Ember
“Alex will be here soon.” Eliza reenters the living room from the kitchen. She rubs the right side of her forehead, and her eyes scrunch in pain. “The car company said he was only a few minutes away.”
Aiden looks at me. “Alex?”
“He’s our driver,” I answer but don’t take my gaze off Eliza, feeling concerned for her health again.
“If it wasn’t for this migraine…” Eliza’s frown deepens. “I’d love for you guys to stay for dinner so we could talk more, but I need to rest.”
I stand from the couch, and the uneasiness in my stomach grows. “It’s okay, Eliza. It’s been a rough day.”
She nods but doesn’t respond, fueling my worries. Even if I still have questions, I don’t want to push her any more. I learned enough to wrap my head around for the moment anyway.
Aiden glances over his shoulder toward the hallway. “I’m going to use the bathroom before we go. Is it that way?”
“Yeah. It’s—”
“There’s one in the basement you can use, Aiden,” Eliza interrupts. “The one up here is having some issues. Just follow me.”
Aiden follows her into the kitchen, and once they disappear, an unusual feeling overcomes me, and my attention turns to the darkened hallway. A chill runs up my spine. Something feels off, foreboding, and I’m not sure why...
“Are we okay?” Eliza says.
My hand flies to my heart as I turn to her.
“Um… Sure?” My racing heart doesn’t slow. “I mean, it’s good to know the truth about what happened between everyone, even if there are still so many unknowns about Black Mold and Mad Marie’s motives.” A deep sadness penetrates my heart. “But I still don’t like how long you hid this from me.”
Eliza’s body seems to sag, weighed down by regret. “I’m truly sorry, Ember. I never meant to let it go on this long.”
“I know.” I clear my throat and take a trembling breath. “It’ll… It’ll take some time for me to process all of this.” I notice again how dull Eliza’s black hair is, on the borderline of being gray. She’s always looked young for her age. I don’t understand what could’ve changed her so dramatically in just a few months. “Is there anything else you need to tell me? Is something else going on with you?”
Her golden eyes snap up. There’s a surprising shimmer of light in them, and she glances at the hallway. “Ember, I—”
BUZZ. “Eliza? Ember? Are either of you there?” Alex’s scruffy voice comes through the intercom.
Eliza and I eye each other and head into the kitchen, to the intercom that’s next to the stainless-steel refrigerator. She pushes the black button beside its speaker. “I’m here. Is everything okay, Alex?”
“No. Not really,” Alex says, and I can picture the sweat on his brow. “The press is here.”
My stomach flips, but my anger melts away any fear. Didn’t I give the press enough to talk about at the conference? I beeline for the front door. My hands become beacons of thermal energy, and the energy swirls up my arms like hot coils. If the press wants something to write about, I’ll give them something to write about.
“Ember! Wait!” Eliza yells. “Let me deal with this!”
I pull on the front door harder than I mean to, and it slams open. Pictures on the wall crash to the floor. I walk out, meeting the flashes of the press’s cameras and their shouts. They’re crowded around Alex’s black car on the other side of the gate. My hands glow brighter as my fury reaches its boiling point.
I recognize a few members of the press. One male reporter who was at Erik’s service stands at the iron gate, his purple tentacles flapping around while holding a pen and paper. There’s also Mr. Reeves and Ms. Starview from the press conference. Mr. Reeves’s glasses are atop his head, and his black hair is smoothed back. Ms. Starview’s blue hair shimmers like scales, and she’s dressed in a teal puffer coat.
I open my mouth to tell them exactly what they can do with their notepads and cameras, but I freeze once I hear what they’re shouting.
“Miss Vulterra! Is Mr. Stiles in there with you?”
“Is it true that Aiden Stiles, the YAC champion from last summer, is your boyfriend?” Ms. Starview asks while waving a recorder in front of her. “How did you two meet?”
