Zaphira's Flame's
chapter 27

Turning the lights on, there’s already a course all set up for us. “So what are we going to do here?” He asked looking around. Smiling I said. “Well you run through the course, and I try to hit you with fire balls. But you won’t die, it might just hurt a little.” Rolling his eyes he said. “I know I won’t die. I might not be the smartest, but I do know that much.”

I said as I formed a large fire ball.

“Alright lights out.” Smiling, he turned off the lights, and I concentrated on where he is in the room.

“Nick I want you to run, I have to try and sense where you are in the room. Start, now.” Like the wind, I felt it, he moves just like Alex does; only slightly slower.

Turning, I threw a ball at him, hitting him dead on. “Damn woman! You’re lucky that didn’t kill me.” This time I’m the one rolling my eyes. “Oh would you relax, fire won’t kill you.” Throwing another fire ball I said. “Plus the suit you’re wearing helps minimize the burns you’ll undoubtedly get before we’re through here. Again.”

He resumed running, and once again I hit him.

Over two hours, we spent down there, and in that time he only managed to dodge a few of my attempted hits. “Alright we’re done for today. Let’s head up and get cleaned up.” I said, turning the lights back on. His suit is lightly singed, but for the most part, he’s burn free. “You really are amazing, Alex was right about you.” He said walking up the stairs. Closing the door Nick dropped me at my room, and he went wherever to get cleaned up.

Stripping out of my suit, I really need a shower! Getting the water as hot as I can, I stepped in, the scalding water not really bothering me.

In the several hours we were down there, neither of us heard from Alex or Raphe, I just hope there’ll be okay. I don’t know what will happen if anything were to happen to either one of them. Sighing, I wiped my eyes finishing up.

Stepping in my room, there’s a note on my bed, along with a dress bag, I don’t recognize it.

“Z be ready at eight. See you soon. A.”

Confused I opened the bag a beautiful red and black number. Knee length dark red silk, black tool layering over top, with roses and vines going around it. The top is black leather with a leather strap over on shoulder going down the back. There are little rose details on the leather, how pretty. This looks more like something a vampire would wear, not a fire demon, is Alexander trying to tell me something? Sighing I set it down, picked out some shoes, and grabbed my crest of the fire demon setting them next to the dress.

Brushing out my hair I pulled it to the side braiding it.

When eight came I was ready, for what I don’t know. I put on some light makeup, low red heels and my fire crest; as well as the dress.

Someone knocked on the door, causing me a jump slightly. Taking a deep breathe, I opened the door, I expected it to be Alex, but it’s only Nick.

“Come on don’t look to upset that it’s me not lover boy. You look beautiful. Come on, it’s almost time.” Taking his offered arm, we walked away from my room.

Taking a better look at him, he’s in a simple black suit; red tie, with a dark red handkerchief in his breast pocket.

“Where are we going?” “You’ll see.” He said with a light smile, as he led me through the house, not telling me where we’re off to.

Stopping at the dining room, we walked in, the table is beautifully set, crystal glasses, fine rose china. Roses, calla lilies, among other flowers creating a lovely center piece in the middle of the table, red candles all around the room.

“What are we doing in here?”

I’m starting to get a bad feeling about this, I don’t know what he has planned, but if he tries something, he will have another thing coming; then it hit me, there are five place settings at the table.

Behind me someone cleared there throat.

Turning around Alex Raphe and Rolf are standing in the doorway. “What are you doing here?” “Well I thought I lived here. Don’t I?” Smiling I rushed over to him. “Of course you do. I can’t believe you’re here, and you’re okay.” Giving him a hug, we walked over to the table and sat down. “You’re supposed to be in the hospital. Who let you out?” He scoffed. “I’m fine. Most of the injuries were heeled already. They released me, and here I am. Good as new.” We all sat down, I can’t stop smiling at Raphe, and I thought he was going to die down there.

When all this started, I didn’t have anyone, now I have Raphe and the others, and I almost lost him today; and I never want to feel like that ever again.

Food came, and we all started eating.

Looking around the table, two fire demons, two vampires, and an Alpha werewolf, it sounds like the set up to a bad joke.

As the plates are being cleared; I asked the question that I have been waiting all night to ask.

