Elemental Earth (Paranormal Public)

by Edwards, Maddy

  Since it wasn’t Lisabelle simpering over Trafton, Lough didn’t seem to care, but Jewel trailed along back to the suite with them.

  “I think we have another friend,” Lisabelle said. “At least Trafton does.”

  “Maybe Nolan can get her to join the Sign of Six,” said Sip thoughtfully. “After today I think it’s more important than ever that we have some power other than Caid defending us.”

  “We have loyalty,” said Lisabelle. “That’s all we need. Jewel can’t ever be a part of that. I don’t care how nice she is or how much she likes Trafton. That goes for Pearl too,” she added bitterly.

  “There are paranormals who want to help,” said Sip stubbornly, “paranormals who aren’t one of the three of us. The Sign of Six gives them a means to do that. They read Tabble.”

  Lisabelle snorted. She clearly wasn’t convinced. “We need to be bringing our ranks closer together, not adding new members.”

  “Do you have a problem with Jewel because she likes Trafton?” Sip asked suspiciously.

  Lisabelle rolled her eyes. “That has nothing to do with it.”

  Meanwhile, I had completely forgotten about Dacer’s mother until we reached the entrance to Golden Falls.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  There was a distinctly different feel when we stepped inside the great doors, and waiting for us in the grand hall were Sectar and a very short woman. She wasn’t hunched over, but I got the impression that she had difficulty walking. Her hair was short and gray and her features were sharp. She was dressed in black robes, which meant vampire, and my guess about her mobility was confirmed when I saw her hands, which rested on top of a cane. Both the red jewel of the cane and the red jewel of her ring were large and deep, the color of currants.

  When I was finally ablt to take my eyes off the woman, the next thing I looked at was Sectar’s face.

  It was red with rage.

  “I don’t even know where to begin,” he said quietly. “This is the ultimate insult to the sanctity of Golden Falls.”

  “If you don’t have anything useful to say, perhaps silence is the best choice,” said the woman dryly. There was something in the cadence of her voice that was familiar to me.

  “Mrs. Dacer,” Sip said uncertainly, stepping forward in greeting.

  I was gob smacked. In the excitement of our field trip, and of having witnessed Lough and Trafton proving their worth, I had totally forgotten that Dacer had said he would send his mother. To tell the truth, I had only half believed him in the first place. I couldn't imagine how she could help, and besides, I had had no idea that she would get there so quickly.

  “No dear, I’m Duchess Leonie. I didn’t marry Jofer-Luc’s father. Very progressive of us.” She nodded approval of herself.

  “Dacer has a first name?” Sip asked, shocked. “I never thought about that before.”

  “He is usually just called Dacer or Dace, but yes, I was mother enough to him to make sure that he was given more than one name at birth.”

  Sip blushed. “I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to be insulting.”

  “I call him Luc,” she said, her voice rippling with amusement. “As his mother I have the right.”

  I was delighted to meet Dacer’s mother, and I was glad there was a paranormal here who I knew was on our side. But I did wonder how this fragile vampire could help us in a war.

  She turned to Sectar. “I can find my own way to my chambers. Is there a place where I may speak privately with these young ladies?” Her tone was light, but I had the feeling she was lashing Sectar with her words.

  The werewolf stared at her. His jaw was working, but no sound was coming out.

  “Good evening, Duchess Leonie,” said Zervos, coming around the corner looking worse than I had ever seen him. His face was haggard and his eyes were sunken and bloodshot.

  “Ah, Professor Zervos,” said Duchess Leonie. “I heard tell you were here. It’s nice to see you again.” She extended her hand for Zervos to shake, which he did, gently. Her hand shook a little and she quickly put it back on the cane, hiding a sigh. Zervos eyed her quietly as Sectar looked thoughtful.

  “What was Dacer thinking?” Sip muttered. “She shouldn’t be here among the snakes.”

  “Snakes come in all skins,” said Lisabelle just as quietly. “Even pretty ones.” She was looking at Sectar.

  “Well, isn’t that wise,” said Sip, looking disgruntled.

