Goddess of Fire: Burn: An Elemental Short (The Elemental Short Story Series) Read online

  GODDESS OF FIRE:

  BURN

  AN ELEMENTALS SHORT

  BY

  SHANNON ECKRICH

  The right of Shannon Eckrich to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him/her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it was published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  Cover Design by Rue Volley

  Copyright© 2014 All rights reserved

  One

  Heat swirled around inside me. The pressure was growing, building and expanding to nearly swallow me whole, until I strained to contain it. The need to release my emotions choked me, and a strangled sound escaped my lips. Finally, I threw my hands up and narrowed my eyes into tiny slits, centering on Neveresis. “Leave me alone,” I said through clenched teeth. “Now!”

  Neveresis folded his arms against his chest and grinned mockingly, his dark hair falling just below his broad shoulders. “There’s no way to stop it, Kenina. We were bound the day we were born. You might as well accept it.” He casually leaned back against the outside of the stable, pale blue eyes watching me in amusement. “Besides, you can’t hurt me.”

  Without even thinking, I unleashed everything I had. A stream of fire burst from the palms of my hands, headed straight for the dark haired dweeb standing in front of me.

  Neveresis’s blue eyes widened as his lips tightened. He didn’t have enough time to react, and I knew that. He dodged out of the way just in time. The ball of fire slammed into the stable, instantly igniting it into an inferno.

  I dropped my hands and drew in a deep, shaky breath. “Oh, no,” I exhaled. “No, no, no,” I slowly shook my head as sharp, pointy flames danced across the side of the outer walls and snaked their way up to the roof.

  I could hear my father’s horses becoming restless inside. The loud bangs and constant neighing told me they could smell the smoke, knew danger was near.

  Suddenly, a huge stream of water flowed over the fire I created. I spun around. A river of water flowed out from the palms of Neveresis hands, smothering the flames I created only seconds ago. After the orange glow diminished, all that was left was thick, black smoke and the sounds of faint sizzling and popping.

  Servants raced from the temple and out of the small shops centered in the town toward the stable while I stared at the building in shock. I couldn’t believe I almost managed to kill my father’s prize horses, including Pegasus.

  “Wow”—Neveresis glanced at me and smirked—“you’re seriously in trouble this time.”

  “This is all your fault.” I glared at him. “I hate you, Neveresis. I will never ever marry you. I don’t care what the penalty is, but I’ll die before I become your wife.” I turned and marched toward the temple, knowing it wouldn’t be long before my father summoned me.

  ***

  My heels clicked through the deserted halls of the temple. Golden walls stretched high as the sky on either side of me, then they curved into a semi-circle over my head. I couldn’t believe the hallway was so empty this early in the evening. Normally, servants flocked the hallways at all hours of the day. My only guess was they were all outside at the stable. If not, the gossip spreads through Osarious as fast as my cousin, Terran’s, black plague wiped out all those mortals centuries ago, so the remaining few were probably hiding. They were the smart ones.

  Never ever mess with a god.

  I stopped just in front of the huge golden doors and took in a deep breath. I’d never done anything this extreme before, so I had no idea what to expect from my father.

  The large door made a boom that echoed through the hall. Then it slowly began to open. Jasmine, my father’s servant stepped through the widened crack between the doors. She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head, her light brown hair swaying back and forth.

  I pushed her out of my way, nearly knocking her to the ground. How dare she look at me like that? Didn’t she know her place? Besides, she’d be gone soon any way. My father goes through mortal servants like a pack of gum. Once they lose their flavor, he spits them out and sends them back to the mortal world. Terran once told me the mortals they send back end up in cages, and their arms are tied around them for the remainder of their pathetic life. Serves them right.

  “Kenina.” My father’s voice was scolding as he sat on his throne, hands resting on the golden arms. “How many times have I told you that you need to control your temper? You nearly destroyed the entire city!”

  I balled my hands into fists as heat surged through my insides. “It wasn’t my fault this time. Besides”—I rolled my eyes—“I didn’t almost destroy the city. Only the stable.”

  My father glared at me, his bushy, white brows nearly concealing his eyes. “It’s never your fault! You use this excuse all the time.”

  I tightened my jaw and puckered my lips. “Neveresis did this, father. And it should give you one more reason why I shouldn’t be bound to him for eternity. He almost made me kill Pegasus.”

  My father’s nostrils flared. “Nonsense!” He slammed his fists against the sides of the throne, shaking the ground at my feet. “You almost killed Pegasus, Kenina. You! And whether you accept it or not, Neveresis will be your husband!”

  I lifted my brows and focused on my father. “I will not marry him. You can’t make me.” The heat intensified inside me.

  “I can make you, Kenina. I am Zorako, God of Destruction.” My father’s normally pale face changed into a fiery red.

  And he wondered where I got my temper.

  “You’re still my father, and I’m your daughter.” My jaw remained tight as I struggled to keep my heat under control. “I don’t care what your godly status is.”

  My father jumped up from his throne, causing the floor to shake. “You will marry him.” His lips tightened through his snow white beard. “And instead of giving you a month to prepare, I decided you will marry in two days!”

