Phoenyx Rising

Chapter Seventeen

Phoenyx

Silas and I have just come in the north gate, returning from a hike, crossing through the courtyard toward the dining hall. We startle, hearing screaming and chaos coming from the front gate. I can't stay away. Someone is being brought in against their will and some sick part of me wants to watch.

We get close enough to see it is a fire chaser. My heart is pounding out of my chest; it can't be. He is being held, or attempting to be held by several guards dragging him through the gates. He is screaming and thrashing. It looks like him, but it can't be. His power is reaching out to me. Losing his grip on his control; flames lick just under the surface of his skin, I know the feeling all too well. There is a thick band tattooed above his wrist. He's been charged with murder... oh, Asher, what have you done?

Without thinking, I start walking toward them. Silas' arms wrap around my waist, holding me still against him. "Leave them, Nyx. That guy looks dangerous." He rests his chin on my shoulder, kissing my neck.

Pulling away I look up at him over my shoulder, "So was I, Silas. He needs to calm down before someone gets hurt, I can help. I... know him." Once out of Silas' arms, I walk over to the crowd trying to contain him. Pushing them aside I lock eyes with the only other fire chaser I have ever met. Someone who abandoned me, someone I thought was dead. My first love, my first heartbreak.

He stops fighting and we just stare at each other as I walk up to him, with only inches between us. He is still aflame, on guard. Placing my hand on his cheek, I try to calm the fear and panic dancing in his eyes.

"Ash..." I say. "Don't hurt them, please. It'll be okay."

He closes his eyes and a tear falls down his cheek and touches my hand. There is this blissful calm that envelopes me when we touch; I know he feels it too. People with like powers are connected; the feeling is so powerful, so calming, like I am finally home. Like he was created for me, and I him. A tear escapes my eye as I am lost and found in Asher. We both smile and his flames dissipated.

"Let's go," Adam demands, shoving Asher in the back, earning him a glare from me.

We walk hand in hand; he was so dear to me once. Catching the other sneaking glances; I keep thinking he will disappear again if I don't keep my eyes on him. The guards lead us to his room, a suite; none of us have our own suite. I try to let go of his hand, but he lifts it to his lips, placing a kiss on my palm then placing my hand over his heart.

"I can't believe I found you," he says, looking at me like he doesn't believe I'm real.

Fighting the urge to hug him or slap him. "I've been right here, where you left me."

We're standing inches apart, and my hand is still on his chest. His heart beats wildly under my fingertips. We just stare at each other. He leans into me, his lips brushing mine in a feather-light touch, like a dream.

"We need to talk," he whispers against my lips, "come back when the guards leave."

I shake my head, pulling my hand away slowly. "I better go, let you get settled," I say, but my feet didn't want to move. Taking one step back, then another, each step I take away from him, I feel his warmth dimming. A small smile is playing on both our lips. What is happening to me? Shaking my head, I will not fall for his easy smiles, "It was nice to see you again, Asher." I turn my back to him and walk out of the room.

"See you around, Phoenyx," he calls out after me.

Adam steps in front of me on my way out, "We didn't need your help, Nyx."

The guards barely tolerate me on a good day. I've never respected their authority, mainly because I've done the deed with most of them, Adam included. "Well, maybe if you weren't failing miserably at your job, Adam, I wouldn't have to step in to save your ass," I respond in a sweet tone.

"Saving my ass?" he says, stepping in my face again. "Maybe I should tell Blaze how much fun we had after he left? All the dirty little things you did to me and any other guy who looked your way." Leaning in close, he chides, "I could be persuaded to keep our little secret. I do miss that dirty mouth of yours."

I cringe, it makes me sick I let him touch me, "Screw you." I shoved past him.

My eyes lock with Silas'. He is leaning against the wall outside Asher's suite. He looks confused and pissed, watching all that just happened. How did I forget about Silas? How did I forget I have a boyfriend?

Wrapping my arms around him I feel his body goes ridged under my touch. Pulling back to see his face, he says, "Stay away from him, Nyx. Please, for me, just stay away from him," he asks, kissing my temple, hugging me close.

"He's been through a lot. He needs me," I say.

With a sigh, Silas pulls me tighter in his arms. "That's what I'm afraid of."