“In her case, it might actually help,” Gabriel said.
“I’m scared that the second I see Jeremy, I’m going to fall apart.”
Gabriel scratched his growing beard. Ava knew it drove him crazy. “You have to prepare yourself for that. You will see him, and he may fight you.”
“Come on, G. You can do this,” Lance said. “You can do this for Jeremy. For Melissa.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right.”
“Jeremy is dead,” Gabriel said, and they all watched her reaction. She maintained her composure. “Your father was a Cimmerian who abandoned you.” He verbally attacked her and moved on to each of them randomly.
Each Elemental upheld their self-control and never once broke their façade. Gabriel explained that even if they saw something in the battle that shocked them, they had to leave their emotions off and keep their thoughts clear.
They kept at it during the days that followed, and they grew stronger. Ava felt more powerful than before, but she still wasn’t tough enough to break Gabriel’s heart.
It was another cloudy day, and they walked for miles until they reached another tunnel. They crossed through the dark, dank tunnel with no problems, but once they reached the other side, Ava tensed. Something about the air or the surroundings clung to her like a shadow. Like death waited around the corner. It weighed on her heavily.
“Another trick of the Cimmerians,” Gabriel said.
Thunderous water crashed nearby, and as they moved forward the sound amplified. It started snowing, and they reached the source of the sound. Rapids violently rushed over an edge into a wide gorge. Mist clouded Ava’s view of what was below. The river was so wide she couldn’t see the other side.
Aaron looked to Savina and Gustav. “We have to go around.”
“We can cross here,” Ava said.
“It’s too treacherous,” Savina said.
“I can help. I’ll control the water.”
“It’s too risky,” she said. “We can walk along the river to see if there is a safer path to cross.”
“Who knows how long this river is?” Thomas said. “This could take days.”
“Yeah, I agree,” Link said. “We can’t waste much more time. Ava can help us cross.”
“No more discussion,” Aaron demanded.
Ava clenched her teeth. If she could jump and grab ahold of the jutting rock the water rolled over, she could force the rapids to calm long enough for everyone to pass. The water would obey her. She could control it.
“Don’t even think about it,” Gabriel said.
Ava started walking beside him, following the rest of the group. She exchanged a knowing look with Thomas. She darted toward the water.
“Ava, no!” She heard Gabriel yell.
She leapt into the air and for a second, felt like she was flying. Her hands grabbed the rock, but instead of holding her weight, it broke loose. Feeling a rush of wind, she plummeted downward. The rock made a huge splash as it fell into the water, and then she plunged underneath. The icy water pierced her, knocking the breath out of her. The force of the waterfall pushed her underwater several times before she finally surfaced. The strong current flung her in all directions. As the water carried her downstream, she snagged a low tree branch. The water was unforgiving as it smashed against her. With everything she had, she forced the raging water to stop falling.
“Cross,” Ava yelled. “Everyone cross.” She felt a warm liquid travel down her nose as she detained the water. Pain stabbed at her body. Her head throbbed. Her body trembled violently from the cold. She was losing her grip. She could feel her concentration slipping. The water’s strength was too much to contend with. She couldn’t hold on much longer.
She freed the water, and it fell with a vengeance.
The water slammed into her like a cement wall, breaking her hold from the tree branch. She slipped underneath and collided with rocks along the way. Her head smashed against something hard, and she saw blackness.
Ava came to as she felt something dragging her across the water. A hand. Someone pulled her out, and she coughed up water, gasping for air. She looked up and saw at least twenty Erics. They had lined up, like a human chain, from the top of the cliff to where she lay. The clones passed her one by one until she made it to the top. Eric eased her onto the snow and everyone crowded her. Gabriel knelt beside her with a hard look in his eyes.
Eric shook his head. “You’d better be glad one of us can duplicate ourselves to drag you out of there. You do understand you owe me now.”
Ava inhaled deeply as her head pounded. “Why couldn’t I breathe underwater?”
