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

by Christina Mobley

  Brea stared at her and then out across the dessert. Suddenly the wind picked up and created a small sand tornado. It circled them and then moved off to the west. Ava turned to watch it and was happy to see the arrow on her palm move with her. “It’s working,” she said, “That way.”

  She watched as the small whirlwind came to a halt in front of a dune not far from where they were standing. The wind blew the sand away from the dune and a door appeared. Ava began to walk toward it. “Ava, wait.” Shawn said as the big metal door creaked and two men with big guns stepped out. “Just you two. He can’t come.” One of them said, pointing at Brea and Ava.”

  “Wait here, Shawn,” Ava ordered.

  “Ava?” He spoke her name questioningly and moved to stand between her and the two men.

  “It will be okay, Shawn,” Ava told him as she walked around him.

  Brea looked at Shawn and followed Ava. “What about you?” She whispered as she reached her side. “How are you going to escape if they do hand Emberlee over?”

  “I’m not going to try, Brea.”

  “Ava?” Brea stopped. “You have to try.”

  “No.” She looked ahead. “I’m going to let them take what they want. If it kills me, it does. It will keep them busy while you get away and save Emberlee from a terrible choice later. I need you to promise me something, Brea.” Ava looked at her. “When they give her to you, you go and you don’t look back. You run like hell. Promise?”

  “Ava do you realize what you’re asking me to do? I can’t just let you die.”

  Ava glared at Brea “If something happens to Alec too, you and Shawn will be the only protection Emberlee has. Your job is take care of her. You and Shawn disappear with her. Don’t go back to the island. Let her become who she will and find her own destiny. Promise me Brea, please?”

  Tears filled Brea’s eyes, “I promise, Ava.”

  Ava nodded as the two men stepped aside to allow them to enter.

  …Alec…

  “Let’s go,” Alec said to the guards left with him. He’d been lucky. Several of the guards had the Spirit Element and they had joined together and been able to slow his bleeding.

  His phone rang, “Hello.”

  “Alec. It’s Thomas. Bad news, brother. Lareina and Vincent took Emberlee from the island. Ava sent us after them, but they had too much of a head start on us and we lost them.” Thomas paused, then continued, “I think I know where they are, Alec. If I’m right, it’s about as bad as it gets.”

  Alec tried to brace himself, “Where, Thomas?”

  “Serinta.”

  Alec’s gut clenched, “Where is Ava now?”

  “Not sure. She sent me ahead. When we realized we’d lost Lareina and Vincent, we headed in your direction. We’ll be there in just a minute.”

  “I’ll meet you outside.”

  Alec hung up.

  “What about the two that got away?” one of the guards asked. Caslan and Bianca were gone. “Do you want us to go after them?”

  “No, we’ll worry about them later. Right now I want everyone with me.” Alec’s head whipped around as he heard a baby’s cry. “Let’s get them out of here.”

  Still unsure who he could trust, Alec left the building last. He wanted no surprise attacks from behind.

  He was still weak from all the blood he’d lost but he ran toward the car, ripping his torn and bloody shirt off as he went. Thomas leapt from the car, shocked. “Alec! I’ve got you, brother. I’ve got you, just hang in there.” He put his hand on Alec’s chest covering the wound with his large hand. Alec felt his heart pound faster and his breath come stronger. “Thank you, brother,” he told Thomas as he watched the Spirit Element dim in his eyes.

  Thomas waved away his thanks. He pointed at the roof of the building and they watched as a helicopter rose into the air. “They’re going after her.” Alec said.

  “Well hell, Alec. Let’s get this party started!” Thomas ran around to the passenger side of the car and got in as Alec slid into the driver’s seat. Thomas hadn’t turned the car off and Alec threw it into drive and slammed the gas pedal to the floor. He didn’t even let up for the turn at the end of the driveway. They slid around it and kept right on moving. He had to get to Ava. He could feel her stronger now and he knew what she was planning to do. He felt her determination. He had to hurry before she did something he wouldn’t be able to survive.

  Chapter Seventeen…

  …Ava…

  The two guards stayed outside. Brea jumped when the door shut behind them.

  They were inside a circular room. There was one button on the wall.

