Incinerate

Chapter 1: Pulse

There it was again.

It was that familiar pulse of power that made her shiver and suddenly ache for a past long forgotten. The presence was heated and vaguely familiar as it traveled along her body making her fight back a gasp.

It was only her current predicament that kept her from purring and seeking out the owner of such energy. Instead Kagome was stuck in some small space, arms bound by metal enforced by magic to keep her from escaping and her sight robbed from her by a dark cloth that covered her eyes. Her captors had done an effective job.

The thought caused the dark-haired woman to growl slightly while she tried to once again free herself. It was not her first try but it would definitely be her strongest attempt.

She knew that there would be consequences but she couldn't just give in. Like liquid heat her power gathered in her fingertips spilling outward, amethyst flames licking at her binding but as soon the bands were touched she regretted it. Pain flared to life and traveled along her arm towards her chest and neck. Her teeth dug into her lower-lip as the pressure pressed against her chest. She instinctively strained, body going taut as she tried to breathe.

However the seals had been activated once again. The magic to keep her trapped was merciless and this time she had pushed it too far.

She was vaguely aware of the screams in the distance and the sounds of a fight breaking out through the pained haze that had settled over her. Something was happening but she could concentrate on nothing else but her burning lungs.

Breathe...

She couldn't breathe.

Her heart was beating harder in her chest and lips were parted as she tried to inhale but she was slowly being cocooned by that unknown magic. Kagome tried to control herself but instincts were sometimes stronger than logic. Her power spilled forward as self-preservation took over.

This time she was screaming as her arms burned. The bands seemed to vibrate against her wrists, searing through flesh.

Burning...

Restricting...

She didn't know how long it lasted or when she blacked out but the next conscious moment was when she heard the door open and that heated presence wash over her. The miko couldn't help but whimper softly as she felt that power crawl over her, tasting her, marking her...

And then she wasn't alone anymore.

"Mmm, now this is a surprise."

The silence was broken by a masculine voice. The voice was unfamiliar, smooth and clearly amused. Somewhere in the back of Kagome's mind there was a retort but she was too exhausted. So instead she tried to sit up again, regretting the action when pain shot up her arms.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, little miko. It seemed you were a bit too stubborn." He clicked his tongue and Kagome realized that she would have glared at him if she wasn't lying on her stomach on the ground.

The next moment she almost jumped when she felt hands on her. The young woman tried to move away but those hands were persistent. They ran against her arms, almost feather-like causing her to shiver lightly.

"Peculiar...but amusing."

Her mouth opened as she prepared to berate him but she found herself making a sound as the blindfold was taken off her eyes.

For a moment she was blinded as light assaulted her vision but it was only short-lived as colors invaded her sight again when her eyes adjusted.

Just like that though her world was colored in red. The coppery scent that she had smelled earlier finally made sense as she watched the blood splatters against the door causing her to swallow thickly. If she looked further she could see bodies littering the hallway, most of them torn apart.

She couldn't help but swallow again.

"Hn, they didn't put too much of a fight. There's little challenge when it comes to such pathetic maggots," he spoke snapping her attention back to him.

Red so much red.

An unknown face stared back at her. Foreign, serpentine but beautiful, with his high-cheekbones and androgynous features. His eyes reminded her of liquid flames while his hair was blood-red. His pale skin only accentuated the strong carmine shade making him look both handsome and dangerous.

"You're staring, not that it's surprising." His lips curved in a smile and fangs could be seen. He radiated pure male satisfaction and confidence. It was enough to snap her out of her thoughts. Ignoring her pained body, she finally sat up and glared at him.

"Who are you and where am I?" The strength that her voice lacked was hopefully covered up by the glare she gave him. Unfortunately for Kagome, her act only made the redheaded man chuckle.

The sound was rather appealing but the priestess quickly mentally berated herself for thinking such a thing.

He was a jerk!

And yet she was also aware of how dangerous he was. Her gaze unconsciously wandered to the carnage outside the door.

Deadly indeed.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a warm hand grasp her chin and turn her face. Kagome suddenly found herself staring up close into the unknown man's eyes.

His red gaze seemed to light up, the red seeming to glow the slightest bit as she felt his power wash over, dark, possessive and not human at all. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as his thumb brushed against her cheek, soft and teasingly.

He was very dangerous in more ways than one, Kagome realized only too late as he leaned closer, his lips ghosting against her cheek before hot breath fanned against her.

"I'm Zelman Clock and I welcome you to the Special Zone, my little miko."

And with those few words her fate was sealed.

TBC...

Constructive criticism is welcome. It's been years since I've written anything. So I'm pretty sure I'm very rusty.

Also sorry to say this but most of my old stories are on hold while I revise them.