Six of Ruin (Heirs of Irenwell #1) ✔

Chapter 42: The Fire King

My own coughing woke me up abruptly. Dense, pungent smoke filled the room. Panic settled in my chest and I sat up. Rixen was still by my side. I shook him awake.

The shadowman's nostrils wrinkled before he opened his eyes, "What...? What's going on?"

"Smoke." I jumped out of the bed, suddenly hearing distant shouting. "There's a fire."

"Shit." Rixen pushed himself off the sheets. "Shit."

"We have to go." There was no time for fear, not really. Everything turned muffled, like a barrier appeared between me and my reality, as I put on my pants and my shirt.

Rixen got dressed quickly, catching my eyes for a few moments. Something passed between us; regret, longing, desire. And then it was gone, replaced by urgency.

"We need to find the others." The shadowman packed our stuff, or what was left of them. I grabbed my satchel, realising I completely forgot to buy some food.

Smoke entered our room through the gap between the door and the floor, thick and black. My instincts took over, leading me to the balcony, but Rixen grabbed my forearm.

"No." He shook his head. "Someone will see us."

I shook him off, "If there's a fire in the Inn, it'll devour us. We need fresh air!"

"Irina!" Rixen's voice dropped to a growl, "You don't know why there's a fire. Someone might be expecting us on the other side."

Realisation settled in my gut. This wasn't a regular fire. No, we caused this. Our presence caused this. People that were after us were willing to burn the whole world down to catch us.

"Let's go." I flung the satchel over my shoulder, tied my hair in a bun and headed for the door.

Rixen stopped me again, "The doorknob it too hot."

"So what do you want us to do?!" I snapped, desperation climbing up my throat, turning viscose in my eyes.

The shadowman tied his shirt around his palm, grabbed the doorknob and winced, but he opened it, inviting in a gush of smoke from the other side. I coughed and pulled up my shirt to cover my face. Smoke burned in my eyes, drying out the desperation-caused tears.

The hallways were completely black, but the fire didn't seem to reach them yet. Rixen took my hand and led me through the thick, tangible darkness. Smoke filled my lungs, causing another coughing fit.

"The smoke is going to kill us." I winced at the pain in my throat as it closed in on itself. My chest ached, itching for fresh air.

"Come on." Rixen ran down the stairs, dragging me along. I almost fell down dozens of times, but the shadowman held me up.

"Rixen, Irina!" Nickeltinker's voice travelled through the smoke. "Where is everyone?!"

"Nick!" I shouted, swallowing more smoke.

The green-skinned boy appeared in front of us, those two floran girls by his side. Panic gripped their beautiful faces, char marring their skin.

"The whole fucking town is on fire! Torvald and Danilo are waiting outside!" Nick pushed past us, dragging the girls with him. "Where the fuck is Ace?"

"Probably drunk in the tavern." I coughed.

"We need to get out." Rixen ran after the floran.

Ignoring the sting in my eyes, my throat and my lungs, I hurried after them through the Inn.

I pulled at Rixen's sleeve, "We need to get Ace!"

"I know." The shadowman grunted. "Go outside with Nick, I'll be quick."