Fire Danger
(Elemental’s Challenge Series, #1)
by Claire Davon
by Claire Davon
When a gorgeous winged man rescues her from a pack of werewolves, something flares to life inside Rachel. Suddenly she can see the paranormal world around her, a world unseen by mortals. And far more complicated.
When Phoenix’s massive orange-and-red wings erupt from his back, he knows his Challenge-an age-old battle against his Demonos counterpart-is upon him. Heeding Rachel’s cry for help adds a layer of complexity never seen in any previous Challenge.
Rachel, they discover, isn’t entirely human. Like Phoenix, she commands fire. Fire calls to fire, and soon they are succumbing to a fierce attraction. As the Challenge bears down on them, though, Phoenix must discover what the Demonos has in store for mankind. If he doesn’t succeed, the entire world will be swallowed up in darkness-and Rachel along with it.
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Excerpt
Kamal’s wings quivered slightly,
but she couldn’t tell if they were shaking in silent amusement or anger. Before
she could say anything more, Kamal spoke again.
“It has always been understood
that we do not interfere.”
“Why?” Her voice was as tight as
her lips.
Kamal shook his head. “There are
many things we don’t know, and many more we don’t need to know. It has worked
for thousands of years—for all of us. We have a saying: ‘avoid that which
requires an apology’. As long as we stay neutral, we need not apologize. We are
not going to, what is the saying, rock
the boat now.”
Rachel found her fury growing
again. “Dammit, Grandfather, these are people we’re talking about.” Heat rose
in her cheeks, reminding Rachel of the vampire’s lack of blood. Rachel
shivered.
“Your Phoenix may have been human
once, but he hasn’t been human for over a millennium.” Kamal’s gaze took in her
thin lips, the high color in her cheeks, and her stiff body. He sighed.
“Habibti, I will take care of you, but I should not interfere further. However,
you are my granddaughter. I won’t let what happened to your mother happen to
you.” He glanced over at the papers on the desk and floor and tipped his wing
to them. “If Farouk comes, I will be waiting.” He shrugged in a way that she
usually did. “I can tell you this. Your research, everything is meaningless.”
Phoenix stiffened, and if he had
still had his wings, she thought they would have bristled.
“This is good stuff,” Rachel said
indignantly.
“It is good research for your
other Elementals. Their Challenges have also started, as you must be aware. The
Sphynx left India a little while ago.”
“Some paranormals have tried to
stop Rachel, but other than that, we haven’t found many signs of Challenge,”
Phoenix said.
He turned the wing to Phoenix.
“The signs started when you moved here. When Farouk killed Rachel’s parents. You
were drawn here, to San Francisco, for Rachel, but also for something else.”
Phoenix frowned at him. “You were summoned to your Challenge.”
“Of course.”
“The reason you can’t find a link
to your Challenge, the reason you haven’t been able to determine where it is,
is because it’s right here.”
Rachel nodded, realizing her
instincts had been right before. She had known, somehow, that Challenge could
only happen in one place. “Who? How?”
Kamal shook his head. “I don’t
know. It’s coming, though, and soon. It’s human. That is why you can’t find
it.” He turned to Rachel. “Habibti, you have great power in you. Use it
wisely.” He gripped Rachel’s shoulders again and kissed her forehead before he
stepped back. He paused and then held a hand out to Phoenix. Phoenix took the
proffered hand and pumped it once. Kamal took another step back, toward the
broken door. “I must go, but I will be watching. Phoenix, take care of her.
Good luck.”
Rachel wanted to argue, but after
a look at her grandfather, she let it drop. Feeling strange and uncertain, she
went to him. The big man looked down at her from his superior height, his face
gentle.
After a moment, he held out his
arms. Rachel stepped into his embrace and hugged him. Her hands landed on his
leathery wings. The heat of him against her skin and the cinnamon/clove scent
permeated her nostrils as they hugged.
His large chest sighed out a
breath. “I love you, habibti. You are my only living descendant.” He pulled
back and Rachel tilted her head up to him. “I will protect you.” He gave
Phoenix a stern look. “You will protect her as well, or you will have me to
answer to.”
Phoenix smiled, but it was a
ruthless smile. “She is mine to protect, Ifrit.” There was an undercurrent in
his voice.
Kamal released Rachel and stepped
back again. “I see how it is. I am glad.” He raised a hand in farewell and his
wings followed. Phoenix’s wings were soft and feathered, and Kamal’s more like
dragon wings. Rachel was mesmerized by the difference in their anatomy.
“Farewell, Elemental. Farewell, granddaughter.”
After he left, Phoenix looked at
Rachel thoughtfully. “I have underestimated you.”
She smiled wanly. “The good news
is that they had a reason to warn me off. Even if we don’t understand it.” She
moved to Phoenix. “The bad news is that I need to learn how to use my powers.”
She touched him, their skins
still warm from the dance of the flames. The fire called to her, and she moved
into his arms. They went around her in an instant, pulling her close.
His mind was barred deftly, with
a durable wall. Emotions danced around the edges of the barrier. She touched it
with her own and felt him yield, but his true mind was still shuttered.
“Aleric?”
“Ah…” He pressed his lips to
hers, his mind still closed. “I am glad you are with me. I am glad we are
together.”
About The Author
Claire has many irons in the fire, including short stories across a multitude of genres to go along with her romances, from contemporary to paranormal. Originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, Claire now lives in Los Angeles. In addition to writing she has an office job she loves, does animal rescue, reads, and goes to movies. She loves to hear from fans, so feel free to drop her a line.
You can find Claire at
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