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

by Christina Mobley

  Before Brea could respond, decide how she felt, or try to stop him, he was gone. She stood there for a while, her mind mulling over the strange look in Shawn’s eyes and everything that had just happened. She felt like she had just been hit by a freight train. Frustrated, she stood and as she started the climb down the cliff, she caught a flash of blonde hair. Bianca! Dropping down to the ground, she looked again but Bianca was gone. She almost laughed, “Not jealous, huh?”

  Brea walked back, dead sober and slightly satisfied that she had caught Bianca spying on them. The talk with Shawn had led to nothing but more confusion and she was more than ready to get the hell off of Element Island. It had lost some of its magic for her tonight.

  Chapter Two…

  Brea woke to the sound of her roommate, Macy, blow drying her hair. She lay still for a moment, wishing she could use heartache as a reason to skip class. Not liking how weak that made her sound, she sat up abruptly and got out of bed. “Enough of that,” she told herself. “The thing with Shawn, whatever it was, is done.” No way would she allow herself to be that girl. She would never be like her mother had been with Buck.

  Macy turned off the blow dryer and smiled, “Did you have a nice visit with your mom?”

  “What? Oh, yeah.” Brea said. She couldn’t tell Macy about the island, so she let her think that she visited her mother a lot. In reality, she had not visited her mother in a couple of months. She wasn’t as close to Macy as she was to Ava, but they were good friends; it was hard having to keep secrets from someone she spent most of her time with.

  “Did you hear about that bad storm in Georgia?” Macy asked.

  “No. What happened?”

  “A freak tornado took out a whole neighborhood. It was all over the news. I figured since your mom lives so close, you might have heard about it.” Macy said, staring at her.

  “No, I didn’t really watch the news much.” Seeing the puzzled look on Macy’s face, Brea quickly changed the subject. “Did I miss anything around here?”

  “No, not really,” Macy replied. Then she grinned, “Only that I broke up with Mark.”

  “You did?”

  “Yep, I am so, so, done!”

  “Really?” Brea questioned.

  “Really,” Macy answered.

  “Well,” Brea said with a big smile, “We so have to go out tonight and celebrate.”

  “Sounds good.” Macy said, smiling back at her as she put her hairbrush down. “I’ll give you all the details after my first class.” She grabbed a book. “I’m late, got to run!” she said, as she headed out the door.

  “Okay,” Brea yelled after and went take a shower. She took some comfort in the fact that Macy had finally broken it off with Mark. “He really was a baboon, the complete opposite of Shawn,” she thought as she stepped into the shower. Irritated that thoughts of Shawn had crept in, she scrubbed vigorously, hoping to wash away the images thinking of him had caused. His tortured eyes, that sexy half-smile he always flashed. “Ugh,” her thoughts made her cringe, “I need help.”

  …Ava…

  Ava stood in front of her mirror turning from side to side. “You’re supposed to be super-hot on your honeymoon, but there’s nothing super-hot about a pregnant girl in a skirted maternity bathing suit,” she thought. She looked at her belly in the mirror. She touched her protruding belly button and pushed it flat, let it out, and pushed it flat again. She took a breath and walked outside to meet Alec. “Now, that is the definition of super-hot,” she thought as she watched him lift their last bag out of the rental. As he walked towards her she could see that he was sweating. That did nothing to diminish how sexy he looked, in fact it only enhanced how sexy he looked. She felt her pulse speed up as her eyes locked on the little rivulets running down his chest. It still seemed a little unreal that he was her husband.

  She was thoroughly enjoying following the little trails with her eyes as he came up the stairs and gave her an easy smile, “Are you ready to go down to the lake?”

  “Yeah,” she said fanning herself, “It’s hot.”

  “Yeah it is. Can’t you do something about that?” He asked and winked at her.

  “Already have,” she said, smiling as a cool breeze began to blow.

  He turned his face into the breeze for a moment and then turned and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Let me take this inside and we’ll head down.”

