Dark Fire

by Bethany Wicker

  This was a big deal for elementals because they were pretty primitive. Previously, the only way Mom could contact me was through letters, and that wasn’t enough.

  After a few rings, Jeremiah picked up. His voice sounded tired when he answered and I immediately asked why.

  “School sucks without you, Ky, but that doesn’t mean I want to join you. Apparently my parents have other plans though. They’re sending me to the same school that you’re at.”

  There was no excitement laced in his voice, but my heart had accelerated with the thought of having a true friend in that hellhole.

  “When are you coming here?”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad one of us is happy about it.”

  “We could be each other’s anchor through it and it’s only for one year.”

  “It’s only one year,” he mimicked. “That wasn’t what you were saying when you had to leave last week.”

  “Yeah, but I had nobody. At least you know you’ll have me. You still didn’t answer me. When are you coming here?”

  He sighed. “Well, my parents are apparently trying to move closer to yours, so I’ll be coming down once they do. Not sure how long that’ll take.”

  I chewed on my thumb absentmindedly but remembered the sword. “I have a task for you before you leave to come here.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Jeremiah listened intently as I explained the tapestry and where I found the sword. The sword’s ability to ‘talk’ was left out since I wasn’t sure if it was real or not. When I was finished, it took Jeremiah a second to speak.

  “How did you walk through the wall?”

  “I’m not sure,” I answered. “I put my hand on the wall and went through it. Can you just check it out for me? I didn’t get the chance to investigate it before I left.”

  “Yeah, I’ll see what it’s all about, but it still sounds pretty strange.”

  “Tell me about it,” I moaned. Life could never be simple when it came to me.

  We talked for a while longer and I told him about not wanting to make friends. I even mentioned how Nova and Remy were making it hard to stay tough. Of course Jeremiah wanted to know more about them, so I happily told him.

  He asked a few questions when I began explaining how the classes worked and how pointless they were.

  “They may be pointless to you, but they obviously mean something to the humans,” was Jeremiah’s response.

  I growled at him, but he only laughed.

  “Stop acting like a tiger,” he teased. “Friends might make it easier to get through the year.”

  “I don’t care to play friends with a human.”

  “Come on, they can’t be that bad.”

  To be honest, they weren’t, but I wasn’t admitting that out loud to anyone. Not even Jeremiah.

  Saying goodnight, I hung up and fell back onto my bed. Mom came to check on me, noting that I missed dinner, but I waved her off. My excuse was that I was tired from the adjustment. She bought it and she and Dad left me alone for the rest of the night.

  All this stress was exhausting me, so I didn’t lie to her. I just didn’t elaborate on it.

  I sulked a little longer before drifting off into a restless sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen: Remy

  Three weeks passed and I still hadn’t talked to Kyler. She was still being stubborn and I was determined to not let her win this round. That didn’t stop my eyes from trailing after her as she walked though. She was stunning and still took my breath away when I saw her.

  No amount of will power could stop me from feeling the way I did. I was proud enough that I’d kept my lips sealed for this long. Something would have to change soon though because the silence was getting unbearable. Kyler would never admit it, but I could tell that it was eating her up inside too.

  It was Friday and I was getting ready to meet some friends at a party with Ethan, Alice, and Isabelle. Isabelle stuck by my side like she was glued there, so I ignored her the best I could.

  “So, you mean to tell me you never got her into bed?” Ethan looked at me appalled.

  “She wanted nothing to do with me, so how could I have gotten Kyler into bed?” I raised my eyebrows at him. Not that that was what I was even aiming for. I wanted more than a hook up.

  “Easy. You talk to her. You should invite her tonight and try it. Turn on that sexy charm and she can’t help but to climb into bed with you.”

  “You’re disgusting,” Alice chided. “I don’t even know why we hang out with you. There’s nothing sexy about you.”

