Under the Burning Stars

by Carrigan Richards

  Ava peered out the window, remembering her weird dream from the night before. It almost brought tears to her eyes.

  Peter intertwined his fingers with hers and squeezed. “She wasn’t a Cimmerian, Ava. She was a part of this coven and she was with your father.”

  “Percipients aren’t usually wrong.”

  “Usually. I’m sure there are times when they are.” Peter pulled up to a red light and tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. “We’ll figure it out. I promise. But for tonight, let’s just have fun. Deal?”

  She nodded and then he kissed her.

  He took her to an Italian restaurant. It was weird to have a conversation with him instead of sitting in angry silence like she and Thomas had so many times. Peter and Ava laughed and it reminded her of the summer before when they hung out all the time. It was easy and comfortable. It had been so long since they had been like that.

  They went to the movies and held hands as they stood in line.

  “You think you’re welcome here?” someone demanded behind them. She turned and was face to face with Trent and Drew.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “For you two freaks to get the hell out of here.”

  Ava squared her shoulders. She was tired of this.

  “Trent, we’re allowed to be here just as much as you,” Peter said.

  “No. You’re not.” Trent glared and Drew crossed his arms in front of him. Ava gripped Peter’s hand and saw others crowding around them. “I suggest you leave before we make you.”

  Ava scoffed. “I’d love to see you try. You know, we got hurt from those bombs, too. So stop blaming us.”

  Trent moved closer to her but she wasn’t afraid. “You are just as much to blame as Link, Nicole, and all of them. You’re no better. Just because your mom died doesn’t mean you have to take it out on people. I’m assuming that’s your reason for killing all those people.”

  Ava clenched her teeth and could feel the warmth of her necklace beneath her dress. “Believe what you want, if it’ll help you sleep at night. But we aren’t leaving.”

  Trent gave a challenging smile and then she felt a cold liquid move down over her dress and under it. He had emptied his drink on her.

  Ava drew her hand back but Peter grabbed it. “Come on, let’s go.”

  Trent and Drew chuckled and the crowd followed. “I wouldn’t come back either. Any of you.”

  She clenched her fists and fought against Peter but he was stronger now and dragged her away. She wanted to use her power against them, but knew it was wrong.

  Why did they mention her mother? Why was everyone suddenly talking about her? Wasn’t it bad enough that she’d just learned of her murder?

  Once outside she immediately removed the heels and stormed away from Peter.

  “Where are you going?” he asked, grabbing her arm.

  “Why are you always protecting them?”

  “Ava, we’ve already discussed this. You can’t hurt them.”

  “But they can hurt me?”

  “I didn’t say that. You have to let it go. Don’t let their words get to you.”

  “You just stood there while he poured Coke all over me.”

  “Because I’m afraid of what I can do now,” he yelled. “It wasn’t easy, but then I had to hold you back as usual. The Elders didn’t let me be an Enchanter just so I could terrorize humans. You have to learn some restraint, too.”

  His eyes held hers and she released a breath. She felt her shoulders slump and her eyes watered.

  Peter softly took her hand. “Come on. I’ve got a better idea than a movie.”

  A few minutes later, Peter pulled up to the cabin. Ava peered at him in the dark car. Had he brought her to the cabin for more than just privacy?

  Peter gave her a sidelong look. “I know what you’re thinking. And no, that’s not it.”

  They got out of the car and hiked to the waterfall. The night was perfect for swimming and the half-moon held just the right amount of light. Peter removed his shirt and Ava didn’t hide her stare at his bare chest. He took her hand and smiled.

  “Ready?”

  “Melissa’s not gonna like this.” Ava smiled.

  “Well, you need a bath.”

  Ava gasped and playfully pushed him. He snatched her wrist and they both plunged into the water. When they surfaced, Peter pressed his lips to hers with a fervor. His hands held her head and she grasped his hair. Their necklaces glowed with the heat of their passion.

  Ava pulled him under and breathed into his mouth. He held her tight and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They came up out of the water, still kissing, and he gently pressed her back against a boulder.