My heart pounds. No longer is it just my privacy at risk but Aiden’s as well. An icy chill extinguishes the fire in my veins.
“Ember!” Aiden shouts. “What’s going on?”
The flashes become blinding.
“Stay back!” I shout, but Aiden rushes down the stairs toward me. I run to him and grab his arms. “Aiden, you need to get back inside!”
“So should you.” He regards the reporters and shields his eyes. “What are they doing here anyway?”
“Mr. Stiles! How does it feel to be with the daughter of Emerald Blaze and Digger?” Ms. Starview shouts. “I’d love to get an exclusive interview!”
“What was your secret to landing the most secretive girl in Stalwarth?” Mr. Reeves asks. “No one else has ever gotten past that fiery exterior!”
My eyes flare with irritation.
“Tell us, Aiden! All of Stalwarth is dying to know about you!” a reporter, with a very hoarse voice, yells.
Aiden swallows loudly, and his eyes are the size of saucers. “They want to talk… to me?”
“It seems like it,” I snap bitterly. “It seems they’re hellbent on reporting on every aspect of my life.”
“How did they know we were here? We were so careful,” Aiden says softly, tearing his gaze from the mob, but a hint of anger resides in his tone. “How is any of this their business?”
My hands shake. “It’s not, and I don’t know how they found out, but we need to get back inside and let Eliza handle this.” If this was just about me, I’d rip the press apart with my words; I’m tired of their games, but I won’t risk dragging Aiden into anything else. “We just need Alex to get inside the gate, and once we’re in the car, we can return to the university where they can’t bother us.”
Aiden nods, but I notice the veins around his wrists glowing blue. “Okay. If you think that’s best.”
I take his hand, and the glow fades. “I do.”
We walk to the house. The camera lights reflect off all its windows, and the harshness rattles my nerves. But hearing the press calling out Aiden’s name repeatedly will haunt my dreams.
* * *
Aiden stands over twenty feet away, in the open, grassy field hidden in the woods next to my dorm—our private practice sanctuary. I inhale the cool air, not letting it smother the reignited fire in my veins and enjoy the chance to blow off some steam.
After the day we’ve had, it’s much needed.
My muscles tense with energy, and my hands glow white hot. I aim in front of me, channeling even more thermal energy from the ground, and thrust forward to launch a heat blast at Aiden. He somersaults forward, dodging it effortlessly. I spin around and aim multiple blasts at him, to no avail. He blocks each one with a circular shield of a forcefield. His eyes glow like a beacon in the evening sunlight, and his white hair even seems to radiate, flowing slightly behind him. His stance is strong and unyielding. With his broad shoulders and solid build, it looks like not even a giant like Iron Forge could knock him over.
“I hate your forcefields sometimes!” I yell.
He smirks. “Everyone does.”
I extinguish my hands, and a puff of smoke rises from them. “Maybe I can see why Jomo doesn’t like you so much,” I say jokingly. “It’s almost impossible to get a hit on you. It’s completely unfair.”
“Here’s hoping the press never interviews Jomo about me, then, right?” The forcefield vanishes, and Aiden’s eyes fade to normal. “I’m sure he’d love to give them something to talk about.”
The cheeriness drains from my cheeks. “I’m sure this will all die down. We won’t go off campus again anytime soon.”
Aiden belts out a laugh. “Ember, the press hasn’t left you alone for over eight years; what makes you think they’ll just drop this?”
“You’re right.” I sigh and survey the leafless woods around us with greater worry. “Do you remember when I said it felt like someone was watching us out here last semester?”
“I do.” Aiden scowls and eyes the woods. “Do you think someone is out here now?”
“No. That’s not it.” I shake my head. “It’s just, after learning that Jill was spying on us that whole time, on grounds, undetected, I was really worried.”
“Yeah, and it’s not like she was the first villain on campus. There was Iron Forge before her, and he was with someone who could’ve been another villain, but they disappeared so quickly that we never learned who.”