  Ava nodded and leaned into the rail of the porch that wrapped around the cabin Alec had rented. The cool breeze continued to blow around her and she let herself relax against the rail. It was so beautiful here; a private lake with miles of property, and no island in sight. Wild horses roamed freely in the sand-colored grass and miles of road separated them from civilization. Ava let out a breath and touched her stomach.

  Strong arms slipped around her waist and warm hands covered hers. “I love you,” Alec whispered against her ear.

  “Do you think the baby will be born of the Element?” She asked, as she tilted her back to rest against his body.

  His brows lowered as he considered her question, “I don’t know,” he replied. The chances are pretty good though, you being royalty and all,” he teased.

  “I wish I could guess which Element,” she said as she rubbed her thumb in a tiny circle over her belly. “Maybe the baby will be gifted with Spirit; that would be nice.”

  Alec turned her around and took her face in his hands; he kissed her forehead and then her cheek and then her lips. Ava closed her eyes and returned the kiss. Laying her head against his chest, she asked, “Do you think everything will be okay for the two weeks we’ll be gone?”

  He nodded, “Yes I do, stop worrying. I put Shawn in charge. Everything will be fine.”

  I hope so,” Ava said.

  “Did you take your vitamin today?” Alec asked.

  “Crap. I forgot.” Ava rushed inside and unzipped the suitcase that Alec had placed on the bed for her. She flipped the top open and noticed how perfectly Nisca had re-packed it for her. Ava had jammed everything inside and sat on top of it to get the zipper to close. She wasn’t surprised that Nisca had fixed it before it was loaded onto the boat. Ava opened every little compartment and, not finding the vitamins, began to remove the neatly folded clothes, finally finding them at the bottom. Right next to them was a small square package wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Ava pulled it out and flipped it over. A note was attached in Nisca’s perfect handwriting:

  “I re-packed your bag; hope you don’t mind. After reading only a few pages of this, I realized it was meant for you. Congratulations and enjoy yourself.

  N.”

  Ava loosened the string and carefully opened the package. She recognized the small book immediately; Ann Marie’s diary. She sighed. When Shawn had delivered it to her she had wanted to read it so badly, especially after they discovered that the picture of Ava that had been ripped from it. However, Ava knew that it should be given to Nisca. Her ancestor wrote it after all, and it would have felt wrong not to give it to her.

  Ava lifted the fragile leather cover. The backside said “Ann Marie Havoc.” Chills shot up her spine. She glanced through the first few pages, noticing that some of them had ripped away. She carefully turned pages until she reached one that had legible writing:

  The fourteenth day of the third month…

  Hanna says we must leave tonight. It is dangerous for her here. I cannot imagine where our journey will lead, but I trust her, she is my dearest friend. Her magnificent gift shall lead us on yet another great adventure. I fear and await that adventure as I wait for the early morning hours that will hide our leave taking. I will miss our home, but I fear that danger will only grow nearer for my dear friend if she stays here. These are indeed dangerous times for those wielding strange abilities.

  Ava carefully turned the fragile page and began to read again. The faded words fascinated her.

  The twenty-ninth day of the third month…

  We have taken passage on a ship bound for an unk
nown destination. I dare not ask where this vessel is taking us. Instead, I have once again placed my trust in my dear friend, Hanna. She hides her power well among these strangers, but I see the need in her eyes. Repeatedly she has explained that she must go in this direction and tonight she confessed she feels a great adventure awaits us. I hope soon to see what waits at the end of our journey.

  “Hey,” Alec said as he entered the room, “Are you coming?”

  “Yeah. Sorry!” Ava smiled at him as she tucked the diary back into her suitcase.

  Down by the lake, a long dock stretched out in front of them and the afternoon sun laid a shimmery path over the blue rippling water. Alec sat with his legs stretched out so that Ava could rest her head in his lap. He looked down at her, “You know, I still can’t believe this is real.”

  “What?”

  “This silence, just me and you here, alone.” He gestured at the peaceful lake around them. “It’s nice.”

