Air: The Elementals: Book One

by Jennifer Lush

  Martin saw her raise her arms and mistook it as the signal to go ahead. He shot out from behind her and jumped to the stream bed below without looking to see how muddy it remained. Both of his feet sunk into the wet ground, and he struggled to lift them out of the muck.

  She didn’t see Martin take off in time to pull him back before he sprang off the bank, but she turned her head to follow him with her eyes just long enough to divert the direction of the wind onto the old oak tree which cracked in two from the pressure. Half of it fell sideways into the stream below heading straight toward her brother.

  In that moment, Chloe’s only concern was him, and she lost all control of everything she had been doing. The wind which would’ve carried the side of the tree farther out stopped causing it to fall straight down, and the water she’d been holding back came crashing in to fill the void. The last thing she saw of Martin before the water covered him completely were his feet still buried in the mud, and the bones of his legs stuck straight out through the back of his ankles where they found no give from his stuck feet as the tree crashed down on top of him.

  Desperately she tried to free her brother. Using all of her power she cleared the middle of the stream, but the tree proved too much for her. Every time she saw Martin’s legs lying so still barely visible as his body sunk into the mud, her concentration would break, and the water would start to rush at them again. Attempt after attempt was unsuccessful, and the longer it took the more emotional she became. As her sobs wrenched from her chest and she became blinded by tears, it proved more and more difficult just to keep the water off of them.

  There were shouts in the distance, and she recognized the voices of her parents. Help was coming. That calmed her significantly, and she parted the water again as she had several times now. Marcus reached the bank first and lifting one arm toward the tree, he was able to move it off of Martin. He threw his arm to the side, and the tree was sent over Chloe’s head and crashed down in the stream behind her.

  Leena scrambled down to the bed of the stream with Marcus on her heels. They managed to remove Martin from the murky trap that held him and carry him to the dry ground along the bank. There was nothing discernable about him. All you could see was a large band of mud in the shape of a person.

  Chloe followed her parents with her eyes letting the water come crashing down around her almost knocking her off balance, but she fought to stand where she was. Martin was going to be fine she told herself. It would be painful, but he would heal. They always did, and they did so quickly. None of them were able to die she told herself.

  The village shaman appeared having heard the cries of Marcus and Leena eager to help. One look at Martin, and he knew the sad fate the boy had suffered. There was nothing he could do except try to console them.

  Marcus clawed at Martin’s face trying to remove the mud from around his mouth and nose, so he could breathe again. It wasn’t enough. The mud filled his mouth, nose and throat. It had seeped into his lungs as well. There was no way he reach it all by hand. With no other options available, Marcus placed his mouth over his son’s and sucked all of the watery mud and gunk from his throat and lungs. He repeated the act over and over again until he was certain no more remained. Then he did the same thing covering Martin’s nose with his mouth. When he finished, Martin still didn’t move. His body lay lifeless in Marcus’ arms.

  Leena wept loudly, and the shaman placed his hand on her shoulder.

  ‘This isn’t right,’ Chloe’s thoughts raged. Martin should be coming around by now. He should be yelling at her for not being more careful. She walked to the edge of the stream and clambered up the bank. The sight of Martin’s still body became worse the closer she got. Beneath the traces of mud that covered his face, his skin was a deep blue and growing darker as her eyes lingered on him.

  “Why isn’t he awake yet?” she muttered aloud.

  None of them answered her. The sobs from mother only increased, and her father sat as still as the totem in the village center.

  “Father?” she pleaded. This can’t be happening. We are immortal. Martin has to wake up.

  When her father didn’t say a word, she turned to the shaman begging him with her eyes. It made no sense. It was like they had given up.

  The shaman walked over to Chloe and placed both hands on her shoulder looking her in the eyes. “Air is what brought you life, and in turn, air is what can take your life away. Young Martin has been without air for too long. I’m afraid his journey has come to an end.”

  Chloe began to hyperventilate. “No!” she screamed between gasps for breath. “No!”

  A blood curdling scream came from the direction of the village, and she turned to see Brian who had stopped on the path taking in the scene. In an instant, he was sprinting toward them. He fell to his knees next to Martin and lifted him into his arms his tears falling like rain.

  Disbelief was the only hope Chloe had to hang onto. This could not happen. It wasn’t supposed to happen. It had to be a punishment being doled out by her parents for playing with her powers. Any minute now Martin would open her eyes. She collapsed to the ground and wept. The tears wouldn’t stop. Long after she had accepted that Martin was gone forever, the tears continued. After her parents had carried his body to the village to be prepared for the funeral pyre, she remained on the bank crying rivers into the earth. Even after the shaman left her side, she remained choking on her sobs. And after Brian had cursed her and swore he would never again view her as a sister, vowing she was as dead to him as his dear brother Martin, she sat along the stream drowning in her own tears.

  Martin was dead. The words kept screaming through her head in her own voice. Martin was dead, and she had killed him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Monday morning, Lilah woke up feeling restless and tired. She still had questions about what had happened the night before and how did she lose time like she had. She slowly got out of bed and dressed. Jackson and Everleigh had both messaged her asking if she would be able to get together today. She was still much too tired to talk to anyone yet.

