Reborn into flames, p.5
Reborn Into Flames, page 5
I had no idea how long she hit me.
When the door opened, I realized my mother had stopped. She talked with Jed, a happy lilt to her voice as my consciousness began to fade. I couldn’t look at Jed and he made no mention of me. Instead, they began getting ready for dinner.
As if I wasn’t lying on the floor in my own puke and blood.
I groaned as the door closed, waking me from my half-unconscious state. I watched the truck’s headlights fade as I stumbled to my feet. I let out a small string of curses before looking to the floor. I shook my head with disgust before pulling off my shredded hoodie. I had no idea what I would wear to cover the bruises in the future.
I ripped the hoodie up further and began to clean up the mess at a painfully slow pace. My back was shredded and polo ruined. Once the hideous flooring was cleared of blood and puke, I stumbled toward the bathroom. I cringed while pulling off my skirt and was thankful that it only needed a wash. Only my upper body had gotten super bloody. Lucky me.
The shower stall was small. I turned on the warm water and rinsed my skirt in the sink before hanging it on a small towel rack. I looked at my pale form in the mirror before taking off my bra and underwear. I could see how bad the injuries were, but couldn’t find a place inside of me to care. Why care when nothing would change? I could numb out the pain. It had happened so many times before and my skin was healing. I didn’t think I had the devil inside me, but my mother did and until she didn’t, this would keep happening. Only 4 days left.
The only thing keeping me going right now were thoughts of my new friends.
I didn’t want to worry them. Not that I wanted to assume they would worry, of course. Still, I knew they were texting me, I could hear it while I laid on the floor. I wasn’t positive how I had heard a silent notification, but I had.
The water was painful. I attempted to clean myself, especially my hair, of the puke and blood. Once I was finished, I walked naked toward my room and brought my skirt along. I opened a small window to let it air dry.
I couldn’t call my room a bedroom now that I had seen the boy’s house. It was a small space. I had a singular window and my mattress laid in the corner with a threadbare thrift store sheet on it. I pulled on a loose PJ shirt. I didn’t want to get blood on any of my nice items. My steps took me back toward my backpack as I dragged it toward my bedroom. I locked the door and turned on the small light from the floor next to my bed. I ignored the spiders in the corner of the room.
Ledger: Text me when you are settled for the night, firefly.
Anani: Peanut? Please answer.
Henry: Are you alright Maya?
Sai: Maya, answer.
Marco: If I don’t get a response in five minutes, I’m coming by.
I jumped to text them back. I didn’t want my friends to see me like this.
Maya: I’m okay.
I breathed before my phone began to light up with a call. I picked up.
“Hello?” I asked into the small smooth contraption.
“Thank God,” Marco muttered. “Why weren’t you responding?”
I didn’t want to lie, so I whispered, “I was with my mom.”
I heard grumbling the background but Marco sighed. “I understand. All of us were just concerned about you.”
I flushed at their thoughtfulness. “That’s sweet of you all.”
Marco grunted, “you will let the twins pick you up tomorrow.”
I knew it wasn’t a question, but still answered, “yes, but can you tell them to meet me near the front of the trailer park? My mother was upset I hung out with boys.”
Sai muttered something in the background before Anani told him to shut it. Marco grunted again, “yeah, that’s fine. How mad was she?”
I swallowed my lie, and replied, “she ended up going out with Jed, so apparently not terribly.”
“You’re home alone?” He asked quietly.
“Um,” I bit my lip, “for a bit. I was about to head to bed.”
Marco sighed, “okay. Atlas is in the area, he may stop by.”
“I don’t think that’s a great idea, what if they come home?” I reasoned with panic.
“He is particularly quiet,” Marco offered softly.
I mumbled back, “okay, I may be sleeping though.”
“That’s okay,” he stated. “Do you need anything?”
I didn’t like the idea of someone I didn’t know showing up while I slept, but Marco trusted him. Plus, I didn’t believe men that huge could be sneaky, unless he was smaller. It was unlikely though. I looked at my tiny window and shook my head.
