Playing With Fire by Jordan Mendez Read Free Book Online Page A

because
Scarlet’s ‘abnormalities’ have been exposed to you enough that you have her
ability to resist the evil magic’s pull.”
    All
this was new to me. I for one had no idea what he was talking about. Despite
this, I didn’t stop to ask questions. The bookworm led us hastily to the back
door and shot out. Dirty alleyways flashed alongside us as we bolted across the
city. We had chosen a back route, which had been abandoned long ago and had
been neglected for years. We didn’t pass any people, but through the alleyways
that connected to the main street I could see people slowly walking towards the
center of the town.
    Before
I knew it, we reached the tree-line that marked the city limits. We slowed to a
halt that turned into a chorus of gasping to our catch breath. A shriek cut
through the air. I stopped short as my eyes widened. I knew that all too well.
It was a Shadow. Instead of the sound coming from the forest, it came from the
town.
    “Bookworm!”
I croaked out through a dry throat. “What’s going on?” I was freaking out. Last
time I had run into the Shadows I also ran into Enzio, the assassin that nearly
killed Vaze and I. The only reason we had lived was because he disappeared
through black flames.
    “The
Convergence is starting in the town! Quickly children, before it is too late!”
The Bookworm shoved my brothers into the forest one by one. I watched as the
backs of their cloaks disappeared into the trees.
    Just
as Vaze was about to follow them, a voice boomed from the city. “Vaze! Face me
you coward! You have always been running! Do you remember when I slayed your
mother before your eyes? You could have saved her, but you abandoned her, just
like you abandoned your people! You abandoned everything and in turn your
Guardian abandoned you, because you are spineless! Will you run yet again?”
    I
looked to Vaze in confusion. His back was to me, but I could see that he was
trembling with anger. His fists were balled up so tight that I could see every
bone, vein, and muscle in them.
    Vaze’s
wings snapped out of his cloak. “No!” The Bookworm screamed, but it was too
late because Vaze was too far from him to make a difference. Then I made a snap
decision. I grabbed Vaze’s leg as he was lifting off, hoping that would make it
too difficult to fly.
    Sometimes
I wish I was born smart like Seth so I wouldn’t make stupid decisions. Decisions
like mine could prove deadly. For example, jumping onto the legs of a person
lifting off into the air. To Vaze, I didn’t weigh a thing. He lifted off with
ease and before I could let go we were at heights that make birds airsick. As
though I were a child, Vaze plucked me off of his leg and held me tightly
against his chest, and out of fear I threw my arms around his neck like a cat
stuck in a tree that’s afraid to climb down.
    I
clung to Vaze for dear life as we soared over the town. I made another stupid
decision and looked down. The blood in my face left instantly as I saw the now
pebble-sized buildings. The streets were dotted with little black specks everywhere.
Freezing cold wind and raindrops whipped at my face, which, in turn, quickly
went numb.
    Without
warning, Vaze snapped his wings shut. I closed my eyes tighter than I thought
possible and held on for dear life as Vaze plummeted towards the ground, taking
me along for the ride. If I could have screamed I would have, but I was
completely paralyzed with fear.
    Suddenly,
Vaze whipped his wings out once more while dangerously close to the ground. The
feeling of gravity pulling us down turned into a sharp yank as we fell into a
gentle float. I refused to open my eyes until I felt Vaze touch the ground. Vaze
let go of me and, like the klutz I was, I fell to the ground looking like a
fool.
    “What
did you do that for you idiot?” I yelled. He didn’t reply, or even acknowledge
me. His eyes were focused straight ahead with an intense hatred. I tilted my
head back to find town square upside down. A man