Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(51)

She closed one eye. “You aren't going to kill me, right?”

Toby chuckled. “Would I really tell you if I was? Relax. Take a deep breath,” he said. “Think back to when the man grabbed you.”

Jacqueline breathed, closed both eyes, and brought the memory forward. Her lungs ached as Toby jerked her back in time. “It’s only a memory,” he whispered. “Don’t let go.”



****



The man yanked her so hard she stumbled, falling to her knees. Thinking quickly, she screamed Eric's name, managing to get the word out before the slap to her face knocked her to the ground. The man leaned over her, a look of wonder in his eyes.

“So you're what the fuss is all about,” he said, laughing. “I thought you'd be more of a fighter.”

As she'd fallen, her hand had grazed against one of the heavy rocks that lined the walkway to the house. She swung her arm, smiling as the rock connected with the stranger's head. He stumbled backward, groaning in pain.

She hauled herself up and ran to the house. Eric opened the door just as she reached for the handle.

“Help me,” she gasped.

Eric's gaze traveled over her shoulder. With a grim face, he pushed her in the house and marched into the rain.

“Stay here,” he ordered, not waiting for her answer. “Call the station.”

Eric strode across the grass to the man lying on the ground. Grabbing the man by the shirt collar, he roughly lugged him up. Blood dripped from a deep gash on the side of his face. Keeping an eye on the action outside, Jacqueline grabbed Eric's cell phone from the hall table and dialed 911. She thought the man said something to Eric, but she couldn't make out the words.

“911, what is your emergency?” The operator's voice cut through her thoughts.

“I'd like—”

She halted. The stranger shoved Eric, freeing himself, but his hands—they sparkled with red light. Blinking at the oddity of the sight, Jacqueline could only stare as the man thrust his blazing hands at Eric’s chest. Her lips parted as her husband raised his own glowing hands, illuminated with a strange, white light. As she observed, the two men appeared to fight each other, the streams of their independent lights pushing between them.

“What the hell…”Jacqueline said.

“I'm sorry, ma'am. What did you say the nature of the emergency was?” The operator's voice was impatient, but Jacqueline ignored her. The phone clattered on the table, and she opened the door. Taking a step into the rain, she hugged herself tight. Jacqueline wanted to shout to Eric, to ask about the light, but the words refused to come.

“There's your pretty bride,” the man who attacked her shouted as a crack of lightening made her jump. “Did you really think we wouldn't find her?”

“Jacqueline. Get back in the house,” Eric ordered.

“No need for that.” The man darted behind her car, breaking the streams of light. Jacqueline stepped from the overhang. Eric screamed. The man shot his light at her, hitting her above the heart. Light seared and burnt hair burned her nose as the wound stung. Eric howled and drew her attention. Slumped at her feet, her husband grimaced.

Her mind caught up with the events, events she had missed before. Eric had saved her; he’d leapt in front of the attack. Twisting, he tossed a fireball over his shoulder at the stranger. “No.”




****



“Eric,” she whispered. “He saved my life.” Her head slanted. “He really was a wizard.”

“Yes.” Toby eyed the emotions streaking across her exhaustion ringed-face. “Do you know what happened to your attacker?”

“He must have thought I was dead.” Jacqueline leaned forward, resting her head in her palms. “I remember falling to the ground, the pain in my chest unbearable at first. A few minutes passed before I even was able to move to Eric.”

“Maybe you were dead.”

“What do you mean?”

“What your memory just showed was you being hit with a very powerful blast of magic. If Eric hadn't taken most of it, you would have died.” She blinked. “Maybe you got just enough to trigger your inner banshee.” Tony stretched, rocking his chair back on two legs, and yawned. “Where is your family from?”

“They're from here,” she said. “My folks have lived in Galesburg Falls all of their lives.”

“What's their last name?”

“Green.”

“And what about your ancestors? Where do they come from?”

Disturbed by his question, she chewed on her lip. For some reason he found himself distracted by her mouth, wondering how they would feel to touch. He quickly shook the thought off.

“I don't know. My mom never really wanted to talk about that,” she admitted with a small yawn.

“Is it possible you may have been adopted?” Toby asked.

“What? No… I… I don't think so.” But by now, she could barely keep her eyes open.

Adoption would have explained a few things. Glancing at the clock Toby sighed. As badly as he wanted to question her, she needed to rest. Her face was drawn and pinched with exhaustion, and he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. The rest of the discussion could wait a few hours longer. However, he didn't want her to stay alone. Too many dangerous creatures lurked in the night. The safest place for her to stay would be with him at his cottage down the road, but he didn't think she was going to go for that. Women tended not to want to go back to your place once you told them you were going to have to kill them.