Brea laughed, “Yeah, right.”
“You will,” he said against her ear. “Say these words. “Rise up, dance for me, Harinick Awlet Manicuine, and visualize it. Concentrate on the symbol.” The words rolled off his tongue, making him sound like he was from a different time.
Brea closed her eyes, feeling a strange prickling sensation in the palm of her hand. It felt like it had fallen asleep and was trying to wake back up. Caslan reached for her hand and pried her fingers open. She looked down at the crystal that lay in her palm. Colors flashed within it.
“Say the words and look at the symbol. Make the crystal weightless.”
Brea took a deep breath. “Raise up, dance for me, Harinick Awlet Manicuine.” She leaned forward and concentrated on the symbol. The symbol turned black and then caught fire. The crystal rose from her hand and floated above the flaming symbol. Brea wanted to scream. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The crystal spun higher and higher until it was right in front of her face. It hovered there, spinning like it weighed nothing at all.
Caslan took her chin in his hand and kissed her. His kiss was not careful; it was all-consuming and feral. She knew she should fear the strange sensations he was causing her to feel, but it was so amazing. She’d never felt more alive; out of control, yet completely free. His hands moved over her body and suddenly she didn’t want there to be any space between them. She wrapped herself around him as he lowered her to the sand. She heard the crystal drop beside them. He was breathing fast, just like her. He propped himself up on his elbow, looked at her, and grinned. “I told you that you could do it.”
“You did that.” She accused, a little disappointed that he seemed to want to talk.
“No,” he denied. “That was all you. You did that.”
“Did I really?” she asked, feeling a little better about the talking thing, amazed at what she had done.
He leaned in and, touching her lightly, slowly traced a path over her shoulder and down her arm before he responded, “You did.”
…Ava…
Aunt Avalene stood beside Ava and stared out over the ocean. Purple clouds that heralded an approaching storm rushed away from them, disappearing into the horizon. She folded her thin arms, “I don’t know, Ava. I’ve never heard anything like that. I’m not saying that it’s not possible; the island is full of mysteries and the past holds more.”
“Nisca hasn’t ever heard anything like that either, but she’s dreaming the same dream I am, well almost the same anyway. There has to be something to it, I just don’t know what yet.” Ava shook her head and looked down the beach. The Whistler was walking there. He hadn’t left after all. She watched him as he moved away. The wind trailed behind him like an obedient dog. It was constantly swirling in his wake; his own personal tornado. Ava wondered if she would ever have that much control.
“How are the defense preparations going?” Aunt Avalene asked.
“Good. Alec’s working with Markson to get the Greens ready enough to add some extra protection around the island. Two groups have returned to the island. More are coming, but it might be a few days. Things are far enough along that we’re leaving tomorrow. I’m going to ask Alec’s father about his property. If he agrees we will need to set up some extra protection there also and get things started fast.”
“How’s the other stuff going?”
“What other stuff?”
“Your training, with the experts. The woman with the Earth element said you touched your element.” Aunt Avalene smiled, “How did it go with the Whistler, besides the horrible news he reported?”
“Good. He’s kind of strange, but it’s starting to make sense. Touching the elements physically, I mean.”
“Show me.”
“Okay.” Ava closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She pressed her lips together and whistled. As she did, the wind wrapped around her, hugging her body tight. It let her go and spun her in a circle. Her dress flew around her and laughter came from her lips as the warm breeze tickled her skin and ran through her hair like invisible fingers.
“Wow,” a bemused Thomas said from behind them.
“Thomas?” Aunt Avalene said.
Ava opened her eyes. “That right there was pretty amazing.”
“Thank you.” Ava smiled. “How are you, Thomas?”
“Just fine.”
“How is my baby sister?” She moved closer, “Is she back yet?”
