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

by Christina Mobley

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  First published in the United States in April, 2014. For information about permissions to reproduce selections from this book, write to Permissions, Christina Mobley, at vangeretta@yahoo.com

  The Library of Congress has cataloged this edition as follows:

  Mobley, Christina. The Vangeretta Curse: Exposure/Christina Mobley p.cm. YA, fiction. ISBN: 978-1500328078.

  Cover design by Steph’s Cover Design:

  http://stephscoverdesign.wordpress.com

  Eruption is dedicated to Melissa Davis. If you had not taken a chance on me, TVC would not exist. You are so much more than an editor. You have a magical way of adding one perfect sentence or word to a scene that gives it a completely new life. I truly appreciate that you are not afraid to tell me the truth when something does not work, and all the hours you have spent molding all three books, and their characters, into something beautiful. I am forever grateful for these books, because through this journey I have gotten to know you.

  Chapter One… (Feather Storm)

  When you love someone, protecting them is all that matters; it is all there is...

  Ava was completely blind and placing her bare feet carefully as she moved. Aunt Avalene gripped one arm, Sherri had the other, and they were both giggling like schoolgirls. She could smell the faint hint of lavender as she tilted her head towards Aunt Avalene and teased, “You know, putting a blindfold on a pregnant person is not one of your better ideas, Aunt Avalene.”

  Aunt Avalene tugged her along, “Oh, you hush now! You know we would never let you fall and hurt that precious baby.”

  Aunt Avalene cautioned, “Watch your step now,” as they walked through a doorway. They stopped, releasing her arms as she felt the blindfold loosen. It fell away and she jumped when they yelled, “Surprise!”

  Ava blinked as her eyes adjusted to the sudden change from total darkness to light. She was standing in the middle of what could only be described as the most beautiful room she had ever seen. She turned in a circle, trying to take it all in as tears filled her eyes.

  “What do you think?” Aunt Avalene asked, a hint of emotion shaking her warm voice.

  Ava was speechless. The morning sun bathed the room in a soft glow. A large bone-colored vanity was situated between the open windows across the room and a beautiful white sofa hugged the entire length of the left wall. Her wedding veil was draped over the left side of it. Three full-length mirrors took up the wall opposite the vanity. Beautiful vines, with little violet flowers, fell from the tops of the large mirrors.

  “It’s beautiful.” Ava said softly. She walked to the vanity and ran her fingertips over the arched-back chair that sat in front of it. She pulled the chair out and admired it. She would know that chair anywhere. “Is this from home, Aunt Avalene?”

  “Yes.” Aunt Avalene smiled, “Alec helped me get it here. It’s yours now.”

  Ava smiled. The chair was a wonderful gift, but the memories associated with it were what made it special. The beautiful red and white flower pattern had always fascinated her and she remembered Aunt Avalene sitting in it as she told magical stories about princesses who lived in majestic castles on beautiful islands; princesses who could command animals and control the rain. As she thought about her past, she realized for the first time that Aunt Avalene had been preparing her to learn the truth about her gift all along. She remembered how much she and Brea had loved to hear Aunt Avalene’s stories and she smiled as she thought about telling those wonderful stories to her own child very soon now. She walked over to Aunt Avalene and threw her arms around her neck, “Thank you, Aunt Avalene,” she said softly. She pulled back and looked into blue eyes that matched her own watery ones, “For everything.”

  “Oh, you’re welcome, Shug.” The scent of Aunt Avalene's earth element wafted around the room, a sure sign that her emotions were running as deep as Ava’s.

  “I have something for you, Ava.” Sherri said, as she removed a small jewelry box from a bag that sat next to the white sofa. “This was my mother’s. You can borrow it for your wedding.”

  Ava opened the small box to reveal a beautiful gold hair pin in the shape of a dragonfly. Tiny pearls adorned the wings and shimmered in the soft glow that lit the room. This, too, brought memories and Ava smiled as she remembered pinning it in her hair when she played dress-up at Sherri’s house. It had been so much fun to play dress-up at Sherri’s; nothing was off limits. There were big dramatic hats and long strings of pearls, tiaras, bows, fascinating dresses, lots of makeup, and the most wonderful shoes a little girl could ever hope for. “Thank you, Sherri,” Ava said as she reached out and pulled her into a hug.

