Chapter 157 FALLING STARS

Chapter 157 FALLING STARS
CHAPTER 157

EMBER

My hand brushed against Liana’s as we walked, and suddenly my fire magic surged without warning. Heat exploded from my skin, hotter and wider than I’d ever felt it before.

Liana gasped sharply, yanking her arm back like she’d touched a branding iron. “Ember, are you okay?” Her voice came out tight, eyes wide with shock.

I stared at her, my chest tight. This was wrong. My fire had never reacted to her like that. It always stayed calm around her.

The seer’s words slammed back into my head
Liana was the only one whose future she couldn’t see.

What did that even mean? And the way Liana’s energy felt today… dark. I could sense it now, like cold smoke pressing against my senses.

How was that possible? She was my friend. I swallowed hard, fighting the unease twisting in my gut.

“What did the seer mean by your energy being dark?” I asked, my voice quieter than I wanted.

Liana let out a nervous laugh, the sound too high and forced. She looked away fast, staring at the ground instead of meeting my eyes. “I don’t know either.”

The doubt gnawed deeper. I stepped closer, grabbed both her hands, and turned her to face me. Her skin felt clammy under mine. But she ripped her hands free and glared, eyes flashing with something I couldn’t read.

“What’s wrong with you?” she yelled, voice cracking with anger.

I flinched. “What did the seer mean by that? Tell me.”

Liana’s glare hardened. “Go back and ask the seer yourself. She’s the one who saw it, not me.”

Before I could push, Kael’s hand closed around my wrist. His grip was firm but gentle as he shook my arm slowly.

“Don’t make a big deal out of this, Ember. You shouldn’t believe everything the seer says.” His voice was low, steady, but it only made the knot in my stomach worse. I wanted to believe him. I really did.

Lance nodded beside him. “Her predictions are usually not right anyway.”

I pulled my arm free and rubbed my temples, the seer’s words echoing over and over in my skull.

Dark energy. Unreadable future. What if something was wrong with Liana? The thoughts made my fire flicker restlessly under my skin.

A heavy arm slid around my shoulders. I looked up into Magnus’s broad face. He nuzzled into my cheek, his breath warm and slightly rough, then licked my face with a wet swipe. The sudden damp warmth made me scrunch my nose.

I batted at him, but he was solid muscle, unmovable like a wall. He tickled my sides with strong fingers digging in just right. Laughter burst out of me despite everything, loud and shaky.

“That’s enough tickling!” I gasped between giggles.

He pulled back, eyes soft with concern. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, the laughter fading but leaving a small warmth in my chest. He crouched low in front of me.

Without thinking, I climbed onto his back, wrapping my arms tight around his thick neck. His muscles shifted under me ready.

A sharp slap landed on my back. I twisted around to see Lance grinning up at me.

He roared playfully, the sound vibrating through the air. “Run or I’m snatching you off there!”

My eyes widened. “Magnus, go!” I yelled.

He took off running, his laughter rumbling beneath me. I pulled on my air magic, pushing a steady gust behind us to make us faster. The wind whipped through my hair, cool and sharp against my face.

From the corner of my eye, Rowan charged after us, snarling. “Run, Ember!” he yelled, voice rough with mock threat.

I giggled and flung shards of earth and stone at him. He deflected them easily with bursts of his fire magic, the impacts cracking loudly..

Another roar sounded right behind us. Instinct took over. I twisted and released my fire magic in a wild wave. The heat roared out of me.

A terrifying roar followed, then a deep, pained whimper. I looked back and my stomach dropped. Lance was covered in flames, staggering.

“Holy shit, Magnus stop!” I screamed. He skidded to a halt.

We turned back and rushed toward Lance, but Ragnar was already there, summoning a huge gust of air magic that blasted the fire away with a whoosh of hot wind.

I dropped from Magnus’s back and crouched in front of Lance. His skin was badly burnt, red and blistering. The smell of singed cloth and flesh hit me hard.

Tears stung my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, voice breaking. “I didn’t want to burn you. It just… happened.”

Magnus gently pulled me back. Rowan knelt beside Lance, pressing his fingers into the burnt skin. Red light glowed from his hands as he healed the wounds.

I paced back and forth, murmuring to myself, “Why does this keep happening? What’s wrong with my magic?”

When Rowan finished, Lance stood up slowly, scratched his head, and chuckled. “That’s really awkward though.”

We all stared at him. Kael’s voice was incredulous. “Are you joking right now ? You nearly died.”

Lance shrugged, still smiling. “Well, I didn’t die. Should’ve known better than to scare you like that, Ember.”

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I ran forward and hugged him tight, burying my face in his chest as sobs shook me.

“I’m sorry,” I babbled, tears soaking his shirt. “My magic acted on instinct. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I always end up hurting people.”

Lance stayed quiet for a moment, then burst out laughing softly. “You’re fine just the way you are. Nothing’s wrong with you.” He hugged me back, the vibration of his purr rumbling against my ear, warm and comforting.

I pulled away and looked at all of them, wiping my eyes. “Let's not play that game again. Please.”

Kael grunted. “I don’t know why Magnus and Lance are always so playful.”

Magnus smirked. “Maybe some of us see the world differently than you do.”

Kael glared at him. But Magnus continued smirking at him deeply.

