City On Fire: A Novel Novels & Stories

Prologue II: Pyre, 3113 Pyre Av 5, 3113 Stephan Caliphus, King Everything was on fire the night he finished the book in the back room of a borrowed house. He laid his glasses down on the desk in front of him and rubbed his tired eyes. The crackling of flames could be heard as the city burned all around them. The blood curdling screams of the men in the streets where they died was enough to make the blood of the fiercest warrior run cold, but he was a man of empathy and it hurt him more than it did the others.

In the corner, there was a table with a variety of snacks and beer bottles. So fucking extra. Even the bars at this side of the city left Ilana speechless. “Oh, wow,” Ilana exclaimed. Daniel laughed at the wide eyed look on her face and she grinned sheepishly in response. “This is gorgeous. Do you guys do this every year?” “Oh yes. Welcoming winter with the start of the season bonfire.” She laughed politely when what she really wanted was to roll her eyes at these outrageously privileged people. “So, how long did it take you to stop being the new guy?” she asked, walking towards the table.

- I just finished my homework only to suddenly remember that I have a project with the devil that is due in three days. I refuse to work with her out of school. Who knows what her intentions are. My phone begins to ring from my night table effectively cutting off my thoughts. I reach over and unplug the device before sliding the 'accept' button and waiting for the video chat to connect. As it connects I'm met with the face of Faith. "How did your talk with Aurelia go?" She asks, skipping the greetings "Nice to see you too, Faith" I say with a small laugh as I lean my back against my headboard

Without the restraint of the masters in front, the violent Samuel was like a lion rushing into a flock of sheep. After the war broke out, Firestone City added countless elite soldiers to support, but for Samuel, these were just broken bits. "Boom!" With Samuel’s Sky Fire exploding in his left hand and the Moon Wheel in his right hand wrapping around him, wherever he passed, it was like grass falling to the ground. In the city, there was a fire everywhere, surrounded by purple lightning, corpses everywhere, and blood flowed like rivers.

It wasn’t her though; it was Osline, but it’s still the same thing. I had to burn my hand to match the exact pain she’s probably feeling, to punish myself. I know it’s crazy, but like I said, I can’t help it. After I rinse away the spilled coffee, I open the cupboard and pull out my lighter. For a moment my stomach drops. I stare at it, heart racing in my ribs. I flick the flame and press it to my arm. I hold back my scream as it keeps burning me. This is what happens when I can’t stop thinking about ‘her’ I have to hurt myself until I can stop.

The city lights are visible in the distance, a sprawling carpet of life that Clyde spent his life building. "They’re going to starve the city to get to me," I whisper. Clyde pulls me into his side, his arm a solid, protective bar of iron. "They can try," he growls, his eyes flashing amber toward the sky. "But they’ve forgotten one thing." "What?" "They’re not just dealing with an Alpha anymore," he says, looking at me with a terrifying pride. "They’re dealing with the Fire." The 24-hour clock begins now...

The street outside was waking up. He reached across the table. Took her hand. "What's the plan for today?" She thought about it. The city she'd been learning. The places she'd been waiting to show him. "The bridge," she said. "There's a bridge. It's old. You can see the whole city from it." "I've seen the city." "Not from the bridge." --- They walked. The streets were familiar now. The corner shop. The bus stop. The pub with the red door. She didn't point this time. She just walked beside him.

Outside, the city resumed its indifferent rhythm, unaware that in one isolated building, fire had met shadows, and a new bond had been forged in the crucible of choice, defiance, and unrelenting willpower. Elena stepped forward, her hand in Julian’s. Max fell in beside them, ready to navigate the streets and the city’s dangers as allies. The storm had passed, but the world beyond Mara’s walls awaited—and they would meet it on their terms, stronger, united, and unafraid. The fire had burned, the shadows had recoiled, and the future… was theirs to claim. ******,

Across the city, Sterling Enterprises stood tall and arrogant, lights gleaming like it believed itself immortal. I watched from a distance. When it happened, it wasn’t explosive. It was inevitable. A glow bloomed where history slept. Smoke curled upward like a confession. Alarms screamed. Sirens followed. And then— Fire. Beautiful. Terrible. Cleansing. I didn’t smile. I didn’t celebrate. I simply turned away. Because while the city watched a building burn, my father would feel something far worse. Fear. And somewhere in the dark, Lily was still breathing.

I scream into the air. "Jessa!" Brixtius's voice is next to me. "Who are you talking to?" "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I tell him. "Let's go!" Brixtius shouts while pulling me down the street. In the same direction as the crowd. We run for a few minutes, the ash making it hard to breathe. Such deadly snow! The next rumble, I realize it is the end. The pyroclastic cloud that kills all the citizens of Pompeii is coming.