Earth: The Elementals Book Two

by Jennifer Lush

  It was starting to get dark when the farmhouse came into sight. Everleigh parked her car along the road near the growth covered fence where it would be out of view. She walked a ways down the road past the house until she could use the cover of the trees to get there without being seen. The layout was familiar to her, and she could have found her way blindfolded in the dark. Countless times over the years she had ran the length of the small timber bordering the old house while the coven was busy working. The little red car her aunt drove was coming up the drive when she made it safely to the rear of the home.

  All those years, Everleigh had never suspected the farmhouse belonged to a member of Air. It was one of a laundry list of questions she had for her grandma, but knew better than to ask. Considering her grandma had long been adamant against the Elemental groups becoming too close, it surprised Everleigh when she learned that she was friends with someone in Air. Not just friends, but close enough to have free use of their property.

  The phone in her pocket buzzed, and she nearly screamed. She pulled it out thinking it was her aunt, but it was Jackson.

  “Lilah just called. She said she’d been asleep most of the day. What’s going on? I thought you would have her by now.”

  “I can’t talk. I’m outside her house,” Everleigh whispered loudly, using as hushed a voice as she could that would allow him to still hear her.

  “Good. I told her you were on your way.” Jackson hung up. She knew he was still pissed at her for agreeing he should stay behind.

  Everleigh watched Matt and Rita get out of her aunt’s car. That’s new she thought. She sent a text asking where Luke was.

  Her aunt stopped to read it. Turning to tell the others to hang on, she called Everleigh. “I dropped him off to keep an eye on Jackson once I learned these two were available to come out here in case things go wrong.”

  “He didn’t say anything about Luke when he called just now.”

  “What did he want?”

  “To tell me Lilah called.”

  “I had hoped she would be awake. I have something that will help alleviate the effects of what she’s been given, but she needs to drink it. Let her know you’re here.”

  Everleigh hung up with her aunt then called her friend. Lilah answered quickly. They talked briefly, and Lilah wanted to use her window to sneak out. She was surprised that Lilah didn’t know there were bars on the window. It was even more surprising Jackson didn’t tell her when he spoke to Lilah just now. He was behaving as he had promised. Everleigh explained that she would help Lilah sneak out the back door, but she wasn’t sure how much of the conversation Lilah understood or would remember.

  There was something definitely wrong, and she worried it went beyond sleeping pills. Lilah wasn’t acting quite right, and her speech was slurred. It was hard to understand her at times. She needed to buy a little time, so she told her that her Aunt Meredith was on the way not already here.

  They hung up, and she sent another text to her aunt. “Lilah needs us. Now!”

  “I’m going to try to sneak upstairs. Sit tight a little bit longer.”

  Everleigh took a few steps back into the shelter of the trees to wait until she knew what to do next. The air was getting colder, and she shivered in spite of the heavy coat she was wearing. She wanted her friend to be alright no matter what, but for Jackson’s sake, she wanted it with every fiber of her being. She could only hope her aunt would be able to help her.

  The phone in her pocket wouldn’t stop vibrating, and she knew it was Jackson. That poor pup was worried sick. She took a couple more steps back and answered. “I don’t have her yet.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Calm down. You know what the hell will happen if you lose control.”

  There was silence on the line except for the sound of his deep breathing, and Everleigh knew he was practicing the techniques she taught him years ago to keep his temper in check.

  “Alright. I’m calm. Did you get caught?”

  “Nah. She’s…I don’t know. Something’s wrong, but you better keep your cool.”

  “Do you need me to come out there?” he was obviously upset.

  She closed her eyes and scrunched up her face. She knew better. This boy was a walking time bomb. “No. I need you to-”

  “Calm down,” he huffed.

  She heard him take a deep breath and exhale.

  “What’s the plan?” he asked in a normal voice again.

  “I’m waiting to hear from my aunt.”

  “That’s the plan. Waiting.”

  Everleigh knew he had to be mad, but his voice didn’t give it away. “I’m waiting to hear the plan. Just stay on the phone until she texts me, and then you will know as soon as I hear from her.”

  There was talking in the background. He must be talking to Luke. It was comforting knowing Meredith left him behind, but she wondered if Luke would even be enough to stop Jackson if he got too worked up. If she had to guess, her money would be on Jackson.

  “You there? I got a text.”

  She lowered the phone to check the message. It was time.

  “Alright, I have to go. My aunt wants me to sneak up to Lilah’s room. She’s going to create a diversion.”

  Murmured voices followed.

  “Jackson?” she asked, not wanting to just hang up on him.

  “Yeah, I’m here. Hey, Luke is on his way in case you guys need help.”

  That was the last thing Everleigh wanted to hear.

  “Everleigh?” It was Luke’s voice on the line.

  “He can’t be alone. You know that.”

  “Listen. Either I go or he does. Take your pick. The only thing keeping him sane right now is knowing I’ll be there if something goes wrong.”

  “Fine. But when my aunt is going off on me-”

  “I’ll take responsibility. Don’t worry.”

