Catalyst(6)

I glanced at her hand before looking at her. I was unsure if I could trust what she said. I relaxed when I saw the sincere expression on her face. I nodded. “There's nothing to forgive.”

She removed her hand and smiled. “I’m glad.” I couldn’t help but smile back.

Her violet eyes settled on me, and, for the first time since I woke up, she looked at me. I mean, really looked at me. As before, when our eyes had met in the forest, the intensity of her gaze made me feel as if she saw straight into my soul, assessing my worth. A power that might have come from the gods themselves.

“Tell me, hero,” she said, “do you always go out of your way to save strangers?”

“No,” I said in a quiet voice.

“You didn't have a weapon, and yet you went up against armed men for me. Did you know what you were getting into? Did you think before you acted?”

I shook my head, feeling smaller.

Her purple eyes narrowed. “Then why did you do it?”

I answered without hesitation. “It was the right thing to do. You needed my help.”

She nodded. “You're either very brave or very foolish.” She thought for a moment while deciding which. “Brave.”

“Thank you, but I was going to go with foolish.”

She laughed, but shook her head. “Never doubt yourself, hero. You're brave.”

I turned my head away, hoping she wouldn’t see how red my face was.

“I'm sorry,” she said. “I’ve forgotten my manners. I’m Krystal Cambridge of Alexandria.”

Alexandria. I knew of the Guardian City far to the north, but I had never met anyone who had been there. All I knew was that it bordered the Wastelands and protected all of Northern Shala from the creatures that dwelt there. I couldn’t imagine what she could possibly be doing out here.

“Thank you for saving me,” Krystal said. “I’m in your debt.” She waited.

“Are you going to tell me your name, hero, or do I have to guess?” Her tone was serious, but she smiled to show she was only teasing.

“Oh, sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “My name is Hellsfire.”

“Hellsfire? What kind of name is that?”

I winced. She probably didn't mean to mock me or make fun of me. But she sounded like all the people in my village.

She must have read the hurt on my face. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. Where are you from, Hero Hellsfire?”

Hero. I couldn't help but smile. “Just Hellsfire. I live not far from here, in Sedah. It's a small village. I’d take you back to my mother’s house, but I still feel a bit woozy.”

I rubbed my throbbing forehead before glancing at the shadowed sky. I knew I had slept for hours, but I could barely keep my eyes open.

The darkness surrounded us. It was as if we were the only light in the entire world. “Sorry, I don’t have a cloak or blanket for you, Krystal. It looks like you could use one.”

She tugged at her torn clothing, trying vainly to piece it together where a huge rent exposed her bare shoulder. “I know,” she said. “May I ask you something?”

I nodded, knowing what the question would be.

Krystal leaned in close until I felt her breath. Her eyes were filled with fascination. “How were you able to do that? How were you able to shoot fire with your eyes?”

I turned my gaze away, blinking as I remembered the intense heat that had come from my eyes. They still felt itchy and sore. I poked the fire with my stick. I didn't want to talk about it, but I had to. She had already seen me do it.

“I wish I knew. I just…felt it inside of me. Before I knew what happened, the fire came bursting out. I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life.” I looked back at her, reminded of the teasing I always got about my name. My eyes stung, but not from the after effects of the fire.

“The fire just—came out?” she whispered, putting a hand to her mouth. “Before today, I didn't think such a thing was possible.”

“It seems that it is.”

“Do you think you can control it?”

That thought had never occurred to me. I tore my gaze away from her, fearful of what I might do. I closed my eyes. “You’re not scared of me, are you?” I asked, deathly afraid of the answer. Why should her opinion mean so much to me? I barely knew her.

“Hellsfire.”

“Yes?”

“Look at me.”

“I don't think that's such a good idea. What if you're right and I can't control it? What if I roast you like that man?” The heat in my eyes began to build. I wasn't sure if it was the fire or my emotions.

“Hellsfire,” she said in a far more commanding voice than I thought possible for someone so young. “Look. At. Me.” I had no choice but to do as she said.