A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire 1)

“Looks like it,” Rhahar answered.

Aios snapped into motion. “I’ll grab some towels and supplies. You’re taking her to the side chamber?”

“Yes.” Ector looked over his shoulder at Rhahar as Aios wheeled around, quickly darting back under another staircase. “Get Nyktos.”

“On it.” The god rushed off.

“Sera,” Ector said as he passed me, heading toward the door two armored men held open. “You need to return to your chambers.”

I should.

I definitely should, especially since that warmth was spreading across my chest, invading my blood much like it had when I spotted the wounded silver hawk, but stronger and more intense. Whatever instinct had been given life inside me along with this gift warned me that Gemma…this Chosen, was dying. I could feel my gift sparking. I needed to be as far away as possible.

But I followed Ector as we entered a narrow hall, Jadis’s talons tightening on my shoulder, Reaver flying ahead. I followed because this wasn’t fair. I didn’t know this woman, but I knew that she had spent her life behind a veil, caged and groomed. And for what? To be handed over to gods who would abuse her? It wasn’t fair.

A door opened, and a light came on, casting a harsh glow over walls where several bundles of herbs hung, drying. Ector laid Gemma on the table, his movements careful, but she groaned.

“Sorry,” he said softly, easing his arm out from under her as he brushed away several strands of blood-soaked hair that could’ve been a strawberry color or lighter when clean. The blanket parted, and I sucked in a sharp breath, seeing that the front of her blouse was drenched with blood—from the ragged wounds along her throat, her chest…

Ector’s head jerked up, his swirling silver eyes fixing on me. “You really shouldn’t be in here.”

I stepped back and Jadis chirped softly. I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t find words as I stared at her. A keening sense of…purpose filled me as Reaver stood in the corner of the chamber, tucking his wings back.

“Good gods,” a hoarse voice interrupted. I looked over to see the goddess Lailah entering through a different door, her black braids swept back in a knot. She took a step back, a grayish pallor settling into her rich brown skin. “Fucking Shades.”

“Yeah,” Ector growled as Lailah’s brother appeared.

Theon stopped, his nostrils flaring as his features hardened, locking down…and the center of my chest exploded with heat, much like it did when—

I sucked in a sharp breath as my gaze swiveled back to Gemma. “She…she’s dead.”

“You don’t know that,” Ector shot back. “There is no—” His words cut off sharply as he looked down at her. His arms fell to the sides.

I was right. Even though nothing about her appeared to have changed, I knew in my bones that she had passed, just as I’d known that the hawk had only been injured. The warmth in my chest was a powerful hum, invading my blood. Jadis trilled, louder this time, her wings lifting and brushing the back of my neck and head. Reaver lifted his head, calling from his corner and drawing the twins’ attention.

“What is going on with them?” Theon asked.

“I…I don’t know.” Slowly, Ector pulled his gaze from the draken to where Jadis did the same from my shoulder. “I’ve never seen them do this.”

Rhain was the first to arrive from court, his curse lost in the draken’s sound. The vibrating heat…it was striking against an…an instinct. One I’d never felt this powerfully before. My stomach dipped with unease as Jadis nudged her head against the back of mine. Reaver called to the female draken, and in the back of my mind, I wondered if they’d somehow sensed whatever was building inside me. If they could feel it.

Jadis started to climb down, and I had enough presence to stop her from jumping. I caught hold of her squirming body, lowering her to the floor. She rushed over to Reaver, pressing against his side and under one wing.

I had to do something. It would expose my gift, and I didn’t know what kind of consequences that would bring. But I’d stood by and let her die when I could have stopped that. I could’ve healed her. I couldn’t stand by now.

Rhain was speaking, saying something about Ash and Saion seemingly appeared out of nowhere, going to the table. He stared down at Gemma, shaking his head as I walked forward. I went to the table, feeling my senses opening and stretching. Closer to the woman, I could now see through the blood and mangled skin that she couldn’t be much older than me.

“You…you’re glowing,” Ector rasped, and Saion’s head jerked up. The twins turned to me.

A faint, silvery-white glow had seeped out from the sleeves of my gown to lap at my hands.

“What in the actual fuck?” Theon whispered.