I bit my lip, considering. Then squeaked out, “do you by chance have another polo for school?”
Silence followed.
“Why do you need a new polo?” Marco barely got out.
I thought fast, “dinner.” I had been in the kitchen.
Marco sighed in relief but hesitantly responded, “I will have Atlas drop one by.”
I nodded. “Thank you. Tell everyone I say goodnight.” I hated lying. I hated it. I forced myself to be good at it. They would have been so upset if they found out about the darkness that talked to me. The one in the center of my chest that told me to exact revenge. I suppose that was better than the one that told me to give up.
Marco repeated my message before whispering goodnight to me as well. I hung up the small pink device before placing it under my pillow. I closed my eyes in relief while positioning myself on my stomach. I hoped Atlas would just leave the polo at my window or something. I wasn’t much in the mood for meeting anyone today.
It had been a very long day.
Chapter 3
Atlas
I moved silently through the trailer park, my motorcycle boots making barely a sound. I had parked a block away so to not attract attention. Inside my thick dark jacket was Maya’s replacement polo. I wasn’t positive I bought her story that Marco had told me, so I was glad to be taking a look.
As an enforcer to Marco’s alpha, I was naturally suspicious. Of what? Everything. I sure as hell didn’t know what to think about this girl that Marco was claiming as our mate. I knew the alpha felt the pull stronger at first, but I couldn’t deny my concern at the slight figure being pulled into the dark truck at the gas station.
I hadn’t seen her yet. I could tell she was beautiful from the way the other men talked about her, but nothing prepared me for seeing her in person. I rounded the trailer, checking the driveway, before going toward a small open window.
I knew I would be able to fit through it, but my eyes caught on the small school skirt hanging on the ledge. I moved closer and sniffed it. It smelled feminine, but also had the faint scent of blood. I examined the edge and noticed slight staining. My jaw tightened as I glided over the window with graceful ease.
Fuck.
Why had she left this window open? I could barely stand upright. The moon shone into the small closet and onto a mattress. Twin size. I felt my eyes widen in shock as I took in a delicate sleeping form. This was her fucking bedroom?
I felt an array of emotions coursed through me. Anger. Fury. Concern. Possession. Lust. My knees broke as I knelt down to the small angelic form sleeping on a thin barely-there mattress. They hadn’t been joking, she was beautiful. Yet, my appreciation was clouded by rage filtering over my eyes. Why the fuck was she sleeping here?
I wanted to take her to my room and let her sleep in my bed. Any of our beds actually. Just not here. Her thick dark hair laid in a seaweed mess on top of her stretched out arms. A tiny splattering of freckles covered her little nose and those long lashes swept across her high cheekbones. She was the most delicate, beautiful woman I had ever met. Hell. I hadn’t even met her and every protective bone in my body was urging me to get her the fuck out of here.
I frowned though. I could feel my dragon’s natural reaction to her, wanting to blanket her in protective and possessive actions, but he was blocking something. I wanted to ask the other men how people had been reacting to her. My senses told me that we were in a world of trouble. I had never smelled her unique mixture of soft scents, but I could tell she was a shifter, just no idea what type.
Maya muttered in her sleep before slipping from under her thin blanket. I groaned at her lack of clothing. Despite her loose t-shirt, it was clear she had shed off a pair of PJ pants. It made her little curves visible because she was in only a pair of panties. I tried to not look at her long legs and a tiny waist. How was it possible for someone so cute and small to be perfectly curved?
I really needed to not be staring at her. Then something caught my eye.
“What the fuck?” I growled. Her white shirt stuck to her back as a pale pink color began to seep through. Maya whimpered but continued to sleep. I moved slowly to peel her shirt off her back. I sucked in a breath.
