Forged of Fire Read online

  Kielyn laid the brush down. Who was she kidding, there was no question as to why she had stayed. No, the reality of the situation, if she were being honest, was an undeniable and equally overwhelming sense of wonderment. After the initial shock had worn off, surprisingly, everything felt rather… normal. Yea, she was insane. More than normal she thought as she picked up a pair of jeans laid across a chair and inched them on, everything felt right. For the first time in her life Kielyn felt understood, like she belonged. What was even crazier was that she had made water move in her hands today. All by willing it to do so with her mind. The sensation was amazing!

  She was still not sure if they were pumping psychedelic drugs through the vents or what, but today, for the first time in forever, she felt confident. She was not the awkward girl that was confused by others and unsure of herself in this place. Today, in her training with the Water-benders, she felt excited, confident and eager, she felt comfortable. Kielyn was sure all that confidence would sail right out the door tomorrow when she began training with the much too handsome dark King, Ashdon. Something about that man unnerved her. From the way he walked into a room to the icy stare he kept seemingly trained on her every movement.

  She pulled an oversized cotton sweater over her head just as a knock came from her door. Kielyn looked at the clock as she crossed her room. She was sure Bane had told her dinner would be at seven. She opened the door and her pulse immediately increased. Staring down at her was the devil himself. Fucking hell! Kielyn tried to form words but none came to mind. How was she to address him? Ashdon, Ash, Lord LyGoryen, Fire King, Sexy? She mentally slapped herself for the last one. He let the silence stretch out painfully before leaning against the door frame, a small grin edging up the corner of his mouth. The man was enjoying this! “Bane said dinner was at seven.” She blurted out. “I mean…Is there something you require? I can come early.” Come? Early? She could feel a blush creeping up her neck. “To dinner that is.” Shoot me now and be done. She sighed when he still made no effort to speak. “Typically the one that knocks on a door is the one that should announce their intentions.”

  “Is that so?” His voice was like well-oiled leather, smooth and soft yet strong and secure. “Do you like things to be typical Kielyn?”

  “Yes.” She answered before her mind had fully processed the question.

  “Why?”

  “Predictable things are safe. It’s a rather natural response I would think.” And you are anything but safe!

  He straightened. He was tall and that was saying a lot as Kielyn herself was five foot eight flat footed. He had to be all of six foot five. “The first lesson you will learn then shall be unpredictability.” The way he said it made it sound more like a punishment than a lesson. “First.” His eyes moved from her eyes down her body to her feet. “Where are your shoes?”

  “My shoes?” Kielyn looked to her left where the borrowed sneakers still sat from when she had taken them off. “Right there. Why?”

  “You should not be bare foot down here. It’s too cold.”

  “I just got out of the tub.” She protested.

  “Still.” He eyed the shoes. “Please put them on before you catch a cold.”

  “I hardly think…” He lifted a brow. “As you wish.” Kielyn walked the three steps to the life providing sneakers and bent to slip them on. When she stood back up his mouth was set in a hard line. “Is something the matter?” She felt compelled to ask.

  “Do you always bend over so?” His voice was accusatory.

  “Is there a wrong way to put on one’s shoes?” She could not stop the annoyed tone.

  “There is definitely a better way than flashing everyone your undergarments in the process!”

  A sudden awareness of the loose cowl neck sweater sent Kielyn’s hand flying to her neckline. “I… ah…I am not used to this shirt. It’s borrowed you see.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You should always be aware of how you present your body to others!”

  Thoughts of the previous night’s encounter swept through Kielyn’s mind. Had she invited the fraternity boys’ attention by how she had dressed? She bit back the bile threatening to rise up in her throat. Warring emotions began to churn inside her. One was a rekindled embarrassment and the second, following hot on the first one’s heels, was anger at the man that was pointing out a flaw that might have led to her harassment. Damn him! “I will have you know that I don’t dress like a slut.” She tilted up her chin. “I was not wearing anything inappropriate when I was attacked last night. I had on a hoodie and jeans.” She was rambling again but she could not stop the words. “I cannot help that this sweater is a bit too big. It’s not mine. It was given to me by Skyler. I am simply not used to the way it fits.” She could feel the sting of tears threatening the barrier of her lashes despite her resolve to be firm. “It was not my fault!” She whirled around and headed back into the bathroom. She would not break in front of him.

  She reached the sink feeling like she was climbing into a life raft, seeking shelter, in the middle of a stormy sea that was hell bent on destroying her. Why did he make her feel so…So…So conflicted? Kielyn picked up the brush and fumbled through a drawer in search of a hairband. She would feign sudden interest in getting her hair into a ponytail until she mustered the nerve to return to the other room.

