Smolder Chapter 19

Not waiting any longer, Jade released small bursts of fire at the demons circling her. Each shot hit its mark, forcing the creatures to step back, but none fell. Smoke curled from the scorch marks on their chests, their expressions shifting from predatory hunger to annoyed disdain.
Her lips twitched into a wry smile. Come on. Let’s get this over with.
For the first time in a long while, she found herself enjoying the fight. Her blood pumped hot through her veins, and an unfamiliar exhilaration rose in her chest. Is this what Benjamin feels like all the time? she wondered with a laugh. The thought of him, fearless and teasing even in the middle of danger, fueled her excitement. She let it build, her power bubbling just below the surface, making her feel like a coiled spring ready to snap.
Then, all fifteen demons rushed her at once.
Jade let go.
Flames exploded around her, wrapping her body in a fiery shield that pulsed and roared like a living thing. She didn’t bother with precision this was raw power, unleashed without restraint. Her arms moved in wide arcs, shooting fire in every direction. She spun a vortex of destruction, her focus narrowing to a single instinct: survival.
The demons hesitated before surging forward again, but they were no match. One by one, they fell, consumed by the inferno. She didn’t notice. Her mind had slipped past conscious thought, her vision narrowing as the edges of her world blurred. She was losing control, and somewhere deep down, she knew it.
Black spots bloomed in her vision, swallowing everything until the town square, the Seraphina, and even the demons were gone. Her body moved on autopilot, flames lashing at anything that dared approach her. She didn’t see Aiden step forward, didn’t hear Summer’s panicked shout.
“Aiden, what are you doing?” Summer yelled, her voice rising in fear.
The townspeople watched from a distance, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension. They’d seen power before, but nothing like this. Jade’s flames lit up the square, a swirling inferno that seemed to consume her as much as it did her enemies.
Somewhere in the haze, she felt something approaching. A shadow through the flames. Her instincts roared, and she turned her full attention to it, pouring every ounce of energy into that single point. The heat intensified, her flames roaring higher. Why won’t you die? she thought, her mind fogged with fury. It had never taken this much effort to kill a demon before.
“Jade.”
The voice was faint, a whisper at the edges of her thoughts. She ignored it, focusing harder.
“Jade!”
It was louder now, slicing through the haze and forcing into her consciousness. The flames faltered.
“JADE!”
The scream ripped through her mind like a shockwave. Her flames sputtered as a wave of calm washed over her, pushing back the anger and chaos. Slowly, the black spots receded, her vision clearing to reveal a familiar face.
Aiden.
His eyes were locked on hers, steady and determined. He was so close she could feel his presence pressing against her. Her hands, still burning with flames, were pressed against his chest.
“Jade, come back. Control it. You need to control it,” he said, his voice firm but gentle.
She blinked, the words grounding her. With a shuddering breath, she willed the flames to recede, pulling them back into herself. It felt like trying to dam a rushing river, her blood boiling with the effort, but she managed. The fire died, leaving her palms raw and screaming with pain.
Her first clear sight was Aiden’s eyes, so close and so intent. His thoughts echoed in her mind, steadying her like a lifeline. She stumbled back, disoriented, but his arms shot out to catch her.
“Aiden?” she rasped, her voice hoarse.
He nodded, a small, reassuring smile breaking through his worried expression.
She turned, scanning the square. The demons were gone. Ashes swirled in the dusty wind, and the Seraphina stared at her with wide, wary eyes. Even the children were safe, their tear-streaked faces peering out from the protective circle. Relief crashed over her like a wave, leaving her knees weak.
“I may have lost control,” she admitted, her lips twitching into a shaky smile.
He barked out a laugh and pulled her into a tight hug. “Maybe just a little,” he said, his voice muffled against her hair.
She pulled back, her smile fading. “What now?”
“Now, you sit down and rest while we make sure the demons are gone,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
She nodded. She knew he was right she couldn’t afford to push herself further. With a weary sigh, she let her legs give out and sank to the ground.
The Seraphina were still watching her, their glances cautious and calculating. The admiration she’d earned after her battle with her grandfather seemed to have evaporated, replaced with unease. She was powerful, yes but to them, she was also unpredictable. Dangerous. Different.
She wrapped her arms around her knees, suddenly feeling very small. She glanced toward the forest, where she knew Benjamin was still beyond the wall locked out by the very thing that kept her alive. Her chest ached with longing. He would understand. He always did. He knew what it felt like to be different, to never truly fit in. She wanted nothing more than to feel his arms around her, grounding her, making her believe it would all be okay.
Her eyes followed Aiden as he joined a group heading toward the edges of the square. He moved with ease among them, blending into the crowd. This was his home, his place in the world. She envied him for that. She wanted to believe she could find her place here too with her grandparents, with the Seraphina. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t possible.
If there was ever a time to leave with Benjamin, this was it. Staying here only puts everyone in danger. She couldn’t stay not until every demon knew that she wasn’t someone they could mess with.
Her path was clear: help Benjamin hunt Skye down. Kill her. Kill any other demon that dared stand in her way. Only then could she prove to the world and herself that she wasn’t to be underestimated.
But one question lingered in her mind heavy and unresolved: Would she leave Aiden behind? Or would she take him with her?