Elements of Fire Book Four

Chapter 1

It’s only been a day or two since the incident with Red. The only reason I know that, is because very soon, it will be my birthday.

Ever since meeting Richard, my upcoming birthday has been the only thing on his mind. Because that’s the day, apparently, I’m meant to come into my full powers.

Though it’s questionable as to how much power I’ll acquire. You see, it feels as if I’ve already reached the heights of my abilities.

From defeating Stanley, to defeating Red – exactly how much more magic will I acquire?

Even as I wonder that, I know the answer.

It’s not about how much raw power I’ll acquire – it’s about my understanding of the other elements. And what comes next? Fire.

Even thinking about it, I shiver.

I’m sitting in my bedroom. I’ve dragged one of the enormous, plush chairs over to the window, and I’m leaning against it, fingers drumming against the sill as I stare out at the city below. I’ve got my cheek clamped in one hand, and my eyes don’t blink as I cast my gaze this way and that. What am I looking for? To be honest, I don’t know.

You see, I’m waiting.

For what?

It comes approximately five minutes later.

There’s a soft knock on my door. I know exactly who it is, and so too does my heart as it gives a flutter.

I shift away, ensuring the move isn’t so jerked that I don’t knock myself out of my seat. I take a breath, settle it deep in my lungs, press my lips together, push the air out of them, and regain my nerve. Then I plaster a smile over my mouth. Come in.

Richard doesn’t pause. He’s like a Jack-in-the-box as he springs into the room. I don’t even have the time to stand and neaten myself.

His gaze locks on me, and though there’s a tense look on his face to begin with, it’s complicated by a crumpled smile. Enjoying the view?

Well, I push up, wipe my hands down my pants even though they’re not dirty, and then start fumbling with my hair, if there’s one good thing about this tower, it’s the view.

He arches an eyebrow. His expression is still tense, and from the underlying rigidity of his muscles and the way he sprang into the room, it’s clear he needs me for something urgent. And yet, he’s obviously got the time to talk. Sorry, is this talking? No, it’s flirting. Evidenced by the soft and yet sure smile that spreads over his lips. He even crosses his arms as he tilts his head back and arches an eyebrow. I would assume that this tower, he indicates my extremely opulent and large room with a shrug of his broad shoulders, would have other things to offer, too.

I spread my lips and grin. I’ve got to say, the gold taps are a nice touch. But why are you here exactly? Though I could do this all day – banter softly with Richard – I don’t want to ignore that he’s obviously got something to talk to me about, and that it’s obviously urgent.

Once upon a time I assumed erroneously that I could read Richard Hargrave like an open book. Back then, I assumed I knew the depths of the one-dimensional rich warlock. Now? I understand him on a much deeper level.

Maybe it was because I almost died protecting him from Red. Or maybe it’s just that the more I’m thrown into this magical world, the more complicated I realize it is – and, by necessity, anyone who lives in it is complicated in turn.

And for someone like Richard, who’s the one good sheep in a flock of wolves, it’s even worse.

Picked up on my mood, ha? I thought I was hiding it.

You sprang into this room as if you were shot from a cannon. Now, what’s up?

Two things. One of them, he swallows uncomfortably, then he clears his throat, and it’s just as uncomfortable, I hope is going to be good news. The other… he trails off, his jaw becoming stiff.

Yeah, I’m not an idiot anymore – I know that Richard can be awkward just as much as he can be smooth and suave. But there’s something extremely awkward about the way he’s dodging around whatever he wants to say. Something that, for some reason, plucks at my stomach. I find myself standing and taking what I hope isn’t an awkward step toward him. Though it’s customary to leave the good news until last, what is it?

Your birthday, he says with a soft smile. The kind of soft smile that reaches in, makes my stomach kick, and then spreads through my body like I’ve just swallowed a flare.

He takes an awkward step toward me. He straightens his back, tips his head up, and nods. Your party. I… am planning something.

You’re planning me a party? I thought… I trail off, bring a hand up, and scratch my head. I don’t know; I think I’ll be kind of busy that day. What with me coming into my full powers and all. Is it really a good time to have people around? Won’t I…. I shrug again – if there was any chance that I wasn’t acting awkwardly before, now that is completely blown apart. I can feel how rigid and imprecise my moves have become, kind of like my body has been turned into clay. Won’t I be… God, I don’t know, jumping off the walls or something? I’m still not entirely sure what it will mean to come into my full power, but it will have something to do with the other elements, won’t it? And do we really want witnesses for that? I started off awkward, but now we are talking about something serious – and, importantly, something that could risk Richard’s life – I control my words until they are quick and efficient.

You won’t be jumping off the walls. But yes… when you inherit your full powers, you will gain a full understanding of the three elements including fire. But no, that won’t stop you from having a party. If, that is, you want a party.

I get the kind of feeling that I’m in grade school and Richard is my first boyfriend. Then I quickly latch hold of that thought, reminding myself that Richard and I will never get together because I’m his bodyguard, and I push a smile over my lips. Yeah, sure, I wouldn’t mind a party. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my friends— I begin. I stop. I bring up a hand, latch it on the back of my head, and let it drop. That being said, they’re going to be mighty suspicious if my employer is throwing me a party.

