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

by Christina Mobley

  Alec’s chains rattled as he strained to break free.

  Lareina turned on him, her black heels clapping the stone floor, “I did, but you have to run it by Lord Veren first.” She shook her head. “You can do that and I will go see to all the arrangements,” she said, as she headed for the door.

  Blake was staring at Ava with an intensity that made her skin crawl.

  “Come along,” Lareina said, waiting at the door.

  “It’s going to be okay, Ava. You’ll see,” Blake said, as he followed Lareina out of the room. The door locked behind them with a loud thud.

  Alec spoke first, “Ava, you’re going to have to break my chains. My Element won’t work in here.”

  “I’ll try, but mine are barely working in here either.” She concentrated on the lock that connected Alec and Shawn, but nothing seemed to be happening. Shawn and Alec pulled away from each other with all their strength as she concentrated.

  The latch slid back and the door burst open. Everyone froze, waiting to see who it was.

  It was Blake. He hurried straight over to Ava.

  “Stay the hell away from her!” Alec growled from across the room.

  Blake ignored him. He looked a lot different than he had on the island. He had dropped some weight, he wasn’t shaved and he had dark circles under his eyes. The confident air he seemed to carry comfortably before was completely gone as he dropped down in front of her. His whole body shook as he stared at her.

  Ava felt sick to her stomach knowing it was the curse that had done this to him.

  He reached out slowly, his hand shaking, and brushed his fingertips along her cheek.

  Alec fought against his chains, sounding like a trapped animal.

  Ava turned away from Blake, feeling as though slime had slid into her gut.

  Blake leaned in closer to her, his breath hot on her face, “You will forgive me, won’t you?”

  “For what?”

  He glanced over his shoulder at Alec and back to her, “I have to kill him. This may be my only chance. It’s the only way you can realize your love for me.”

  “No!” Ava screamed, tears streaming instantly and her whole world spinning as his words froze her insides. “Please” she cried desperately. “You can’t kill him, I…,” she stopped as she realized that her love for Alec was the very reason his life was now in danger.

  Blake stood up and pulled a pistol from the back of his jeans. He pointed it at Alec.

  Alec stared right into the barrel, unfazed by the threat Blake presented, “I promise you, even if you kill me, you will pay for messing with her.”

  Shawn looked up at Blake, “We will all come after you; every single one of us.”

  Blake shook his head and lifted his other hand to the gun in an attempt to steady his shaking hands.

  “Wait!” Ava screamed. She glanced at Alec, locking eyes with him for only a second. She looked up at Blake, fighting the sickness climbing the back of her throat, “I love you, Blake. I want to be with you. If you let him live we can just leave together.”

  He turned back to her, his eyes full of pain and desperation, “Why do you care if I kill him then?”

  “Because,” she searched desperately for words “Because, I am still the True Elementris and I know someone has to take care of those born of the Element and they need him. If I am going to leave I have to be sure my family and,” she looked at Brea, “and my friends will be safe.”

  “Do you really love me?”

  “Y-Yes,” she worked to keep her gaze steady as she looked into his eyes. “I just…I know it’s wrong.”

  “It’s not though,” he rushed over to her side and dropped to his knees in front of her. “It’s right. You can’t help who you fall in love with.” He pulled a large key chain out and slipped a key into her ankle and wrist shackles. “We have to hurry before Lareina comes back.” He pulled her to her feet and started drawing her towards the door.

  Alec fought against the chains again. “No! Get away from her, you sick freak!”

  Blake cocked his head and looked at Alec, the madness in his eyes evident as he reached for the gun again.

  Ava knew she had to think fast, “Wait!” She had to do something. She grabbed his face and looked into his eyes. She had to save Alec. She would not watch him die. Without her full power, she was left without many choices. She was going to have to make him believe that she really did love him, but to do that, she was going to have to hurt Alec. The thought alone made her want to throw up. She leaned in and slowly ran her hand down Blake’s cheek. She wasn’t thinking about Blake, though. Instead, she was concentrating every shred of power she had available on the lock holding Shawn and Alec chained to the floor. It was already showing a slight break where they had been pulling on it. She concentrated with all her might sending the heat of the fire element to it. She took Blake’s face in both hands as she slowly leaned closer, he was completely distracted now. It was time! She dropped her hands from his face, grabbed his shoulders and kneed him in the groin.