  Anger pulsed through me at what he was implying he would do with Kyler. I was thinking the same thing as Alice and was about to voice it, but Ethan jumped up angrily.

  “I am not disgusting. I’m just ambitious and know what I want.” Ethan crossed his arms.

  “Why would Remy want Kyler when he has me?” Isabelle inquired.

  All three of us looked at her like she was crazy. Which, she was.

  “How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t like you like that,” I countered.

  “You do,” Isabelle argued. “You just don’t see it yet, but I’m convinced you will after tonight.”

  I just blinked at her and headed to the car without saying anything. It was a quiet ride to the party and I was going to be the designated driver, like usual. Not only did I hate the taste of alcohol, but it was also very hard for an elemental to get drunk. At least that was why I was assuming I never did. So, I’d given up and resigned to being the DD. It was a good idea since they usually had more fun than me at these things anyway. I enjoyed watching the tipsy teens instead of being one of them.

  So, the night passed with me enjoying the show. Isabelle kept trying to push herself on me, dance on me, and flirt with me, but I shut down any attempt. I didn’t want to think of dating Isabelle when a certain brown-haired girl lingered on my mind.

  Isabelle’s dancing wouldn’t stop that and I didn’t want it to. I decided that I had to lose in order to win her over and would find some way to get her to talk to me. I was so back and forth but that was only because she drove me crazy. It was starting to give me whiplash though.

  Kyler had to be my mate and I wasn’t going to risk losing her because I was being as stubborn as her. I couldn’t explain how I knew that. I just felt it resonating in my bones and I had to fight for her.

  With my resolve set, I hid from Isabelle outside by the pool and plotted how I would get Kyler to acknowledge me.

  Thankfully, Isabelle and Ethan were passed out on the way to their houses. Alice stayed up with me, but was totally plastered. She kept trying to have a conversation with me but would switch topics in the middle of her sentences. She even leaned towards me a few times and perked up her breasts so I would notice them, but it was only because she was drunk. She would never do that if she was sober, but I was quick to drop her off first. She left with a pouty lip, but I sped off. I would probably tease her for that on Monday.

  Isabelle was a lot harder to get out and I had to half-drag her into her house. Her parents didn’t even stir since they were used to our weekend outings.

  Finally, I was home, but wasn’t free of them all. Ethan was sleeping over since his parents hated when he came home late. He leaned on me the whole way up to my floor and immediately fell back asleep on the couch.

  It made me question why I always volunteered to drive them in the first place.

  Because you hate being alone…

  I hated that that lingering thought held so much truth.

  Chapter Fourteen: Kyler

  Three weeks flew by without Nova or Remy talking to me. Remy’s eyes would follow me as I moved by him, but that was about it. Nova had gone back to doing things alone and was no longer eating lunch with me. I fell into a new, comfortable routine.

  Classes were no different, except that I’d become Coach Black’s favorite student. He reminded me every time he saw me that track practice would begin on Monday. My mom was so excited when I’d as
ked for permission to participate in it. She’d jumped around the kitchen doing a dance like she’d just won something. Dad and I watched her act like a fool. Ben and Finn had been outside training their elements and had hurried inside the house to see what was going on. They’d heard Mom’s excited squeal all the way in the back yard.

  Monday we’d also have the test on the Scarlet Letter and I was ready to show Mr. Callahan not to underestimate me. He ignored me in class except when he spared the occasional glare whenever he realized I wasn’t paying attention.

  After getting home on Friday, it was strange to be looking forward to school on Monday. I never thought the day would come. It felt weird without having a pestering Remy or Nova, but I was invisible, like I’d wanted from the beginning. Well, almost. Coach Black always noticed me.

  I woke up bright and early Saturday morning before anyone else to get some private training in. Walking through the woods in the opposite direction of school, I came upon my favorite clearing that was topped off with a beautiful creek. It was exactly how I’d left it years ago.