It doesn’t need to be many friends. Just whoever you want, really. Your grandmother, Lisa, he adds quickly, his tone completely neutral. Which is saying something, because after he found out that I brought Lisa into this world and told her about magic, Richard was none too pleased. Though, to be fair, when I’d quickly explained that Jerome was the idiot who’d cast magic in front of her, and I’d just tried to save her, he’d understood.

And now? It’s brilliant. It’s only been two days since the incident with Red, but that doesn’t matter, because now I have a friend. Yeah, I’ve been growing closer to Richard, and he’s been warming to me, too. He’s no longer the icy, arrogant bastard who inherited me all those weeks ago. But he’s completely different to Lisa.

I can now call her and unload whenever I want to. She’s been around several times, too. Heck, she’s meant to come over tonight.

I let a broad smile spread my lips. That sounds nice. Just a small party, then. So…. I look down at my shoes then up at him. What was the other thing you wanted to discuss? The bad news? I remind him, if, that is, he needs reminding.

Judging from the sudden sour expression that crosses over his features, he certainly doesn’t need reminding.

He shoots a hand into his pocket, and the move is so tense, I’m drawn to the line of his shoulders as they press against his suit. Richard is never seen outside of a suit unless he’s in the dojo. Obviously it’s his armor. Even though – and I know I’ve said this way too many times – suits don’t fit him. Nothing fits Richard. He’s way too intense to be framed.

Just before I can get lost in thoughts of Richard being naked instead, he clears his throat and darts his gaze up suddenly. There’s a seriously intense look in his gaze, and I would be a fool not to note it.

I frown. There’s a new practitioner in town, isn’t there? Filling the void that Red and Stanley left, ha? I add.

This causes the slightest of smiles to spread across Richard’s lips, but almost immediately, they stiffen as he frowns. You’re getting a handle on this world quickly. You may not have inherited your full powers yet, but that doesn’t matter.

Who are they? I jump straight to business as I take another step toward him. I allow my arms to fall beside me and round my hands into soft fists, the fingers curling against my palms. I’m ready. Not, of course, that I genuinely think I’ll be attacked in Richard’s tower. Though I have learned that this building is not safe against powerful practitioners. What I’m ready for is my orders. Once upon a time, I would’ve complained about them. Now, I get it. I honestly do. I’m not just here to help Richard – most importantly, I’m here to help everybody else. I have a lot of power, and if I don’t use it for good….

Maxwell Franks, Richard says. His lips snap so stiffly around the move, it’s like he’s trying to spit between the syllables.

I am used to Richard showing passion occasionally. Especially around strong practitioners who are trying to practice dark magic. But this?

I don’t hide the fact that my eyebrows narrow. An old friend of yours? And by friend, I obviously mean enemy? I add, realizing Richard isn’t the best with sarcasm.

Indeed, he says, his lips even stiffer this time. Heck, it seems that if I mention this Maxwell’s name again, Richard’s lips will just fall off his face and crack into dust on the floor.

What exactly is his damage? Where did he come from, what kind of magic does he practice, and why did he wait until Red and Stanley were pulled out before he came to this city? Every single question I reel off is professional. They are all the facts I’ll need to start investigating this guy.

Fire, is all Richard answers.

I blink quickly. You mean he practices fire magic? What about— I stop. For two reasons. Primarily, the look in Richard’s eyes. Boy is it intense. You know how I’ve said on multiple occasions that Richard is like a volcano? Most of the time he simmers along just like a smoldering log. Occasionally, he looks like he’s getting ready to explode.

Which is precisely the kind of vibe I pick up off him now.

Come with me, and I will explain everything. It’s finally time to prepare you for fire magic. He turns and leaves.

And I follow.

Chapter 2

Richard is sitting cross-legged in front of me, the doors to the Japanese garden open behind us. Though there is a pleasant breeze rushing in, and it would be easy to be distracted by the perpetual cherry blossoms outside and their delicate scent, I have all of my attention focused on him.

I’m sitting cross-legged, too, and though, once upon a time, there would have been no way I would have ever had such a strong, upright stance, and I would have slouched like a teenager, now I look like a dutiful pupil.

I don’t push him to hurry up with the lesson. I know enough about Richard to appreciate he only ever does things in his own time.

… Which is a little ironic, isn’t it? You could accuse somebody with earth magic or water magic of being slow. It’s in their element. But fire?

It’s meant to be quick, effective, and deadly.

Richard has his eyes closed, and he’s breathing slowly, methodically, rhythmically. Each inhalation has the kind of sonorous beat that draws me in.

The next thing I know, I sigh.

This causes Richard to open an eye. The one thing you can’t do with fire magic is force it. It will not come as easily as the other elements, he warns abruptly.

I frown. Why not? I would have assumed that fire would be, I shrug, aggressive, I guess. I’d assumed controlling it would be a little bit like trying to tame a wild bull.

It can be aggressive, he warns. And that’s the point.

I continue to frown at him. You mean, if you give yourself up to the element, you’ll find yourself losing control?

Yes, he answers forthrightly. Of all of the elements, fire is by far the most dangerous. You must continually keep hold of it without burning yourself. As he says that, he brings up a hand, spreads his fingers wide, clicks them, and reveals a stable flame. It dances over the tips of his nails, flickering this way and that.

I’ve never been the kind of girl to hang around