The Fire Within (The Fire of The Soul Series) (29 page)

Shade simply grins from ear to ear, all he says is
"It was quite adventurous." He leaves it at that, as if to leave us
all hanging on his every word. He looks up from his meal, and begins to speak.
"There simply was a lot of activity, we ran into three nomads on our way
to the Antadovia. They were neutral to the war, and did not want a hand in its
matter, even though the outcome will affect them either way. The Fey were
completely hateful toward me, as I had expected which is why I sent my back-up
home before we could even enter into Antadovia. I was captured by the
Antadovian guards, and kept as prisoner within the Queen's castle. I knew as
soon as I told them that I knew the Queen that their guard would be in chaos,
as there is only one outsider that ever got close to the Queen. I met up with
the queen, told her what she needed to know, and what I could only barely tell
her. However even though she didn't give me an answer - though she sent me away
from her kingdom once again - I am confident that the Fey will join us in
battle." Shade is still grinning, and I cannot blame him, if what he just
told us was a brief summary of his 'adventure' then he must have had quite a
journey.

Astoria, Augustus, Kayden and Shade discuss what
needs to be done now. Now that we have word from the Mer-folk and the Fey.
"Anna, you must continue your training. Bringing your father into this was
a mistake, but you need to learn how to control the gift that you have, you
need to know how to stop if you need to." This is Astoria, demanding that
I continue my training, and although it was tough and painful today, I know
that she is right; I know that I need to continue my training.

"We must also start preparing the citizens of
this kingdom for the war ahead. As soon as Victor returns we will all be
marching into the no-man's lands, we will be waiting until the Skin-walkers
decide to show themselves." Augustus is clearly as much of a leader as
Victor and Kayden, his plan is simple yet well thought out.

"Now that Shade has returned, we can continue
your training Anna as well. You learnt the very basics today, but now you must
learn how to fight against an opponent who will be attacking, and attempting to
kill you." Kayden is looking at me, his eyes are hard, and I can tell that
he is completely focused on the topic at hand. Shade seems to be about to
object, but he silences himself, knowing not to go against his commander.

"The only real question is what are we going to
do about your parents Anna?" Astoria's eyes are on mine, they are filled
with empathy, and concern like any mother-like figure would feel for those that
they have taken under their wing. However I've never need my mother, and I
don't need anyone to step into those shoes that have been left unfulfilled.

"They deserve the worst punishment possible,
they truly deserve to rot," I say harshly. I stand up to leave, but before
I do I look down into Kayden's eyes, I can feel my hatred bubbling underneath
my skin, and I can see the look of hatred that is within my eyes reflecting
back at me in Kayden's. "They deserve to be left to rot where all the
darkest secrets are kept within this castle." With this I see for a moment
the surprise in Kayden's eyes, I see the truth being realized within his mind.
Now he knows that I know of Victor’s darkest secret. I turn away from all of
them, making my way to the stables again, to continue pumping the blood and
hatred throughout my body, in hopes to burn it all out in exhaustion. Now that
he knows, I wonder what they will do to stop me from going back to see Sadar, I
wonder how far Kayden will go to keep Victor's darkest secret from me, and I
know with even his strongest attempts it is all futile, I already know of
Victor's darkest secret, and I plan to do something about it; though I'm not
quite sure what.

Anna's P.O.V

They say that time flies by when you’re having fun,
for the most part this is true. However, it also flies by when your worried,
stressed and under a lot of pressure. Since Kayden and Shade's return, time had
slipped away, the days flying by, being there for one moment and gone the next.
There is no sign of Victor anywhere, and we have not heard word from him from
the moment that he had left. I cannot do anything but worry for him, and wonder
if he had indeed been killed, as I saw it happen within Sadar's vision. I fear
that Victor will not return home at all. However, despite my fears for Victor
my training never ceases. Kayden claims that I have mastered self-defence, and
now he has me training with Shade and himself, preparing me for a real fight if
one were to come my way.

