The Cabin

"Cedric! You can't make it through this blaze!" Sera anxiously deters her mate.

Top's mind is clearly made up, the thought of Alaric in the midst of the wildfire banishes all sense of self preservation. "My element is water. I'm the only one who stands a chance and I have to get Alaric!" 

My eyes are wide and horrified, staring at the fire and it takes me a moment before I recall something. "I'll go."

"I said I'll go!" I yell this time, effectively drawing their attention.

All eyes turn to me at that moment, including Top who has a fierce glare in his eyes. "Now is not the time for games, Kyra." His tone is tight.

The sight of the fire stirs something familiar in me and I suck in a sharp breath, hoping and praying that for the first time I actually dare to reach for it, it answers.

My eyes go closed and it takes a moment but soon, I feel a familiar heat spreading through me and I open my eyes to find my fists are lit up in bright flames.

This time, the eyes on me are shocked. "The fire won't harm me...so I'll go. Just tell me where." I murmur.

"Can you clear the path and take me with you?" Top immediately considers another option, walking over to me.

I shake my head quickly. "I am not confident to cover three, but I know I can bring him back unharmed."

Top hesitates for just a moment before he grabs a hold of my shoulders. "Kyra, I know you and Alaric are not on the best of terms... and I am not in your good books either, but..."

"There is no time." I interrupt.

Top nods in understanding, letting go of me. "Alaric is in a cabin north of here, it is the only one so it will not be hard to find."

 I gather my wits and walk towards the wildfire. The sheer force of the heat nearly knocks me off my feet but I hold my ground.

Sucking in a deep breath, I pray my element comes through for me this one time and then I dash straight into the flames.

At first, the heat is scalding and I bite back a scream, keeping my pace as I dash through the forest but soon, my body acclimatizes and even my vision adjusts to the smoke.

I follow Top's directions as closely as I can, careful to avoid the falling branches and trees, my element will not save me from being crushed.

Soon, the cabin comes up within view and I dash for it, the flames are yet to engulf the wooden cabin but they are closing in quickly, meanwhile the smoke already overwhelms the cabin.

I climb up the stairs quickly, twisting the door knob but the wooden door is either locked or jammed.

Tugging with all my might, the knob comes off and I urgently glance around at the flame before I back away and then barrel right into the door, tumbling into the cabin.

My eyes quickly scan for Alaric and it takes a moment before I find him, leaning against a wall, his hands covered his nose and he coughed violently.

"Alaric!" I call to him.

Alaric turns in surprise, his eyes going wide as they settle on me and he storms over to me. "What in... what are you..."

The words are difficult to get out between his coughing fit and Alaric sways slightly, nearly crumbling to the ground but I move swiftly to his side, grabbing hold of his arm.

Alaric's eyes meet mine. "You... really are eager...to die."

"As are you." I reply in a tight tone. "So we can both just die of suffocation here or you can come with me."

"It's a blaze outside, there's no way to get through." Alaric states in a matter of fact tone.

His tone worries me, it is neither regretful nor bothered, hardly even concerned, like his imminent death is nothing strange to him but even welcomed.

I begin to wonder if I am the only one who cherishes my life enough to attempt seducing the Alpha Supreme just to keep it.

"How do you think I got here?" I ask. "I am that way."

Alaric raises a brow and I show him my hands, my clothes are almost completely burnt off but my hands remain completely fine, without the slightest burn mark or even a scald.

"You came through the fire without getting burnt..." Alaric trails off, his gaze narrowed thoughtfully.

"Now is not the time to scrutinize me." I reply blankly.

"We will go around back. There is a stream not too far, beyond it, I have another cabin. I sense rain in the air, if we wait it out, the wildfire should be doused by dawn and the fire won't cross the stream." Alaric says to me.

"If you already had a way out, what are you still doing here?!" I snap in annoyance.

"I knew Top might be foolish enough to come looking for me." Alaric replies, his tone unamused.

My eyes widened in understanding, just like a silent agreement lies between the two friends, Top was willing to risk anything to come out here and Alaric knows to wait for his arrival and then go to safety together.

"Did you not think he would get hurt risking everything to save you?" I ask in disbelief.

"Top is my best...he will get here alive no matter what. Why? Because he does not dare die when he knows I will be waiting for him." Alaric's response is unfazed.

Saying nothing more, I follow Alaric outside the door, wincing slightly to see the flames have almost overwhelmed the cabin.

Taking some steps forward, I turn back to find Alaric still standing by the door, staring at the untamed fire with a look I can only conclude to be in awe.

And then, much to my horror, he turns and heads back into the cabin.

"What are you doing?! We have to get out of here! Now!" I yell out through the blaze.