TWENTY-ONE: INTO THE DEN
344 Words
They didn’t rush in.
That would’ve been suicide.
Even Ember knew that now.
“We draw them out,” Bright said, crouched low along the ridge, eyes scanning every movement below. “Split them. Control the field.”
“They’re already waiting for me,” Ember replied. “If I step forward, they’ll come.”
His gaze snapped to hers.
“Too risky.”
A flicker of defiance sparked.
“That’s the point.”
Silence stretched.
Bright didn’t like it.
Didn’t like any plan that put her in direct danger.
But he also knew—
She wasn’t the same woman he had found in the snow.
She wouldn’t hide.
Not anymore.
“Fine,” he said finally, voice tight. “But you don’t go beyond my reach.”
Her lips almost curved.
“Still giving orders?”
“Still keeping you alive.”
Their eyes locked.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Then—
Ember stepped out into the open.
The reaction was instant.
Heads snapped up.
Silver eyes locked onto her.
The entire group shifted.
Predators recognizing prey.
Or so they thought.
“Come,” Ember said, her voice carrying across the frozen air.
Cold.
Commanding.
Royal.
The ground beneath her feet seemed to hum faintly in response.
The first attacker moved.
Then another.
Then five.
Exactly as Bright predicted.
They broke formation.
Charged her.
Bright moved along the ridge—silent, lethal—cutting off the others before they could follow.
The fight split cleanly.
Two battles.
One heartbeat.
Ember didn’t wait.
Fire ignited in her hands.
This time—
She didn’t hesitate.
The first attacker lunged.
She burned it mid-air.
Ash scattered across the snow.
The second came faster—
She pivoted, striking low, flame slicing across its chest.
It screamed.
Fell.
But the third—
It reached her.
Claws tore across her shoulder.
Pain exploded.
Her control slipped.
The fire surged—
Wild.
Unstable.
Dangerous.
“No—” she breathed.
Too much.
Too fast.
The flames burst outward in a violent wave.
Uncontrolled.
Everything within reach ignited—
Including her.
- Writer