  Everleigh gave up. It’s not like she really had a choice. She couldn’t force him to stay. “I got to go.” She hung up.

  She walked quietly up to the back porch and waited by the inside door. There was a doorway to the kitchen only a few feet inside. She just needed to make sure no one was around. Any one of them could look down the hall at any time, and she’d be busted.

  Just then, her aunt came out of the kitchen doorway. Everleigh sensed it was her. Well, her or Rita, but definitely Earth. She peaked through the side of the window and her aunt motioned for her to come inside.

  The door didn’t make any sound thankfully. An old farmhouse like this was usually filled with various noises reminding you of its age. She slipped into the kitchen behind her aunt who was slowly walking down the hall to join the group in the living room.

  There was only one actual door off the kitchen. The other two entrances were only open doorways. It had to be for the backstairs. Everleigh opened it and closed it softly behind her. She could breathe easy again. She checked the message from her aunt. It said at the top of the stairs, Lilah is the door to the left. Easy enough.

  She creeped up the stairs as quietly as she could, but each step groaned under her feet. The family was gathered downstairs and wouldn’t be able to detect her because she was Earth. Not that it mattered. They were all in some intense conversation and probably wouldn’t pick up on another presence in the house being so occupied. It’s not like they were Water sniffing out everything in range. If the stairs made much more noise, they might hear something which would tip them off.

  Everleigh was in the bedroom in no time. Lilah was asleep. She was sprawled on the bed in what had to be an uncomfortable position. Her face was wet, but Everleigh couldn’t tell if it was sweat or something else.

  “Hey,” she said, speaking as loud as she would venture.

  Nothing. Not even a twitch.

  She walked up to her and began shaking her gently. “Wake up.”

  Still not a movement. It scared her.

  “Hey…Hey!” she started becoming frantic, shaking her harder now.

  Lilah’
s eyes blinked open then closed again.

  This was going to be harder than she thought it would be. She pulled her upright and tried to figure out the best way to do this. Lilah was out of it. She had no idea what was going on and barely remembered the conversation after they just had it. When she cracked a joke, Everleigh was relieved. Lilah would be okay.

  Getting her downstairs might prove to be a challenge. She can’t even sit up on her own Everleigh thought as she reached for everything Lilah might need. There would be time for all of this later. For now, she would just drape the coat on Lilah’s shoulders and carry the rest.

  Everleigh knelt down and explained what they had to do. She wasn’t sure Lilah comprehended most of it. It looked like she was already a little better in the few minutes since she found her passed out on the bed. Hopefully Lilah would be able to do some of the walking.

  They made it down the stairs, but it was not easy. Lilah couldn’t only go one step at a time, and it felt like minutes ticked by before she was finally ready to move on to the next one. The kitchen was clear, so she let her aunt know they were ready.

  The two of them stood with barely enough room to breathe while they waited for some kind of diversion that would hopefully give them the opportunity to sneak out the back door. It was risky, and Everleigh hoped she wouldn’t find out what would happen if they were seen by anyone. It didn’t help that they didn’t yet know who was behind what happened to Lilah and whether it was a rogue Air or the family. Worse. There was always the slight chance it was someone from outside the family entirely.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Meredith’s phone dinged. She didn’t have to look at it. It was her niece telling her the girls were ready. The frenzy she caused by walking into the house with Matt in tow was still high. They were comically unprepared to have a wolf in their midst regardless of which side he was on. It wouldn’t take much to bring the current argument of whether to trust him to new heights, but she had more devious thoughts on her mind. Luke’s unexpected arrival didn’t help anyone calm down, especially her. It was made abundantly clear he was to stay behind to keep Jackson in check, but she would have to deal with that later.

  Todd was standing in the kitchen doorway nearest the group, but no one would be able to see the girls leave the stairway from where they were gathered. With the three of them in the room and Luke outside, it would be unlikely anyone would detect Everleigh sneaking out with Lilah even if they tripped and fell at this point. Their attention was muted and distracted. The girls needed cover in the hallway. It would only take one look. Just one person to see movement from the corner of their eyes or to happen to glance in that direction, and it would be over. It was the only likely way they’d get caught.

  She eyed Todd until he noticed her stare. Her eyes meticulously shifted to the hall and back. If only there had been time to include him in the plan. He was one Air who could always be trusted.

  It didn’t take long for him to pick up on her signals, and luckily, he never questioned her. He stood up straight from the doorframe he had been leaning against then walked to the entrance of the hallway. One corner of Meredith’s mouth turned up to a conniving grin watching him slyly point to the opposite side of the hall and the floor as if to ask where do you want me.

  The backdoor was a straight shot down from the main room, and the girls would be less visible behind him. She glanced to the wall that adjoined the kitchen. He leaned into it crossing his arms.

  Now for this fight. Shooting Todd one last impish look, she turned her attention back to the argument in progress all around her. “None of you have any room to talk,” she told the group loudly.

  Their eyes quickly set upon her which is exactly what she wanted. If everyone was focused on her near the front of the house, the girls could slip out easier. “You’re going to sit here and act like you’re better than the rest of us?”

