Under an Onyx Sky (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 4)

by Richards, Carrigan

  The rage swelled inside of her. She had to take care of him. This would help subside her need to kill until the massacre.

  “Well…” He drank some beer. “My dad just passed away. So I left. Too many bad memories. And I came here.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “No one just comes here.”

  “Truth is I want to travel. And live in different places. My father grew up here. So I figured I could learn more about my family history.”

  She stiffened. Was he part Enchanter? Maybe she should take him to Havok. Or was he hunting them? She had to test him. “Hope your family isn’t like mine.”

  “What’s yours like?”

  Ava ignored the question and looked past him to the front door. She met cold black eyes, and then she mumbled a curse. Why was he here? She could handle herself. “Do you wanna get out of here?”

  “Uh, sure?”

  “Good.” She chugged her beer and threw a glare at Xavier, who stared at her from the door.

  Ava grabbed Logan’s arm and pulled him down the dingy hallway to the back exit. When she pushed the creaky door open, a gust of wind rammed into her. Rain slanted as it came down in a light shower.

  She hated the rain. Lucky for her, she could create an invisible umbrella over her. Ava walked down the iron stairs to the parking lot without the rain falling on her.

  “My place isn’t far from here,” he said.

  Ava spun around and faced him. He wasn’t much taller than she was. “Why are you really here, Logan?”

  “What? I told you.”

  Ava imagined him drowning, and he dropped to his knees, coughing. She stopped. “Tell me the truth, Logan. Are you hunting us?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She drowned him again. “Don’t lie to me, you filthy mongrel!” She didn’t recognize the words that came out of her mouth. But as she stared down at the disgusting creature, everything turned red. She reached down and wrapped her hands around his neck. She watched as the disease left her fingertips and entered his bloodstream.

  Another vision.

  The man’s skin boiled and blistered. Blood spurted and seeped through the open skin. Then, she felt arms around her, pulling her away from the man.

  She stopped and looked around. Xavier had her in his arms. Logan was sprawled out, unconscious. The rain poured harder, and Ava struggled free from Xavier.

  “What are you doing?” She scrambled to her feet.

  “What the hell were you doing?” Water cascaded down his face, his black clothes were soaked, and his breath came out in small white clouds.

  “I had this. You didn’t have to follow me.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  “Why were you strangling him? He’s one of us!”

  “He’s an Ephemeral. He said he just moved here.”

  “I know that, Ava. He was one of the recruits. What has gotten into you?”

  “Then why was he at the bar?”

  “Because that’s their bar. The new recruitments go there when their minds have been freshly altered. We make them feel like they stumbled here or just found the place.”

  “So erase his mind of this. I don’t really care.” She stepped over Logan’s still body.

  “You’d better watch yourself, Ava, before you fall too deep.”

  “Again, I don’t really care.” She started walking down the street until she saw complete darkness. Clenching her teeth, she halted and spun around.

  “You’d better care.” Xavier’s hard voice was close. Too close for her.

  “Lift your damn shadow.” She could feel his body heat as the rain beat down on them, bouncing off the pavement.

  “Ava, please,” he said, his tone softer. She felt his fingers graze her cheek, and she recoiled though not fast enough. He pressed his lips to hers, and cradled her head in his hand. Water built inside her. She wrapped her hands around his neck, and felt water travel over them and around his face, breaking the kiss. His shadow lifted, and she stared at him as the water began choking him.

  But she released him. She knew he would punish her. She had to pretend she didn’t mean it. Looking down at her hands, she gasped. “I’m so sorry.” She made herself cry. “What’s happening to me?”

  Xavier rubbed his neck, and his face fell. “I’ll clean this up. Just go back to your room and rest. We’ll talk later.”

  “Are you okay? I wasn’t expecting you—.”

  “It’s fine, Ava. I’ll talk to you later,” he said.