“So do we know who set the explosion?” Alexander nodded. “Yes. It was the rogue vampires. There were some seen in the area just before it blew. There getting bolder about what they’re doing.” “Then we have to stop them. Things are going to get a lot worse around here. We have to replace them.” Raphe is closest to me, taking my hand he squeezed it. “We will. Don’t worry. We will replace them, and all this will end.” I nodded. “If you’ll excuse me. It has been a very long day. I think I’ll go to bed. See you all in the morning.” Giving Raphe a kiss on the cheek and walked out heading, not to my room, but to the office that Raphe gave me.

Closing the door, I kicked off my heels, I booted up my laptop.

Printing off everything we have on the vampires, I started sticking everything on the wall, making little notes about all of it.

I found a map of the city, setting it in place alongside of everything else.

Marking everywhere the vampires have been seen; trying to replace some kind of connection between all of them. None of it makes sense though.

All of the incidents don’t really have any connections to each other.

But I do believe they are attacking every area of the city, trying to get total control over the city. Stepping back from the map; trying to get a better look at it.

Looking over the entire map, I’m hoping that I can replace where there base of operation is, but their targets all over the city. I’m starting to think that there base isn’t even in the city, but that it’s in the woods or something. Pinning up another map, they could be anywhere; we have to replace them, I will not let them destroy my city any more than they already have!

Walking out of my office, I locked the door, the guys can’t know about any of that, at least not until I have more to tell them. Going to my room heels in hand, Alex isn’t in there, sighing in relief I went into my bathroom to have a quick shower before bed.

Walking out with nothing but a towel around me, Alex is sitting on my bed, staring out the window.

Tightening the towel around me, I cleared my throat. “What are you doing in here?” Looking over at me. “Where were you?” Motioning to the towel. “I was in the shower. What’s wrong?”

“Not now, before; I came in to check on you, but you weren’t in here, where did you go?”

“Just to my office. I wanted to get some work done, and I did.” Grabbing a red tank top, and plaid pajama shorts from my dresser, I went behind my screen and got dressed.

“Now please, it’s late; I need to get some sleep. And so do you.” Walking out, he gave me a look over, making my whole body tingle a little, climbing into bed, I got comfy; I felt the bed move, I thought he was getting up to leave, but I felt him behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist, the other hand moving under my head, holding my other hand, holding me close. “What are you doing?” “What does it look like? I’m going to bed.” “But why aren’t you in your own room?” His cool lips are right at my ear, his breath tickling my skin.

“Because I don’t want to be. Now go to sleep.” Not saying a word, I fell asleep with Alex in my bed, holding me close.

Walking down to the kitchen, I asked the cook if I could make breakfast this morning. It’s been so long, I miss cooking. She said she was delighted, and that she would help me if I needed help. When I woke up Alex was gone; he left a note saying that he had some club business he had to take care of. But that he would be back in time for breakfast.

I haven’t seen any signs of Raphe or anyone else for that matter.

Flipping the pancakes my phone went off, it’s a text from Alex, saying that there back, and wondering where I am. Finishing up with food, our cook rose, told me to go get cleaned up, that she would finish up and have it all in the dining room.

On my way up to my room, I didn’t see them, but I can feel them, they must be in Raphes office or something.

Closing my door, I got changed into a long sleeved red and black shirt, skinny jeans and runners. I never thought I would wear skinny jeans in my life.

Walking out, Alex is leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest. “Well look what the wind blew in.” I said stopping right in front of him.

“And good morning to you to.” Coming up to me, he gave me a kiss. “Good morning.” I said against his lips. “Come on, breakfast is about to be served.” Taking his hand, and walking down to the dining room. Walking in Raphe Rolf and Nick are all sitting around the table waiting for us.

“Morning everyone.” Sitting at my usual place, Alex took the seat to me. Rose came in brought our food, giving her a warm smile, she bowed and left us to our meal.

After several minutes of eating, Raphe cleared his throat. “Zaphira I hear that your birthday is coming up.” Choking on my Coffee, how does he know that?

“Yes it is. How do you know that?” Smiling, he took another bite of his food. “I have my ways. Since it’s coming up in a few days. I was wondering if you would be opposed to us doing a little party.” “You want to throw me a party?” He nodded. “Yes. Well more of a ball really. I think with everything that is going on with the rogues, that our world needs this. So what do you say?”

