Igniting Sparks

Chapter 46.

Edited by KitWulf                                         15-5-2021

*

"Let her go, Lucas. She needs some time to cool off." Andreas still held on to Lucas's shoulder as he let his own slump forward, letting out a deep sigh.

"I don't think that's it, Andreas. I think the Phoenix has been talking to her and it knows more than we do. She wasn't angry when she left. Trust me, I know the difference. That vacant look in her eyes when she asked 'When'? That question wasn't directed at Sloan." Lucas brushed Andreas's hand away and gave him a small nod as he headed to the door.

"Don't let her leave just yet, Lucas." He paused momentarily, turning his head to the Druid as he spoke... "I have more valuable information. Things she needs to hear and needs to know."

"I'm betting she has something to tell us as well..." With that Lucas exited the room to find Azura out in the hallway.

She was sitting on the floor, back against the wall with her head between her knees. As Lucas approached she moved her head upward and looked him straight in the eye with a small stupid grin on her face. Her voice, on the other hand, sounded bland and emotionless.

"Two to four months. If we're lucky it's four. It will start small but we don't know where the first fissure will appear. The moment it happens is when we'll know. Well, that's when it knows and it will tell me." Azura paused and looked away as she took in a deep breath. "I have to fight. You understand that right? I have no choice in the matter, it was made for me a long time ago."

Lucas sat down next to her and took her clammy hand into his own. As nervous as she had seemed earlier in the office to as calm as she was now...it didn't add up. Her skin was slightly sweaty as if she'd just had a massive panic attack, yet her eyes held serene peace within them. He felt her calmness radiating to himself and with how she looked at him, he knew she'd already accepted it. The only thing he could do was go with it and the longer he touched her skin, the more at ease he was starting to feel.

The mark on his forearm tingled softly as her hand grazed past it. He watched her gaze travel down to it while her fingers gently traced the feather outline. The more she touched it, the more he could feel her as if there was an invisible connection between them. It was warm and comforting, coiling around him, pinching his skin and insides and making him feel completely at peace. He could feel the tiny sparks dancing around in his stomach as her feelings and acceptance transferred to him.

"You can feel it can't you?" The smile on her face grew wider as she got to her knees and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "It's the Phoenix's doing."

"I do. Is this...what it felt like with Nora?" Lucas shifted, resting his arms on his knees as Azura squatted in front of him. Her blue eyes penetrated his and she cocked her head to the side slightly as if a bird. She gave it some thought and shook her head.

"No. This is...different. More temporary. This comes and goes as needed. With Nora, there was a permanent connection that only grew in intensity. It made us understand each other but it didn't let us share emotions and feelings like what just happened." Azura got up and extended her hand to help him get to his feet.

"This is also what happened when we kissed in the rain the other day right? When for a change, I was the one to pass out after the vision." She let out a quick laugh at his remark and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her head against his chest. Lucas embraced her back and slowly stroked the back of her head.

"You're right." Azura broke the hug and her azure eyes found his emerald again. Lucas could swear he saw shimmers of red dancing in between the blue.