Read Online Set the Sky on Fire (Fire Trilogy Book 1) by L K Walker - Free Book Online Page A

heaving, she threw the words into the abyss between them. Her eyes widened, not wanting to blink as she stood, waiting for a response—or an attack. She had never felt as weak or insignificant.
    He started to move again, stalking her like prey. She stayed silent, following his movements, nudging backwards, trying to put distance between them. Her eyes scanned the area in front of her. A glimpse of black flashed through her vision before disappearing back behind a tree. Too fast—it moved too fast. This is what he wanted. Fear.
    When the figure finally emerged, he was closer than she had anticipated. Only a few metres separated them. Ari’s heart thumped at the walls of her chest. He stepped towards her with slow and deliberate strides, pale eyes locked on her. This time, they showed no shock or confusion. He bared his teeth in a smile. Ari edged backwards.
    “Pretty young girls shouldn't be out in the woods on their own,” he crooned.
    “What do you want?” Ari's voice sounded like crystal shattering into thousands of pieces. She took a deep breath, trying to regain some semblance of control. All her instincts told her to run. She checked the track again. Nothing looked familiar. She would have to choose a direction and hope for the best. Not that she would be able to outrun him. But she had to try. Before she’d made a decision, he started to talk.
    “I want your help—and before you refuse, I’d like to point out that I know enough about your life, where you live, where your friends live, to ensure your commitment. Asking is merely a courtesy.”
    “Why?” She couldn't say no, but every ounce of her body didn't want her to say yes, either.
    “Why what? Why would wonderful me need your pathetic assistance? Hmm, I must admit that does grate on me a bit too. It's not that I can't do it without you, but you’ll significantly speed up the process. Save me a few miserable years wandering blindly around in this boring hell hole by myself.”
    Ari stood in silence.
    “Oh, come on, be like all the other jabbering idiots I’ve talked to. I think the question you are now looking for is 'how'. Wow, I'm bored with this conversation already. I was ever hopeful you might somehow be special, you know, something other than your precious little gift. And perhaps you might have improved on the drudgery of human conversation, but apparently not.”
    The man stood, feet firmly on the ground in front of her, hardly taking a breath as he spoke. Ari was not sure how she had annoyed him so much, especially when she’d said so little.
    As he stood there, less than ten metres in front of her, she started to sense something else, coming from behind. Coming fast. She felt light, even happy. The fear eased. Then, she noticed a look of fury appear on the man’s face.
    “Noooooo,” he cried out, his face contorting with rage as he lunged at her.
    The movement, which somehow opposed gravity, transfixed Ari. He seemed to be flying above the ground. The loose dirt under his feet began to dance and billow in the air. He propelled himself forward, gathering speed as he did so. Whatever he was, his actions were unnatural. He couldn’t be human. The thought was enough to finally get her moving. Instincts took over, and she turned and ran. It was a pitiful attempt given the speed of the man.
    “Leave me alone,” she screamed, looking back over her shoulder. He was right there, behind her, arms extended ready to grab. Ari expected the hands to seize her at any moment.
    It felt like a freight train hit her from the opposite side, lifting her feet off the ground. The wind knocked out of her, she sailed through the air, but not gliding like the pale-eyed man. No, she flew more like a stone. She had felt the pale eyed man’s outstretched hands trailing across her shoulder, snatching at her, then, when the force hit her, he’d been unable to hold on. His disappointment culminated in a shriek of rage.
    She reconnected with the earth, her left