Smiling, I’m shocked.

“Yes. Thank you that would be wonderful.” “Wonderful. I will have someone here this afternoon, so we can start to plan it. But if you all will excuse me. I have to get down to the office.” “Is everything all right?” “Yes of course. They just need my approval on some of the repairs after the explosion.” “Do you need me to go with you?” Shaking his head. “No. That won’t be necessary. I won’t be gone long.” Rolf got up as well.

“I have some pack business I need to attend to. Thank you for breakfast, it was wonderful.” Raphe and Rolf walked out, leaving the three of us alone for the time being.

“So what shall we do too keep ourselves entertained?” Nick said taking a sip of his blood.

“Well Z needs to resume her training. Perhaps you two could go play, while I take care of a few things.” I nodded, what other than the rogues could be having him so distracted like this? Giving me a light kiss, he left heading off to deal with his ‘business’ whatever that is.

Nick and I went down to the training room, after changing; Raphe gave Nick and Rolf a suit of their own in case they needed it; as well as their own room, since Nick as pretty much moved in. As well the suit I gave him, was a little singed after the last time we went downstairs together.

Having this huge house all to himself, it must have been so lonely for Raphe; but now he has all of us, but how long will that last?

Perhaps I will stay here after all this is over, I don’t want him to be alone like that ever again. And frankly neither do I. “Hey earth to Z you in there?” Snapping back to the present, Nick is standing in front of me, snapping his fingers in my face. “Sorry. I was just lost in thought. What were you saying?”

Sighing he said. “I was saying that we should get started. Let’s go.”

I nodded, taking my position in the middle of the room.

This is going me so much fun.

“Alright Z try to hit me. This time, throw as many fire balls as you can as fast as you can. Just keep them coming, don’t stop them, and just let them flow.”

Nodding again, Nick turned on some music, and the lights off, and started running.

“What are you getting tired or something?” I asked Nick who is lying on the ground, trying to catch his breath. “No. I just need a second.” He gasped out. Funny I didn’t think that vampires could get tired like humans can.

Standing, Nick looked at me.

“Alright let’s try something different.” “What do you have in mind?” “Well instead of throwing fireballs, try shooting them out of your hands, just a streak of fire.”

Nodding, he got behind me in case something happens that it backfires.

Focusing my fire in my hand, a stream of fire shot from my hand, shooting across the room. As it dissipated, Nick whistled and start clapping.

“Well my darling, when the war finally rages out of control; you will be a force to be reckoned with.” Smiling, we went upstairs, since we’ve been down here for a few hours.

I left Nick at his room, walking to mine; Alex text saying that he and the others are on their way back, also a party planner is on her way.

Going into my bathroom, I had a quick shower. The scalding hot water, relaxing every tense muscle in my body. Since I somehow made the transition, I can handle any heat that gets thrown at me. Walking into my room, smelling like vanilla and oranges due to the shampoo and body wash, the bed is made and my clean laundry folded neatly on my bed for me. Grabbing a pair of black jeans and dark blue long sleeve top, it has roses and butterflies on it, one of the few shirts I have that aren’t fire demon colors, I got dressed, dried my hair and pulled it into a high pony tail.

Heading for my office, a maid told me we were meeting in the den in ten minutes. That gave me just enough time to go try to make some more progress on where the vamps might be.

Closing the door behind me, everything is just as I left it. I still have a few contacts down at the station, and I had them send me any reports that seemed weird to them. Of course I still have access to it all, I just have to use my computer, but calling people, let’s them know that I’m still alive and well. Of course they want to know when I’m coming back, but I tell them the same thing, that I’m not coming back. Printing off a few things, I added them to my board, some of these definitely could have been vampires.

Bodies bitten in weird ways, none of them had a huge amount of blood loss, the coroners just assumed that it was from the wounds the victims suffered.

Marking them on the map; a few of them overlap, so some of them could be there hunting grounds.

Making my notes, I checked the clock, just about time to go meet the party planner. Great.

Locking my office, I made my way down to the den. Pulling my crest out from under my shirt, holding onto it tight, trying to calm myself, I don’t know what to expect from this person, but I suppose that I need to be prepared for anything, and everything that could be thrown my way.