  “What is this?” Brea looked around. Even the door they had come through had somehow become part of the seamless metal walls.

  The room jerked and the floor moved downward.

  “It’s an elevator,” Ava said tensely.

  “What if they won’t give her to me, Ava?”

  “I’ll make sure they do,” Ava responded confidently.

  Brea took a deep breath as the elevator stopped.

  The doors opened.

  Guards stood in front of them.

  Ava glared at them. Some of them were Waevern soldiers. A barely dressed girl stood with them wearing the Waevern insignia on her chest. “Remember me?” she asked snidely.

  “I remember you, Tabu,” Ava replied as the memory of the birds diving to their death flashed quickly through her mind. “How many people are helping them?” she wondered.

  “Come on.” Tabu said, holding up a pair of matching silver bracelets. “Time for you to dance for me. Just like your little bird friends.”

  Ava held her hands out in front of her. Tabu winked as she slid the thick bracelets over her wrists. They tightened and locked together. Tabu grabbed another pair of bracelets from the guard behind her, then handed them back after examining Brea, “Psh.” She turned her hand and Brea’s hands locked behind her back like they were cuffed. She moved forward as Tabu pushed her hand out. Brea’s movements looked eerily similar to those of the birds she had sent to their death.

  “Let’s go.” She walked ahead of them, her heels thumping loudly on the glass floor.

  The hallway in front of them was long and the walls were clear. You could see red earth through them; little paths carved by underground streams. They stopped in front of two doors guarded by men in solid white uniforms. The doors opened into a large room.

  Vincent and Lareina were there. Vincent was gleeful, almost giggling with excitement when he spotted Ava. Lareina held Emberlee.

  Ava stiffened.

  Vincent smiled at her, “Ah, you came. She’s such a special child, Ava. Don’t you think so, Lareina?”

  “Ah, yes, little Emberlee is very special, isn’t she, Ava?” Lareina added. “Of course, daughters are always special in their mother’s eyes, aren’t they? That’s why I’m enjoying this so much. You turned my daughter against me, Ava. I’ll be sure to return the favor; a child for a child. By the time she’s ready to take her rightful place, she will be more than happy to destroy you.”

  “Shut up, Lareina!” Ava commanded as she took a step forward. “I won’t let you harm my child.

  Vincent laughed. “Oh, my dear Lareina. Don’t you just love how naïve she is?” Returning his attention to Ava, he asked, “Did you really come here expecting that we would just hand her over? She’s the only thing keeping you from destroying this place and us along with it. Do you have the rings?”

  “If you want the rings, give Emberlee to Brea!” Ava commanded.

  Lareina laughed, “Or what, exactly? How do we know that you won’t attack us the second we hand her over?”

  “I won’t, you have my word.” She looked up as Emberlee started to whimper in Lareina’s arms. Ava felt her breath catch in her throat. She moved closer. “Give her to Brea and I’ll do whatever you want.”

  “Is that so?” Vincent smiled and pointed to a chair in front of him. “Have a seat, Ava. Ava knew what would happen if she sat.
There was still fresh blood on the seat and it had strange gadgets and straps attached to it. There was a circle around it and five candles. She sat down and stayed completely still as the guards strapped her into it. One of them flipped a switch on the back of the chair and a low pulse of electricity buzzed through the straps and caused her fingers and toes to curl involuntarily. “Give her to Brea. You have what you want.”

  “Do you have the rings?” Vincent demanded.

  Ava nodded and opened her hand. The rings were there, glimmering under the lights.

  Vincent nodded to one of the guards.

  The guard moved slowly and carefully toward Ava. He reached his hand out. Ava closed her hand and glared at him.

  He took a step back.

  “Let Brea take Emberlee out first.”

  “Don’t be difficult, Ava.” Vincent said. “You must be patient. We have to have your full cooperation. You wouldn’t want to lose her now, would you?” He looked at Lareina, “Take her.”

  Lareina lifted Emberlee so she was facing Ava. “Say goodbye to mommy,” she laughed and, surrounded by guards, she began to walk toward a large door behind her. Emberlee’s cry grew louder, desperate. Ave felt her insides twist. “Wait!” Ava screamed.