  There were already remarks being fired back at her. This was going perfectly. “Just because Marcus was the saint who didn’t eat the forbidden fruit doesn’t mean the rest of you get to go your entire lives not being held accountable for your wrong doings.”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw the stairway door opening. She only needed a couple of minutes. “The southern wolves have been friends with my kind for centuries. They’ve vowed to help us fight. All of us!”

  Several in the room tried to protest they were still wolves, and of course they would be wary. She let them say their piece for a moment before dropping the real bomb on them.

  The girls were entering the hallway, and Meredith glanced at them for only a second over Todd’s shoulder. He turned to follow her gaze, but she wasn’t worried. He would trust she knew what she was doing.

  “Enough!” she yelled at everyone. “The real enemy is you!”

  An entire room of Air gasped and reeled as though she had smacked all of them in the face simultaneously. Even Todd straightened up at her accusation.

  “What kind of person...What kind of family poisons their own daughter?”

  Looks were quickly exchanged among them, and it was clear to her they were shocked by her question. It wasn’t a family decision as she had suspected. Air does everything with group approval. This was done by only one or maybe a few without the consent of the rest.

  Todd started to take a step then checked to see if anyone was behind him before coming into the middle of the group. “My friend,” he said to her. “Please explain.”

  She eyed everyone in the entire room scanning their faces to see if any would give away their guilt. There was one sitting quietly with his head in his hands. It looked like she found the culprit, but she needed to be sure. Without taking her eyes off of him, she began. “Lilah. That’s what I’m talking about.”

  The girl’s name made the man cringe, and Meredith had no more doubts.

  “What about Lilah?” her mom asked, jumping from the recliner.

  Lilah’s dad was making a move for the stairs.

  “She’s not up there,” Meredith said dryly. She needed to keep them in the room as long as possible. The girls still had to get to Jackson’s house safely.

  “Where is she?” Myles demand. The tone of his voice suggested that she might have some part in whatever happened to his daughter.

  “I know you’re upset,” she told him. “You’ve every right to be. The only thing I’ve done is save your daughter’s life.”

  He joined his wife trying to console her. “Saved her life?” Lilah’s mom asked, repeating the words as if they were not making sense.

  “She will be fine, Abby. Know that.”

  Tears fell from Abby’s face. It made Meredith twinge a bit with remorse at the way she had broken the news. ‘This will be in our favor,’ she thought. ‘Once they realize for themselves that they are not above having bad apples in their perfect family, maybe they can see the opposite could be true. That there is a tribe of good wolves out there too.’

  “One of you, however, took it upon yourself to keep her prisoner and controlled for lack of a better way of putting it.”

  Meredith took a step toward Todd. “Will you go check for yourself? There are bars on the outside of her bedroom window preventing her from leaving unless she walks past her captor.”

  Todd turned and ran down the back hall to the door. He was outside and back in seconds. It never ceased to amaze Meredith the speed Air had. They couldn’t outrun a Water in wolf form, but no mere human would ever catch up to one.

  “It’s true. There are bars.”

  Muffled gasps and concerns went through everyone. She let them have a minute to digest the appetizer before she hit them with the big news.

  “I’m not saying I approve of this method, but she had been sneaking out a lot which caused her parents to worry,” one of the Air family explained.

  Meredith nodded and crossed her arms taking a firm stance in front of them. “I can see that. I mean I don’t approve either, but I can understand the logic in your statement. Maybe you can
help me see the logic in this as well.”

  She paused again savoring this moment. It didn’t really suit her to be petty, but this family had long disapproved of her friendship with Todd. Lilah’s parents were among the few who accepted her which made what happened to Lilah even worse as far as she was concerned. Lilah was almost family to her.

  “What would drugging her accomplish?”

  There was a loud and unified gasp from the whole room. Shocked expressions on every face. That was except for one. The same man in the back hiding his face in his hands who was now rocking as this blow had been delivered.

  Lilah’s mom went into a frantic state sobbing and clinging to her husband who had tears streaming down his face as well. It hurt Meredith to cause them pain, and she went to them.

  She knelt in front of them and told them gently. “Your daughter will be fine. She’s safe now. I saw to it.”

  They couldn’t speak, but Myles reached out and patted her hand. Meredith could feel the words in their heart even though their voices were lost.

  Everyone was silent as they processed what they just heard. There was a poetic quality in taking it slow. She needed to buy the girls as much time as she could, and she could savor the once in a lifetime moment of having the upper hand, knowing something they didn’t. It could also be said that she was being kind in giving them time to recover before adding insult to injury. It all seemed to click in her favor.

  Meredith stood and faced the room again. This time from nearer to the hallway to keep eyes away from the front of the house. There were curtains draped over each window, but there was nothing wrong with being overly cautious. It was better not to risk someone noticing movement outside.

  “I gave her an herbal remedy which will counter the effects of the drugs in her system. It was a tough call not knowing exactly what she had been given, but it seems to be working.”