Immortal Fire - Book One

He had explained earlier that he cannot teleport us together unless we are in a different dimension. If he did and we were still in this dimension, whoever he was teleporting would be sucked into the void and never be seen again. Something to do with this dimension being a bridge between others – it was all very confusing, to be honest.

The drive was silent to the warehouse, except for the sound of raindrops hitting the car’s windows and water being sprayed by the tires as we drove along the roads of New York City. It was nearing sunrise by the time we arrived back.

“You really should go and get some sleep. You look terrible.” Damien said to me. We were walking to the door of the warehouse.

“Oh wow, thanks,” I replied sarcastically. I knew that I looked like crap.

“At least I’m honest. Someone has got to tell you,” He said, placing his hands up in a placating manner. I laughed at that. My laugh turned to horror as Hayden was heading out of the warehouse with determination and froze as he took the sight of the two of us in, standing in the alley.

“Where have you been? I was about to go out and look for you.” he snapped at me. Hayden was extremely angry, and it annoyed me. He needed to stop pretending like he cared when he did not… or maybe he did. His hot and cold attitude was giving me fucking whiplash.

“Damien took me out,” I said tartly and crossed my arms. Damien froze next to me in shock but nodded. Hayden eyed us and a strange look crossed his features. Hayden headed to his car and looked at Damien square. He was acting like a jealous teenager. He is a jealous teenager. The voice in my head said. Getting into the car, he sped away.

“Well… he’s friendly,” Damien said awkwardly.

“Something is up with him. I haven’t known him that long, but I know that isn’t how he is…” I said, thinking that I should have realized this sooner.

I was watching the car speed down the street. I had only just realized that this recent behavior of Hayden was something out of character for him and that I had been too quick to accept it. We both watched as he headed down the road; the Jag spitting up gravel as he went. Stifling a yawn, I headed toward the warehouse and Damien followed.

“Well, I’m going to bed. I will see you in the morning. Thanks for tonight by the way. I appreciate it. I should have listened to you.”

“It’s a pleasure, but maybe it’s a good thing that you didn’t listen to me; if you had, we wouldn’t have found that tattoo on Hunter and have something to go by.”

It was true now that I thought about it. Smiling at Damien once more, I headed up the stairs to my bedroom. The sun was coming up, rays of light peeping through grey clouds, and my eyelids felt like lead. I should have found a way to get in contact with my parents, but I was too exhausted, and they were probably sleeping… Climbing into bed, sleep took over faster than I thought it would, but it was a restless sleep.

***

A hot wind blew against my skin, licking me with its scorching squall, seductively. Looking around at my surroundings, black rocks went as far as the eye could see and thousands of flames burned. Screams could be heard as they were carried across the wind to where I stood. If I could imagine hell, this would be it. The smell of sulfur and burnt timber was strong in the air; almost choking me.

Turning in a circle, I tried to make sense of where I was but as I moved, the scenery did not change at all. I might as well have just stood still. It was very disorientating.

A fierce growl spun me around, yet there was nothing there. Sweat beaded its way down my back. My heart was thumping against my chest as fear started to take over. The growl returned, this time closer and to my right. I wanted to run, but my feet seemed to be stuck to the ground I stood upon. A hell hound appeared beside me and bared its teeth.

A scream escaped and the hound inched forward. I thought that it was about to rip me apart, yet it never did. A mist appeared behind the dog and out of it, stepped a man.

He was tall; taller than anyone I had ever seen. His eyes glowed like flames and his black hair was almost longer than mine. He did nothing; just stood and smiled at me evilly, as if he were glad to see me and it was a great thrill for him.

“Cerberus, leave us.”

The hound disappeared before my eyes; but not before growling at me once more. The name sounded familiar, but I was not paying attention. The man before me stood proud as he watched me. His eyes were unnerving.

“You were not invited. Tell me, young Angelis Mortis, how did you find me?”

I was about to answer him that I had no idea what he meant when everything started to shimmer and the ground beneath my feet began to shake. I could hear my name being called in the distance and the man before I had a look of rage plastered to his face.

He moved urgently to grab me, but his hands passed right through me…

***

“Aria!” I heard someone calling my name in angst.