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

by Christina Mobley

  The ground beneath her shook. Roots erupted above the surface and shot towards the sky. Trees formed right before her eyes. Their fully formed branches dancing back and forth in the wind, mocking her.

  She braced herself and pushed her fingers deeper into the soil. The wind blew all around her; the lightning popped the tops of the newly formed trees. She closed her eyes, ignoring the wild storm, remembering the night at Alec’s father’s house. The night that Aunt Avalene’s entire circle had come together to teach her control of the elements. She remembered their words, the satisfied feeling she’d had when she was able to exert her control. “It’s a part of you. Your emotions are connected to the elements on the deepest level.” That’s what they’d told her. If she could do it then, she damn well ought to be able to do it now. She took a deep breath and as it sank into her lungs, she began to hum to herself. She ran her fingers along the earth almost as if she were stroking a cat. As she did, the vibrating ground went still and the wind dropped her hair to her back. She looked up, opening her eyes as the last rain drops fell and sun broke through the dark sky.

  Ava sat back and stared at the beautiful orange rays as they reached out to touch the world beneath. The sun’s orange light illuminated the dark water and turned it a beautiful clear blue. The white capped waves calmed as the warmth of the sun hit her face. She felt warm, full, renewed. She rose and wiped her hands. She could control this. This was hers. It was a part of her. No one or nothing could stop it.

  “You did it.”

  Shoulders slumping at the sound of his voice, she turned to face Alec. The sun warmed his face too, and the soft breeze tousled his dark hair. His green eyes were lit with light and the smile beneath them was proud and meant only for her. “I knew you could.”

  “Alec” her voice broke, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…“

  “No.” he said, rushing to her. He wrapped her in his arms and pressed his lips to her neck. He whispered as he kissed the curve of her neck and worked his way towards her mouth, “I love you and I trust you. Completely.” His lips brushed hers “I’m fine.”

  She looked up, noticing some singed pieces of hair. She carefully and slowly touched them. They were hard and bristled. “I don’t know what to say.”

  He smiled a ridiculously sexy smile and leaned in close, “Don’t say anything. Everything will be fine. I promise.” He pressed his lips to hers and ran his hand through her hair as his other hand trailed down her back and pulled her closer.

  That night she lay in bed. Alec was wrapped around her, but her fists were clenched and held tightly against her chest. She refused to open them. She would never hurt him again. She had found her connection to the elements, but she wasn’t able to trust herself just yet. She was scared to breathe too hard. Alec had been asleep for hours. Ava couldn’t sleep though. She just lay there; tears dripping from her eyes as she thought about what could have happened.

  …Brea…

  “I don’t need your help,” Brea retorted.

  “You do,” he grabbed her hand, “and so does Ava.”

  “Ava?” Brea’s heart dropped. “What are you talking about?”

  “When I went back, my father was trying everything to talk me into taking over the Waevern. I still don’t know why he wants me above the others. We’ve always fought. It doesn’t make sense. Anyway. He started telling me everything. All the inside workings of the Waevern. Things none of us had ever been allowed to know. At first, I stayed to find out things. If nothing else I wanted to find a way to stop all the terrible things they do. Maybe find answers about my past, about where my sister was. I wondered if they had killed her. She and I were close. Then I found out something that I couldn’t ignore.”

  He shook his head as if still not believing what he was about to tell Brea. “I overheard them planning to do it again; take infants. He wants to raise the next True Elementris and he’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. That’s what it’s always been about. That’s why he took the five of us. He is obsessed with it.

  The Waevern family has had only one True Elementris born into it. She ruled and then she was killed. Finding the next True Elementris has been an obsession for her descendants since that time. They want a True Elementris who will embrace dark magic. My father gave up on the idea of a blood Waevern True Elementris after his wife died. Now it’s all about finding one and raising her as a Waevern. That’s why Draken did all that he did to get Ava. He was my father’s right hand man and his plan was years in the making. He put his son in school with her and coached him on what to do. In the end he failed, but that shows you what lengths some will go to for my father’s approval and the chance to take over his position. Now my father is so sure that he’s pinpointed the birth of the next True Elementris to these five children that he’s had four pregnant women abducted.”