  She nodded once. He was wrapped around her little finger. She smiled at the thought as she made her way back to the castle.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS

  Xavier led Ava, the rest of the Elementals, Eve and Anais through the dark tunnels toward their next city. New York. Ava had never been there before, and she would never get to experience the lively, bustling city. But she wasn’t missing much. It was filled with evil.

  Ava was still impressed Xavier knew his way around the tunnels. She walked beside him and couldn’t help but notice him glancing at her every so often.

  “What?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Nothing. Are you doing okay?”

  “Fine. Why?”

  “Just curious.” A few minutes later, he opened a door and they exited into an empty alley. They followed Xavier out into a street filled with cars, mostly taxis, sitting in traffic. People moved along on the sidewalk talking on their cell phones or looking down at their devices. They were all absorbed in something else. They barely paid any attention to the Enchanters standing in the middle of the sidewalk.

  Ava looked up at the tall skyscrapers, the tops of them hidden by a thick fog. The air was cool. The rain didn’t deter anyone from going about their daily business. They were oblivious to the fact that New York would be destroyed in a matter of seconds.

  Ava was eager to start killing. This was what Havok wanted. It’s what she wanted. For all Ephemerals to suffer and die. They were everywhere. She could feel the rage pumping through her veins.

  Water trickled down her arms, dripping on the ground with the rainfall. Once the water built, she shot it at the building across the street, shattering glass everywhere. It rained down onto people and their cars.

  People screamed in panic and ran from her.

  “Ava!” Xavier cried.

  She didn’t care if it wasn’t time. She walked out into the street, shooting water at cars, turning them upside down or on their sides. Then, she saw fireballs shooting down the street and heard bombs detonating behind her.

  Ava caught a man by the throat and imagined him drowning. She would show Xavier just how ruthless she could be. Havok would be proud. The man’s eyes bulged, and his face reddened as he choked. He coughed up water, and then his eyes rolled to the back of his head. She let go of his throat and let him drop to the ground.

  Willing water from the bay, she waited until it found her. The water rose like a tidal wave behind her, violent and ready to devour the people.

  Business men. Women toting their children. Women in high heels and suits. They all scrambled for their lives. The tidal wave grew and strengthened. All she had to do was release it and the city would flood.

  Sirens sounded in the distance, and above them a helicopter hovered shining a spotlight down on them.

  Link hurled a bomb at it and the helicopter exploded into several pieces, raining on them.

  Shots rang out, and someone grabbed Ava’s hand. She released the tsunami wave, and just before the powerful surge collided with the ground, she was jerked into the alley and through a door.

  “What the hell was that?” Xavier yelled. His dark eyes were cold and angry. “You called way too much attention to us.”

  “Why did you stop me? We can finish this!” She reached for the door, but Xavier seized her arm and roughly pulled her back.

  “You are not in charge.” His tone was full of fury.

  “You got half of us sho
t!” Eve cried.

  “Did you not see? Or were you too involved in your own plan?”

  Ava looked around and saw Gillian, Melissa, Thomas, and Eve bleeding profusely. Gillian glared at Ava, and held her side, blood seeping through her fingers. Melissa looked at Ava with worry and didn’t seem to care that her arm bled. Thomas had gotten shot in his shoulder, and Eve in her stomach.

  “Heal them,” Xavier demanded. She could hear the frustration in his voice. That was the Xavier she remembered.

  Ava shrugged and crawled over to her injured friends. She let her water wash over the wounds, healing them. “There. They are healed. Now let’s finish the job.” She stared at Xavier, challenging him.

  He got in her face, breathing heavily. “Did you forget who was in charge here? You wait until my command. You could’ve gotten us killed. Now, they’ve seen us. We will be all over the news, and they’ll warn other cities.”

  Ava rolled her eyes. “Then let’s finish it, so they won’t.”

  “What is your problem?” Anais demanded. “You’ve become psychotic.”

  “You don’t get it, do you? They’re expecting us now.”

  “We’re Elementals. We can do this. Or do you wanna go back to Havok and tell him you lost control of your group?”