  “It is.” She agreed as he planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. She giggled and rubbed at the tickle.

  “I want to try something.” He tilted his head.

  “What?” Ava squinted suspiciously.

  “With the bond. The legend is that two bound can do special things.”

  “More than we already can?”

  “That’s what they say. I was told about one couple who shared a bond like ours. It was so strong that when he got a tattoo, it showed up on her as a scar.”

  “You want me to get a tattoo?” Ava sat up.

  “No. I’ve only got one and it’s the only one I’ll ever have.”

  She looked at the scorpion rose that marked his neck and laid back down on his lap. “So what exactly are you saying?”

  “I just want to try something. It’s no big deal. The bond is growing and there was this other thing my grandmother told me about. I want to try it.” He looked into her eyes, “Do you trust me?”

  “You know I do.”

  He caught a red strand of hair that the wind was playing with and tucked it behind her ear. “Close your eyes.”

  She closed them and smiled.

  He carefully slid from beneath her and eased her head down. “Keep them closed.”

  “I am.”

  “Quit peeking.”

  “Okay.” She closed her eyes, grinning now.

  She felt his finger caress the edge of her face and run down the side of her neck. Goosebumps danced along her skin. His hand crept down her arm and he turned her right hand over. He slowly pressed his palm to hers and then his other hand ran over her stomach and he turned her left hand over. “Relax and breathe slowly.” He pressed his palm to her left hand and instantly she felt his hot magic. It felt warm and good as it seeped into her. His magic was pure and protective. It was familiar and exhilarating. Then something strange happened. She saw a little girl with fire red hair dancing in a flower field. Her laughter was soft and sweet. She wore a white sundress and yellow flowers danced around her as she ran. The little girl looked to the sky and spun and Ava realized it was her. She remembered this field, this day. She had found it in the middle of the woods when she had wandered away from Aunt Avalene’s house. It was one of the days her mother was supposed to come and hadn’t. Her tears had dried quickly when she’d found the secret field. Then she saw him. A handsome boy with dark hair and green eyes watching her from the edge of the trees. There was a smile on his face.

  Ava felt starved for breath suddenly. She gasped and refilled her lungs. Her eyes opened and those same green eyes looked down at her. “How did you do that?”

  “They say that those bound like we are can share memories and dreams, because our souls are connected.”

  “That was one of my memories?”

  “No, it was mine. That was the first time I dreamed about you. The first time I remember anyway.”

  “You were there?”

  “No, only in the dream.”

  “That’s amazing, Alec.”

  “I’ve wanted to show you that for a long time. Even though I was scared of the bond we shared, I’ve always loved you, Ava. I loved you before I knew you.” He leaned down and slowly pressed his lips to hers.

  …Brea…

  Brea entered her room and dropped her bag just inside the door. “Seriously, stupid people,” she said to Macy.

  Macy laughed, “Who crossed you?”

  “Professor McKay,” Brea replied, shaking her head. “He gave me a forty three on my final and called the campus police on me.”

  “What did you do?” Macy asked, looking up from her freshly painted toenails.

  “Why would you assume I did something? Innocent until proven guilty, right?”

  Macy lifted a brow, “Give it.”

  “Okay, fine. All I did was explain to Mr. McKay that someone with such poor hygiene had no right to judge me with such a rude grade on my health and wellness final. I mean seriously! I can’t stand him! He said I was not a serious student and I should spend more time on my studies and less time running off at the mouth. That’s when it got hairy.”

  “Hairy?” Macy slid forward on the bed, careful not to ruin her freshly painted toenails.

  “Yeah, well, I sort of lost it. I grabbed that ugly rug off his head and tossed it towards the class. Mike Randle caught it and threw it on some blonde girl who screamed bloody murder when it landed in her lap.”

  “Did they get Mike too?” Macy asked.