  “What exactly are you asking me to do here?” Brea asked incredulously, still trying to figure out why he was telling her all of this.

  He lifted his eyes, leveling them with hers, “I’m asking you to get me a meeting with Ava. She is the only one who can stop this from happening again. I don’t want to lead the Waevern. I just want out. The only way that will ever happen is with the help of the True Elementris. I can run forever, but now they know I’ve found my birth family. Alone, I cannot protect them. All I am asking is that you tell her, ask her to help. I will do whatever they ask. I’ll find out where they’ve taken the women they abducted and I’ll help them get them back to their families.” He grabbed her hand, “Brea, no matter what, you cannot let Macy know that you know all of this. You have to be careful who you tell and most of all, we cannot be seen together. If they knew that I was talking to you, your life and mine would be in danger.”

  Brea stared at him. His eyes were full of anger, fear, and something else. She searched deep into them. Could she trust him? It was all too much. She felt the pulse from his hand beating against her palm. She jerked it back, “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t say anything; just think about it, please.” He stood pulling her with him, “Whatever you decide, please don’t say anything to Macy. Come on, I’ll drop you off at the dorm. Just think about it. Please.”

  Brea nodded as he led her to the door.

  He opened the door. It was wrenched from his hand and hit the wall. Outside was a nightmare. They had been so absorbed in conversation that they had not heard what was going on. The storm was full force now. Trees were bending and breaking. The wind carried debris all over and the lightning was so frequent that night seemed like day. There was no way they could leave now.

  He forced the door shut just as a large branch flew towards them. It hit the door with a loud thud. The lamp flickered on and off, then went out completely.

  …Ava…

  Ava cried herself to sleep. She dreamed that she was back at Aunt Avalene’s. She was in her old room, lying on the bed, and Alec was walking towards her. He had a blanket in his arms. She was scared. She didn’t want the baby close to her. What if she hurt it? She shoved her hands under her and tried to scream at him, “No, stay back. Keep the baby safe.”

  Alec continued forward, as if he couldn’t hear her. His green eyes were locked on her, his face fixed in a smile.

  Ava tried to get up, but there was pain. So much pain. She could feel the magic. It was back full force; swimming in her veins and bursting to get out.

  Alec knelt at her side. “It’s okay,” he said. His voice was soothing and she was able to calm the powerful magic.

  She took a deep breath and propped herself on her elbows. Her heartbeat quickened. She felt like a thousand butterflies danced in her chest.

  He leaned in closer and opened the white blanket. It was empty. There was nothing there. She reached down to her stomach. There was nothing there either. The baby was gone! A scream ripped from her lips as a devastating desolation caused her body to coil inward as deep soul-shattering sobs shook her.

  She woke up screaming. The sound
was so loud and ear piercing that it seemed like it was coming from somewhere else. She clamped her hand over her mouth and the sound stopped. Tears poured down her cheeks.

  “You’re okay. You’re safe, Ava,” Alec said, as he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. She felt him all around her and it was as if he really was a part of her. Their heartbeats thumped in unison. His hands ran over the tops of hers and his fingers fit perfectly between hers. His touch calmed her shaking body and his strength erased her fears. She began to relax as he whispered softly against her neck, “I love you. Everything will be okay. I promise.”

  She felt her tension ease. He was here. He always would be, and he would protect them both.