  “I am, rather, yes,” said Lisabelle. Turning to the guest she said courteously, “Duchess Leonie, we would be happy to show you to our suite. We can speak privately there.”

  Zervos gave Lisabelle a sharp look, but Dacer’s mother merely seemed amused.

  “Very well. After that I expect I’ll need a good night’s sleep.” She turned to Sectar. “Are you going to allow me to speak privately with these students, or do we have to discuss the paranormal privacy laws?”

  “No,” Sectar gritted out. “I’m perfectly happy to let you speak privately with them. We have nothing but trust here at Golden Falls.”

  “Very good,” she said, nodding once.

  “It’s strange, is it not, that Paranormal Public cares about this band of miscreants so much that all they send is you?” Sectar asked lightly.

  Duchess Leonie straightened from the fragile figure she had seemed to be. Her hand slid lower down her cane, revealing the massive, blood red jewel, the inside of which now looked like it was boiling. Sectar started when he saw it. She stared at him for several heartbeats, then shrugged and turned away. I’m pretty sure I saw Sectar take a breath when she looked away.

  “Lead on?” she said pleasantly to Lisabelle when no one moved. She didn’t even look at Zervos as the four of us left, leaving the two senior paranormal males glaring after her.

  I saw where Dacer got his spunk, although his fashion sense was still unexplained.

  Duchess Leonie was the last through the door. She clucked in appreciation. “Golden Falls does know how to treat their guests, don’t they?” she asked, respect shining in her black eyes.

  “In most respects,” said Lisabelle dryly. Obviously we were all thinking of Vanni. The only good news to come out of Marcus’s death, if you could call it that, was that Vanni was being released from prison and taken to what passed for the Golden Falls hospital. When Zervos told us, it was the first time I had seen him looking pleased in weeks.

  The Duchess moved slowly, as if her whole body hurt. I felt bad for her, but when Lisabelle tried extending her arm, Dacer’s mother slapped it away, muttering something about upstart children.

  “You called us young ladies a minute ago,” Lisabelle pointed out bravely. Duchess Leonie fixed the darkness mage with a stare, and Lisabelle quieted.

  “That was for the benefit of Professor Zervos and whatever title Sectar has gifted himself with,” she said dryly. “I’m perfectly happy to lie in public.”

  “I’ll remember that,” Sip muttered.

  “Why didn’t you mention the rings the Golden Falls students are wearing?” Duchess Leonie demanded sharply once we were alone.

  There was a white ball curled up on the blue cushion. “Move, you,” said Duchess Leonie, making a shooing motion at Bartholem. The cat gave her a disgruntled look, but made his way over to Lisabelle’s bed. We all sat on the ends of our respective beds and Lisabelle picked up the white cat, who was purring loudly.

  The three of us looked at her in shock, the fire making flickering color over her face. No greeting, no how are you doing, no gosh it’s nice to meet you, just right down to business.

  “We didn’t think about it,” I stammered, folding my legs under myself and leaning toward the fire. “Wh-why? What does it mean?”

  “It means I have no idea,” she said. “It shouldn’t be possible, but it isn’t good. All those black rings . . . there’s a strange power at work here.”

  “We just want to find out who killed our friends,” said Sip.

  “Ah, I see,” said Duchess Leon
ie, giving Sip an appraising look. “You’re the girl who writes for the Tabble, are you not? Going to be a journalist when you graduate?”

  Sip raised her eyebrows. “I don’t know what I’m going to be,” she said. “I want to keep running the Sign of Six.”

  Duchess Leonie sniffed. “It’s dangerous,” she said. “Standing up to power is dangerous. Be careful.” Then she looked around at each of us and said, “Anyway, I asked Sectar about the rings.”

  “What did Sectar say?” Lisabelle asked curiously. I shifted, waiting for the answer. I wanted to know, but I didn’t see what difference it would make, or how it would help us learn who had killed Marcus and Kia.

  “He said they were an experiment designed by some students a few years back. They thought it would be nice to bring them all together under one color.” Duchess Leonie made a disgusted face. “More harmony nonsense.”