  She came down into the kitchen. Some of the family were already up and starting their day, but many were absent. Her parents were seated in the kitchen having coffee. She walked to the counter to get a cup when her Uncle Brian handed her a glass of tea. It wasn’t what she had in mind, but she didn’t want to turn up her nose at the gesture.

  Abby and Myles were discussing how to test something when she sat down. “How you feeling?” her dad asked.

  “Exhausted,” she said after taking a long drink from her glass.

  Lilah sensed that she had interrupted something. “What are you guys up to today?”

  “We are going to test our strength,” her mom declared.

  She gave her mom a sideways glance. “What does that mean?”

  “We’re stronger together, and my theory is that maybe we are all stronger now. Like how the witches are spawning to prepare for what’s to come.”

  “Count me out,” Lilah told her.

  Abby was surprised her daughter didn’t want to be a part of it, but happy too. The family would probably be uncomfortable if Lilah were outside with the rest of them testing her strength. “Why is that?”

  “I don’t have the energy. I feel like I ran a marathon then worked out for six hours afterward.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with taking time for yourself,” Uncle Brian told her. “We all need downtime now and then.”

  “Yeah, I just don’t know why I feel like this.”

  There had been an earlier argument regarding what to tell Lilah if she asked. Her dad’s opinion was in the minority, but she was his daughter and would tell her what he thought was best. He quickly started talking before Brian could say anything different. “You got upset last night, dear. You affected the winds. I’m sure it drained you especially since you’ve had no practice.”

  Brian stormed from the room angrily. Abby ran after him hoping to talk to him, but he stormed out of
the house ignoring her. She came back to the table and told Myles, “You knew he would be upset.”

  “I knew. I also don’t care.”

  “We should get outside with the others. They’ll begin soon.” Abby walked over to her daughter and kissed the top of her head. “If you need anything, we’ll be by the barn.”

  They headed out the back door leaving Lilah alone in the kitchen. The front door opened several times, and by the time she decided to go in there, the house was empty except for her. She walked to the back where the porch was empty and sat down to watch.

  They were taking turns lifting logs and hay bales with their minds. Some managed to accomplish it easier than others. They even tried to move Abby’s car. Working together, the car moved with ease, but not individually.

  Lilah was wore out just watching them work. She went back upstairs and napped until the vibrating of her phone woke her up. It was Jackson. She let the call go to voice mail, and sent him a text. “Just woke up. Give me a few minutes.”

  He replied, “About time sleepy head. It’s 4 in the afternoon.”

  She hadn’t paid attention to the time. ‘How did it get so late already?’ She didn’t expect to nap for almost six hours. She scurried downstairs and found the family gathered again.

  News of the Mississippi wolves and witches arrival had been given to them by Todd through his friend Meredith. They were spread out in Fairview and other small towns nearby. Apparently, the southern wolves wanted to open lines of communication with all the Elementals in the area. Lilah knew this would not go over well, and her family would discuss it well into the night. She also knew it made the odds of her being able to leave slim because her parents would want her to be a part of the discussion.

  She rinsed out the glass from the morning that she brought down with her and poured a fresh glass of tea. She left the room for a minute to grab the jacket she had left on the back porch. When she returned, her Uncle Brian was sitting at the table.

  “How are you feeling?” Uncle Brian asked her.

  “Good. I can’t believe I slept through most of the day.”

  He nodded. “Sometimes our body gets worn out. Emotional toll can do that as well. It’s been a rough week for all of us, but most of all you.”

  Lilah sat down to be friendly, but she wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to admit that the last few days had been rough. It was just one more way for her family to treat her like a child. It had been hard on her trying to deal with everything that was thrown at her at once, but she didn’t like owning that to her family.

  “What’s on the agenda for tonight?” she asked, knowing the answer was the wolves.

  “Agenda?”

  “The family discussion.”

  “Oh, that,” he waved it off like it was not something he was interested in. “They will eventually agree all the Elementals need to come together, but not until they’ve argued for several hours.”

  Lilah snickered. It was true. Her family would ultimately come to the right decision, but not before every one of them had an opportunity to voice their objections no matter how trivial.

  She yawned. “I don’t know why I’m still so tired. Maybe I should switch to coffee,” she said finishing her tea.

  “I can make a pot if you would like,” her Uncle Brian offered. He got up and set about doing so before she answered.

  Tidbits of the conversation would reach her ears from the other room, and it made her smile. The biggest point being made was how anyone could trust them. They could be secretly working with the much larger tribe from the north. Maybe they’re just a Trojan horse so to speak. The witches vouch for this tribe, but how can we be sure we can trust the witches?

  Centuries of peace between the two Elemental factions, and still her family couldn’t trust them to work with them. They would argue it out until it had been analyzed a dozen times then argue it again for good measure. Part of her wanted to defend the two groups, but she knew she didn’t have the energy for it.