  “Nope.” Brea tilted her head and winked, “Just lil’ ole me.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “Next thing I know, campus police officers are dragging me out. That’s when it got real fun. Apparently taking someone’s ugly rug is considered assault.” Brea let out a huff, “Luckily, Mr. Creepy came to the rescue. He told the dean he didn’t want to press charges. Then he recommended that I be put on school probation and serve the rest of the semester volunteering in his class. Now I get to go there every afternoon to help him clean up and crap. Maybe the old fart will retire early or something.”

  “Wow. Nobody likes him! He’s gross. He’s always hitting on the students and you’re going to be stuck in his class alone with him?

  “Yep. I’m getting me some pepper spray!” Brea told her, laughing.

  “You’re crazy, girl. I can’t believe you pulled his rug off! Only you, Brea,” Macy said, laughing also. ”I seriously have to get into more of your classes.”

  “Me too,” Brea shook her head, “I’m never going to make it this way. Starting today I am going to go to all of my classes and start studying for real, like all the time. From now on, I’ll be known as ‘Nerdy Brea!’” She thrust her arm into the air like a super hero, “To the library!” She smiled, “Seriously though, I’ve got to get it together and all that jazz.”

  “Or,” Macy said lifting one eyebrow, “you could find a hot nerd and get him to study for you and then we can still stay out late and sleep ‘til noon.”

  “Now that’s a plan, my friend.” Brea dropped down on the bed, hugged, and then fluffed, her pillow. “Now,” she kicked her shoes off, “Tell me all the gory details about your breakup with Mark. I told you if you didn’t drop that sleaze ball soon, I was going to put a call in to da family,” she said, changing her voice to sound like a mafia guy. “He’s gonna swim with da fishes.”

  Macy laughed, “I know, I don’t know why I didn’t break up him after the first time. He is a sleaze. After you left, I caught him with two girls in his room and he tried to tell me that they were his cousins. Anyway, you would have been proud. I went all out, sugar in the gas tank, flat tires, and spray paint across both sides!”

  Brea squealed, “He loved that truck. I hope you took pictures.” She rubbed her hands together, and did her best Grinch smile, “What did you write?”

  Macy grinned back, “In pink,” she winked, “I wrote,” she held her hand out like she holding a spray can, “Time to come out of the closet. I love you, Stephan, exclamation point, heart.”

  “No, yo
u didn’t!” Brea gasped laughing so hard she almost choked.

  “Oh, yes I did! You should have seen his face!” They both started laughing. Brea was having a hard time breathing because she was laughing so hard as she pictured Mark walking out to his precious truck, probably with some poor unsuspecting girl, and seeing that.

  Tears poured down both of their cheeks and Brea finally managed to say, “So cool.” She wiped the tears away, finally catching her breath. “I am so proud, my young pupil.”

  “I’ve learned from the best.” Macy said, still laughing.

  Someone pounded on the door and Brea’s sobered immediately as her heart sank. “Crap, they’ve come to take me to jail for the Mr. McKay thing.”

  Macy met her eyes “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” She cleared her throat and answered the door, then squealed at the top of her lungs and threw her arms around whoever was on the other side. “Obviously not the police,” Brea thought as she stood up.

  A very tall, muscular guy with dark hair and deep brown eyes walked in. He had a jagged scar under his left eye and looked like he had been through hell. Macy’s voice dropped to an urgent whisper. “What are you doing back here? Does dad know you’re here?”

  “He knows. He sent for me, asked me to help...,” he whispered, eyeing Brea over Macy’s shoulder.

  “Help with what?” Macy’s tone voice reminded Brea of a startled child. She shook her head slowly and then turned around as if just remembering Brea was there. “We’ll, uh, we’ll be right back, Brea.” She backed through the door; he followed her and shut it.

  Brea sat there for a minute tapping her fingers on her leg, looked around and then stood. She moved towards the door. Her nosy personality just couldn’t resist. She pressed her ear against the door, careful not to make a sound.

  The voices were a low mumble, but she could make out every couple of words. “Dad’s real sick, Caslan.”

  “He’s not my father, Macy.” The anger in his voice ripped through the air, leaving them both quiet for a moment.