Chapter 31

Thirty-One

The storm raged above us in the night sky. The heavy downpour broke through the thick canopy of trees that branched overhead, drenching us in cold water, weighing us down as it soaked our clothes, the wind swirling through the thick forest as it scattered dead leaves around our moving frames.

We were taking our time, quietly stalking through the woods, trampling through mud and weaving through the trees, making our way back to the cabin in the hopes of remaining undetected. Alastair led the way, alert and on edge. Ruby and Jinx followed him, the two tightly wrapped around one another, shivering from the drop in temperature. Lazarus leaned on me, pushing through the pain as we moved, slower than the rest. I could feel his strength dissolving and his exhaustion and pain taking control. We just need to reach the cabin, and then everything will be okay. It's going to be okay.

Darkness thickened, resulting in Ruby and myself having to light the way with our magic. Her maroon flames had taken the shape of moths, fluttering above us whereas my magic simply formed a sky of stars, cast above our heads. The red and blue colors mixed together almost creating a violet hue as they illuminated the path. Even with the colorful light, we still struggled to see the storm as it fought our visions.

"Shouldn't be too much further," Ruby shouted over her shoulder to us. "We're almost out of this nightmar—" Lightning crackled, striking a tree ahead, missing us by only a few feet. The immediate thunder ruptured our ears as we all crouched, the magical light disappearing, our hands covering them from the brazen force. The tree ignited in fire, crumbling as it fell onto our path, burning leaves and soft embers trickling into the air blocking our way. Alastair barked at the fiery tree as Jinx and Ruby ripped their jackets from their shoulders and tried to put the fire out, but to no avail.

"It's no use!" Lazarus broke from me, stepping towards the two women. "We're going to have to find another way back." Jinx stopped, staring at her girlfriend.

Ruby groaned loudly, frustrated by what had happened. "We have to find a new way," she signed to Jinx.

"But how?" she asked.

Ruby shook her head, raising her hand. "I have no idea." She turned to face me. "Can Alastair get us out of here?"

I glanced at the wolf, his eyes wide as he stared back at me. "The rain may have added a bit of a challenge, but I'm sure he should be able to."

"Thank god," she huffed. "I'm so tired…so done with this whole town." She glanced back at the burning tree, a layer of smoke now filling the wet air. "I'm ready for this night to end."

"Alastair." The wolf quickly raced to me, wagging his tail. "We need you to help us find another way out, get us back to the cabin. Can you do that?" He yipped, sniffing the air for a moment before stepping through the trees in a new direction.

Lazarus slowly returned to me as I grabbed his arm and carefully placed it over my shoulders, offering my help. "So does this mean you and Cain are over?" he asked in a playful manner. I shot him a distinct look, both annoyed and amused by his question. "What? It's a genuine question!" I rolled my eyes. "Alaska, the guy tried to kill you, twice." He held two of his fingers up.

"That wasn't Cain," I grumbled as we followed behind Ruby and Jinx.

"Still, Cain didn't stop it. He wanted to hurt you. Please, dreamer, let this be the sign you need to leave him." Lazarus stopped, positioning me in front of him as he cradled my chin. "Let go of your fear, of your dark past, and let me love you the way you deserve to be loved." My eyes widened as I listened, clinging to that one particular word: love. Lazarus leaned down, his gaze lingering on my lips as I stood, my heart leaping from his words.

"Hey!" Ruby's voice shredded the moment. "Seriously? Now is not the time for this shit. Knock it off you two. Let's go!"

Lazarus smiled, tapping my lower lip with his thumb as he winked. "Raincheck."

Alastair'smuzzle rose as he sniffed the air, whining. He began to pace in circles, marched back and forth, unsure of which direction to continue. He stopped, smelling the night once more, searching for any lingering hints of a scent that could lead him down the right path.

"What's wrong with him?" Ruby asked, her good arm on her hip.

I watched him closely, knowing exactly what was happening. "He's lost."

"Lost? How the hell is he lost? He's a wolf!" Ruby began to freak out, her fingertips burning. "Now is not the time for this to happen! Cain is probably right behind us, and we're just roaming around in these woods like idiots. We're fucked!"

"Hey, calm down!" Lazarus stepped from me, his tone strong as he spoke. "He's doing his best."

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "His best? We're lost!"

"Shut up, Ruby!" I growled, my own hand now glowing. She made a face, glancing at me. "It's not his fault! With the storm and smoke hanging in the air, it's hard for him to find the trail. You can't blame him, so just chill out."

"Chill out? We're lost, Alaska. Lost in a shit hole town, stumbling around these god-forsaken woods in the middle of a storm, running from a possessed psychopath and that unknown creature! Lazarus is hurt—bad—and my wrist is broken. I will not calm down!" She tightened her jaw, her fingers curling as maroon fire danced within her palm. Her eyes shot to my hands as I reflected her temper, my own magic burning from my skin. She scoffed, noticing my action. "You wanna go?"

