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

by Christina Mobley

  “Let me out of here. I’ll go help Alec. You can’t tell Ava that they plan to attack the island. She’ll never leave. Convince her to go. Get Thomas and Lyssa to go with you.”

  Brea shook her head.

  “Brea, listen to me carefully. Vincent’s in on it, he’s Vern Waevern’s brother. Multiple guards, Council members. I’m not sure who you can trust here. Don’t say a word. You can trust Thomas. That much I do know. Go to Ava, please. Convince her to go.”

  Brea turned away. “I don’t know what to believe.”

  “Believe me, Brea.”

  “How can I?”

  “I tried to stop all of this. Right after you left the island. Right after you saw me with Bianca I went there and told Vern that I was done. Then I went to the university. You were with him. I knew they had you and that meant they still had me.”

  “What about Bianca? Why were you with her?”

  “Vern gave me the order. I had no choice. There is no telling how many people here are helping them and watching me. I thought hurting you would keep you away, keep you safe. I didn’t want you near me until I found a way to get away from them and expose everyone that was working for them. Caslan said you were getting too close and if I didn’t end it he would let Bianca do it.”

  “So Caslan did this?”

  “Brea, Caslan took over when Vern died. He needed you to be vulnerable. He needed you so he could control me.”

  “Vern’s dead?”

  “Yes. He died two weeks ago. Caslan has always been his favorite. He took over. He promised the other four that he would find a way to stop the bonding spell that Vern cast on them as children. He promised them he would keep them alive.”

  Brea backed away from him. “Why didn’t you tell Alec all of this sooner?”

  “I couldn’t. I was scared that Caslan would hurt you and scared that I would lose you. Caslan would have killed you if I exposed them, that’s why he brought you to that gathering, to show me how easy it would be.” He turned, “I realized that I had to get you far away or I had to make him believe I was going to help them until I could. I thought I could protect you all.”

  Brea looked up at him. “You’ve only known me for two years, Shawn. Why did you help them before? You’re lying.”

  “I’m not lying to you, Brea! Before you, they used my family. My family ran after Scott died. I never wanted to be involved with them. I thought about going to the True Elementris or the Council a hundred times, but it turned out that Lareina was working with them. After Ava was crowned I thought I could finally come clean about everything and be able to protect my family, but then I found out that Vincent is Vern’s brother and then Bianca showed up. I met you and knew I had to find a way to get out. I tried to talk to Alec about Bianca, but I had to be careful. They had already killed my brother. Listen. They’re probably already out there waiting. Go to Thomas and Ava now. Just get them to get out of here. It’s happening now. They’re going to come for her and take the island.”

  …Ava…

  Ava could feel him. She could smell his scent and hear his voice. He was driving really fast. Caslan sat in the passenger seat. Ava tried to speak, not sure if she could really reach him. “Come back,” she whispered in her sleep. “Alec, come back.” Suddenly she lost the connection and found herself sitting straight up in her bed. Emberlee was crying. She rushed over and scooped the baby into her arms. She looked so much like him. Ava slowly pressed her lips to the Emberlee’s forehead and felt a tear run down her face.

  …Brea…

  Thomas looked at her like she had lost her mind. She’d told him everything. “Well I reckon that all makes more sense than Shawn really being one of them.”

  “So you’ll help me get Ava off the island?”

  “Nope. Not a chance.”

  “Why?”

  “Brea, Alec wants me to protect Ava. They’re safer here than anywhere and the guards left on the island ain’t exactly chopped liver. We can handle it. If they really try to attack then we’ll deal with it. I can’t go taking Ava and the baby off from here where they will be vulnerable.”

  “Just go talk to Shawn, please.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Until Alec gets back nothing changes. He stays locked up and I’ll be here at this door. Besides, you can’t believe everything he says. He’s already lied to us.”

  “Fine. I’ll just go talk to Ava then.” Brea reached for the door.

  Thomas grabbed her arm, “Do what you gotta do,” he said. “but Brea, if you talk her into leaving the island and something happens to her or that baby...”

  “I know.” Brea looked down.

  A loud sound pierced the air.

