Different (Tainted Elements Book 1)

by Alycia Linwood

  “Oh.” My mom would be pissed off to find out that someone had done the genetic manipulation before and hadn’t told the world about it. “Does that mean your parents had different elements...?”

  “I don’t want to talk about them.” He cut me a cold glare, his lips tightly pressed together. Did that mean they were dead? I definitely didn’t want to poke in Jaiden’s bad memories, especially if they involved his family.

  “Do you believe in God of Magic?” I closed the book.

  “No.” He put the device on the desk and got to his feet. “Do you?”

  “Maybe,” I admitted. “I mean, there has to be something out there, but I don’t believe magic disease or our elements have anything to do with God. It’s just... I don’t know.”

  “So what?” He sat on the couch, closer to me. “You believe in God of Magic but not in what people say about him?”

  “Something like that,” I nodded.

  “Do you want me to get you another one?” He pointed at the closed book in my lap.

  “I don’t know yet.” I ran my hand over the cover. “I only read the first story about God of Magic and that one was boring, but obviously not boring enough to put me to sleep.”

  “Then open a random story.” The corners of his lips quirked up. “If you don’t like that one either, get a different book.”

  “Okay.” I closed my eyes and opened the book. A picture covered the whole page and it was divided in four parts, each one representing one of the elements. The explanation of the picture was written underneath it in tiny letters. “The hero, the strong, and the murderer shall meet. One path they all must choose or the elements shall swallow the earth.” I squinted at the page. “Umm, okay. One nonsensical prophecy.”

  “Let me get you another book.” Jaiden snatched the book out of my grip before I could say anything else, his face serious. He lifted the book in the air with his element and sent it flying to the shelf. The book gently landed on the shelf and another book with a blue cover popped out. Jaiden extended his hand and the book flew to him.

  “Nice,” I mumbled, wondering when I’d be able to do that. My air wasn’t that precise, and while I could lift books up and down, I couldn’t get them exactly where I wanted them.

  “Read this.” He handed me the book. “It’s one of my favorites.”

  I looked at the title. “Elemental Destiny?” I’d read that book some time ago. It was a fairytale about one elemental boy saving the world from the bad guys who wanted to destroy all magic. “It’s a good book, but...”

  “Can you read it? Out loud? Please?” Lying down, he leaned his head on the armrest.

  “Sure.” I opened the page and began to read. Soon enough, I was lost in the story.

  Chapter 15

  I cracked my bleary eyes open, my hand going for my neck. Every muscle in my body ached and I realized why. I’d fallen asleep on the sofa and I didn’t even remember at what point I’d gotten sleepy. Jaiden was lying on the couch, his eyes closed, one arm draped over his chest, the other hanging off the couch. One of the images on the computer was full of light, indicating that it was daylight outside. The book I’d been reading was lying on the floor, some of its pages wrinkled because of the way it had fallen. Aw, crap.

  I picked up the book and closed it, hoping the pages would straighten out. It was a pretty book. It would be a shame if it looked like a cow had been chewing on it. Placing the book on the desk, I got to my feet and stretched. I had to get out of this room before someone came and assumed things. Kenna would want my head.

  Luckily for me, the halls were empty and I got to my room before anyone could see me. An hour or so later, a knock sounded on my door and Noah yelled at me to get up.

  “What’s going on?” I cracked open the door, giving him a smile.

  No traces of sleepiness or tiredness could be found around his blue eyes. “It’s time for our training. We don’t want to lose our precious time.”

  “How about some breakfast first?” I yawned. I wasn’t in the mood for exercise so early in the morning. “Or coffee maybe?”

  Noah groaned. “Okay. Fine. But hurry. We’ve got a lot to do.” He strode off and I sighed. This was going to be a long day.

  It had taken me ages to convince Noah to let me have a break, but he’d finally relented when I sat on the ground and refused to get up. After taking a quick shower, I went to find the phone so I could call my mom and find out whether she and Dad had arrived to the city safely. It was a surprise I could contain myself for so long without knowing anything.

  I shifted from foot to foot as I dialed my mom’s number, hoping I’d hear her voice soon.

  “Come on,” I said as the phone rang and rang.

