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

by Christina Mobley

  “No, I have information that it could be bad…we don’t have a lot of time. I need you to think Brea. Is there anyone who has been hanging around…maybe another Elementris. A strange person following Ava lately...anything you can think of.”

  She scrunched her brows together, “The only strange person following her around that I know of is…well…you. There is Troy Drake,” she lowered her voice, “the only other Elementris I know of, or is it Elementor since he’s a guy? Whatever! They’re sort of…dating. She just found out what he is.” She shook her head, “But…Troy couldn’t have, he’s been at school the two weeks that she’s been missing and even spent every afternoon putting up flyers for her.”

  Alec grabbed her shoulders, “Where does he live?”

  “Just down the road, in town, but…”

  “Where, what’s the address?”

  “22 North Pine…it’s a big house. I’ll go with you.”

  “No…” He ran off the porch and jumped onto his bike before she could argue.

  …Ava…

  Somewhere deep inside she knew she needed to wake up. Even in the total calm and blackness, she knew it was wrong. She knew she needed to wake up. She was so tired though. So, so, tired…

  …Alec…

  Alec was there in minutes. He parked the bike and scaled the back gate. He slipped in the back door after disconnecting the alarm. One thing he had always been good at, alarms and wiring. They had one hell of a system too. He moved down the hall with his back pressed against the wall. He listened for voices. The house seemed empty; just in case, he was careful as he began to search through every room. He stopped when he noticed a giant picture hanging by the staircase. It was him, Draken…and her, his mother! His heart thudded against his chest. His body pinged with regret as he looked at the portrait. Fear ravaged his mind. Ava. He turned towards the only door he had not checked…the basement door.

  He snatched it open and came face to face with Troy. Troy looked bewildered, his eyes wide. He darted towards the door behind him.

  Alec was faster though and darted around him.

  Troy grabbed Alec just as he snatched the door open and saw Ava lying there. She was so still.

  He turned and focused all his rage on Troy. He slammed him on his back over an end table. Troy got quickly to his feet and they charged into each other; fists jabbed, heads slammed against the hardwood floor, and blood spouted from Troy’s nose. Alec staggered to his feet, grabbed Troy by the throat and leg and slammed him down hard. That put him out, put him to sleep instantly. Alec stepped back with a slight smile of satisfaction as he ran towards Ava.

  Troy was only out a second…he got to his feet again and grabbed Alec just before he reached the door.

  Alec turned and swung in one smooth motion; Troy fell and Alec couldn’t stop the fire that shot from his fingertips. He decided to hit Troy one more time to make sure he would stay out, then another, and another.

  “Let him go!” A familiar voice boomed. “Alec! He’s your brother, Alec. Let him go!”

  Alec stood up, snatching Troy’s unconscious body with him. “Draken!” his head swirled with a thick mind-numbing hate. His temples pulsed as he stared back at him.

  “Put him down Alec…he is your brother.”

  “I don’t have a brother.” Confusion broke through the anger, “Who is this…?” He knew Draken valued no life. He would never try to help someone besides himself.

  “He’s my son…” Draken looked up, his snake-like eyes leveling with Alec’s, “and he is your brother.”

  “Why do you keep saying that?” He shook his head, “It doesn’t matter…unlock her chains or I’m going to kill him.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “Believe me, I will.” Alec looked at the room behind him, “Undo her chains now.”

  “You know I can’t do that.” Draken stepped closer, “Didn’t your father tell you about your baby brother?”

  “Let her go Draken, now!”

  Draken smiled and tilted his head. “I’m not surprised he didn’t tell you. He was a little testy when his wife told him she was in love with me.”

  Alec was seeing through a blood-red haze now. “My mother wasn’t in love with you…, you took her, and you sacrificed her.”

  “I did…had to do that, but that was after Troy was born. We were in love before that. You and Troy though…you’re blood. However, you did get the sissy genes from your father…that gives your baby brother an advantage.”

  Ava moaned, and her chains rattled.

