Devil's Oasis

Chapter 8

I don't understand this. The bathroom door swings shut shocking my system as my knees hit the tile floor puking, dry heaving. My chest hurts as I struggle to breath, to catch my sense again. Why? The last name haunts me, does that mean that that woman lied? Is this all some scheme to get back at me? By them? "Talk to me, little Ember," his presence surrounds me just like his scent as he leans against the door, I feel his powerful stare on me.

Am I insane for having called him? I sit on the floor, wiping my eyes and mouth with my sleeve panting. "I can't- fire, I can't, not again," I mutter out of the corner of my eye I see him tilt his head watching me.

"Not again?" Dominic asks in a low tone making me shiver at the malice that drips from his voice. I can feel it thickening the air in the small room. Am I just having an anxiety attack?

"A group home I lived in had faulty wiring- it went up so fast." My heart jitters and my hands shake the smell of the acrid chemical fire burns my nostrils as if I'm back there. "I was in the attic- it was so hot and thick with smoke. I couldn't breathe." I still have nightmares about it- when it gets too hot, when the fireplace crackles too loud. I've gotten better.

"Why were you in the attic?" He questions as he watches me for a moment longer before he crouches in a smooth unhurried movement. I've never been more irked by his grace than now. I'm sure I look like a rabid raccoon or some other creepy furry creature that spooks easily.

"I don't know- that's just how it was," I shrug as I start to rock myself unconsciously a habit I haven't done in years. "It happened so fast, it was sweltering, I couldn't breath..." I shudder waving a hand towards the front. "Can you put out the fire- please?" The crackling sounds so loud in my ears, the normally comforting apple scent of the apple wood smells all too close to the caustic smell of a house fire.

Is it getting hot in here? The sound of rolling smoke as it billows from the exploded window, the wood crackles, screams. I'm not there, I'm not there. My nails bite into my forearms as I rock more, hugging my knees tighter. I don't know when he disappears or reappears for that matter. His scent fills my nostrils as his fingers grasp my chin in a secure hold, lifting my gaze to meet his. "Ember..."

"Is it hot in here? It feels hot- doesn't it?" His eyes flicker with emotion before he releases a slow and unhurried breath smelling wholly of him, his masculine scent smokey and spiced by cinnamon.

"You're not there," he murmurs in a low breathy tone, covering me with his scent, blocking the growing scent of acrid chemical smoke.

"It feels so real, I can feel the insulation melting, my lungs burn," I breathe out shaking as his thumb strokes my chin before he blows another slow and unhurried breath across my features.

"Is that why you unplug the coffee machine?" Blinking, I stare at him with a dazed uncoordinated stare I'm sure.

"Wha-," I find myself nodding in response as I lick my lips, my mouth completely dry. "Yeah, if it's not plugged in it can't start a fire."

"You always make sure the fire is out before you leave, waiting before you leave," he speaks softly as he waits for my breathing to regulate again.

"I can't with fire- not again. Burning alive- it hurts, my lungs-" I shake my head finding his grip tighten keeping my head towards his.

"Little Ember..." He murmurs gently, eyes searching the depths of mine. "You can stand with fire, just not succumbing to it- that won't happen, I promise," he swears as he holds my gaze, the power in his eyes and being make me want, pray I can believe it.