I think I might actually kill Nathanial.

"Now breathe. In and out. Deep, deep breaths. Think about the power inside you," Nathanial's voice was calm, serene even, as if he had all the time in the world.

Meanwhile, I was sitting on the hard floor of my studio, legs crossed, staring daggers at the angel who had woken me up at the ungodly hour of five a.m. He hadn't even had the decency to look me in the eye when he shook me awake—eyes closed the entire time, muttering something about "avoiding further embarrassment."

It's not my fault he barged in uninvited and saw me naked that one time. But now, apparently, I'm a walking hazard to his angelic virtue.

Two hours later, here I was, trying to summon some mythical inner power while suppressing the urge to throttle him.

"Breathe, Athena," Nathanial repeated, his golden wings catching the soft morning light streaming through the windows.

"I am breathing!" I snapped, opening one eye to glare at him.

"No, you're sighing heavily in frustration, which isn't the same thing," he replied, utterly unbothered. "Focus."

Focus? On what exactly? I'd been sitting here for what felt like an eternity, inhaling and exhaling like I was in a yoga class from hell.

"What am I even supposed to be finding inside me?" I asked, uncrossing my legs and stretching them out. "Because right now, all I'm discovering is how much my butt hurts."

Nathanial opened his eyes, fixing me with a disapproving look. "You need discipline, Athena. To master your power, you have to connect with it, understand it. Right now, your energy is like a river without a course—wild, untamed. I'm trying to help you find your focus."

"I don't need focus. I need coffee," I muttered under my breath, earning a sharp glance from him.

"Do you want to learn how to control your powers or not?" he asked, his tone turning sterner.

"I do!" I threw up my hands in exasperation. "But not like this! Sitting here for hours breathing in and out isn't doing anything except making me lightheaded."

Nathanial pinched the bridge of his nose. "Athena, do you remember what happened the last time you lost control?"

I stiffened. The memory of the fireball I'd accidentally conjured—the way it had felt, raw and primal—flashed through my mind. "Yeah, I remember."

"Then trust me," he said softly. "This isn't about just surviving anymore. It's about understanding who you are and what you're capable of. That fire magic? It shouldn't even be possible for a human. You need to know why it's happening, or you'll end up destroying yourself."

I hated how reasonable he sounded, mostly because he was right. But that didn't make his methods any less annoying.

I sighed again and closed my eyes, begrudgingly trying to refocus. "Fine. Breathing. Power. Got it."

"Good," he said, his voice relaxing a little. "Now try again. Deep breaths, in and out—"

The studio door slammed open, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Are you kidding me?" Marax strode in, his black leather jacket swinging as he moved, looking as if he owned the place. His dark eyes immediately found me, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You've got her sitting on the floor like some monk in training? She doesn't need this."

Nathanial's wings twitched in irritation, and he turned to face Marax with a frown. "This is serious, Marax. Her powers are growing, and if she doesn't learn to control them—"

"She's not going to learn anything sitting here breathing like she's at a spa day," Marax shot back, crossing his arms. "Athena learns through action, not meditation. Right, sweetheart?"

"Sweetheart?" Nathanial's voice was ice.

I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Please don't start."

"Why are you even here?" Nathanial demanded, his wings flaring slightly. "I thought you were busy dealing with your little demon friends."

"I was," Marax said casually, leaning against the wall. "But I figured Athena might need a break from all this angelic micromanaging."

Nathanial glared at him, and for a moment, I thought he might actually attack him. "This isn't a joke, Marax."

"Neither is her sanity," Marax retorted. "Come on, angel boy. Let her have a little fun before you bore her to death."

"I'm right here, you know," I interjected, standing up.

Both of them turned to look at me, and I could feel the tension crackling between them like static electricity.

"I don't need either of you fighting over how to train me," I said firmly. "If Nathanial's way doesn't work, we'll try something else. But right now, all I want is five minutes without you two bickering."

Marax grinned, completely unrepentant. "Whatever you say, sweetheart."

Nathanial sighed, his wings drooping slightly in defeat. "Fine. Take a break. But don't think for a second that this is over, Athena."

He turned and left the studio, his golden wings brushing the doorframe as he walked out.

Marax watched him go, then turned back to me with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "So... what do you want to do with your break?"

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "Coffee first. Then maybe you can show me how you would train me."

His grin widened. "Now you're talking."

Ten minutes later, I was back in the studio, coffee in hand, trying to reset my fraying nerves. Marax leaned casually against the mirrored wall, his dark eyes fixed on me with a heat that sent a shiver down my spine. The way he looked at me—like I was the only thing in the world worth his attention—was enough to make my heart race.

