The Beloved Fire Read online

  The Beloved Fire

  Chelsii Klein

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Note to Reader:

  1. Dazed

  2. Spaced

  3. Disoriented

  4. Bewildered

  5. Perplexed

  6. Confused

  7. Empathy

  8. Shocked

  9. Lost

  10. Empowered

  11. Broken

  12. Numb

  13. Loved

  14. Acceptance

  15. Fighting

  16. Punished

  17. Survived

  18. Tricked

  19. Defiance

  20. Freedom

  21. Sacrifice

  22. Ritual

  23. Closure

  24. Consequences

  Acknowledgments

  The Beloved Fire

  By: Chelsii Klein

  Acknowledgments

  To my friends and family, thank you for not giving up on this book coming to light even though I told you for years, it was coming.

  To all the ones who have been there from the beginning and have helped every time I’ve asked. No matter how big the project, read through or edits you always came through. You were the real ones that kept my dream alive.

  To my husband, my best friend and super sexy lover :) Thank you for putting up with all my endless chapters I asked you to read over and over and giving me amazing feedback.

  To Leslie and Lydia who edited, thank you for swooping in and saving me in the last hour. You’re amazing!

  And last to all aspiring authors, don’t give up on your dream.

  Note to Reader:

  This book is a little bit of everything. Slow burn; Romance; Dark fantasy; Reverse harem; Paranormal; Erotica; Horror; and the list goes on. I tell my story and add in writing aspects from each that I like but not enough for it to be fully one genre. This book is literally a mix of all. On a different note, this being my first book, there is sure to be some minor editing mistakes. Don’t let that stop you from reading this awesome story. After all, we are all only human. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I do. Happy reading!

  Coming soon

  The Beloved Heart: Book 2

  The Beloved Ice: Book 3

  he Beloved One: Book 4

  The Ivy Tribe, A Siren Love Novel: Book 1

  Chelsii Klein

  The Beloved Fire

  Copyright © by Chelsii Klein 2020

  All rights reserved

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  1

  Dazed

  Mikayla Renifum looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. Her hair was curled, and she had more than her normal amount of makeup on, highlighting her brown eyes. For as good as she looked it sucked that her efforts would be wasted around old people.

  “Hell.” She muttered feeling the irritation set in.

  The blonde lady leaning up against the sink next to her, glanced over, but Mikayla ignored her. Doing a quick dress check to make sure her tight number hadn’t slid up too far and spinning, all was in place. She sucked in another annoyed breath before snatching her clutch off the counter. A cough which sounded very much like the word slut, floated up from the blonde.

  Really lady?

  Slut, how?

  This lady wore a pound of makeup and looked way too old to be in a dress that tight. A million insults laid on her tongue, but she held them back. Whatever, probably a gold digger anyways. Mikayla looked back one last time to flip the lady off, then headed for the party.

  Her mom had set up this so-called meeting with the director of the Kansas City Art Publishing House before Mikayla could even argue about going. Honestly, with how sick her mom was, she wouldn’t argue anyways. Living out in the middle of BFE or what she liked to call, Bum Fuck Egypt, Kansas City was a bit of a drive that she had never taken by herself. Normally her way over-protective best friend Ander would be by her side. She was glad he wasn’t along this time though, it gave her a moment to breath, and him being away for his duties in the military gave her an excuse to finally start acting like the adult she was. To have someone over your shoulder all the time could be a bit suffocating, even if he was her best friend.

  The hotel was easy enough to find via her GPS but navigating a big city when she was so used to growing up in a small town was a bit of a hassle. After finding no one at valet parking, she drove around and found a spot in a parking garage across from the hotel, then huffed it inside following signs to the venue. She was terrified of heights, and low and behold this damn party just happened to be on a roof. Go figure. The meeting was to get a job, which she pretty much had already, but had to seal the deal or so her mom said.

  Stepping out through the double glass doors the sound of music, soft conversations and laughter came to life. Paintings, sculptures and other oddly shaped things she would never consider art were sprawled around the space in between beautiful gardens. Everyone was dressed in extreme formal wear which made her glad her mom was accustomed to this life and had set her up in advance with appropriate dress and shoes. Yoga pants would have had her sticking out like a sore thumb.

  She brought her clutch up to her stomach fighting the urge to pull out her phone. Her crutch for escaping socially awkward situations, that and well not going into socially awkward situations. She stopped herself though, being a young adult with her face stuck in her phone wouldn’t look very professional. The only take away to her nerves was that the night air didn’t feel so stifling even for being in the dead heat of summer. She was a nervous sweater. Sweat and satin was not a good look.

