Fire Flyer: Book 1 Elemental Bonds Series, a YA paranormal romance.

by Cait Vaughn

  We finished eating and Serenity lead us out to the huge 8 car garage. I could see a door at the end of all the cars and was surprised when it opened into a state of the art gym. There was every fitness freaks dream. Treadmills, ellipticals, weights, punching bags, there was even a boxing ring. It was a very large space. There was also a dancing type area with a super shiny floor and bars running along mirrored walls. I groaned out loud. “Not more exercise, I beg you, have mercy.” Serenity giggled and walked over to the dance floor and sat down. Jason and I joined her making a triangle.

  Serenity gave an evil smirk as she responded. “There will be lots more exercise, but not right now. This gym is for house use only very few people know it's here. We won't be bothered here and its sound proof and charmed. It's probably the quietest spot on the compound. There is a larger gym at the school for public use. This is your new home away from home. This is where we will train but now we learn”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. The floor was far from comfortable and I was intimidated by all the instruments of death otherwise known as exercise equipment, but it was quiet here and there were no people. These were two huge bonuses for a self proclaimed hermit like me. I bobbed my head, I was ready. Serenity understood and she began to tell me the story of our people.

  “Unfortunately, Ri has gotten tied up with the council. I will be better able to explain that after I explain more about us.” Serenity had a very melodic voice, and so I laid back on the floor and let her honey sweet sound carry me away.

  “OK, to recap the basics. It seems all human myth has some truth and we, the elemental supes, most feel a connection to the fae myths. There are dark supernatural and light supernatural. Although those words do not denote character. A dark supe can be good and a light supe can be bad. It's just a distinction of lifestyle. All supernatural are drawn to humans. Those of us that are light feel a deep urge to help them, guide them, give them peace and healing. Dark supernaturals seek to use humans and obtain more power. There is a kind of transference of power when connecting to human affairs. If I heal a human, it gives me a euphoric boost, like a drug, it strengthens my power. If a dark supe harms a human it does the same for them.”

  Serenity got up and began to pace around and I leaned up on my elbows. I couldn't wait to have her endless energy.

  “Now, there are some creatures that need to drink blood, or even consume a soul, or essence to live. However, just like humans they don't need to eat other humans they can use animals. The dark is not known for self control. Frequently, dark supes get into trouble because they feed on humans when they are not supposed too. Also, just because they feed on a human doesn't mean they need to kill them, but again accidents happen. So while we guide and help humans we also keep the dark in line so they don't break the rules. Any questions so far?”

  “I think I'm understanding about this crazy super world but what about me? Why are they tracking me and trying to hurt me? Do they think I am the child of light?”

  Jason answered.

  “I've been keeping tabs on those tracking you. I'm a tracker too. Both sides keep tabs on each other for lots of reasons. My main job is to see if I can track supes who are breaking the laws. I do this by seeking for certain magic signatures. Anyway, more often than you think both sides have rogue elementals. A rogue is when a person is raised human and has no idea they are a supe. For example a person raised in foster care, or who is adopted. Each side tracks rogues because they are technically a neutral party in not having been raised light or dark. The law states it is acceptable for either side to hunt them and try to sway them.”

  “So, they aren't trying to kill me, but to kidnap me?”

  “It's impossible to say exactly what they want with you. When you started leaking powers they picked up on it, just like they would when a rogue hits puberty, and they certainly would have investigated you. We can’t know how much investigation was done or what they were planning, but I can promise you, whatever it is would have been very bad.”

  I shivered and nodded at Serenity to continue.

  “Now, the rules, our laws, are very important. There is a council of dark and a council of light and both sides agree on the big rules. Breaking the big rules is punishable by death and both sides are swift to carry out the executions. The most important rule is do not expose ourselves to the humans. It is the most important because it is based off the next rule, do not kill a human. If we exposed ourselves there would be a war. Let's assume humans make up the majority of the population and ten percent of the population is dark supes and ten percent is light supes. Even with their numbers and weapons it is a possibility the supes would overpower the humans and wipe them out completely. Neither side wants that for their own reasons. Rule number three, never steal a human's essence. There are ways of taking a soul and leaving the human in a vegetative state, that's unacceptable. Rule number 4, The human retains the right to choose whether or not to be fed upon or any kind of magic interference. Basically don't use your power to compel them to give you what you want. Let them maintain the right to choose. Finally rule number five, the mate bond is sanctified and must not be infringed upon in any way.”