Her entire back was covered in open wounds that looked like they originated from a belt. They were half healed, but bleeding still. I watched in amazement as her skin stitched itself up with a quickness that was obviously supernatural. I could feel a cold sweat take over her body as those small hands began to tremble. A pained sound came from her throat as my resolve melted.
In a movement that was quick but far from practiced, I pulled her onto my lap with a blanket in tow. I didn’t touch her, except for a hand on her shoulder. Maya, still asleep, curled into my chest as a sigh of contentment came forth. I smiled at how perfectly she fit into my arms.
I could almost forget the terrible wounds on her back.
Almost.
Chapter 4
Maya
When I woke in the morning, I first noticed the warmth that radiated underneath my cheek. I sighed happily before snuggling into my bed’s comfortable heat. My bed was totally more comfortable in the morning than at night. Maybe, I had just been really exhausted and not noticed.
A knock on my door had my eyes springing open. “Get out of bed little bitch.” I nearly growled at Jed’s voice but sat up. My back hurt like hell, the nerves raging against my treatment yesterday, but the wounds were sealed. I knew they were.
“Who the fuck is that?” A deep, so incredibly rich, voice asked. I nearly jumped out of my skin. I kept my mouth shut as I tumbled onto the floor in shock.
“Oh my,” I whispered with confusion.
I had an angel in my bed. It was the only explanation. His skin was a beautiful rich tone that was accented by his navy shirt and jeans. I couldn’t understand how he was fitting in my bed, because this beautiful man was nearly a foot and a half taller than me. His gold eyes sparkled with amusement and rage, a very confusing combination. Maybe he was an avenging angel? That made sense.
I reached forward with curiosity and touched his dark long hair that seemed to float down to his ribs. I was fascinated by the gold rings that lopped along his ear and the way he played with his small gold ring in his lip. Now this man was beautiful, there was no denying it. I mean, what were the chances that I’d be surrounded by so many beautiful men all the time? He smelled like sea salt, which reminded me of this place. I loved that.
“Who are you?” I blinked my eyes, leaning forward, and asked in sincere curiosity. His structured jawline had a trimmed beard that made me shiver slightly. I really liked how it looked on him.
The man flashed a set of perfect white teeth before saying, “Atlas.”
I flushed in realization. “Oh, I thought you were an angel. This is awkward.”
Atlas chuckled softly before another bang on my door had me jumping into his arms. I wasn’t positive why I had done it, but the soft rumbling of his chest had me relaxing. I didn’t even mind the slight pain from his grip.
“Maya,” Jed warned, “get your ass out of bed before I break-in.”
Atlas let out a small growl, I slapped my hand on his mouth, “getting ready!”
“Bitch,” Jed muttered before stomping off. I sighed and turned toward the massive man with a big grin.
“Did you stay the night?” I asked with curiosity.
He nodded cautiously. “I hope that’s okay.”
I flashed a smile and cupped his jaw. “That was my first sleepover ever. Thanks for that.”
Atlas shook his head and smiled. “Angel, you are something else.”
He then opened his dark tan jacket and handed me a white polo. I grinned and stood up, realizing I was only in underwear and a shirt. My blush alerted Atlas because he let out a low rumbling sound that had my skin breaking out in shivers. What was it about that damn noise?
“You should get dressed,” he groaned before deflating into the bed. I nodded and briefly wondered why he looked so pained. I shimmied on my skirt before turning to take off my shirt. I grimaced at the pain in my back, despite superficial appearances.
I pulled on my bra and gently tugged the polo on before turning around. I gasped as Atlas looked down at me with frustration and anger. I whimpered at his imposing height, which caused him to lift me up under the thighs and bring me to eye level.
“Don’t be afraid of me Maya,” he whispered gently, no longer looking angry. “I would never hurt you, angel.”
I nod, now that I was looking at him in the eye, I felt better. I knew I had no reason to fear him, but the man was truly massive.
“When I arrived yesterday, your back…” He growled quietly. My eyebrows shot up as I shook my head furiously. I so didn’t want to talk about this.