  “They just so happened to choose black?” Lisabelle asked in disbelief.

  “It was merely . . . luck. Many of the other colors are taken, after all, is what he told me.” Duchess Leonie wasn’t smiling.

  “Ah, yes, the old ‘many other colors are taken’ routine,” Lisabelle said.

  “Dacer wouldn’t have sent you here if he thought you were in danger, would he?” I asked quietly.

  Duchess Leonie laughed. “I can take care of myself, but I must urge caution on all of you. The war is becoming more dangerous by the day, and I’m worried that if you all keep sticking your necks out your heads will be chopped off.” She looked at each of us in turn, making sure we understood.

  “Well that’s a charming image,” said Sip.

  “Factual isn’t always pleasant,” Duchess Leonie said sharply. “Darkness calls to darkness, but trying to force all of it out of your life usually has the opposite effect.” She glanced at Lisabelle. “Now, I want to know everything.”

  Before we could start explaining, there was a soft tap at my door and Keller stuck his head in.

  “Oh,” he said, his blue eyes focusing on Duchess Leonie instantly. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you had company.” He looked tired and a little upset. I sprang to my feet.

  “Keller, this is Dacer’s mother, Duchess Leonie,” I said. I turned to her, but she was already standing. Keller hurried into the room to greet her.

  “This must be Batilia and Baron’s boy,” she said, stretching out her hand in greeting. Keller took it and smiled.

  “Correct,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you, Duchess Leonie. Your son is an excellent teacher.”

  “I taught him everything he knows,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Obviously. Join us.”

  She motioned for Keller to sit and he did, on one of the plush couches. He sank in so low that he was going to have to leverage himself back out later. I tried not to feel like I had been punched in the gut by the fact that he hadn’t even glanced my way. Sip, meanwhile, was none too subtle. She punched him in the arm.

  Keller glared at her, rubbing the offended area. “Good thing I can heal myself,” he said, “if I’m going to keep hanging out with violent werewolves.”

  Sip tossed her hair, which was now just long enough to toss. “Deserved,” she sniffed.

  Keller didn’t move, but he gave me a searching look. I just raised my eyebrows. I didn’t know what was going on, but I had the bad feeling he had something to tell me. Otherwise, why would he search me out?

  We didn’t get a chance to talk alone until Duchess Leonie went off to bed. “Be careful here,” she said. We must all try to survive until summer.”

  “And then there’s summer to survive,” Lisabelle said. She hated going home to her parents’ place, and she had told us that she would even drink when she did, a big no-no among paranormals.

  After Duchess Leonie left we talked long into the night. I felt unsettled, and it wasn’t just from the long day. I wanted to tell Keller about the dream, but other subjects intervened.

  “So, Keller,” said Lisabelle, raising her eyebrows at the fallen angel after the door had clanged shut behind Duchess Leonie. She had to hobble out, and it had taken a long time, but finally it was just the four of us.

  “Lough’s in pretty bad shape,” said Keller. “But he should be fine.”

  “What did you do today?” I asked quietly, although I already knew.

  Keller swallowed hard. “I called Marcus’s mom and dad. I promised I’d send their son home to them so he could be buried properly, following fallen angel customs.” Keller stared into the fire, his mind far away and his voice low. “They asked me who did it. Telling them I had no idea was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. He squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them he was looking at me. “Charlotte,” he said. “I’m sorry. My parents want me to leave here immediately, and I told them no, I’m staying. I want to find out what happened to Marcus now just as badly as you do.”

  “So, what are you going to do?” Lisabelle prodded.

  Keller sighed. “I promised I would meet them somewhere. They have a house nearby that they rarely use, but they said we should have dinner there. I’m not supposed to, because I’m supposed to be chaperoning, but they wouldn’t leave me alone. Also” - he swallowed, then went on - “Charlotte, they want you to come too.”

  Sip and Lisabelle’s mouths dropped open. His parents had avoided me like the plague since we had started dating.