  Alec looked over his shoulder and then back to Draken. “I’ll burn him alive…let her go now.”

  Draken walked casually over to him. “Do it then.”

  Alec stood there…not sure what to do.

  Suddenly Draken snatched Troy from him. He slammed him on the floor. Troy’s eyes sprang open just before Draken thrust the fire at him. He screamed as his father burned him alive. Alec darted at Draken…it was too late. Troy was gone. The fire singed his black hair and Draken came back at him with his own fire. It was an even match for a minute. Then Draken turned and tossed a gray powder in Alec’s face. Alec was instantly blinded as the powder caused a dense cloud to form around him. His head was pounding and he gasped as his lungs fought to find clear air. He knew Draken was still close, but he couldn’t see him.

  Then, Ava was there. She walked through the haze and brushed the hair back from his forehead. Her eyes were so bright and beautiful. Her lips formed his name as she leaned towards him to take his mouth in what was sure to be a soul-shattering kiss. He had never seen her like this. Then he knew, “This isn’t Ava! It’s an illusion, some kind of trick.” He watched as the beautiful eyes suddenly turned black and cold and then Ava’s face began to melt away and Draken’s took its place.

  Draken threw him to the floor and placed his hands palm out as he readied himself to send searing fire into Alec’s body. He wanted him dead. Alec stumbled to his knees and gathered his own fire. His body was still weak as it tried to recover from the effects of the gray powder. Draken sneered and lifted his hands but just when Alec was sure he was done for, the ground started shaking and a wild breeze screamed through the room. Draken roared and dropped to the floor; his hands gripping his face. He rolled around in agony as Ava’s aunt stepped into the room with another woman; Brea right behind them. Alec jumped to his feet, pulled the needle from Ava’s arm and used his fire to break the lock from her chains. She peeked, opening her eyes just slightly. “Alec,” she managed and closed her eyes again.

  “I can’t hold him much longer. Get her out of here.” Aunt Avalene said.

  Draken groaned and began to move. Alec knew they had only moments before they would be dealing with him again. He was right. Draken thrust one hand towards Ava, his fingers twisting, and she began to scream. Blood streamed from her nose and ears. The most excruciating headache Alec had ever experienced dropped him to his knees. He managed to hold onto Ava and, working to suppress his own urge to scream, stood and pushed her into Sherrie’s arms.

  “Take her.” Alec said. “Go…, get her out of here. We’ll deal with him.”

  “He’ll kill you!”

  “Just go!” Alec screamed at her.

  Draken’s attention was centered on Aunt Avalene. They were locked in battle, their powers evenly matched and equally dangerous. Blood poured from their noses as they moved towards each other, the savage pain that each was enduring was evident on their faces and in their movements. Taking advantage of Draken’s inattention, Alec lunged at him and knocked him to the ground. Draken focused his attention on Alec quickly, but not quickly enough. Alec was ready for him, he sent hot flames straight into his face and as Draken howled in agony, Alec used his fire to burn his body until there was nothing left but ashes.

  Chapter Sixteen… (Evacuation)

  …Ava…

  Ava woke up in her own bed…confused, the light too bright. She got to her feet and ran down the stairs. She found Aunt Avalene, Sherr
i and Brea in the living room. They were talking to someone across the room. Ava took the last two steps down and saw him. Alec was there. So was his father. They all stopped talking when she stepped in the room.

  “What’s going on?”

  Everyone looked at her.

  “What…what is it?”

  Aunt Avalene walked over, putting her hand on Ava’s shoulder, “Draken’s dead but…we are not safe here anymore. Lareina may already know where we live or what you look like. We can’t be sure how much she knows…” She looked towards Hazeltrouph, “we’re going to stay with Hazeltrouph for a while. It’s safe there. We’re going to put up some extra protection after the others arrive.”

  “The others?” Ava interrupted.

  “The three who complete our circle will be arriving soon. They’re going to stay here at the house and watch for signs of trouble. They need to be close just in case we have to protect you.”