Meanwhile, Nathanial stood on the other side of the room, arms crossed, golden wings twitching with irritation. His glare alternated between me and Marax, as if sheer force of will could make the demon disappear.

Marax smirked when our eyes met, his gaze unapologetically raking over me. "Feel better now, sweetheart?" His voice was low, teasing, and utterly infuriating in the way it made my stomach flip.

"I feel caffeinated," I replied, trying to sound unaffected as I took a sip from my cup. "Which is more than I can say for this morning."

Nathanial huffed, his wings flaring slightly. "Maybe now we can actually focus on training."

"Focus?" Marax chuckled, stepping closer, his presence as commanding as ever. "Pretty sure you're the one struggling with that, feathers. Your scowl's been so intense I thought your face might freeze that way."

Nathanial ignored him, turning his sharp gaze to me. "We don't have time for distractions, Athena. Your powers are growing too fast to waste a single moment."

Marax scoffed, taking another step toward me, his confidence practically radiating. "Distractions? I don't think she minds me being here. Do you, Athena?"

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

His voice dropped on the last word, and I felt the weight of his question settle between us. My cheeks flushed as his proximity sent a wave of warmth through me.

"Marax," Nathanial snapped, his voice cutting like a whip. "This isn't a game."

Marax tilted his head, his smirk never faltering. "Who says I'm playing?"

The tension in the room was suffocating, the two of them locked in a silent battle of wills. I took another sip of coffee, hoping it would fortify me against the storm brewing between them.

"Okay, enough," I finally said, stepping forward to break the standoff. "We're all here for the same reason, right? So let's just... do this."

Marax arched a brow, his smirk softening into something warmer. "Whatever you want, sweetheart."

Nathanial muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like a prayer.

I sighed, setting my coffee down on the edge of the stage. "Great. Let's get started before I regret dragging myself out of bed this morning."

Nathanial's voice was calm and measured as he instructed me through the motions, but I could feel the tension simmering beneath his composed exterior. "Focus on your connection to the elements. Feel the energy beneath your feet for the earth. Sense the moisture in the air for water. They're extensions of you, Athena."

I closed my eyes and tried to tune into the sensations around me. The studio was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. The polished wood beneath me felt solid, grounding. I took a deep breath, concentrating on the pull Nathanial had described.

"Good," he said softly, his tone approving. "You're starting to feel it. Let it flow."

I reached out mentally, imagining roots digging into the earth, even though we were technically on the second floor of the building. To my surprise, the wooden floorboards beneath me shifted slightly, almost like they were alive. When I opened my eyes, I saw tiny cracks forming in the varnish, with thin vines beginning to sprout between them.

"Whoa," I breathed, stepping back instinctively.

Nathanial nodded, a small, rare smile gracing his lips. "See? The connection is there. You just have to control it. Keep it small, keep it intentional."

"That's easier said than done," I muttered, trying to reel the vines back in. With a bit of focus, they stopped growing, curling in on themselves. I grinned at the small victory. "Not bad for my first try."

"Not bad at all," Marax said, his voice a mix of pride and amusement. He was leaning against the mirrored wall again, arms crossed, watching me like a hawk. "Maybe you're not as hopeless as I thought."

I shot him a mock glare. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Now, water," Nathanial instructed, ignoring the exchange. He moved to stand beside me, his hand hovering near mine, as if he was ready to guide me if I faltered. "Feel the moisture in the air. There's always some, even if you can't see it. Draw it to you."

I nodded, closing my eyes again. This time, I focused on the air, imagining tiny droplets swirling together, forming something tangible. At first, it felt like trying to catch smoke, slippery and elusive. But then, I felt it—a coolness gathering in my palm.

When I opened my eyes, a small orb of water hovered above my hand, rippling and spinning in place. My heart swelled with excitement. "I did it!"

Nathanial nodded, his eyes shining with approval. "Yes. Now control it. Keep it stable."

I concentrated, steadying my breathing as the water settled into a perfect sphere. It felt like holding a part of the ocean in my hands. "This is... amazing."

Marax whistled low. "Not bad for a newbie."

I shot him a grin. "I think I'm getting the hang of this."

"Careful," Nathanial warned, his tone serious. "Pride leads to carelessness."

Marax rolled his eyes. "Relax, feather boy. She's doing great."

Nathanial ignored him, stepping closer to inspect the orb of water. "Now, see if you can move it. Slowly."

I nodded and willed the orb to drift to the side. It obeyed, floating a few inches to the left, then right, before returning to my palm. The sheer exhilaration of it made me laugh.

"I could do this all day," I said, glancing between them.

Nathanial gave a rare smile. "You're a natural."

