The Fire Keeper (The Storm Runner 2)
I took a steady breath. How do I strengthen the flame?
I hoped, if you ran away, it would change things, take you out of the equation.
We were wasting time. Right now I really need you to tell me how to feed the flame. Please.
The flames grew taller. It will take great sacrifice, and even then, Zane, the outcome may not be what you expect.
Okay, but what do I do?
The inferno began to die, and the last word Hurakan spoke was blood.
The fire disappeared. I fell against the wall, coughing up trails of smoke.
Antonio was strumming a guitar casually like he was used to people being swallowed by flames in his studio. “What did the old man tell you?”
“I think he said I can strengthen the flame with blood.”
“That ain’t right. Unless you’ve got some of Hurakan’s blood.”
“He’s my dad! I…I can give some of mine. Same thing, right?”
“Pura sangre,” Antonio said slowly in his thick accent. His expression was blank. Or maybe resigned. “Only the pure blood of the creator god of fire can strengthen the flame.”
And there it was, the reason Hurakan was being put to death: so he could never protect the magic of the Maya again. The enemy had thought of all the loopholes. A terrible sinking feeling gripped me, and I leaned against Fuego for support.
Then slowly…so slowly I was afraid the idea would disappear if I thought about it too long, the answer came to me. “My cane…spear—the Sparkstriker infused it with…Hurakan’s blood.”
Antonio jumped up from the stool (dropping another guitar). “Then split it open!”
Fuego began to glow a bright turquoise color like the October New Mexico sky. I felt the sudden need to protect my cane. “No! I mean, if we split it open, all its magic…my spear, everything will be gone.”
“But if you don’t break it, all the magic of the Maya will be gone and with it so many possibilities. This could be the answer to making the flame stronger. To helping you on this quest.”
Panic gripped me so hard I thought I might pass out. “But the Sparkstriker said Fuego’s indestructible.”
Antonio inched closer. “I know the magic…. This weapon is indestructible to everyone except its master.”
I collapsed to my knees, staring at Fuego in my hands. I know it was just a tool, but there was something so real about it, like it was alive. And it had saved me. How could I just sacrifice it like that? Fuego had never failed me. But what choice did I have?
“There has to be another way.”
“There are always other choices, my man. Other choices, different outcomes. But time is running out. The flame is weakening. And once the magic is gone, nothing will bring it back. Do you get what I’m telling you?”
“Can’t you find enough power to change Hurakan’s execution, and then he can give his blood and…”
“The flame is too weak. But maybe this will strengthen it enough.”
How could I kill Fuego on a maybe? My stomach twisted so tight I could barely breathe. Tears stung my eyes. “Sorry, Fuego.” I set the cane on the floor and drew a flame
from the candlelight, expanding it across my hands. Then, before I could reconsider what I was about to do, I knelt down, pressed the flame against Fuego, and watched it burn.
The whole scene was like watching a film in reverse. A single stream of dark blood rose up from Fuego, snaking toward a small flame that pulsed in Antonio’s hand. The blaze sparked, popped, and turned deep blue before it expanded so much it consumed him.
A second later, the fire disappeared. I was glad to see Antonio still intact and untouched by the flames. But when I looked down at Fuego, I saw nothing but a pool of silver and its jade handle. Antonio kneeled next to me. “The Prophecy of Days is a-comin’, and your sacrifice won’t be forgotten.”
I was too stunned to speak. Too stunned to feel anything. It was like I’d lost a piece of myself and I was never going to get it back. Like something had gone dark and cold inside of me.
I got to my feet shakily, wiping ash across my jeans, pulling myself together. And yeah, trying not to cry. I stuffed the jade handle in my pocket. “Well? Was it enough to change the future?”