  “What’s that?”

  “The prison alarm.” Thomas turned. “Go. Get inside, lock the door, and stay there.” He took off running.

  …Ava…

  She stared down at the beautiful baby in her arms, wishing she had made her arrival at a safer time. Ava was determined to get things straight and make things safe for her. Even if Emberlee was a True Elementris who would one day challenge her mother, Ava would protect her and keep her safe.

  The door hit the wall and Emberlee jumped in her arms. “Brea?”

  “Sorry Ava. The prison alarm is going off.”

  “I’ll go check.” She darted toward the door.

  “Wait!” Brea took a breath and shut the door. “Listen, I think I was wrong about Shawn. He’s a Waevern soldier but only because he was forced into it. They threatened his family. They killed Scott and then they used me to control him. Caslan isn’t what he said he was. He’s the leader of the Waevern. Vern Waevern died two weeks ago. “

  Ava looked down. “Brea?”

  “Shawn said he thinks they are planning to attack the island. He thinks they sent Alec into a trap so the island would be vulnerable.”

  Ava couldn’t even speak as everything Brea said registered. “Brea, I know you…, I know you have feelings for Shawn, but…”

  Brea interrupted, “I believe him, Ava! You said I should go with my gut. Well, I’m doing that right now. I’m telling you that Shawn is telling the truth. He says that when they attack the island they are coming for you. He says you need to take Emberlee and leave the island.”

  “Brea, I can’t leave. I.” She paused looking at her best friend. “Brea are you sure. Your feelings for Shawn aside?”

  “I’m sure, Ava. Oh! I almost forgot! Vincent is Vern Waevern’s brother.”

  “What? I knew it! I knew he was helping them!”

  “So we’re leaving right?”

  “I don’t know, Brea.” Ava looked down.

  “Ava? What if it’s true? What if they are coming for you and her?”

  “Brea, I…”Someone banged on the door. Ava handed Emberlee to Brea and walked toward the door. She reached down and turned the knob.

  Thomas stood on the other side. “Ava. There’s been an escape!”

  “Who?”

  “Lareina and Vincent.”

  “What about Shawn?” Brea asked.

  “He’s still there.”

  “Okay.” Ava took a deep breath, “Stay here with Emberlee, Brea. I’ll send Aunt Avalene to you to help keep you both safe. Come on Thomas. Let’s get them before they get too far.”

  Chapter Sixteen…

  …Brea…

  Emberlee started to whimper. Brea bounced her lightly and walked towards the window. She could see guards everywhere. Her heart was hammering; Lareina was loose on the island. Lareina was no longer a True Elementris, Ava had taken that from her, but she was still dangerously powerful. Brea imagined Shawn pacing his cell, unable to do anything about the escape. “What if Lareina had hurt him?”

  The door opened and Ava walked in.

  “Back, already?” Brea asked, surprised.

  “Yes. Thomas is looking for Lareina and Vincent. The island is locked down; they won’t get far. ” She took Emberlee into her arms. “I want you to go down and talk to Shaw
n. See what you can find out; maybe he knows something about their escape plan.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay, Ava?” Brea asked, puzzled that Ava would want her to question Shawn instead of doing it herself.

  “I’m just fine.” Ava smiled, patting the baby’s back.

  Emberlee continued to cry in spite of Ava’s attempts to comfort her. Brea shrugged off her concerns and put Ava’s odd behavior down to ‘new-mommy jitters.’

  “Well, okay. I’ll be back.” Brea promised as she pulled the door shut behind her.

  Chaos reigned on the island. There were Clutch Guards everywhere. The weather was chaotic; torrential rain, and lightning popping all over the place. Brea headed towards the prison; splashing through puddles and flinching every time the lightning flashed. When she reached the prison, the main gate was open and the alarm was still going off. She ran through, and headed towards Shawn’s cell.

  She called out, “Shawn!”

  Shawn whirled around and faced her through the bars. “Brea, you’ve got to get me out of here. Vincent and Lareina have escaped. You’re going to have to get the keys from Bill’s body and let me out of here.”

