L.D. Black - Scorched By Fire

Scorched By Fire

Sacred Elementals: Book 1

L.D. Black

Chapter 1: Izara

M y head is beginning to swirl. I look down at the highball glass filled with delicious brown liquid and debated on leaving it or slamming it down. Ive already had plenty for the night and the older bartender didnt stop the drinks from coming. Oh, what the hell. I pick the glass up and shoot the fiery drink down. The tingling and welcomed burn slides down my throat and warms my insides rather quickly. The fuzziness from the whiskey Ive been drinking on all night multiplied with that last shot and my vision blurs only a fraction. Time to go.

I feel eyes on me and dont need to look up to know the bartender is staring with his mouth wide opened. It is my first time visiting this hole in the wall, biker infested, bar. I couldnt go to the local bar for my type of people. Not in this new city while I am on the run. The moment I step into one of those establishments, whispers would have started and word would have gotten around. I had to be better than my hunters.

You want another? a gruff voice says to me. Pulls me straight out of my inner thoughts. I look up to find the bartender smiling. The big man was the typical biker. Bald head, bulky upper body, both ears pierced, tattoos all over his arms, long goatee peppered with gray and a leather vest with his MCs information on it. Very rare when I find a beautiful woman who can chug down the brown with the best of us! Normally, ladies such as yourself, goes for the fruity drinks.

Im not like other women. I can handle the fire, I smile. He is scary looking but atleast he is friendly. How much do I owe ya? Ready to pay my tab and bounce. Staying in one place for too long, whether the place is human or supernatural can make the most vigilant person complacent.

The bartender looks away for a fraction of a second then focuses back on me. For you lady, nada. Your tab is paid. Would you like another shot for the road?

Wait, who paid? I dont understand why my tab would already be paid.

The bartender grimaces, clearly not wanting to disclose that information. Dont worry about who paid, just know it's paid. Your money is no good here tonight. He pours a double into my glass and I down it just as quick as the last one. Might as well enjoy the free booze. The fire of the whiskey rushes through me, lingering for a few seconds then it was gone.

I reached inside the pouch I wore, took out a couple of twenties and laid them on the rough and splintered bar. The least I can do is leave a tip. I stand up and all the alcohol rushes to my head. I grab the edge of the bar, stumbling a bit before I regain my composure.

Do you need a lift? The bartender asks me. I can feel his concern rolling off of him in waves. He is truly sincere.

I shake my head. I need the cool night air and a brisk walk. Thankfully, my hotel isnt too far of a walk. Maybe fifteen to twenty minutes tops with how fast I can move. I can walk. It will do me some good. I smile the best smile I can muster. The bartender raises his brow, questioning me in silence.

This area isnt all that safe. Especially for women who is out alone. Let me call a taxi or one of those ride share people. I wouldnt be right if something happened to you, knowing I could have helped in the smallest manner.

I appreciated the concern, but I just want to walk. I am more than capable of handling anyone if they come up on me. I shake my head again. I look at the mans vest and read his name, Bob... Im good. I promise. I can wal

I can give you a lift if you would like?

A sexy as a sin voice cuts me off, and I slow turn to see who it belongs to. The deep vibrations of his voice sets off all of my nerve endings and I have to know the cause. My eyes widen as the chocolate god stands tall before me in a V neck fitted gray tee and black jeans that shows every toned muscle in his legs and thighs. He tops his outfit off with a pair of biker boots and instantly; I have a few inappropriate thoughts I shouldnt of had. A mischievous twinkle lit behind his honey brown almond eyes as I slowly check him out. His chiseled jawline covered with a trimmed beard, connected mustache and goatee set off his full lips that I decidedly wanted on me. He smiles. I shake my head trying to clear it of the distraction that is all him. My inner bird flits madly inside. She wants out. This man sets her off too.

I needed to get away from him, I can already see he is dangerous and not in a bad way. Everything about him screams unimaginable desire and pleasure and I dont need that in my life right now. Well, I do. Just not right now. I take a step around him, not willing myself to even say one word. I have to get out of here.

Mad dashing to the front door, I trip over a chair and is headed to the floor when firm hands grips my biceps. The blazing touch sent a roaring fire throughout my entire body. A small gasp slips from my mouth and I shuddered. I never felt like this before with other men. This is all new, and I dont need to look up to see who is helping me. My bird is going crazy from this mans touch. She wants this sexy man, and she wants him bad. I dont. I do. He is confusing the hell out of me and I seriously just dont need this right now.

I straightened with his help and thanks him. Refusing to look him in the face. He let go of my arms and I breathed a sigh of relief. I dash out of the door before he can say anything and stop me. I dont have the willpower to say No. I know for a fact my bird is on a whole different level and within the span of a heartbeat, she is saying Yes.

I walk fast down the street then turn the corner. The quicker I get away the better for me it will be. Except, my bird screamed with rage the further we went away from the man in the bar. She wants to go back to him. She wants to touch him. To kiss him. She wanted him badly.

*Hes ours.* My bird says to me in a crazed frenzy. She wants out, almost forcing me to involuntarily shift. *Go back. We must be close to him.*

No. Calm down. Im sure we will find another guy who sets us off like that again. Eventually. Just not right now, I say out loud to her. Not caring if I look like a crazy person talking to myself.

*But... hes ours.* My inner animal whines one last time before quieting down. She is pouting. I just dont get it. Shes never acted like this before and I find it too weird and way too odd.

Never letting my awareness falter, I discreetly glance around, while I wait at the corner for the light to change. I take about twenty minutes but, Im no longer in the rundown neighborhood with the bar. I am closer to my hotel. Just a couple more blocks and I will be there. Loud mechanical beeping sounds off, alerting me and the others who gathered, that we can go. I run across the road to the other side and speed walk the two blocks to my hotel.