Only Fire

Chapter 5

I wasn't sure what forgiveness meant or if he deserved it. However, I did know Zane didn't do anything. But that was also the problem. As my thoughts rode their roller coaster, I thumbed through the phoenix's guidebook.

I could say I was rereading it. But the first time was more like a skim-through. Most things come naturally, so I didn't think I would need it. My groans were audibly louder with every page turn, but this needed to be done.

Never make a contract with the enemy. 

The words resonated off the page loud and clear. All my mistakes were screaming in my face. I made a deal with a vampire.

I had been living this life completely wrong. The life of a firebird was to spread the light from the sun onto as many others before theirs burned out. I was never supposed to seclude myself or wear a mask of kindness. Phoenixes were warm by nature, so what was wrong with me?

At least vampires were still my natural enemies. However, vampires were almost everyone's enemies. Werewolves, sirens, fairies. The only allies' vampires keep were witches and zombies, but how do you call rogue witches and the dimwitted zombies a helper or friend? I guess they all had narcissistic behaviors that they could resonate with.

The more I read, the more unanswered questions I had. Too bad they don't give us a mentor. Only a book and a purpose. Apparently, I had succeeded many times before because I am still here. So why is this life so hard?

I closed the book in frustration. The only thing I figured out was Kathryn was an ally. She detests the vamps as much as I do.

As the bright sun shined in the blue sky, I could only do one thing. I locked the door behind me as I escaped the wooden entrapment. I ran across the road and into the overgrown field stripping out of my human clothing. I never stopped running until I lit up like a meteor breaking the earth's atmosphere. The explosion alone liberated my thoughts.

The fire surrounding my body consumed the air, and I flew with the freedom I craved. Every time I flew, my thoughts became more precise. Maybe it was because I was in my natural form, or perhaps it was the surrounding environment. Either way, I could not contain my smile.

I soared the treetops effortlessly and saw I was coming upon the small hillside by the lake. I knew most couples meet there to be alone. It was also a vamp's favorite feeding spot. Hours had passed and the sun had now set, so I had to be careful. I could look like a shooting star crossing the dark sky if I was high enough. I just hoped the hillside was empty, and I could make it back to the overgrown field without a problem.

The air whipped around me as I gained speed, flying upward as high as possible. As I passed the clearing at high rates, I looked down at the wrong moment.

Wild black eyes stared up at me as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. Blood bags rested on the ground around him. Was Zane refusing to hunt humans? No matter, as it was still mortal blood he consumed. But what concerned me most was... did he see me?

I was now just a ball of fire zooming across the night sky as I descended into the open field not far from the house. This was my thinking spot, and no one knew of it but me. This time of year, the luscious green grass was home to thousands of yellow and purple wildflowers. The earthy smell hit my nostrils as I changed back into my human form.

I watched as the wind blew the flowers in colorful waves. If only I could be like this field. I would be lucky enough to witness the death and rebirth of the wildflowers each season. Unfortunately, I was like the wildflowers, bringing others colorful happiness, but was I ever truly happy?

The dirt trails were lit by the moon, and I could make my way back to my clothes. I was not the first immortal to run naked in these woods. The werewolves do it more often than I ever would. At the opening of the woods, I looked both ways making sure there was not another soul in sight, and I took off running to where I had left my pile of clothes. It was still there.