Under A Blood Moon (Elemental Enchanters)

by Carrigan Richards

  “Are you okay?” Peter asked Ava, and helped her to her feet.

  “Yes.” She nodded, and looked at him. How could he have knocked Thomas over like that? Could being a Paramortal have extra strength, too?

  “You will not hurt her anymore,” he demanded, glaring at Thomas.

  Thomas laughed hard. “What are you gonna do?”

  “I’m stronger than you think.”

  Ava glanced sideways at Peter. What was he doing? Was he an idiot? “Stop arguing.”

  Thomas rolled his eyes. “Yeah. I’m sure some measly Ephemeral can defeat me.” Then, his cold blue eyes sliced to Ava. “Is this what you want? To betray our coven for him?”

  “I don’t want to betray us.”

  “Well you just did,” Gillian said. “You brought an outsider and told him everything.”

  “He won’t hurt us.”

  “You’re joking right? You just saw what he tried to do.”

  Melissa moved in between Gillian and Ava. “He was only protecting Ava, and you know that.”

  “He’s my true love. I need him.”

  Gillian rolled her eyes. “Oh cut the lame true love garbage. You just don’t want to be a part of us anymore.”

  “That’s not true. Why would you even say that?”

  “Oh come on. From the very beginning, you’ve complained about all this. You knew this was your life, and you knew it was dangerous to keep him around.”

  “I want to be with him.”

  “He can’t be part of this.”

  “Wait, you want this fool to become one of us?” Thomas asked.

  “Yes,” Peter said. “So you’d better get used to me.”

  Thomas clenched his jaw. “I could easily turn you into ashes.”

  “What like you tried to do with Ava?”

  “Enough,” Ava said. Why was he egging Thomas? “I just needed you all to understand before I go to Savina and Colden.”

  Gillian laughed. “Like they’ll ever accept him.”

  “You know I do,” Melissa said, still watching Thomas.

  Lance released Thomas. “I do.”

  “You’re kidding me.” Thomas shook his head and moved aside.

  Jeremy cleared his throat. “I accept him, too.”

  “Jeremy,” Gillian screamed. “How could you even think that?” She glared at Ava. “I can’t believe what’s going on. You’ve broken this coven, do you realize that?”

  “They accepted my dad.”

  Thomas cocked an eyebrow. “You’re dad’s a Halfling,” he said, obviously disbelieving her.

  “It’s the truth.”

  He shrugged. “If you want to die, then go ahead and flaunt around with him. I can’t promise this won’t end on good terms.” His voice was cold and dark.

  “I never wanted to break us. But if you would just understand.”

  “We’ve nothing more to say to you,” Gillian spat. “Traitor.”

  “You’re making a huge mistake,” Peter said. His voice was fierce and he glared at Gillian. “You’ll need her.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that. If you’re with her, she’ll be much weaker.”

  Melissa let out a disgusted sigh and then guided Peter and Ava out of the cabin.

  Once outside, Ava exhaled.

  “Look, I’m more than willing to support you, you know that,” Melissa said. “But next time could we at least have some sort of warning?”

  “I’m sorry, Mel.”

  “It was my fault.” Peter said.

  Lance came outside and walked down the stairs. “Well, that went well,” he said sarcastically. “What do we do now?”

  “I have to speak to Savina,” Ava said.

  “I talked to her when she came.” Melissa said. “I told her that you were with Peter and that he saw everything last night.”

  Ava’s stomach dropped. “You what?”

  “I also told her that you two love each other and that it would do you a disservice to erase his mind. Ava, you’re completely miserable without him. You’re stronger with him.”

  Ava looked at Peter and then took a deep breath. “What did she say?”

  “She said she felt it, but didn’t think you were ready for him to become one of us.”

  “She’s right. I’m scared.”

  Peter moved in front of her and softly placed his hands on both sides of her face. “Then we’ll face it together. I love you, and we can do this. I’m not afraid of this or anyone. But above all, I will keep you safe.”

  “It isn’t me that I’m worried about.”

  “If Thomas really wanted to hurt me, he would’ve done it in there.”

  “He’s right,” Lance said. “Thomas just doesn’t want to admit that you two are over and that you weren’t right for each other. His ego’s bruised.”

  Ava nodded. “I need to face her. Will you two take Peter home?”

  Lance shook his head. “You’re not going alone.”

  “It will be better if we all go, so they’ll see we understand,” Melissa said.

  Peter took her hand. “And I’ve already told you I’m not leaving your side.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Let’s go.”

  They got in Lance’s car and strapped in.

  Ava felt like she was about to walk into a lion’s den. But she could only hope Savina and Colden would hear them out before deciding anything. And Ava needed to prove that she was ready for Peter to join.

  Melissa twisted around in her seat. “Ava, are you going to talk to Savina about your mom?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know who could have killed her?” Lance asked.

  “No. My dad mentioned before that they couldn’t find some Enchanters from Corbin’s army to imprison. But why were they after my mom?”

  “Maybe the same reason Devon is after us,” Lance said. “I mean, she was a Water Enchanter, right?

  “Yes, but they wouldn’t have killed her. Taken her powers, yes.”

