Free Playing With Fire (Power of Four Book 2) by SF Mazhar Page A

dad. “I’m going with Neriah.”
    The plates hit the worktop with a hard crack . The next thing Aaron knew, his mum had grabbed his arm and yanked him around to face her. “Have you lost your mind?” she seethed. Her eyes were wide, mouth twisted in outrage.
    “Mum–” Aaron started.
    “NO!” Her shout reverberated in the kitchen. Her grip tightened on Aaron’s arm. “You’re not going anywhere !”
    “Kate?” Michael appeared at the door, looking surprised. “What’s going on?”
    Kate didn’t answer him. She was too focused on Aaron. “You listen to me.” Her voice was beginning to shake, clear blue eyes clouded with fear. “You’re not stepping one foot out of this house. You hear me?”
    Aaron rested his free hand on hers, on top of her tight fingers clenched around his arm. “Mum,” he said quietly. “You know hiding like this isn’t right.”
    “ What? ” She was livid. “You think risking your life is the right thing to do?”
    Aaron held her gaze. “Mages were brought into existence to fight demons.”
    Kate’s grip loosened. She pulled away, eyes still wide, mouth open in surprise.
    Aaron turned to look at his dad. He was standing with his back rigid, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on him.
    “If we don’t fight, if I don’t fight, then what does that make me?” Aaron asked.
    “Aaron.” Chris’s voice shook. “We already explained to you. We can’t lose–”
    “I know,” Aaron stepped towards him. “I get it, Dad, I do. You’ve been through so much, you’ve lost your brother and your son, you don’t want to risk losing me too.” He paused to take in a deep breath. “But that doesn’t mean we get to sit back while everyone else is left fighting.”
    “Yes, you do,” Kate said. “ You do. Your dad and I will fight. We will do what we can to help defeat Hadrian but you will stay out of the way.”
    Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “What?” he asked. “You both are joining the fight?” He looked at his dad. “When were you going to tell me this? Or were you planning on leaving in the middle of the night again without saying a word to me?” He turned to his mum. “Was I going to get another letter? How long would I have to wait this time to see you again?”
    “We left you in Salvador the way we did because we had to,” Kate said. “There wasn’t time to explain everything to you. We needed to find Neriah. If Neriah found out we had returned to the realm but made no contact with him, he would’ve been within his right to execute us.”
    Aaron’s surprise showed in his expression.
    “Neriah wouldn’t–”
    “He didn’t,” Kate said. “Doesn’t mean he couldn’t have.” Her voice dipped. “We will fight for Neriah. But you need to stay as far away from this war as possible.”
    “I can’t,” Aaron said. “I’ve spent all night trying to talk myself into doing what you want. I told Neriah I wouldn’t help him, but I can’t sit back and watch as the world crumbles around me, especially when I know I can bring something to this fight.”
    “Aaron.” Michael came to his side. “I admire your courage, but you’re not of age yet. Until your core matures, you won’t be much good to anyone in the war.”
    “What if I have the Blade of Adams?” Aaron asked.
    Michael hesitated. He looked to Kate but didn’t speak.
    “You said you always wanted to tell me the truth,” Aaron reminded him. “Now’s your chance. I’m asking you, would the Blade still be effective if I use it now?”
    Michael dropped his gaze and gave a reluctant nod. “Yes,” he whispered unhappily. “It wouldn’t be anywhere near as powerful as it could be with a mature core, but – yes, the Blade would still be pretty lethal.”
    “Then why shouldn’t I use it to help?” Aaron asked.
    “Aaron,” Michael’s voice held a pleading note. “You’re too young.”
    “Mages younger than me are out hunting.”
    “That doesn’t make it right!” Chris snapped. “Just because