LOGINAnnies scream tore through the silence of the night like a blade– terrified, desperate.Killian was awake instantly, his supernatural reflexes bringing him to full alertness before his conscious mind even registered what was happening. Annie thrashed beside him, not just screaming but shaking. Her body was jerking with such violence that she nearly threw herself off the bed entirely."Annie—" He reached for her, but she was already moving, scrambling away from something only she could see, her eyes wide and unseeing in the darkness.She tried to run—actually tried to bolt from the bed in a blind panic—and Killian caught her around the waist just before she could crash into the dresser. She fought him with surprising strength, her hands clawing at his arms, her breathing coming in sharp, hyperventilating gasps, trying so hard to get away from Killian's tight grip."Annie, stop! It's me!" He turned her in his arms, trying to make her see him, but she was still trapped in the horror she
Killian quickly grabbed a nearby glass of water and doused the fire before it could spread. When he turned back to Annie, she was staring at her hands with a mixture of horror and frustration."I can't even kiss you without setting things on fire?" she scoffed. "This is ridiculous!"Killian studied her, his analytical mind working through what Doctor Owen had said about fire witches. "You're nervous around me."Annie's eyes snapped to his. "What?""Fire witches harness their power through emotions. Doctor Owen was very clear about that." He stepped closer. "Your magic responds to what you're feeling. Fear. Anxiety. Excitement. Arousal." His voice dropped on that last word. "You're nervous with me, Annie. Why?"She opened her mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn't come. Because he was right. She was nervous—not afraid, but something else. Something that made her heart race and her skin flush and her magic spark to life like kindling catching fire."I just..." She swallowed hard. "Thi
Doctor Owen gestured for her to sit. Reluctantly, Annie perched on the edge of a sofa, as far from everyone else as possible.Doctor Owen looked at her while really hoping that his words wouldn't break her. His face showed that he really cared about her."Ember Born witches have existed for thousands of years," Doctor Owen began, settling back into his chair. "They're born with the ability to create, control, and manipulate fire. But it's not just about flames—Ember Born can sense heat signatures, they manipulate temperatures, travel through flames, and they have supernatural hearing. Let's say someone was at the gate, and they whispered. You could hear them if you concentrated.""Wow... Not bad at all." Dante muttered."Killian turned to Annie, "So that's how you were able to hear me on the phone the other day–about Diego."Annie nodded slowly, and guilt flushed her face. She had been keeping a secret from Killian since. "That day at your office, I heard him say that you were doomed
Annie—" Killian called. "You came back."But Annie was backing away now, "I hurt someone. I almost—killed you. I'm—I'm dangerous. I'm—""You're scared," Killian said firmly. "You're confused. But you're not dangerous. Not to me—""I BURNED YOU!" Annie screamed, and fresh tears poured down her face. "Look at your arm! Look what I did!"Killian glanced down at his left arm. It was bad—second-degree burns at least, the skin red and blistered. It hurt like hell."It's not—nothing!" Annie was crying now, her whole body shaking. "I did that—Oh God–stay away–"She couldn't finish. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.She turned and ran towards the back of the house. Through the kitchen. Out the sliding glass door that led up to the terrace."Annie!" Killian called after her but Dante grabbed his uninjured arm."Let her go for a second," Dante said. "Give her a minute to—"Killian shook him off. "She's terrified. She needs me.""You're burned," Kael said, moving to examine Killian's arm. "You ne
Annie had just finished cooking, had her shower, and was looking all fresh in a new orange colour dress that hugged her body perfectly.She had been cooking all afternoon with the maid's help—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, homemade dinner rolls, and a vanilla cake for dessert. Everything was perfect. This was her way of saying thank you to Dante and Kael for everything. The aroma in the villa was nose-blinding. "They're here," Killian called from the living room.Annie wiped her hands with a napkin and walked out to greet their guests.Dante, Kael, and Mallory had all arrived at the same time. Dante was wearing jeans and a casual button-down shirt, looking relaxed and ready to eat. Kael was more formal in dark slacks and a sweater, standing next to Mallory.Mallory wore a burgundy dress that hugged her figure, her auburn hair styled in loose waves. She looked beautiful and polished, but her expression was cold and guarded. Her green eyes swept over every corner o
The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, painting soft gold across the sheets. Killian's hand reached instinctively across the bed—and found nothing but cold linen where Annie should have been.His heart stopped.He sat up sharply, every muscle tensing as his eyes swept the space beside him. The argument from last night came rushing back—her tears, his assertiveness, the gap that had opened between them when she saw the depths of what he truly was.She's gone.She left me.The thought sliced through him like a blade. He threw off the blankets and moved with barely controlled panic, first to her old room but it was empty. The bathroom was empty too. Each vacant space he opened confirmed his worst fear. His breathing came faster, though his face remained a careful mask. He couldn't fall apart yet.He forced himself to walk to the sitting room, preparing for the emptiness or the note she might have left saying goodbye.Instead, he found her.Annie stood by the dining table,