  I screamed out in anger and frustration, completely losing it. The firm grip I had on the flames inside, gone. “Two days,” I shouted as heat surged through my arms and then shot out from the palm of my hands. “It’s not fair! I just turned eighteen. I don’t want to spend my eternal life with him!”

  My father’s eyes grew wide as the stream of fire zeroed in on the massive pillar next to him. He quickly spun around to catch it in his hands, but he wasn’t fast enough for the one that followed behind it.

  I couldn’t stop it. I lost all control. Balls of fire took off in every direction around the throne room, smashing into walls, igniting huge banners high above our heads, and crashing through the window in front of me. The ground shook with each impact, and chunks of gold crumbled down from the walls. The entire throne room was a smoky, fiery mess. And I couldn’t turn it off, couldn’t seem to make it stop, no matter how hard I tried. I hated Neveresis more than anything. He was a spoiled brat who always got what he wanted. Well, he wouldn’t get me. I wouldn’t let him.

  “Enough!” My father’s loud voice shook the room as he threw his hands in the air. Suddenly, a wave of water appeared out of thin air and crashed on top of me, knocking me to the ground.

  I lay on the hard floor, staring up at the cracks in the golden ceiling, completely soaked. How humiliating. I was a goddess. Nobody, not even m
y father, should be able to treat me this way, even if he was the god of destruction.

  “Kenina.” My father’s face appeared above me. His pale blue eyes were remorseful, but his lips remained tight. “In two days you will marry Neveresis, whether you like it or not.”

  I slowly pulled myself to my feet, knowing there was only one way I could avoid marrying Neveresis. I had to go where no god or goddess would ever think to look for me. I had to go to the mortal world. Just the thought of that pitiful world disgusted me. But what other choice did I have?

  Two

  Sarah slowly crossed the room as I sat on her bed, swinging my feet off the side. She opened her closet door and disappeared inside.

  Sarah was the only mortal servant I could stand in Osarious. Most of the servants were always frightened when they were first brought here, but Sarah was different. She didn’t cringe in the corners or anything. She was the opposite. Her eyes seemed amazed and full of wonder, and she kept repeating, “Aliens really do exist” underneath her breath. I was so fascinated with Sarah that I begged my father to make her my servant. After a while, she was no longer just my servant, she became my friend.

  When Sarah came out of the closet, she was holding a pile of clothes in her hand. “You’ll have to change into these if you plan on going. Mortals will think you’re crazy if you walk into their world in that long flowing dress. Or they’ll think you’re dressed up for Halloween.”

  “What’s Halloween?” I squinted.

  Sarah giggled. “It’s a night where everyone dresses up in costumes. Like a super hero, a ghost, or whatever you want to be. Then they go door to door getting candy.”

  I twisted my lips. “Mortals are weird.”

  “Some of them.” She nodded in agreement. “And some of them are weirder than others.” She placed the clothes on the bed and offered me her hand. “But there are also mortals that are normal. Like me,” she grinned.

  Once she pulled me up, she circled around me, slowly stripping the white dress from my skin. After I was completely nude, except for the red fire gem I wore around my neck, Sarah handed me the pile of clothes. “I need you to put these on. There’s no way I’ll be able to put them on you.”

  I drew in my brows as I looked at the fabric with legs. “What are these?”

  Sarah smiled. “They’re called jeans. They’ll keep your legs warm.”

  I lifted my leg and started to slide my foot in, but Sarah stopped me.

  “You need to turn them around.” She took them out of my hands and spun them around. “The button goes on the front,” she said, handing them back to me.

  I slid into the jeans. They were tight and uncomfortable. Why would mortals wear something like this? I just didn’t get it. Then I pulled on the shirt she gave me. It was black, and it had straps similar to my dress. Much better. I unlatched my fire gem necklace and placed it on Sarah’s dresser. Then I spun around.

  “Wow, Kenina.” Sarah bit her lip. “You look amazing.”

  This wasn’t the first time someone had said I looked amazing. Actually, it was a normal thing around here for the younger gods to say. “I don’t need to look amazing, Sarah.” I gazed at her. “I need to look like a mortal.”

  Sarah smiled widely. “Mission accomplished.” Then her smile faded. “But how are you going to get to the mortal world?”

  This was a secret we kept hidden from the mortal servants. They had no idea there was a portal on the far side of Osarious at the entrance of the dark forest. Not that they’d dare to go too close to the forest.

  I took a deep breath, knowing I could trust Sarah with this secret. She’s never told anyone anything I confided to her. “There’s a portal that takes us to the mortal world.”

  Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Really?”

  “Yes, Sarah.” I gazed at her. “But you have to promise not to tell anyone. If the other mortals find out—”

  “Please, Kenina”—Sarah looked up from under her lashes—“take me with you. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me if you leave. I hear the other mortals talk. They say before the servants are released back into the mortal world terrible things happen to them. The gods somehow make them go crazy so they don’t say anything when they return home.”