Marax pushed off the wall, sauntering closer. "Natural's an understatement. You're better than most demons using their powers at this point, and you've barely started."

The compliment from him, of all people, made my cheeks warm. "Thanks, I guess."

"Don't let it go to your head," Nathanial said, his voice tinged with a faint edge.

Marax grinned. "Too late.

Nathanial's voice drew my focus again. "Now, fire," he said, his tone as steady as ever. "This one is different. It requires more restraint, more control. It's destructive by nature, so you need to channel it carefully."

Fire. Great. I swallowed hard, the memory of hellfire scorching my skin flashing through my mind. My fingers flexed involuntarily, and I shook them out, trying to keep my nerves from getting the better of me.

"Relax," Nathanial said, sensing my hesitation. "It's just another element, like the others. The trick is not letting it overwhelm you."

"That's easy for you to say," I muttered, but I nodded anyway. "Alright, what do I do?"

"Feel the heat within you," Nathanial instructed. "Everyone has it—life itself generates warmth. Focus on that core, and draw it out."

Marax leaned against the wall, his smirk sharp and teasing. "Let's hope she doesn't burn the place down. I like this studio."

"Not helping," I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him.

He raised his hands in mock surrender, but his grin didn't falter. "Just saying, fire's tricky. But I bet you'll be great at it. You've got a little spark in you already."

"Thanks for the confidence boost, I guess," I said, rolling my eyes. Still, his words softened my nerves a little, and I turned my focus inward.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and searched for the warmth Nathanial had mentioned. It wasn't hard to find—it was there, simmering in my chest, a steady thrum of energy waiting to be unleashed. Slowly, I reached for it, imagining a small flicker of flame dancing at my fingertips.

At first, nothing happened. Then, a faint heat built in my palm, growing stronger with each breath. When I opened my eyes, a small flame hovered above my hand, flickering and alive.

"I did it," I whispered, my voice full of awe.

Nathanial's expression was unreadable, but his nod was approving. "Good. Now control it. Keep it steady."

I focused on the flickering flame dancing above my palm, feeling more in control than ever before. The heat pulsed with my heartbeat, no longer wild and untamed but responding to my will. Nathanial's earlier instructions echoed in my mind: Feel the power, but don't let it consume you. You lead, not it.

"Not bad, Spark," Marax said from where he lounged against the studio wall, arms crossed with a lazy grin. "Keep this up, and you might even impress me."

"Focus," Nathanial said sternly, his sharp gaze never leaving me. "She's doing fine, but it's still unstable."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered, molding the fire between my hands. I tried forming it into a thin ribbon, then a swirling orb. It followed my intent, flickering and shifting like an extension of myself.

"See?" I glanced at Marax with a triumphant smile. "I've got this."

Nathanial opened his mouth to respond, but another voice cut in. "Well, this is interesting."

I startled as Solar materialized out of nowhere behind me, his golden wings catching the light and his usual sunny grin in place. The momentary lapse in my focus sent the fireball shooting straight toward him.

"Whoa!" Solar shouted, leaping to the side as the flame whizzed past him and slammed into the wall, leaving a charred black mark. "What the hell, Athena?"

"Oh my god!" I gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth. "I'm so sorry! You scared me!"

Nathanial groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Solar, you can't just drop in unannounced during a training session. Especially with fire."

Marax erupted into laughter, doubling over. "Oh, that was too good! The look on your face, Sunshine!"

Solar glared at him, brushing nonexistent ash off his jacket. "Easy for you to laugh when you weren't almost turned into angel flambé."

I winced. "I really didn't mean to—"

Solar held up a hand, smiling. "Relax, little firestarter. I'm not mad. Just... maybe work on your aim?"

Marax snickered. "Or maybe announce yourself next time. You're lucky she didn't set your precious feathers on fire."

Nathanial crossed his arms, clearly unamused. "What are you doing here, Solar? Shouldn't you be busy with heavenly business?"

Solar's usual playful demeanor faltered slightly, his tone becoming more serious. "I needed to check in. Word's traveling fast, Nathanial. Athena's progress is... noticeable. There's chatter up above and down below."

Nathanial frowned. "What kind of chatter?"

"Enough to raise concerns," Solar replied, his golden eyes briefly flicking to me. "If she's already managing hellfire, she's further along than anyone expected. It's only a matter of time before the wrong people catch wind."

Marax's grin faded. "Fantastic. Because that's exactly what we need—more demons crashing the party."

Solar sighed, shaking his head. "It's not just the demons you need to worry about. Heaven's getting restless too. There's talk of whether she's a risk, Nathanial. You need to be careful."

Nathanial stiffened, his jaw tightening. "I'm handling it."

