The Mark of Fallen Flame (Weapon of Fire and Ash) Read online

  A Weapon of Fire and Ash Novel

  By Brittany Matsen

  The Mark of the Fallen Flame

  A Weapon of Fire and Ash Novel

  © Copyright 2019 Brittany Matsen.

  Published by IngramSpark

  Cover by Dean Packwood

  ISBN: 978-0-473-47146-0

  All Rights Reserved.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the written permission of the author.

  For Noah

  “Where a faint light shines alone, Dwells a Demon I have known. Most of you had better say “The Dark House,” and go your way. Do not wonder if I stay.

  For I know the Demon’s eyes And their lure that never dies. Banish all your fond alarms, For I know his foiling charms…”

  -Edwin Arlington Robinson

  1

  Laura

  Laura’s heart pounded as she stared down at the illuminated screen of her phone, reading the message for the third time. Stay inside, I’ve got my contact clearing the area. I’ll let you know when it’s safe. -S

  She had seen three similar messages just this month. When activity picked up like it had, it usually meant it was time to move on to a new location. Her shoulders slumped at the thought. She had begun to enjoy living in Seattle. So had Emma, it seemed.

  Emma. Her seventeen-year-old daughter. The reason she refused to conform to the same way of life her family had. Emma always made a reasonable effort to go wherever Laura took them, pasting on a smile as she packed up her things, again and again, rarely asking questions. Laura only offered small lies to cover for the times they stole away in the dead of night, sneaking away like thieves. Bad boyfriend, a family member of a patient she couldn’t save that was stalking her, and the list went on.

  Though she didn’t buy Emma’s silent acceptance, she appreciated her daughter’s ability to do what was necessary to survive. She would be eighteen in a month and would have to face the prospect of another change.

  When Emma had asked to go out with a friend, Laura had only agreed when she knew it was safe. They were never truly safe, but Emma’s existence would always be endangered. Now she would have to once again cancel Emma’s plans. It made her ache to imagine her daughter’s crestfallen face. She might get angry, and Laura didn’t blame her.

  She was angry too.

  Angry that her parents had forced them to live like this. Angry at herself for letting her guard down for a moment at the flash of a smile that cut through her inhibitions better than any blade. The eyes of glittering emeralds that mocked her mistake. For letting him near her. Before the striking green had faded away, marking the cruel man for what he truly was. A monster.

  Laura didn’t share the details with Emma—of how she had been tricked into the arms of a man whose ethereal beauty was a mask for the horror that lay beneath. Her own thoughts didn’t often delve into that bottomless well of misery. Like many mothers, Laura knew she wouldn’t undo that horrible night for anything. It gave her the beauty that slept soundly in the room upstairs. And she had never met anyone more selfless and pure. Emma’s heart was void of the darkness that was her father.

  Laura rose, stretching her stiff muscles. There was nothing she could do until she got the all-clear, so she climbed the stairs to the upper level and cast a glance at the closed door that was Emma’s with a sad smile.

  In her own room, the apprehension that rose inside her every night surfaced. She eyed the bed with a deep, steadying breath. Though she did everything she could to keep her nightmares away, they plagued her, trapped her, forcing her memories into vivid light.

  She pulled open the side table drawer, spotting the last vile of shimmering purple liquid that rolled to the front. Her hand shook as she pulled it out, making a mental note to get more first thing in the morning.

  Her fingers pulled the cork stopper free before Laura threw her head back, draining the contents. She savored the comfort of its earthy taste. As her head laid back on the pillow, the lingering scent of cloves from the empty space beside her made her sigh.

  The simple herbal calming solution worked instantly, unwinding the tension in her body, allowing her lids to grow heavy.

  Sleep wrapped its inky fingers around her and pulled her into her own personal hell.

  Images surfaced, the memory from so many years ago as clear as the day it had happened.

  Her mother’s muffled sobs echoed from the back of the small cottage, the meager furnishings tattered and worn. The wooden chair Papa had broken was Mama’s favorite, and it sat in a shattered heap. A splintered leg was clutched in his beefy hand at his side as his dark wild eyes locked on the shaking form pressed in the corner of the room.

  Frozen, the small girl choked back a whimper. He stepped forward, a grin splitting his thick, ugly face.

  “Why do you hide in the corner, daughter?” he taunted.

  Her mother howled, most likely too injured to get to her. To put herself in the path of the drunken man who punished them for anything and everything. His gambling debts, his inability to hold a steady job, one of his many mistresses fleeing his abuse. The girl wished he would just go away, leave them to starve and freeze in the harsh winter. But always her mother begged him to stay. Laura didn’t know why she wanted him to stay.

  Her father stopped in front of her, the alcohol thick on his breath as he leaned down. “Come, give your father a hug.” His voice was not warm. If anything, the biting wind that howled through the rafters grew colder at the sound.

  When the small girl didn’t move, his smile faded. He lashed out faster than she had time to prepare for, the jagged wooden post connecting solidly with her skull, knocking her back against the wall. Her teeth knocked together, and stars exploded in her vision.

  She did cry then. He would coax her cries from her eventually, so she gave in, hoping this beating would be shorter.

