Protector

Chapter XVII

"Morning, Jazz. How'd you sleep?" Christian's amber eyes brightened as sunlight entered the den.

I yawned, pawing at my face. "Surprisingly well considering how loud you snore."

Christian gasped in mock-hurt. "I don't snore!"

I scoffed, stretching. "You don't hear yourself like I do."

The Beast rolled his eyes as I walked to the entrance of the den. Surprise halted me when he blocked my path. "Chris? What are you doing? Let me through."

Christian frowned. His amber eyes met my inhuman blue ones. "I don't think you want to do that."

I glared at the Beast and snapped my jaws. He flinched but refused to back down. I shoved him aside, ignoring his sharp protests.

I almost fell to the floor in shock and disbelief.

My younger brother's teary brown eyes gazed at my inhuman blue one. Around us the trees burned, snapping as the breeze fed them even more fuel. The scenery itself reminded me of my house as it burned.

"Where did you go, Izzy? Why did you leave us?" His words pierced me like knives. A feeble whimper escaped my lips. Words couldn't describe the pain clenching my heart. I was left speechless as I gasped for air, but it was no use. I couldn't escape the agony of knowing I left him and the others thinking I was dead. I was forcing grief on them, grief I could never take back.

"I couldn't do anything!" I choked out. I collapsed and gasped for air, but it wasn't enough to satisfy my burning lungs.

"No, no, no." I clawed at the ground, shutting my eyes to rid myself of the memories of the Fire. I opened my eyes again, and Alex had disappeared along with the burning trees. In his place was a man. My muscles tensed and my eyes bled red. Who was he?

I shakily met the man's gaze. His piercing cloud grey eyes and scarred face shook something within me, something I haven't felt since my demise.

Absolute dread.

The man lunged with startling speed, knocking my frozen body to the ground. His grip tightened around my neck, a breathless gasp escaping me.

I screamed for Christian, but he never answered and never came.

The man snickered at the terror swimming in my wide blue orbs. "What are you going to do to me?" I demanded through clenched teeth.

His sickening smile widened. "I'm going to finish what I started, silly. I'm going to make you watch everything you love turn to ash like that house of yours."

My breath hitched, my heartbeat skyrocketing. "N-No. No, it can't be you." I writhed in the man's grip. "It can't be," I whispered as horrified tears welled in my eyes. That scar, that voice. "G-Ghost?"

A cruel crooked smile curled his lips. "Did you think you could get rid of me so easily?"

My heart sank into my stomach. I shuddered at the sheer malice burning in his eyes. "S-Stay away from them, you hear? They have—"

I screamed when my wing was twisted. Impassive cloud grey eyes peered into my soul. "You are in no position to make demands!"

I leveled Ghost with a loathsome gaze despite the way my stomach churned under his scrutiny. "I won't let you get away with this, you hear? I'll make you suffer even if it kills me!"

Ghost chuckled, reaching out to caress my dark fur with almost tender kindness. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat.

He settled by my ear, whispering, "I'm going to enjoy burning your lovely human friend alive."