In Embers (The Ember Series Book 3)

  “Great,” I mumbled, under my breath. It was bad enough she had temporarily moved in, but she had set up shop in my bedroom. Unbelievable.

  “Glad your home, Bro,” Kai spoke quietly, awaking me from my silent rage. My eyes shot over to my best friend. The same friend who loved Sam as much as I did. He looked like he had been punched in the gut. I walked up to him and pulled him in for a much needed brotherly hug. He returned my affection, but I could tell he wasn’t okay.

  “Me too. I can’t believe I’m home.” I turned toward Sam again. “I can’t believe you’re all here.”

  “Max…” Sam started to say, but stopped herself. “We have so much to discuss.”

  “I agree.” I began to smile. She placed a calming hand on mine. I was getting the sinking suspicion that her news would not be what I was hoping for. Quickly, I shoved that thought to the back of my head.

  “Tomorrow,” Sam’s mother, Rebecca, interrupted.

  “What?”Was she crazy? I needed to talk to Sam now.

  “We just got Samantha back. We want her with us right now. We want her home. I’m sure you can understand that, Max.”

  “I guess.”

  “So much has happened,” Sam sighed. “Tomorrow. First thing in the morning we’ll go over everything, I promise.”

  I didn’t understand. We were here now. Why wait? She made her way over to Madison and removed her from her mother’s arms, carefully. Madi curled tight little fists around Sam’s curly blonde locks.

  “Tomorrow?” I asked, still not understanding. She turned toward me with our precious daughter in her arms and smiled. She looked radiant, but that smile hid something.

  “Yes,” she said, and then scooped up Kai’s closest hand. “We just wanted to welcome you back.” Sam’s face fell serious as she watched me focus on her hand wrapped around Kai’s. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the gesture. They both nodded my way and then turned toward the front door and walked outside. I stood frozen. Sam’s parent’s followed right behind and my mother closed the door behind them. I still couldn’t move.

  “Sam?” I asked, the empty room. Last time I had seen her she was running for me, trying to save my life. I had dreamt of her almost every night since. Now, she just left me standing here, confused. Was she back with Kai? What about our daughter? Where was Asia? Was this a new nightmare? Was I still dreaming away in my cell?

  “I know this has got to be hard, Max…” my mother tried to console me. I stormed past her and charged out on the back porch, slamming the kitchen door behind me. The backyard looked exactly like I remembered it; cozy, comfortable, and quiet. But something was missing now.

  Uncle Frank.

  His warm laughter always filled this backyard. If I closed my eyes, I could hear his laugh rolling around the yard. I could smell his famous barbecue grill cooking away, filled with tender pork. Memory after memory hit me, and hit me hard. I spent the majority of the night outside by myself. My mother would walk by the kitchen window every few minutes to check on me, but I’d pretend not to see her.

  After a few lonesome hours I walked up to the old grill and searched its dusty shell. Tucked alongside of it was a small box of unused matches. Slowly I pulled a single match out. My eyes stared at the the red top daring me to strike it to life. I held my breath and closed my eyes.

  “Okay, Max. It’s time to start taking back your life. Let’s start with the little things…your fire,” I said to the match, soft and scared. I dug down deep within myself, reaching for that familiar flicker of heat that used to engulf me with ease. Nothing. I felt nothing.

  “No!” I scolded myself. With another inward push I reached for my dormant fires hopelessly. Still nothing. “Damn it!”

  Angry and upset, I snapped a tight fingertip along the tiny match head. It popped with an orange flame, small and unassuming. It stabbed my fingertip like a bee sting. “Ouch!” I snapped. It burned me. I never get burned. I was born fireproof. I stared at my red and throbbing thumb and quickly placed it between my lips. I had the worst feeling that my fires were gone forever. That was my punishment for pushing myself to the extreme and hurting all those people. Yes, they deserved it, but still, it was stupid and dangerous. I was dangerous.