“I told you the water was too treacherous.” Aaron glared at her. “You must start listening to us.”
“Don’t you know the closer we get to Caprington, the more things are going to be cursed?” Eric said. “Things aren’t going to work in your favor.”
“Seemed to work just fine.”
He groaned. “You’re impossible.”
“Are you asking for a death wish?” Gabriel demanded, checking her over.
“No. I had to get us across.”
“Yeah, you cracked your skull open.”
“Ava, please no more heroics,” Savina sternly said. “But thank you for your bravery.” She waved her hands over Ava, and soon the throbbing pain in her head vanished.
“Thank you.” Ava got to her feet, completely soaked, but she made herself warm.
“Everyone stick together,” Aaron said. “We are in uncharted territory and nothing is as it seems. Nothing is forgiving.”
She took a step to follow the group, but Gabriel held her back. She had to turn off her emotions.
“What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking about getting us across. You know, maybe if you actually teleported us, I wouldn’t have had to do that.”
“You know I can’t do that here. You saw what happened to yourself just now.”
“Well, at least I got things done.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “What are you really angry about?”
“Leave me alone.” She started after the group, and he matched her stride.
“You can’t let him get inside your head, Ava. These woods can make you angry and make you hate others.”
She let out a long sigh. “He’s not inside my head. I wish you wouldn’t hover over me like I’m some weakling, like I can’t take care of myself.”
“I only care about you.”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t.”
“Don’t do this.”
“You don’t get a say in what I do.”
“I know what you’re doing.”
Ava didn’t deny that. She hated being this way toward him, but she had to.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, but don’t do it. Don’t even think about it.”
“I’m not planning anything, okay? So just back off.”
Hurt flashed in his eyes, but she moved on without a care.
They trekked farther, making their way down a mountain. As they descended, the snow became sparse on the dead brown grassy knolls. Aaron, Savina, Gustav, and Sean halted and looked beyond into the distance. What looked like small orange orbs, lights surrounded a black medieval castle, and reflected in the moat in front of the fortress. A town lay out beyond the castle, reminding Ava of Lighthollow Village.
“Caprington,” Savina whispered.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
RIPPED APART
They had traveled for miles in blizzards, endless cloudy days, and bitter cold, through nightmares, comas and heartbreak, but when they reached the hill overlooking that immense black castle, nothing mattered to anyone other than killing every soul inside that evil place.
“We must surround the castle and attack those on the outside,” Aaron said. “Gillian, you need to get in the minds of the guards and see if you can get them to kill each other.”
Gillian nodded, but then she glanced at Ava.
> “Savina can make them envision pain, but once they start screaming, we have to move quickly because more will come. Everyone stay focused and do not attack until we give a signal. The four of us.” He pointed to himself, Savina, Gustav, and Sean. “Will move first. We will give you a sign when you need to move ahead.”
With his signal, they spread out, with two Elders together and stealthily encroached on the castle grounds. Ava’s heart railed against her ribcage. This was it. Her hands balled into fists, trying to hold back the water that begged to be released. She took a deep breath, willing her thoughts away and keeping her emotions turned off.
The rest of them hid in the thick dead grass, staring at the ridiculously sized fortress. It was black outside without a breeze, but the air was crisp. White capped mountains surrounded them. A clear lake gleamed to the left. Miles and miles of snow patched rolling hills ringed in the valley. Clouds encompassed the sky as usual, but there was something haunting and eerie about the way they hung over the castle.
Ava glanced at Thomas and Lance. She looked toward the castle and saw a few guards drop to their deaths. She saw a woman with long red hair, holding a torch nearby. Sorcha. Ava’s pulse quickened as she gripped the soil in her hands. It turned to mud as water dripped down her arms. But she wouldn’t fight the Cimmerians. Instead, she ducked her head further behind the grass.
“Trying to sneak up on us?” A voice said from behind them.