  Looking around she wasn’t sure where to find this guy. There wasn’t exactly a set time they were supposed to meet, just that they were supposed to meet here during this function to get better acquainted. She didn’t even know what the hell he looked like, just his name. Darious… Michaels, no Michaels wasn’t right, maybe Saunders? Well she knew his first name anyway. A couple people noticing her stiff stance stared at her now. She brought her clutch back to her side before hesitantly walking further into the party, and out of the entry way like some weirdo.

  “Excuse me Miss?” A guy in a tuxedo holding a platter of champagne flutes asked walking over.

  “May I interest you in some champagne?”

  She took a glass, nodding thankfully, before heading to the farthest corner of the roof to sit in peace. She would need some liquid courage to BS her way through this and a quiet place to think of a plan. She wasn’t even qualified for this job, but since her mom worked here the past 20 years, she had an in.

  Just as she spotted an empty bench surrounded by art and luscious red flowered plants, a strong attractive voice gave her pause.

  “You look a bit too young to be accepting that.”

  She turned to see a gorgeous guy in a black on black suit and tie. She c
ontinued ogling him un-ashamed as she lifted an eyebrow and took a slow drink appreciating the site. Maybe this night wouldn’t be such a waste after all? Styled back golden hair with piercing green eyes, lips you could drown in, and even through his suit she could tell he had a hard body. Damn. She was so glad Ander hadn’t come along.

  He literally cocked blocked her, no joke, her whole life.

  “I just turned twenty-one last month, so I am of age actually.” She looked up through her lashes putting on her charm full blast. “What about you?”

  He sucked in a breath, giving her an intense look as he stepped closer. “What about me?”

  She looked down her nose at him, which was hard since he was taller, but she still pulled it off. “Well you don’t look much older than me.” He did, actually, but not by much. Mid-20’s if she had to guess.

  “I’m stuck here either way sunflower, so liquor is a must.” She forced herself to ignore the nickname as well as take a step back. He had the most luscious looking lips she’d ever seen but handsome would have to wait, she had a job to do first, then maybe random stranger sex. Just as she was about to excuse herself to go find this director, he walked over looping his free arm with hers and started to walk, tugging her along as he sipped his champagne. A light breeze caught the scent of his cologne, which tickled her hair along her shoulders. He smelled like an open breeze off the shore of an ocean.

  “Umm, what do you think you’re doing?” She asked, trying to hide her amusement.

  He pulled her arm closer to his side giving her a sexy smile. “Walking you to a place more secluded.”

  Okay?

  “I’m not planning on taking your innocents away if that’s what you’re worried about, unless you want me to?” His deep chuckle sent thrills through her and she knew she was so screwed. Hopefully, literally.

  “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want your full attention.” He said before winking at her.

  “For what?” No answer.

  She looked over to read his face before she sat on the stone bench they had walked to. There was nothing she could read from him other than mystery, and maybe a bit of over confidence. He looked like someone in charge, and there was an air about him that said he got what he wanted, making her wonder why he was here at this party. He sat down beside her, leaning forward on his legs as he sipped his champagne and watched the party goers. An older couple that had a little bit too much to drink walked by, or rather stumbled by, swinging champagne glasses in hand laughing and talking about an elephant sculpture that they should have bought for someone named Gerald. James and she watched them pass, both giving a light chuckle before silence fell back over them in their small corner of the roof and she was glad for the quite. Even sitting next to a more than usually attractive man, she felt an odd calm in his presence.

  After it was clear they were just going to sit there, she sighed, looking up at the stars. They were her favorite thing to look at. You would think she was a bit of a nut with all the star shaped stuff she’d collected over the years, but they reminded her that there was more out there than what surrounded her. It gave her hope in her hard times, and although the star shaped items were a reminder, she could only get the full appreciation of them by looking at the night sky.

  Closing her eyes and taking in the moment, she felt him shift closer to her, but didn’t peek. Yeah maybe shutting her eyes around a complete stranger over in the corner of the party probably wasn’t the smartest idea, but for some reason she felt safe around him. Plus, it wasn’t like there weren’t people close enough to hear, if she did have to scream. Her usually non cautionary actions to situations were part of the reason Ander was always so protective of her, or so he said. He called her reckless and off the chain, but half the time his claims were unfounded. He was really just a fun hater.

