January Embers Novels & Stories

“She wouldn’t hurt Angelica, would she? I mean, she’s just a child. She can’t possibly understand everything that’s going on.” Ember didn’t answer my question right away. She held out her hand and blew softly into her palm. A small ball of flame sputtered to life, illuminating where we stood in the darkness. The light flickered and waned, dancing as its casted shadows along Ember’s high cheekbones and plump lips.

"Gina told me. She's told me of most of the mercenary groups. Of Greenbush, and Hedgeshadow. Of Pondgrass, and Merriway. All powerful, deceptive, and fierce in battle. Yet, none as powerful as the Night Witch." Talks like this made Karl hard, but thanks to the heat of Lexi's cherry, it provided just enough heat to keep him from aching out in pain, and thanks to her tender ministration, and the rhythmic movement of her body against him. Slow and steady. "I like this beautiful feel of you," Karl said. "I am holding back my pleasure." "And you are driving me mad." ***

I use my better judgement and hold off until I get to the casino. Forty-five minutes later I’ve checked into my room and am now getting my belongings organized for the night. I don’t plan on leaving the room, so I start the shower and turn on my portable speaker. I sit on the bathroom floor that is now covered in the extra pillows from the bed and let the sound of water and music sooth me. I let my head fall back against the wall and start trying to unravel the emotions that have me on edge. As my emotions rise, I feel my eyes start to blur from the tears that are building up inside of them. I take a deep breath to calm myself and then I open a bottle of Martini-Rossi and light a cigarette.

I just want to understand you. The flame rose slow this time, gentle, curling up out of the cold iron like it had been waiting for her to ask nicely instead of demand. It didn't roar. It didn't scorch anything. It simply burned, warm and low and steady, and for the first time since the drought, Sera felt something in her chest unclench that she hadn't even realized was still locked tight. "There you are," she murmured. The flame answered her, somehow, the way it always seemed to, curling brighter for just a moment, and then, without warning, it changed.

Chairs are still preferable for communication. - That's what you need, you tell him. And I have no desire to communicate with him! “Well, after what your brother did to you, I'm not surprised by your reaction to him. Emily, fiddling with this unfortunate log in her hands, nevertheless threw it into the fireplace and, reaching into the basket for a new one, asked Jeremy: - Listen, do you know what else interested me here? Jer shook his head. Why are there no windows in this room?

I would honor the sacrifices of all who came before me, channeling my grief and determination into every step I took. Tonight, as the shadows closed in, I sensed the first hints of light breaking through, weaving stories of bravery and hope—a tapestry of strength filled with love. I was Winter—magic flowing through my veins and a fire igniting my heart. When the moment arrived, I would summon my sisters, and we would rise together, fierce and unyielding, ready to face the shadows threatening our world.

“Jane’s a doll, but she seems to think everyone gives a shit about tech.” I laugh softly, shoving my bag aside. “Thanks. I’ll stumble through it.” Emma leans on the edge of my desk, her jacket sliding a little further down her arm. “Oh, and just so you know, this place doesn’t really do the whole ‘stay late and grind’ vibe. Except for one person.” Her eyebrows waggle, and I already know where this is going. “If someone’s burning the midnight oil, it’s Mr Wintermere. The man’s a machine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s prowling the upper floors right now like some brooding vampire.”

Rose said. Ember’s grin widened. “You met him.” Rose froze. Rowan nearly choked on his coffee. “What?” he coughed. Rose stared at Ember. “How do you—” “You smell like frost,” Ember said simply. Rowan blinked. “I said that yesterday.” “Yes,” Ember replied. “But you didn’t notice the *other* part.” “What other part?” Ember pointed a spoon at Rose. “She smells like frost *and* fire.” Rowan frowned. “That’s… not possible.”

Eliza banks the fire and throws on a couple of logs to keep it going as she stares into its depths. Sol is pacing, unable to do anything more than keep her company. Vali returns after a few hours, and takes a second to spot her. “Little One.” She looks up at him, he comes over to her, and rests a hand on her forehead. “You are far too cold.” She sighs and he nods. “Stay there.” She raises an eyebrow and goes back to staring at the dipping fire. The snow is melting in the chimney and the water is making the fire spit. He returns with more wood and throws several logs onto the remains of the fire, then disappears again. He returns more quickly this time with more blankets.

She wasn't scared. She didn’t back away. She just whispered, “Then let it burn.” Her words stunned me. I was surprised by her braveness. It was a new side of Emery I was seeing. It was like she had transformed this past few that she had distanced herself, and I liked it. The media has really done a lot in changing the way she approaches things Then let it burn. She wasn’t just standing beside me—she was anchoring me. Not because I deserved it, but because something between us had refused to die, no matter how many times I tried to drown it in ambition, in control, in fear.