“Not yet. Any time now. I’m headed down to run though some drills with some of the Greens. When I’m done there, I’m going down to wait for her by the dock. She’s been so crazy about her training lately that I haven’t got to see her as much as I’d like to. Shoot, she knows the drills as good as I do, but that don’t stop her from training. That girl is as determined as a tick on a dog.”
Ava smiled, “She is that.”
“Well, you know what they say about dynamite and small packages.” Aunt Avalene smiled.
“Yes, ma’am, I sure do.” He dipped his head, “Well ladies, I better go round up the troops. Alec don’t like to wait.”
“No, he’s not a patient man.” Ava agreed. As he turned to leave, she held her hand up, “Oh, Thomas? Tell Lyssa to come see me as soon as she can. We got the letter.”
“The letter?” he asked.
“Yes. She’ll know what I mean.” Ava smiled.
“Okay, I’ll tell her as soon as she gets here.”
“Thanks.” Ava said as she watched him walk away. Aunt Avalene waited until Thomas was out of earshot before she spoke, “Are you sure you girls want to know?”
“Of course we’re sure. We’ve been waiting for the genetic test results for over a month now.” She knew deep down that Lyssa was her sister, but they both wanted to know for certain. Ava smiled. “We both want to know.”
“Will it change anything if she’s not your sister?”
“No.”
“Then why did you do the test?”
“I don’t know. I just, we just, wanted to know.”
“I just want to make sure you think it through before you open that letter. It might be a bad idea, Shug.”
Ava smiled, always comforted by Aunt Avalene’s concern. She needed that comfort right now as she noticed a small group of Greens and a few visitors staring at her. They all looked at her fearfully. Ava didn’t want to see that look. She didn’t want to be looked at like Lareina had been. She wasn’t like her.
“Ignore them,” Aunt Avalene ordered.
It was like she could read minds, Ava thought. “I am.”
Aunt Avalene smiled as they entered the castle and began to walk up the stairway. “I’m so proud of you, Ava. You are handling all of this so well.” She glanced at Ava’s belly. “You’re going to be a good mother.”
“If the diary is to be believed, we’ll be having a little girl. What do you think, Aunt Avalene? Any chance it could be a boy?”
“I know what the baby is.”
“How? Did the doctor tell you?”
“No. He didn’t have to and I didn’t need the diary either. Vangeretta women don’t have boys. We will be seeing a beautiful baby girl. Do you have a name picked out?”
“Wait. What do you mean Vangeretta women don’t have boys. They never have boys, why?”
“I don’t know the why of it, I just know it doesn’t happen. The last male Vangeretta born was Victory Vangeretta’s father.”
“Do you think it’s because of the curse?”
Aunt Avalene shrugged, “No way to know, Shug. No way to know.”
Ava felt her body begin to shake as she remembered the curse. “What if it is a boy?” Ava felt her voice break, “You don’t think that he would be affected by the curse, do you?”
Aunt Avalene turned towards her door. She smiled “Don’t worry Ava. Like I said, Vangeretta woman don’t have boys.” She touched Ava’s shoulder, “Quit worrying.”
“I’m trying to, but either way I turn, it’s scary. What if our baby girl is a True El
ementris? I’m going to pass the curse to her. She won’t ever find love, or she won’t be able to keep it anyway. I got lucky because of the bond Alec and I share.”
“We will cross that bridge when we get to it, Ava. Everything has a way of working out. How about you let all that worry go and just focus on getting better control, Shug.”
“Okay, Aunt Avalene, I’ll keep trying,” Ava promised, trying to smile. Judging by the look on Aunt Avalene’s face, she hadn’t been very convincing.
“Chin up, Shug.” Aunt Avalene said as she closed the door to her room.
Ava walked on, keeping her pace slow when all she wanted to do was run until all her worries were left behind. “What do people do when they’re told not to worry? They worry.” She thought as she entered her room. She grabbed the diary. She needed answers and she needed them now.
…Brea…
Brea couldn’t believe her eyes. She was doing things she had only dreamed of doing. She pointed at the next light, “Green.”
