Seared by Desire Read online

  “Sara, that’s wonderful. You’ve always wanted to be stronger and now you are! Life is going to be so much easier for you now. You’ll be able to do whatever you like and after that demonstration of power who’s going to dare say no to you? You can move out of that horrid little shack into the village centre. With your power you’re going to be an elite. The heavens are smiling on you Sara.”

  A faint smile was creeping onto Sara’s face as her friend listed the benefits of her new found power. There were privileges to be had for being strong amongst the fire elementals. Any pleasure she might have taken in the advantages of her new strength disappeared quickly when the voice returned, reminding her that her power came at a price and that price was probably her sanity.

  Listen, it hissed.

  I’d rather not, Sara countered, hoping to keep her interaction with it short and her sanity intact.

  Her abruptness only served to anger it. Listen! The voice commanded. Her skin warmed as the fire in the room flared to life.

  “Sara, are you okay?”

  “Not really,” she answered honestly, her tone rueful. “Wherever this power came from, it saddled me with something and I think it’s evil. Whatever it is that’s inside of me now enjoyed all that destruction and I think…I think it might want more.”

  “As it should do. Those demons were the enemy, they ruined my wedding day and tried to kill us.” Sara rolled her eyes at Abigail’s reasoning. She should have known better than to expect for them to see eye to eye on this particular matter. When it came to the acquisition of more power, Abi was just like every other fire elemental.

  Listen!!

  “Fine,” Sara groaned in exasperation. “I’m listening.”

  Unaware of the second conversation that had been taking place, Abigail was confused. “Haven’t you been listening?”

  “I wasn’t talking to you Abi, I was talking to your new friend.” Now what exactly do you want me to listen to?

  The flames in the fireplace seemed to explode, spreading upwards from their confines as figures emerged in the flames.

  Abigail looked between her friend and the fire, confusion written on her expressive face, a silent question in her brown eyes. “Sara?”

  “Listen,” she instructed.

  The figures in the fire solidified, gaining shape and form until they looked human, though it was impossible to make out their faces. Voices soon filled the room, the words sending a shiver of concern down Sara’s spine.

  “Spark to Ember. Ember to Flame. Flame to Inferno. Inferno to Ash.

  Such is the life of fire.

  Into the world shall be born the child of the flame.

  Fire given flesh.

  Gifted with the truest spark of the blaze, the child of the flame will burn hotter and brighter than any fire elemental for they will be the most powerful of them all.

  But there is a price to pay for such power, a burden to be borne, for the child of flame shall carry within them the spirit of fire.

  Seraphina.

  Destructive. Incinerating all in its path.

  Voracious in it’s hunger, constantly seeking more to fuel its cruel path of devastation.

  Uncontrollable. Once the flame has been kindled to life nothing can halt its path. The flame shall spread consuming all it touches until it is satisfied.

  None shall be safe from its power…not even the child of the flame. The wild flame of the spirit of fire will burn within them briefly but brightly, allowing for the annihilation of the enemies of the fire elementals.

  But a cost must be paid and the child of flame shall be the one to pay it, with their life as the fire consumes even them, unless they find the one.

  The one with the power to cool the flame.”

  The words sounded strange to Sara’s ears but she logged each one in her mind, she had a feeling that they were very important.

  Another voice spoke up, this time a familiar one. How could she ever forget the head of her village and all the hate filled slurs he’d directed her way over the years? “Now that we have all reacquainted ourselves with the Oracle’s ancient prophecy, I think it is time we decide what to do about it.”

  “How are we to be sure that this woman, Sara?” One of the figures nodded in confirmation. “Is truly the child of the flame? You have always sought glory Geoffrey, it would be just like you to bring one of your strongest to our doors and claim that she is the one to fulfil the prophecy.”

  “I have done no such thing. Sara is the one.”

  “And your proof?”

  “She is everything the prophecy speaks of. That woman was the weakest person in our village; she was a disgrace to the name of the fire elementals. This is the first time she has ever been allowed to leave. Just as the prophecy states all that she had was a spark of fire, that spark has now morphed from an ember to a true flame and more. If you had seen her demonstration of power then we would not even be having this conversation for there would be no doubt in your minds that she was the one.”

  “But there is doubt elder Geoffrey. Can you give us anything more definite?”

  Geoffrey sighed. “Yes. When we found her unconscious in the aftermath of the destruction she had caused, the word Seraphina surrounded her written from the ashes of the demons she had destroyed in the ancient language. It was written just as it is written on the ancient scroll. None know that language anymore. She is the one.”

  There was silence for a few minutes as the figures reflected on what they had just heard while Sara’s heart was pounding at the implications of their words. The child of flame? It was impossible for it to be her but the voice in her head was all that they had described and more.

  “What am I going to do?” she sighed.

  The figures began to speak again, quickly drawing her attention away from her own chaotic thoughts. “So we are all agreed that this Sara is the child of flame.” All those present nodded. “The question now is what do we do with her.”