Solar held his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm just the messenger. But you know as well as I do, if Heaven or Hell decides to act, it'll be a disaster."

"Great pep talk," I muttered, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. "Really encouraging."

Solar's sunny grin returned, and he winked at me. "Don't worry, kid. You're tougher than they realize. Just try not to barbecue your allies, alright?"

I managed a weak smile. "I'll do my best."

Nathanial rubbed his temples. "Are you done?"

"For now." Solar's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before his wings flared. "Just stay sharp, all of you. And Athena... you're stronger than you think."

With that, he vanished in a swirl of golden light, leaving me feeling slightly breathless and even more overwhelmed.

Marax broke the silence with a low chuckle. "I like him. Annoying, but entertaining."

Nathanial shot him a look. "This isn't a joke."

"No kidding," Marax replied, his tone darkening. "If Heaven's sniffing around, we're running out of time to figure out what the hell's going on with her."

I exhaled slowly, still feeling the heat of the hellfire lingering in my hands. "Great. No pressure or anything."

Nathanial paced the studio like a restless storm, his golden eyes sharp as they flicked from me to Marax. He looked like he was trying to piece together a puzzle he hated. Meanwhile, Marax leaned casually against the wall, his crimson gaze never leaving me. The tension was suffocating.

"Let's stop pretending this is normal," Marax finally said, his deep voice breaking the silence. "A human shouldn't have powers like yours, especially not hellfire. It's not possible."

Nathanial stopped pacing and turned to face me, his expression unreadable but his tone serious. "Marax is right. Humans don't wield hellfire. It's not just unusual—it defies every natural law. And yet, here you are, controlling it."

I crossed my arms over my chest, my frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You think I don't know that? I've been wondering the same thing. My brothers, Austin and Aiden, are perfectly normal. Same brown hair, same blue eyes, same boring lives. I'm the only one who's... different."

Marax stepped forward, his usual smirk softened into something more serious. "Different isn't the right word, Firestarter. You're rare. Hellfire doesn't just show up in humans. If you can wield it, then there's something inside you that isn't human."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I looked to Nathanial, hoping for a rebuttal, but he only nodded. "He's right. It's not unheard of for celestial or infernal bloodlines to manifest in humans, but it's extremely rare. And hellfire? That points to something... darker."

I stared at them, my copper hair falling into my face as I shook my head. "No. My parents were human. Ordinary people. My dad worked construction, and my mom was a teacher. We had a normal life until they died."

Marax's eyes softened, and even Nathanial's rigid stance eased slightly.

"What happened to them?" Nathanial asked, his voice gentler now.

"A car accident," I said, my voice cracking. "I was sixteen. I was waiting for them to pick me up from a school recital, but they never showed. Austin and Aiden—they stepped up. They raised me, kept things together. And they've never shown any signs of... this."

Nathanial frowned. "If they're normal, it raises even more questions about you. There's no logical way a human could wield hellfire without serious consequences. And yet, you've done it."

Marax crouched down in front of me, his crimson eyes locked on mine. "The hellfire isn't just some random fluke, Athena. It's tied to who you are. Something in your blood makes it possible. You're not just human. You can't be."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding as their words sunk in. "So what? My parents lied to me? My whole life was fake?"

Nathanial shook his head. "Not necessarily. If your parents didn't have active powers themselves, they might not have known. It could've been dormant for generations until it woke up in you."

Marax's voice softened, though it was still laced with intensity. "Whatever the reason, you're special, Firestarter. You don't need to figure it out all at once, but we're not letting you face this alone."

I wrapped my arms around myself, my mind racing. My brothers, Austin and Aiden, were completely normal. They looked like our parents, had their eyes, their hair. But me? My copper hair, my nearly-black eyes, and now this impossible power—it didn't add up.

Nathanial's voice broke through my thoughts. "We need to figure this out. Your powers shouldn't exist, and if Satan or any other demon realizes what you're capable of... you'll be their target."

Marax straightened, his usual smirk returning faintly. "We'll start digging. Maybe Lucifer knows something. If there's anyone who might have answers about this, it's him."

I looked between the two of them, my chest tight with a mix of fear and frustration. "And if we don't find anything?"

Nathanial's golden eyes softened just slightly. "Then we'll keep protecting you, no matter what."

Marax grinned, his confidence unwavering. "You've got two of the best by your side, Firestarter. We'll figure it out. And until then, we'll make sure no one touches you."

I nodded slowly, though my thoughts were a whirlwind of uncertainty. My parents were gone. My brothers couldn't explain this. And now I had to accept that I wasn't just human—that I might be something else entirely.

No one should have powers like mine. But I did. And the more I used them, the more I felt the truth burning beneath my skin.