SootheBurn.PDF by Elemental Alchemy

Author:Elemental Alchemy [Alchemy, Elemental]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-08-12T14:49:14.515000+00:00

CHAPTER12

Face raised to the bright sun, Alvix soaked up the warmth.

There was something pure about sunlight. Maybe, like a fish

needed water to survive, Alvix needed the sunlight or warmth to

continue.

“Would you care to join me?”

“How’d you know I was here?” Cooper sounded disgruntled.

Peeking through his eyelashes, the angle of Cooper’s head

showed Alvix the officer’s confusion.

“The sound of the wind changed when you got near, plus I

could smell you. You have an oddly intriguing scent of oil and

male.” He opened his eyes fully at Cooper’s snort. “Not buying

any of that?”

Cooper shook his head.

100

SOOTHE THE BURN

“All right. You’re casting a shadow on me. Happens when you

stand in the sun. It got cool.” He motioned to the bench he sat on.

“Would you like to sit?”

Starting to pace, Cooper traversed the path in front of Alvix.

“Is all that shit about being created from a dying star true?”

“You can’t just accept it on blind faith?” He chuckled.

“I’m a soldier.”

Like that explained everything.

“I feel the need to point out that most soldiers are expected to

obey orders without questions.” He closed his eyes and leaned his

head back, keeping track of Cooper by his footsteps, now that he

wasn’t trying to sneak up on Alvix anymore.

“You’re right, but even a soldier would find your story too farfetched to accept without some doubt.”

“True.” He lifted a shoulder. “It’s a good story, isn’t it? I can’t

tell you whether it’s true or not. My first memory is picking

pockets for money to put in the communal kitty. The adults used it

to buy food and supplies for the rest of us.”

“Where were your parents?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even remember anyone claiming me.

When I asked one of the adults, they told me that story. It made

more sense to a five-year-old who could light things on fire with a

thought to believe he was born from a dying star than to believe

he’s a freak.”

“But when you got older, I’m sure they told you the truth.”

“What’s the truth?” Alvix opened his eyes and stared down at

his hands, allowing a small amount of fire to spark along his

fingers. “They never changed their story, no matter how many

times I asked. I finally decided to stop asking and accept that

inside their fanciful story was probably a kernel of truth.”

101

SOOTHE THE BURN

Cooper stayed quiet for a little while, and Alvix didn’t speak,

not wanting to talk about his past anymore.

“Do you really believe you were created from a star?” Cooper

stopped in front of him and challenged him.

“Aside from the Tongassians, how many species do you know

of who can create fire? Any species that absorb fire without being

burnt to ashes?”

“None,” Cooper admitted.

Alvix snuffed out the flames on his pants and let his hands rest

in his lap. “None and, as far as I know, I’m the only one left. I’m

not Tongassian because they could never hold a human form like I

can.”

The soldier scuffed his boot in the dirt. “Haven’t you ever

wondered about your parents?”

“Not really. I was trying to survive and didn’t have time to

worry about who or where they were.” Alvix shot a quick glance at

Cooper.

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