  “You’re welcome, honey,” Sherri said as she returned the hug.

  Ava spun towards Aunt Avalene, “Where’s my Maid-of-Honor?”

  “Brea isn’t here yet.” Aunt Avalene glanced at her watch, “Don’t worry though, Shawn went to pick her up so she should be here any minute.”

  The door opened and Nisca and Bianca walked in. Nisca carried a large dress bag and Bianca carried five shoe boxes stacked one on top of the other.

  Nisca hung the dress bag on a small hook on the wall and turned, “Are you ready to see it?”

  “Yes, I’m dying to see it,” Ava exclaimed, then hesitated, “but I’d like to wait for Brea.”

  “Okay,” Nisca agreed, disappointment flickering in her honey-colored eyes.

  Bianca set the boxes down and looked at Ava. She flashed a quick smile and started to walk towards the door.

  Ava smiled back. She hadn’t seen Bianca since the night of the proposal and she still felt really bad for accusing her and Alec of sneaking around together. She cleared her throat uncomfortably, “Um, Bianca?”

  “Yes?” She stopped and turned to face Ava.

  Ava walked towards her, “Can I, uh, talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure,” Bianca replied, looking a little puzzled.

  “Outside,” Ava said as she walked towards the door.

  Bianca followed her. She looked pale and that made Ava feel worse.

  Ava was glad to see the hallway was empty. She flicked her wrist towards the door and it closed with a loud thud. “What’s wrong?” Bianca asked.

  Ava squared her shoulders and said, “I owe you an apology. I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while, but with all the wedding stuff and the council freaking about my pregnancy, I just haven’t found time.” Ava took a deep breath, “I just, I want you to know that I’m really sorry about the way I behaved at the first Summer Moon Festival. I should have known better than to think that you and Alec… I mean, I don’t want you to think…”

  “It’s fine, Ava,” Bianca said, her expression softening. “I can’t blame you. I mean, Alec is a hottie and all. He’s just not my particular brand of hottie. I’m not mad. I can’t imagine what you must have been thinking when you found us in the cave.” She smiled crookedly, “Well, I can, but that’s beside the point. I promise you, you never had anything to worry about. I totally get how you must have felt though. I’ve got my own hottie now and I’m a little territorial myself these days.”

  “Really? Who?” Ava said, genuinely curious to find out which one of the Clutch Guards thought he could handle a girl like Bianca.

  Bianca’s face went sort of soft and her cheeks flushed pink, “Shawn.”

  “Shawn!?!” Ava almost shouted, her startled reaction echoing down the hall. She wasn’t sure which astonished her more; thinking about Bianca and Shawn as an item, or Bianca blushing. Bianca never allowed her emotions to show. And Brea…, she wasn’t going to like this turn of events at all. She’d had a thing for Shawn for a while now. Ava had been sure that Shawn was interested in her too. It didn’t make sense. Every time Brea came to visit she split her time be
tween Ava and Shawn. Everyone knew they were good friends but they also knew there was more there, more than either of them would admit. “So, ya’ll are like, together?” she asked Bianca.

  “Yeah, I guess we are,” Bianca replied, smiling.

  “When did that happen?” Ava asked, still trying to make sense out of what she’d just been told.

  “I guess it’s been happening for a while,” Bianca said quietly, “but officially about a month ago, right after Lareina’s trial.”

  “You mean when Brea went back to school?” Ava was stunned.

  “Yeah, I guess it was right after she went back.” She pursed her lips, “Anyway, I think we make a good match, tortured souls and all that, you know.”

  “That’s great,” Ava said, not really meaning it, but trying to sound enthusiastic. “Shawn is a really good guy.”

  Bianca’s reply was drowned out as someone yelled. “Ava!” Brea shouted as she ran towards them, arms full of shopping bags. She wrapped her arms around Ava, “I am so sorry I’m late. I had a final and I missed my plane and…” She glanced at Bianca, “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

  “No, I mean yeah, everything is fine. We were just talking.”

