by Jade Frances
“Knock, knock.” Sandra pushed the door open and shoved two pills in my face. I took them and swallowed them both whole without water. “Whoa, you look like crap. What did I miss last night? Better not have been a party.”
“Nothing, just a terrible night’s sleep,” I groaned and tried to stand.
“Here, these will help,” Sandra handed me a pair of sunglasses. Which I took gratefully. “I’ll wait while you get dressed.” She sauntered back into the bedroom and threw me in some clothes. “So, you notice anything weird about Rose lately?” She called through the door. Pain pulsed across my temple.
“Can’t say that I have,” I replied. Thankful that there was a door between us.
“Mm, something’s up with her. Never mind, I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
I groaned again and opened the door. Sandra gave me a once over and looked at me in disgust.
“Must have been one terrible night.”
“Yeah thanks Sandra,” I snapped. “Why are you here?”
For a second she looked hurt. Then she placed a beaming smile on her face and recovered.
“We leave in like, half an hour.” She checked her watch to make sure.
I heard footsteps outside and within minutes Adam and Pearce came barging through my door. Bringing with them a sense of déjà vu.
“What the hell guys?” Sandra shouted.
“The leader of New Wake Falls demanded Avetta’s presence immediately. We need to leave,” Pearce barked. I looked at Adam in shock. This can’t be good.
“I need a minute, I’ve only just taken tablets and my head’s really bad,” I told them. Both guys looked at me as if noticing me for the first time. Concern etched on both their faces. “I’m fine. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
All three left my room hastily, leaving me in silence. The pain that had been coursing through my head slowly turned into a dull throbbing. Painstakingly, I pulled a brush through my long hair. Taking two deep breaths, I took a quick glance in the mirror, put the sunglasses on and walked out. Straight into Adam.
“Sorry, I thought I would hang back and see if you were ok?”
“Fine, just a bad dream,” I said without thinking.
“What kind of dream?”
I squinted in the daylight. Even with the sunglasses on, it was a struggle.
“Just a nightmare, have you seen Rose?” I shrugged my shoulders and asked. Trying to act nonchalant about the dream.
“Yeah she’s already in one of the vans.”
I nodded and continued walking.
“You think this is about that guy last night?” I asked him. He shrugged his shoulders.
“Hopefully not. Maybe they’re just eager to meet us,” Adam kept his tone light. But I could tell he was thinking the same as I was. We were in deep trouble for venturing off alone. Again.
Pearce narrowed his eyes at us as we reached the vans.
“Hurry up,” he barked and pulled me to the side. “What is with you two?”
“He was just checking I was ok Pearce,” I yanked my arm free. Pointing to my head, I reminded him of my pain. “Indoor voice, please.” Climbing into the van, I shut the door slowly behind me so it didn’t bang. Pearce remained at the window for a full minute before he moved off to his own van. This was going to be a hellish day.
Only minutes after setting off, we pulled up outside of what I could only describe as a mansion. Much like the cottages in town, it was covered in vines. Bell flowers decorated the long balcony that ran along the entire front of the house. Tall pillars rose above the front entrance. As we all bundled out of our vans, Avetta held her hand up to stop us.
“Something isn’t right,” she whispered and edged her way forward. Pearce moved to my side, holding me slightly behind him. Howls ripped through the air and two wolves bounded down the stairs toward us.
Adam changed and launched himself in front of Avetta. A loud whistle halted the wolves from moving any further forward.
“You are not welcome here,” a voice boomed from beyond the door. It opened slowly, revealing a tiny woman on the other side. She was so petite, it shocked me that her voice could carry so far. Either side of her were two men. One, I recognised, was the man from last night. I groaned and shuffled directly behind Pearce. Hidden behind his massive frame.
“Athora, you asked us here. Demanded my presence, in fact,” Avetta called out whilst still ambling toward the mansion.
“To tell you that you are not welcome. And if you think I wouldn’t find out that your sidekick and her mutt were snooping around my town last night, you are very mistaken.”
I flinched behind Pearce, who gave me a stern look over his shoulder. Sorry, I mouthed. Not that it would do any good.