The memory of someone disappearing like a dying sparkler next to Iron Forge comes front in center. Though at the time, I didn’t care too much about who they were, since my attention was solely focused on my father’s murderer.
A burning sensation pricks my eyes but not because of my abilities. “Exactly, and if villains can sneak onto campus, it’s probably just a matter of time until someone from the press does too. Then it won’t even be safe here.” A tear slips out, and I focus on Aiden. “I’m so sorry, Aiden. I should’ve known that the press would eventually target you as well.”
Aiden heads my way, looking at me tenderly. “This isn’t your fault, Em.”
I can’t maintain eye contact. I focus on the dirt stains on my tennis shoes. Aiden wraps his arms around me, and I stiffen, because I don’t feel I deserve the warm gesture. It is because of me that the press will invade his life. Am I doomed to curse everything I touch?
A sob escapes me.
“Shh, Em. It’s okay.” Aiden nuzzles his face against mine. “Eventually, this would happen. If not now, definitely when we’re Guardians.”
“I guess that’s true,” I mumble and dry my tears. “But you shouldn’t have to deal with this. They’ll stalk you, like they do me, just because of who my parents were. It’s not fair!”
Aiden tips up my head; his blue eyes are gentle with understanding. “Em, if this is the price I have to pay to be with you, it’s a bargain.” His lips brush against mine. “We’ll handle this together, like we always do.”
His words and his smile entrance me. Sometimes I don’t understand how he can handle things so well.
I lean up to kiss him softly. He tastes both sweet and savory, like butterscotch. My hands rest on his chest, and even through his black sweater, I can feel the definition of his muscles—the strength he possesses. One of his hands moves to the side of my neck to bring me closer to him. Multiple sparks tickle my skin at his touch, causing me to shiver. Our kiss grows deeper as our lips beg for more from the other. An inner fire warms me from my head to my toes. He slips his hands under my shirt and grips my hips. The pressure of his touch is intoxicating, and I grab his arms, feeling his muscles bulge, and before I know it, the coolness of the earth is against my back, and steam rises above us.
Aiden lifts my shirt slightly past my navel and breaks away from the kiss. “Is this okay?”
I nod, unsure as to what he’s planning to do but, at the same time, not caring.
He kisses my stomach, and I gasp. “So,” Aiden says breathlessly, “want to tell me about the flame mark here?” He kisses the spot again, and I squirm under him.
My mind is fuzzy, and I struggle to get the oxygen I need. “Um, it’s… it’s just a birthmark. I’ve… I’ve always had it.”
He trails a few more kisses around my stomach. His lips find mine again, and he lays against me. My body is on fire, desiring more. I let my hands explore him, and he breaks away with a soft groan. “Em,” he says roughly and pushes my hair out of my eyes. “I think we should stop.”
My heart sinks a little with disappointment. “We probably should.”
He chuckles. “Trust me. I want to stay down here with you forever.” He kisses me tenderly.
I hold his face between my hands, enjoying the definition of his jawline and the slight roughness of some stubble. “I know.” A mischievous smile spreads across my face. “But it doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun.”
Aiden groans and rolls onto the ground next to me. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” he says with a chuckle.
“No.” Tears abruptly well in my eyes for no good apparent reason. “I’m sorry if it felt that way.”
I feel Aiden’s eyes on me. “Oh, Em. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know.” I blink quickly to contain my emotions. “I think the day is just catching up with me.”
He pulls me into him, and I lay my head on his chest, finding some comfort in his heartbeat. “We didn’t get a chance to discuss everything Eliza told us. Do you want to talk about it?”
I take in the cinnamon scent of Aiden mixed with the smell of grass and the damp wood nearby. A few stars sparkle in the darkening sky. The scents and sights are soothing, but my chest grows tight, recalling all Eliza told me about my parents and her brother. “I’m glad I got some answers, but I think it’ll take time for me to wrap my mind around everything.”
“That’s understandable.”