  She glanced over her shoulder as what he’d said sank in, “Oh my God! Did you say Bill’s body!?!”

  “Yeah, he’s down there,” Shawn pointed down the dimly lit hallway. “Vincent killed him, then let Lareina out of her cell. I think Vincent and Lareina are going to try to take Emberlee. When he let her out of her cell, he gave her something in a small bottle. I don’t know what it was, but she was sure happy to get it. You can do this, Brea,” he encouraged.

  Brea knew she had to make a decision. She stared into Shawn’s eyes. “Shawn, can I really trust you?”

  “Brea.” He rested his forehead against the bars for a moment. Looking up, he reached through and took her hand. Placing her palm against his chest, he asked, “Do you feel that, Brea?” His heartbeat thumped steadily against her palm. “Everything I’ve done since the day I met you, I did to protect you. The one thing I did wrong was to fall in love with you and not stay away from you. I’m sorry for that. I should have never let myself love you knowing that it might put you in danger. I know I haven’t given you much reason to trust me lately, but you can trust this. Trust that I will do anything to protect the people I love and care about. We have to stop them from taking Emberlee, Brea.”

  Brea hesitated, but then did what she felt she should have been doing from the start; she went with her gut. “Okay, Shawn. Let’s crash their little party. Where’d you say the keys were?”

  “They’re clipped to Bill’s belt, Brea.”

  Brea flinched, “Crap, I was really hoping I’d heard that wrong.” Brea walked down the dark hallway. Shadows created by the torches placed every few feet crept eerily along the stone walls and had her looking over her shoulder a time or two. She could see Bill’s body up ahead. She’d seen a dead body once before. That had also happened in this place. Lareina had killed a guard and then managed to implicate Brea. Brea still had nightmares about that night. Reaching Bill, she knelt and felt for his keys, eyes averted. Somehow, it seemed disrespectful to look at him. She found the keys, removed them from his belt, then raced back to where Shawn waited.

  “It’s that one,” Shawn pointed. Brea placed the key into the lock and turned it. Shawn pushed the gate open and wrapped her in his arms.

  She was soaking wet, cold, and more than a little unnerved at having just touched a dead body. He was so warm and strong she felt like collapsing in his arms. She sighed, wishing this was all over and she could stay in the cocoon of his arms forever.

  “Let’s go,” he said, releasing her from his arms and taking her by the hand. “We have to get to Ava.”

  They ran through the icy rain and found Ava just outside of the prison gates. She looked angry and the storm was reflecting her anger with thunderous sounds and spectacular displays of lightning.

  “Brea? What are you doing out here? I told you to protect Emberlee, to stay with her until I got back. Where is she?”

  Brea stopped, a little annoyed with Ava’s tone. “What do you mean?”

  “Where the hell is Emberlee, Brea? Why would you leave her to come for him?”

  “I…I didn’t.” Brea felt her body shake. “Ava, I gave her to you. You sent me away, said for me to come and find out what Shawn knew. I handed her to you, Ava. Oh God, Ava. Please tell me I handed her to you!”

  “Brea, I haven’t been back to the room since I left Emberlee with you! I was with Thomas. We were trying to find Vincent and Lareina. I felt something was wrong and I…, Oh, God!” Ava looked at Brea, and then at Shawn. Tears filled her eyes as she turned and ran into the castle. Brea was right on her heels. Shawn raced ahead of them, pushing through anything and anyone in their way. He took the stairs three at a time, disappearing around the corner at the top. The bedroom door stood open when Brea and Ava arrived and Shawn was standing over the small cradle by Ava’s bed. Ava joined him there. Brea froze and her whole body went cold when thunder shook the castle and Ava screamed.

  …Ava…

  Ava couldn’t breathe. The cradle was empty. “Emberlee’s missing,” she murmured. Impossible words, words that seared her throat from the inside out as they clawed their way past her lips. Everything went hazy as the elements responded to her distress. The wind rushed around the room as if searching for her missing child, and the earth shook with the force of her anger. The waves rose high and beat angrily against the shore. Lions roared and birds called out their distress in response to the blow dealt to Ava’s spirit. Fire danced from her fingertips and flickered angrily in her eyes.