Ava jumped to her feet and once she turned around, she saw an entire army of Cimmerians. For a second, no one budged. And then the Cimmerians charged them. Link threw bombs. They detonated, killing a group, their flesh exploding. Storms formed, hurling Cimmerians in the air. Natalia serenaded a man, and then snapped his neck. Ava and the Elementals stood their ground, unsure of what to do. Everyone clashed with each other and then everything froze. Attacks paused midair. No one moved. Even the snow had stopped in midflight. Her breath hitched.
“Ava, I only have a second,” Gabriel said.
“What are you doing?”
“I stopped time.” He held her head between his hands. “Whatever happens, you must be strong. I will protect you, but don’t do what you’re thinking. Please know I would do anything for you. I would let them torture or kill me if it meant saving you.”
Before she could say anything, he crushed his lips against hers. Relenting, she returned the kiss. She wanted to remember the way his lips felt. She wanted to hold on to the memory forever.
But it ended as hands roughly grabbed her and ripped them apart.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
MADE OF STONE
Arms grasped around Ava like a bear. A hand covered her mouth, and she felt breath in her ear. A larger man held Gabriel’s arms behind his back, though Gabriel’s eyes locked onto Ava.
“Mmm, this brings back memories, doesn’t it?” Xavier whispered in Ava’s ear. “I believe I remember you liking it when I kissed your neck. You tasted so…delicious.”
Ava clenched her teeth but didn’t struggle against him. Gabriel jerked forth, escaping his captor. He lunged for Xavier, but he stopped and stumbled. Ava knew Xavier placed his shadow over Gabriel. The Cimmerian picked up Gabriel.
Xavier clicked his teeth. “It’s pointless to even try.” He breathed in the scent from her hair. “I wonder if you’re as good as your blonde friend.”
Ava wanted to break his neck, but she didn’t fight. She turned off her emotions and made eye contact with Gillian, Thomas, and Lance. None of them struggled.
“We won’t fight you,” Thomas said.
“Good.” Xavier pushed Ava in front of him, but held her disturbingly close. The larger Cimmerian still held Gabriel, and they forced their prisoners toward the castle.
As they walked, Ava saw Aidan and Ronan motionless. Anastasya’s body was nearby and then Shannon’s. She felt nothing. The rest of the group was escorted in by Cimmerians. She didn’t see Savina or Aaron or Gustav.
They marched on a long wooden bridge across the moat, which lead to the lake on the left. The guards pushed open two enormous doors and they entered the castle. The ceiling was high arched. It was like they had traveled back in time to a medieval fortress. The walls were made of a gray stone, and the guards guided them through thick crowds of people shouting and jeering. Through the corridor, they entered a room with tall backed chairs in the front. More Cimmerians congregated on both sides of the dark room with polished wooden floors.
Ava found the man who created this hysteria in the center chair grinning ominously. His black eyes penetrated her. Colden stood before them, but it was just his body. The doors behind them closed, echoing defeat.
A group of Cimmerians moved from the crowd, and stood behind Havok. Ava portrayed no emotion as Melissa stood beside Havok as if she belonged there. Ava believed she saw a flicker of recognition in Melissa’s green eyes, but it was gone within seconds. Sorcha and Eve stood next to Melissa along with a tall man with shoulder length blonde hair and brown eyes. Jeremy, Joss, Kira, and Maggie stood next to them, confidently.
There was something different about Jeremy. He didn’t look like the nice innocent boy Ava knew. There was an edge to him, visible in his assertive stance and the cold look in his eyes.
Xavier removed his hand from Ava’s mouth, but still held her close.
“I’m so glad to see you all.” Havok stood and clasped his hands together. “Xavier, you can let Ava go.”
“She’s my prisoner.”
Havok’s eyes sliced to Xavier. “I said release her,” he said venomously. Xavier let her go and stepped back. “Our prisoners aren’t going anywhere. Savina.” He said her name as if he missed her. He stared at her, and Ava saw sadness in his eyes. “It is always so great to see you.” His voice was smooth, but cold.
