Page 15 of Chasing the Flame (The Sacred Flames Of Ruin #1)

Luke has at least some semblance of intelligence, for the man chooses that exact moment to take several steps back, putting some distance between us.

He seems uncomfortable, and I use this to my advantage, crowding his space and giving him a sinister smile.

“Get in my truck or I swear on all things unholy I’ll shove you in the backseat hogtied and gagged. ”

He stiffens, swallowing hard, every bit of defiance leaving in seconds.

He sure isn’t putting up much of a fight for someone so big and bad.

He walks over to my truck, quickly slipping into the passenger seat.

I waste zero time sliding behind the wheel, starting the truck, and revving the engine several times.

In a flash, we’re off, racing down the long driveway of Carson Plantation, heading out onto the main road and through the vast thicket of trees. I’m quiet the whole way, and so is Luke, seemingly refusing to look in my direction. In less than thirty minutes, we’ve made our way to my intended stop.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the best places to go in the summer, along Lake Superior’s shoreline. But this spot is a hidden gem, nestled deep in the woods surrounding the lake.

Exiting the truck, I motion for my cousin to follow, knowing he’d be foolish to wander off alone.

The path to the cliff’s edge is overgrown, the thicket so unruly in certain parts that I have to stomp down on some vegetation to ensure no snakes are hiding.

By the time we make it there, the sun is beginning to set.

Any other time, I’d take in the moment, forgetting all my concerns, be present, and soak it all in.

Now? I’m forced to taint this experience with the asshole behind me.

At least the view is stunning, even if what I’m about to do will probably guarantee me a seat in hell.

Luke’s shoes crunch softly across the earth, hesitant, as if he can feel the tension leaking from me.

I whirl on him, grabbing him by the shirt with my fist. He startles, yelping loudly, which intensifies to a scream when I yank him by his shirt and dangle him over the edge of the cliff.

I swear, I had zero intention of being a fucking psychopath today, but seeing him with all those gifts, knowing damn good and well that he beat the shit out of his wife, well. It was too fucking much.

“WHAT THE FUCK JETT!” He screams, looking over his shoulder at the pool of water beneath the waterfall roaring behind us.

“Listen, and listen well to what the fuck I have to say, Luke,” I growl, narrowing my eyes at my piece of shit cousin. “I know what you did.”

“You don’t know shit, man!” He cries, wheezing a little when I punch his gut. “Okay, okay! What the fuck did I do, then? ”

I drop him a little, to prove a point, quickly snatching hold of his neck mid-scream, and effectively silencing him.

His feet kick as he dangles, and his hands claw at my fingers, but he can’t stop my brute strength.

I squeeze a little tighter, emphasizing my point with my following words, “Keep your hands off your fucking wife, Luke.”

“Why do you care?! It’s none of your fucking business,” Luke snarls, coughing and hacking when I apply even more pressure to his throat.

“You’re right, it’s not my business, it’s business for the High Circle of the Covenant , don’t you think?”

Luke’s eyes widen, and he attempts to shake his head several times, but can’t quite get the range of motion he is looking for.

“You…wouldn’t… dare !” He chokes out.

“You know I would, don’t make me invoke my rights.

I didn’t want any part of the fucking covenant when you tried to initiate me all those years ago.

After realizing what a goddamn monster , you all are.

I still don’t want anything to do with it, but I will if it means unseating you and your demon spawn of a father from the circle. ”

I hold his gaze for several minutes, watching with smug satisfaction as his face gets redder with each passing second.

When I release him, tossing him onto the ground like a sack of garbage, I don’t let him get too far before stomping on his hand with my boot-covered foot.

“God damnit, Jett!” His scream is like bliss to my ears.

Bending down, I grab hold of his hair, yanking his head back so that he is forced to look at me when I speak.

“Just because your father was a righteous prick to your mother for all of your childhood doesn’t mean the cycle continues with you.

Do. Fucking. Better. Or I swear to god, I’ll throw you off this cliff and make fucking sure you don’t come back out alive. You got it? ”

“Crystal,” he wheezes, locking eyes with me. I hold his stare for a moment or two before I’m satisfied.

Fucker knows better than to try something, so when he finally stands up, I clasp his forearm, rubbing salt into the wound with my next sentence. “I’m glad we understand one another.”

He narrows his eyes at me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you just challenged the future leader of Blackthorne Covenant…but, like you said. You don’t want it, so clearly, this little misunderstanding can stay between us, right ?”

Oh, how wrong you are, Luke. Letting the unhinged grin I’ve been holding onto slide into place might just be the cherry on top of an otherwise already perfect evening. Luke’s expression falters, and another flicker of fear occurs. Then, his mask slides back into place.

He tries poorly to exude confidence, “I’m glad we got this straightened out, it’s not a good look for the family to squabble. Your father won’t be happy to hear about this.”

I smirk, knowing damn well that my dad will be happy that I stood up to Luke, no matter if I’ve painted a target on my back in the process.

My only hope is that things calm down where Averie’s concerned, and that I didn’t just make everything so much worse for her. I meant every fucking word I said.

I’ll challenge Luke and the entire fucking circle if I have to.