This as fate has it, is what helps pass the time. My
body sweats till the point where it feels like I'm trying to move through
water. Towering above me is Kayden, a broad sword within his enormous hands. He
has a grin that seems to want to split his head in half. His eyes are
shimmering with the passionate fire that burns when he fights, his enjoyment
and merriment evident within those gleaming orbs. I love seeing Kayden like
this, these are the moments where I can be myself around him, where I can let my
guard down because it is as we mock-fight his own guard is down, his feelings -
which I cannot ever accept - are gone as well, forgotten in the moment of the
fight.

"Come On Anna!" Shade screams from his
leaning position against the wall. I grin slightly; Shade has been with us in
these practices since his return. Shade is always rooting for either one of us,
his cheers going for whoever was in the lead at the present moment. However at
this moment his cheers are for me, a wolfish whistle sounding from his lips. My
eyes do not leave Kayden though; I wait for him to attack first, and remember
to keep in my defensive position. Kayden however, is a master at this, with
years of experience he only waits out his time, dancing around with his sword
hanging limply within his hands, though still posed to strike at any moment.

He's still grinning madly, his smile stretching from
cheek to cheek. I swing at him, bending back-wards as his sword slices the air
above my head. We move in union, ducking each others attacks, our swords
clinking and clashing at each other, the sound of swords batting against each
other echoing around in the open stable. He slices out again as I twirl away,
his sword just missing from slicing my stomach. The procession between my twirl
and the motion of finding balance is over in the blink of an eye, and I thrust
my sword out. The point just hovers against his Adam's apple. He drops his
sword and raises his hands into the air, the grin on his face does not leave,
and after a few moments I lower my sword until it clatters to the ground as
well.

We're both breathing heavily, staring into each
other's eyes. There's a roaring fire burning within his, and it makes me
unnerved to imagine what he could possible be thinking. Shade comes clapping
Kayden on the back and picks me up and twirls me around.

"Sorry mate but she won that round. It's now 4
all. I guess we're gonna call it a day?" Shade asks, and Kayden just
gently nods his head. As if he cannot believe that we are tied, or that I've
actually been able to beat him four times.

"Anna why don't you sit down for a moment, I
want to have a quick go with Kayden." Shade is grinning; I can tell that
he's really eager at this point of moment to fight his Captain. Kayden nods
gently at me, so I sit down on the wooden bench that Shade had left unattended.
I watch as these boys raise their swords, grins stretching out across their
lips. They begin to move with a rhythm that comes with years of practice. I
watch in silent wonder at their fluidity, at their knowledge of each others
moves. Their movements are like a practiced dance, and if the sounds of swords
clashing did not echo in the air I could believe that they were actually
dancing. However it is quite evident that they are going all out on each other,
testing each others limits. Shades muscles bulge with every slice of his sword;
Kayden's slimmer frame more flexible, making it easier for him to get away.
There is a connection between the two men, they know each others moves so well
that it is almost beautiful to watch. It all happens so quickly, one moment
they are battling, the next Kayden's sword is hovering above Shade's heart.
Shade is breathing heavily, panting with the exhaustion of that spectacular
battle. Their grins have not left their face, and they only hug once Kayden's
sword is lowered.

As I watch the two boys embrace quickly, and think
about the friendship that has grown between us over the past few weeks. It is
strange how growing in battle can bring us all closer together, however working
together, nay
fighting
together has brought us closer, has built a bond
between the three of us, where there was only distrust before between Shade and
I.

"Oi Anna! Get your skinny body over here
now!" Shade shouts grinning from ear to ear, he is waving at me frantically.
I make my way over to the boys - I ought to stop referring to them as such,
because they are more so men than boys - Kayden is watching me intently, as is
Shade, but the difference between the two pairs of eyes that follow me, and
what lays within them is in complete contrast that it is almost funny.

