Ashes of Affection (Rough Draft)

Chapter Eight

I forced myself to my feet and scanned the quiet room. The cold breeze brushed against my skin but didn’t affect me. I glanced back at Ace and Thea who were still asleep. That was the most peaceful I had ever seen him. It was clear he was forced to keep a mask up for most if not all of his life. I turned my attention back to the door that was wide open.

I quietly walked out and the light burned my eyes. When my vision cleared, I saw Sage. They were unconscious and I didn’t know if they were still alive. Two people were digging a rather shallow hole. I rushed to Sage, terrified.

“Sage! Wake up!” I begged. I tried to shake them awake but I couldn’t touch them. “Don’t touch them!” I shouted when the figures returned to them and picked them up. Sage didn’t have their socks or shoes, it was likely what had been thrown into the fire burning nearby. My gaze shifted to Kai who was tied up. He was trying to move, to shout out to Sage, but he couldn’t. Tears fell down both of our faces. My heart pounded in my chest, causing me to collapse to my knees. I didn’t understand any of this. How could this happen? What were they doing?

“The leaders won’t be happy about this.” One of the figures stated.

“So, let’s find a replacement. Someone who looks like this useless mortal. They won’t have to know.” The other stated as they finished putting the dirt over Sage’s body.

Their voices became mere ringing as I just remained knelt down beside their grave. I gently rested my hand on the dirt.

“When we get free, I’ll find you and give you a proper burial. I’m so sorry.” My voice was quiet and shaky as I failed to keep it together. I broke down, resting my head over the grave before I got up. “What the hell do you want from us!? They didn’t deserve this!” I shouted up into the sky, my blood boiling.

“Sage!’ Kai’s voice caught my attention and I realized the figures were dragging him off.

“No! Kai! Leave him alone!” I tried to run after them but a barrier of sorts stopped me.

“Amara!” A faded voice rang through the trees as I returned to Sage’s side. It began calmly snowing, but I still couldn’t feel the coldness. “Amara!” The familiar voice of the phoenix began to pull me out of the dream.

“Sage!” I gasped, jolting awake.

“Breathe, it was a nightmare.” Ace uttered.

I shook my head, tears in my eyes.

“They’re dead!”

My words made him pause.

“What did you see?” I shakily explained it to him through my sobs. “Thea, please head to your cabin for the night.” His voice was now numb and dark. She didn’t argue and just ran out. The moment she was gone, his anger showed. His eyes turned red and he stood up.

“Ace-” Before I could stop him, he hit the wall with enough force that it cracked severely. His wings tore through his skin and clothes before an explosion of heat shot through the room as he let out a cry of anger and pain. The moment the flames faded, I got to my feet and ran to him, hugging him. I didn’t care that it burned when I was close to him. “I’m so sorry.”

He tightly wrapped his arms around me, crying into my shoulder. He was shaking badly. It took a bit but his wings faded and his skin cooled down.

“I promised I’d never let anyone hurt them.” He uttered quietly.

“I know, but none of this is your fault. Even if you were there, you wouldn’t have been able to help. Blaming yourself won’t bring them back.” After a bit, he calmed down enough to think clearly. “Why don’t you find the burial site and just visit them.”

“No. I can’t just leave you and Thea here.”

“We’ll be okay. You need to grieve, don’t worry about us.”

He was reluctant but agreed as long as I didn’t do anything stupid. I would’ve gone with him but as long as the others were out there in the woods, if I left it would put us all in more danger. We both knew what was at stake, but at least this way he could get away for a bit.

I hoped if he went away it’d make it easier on all of us. We had no plans on telling Thea as she was still a child. It would break her heart if she knew that someone so important to Ace was dead.