  His eyes were hot with yearning as they met hers. “I love you, Ava. They won’t hurt you. I will protect you.” He whispered along her jaw. “And I will help you find out about your mom.”

  For a fleeting moment, she wanted to tell him about the Cruciari, but didn’t. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe she feared him telling her what a bad idea it was. But would he protect her? Even from the Ephemerals?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  NOTHING LEFT TO SAY

  The wind billowed around Ava, her hair flying around her face like snakes, and the charging electricity throbbed in her veins. She watched the woman unpin bed sheets from the line and sloppily roll them into the laundry basket.

  Ava could feel a smile stretch on her face.

  To finally end the betrayal of her best friend. One lightning strike was all she needed. The clouds darkened and once the little girl was out of sight, Ava raised her arms to the sky and were met with white veiny hands, holding her. Comforting her with the power of revenge.

  Ava’s eyes bolted open and she looked around. Her breaths came in short gasps and adrenaline pumped throughout her. She raised up into a sitting position and wiped the sweat from her forehead. The room was sweltering and she made herself cold.

  For the past month, she’d had the same dream. From the killer’s perspective. Why had she been dreaming about her mom? Was it because of Marcel?

  She tried to breathe normally, but her body still shook. Knots twisted around her stomach as her necklace glowed.

  Her phone buzzed next to her and she answered.

  “Are you okay?” Peter asked.

  She nodded but then remembered he couldn’t see her. “Yes. Just a dream.”

  “Same one?”

  “Yes.”

  “I wonder what provokes them. I mean, have you been thinking about your mom lately?”

  Since the night Marcel told me that my mom was a Cimmerian? No. Not at all, she thought sarcastically. “A little. But not about her death.”

  “Want me to come over?”

  “No, it’s fine. You’ve got camping to do.” Ava was actually grateful that he and Seth made plans to go camping because she and Link were going to the Cruciari. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up but she didn’t want to tell Peter.

  “I can always cancel.” She could hear the smile in his voice.

  “No. This will be good for Seth.” He had been struggling with his new life more than Peter.

  “I know. I’ll see you tomorrow night. I’ll miss you.”

  “You, too.”

  She hung up and climbed out of bed and dressed. She wondered if her mother’s killer was at the Cruciari. Only one way to find out.

  Ava tried not to appear nervous as she headed downstairs. The quicker she found Link, the quicker they could leave. She walked into the library and halted once she saw Jeremy sitting at the table with Gabriel, Link, and Nicole.

  “Ava.” Jeremy smiled as he stood and hugged her. He’d cut his sandy blond hair short. Gillian hated that he cut most of it off. But he looked better, Ava thought. She wondered if he was going to get in trouble with Gillian for being at the Manor without her.

  She was so glad to see him. “It’s good to see you. How did you manage to come here without Gillian?”

  “It’s sti
ll early. She’s still asleep.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “I know. And don’t think for a second that I agree with Gillian and Thomas. They’ll eventually come around.”

  “Maybe. I wish I could stay and hang out, but Link and I have plans.”

  “Oh. What are you two up to?”

  “Yes, please tell us what your plans are,” Gabriel said in an all-too-knowing voice.

  She looked from Gabriel’s expectant eyes to Link’s guilty eyes. She clenched her teeth. Ava made him swear not to tell anyone. “We don’t have any.”

  “Ava,” Link called as she walked out of the room.

  She ignored him and stormed out through the conservatory.

  “Ava, listen—.”

  She whirled around. “Who all did you tell, Link?”

  “Look, Nicole wanted to know. Gabriel almost forced it out of me. He wanted to know what we’ve been up to lately.”

  “And you told him?”

  “I had to.”

  “Why? Did he threaten to hurt you or something?”

  Gabriel came up behind Link. “No, because what you’re about to do is dangerous and you’re all too naïve to go alone.”

  Ava didn’t know why, but a small part of her hurt when he called her naïve.