  With a flick of my wrist I whipped the match up and down, smothering the flame in a second, and whispered, “Dangerous.”

  Where was Asia in all of this? Why hadn’t I gotten any straight answers? Why hadn’t I heard from her? I walked back into my house and ignored the intruder named Mom, and went to bed. Tomorrow was a new day. Hopefully there would be some answers for me, but I wasn’t sure I could handle it. If there was any kind of silver lining to this emotional day, it was that I was free again.

  Free, and alone.

  TEN: ANSWERS

  ~ Say: John Mayer ~

  Tuesday morning - 8:37 a.m. - January 3rd

  “You can hate me all you want.”

  “Good! I will!” I screamed through the house.

  “Max, calm down. We need to talk,” my mother said determined.

  “I don’t have time for this today. I need to talk to Sam soon. I need answers.”

  “You need to talk to me first, then you can worry about Samantha and Madison.”

  “No, I don’t,” I huffed. She was the last person I wanted to talk to. Seeing her face again made me feel like a kid…a scared kid. She left me when I needed her most, so I figured I’d return the favor. “Leave me alone!”

  I darted for the front door, determined to escape her questioning when she caught me with the easiest of traps. “I’ll take you to Asia.”

  “What?”

  “Stay. Let me have my say, let me explain my actions. Just give me this morning. Give me a chance…and I’ll take you to Asia afterward.” Her face showed me that she was trying her best, but still I fought back.

  “You’re blackmailing me with her?” I growled.

  “No, Son. I just know you need to see her.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes.” She tried to smile.

  “Why?”

  “Because she needs you.”

  Staring at her stunned, I slowly sat down on the couch in front of her. With an ache in my chest I sighed, “Shoot.”

  “First, I’m sorry I abandoned you. I’m sorry I left you and your father all those years ago. When Mia died…it was just too much for me to accept. Too much for me to take. Trying to cope with a child that could do the things you could do, can do, was hard, Max. I should have tried harder. I know now that you never meant to hurt your sister. It was just an accident.”

  “Is that it? You done?” I asked, angrily.

  “Please, let me finish,” she begged.

  “You started another life. Another marriage. Another family. How am I supposed to forgive that?”

  “I’m not asking for forgiveness…at least not yet. I’m only asking for understanding. I ran from you because I was scared. I blamed your father for your actions, for your abilities. I was sure you would destroy yourself one day, whether it was intentional or not. All that power was dangerous, Son. I couldn’t bear to see it take you or him away like Mia. Not again.”

  “So leaving was the answer? Treating Dad and I like we were trash was the answer!”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Do you know how unbelievably awful it is to live with my mistakes, my demons? My fires scared you away. I killed my little sister, Mia. Dad’s heart attack was my fault. And now, Frank. The one true shining light in the dark room that is my life, is gone…dead. Because I wasn’t able to heal him. I’m a monster, Mom.” My hands found the back of my neck and tried to release the building tension. “I don’t forgive you for leaving me all those years ago, I can’t. But I understand.”

  “Max…”

  “I destroy everything that’s important to me. I’m cursed,” I said, absolutely.

  “My leaving is not your fault. It’s the single greatest mistake of my life. I wish I could take it back, fix things…fix
you. I promise to try, Son.” She stared deeply into my tragic face. “Mia’s death was an accident. A horrible accident. I know what you did that day. That drunk driver smashed into us. We were lucky that none of us died from that. You did what any big brother would have done. You tried to save your sister. You are a hero, Max.”

  “Whatever.”

  “You are. Your father’s death is no one’s fault except mine. Maybe if I hadn’t left you two, I would have been around to take care of him. Less stress, better health.” She took a short breath and continued, “I loved your father so much and I should have been there for him. I’m sorry.”

  “He missed you every day…every minute…” I scolded.

  “And as for Uncle Frank, well, he was dealt a bad card. He lived life with a smile, always. He had no regrets…”

  I cut her off. “How could you know anything about him, you weren’t around!”