  Lareina turned and Ava stared at Emberlee’s small delicate face across the large room. Every part of her ached and burned. Overwhelming anger roared through her. The ground beneath them shook with it.

  “Here,” she opened her hand. “Take them.”

  “Ava?” Brea gasped.

  Ava ignored her and kept her eyes on Emberlee; she couldn’t afford to be distracted now. She measured the distance between herself and her baby. The guard held his hand out again. When he did, Ava tossed the rings into the air. The guards swarmed, diving for the rings. Ava flicked her fingers and threw a small bolt of lightning towards the light above her, shattering it and providing a much needed distraction.

  “Brea!”

  …Brea…

  Brea jumped and tried to go to Ava but she was stopped when some grabbed her hair. Tabu had her. She smiled, “Stay here, my little bird.”

  Brea saw red. Ava’s necklace heated against her skin and pulsed as if it had suddenly come to life. She jerked her arms and was surprised when her hands came loose. Shortly thereafter her fist connected with Tabu’s jaw and Brea was immensely satisfied when she fell and didn’t get back up. Brea watched gleefully as Ava unlocked the strange cuffs on her own wrists with a lift of her brows. Flame danced on her hands and Brea ducked. Ava threw balls of fire at the guards as roots erupted through the glass floor and wrapped themselves around their feet. The roots thickened as they wound their way up the guards bodies until they were completely immobile and no longer a threat. Alarms sounded and red lights flashed. Ava paid them no mind, her attention now completely centered on Lareina. Lareina was frozen with shock, but Vincent reached into his pocket and withdrew some black powder. Cupping his hand and bringing it to his lips, he blew it towards Ava.

  It didn’t faze her; she just kept moving. The guards tried to grab her, but it was as if she were made of wind; their hands grasped only empty air as she made her way through them. A guard grabbed Brea, then instantly let go as he experienced a zinging shock. Ava’s necklace was protecting her. Brea stayed close and grinned when Ava spun and knocked a guard across the room. Ava’s eyes were bright and fire danced from her fingertips as her hair blew wildly in the unnatural wind. Guards came from every direction; Waevern Soldiers with them. There were so many, way too many. Ava pressed her lips together and the softest, purest whistle came from her lips. The glass walls cracked and portions of it burst into millions of tiny pieces that swirled around her; assaulting anyone who dared to get close. Not one piece of glass touched Ava, Brea, or Emberlee.

  Every guard around them moved back, the tiny shards assaulting them as they tried to close in. Some of them gave up and ran. Lareina passed Emberlee to Vincent, then turned and ran as Ava continued her assault. Vincent tried to run with Emberlee. He dashed toward the door that Lareina had just escaped through, only to see it slam in his face. Every door in the room slammed shut. Panic ensued as Ava moved toward Vincent, her eyes dark and fierce. He pressed himself against the door, trying desperately to force it open.

  Ava closed her eyes. The flames dancing on her hands went out and the glass shards fell around her, pinging as they hit the floor, and her dark eyes returned to their brilliant blue. Reaching out, she ordered Vincent to give Emberlee to her. Vincent complied quickly, carefully passing her to her mother. No one else moved. Ava pressed her lips to Emberlee’s forehead. “Brea!” she called.

  Brea hurried to her side and took Emberlee into her arms.

  A robotic voice came from unseen speakers, “Oxygen Level Lowering. Exterior. Walls Breached. Dispatch, Dispatch, Dispatch.”

  Knowing reinforcements were coming, the guards made their move.

  “Go, Brea!” Ava screamed at her. “Don’t stop.”

  Brea screamed back, “What about you?”

  “I’m going after the children,” Ava yelled, as she grabbed a guard by the throat and slammed him into two others that were just behind them. “Keep going Brea. Get her out of here now!”

  Ava pointed and the elevator doors flew open. Shawn was there. He stepped out of the elevator, knocked a guard out of the way, and pulled Brea inside.