“But I don’t like it.” The tightness invades my throat. “I feel like there was more to talk about, but Eliza was so tired and worn out. I didn’t want to push her.” I remember the look in her eyes before Alex buzzed us. “I just get the feeling she’s still hiding something from me.”
“It’s hard to say. We all know there are multiple sides to a story.”
“That’s true, and it’s not like I can ask my parents about things.” A wrinkle of a memory ripples through me—my mother’s diary. If only Erik hadn’t been at our house the morning before his death and taken it, maybe I could’ve learned my mother’s side of what happened.
“How about we just let today’s events rest for the day, then?” Aiden caresses my face. “I got an idea! How about I let you try to figure out my forcefield? See if you can break through it. If Jomo could, you definitely should be able to. That would bring a smile to your face.”
I sniffle but smile, appreciating the change in subject. “Really?”
“Really. Really.” Aiden stands and reaches for my hand. I take it, and he pulls me up and into him for a kiss, pushing all my worries and fears of the day into the corner of my mind for a moment. “Plus, it’ll give me a good chance to improve my skills, too.”
Aiden walks backward, putting some distance between us. His veins illuminate an electric blue, and his fingers crackle with energy. He brings his hands in front of him, and tendrils of blue energy emerge from his fingertips. They crisscross around him until he’s encased in a spherical forcefield, about the size of a large wrecking ball. He smirks, and his eyes glow with his power. “If you’re brave enough, come closer.”
“Oh, I’m brave enough, all right.” I head toward him with my fingers spread at my sides. The closer I get to the forcefield, the more I sense how charged the air is around me. I’m unable to channel this energy; it’s invigorating, and my hands glow, thriving from the thermal energy coursing in the earth below me. I stop in front of the shield, mesmerized. It’s translucent with a blue hint, and it twinkles, like thousands of stars are stuck in the barrier.
“Touch it,” Aiden says.
I giggle. “What?” I cock an eyebrow. “You want me to actually touch this thing?”
“Do you remember the first time we were out here together? When I thought you had come out here looking for Iron Forge, but you were just training?”
I nod.
“Well, that night, I created a small orb for light with a small forcefield around it, and you touched it with no problem.”
“That’s right! I did!”
“And it really didn’t hurt you, right?”
I shake my head. “It shocked me a little, but that doesn’t bother me.”
“Thank goodness for that, right?” Small electricity bolts crack around Aiden’s eyes. “I know I’ve shocked you a few times, but you hardly ever flinch, and there may be a reason for that.”
“What are you getting at?” I tilt my head with questions in my stare.
“Thermal energy can produce electricity, right? That may be why I shock you so much, and maybe that means you could tap into my power.”
“What? Do you seriously think so? Has anyone ever used someone else’s ability like that?”
He shrugs. “I’m not sure, but it’s worth a try, isn’t it?”
“I guess.” I drop my arms, beholding the forcefield and the unknown potential there could be.
“It’ll be fine.” He smiles. “I promise.”
“Famous last words,” I mumble. Very timidly, I lift my hands, and they glow brighter near the shield. Unlike the time with the orb, I focus on the swells of energy pulsating around me, taking them in, letting them encourage me. My hands get within an inch of the forcefield, and like a magnet, they involuntarily slam against it, ramming the breath from me. Aiden grunts. My vision blurs, and my eyes tingle with a new strange, pricking sensation.
Everything happens so fast.
Shocks travel up my arms, and thermal energy washes through me like a tidal wave of lava, and out of my hands. It’s completely uncontrollable. For once, I don’t feel like I’m in charge of my power, but it’s in charge of me.
My vision sharpens, the suddenness of being able to see is overwhelming, and I’m unable to breathe. I zone in on Aiden. His jaw is clenched, and his arms glow like my hands.
The forcefield is no longer just blue but tinged with orange. A mad show of heat and sparks battle throughout it with no clear winner in sight.