  When the man next to her was silent for a bit too long, she finally opened her eyes turning to see if maybe he gave up and left. She gasped, his face was only a hands length away from hers. His eyes staring deeply into hers, that had turned from their first bright green impression to a darker green, almost like moss covered stones in a forest. Something stirred in her and she couldn’t help but feel like she knew him from somewhere, but that would be too weird. Shifting back from what shouldn’t be a comfortable space between two strangers, he stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “Don’t.” His voice was commanding but yet held a gentleness that almost made her listen, almost.

  She shook his hand from her shoulder.

  “I don’t even know you.” She whispered feeling dazed from his powerful eyes before scooting away, just as a waiter came over replenishing their champagne.

  He cleared his throat and sat back.

  “Fair enough. Just couldn’t help getting close to you. It feels like…”

  He paused giving her enough time to wonder if that was all he was going to say, “Like you and I were meant for each other.”

  Yeah whatever. She scoffed. Taking a drink and refusing to play into that. He had to know she was interested in him so there was no reason for the cheesy pick-up lines.

  “I’m James, by the way.” He didn’t attempt to shake her hand, just looked forward at the party goers, now apparently more interesting than her.

  “Mikayla.” She said starting to put her hand out hesitantly before putting it back down. He wasn’t even looking at her. “Nice to meet you…”

  He still managed not to look her way. His jaw clenching every so often made it seem like he was mad about something.

  “I guess.” She mumbled. Bipolar much?

  She took another drink, taking stock of how she almost needed a third glass, at this rate talking to her soon be boss was a loss. The champagne was going down way too smooth tonight and she was starting to think that it was her freedom more than being nervous. She wasn’t much of a drinker, partyer or really anything social, but that mainly stemmed from Ander. He was her best friend and that was fine but growing up he refused to partake in any of those rights of passage a teen likes to indulge in and downright hindered her in partaking either. He literally was more of a bodyguard than a friend at times.

  Focusing on the party she noticed they were the only younger people there and she knew finding an old man amongst a sea of other old men would be hard. Maybe he would stand out? Looking around, there did seem to be a lot of people gravitating towards one man. She focused leaning to the right to get a better look. Damn, they weren’t the only young people there. The guy that everyone surrounded had brown slicked back hair. She couldn’t see his face but judging by how the guy’s hair wasn’t salt and pepper, he had to be younger. He had a built body and seeing how the females twirled their fingers around their hair, and laughing obnoxiously, he was either super rich or super good looking. She snorted seeing the blonde gold digger that had called her a slut in the bathroom, vying for the man’s attention. Seeing James give her a funny look she cleared her throat, taking a drink, trying to hide her smile that crept up.

  She looked back to the man everyone surrounded. Maybe that’s who she was supposed to talk to? Or she could just ask the next waiter that comes by, either way. Glancing at James she watched his pink lips take a drink before running his tongue over his bottom lip. She wondered how it would feel to kiss him. Hearing him chuckle she looked up, catching his eyes. She quickly looked away embarrassed by getting caught staring. Flames licking her cheeks.

  “He’s not here.” Before she could ask, James continued. “The director.” He now gave her his full attention. “You’re here for a job. He’s not here.” Then who was that guy people were surrounding?

  “How did you…” Her clutch vibrating against the stone bench stopped her before she could continue. “Hold on.” She said, throwing up a hand pausing his answer as she turned to get her phone. It was Ander.

  “Hello.”

  “Baby girl, where are you?” Ander sounded a little more than irritated at her sneaky success, but he couldn’t be too upset i
f he was using the normal term of endearment, he used for her. She snickered as she stood, putting her back to James.

  “I’m at the art gallery for that job mom set up…remember?” She heard rustling and figured he was changing out of his uniform. This event being on a Saturday night he worked on base; it was perfect time to sneak away. Normally he wouldn’t get back until Sunday.

  “Wait. Why are you home so soon?”

  He grunted. “Damn it Kayla, don’t tell me you drove all the way to KC alone?” She rolled her eyes glancing back at the bench. James had his elbows on his knees leaning forward holding his champagne glass, his posture relaxed, but his stare implied something different. He stared her down like a lion tracking its prey. She shivered tuning back into the conversation.

  “KAYLA?” Ander yelled. He’d obviously been trying to get her attention.

  “Huh?” She turned back around ignoring the sexy male causing her legs to feel like jelly and her heartbeat to flutter. “Oh, umm yeah. It’s no big.” She responded, remembering where they were in their conversation. She felt James at her back now and she tensed as her heartbeat picked up, not in fear but with attraction. She knew this night was lost.