and then finally… it began to rain.
At first nothing more than a sprinkle, but in a matter of moments became a downpour that drenched everything it touched. It poured onto the field and house all the grief and sadness that Ambrose felt breaking her heart. The flames receded into the night. Smoke billowed from the charred skeleton of the house as the rain washed away the fire, leaving nothing left but burnt bones. As the roar of the fire died, Artie’s anguished cries broke through the now-silent night.
“Are you okay?” Akadian asked, his voice broken.
“This is my fault,” she sobbed, looking around at the devastation. If she’d never come here, if she’d left this family alone, they’d be alive.
“No it’s not.”
“They did this because of me.” It was too much.
“They did this because of their own fear and ignorance.”
“I hate them.” She wished she’d been the one to finish the deacon, but was pleased with his fate all the same.
“I’d be surprised if you didn’t.” He rested a hand tenderly on her shoulder.
She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face and saw the same pain and regret painted on his features. “You stopped them.”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
She placed a hand on top of his. “Youalwayshave a choice.”
A scream broke them from their train of thought.
Mary ran towards them, tears and anger coating her face as she took in the sight of her mother and brother. “What—What happened?”
Ambrose ran to her and wrapped the girl in her arms who shrieked and cried. “I’m sorry. I’msosorry.”
Mary clawed her way out of her arms and ran to her father at her mother’s side as she kept repeating. “What happened?” Over and over.
Over and over.
Ambrose couldn’t bring herself to look.
Mary’s cries turned to fury as she held her mother’s body.