  “Kielyn.” The masculine voice said from the bathroom’s door sounding honey-poured. Kielyn continued to dig in the drawer, unwilling to look up. She could feel his eyes one her. “It was not your fault.” His words washed over her like a caress, drawing her head up to make sure it was the same man standing behind her. Gone was the judgement in his steely blue eyes. “Do you believe me?”

  “Do I believe that it was not my fault or, do you believe it was not my fault?” She began to brush her hair back away from her face.

  “Both.”

  Kielyn twisted the band twice around her hair and turned to face him. “Yes.”

  “Then do me a favor.” He stepped forward, both hands in his pants pockets. “Don’t assume to know my thoughts. I was not insinuating that you brought on that attack. Men are animals. There was nothing you did wrong.” He took another step forward. He was in an arm’s reach now and Kielyn could smell his cologne, an intoxicating mix of leather and sweet grass. He smiled down at her. “I was basing my words off tonight. Off the cream colored lace bra you showed me by accident.”

  “Oh.” It was the only word she could manage.

  He leaned in. “The bra that is so ill fitted that it unknowingly exposed two perfectly pert pink nipples to me.”

  Kielyn felt a blush all the way to the roots of her hair. She could die now!

  ****

  Ash could no more contain his smile than he could control the subtle stirring in his pants when a beautiful rose color fanned across every inch of Kielyn’s body. Good! He wanted to have an effect on her. Lord knew she was having an unwanted one on him. Ash straightened to his full height. “Now, never walk away from me again. Understand?” He could tell she was shocked by the order but her current state of unease had her head complying with a quick bob. Before she could regain her stubbornness, Ash turned and waved a hand towards the door. “Shall you accompany me to dinner?” She dared to look up, hesitation worrying her delicate brows. “Or we can dine in your bedchambers if you prefer.” She sailed past him in less time than it could have taken her heart to beat twice. Ash wanted to laugh but he followed her instead.

  Once in the hall he offered his arm and she carefully took it. They walked in complete silence to the large empty dining hall. “Where are the others?” She asked from his side.

  “They have already eaten.” He led her to her seat and pulled out a chair. “I requested you all to myself tonight so that we might better get to know one another.”

  “Very well.” She sat down. “Can we start with you?”

  Ash rounded the table and took his own seat as a server approached with a bottle of red. “Of course. What would you li
ke to know?” He inspected the vintage when it was presented and nodded his approval.

  The server poured him a finger’s worth of the cabernet and handed Ash the glass. “Are you a Vampire as well as Bane?” She asked as he swirled the wine.

  “Yes.” He inhaled the bloom before tasting it. “Perfect.” He smiled. “Is that something you sensed or guessed?”

  The waiter poured him a full glass then made his way to Kielyn. “A little of both.” She confessed. “I sensed all of you were different last night but it was not until today that I started to place everyone.” She tasted the wine. Ash’s gaze fell on her throat as she swallowed. “Or rather, beyond what descriptions I have been given.”

  “And how did you place us?”

  “Well, for example, Stefen is uncomfortable down here. He did not say that but when he pulls his chameleon act and hides his power he also becomes vulnerable to emitting how he truly feels.” She took another sip of wine and again Ash’s eyes fixated on the workings of her throat muscles.

  He yanked them up when she looked at him. “You have noticed that too? His ability to mask his energy.”

  “Yes and I understand why after glimpsing his strength. It’s fascinating really.”

  “Fascinating indeed.” For some reason the description combined with Kielyn’s obvious affection for the Angel irritated Ash. “Is the young Water-bender equally fascinating?”

  Kielyn tilted her head as she looked at the thin burgundy legs of her wine running down the inside of the glass. “All of you are fascinating in your own right. This whole supernatural world is just crazy but Kizer is as you said, younger. Like me. And, human. Are we the only two human benders here?”

  “The only two human benders, yes. There are other humans that reside in the main house.” Ash nodded when a server offered a plate of roasted duck and the Gilcolm placed some on his plate. “They are servants though.”

  The server went to Kielyn’s plate next and then back to the side bar to grab the next plate. “Are the servants down here immortals of some kind?” She said in almost a whisper.

  “What do you sense of them?”

  A small moment of silence passed as the Gilcolm returned with the next offering of cinnamon glazed sweet potatoes. “I feel that they are.” She leaned in when the man returned again back to the bar. “But, not nearly as strong as the rest of you. And,” She paused when the server returned with mixed greens. “I am not nervous around them.” She added.

  Ash lifted a hand signaling that they were done receiving dishes as the man bowed and took his leave of the room. “They are called Gilcolms. Otherwise known as blood slaves.” He took a bite of the duck. “Only, they willingly pledge themselves to their Vampire masters so I am uncertain where the word slave ever came about. They are only granted a prolonged life for as long as they provide blood for their masters. Gilcolms can also walk in the daylight which many immortals find useful for carrying out business in today’s modern world. The masters reward them with enough blood in return for their services to extend their miserable lives.”

