His Fire Maiden Read Online Free

straight shooters right up the ole—”
    “Rick,” Dev growled, unable to take the man’s nonsense a second longer. He grabbed him to shut him up.
    “Ow, let go,” Rick demanded. “ I didn’t knock her up.”
    Dev released him, realizing a second too late that Rick knew exactly what he was doing. The man only acted the way he did to pull negative attention away from the captain and his pregnant lover. In comparison to Rick, Jarek would look like an exceptional choice. Also, if everyone was staring at Rick, the lovers would be able to make a run for it if they so chose.
    The ploy worked. An turned on Rick to keep the attention off Mei and Jarek. “You insolent little...”
    “Whoa, easy there, ghostly sweetness, you’ll get your chance at me,” Rick said, grinning at the older woman. “No need to call Dev names.”
    The bad joke was Rick’s attempt to defuse the situation he’d created. An’s figure shuddered with light and her face tinted with pink. Furious, she pointed at him, “I will teach you respect, little man. You will bow in the presence of my greatness.”
    Rick paled, apparently realizing that he’d played his asinine role too well. “Hey, now, I was just joking around. Things were getting a little tense, and I was just trying to save the captain from everyone’s anger. You know, lightening the mood with humor.”
    “Do not make me curse you,” An warned.
    “Rick, I’d listen to her and say no more,” Evan interjected.
    “Easy, don’t get your, uh, gown in a twist,” Rick said, ignoring Evan’s sensible advice. Though he was great at causing trouble, he wasn’t the best at calming it. “No need to threaten us with whatever mojo power thing you have.”
    Jackson hit Rick’s arm. “Shut your black hole.”
    “Ah, so you think you are funny?” An’s eyes glazed with white. “Let’s see how humorous you and your friends think my power is.”
    Jarek started to take a step forward to protect his men. Dev awaited his command. Mei pulled Jarek back, shaking her head. “She predicts their future. No physical harm will come to them.”
    An’s voice took on an ominous quality. “Together you travel, and together you’ll remain. Tied and joined like the five elements of our people. The road to happiness is very rocky for all of you.”
    “What does that mean?” Lochlann whispered. It was the first he’d spoken since they’d walked into the palace hall.
    “Is she telling the truth?” Jackson questioned Evan, as if skeptical of the ghost’s powers.
    “I don’t know,” Evan answered. “I can’t read spirits.”
    “Great going, space cadet.” Jackson nudged Rick.
    An’s eyes cleared, and she smiled vindictively, evidently knowing something they didn’t. “You will find your love hidden within the mystery of the five elements. One element for each of you.” She moved her eyes over Lochlann, Evan, Dev, Jackson, and Rick. “The corresponding element will hold the secret to your future happiness. But fate is not clear. If you do not recognize it, you will lose it and be forever alone.”
    “Elements?” Lochlann repeated. “What elements?”
    “Yes. The secret of your future is hidden in the five elements—metal, water, wood, earth, and fire.”
    “Which one am I?” Jackson asked.
    “And I?” Lochlann questioned.
    “That is for you to figure out.” With that, An blew away on a sudden gust of wind. Dev watched her leave the hall. Seeing her ineloquently saunter away when she thought the living could no longer see her did take away some of her scary mystery vibe.
    “How does predicting what will come curse us?” Rick frowned.
    “She just gives us enough to consume our thoughts,” Evan said. “Trust me, knowing only a very small piece of something will drive you mad. The thought will creep into our heads and make us crazy.”
    “Metal, wood...” Lochlann tried to recite.
    “Water, earth, fire,” Evan finished.
    “Dev’s got fire, that’s easy,” Rick said.