  “Oh,” I said. “I thought we were in a fight.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” said Keller, shaking his head. “Couples fight. Even forever couples. Marcus’s death changes everything. I need to see my parents. I want you with me, and for once so do my parents. Maybe they’re taking a step in the right direction.”

  “No offense, darling,” said Lisabelle, “but fallen angels do not change easily. Not easily at all.”

  I glared at Lisabelle, and my friend shrugged. If Keller’s parents wanted to make amends for not wanting to have anything to do with me, I had to give them that chance.

  I guessed I was going to have interesting plans for spring break, assuming we could get off campus, but Keller probably had a plan for that. Like, his parents would threaten Sectar and he would let us go because the Eriksons were such powerful fallen angels.

  Keller didn’t stay the night. He hadn’t once all semester, and it was probably the main reason I was in such a bad mood when I woke up in the morning. I liked waking up with him next to me. Golden Falls didn’t approve of fraternizing, though, and since we lived in suites he would have been missed if he hadn’t slept in his own bed. Well, someone ended up missing him either way. This way, that someone was me.

  I was the first one up the next morning. When I stumbled out into the living room I saw something white on one of the couches.

  To my surprise, Bartholem wasn’t with Lisabelle, he was curled up on the chair near what was left of the embers from the fire. It was comforting that he had apparently decided to stay with us, so that Dacer could continue to communicate as needed. I wondered if we would witness a conversation between him and his mother. That would be interesting.

  I got up and went over to give him a pat and he opened his purple eyes at me. He tolerated me, but he paid by far the most attention to Lisabelle. When he wasn’t doing that or running after pretend mice, he entertained himself by tormenting Lough.

  I had just finished patting the cat when I saw that there was a plain white envelope stuck between his paws. I pulled it free, winning a glare.

  “Sorry,” I murmured, “but where did this come from?” I examined the envelope, but there was no writing on the outside. It wasn’t sealed, so I opened it carefully. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, maybe a threatening letter, or a note from Zervos, or a mysterious hint about who had killed our friends, but it was none of those things. It was two pieces of paper, one new with a very short message on it, the other torn and very old. It was clear that I had to handle it with care.

  I looked at the torn piece of paper first. It appeared to have come from a very
old notebook. I wondered at who would ruin such an important piece of history by ripping it to bits. The paper said this:

  Queen Ashray loved a man named Ladd when she was very young. Her parents didn’t approve, because he wasn’t a suitable companion for a princess and he lacked the lineage to marry a future queen. But love cares nothing for such trivial things as birth.

  No one knows what happened to Ladd, but there is a story that tells of Queen Ashray disappearing with him for a year. She made a deal with her parents, you see, and they let her have two years with him. Her father was a young man yet. Maybe by the end of that time period, both their minds would have changed.

  Unfortunately for the future queen, she didn’t have that much time to spend. Her father died of illness after only one year, forcing her to return and assume the throne at a very young age. She tried to refuse, but she was loyal to her people. Ladd is rumored to have encouraged her to come back.

  She did so reluctantly, but her mother insisted. Ashray wanted to marry Ladd, but her mother said no. She had to make alliances that would strengthen the elementals’ position in the world paranormal order.

  Queen Ashray and Ladd were trapped.

  No one knows what happened to Ladd.

  But it was very clear to everyone close to the Queen that she lived her life missing someone. It was also clear that she had been gone a year, and that Ladd’s disappearance might signify other things, for instance that Queen Ashray might have been missing more than one someone. She might have missed two.

  It was a lot for me to take in, and I had no idea why anyone was telling me such things as that Queen Ashray had had a love that she couldn’t be with. The books said that she had married for love and advocated cross-paranormal marriage. In her effort to bring the types together, Sip had done lots of research about it, and we’d had several conversations about how impressed she was with the elemental queen.

  It wasn’t something I wanted to hear, given that I was about to meet my boyfriend’s parents for the first time. Modern times were supposedly more progressive, but no one had told that to the Eriksons. Professor Erikson’s treatment of me since she had become a professor at Public made that clear.