  “Maybe they were trying to get to you,” Peter said.

  “I was only seven. I didn’t have any powers.”

  “Right, but couldn’t they have tried taking you and raised you in their army? Then, by the time your powers developed you would have been stronger than what you are now.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. What if that’s what they’ve been trying to do all along? What if this didn’t start with Devon?”

  “Who else could have started it?” Lance asked.

  “I don’t know, but it would explain how Devon escaped,” Ava said. “Someone had to have helped him. Someone strong enough to bust him out of the Cruciari.”

  “I don’t know,” Melissa said. “I mean, if someone else was behind this, where have they been for ten years? Wouldn’t they have tried more than once to get us?”

  “Good point,” Lance said, and then shrugged. “Maybe they got killed from some of our Enchanters.”

  “Or maybe they were waiting to find someone who could absorb powers,” Ava said.

  “Yeah, but Devon was around when Corbin was alive. They knew where he was. Why would they wait ten years to break him out?”

  “If this prison is as tough as you all say, maybe it took that long to plan his escape,” Peter said.

  “Maybe.” Melissa gave a dismissive gesture. “I don’t know. Just seems far-fetched.”

  It did seem that way, but Ava would find out. And she would learn who her mother’s killer was, track them down, and take vengeance.

  The lights from Lance’s car illuminated the path to Blackhart Manor. The majestic house stood strong against the howling winds. Other cars were parked in the grass on the side of the house. They got out and made their way to the door.

  “How does she get the flowers to look so amazing?” Peter asked as they trailed through the autumn garden. Lush orange, red, and yellow flowers bloomed surrounded by greenery.

  “Magic,” Ava said.

  After three knocks, the door opened and Savina greeted them
with a worried expression.

  “Ava, I’m so glad you’re okay.” She drew her into an embrace.

  Ava pulled away, and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I left today and worried everyone. We know this isn’t the best time, but we need to talk.”

  “Of course, we can come back if that’s better,” Melissa quickly said.

  Savina’s gaze flashed back and forth between them. “No, please, come in.”

  Ava felt Savina’s critical eyes on her as she walked inside with Peter. If he was scared, he never gave any indication.

  Colden emerged from the kitchen and slowed near the library. Ava’s heart accelerated. What was he doing there? Had they found Devon? Did that mean he was dead?

  His eyes were worried, but relieved. “What is it, Sister?”

  “They need to speak to us.”

  “Of course.”

  Savina led them into the library, where several lamps lit the enormous room. To Ava’s amazement, books lined the walls from floor to ceiling with a sliding ladder in front of the shelves. Three dark round tables rested in the center of the room with chairs around them. A fire crackled in the rock-laid fireplace that was on the far end of the room. A short hallway was in between the walls of books that had even more aisles.

  “Please sit.” She sank into the chair next to the fireplace and Colden stood near the fire, while Melissa and Lance took seats next to each other at a table, and Ava and Peter remained standing.

  “We ask that you hear us out before saying anything,” Melissa said.

  “I agree, but where are Thomas and Gillian?” Savina asked.

  Ava squeezed Peter’s hand, but then loosened her grip, afraid she’d break it.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered.

  She nodded. “I don’t even know where to begin. I never meant to break my oath or betray our Aureole, but I did. I know you meant to erase Peter’s mind of me, but I can’t let you. Gillian and Thomas aren’t here because they—they don’t approve of Peter and me. I know Thomas and I are in the same coven, and that we were probably set up to be together, but I can’t be with him.”

  Savina gave a confused look. “Whatever do you mean?”

  Ava removed her jacket to reveal the darkened scars on each arm. “I mean, it’s obvious that Thomas and I aren’t right for each other.”

  She gaped, bolted from her chair, and investigated Ava’s arms. “Good gracious. What happened?”

  “Thomas. I don’t know if he knows how to control himself, but he does not believe Peter and I should be together.”

  “Why did you not inform us of this sooner?” Colden asked. His face twisted in bewilderment.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t want to bother you.”

  Colden shook his head. “Ava, please, you can come to us about anything.”

  “You should know that,” Savina said, almost offended. Slowly, her hands tickled over the scars and Ava watched in astonishment as they disappeared. Then, Savina returned to her seat. “You are bound to Thomas only by this coven, as you are to Jeremy and Lance. You are by no means supposed to stay together forever. It just so happened that your Aureole ended up like that.”

  Melissa was right all along.

  “I am sorry for what Thomas did to you, and I will speak to him.”

  “I know you told me to stay away from Peter, but I love him, and I-I told him everything about us.” Her fear came through her voice. She tried to sound stronger, but it was no use.

  Savina observed them for what seemed like forever. “There is a lot of energy flowing between you two. It reminds me of your mother and father.” She smiled wistfully for a brief moment. “Do you remember your oath?”

  She wanted to look away from Savina’s disappointing eyes, but held her place. “Yes.”

  “Perfect love and perfect trust.”

  Colden placed a hand on Savina’s shoulder. “Savina, they are young. They are bound to make mistakes.”

  “I realize that. And you all are naïve. It was my fault to believe you all could be mature, but it is obvious to me that it has taken quite a lot for you to understand the grave importance of this.”