"Ruby, don't do this. Please," Jinx moved her hands, but she wasn't quick enough.

"Alaska, don't." Lazarus tried to stop me, but I pushed his burned hand away, stepping in her direction.

"I may be down a hand," she growled, stepping towards me, "but I'm still twice as strong as you." Ruby stood, towering over me as she rotated her arm. Before either of us could strike, Alastair planted himself between Ruby and myself. He dug his claws into the wet ground, his ears straight back as he growled up at her, daring her to harm me. Ruby halted, her face dropping at the menacing and protective sight of him.

"Stop this." Lazarus joined Alastair, stepping between both of us women, his arms slightly raised to keep us apart. "There's enough going on right now. We don't need to start tearing each other apart." Ruby's eyes burned into mine, our magic pulsating through our fingers as we fought back our anger and temperaments. The power itched beneath our skin, desperately begging to be set free.

Silence lingered, increasing the tension between us, finally breaking at Ruby's words. "Fine." She reluctantly lowered her hand, rotating so her back faced me. She spoke, her voice dalling over her shoulder. "I should've known better than to rely on that mutt." Before anyone could blink, I swung my arm, my blue flames tightly wrapping around her ankle. I arched my fingers as they yanked her body towards the ground. Ruby stumbled, crying out in pain as her girlfriend's hands clung to her broken wrist in an attempt to catch her.

Immediate regret filled me as my arm fell, my temper melting away, my flames dissolving into the darkness. "Ruby, I'm so so—"

"Don't, Alaska," she gritted her teeth as Jinx carefully helped her back to her feet. She held her broken wrist close to her chest, the pain visible on her face. "I think it would be best if we leave some space between us." I nodded, my face dropping in shame. What is wrong with me?

"Give her some time," Jinx signed to me with a sweet but forced smile. The two women glanced back one last time before stepping further into the trees, quickly fading from view. Thunder rolled, the sky flashing as lightning carried overhead.

"Hey," Lazarus faced me, "you okay?" I could sense his hesitation as he softly placed his hand across my lower back. "Alaska?" I rubbed my eyes, frustrated with my own temper. I had hurt Ruby. The disturbing fact disgusted me.

"No, I'm not okay." I fought back tears. "I hurt someone, Lazarus. First you, now Ruby. I hurt both of you. Me." Lazarus tried to comfort me, but I shrugged his arms away, my breathing increasing as I began to hyperventilate. "This is why I hate my magic. This!" I shook my raised hands.

"Dreamer…" Lazarus reached for me.

"Stop it!" I stepped away from him. "Don't you see? I'm poison! This-this gift is anything but a gift. It's toxic. God, I try so hard to control it, to keep it buried deep inside, but my magic is too strong, too emotional. It's filled with chaos, and no one can command chaos. I told you–I told you before, Lazarus. I'm broken. A disaster." I lost all restraint, tears flowed from my burning eyes as I looked at him, his dark eyes watching me as the sound of the storm filled my ears.

Lazarus inched closer, his hand grabbing my arm as he pulled me close, causing me to gasp at the faint aggression. He stared down at me as rain dripped from his hair onto my face. "You're a beautiful disaster." I rolled my eyes as he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Stop it. You are nothing like what you think. You look in the mirror and see all your flaws and mistakes, clouding the truth."

"And what is the truth?" I whispered, curious at his words.

Lazarus smiled softly. "The truth, darling, is that you are Aphrodite herself, the most beautiful and powerful goddess who has captured my heart and taken it prisoner. It's time you open your eyes and see the beauty and power you possess. See yourself as I see you. And Alaska," he leaned closer, "I see you." His lips pressed against mine, rain rolling down our faces as I surrendered to him fully. My heart raced, beating faster than ever as time froze and I melted into him, our bodies pressed against one another. The night faded away, and all that remained was Lazarus and myself; two flames burning bright in the darkness of the world.

"It's over," I breathed into him. Lazarus stopped, looking at me confused. "Cain and me—"

"You should really clarify before startling me like that." He smiled. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, dreamer."

"I'm all yours, Lazarus." He tucked my soaking wet hair behind my pierced ear, gripping my neck as he yanked me close, his warm lips trailing along my jawline.

"Mine." The single, possessive word growled from his chest. Alastair barked, his ears twitching as he stared into the woods behind us, the world suddenly returning, breaking the moment between Lazarus and I.

Lazarus eased his grip, his hand moving as he pulled me against his chest, and looked around, checking the darkness for movement. His blood had seeped through the bandages, instantly reminding me of his fragile state.

We both searched the trees, desperately trying to locate the cause of Alastair's uneasiness when a loud clank, followed by a nearby scream, startled us. The three of us turned, facing the direction Ruby and Jinx had wandered, the painful scream lingering in the cold air. I knew that scream, recognized it instantly.

Ruby.