  She listened in until her uncle brought her a cup of coffee and set it before her. “I didn’t realize it was ready. I could’ve got it.”

  “It’s no trouble,” he smiled.

  “I think I’m going to take it to my room and sit for a while.” Really she only wanted to get ahold of Jackson before she fell asleep again.

  Upstairs, she called him. She was leaned against the wall because she knew if she sat on the bed, she would instantly fall asleep. “Hey, sorry. I’m just so tired today.”

  “Because you slept so long. Everyone knows sleeping too much makes you sleepier.”

  “Maybe.”

  “You should come out with me and Everleigh.”

  “I don’t think the family would approve. There’s a big meeting downstairs right now that I’m skipping out on, but to actually leave the house would probably make them mad.”

  “Sneak out then.”

  “I would fall and break my neck,” she told him, knowing that even if she did, she would heal. It may take some time, and it would hurt of course. Still, she didn’t want to explain that to Jackson just yet.

  There was murmuring on the other end of the line. He was talking to someone. “Okay, Everleigh is going to come get you. She will help you.”

  Lilah got off the phone and changed. It was one of those times where she wished there were cameras so she could watch the footage later and have a laugh. She was determined to avoid sitting down as she grew more and more tired, so she kept falling into the wall and doorframes as she struggled to pull on her clothes. At least she could laugh at herself she thought as she banged her arm on the door again.

  She downed her coffee which had cooled when she was finally ready and made a mental note to have Everleigh stop for some once they left. She was going to need it.

  Perfect timing. Everleigh called as soon as she finished. “I’m here. I left the car on the road, and I walked up.”

  “Okay. I’m ready.”

  “Where are you coming out? The back?”

  “My window like always.”

  “Jackson didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “Open your window. I’m under it.”

  Lilah went to her window. It was old and cloudy from years of moisture caught between the two panes. She couldn’t see Everleigh, but trusted she was there. She budged it open and gasped.

  “Bars,” she said more to herself than to Everleigh.

  “Yeah, bars. They don’t want you sneaking out anymore.”

  “But when? Who?”

  “This morning. Luke saw it and told my aunt. I don’t know who.”

  The window was only open a few inches, but it was enough for Lilah to stick her hand through and feel the iron that was on the outside. Her window opened to the back porch roof which is why she could easily climb out. She tried to think about other options, but she didn’t think any other window would work as easily. None that she could get to anyway. If only she weren’t so tired, maybe she her mind would be clearer.

  She shut the window and sat down on her bed wondering if it would be easy enough to walk out the back door while the family was distracted. It could work, but only if there were no stragglers in the kitchen or anywhere else. She could always go down there and wait for her chance to escape, but that could take hours. It could also be clear to make a getaway as soon as she made it down the stairs. It was impossible to know.

  Everleigh had other plans, “Listen. Meredith is on her way with Matt and Rita. She will help us. Just sit tight until then.”

  Lilah agreed and hung up the phone. Their arrival would provide the cover she needed. Once she knew Meredith was here, she would leave. The bed was so comfortable beneath her, and she thought she would be okay to lay down and rest for a minute. Sleep took her until she was harshly shaken awake.

  It was hard to keep her eyes open long enough to focus. Meredith was shaking her arm trying to wake her as quietly as possible. Lilah kept falling back asleep as soon
as she would open her eyes.

  Then she was choking. Meredith was pouring something down her throat. Lilah tried to fight her off, but she had no energy. The witch clamped her hand over Lilah’s mouth when she started coughing. She was frightened. She didn’t know why Meredith would try to harm her. She lay still with wide eyes franticly trying to figure out how to get away. ‘Maybe if I stop fighting, Meredith will loosen her grip,’ she thought, ‘but to what end?’ Even if she gambled to run, she would surely be caught. It was still hard to keep her eyelids from closing even with the attack against her.

  “I’ve only got a minute, girl. They’ll notice I’m gone soon. I need you to listen to me,” Meredith instructed.

  Lilah tried to nod as best she could, but it was difficult.

  “Alright then, I don’t know what they got in your system, but it’s a miracle I got anything down your throat at all. The medicine I gave you will counter most of the common sleeping pills and other nervous system suppressants, but without knowing what you took, I can’t be sure it will work.”

  Her eyes widened in shock. ‘Sleeping pills?’ No wonder she couldn’t stay awake. There was a heavy haze lingering on her brain when she tried to think. She couldn’t remember what she had for lunch, or even what day it was.

  “I’ve got to get back. Lay here and be quiet,” she ordered. “I’ll let Everleigh know how to come in to get you.” She lifted her hand away from Lilah’s mouth slowly.

  Lilah didn’t move or make a sound. Meredith nodded at her like she took the silence for agreement. Then she was gone.

  She struggled to stay awake by blinking repeatedly and moving around. Sitting up didn’t work either. She was asleep again within minutes.

  “Hey…Hey!” it was Everleigh.

  It took Lilah time to adjust. She couldn’t remember Meredith visiting her room until right before they left. “What are you doing here?”