Half of Ruby

Chapter 19

Flame's eyes gleamed like gems under the moonlight, silver and jade clashing for control. Her flaming orange hair haloed her slight face like a frame of fire, washed platinum in the night. She perched like a bird on Ember's windowsill, leaning into the prison. 

For a while, Ember could only stare at her.

"How can you be here?" 

Flame shrugged. "Ash is here, too. She'll send a shock wave through me when somebody's coming." 

"This can't be possible," said Ember. "I thought you'd be gone by now. I thought you'd be—"

A toothy grin burst across Flame's face, brightening her visage more than the moon outside, and a burning spurt of emotion shot through Ember. 

Love. 

"Well, we couldn't just run away after you attacked a guard! And created the most impressive wall of fire I've ever seen!" 

Ember burst out laughing, relishing the gush of relief and gratitude. "All right," said Ember. "Thank you. Thanks for coming back for me." 

"We'll always come back for you, Ember. A Coven's nothing without its Beta." 

Ember grinned, warmth seeping through her bones. "A Beta's nothing without her Coven." 

Flame extended her right hand, wobbling as she tested her balance. "C'mon, Ember. Let's go." 

Ember took a deep breath, one hand reaching towards Flame—

The instant I said I needed your help, you agreed. 

She froze. 

Ronan. 

Her joyous grin plummeted into the depths of her stomach, replaced with molten dread. She'd vowed to help Ronan. But why? What had he said? 

Because you, Ember, are the most human woman I've ever met. 

Human as in weak. Human as in soft. Human as in kind. 

Human as in...trustworthy. 

In Ronan's eyes, she was not a witch. 

Despite her inability to trade, despite her shyness around strangers, Ember knew that he hadn't lied to her.

He hadn't manipulated her. She was, quite simply, his last resort. 

He's dying in a month. I have to save him. 

That, surely couldn't be weakness. 

Her hand, her lifeline, dropped to her side. The moon gathered her cloudy skirts around her body, painting everything with shadows.  

"I'm sorry." 

Flame's eyes widened. "What? Ember—"

Ember shook her head. "I'm sorry, Flame. You have to run and do something. Become a duo."

"I don't understand!" Flame slammed her petite fist down on the windowsill. Ember's stomach clenched as she registered the broken iron bars which had once criss-crossed her window, as she registered the blistered burns marring Flame's palms. 

"Why can't you go?" demanded Flame. "Give me a reason." 

"I can't tell you." 

Flame narrowed her eyes. "It's that human, isn't it? That Gus?" 

His name is Ronan. 

"No." 

"I've been around you for three years," said Flame, voice trembling. "I know when you're lying, Ember. Ember, please, please, listen to us. That human will get you killed. He can solve his own problems."