  The water was freezing on my bare feet as I stepped in, but it was refreshing. Staying ankle deep, I called fire to my palms. It obeyed and encircled my hands and forearms. The heat countered the chill from the water and my shoulders slackened. This was too peaceful to be true.

  But it wasn’t.

  This was my escape when I was younger and needed a break from the others. It was where I’d mastered both fire and darkness when I came home for the holidays before we’d moved.

  Extinguishing the flames, I decided to try my skill at controlling earth again. The branches moved with my hands, as if the trees were dancing in response to my presence. My heartbeat quickened as I pulled the branches in closer and made the vines do my bidding. This was so empowering. Earth wasn’t as pretty of an element as fire was, but it would still come in handy. It was also easier to control. I could do it without having to think too hard.

  Chewing on my lip, I eyed the water. Those words from the sword rang through my head and I wondered if water would be the fourth element I could manipulate. With my palms outward, I focused on the water. It didn’t budge and I felt like an idiot as my arms dropped back to my sides. Well, water was out, at least for now.

  The ground was soft as my butt plopped down on the edge of the creek. My eyes narrowed at the flowing water. I could still have an affinity to it, but it may not be ready to show. The ability to control earth developed when frustration had seeped in. Maybe anger and annoyance was needed to trigger the next element too.

  If there was one.

  I had been basing my theory off words that were spoken by an object that didn’t have a mouth. Now, thinking it through, it only made me sound crazier.

  A groan escaped my mouth as I fell back, lying in the grass. This was stupid. I wasn’t even supposed to have two elements, let alone four. Blades of grass poked me wherever skin was exposed. It was itchy and made me get up sooner than I’d wanted.

  Everyone in the house was wide-awake by the time I made it back. Breakfast had been cooked and my stomach rumbled in response. Mom questioned where I’d been but I just told her training. That little oasis was still all my own and I would keep it that way as long as I could.

  Dad decided we should have a family day today because it’d been awhile since we’d had one. Mom was elated at that idea, so we spent the whole day telling stories, playing games, and enjoying each other’s company. It made me realize just how much I missed Ben and Finn while I was at Westville and stuck in that other house.

  Of course we played Mom’s favorite game: speed. I kept the fact that I’d been practicing with Jeremiah at Westville hidden as I eagerly awaited my turn. Tonight would be the night that I’d finally defeat Mom.

  “How come you always win?” Dad complained when Mom beat him for the fifth time.

  She’d also already beaten both Ben and Finn twice.

  “Because I’m faster and more skilled than you.” Mom poked out her tongue.

  “My turn,” I challenged.

  I hadn’t played Mom yet since everyone else was attempting to defeat the master. Nobody had won yet, but I would fix that.

  “You’re on.” Mom made a show of cracking her knuckles.

  Mom set the game up and it was on. The two of us moved as fast as we could to clear our cards. The lower our piles got, the more vicious we became. Mom kept knocking my hand out of the way, so I did the same. It was neck and neck.

  “Bam,” I cheered as I slapped down my last card.

  There was finally a new champion and Mom complained about it for the next half-hour. She was a sore loser since she rarely lost. I’d earned bragging rights and even managed to talk my way out of doing the dishes. Mom wasn’t up for gaming after that so we picked everything up.

  That night, I skipped happily on my way to bed with the cloud of victory hanging over my head.

  In my room, the sword called to me. I tugged it out from under my mattress and fingered the blade. I was mesmerized for a moment before I forced myself to put it back. It was as if the sword was trying to invade my mind whenever I held it and it gave me goosebumps.

  Chapter Fifteen: Remy

  I had to sleep with my contacts in since Ethan slept over last night. They clung to my eyes when I awoke and I had to use artificial tears to moisten them again.

  Ethan was still snoring in the guest room when I stepped out of mine. He must’ve found his way to it last night. Filling a cup up with ice cold water, I took it back to the room and held it over Ethan’s head. He jumped up and gasped for air after I tipped it over.

