16. Luke

SIXTEEN

Luke

T he ring bathed my finger in terrific heat, quickly spreading across my hand, working its way down my arm.

But it didn’t hurt this time. I…I kind of liked it.

My feet left the ground, invisible strings pulling me from the darkness into the daylight.

No. My power did it. My power of flight. It kicked in without my consent, carrying me up and away, dragging me toward a mountain path.

A black cloud hid the mote vent and the others. It howled like a mighty gale, but hardly moved.

Not my concern. I’m the key and I require my lock.

That wasn’t any of my regular inner voices.

Stupid ring trying to convince me to give in.

Figures stood on the mountain path, their hands in the air as I floated above them, each one wearing a gas mask.

Crap.

I heard laughter and caught the stink of patchouli in the air.

“Ember!” I hissed, a bite of pain in my finger.

“Enjoy your flight.” She spoke inside my head as if using an amulet of her own. “It will take a while. But the ring will keep you warm.”

“Get fucked,” I countered.

I called to my powers, about to rein merry hell upon these gas mask idiots.

Nothing happened, the door to my engine firmly shut against me.

“You’re in good hands,” Ember said. “My hands.”

Oh my God. “How?” I asked sharply.

“None of your business.”

I felt her inside me, hot fingers turning the crank, in full command over every aspect of my being. The black smoke had altered me, opening a back door into the engine room, and those humans helped bolster it.

Well, so my theory went.

“Release me!” I yelled.

“Keep your voice down, key. It will soon be over.”

Revulsion tested my gag reflex. “For you,” I retorted.

No comeback from the noxious insect.

“Well?” I huffed.

“Be quiet.”

“Why? Trying to concentrate?”

No answer.

So, I decided to sing a nursery rhyme in a terrible pitch, my voice making nails on a chalk board sound like Pavarotti.

“Enough!” she hollered.

Interesting. Her command failed to stop me.

I was definitely getting on her nerves, cranking up the volume to push her to the limit.

“Will you shut the fuck up?” she spat.

My body slammed to a stop, turning upside down. Her grip on me slipped, giving me an in. A surge of wicked elation brought fire to my hands. I flipped myself upright.

Yes, Dark Me murmured.

I unleashed a torrent of fire down on the humans. The flames burned big and fast, engulfing the enchanters within seconds.

“No!” Ember wailed, trying to regain control.

“Hands off.”

My crank wasn’t for the likes of her greasy fingers.

The ring cooled, the effects of the black smoke fading.

“I win,” I returned. “I fucking win!”

Rabid fury joined the thrill of smacking her down, needing an outlet. Burning those humans to death was only the appetizer. Now for the main course.

I took off, going on a monster hunt.

“Luke?”

Ash—

“No,” I seethed, not ready for the party to be over.

“Luke?”

The sound of his voice slowed me down.

“What’s happening?” the gargoyle asked.

Ugh. Stick to your damn bath.

Hold on one ? —

I slapped the other side of me aside. As if he didn’t have enough time in the spotlight. Always the goody two shoes. Always living in denial.

“This is my purpose,” I declared, thrusting my fists into the air.

“Talk to me, Luke!”

I lost my patience. “Fuck off!” I ripped the amulet from my neck, tossing it over my shoulder.

Much better.

Now, then. Where the hell was I?