  Ava felt herself shrinking.

  “I feel the abundance of mistrust in your Aureole, and yes, you have broken your oath and coven. We cannot have such a coven to fight with us. It is too risky because they can sense weakness. Especially now is not a good since there is a pending war.”

  “War?” Melissa asked.

  Colden frowned. “We did not find Devon. It was a false trail.”

  Ava could see the guilt in his eyes. As if it was his fault they failed. She wanted to console him.

  “Trudy and Xavier have left and retreated to Devon. We will need to prepare for a battle soon. We fear that Devon is gathering as many troops as he can.”

  Ava’s heartbeat picked up. “They’re coming after us?”

  “Yes. You were right in that he wants the Elemental powers. We must practice as much as we can.”

  This changed everything. The thought of having Peter join and then go straight to war sickened her.

  “I instructed you that now was not a good time to be consorting with an Ephemeral,” Savina said. “And you disobeyed me. There is no time to train him for this war.”

  Melissa stood, almost knocking her chair backwards. “But he protects her. And she can’t be without him.”

  “Sister, please reconsider,” Colden said.

  “I have made my decision.”

  Ava’s heart sank, and her throat tightened. She’d brought him here to have him become one of them, but instead, Savina rejected her request.

  Peter cleared his throat politely. “Ava explained everything to me. I do not wish to cause rifts with your coven, but could I have the opportunity to decide for myself?”

  Savina scrutinized him. “Do you know what you’re asking? You would become an Enchanter forever. There is no going back.”

  “I know,” Peter said. “I want this.”

  “This war is a serious matter. You could very easily die without the proper and extensive training. It takes days for your strength and powers to develop fully. We cannot afford such delays.”

  “But you said he might be a Paramortal,” Ava blurted. “He could already have some strength.”

  “It’s true that I have been unable to read your mind, but I believe that is because your guard is up. Xavier was able to use his powers against him.”

  “She feels no pain when she’s with him,” Melissa said.

  “Xavier wasn’t able to use his ability on me last night because Peter was there. I think he acts as a shield.”

  “He cannot be a part of this right now. It is not a good time.”

  “I’m sorry, but I think I became a part of this when Xavier kidnapped me,” Peter said. “Even if you were to erase my mind, Xavier would try again, knowing what I’m capable of doing.”

  “They’re right, Sister. If Xavier showed interest in Peter, he will come after him again.”

  Savina stood and gave Peter a curious look. Her lips pursed, and she was deep in thought. “How exactly can you protect Ava?

  He shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  “He did it tonight,” Lance uttered. “Thomas was about to attack Ava, and Peter pushed him to the ground.”

  The words obviously upset Savina as the anger in her eyes set. Ava couldn’t figure out which part angered her, though.

  “We can show you,” Melissa said. “I could try to poison Ava and Peter could protect her.

  “We haven’t exactly practiced this,” Ava said.

  “I would like to see,” Savina said.

  “I haven’t ever produced poison, but there’s a first time for everything. Hold your breath, Peter.” She pulled an orange camellia out of the vase that sat on the small table in between two chairs by the door. She held it for a moment, and then handed it to Ava.

  Ava took the flower, and then took a deep breath.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

>   PROTECTION

  As Ava deeply inhaled, she quickly grimaced from the strong chemical-like scent. She waited for the poison to take over and make her weak, but nothing happened. “Nothing.”

  Melissa threw the flower into the fire. “See?” She looked at Savina. “He keeps her safe.”

  Savina moved closer and crossed her arms. “This is impossible. How are you doing it?”

  “I don’t know exactly.” He shrugged. “I just—something just overcomes me and I can’t let anything happen to Ava.”

  Colden stared in amazement with his lips slightly parted. “This is extraordinary. How is this even possible?”

  “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Savina said. “Can you protect anyone else?”

  “I-I don’t know.”

  “Ava, drown Lance. Peter, I want you to protect him.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  “It’s okay, I won’t completely drown him,” Ava said, and then she imagined Lance in the ocean. Her body warmed as energy pulsated to the ends of her extremities. Rough waves tossed him about like a doll, and the water pulled him under as he flailed his arms.

  Lance bent over, coughed, and gasped for air, but then immediately stopped. He stood upright and breathed deeply. Ava kept the image in her head alive, but nothing happened.

  Melissa shook her head. “Amazing.”

  “What were you thinking, Peter?” Savina asked.

  “Just protecting him from harm.”

  “Truly fascinating,” she said.

  Lance smiled. “Yeah, just don’t piss off Ava.”

  Savina paced, and pointed her finger at nothing in particular. “We could use you in this war.”

  Those weren’t exactly the words Ava wanted to hear. She didn’t want Peter used only in the war. Was that the only reason Savina agreed?

  Melissa gave an uneasy look. “We just have one slight problem.”

  “What?” Colden asked.

  “Thomas and Gillian will never agree.”

  Savina stopped pacing. “They will have to after speaking with me. He can be a vital aspect to this Aureole.”

  “And he cannot be separated from Ava,” Colden said.

  “I see he is very protective of you, and even you two, Melissa and Lance.”