  He let out a horrible groan and then turned the gun on her. “You lying…“

  Before he could finish his sentence, the lock broke and Shawn and Alec both ran towards them with the chain still attached to them both. Their arms lifted at the same time and dropped the heavy chain over Blake’s head. Alec gave it a sharp tug that caused Blake to fall flat on his back. Now Alec’s eyes filled with madness as he began to pull the chain tight against Blake’s throat.

  Ava suddenly knew that this was it, Nisca’s vision! Alec was going to kill Blake!

  “Alec! No, don’t!” she rushed over to him.

  The anger in his eyes made their normal intense green seem hollow and far away. His face was twisted with hatred as he pulled the chain tighter and tighter.

  “You’re going to kill him, Alec! Stop it, please!”

  Alec dropped the chain, her plea having broken through the angry haze. Blake was limp against the floor. His dark eyes were wide open, staring at nothing. They were completely empty of life. Ava drew a ragged breath. This was all her fault. Blake Sanders had died because of her and her family’s curse. She felt the pain of the Vangeretta curse like a crushing weight on top of her.

  Alec backed away, breathing hard, the veins in his arms bulging around the thick muscles and his skin damp with sweat. “I…,” he started, but he didn’t finish. He took the keys from Blake’s side, freed Shawn and himself, and then freed the others.

  Ava felt like the world was spinning too fast around her as they ran through the door. The hallway was dark and everything seemed to be happening so fast. At each turn they took down more Waevern guards. There was no stopping Alec. The look on his face kept everyone as silent and intent on escape as he was. The Clutch guards moved ahead, silent and sure, ready to protect Ava if the need should arise. The dark halls of the mansion twisted and turned as they moved silently through them. It was like being in a maze, one wrong turn and they would find themselves surrounded by thousands.

  And they did.

  They burst through yet another doorway, only to come to an abrupt halt as what looked like thousands of people all turned to look at them at once. It was very unnerving watching that many faces turn at once without any sound. They stood frozen at the opening to an outdoor area in the middle of the castle that they’d mistakenly thought was the way out.

  Alec planted his feet and braced himself.

  Ava saw Lareina standing with a man wearing a very expensive and well-fitting suit. His expression was a curious blend of amusement and anger. Lareina lifted her chin and a slight smile crossed her lips.

  Ava wanted to cry; she just wanted to leave. For months she had wanted so badly to leave the island and now that she had, all she wanted was to get back there. She was angry, too; angry that Lareina had found a way to hurt the ones she loved. She hurried past Alec and threw a lightning bolt towards the crowd. They all moved back and a few were burned. “That was fair warning. Let us go or die. One thing y
ou should probably keep in mind; at this point, I really don’t care which one you choose.” She was breathing hard, scared out of her mind, but she was done. She was tired of running and hiding.

  The man in the suit lifted a hand and pointed and all at once people broke from the crowd and rushed them. Alec snatched Ava by the hand and pulled her behind him, “Run!” he yelled in a tone of voice she had never heard him use before.

  Ava looked at Brea as Alec, Shawn, Thomas, and Bianca formed a line across the archway they stood in.

  She shook her head, “No,” she said, and turned back around.

  “Go!” Alec commanded as the crowd closed in on them.

  Ava stepped forward, threw her hands to the sky, and called all the elements at once. She mixed storms on a daily basis, but she always kept the Elements limited as she did so. Not today. She needed a powerful storm. She could feel her whole body vibrate with the electricity of it as the thunder woke the sky and the lighting lit the faces of the crowd.