  “Hello?” an unknown male voice said. My heart sank, my pulse racing, my mind coming up with all the possible scenarios and making me dizzy. Maybe I’d dialed the wrong number. Maybe my mom was busy in the lab and couldn’t pick up.

  “Hello?” the voice repeated again.

  “I’m looking for Paula Arnolds,” I said, clearing my throat.

  “Ah.” The man chuckled. “I’m afraid she can’t talk right now.” Muffled sounds could be heard from the other end of the line.

  “Why not? Who are you? Why do you have her phone?” My voice cracked a little.

  “An old friend,” the man said, ignoring my other questions. “And you are?”

  I bit my lip, wondering whether I should simply hang up and call later, but something felt terribly wrong. My mom would never leave her phone to someone, not when she knew I could be calling. “I’m her daughter.”

  “Moira! How nice to finally speak to you!” the man said, his voice cheerful. “Why don’t you come here? Your mother is dying to see you.”

  “Come where?”

  “To Adrian Liandre’s house.”

  My heart skipped a beat. No, my mom was supposed to be in the city, not still at Ria and Adrian’s house. What was going on? A thud sounded from the other end of the line, followed by a muffled scream.

  “Who are you?” I squeezed the phone in my hand, barely breathing.

  “Someone who wants to meet you, my dear.”

  “Put my mom on the phone,” I said, surprised at the intensity of my voice.

  “I told you already. She can’t talk right now. You should come here soon, though. Your mother needs you. A little girl like you shouldn’t be roaming around the island full of dangerous carriers.”

  I opened my mouth to say something, but the line went dead. My chest tightened as I tried to dial the number again, but the phone appeared to be dead. I ran out into the hall, determined to go get my mom and dad. The man hadn’t even mentioned my dad. God knew what had happened. I didn’t want to think about it, but I hoped my parents would be alive because the man was obviously waiting for me.

  I was halfway to the panel that led to the tunnels and the exit when Jaiden materialized in front of me. “Get out of my way. I need to go,” I said.

  “No.” He made a movement with his hand and before I knew what was going on, a circle of air wrapped itself around me. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. How the hell could air hold me in place with so much strength?

  “You don’t understand.” I gave him a pleading look. “I just called my mom and...”

  “I know,” he cut me off. “Who do you think ended your call?”

  “What?” Anger boiled through me. “How could you do that? My parents are in danger! You can’t play with people’s lives like that!”

  His face lacked any emotion, but the circle of air lost some of its strength. “Noah!” he yelled.

  Noah came running, his eyes widening at the sight in front of him.

  “Moira’s parents might be in danger. Go check on them and report to me as soon as possible.”

  “Got it.” Noah opened the panel and slipped through it, his body turning invisible. I glared at Jaiden and called for my air, but pushing against Jaiden’s air was like trying to move a brick wall with bar
e hands.

  “Let go of me.” I relaxed, hoping I could convince Jaiden that I had no intention of going anywhere. “Or are you planning to hold me like this until Noah comes back?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Fine.” The circle of air dissipated, but my head started to throb. “Now go sit on the couch and don’t move.”

  I made an involuntary step toward the couch, gritting my teeth together. I’d be damned if I let him control me like this. My skin tingled as I unleashed my air, circling myself with it in hopes that it would protect me. The pain in my head was getting worse, but I refused to move. Jaiden’s brows were drawn together in concentration, his eyes focused on me. Blinking away the black spots at the edge of my vision, I noticed a tiny shimmering thread going from Jaiden to me. If I could sever that thread, I’d be free. I was sure of it.

  I sent a gust of air toward the shimmering thread, but nothing happened because my air seemed to circle around it, leaving the thread intact. My anger and determination grew, my body pulsing with the heat of my fire. I was starting to feel its presence, so I shaped the heat into a ball, sending it out. A fireball hit the shimmering thread, the pain in my head going away almost instantly. Jaiden’s mouth fell open, but he quickly recovered himself, his lips spreading into a smile.

  I stumbled back, my knees giving way underneath me. After all the training I’d done and fighting Jaiden’s mind control, my energy seemed to drain away, leaving me powerless to even get onto my feet. In the end, Jaiden had won. I couldn’t go anywhere in this condition.

