Page 26 of Fire Bird

Kayla looks like she hasn’t eaten properly in days. Her eyes are gray, and the skin beneath them even grayer. She has dirt beneath her fingernails, and grease in her hair, but she has the same steel in her eyes as she says, “Where is Ragnor?”

We are on the lawn. She passed through the barrier with ease. My fault. It didn’t occur to me to remove her imprint from the spell.

“Inside, preparing for the ritual.” I wriggle my toes into the lush green grass beneath my feet. Pops of electricity scratch my soles. I close my eyes and hum as The Hollow’s power trickles up through me.

“It’s tonight?” Kayla asks, looking at the sky.

“Can’t you tell?” I stretch out my arms and feel the glorious pull of my muscles as they loosen and flex. “It’s going to be a beautiful night.”

Kayla looks down at her feet. “I…” She pauses and licks her lower lip. I almost feel sorry for her; the stench of humiliation is tangible. “I want to come back. I want to be a part of this, Eve. I deserve to be.” She meets my eyes and I notice her fingers twitch as she shoves them into her pockets.

“I think that’s a decision for Ragnor,” I tell her.

“Then take me to him and let me ask him myself.”

I tilt my head. My temples throb with the movement. With F.H.B. surging in my veins, I am finding it hard to focus. Sounds and smells and light pummel my senses. I hear the birds in the trees; I hear the wolves sleeping inside; I hear my babies prowling the perimeter, waiting for their master’s ascent. “Very well.” I turn and lead her past the fountain, up the steps, and through the professor’s old kitchen.

Kayla takes in the blood on the walls. She sniffs the air but doesn’t break her stride.

I lead her through the belly of the house to the study. “It’s Elena’s favorite room,” I say as we stop outside. “She likes the fire and the view.”

Kayla presses her lips together.

“He hasn’t told her that you killed her son.” I pinch Kayla’s elbow. She doesn’t look at me. “She would be very upset, but I don’t think Ragnor minds. So, you might be lucky. He might let you come back into the fold, Kayla.”

I tap my knuckles on the door and we wait.

When Ragnor appears, his face is etched with anger and frustration. “What the fuck do you want, Eve? Haven’t you caused enough damage for one day?”

I let my eyes dart toward Kayla.

Ragnor follows my gaze, but his expression doesn’t change when he notices her. “You,” he growls.

Kayla straightens her shoulders and pushes her chin up. I lean on the wall and press my back to the cool paintwork. I slide this way and that, like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. “Tick tock,” I whisper. “Tick tock.”

Ragnor shoots me a disgruntled stare, but I ignore him.

“Tick tock, Ragnor. The ritual begins at sundown.” I tap my wrist. I wear an invisible watch. It is not very useful.

“What do you want?” Ragnor steps into the corridor, pulling the door shut behind him.

“I want to come back,” Kayla says firmly. “I deserve to be a part of this, Ragnor. After everything, I deserve to be here when The King returns.”

Ragnor’s eyes narrow. He sucks in his cheeks and strides forward, closing the gap between him and his rejected mate. “What about your son?” he asks, his eyes twitching.

“Our son is gone,” she replies. “But I’m still alive, and if the world is about to go to hell, I want to be on the winning side.” She takes her hand from her pocket and points a long, thin finger at Ragnor’s face. “You owe me this, Ragnor. You owe me a place in the new order. After everything you’ve done to me, this is the least you can offer.” She clenches her fist and lowers it to her side. “Plus, you’re surrounded by morons. You need someone who has their head screwed on straight.”

A bubble of laughter tickles my throat. I giggle and wrap my arms around myself. “She has a point, Ragnor. Those wolves of yours are next to useless.”

Ragnor and Kayla both ignore me. They are staring at one another, and the surge of emotion between them is intoxicating. They want each other, but they abhor each other. They need each other, but they despite one another’s presence.

I clap my hands and dance into the middle of the corridor. “It starts soon. When you’ve made your decision, gather everyone outside.” I open my arms and trail my fingers down the blood-crusted walls as I skip back outside.

I’m at the top of the steps when I hear Ragnor bellow, “Fine! But stay out of my way, she-wolf. I don’t want to see you sniffing around me all day and all night.”

I can’t hear Kayla’s reply, but I wish I’d seen her face. Watching the two of them is like waiting for a hand-grenade to go off; you never know if they’re going to fuck or fight.

Andre appears behind me. His hair is crumpled—like he just emerged from a long sleep. “Is Kayla back?” he asks.