  “Sarah,” I exhaled. I felt so sorry for her. I wanted to help her so much, but if I took her with me . . .

  “Please,” she begged. “Besides, you’ll need help in the mortal world. I’ll stay with you. I promise.”

  “Come on,” I said, smiling. “But I’ve heard going through the portal is a bumpy ride.” I slipped my heels on and headed for the door with Sarah following close behind.

  ***

  Sarah and I stood at the edge of the dark forest. The strange sounds frightened her, but she was just as determined to get to the portal as I was. We stepped through the line of trees and there it stood in between two enormous golden arches. Blue static sizzled and popped from the energy swirling around inside. The noise drowned out all the sounds of the forest.

  I glanced over at Sarah. Her body trembled slightly and her face began to pale. Mortals always seemed frightened by energy for some reason. I could never understand it.

  “It’s okay, Sarah.” I tried to comfort her. “The energy won’t hurt you. But I need to hold onto you when we go through because I have no idea how we are going to end up in the mortal world. I’ve never crossed over before.”

  Sarah shook her head. “I’m not so sure about this anymore. Isn’t there any easier way?”

  I didn’t have time to argue with her. I had to get out of here before someone noticed I was gone, especially my father. I lunged toward the portal, grabbing a hold of Sarah’s waist on my way, until we both disappeared into the unknown.

  Three

  I slowly opened my eyes and glanced around, having no idea where I was. The moon was full, giving me just enough light to see Sarah on the ground a few feet away from me. She was lying on her side with her back facing me. I sprang to my feet, fearing the worst, and raced over to her.

  “Sarah,” I whispered her name as I placed my hand on her shoulder. I gently shook her when she failed to answer. “Sarah, please say something.”

  “Kenina,” Sarah whispered my name. “Did we make it?” She slowly turned over to face me. Her face was blotched with dirt, and debris was entangled in her light brown hair.

  I sighed in relief, thankful I didn’t kill her. “Yes, we made it. At least, I think we did.” I smoothed my hand over her hair, remembering she was much more fragile than I was.

  Suddenly, a light shined in the distance. “Hello,” a male voice echoed through the area. “Is there anyone out here?”

  I glanced at Sarah. Her eyes were wide, terrified. “We need to hide,” she said in a hoarse voice.

  I gazed around the area. It was wide, open. “Where?” I turned and asked her.

  “Oh, crap,” she mumbled. “Of all the places on Earth. We had to end up in a field.” Worry consumed her face. “If the mortals find out about you we could be in trouble.”

  I knitted my eyebrows together. “Why? I’m a goddess. They should bow down to me. And, besides, what could they possibly do? They’re mortals. They don’t have powers.”

  “No, but they do have guns.” Sarah slowly sat up and tried to get to her feet, but instead, she cried out in pain and wrapped her hands around her ankle and sank back down to the ground.

  I crouched down next to her, my heels sinking in the dirt. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “I think I twisted my ankle or something when we landed,” she said in a tight, painful voice. “I don’t think I can get up.”

  The beam of light came closer and closer. I didn’t know what to do, had no idea what to expect. I never thought mortals were capable of anything besides being servants. I stood up in front of Sarah, facing the direction of the light.

  The light bounced off the area around us, and then it stopped on me and Sarah, putting us in the spotlight. “Holy mother of Batman
,” a male voice rang out.

  I threw my hands up and faced my palms toward the light, summoning the fire within, ready to unleash everything, when Sarah suddenly shouted, “Kenina, stop! You’ll kill him!”

  I kept my hands up but tossed my gaze in Sarah’s direction. “I thought they couldn’t find out.”

  “They can’t, but that doesn’t mean kill him,” she said through clenched teeth as she gripped her ankle. She started rocking back and forth.

  I spun around and crouched down next to her again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you here.” I wanted to touch her ankle, try to help her, but with the fire still swirling around under my skin it was too dangerous. I could possibly burn her.

  Next thing I knew, the guy was next to me pushing Sarah’s hands off her ankle. “Let me take a look.”

  I scooted back but kept my eyes on him to make sure he wasn’t going to harm her. If he even thought of hurting her, I’d have no problem sending him up in flames.

  “How did you guys get out here?” He watched Sarah as his fingers danced gracefully over her ankle.

  “Umm . . . we,” Sarah stumbled over her words. “Ouch!”

  “Got lost.” I said the first thing that came to mind.

  The guy turned and glanced at me. His eyes, the same color as the grass in Osarious, seemed transfixed on mine. I’d never seen anyone with green eyes before. All the gods and goddesses always had pale, blue eyes. And the servants, well . . . I’d never really paid any attention to them except for Sarah.

  “I don’t think your friend’s ankle is broken. She may just have a sprain.” His voice seemed lost, far away somehow, even though he was right next to me.

  “Can you fix it,” I asked him as I continued studying his eyes.

  “Fix what,” he asked without even blinking.

  “Her ankle.” I raised my brows and shook my head slowly. Were all mortal men this dumb? Maybe, that’s why we didn’t have many of them as servants. They’d end up forgetting what their jobs were.