Elemental Betrayal

by Elle Middaugh

  Apparently, the lie was just something Elementals had made up to keep the two kinds from interbreeding. Up until a few hundred years ago, that sort of thing had been frowned upon. It made sense to me, but apparently not to Marge.

  “How can that be?” she asked in bewilderment. Her fingers brushed her lips in disbelief. “How was this not common knowledge?”

  I snorted. “I’ve wondered that about most Elemental things I’ve learned.”

  Marge turned to me, shock still forcing her eyes wide open. “If something like this is possible, surely it’s possible there are more Gifteds than you?”

  I nodded. “I’m telling you, I’d bet money Cade is.”

  “So would I, if I’m being honest. There really is no other explanation for it.”

  I bit my lip. “I still wish we could find some definitive proof. I’m hesitant to tell him something like that without being sure beyond a doubt.”

  She nodded, closed the book, and slid it into an empty space on a shelf.

  “Let’s keep searching, then. If we don’t find the answer soon, we’ll at least divulge our suspicions. The poor boy ought to know something like that.”

  It wasn’t like it would change anything. His power wouldn’t suddenly become difficult to control. It wouldn’t change who he was or what we were doing, but still—I’d want to know if I were him.

  “Okay,” I agreed, nodding back. “If we don’t find the answer in the next month, we’ll tell him.”

  Marge flopped back onto the sofa and rubbed her temples. “I think there’s another bookstore we could try, an old place in Northland.”

  I almost choked on my tongue. “Northland? Elitist-city?”

  She grimaced. “There’s a reason I’ve kept that one for last. I didn’t want to bring it up unless we had exhausted all other resources first.”

  “So, there are no other places to look?”

  “Oh, I’m sure there are hundreds all over the country, but I don’t know of them. This is the last local place I know to check. After that, our search expands drastically. I honestly don’t know if you have time for quests like that.”

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as I contemplated. “I don’t either.”

  And I really didn’t. I had the war to think about.

  We’d been training Revolutionists for a couple months now, and we were almost to the point where we were strong enough to attack the Elitists head on. They’d been gathering recruits and prepping to attack the larger cities, last I heard. No such attacks had happened yet, thank god, but I knew they’d be starting soon. We needed to be ready by then—ready to not only fight the Elitists and take them down, but also to protect the innocent humans caught in the middle of our Elemental war. They didn’t have powers, but that didn’t mean they deserved to be our slaves.

  I stood and cracked my back, mentally checking my schedule for a time that would be good to head into enemy territory. The answer was never, really. Plus, I wanted to meet up with that fortune teller as soon as possible, but I didn’t want anyone to know about that, not even Marge. None of my friends or family members would willingly support me doing something dark, not even if it had a positive outcome.

  I sighed.

  “Get me the details of this bookstore in Northland, and I’ll check it out in a few days.”

  She nodded. “You got it, dear girl.”

  I smiled and gave her a quick hug. “I gotta go now, Aunt Marge. I have that meeting with Holden.”

  She pursed her lips but didn’t argue. “Love you, Valerie.”

  “I love you too. I’ll see you in a few days.”

  Then I was off, sprinting back into the woods that would lead me to Berwindale.

  5

  When I broke out of the forest and strolled across the parking lot, I was surprised to see so many smiling faces. The lack of smiles had never even caught my attention until now, compared to the alternative.

  Cade met me with a look of relief that slowly morphed into a heated gaze as he slid his hands around my waist.

  “You made it.”

  “Of course I did,” I teased, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I told you I can do these things on my own.”

  “Yeah, well, that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  I grinned and kissed him, a gentle touch of the lips that somehow lit my entire body on fire—hopefully not literally. I pulled back quickly to make sure there were no actual flames licking my skin, and I exhaled a shaky breath when I found there were none.

  Being an Elemental was sometimes a really tricky business.

  Cade stared at my lips for a few more seconds before opening the passenger door to his shiny black truck and gesturing for me to hop inside. I knew he wanted to resume the kiss, but just like every single time before, there was always something more pressing that had to come first. After all these months, we’d still never had sex. It was starting to drive me crazy, all the hot and cold. For once, I wanted it to go from hot to steamy. We were definitely ready for that stage of the relationship. Definitely.

  Sighing, I did as he silently asked, hopping up into the truck. Everyone else did the same, piling into whatever vehicles they had, excitedly awaiting their first night out in months. Cade shifted into drive and led the way to Center Allegheny with at least fifteen other vehicles trailing closely behind.

  The Riverfront Festival was in full swing by the time we arrived at the edge of town.

  Food carts lined the sidewalks, filling the air with the warm scent of sugar and grease, and game stands provided a backdrop of dinging bells and carefree laughter. Music took up the remaining airspace, charging each step with bass-heavy beats that made more than a few people dance in the streets.

  I smiled as the melody hit my bloodstream, and I led the group from our parked cars to the streets. The closer we got, though, the quieter it became. It was like a scene from the Wild West, or maybe West Side Story, two rival gangs uneasily converging on the same turf. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited to see what would happen.