  “What about school? What about Brea?”

  “Brea can come see you there…when she gets back.” Sherri said, looking at Brea.

  “Mom and I are supposed to leave for the cruise tonight…I was going to tell her we couldn’t go because I’m sick or something, but…”

  “I told her to go.” Aunt Avalene put her hand on Brea’s shoulder, “It’s the best way to keep Brea and her mother safe. We could bring Brea to Hazeltrouph's with us, but how could we explain all this to Brea’s mother. She’s doing better now…and it will keep them both safe for at least a week.

  “Yeah,” Brea smiled, “and I’ll be back the day before your birthday.”

  Sherri nodded. “They will be safe, Ava, and we have to keep you safe too…you’re not strong enough yet.”

  “And your birthday is only a week away.” Aunt Avalene smiled, “After that we will…” She stopped, “Well, after you make your decision, we will take our next step from there.”

  “When are we going?”

  Aunt Avalene touched her shoulder, “Now…we were just about to wake you up. Brea leaves this afternoon for her cruise.” She gestured toward Alec, “Alec has already taken most of your stuff there.”

  Alec locked eyes with her for a second.

  Hazeltrouph cleared his throat, “Now that she’s awake, we should go. The sooner we get her there, the better.”

  “Okay,” Aunt Avalene nodded, “let’s go.”

  Ava didn’t have time to think. She didn’t have time to process what was happening. She was rushed to Hazeltrouph’s truck and Aunt Avalene and Sherri followed behind. Brea gave her a long hug before she left. It was almost like a dream. The drugs still lingered in Ava’s system, making her a little fuzzy. Alec sat beside her with his arms crossed, looking all around as they drove. He had a cut that was freshly stitched on his cheek.

  She felt like she should say something; “thanks for saving my life,” or something. Her mind was still fuzzy though and she wanted to do it right. She had so many thoughts running through her mind she couldn’t think straight; “all those years with Troy…Brea, one week to decide.” She would miss prom and graduation. It didn’t seem fair, everything was falling apart. Everything was happening too fast. She glanced at Alec again. He gave her a quick glance then continued staring out the window.

  Once they were over the bridge that led to his father’s island, Alec seemed to relax slightly. He opened the door of a house right past his fathers. It was small, with a chimney and front porch. Ava followed him inside as Aunt Avalene and Sherri pulled up. It had a small living room and kitchen. Two bedrooms and a layer of dust over everything. Ava coughed and wandered through the house. Alec unlatched the windows and slid them open. She looked at the bedroom…a single bed and a desk by the window. She reached up and unlatched the window.

  “I was just coming to get that one,” Alec said.

  “I’ve got it.” She turned, “So… this is really happening. They know who I am.”

  He looked up and wiped his forehead. “We don’t know if Lareina knows yet. The Waerven does, so that’s enough reason to do this. They will be disorganized for a while…with their leader dead. We just don’t know how much he shared with the others about you.”

  “What about Troy…is he…dead?”

  “Yes.” He looked away as he spoke, “I cleaned everything up, and hopefully that will give us some time.”

  Ava nodded, feeling sick, “It’s only a week, maybe Lareina doesn’t even know who I am yet.”

  “Yeah, maybe not.” He gave her an awkward grin.

  “What?”

  “Your friend…she said you and…” he clenched his teeth, “she said you and Troy were dating?”

  “Yeah…we were.”

  Alec nodded; his smile definitely forced now, “Okay then…I better get to work on unloading these boxes.”

  Ava looked into his eyes, “Talk to me Alec,” she paused, “I want to know what you’re thinking.”

  He shook his head slightly, “You really want to know what I’m thinking?”

  She nodded nervously.

  “I’m thinking about you Ava. I’m thinking about all of this. I just wish you would make a decision and stick to it. Make a choice, time is running out and you don’t seem to care.”

  “I do care,” she looked down, “I just don’t know what to do.”

  He spun and then looked back, “You know what to do, Ava.” He walked away.