  She sat back down. “That's the short version of that rule but basically it's like this, sometimes people get jealous and try to stop, or break, a bond. It’s not really possible to break a bond but you can kill one half of the bond and enchant the other party. The light doesn't mess around with that much. It just means if you know someone is mated don't mess with their bond and you don't kill someone's mate for cruelty. There are exceptions, like in war when we fight and die someone's bond is broken, it sucks, but it’s unavoidable. That law is specifically about an intentional harming of anyone's mate bond. Some supes are a witch or warlock and they are the community closest to the elemental community. They don't have an affinity but can draw on any energy and create spells, which are usually very powerful. Humans can do this too on a smaller scale. Spells work because of the energy given to cast it, anyone can use any energy source to cast a spell. Supernaturals affinities are energy so witchcraft comes naturally to supes too. Once you come into your powers you go to our school which is 6th through 12th grade. With shimmering they don't even live here they can be from anywhere and be here during the day and go home at night. Light supes usually go back to the world after schooling. They live, charmed, but normal lives and help people from time to time. Doctors, counselors, teachers. Not a whole lot decide to join the guard, which is made up of many different jobs where we mostly keep the dark in line. The dark supes are more interested in their magic and in gaining power so they have more, I guess you would call it, military, than we do. It's OK though because all of us are trained and in times of war we all do our part.”

  “So why do we go to war? Do they have some kind of master plan?” They both laughed and Jason answered my question, “From time to time the darks get power drunk and think to declare themselves gods and enslave the human race to fulfill their every desire. Again, all we have to rely on are the myths, but it doesn't seem to ever end well when our kind tries to rule humans. That's when we knock them on their ass and restore everything to the proper order. Right now we have Ri, he’s a hellhound. We know he wouldn't be here if there wasn't a war coming. He is right now the most powerful supernatural and when the dark thinks it's going to take over, the light gets a huge power boost to keep them in line.”

  Serenity took over. “Everyone knows your name because your grandmother Aurelia, is basically our leader. The council votes on anything important but if Aurelia tried to overturn it due to a vision there would be no contest. My dad shares equal authority and It would be your mother too. No one knows why but greater power concentrates in certain families which take turns with leaders every century or so. Not very many know about the prophecy, but everyone knows you are going to be outrageously powerful. Only Jason, me, Ri, and dad know Ri is your mate. If anyone else knew that it would be a huge deal. We know how powerful he is and there are peopl
e on both sides who would fear your concentration of power and try to destroy you, which brings us to our situation. The council believes you should go away with them to train. They don't know about you and Ri, and we need to keep that a secret right now. He’s trying to convince them otherwise, but without outing your bond he may not be successful.”

  This was devastating. I jumped up to pace in frustration. “They can't though right? That's impossible. I'm not going away with strangers. I can't do that.” Serenity rushed to reassure me, “It's going to be OK. Aurelia will fix everything when she comes. We can trust her and she is our queen, for lack of a better term. Ri is just stalling until she makes her appearance, which will be anytime now. I'm sure my mom knows too and that's why she hasn't been home. I can't wait for you to meet her she is awesome and I'm sure she is fighting for you right now.” Serenity wrapped me in a hug.

  “Don't worry we’re your family now and they won't take you from us we won't let them.” I was still worried but I bobbed my head in agreement. I had come to trust and care for all of them and I knew they would do what they could. I was curious, “So do we live longer?” Serenity nodded, “Oh yeah, we’re stronger, faster, have heightened senses, we’re healthier and generally have double the lifespan. We live to be about 200 but rarely look older than 60. The undead creatures aren't immortal either. They get weaker as they age and usually around 200 don't have the strength to keep up with their feedings and they die out too. It's easy to hide though. We don't live so long that we have to move around a million times and we have lots of glamour's and magics that disguise us to the humans.”

  I felt like all my questions were answered. I also felt like if they weren't I didn't want to know. “Awesome job Serenity, I will tell everyone you taught me everything I know.” We laughed, “You better, OK if we're all good with this part of the training we can have lunch and get back to exercise.” I groaned and Jason slapped his hands together with a mischievous smile that I knew was plotting my demise. As I followed them back to the kitchen I said, “Wait, tell me everything, I want to know more.” Jason groaned at that he must not enjoy the school parts. “Where do little supernatural babies come from? Please don't make me do exercise.” There is no shame in my whining game.

  Serenity giggled and threw her arm around me. “It's OK when your powers are freed you will want to exercise until then, mind over matter.” Jason held up his hand to make a point and said, “In other words, suck it up buttercup.” I was really starting to love his snark and I knew I needed to find my inner snark again soon.

  Chapter 39

  The kitchen was becoming my favorite room. It was always magically filled with food. For lunch there seemed to be an array of lunch meats and cheeses, and chips with different dips, and a vegetable tray. I was not missing fast food that's for sure. As we ate I realized I did actually have a question, despite the major cram session we just had.

  “What about shimmering? How does it work?” I directed it at Trinity and Jason answered. “I will be the one to teach you that. Only the first few times are dangerous but the longer you’ve been doing it, the better control. Since I am the oldest, and wisest it's safest if I help you.” You had to take everything Jason said with a grain of salt. He had this whole bad boy, superior to others, vibe going but mostly you could tell he was a tease. I tried not to be too alarmed at his use of words like 'dangerous’ and 'safest’ assuming he was trying to get a rise out of me.

  “What's dangerous about it?” Trinity answered, “Sorry hon, he’s not teasing this time. When you shimmer your affinity or affinities break down your body to a molecular level making you basically an invisible haze. Sort of like the very essence of your soul vaporizing and storing your physical self in a way that allows lightning fast travel. Everybody suffers multiple broken bones and even internal bleeding while learning how to direct your power like that. Don't worry though, because we heal really fast and plus you have the bonus of my healing power too.”