  “He was the same big hearted man that blessed me on my wedding day to your father. The same happy-go-lucky spirit who took you in when I was not around. The same man who taught you right from wrong when no one else would bother. He was a good man.” She folded her arms across her chest and waited on my response. I let her last words sink in.

  Finally, I spoke again, “The best man.”

  “Max, he is not dead.”

  “What?”

  “He lives inside of you. You carry his wisdom everywhere you go…no matter what.” She smiled.

  Was she right? Suddenly, from across the room, a ghostly shadow moved into my view. It was immediately familiar and comforting.

  “Max,” it said, softly.

  “Uncle?” I asked it in a whisper.

  “How are you, my boy?”

  “You’re here! You’re back!”

  “Sort of…” he laughed. The sound felt like a hug to my whole body.

  “So, I’m seeing your ghost.”

  “Is that so bad? I mean, come on, we used to talk for hours.” He smiled.

  “I wish I could talk to you now. I need your wisdom, your direction.”

  “About your mom?” he asked, but he knew.

  “Yes. What do I do?” I asked, and let out a huge gasp of air.

  Uncle Frank walked up to me and sat down, shoulder to shoulder. “Trust the pain.”

  “Huh?”

  “Trust her.”

  “You mean my mother?”

  “Yes.”

  “But, I can’t…”

  “Sure you can. I did.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked, blankly.

  “You’ll see, my boy. But for now, remember your light. It is only dark because you let it be.”

  “Uncle, stop talking like a fortune cookie and tell me what to do. I need you.”

  “You need…her…”

  “Who? Her who? My mom? Asia? Sam? Who?” I begged him, but it was too late. His smoky shadow faded back to nothing, leaving me grimacing in front of my confused mother. “Uncle, please…who are you talking about?”

  From the back of my mind I heard only four more words.

  “She needs you too.”

  Just then, my mother’s hand fell on mine. “Max, are you all right?”

  “Huh,” I said, dazed.

  “Please don’t shut me out. I am trying here. Please don’t ignore me.”

  I realized I had been sitting here talking with my uncle’s ghost, but she didn’t see that. To her I must have looked like a crazy person, staring off into the window.

  “Max?” she asked, shaking my hand, slightly.

  “Mom…” I spoke easily.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Take me to Asia…please.” I waited for her to fight my request. I thought for sure she’d want to discuss every painful detail of our lost relationship.

  But instead, she nodded to me and said, “Okay.”

  Fifteen minutes later we were both rounding the corner of the road, heading directly for the last place I wanted to go…the hospital. My mother had spent those fleeting minutes telling me all about the journey she and Asia had been on. She explained how Asia had tracked her down one fateful afternoon with little Madison in tow. Asia knew that my mother would never believe her story without proof, without Madison. Once my mom had seen Madi’s face she knew everything Asia had told her was real. My uncontrollable powers, the love triangle between her, Sam, and I. The newborn baby that was her granddaughter. The help that Asia needed. Asia told her all my adventures since she had been gone. As I digested all of this info, my heart sunk as we pulled into the guest parking lot of the hospital.

  “Is Asia okay?” I asked, winded from her speech.

  “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “Asia loves you, Son. Completely. I’ve seen it. She would go to the ends of the Earth for you. She would die for you.” My mother seemed to really have a kindred spirit with Asia. It unnerved me a little.

  “And?” I asked, impatiently.

  “How far would you go for her?” she asked.

  “What are you asking me?” I blurted out offended.

  “You asked me if she was okay, well, that depends on you. Room 214, second floor.” She pointed for me to get out of the vehicle. I resisted at first, absorbing her words for another painful moment. “Go, Max. She needs you.”

  Her words vibrated inside my chest. Almost the exact same words that Frank had said earlier. I took a deep breath and exited the car.

  Looking back at my mother, I said, “I would die for her too.”

  Without missing a beat, she smiled. “Tell her that.”