  “That is obvious,” another voice inserted. “We use her as any true fire elemental would. Listen to the prophecy again. The fire will burn within them briefly but brightly, allowing for the annihilation of the enemies of the fire elementals. But a cost must be paid and the child of flame shall be the one to pay it, with their life as the fire consumes even them, unless they find the one. The one with the power to cool the flame. This woman will either die or become useless to us again, it isn’t possible for a single body to house the spirit of fire and survive. All that we can do is as the prophecy asks, use her to destroy our enemies before she is gone from the world.”

  “All in favour of using Sara’s flame before it is extinguished say aye.” Geoffrey’s cold words were like daggers to her heart, the blades sinking deeper as each figure responded with an unequivocal ‘aye’ of agreement.

  “What should we tell her?”

  “Nothing,” Geoffrey instructed. “The less she knows the better.”

  “Come, we have much to plan for and not much time to do it in. The prophecy says her time is short but it gives us no warning of just how short that time is, we must act swiftly.”

  The flames spluttered before sinking back into the fireplace.

  I’m dying. Sara’s mind was reeling.

  Hungry, Seraphina whined.

  Be quiet, she snapped. This is all your fault, I’m going to die. Unless…unless I find the one to cool the flame. Her eyes widened in realisation. The prophecy had spoken of a way to save her life. The figures in the flames had discarded the option, as it would take away the power they were so desperate to have, but there was a chance she could survive this thing. Power was all well and good but there was no point in having it if she wasn’t going to be alive to enjoy it. I’ve got to find them. Whoever this person is I have to find them.

  “Sara,” Abigail’s voice was finally able to penetrate the fog of her mind, her brown eyes were watering with unshed tears. “You’re going to die.”

  “No I’m not. Weren’t you listening
? If we find the one to cool the flame, I’ll live.”

  “Sara, the elders have spoken, you can’t go against their will.”

  “I have to Abigail otherwise I’ll die.”

  “It will be for the good of the fire elementals Sara, you heard the prophecy, before you die, you’ll destroy our enemies. That’s a sacrifice any fire elemental would be willing to make. You’ll be a hero.”

  No, I’ll be dead. She smiled warmly at Abigail, the wheels in her mind working frantically. While Abigail was her friend she was first and foremost a fire elemental and she was good at what she did. One didn’t become known as the red terror without a reason. Abigail’s loyalty to their people was paramount and Sara’s heart sunk as she realised that nothing she did or said was going to change that fact. From the cradle strong fire elementals were raised to believe that they were better than anyone else because they were stronger than anyone else and that to put their own selfish wishes before those of their people was tantamount to treason. With her vast reserves of strength Abigail had been groomed very well to believe that sacrifices made for their people were worthwhile. Having suffered nothing but cruelty and injustice at the hands of her people Sara couldn’t say the same especially when the sacrifice they wanted was her life. She forced a smile to her lips while Abigail rambled on about what they should do during her last days on earth. Apparently I’m in this alone.

  Hungry, Seraphina grumbled.

  Rolling her eyes, Sara brought the flames in the fireplace to life again, letting the fire burn through the wood, Seraphina purred in response. Well as alone as I can be considering I have a vengeful elemental spirit wandering around my head endangering my life. I’ve got to get out of here, no matter the consequences.

  Chapter Three – Fight for Flight

  To Sara’s immense surprise, she was able to leave the confines of her room and explore the walls of New Kennington castle, which she did as soon as Abigail left her alone. The elders were right; her time was short. The prophecy said her flame would burn briefly but had given no specific timeline, briefly could mean anything from a day to a week to a month. With her future, her life, in such doubt she had to move quickly. She had to leave tonight, any longer and she could implode on herself.

  She traversed the many halls of the castle, mentally noting the positions of various important places. She found the kitchen, the treasury and the armoury, all crucial places for her to stop at before she left tonight. Her walk was followed by the silent stares of the castle’s inhabitants. Angry, disgusted stares she was used to. But these stares were filled with, dare she say it, admiration. Apparently she was the only one who was to be kept in the dark regarding the prophecy and its contents.

  Damn straight they want to keep it quiet. If I knew, I’d run. Oh wait, I do know and I’m not just running…I’m fleeing as fast as I can in the other direction. Oh well, at least I won’t have to worry about Abi telling them what I heard, she’ll keep quiet if they don’t want me to know. The obedience to authority that was bred into fire children was at last proving its worth.

  She continued her walk; moving outside and heading towards what she hoped were the stables. No one dared to stop her, likely afraid of incurring the wrath of the child of fire. Her eyes moved quickly, cataloguing everything in sight. She needed to be intimately acquainted with the castle before nightfall and dusk was quickly approaching. There was only one way out of the castle, and the large, heavy doors were well guarded, another obstacle that she would need to overcome. She sighed heavily before walking onwards.

  As the distinct smell of hay filled her nose, she knew without a shadow of a doubt she was in the right place. Horses of various colours and sizes flanked her on both sides from their respective stalls, moving restlessly as she walked down the long path. A loud whinny, grabbed Sara’s attention and she moved towards the sound. The call was quickly followed by the agitated stomping of hooves and she picked up her pace, anxious to see what was going on. When a large white stallion came into view she could have wept for joy.

