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The rest of the squad erupts into a cheer. Carlisle breaks off from the group, pridefully slaps Archie on the shoulder with some sentimental words, and ruffles his hair.

A flicker of movement beyond the distant trees catches my attention. Daeja’s nearness is as apparent to me as if it were a sixth sense.

“I’m safe, this time. I promise,”I confirm.

Her half snort, half relieved sigh whispers in my mind. The shadows in the forest stills.

I hug Archie, my voice weak. “Thank you, I knew it was you I needed to be scared of.”

Cole shifts into his captain role seamlessly. “You’re a hero, Arch. Grab your dagger, I’m going to take Kat to Marge. Carlisle, could you please delegate someone to dispose of the bodies?”

Cole ushers the rest of the squad back to camp and whisks me away. We’re alone, hidden by trees and bushes, when trembles erupt from my body, and my hands drip sweat. The cold air whispers against my cuts, burning my skin.

Cole stops to take my face into his hands, his voice trembling. “I was…I was so scared to lose you again…are you sure you’re alright?”

In the comfort of just him and I, my stomach retches. Holding up a finger, I take a step away from him and hurl into the bushes.

He’s quick to pull my hair back from my face with one hand and softly rub circles on my back with the other. My body shudders as I hack again and again until I have nothing left.

Cole’s voice is gentle. “I’m so sorry. This should have never happened, and I’m sure you were so scared. Adrenaline can make you nauseous.”

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and turn back to him to reply. My vision swings into a dizzying blur, and my knees buckle.

Cole slingshots forward, catching me in his arms, and concern furrows his dark brows. “We’ve got to get you to Marge.”

He sweeps me up off of my feet, my head flopping back into the crook of his muscled arm. The stars swim circles above me.

“I’m fine,” I murmur, though not convincingly enough.

Marge answers Cole’s knock at the healer’s quadrant with an exasperated sigh, until she sees my state and ushers us in. Cole lays me down onto a bed, and my gaze wanders beyond him to the dark stains mottling the floor where the three men were mutilated.

“What happened?” Marge demands.

“We must have missed a rebel. He took her hostage.” Cole’s voice is still thick with worry.

Marge works quickly, assessing the cuts on my neck, cheek, and arm. She cleans the wounds and flicks her gaze up at Cole. “These should heal just fine, she’s just in shock.”

“She’ll be okay?” Cole’s wide eyes watch Marge’s every movement.

“Yes. Now go. Leave her to rest.”

“I’m not leaving her.”

“Fine. Who am I to tell you what to do, captain? Stay here, then.” Marge rubs an ointment on the cuts, and presses a vial to my lips, demanding me to drink it. “Get some rest. I’ll check on you in the morning.”

I swallow down the liquid, and each second it settles deeper into me numbs my consciousness.

Cole sinks to his knees beside the bed as Marge leaves the healer’s quadrant. He strokes my hair, his touch soft. My vision starts to fade to black. The last thing I feel is Cole’s hand wrapped around mine, and a whispered“I love you.”

Nightmares consume me, and I struggle to breathe through the blazing fire ravaging around me. I’m pulled under, drowning in flames and blood. Screams surround me, until one erupts from my own mouth, and I can’t stop myself.

“Shhh, shhh, shh. You’re safe. You’re with me. I’ve got you, I’m right here with you.” Cole’s soft voice brushes against the shell of my ear. His strong, muscled arms wrap around me like a blanket.

I peek open my eyes and turn to look up at him. His tender eyes chase away the haze of my fear. My head falls back against his chest. The steady beat of his heart slows my own. He holds me, rocking me back and forth until I slip back into sleep. The thunder of his heart pulses around me.

But rather than the fire and flames and screams, I hear a chanting of words.

Fire incarnate.