“Good evening, Ava.” She smiled warmly. It was the first time Ava had seen Savina in weeks. She felt intimidated for some reason.
“Hi.”
“May I?” She asked to sit next to her. Ava nodded and inhaled the scent of oranges. It was unusual to see Savina in her room, sitting on her bed.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been back.”
“Do not fret. Peter is worried about you. As am I. And others. Why will you not come?”
“I don’t have any powers. It’s too painful.”
Savina took her hand in hers. “I understand that. Everywhere I look, I still think I’m going to see Colden. I spent too much time alone in my room. It did me no good.”
“I can’t seem to do anything else. I’m powerless. I’ve killed too many people. I try so hard not to make it worse for Peter.”
“Ava, you put too much burden on yourself. You are allowed to grieve. I need you to understand that you did not kill Colden. When he reaped Corbin’s soul, we had no inclination of what it would do to him. I tried to heal him, but nothing I did worked. We had a notion that perhaps we could save him by using this potent flower. I was obsessed with finding a cure. So much that I neglected you and your search for answers. No one blames you, dear. I do not. But I need you to stop blaming yourself.”
“It’s hard.”
“I know. But we couldn’t stop Havok. He was going to emerge no matter what.”
“I hate this. I hate what he’s done to us.”
“Me too. And I understand that you may not be ready to return yet. I won’t make you come. The others are there learning new ways of fighting until they gain their abilities back. Please do not be angry with Peter. If you had your powers, what would you want to be doing?”
She would be doing exactly what Peter had been doing. “I’m just scared.”
“Pain and memories can be fearful. I cannot say it ever gets easier the more I have experienced these wars or deaths. But being around those who understand me through and through is always helpful. They have all lost someone. They know how you feel and what you are going through. It makes them stronger being around each other.
“As I said before, it is your choice to come when you are ready. But if you need to talk, please, do so. With any of us.”
Ava nodded and strained a smile. Savina squeezed her hand and showed herself out.
Ava didn’t hear from Peter the rest of the night. She needed to apologize to him. Maybe it was finally time to go to Blackhart and face the demons.
CHAPTER SEVEN
DETERMINATION
The darkened sky matched Ava’s somber mood. She was tired of feeling this way. But that’s what grief did. It clung on like some sort of parasite. She hated missing her friends and Colden. She needed to occupy her time, and perhaps training was the answer. She could channel her anger through training.
Ava chewed on her lip as she entered the school building. She hadn’t heard from Peter, and she hoped she hadn’t ruined things with him. She slowed her walk as she saw him standing by her locker looking at his phone. Her stomach flipped, hoping he wasn’t angry.
She made her way toward him, trying to keep her body still from the nerves. “Hey,” she said.
He turned off his phone and slid it into his pocket. “Hey.”
“Peter, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. I’ve been selfish and stubborn. I just-it’s just really hard for me, and I know it is for you too.”
He held out his arms and she fell into him, breathing in his clean water-like scent. He let out a long breath and she felt the air travel over her hair. “I’m sorry, too. I’ve not been very understanding. But you aren’t mad?”
She drew back a little and looked up into his brown eyes, but he avoided hers as though he were ashamed. “Why would I be mad?”
“I didn’t know what else to do, so I talked to Savina. I’m only worried about you.”
“I’m not mad. Do you forgive me?”
“Of course.”
He kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly.
“She came over last night and talked to me.” Ava took a shaky breath. “I’ll come tonight.”
“Good. Let’s go to class.”
The last bell rang and Ava’s stomach churned. All day she’d had anxiety and wished there was something to ease her nerves.
She drove down the familiar isolated gravel road and pulled the car to a stop. She got out, hugging herself from the cold, and walked on the brick path that separated the beautiful flowers. She paused long enough to take a deep breath, then pushed open the heavy arched door.
The warmth prompted her to remove her beanie and scarf. She waited in the foyer for a minute or two, almost expecting Colden to greet her with his warm smile. She clenched her teeth to keep the lump in her throat down.