  I walked forward, cautiously meeting their staring eyes with a timid smile. Cade followed my lead, then came Sienna, Xavier, and Kale. The farther we went, the more the tension slowly slackened. People eventually turned their heads and went about their business, the carnival games resumed, and the rest of our group dispersed seamlessly into the crowd.

  Glancing at Cade, I heaved a sigh of relief. I hadn’t contemplated the possibility of hostility from the Modernists. I was glad it hadn’t come to that.

  Sienna gave me a cheeky grin. “Shit just about went down.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle. Her rebellious energy was practically palpable.

  “Almost,” I agreed.

  “Too bad,” she tsked. “I’ve been jonesing to put my new fighting skills to the test.”

  I shook my head. “Let’s save that for the Elitists, okay?”

  She sighed heavily. “Fine. I guess I’ll just have to find something else to do…or someone. There’s a sexy stranger at twelve o’clock giving me the eye.” She waggled her brows.

  My heart sank. Her love life was her business, but as her best friend, I felt I at least had a right to vocalize my concerns.

  “Are you sure you wanna do that?” I glanced at Xavier. He wasn’t standing with us, but he wasn’t exactly out of earshot either. “I can think of a hotter guy who actually cares about you and would love to show you a good time…”

  Her eyelids dropped closed. “Don’t, Val. Not tonight.”

  I nodded, looking to the ground. “Sorry.”

  “It’s cool. I’ll see you guys later.”

  “Keep an eye on the wind,” Cade reminded her.

  “Both eyes,” she agreed and then carefully sauntered off.

  Cade gave me a sympathetic smile then grabbed my hand and pulled me into a walk.

  “Where are you meeting him?” he asked as we meandered through the streets.

  I gestured up ahead. “State Stre
et Bridge.”

  It was decorated with strands of white lights that reflected peacefully on the waters below. More festival activities flourished on the other side of the river. Everyone seemed completely relaxed and enjoying themselves to the fullest.

  It would’ve been the perfect night for an Elitist attack.

  My training kicked in, and I immediately scanned the area, wondering if Holden had assigned guards to monitor the perimeter. Surely he wouldn’t have been foolish enough to forgo the added security.

  Noticing my sudden tension, Cade raised a brow. “You think I’d have set foot in this damned town if I hadn’t personally checked the earth for anything out of line?”

  His smug smile instantly calmed me. It was impossible to not feel safe around him. He was powerful enough to sense even the smallest of vibrations in the ground—he’d even tracked Nicholai last winter—and he was always on top of his game, never missing a beat. He was proficient and reliable, and I found that sexy as hell.

  Not that the black tee and cargo shorts he wore didn’t add to the effect. He’d even gelled his dirty blond hair into a feathery hot mess and worn my favorite of his striped sneakers. The man was a definite keeper.

  If I hadn’t known any better, I’d have thought we were just an ordinary couple on a date. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. It never had been.

  I forced a smile and sighed. “Stay close?”

  “As close as I can without being seen,” he promised. Then he kissed my fingers and disappeared into the crowd.

  Alone, I squared my shoulders and continued onward to where the riverbank met the crook of the bridge. The picnic tables and benches there had been decorated with flowered vines and strings of lights. It gave the whole town a delicate glow that reminded me of candlelight and fireflies.

  Holden stood with his back to me, facing the river. He pulled off preppy-casual to a T. Hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts, he wore a pale blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His dark hair was styled perfectly, as usual.

  “Hey, Holden,” I said, not wanting to prolong the inevitable.

  He spun around, and his brown eyes practically sparkled. “Valerie! You look…amazing. How are you?”

  I licked my lips and exhaled slowly. “Thank you. I’m very well, and yourself?”

  He narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Don’t go getting all formal on me. We’re not strangers, you know.”

  I popped a hip and crossed my arms. “We’re also not as close as we used to be.”

  “A damn shame,” he muttered, the adoring smile still clinging to his lips. “Shall we walk?”

  I nodded. “Sure.”

  He strode up the bank until we were nearly shoulder to shoulder then led me back into the sea of festivities. I scanned the throng, looking for Cade, but I couldn’t find him anywhere.

  We paused in front of a food stand, and Holden smiled at me. “Funnel cake?”

  I blinked. It had been so long since I’d eaten something overly processed and blatantly unhealthy that I’d almost forgotten the taste. I was used to Cade’s all-natural, intensely delicious masterpieces.

  “No, thank you.”

  “Come on, Valerie. Live a little!” He then turned to the stand worker. “Two funnel cakes, please.”

  I rolled my eyes and looked away. He tried to hand me the extra cake, but I refused to take it. I was annoyed he hadn’t listened to me.

  After he paid, we continued walking.

  “So, how’s Sienna doing?” he asked, taking a bite of his sugary treat.

  I smiled but immediately felt sad thinking of his cousin. “She’s good. She’s taken to the Revolutionist lifestyle quite well, with ease and enthusiasm.”

  His eyes narrowed slightly. “But?”

