Chapter 20 - The Flame Hunter

[LYRA'S POV]

I didn't sleep again.

Not after the vision.

Not after watching my future collapse in fire, with Kairo lying motionless in the flames.

I kept hearing the voice in my head.

> "Power or love. You only get one."

Every time I blinked, I saw that burning throne.

Every time I inhaled, I felt the pull in my chest like something was clawing its way out.

I'd whispered to the flame that I wouldn't let it take him.

But the truth?

> I didn't know how.

---

Elyna left to give me space.

Said she'd be right outside.

But the moment the door closed—

The air shifted.

And I felt it again.

Not pain this time.

Presence.

---

Something was in the room with me.

I turned—slowly, instinctively.

My heartbeat kicked into overdrive.

The shadows along the back wall moved.

Then they stepped forward.

---

He wasn't pack.

That much I knew instantly.

He was tall, dark-skinned, with shoulder-length locks tied at the back, cloaked in ash-colored leather and wolf fur.

One eye was blind. The other glowed gold.

His voice was low and rough, like burnt cedar.

> "You burn like her," he said.

I froze. "Like who?"

He tilted his head. Smiled without warmth.

> "Your mother."

---

My heart stopped.

---

"What?" I choked.

"I knew her. I watched her fall. Just like you will—if you don't listen."

I backed up toward the bed. My chest burned.

"How did you find me?"

"I was sent."

"By who?"

He stepped closer. The firelight caught a necklace on his chest—three scorched wolf teeth and a charred ring.

> "By the ones who knew this day would come.

I am a Flame Hunter. And you are the last spark."

---

[KAIRO'S POV – OUTSIDE]

I'd barely stepped back into the territory when Elyna ran to me.

"She's not alone."

I didn't even wait.

I dropped my pack, shifted halfway, and stormed toward the healer's hut.

The bond was alive.

And spiking.

Something had her panicking—

Or worse.

---

[LYRA'S POV]

"You're lying," I snapped. "My mother died in childbirth."

The man's gaze sharpened.

"She died protecting your name. The one they erased from the flame."

"I don't believe you."

He didn't move.

Just said:

> "Then why does your mark scream when I speak?"

I looked down—

And sure enough…

It was glowing again.

But not just that—

It was burning in rhythm with his words.

---

He took a slow step forward. "You need to leave this place. Before the fire takes what you love most."

I flinched.

His voice lowered.

"Or before you take it yourself."

---

The door slammed open.

Kairo.

He was breathless. Wild. On edge.

One look at me—

Then at the stranger—

And the shift almost exploded out of him.

---

"Step. Away. From her."

The man didn't flinch.

"I'm not your enemy."

Kairo growled, stepping between us.

"If you touch her, I'll rip your throat out."

"I already carry that scar, Alpha," the hunter said, pulling back his collar to show a burn that stretched across his neck.

"I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to save her."

---

"From what?" Kairo snarled.

The Flame Hunter looked at me.

And his words chilled me to my bones.

> "From herself."

---

[LYRA'S POV] – LATER

We sat in silence.

The man—his name was Riven—explained everything slowly, as if choosing his words with care.

My mother had flame.

Not like me. Smaller. Hidden. But it bloomed once—when she was protecting me.

And that moment…

Got her killed.

---

"She died defying the Order," he said. "A council of flamebound who believe emotion corrupts the gift."

"Then I must be cursed," I whispered.

"No," he said softly. "You're dangerous."

---

Kairo stayed quiet most of the time.

But I felt his tension through the bond.

He didn't like Riven.

Didn't trust him.

Didn't like that the fire answered him too.

But worst of all?

He hated that Riven knew more about me than he did.

---

When Riven left, he didn't say goodbye.

He just said:

> "The throne you saw in your dream?

It's real.

And it's waiting for you."

---

[KAIRO'S POV – THAT NIGHT]

She sat at the window, watching the moon rise.

I wanted to hold her.

But she looked… distant.

Changed.

Like whatever fire was inside her had finally opened its eyes.

---

"Do you want to go with him?" I asked quietly.

She turned, startled. "What?"

"Riven. The throne. All of it. Do you want that?"

She stood.

Crossed the room.

Stopped right in front of me.

Then said the one thing I didn't expect:

> "No. I want you."

She rested her forehead against my chest.

But her voice cracked.

> "I just don't know if I'll get to keep you."