Aaron emerged from of the parlors and spotted her. “Ava.” He smiled. “We’ve missed you.” His short dark brown hair was perfectly in place and there was a hint of gold in his russet eyes. “It’s good to see you.”
She cleared her throat, self-consciously. “You, too.”
“Peter is outside with a few of them. We’ve taught them many things. I hope you will stay and watch.”
“Sure. I’ll be out there soon.”
“Absolutely. Take your time.” He squeezed her shoulder and then walked away.
Ava meandered down the hall and stopped under the large arch that led to the library. Besides the window bench in her old room, she missed the library the most. And late night talks with Gabriel. She entered but no one was inside. She was a little disappointed, thinking she’d see Gabriel. Walking beside the shelves and reading the titles, she stopped at Dostoyevsky. Ava pictured Jeremy completely engrossed in a book while everyone around him talked or gossiped. Nothing disturbed him. He would place himself inside the story while only his body stayed behind. He’d play with his lower lip when things got tense in the book. Sometimes Gillian would have to shake him out of his stupor to get him to realize they were leaving.
Ava could talk to him endlessly about the stories and characters and how powerful they were. How some stories made him want to experience things or see things. She could only hope that one day he would get to see the Taj Mahal. Or travel on camelback through the desert. Or visit Prague. She touched her amulet, hopelessly wanting some sign of life from him or anyone else, but there was nothing. It was like they were dead.
“Ava?” She heard a voice behind her and her heart faltered. She turned and met Gabriel’s striking crystal blue eyes. He had shaved away the shadow. His black hair was cropped and his bangs stood up. He wore his usual white button down shirt with jeans and black shoes. His necklace was visible through the open buttons of his shirt.
Natalia waited next to him, graceful as always. Her slender body seemed so gaunt, but Ava knew she was powerful. She wore a white sweater that hung low over black leggings with fuzzy boots. Her black hair barely grazed her small ears. Black makeup ringed around her hazel eyes that softened at the sight of Ava, for once.
“Hi,” she said.
“Ava,” Natalia said. Ava didn’t know what to think. What was she being nice to Ava? Had Gabriel said something?
He gave an easy smile. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too.”
“How are you,” he asked, wavering in the doorway. Natalia looked away, bored. It was like she was being nice to Ava for Gabriel’s benefit.
“Okay. You?”
He shrugged. “Day by day.”
“How are you, Natalia?”
Her eyes met hers. “Getting there.” She turned to Gabriel. “We should go back.”
“Would you like to join us?” He offered, earning an annoyed glance from Natalia. Guess her kindness only stretched so far.
“Sure.” She followed them through the conservatory, ignoring the domed glass ceiling and the candles. Gabriel opened the wide door, letting Natalia and Ava through first. Ava gasped as the sudden coldness took her b
reath away. She clenched her teeth and placed the beanie over her head, covering her ears. Then Gabriel took her hand and her body warmed. Their fingers intertwined, but she didn’t feel the least bit awkward. It was strangely comforting.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Wait. You have your powers?”
“Not completely, but close.”
She was jealous. Why hadn’t hers come back at all?
“Just give it time,” Gabriel said. He had an uncanny talent for answering her silent questions. She smiled a little at the thought.
Natalia crossed her arms in front of her and strode toward Eric, Aaron, and Savina. Chewing the inside of her mouth, Ava scanned the vast field and saw everyone there except Lance and Maya’s coven.
A group of the Enchanters stood in a line, observing Gustav fight someone. When she saw the electric dark blue hair rapidly move around Gustav, Ava knew it was Katarina. When she finally stopped moving, Konstantin clapped and Katarina flashed a smile.
Ava thought back to all the times she had practiced with Melissa, Jeremy, Joss, and the rest. She remembered how amazing it was to see Maggie transform her arms into Sai weapons, Joss shocking everyone, Zhan’s astonishing ability to bring back the life of something by a simple touch, and Melissa laughing like she was having a good time, which she probably was. Ava swallowed the oncoming tears.