  And with that, it was clear how strongly my mother felt about Asia. My elemental partner-in-crime. My other half. My burning heart. That realization humbled me. I walked into the hospital and made my way to her room.

  Standing at the door of her room, I froze. Literally. Not from fear, not from the spinning nerves in my belly, but from actual cold. It was freezing outside her door. That didn’t make sense, it was over 90 degrees on the island today. I opened the door and stepped in quietly.

  “Asia…” I whispered, and a small trail of chilly smoke tickled from my lips into the air in front of my face. It was like an icebox in her room. I stepped in, but was stopped immediately by a small girl with determined eyes as cold as winter. She studied me from behind a shiny mop of black hair with her hands held out in front of her. The air before me was cold enough to cause instant frostbite. My skin erupted in the largest goose bumps I had ever seen.

  “Stop!” she warned, in a breaking voice. She looked to be only six or seven years old, give or take.

  “Hello, I’m Max,” I said, with my teeth already chattering. She stepped into me and her balled hands dug into the pit of my belly. My thin shirt offered no protection as my stomach muscles twisted in agony.

  “Max?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at Asia lying in her bed. Asia slowly nodded toward her, and the icy bodyguard stepped backwards, lowering her hands. The cold faded away just enough to feel almost normal again.

  “Neat trick,” I smiled down at the mysterious girl. She wrinkled her nose and stood next to Asia who was now trying to sit up in her bed. She was hurt. Badly it seemed, by the way she was moving.

  “I thought you said he’d be burning. I felt no fires. I felt no heat at all!” the little girl pouted with her arms crossed.

  “Settle yourself, King. He’s like me right now…broken,” Asia whispered, in pain. I stepped closer to her and the softest of thunder rumbled outside her hospital window. “But trust me, you’ll see his fires…they’re still in there.”

  “Asia,” I said, beginning to reach for her. King interrupted me though.

  “You were right. He did come.” She forced a crooked smile up at me.

  I stole a glance back at Asia and she looked at me with her piercing blue eyes. They looked weak, but beautiful. Still, they were my salvation.

  “Are you okay? What’s going on?” I asked, leaning down toward her face.

  “Max
…” she sighed.

  I reached down and found her hands. They were covering her stomach and side. Under them lay tight bandages that wrapped around her haunting hourglass frame.

  “I’ll be fine,” she grimaced.

  Worried, I asked, “What happened?”

  “There was a bit of a hiccup in Dubai.”

  “Is that where you found Sam?”

  “Yes, that’s where Avery took her. That’s where I rescued her.” She looked down at King and smiled. “Among others.” The girl smiled back her way. I didn’t understand, but I figured I’d worry about that later. I stepped past the miniature bodyguard and carefully slid into the bed next to Asia. She resisted at first, but with a painful wince she gave in. I knew she still cared about me. Lightning flickered at the window and the young girl fidgeted with excitement.

  “I’ve missed you,” she barely said out loud. She was scared to say it. She was scared of me. I had never seen her so open, so soft. My hand instinctively found its way along her cheek and for a split second I was embarrassed that there was no fiery heat coming from my touch, but quickly that faded. She didn’t seem to mind and leaned against my touch. I pulled her head up and let myself fall into her stare.

  “I’m here,” I said.

  Her eyes teased mine, and she whispered, “Good.”

  My forehead gently came to rest against hers, and I said, “Tell me everything.”

  ELEVEN: STITCHES

  ~ The Only Exception: Paramore ~

  Hours passed and Asia explained everything that had happened since she had been on the road. Finding and enlisting the help of my mother, the search for Sam, and the deadly escape. She only glanced over the young girls she had freed and I wasn’t sure why she was being so protective of them with me, but I didn’t push the subject. She had her reasons, I would respect them.

  All her talking had weakened her so much I thought she may fall asleep from exhaustion. With a kiss to her forehead I excused myself from her room. She fought me at first, but I promised I would be right back with something to eat.