Air: The Elementals: Book One

by Jennifer Lush

  “Well,” Meredith stepped over his outstretched legs, “with him out of the picture, there’s enough room for all of us to sit.”

  “Hey!” Jackson shouted back, getting up from the floor.

  By the time he stood, all the chairs had filled, and Meredith had helped herself to one of his hot cocoas. Rita was reaching for the other one, but Jackson grabbed it first. He looked at her then handed it over with a sigh.

  “You’re such a good boy,” Rita continued the ruse Meredith had started.

  “You see how they treat me?” he asked Lilah and picked up his plate. He went to the counter and began piling it high again.

  “If you ever do have a heart attack, it won’t be from anything I do. It will be all that crap you’re constantly putting in your system.” Meredith watched him disgusted.

  “A boy’s got to eat,” he said, sticking the plate in the microwave.

  They all laughed. Jackson ate more like a teenager than other guys his age.

  “What happened at the house?” Lilah asked without looking at anyone specifically and not sure if she wanted to know.

  Meredith reached out and touched her arm gently. “It’s going to be fine,” she said reassuringly.

  It did nothing to soothe her nerves. There were too many questions about why this was done to her.

  “But what happened?” she repeated.

  It was clear to everyone Lilah wasn’t just talking about what went on when her and Everleigh snuck out. She wanted to know why she was drugged and who did it. No one knew how to answer her without saying something Lilah wouldn’t want to hear. “Meredith just started a fight. That’s all,” Rita finally spoke.

  Lilah looked at her with evident annoyance. She already knew that. The shouts could be heard long after they were out the door. The anger was rising up, and she feared a repeat of the storms if she got too mad, but she didn’t understand why everyone was acting so ignorant.

  “Jackson, honey, be a dear and make a pot of coffee,” Meredith’s voice interrupted her growing rage.

  ‘Jackson,’ she thought. ‘That’s why no one is talking.’ The calm that came over her was immediate. She had been so consumed with her desire to know the truth that she overlooked the one obvious reason for people to play dumb.

  The conversation picked up after that. Everyone was keeping it light with a lot of teasing directed at Jackson. He took it well and dished it back at every turn. It started to feel normal to her which she realized was a crazy thought the second it popped into her head since she’d never had normal, but it did start to feel more relaxed.

  Lilah couldn’t relax as much as she longed for it. She sat tense amongst new friends joining in the conversation trying to hide how she really felt from the others.

  It wasn’t unnoticed. It was something she could hide no matter what she did. As much as she tried to pretend everything was good, the strengthening winds outside told all of them the truth.

  Meredith knew she had to do something to get her under control. “Are you feeling okay?” she asked Lilah.

  “I’m fine. Feeling better actually. Thank you for whatever that was you gave me.”

  “Are you sure? You look a little pale. Maybe you should lie down a while.”

  Lilah was about to object again when Meredith gave her a wink. “That probably wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

  She went into the living room to the lay on the couch with Meredith close behind.

  “We only have a minute until lover boy comes in here.” Meredith told her. “It wasn’t your whole family. It was one person. I don’t know his name. As soon as I hear from your Uncle Todd, I’ll let you know.”

  The mention of her uncle’s name stirred some memory she couldn’t quite grasp. Her brows furrowed together in thought.

  “What is it?” Meredith asked.

  “Nothing. Well, I can’t remember.”

  Meredith started to stand when it hit her.

  “Wait. Uncle Todd...he helped me get out didn’t he?”

  A smile slowly spread over Meredith’s face. “I don’t know how much he helped, but he provided a little cover for the two of you.”

  “So he knew?”

  “No,” Meredith said firmly. “He knew nothing about any of this until I said something.”

  “Then why did he help?”

  “Because he trusts me.”

  That was good enough for Lilah, but there was still something knocking on the back of her mind hoping she’d find the door to let it out. Something about her uncle that was lost at least for now.

  Jackson’s head popped in the doorway. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” Meredith said, standing and walking to him. “She just needs to rest a bit. She’s been through quite an ordeal.”

  He came over to the couch and lifted Lilah’s legs. He sat down and lay her legs over his lap. There was a blanket over the back of the couch that he pulled down to use to cover her. “Movie?” he asked, picking up the remote.

  Lilah nodded pulling the blanket snugly up to her chin.

  “What are you in the mood to see?”

  “You pick.” Lilah could already tell she would probably be asleep again soon. It bothered her losing a whole day like this, but there was nothing she could do except hope she would be better tomorrow.

  Jackson scrolled through the available titles and settled on another werewolf movie.

  If only he knew the truth she thought before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep. He may not be so quick to watch movies about form changing wolves if he knew the danger they posed to most of his friends. A danger that was already on its way to Fairview and getting closer by the hour.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Lilah woke abruptly, and it wasn’t immediately defined why. The room was dark, and she could tell she was now alone on the couch. She wiped her eyes and forced herself up afraid of what it is that woke her. It wasn’t a dream. She was almost certain. A loud noise perhaps or maybe her parents calling to her. All she knew was that she was not going back to sleep now.