  He crouched next to me, reaching for my arm.

  “Don’t touch me!” I spat, pulling away from him. The last thing I needed was to see his gleeful face. Jaiden got to his feet, his face pale with no trace of a smile. He licked his lips a couple of times, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “Ashley, Marissa,” he finally said. “Help her and make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.” He strode off while I was picturing holes in his back. What the hell was wrong with him? Ashley and Marissa helped me up and led me to the couch.

  “Why are you even staying around him?” I whispered. If Jaiden could listen in to all the phone conversations, who knew if he had some eavesdropping devices somewhere in this room too?

  “We have nowhere to go.” Ashley shrugged. “Jaiden saved our lives. Sometimes we don’t agree with his decisions, but it’s for the best.”

  My eyebrows shot upward. For the best? How could forcing someone to do or not to do something be for the best? “Are you sure he’s not mind-controlling you into agreeing with him or staying here?”

  Marissa and Ashley actually looked offended.

  “He’s only trying to keep you safe,” Marissa said. “Noah will come soon with the news. Don’t worry.”

  “I’ll get you a glass of water.” Ashley hopped to her feet.

  “Thanks.” I leaned back, crossing my arms in front of me. Someone had kidnapped or done something to my parents and I had no idea who. Running my hand through my hair, I took slow and deep breaths, trying to remain calm. If Elemontera had somehow spotted me like Noah had done when I first got to the island, then they needed my parents alive in order to get to me. That was the only thought keeping me together. Who else would want to get to me if not Elemontera?

  “Here.” Ashley handed me the glass, and I took a quick gulp, nearly spilling the rest of the water all over my shirt.

  “Do you think Elemontera will kill my parents?” I looked into Marissa’s gray eyes, willing her to tell me the truth. She looked away, curling her fingers. “Marissa, please.”

  “I don’t think so. Are your parents both elementals?” She clutched at the black fabric of her shirt.

  “My dad is a carrier.” I frowned and grabbed her by the shoulders. “No! Please tell me they’re not killing carriers!”

  Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted. “I don’t know,” she stammered. “I don’t think they’ll hurt anyone until they have you.”

  My shoulders relaxed a bit as I let go of her. “Wait, what does that mean?”

  “They will keep your parents alive because that’s their best shot at getting to you. But once they get you... They will keep your parents alive only if you accept to work for them. If they decide to kill you, they’ll kill your parents too so there are no witnesses,” Ashley said, her green eyes swirling with worry.

  I leaned forward, rubbing my face with my hands. This was not supposed to happen. My parents were in danger because of me. How could I just sit here and wait for Noah to come back with news? I stumbled to my feet, but I was still too weak. If something happened to my parents because I couldn’t come to them in time, I would kill whoever hurt them first and then I’d kill Jaiden for getting in my way.

  I sat back on the couch, sighing. I wasn’t thinking clearly. How could I help my parents if my thoughts were jumbled? No, I had to think this through and be ready to spring into action when Noah came back. My parents would be fine. All I needed to do was come up with a plan. “Do you have any maps here? Maybe a device that can detect how these people got to the island...”

  “Umm, Bailey and Sam are outside, checking out the ferries and the island. They’ll come back if they see something suspicious,” Ashley said.

  “Can’t we contact them somehow? Tell them where to look?” I ran a hand through my hair.

  “No. They didn’t want to take the phones with them because if someone captured them, our location could be exposed,” Marissa said, patting my arm. “Look, everything is going to be fine. Just relax.”

  “But we do have a map.” Ashley offered me an encouraging smile.

  “Great. Where is it?” I had to do something or I’d die from worry. Hopefully, Noah would be back soon and I’d have a plan to fight whoever held my parents.

  Chapter 16

  A soft knock on the panel made us all look up, and Marissa hurried to open it. Ashley and I were still bent over the map we’d spread across the desk. As Noah stepped inside, his face pale and serious, Kenna and Jaiden joined us. I crossed the room in a couple of quick strides, my eyes meeting Noah’s.

  “Please tell me they’re okay.” Nothing else mattered.

  “They’re fine. Tied up, but fine.”

