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

by Christina Mobley

  Alec glared at him, “Why should I believe anything you say? Why would you tell me the truth?”

  Ben looked him straight in the eye, “Because, I know the truth and I don’t want to be her minion anymore. I want her gone. She’s going to kill me before it’s over with anyway.” He looked around, “and if that girl gets back to Draken, Lareina will kill me.”

  “You didn’t let her out though…did you?”

  “No, but Lareina doesn’t care. She’s getting worse. She’s crazy. All she can think about is a way to find the next True Elementris and she’s completely losing it.”

  Alec took in a long slow breath and looked back to Ben “I’m not saying I believe you, but what happened to Scott? I want to know.”

  Ben sighed, “Scott came to Lareina on his own. He told her that he knew her secret and he wanted in. Later he told me that he wanted to make sure that Lareina never found out about you and Shawn knowing the truth.”

  “Yeah. But why would he volunteer to be sacrificed?”

  “He didn’t volunteer at first. That night he found out that Draken had some girl; a girl who could find out the truth from anyone…Bianca. They call her the detector. She’s evil and Lareina wanted Draken to use her to test our loyalty, mine and Scott’s and Tony’s. She’s gotten paranoid too. Scott freaked when he found out that’s why she was taking us to Draken’s Waerven meeting that night.”

  “So he did it so she wouldn’t know that Shawn and I knew about E Construction and all that.”

  “Partially, we figured out what to do about the girl. We convinced Lareina that we should take her. Draken would never know and if anyone knew all his secrets it would be that girl. She might be of use later. The real reason Scott did it was because Lareina was going to sacrifice his brother, Shawn. She was doing it to test his loyalty to her. Draken wanted a sacrifice from her to prove their alliance and she decided to take Shawn. At the last minute Scott convinced Lareina to let him take Shawn’s place. That’s why Shawn was reassigned at the last minute.”

  Alec felt tears rush to his eyes and his throat burned as he looked at Ben. “So you just all of a sudden decided to come clean with me…why?”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we’re friends or that I like you. I just might need your help later. It’s only a matter of time before she figures out that I’m done with it. I’m going to leave and if I have to run from her the rest of my life, I will. I just can’t take it anymore. I’m done.”

  …Ava…

  Ava practically ran off the plane when it landed in Florida. She had waited all night for an early morning flight. Aunt Avalene and Sherri waited for her just outside the terminal. They went straight to Brea’s. All night all she could think about was Brea. Was it the spell or a big coincidence? She felt sick at the thought that her spell might have caused this. It worked, but in the worst possible way.

  One thing came out of the trip to her mothers. The choice. She was sure now. She couldn’t walk away. She would challenge Lareina and fix this mess. She was strong enough to handle this. Her mother did her one favor. By leaving her, she had made her strong. That was the one thing her mother had done for her. She felt awful that her very existence was the result of a rape, but it wasn’t her fault and she could see in her mother’s eyes that things between them would never be right.

  They were home from the hospital by the time Ava made it there. Aunt Avalene tried to prepare her. “The house was destroyed and the whole thing was all over the news. The cop’s tasered Buck to get him to surrender. He held Brea hostage with a knife in front of the house. Her mother was tied up inside when they found her. It was horrible.”

  “What’s going to happen to him?” Ava asked, leaning forward in the back seat.

  “He’s going away for a long time, honey,” Sherri reached over and touched her hand.

  “I’m glad.” Ava couldn’t wait to get there to be with Brea.

  The house was destroyed like Aunt Avalene said. The lawn furniture was turned over and the front door had scorch marks on it; a few pieces of police tape still lay on the porch steps. Brea met her at the door. She had tears in her hazel eyes. She just stood in front of Ava, shaking her head back and forth.

  “How is your mom?”

  Brea stepped out and shut the door, “She’s doing better; still crying a lot.”

  “What about you?” Ava put her hand on Brea’s shoulder, “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, he’s gone…I’m just worried about her now.”

