Burning the Alpha

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Hot air rises. I had no need for the metal confines of River's flying apparatus, but I expect feeling the claustrophobic discomfort his intent.

I don't usually think of myself as an emotional creature, but in my agitation, I found myself calculating the probability of River taking me out before I could take the whole thing down in a blaze of glorious flame. They had obviously taken fire-proofing precautions, but I could still feel the explosive potential just beyond comfortable reach. Had the air vehicle only contained River and myself, I may well have taken the risk and gone for it, but there were other living beings on board who probably didn't deserve death, so I concentrated my energy on keeping my temperature down.

Looking for a distraction, my thoughts turned back to Shaun and his people. I liked that he was kind, and well regarded by the people around him. I've existed for a very long time, but that moment in the office, when he explored my body with his hands, his touch...it was unlike anything I'd experienced before...

"What are you smiling about?" River asked me.

I opened my eyes to see him leaning forward in the seat opposite me, watching my face.

"Where are the others?" I asked, not interested in his line of enquiry.

"I've sent them the co-ordinates," he answered. "They will meet us there."

"So, you reserved the special treatment for me alone, then."

"They've given me no reason to doubt their loyalty, unlike yourself." He tried a smile, but it lacked sincerity, as per usual.

"I never said I would not fulfil my side of the agreement." My temperature flared. "It was your obligation I chose to end."

"That's not how agreements work." Another mirthless smile. "If you'd bothered to take more than a passing interest in human matters, you would already know this."

"I'm not human." Temperature check. "And once my side of the agreement is over, I'm done with you."

"We're done when I say we're done." He leaned back, stupid smile never leaving his stupid face.

I was 'done' with the conversation, so I moved my attention to the stupid clouds out the stupid window. Huh...the mortals appeared to have infected me with their emotions.

"Aren't you going to ask where we found it?" He leaned forward again.

I was curious, but I was more interested in ignoring him.

"It was in Samaria," he continued without me.

"What's that called these days?" My mouth asked the question before my mind could stop it.

He shrugged, "The humans haven't made up their minds yet."

Ah, yes, human conflict. I only require sporadic access to fire to survive - human needs are far more numerous and complex. I've never understood why they tend to get so violent so quickly when their lives are already so short - why not find ways to live in peace and enjoy what little time you have? I don't know, I guess I would probably be more prone to violence if it were possible for someone to lock my fire away and keep it from me...I've just never had to face that kind of threat.

Huh...actually... when River had his hands on the small mortal...that look in her eyes...if violence could have helped her in that moment, I would have used it. Is that where human conflict comes from? A need to protect...something? I guess I'd always assumed it was about access to necessary resources...perhaps it's more complicated than I imagined...

I didn't speak for the rest of the trip. River sat opposite me the entire time. I tried to ignore him, but I could almost taste the arrogance oozing off him. I found myself wondering what the natural enemy of a water nymph was - were fire nymphs the only ones with such an obvious weakness? Was that why I'd never met another like me? I wondered if River had ever killed a fire nymph before - maybe that was why he was so sure of himself around me - he did not seem the least bit concerned about my destructive potential.