  Of course he’d see right through me. I was unfortunately rather transparent when it came to hiding my emotions.

  I sighed. “But…she’s avoiding Xavier, and I don’t understand why.”

  Holden laughed out loud. “God forbid someone not love a Landston!”

  “I’m serious, Holden.”

  “Me too!” he said, laughing some more.

  “I actually think she does love him,” I continued on, despite his comment. “But she seems to be terrified of commitment. Any idea as to why?”

  His laughter finally died down and he shook his head. “Uncle Marco had their family traveling all over the country with the navy. This past year was the first time we got close, and she never mentioned anything about a fear of commitment.”

  “Yeah, but it’s obvious how much it terrifies her. You’ve seen how she hops from guy to guy.”

  Holden shrugged. “Maybe she’s just not ready to settle down.”

  My lips pursed, but I let the subject slide. I’d figure it out on my own somehow.

  “Anyway,” I said, cutting to the chase, “what information do you have to share with me?”

  He took another big bite of funnel cake. “A location, and a date.” After swallowing, he added, “Their next target.”

  My eyes widened. “What?”

  We’d never had information like this before. This could be our moment, our chance to see if the Revolutionists would sink or swim. If we could get to this next target in time, we could save the entire human city and maybe even kick some serious Elitist ass.

  “When and where?” I asked, determination hardening my tone.

  Holden merely smiled.

  I cocked my head. “Surely you’re not going to keep it from me.”

  “I won’t, but I don’t want to cut our time short. I know once I tell you, you’ll run off before I can even say goodbye.”

  “Because this shit’s important, Holden. If we can get there in time to stop Nicholai from—”

  “Unnecessarily killing people just for the sadistic fun of it?” he asked, interrupting me. “Yeah, I remember what he does. I watched him kill my father, my coworkers, and one of my friends.”

  I stayed silent.

  I’d been there that day, too. The image of Holden’s tear-streaked face as he yelled crazily through his gag would forever be burned into my memory, along with the lifeless stares of the dead.

  “There are so many people,” he continued, “people I cared about, who are just…gone. They’re dead, and they’re never coming back. But you and me…we’re still here, and I still care about you so much.”

  The familiar pain of guilt welled up inside of me. I was forever wishing on stars I could’ve just been what that boy needed me to be, wishing I could’ve loved him back, wishing life could’ve been so simple and perfect—but it just wasn’t. The stars had aligned for me and Cade instead, and I’d already given him my heart.

  “I’m sorry, Holden—for all you’ve lost and all you’ve been through—but I can’t be with you. You know that.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Because of Cade.”

  I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I could ever have been with Holden again anyway, even if Cade hadn’t been in the picture. The rift between us had already widened too far, and there was no way to safely bridge the gap.

  “God, I hate him,” he muttered with a glare. I’d barely heard it, but there was no mistaking the venom in his tone.

  “Holden,” I said, wanting to comfort him and stick up for Cade at the same time. “You don’t mean that.”

  He shook his head and turned away.

  I supposed I didn’t really expect him to deny it. He and Cade had never seen eye to eye, and even I didn’t like romantic competition—like Loren Marlowe, for example. Her infatuation with Cade was mercifully one-sided, but it still made my blood boil just thinking about her.

  The fire opal necklace tucked into my tank top started to vibrate and glow, fighting hard to contain my Fire element. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down.

  Holden seemed to be doing the same thing as he heaved a frustrated sigh. “Come here.”

  He pulled me off to the side of a game stand where two guys were shoo
ting mini basketballs at plastic hoops. There was nothing but woods behind us, and the whole festival sounded quieter. Suddenly, I felt nervous.

  He braced his arms on either side of my head and leaned in so close his breath tickled my ear.

  “Wellsfield. Parker Center. One week.” Then he pulled back, forcing his lips to smile and his feet to back away. “Enjoy the festival.”

  When I lost his face in the crowd, my shoulders sagged and my whole body relaxed. I hadn’t realized I’d been so tense.

  “Are you okay?” Cade asked, appearing from out of nowhere between the trees.

  I startled, tensing up all over again. “Damn it, Cade!”

  His smile brightened. “Sorry. Thought you’d be used to it by now.”

  “Who could possibly get used to their boyfriend materializing out of the scenery?”

  Without warning, Sienna rushed around the corner. “We need to go! Now!”

  Cade frowned but adjusted his stance so he was ready to move. “I haven’t felt anything wrong in the earth.”

  She thrashed her head, black hair shimmering. “Not in the earth, in the air. They’re being carried in on the wind!”

  “Who?” I asked, spinning around and searching the darkened sky. “The Elitists?”

  “Ever see a flying Elitist?” she asked sarcastically.

  I’d never seen a flying anyone, actually.

  Cade sucked in a sharp breath and his eyes widened. “Shadow Sect soldiers. One just touched down not thirty yards from here. Let’s move!”

  According to Cade and Sienna, when Sect soldiers were around, the main goal was to get me as far away as possible. But, in my opinion, if Sect soldiers showed up at a public event, the main goal should have been to keep as many people from getting hurt as possible.