  “She will be okay…with time Brea.”

  “I know…I just hate seeing her so sad. She feels so guilty too.”

  “About you?”

  “Yeah, she just keeps telling me how sorry she is.”

  Ava wrapped her arms around Brea, “It’s over now Brea. He’s gone.”

  “Hopefully forever,” Brea cried. “If it was the spell…I don’t even care. He’s gone…”

  Ava held onto Brea as she cried. She felt so damn guilty. “Where the hell did Troy get that spell?” Her mind reeled as she tried to figure out what had happened.

  That afternoon after helping Brea clean up the house and delivering the lasagna Aunt Avalene made for her and her mother, Ava couldn’t wait a minute longer. She left Brea’s house and headed straight out of the dirt road. She picked up her cell and called Troy.

  “Hey,” he answered on the first ring.

  “Hey, where are you?”

  Troy paused, “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “What is it?”

  “It’s about that spell you gave me. Have you seen the news?”

  “Yeah…I saw what happened. I can explain everything. Can we meet somewhere?”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Please, Ava. I told you I would be honest with you. Please give me a chance to explain.”

  She paused, considering, “Alright, where?”

  “My house.”

  “Fine,” she hung up the phone and turned towards his house.

  She wasn’t exactly sure what she would say to him, but it wouldn’t be good. Maybe he hadn’t known what would happen, but she was still going to give him hell.

  It was almost dark when she pulled through their big gate. He stood out front, waiting for her. She slung her car door open and marched right up to him. “What the hell was that stuff? Where did you get that spell from?”

  “Calm down Ava,” he looked around like someone might be watching them and overhear. “Let’s talk inside.” He turned, heading up the stairs.

  She stomped behind him, so mad that she could feel her pulse in her ears.

  He shut the door behind them and Ava looked around, really seeing his house for the first time. With all the people in here last time it was hard to really see it. The entrance was white marble and you could see every room from the front door. The enormous kitchen and large living room were sparkling clean. The fish tank completely dominated the back wall of the living room and the two sharks were circling angrily back and forth. She glanced at the staircase and the picture of him and his parents.

  “Come on, let’s talk back here, my dad is working in his study.”

  She nodded and followed him past the giant fish tank and down a narrow hall with a staircase leading down to a finished basement. The room had a giant red pool table and a full wall big screen. A big L-shaped bar sat in the center and there was a door just beside a giant white sectional that stretched across two whole walls in the back.

  Ava crossed her arms. “Okay, explain,” she demanded. “Tell me Troy, where did you get that spell from?”

  I got it from my mother’s Grimoire.”

  “What the hell is a Grimoire?”

  “It’s a spell book, sort of like the one your aunt probably has except it’s much older. My family’s Grimoire has been passed down for a long time.” He paused looking at her, “I haven’t been completely honest with you, Ava”

  She felt her heart thump, “What
do you mean?”

  He took her hand and looked intently into her eyes. “I have had control of my element for a long time and my father knows all about it.”

  She jerked her hand back. “Why would you lie about your father knowing about it? Is he an Elementor like you?”

  “Yes,” he breathed, smiling proudly. “My father is very powerful.”

  “Like a True Elementris?”

  “No…, more powerful, in a different way.”

  “But, there’s no one more powerful than a True Elementris.”

  “Yes there is. There are lots of us. You see Ava, being born of the Element is a wonderful gift, but there’s more.”

  “What do you mean… like book magic?”

  “Well for us it’s the magic of the Grimoire. Most of those born of the Element limit themselves; they go by the times-three law. You know, only good spells, no personal gain, and all that jazz.” He took her hand again, “The way we do thing is different. There is no times-three law, anyone can learn the spells in the Grimoire and gain power. We can do things you have never seen, Ava. You could have more power than you could ever imagine. And you, with your gift…you being a True Elementris, you could really be powerful and together…, together we would be unstoppable.”

