Elementris, Exposure, Eruption Box set: The Vangeretta Curse Series

by Christina Mobley

  Ava looked deep into his eyes, trying to decide what to believe. Should she tell him? Was he telling the truth? “She said that you can do things and that you put a hex on her.” She chewed her bottom lip, “She said you’re making her gain weight and causing her hair to fall out.” The words flew from her mouth, uncontrollably. “She said you tried to drown her…in your living room.” Her heart pulsed faster.

  He shook his head, “You didn’t believe her… did you?”

  “I…um,” She shook her head, feeling confused.

  He slipped his arm around her. “Just listen Ava, I can explain everything.”

  She nodded once… “Okay.”

  “One of the reasons I broke up with her was because she was getting suspicious about the magic. She started noticing things. With her following me around constantly it was hard to hide it from her. The drowning thing…that sort of did happen. It was a few months ago when I really started getting a handle on my element. I didn’t do it on purpose. She freaked out, but I couldn’t tell her the truth about the element and all.” He shook his head, “I don’t even know how to put a hex on someone…do you?”

  “No,” she smiled nervously.

  “She thinks I’m making her get fat and bald. That’s just crazy Ava. Why the hell would I try to make her get fat?”

  “I know…it does sound sort of…” She shook her head.

  “Crazy?” he said.

  “Yeah.”

  She thought about the bald spot. “I did see a bald spot though. It kind of freaked me out.”

  He tilted his head, “There’s something you should know about Jenna. She will do anything to get what she wants, even if she has to hurt someone. She probably shaved it so that you would believe her and dump me. She’s gotten really crazy lately. I really hope she doesn’t find a way to come between us Ava. I really like you.”

  “I like you too.” She mumbled as his lips met hers.

  He pulled back and slowly brushed back a piece of her hair. “I promise to be completely honest with you Ava. After all, you’re the only person in the world I can be completely honest with.”

  She smiled, slightly dazed by the kiss. “Yeah…it sounds pretty stupid now. I just thought that maybe…”

  He put his finger against her lips. “Don’t ever be afraid to ask me something. I will be honest with you.”

  “Okay,” she smiled. “Speaking of the magic and all…”

  “Yeah?” he looked worried again.

  “Did your mom have a book, you know with spells and stuff?”

  “Yeah...why?”

  She thought about Brea and looked down, “I need a spell to get rid of someone.”

  “Not me I hope.” He smiled and slid his arm around her.

  “No,” she looked into his eyes, “of course not. It’s someone else. Do you know of any kind of spell to make someone leave forever?”

  He nodded, “Like a banishing spell?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Yeah, there’s a spell to banish someone from a dwelling.”

  “Really, could you get it for me? Copy it down or something?”

  “Sure, I’ll bring it for you tonight.”

  “Thanks,” she smiled, glad he didn’t ask her toexplain what exactly she wanted it for and feeling a little relieved that maybe there was a way to get rid of Buck after all. Brea would be so happy.

  “Now,” he stood up and grabbed the roses. “Back to my plans. I know you shut me up the first time,” he dropped to one knee in front of her, “But, at the risk of my pride being stepped on again…” He cleared his throat taking her hand, “Ava Vangeretta, will you do me the honor of accompanying me to prom. I promise to give you a magical night.”

  “Yes,” she smiled, taking her roses.

  He pulled her to her feet and kissed her again; this time with more care and tenderness and for a lot longer. So long, she had to catch her breath when he pulled away.

  She watched his truck disappear down the road as she enjoyed the scent of her roses. She walked inside and went into the kitchen to find a vase. A big white envelope sat there on the counter catching her attention. The name and address jumped out at her. Joyce McKenzie. Virginia.

  Chapter Thirteen… (A letter from mom)

  She put the roses on the counter and picked up the envelope. It smelled like her mother’s way too expensive perfume. She ripped the envelope open and leaned against the counter. Her neat cursive writing was always the same; perfect.

  Dear Ava,

  After my last visit I wasn’t sure if I should call. I decided that a letter would be the best way to say what I needed to say. First I don’t ever expect you to forgive me for leaving you. I won’t ever forgive myself for that. I hope you know that even though you were gone, you were never forgotten. The truth is, I came to see you because I know you have a big decision coming up.

  I promised myself that I would never talk about all of that ever again after my mother died. If you are willing to come to visit me I am willing to tell you everything. I think you need both sides before you make such a grave decision. I know you have always wanted to know about your father too. As hard as it will be for me to explain why I had to do what I did, I will do it for you. I think you need to know. I have included a round trip plane ticket in the envelope and I have already talked to Aunt Avalene about it. Please consider coming. I just want you to know.

  Love always, Mom

  Her eyes were burning and her hands shook as she folded the letter. There was so much she wanted to ask her mother. She really didn’t think she could ever forgive her, but she wanted to know why her mother had given up her magic. “Did she regret it? Why exactly did she give it up? Why, if she knew about the magic, did she treat me like such a freak for it? And my father of course, I don’t even know his name. I just need to know who he was.”

  She pulled out the plane ticket and rubbed her thumb over it. This ticket could answer all of her questions.

