From the Flames- Book Six

Ch. 25- Other Worlds

"This is insane." Jesse commented. He stood up and looked around the empty field, similar to ours but not. Looking at my surroundings, I was too. I have never been in their world but I knew all about it from the stories that Verena de Blaire told me. It was darker here, I thought. The sun seemed to hide from everyone. I would too if the God and Goddess of Death lived in my world.

I stood up and trudged toward Jesse, my jaw clenched. It was my last act of a fight. Ignoring what he was about to say, I slapped him in the face. "Why in the hell would you stay behind? I could've killed you! Coming to Makaria would have been your death sentence!"

Jesse's eyes widened. His blue eyes shone even in this world, brighter even. "Princess, for the love of everything I hold dear, that fucking hurt." he said in a low voice. "But I know you won't apologize, so I am just going to pout until you do." The werewolf crossed his arms and turned, looking away from me like a child.

"How sad." Ace remarked. "You hurt his feelings. I think you should go on your knees and apologize, Lama."

I glared at my brother. "Since when are you included in this conversation? Oh, wait, never. Shut up and start looking for any signs of our friends." I turned to face Jesse again and sighed. "Okay, I didn't mean to slap you. I was just angry that you were willing to risk your life to come with us. I am sorry."

Jesse blinked twice. "Are you going to go on your knees to make it a better apology? I think I would like that."

"Oh, I bow down to no one." I smiled.

"You two are insufferable." Aeson grumbled.

"Please. I've seen you and Vivi together." I said. "I do not even want to be in the same room with you two. The way you look at her when no one is looking and all that shit, it practically annoys me. Where is she, by the way? I wouldn't think you would ditch her in the middle of a battle."

Jesse laughed while Ace clenched his jaw. "She's with Dakota and Carsten."

"Well, she's in even more danger now." I remarked.

Ace let out an unsteady breath. "If it makes you feel any better, I threatened them that if they lay a hand on her, I will personally freeze them to death." he said dryly. "She's safe. I can trust them." After a few minutes of silence, we looked around to see there was nothing. No one coming after us. Just an eerie silence. "We should try to find a way out of this very creepy field."

"Agreed." Jesse said.

The three of us started walking out of the field and into the woods, my hands bloody from my would. I held it tight, not wanting to lose any more blood. Anyone who has the supernatural ability to smell it would be here right now. Which makes me wonder where in the hell was everyone.

After an hour of walking and trying not to pass out from every step I took, we found a cottage. From the stories that I was told, I knew who it belonged to. "Ah. I recognize this place."

"You do?" Jesse questioned. "But you said you never came to this world?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Verena de Blaire is a great storyteller. She told me about this cottage, where she used to live before she became a Goddess."

"Hold the fuck up." Jesse said. "Tell me everything."

Ace let out an annoyed sigh and rolled his eyes. "Verena de Blaire is the Goddess of Death. Her mate is the God of Death. But before they found each other, she was a 1,000-year-old Vampire. This cottage is where she lived most of that time to stay hidden. It is in between the city of Devi and her Kingdom of Makaria. When we first came to this world, we accidentally created a rift. Like the one, we went into. Then came Verena and Moros who saved our parents and family from the enemies that infiltrated Ambrosia. And then Elora Miller became friends with Verena de Blaire, two scary powerful creatures."

It looked as though Jesse's eyes were going to come out of its sockets. "I told you you don't know anything about me."

"I'm learning as I go." he replied with a smirk on his face.

"Here is her cottage. It's tiny but it will do for the night. I am sure she has everything we need to bandage up Kala and get some rest." Ace said.

"No need for that, Aeson Oliver Breevort." said another voice from behind us. All of us turned around to see who it was. It was a recognizable face. I knew her briefly since she came with Verena a few times over the years. Lada la Amiot. Beautiful, yet terrifying. She stood next to a man who was named Laurant. He was a beast just like Jesse. "It is a surprise that the children of Elora Miller have come to our world. Verena is dying to see you...three?"

I smile slightly, trying my hardest not to be nervous. "This is Jesse Davenport. A Werewolf. He's with me."

Lada's faint eyebrow shot up. "Very well. He shall be welcomed to Makaria as with the two of you." she turned toward Laurant. "We shall need to get back soon. The night is coming soon. All of you can follow us to the castle."

I nodded. "Thank you."

Before she turned she looked me up and down, her nostrils flaring. "The fire in your veins sends shivers down my spine. And the blood, I can smell it. We will need to check all of you for injuries. It looks like you three got into some trouble."

"We will tell you everything." Ace replied.

Lada and Laurant nodded their hands and turned, guiding us to the castle. With every step I took, I knew I would not be able to walk for days. I was bleeding out slowly and I just wanted to close my eyes for a million years. I wanted... I wanted my mom. She would know what to do, she always does.

As if Jesse read my mind, he took my free hand to his. He closed the distance between us as his lips were close to my ear. "We're almost there. And then you can rest all you like. I will be right beside you, making sure no one harms you in your sleep. I promise. Meanwhile, you can lean on me if you feel like falling."

I did just that, his warmth shielding me from everything that was wrong in my life. He was my protector, my Jesse. Even though we weren't technically together. It feels like we are. I will need to think about that situation later. Now, I am glad to have someone like him in my life.

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