"What is it Shade? What must my vampire teacher
want from me now?" I ask teasingly, smiling cheekily at my two teachers.

"Besides wanting to drink you dry? I want to
give you a few tips on how to fight against someone twice your size."
There is a cheeky grin on Shades face, however the red tinge to Kayden's cheeks
has me feeling unnerved on the inside again. I try to ignore Shades first
comment; it is an easy feat to accomplish when Shade continues on. "One of
the first things you must keep in mind is never to be within range of their
sword, if you are too close you'll find that they will easily defeat you.
Second is never to be caught off guard, though this is always a must when in
battle, and thirdly try to have the element of surprise. If you keep these
things in mind when you're going against someone bigger than you, then you'll
have a better chance at winning." Silence falls upon the group, each of us
falling into our own thoughts.

The silence is beginning to become eerie so I say
"It's probably best if we leave this for today. Do you boys feel like
joining me for a drink?" I don't want the day of our little fights to be
over, knowing that the anxiety that Kayden may do something unwanted again will
seep in but we are all exhausted, and I cannot fit in another moment of our
battles into this day.

"Of course, the more drinks we have the merrier
we shall be," Shade says in a suave tone, trying to be high-class when we
all know that he is a down right bloody vampire, and a damn good fighter at
that.

I watch as Kayden and Shade run off, trying to beat
each other to the door. I didn't bother trying to run with them as there is no
way that I could possible keep up with them. Kayden looks over his shoulder for
a moment, most likely to see where I am. Grinning he turns around speeds back
to me, and lifts me up into his arms. I cling onto him tightly as he pumps his
legs to catch back up to Shade. There is no chance for him to accomplish this,
but he attempts to do so anyhow. I feel so at ease with Kayden and Shade, for
these two men are like my brothers in every sense of the word but blood. Now
that I have gotten to know them it is ridiculous to imagine a life without
them.

The time that it takes for Kayden to reach the study
- that we have made our own - is a lot shorter than it would have been if I had
walked the distance myself. Shade is already in the room, I can hear him
scuffling around from just outside the door. However my focus on Shade is lost
when I feel Kayden's eyes upon me, his arms still tightly wound around my
waist. He is breathing heavily, his eyes burning wildly, and I realize how
little space there is between our chests. He breaths my name, barely a whisper
in the air but it contains his feelings, and uneasily I push away from him.
Kayden releases me as soon as I push at him, the look in his eyes change at my
urgency to get away from him. I refuse to notice it though as I enter into the
room, my skin starting to burn with fever where his hands had just been.

Shade has already brought out the whiskey and
glasses. It seems he had started the fire as well, as it is roaring to life
within the fire place. Shade relaxes in the single seat, his white shirt
unbuttoned, and his boats kicked lazily to the side.

I sit down next to Kayden on the only other seat
available, and quietly pour myself a half-full glass.

"What are we drinking to?" I ask my eyes
on the two men sitting with me. Kayden looks uncomfortable, but there is a
knowing grin on Shades face, one that I cannot completely understand.

"We are drinking to the fact that the Lady can
actually fight now!" This is Shades half-sarcastic remark, a smirk gracing
his manly lips. Kayden agrees, and so we clink our glasses together and drink
deeply from them. We spend a few hours talking and getting to know each other
better until it is time for lunch.

Sitting at the table already is Astoria and
Augustus, they have been waiting for us patiently, the food before them
untouched. In the past few weeks alone I have come to know both of them better,
than I had in the past few months that I have been here. I know now of
Augustus' bravery and Astoria's kind heart. I am more than grateful for the
both of them, and all the effort that they have put in to help me handle the
curse, as we have come to call it the "Death Wish". We stumbled upon
the name when Augustus volunteered to take the place of the victim. Astoria had
accused him of having a 'Death Wish', and an epiphany had hit us all at those
two words. From that moment on the curse that lives within my soul has been
referred to as such.