Fire And Flesh
1037 Words
Smoke filled the library’s main hall as people screamed and rushed toward the exits. Alarms blared from every corner, but Siena couldn’t hear them over the pounding of her heart.
Jace gripped her wrist and pulled her through the side hallway, past the archives, toward the emergency exit. His pace was urgent but controlled, like he knew exactly where he was going.
Outside, the air was thick with panic and sirens. Siena stumbled into the alleyway beside the building, coughing, the acrid smoke still clinging to her clothes and throat.
Jace leaned close, his voice low and sharp. “That wasn’t an accident.”
Siena stared at him, dazed. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw someone inside, before the fire even started. He didn't look like just anyone. He was watching you.”
Her breath hitched. “Why me?”
His eyes dropped briefly to the silver pendant resting against her chest. “Because of that. It’s not just jewelry, Siena. It means something to people who recognize it.”
She yanked the chain from her neck, holding it out. “Then take it. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
He didn’t move. His expression was tight, unreadable. “I can’t protect you anymore. Not like this.”
“What does that mean?” she demanded. “Jace, what the hell is going on?”
But he didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped back, his gaze flicking over her shoulder. “Be careful who you trust.”
“Jace-”
But he was already gone, disappearing into the chaos of flashing lights and running bodies.
Siena stood frozen, the pendant cold in her palm. She hadn’t noticed it before, but now it felt heavier. Like it had weight beyond its metal.
And for a moment, just a second it felt… warm. Almost hot. She frowned and dropped it against her chest again.
***
She barely remembered the walk home. Her legs carried her on autopilot, her mind still trapped in Jace’s words, the fire, and the way the pendant pulsed against her skin.
The apartment was dark when she stepped inside. She didn’t turn on the lights. She just stood in the doorway, trying to breathe.
Click.
A lamp switched on.
Siena jumped.
Aiden stood in the kitchen, hair tousled, barefoot, wearing a faded black tee and gray sweatpants. A takeout bag sat on the counter beside him.
“Jesus, Siena.” He crossed the room in two strides. “I’ve been calling you for hours. Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer right away. The warmth of him his concern, his scent broke something in her. Her throat closed up.
He pulled her into his arms. “Talk to me.”
“There was a fire at....,” she said finally. “I mean In the library.”
His arms tightened. “Are you hurt?”
“No. Just… shaken.”
“You smell like smoke.”
She gave a weak laugh. “It’s been that kind of day.”
He kissed her forehead gently. “Come sit. I got Chinese. Your favorite sesame noodles and dumplings.”
Siena let him guide her to the couch, the scent of food hitting her all at once.
“You always know,” she murmured, pulling her legs under her.
He smiled faintly. “That’s kind of my thing.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the noise of the world muted by the walls around them. He handed her a carton and a pair of chopsticks. She ate quietly, trying to process.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Okay,” he said softly. “Then just eat. And rest.”
But their eyes met and something shifted.
Aiden reached for her chopsticks, setting them aside.
She didn’t stop him.
Maybe it was the fire. Maybe it was fear. Or the memory of Jace walking away again. Whatever it was, her lips found Aiden’s like a question she couldn’t stop asking.
His hands came up to cradle her face as the kiss deepened. “Are you sure?”
“I need this,” she whispered. “I need you.”
He didn’t say another word.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom like she weighed nothing.
***
The room was dim, painted in quiet shadows. He laid her down slowly, reverently.
They undressed without hurry. His fingers traced her collarbone, brushing the pendant still resting there.
He paused. “This thing again?”
She tensed. “Don’t ask.”
Aiden nodded and lowered his head, his lips replacing the chill of the chain with something warmer kisses down her chest, her ribs, her hips.
“Tell me what you need,” he murmured, mouth grazing her skin.
“You,” she breathed.
He took his time, like she was something to savor. Their rhythm was slow, intimate. Her moans filled the space between them, and when they came together, it was quiet and consuming.
But just as Siena began to drift off, something strange happened.
A flicker.
A flash.
A memory.
She was young. Running barefoot through a marble hallway. Voices behind her. A scream. A crash. Blood on white tile.
She sat bolt upright, heart hammering.
“Siena?” Aiden stirred beside her, alarmed.
She clutched the pendant.
“I saw something,” she whispered. “A memory. I think it was real.”
He sat up, reaching for her, but she shifted away, shaken.
“I think… someone’s after me.”
A knock came at the door.
They both froze.
Another knock this time louder.
Aiden got up cautiously, throwing on a shirt.
Siena moved to the doorway, her heart hammering. “Who is it?”
Silence.
Then a voice. Calm. Smooth. Cold.
“Siena Bellani,” it said. “We need to talk.”
“Bellani?” She said to herself
She peeked through the peephole.
And opened the door
Tall. Dark hair. Sharp suit. Eyes like ice.
“I’m Luca Moretti and you’re mine” he said.
Siena stares at him amused And responds “What the actual f**k?”
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