  “I’ll find her.” She heard Shawn say. It was as if his words came from a great distance. She felt like she was spinning out of control. Looking up, she focused on Brea’s face. She was ashen-faced and standing completely still in the doorway. Ava’s body started to shake. She didn’t know how to move, how to think. She wasn’t sure she was breathing anymore. Her legs fell out from under her and she hit the floor with her knees.

  “Ava!” Brea screamed and grabbed her. “Oh God, Ava, I’m so sorry.” Brea’s face was red and tears rained down her cheeks.

  Ava didn’t cry, she was locked up inside. She felt like every bone in her body was shattered and every muscle felt leaden. She reached out, grabbed Brea’s shoulder, and forced herself to get back on her feet. Carefully placing one foot in front of the other, she moved toward the door as the world resumed its normal motion. She heard the thunder and felt the world shake beneath her feet. Brea was right behind her when she shifted speed and ran as fast as she could down the stairs. Each step she took shook the earth. The flowers lining the rails straightened and their petals burst from ripened buds. Rose petals floated around her, carried along by the unnatural wind that followed her. Ava knew she was doing all of it on some level, but she didn’t care. Her daughter was missing; nothing else mattered. Nothing.

  The entire castle shook and the wind roared outside as it caused the shutters to pound against the windows. It wound its way through every crevice the castle hid, eerily whistling as if responding to her grief. Ava threw her hands out in front of her and the castle doors flew off their hinges. Heads turned in shock as the wind blasted its way inside. She paid no attention. Stepping outside, she looked towards the sky. A dark swirling mass had formed there and it grew with every breath she took. Lightning sparked and thunder rumbled angrily as if giant’s walked among the clouds. It wasn’t the sound of giants though, it was Ava. Every step she took was being echoed in the sky.

  Her voice felt as if it was buried. She was colorless, and she felt like her heart had frozen in her chest. She blew out a breath and frost covered the ground in front of her. “Where is my baby?” Her voice was thunderous. She ran toward the boats. Lightning pierced the darkness and danced upon the waves, but she saw nothing else. There was no sign of Vincent or Lareina, no sign of Emberlee. “Ava!” Brea screamed.

  Ava turned around slo
wly and looked at her.

  …Brea…

  Brea tried not to shake as she stared at the powerful, goddess-like, woman that stood in front of her. Ava’s red hair flew around a face that was now cold and dark. She looked so beautiful, so violent, so very, very, dangerous.

  Brea’s heart hammered as she moved toward her, “Ava, are you alright?”

  “No, Brea! Stop worrying about me! Help me find my baby! Why are you people standing around? Find her!” she shouted at the top of her lungs.

  Brea took a step back, terrified by the power in Ava’s voice and the wildness in her eyes.

  Ava quieted when she saw Thomas and Shawn coming towards her. Thomas looked grim and Shawn was pale; the news they had to report was not good. “They’re gone, Ava, and they have Emberlee.” His voice shook.

  “We’re going after her,” Thomas said.

  “Let’s go!” Ava said.

  They all hurried toward the dock. Several guards ran with them, the pounding of their boots nearly as loud as the roaring storm. Shawn held Brea’s hand.

  When they reached the boats, Brea asked, “Shawn, how did Lareina make herself look like Ava?”

  “She used a Doppelganger spell. No telling how they got their hands on it, but it’s used to make you look like someone else for a short period of time.”

  “Ava!” Nisca called out, running towards them. “Ava, wait!”

  “Nisca, what’s wrong?” Ava asked.

  “Look, Ava, I found this in your room,” she said as she stuffed a piece of paper into Ava’s hand. “Ava quickly read it and lifted her eyes to look at Nisca. A single tear raced down Ava’s cheek and the storm came harder.

  “Brea, Shawn, come with me. Thomas take two teams. Send one after Vincent and Lareina and send the other to tell Alec what’s happened. Pointing at a guard, she said “You, grab some weapons and wait in that boat.” She pointed to the one nearest her. “Why, what is it?” Brea said.

  “Come with me, Brea.” Ava said walking away from the dock, strangely calm.