  “You know about me…? About what I am?” She took two steps back, “What do you mean, we…?”

  “The Waerven,” a voice boomed from the doorway behind her. Troy’s father stepped into the room. “Don’t let Troy scare you.” He said as he walked towards them, “We are not as bad, nor as dramatic, as he makes it sound. We simply want to access our full potential and take advantage of all that this world has to offer.”

  Troy put his arm around her. “This is my father, Draken, the leader of The Waerven.”

  She pulled away from him. Her heart was pounding, “What do you want?” She looked from Troy to Draken, feeling tears burn her eyes. This was what Alec was talking about. The Waerven. This was what Sherri told her about. Evil witches, led by a man born of the Element, Draken…

  “We simply want to give you an opportunity,” Draken walked over, lowering his chin and watching her as he spoke. “Why should all that power go to waste on some island? Don’t you want to know more Ava? Don’t you want to be able to protect your friend, and reach your full potential? You could make your friend’s stepfather pay…really pay.”

  She shook her head slowly, “I don’t want to make him pay…I just wanted him to leave…” She looked towards the only door leading out, it was still open. “I have to get home…my aunt will be looking for me.” She backed away slowly, moving towards the door.

  “You’re walking away from a great opportunity, Ava.” Draken turned, “I don’t give second chances.”

  She didn’t say anything just kept walking backwards, avoiding his dark eyes.

  He looked at Troy. “Plan B then.” He turned towards Ava and shouted words she didn’t understand. “Sanutar heandsess bealands toniest.”

  She stopped suddenly…she couldn’t move her feet. She couldn’t move her mouth to scream. She dug inside herself trying to get the magic to work. She thought of the wind, of fire, anything. Nothing happened, she was completely paralyzed. The only things working were her eyes and ears.

  “I can’t believe it worked!” Troy said behind her. “On a True Elementris!”

  “I’ve told you son, we are gaining more and more power as our numbers grow and she hasn’t turned eighteen yet so she doesn’t have all of her power yet. Get her into the room.”

  She felt Troy’s hands around her, although she couldn’t move, tears streamed down her face. She was chained to the bed and Troy injected her with some kind of drug. She couldn’t stay awake. She went into a deep sleep; total darkness, calming, thoughtless sleep.

  Chapter Fifteen… (Brother?)

  She could move her arms a little now. The spell was wearing off but the chains around her and the drug kept her motionless. Her mind felt like mush and she was so tired.

  Ava wasn’t sure how long she had lain there. She pulled at the chains and tried to call the wind. She felt a little drunk, but her mind was starting to return. The room was the size of a closet and it had no windows or anything on the walls except for a camera in the corner. She had an IV in her arm and two bags hung from a hook on the wall.

  She used her teeth to pull the needle out of her arm. Blood spouted and she noticed over a dozen tiny bruises and wondered how long she had been there. How many times had she ripped the needle out? She rolled her head over, looking at the door just as it opened. Troy stepped in; his backpack slung over one shoulder.

  “You have to quit pulling your IV out Ava.”

  He wrapped her arm up and cleaned the IV with alcohol.

  Her throat burned as she spoke, “Why are you… doing this… to me?”

  He bent down in front of her, brushing back a piece of her hair. He glanced up at the camera and kept his voice low, “Ava, why couldn’t you just do it? My father was offering you a gift.”

  “I don’t…want…to be evil.”

  He smiled sympathetically, “You wouldn’t be Ava; I only have one more day to convince you…he’s going to sacrifice you tomorrow night. He has to. Please try to clear your mind…and try to remember this. Remember what I’m telling you before he comes to talk to you again.”

  “Again?” she managed.

  “Yes, the drugs make it hard to remember, but try…you don’t want to die…it’s better to join us.” He slipped the IV back in and stood up.

  “So all these years…it was all for this?”