  There was a faint light coming from the kitchen, so Lilah wandered in hoping someone else was awake. The room was empty. The time on the microwave read 4:42 am. She went to the front hall to dig through her purse hoping in the daring rescue last night someone grabbed it. It was there. The time was the same, so the microwave wasn’t wrong like she wished.

  She went back to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. She was feeling wide awake which was no surprise given how much she had slept the day before, but coffee was still a must to be able to function. Waiting for it to brew, she scanned through her phone logs. There was a number of calls and text messages that she couldn’t remember, but she had answered them all.

  A few were new ones. They were mainly from her parents hoping she was fine and apologizing for not realizing what was going on right in front of them. Uncle Todd had left a voice mail urging her to call as soon as she could. Lilah figured it could wait until later as he was probably sleeping then she saw where the call came through less than an hour ago.

  This doesn’t bode well she thought getting up to get a cup of coffee that had just finished brewing. It sounded urgent, and she figured she would call him in a couple minutes hoping he would still be awake. She sat the cup down on the table.

  “Morning, early bird.”

  Everleigh’s voice startled Lilah and she jumped knocking her chair over. She managed to catch it, but not before it hit the table leg creating a loud bang.

  “Easy. You’ll wake everyone with all that noise.”

  Lilah held her hand to her chest and could feel the rapid heartbeat underneath it. “You took a year off my life with that scare.”

  Everleigh poured a cup and joined her at the table. “You do know I know, right? Can’t nobody take a year off of your life.”

  It was a saying she had picked up from some kids at one of her old schools. She had used it herself trying to blend in, and it became habit. It didn’t even occur to h
er when she said it just now how ridiculous it might sound to someone who knew she was immortal.

  “Everyone? The others stayed here as well?”

  “Yeah, it got to be really late, so we all just crashed here.”

  “I’m surprised Jackson’s dad has no problem with people always over like they live here.”

  Everleigh had a secretive look in her eye and pressed her lips tight before looking away from Lilah. She explained, “Ah, he’s used to it from our high school days. Besides, he works a lot when he is around, and he’s still on that hunting trip.”

  “I have to call my uncle,” she said, picking up her phone.

  “Todd?”

  “Yeah, he left a message not long ago.”

  Everleigh waved her hand at the phone. “Don’t worry about it. He’ll be here soon.”

  “Here? Why?”

  “The wolves have arrived.”

  For a moment, terror struck her hard, but then she understood, “From the south?”

  “Yeah, they arrived overnight.”

  “How many are there?”

  Everleigh’s eyes narrowed, and she shook her head. “I really don’t know for sure. I’d say around a hundred total counting the witches with them.”

  Lilah sipped her coffee. It was far too early to process all of this, and she was far too low on caffeine. “Coming here?”

  “Not here,” Everleigh replied dramatically.

  “I don’t mean Jackson’s. I meant Fairview.”

  “Yeah or nearby. Listen, about your boy.”

  “What?” Lilah’s eyes grew round worried something had happened after she fell asleep.

  “He’s fine. It’s just…well, you need to tell him.”

  “I will.”

  “When? Someday?”

  “It’s just who we are has always been something that came out naturally in my family.”

  “Lilah, it’s not going to happen like that. Either you tell him or he finds out on his own, and it won’t be something that comes out naturally.”

  There was a part of her that knew Everleigh was right, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for it. So much had happened since arriving in town a week ago. There had been little time to adjust to anything much less plan how to let someone know that they were the true definition of soul mates, and he would now live forever.

  While Lilah stayed quiet, Everleigh had a lot more to say. “Something else for you to think on over there. My aunt and the others have been kind for your sake trying not to slip up and say anything. Do you think these newcomers will?”

  Everleigh was right, and Lilah knew it. Jackson had to be told, and the sooner the better.

  “Why don’t you look ahead and see if it works out?”

  Utter fear poured down Lilah’s face like someone pulling down a projector screen. “I can’t.”

  “I thought you grew into your powers?” Everleigh joked.

  “I did, but it’s too risky.”

  “How?”

  “Too many possible outcomes. If we look too far into the future,” Lilah paused trying to find the right words, but came up empty. “It can be bad.”

  “So don’t look that far. Take him in another room later and only look ahead as far as the conversation is concerned.”

  It made sense. Actually, it was brilliant. All she had to do was think of how she would put it into words when she started to talk to him, and she’d only have to look ahead a few minutes.

  Lilah’s eyes sparkled, and she smiled at Everleigh. “I’m going to do it. I’m going to tell him.”

  “Tell him what,” Luke asked as he entered the room.

  “You didn’t go back to the farm?”

  “Not a chance. It was pretty chaotic over there when I left,” he looked through the pantry and carried out a box of breakfast rolls and place them on the table. “So what is it you’re telling me then?” Luke sat down and glanced back and forth between the ladies.

  “Not you, dork,” Eveleigh’s eyes rolled.

  “I’m going to tell Jackson,” Lilah started to say.

  “About you?” Luke sat back in his chair so fast Lilah thought he might topple over.

  “Yeah, about me,” she said, smiling at how much it surprised him.

  “About damn time,” he said, hopping up to grab a cup.

  “Luke!” Everleigh yelled, turning to keep him in sight.