  “Dude, not cool.” Ethan glared at me.

  My laughter proved I thought otherwise.

  “Ugh, I feel terrible. Why’d you wake me up anyway?” he grumbled and held his head.

  “I figured we could go get some breakfast. I’m starving.”

  “Yum. I could really go for some greasy bacon.”

  “Then, get up. Let’s go before breakfast ends.”

  Ethan got up after that and didn’t even bother changing out of the clothes from last night. I, on the other hand, had a fresh shirt and jeans. I could never wear the same thing twice. I felt too dirty and sometimes went through three outfits in a day. It was a weird habit I’d developed ever since I was younger.

  Nova was supposed to be our waitress, but I saw her grab someone else. I couldn’t blame her for not wanting to serve us. We were jerks to her. Ethan more than anyone else.

  “So, are you done playing games with the new girl yet so I can make a move?” Ethan questioned after the waiter took our drink orders.

  “No, dude. Back off already.”

  “I believe I staked my claim first, so I shouldn’t even have to ask permission to move in on her.” Ethan narrowed his eyes at me.

  “She’s mine,” I growled and hated how possessive I sounded. It was like I was about to sprout claws and fur like a werewolf. Maybe even pee on Kyler to get the point across.

  Ethan’s eyes softened and it was a strange sight. “You really like her, don’t you?”

  “W-what? N-no.”

  “Come on, dude. I’ll back off if you admit it.”

  “Alright, I like her a lot.”

  Ethan sniggered. “She won’t even give you the time of day. You’re screwed, man.”

  “Thanks for the encouragement,” I mumbled.

  The waiter set down our coffees and took our food order.

  “I thought we were supposed to find a new place to eat,” Ethan stated.

  “They have the best breakfast here though.”

  “Yeah, you’re right about that. I’m starved and hope it doesn't take too long.”

  Thankfully, it didn't and the conversation died once we got our food. The two of us scarfed it down and jetted out. We could both feel the glares from Nova on our retreating backs.

  “How did that weird chick get in with your girl? Maybe you could ask her for advice.”

  “Nova?” I
asked and he nodded his head in response. “Yeah, right. Like that girl would ever help me. She hates us if you haven’t noticed.”

  Ethan shrugged his shoulders. “It’s worth a try. You mind dropping me off at home? I want to take a shower and get out of these clothes.”

  “Yeah, no problem.”

  We didn’t talk as I drove him home and it gave me a chance to think about what he said. Maybe Nova would come in handy. I just had to figure out how to even get her to talk to me. She hated us and I could understand why. I would hate us too, but maybe we could aid each other some kind of way.

  I dropped Ethan off and headed back to my abode to plot my next move.

  Chapter Sixteen: Kyler

  Monday started off exactly as I hoped it would. Mr. Callahan was flabbergasted when I turned in my test, especially after he didn’t even want to give me a copy. He said ‘it’d be a waste of trees’ since he assumed I wouldn’t complete it. The look on his face when he realized I’d passed had been priceless and would be etched in my memory forever. At least I could still have fun with the teachers at this human school like I did at Westville.

  I walked to my next class with my head held high. Nothing would bring me down. At least that was what I thought. Upon turning the corner in the hall, I didn’t like the scene I was met with. Three guys and two girls were surrounding Nova and Remy was one of them. From the look on Nova’s face, they weren’t complimenting her either.

  My hand gripped the nearest girl’s shoulder and I yanked her back. She let out a loud yelp before landing on her bottom. My glare shifted between Remy and the girl who’d approached us in the locker room, Isabelle.

  “These numbers hardly look fair,” I seethed.

  Isabelle didn’t move, but the others stepped away from me. The girl I’d knocked down was still on the ground. Her face was a mixture of shock and fear. I bared my teeth at Remy in anger and stepped closer to him before Isabelle could retort anything. He didn’t move back and met my hard eyes with softer ones.