  Guards and Waevern Soldiers were pouring into the room now. The numbers were unreal. They had guns and they were all pointed at Ava. As the doors closed, Ava looked at Brea, calm, as if she wasn’t scared at all. “Go as far as you can. Don’t go back to the island.” Ava pressed her hand to the metal doors and they slammed shut, encasing them in silence. Brea jumped as she heard a pop. “Oh God, Shawn.” Shawn pulled her close as the elevator climbed.

  …Ava…

  Ava smiled as the bullet stopped in midair and fell harmlessly to the floor. Fear registered on every face and they raised their weapons. Ava swallowed hard, preparing for the pain. They fired. Bullets peppered the air around her, but not one touched her. They just fell at her feet. She was amazed. For the first time ever, she felt a connection to the metal, almost as if it was an element itself. She opened her palms, feeling a strange buzz reverberate through them as she lifted her arms. The bullets at her feet rose and wind came at her call. Just as a test, she flicked her finger towards one of the floating bullets. It moved forward in response. Smiling again, she sent bullets flying on the wings of the wind. The temperature rose as bullets sprayed; sweat poured down her face and her eyes glowed like volcanic embers. People scurried to get out of her way when she locked eyes on her target.

  Vincent.

  He stood exactly where she had left him, frantically barking orders to the few guards who remained in the room. He turned toward her. Realization, fear, and reluctant admiration vied for dominance in his grey eyes. Ava held his gaze as she strode toward him, unfazed by the pathetic attempts of the remaining guards as they tried to stop her. Her magic had truly become a physical part of her. The elemental magic swam around her, defending her from every angle. Fire, earth, water, wind, spirit, and metal. She had become all she was meant to be in that moment.

  Reaching Vincent, she grabbed him by the throat and lifted him as high as she could, then slammed him on his back. The glass floor beneath him cracked and blood ran from his ears and nose. “Where are the children, Vincent?”

  He squirmed as Ava’s grasp tightened. “There!” he gasped and pointed to a doorway behind them. Ava looked at the door and it flew off the hinges and slid across the room.

  She looked at Vincent. Water trickled in through the broken walls and worked its way toward her from every direction. Vincent’s eyes darted back and forth as he saw the water coming. “Queen Vangeretta, please…,” he pleaded.

  Ava tilted her head. “There is nothing you can say to me that will save you. You dared to take my child, Vincent. For that, you’re going to suffer,” she told him. “A lot.”

  The water
began to slip its way up his body. Snakelike, it slithered up and over his legs, then wound its way up his body to his chest. It teased its way towards his lips and he pressed them tightly together in a vain effort to keep the water out. Slinking in through his nostrils, it forced him to open his mouth. Drowning, he choked and gasped for air. The more he squirmed the faster the water flowed.

  Relentlessly, Ava held him down as the life left his body. When he was almost gone, she lifted him and threw him across the room. He slammed into the newly exposed red earth. The roots appeared almost joyful as they wrapped around his body and pierced his chest. He let out one last weak cough and his body slumped.

  Ava looked around the room. They were all watching her. Not one person dared move. She tossed a huge metal table out of her way with a flick of a finger and moved toward the doorway Vincent had indicated. The table changed shape and rose behind her like a shield. She glared warningly at a group of Waevern soldiers who stood in front of her. They offered no resistance as she passed through their midst. She moved out into the hall and stopped, stunned. Room after room held a child. Glass walls encased them. They were all different ages and all wore the same dreary gray coveralls with the small white leaf symbol on it. Ava’s rage threatened to overwhelm her as she stared at the children. Their faces were stark, emotionless.

  Dozens of small hands pressed against glass as she walked. Horror slid through her as she looked at their faces. Their warm breath fogged the thick glass and reminded her of the time her own hands had been pressed against a window as she watched her mother leave. Pain filled her and she could hear her own heart pounding. She turned, hearing pounding of a different sort. The sound was coming from both directions and was caused by the pounding of boots meeting glass. Guards, a lot of them. She didn’t have much time. She motioned for the children to back away from the glass. As she touched the thick glass walls, the metal bars inside them warped, and the glass wall turned into tiny ice crystals that broke as they hit the floor. The children didn’t move. They didn’t try to run, they showed no reaction at all. Ava was shocked, “What are you waiting for. Go. Run. Get out of here,” she pleaded.