  Rain broke free from the sky and attacked the ground. The wind swirled angrily and toppled the large stone monument at the center of the crowd. Alec and the rest of the guards were protecting her from the angry mob, but as the two sides collided it looked like ants swarming crumbs. There were too many of them, way too many. As they fought all around her, Ava found her target; the woman responsible for this. She darted out into the crowd. The storm would continue to build without her now; the rain was so loud that you couldn’t hear the groans of the injured or the commands the man in the suit was attempting to give. He eased out into the crowd followed by a group of the largest men Ava had ever laid eyes on.

  Lareina turned just as Ava reached her. Her shock was evident; her gaping mouth and widening eyes a clear indication that she had never expected to have to meet Ava without the odds being clearly in her favor. Ava closed her fist and then flicked her fingers outwards towards her. Fire burned bright and powerful as it shot towards her target. Lareina dropped to her knees to avoid the liquid hot flames.

  Ava danced with power, as the storm mimicked her emotions: electric, angry, and out of control. The wind howled as a massive tornado formed and began ripping the old mansion apart. Lighting popped off the roof and every other elevated point on the wicked place at once, creating an umbrella-like canopy over the rooftops around them.

  Ava dove on top of Lareina, sick with regret that she had ever let her go, and angry that she had allowed her to endanger those she loved. Her hands formed a vise around her neck and even in this unearthly moment; her skin crawled as she touched her. She felt the power growing inside, growing more and more out of control. She looked straight into Lareina’s wide eyes as she started to squeeze the life from her body.

  …Lyssa…

  It was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen. The storm pulled the old stone mansion apart like it was made of paper. Large pieces of it flew in the wind and the roar was so loud she was sure her eardrums were about to burst. They fought under the fire lit sky as the lightning danced around them.

  Only a few were left fighting; most of The Waevern had either retreated from the storm or been killed in the fight. Lyssa ran towards Ava as she crouched over Lareina. Ava’s eyes were lit with power and a dangerous smile twisted her beautiful face.

  Lareina was evil, but Lyssa couldn’t see her die. She deserved it, but there were still too many unanswered questions and she was the only person who could give them to her. Lyssa felt sheer terror as she leapt on top of them. “Stop!” she screamed with no sound, her voice drowned out by the roaring storm. As she landed on Ava’s back, she felt a tremendous jolt and then everything went black.

  When she woke, she was lying in a bed. Unfamiliar smells wafted through the air and distant voices whispered over her. Her head hurt really badly and there was a painful burn on her hand.

  “She’s awake,” an unfamiliar voice said.

  Lyssa’s vision was blurry, she could make out the figure’s outline in front of her, but not the face. For a moment she wondered if she was dead or alive. “Where am I?” Her throat was so dry it burned.

  “Go get him,” The unfamiliar voice suddenly grew much louder, “You’re safe, dear. Lie still.”

  “Where?” Lyssa fought the covers that were lying on her and the hand that pressed against her arm.

  “You’re on the island, in the medical room.”

  “The island.” Lyssa repeated, shocked. “Element Island?”

  “Yes, dear,” the woman in front of her came into focus. Her gray hair lay in a braid over her left shoulder and her soft wrinkled eyes showed concern. She brushed back a piece of Lyssa’s hair, “How do you feel?”

  “I,” Lyssa scanned the small room. The walls were stone and sheer white sheets floated around her. An annoying beeping sound came from a small machine to her right. She turned back to the woman. “My head hurts, but I’m fine.” She sat up. She felt dizzy and her head swam with pain. She brought her hand to it, “Where is everyone? Did she kill her? Are they all here? How did I get back here? How long have I been out?” she asked as she looked at the I.V. in her arm.

  The gray-haired woman brushed the top of her hand softly, “You have been out for four days. We were not sure that you would wake up.”

  Lyssa winced as the door opened and slammed against the stone wall. Thomas appeared, his arm strapped to his side with a sling. “Lyssa!” he exclaimed, rushing over to her.

  “Thomas!” she screamed. A dam of emotion burst inside her and tears made her vision all foggy again. She felt his warmth wrap around her as he pulled her into his arms.

  “Dammit, Lyssa. I thought I’d lost you. You’ve put me through hell these last four days, girl. I love you, Lyssa,” he whispered urgently against her ear in a deep and broken voice. She realized he was crying, too.

