The Last Phoenix Daughter and Kindled Hope

Chapter 1 Marianne

Chapter 1 Marianne  

I had no choice.

I struggled uselessly to escape from the doom that I had brought upon myself. God knows that all of this mess was my own fault. I couldn't get away, no matter how hard I tried.

The guards drew me closer to my death, hauling me along like I was a dog.

It was pitiful really.

Me, a powerful woman, being treated like some lower class scum. When in reality, I was a Phoenix, one of the most powerful fire users.

Phoenixes were only woman. Dragons were men, jealous of our power.

They thought I was the last of my kind. Ha! They were wrong. Their downfall would be of a girl, not yet brought into this world. But they find themselves hurting in the next two decades... Trust me.

The bright sunlight shove me back into reality. I could hear the crowd chanting something.

It had been months since I had seen the sun.

Months since I had been arrested and convicted of false crimes.

Months since my little sister had escaped my fate to bear my niece and give hope to the brightest Phoenix ever. And my niece would now have no one to train her, all because that jealousy that the Dragons harbor against us.

If only fire wasn't so powerful, then maybe more people would stand up to the Dragons. God knows that I would find that amusing.

As I grew closer to the big double doors, I could begin to understand the chant.

"Free the lands of the Phoenixes! Kill her! Make her suffer just we did!"

Hearing all this made my heart break. The Phoenixes had never done any wrong to the people, it was the Dragons and now they had turn the people I care for against me.

We past through the open doors.

I saw a platform, with a pile of firewood. What were they thinking? As a fire user I'm immune to fire itself! They think they can burn me! I was shocked.

Also on the platform was several Dragons, including Varian, the most jealous of all and black-hearted. His handsome face had a cruel, knowing smirk on it.

I wanted to strangle him in front of all of these innocent people being manipulated in his game for power. I wanted to remind him that I wasn't all dependent on my gift.

Before my power was discovered I had been training to be a knight. So I could kill him with my two bare hands. But the guards and the chains weren't helping me. Nor was the rashnavari helping. Rashnavari are collars that block one's gifts.

I really wouldn't mind roasted Varian for dinner, except I'm not fond of human flesh. Hell, if I did actually delight in human flesh, half of the assholes in this world would have been placed on a platter for my meals.

The crowd parted to let me be hauled to the platform. Varian studied me, knowing that I was helpless to stop it.

The guards threw me at Varian's feet. I glared at him.

"Any thing you wish to confess Marianne?" His smooth tenor asked.

"That I'm fucking bounded before a shit eating bastard who has declared me a traitorous bitch for all of the people to hear? Who is part of the Phoenixes and sworn to protect the world from mother fuckers like you Varian. So no I don't have any lies to spit out." I felt pretty damn proud of myself of that.

His gorgeous eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"And what's with the fire wood Varian? You should know that fire users are immune to fire. I think you have gotten a little too fucking cocky."

Varian smirked. "You are wrong Marianne. Only one person is truly immune to all fire. And you aren't that person. Hellfire can kill you. And I have a source."

I felt a chill travel down my spine.

How the hell did he get hellfire?! Only Daemons have hellfire! Oh shit. Fuck. He has befriend an Daemon. I'm so screwed.

Varian watched me, smirking to no end. "Scared Marianne? Or just surprise or maybe both?"

I really want to wipe that smirk off Varian's face. It was really annoying and snobbish. I refused to answer. I noted Varian seemed disappointed that I didn't come up with a smart-ass comment. I like to be unpredictable. It keeps people on their toes.

Varian turned to the crowd. "This woman is a Phoenix, part of the group of woman who are traitors! Marianne daughter Inilira, is convicted treason, murder and thief. Her sentence; death by hellfire!"

I closed my eyes as the crowd grew excited.

The guards dragged me over to the firewood and tied me to the pole. I opened my eyes, determined not to show any weakness.

"You haven't won. She shall come, a wildfire of power, fury and revenge. She shall be your downfall. And you shall see me three times before your death."

Varian glared. He opened a jar. Hellfire raced to consume me.

And I, Marianne daughter of Inilira are no more of the world of the living. I am now a spirit.