  Aunt Avalene walked in, setting a bag of groceries on the counter. “Hey, Shug.”

  “You knew about this?” Ava held the plane ticket up.

  Aunt Avalene let out a breath, “Yes…I know you have so many questions for her. Things I just can’t answer for you. Things I could never explain. I know she has hurt you deeply.” She held up a finger, “The only reason I agreed was because I know you’re strong enough now. You’re stronger than her and she can’t hurt you anymore. I know you want answers Ava and if she is finally willing to talk about it, you should go.”

  “You really think I should?”

  “Yes. If you want to go, I think you should go.” She smiled, “It’s up to you though. If you want answers go…if you don’t, I will change the phone number and you won’t have to talk to her. I know what she did to you was wrong. I know how much it’s hurt you, but keep in mind that neither you nor I know all the details. I’m not saying she could come up with any excuse to make it okay. I’m just saying maybe some of the answers she has might help you decide for yourself.”

  “Don’t you want me to do it though?” She looked up, wiping away tears, “Become the next True Elementris?”

  “Yes, I do. Only because I believe it’s your destiny and I know you’re pure and good. I know you could change things. If you decided not to though…I would never be mad at you. In the end it’s your choice not mine, nor your mothers. It’s something you must decide to do yourself.”

  “If I don’t, Lareina might come after us anyway.”

  “Yes, she might, but we will be fine. She hasn’t messed with the Vangeretta family in a long time. And right now she doesn’t even know about you.” She leaned against the counter and put her hand on Ava’s shoulder. “You have a choice Ava. I only want you to accept your magic if you really want it and not out of fear.” She ran her hand over Ava’s hair, “I love you, Shug.”

  “I love you too.” Ava smiled.

  …Alec…

  When Alec arrived on the mainland, it was almost dark. He walked
into the boathouse and grabbed a bag of chips and a soda. It would take him two hours to get to Ava. He had to though. He locked the door behind him and got on his bike. Hopefully Ava has had time to accept who she is. She’s their only hope.

  …Ava…

  Ava stared up at her ceiling. The feather she was playing with danced in tiny circles. Wind was the easiest to control so far and using her wind element to make the tiny feather dance seemed to calm her. Her mind raced; “True Elementris, Brea, her mother. Can I really just go there? Will she really tell me the truth? Do I really want to know? What about Troy? Can I really do this. Someone else will come along if I give it up. Another True Elementris will be born…eventually. No telling when though. Is this what I want?” She glanced over at the stack of rejection letters on her desk. They were all from schools that she didn’t care much about, but still... Would she ever have a normal life? “Even if I give it up, could I really be normal after knowing all of this.” The feather suddenly fell on her chest, her concentration gone.

  She picked it up and twirled it in her fingers. “I wish I knew what to do.”

  That’s when she heard it; footsteps behind her. She turned, expecting to see Aunt Avalene. She sat straight up “Alec?!”

  He smiled and shut the door carefully behind him.

  She hurried to push her messy hair out of her face and wipe the smudges from under her eyes. He moved towards her. Not a single flaw in his walk. His broad shoulders stretched the white t-shirt he had on. His coal black hair fell lightly over his green eyes. She pushed her covers to the side and stood up. He stopped just in front of her. His eyes trailed down the front of her body.

  She straightened her night shirt and cleared her throat.

  He smiled, meeting her eyes now.

  “What are you…um…Hey.” she looked up at him. “I wasn’t sure when I would see you again.”

  “There are no cell phones on Element Island.”

  They both stood there awkwardly; she can feels his need for her. She knows that’s not why he came, but can’t help her thoughts going there. There is something stronger than they are here in this room, something older than time, a wild, animal-like, pull there between them taking over. She could imagine his hands on her, his lips on her warm skin. She shook her head, feeling her face turn red.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “More than what you already know…?” He shook his head back and forth slowly, “No, it’s just…time.” He seemed distracted, “We’re running out of time.”

  She didn’t say anything.

  “Look Ava, I want to help you get ready. I don’t know what you have decided, but I want you to be prepared.”

  “For the fight?”

  “That and other things. You need to know how to defend yourself. I want you to be safe. I wish I could stay with you and protect you, but I can’t.” He held his hand out, “Will you go with me?”

  “Go where?”

  “Back to my family’s property, it’s the only safe place I can teach you and talk to you. I’ll have you back before morning.”

  She nodded once. “Just let me get dressed.”

  “Okay,” he turned around.

  “Um…could you go out of the room or something?”

  “I won’t look Ava.”

  She paused, her hands gripping the bottom of her t-shirt, “Okay…you better not.”

  “Just hurry and change. I don’t have a lot of time and we have a lot to do.”

  After she changed she wrote a note for Aunt Avalene. She told her she had to do something, not to worry and that she would be back later today. She would be mad, but she wouldn’t be as mad as if she had left no note. After they got outside without waking Aunt Avalene, Ava breathed a sigh of relief. They walked through the darkness, up the dirt road to where his bike was parked.

  “Does she know about me?” he asked, suddenly breaking their silence.

  “Who?”

  “Your aunt.”