  Whatever had set him in a particularly nasty mood, was not eased by her screams as he brought his weapon down on her again and again. She cowered on the floor, shielding herself with her arms, trying to ignore the pain that made her breaths come quicker.

  From above, she heard his menacing growl, “Just like your mother.”

  But besides their strawberry waves, they looked nothing alike. Above them all, there was one fundamental difference between the girl and her mother. She swore to herself she would never be seduced by a monster.

  Laura gasped awake, her heart thundering in her ears. It was still dark outside, but she had no intention of falling back asleep.

  She ripped off the duvet, feeling her clammy skin sting from the cool air. As her panting breaths returned to normal, she headed for the bathroom. She would wash away the ache of memory as she did every morning.

  Steam curled above the shower as Laura stepped into its delicious heat. The water pounded against her sweat-slicked skin, but still, the phantom aches remained, inflicted by a man she had not seen in over eighteen years. Her father.

  She rubbed the spot on her scalp that gave another throb with a wince. When the hot water was no longer a welcome sensation on her overly sensitive skin, she turned it off and stepped out, grabbing her towel.

  When she was back in her room, she noticed the flashing light on her phone, indicating a new text message. A surge of eagerness bubbled up that she quickly shoved back down. Her eyes scanned the words that read: My informant has the area secured. Come ‘round at 5 for tea? I’m sure you’re in need of more lilaseed. Cautious relief filled her. She wouldn’t
have to keep Emma from having a much-needed night out with her friend.

  Laura quickly replied with: love to before placing the phone back on the side table. A rare smile split her face as she dressed, and if not for Emma asleep on the other side of the landing, Laura might have skipped down the stairs.

  Both girls were particularly chipper as they went about their day. A weight was lifted from Laura’s shoulders. Before Emma was meant to leave, dressed in a black sheath skirt and a faded band t-shirt tucked into the top of the skirt, accentuating her slender waist, Laura felt an entirely new sensation of unease slip into her gut. The monsters she diligently shielded Emma from, were not the only threats. Emma was growing into a stunningly beautiful woman, tempting to the best and worst of mankind.

  But before she could demand Emma go upstairs and change, her phone rang. Dread spread through her gut. Was there more danger? Had Seattle been compromised again? But when she picked it up and looked at the screen, her hammering heart slowed. It was the hospital.

  “This is Laura,” she answered.

  “We need you,” Alexander said. A capable surgeon—if he needed her help, it was serious.

  “I’m on my way,” Laura said, then hung up, rushing for the door. She turned with her hand on the doorknob. To Emma, she said, “You look beautiful.” Emma smiled brightly. Laura scowled. “Now go change into something less revealing. Try a snowsuit.” She heard her daughter chuckle as the door closed behind her.

  At the hospital, she worked for long hours on a life-saving surgery that was thankfully successful, but when she, at last, slumped into the plush chair in her office, she noticed the light blinking on her phone.

  With a heavy swallow, she checked the screen. Her breath left her in a ragged gasp, the words: Activity everywhere, get home now leaving her shaking. She rose from her chair, her fingers trembling violently as she searched for Emma’s number. Stay calm, she’s probably at the concert, surrounded by hundreds of people.

  Her office door burst open, Derek, a surgery nurse looking wide-eyed.

  “Your daughter is in the Emergency room with her friend.”

  2

  Emma

  Two hours earlier

  The final breath of summer’s muggy heat wrapped around Emma like a thick blanket as she and Adrianna stepped out of the boisterous restaurant, chatting loudly. The scent of fresh rainfall cleared her head like nothing else could, and she found herself inhaling it deeply, a smile curving her lips.

  The cars that drove by splashed water up onto the curb, their headlights reflected off the road.

  “I can’t help it,” Adrianna said matter-of-factly, “drummers are my weakness.”

  Emma laughed. “Aaron plays the guitar, that’s close. Besides, he’s a good-looking guy, not to mention extremely smart. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you at band practice.”

  “Yes, but he’s a ginger.”

  “Ouch.” Emma mock-winced. “My mother has red hair, you know.”

  Adrianna’s snort was nearly drowned out by the clacking of her heels on the wet pavement. “She has strawberry-blond hair. That doesn’t count,” she countered.

  “I think you’re just scared to go outside your comfort zone. Give Aaron a chance. He might rock your world.” Emma winked. Both girls burst into laughter.

  As they rounded the corner, their laughter faded. The air became like ice, sending a shiver down Emma’s spine. Clutching her arms around herself, she shared a look with Adrianna that said, Why didn’t either of us bring jackets?

  A whimper that stretched into a whine brought them to an abrupt halt.

  “Did you hear that?” Emma asked.

  Adrianna’s thick brows creased. The whimper came again, followed by the unmistakable howl of an animal.

  They approached a darkened alleyway on their right from where the sound seemed to emanate. The hairs on the back of Emma’s neck stood on end, her skin clammy.

  Emma started forward, but before she entered the side street, a slender hand gripped her arm, whipping her around.

  “You can’t go down there!” Adrianna hissed.