“I can only apologise for their behaviour. But you would well to remember whom you are speaking to pixie.” Avetta’s voice carried through the air with regality. That only angered Athora more.
“You may be our Queen Avetta but we do not have to follow or support your rule. Send your Siren forward.”
No, not me. My hands were trembling, and I was having difficulty breathing. I gripped Pearce’s arm, silently begging him not to move.
“This will not end well if you don’t go to her. I’ll be right behind you,” he whispered to me. Steadying my breathing and trying to pull some courage forward, I stepped out from behind him. Forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other, I made my way towards Athora. The guy from last night sneered at me. When I reached the steps, she walked down. She stopped on the second to last step, putting us at a level height. Leaning toward me, she kept her voice low and whispered.
“Akila was the one to banish Ares. You child, may have powerful energy residing within you. But you are weak. It is pitiful to see such power go to waste.” I recoiled from her and the hostility she was radiating. The contrast between her and Theodore couldn’t be any more different. She took a step back, glancing at me and the rest of the group. “I suggest you and your minions leave immediately Avetta, ensure you are miles away from here by this afternoon.”
Rage built inside me, overtaking any nervousness I had felt. A black mist formed in my mind. My rings charm kicked in to suppress it. But it wasn’t enough. How could Avetta let her be so dismissive and offensive?
“You are wrong. You have chosen a dark path and it will not bode well.” I took a step toward her, getting as close to her face as she had to mine. “My power is not a waste, and when the time comes, you will be the first to find that out.” The morning sun shone down on her blanched face. Her eyes went wide, and she opened her mouth to speak. No words left her mouth. She snapped it shut and glared at me. A dark wave of energy formed around her, reaching toward me. Pearce was tugging me back, but I held my ground. I would not show her anymore fear than I already had. I held my chin high and glared back at her.
“Leave,” she boomed. Turning, she strolled to the entrance and stood with her henchmen. Still, I remained rooted to the spot. My act of defiance.
“Evangeline, come.” Avetta snapped, calling on me like a dog. I didn’t move. Something inside me wanted to see how far I could push. To see if Athora would do anything.
“My, my, you are a petulant child,” her face transformed into a twisted smile. That was exactly what my father had called me. “The rise is upon us.” Her, and the guys behind her used their fingers to make out the letter V over their hearts, then raised them up to sky. “You’re doomed,” she added as she retreated back inside.
Pearce tugged at my arm again. This time I let him pull me along. I had made my point, or tried to. I stormed passed Avetta, not even looking in her direction. I knew she would have a word with me either way. But the pain in my head was coming back with a vengeance, and all I wanted was to sit behind the tinted windows of the campervan. I threw myself inside and waited for the others.
“What was that about?” Rose asked as she stepped in.
“Yeah care to explain?” Sandra added.
“Not really. She
was a rude little woman who needed to be put in her place,” I told them, holding my head in my hands.
“And you thought you would be the one to do it?” Sandra shoved my arm, wanting my full attention. I looked up at her and narrowed my eyes.
“I didn’t see either of you doing or saying anything,” I snapped.
“We weren’t the ones that were beckoned forward. Further reinstating my point that we aren’t needed Rose,” she turned to give Rose a pointed look.
“Enough now, does it matter? We wouldn’t have been welcome, regardless. It seems that woman had her mind made up before we even arrived,” Rose said, always the voice of reason. Sandra fell quiet, and I went back to holding my head in my hands. Massaging my temples wasn’t working as well as I had hoped. What is this pain?
***
“Sit down, Evangeline,” Avetta demanded. I took a seat on the sofa in her suite. Adam was already seated and looking at me blankly. We both already knew it would not be a pleasant talk. “Do either of you have any idea how important this tour is? Do you even care?” Avetta was throwing her hands in the air and pacing in front of us. “Well?”
“We just wanted to take a look around,” Adam mumbled.
“Oh, so you think it’s acceptable to take a look around a town you haven’t yet been welcomed in, do you?”
“No, we just... I just wanted to get away from everyone for a while.” Adam looked relaxed. But he wasn’t giving much away. As an Alpha, I’m sure he was finding this talking too hard.