  “Do all Vampires employ them?” She ask.

  “Most. I do not.”

  “Why? Do you not need someone that can see to things for you during the day and don’t you need blood to live? Or is that a myth.” She eyed his fork as it stabbed the greens on his plate and lifted it genteelly to his mouth.

  “I can walk in the day and I am a snob when it comes to my dinner. The myth is partly true. As you see, we eat mortal food. It provides us with some nutrients, though we can barely taste it.” He smiled. “Oh, but the smells are wonderful and with a good enough imagination, I can almost taste it in its full glory. We do need blood to ultimately stay alive. The older we are the longer we can go without it.” He took a bite of the salad.

  “How can you walk in the day?” Kielyn sat forward in her chair.

  “Long story but I have mastered the art of molecule manipulation. Being able to draw strength from the sun helps me craft a UV blocking cloak so to speak.”

  “That’s fascinating. Where do you get your blood from if you don’t have a Gilcolm?”

  Ash leaned back in his chair. “I prefer pure human blood.”

  “I see.” Kielyn swallowed even though she had no food or wine in her mouth and again Ash’s eyes followed the movement. Blast! She really needed to stop doing that. This time her gaze lowered to her glass on the table in avoidance of his stare so there was nothing to keep his eyes off of that tender spot right below...Fucking hell! She is your pupil, Ash mentally reminded himself, not a stunning woman that you want to strip naked and fold over the table! The issue was, she was a stunning woman that he desired. He wanted to walk over to her, lift her to her feet, tilt her delicate neck and plunge his fangs deep into her throat, then fuck her blind. “How were you turned into a Vampire?” The words were like ice water being dumped on his head. She looked up. “Was it also by Dante, like Mr. Bane was?”

  Ash downed his wine. He could not get drunk but he could catch a fleeting buzz which was what he very much wanted at the moment. “So Bane also gave you a history lesson today?”

  “He did. He said you were both turned by Dante, or as humans know him, Lucifer.” She studied him. “Does that mean some of his strength was passed on to you?”

  Ash was not sure if he wanted to applaud or spank her for her curiosity and directness. “In ways. I did not become a stronger bender but having been turned by an Original, a King no less, biologically makes me a stronger immortal than someone turned by a second or third generation Vampire.”

  “Do you share any connections to him?”

  Definitely a spanking. “No. I am not tied by some stupid bond to him like you read about in Anne Rice novels.” Ash refilled his wine glass. “Which is a blessing considering he is a giant ass.”

  The parlor door opened and a Gilcolm emerged. “Master Bane wishes to speak with you, Your Grace.” He addressed Ash.

  Ash stood. Probably more eager than he needed. “Very well. We are finished so the timing is perfect.” Perfect for escaping her inquisitive mind. “Is he in his office?”

  “Yes, Your Grace. I can show Lady Allister back to her rooms.” The man said.

  “That would be wonderful.” Ash turned back to Kielyn. “Thank you for your time. We will begin your fire bending training in the morning.”

  ****

  “Alaric has agreed,” Stefen announced. “Sort of.” He shook the bourbon in his glass, breaking up the ice. “Provided he agrees to one of you two.” He looked from Kizer to Ashdon.

  “Agrees?” Ash lifted a brow.

  “Yes.” Stefen said. “He will be here tomorrow night to meet you both and of course, Kielyn.”

  “What’s to keep him from taking her?” The young Water-bender asked.

  “Nothing but his word.” Stefen answered. “If he finds one of you to his liking he will agree to combine forces.”

  “If he does not?” The blonde Air-bender, Marsala asked. “Will he take her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Over my dead body.” Ash’s resolution mixed with the complete even tone of his delivery left no room for doubt.

  Stefen rested his chin on the backs of his knuckles and eyed the dark haired man seated across from him. The finely polished Fire Lord might dress his inner warrior in thousand dollar threads but deep down he was still a trained and deadly killer. Stefen had done a lot of digging into the lone wolf’s background. He was to be Dante’s protégéé killer. The Fire-bender had been trained with expert detail. If there was one thing to say for Dante, it was that the evil bastard knew how to spot talent. It was also rumored that in Dante’s own sick and twisted way, he loved Ashdon above all others. Even over his own son and daughter. Even more interesting was that despite all the horrors Ashdon would have been made to endure at the hands of a sociopath, he had still managed to secretly hone his craft. All leading up to the day he made his escape and nearly managed to kill Dante. There was only one other being alive th
at Stefen thought could take on the devil himself and that Angel was heading here on the morrow. Yea, Ash meant every word he spoke. Stefen could only hope Alaric chose Ash as an ally and not an enemy because it was clear as day to him that Ashdon LaGoryen was the chosen one.