Igniting Sparks

Chapter 51.5

Edited by KitWulf                                      9-6-2021

*

Killian took them back to the same big space they had met Marric the first time. There was a big table set up in the middle this time and Marric was already seated at the head of it. Killian stood just behind him on the right side and the guard that had joined them remained standing at the door. Marric smiled broadly as they came in and yet again, it looked as if his mouth was the only thing smiling. Even though she tried, she couldn't reciprocate the same and in the end, just let her face rest and gave Marric a small nod.

Seeing the man again had put all her senses on alert, the hair on her skin standing straight up. Even though the Phoenix was keeping quiet, it was awake and just behind her conscious state, listening and feeling her. It was reassuring, knowing that she wasn't alone, that there was something else judging him and every word that would spill from his mouth. She had Lucas but the Phoenix could feel and see so much more than both her and the green-eyed man.

Their steps echoed through the empty hall and the walk to the table seemed to take forever. Marrics's eyes burned into theirs and all Azura could think about was how much Lucas hated silence. Maybe that's why she was walking louder than needed. Unknowingly, she realized she had adopted his hatred of quietness. She willed herself to continue even while she found herself wanting to turn back and run. Not so much because of the leader sitting at the table, but over the information he held. Her past, her mother, the reason why she was taken away.

They reached the table after what felt like the longest walk ever. As she sat down next to Lucas, her eyes flitted around the space, taking in every detail, and most importantly, every exit. With every door, two guards were stationed; there were four doors on each side, and in the center of the room there were eighteen pairs of silent eyes watching them. Not counting Killian.

Going across the faces again, she stopped when she saw him. As if her throat closed itself off, she could suddenly feel his dry cracked lips on hers again. How she had ever thought he was mildly attractive was beyond her right now as she kept her gaze locked with the man from the bar.

He winked.

Anger flared up within her just as it had done the day before. The urge to hurt him just as she had felt the first time reared its head but it didn't scare her. It came from so deep within she welcomed it. All she knew was that she wanted him dead, to see his blood and watch him slowly suffer.

A squeeze in her leg just above the knee brought her back to the here and now. Azura blinked and broke eye contact with the man on the opposite side of the room. The words Lucas had spoken to her the day before resounded in her head.

'You'll get your chance one of these days.'

She knew she would. She didn't know how or when, but she knew she would get her chance.

"Azu? Are you alright?" Lucas voiced his concern and gave her a little smile as she connected with him. She nodded and turned to Marric.

"Sorry, I got a little lost in my thoughts. I didn't have the best sleep last night." The lie flowed so easily she could have fooled herself. She just hoped Marric hadn't seen the moment between her and that man and that he would believe her.

"Don't worry, Azura." Marric sounded so sincere yet his eyes did not reflect any of it. "I wanted to talk with you guys about the issues we are facing with the decline of our numbers. But to do that, I need to know if you guys are aware of how our species exists and what makes us the way we are. Have both of you heard of our souls which makes us who we are?"