  Chapter Six…(Forbidden Fruit)

  …Brea…

  Caslan found her hand in the dark and slipped his fingers between hers. It felt different than when Shawn held her hand, but it still sent excited chills racing up her arm. He tightened his grip and pulled her with him as he moved towards the kitchen. The only light came from the soft glow emanating from his eyes. It should have been scary, but, somehow, it was comforting. He led her into the kitchen and let go of her hand. She heard the sound of cabinet doors opening and closing and then a small flame appeared in the darkness. He set a candle on the counter and then moved into the living room and placed more there. As he moved away from each one, its wick sparked and caught fire.

  Brea followed him into the living room and sat on the edge of a tattered couch. She picked up the lone musty throw pillow and clutched it against her chest as she watched him. The room now lit, he sat down next to her. His arm brushed against hers and she tried not to notice the way her body reacted. She looked around the room. The storm was battering the little house. It sounded as if the wind would tear the whole thing apart at any moment.

  The front door rattled like someone was trying to beat it down and the sound sent shivers dancing up Brea’s spine. Hearing a loud crack, she quickly turned towards the window and watched as a large branch slammed against the house. Caslan put his arm around her shoulder reassuringly and pulled her close against his body. “It’s okay, Brea. We’re safe here.”

  Brea nodded, not sure that she could form words. Her heart was pounding and her emotions were ping-ponging from fear, to attraction, and back to fear. She didn’t know what to feel. Being alone with Shawn was comforting and felt natural. The way she was feeling being with Caslan was completely different, foreign even, but she kind of liked that it was. She allowed herself to relax against him. She was so tired. She just wanted to forget everything and go to sleep. Without thinking about it, she snuggled against his side. His slow breathing and the soft motion of his thumb tracing a little path on her shoulder was hypnotic.

  “I’ll keep you safe, Brea. Don’t worry.”

  Annoyed that he would think she needed to be taken care of, and that he didn’t seem to be able to just be quiet, Brea snapped, “Don’t worry? What could I possibly have to worry about? Oh, I don’t know, let me see…how about the fact that I’m curled up with the son of the devil in an old house that the weather is threatening to take apart any second now? That’s definitely something to worry about. And, that,” she said huffily, “is just the tip of the mountain of worries that I’m carrying right now!”

  Grinning, he looked down at her, “You can handle it. I’ve been watching you for a while now, Brea. You’re an amazing person.”

  “Creeper much?” She grumbled, yawning in spite of her annoyance.

  His lashes hooded his strange eyes as he looked around the flame-lit room, “There is one thing that I don’t understand though.”

  She looked up, “What?”

  “Why him?” he asked.

  Realizing he was talking about Shawn, Brea’s heart skipped a couple of beats. Trying to give herself time to answer, she asked, “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean. That guy you’re so,” he hesitated, “so broken by. He’s nothing special. And you don’t seem like that kind of girl.”

  “What kind of girl would that be exactly?” Brea demanded.

  “A girl who can be broken. You know, one of those girls who waits for some guy to come see her and then can’t deal with it when he doesn’t.”

  Brea exploded, “Seriously!?! You don’t know me well enough to know what kind of person I am! If you did, you would know that I am far from being ‘broken.’ How do you even know about Shawn?”

  “I know more than you think,” he responded, calm as he faced her anger. The candlelight danced over his face leaving shadows in all the right places and a strange hint of gold light in his otherwise dark eyes. “I saw you two together. A few days after Macy moved into your room.”

  “Spying on me?” she snapped.

  “I was following orders,” he said quietly. His thick lashes shielded the expression in his narrowed eyes as he continued, “Waevern Army. My father wanted you watched. I also saw pictures of the two of you in my father’s office.”

  “Whatever. What makes you think that I’m,” she paused, everything in her rebelling against the word she was about to utter, “broken?”

  “I’ve known a lot of broken girls. It’s all over you. The way you walk. The way you act as if you’re constantly waiting for him. The damaged know the damaged,” he said softly.

  “I’m not…damaged,” she said, quieter now.

  “You are.” He leaned closer to her, locking eyes with her again. “I see it in your eyes. You’re hungry,” his lips parted, “but you’re scared to bite.”