Caslan laughed, “You’re good at this.”
“How is this possible?” Looking at the crystal cradled in her palm, she sighed and leaned back against the truck seat.
“Well. All it takes is the crystal, a touch of electricity and,” he held her hand up, “a touch of that.”
“What? My ring?”
“Yeah. It usually takes a lot more effort for mortals to learn magic. Even with crystals and magic words. That ring enhances the magic hidden in anyone.”
“So could I still do it without the ring?”
“Yes. It would just be a lot harder.” Brea looked down at the ring thinking about Ava giving it to her. “So you know all about this ring?”
“Anyone who has anything to do with the elements does. It’s like the ones the first five wore.”
“The first five wore these? So there were five of them?”
“Maybe more; that’s what they say anyway. No one knows where they all are. My father has one, and we know where this one is.” He ran his finger over her thumb.
“Your father has one?” Brea asked, feeling a little sick.
“Yeah, he does.”
Brea nodded slowly. It was easy to forget who Caslan was. She was pretty sure that he was genuine, but she still needed to remember who he really was, and what she had to do. Protect Ava. Help find those missing women. “So you’re going with me, right? To meet Ava?”
“Yeah.”
“When are we leaving? We’re supposed to meet her soon. Have you learned anything about the missing women?”
“We’ve got company,” he said, looking in the rear view mirror.
Brea followed his gaze and realized they were being followed by one of the Black SUV’s that seemed to be everywhere lately. “Is that the Waevern Army?”
“Yeah, looks like it,” he said grimly.
“How long have they been back there?” Brea asked.
“They’ve been following us since we left the river.”
“Can you lose them?” Brea checked them out in her side mirror. No closer, but not gone either.
“We’ll figure it out. I’ve lost them before.”
“So, those missing women…”
“Well, I have to find out more. So far I know they took them and I heard my father talking to a doctor the other day about a multiple delivery. I don’t know where they are keeping them yet, but I’m sure I can find out where they plan to take them next. I just have to make my father trust me. He needs to think that I want to be his replacement.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“I’ve already started,” he said with a devilish smile. “As we speak, my dad’s minions are calling in our every move. By hanging out with you, they think that I’m doing what he wants me to do.”
“What exactly does he want?” Brea was more than a little curious as to what his answer to that question would be.
“He thinks that you might be more open to sharing things you know about Ava, the island, whatever, with a boyfriend. Maybe you might share more with me than you did with Macy.”
Brea felt sick, “And how do I know that’s not what you’re doing?”
He tilted his head. “You don’t. The thing is, Brea,” he hesitated, “you scare the hell out of me. I’ve never been like this with a girl.” He licked his lips, “Besides. Who’s shared more, really? You? Or, me? I know squat about you so far. I’ve told you most of my life already. I think I should be the one worried.”
Brea smiled. “Your secrets are safe with me.”
He stopped at the light and leaned over to give her a quick kiss, “Let’s get rid of these assholes.” Brea nodded and pointed at the red light. If changed colors and cars slammed on brakes and scattered different ways. Caslan floored the gas pedal and they raced through the confusion and away.
…Ava…
Lyssa sat on the balcony in the chair facing Ava. “What do you think it’s going to say?”
Ava shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“All that happened last year seems like a blur,” Lyssa said.
“I know.” Ava took a deep breath, “I think we need to know though.”
“We do,” Lyssa nodded.
“Open it.” Ava handed a small envelope to her.
Lyssa took it and carefully opened the flap of the small envelope and removed the document tucked inside. She laid the envelope in her lap as she unfolded the document and started to read.
Ava tried to read her expression, but her dark eyes gave nothing away.
“Oh, for goodness sake, Lyssa! What does it say?”
“We are.”
“We’re sisters?” Ava asked.
“Yeah.” Lyssa nodded and her face reddened as tears filled her eyes.