“As for you, Evangeline. What in God’s name do you think you were playing at, at Athora’s personal dwellings?” Uh oh, here came my turn. Adam had probably got off lightly compared to what I was about to get. But I had done no wrong.
“She was rude and offensive. I would not allow her to talk to me that way.” I met Avetta’s gaze with as much might as I could muster.
“You are new to this world! A child compared to the rest of us,” she shouted at me. Child. Petulant child. That’s all I ever hear.
“And that’s the problem! You all treat me like a child, yet want to use me as a beacon of light! Decide. Am I a child who can enjoy her life or your minion that has to follow you around doing as she’s told?” I shouted back, my anger getting the better of me.
“You take that tone and lower it Evangeline. I have been nice until now. But no more. You will abide by my rules on this tour. And now you will remain under constant supervision,” she barked at me. I watched as she walked over to the door and opened it. Gesturing for us to leave. With my head held high, I stood and walked passed her. As soon as I stepped out of the room, I heard her mutter to herself.
“Why couldn’t they have gifted the fourth with someone who had more light inside them.”
We had been in the campervan from yesterday afternoon and throughout the night. Not even stopping to camp out this time. When I woke up this morning on the hard, stiff chair, I had wondered how today would go. I was angry with Avetta, angry with my heritage for putting me in this position, and now to top it off, there was no chance I would get to enjoy this tour. At least the pain in my head had disappeared and I’d had a peaceful night’s sleep. The sun had just risen but the girls hadn’t roused yet.
Rose was the first to open her eyes, blinking at me blankly.
“Good morning,” I whispered, not wanting to wake Sandra yet.
“Morning,” Rose stretched out her arms and legs and gave me a smile.
“How are you doing? With everything?” I asked, hoping that she would catch my meaning.
“Ok, I guess. It’s not really a choice I’m able to make yet.” She glanced nervously at Sandra. She was still sound asleep and muttering incoherent words.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I spoke with Barak after you left my room. I can’t choose between you girls and him until this is all over. We need our connection more now than ever.” She threw her hands around as she spoke.
Sandra shifted, and Rose froze. Peeling her eyes open, she looked at us suspiciously.
“Is it morning already?” Like Rose, Sandra stretched herself out and rolled out her shoulders. “What you two talking about?” She asked as she yawned.
“Nothing much, hoping the next place is a lot better than the last,” Rose answered a bit too fast. Sandra turned one of her eyebrows up at her.
“Well Egan said we are heading toward Avetta’s sisters compound. So no doubt it’s a place we will be welcome.”
Well, that was good news. I don’t think I could stand another visit like the last one. I wish we had just stayed with the Zaruba Clan and Theodore could have spread the word about us.
“Well, that’s a relief, I hope we get there soon. I need a bath and a nice bed,” Rose sniffed at herself.
“You and me both! Hey, update.” Sandra banged on the back of Tam’s chair. I think he was growing used to it now.
“Half hour,” he huffed back.
As Tam had stated, half an hour later we were pulling up outside of a gated community. From where we were, there wasn’t much to see. As the gates opened to allow us entry, I stared at the massive blossom trees that arched over and lined the driveway. We drove for another five minutes before we came to a stop outside of a quaint house. There was a fountain on the forecourt that all three campervans had to manoeuvre around to get parked. Before all of us had stepped out of the vans, the door opened wide and out skipped the double of Avetta. Albeit a lot younger. There was no denying they were sisters. Yet the apparent age difference had me questioning it.
“Avetta, I am so glad you have made it. Gather everyone together and join me in the tearoom.”
“Callista, slow down. We have only just arrived. Give everyone five minutes to get their bearings,” Avetta laughed and shook her head. She joined Callista in front of the fountain and they pulled each other into a warm embrace.
“I’m just so glad you’re here. I heard all about that cow Athora. I cannot express my disappointment in her sister.” A deep frown settled above her eyes, causing her forehead to wrinkle. It made her look older, and I wondered if the closer I got, the older she might look.
