Flaming Heart: A Brothel Thief Mystery

Chapter 20. Burnt Bridges

Rei relished in the unexpected journey through the forest. Gracefully, he ran along the winding trail, surrounded by the ethereal glow of tree trunks and vibrant summer flowers. Theo, seated on Rei's back in a specially designed saddle, tightly held the reins. Although Rei lacked the strength to fly, Theo still enjoyed the advantages of riding a dragon.

Firstly, the experience was far more comfortable than riding a horse. Rei's movements were fluid and precise, likely due to his soft paws providing excellent shock absorption. Secondly, the dragon could accelerate in open spaces, utilizing his wings to cover distances much faster than any horse could during daylight hours.

As they arrived at the lakeshore, the morning was just beginning to unfold. The sun, poised to rise from the pink-tinged horizon, promised to illuminate the world. Rei gradually slowed his pace, allowing Theo to dismount onto the sandy shore.

On the lakeshore, Theo stretched his legs and surveyed his surroundings. A handful of beach houses dotted the area, likely occupied by vacationers drawn to the serene location. Notably, there was a functioning convenience store and a pier adorned with boats of various sizes and colors.

At this early hour, the streets of the small community remained deserted, allowing Theo to easily locate home number five, the one Blake had mentioned. It stood as an old, single-story white building with a charming garden. Ascending the five wooden steps of the porch, Theo suddenly halted. The front door stood ajar, triggering a sense of danger within him. Typically, entrance doors remained closed. It could be a trap. So, instead of opening it, Theo decided to circumnavigate the building.

In the backyard, Theo stumbled upon a narrow basement window. Leaning down, he peered inside. There, he discovered Sandra lying unconscious on the cement floor. Her hands were bound behind her back, her feet shackled, and her delicate skin marred with bruises. She wore her once-dark blue dress, now soiled with dirt and stained with blood.

Witnessing her in such a state filled Theo's heart with sorrow. She didn't deserve any of this. Not the manipulation by that criminal Blake, nor the suffering she now endured in isolation.

He gently tapped on the window, causing it to tremble. "Sandra," he called out.

Her eyelids quivered, and her beautiful chestnut eyes fluttered open. Blinking slowly, she began to regain consciousness. Gradually, she shifted into a seated position, groaning as her body resisted immediate movement. Her parched lips parted slightly as she silently studied his face, seemingly unable to believe her own eyes.

"I've come for you," Theo spoke as calmly as he could.

"Theo..." she breathed out.

"What did that bastard do to you?" Theo asked, his gaze fixated on her bruised body.

Sandra gave him a pained look. "Do you really want to know?"

He shook his head, realizing that the details didn't matter at this moment. "Okay, stay here. I need to find a way inside to help you."

"Please, just go home. It's too late to help me now."

Now it was Theo's turn to be stubborn. "I'm sorry, but I've come too far to turn back now. I won't leave you here." He rose to his feet, determined to head back towards the front entrance.

"Theo, it's a trap!" Sandra shouted before he could walk away. "If you open the front door, everything will explode."

He froze, his heart pounding. Damn it, my instincts were right this time. Despite having the Gift of Fire, he knew he could still be harmed by shards of glass or wood. Moreover, he couldn't risk Sandra's life. If Blake had rigged the house with explosives, fire or smoke could reach the basement within minutes. He needed to find another way to rescue Sandra.