  Xavier’s jaw twitched. He seemed conflicted as he searched her eyes. “Fine. We go back, but you are to listen to me.”

  “Yeah, like that will happen,” Eve said.

  Ava turned around and bolted out the door. She heard Xavier curse behind her.

  Vicious waves smashed into buildings, shaking the ground. The water carried the debris with it. Everywhere Ava walked, the water cleared a path for her. She stepped over dead men, women, young and old. Their skin was blue and wrinkled. Pieces of metal, wood, and glass had jammed into some of the bodies. Blood tainted the sea.

  “Ava!” Xavier called, but when she looked back at him, the water blocked him. It looked apocalyptic, just like New Orleans had.

  In the distance she saw, the Statue of Liberty crumbling into the perilous sea. She created all of this. And she loved every second of it. She couldn’t get enough. Blasting her water. Creating tidal waves. Watching people drown, choking down their last breath. New York City would end in a tragic storm.

  Above her, clouds swirled in a colossal circle. Jeremy had created a hurricane, and the edge of the dark clouds was just inches from her. The wind was so powerful it knocked over buildings like they were made of Styrofoam. It slung water all around.

  The hurricane sucked in people, cars, and debris from the buildings.

  Slowly, the city leveled into mere ruins, leaving dead floating bodies and destruction. Ava felt the smile spread on her lips. She was relieved and satisfied, but she wanted more.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  PUNISHMENT

  Ava meandered back to the group, pleased with her results. As they walked through the dim tunnels, Ava focused on each door as they passed. Where did it lead? She wished she had the codes to open the doors because then she could just go down one by one and kill every single Ephemeral.

  Once they made it back, the rest of them seemed out of breath, and rested their arms on their knees. Ava was fine. She could go for another round. All of them were soaked, water dripping from their hair and clothes.

  Xavier grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin. “Do you want to join the prisoners?”

  She laughed. “You won’t hurt me.”

  Her remark only angered him more.

  “If you don’t tell Havok what she did, I will,” Eve said.

  “Of course, you will. You’re still pissed at me for not healing your precious boyfriend.”

  Xavier’s jaw tightened. “I have no choice but to tell him.”

  “Tell him what? That I did exactly what we’re supposed to do?” She shook her head.

  He sighed, and still grasping her arm, dragged her out of the basement and up the stairs. Eve chased after them. “I can handle this, Eve.”

  “No. I’m going with you. She got me shot.”

  Xavier halted and turned to Eve. “Go back, right now.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes, but didn’t follow.

  “I can’t believe you. I told you to listen to me,” Xavier told Ava. “I told you not to fall too deep. I don’t want to do this, Ava, but you give me no choice.”

  “I don’t really care what you want or don’t want. I don’t see how you’re the leader of the army when you’re so weak and pathetic. You don’t do anything when we’re out there killing. You just delegate. You should be a Recruiter.”

  “I really wish you’d stop all of this.”

  “Awe, why? Am I hurting your feelings?” she laughed. “Is taking me to Havok supposed to scare me? Because it doesn’t.”

  He swung open the door to Havok’s chamber, and threw her inside. She landed on her knees at Havok’s feet.

  “What is this?” Havok asked, as Ava stood.

  Xavier hesitated, and the door opened as Eve stalked through. The muscles in Xavier’s jaw twitched.

  “What is going on?” Havok asked, his dark eyes full of fury.

  Eve crossed her arms in front of her chest. “She screwed us over tonight.”

  “We got the job done,” Xavier said.

  “What happened? What is this nonsense?”

  “She almost got us all killed,” Eve told him. “She acted before Xavier gave his command. Several of us got shot.

  Havok’s eyes darkened, if that were possible, and he turned to Xavier. “Is this true?”

  He clenched his teeth. “Yes.”

  Havok looked back at Ava. “You will be punished for this. You should know to listen to your leaders. Especially when you go out like this.”

  “Punished for doing what we’re told?” Ava challenged him. “I wanted to kill them. And I did. What’s the problem?”

