The Burning Girl

Chapter 20 - A R R A N

Her soft arms are wrapped around my waist, holding me close like her life depends on it. I lower my head to rest on her shoulder and inhale her sweet scent. She smells of lemongrass and woodsmoke, of earth and trees. Of life. Her face breaks into a smile as she raises her head up and looks me in the eye, she raises herself onto her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. Her kiss is intoxicating and I can feel myself completely falling for her. Her slim fingers reach up into my hair, whilst mine trace the outline of her body and her soft, smooth edges. She breaks the kiss, breathing hard. Her cheeks flushed pink but her eyes still have flames dancing in them. She reaches out to touch my face but her eyes widen in panic as she shrinks away from me. The fire in her eyes dances brighter and faster, as if it will burn her down. I stumble towards her but trip, landing at her feet. The fire has spread to her hair and is licking its way down her neck. She lifts her hands to her face entranced by the delicate gold tendrils caressing her fingers. Little does she notice that she is burning. I scramble to my feet and witness her let out a terrified scream, her clothes burn to dust and all she is, is a column of raging fire. Her hair has turned gold, her eyes from blue to orange, her blood now runs hot and fiery. I walk away from her but her face contorts in panic once more. From her back, a pair of wings glisten in the orange reflections, resting heavily against her spine. She looks at them in wonder, and raises her arms along with the wings. She smiles at me then, a heartstoppingly beautiful smile, and takes off into the sky. The centre of my world has left me to deal with the fire on my own. Her fire, her destruction, has consumed me too.

"WAKE UP!"

A bucket of cold water is thrown over my head. I bolt upright in bed and am greeted by the stony face of Tom.

"Meet me in the dining hall in 10 minutes," He growls.

I get changed quickly and jog to the hall, where I'm greeted by the downcast faces of Cass and Alto. Tom stands beside them with a smug grin on his face, his arms folded over his chest. He crooks his finger at me, signalling for me to join the others at the table.

"Where's Anna?" I ask. Cass shoots me a look, and her eyes flash with something like guilt.

What's going on?

Tom eases down into a chair on my right and clasps his hands together on the table. The smile never leaves his face.

"Do you know why Anna's here?" Tom growls.

Now that I come to think of it, there has been no legitimate explanation as to why Anna is here. She isn't related to Jim, therefore no blood ties. Nor is she related to anyone else that I can think of in here. Maybe it has something to do with when Jim forced me to spy on her. A wave of guilt goes through me.

I kidnapped her. I brought her here. But why?

"No," I answer, the feeling of panic rising. "Why don't you tell me?"

Tom lets out a hearty laugh. "Oh, now it's not that simple. I tell you something and you tell me. Let's start Arran."

My face contorts in confusion, but Tom raises his eyebrows. "Oh you don't understand, well let me spell it out for you. Tell me what you know about Anna, and I will tell you. What did Jim ask you to do, Arran?"

"He told me to watch her, tell him about what she was doing,"

"Very good, now tell me why."

"Why?" I ask confused. I didn't know.

"Don't play dumb Arran, you must know by now."

"No, I don't."

"One word. James." He replies, a harsh glimmer in his eyes. My breath falters at his words. What does Anna's brother have to do with this?