  “No.” Ava needed to tell her, but she just wasn’t sure how Aunt Avalene would react. Somehow she had a feeling that Sherri sort of knew. “Why are you asking?”

  “I just assumed you would tell her.”

  “I…don’t know what she will think. She’s really protective right now and you’re Lareina’s Clutch.”

  “Yeah. I am, but you trust me don’t you?”

  “Um…, mostly.”

  “Mostly?” he scrunched his dark brows together and she saw the disappointment in his emerald green eyes.

  “Well…I mean…I trust you. It’s just…this is all really hard. I’m kind of scared that I’m going to make some horrible mistake with it all.”

  “That’s why I’m here,” he straddled the bike, offering his hand to help her on, “to help you. You can trust me Ava.”

  “I hope so.” She wrapped her hands around his waist and tried to resist the urge to lay her head on his big shoulder.

  This time when they crossed the bridge, Alec’s father, Hazeltrouph, was waiting for them. He had a hard line between his green eyes. As they walked toward the stone house, Ava watched them. She sensed an odd tension between them. Hazeltrouph held the front door open and said, “I’m glad you agreed to come back, Ava.”

  She smiled, not sure what to say, and walked inside.

  The house looked a little different with all the lamps lit. The many flames from the lamps cast beautiful colors on the stone floor. The colored glass windows sparkled and the pictures painted on them looked almost alive. On one, a group of five people stood together with upstretched arms and on another a man on a horse held his hand out with a flame dancing above his palm. It was just like the statue out by the river she remembered from the last time she was here.

  Hazeltrouph walked over to the table by the fireplace and picked up a wooden box. Ava looked at Alec. He smiled slightly, “We want to show you something.”

  Hazeltrouph opened the box in front of her. It was what looked like an old photo album. “Take it,” he said.

  Ava reached into the box and pulled it out. She walked with Alec and his father over to the only sofa in the large living room. It was an antique couch, she could tell by the way the arms curved out and the red velvet showed deep crease lines in the seat. She sat in the middle and Hazeltrouph sat beside her. Alec stood behind her, looking over her shoulder as she opened the album. The spine was cracked with age. The pictures were old, black and white.

  She gasped, “Is that the island, Element Island?”

  “Yes,” Hazeltrouph answered. “We are not supposed to take any pictures from the island or any other evidence of its existence….but I knew I wouldn’t be going back when I left the Clutch. Anyway,” he smiled, “turn the page.”

  She looked down at the pictures. A large group of men wearing black and gold stood together in front of the ocean. A woman stood in front of them with long red hair. “Who is that?” she asked.

  “Nadia…your grandmother.” Hazeltrouph reached over and turned the page for her, “and that’s your mother.”

  “The little girl?” she pointed at the picture. The little red haired girl stood holding Nadia’s hand. A statue with five people holding hands was beside them.

  “Your grandmother was a great leader; she was…a True Elementris, in every sense of the word. It was an honor serving her and I would do it all again.”

  Ava looked up, meeting his eyes, “Is that why you’re trying to help me? That is what you’re trying to do…help me, right?”

  “Yes” he smiled “I know you will make a wonderful True Elementris and Alec and his…”

  “Dad!” Alec suddenly interrupted him.

  “What?” Ava turned back to Hazeltrouph, “His what?”

  “Nothing.” Alec interrupted, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “We still have a lot to do.”

  Hazeltrouph smiled, “He’s right. I have things to do as well.”

  Ava smiled at Hazeltrouph, “Thank you.”

  He pause
d tilting his head, “You’re welcome.” He bowed his head.

  They walked together through the property. At first glance, it seemed like there were only a few houses, but as they wound their way through the trees, Ava realized there were more. Some were really old and not kept up. “Does anyone else live here besides your father?”

  “Just my grandmother.”

  “Your grandmother?”

  “Yeah,” he pointed at the last stone house that was nestled in the trees, looking over the river. “She lives there.”

  “Is she a…?”

  “No.”

  “Then how does she live here?”

  “We can bring others here; they just can’t leave without the help of an Elementris. She chose to live the rest of her days here.” He stopped suddenly and took both of her hands, “Ava, I want…I need to protect you. Do you know about The Waerven?”

  “A little…I know they use like black magic and stuff.”

  “Yes,” he looked down, then back up. “They could be after you too. I want you to be careful. Their leader, Draken, is dangerous and sadistic. I wish I could stay here and protect you, like I should have protected her…”

  “Her?” she met his gaze.

  “My mom,” he turned away. “Ah, just forget it.”

  She reached up and touched his shoulder “Tell me Alec, please.”

  He looked up slowly “I’ve never talked about it…with anyone.”

  “Alec, you can trust me.”

  He narrowed his eyes, “Can I? You don’t trust me.”

  “I do Alec…I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

  He reached forward and ran his hand down her cheek. She noticed the tears forming in his green eyes. “He took her from me.”

  “Who took her?”

  “Draken. He took her. I was only four when it happened. She left with him and…,” he paused, “I couldn’t believe she left us, I was too young to understand and it almost destroyed my father when she left with him.”

  “Have you seen her since then?”