Page 79 of Ember and Ash

“Why me?”

The front door opens. “Dinner is ready, you two.”

It’s Silas, and Micah raises a hand. “We’re coming inside.” And then to me. “Because you are good and kind and strong enough to defeat great evil, Ember Thorne.”

“How do you know I’m good?”

“It took a lot for me to even get you to kill the creatures in the forest who wanted to eat you.”

“Because they only wanted to eat me because we were picking on them.”

He captures my arms and steps closer. “Your heart is pure, and in twenty-seven years, no human, the Corrupted, or a demon himself changed you. I believe it takes that kind of good, your kind of good, to fight the darkness and find the light. You will win this war, Ember Thorne. And it will be my greatest honor to fight by your side.”

I reach up and press my hand to his face. “Thank you for believing in me.”

“I’ll try really hard not to attempt to corrupt you on the beach again, but I can’t promise. I am trying to do what’s right by you, Ember.”

“Maybe you try too hard.” I rotate in his arms to check on the storm and suck in a breath as I discover the hail is gone, and the rain has turned to blood.

The Sacred Book of Nephilim

Blood will flow in rivers and oceans. Blood will run in the streets. Your friends will become your enemies. Your enemies, your friends. Behold the war that both celebrates and fights the coming of the Aza.

Chapter thirty-eight

Istare out into the bloody raindrops, and I have no idea why it comes to mind, but I whisper, “The crab didn’t bleed.”

“They’re magical creatures. They have no blood,” Micah replies, but he says nothing of the downpour stained in what I can only call death. Why isn’t he mentioning it?

Why aren’t I?

“Let’s go find out what news my team has brought from their travels,” Micah says, opening the door for me.

I hesitate, trapped in my silence for no good reason, and while I willingly move Micah’s direction, once I’m there, I can’t help but glance back at the storm one more time. And just as suddenly as it had appeared, the blood is gone, washed away in the glassy clear droplets of heavy falling rain. There’s a twist of fear in my belly. Did I imagine it? Is the serpent growing stronger inside me? Is it taunting me? Does Micah know that might happen, and that’s why he keeps slamming a wall between us?

The idea has me quaking inside.

When I face forward again, I don’t look at Micah, but I can feel his eyes heavy on my face. I don’t ask about the blood that drenched the mighty storm only minutes before, for fear it offers him confirmation that I’m beyond saving. But deep inside me, resolve forms, thick as steel and as wide as this world and the next. I’m going to kill the serpent. I’m going to kill Jeremy. If they play games of fuckery with me, they will not find the same girl who refused to kill a tiger in the forest as their opponent.

They will find death.

Resolve formed, I enter the castle, and once I’ve crossed the threshold, I can almost feel the house welcome me, a current of magic softly caressing along my nerve endings. My gaze lifts to the kitchen island where not one, but four people—three men and a woman—gather around, and almost as if they sense my presence, the chatter goes silent and they turn to stare at me.

They know I’m the Aza.

Which I knew, of course, but they’re looking at me as if I’m a creature from another world, and I guess maybe I am. More a monster, and I do not like it, my nerves fluttering about my belly with a drum beating in my chest. Micah joins me, this time to my left. “They’re on our side, Ember. They’re just stunned that the miracle we’ve heard about all our lives is finally a living, breathing Nephilim. They’ll get over it.” His hand settles on my back, and his magic hums through me in a way it has not in the past, and I wonder why it’s so active. “You okay?” he asks.

I glance up at him, searching his handsome face. “Are you?”

“This is one moment in time I can say I’m fucking terrific. I’m in this house with you and my most trusted friends. Let’s go meet everyone.” He shocks me by catching my hand in his and leading me across the room toward the island, as if making a statement. I’m under his protection. Back off, if you know what is good for you.

I’m stunned by his action and on edge over him feeling the need.

The group parts and creates a spot for us at the island with our backs to the door, which would normally bother me. I’ve always had this weird instinct to watch my back, which now means far more to me than a silly paranoia. I always knew I was different. But I don’t insist on repositioning myself now, not in the house where I feel protected. I’m not sure if that is all the house, either. Beyond reason, I know Micah is my protector. At least, for now, I think with a twist in my gut.

We step to the island, and Silas is across from me, his eyes bubbling with mischief, not fire. “Hiya, Ember. I told them all you’re cool. You won’t kill us with a look or any shit like that.”

“Are you sure about that?” I dare, intentionally jabbing at Silas, but only in jest. I actually like him. He’s got that big brother vibe, and I always wanted a big brother. Though I doubt he wanted a sister who could destroy the world.