Gabriel squeezed her hand, and she forced the thoughts away.
She spotted Savina and gave a smile acknowledging her.
“Ava,” she heard Peter call. He strolled toward her and Gabriel removed his hand, letting the cold return. “Hey.” Peter smiled. That sexy and smoldering smile. “You came.”
“I did. Does everyone have their abilities back?”
“No. It’s slowly coming back, though.”
“I’ll leave you two,” Gabriel said and walked away, but she didn’t want him to leave.
Ava shivered as a gust of wind ripped through her clothes until Peter held her hand.
“Where’s Lance and Maya’s group?”
“Lance is at Melissa’s parents’ house and Maya, Diego, and Lucia went home. They decided not to come with us to Caprington.”
“I don’t blame them. They’re still grieving, and there are only three of them left. Why is Lance at Melissa’s?”
“He’s been going there every day since. He does things for her parents. Keeps him busy. He’ll be here later.”
“I had no idea he did that.” She realized she didn’t know much about anyone anymore because she had been locked inside her head for weeks. Guilt stabbed her.
“Do you wanna watch? I’m about to practice with Gustav. He’s amazing. He’s been helping me a lot at protecting while fighting. It’s a challenge to stay focused on several things all at once.”
“Maybe I should take lessons.”
“You can learn a lot from Gustav. Did you know he’s older than Savina and Aaron? He told me he’s fought countless Cimmerians. Corbin captured his daughter, and he thinks that she turned into a Cimmerian. They haven’t seen each other in like two hundred years. Can you imagine? I can’t.”
She shut her eyes tight. Two hundred years.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Oh, Ava, no I didn’t mean—. That won’t happen with Mel—.”
She opened her eyes. “I know.”
“Peter, are you—Oh, Ava, hello!” Konstantin waved, a smile in his blue eyes. He wore a black scarf around his neck and a tight gray knit sweater with jeans. His blonde hair almost matched his pale skin. “It is so nice seeing you.” Ava found she was getting better at understanding him through his thick accent.
“Hi,” Ava said.
The rest of the coven welcomed Ava and Gustav was glad she came. Gillian glanced at Ava, then went back to watch them practice.
“Peter, your turn,” Konstantin said.
Peter turned to Ava as if to ask for her permission.
“Go ahead. I’ll watch,” she said.
“Okay.” He kissed her forehead and let go of her hand, leaving her cold. She crossed her arms in front of her chest to keep warm. She felt a little out of place as she stood behind the group, but Gabriel and Eric came up beside her. Savina and Aaron joined them and stood on the other side adding to the circle.
It never ceased to amaze her how much Eric looked like Aaron’s offspring with his dark brown hair and russet eyes.
“We’ll keep you warm,” Eric said, looping his arm with hers. Slowly, she warmed. Although she was grateful, she hated that everyone had to take care of her like she was fragile.
“Thanks. It seems colder than usual.”
“That’s because you’re a little fragile right now,” he said and she cringed. “Partly the reason you haven’t gotten any of your abilities back. It’s like when you have the flu. Your body is lethargic and if you step out into the cold, it just seems that much colder.”
She nodded and turned her attention to Peter and Katarina. He tried kicking and tripping her, but she was too fast. Katarina kicked him in the stomach, causing him to double over. He reached for her legs, but she jumped, flipping over him. She grabbed his throat from behind, and her hands lit like hot coals. Peter cried out as his neck smoked and bled from Katarina’s radiation poisoning. Ava gasped, lurching forward, but hands held her back.
Katarina quickly removed her hands and stared at them in shock. Peter’s neck healed as if nothing touched him.
“I am so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know my ability would work. Are you okay?” She knelt down beside him.
“Yeah, I’m good. It just caught me off guard.”
Eric released Ava and she pushed through Ilya and Anastasya to check on him. “Does it still hurt?” She touched his face.