  “Lance,” she cried rushing to his side. The whinnies continued until she was directly in front of his stall where they turned into soft snorts as he pushed his nose against her clothes. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she cooed, running her hands over his fine hairs.

  The horse had been the only thing her parents had let her take when they had banished her from their presence, ashamed of her weakness. In the years she had been alone, it was only Lance and Abigail that had kept her going. The horse continued to push at her, as though searching for something and Sara took a step back. “Sorry Lance, I don’t have anything for you right now but I promise when I come back I’ll have something extra special for you to eat.” She glanced round, quickly noting that she had been followed by some of the castle’s guards. She could say no more unless she wanted to get caught. Moving quickly, she brushed and saddled the horse, leaving him ready for her escape.

  Her preparations complete, Sara made her way back to the castle, always conscious of the guards at her back. She supposed that they were trying to be inconspicuous but the heat their bodies emitted gave them away easily. She could feel their heat, see their bodies even when her eyes were closed. She rolled her eyes at their ignorance. She was powerful beyond her wildest imaginings and despite being so willing to sacrifice her life for power her leaders were underestimating her.

  “Sara! There you are,” Abigail called, rushing along the stone corridor to meet her. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  “Why?” Did you think I would have run away?

  “We’re having a feast in your honour. Leaders from all over have come to meet you.”

  Sara frowned, leaning close to whisper in Abigail’s ear, “I’m not even meant to know what I have inside me. Why would they throw a feast for me?”

  “Officially they’re saying it’s a feast to celebrate the strength and power of our people,” Abi whispered in response, “but everyone here knows that it’s to celebrate the arrival of the child of flame.”

  “Thanks but no thanks,” Sara replied, pulling her head away from Abigail’s. “If they don’t even have the nerve to just come out and be honest about it then there’s no way I’m going.” Especially when they’ve just given me the perfect distraction for my escape. “I’m tired, I’m going to sleep for the night.”

  “But Sara…”

  “Abi, I don’t want to go.” She turned away to leave before a thought stopped her. This might be the last time she ever saw her friend. If her plan failed then she would die, if it succeeded, she would probably be banished from her village, forbidden from ever returning on threat of death. “Abi,” she began, hoping to keep her voice steady despite the torrent of emotion that was rising within her, threatening to overwhelm her. “I just wanted to say thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For everything. For standing by me over the years, for being my friend,” she chuckled, “for bringing Lance.”

  “What makes you think I brought that violent horse? I wouldn’t dare go near him; he’d either kick or bite me. He’s only loyal to you. We both know that. The stubborn mule followed you here so there’s no need to thank me for that. As for everything else…that’s what friends are for right? Now, go on. I’ll make your excuses for you and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Sara nodded, unable to utter the false response. She wasn’t going to be there in the morning, by then she hoped to be far, far away from the fire elementals and in search of her salvation. As she walked back to the room she’d woken in, her mind was racing, tracing the path she would take to freedom. Though stares followed her on her journey, no one seemed to follow her. The guards had disappeared once it was obvious she was heading back inside. She inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. While everyone was enjoying the feast, she would slip unnoticed out into the night.

  Once she was safely seconded in the relative safety of her room, she could find no rest. A nervous energy filled her and she paced t
he length of the room, certain that she would eventually wear a hole in the rich carpet. Her eyes darted back and forth between the four walls that kept her trapped and the window that looked out onto the night sky.

  By the time that darkness had well and truly fallen, she was more than ready to leave; any more pacing and she was going to be sick. Gathering her empty bag close to her chest, Sara eased the door open slightly; peering out into the corridor and making sure it was empty before she slipped out herself. She hurried along the hall, anxiously turning back every few seconds to ensure that no one was following her. The feast was working far better as a distraction than eve she had imagined. Sara didn’t meet a soul as she walked on silent feet down the halls. As the door to the armoury came into sight, she rolled her eyes in annoyance. People she had never even met were gathered to celebrate the fact she would die. It was disgusting.

  Discarding her feelings, Sara entered the armoury, letting the familiar smell of leather and steel wash over her. She had no doubt that while the upper levels of the castle were relatively empty, things would change as she neared the exit and with everyone knowing exactly what she looked like, disguise was the only way she would reach Lance and ride out into the night. The room was dark but the instant her eyes began to struggle, flames sprouted all around her, candles lighting at the mere thought of light. Sara was forced to concede that if the spirit within her weren’t stealing her life, she would want to keep the power that came with it.

  “Like I would ever be so lucky,” she scoffed.

  She moved silently down the wide aisles of steel armour towards the back where the lighter garments, made of leather, were housed. The material was soft, durable and most importantly, quiet. She ran her hands lovingly over the hard metal before moving on. She could tell with a single glance that the armour here wasn’t as good as the ones she herself made but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Even though her village scorned her for her elemental weakness, they had to admit that as a blacksmith she was second to none, her work was highly sought after, a fact she was immeasurably proud of. Of course what she was essentially stealing wasn’t going to be as good. For now she had to take what was at hand and improve along the way.