A heartbeat, but not my own, echoes in my ears—an energy source: Aiden. I sense everything about him and his power. The electrical energy is like a network of wires pulsating throughout the forcefield and him, and the same energy in the air is alive and begging for me to claim it.
Aiden’s stare meets mine, but his eyes aren’t their normal glow; a slight swirl of fire resides in them.
Everything goes dark, and then I’m on my back, struggling to breathe. Slowly, my vision returns. The night sky comes back into focus, and air escapes me like puffs of smoke from a freight train. I lift my hand to ensure I’m actually alive and notice specks of sparks twirling around my fingertips. The back of my head aches, and my heart races, full of adrenaline and nerves.
“Ember,” Aiden coughs. “Are… are you okay?”
“I–I think so.” I sit up slowly, surveying my body. My abilities feel agitated and ripple through me like ocean waves after a storm. Aiden is still flat on the ground. “Are you okay?”
He raises his thumb in the air.
I smile and attempt to stand, but my legs are shaky, and I stumble. “Well, okay, I lied. I’m a little rough.”
Aiden sits upright. His hair is wild around him and zaps with electricity. “Yeah. Me too.”
We sit on the ground, staring at each other, both seemingly at a loss for words about what happened. He rubs the back of his neck. “So, um, I didn’t think that would happen.”
I stare at my hands. The sparks are dying out. “Yeah. Me neither.”
“I just thought maybe you could understand my energy better. Not that we’d make some kind of crazy thermal-electrical storm.”
“That’s a good way to describe it.” My shoulders sag. The remaining sparks disappear around my fingers, and the thermal energy becomes content in my veins.
Aiden falls forward on all fours and crawls toward me. He collapses into my lap, with his eyes closed.
I rub his head, calming his crazy hair. “Maybe we’ll wait a while before we attempt that again, huh? It was a little… intense.”
He peeks at me with one eye. “Yeah, though I will say that was one hell of a connection.”
Happiness radiates from my smile. “We just have that spark.”
Aiden pulls my face near his and kisses me. A bolt nips my lips. “We definitely do.”
I glance in the direction of my dorm room. My muscles drown with fatigue, and my eyelids get heavy. “We should call it a night. I’m exhausted. It’s been a crazy whirlwind of a day.”
“But it’s so comfy here.” Aiden snuggles deeper against me and yawns. “And you’re so warm.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, but let’s be honest, our beds would be comfier.”
“Fine.” Aiden lifts his head. His tired eyes sparkle with humor. “I guess you have a point.”
We stand, helping each other up, and ensure we’re stable before walking into the woods. The moon shines above us through the leafless branches, mimicking claws against the night sky. An owl hoots somewhere in the distance. We take each other’s hands and hold onto each other tightly.
A sense of appreciation for what I have washes over me. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For tonight. For going with me today when you have so much going on. Even when we had our little spat, you still wanted to make sure I was okay, and that meant a lot.”
Aiden stops and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Em, I can’t guarantee we’ll never have disagreements, but I can promise I’ll always help you.” He kisses me softly, and I melt into his touch, letting his words comfort me in a way I didn’t realize I needed. “You were there for me after everything happened with Jomo because that’s what a good partner does. They’re there for each other during hard times, and I never want you to feel like you have to handle these things alone.”
“You know…” I choke up for a moment, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. “I’ve dealt with a lot of loss, and now with everything going on with Eliza…” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my trembling lips. “It’s been scary. I’ve been worried about losing the last bit of family I have left.”
“I know.” Aiden’s stare falls to the ground.
“But…” I tilt Aiden’s head back up and smile. “During all of this, I haven’t felt alone for once in my life, and that’s because of you.”
His eyes crease with a sense of joy. “I’ll always be here for you, Em.”
I stroke the side of his face, ignoring the thought of Johnny’s threat, the stress of our future problems with the press, and all the other craziness that’s going on. “And I’ll always be here for you too.”