“No, I’m fine,” he assured her and got to his feet.
“I’m so sorry, Peter.” Katarina shook her head, her brown eyes wild.
“It’s okay.”
“Your ability is coming back!” Gustav clapped his large hands together. He held out his arms for Katarina and hugged her, his hulking body almost swallowing her. His green eyes beamed with pride, as if she was his own daughter. Ava had never seen Gustav smile, but she noticed how friendly it was. She couldn’t understand why everyone was in such a good mood. The last time she was here the sadness was so thick that it choked her like she was in a steam room.
“Ava, would you like to try?” Gustav asked.
“Not today.”
Gillian sighed. “I will.”
Gabriel moved to the front and faced her. Gillian threw a punch, but caught only air. She pressed her thick lips in a straight line. She lifted her leg to kick, but missed him. With each miss, she groaned and grunted. Gabriel grabbed her ankle while it was in the air and yanked until she fell on her back.
“You have to be quicker,” he taunted with a crooked smile. She jumped to her feet and charged toward him once more. With a quick movement, he grabbed her throat and rolled her into him. Gillian panted, and he released her.
“Let’s try again,” she pouted.
“It’s my turn,” Eric said, making his way through the crowd, while Gillian stalked back to the line. Then another Eric faced him, but Ava knew it was Ilya. “Now that’s just creepy.”
It was uncanny how he looked exactly like Eric. Even his voice was Eric’s. His mannerisms. For a second, Ava remembered when Barkley Towers morphed into her father. She couldn’t tell it wasn’t him. No one could tell who had the upper hand until one of the Eric’s was flat on his back, while the other stood over him with his boot on his neck. The standing Eric removed his foot and smiled. The grounded Eric morphed back into Ilya.
“I know my own strength. And I know I’m stronger than that,” Eric laughed, helping Ilya up.
Ilya laughed. “But Havok will never know who it is.”
“Ava.” She heard Lance’s voice behind her. His deep-set dark eyes attempted to smile, but she knew the pain he was still in. “You’re here. Have you pra
cticed at all?”
“Hey. No. I’m just watching.”
He nodded once. “Well, I’m glad you came.”
Ava watched them train, but no one else’s abilities returned. When the twilight sky darkened into evening, Aaron announced dinner. Everyone turned toward the Manor. Ava dreaded it, but knew it would be good to stay.
Dinner was livelier than the last dinner she’d had with them. Had everyone taken happy pills? Or maybe they weren’t wallowing anymore. Perhaps their confidence was stronger than hers was. Probably because their powers were coming back to them.
After dinner, Ava was tired and wanted to go home.
“Are you ready to go?” she asked Peter as they walked out of the dining hall.
He turned to her. “I think I’m gonna stay here a little bit longer. I want to hear more of Gustav’s stories.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be at your house in the morning.” He kissed her cheek. His eyes swept over her, like he was avoiding her. Then, he walked toward the parlor. It was like he didn’t want to be around her.
Her chest tightened as her insides twisted. Placing her beanie on her head, she crossed to the front door.
“Are you leaving?” Lance asked.
She turned around. “Yeah. Gonna go home and hang out with my dad.”
“Call me if you wanna talk or anything.”
“Thanks,” she said and rushed out of the Manor. Something was wrong with Peter. She couldn’t figure it out. So if they weren’t practicing this whole time, had he stayed at the Manor instead of coming to Ava’s? Had he gotten tired of being around her? Was what she had said too much for him to forgive? Ava knew if she let her emotions take over, everyone would ask what was wrong. She took a deep breath and pushed them away.
Usually, Peter sent a message letting Ava know he was on his way. But not today. Every time she called, it went to voicemail. She knew he was fine because she felt him. Why wouldn’t he answer her? She didn’t want to act like an obsessed girlfriend, but it annoyed her.
Ava let out a frustrated breath and tossed her phone on the kitchen counter.
Her father came into the room still dressed in his pajamas.
Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) Page 7