Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(71)

“Who are you really?” Jacqueline struggled to stay focused, to fight the effects of Derek's spell.

“I am the guy that killed your husband.” Gabe leaned in closer to her. “You were right. I was there to stop Eric from hunting us, but you got in the way.” Her ears burned. “See, Derek here is on the outs with his hoity-toity family. He's the black sheep who pissed them off royally a while back. Your husband was helping them find Derek. “Her knuckles bent, forming into tight fists as he continued, “Who knew that almost killing you would turn out to be such a bonus? You're just what Derek needs to get back into his family's good graces.”

“That's enough.” The harshness in Derek's voice made Jacqueline flinch, and her heart pounded harder, warring between fear and rage. Energy formed around her. “Jacqueline, calm down.”

And she did. Her heart rate slowed and her simmering blood cooled. She gazed at him and longed to hear Derek speak again.

“None of what this man says matters right now. You are a blessing that will make my father proud.” Derek kissed her again, but she felt nothing. “And you will make me very happy, too.”

“You've got her wrapped around your finger pretty good,” Gabe said. Bile churned in her belly at the thought. How could she have been so stupid to trust him?

“It's the spell.” Derek sounded defeated at the admittance.

“Let's try her out and see what she can do.” Gabe rubbed his hands together. “See what we've been risking our lives for now that she’s finally under our control. She almost killed me today, you know. All I wanted to do was wound her a little, so she'd be easy to bring to you.”

Jacqueline listened to them talk, her mind a whirl of emotions. She couldn't seem to keep up with the conversation as if wasn't important for her to remember. Sitting quietly she closed her eyes and continued listening to the soothing rumble of Derek's voice.


“Come with me,” Derek said to her.

Obedient, she followed him up a set of stairs, past soundless rooms, and out into the night air. The full moon illuminated the tombstones, and she had the strangest urge to move among them, to sing soft lullabies from a land she'd never even see. How odd. But she forced herself not to indulge in such pastimes. Derek hadn't given her permission to do that.

“Are you sure he's coming?” Gabe's voice was anxious.

“I didn't bother to hide where we are.” Derek observed the silent cemetery as if looking for someone. “I know he cares about Jacqueline. I'm sure he used a scrying spell and is on his way.”

“I should stay out of sight then,” Gabe said.

“Don't you want to see the death of your father?”

Jacqueline frowned. What were they talking about? Gabe's father was coming? If only she could get her head on straight…

Before she could give it more thought, a light flickered to the left of where they stood. The wind picked up, carrying a bitter chill and a scent of something familiar and warm to Jacqueline's mind. Instinctively, she walked toward the wind curious to the source. The light drew closer to them until it bobbed and weaved amongst the tombstones.

“He's here,” Derek announced.

“Who?” Jacqueline glanced at him, noticing that there was no sign of Gabe.

“Your old friend,” Derek said.

The light twisted and grew until it became the solid form of a man.

“I know him,” she said tilting her head.

“Get away from her.” The man's loud voice echoed in the cemetery, and the breeze surged around them, as if somehow reflecting his feelings.

“Now, now, Toby. You must calm down. It's been a long time since we've seen each other.” Derek stood close behind her and lowered his voice so that only she could hear. “In a moment, you must go with this man. Tell him whatever you want about our time together, but do not tell him I put a spell on you.”

Jacqueline nodded.

“Derek, I know what you're up to,” Toby said. “Jacqueline isn't going to help you reclaim your ties to your family. You lost those long ago.”

“Oh, I think she might help. Power is, after all, always a commodity.”

“Is that what you told yourself when you betrayed your sister, Gabriella?” Toby's eyes flashed with anger, and the wind gusting through the old cemetery felt strong enough to knock even the heaviest tombstones over. “Were you thinking about power then?”

“Gabriella was a whore. The whole family knew. You should be glad your child died before it could take a breath. Otherwise, you would have been saddled with my sister and a mutant child that the Brotherhood would have hunted down anyway,” Derek spat the words at him.

“Shut up.” Toby threw a fire bolt, and Derek easily dodged. Derek shoved her in Toby's direction as he shielded himself from the assault.

She fell to the ground and crawled a few paces away, hiding behind one of the larger tombstones. Heart hammering in her chest, the shouting men tossed curses and chants, but none of it seemed to matter. Her head muddled, and she wanted to curl up into a ball, so that no one would take notice of her.

What is wrong with me?

But she knew the cause deep in the recesses of her mind. After a few minutes, the noises died down. Still, she couldn't bring herself to move from her spot.