“Let us go, Havok,” she said.
“But you came to me. Surely, you knew what would happen. Are we going to fight? Again? I prefer not to waste such time.”
“Afraid we’ll conquer you again?” Aaron asked.
Havok laughed. “Yes, your conquering was short lived out there.” He paced in front of them. “You know what I want. No more deaths if you give me your Elemental Enchanters. You have to stay out of my way, however. It’s a fair deal.”
Ava opened her mouth to speak, but Savina beat her. “You will have to fight us. You will not take any of us.”
He waved his hand, and Savina fell to her knees with a cry. Ava had never seen her in pain, but she didn’t react. None of the Elementals did.
Ava inhaled and swallowed the lump in her throat. “We join you, Havok.” With those simple words, she felt the eyes of a hundred people on her, including Havok’s. She heard gasps from those behind her and murmured whispers of her treachery.
“Ava, don’t,” she heard Gabriel mumble under his breath.
“Well, now this is certainly a turn of events. But I must ask, why?”
“They are too weak for me,” she said, holding Havok’s eyes. “They do nothing but betray me.”
“It’s such a shame that they treated you unkindly,” he said. “I’m glad you finally understand. And you all feel this way?”
“I do,” Thomas said.
Lance moved forward. “Yes.”
Gillian held her head high. “I want to join.”
Their group gasped, and Ava felt their stares. Havok looked at her as if he were reading her mind. Just like Gabriel told her, she gave him what he wanted to see. That she was fully on board with becoming a Cimmerian. “Fascinating.” He clapped his hands. “None of you are lying. Well, I am glad you are willing to join. Welcome.” He swept his arm inviting them to stand next to him.
Ava stepped forward but Gabriel grabbed her by the elbow. She jerked her arm back and made her way to stand next to Havok, proudly. Her eyes fell on Gabriel’s, and neither of them broke away. She felt Melissa take her hand and squeeze it. She knew Melissa was still herself.
“Now,” Havok continued.
“They’re faking this,�
� Aaron yelled. “Don’t you see?” he stepped forward, but with a flick of Havok’s hand, Aaron flew through the air and crashed to the ground. Several Enchanters tensed and made a jerking motion, but Havok held up his hand.
“I wouldn’t try a thing. My man, Benjamin, has negated your powers. And you are sorely outnumbered.”
“I want to join!” Gabriel blurted.
Natalia flinched and Moira held her mouth open, but Gabriel’s eyes never strayed from Ava.
“Oh Gabriel, I almost didn’t see you. It has been a long time. While I do miss your gift, you deserted us.”
“I made a mistake.” His eyes flickered to Havok.
“Yes. But I think I could find another who would serve me unconditionally.”
“You only wanted the Elemental Enchanters,” Savina said, her voice weary. “Let the others go.”
“You honestly believe I’m that dense?” Havok asked, his lips turned up in a dangerous smile. “You think I just want the Elementals? Dear dear. You have it all wrong. I’m taking all of you as my prisoners.” He sauntered toward Savina. “To torture every single one of you, the way you all tortured us. That’s how it works. Did you honestly think I would relent easily?”
“You should take them all,” Ava said in a cold, dead voice. She almost didn’t recognize herself. “They can add to your army. There are strong ones here.”
“I like the way you think. I’m afraid, however, I’m going to have to dispose of a few,” he said as his eyes swept over Gabriel and Aaron. He placed a hand on Savina’s shoulder. She looked up at him like a child looking at her father. “You were always my child, Savina. But you abandoned me and betrayed me.”
She cried out in pain once more, and Ava watched her sink to the ground. Havok knelt beside her and whispered something in her ear.
“No. You promised you wouldn’t.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her eyes begged him.
Ava saw Moira grab Gabriel’s arm as water pooled in her eyes. But Ava felt nothing.
“You brought this on yourself, Savina. You and Colden. I warned you, and yet you still fight me every step of the way. If only you had united with me. If only you understood.”
Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) Page 32