  “What? It’s the truth. It’s been a pain always having to watch what I say. Not my style.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lilah didn’t realize it had been so bothersome for anyone to keep her secret.

  “You don’t need to apologize to him,” Everleigh said disdainfully.

  “It sounded better in my head. I didn’t mean to make it out to be this big ordeal. Friends?” Luke seemed remorseful.

  “Yeah, friends.” The words struck Lilah as being odd since she had never had real friends before anyway. She could only be friendly with people, but never have a deeper connection than that.

  “Good,” Luke walked over. “Because I’m famished. I tapped Everleigh twice yesterday, so she needs a rest. Want me to go for the wrist or the neck?”

  Lilah jumped back in her chair so forcefully it fell over underneath her sending her sprawling to the floor. She composed herself quickly and jumped up lifting both arms in front of her similar to that of a boxer. It wouldn’t be her fists she hit him with, but her mind. There was no time to think about whether she was strong enough. She was going to fight as hard as she could.

  A small branch from a nearby tree hit the window, and Everleigh jumped between them. “What the hell, Luke?” she yelled out.

  “I had no idea,” he stared out the window at the tornado strength winds that had suddenly formed outside.

  “Lilah!” Everleigh was trying to get her focused. “Lilah! It was a joke. A stupid joke,” Everleigh glared at Luke. “But still a joke nonetheless. Luke doesn’t want your blood.”

  Nothing changed. She didn’t move a muscle, and her stare practically cut through Everleigh to the counter behind where she stood.

  Luke walked to the window and said over his shoulder, “It’s dying down. Keep going.”

  “Lilah,” Everleigh started again much calmer. “It’s me. You’re fine. Luke is an idiot. Everything is going to be fine.”

  For a second, Lilah’s eyes met Everleigh’s then the blank stare returned. It didn’t appear as though Lilah would be alright at first, but the winds had died down drastically.

  “That’s it,” Everleigh comforted her. “Just breathe and relax.”

  Lilah’s arms started to lower and were soon back at her sides with her fists still clenched.

  Everleigh stood in front of her breathing in lifting her hands with the palms up in front of her chest. Then breathing out while flipping her hands over and pushing down.

  Eventually Lilah started mirroring the breathing techniques. She looked around lost for a brief moment before landing her eyes on Luke. The chair was still on the floor, and she knelt to set it upright without removing her eyes from his back.

  “Damn it, Luke!” Everleigh yelled at him. “What were you thinking?”

  “I was thinking it’d be funny. I didn’t expect all this.” He continued to watch out the window until everything returned to normal.

  Lilah was feeling more like herself and sat back down. It was a little bit funny now that she was aware it had been only a joke. Vampires were still a relatively new concept as far as she was concerned. There was a lot about them she didn’t fully understand yet including their feeding habits.

  “Man, just wait till the others get up.” Luke clapped his hands and turned to face the ladies his eyes dancing with delight.

  “You are not going to tell them about this,” Everleigh ordered.

  “Tell them? Hell, no! I’m going to show them!” Luke ran out of the room and back upstairs to where he and Meredith had spent the night.

  There was no time for Lilah to dwell on his words. She put her palms f
lat on the table and concentrated on the space between them. Breathe in. Slowly blow out. Repeat. She knew someone would stop him if he seriously wanted to try to upset her again for sport. Breathe in. They would do it for their own benefit to not draw suspicion if nothing else. Breathe out.

  “You’re doing great, Lilah,” Everleigh encouraged. “Can I do anything to help?”

  With one hand, Lilah slowly pushed her coffee cup toward Everleigh.

  Laughing, she stood up. “No problem. More caffeine coming up.”

  Lilah was still focused on her breathing when she heard her Uncle Todd, “How are you feeling?”

  Her head cranked up so fast it almost hurt. “Uncle Todd!” she yelled and ran to give him a hug. “How did you get in?”

  “Back door. Seems to be the way we’re all getting around, isn’t it?”

  Lilah glanced at Everleigh, but chose to ignore the comment. “I’m feeling much better. Thank you,” she smarted off at his lack of concern over why she had to sneak out in the first place.

  “I’m not buying it,” he snorted. “My car was almost blown off the road twice on the way here.”

  Everleigh sat Lilah’s cup on the table and softly touched her shoulder to get attention. “Come sit and relax.”

  Lilah sat down and held the cup in front of her. She didn’t want to admit to anyone least of all her uncle that her power was out of her control. It would rationalize the use of medication to tame her. “I thought you were asking if I was recovering from what happened at the house.”

  “It is apparent you’re feeling better if you’re stirring up storms, and I’m glad you are well,” Todd opened a cabinet and found the one with the mugs on his first try.

  “Luke was being a trickster this morning and caught Lilah off guard,” Everleigh tried to explain the reason behind Lilah’s outburst of energy.

  Todd poured a cup and joined them at the table. “He’s always been a loose cannon, that one. I’ll talk to him.”

  “How’s mom and dad?” Lilah’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Are they mad?”

  “At you?” Todd’s shock was evident. “No, they are not mad at you. They’re fine. Uncle Brian, not so much.”