Burning Truths (Consume Me #2)

28. Ryker

Chapter Twenty-Eight

RYKER

I stand at the edge of the garden watching the way her fingers tighten around the lighter. The sun is shining over her as if it’s giving a blessing to the destruction she’s about to call upon. She has her hair hanging down her back in a long braid the length longer than the last time I saw her.

“Killer.” I whisper.

It’s not meant to stop her, instead I hold steady at her back, waiting for her to need me.

She doesn’t.

Dropping the burning lighter she takes one step back to watch her creation. My hands twitch with the need to yank her away from the growing fire, but I anchor myself. She’s a fucking force of nature. The garden ignites and within seconds it grows higher. The sheer force of the heat smacks me in the face bringing hot air with it. Gradually turning towards me, faded grey eyes meet mine, reflecting the same bone deep ache that mirrors mine.

“Don’t.” She holds her hand up, her voice cracking.

The control I have fractures, a possessive hunger bubbles in my stomach, unable to stay away any longer. Long strides bring me closer to my killer. Her beautiful grey eyes widen and fear crosses her face. A shiver travels down her body, shaking, her teeth start to rattle like a child stranded in the cold. Given the heat of Del Mar surrounds us I know it’s the raw anxiety finding a release. Not deterred, my steps speed up, finally opening the cage to the fucking beast.

Small hands slash at the air warning me to stop. Frantically, she looks around in a panic.

“Oh, baby. The flames wouldn’t stop me from taking what’s mine.” My voice is raw and rough.

The closer I get sweat starts to pool around my brows rolling down my neck into my shirt. G should be here soon but the wild stormy look in her eyes means she won’t go easily.

“No.” She says that one word is enough to make me hesitate.

My fiery, strong, stubborn girl steps towards the burning garden.

“We loved this garden. Now, all I see is darkness.” She quivers.

The look on her face pierces through my chest. She takes another step towards the fire.

“I don’t know if I’ll rise from the ashes this time. I’m so tired.” A soft sob leaves her throat.

I move a step forward, “Killer.” I warn.

The air is thick with loss, torment, and sorrow. Her face is wrinkled with despair, wide eyes shining with wetness. I’m only a foot away, so close I can smell the way her scent mixes with the gas, almost like a drug making me dizzy. She’s in reach and yet I can’t bring myself to touch the dream in front of me.

“Rye!” G’s voice yells from behind me.

I keep my eyes on the phoenix in front of me afraid she’ll disappear again if I look away. I don’t have to see him to know what he’s saying. It’s growing taller and hotter. The school is too close and soon it’ll spread.

“Come on, Killer.” I urge. My hand open for her to grab.

Rosy cheeks are streaked with tears. “We’re too far gone.”

Stepping into her chest my eyes lower to her pink lips. “Oh, baby no. I’ll follow you into the fire. If you go I go.” My voice lowers. “My soul is branded with your name, Killer. Destroy us.” My words are gruff. “Set us on fire, because to have you for just a fraction of my life would shatter any meaning to living.”

My hands cup her wet cheeks, my thumbs swiping at the drop rolling down her face, big broken eyes peer into mine.

She sobs, “I have nothing.”

She moves back until the heel of her shoe is off the edge of the stone. The fire is eating up the space around us. The back of my shirt is drenched in sweat, but it doesn’t stop me from following her into the flames.

Risking everything my hands grip her forearms and drag her into me. Using one hand I pinch her chin tilting her head to mine forcing her to look into my eyes. She’s shaking like a leaf under my hold.

“Eyes on me, Killer. Fuck , I could say I love you and pray that it glues us back together, but it’s not enough.” My forehead falls to hers. “How could I pray to fix us if the only God I worship is you? Do you need me to fall to my knees and praise the fucking ground you walk on?” I groan.

Her sobs quicken, making it harder for her to pull in air, she sways on her feet. Letting me hold up her weight she continues to cry.

“Ryker!” A distant voice yells over the roaring fire.

Pulling away, my hand slides to the back of her neck, squeezing. “Air isn’t worth breathing without you. Your love made my soul crawl from the shadows, baby, and my heart won’t beat without you.” Our lips are almost touching.

Hovering my mouth over hers I whisper against her, “Breathe life back into me, Killer.” Dropping my lips to hers, she doesn’t move.

My tongue traces the seam of her lips and at the same time heat licks up the back of my leg. Even with my eyes closed the orange glow seeps through. Her body locks up under my touch, warring with the demons inside her head.

“I need you.” I murmur against her lips.

A soft groan falls from her mouth and I drink it down. She opens for me, dropping her head back, giving me more access. My fingers dig into the back of her neck forcing her into me deeper. My free hand wraps around her waist hauling her into my chest and we both ignore the burning.

Am I a monster for cornering the wounded prey? Maybe so, but heaven and hell collide when we touch.

“Remind me what it’s like.” She says against my mouth. Her tears soak my face, pulling back smokey eyes meet mine, “Remind me of what it feels like to breathe again.”

Running my thumb down her face, I smear the wetness over her, pressing another kiss to the corner of her mouth.

“You are my heart, my one and only thought, the light shining into my dark soul. If you need a reminder of who we are then I’ll show you. Because,” I lean into her ear, “Whatever our souls are made of, they're formed of the same twisted shadows.”

Indecision flickers over her but the sound of voices running this way pulls us from the burning bubble that surrounds us. Firemen and water flood the garden soaking the lilies that held us here.

“Life grows from ash, Killer.” I rasp. “Did you find me in the lilies?” I ask, closing my eyes, I wait for the answer.

“Yes.” She vows.

Pulling her with me I drag her to the exit where G is standing with a wild look in his eyes. Stepping into us his eyes move from me to her frantically.

“Holy fuck.” He huffs.

Turning to the side he lets us pass, “I’ll stick around and make sure this is handled.” He waves his hand towards the smoke and embers.

Shifting from under my hold, she pulls away, her gaze clashing with mine. Fighting with herself I can see the battle play out over her face so I try to give her an out.

“What do you need?” I ask.

Licking her lips she presses her fingers to her mouth, “Home.”

It’s the only word she says, but it holds so much meaning. Walking away from the school grounds where fire trucks and students surround the back parking lot I walk Kenna to her dorm.