  Bianca lifted her chin, “I’ve got to run. See you around, Ava. Brea.”

  “See ya,” Brea said distractedly. She rubbed Ava’s belly, “Holy moly! You’re showing!” she squealed.

  Ava opened the door. “Yeah, I’m going to look like a cow in my dress.”

  “You most certainly won’t!” Nisca exclaimed, rubbing her hands together excitedly. “I designed your dress to help you hide that cute little baby bump.”

  She motioned towards the garment bag, “Brea’s here now. Are you ready to see it?”

  “Yes.” Ava tried to force an enthusiastic smile, but all she could think about was Brea and how she was going to feel about what she’d just learned. For a long time now she had been ragging Brea about admitting that she liked Shawn and telling her to quit teasing him all the time. Now it appeared as if it might be too late. She felt her gut wrench as Brea linked her arm through hers and grinned.

  Nisca began to unzip the bag and Ava’s worrisome thoughts disappeared as the dress was revealed. She gasped, spellbound. It was indescribably beautiful. As Nisca freed it from the confines of the bag, it spilled out as if it were a flower opening into full bloom. A gentle breeze blew in through the open windows, causing layers of white silk to shimmer and sparkle. The fitted waist revealed the faintest hint of green and hundreds of tiny jewels created a stunning show as they caught the light. It looked like something right out of a fairy tale.

  “It’s gorgeous, Nisca,” Aunt Avalene exclaimed. “Absolutely stunning!”

  “Oh Nisca…I love it. It’s amazingly beautiful. I can’t believe today, I just I …” Ava felt warm tears begin to flow and her voice faded away with the force of her emotions. “Stupid hormones,” she said, laughing through her tears.

  Sherri put her arm around Ava’s shoulders. “Oh, Honey. It’s your wedding day. You’re supposed to cry.”

  “Yes, you are,” Aunt Avalene said. “Better to get it all out now so you don’t ruin your makeup.” She smiled tremulously and brushed Ava’s hair away from her face. “Not that that this beautiful face needs any makeup.”

  Brea looked away and wiped at her own tears, “Stop crying, Ava. Now! It’s freaking contagious.” She smiled with big watery eyes.

  Ava laughed and shook her head. “Oh, Brea. Even you have to cry sometimes.” She bumped her hip into Brea’s.

  Brea bumped back, and stuck her butt out, “Bite me.”

  “Cooties,” Ava said, crossing her fingers like they’d done when they were children.

  “I’ve had my cootie shot, you gave it to me remember; second grade, safety pin, bad infection?” Brea bent forward and pointed at her butt, “Still have a scar.”

  “You made me do it!” Ava fired back. “You were terrified that John Donner had given you cooties when he kissed your cheek at the playground.”

  “And he deserved that bloody nose too,” Brea said with a mischievous grin.” Then she frowned, “Never fixed him though.”

  “I still can’t believe you tried to pull his tongue out. You’re so shot-out.”

  “Thank you, dahling.” Brea tipped her chin, “I do try.”

  “What is all that?” Sherri asked, pointing at the big pile of shopping bags Brea had carried in with her.

  Brea bent over the bags, “Just a little something blue for Ava.” She smiled a wicked smile, “Or should I say, ‘something’s’ blue,” she smiled. “I couldn’t decide. I got a blue garter belt, and then I thought, boring! So, I got a blue underwear set, a blue anklet, blue socks, and blue pantyhose. I had to go to a gazillion stores to find everything.”

  Ava laughed as she pictured herself decked out in all that blue, “Thank you, Brea.”

  “You’re welcome.” Brea tilted her head, “Now, let’s get started.” She dug into the first shopping bag and flashed a bra and panty set for everyone to see. “Oh yeah, I got the goodies!” She clicked her tongue and winked. Brea hooked the bra hanger on the neck of her shirt and held the little blue panties up in front of her waist. She threw her head back and started humming a wedding march as she walked dramatically around the room like a wannabe model.

  Everyone laughed. Brea had a way of changing the mood of a room with her antics. Ava was grateful to have her in her life.