  Brea froze and so did he. Her heart jumped up into her throat as she stared at his lips, knowing he was about to kiss her.

  “Whatever.” She moved away from him, intensely uncomfortable as she thought about just how much truth was in the words he had spoken.

  He cleared his throat, “Why don’t you get some sleep?”

  “I’m good,” she managed, even though she was so tired it was getting hard to keep her eyes open. He smiled crookedly and closed his fingers around hers causing her more discomfort as her body reacted. She looked down at his hand. She certainly couldn’t let him know that he was having this effect on her. After all, he was supposed to be the enemy. She repeated that to herself in her mind. Over and over again. He’s the enemy. He’s the enemy. He’s the snake and I can’t take his apple. He’s bad. He’s forbidden fruit. He’s… She looked up at his glowing eyes and got distracted.

  “All I’m saying is that I understand,” he whispered.

  Brea shook her head feeling even more sleepy, more sleepy than she could ever remember being. She mumbled under her breath before she felt the weight of sleep drag her down. “Whatever, dude….I won’t be tempted by you, you’re forbidden. You’re the fruit.”

  He laughed softly as she drifted to sleep under the magic of his touch.

  …Ava…

  Ava wasn’t sure whether she was dreaming or not when she heard the sound of Aunt Avalene humming. She forced the memories of her dreams away as the beautiful sound drew her from sleep. She couldn’t bear to think, but couldn’t seem to stay asleep either. Her lashes parted, banishing the seductive darkness that had been helping her hide from the strange reality she was facing. The unforgiving sunlight coming through the glass doors leading to the balcony blinded her for a moment and then danced across the stone walls of her room. She smiled at the happy sound of Aunt Avalene’s voice as her eyes adjusted. Her humming was a wonderful and familiar sound. “The melody of earth,” Aunt Avalene called it. Ava sat up slowly and looking through blurry eyes she saw a cascade of red hair and then sunlit blue eyes, “Morning, Shug.”

  “Aunt Avalene?” she asked, sleepy and still trying to get her bearings.

  “Morning, Shug.” Aunt Avalene said again as she moved to the edge of Ava’s bed.

  Ava’s hair fell over her shoulder as she focused on Aunt Avalene. Just seeing her familiar face, made her feel better. Relief welled within her and though she had no tears left to cry, her body shook wi
th the force of what she was feeling. “I didn’t mean to, Aunt Avalene. Everyone is going to think…”

  “Stop!” Aunt Avalene commanded, planting her hands on her hips. “Ava, you stop right there. Caring about what other people think is about as useless as a yard with no flowers. People are going to talk, think the worst, and misunderstand no matter what you do. It’s just human nature. No use trying to worry about it. Now, you swallow those tears and listen up. One, you know you didn’t mean to hurt Alec. What matters is figuring this all out.” She crossed her arms, “And two. You are in trouble, missy.”

  “In trouble! For what?”

  Aunt Avalene shook her finger, “I should have been called the instant that they found out about your accident. I’ve already given the council a piece of my mind. Alec, too!” She shook her head, “I raised you and you’re my heart, Ava. When something happens to you, it happens to me. It’s my right to know, and my job to fix. You better make sure everyone around this place knows that. Understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ava replied meekly. She couldn’t remember the last time Aunt Avalene had been this angry with her.

  “Good. Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, we can start to deal with everything else,” Aunt Avalene said, smiling now. She held her hand out and helped Ava sit up, “First things first. I had the council contact the doctor you saw at the hospital. Apparently he specializes in the spirit element and has conducted several studies on the conception and birth of children born of the Element.” She pulled Ava to her feet. “He will arrive later today. He’s going to help us figure this out. I’ve also informed the council that all information needing your attention should be brought to me while you rest. I think you need to stay up here until the doctor arrives. We will let Mother Earth do what she needs to do until we get this figured out. We need to help you regain your connection to the elements.”