  I let out a breath I didn’t even know I’d been holding. “Thank God.”

  “Did you see him?” Kenna stepped between Noah and me, her voice high and tense.

  Noah shook his head. “No trace of your brother.”

  “But...” She turned around, swallowing hard. “If he’s not...” Her hazel eyes filled with tears. I frowned, unsure why Kenna’s brother would be anywhere near my parents. Unless Noah had been somewhere else too and not just at Ria’s house.

  “Tell us what you saw,” Jaiden said as Kenna flung herself into his arms.

  “The house is surrounded by a team of armed men. Maybe twenty or so. Moira’s mother and father are being held in the living room. Six men are watching them at all times, so I couldn’t speak to them,” Noah said, wiping sweat off his forehead. He must have rushed back here. I opened my mouth to say something, but Jaiden raised his finger to silence me.

  “Did you get a closer look at the men? Is it Elemontera?” Jaiden said, his jaw tense.

  “I don’t know.” Noah licked his lips, looking at the ground. “They’re wearing all black and their faces are masked. I didn’t hear them talk at all. I’m not sure... I suppose they could be, but...”

  “You’re not sure?” Jaiden raised his voice. “What the hell were you doing if you weren’t paying attention?”

  “Hey, I couldn’t have stayed there for hours! For all I knew, they’d spotted me and were planning to capture me!” Noah’s nostrils flared and he made a step toward Jaiden.

  “Did you see anyone like us?” Jaiden’s dark brown eyes looked almost black.

  “No, but I’m not sure if they developed some devices to block us out.”

  “There are many things you’re not sure of.” There was an edge in Jaiden’s voic
e.

  Noah gave him an incredulous look. “If you think you could have done better, why didn’t you go yourself? Ah, right. You’re afraid Elemontera will get you.”

  A gust of air knocked Noah to the ground.

  “Hey, stop it! What the hell is wrong with you?” I didn’t know whether to glare at Jaiden or Noah. “Seriously, we don’t have time for your shit. Noah, did you see Ria and Adrian?”

  “No.” He got to his feet, dusting off his pants. “I didn’t see anyone else who wasn’t a bad guy.”

  I swallowed, pushing back the tears. I hadn’t known Adrian and Ria for a long time, but I’d hate to think they were dead. But if they weren’t with my parents, where were they? I had an impression they never left the island. “Are you sure they’re not somewhere in the house? Maybe in that element-proof bunker?”

  “I don’t know the house that well. It’s huge.” Noah bowed his head. “Sorry I can’t tell you more.”

  Kenna was sobbing quietly into Jaiden’s shoulder and he was caressing her long hair. “Hey, look at me.” He tipped her chin up. “Your brother is fine.”

  “How can you know that?” she cried. “What if he did something wrong? What if they killed him? If he’s not here with Elemontera...”

  “We don’t even know if we’re dealing with Elemontera,” Jaiden said, turning to me. “Do your parents have any enemies? Anyone who’d want to use you to force your parents into doing something?”

  “I...” I chewed on the insides of my mouth. My mom was well-known in the scientific circle and maybe someone did want her to do something for them, but they wouldn’t need me for that. They’d simply threaten to do something to my dad. She was careful enough not to tell anyone about me, so it was unlikely that some of her scientist friends had come all the way here to get me, especially with a whole team of trained men. “I don’t think so. Even if they did have enemies, no one would be looking for me.”

  “You said your dad was a carrier,” Ashley said. “Could someone be after him? And they found out about you somehow?”

  My dad had spent years in a lab, but I had no idea what had happened to the scientists who worked there. I hadn’t called my mom for a couple of hours after my parents’ supposed departure from the island. If someone had captured them earlier or even a day before, they would have had enough time to extract information about me from someone. Maybe not from my parents, but from Ria or Adrian. “I’m not sure. All I know is that my dad was in a governmental lab. If Elemontera is also working for the government, wouldn’t the scientists just send them if they somehow found out about me?” But that would mean the scientists had known about me before they got to the island. If they hadn’t known, why would they come for my father? It was illegal to hunt carriers for no reason and why wouldn’t they just take another carrier? The island was full of carriers.