Read Online Set the Sky on Fire (Fire Trilogy Book 1) by L K Walker - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: L K Walker
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arm taking the brunt of the fall. Her momentum skidded her along the forest floor. Ari’s eyes, which had closed just after the point of impact, snapped open as she slid along a bed of decaying pine needles towards the trunk of a large tree. She came to an abrupt halt at its base, pain searing down her side from the impact. Her lungs struggled to fill, as she gasped for air. The figure that had sent her sprawling off the path got to his feet only metres from her, concern in his eyes.
All she could think was thank God those eyes aren’t soulless.
Ari propped herself up against the tree to get a better view. Her rescuers’ eyes followed her movements. He seemed to be checking she was okay. Then, after his brief examination, he turned and headed off in the opposite direction.
Ari stared at the man as he jogged away. Shirtless, the muscles on his back rhythmically contracted as he pumped his arms to gain speed. To Ari's complete disappointment the distance between them lengthened. The pale-eyed man stood in wait for him. Ari desperately wanted to yell at her rescuer to come back, but her lungs refused to suck in enough air for her to scream a warning. She saw her attacker in the distance, preparing to fight.
A deep and threatening, “let me have her,” tore down the path.
Her defender didn’t respond; he didn't even break stride. He launched himself, hitting her attacker at chest height and knocking him backwards into a nearby tree. The tree groaned under the impact, and a rain of fresh pine needles showered down. Both back on their feet, the assailant quickly struck in return. The fighting propelled them further into the distance, and Ari soon lost sight of them among the trees.
Ari sat back against the tree, able to take in full breaths again. Although still laboured, it was enough to get her moving. Her rib cage ached but, other than a scrape, there didn’t appear to be anything else wrong with her; nothing broken. She stood, then hesitantly put weight on her legs to make sure they could hold her. She steadied herself, relieved to find everything worked. She ran a hand over her head to free the pine needles interlaced in her hair. She looked around for her cap, but it was nowhere to be seen. At least, she was able to find the trail; she had been thrown only a few metres from it. Not knowing which way to go, she decided the opposite direction to where she’d last seen her new acquaintances might be the most logical option. Her sore ribs made her progress down the trail slow and arduous. The feelings that radiated from the two men were still intense, which meant they were still close by. At least, for the moment, they didn’t appear to be interested in her.
Nevertheless, they constantly drew her attention, making her nervous; like being forewarned of disaster then having to anxiously await its arrival.
She closed her eyes.
“Enough,” she whispered to herself, but her words had little conviction.
“Enough,” the demand rumbled from her throat, more determined this time. Taking one deep breath, she mentally pushed the feelings, that were not her own, out of her consciousness. Their intensity was drowning her. She pushed them away, so that she could be by herself, with her fear, her sadness and her confusion. Emotions that were hers and hers alone.
She ignored the two strangers and their sharp movements somewhere behind her. Finally, she controlled the sensations, no longer letting them play her like a puppet.
A moment’s hesitation struck her. How can I be safe if I don't know where they are?
She dismissed the thought. At best, knowing their movements would give her a few seconds notice, nothing more. They could catch her whether she had warning or not. They had already proven that. Her aching bones a reminder of how quickly they could run her down. At least, this way she had a clear head, a chance of outrunning them. After all, they were preoccupied right now. With a new sense of purpose, Ari tore down
All she could think was thank God those eyes aren’t soulless.
Ari propped herself up against the tree to get a better view. Her rescuers’ eyes followed her movements. He seemed to be checking she was okay. Then, after his brief examination, he turned and headed off in the opposite direction.
Ari stared at the man as he jogged away. Shirtless, the muscles on his back rhythmically contracted as he pumped his arms to gain speed. To Ari's complete disappointment the distance between them lengthened. The pale-eyed man stood in wait for him. Ari desperately wanted to yell at her rescuer to come back, but her lungs refused to suck in enough air for her to scream a warning. She saw her attacker in the distance, preparing to fight.
A deep and threatening, “let me have her,” tore down the path.
Her defender didn’t respond; he didn't even break stride. He launched himself, hitting her attacker at chest height and knocking him backwards into a nearby tree. The tree groaned under the impact, and a rain of fresh pine needles showered down. Both back on their feet, the assailant quickly struck in return. The fighting propelled them further into the distance, and Ari soon lost sight of them among the trees.
Ari sat back against the tree, able to take in full breaths again. Although still laboured, it was enough to get her moving. Her rib cage ached but, other than a scrape, there didn’t appear to be anything else wrong with her; nothing broken. She stood, then hesitantly put weight on her legs to make sure they could hold her. She steadied herself, relieved to find everything worked. She ran a hand over her head to free the pine needles interlaced in her hair. She looked around for her cap, but it was nowhere to be seen. At least, she was able to find the trail; she had been thrown only a few metres from it. Not knowing which way to go, she decided the opposite direction to where she’d last seen her new acquaintances might be the most logical option. Her sore ribs made her progress down the trail slow and arduous. The feelings that radiated from the two men were still intense, which meant they were still close by. At least, for the moment, they didn’t appear to be interested in her.
Nevertheless, they constantly drew her attention, making her nervous; like being forewarned of disaster then having to anxiously await its arrival.
She closed her eyes.
“Enough,” she whispered to herself, but her words had little conviction.
“Enough,” the demand rumbled from her throat, more determined this time. Taking one deep breath, she mentally pushed the feelings, that were not her own, out of her consciousness. Their intensity was drowning her. She pushed them away, so that she could be by herself, with her fear, her sadness and her confusion. Emotions that were hers and hers alone.
She ignored the two strangers and their sharp movements somewhere behind her. Finally, she controlled the sensations, no longer letting them play her like a puppet.
A moment’s hesitation struck her. How can I be safe if I don't know where they are?
She dismissed the thought. At best, knowing their movements would give her a few seconds notice, nothing more. They could catch her whether she had warning or not. They had already proven that. Her aching bones a reminder of how quickly they could run her down. At least, this way she had a clear head, a chance of outrunning them. After all, they were preoccupied right now. With a new sense of purpose, Ari tore down
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