“Don’t cry.” Ava said, leaning toward her to take her in her arms.
“It’s just...” Lyssa sniffed, “When my father died, I felt like no one in the world was my family. I know he wasn’t blood, but my only blood relative had sold me and I never thought I would have someone that I belonged to again. Only family feels that way, you know? When things get rough, you know you’ll always have someone there with you. I haven’t had that for a long time. I’ve missed it.”
“I know exactly what you mean. I was blessed to have Aunt Avalene and Brea, but having you as my sister is so amazing. I knew in my heart you were, this just makes it official. It’s the best news I’ve had in weeks.”
Lyssa stood and helped Ava up, “Hear that, little one?” Lyssa asked happily, speaking to Ava’s belly, “It’s official! I’m your Aunt Lyssa!”
Ava hugged her again.
“I’m so glad to have you, Ava.” Lyssa sniffed, trying not to cry and failing miserably.
Ava nodded, feeling tears in her own eyes. It felt good to get some good news in the middle of all of this chaos.
Lyssa backed up, “I guess I better get back and help. Thomas and I are assigned to the boat patrol.”
“How’re things going with Thomas?” Ava teased.
“Amazing.” Her cheeks turned pink, “He’s so…”
“Thomas.” Ava laughed.
“Yeah.” Lyssa laughed, too. “There’s something so genuine about him. I’ve never been happier.”
“Good.” Ava walked with her to the door.
“See you around, sister.” Ava smiled as she said the word. It really did feel good.
“I like the sound of that,” Lyssa smiled back.
“Me too, Lyssa.”
Ava closed the door behind Lyssa and reached for the diary again. She flipped through the pages like they held all of the secrets in the world. For her, they did. She had so many questions. What if the curse did affect her baby? The thought that her daughter might never find love was breaking her heart. Ava needed to know more. She had to find a way to get rid of this curse. She refused to pass it down to her baby.
She skimmed over the pages and found where she’d left off.
“The twenty-second day of the twelfth mont
h…
This castle holds many secrets. Even secret rooms. Hanna and I have been exploring them. A dream led me to look under the staircase leading to Hanna’s room. We found old scrolls there. They tell of a different time. A time long before this one. They tell of five rulers. All True Elementris’. The story says that five sat on five thrones all equal in power. They traded spells for gold and together balanced nature. The scrolls say it changed from five True Elementris' to one True Elementris. It talks about gods of lightning and water too. It talks about a place called Olympus and a place called Atlantis. It says that the one gifted with earth changed all of that. She took their power. She killed them. She killed the other four in her circle for power.”
A loud knock on the door took her attention away from the diary. She tucked it into the vanity drawer and opened the door.
“Queen Vangeretta?” A young guard stood at the door. Ava couldn’t remember his name.
“Yes.”
“Alec sent me. He said to tell you that someone is here to see you.”
“Um, okay. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“I’ll let him know.”
“Thank you.”
She closed the balcony doors and made her way down the stairs.
Alec walked towards her. As soon as he reached her, he whispered, “There’s a young woman here. She is an expert with the Spirit element.”
“Oh, okay.” She took his hand and followed him, “Do you really think all this is going to work? That it will help me get my own power back, I mean?”
“It will work. You’re strong, Ava, you just forget that sometimes.” He looked up as they reached the beach. “Her name is Tabu.”
Tabu?” Ava echoed as she stared at the slender woman on the beach. She wore hardly anything and Ava couldn’t help but look down at her own bloated figure. “Where did my feet go?”
He nodded.
Tabu was smiling and her snake-like gaze never left Alec as they approached. “So, you and her, it’s a serious kind of thing?”
Women throwing themselves at Alec really did get tiresome sometimes and Ava was not about to let this one think she had a chance in hell. Stepping in front of Alec, she indicated her swollen figure, “I’d say so. What do you think?”
Elementris, Exposure, Eruption Box set: The Vangeretta Curse Series Page 71