  Havok pressed his gaunt, pale lips in a tight line and stared at Ava. His steely gaze used to make her cower in fear, but now it was almost laughable. Though, she could feel Eve and Xavier’s fear sweating out of them. “You are just like your mother, an insolent fool who needs to learn a lesson. She never followed the rules, but she got what she deserved.” He moved closer, his breath cold. “Don’t make me do the same to her daughter.”

  Ava glared back. “I am nothing like my mother.”

  Xavier roughly seized her arm, pulling her behind him. “I will take care of her, sir,” he told Havok, not meeting his eyes.

  He turned to Xavier. “Am I going to have to accompany you from now on?”

  “No.”

  “Can I continue to rely on you to get this done?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Good. I don’t want to encounter this nonsense ever again. You handle your soldiers, or I will find someone else to replace you.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And Eve?”

  Eve braved a look. She didn’t seem so tough now. Ava bit her lip to keep from laughing. “Yes, sir?”

  “Do not ever burst into my chambers like some spoiled child. Xavier is the leader of the army. If you have any issues, take it up with him.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “New York is gone, by the way,” Xavier said.

  “Good.” He waved his hand, dismissing them. “You know what to do with her.”

  Xavier pulled Ava, and they walked out of Havok’s chamber. “I was going to tell him,” he told Eve.

  “Yeah, when? She’s trouble, Xavier. She’s taken this Elemental thing to her head.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Don’t let her change you. I know you’ve always had your eye on her.”

  “What, like Gabriel hasn’t changed you?”

  “Whatever.”

  Xavier halted and faced her. “I seem to recall you being defeated before if you forgot. She’s the one that caught onto your game when she was a damn coma. All because of your obsession with Gabriel.”

  “Take care of her.” E
ve huffed and stormed off.

  “What was that about?” Ava asked. “What coma?” She knew exactly what they were talking about. When Ava had fallen into a coma, as part of Havok’s torture to get her join him, Eve had morphed into Melissa. Ava had attacked her because she started talking about Gabriel, and how much she missed him. Eve had gotten distracted, and Ava stabbed her with a knife.

  “Nothing.”

  She knew he wouldn’t tell her. “So what’s my punishment? Picking up trash? Cleaning up the community? Ooh, maybe training the new Enchanters. They’re a little rusty.”

  Xavier slammed her against the wall. “Whatever this is Ava, you need to stop, or I can’t help you. You have to control yourself.”

  She laughed. “Why? What does it matter that I didn’t follow your command? We still obliterated New York. I’m still the killing machine that you all want me to be, and all those vile creatures are dead.”

  His face softened as if he had realized something. “You’ve blocked your emotions, haven’t you?”

  “So what if I have?”

  He shook his head. “That can’t be it. You wouldn’t be so angry. You’re in too deep. But you’ll want to keep your emotions off for this.”

  He led her to the torture chamber, where they had tormented their friends before. Thomas, Gillian, Melissa, Jeremy, and Lance stood in a semi-circle, and like before, there was always an audience. Except no one cheered as Xavier and Donovan shackled Ava to the wall. Benjamin walked in, and she was unable to use her powers.

  “I hope you suffer,” Donovan spat.

  Xavier stood next to the Elementals, and stared at Ava. But his eyes seemed glazed over as though he didn’t want to witness what was about to happen. He nodded to Lance and then she felt like her head was submerged in water. She inhaled, but halted. Her powers didn't work. She held her breath until her chest felt like it would explode. Her nose burned as water forced its way inside. She coughed up water, and then it was gone. She drew in a deep breath, but Lance plunged her underwater again. Her head throbbed from the lack of oxygen. Just when she thought she would pass out, the pressure was gone and she breathed.

  When she looked up and met Lance’s dark eyes, she knew he struggled to torture her. The muscles in his jaw twitched, and once Xavier gave him the sign to stop, he quickly turned away from Ava. Lance had been there for her when she was at her lowest, when Peter broke up with her. He had helped her gain confidence and listened to her every thought during that time.