Hell Fire (Wild Fire: 2) (FINISHED)

6 - Burn

"Hey!" Ember yelled, backing away as Max took in her form with surprise. "What are you doing? Get out!" She shoved a finger to the door.

"Ember..." he murmured as her skin glowed brighter, the interior of her nightgown turning black and crumbling.

She looked away, holding herself as she avoided his gaze.

"How long has this been happening, Angel?" Max said then, and she closed her eyes, suddenly not angry at him.

"A while," she responded, looking to her feet that were flooding with the orange waves. "Since the night I almost died."

He sighed then. "Emby," he held out his hand, "come here."

She numbly walked over to him, the fire calming a little to the point of where she wasn't burning the floor anymore.

And she lightly rose her hand, touching her fingers to his palm.

But a sizzling sound echoed through the room, and Max pulled back, "Ah!"

Ember jumped away, guilt weighing her lungs.

She burned him.

She took a couple steps back, startled. "Sorry!"

He waved off the pain, gazing up at her with a sympathetic look rather than repulsion. "It's alright."

She pulled her hands to her chest, tears burning her eyes as she shook her head. "I... can't control it. It only does this when I'm angry! I've hurt bullies! I've hurt pedestrians when I just brush past them! I can't hurt anyone anymore! I can't deal with it!"

She covered her face in her hands, repulsed by herself as the fire under her skin grew.

But Max...? His eyes softened at her confession, and he found himself listening as she continued.

"And I've been so scared to get close to you because of it..." she whispered, voice breaking.

Max nodded more to himself, but then lifted his arm. "Come here, Emby."

She stepped over to him, and when he offered her his hand, she shook her head, the tears from her eyes evaporating when they touched her cheek.

But he had none of it, so he just caught her wrist and reeled her into him.

Ember cried out, fighting him as he squeezed his eyes shut and drowned out the burn spreading through his body. "Shhh..." he cooed to her, rubbing her back despite the slightest touch of her skin boiling him.

"I'm hurting you!" she sobbed, fighting harder. "Let me go!"

"Shhh..." he murmured.

"Max!"

"Let me calm you," he whispered, "and maybe you won't hurt me."

She stilled at his words.

"I'm not letting you go," he stated softly. "So, shhh...."

"Max...."

"Don't argue. Just focus on me."

She didn't want to hurt him.

She closed her eyes then, and took deep breaths, breathing in through her nose and out from her mouth.

After every exhalation, she felt her body cool.

She continued as Max rubbed her back, the burn finally stopping when she was calm enough.

"There you go..." he breathed, holding her to him as she gave into his embrace. "Let's get you to bed now, okay?"

"But-" she started.

He pressed his finger to her lips, silencing her argument. "I'll protect you all night, I swear it. You need your rest, Emby."

She was silent then, and he took her arm and pulled her to her own bedroom, guiding her in the sheets for the third time that night.

She looked around the room, nervous.

He clearly noticed and settled on the bed next to her, but she saw him wince slightly at the movement. "It'll be okay," he assured her, smiling as he got in beside her. "You're safe, Sweetheart. You're safe."

He held her tightly to him as she watched shadows dance on his chest. "Go to sleep," he whispered.

She gazed up at him then, watching his black eyes soften.

But she just leaned up and pressed his lips to hers, letting him drown in the moment as she traced the wounds scattered among his body and let go of his lips, staring softly up at him as she relaxed into the mattress.

His injuries glittered a bright silver.

Max smiled down at her as she stared lazily up at him, feeling his body heal itself in seconds while she slowly fell asleep.

She healed me. So sweet.

"I know it's draining," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead as she let out a quiet sigh. "You're safe, Emby. Let yourself sleep. I'll guard you while you sleep."

She closed her eyes and weakened from under him.

Max held her close, glad to not be dealing with the burns all night.

So, he just pulled his Glock from his pants and cocked the gun, setting it on the nightstand behind Ember for easy access.

He would make sure she wouldn't accidentally set it off while she slept, but he needed that caution in place in case anyone else would like to drop by.

He held her tighter and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "I love you, Emby."