  “I love you too, Thomas,” she pushed against him, blinking away tears so she could look up at him “What happened?”

  He shook his head and eased her back down onto the bed, “We got out because of the storm, but for some hare-brained reason you dove on top of Ava. When you did, all that power she had going zapped you and sent you flyin’. You hit your head on a stone and you were bleedin’ something fierce. I tried everything to wake you up. Ava has been plumb sick with guilt; she thought she’d killed you. We didn’t know if you would ever wake up again, or what you would be like if you did.”

  “I,” Lyssa started, overwhelmed, “Is Lareina…dead?”

  He looked down into her eyes, pausing for a moment, “No,” he shook his head. “She’s in the prison, locked up. Medical has been treating her injuries, but she’s still unconscious.” He stood up as the gray-haired lady undid Lyssa’s I.V. “Why did you dive on them like that? You could have been killed.”

  “I don’t remember,” she said, not wanting to say she’d wanted to save her mother, even if it was only for the answers she needed from her. No one would really understand if she did try to explain anyway.

  Ava burst into the room. She moved straight to Lyssa’s side and let out a gasp, “I’m so sorry, Lyssa,” she shook her head, kneeling beside the bed. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she said softly.

  “I know. I’m okay,” Lyssa said. “I think, maybe I should look in a mirror, though.” She smiled, touching her cheek self-consciously.

  “You’re very beautiful,” Thomas said.

  Ava met her eyes, “Brea told me that Lareina is your mother,” she shook her head. “I didn’t want to kill her, you know. Well, I did, but I’m glad I didn’t. I don’t want to kill anyone. I’m glad you stopped me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lyssa shook her head, “I know she’s evil. I don’t know why I tried to stop you.”

  “I am glad that you did, Lyssa.”

  “It’s better this way,” Thomas added. “She should see what she did to all those innocent people for years and years. I think this punishment suits her crimes.”

  Lyssa agreed, “I never knew her.” She looked at Ava, “I’m tha
nkful for that now. I’m not like her either. I hope you know that. I never wanted to expose you or anyone.”

  “I know that, Lyssa.” Ava touched her hand, “You are nothing like her.”

  “So Brea told you,” Lyssa said, shifting uncomfortably. “What Lareina said about my father and about…”

  “My mother?” Ava said, taking a breath, “It sort of makes sense. My mother said my father was dead. The Vangeretta Curse drove him to rape her. I should have known. Why else would Lareina hate me so much? It wasn’t anything to do with my being the True Elementris. It was my family. It was because her husband fell in love with my mother,” Ava paused and blinked at Lyssa.

  “I guess that means we might be sisters.” Lyssa said.

  “I guess so,” Ava smiled and squeezed Lyssa’s hand. “As soon as she wakes up, we’ll get all the answers we need. Right now, though,” Ava stood up, “I have to help with the final preparations for the festival. I want you to take it easy, and I really am very sorry that I hurt you.”

  “You’re forgiven,” Lyssa said with a smile.

  Ava smiled back and walked out of the room.

  Thomas took Lyssa’s hand, “I meant what I said, Lyssa. I do love you.” He shook his head, “I was being so stupid before.”

  “I think I can forgive you,” she tilted her head.

  Thomas leaned in closer and pressed his lips to hers.

  …Ava…

  Ava walked towards the meeting room for the final meeting before tonight’s festival. The full moon tonight would mark so much. It was hard to believe all that had happened in less than a year. She did feel guilty about Lyssa. She felt completely sick to her stomach about it. She was very relieved that Lyssa was finally awake and apparently unchanged by her head injury. She couldn’t believe she had allowed herself to lose it like that. She could hardly remember anything after she dove onto Lareina and started choking her. Lareina deserved to die, but rotting away in the prison she had used to hurt so many seemed a much more fitting punishment. There would be a trial, of course, but a lifelong sentence in the prison would be no less than she deserved for the lives she’d taken and the pain she’d caused everyone.