Fire Proof

Chapter Nine

I leap back in horror as flames surround my little mate. She doesn't scream, she doesn't call for help. Nothing.

The ball of fire widens slowly and I grip my sister's arm, unsure what's happening. "Azari!" I scream, but my words are lost to the wind.

"Shh!" Kiara snaps, "She said she's healing. And if this is the way, let it happen."

I give her an appalled look. "Let it happen? My mate is surrounded by fire!"

Kiara doesn't answer me, and turns back to the scene. I can feel the heat from here; no wonder she told us to stay back.

So I watch, fighting every instinct that's telling me to save Azari. The fire grows with every second, getting taller and wider. For a split second, I swear I see a dark shadow of something that's definitely not human. And then it's gone. As soon as the fire started, it's put out by an unknown force. Lying still in the aftermath of dust, is the crumpled form of my mate.

"Azari!" Kiara screams and makes a mad dash across the rocky terrain. I make no hesitation to follow her.

She still hasn't moved by the time we reach her, only to find why. She's completely unconscious.

I drop to my knees beside her and grip her hand in mine. It's warm, feverish even. I look up to my sister. "Go tell the driver we need to turn back. I'll carry her to the car." Kiara nods and takes off again.

I gently get my left arm under her shoulders and my right behind her knees. I lift her up, to find she's insanely light. I mean, when she stood up, she was smaller than I expected, but this makes me think she might've been malnourished before meeting Jasmin.

I rush my mate back to the limo, where the driver is waiting with the vehicle still on. Kiara climbs in after me, shutting the door. The second we sit, we're moving.

I hold Azari tight to me and look at my sister. "What. Just. Happened."

Her eyes are as wide as I know mine are. She reaches a hand out and touches my mate's hand. She flinches back, "She's hot still. Did she create the fire?"

I look down at Azari's still form, trying to wrap my head around what she did. "What is she?"

Kiara goes still at my question. "Not a wolf. Not a human."

A word flashes across my brain but I shove it out immediately. No. Not my mate.

I sigh, "I have a theory about the whole situation, though."

Kiara perks up. "What do you mean?"

I move my attention to the world wizzing by out the window. "I don't think she ever planned on going shopping. I think this was her way out, away from house so she could. . . heal."

My sister tilts her head. "You mean, she knew she would go unconscious afterwards? She never intended on making it all the way to the mall?"

I nod. "I think she didn't really want us to see what she could do. But her mind knew it was the only time she could get to an open enough area." I chuckle, "I'm glad she didn't just do that at home. She would've burned the whole pack down!"

Kiara doesn't answer, only gives me a slight nod. And soon enough, we're pulling back up into Jasmin's driveway. I'm glad my parents are gone, we don't need an interrogation.

The driver hurriedly hops out and bolts around the side to open the door for us. I climb out first, keeping Azari close to my chest. Kiara follows closely as we rush up the front steps and the door is opened.

Jasmin's pale as a ghost.

"Oh my goodness! What happened? Here, bring her to the couch."

I hear a wail and see Kiara scooping up a young boy. He fights her, reaching out for Azari. "Ry! Ry! What did you do to her?"

I gently lay my mate on the couch and step back, letting Jasmin take a look.

I hear a thud and turn to see the boy clumsily escape Kiara's hold. He barrels towards me, intent on getting to Azari. I catch him with one arm, lifting him up and holding him still so he can see my face.

"Hey! Hey, it's okay! Azari is just sleeping for a little bit okay?"

He stops fighting me, but fat tears continue rolling down his cheeks. After a few moments, his blurry eyes find mine. "She looks dead! I can't have both sisters die!"

I share a glance with Kiara, who covers her mouth and looks like she's about to cry herself.

I sit down and settle the child on my lap. I get him to look at me again, "Hey, don't worry about that, okay? Azari won't die. I promise. She just needs to rest for a second."

He nods and wipes his tears with his hands. He takes shaky breaths and then looks back into my eyes. "Why is my sissy sleeping? Did she fall?"

I shake my head, about to say something that would calm him down more, but then an idea hit me. I bet he knows. "Buddy, what's your name?"

"Jupiter."

I nod, "Jupiter, your sister burst into flames and now she's sleeping. Do you know anything about this?"

Jupiter widens his eyes, his face draining any color. "I-I'm not supposed to-to tell you."

I look over at Kiara and she walks over, squatting down next to us. Without looking, I know Jasmin is listening as well.

"Has she done this before?" Kiara asks the kid.

He nods. "When she's hurt, and sometimes when she's shifting." He slaps his hands over his mouth. "Whoops." He mumbles.

He scrabbles off my lap and scurries away towards the stairs. I hear his footsteps racing as he climbs and then it goes silent. No one goes after him.

"She's a wolf."

I snap my head to Jasmin, who looks even more pale. I notice her hands are shaking.

"She's a wolf. And she knows this is a pack of them. And she didn't say anything."

I stand up, getting her attention. "She's not a wolf."

"What?"

"She can't be a wolf. I mean, can wolves summon fire like that? Only royals have powers and if she was a Royal, we would've smelled it."

Jasmin nods as she thinks this over. "But then, what is she? We know she's a shifter, thanks to her brother. But what kind?"

A raspy voice snaps my focus to the couch. "Don't."