Free Rise of the Fallen by Teagan Chilcott

way of trying to win back my trust. It wasn’t going to work of course, but I wasn’t going to tell him that.

CHAPTER 7
    As we arrived back at Soul’s house, I grasped the sheer enormity of it. From the outside, his house looked more like a castle. Off-coloured bricks formed a protective barricading wall around the large, white brick mansion. The grass outside was pure forest green and at a perfect height, a few trees speckled the yard and a small driveway almost reached the front steps of the house. Soul stopped the car at the end of the driveway, running up the stairs in a relaxed manner that I hadn’t seen before. I walked slowly after him, taking my time to admire the magnificence of the outside of the house. No sooner had the front door swung shut behind me than Soul turned around and gazed down at me from the staircase.
    â€œWhat?” I asked.
    He stared at me for a moment then said, “Why didn’t you tell me that Dorian had been in contact with you?”
    â€œSo is that what you did with my phone?”
    â€œYes, now are you going to tell me what he said?” He seemed overly interested in any communications that I had with anyone and I had every reason to be suspicious.
    â€œYou already know … besides, why do you care? Things not going according to plan?” I asked, staring up at him.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?” Soul asked indignantly.
    â€œYou know what it means!” I said roughly, feeling my temper rising.
    â€œWhy don’t you just tell me? I know you will anyway. All you ever do is complain!” Soul yelled down at me.
    With a burst, my body was engulfed in fire. Soul stared at me in awe for a moment, his mouth ajar. Flames licked over my skin, causing a gentle warm sensation everywhere. I stared back at Soul once more.
    â€œWhat now?” I asked.
    â€œWhat are you doing? Why won’t they go away? The flames I mean …” Soul whispered still in silent awe.
    â€œMaybe because I’m angry,” I replied, playing with a few embers in the palm of my right hand, watching as smaller ones flew up to create ash as they left the warmth of me. Zacharia slowly walked up behind Soul, who briefly looked at him before looking back at me. Zacharia smiled gently as he watched the flames.
    â€œCalm down, Emilie,” Soul whispered, taking a step back behind Zacharia.
    â€œThe flames look beautiful, Emilie,” Zacharia giggled in a high-pitched tone.
    â€œStop her, Zacharia!” Soul growled pushing Zacharia down a few steps towards me.
    â€œWhy should I do as you ask? I happen to like her. She’s far too nice to stay around you.” Zacharia threw his head back and stared at Soul through the thick veil of hair that covered his eyes.
    Soul glared at him, “I don’t care if they find you useful. I certainly don’t. I should kill you now.”
    Zacharia turned back to me and smiled as he came closer. He stopped just in front of me. His pale skin glowed slightly red with the reflection of the flames.
    â€œI’m not afraid of Soul.” Zacharias’ voice was fearless and cold, though somehow he still seemed helpless and weak.
    â€œOh don’t make me laugh, Zacharia. Fire and ice working together; that’s a match that’s bound to fail worse than water and fire,” Soul said dismissively.
    â€œYou’re an ice elemental?” I whispered to Zacharia, considering taking a step back.
    â€œYes,” Zacharia smiled.
    Soul was right of course. Fire and ice could never survive around each other for long. As a matter of fact, I could feel the flames dimming with his very presence. I instinctively took a step away. I knew I would feel my powers grow stronger the further I was from Zacharia. I couldn’t see his eyes but I felt him staring at me.
    â€œI refuse to hurt her, Soul,” Zacharia said.
    He took a few steps forward, reaching out and touching my arm with his