“It was an old wound,” I muttered quietly.
“That was actively bleeding and healing while I watched?” He growled again.
I raised my eyebrow. “You actually saw it heal? Wow. What was that like?”
He frowned and asked, “Have you always had healing abilities?”
I licked my lips, debating, and responded, “only when skin is broken.”
His chest rumbled again as he demanded, “does that happen often?”
I flushed and tucked my head down into his shoulder. He sighed and brought a hand into my hair. “I will let this go for now Maya, but I expect an answer. The boys will also.”
“No!” I whisper yelled.
He grunted, “we have to tell them.”
“I don’t want to worry the only friends I have, they will leave me!” I sounded panicked. Somehow their loss, after less than 24 hours, would devastate me.
Atlas’s eyes darkened as he tried to reassure me, “no one will leave you Maya, but I have to tell Marco.”
I whimpered as I spoke softly, “he’s going to be mad.”
Atlas scoffed. “Not at you angel.”
My alarm went off then as I scrambled to turn it off. My mother hated the noise. Atlas sighed before picking up my PJ shirt from the ground, I cringed at the blood on it. He tucked it into his jacket and leaned forward into my space.
“The twins are here with Henry. I expect to see you tonight at the house. If anything scares you between now and then, you will call me. Okay?”
I bit my lip and nodded, “I promise.” Could I call him just for fun?
“Good.” He nodded with a tense expression. I watched him leave my room and swayed briefly on my feet. Damn. Now Cosmo hadn’t said anything about situations like that.
I grabbed my bag, tucked my phone in the bottom of it, and surfaced into the hall. The trailer was quiet and I made it nearly to the front door, before a meaty gross hand grasped my neck. I cringed at the feeling and waited for the scent of tobacco to disappear. It didn’t.
“You think you can ignore me?” Jed whispered in a disgusted voice.
“I slept in,” I mumbled quietly.
“Ignore me again and your door stays unlocked at night,” he growled with yellow teeth. His hand bit into my neck as he pressed his disgusting body against mine. I whimpered, but it seemed to only encourage him.
“Jed baby,” my mother’s voice called, “come back to bed.”
I prayed he would. Jed grunted, squeezing my neck harder, before releasing me and walking away. I stumbled through the door and practically jogged toward a waiting SUV. I let my hair fall onto my neck and offered a weak, watery smile.
“What’s wrong?” Ledger asked. Henry helped me into the back and gave me a sweet smile. It made my heart flutter nervously.
“Nothing,” I mumbled.
Anani turned in his seat and looked me over with intense eyes, “your bruises are gone.”
I shrugged, “maybe they weren’t as bad as you thought.”
Henry mumbled something before grasping my hand. The action made both of us blush as Ledger sighed and pulled onto the street. I don’t think Henry blushed because he was embarrassed like I was though. The morning was a gloomy one and I couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of sadness that invaded my bones. Once Atlas told them, they would think I was all messed up. They wouldn’t want to be my friends anymore.
“Coffee?” Ledger asked while pulling through a green and white drive-through.
Henry and Anani ordered while I frowned at the menu. Ledger smiled, “you’ve never been to Starbucks?”
I leaned forward on my knees, over Henry, to peak at the menu. Henry made a low sound in his throat as the hand clasping mine moved to my hip. His hand was hot, but it steadied me. Anani turned in his seat to see the commotion and groaned. I looked back over my shoulder to find Ledger silently laughing.
“What?” I asked confused.
“What would you like to drink, firefly?” Ledger mumbled with amusement.
“Something sweet please,” I decided and sat back. Henry’s hand gripped my waist gently as I settled against his warmth. Human contact felt great. Except, I wasn’t positive they were humans. I mean, I didn’t know what they were, but the dragon theory seemed valid. I sighed contently because I fit perfectly into Henry’s side.
“We should get her some leggings,” Anani muttered.
Ledger let out a loud laugh. “You don’t mind the skirt on anyone else.”
