Page 76 of Wild Fires
I smiled as everything around me went up in flames.
The darkness and peace surrounded me giving me some reprieve from the heat. My lungs were restored, and I knew I would rise in perfect health once more. Hell, by the time I got out of here I might just have to set myself on fire just to heal from this mission.
I mentally cringed thinking of Ryan. He wasn't going to be happy about this. But I was at peace knowing this would work and Rodney would be safe.
Despite what he thought, I wasn’t being reckless or cavalier or any other fancy words he might throw at me. This was a calculated decision for survival in a shitty situation.
We always talk about worst case scenarios on the job. Well, Rodney just experienced one of them, and we all knew that if I hadn't made this sacrifice then he would already be dead out here.
A spark of light hit me, and I knew my transformation was nearly complete.
“Gracie?” Big Dick said as I stretched out my wings.
I nodded my feathered head, and he swooped me up into his big arms and then surprised me when he rolled me into part of my suit. It would add several extra pounds of weight for him, but also mean I might not have to face another transformation.
Surprised I hadn't thought of it myself, I realized even if I had, I never would have asked them to do that.
“Don't worry. You're still a lot lighter than dragging Rodney's ass out of here,” he assured me as if he could somehow read my mind.
The smoke was thick and hard to breathe, but the guys were able to pick up the pace and soon we were out of the worst of it and heading to safety.
As the air became more breathable for me, I knew we were all going to be okay.
Ryan
Chapter 21
The hours were passing quickly, and I figured that was a good thing.
I’d addressed calls from every councilman to keep them apprised of the situation. Well, except Clarence, who updated me instead of the other way around.
The roads had been cleared and everyone successfully evacuated south of Main all the way to the river, well, everyone except my sister and her crew at The Diner.
“Gia, you're in the danger zone. You have to close up and get out.”
“Stop being a bureaucratic moron, Ryan. You have more sense than that. If my restaurant was twenty yards across the street, I'd somehow be safe? That's ridiculous. This is the furthest section of precaution from the fire. If it gets closer, we'll move. But right now, I have a kitchen full of food and you have hundreds of people out there trying to save our little town. They are going to need to eat and a safe place to rest.”
“We already have a . . . set up.”
“Yeah, and I've been listening to the radio too. The anchor point is established. Teams are working to control the flanks, and a berm is being erected behind the heel just in case it shifts further down the mountainside.”
“Then you know the wind shifted and is pushing back in this direction.”
“I do. And when it gets closer to where we're actually facing danger and not just precaution, then we will move. But right now, my crew is cooking to ensure those men and women out there are nourished and keep their energy up to keep on fighting. They're going to need breaks and they’re going to need food. So please, just let me help.”
“If I leave the restaurant open, then every business on this side of the highway will want to open.”
“No they won't because most of them are volunteering right now. And this is how I can safely volunteer.”
“Safely in the evacuation zone?”
“Do you even hear some of the nonsense you spout?”
I glared at her. She had no idea what keeping one business open, even if it was safe to do so at the moment, could lead to. But something told me I wasn’t going to win this battle with her. And then, my sister went and landed the lowest blow of all.
“Ryan, your mate is in that fire. She's one of the people I'm trying to feed and support, so back off and let me.”
I was so stunned that I actually took a step back.