  He smiled, “It’s brilliant. I was always unavailable…the crush. When I offered you a chance, you practically ran at me. Over the years, I started to really like you. I care deeply about you now. At first it was just a plan that my father told me about when I was young. It’s different now, Ava. I want to be with you.” He knelt down beside her and kissed her. “I can’t tell him…he wouldn’t understand…but I’m in love with you. We could be together forever.”

  She tried to move away, the chains rattled. “Get off of me.”

  “You’re just mad right now…I know how you feel about me.”

  She looked up at him, the edge of her vision fading and her body relaxing into the haze. “Alec,” she whispered to herself, “Help me.” She was out again.

  …Alec…

  Alec woke with a jolt. He threw his covers across the room and jumped to his feet, looking around his room. There was no one, nothing. It was still dark out. Just after midnight. He hadn’t been dream walking, he knew that, although he was pretty sure he’d heard Ava call. He shrugged and walked over to retrieve his blanket and climbed back into his bunk. Shawn was snoring on the opposite bunk. Alec wasn’t sure what it was that woke him up but he was wide awake now. He lay there for a while before he gave up. He took a shower and got dressed, slipping out of the room without waking Shawn.

  Downstairs in the early morning, he enjoyed the quiet. The only sound was the waves crashing rhythmically against the wall. He walked out towards the courtyard where the Brooden sat and the best view of the ocean could be seen. He walked out onto the Brooden and stood at the center. Scott’s place…wind.

  He knelt down and looked out over the dark ocean. The morning sun was beginning to peak over the horizon. He wished he could talk to Scott just one more time. “Why did you do it? Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you protect Shawn…somehow. You were always there for me, even until the very end of your life. If you only knew what your death has done to us.”

  “I’ve been looking for you,” a voice said from behind him.

  He turned to see Ben walking towards him. His muscles automatically tensed, even though Ben was more of an ally than a threat now. His body couldn’t seem to get that, his mind was still questioning it as well.

  Ben stepped out onto the Brooden, “I went to your room. I wanted to talk to you before everyone got up. I don’t want anyone to see us talking.”

&n
bsp; “What is it?”

  “I found something out last night. It’s about the next True Elementris…the girl.”

  Alec turned defensively, “What about her?”

  “They’re going to sacrifice her…The Waerven that is. They have invited Lareina to witness the whole thing. I don’t know if they really have the True Elementris…the one you’re trying to protect, or if it’s just a girl they think is her, but I thought you should know.”

  “Where are they doing it?” Alec was on his feet now; feeling like his heart was trying to climb up his throat, “Where?”

  “I don’t know.” Ben took a precautionary step back. “I don’t know that part. All I know is they are going to sacrifice her and they invited Lareina to witness it in exchange for something. I don’t know what that is either.”

  “Thank you, Ben.” He ran past him, straight out to the boat deck. He didn’t think about covering himself, or anything else. All he could think about was Ava, getting to her fast. He hoped Ben was wrong…, that it wasn’t her. He wouldn’t know until he got there though.

  By seven-thirty he had searched her house, overheard her aunt talking with her friend Sherri about her being missing and now was standing on her best friend’s front porch with his hand hovering over the door. He knocked twice not caring about anything except finding Ava. He knew Ava told her best friend practically everything. She might be his only hope.

  She came to the door, jerking it open; the look of surprise on her face caught him a little off guard. He felt like he already knew her, from all the times he watched Ava’s dreams, but she didn’t know him.

  “Can I help you?” She tilted her head suspiciously.

  He took a breath and whispered, “I’m Alec.”

  “Warrior boy?” she said surprised.

  “Huh…?”

  “Never mind,” she pulled the door shut behind her. “If you are who I think you are…you know where she is, don’t you?”

  “No…I don’t,” he ran his hand through his hair. “I wish I did…I assume she told you about me…what I am and all?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Brea said, “Ava tells me everything…” Her voice dropped off, “You really don’t know where she is?”