  I cringed, how could any of this be worth all the apparent pain? How could someone describe something like that and not realize how insane it sounded? I definitely wasn't going to probe that topic further. As we were finishing our meal the most striking woman who had to be my grandmother appeared out of thin air. She rushed to me and wrapped me in a hug. “Trinity my dear girl, welcome home.” She pulled back and took stock of me and I her. She was gorgeous long, pale, blonde hair and big green eyes. I figured her to be around 60 but she looked more like 45. She seemed to have a petite frame but was six feet tall. It didn't seem right. I looked down and saw she was levitating.

  She looked a lot like my mom. She scooped up my hand and we sat at the table. “You are so beautiful dear girl. I know you don't know it, but I was there your whole life. With my gift I can see anybody. I saw your first steps, your first skinned knee, your first bike ride, although your father was ridiculous. How you could move with all that padding I’ll never know. And just look here you are my beautiful girls.” Serenity gave her a hug.

  “Hi, Grams, what took so long this time?” To me Serenity said, “She is always late to everything.” Serenity sat back down by Jason and I felt warmth and love and family in my heart as I looked at these people who should be strangers, but weren't.

  “Let me tell you the council is in a snit. Fools, thinking they will take my girl, no, I won't have it. No matter, I provided a big distraction telling them how important it will be to perform the ceremony tonight for the full moon.” Grams turned to me, “Trinity it will be painful. I never would have done it, if I knew I had to undo it but, the sight is unreliable you know, the future's always changing. The full moon will help it go quicker, and smoother, and hurt less. I'm sorry for the whole thing but we have to get through it now that the darks are after you. They probably want to steal your powers which I know will be fabulous-”

  I cut her off, “Then I need Ri. Is he on his way?” She smiled, even I could feel her power. It came in waves of peace, wisdom, and tranquility. She also possessed great confidence that was a little intimidating.

  “Don't be silly. You have to do this yourself and I don't know what he could do for you..” She trailed off and looked at our still clasped hands. Then her eyes were covered by a cloudy haze and she gazed off into the distance seeing something else and she was nodding her head. A huge smile broke out on her face, and her eyes cleared, “I see of course, you and Ri? Wow that's fabulous, you’ll probably be more powerful than I thought. What a coup this is, a scandalous secret for sure. Who all knows about this?” Serenity answered, “Just us, dad, mom, and Ri.” I looked at Grams,

  “My dad doesn't even know. I was hoping he’d be here for this, but he said he might be a couple weeks.”

  Grams nodded, “Yes dear and we must do it tonight. We can not wait. I will try to make sure Ri is here but if he doesn't come we must proceed anyway.” She stood, “Come girls there is lots to do.” She proceeded to levitate through the house and Serenity and I followed. “How are you doing that?” I asked her. “I am an air elemental, we are rare not many of us out there. Out of all the creatures we are the only ones who can truly fly. It's quite marvelous. I suspect you will be too.” She lead us into my room although how she knew it was my room I didn't know. You got a sense she knew a lot of things and I wondered about her vision of me and Ri. There was no time to dwell on it as she kept talking.

  “Now dear this is very important. When we first come into our powers they’re unstable. They kind of flow through us non stop like a live wire and its uncomfortable. For this reason we all have a special talisman or amulet. It's a grouping of gemstones specially paired for us that helps ground our power until we learn to control it. I didn't have time to prepare anything and I'm hoping perhaps your mother gave you something.” Instantly I thought of my sweet sixteen bracelet and I retrieved it and handed it to grams.

  She nodded and smiled. “Why yes, this is perfect. For this ceremony we will use witchcraft. We are going to have a circle of purity and ligh
t. It will protect you and we will fill it with white flower petals and chamomile and many things that will offer peace and healing. While I recite the spell you will be alone in the circle and you will just need to hang on for the ride, so to speak. We want to think positive energies, and light, and peace, and purity, so there's a few things we need to do.” Serenity was nodding as if she understood and said she had some things to help from her room. Grams was going through my closet and I was trying hard not to completely freak out. How bad was this going to hurt?

  Chapter 40

  Grams pulled a white wrap dress out of my closet. It was for special occasions and still had the tags on, as I had never had a chance to wear it. It was sleeveless and had a plunging neckline and hugged my body down to my waist where it flared out with a simple knee length flowing skirt that was cut at odd angles. She smiled and draped the dress over my bed. “This is beautiful and white is perfect, we want lots of white to ward off dark spirits.” Serenity came back in and started setting incense burners all over my room and bathroom and lighting incense. Grams opened the window and when the salty air mixed in it smelled heavenly. They both turned and looked at me and I bit my lip feeling a little like prey. Serenity turned to Grams, “Do you want a cleansing bath as well?” Grams winked at her and said, “For tonight, I want the works.” Then they attacked me. For the next two hours I was scrubbed and primped over every inch of my body.