“What’s done is done, we are here now. And I for one, plan to enjoy some downtime.” Avetta motioned for us all to get a move on and walked toward the house with Callista. Hurrying around, we grabbed our bags and took off behind them. As we walked into the entrance, I noticed how comparable it was to the academy. The walls were white and decorated with pictures. Before I had time to have a good look, they ushered us into a sitting room.
“Now, which one is she? No wait, let me get a feel and I’ll guess,” Callista’s eyes lit up as she walked toward us, looking at us all one by one. Feeling a little uncomfortable, I shuffled and pulled my sleeves over my arms, nervously glancing at the others. This is exactly what Sandra had been talking about. I was being singled out again, with the sense that I’m someone special. But I’m not, and I don’t want to be.
Callista came to a stop in front of me. Forcing myself, I looked up to meet her eyes.
“Lovely to meet you Evangeline. I look forward to getting to know you,” she took my hands in hers and squeezed them.
“Erm, thanks. You too,” I replied awkwardly. She dropped my hands and moved along to greet the others. After introductions had been made, we were excused us to settle into our rooms and unpack. Avetta told us we would stay here for a few days to recover from our travels before heading off again to the next clan. Sandra was in good spirits and excited to be out of the van. Rose was quiet again, but now that I knew what had been troubling her, it wasn’t unreasonable. A member of Callista’s community showed us all to our rooms upstairs. From the outside the house had looked quaint, but inside, it stretched back much further than I thought and was very spacious. My plan was to shower, lay down for half an hour, then have a brief look around. I wanted to look at the pictures in the entryway and see if a younger Avetta might be in them.
An hour later and feeling refreshed, I w
as stood in front of the pictures. There were many people in them, none that I could determine would be Avetta. Giving up, I walked to the French doors at the back of the house. The view from here was amazing. The garden was pretty and well kept. Again, blossom trees lined the back. Beyond that you could see other houses, some small and some large but all a replication of Callista’s. As I looked out, I felt Pearce behind me and was reminded that I now would have him by side all day, every day. I didn’t mind though, I’d had enough time to think on it in the campervan. Pearce could be fun, and I couldn’t get myself into any trouble here.
“I thought that we might go train,” he said, coming to a stop next to me, taking in the view as I had.
“I’m not in the mood for combat Pearce.”
“Not combat Evangeline. You were making progress with your gift with Theodore. We could work on that again. You’re getting stronger, I can feel it. Hell, I think everyone can. So I think it’s best if you continue trying to master your gifts.” I think that was possibly the most Pearce had ever said at any one time. Looking up at him, I smiled. I liked it when it was just the two of us. He acted normal and less guardian like.
“Sure, do you know where we can go?” I asked.
“Callista told me we could use anywhere in the grounds. Just set nothing alight, she said.” The corners of his mouth twitched. Opening the French doors, he stepped out onto the patio. The sun beat down on him and his grey eyes sparkled in the light. “Come on then. No time like the present.”
I followed him to the blossom trees at the back. If anyone looked out of the windows in the house, they would see us straight away. I couldn’t worry about people watching, though. I needed to master my gifts and hiding away to practice would not help me. Pearce had pulled rocks through the air to form a table of sorts. Placing one last big one in the centre.
“Let’s see if you can wrap your fire around this and lift it with air,” he suggested. I took off the jacket I had on and took up my usual stance. Fire sprung up on my right hand. Warmth flowed through me. Pushing my hand forward, I willed it to wrap itself around the rock. Small tendrils escaped the mass on my hand and started toward it. Swirling, they wrapped themselves around the rock. Satisfied, I diminished what was still left in my hand. Calling to the air, I gathered it between my palms. Like the fire, I willed it forward, creating small pockets under the rock. Taking a breath, I raised both hands. The rock shuddered and lifted slightly. My fire was dancing around it, it was entrancing to watch. Concentrating harder, I raised my hands again. This time the rock glided up into the air. Moving my hands from left to right, it followed the pattern. Lowering my hands, I placed it back on the makeshift table. Jumping up and down, I threw myself into Pearce’s arms and squealed in delight.