An Open Heart: Other Realm, Frost Family Series Book 4

Key 20

"What the fucking hell is going on?" Willow demanded harshly.

After going into panic mode with the call from her father, Willow and Aiden had started tearing apart all the places they could think to look for Prophecy. The boys, Raja, and Bren had done the same, just as panicked as they were.

It hadn't been until it was nearly midnight and Willow had gotten a call from Bri that things had calmed down-slightly. Instead of Bri on the line, it had been Prophecy, asking for a ride home. The girl's parents had, of course, demanded answers but Prophecy had simply hung up after the first few.

So, seething, Willow and Aiden caught a taxi to Bri's and walked in. They found Bri sitting with her head in her hands on her living room couch. The cushions and floor around her had varying degrees of destruction. The areas closest to her in a three foot diameter were less damaged, but the farther out, the worse the damage. Many of the cushions were just black, charred pieces of material at this point. The distinct scent of sulfur and smoke filled up the entire apartment. A few tiny holes at Bri's feet in the floor were still smoking, bubbling from the sheer heat they had been exposed to.

Prophecy was pressed close to Bri, sitting on the couch. She was apparently putting out a shield to protect them both. Above them, a large fireball was spinning fast on it's axis, shooting off flames and sparks.

Before Willow could think, Aiden shoved her out of the way, raising a hand to catch one such flame and crush it in his hand. "What the hell?" he frowned, studying his palm in confusion.

"Baby? Bri?" Willow called out, suddenly very worried.

Bri let out a low wail, sobbing, and more of the fire began to shoot off.

"Shit," Aiden swore before planting himself as a firm shield. Oddly, all the fire shooting out of the fireball was heading straight for them. The attacks were predetermined and calculated. Aiden had his hands full, literally, diffusing the attacks. He put up a shield of cold air to stop them, but the flames burned too hot to be stopped in that manner. Left with no choice, he was forced to physical diffused them.

This fire was different. It wasn't like a hell hound's and it wasn't like a dragon or phoenix's either. He'd never come across a flame like this and it proved quite unruly. Buckling down, he closed off all other thoughts, focusing on ensuring no one else got hurt.

Bri sobbed again. "I-I'm sorry!" she hiccuped. "I'm so sorry...I can't make it s-stop!" she cried.

Prophecy hugged her aunt tight. "It's okay, Auntie Bri. It's okay," Prophecy murmured, brushing Bri's hair back to kiss her cheek. "Dad's got it," she promised firmly.

Slowly, over the course of three very tense minutes, the ball of fire ran out of flame to attack with. Bri slumped against Prophecy and Willow rushed past Aiden to get closer to them now that it was safe. "Oh my gods...You two haven't been hurt, right?" Willow mothered over then, lifting up their arms to check for any marks.

"We're okay, Mommy," Prophecy assured her. "We're just tired. It's been going on for five hours now..."

"What, exactly, is 'it'?" Aiden asked, panting to catch his breath.

"Bri, what is going on?" Willow stared at her friend in uncertainty.

"I...I..." Bri's eyes opened slowly and she looked ready to burst into tears again. Her gaze darted between Willow and Aiden, taking in their dressed-up appearence, but not focusing on it. Sucking in a long, shaky breath, she started to speak. "It's a baby," she whispered. "I'm pregnant," she explained.

Willow's eyes went round staring at Bri in shock and delight. "What?! But, that's wonderful, Bri!" she smiled. Her emotions were all jumbled up, but if nothing else she could be happy for her fri-