  Two hours later, the something blue was decided, Brea had finally wore herself out a little, and Ava’s hair and makeup were done. Aunt Avalene had spent over an hour tying little white feathers through Ava’s red hair. Sherri’s pin held back two thick braids that had tiny white flowers sticking out of them. It looked like she was wearing a crown of vines and flowers. Ava followed Brea into the dressing room to put on the dress. Brea helped her into it and began to lace up the back. “I think I’m going to do it,” Brea announced suddenly.

  “Do what?” Ava asked, meeting Brea’s hazel eyes in the mirror.

  “Tell him.” Brea said as she tugged the last loop and adjusted the train on the back of the dress.

  Ava spun around, “Tell who what?”

  “Shawn,” Brea said with a big smile. “He finally kissed me right before I left for school last time and…”

  “He did?” Ava was shocked. Why would he kiss Brea and then hook up with Bianca? Shawn was not that kind of guy, at least she hadn’t thought he was. Things were beginning to appear differently though.

  Brea tilted her head, “He said he had feelings for me.”

  “What did you say?”

  Brea shrugged, “I said that was good.”

  “Brea?” Ava pressed.

  “I know,” Brea looked down. “I just, you know, I just don’t know how to be serious with him or something. I want to, but you know me.” She shook her head, “I don’t know though, he acted kind of strange when he picked me up today.”

  “Acted strange, how?”

  “I don’t know, just different somehow. He didn’t act like he normally does. He was all brooding and distant.” She smiled at her own words, “Well, that’s how he always acts, but this seemed different. I think I might have to stop torturing the poor guy. I’m going to just walk right up to him and lay one on him. Throw him for a loop.”

  Ava shook her head, feeling sick. She had to tell Brea about Shawn and Bianca. They had talked about Shawn a lot over the years. It was obvious that Brea had a major thing for him. She teased him a lot but that was because she didn’t like feeling vulnerable. Ava thought it was a wonder that they had become friends at all with Brea’s prickliness and Shawn’s broodiness, not to mention that they were polar opposites. Ava shook her head, swallowed hard, “Brea, I…”

  Before she could finish, the door opened and Aunt Avalene rushed through, “Come on! It’s time!” she sang.

  “Wait, I…,” Ava tried to say, but it was no use. The room was suddenly full of people and then she was w
hisked downstairs. Standing before the double doors, she watched Lyssa and Thomas link arms and begin the walk down the aisle in front of her. Her little sister looked stunning all decked out in her blue dress. Seeing her out of her green uniform was a rare treat these days. Next Brea linked her arm through Shawn’s and they walked out. Ava knew she had to find a way to tell Brea, but she couldn’t think about that right now. Everything she wanted was waiting for her at the end of that aisle, and she was so nervous that it was all she could do to remember to breathe.

  She looked down, took a shaky breath and walked through the double doors. Aunt Avalene stood at her side. Their arms linked together. Aunt Avalene would give her away today. She had cried and happily accepted when Ava asked her if she would do it. Ava didn’t have a father to give her away and there was no one else in her life that deserved the honor more. Aunt Avalene had taught her everything she knew. The guests stood as she started down the aisle made of rose petals that led down the beach. Aunt Avalene walked beside her proudly, tears of joy marking her rosy cheeks. Ava looked at her bridesmaids, each wearing a dress colored to represent an element. She carefully placed one foot in front of the other as her gaze moved to Alec. She looked at him and everything else faded away as he flashed a smile that nearly sent her melting to the ground. She smiled back and felt her heart ache in her chest. She loved him so much that it was kind of painful at times. Feeling stronger, she took another breath and kept walking, taking the time now to look around at all the smiling faces of the people sharing this special day. They all had a place in her heart. They were her family.

  There was one person missing, her mother. Even though she’d pretty much had nothing to do with Ava since she’d accepted her crown, and most of her life before that for that matter, a small part of her wished she was here. Ava wanted her to know how accepted she was here. She still found it difficult to comprehend how her mother could grow up in such a magical place and then treat her own daughter like an outcast for choosing the gift she had been given. She looked back at Alec and pushed thoughts of her mother away. His eyes were locked on her, his whole body telegraphing his desire to make her his. Their love for each other was plain for all to see as joy danced from one pair of eyes to those of the other.