I sighed heavily, the weight of everything pressing on me. “Can we not fight, guys?”

I reached out and took Kael’s hands in mine. His palms were rough but warm. I smiled up at him. “Stop being such a boring fellow once in a while. See the world as a lively place.”

Lance cheered loudly. “Yes! Ember tell him. Maybe he's going to listen to you!”

I turned around, scanning the path behind us. “Where’s Liana?”

Someone shouted from up ahead. “Over here, you rascals! Hurry before I eat all the food!”

My eyes flashed with mischief. I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled, “The last person to get to the van buys us all a plate of ice cream!”

Laughter bubbled up from my chest as I spread my arms wide and called on a huge gust of wind. It slammed into the guys, sending them sprawling across the dirt with surprised grunts and curses. I took off running hard toward the van, feet pounding the ground, heart racing with pure fun.

“Ember, that’s cheating!” Lance yelled after me, his voice full of mock outrage.

I laughed loudly, the sound raw and free, and threw up an air shield behind me. A second later something heavy slammed into it with a loud thud. I smirked.

I knew they’d try something. I twisted my fingers and launched several fire arrows back at them. The heat whooshed from my palms.

“Emberrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!” Kael roared, his voice thick with real anger.

Ouuu, my fire shard got the dragon. The thought made me grin wider.

Rowan appeared in my peripheral vision, moving with that damn vampire speed, wearing a smirk and a challenging smile. I growled under my breath and twisted my finger, calling on my earth magic.

A huge earth wall erupted from the ground, cutting me off from the males behind me, including Rowan. I quickly wove thorny weeds around it and coated the whole thing with my hottest blaze of fire. The heat crackled loudly. They were trapped.

I laughed, a wild, manic sound, and sprinted the last mile.

I dropped into the seat beside Liana, breathing hard. She was holding back laughter, her shoulders shaking.

I smirked at her. “How’s my magic?”

Liana burst out laughing. “Kael and Rowan are going to kill you.”

I grabbed a bagel, still chuckling, and winked at her. “Let’s see who emerges from that wall first.

She glanced at it briefly. “My bet is on Ragnar.”

I bit into my own food, chewing quickly while watching the wall tremble and shake under their assault. Cracks formed, dirt flying.

Suddenly a section on the far side broke open and a white wolf bounded out, clothes clamped between his teeth.

Liana’s eyes widened. “Magnus,” she whispered.

He raced toward us and leaped right on top of the table. We yelled as plates rattled and food scattered. He howled in victory, the sound loud and triumphant.

He leaned forward and licked my face with a big, sloppy wet tongue. I giggled and buried my hands in his thick fur, scratching behind his ears. He howled again and shifted suddenly right there.

“What the hell, Magnus!” I yelled. In my scramble to get away, I moved too fast. We both tumbled off the table and crashed to the floor in a heap.

His sea-green eyes danced with pure mischief as he hovered over me, completely naked. He leaned down and kissed me hard, grinding his body against mine. The sudden press of warm skin and muscle made my face burn. Then he stood up fast, his junk swinging right in front of my face.

I scrambled backward with a loud yell and covered my eyes with both hands. “Magnus!” Heat flooded my cheeks.

I peeked through my fingers and saw him laughing wildly, head thrown back, completely unbothered.

My embarrassment mixed with helpless laughter as I yelled, “Put your damn clothes on!”

He finally pulled them on, still chuckling, and reached down to help me up. His hand was warm and strong. I took it, shaking my head but smiling despite the chaos.

Someone crashed into us and we all fell to the floor again. I pushed Lance off me.

He flicked my forehead lightly. “Nice magic work, Ember. You’re really getting stronger.” His voice carried genuine pride that warmed me inside.

I smiled and brushed dirt from my clothes. “Where are the rest?”

Lance laughed. We stood up just as the remaining walls exploded outward. The other males came storming through, covered in dirt and soot. They settled around the table and started eating.

Kael sat there still pissed off, jaw tight. I teased him gently, nudging his arm. “Come on, it was just a bit of fun.”

He only grunted and glared at me, but I caught the slightest twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Magical stars began falling across the sky, soft light trailing behind them. Lance pointed and caught one, pressing the small glowing thing into my palm. It felt warm and tingly against my skin.

I turned and watched more stars fall, the night air cool on my face. It was beautiful and peaceful. Then I noticed one larger star that stayed fixed in the sky, not falling like the others.

I called out to Kael. “Why won’t that star fall?”

Rowan frowned. “It’s strange. All stars usually fall.”

I turned toward Ragnar. He had gone completely still, eyes glazed over. Worry spiked through me. I reached out to touch his arm, but Kael snatched me back fast.

“Never touch him when he’s like this,” he hissed, “or you’ll interrupt it.”

Ragnar came back to himself, eyes wide. “Fuck!” he yelled. He jumped onto the table, grabbed me, and shouted at the others. “Run!”

We bolted. Behind us the star tore open with a deafening crack. A huge dark lightning bolt struck exactly where we had been sitting, destroying the table and blasting a massive hole in the earth.

The ground shook under our feet. Our eyes widened as we looked up. A Dark World portal had ripped open in the sky. A terrifying screech echoed out, and shadows began curling from the portal like living smoke.

Oh no! Hope it's not what I'm thinking?