  “Alec, wait!” she took a step after him “I’ll help”

  “No,” he yelled over his shoulder. “I’ve got it!”

  Ava stopped and watched him walk outside. “Was he mad about the Troy thing? Was this really about more than the True Elementris thing? Was it something else? Could Alec have real feelings for her after such a short time? It was all so freaking confusing.”

  That night they all sat together around Hazeltrouph's table for dinner. The others were in town now and the bridge was secured. No one could get in…that they didn’t want coming in anyway. Alec’s grandmother joined them. She was quiet and really petite. Her silver hair lay over her shoulders and her eyes had a strange white tint to them. Even with her age Ava could tell she used to be beautiful. She had high cheekbones and her roots still showed the hint of her natural hair color.

  She stared silently at Ava as everyone talked. Alec sat across from Ava and Aunt Avalene and Sherri sat on either side of her. She stared down at her soup as they talked about making a list of supplies Sherri would pick up and what precautions to take. Hazeltrouph poured himself another glass of tea, “…and after Aleczander returns to the island hopefully he will be able to watch things from there.”

  “What!” Ava looked up, “You’re going back to the island?”

  “Yes, I have to.” He stood up, “I need to get going. The longer I’m gone the worse it’s going to be.” He walked out after one short look at Ava.

  Ava stared after him long after he walked out of the door. She wanted to talk to him, lay everything on the table, and thank him. She didn’t move though, she just sat there, glued to her chair.

  The next morning Mr. John and Ruby came to check on them. They said Greta was staying on the other side of town with Sherri and the rest of them were staying at Aunt Avalene’s house. Sherri was at the school taking care of Ava’s school work and doctor’s note. Mr. John and Ruby sat on the front porch with Aunt Avalene, discussing things that needed to be taken care of. Ava needed to think. She decided she needed to walk. She made her way back to the statue that overlooked the waterfall and sat on the bench.

  After only a few minutes, she realized she was too restless to sit. She stood and wandered along the edge of the river bank. She stared down at the river flowing beside her. She had always thought she knew the St. Mary’s River like the back of her hand. The parts running along Alec’s family’s property didn’t look familiar at all though. She took a deep breath, pushing a tree branch out of her way. Some part of her did want this. Some part of her always knew she was different. She felt a part of herself in that tea-colored
water as a child, in the warm summer breeze, and especially in the rain drops she loved to dance in as a child.

  Accepting her magic would be so natural, she found herself less disappointed about prom and school and more disappointed by having to wait. The next five days would inch by. Her regular small life was just a tiny micro part of this big world. Accepting her gift would change that though. She would really be a part of it all. She knew what she had to do, no matter the risk. She looked up at the sky, a cloudless, blue sky day. She hoped Alec would be okay. She should have talked to him before he left.

  “Ava,” she heard someone say quietly.

  She spun around to see Alec’s Grandmother standing behind her. Her eyes looked even whiter in the sunlight. She wondered if she could see at all. She had to. She was staring right at Ava. “Yes?”

  “Follow me.” She pressed her cane into the underbrush. “I have to talk to you about something.”

  Chapter Seventeen (Truth about dreams)

  Ava followed her back down the riverbank and towards a thicker part of the forest. Her house was hanging just over the bank. A wide staircase led up to the front door. She didn’t turn back to see if Ava was following until she opened the door. “Come inside.”

  Ava paused, searching the old woman’s face for a moment before walking inside. The living room was small, but cozy. A colorful afghan covered the faded sofa. Hundreds of dream catchers and dust covered pictures hung on the walls. One that she was sure was Alec as a little boy made her smile. He was sitting on his mother’s lap on the riverbank; his black hair sticking out in different directions.

  “Sit down girl.” Her voice was raspy and weak. She took a seat in the rocking chair across from the sofa. “Don’t worry about him…Alec is a strong boy.”

  “I wasn’t...” Ava started.

  “Yes, you were. This old lady knows more than you think.”

  Ava felt her cheeks heat. “So…what did you want to talk to me about?”