  “There’s an injured animal down there, A.” Emma turned her head and squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of the creature. As if in answer, a light from above a shop door flickered on for a moment, illuminating a dumpster and a dark form on the ground beside it.

  “And what are you going to do about it if there is?” Adrianna asked, panic growing in her voice. “Just call your mom and have her come take a look.”

  Emma shook her head. “She’s in surgery until at least eleven tonight.”

  “Well, we can call a veterinary clinic on our way to the concert,” Adrianna suggested, gripping Emma’s arm with both hands as if anchoring her to the pavement. Adrianna was only about an inch taller than Emma, but unlike Emma, Adrianna’s mother hadn’t insisted she take self-defense classes on a regular basis. Emma glanced down at her friend’s tightening grasp.

  “Come on, Em, please,” Adrianna whispered. “You know I don’t like alleys. Or the dark. Combine the two, and you’re just asking for a panic attack!”

  Emma stared into Adrianna’s dark, frightened eyes. With a small, reassuring smile, Emma eased the fingers off her arm one-by-one.

  “You stay right here; I’ll just be a minute.” Emma pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight feature. The animal let out a low, pained moan, making Emma’s chest ache. She stepped forward softly, crouching so as not to scare the creature. Each step pushed a dagger of ice further between her lungs, the weight heavy in her chest, making it hard to breathe, but she didn’t stop.

  The light from her phone showed the black, long-haired dog, lying on its side. Its breath came in quick, raspy pants. The fur on its heaving chest was matted with blood, which pooled beneath the creature. Emma didn’t have to scan the dog long to find the injury; a large hole, about the size of her fist. Her stomach turned. What on earth did this?

  “What is it?” Adrianna whispered loudly.

  “A dog,” Emma choked out. The sight of the blood didn’t bother her. Her mother was a cardiothoracic surgeon, so Emma had seen gruesome photos from textbooks lying around when she was younger, but the sight of the injured animal shook her to her core. Her eyes filled with tears as she met the creature’s wide-eyed gaze. The animal was going to die, and it knew it. Emma lowered herself even further, a hand outstretched as she crept closer.

  “It’s okay, fella,” Emma said gently. The dog stared at her apprehensively as she made her way to its head.

  Adrianna’s heels clapped loudly, the sound echoing off the brick walls as she shuffled into the alley. The dog’s eyes snapped to the approaching stranger, and it gave a low, half-hearted growl.

  “Quiet!” Emma hissed, trying to make herself heard over her friend’s thunderous footfalls. Adrianna paused, then continued with exaggerated slowness.

  Emma stroked the wiry, unkempt fur of the dog’s head.

  “We won’t hurt you,” she murmured. It relaxed into her touch, an animal starved for affection. The aching in her heart grew at the resignation in the creature’s face.

  Adrianna hovered above them, arms crossed over her ample chest, her dark skin barely visible in the dim alley. “How did this happen? There aren’t any bloody tracks,” she said, looking around.

  Emma looked around too, shining the light from her phone. There was a second large dumpster in the dead-end alley and some trash that had either been carried away by the wind or left by those too lazy to deposit it in the very obvious receptacles.

  “I don’t know.”

  The dog shifted, knocking her phone from her hand. It clattered to the ground, the light offering just enough illumination to see around them. Emma ignored the phone and used both hands to steady the creature, coaxing it to lie still, her voice gentle as she soothed it. Its breathing grew more ragged. It was almost
over. Her hand trembled as she stroked its face, tears burning her eyes

  “There’s nothing I can do.” A tear slid down her cheek, its warmth leeching into her skin.

  “So much for seeing my favorite band play,” Adrianna muttered. Emma shot her a glare, her mouth opening to reply when a chorus of hisses sounded from behind them. They whirled around.

  The beast beneath her gave a final, rough exhalation before going still. A small sob escaped her as she looked back down at the dog’s lifeless form. What wretched timing.

  Emma rose to her feet. Neither girl was intimidating, each just a few inches over five-foot, but they were both fairly fit. Adrianna had a curvier shape, but she was all lean muscle from playing sports. Emma had a slimmer build but was just as strong.

  “If you’re the ones who did this to this poor, defenseless animal, you’d better run because this chick is a black belt in like…everything!” Adrianna shouted shakily.

  Emma made a small noise in the back of her throat, her eyes wide as she glanced at her friend. In truth, she wasn’t a black belt in anything, but Adrianna’s scare tactic made sense. More hisses cut through the biting air, sounding suspiciously like laughter.

  Three figures materialized from the shadows between the two dumpsters. Glowing yellow eyes locked onto them. The creatures hunched forward on two sets of bony, jutting limbs, like spiders. Their heads were elongated, with two bulges on the tops of their skulls, mouths split wide with eerie smiles.

  Emma and Adrianna stood, frozen to the spot as the creatures walked toward them—no, glided toward them. They were too graceful, too fast. The girls took a step back in unison, and all three creatures hissed again.

  “Run,” Emma croaked.

  They spun on their heels and ran. Adrianna was slower in her six-inch stilettos, and she slipped. Emma grabbed her hand and pulled her faster toward the mouth of the alley, thankful for her more practical footwear.