  “Look.” He stepped closer with Nicole and Jeremy behind him. “I know you all want to find answers, and I’ll help you, but you can’t just go do these things on your own.”

  “What’s the danger if all of the Cimmerians are dead or locked up?” Ava asked. “That’s what the Elders say. That everything is fine. But they don’t have nightmares every night about their mother who could have been a Cimmerian or get a drink poured on them just for wanting to enjoy an evening.” She felt her cheeks warm and she swore she saw a glimpse of pity in Gabriel’s eyes.

  He held his hands up in surrender. “It’s just a precaution. Your anger could land you in serious trouble. If you cause any problems at the Cruciari, they won’t hesitate to throw you in a cell.”

  “So what is this? Are you here to stop us? Tell the Elders? We’ve already planned this out and are well aware of the dangers.”

  Gabriel sighed. His crystal blue eyes held a hard look. “I’m not here to tell the Elders. I’m here to help you. You can trust me.”

  “Why are you helping us?”

  “Personally, I think you’re wasting your time. But if I know you all, you’ll just figure out a way to go without someone who knows a thing or two about the Cruciari and you can’t afford that. So you might as well take my offer now or I will warn the Elders of your scheme.”

  “What makes you such an expert?” Ava asked.

  “Because I’ve been there several times. Do you really want to stand here and argue or do you want to go?”

  “Let’s go.” Nicole pushed past Gabriel and Ava toward the woods.

  Ava stared defiantly at Gabriel until she felt a hand on her arm.

  “Come on, Ava.” Jeremy slightly tugged on her. “Let’s go.”

  Link and Nicole led the way, and while it was supposed to have been just Link and Ava, she was secretly glad that more came. She trusted Gabriel and knew he wouldn’t rat them out, but part of her wondered why he seemed adamant about going. Was it really to protect them?

  “Why can’t you teleport us?” Link asked Gabriel.

  “I will once we get out of eyeshot of the Manor.”

  “Would they ask why you teleported?” Ava asked.

  “Probably.”

  “Why? Aren’t you free to go wherever you want?”

  “Yes, but Aaron worries.”

  Ava halted. “About what? Is there something you aren’t telling us?”

  The rest of them stopped and looked back at them.

  Gabriel glanced at everyone before his eyes landed on Ava. “Aaron has his reasons.”

  She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “That’s not an answer.”

  “It’s the only one I can give right now.”

  Ava wanted to press further, but the pleading look in Gabriel’s eyes made her decide against it. She knew something was going on, but she let it go for now.

  “How are you and Peter,” Jeremy asked.

  Ava shrugged. “We’re good, but he’s been struggling with everything. And it doesn’t help that the Ephemerals terrorize us.”

  “I’m sorry. What were you talking about when you mentioned your mom?”

  She didn’t want to talk about it, but because it was Jeremy, she would. “I was told by a Percipient that she was a Cimmerian. That’s why I’m going today. I’m hoping Xavier or someone can tell me who murdered her and if she was a dark Enchanter.”

  Jeremy gave a dubious look. “Maybe. But I don’t think it could be true.”

  “What have you and Gillian been doing this summer?”

  “Not much of anything really. We hang out at Melissa’s like usual.”

  Ava felt a pang of sadness. They always hung out at Melissa’s every summer but now that Ava had broken her Aureole and their trust, she didn’t see any of them. It didn’t make sense though. If Melissa and Lance weren’t mad at Ava, why hadn’t they come to see her at the Manor? So far, only Jeremy had.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  “Why hasn’t anyone come to see me?” She didn’t intend to sound so pathetic, but these were her best friends. They didn’t even know she was going to the Cruciari. Or why for that matter. Or that she’d been having nightmares for an entire month. Or why she needed information about Percipients. Had she really burned all the bridges?

  “Gillian has been hogging all of mine and Melissa’s time. And well, Thomas has been hanging out with Lance. For a while I guess some of us figured you were happy because you have Peter.”

  “Of course I’m happy. But I feel so disconnected from all of you. Peter is trying to adjust and help Seth out.”

  “What about Gabriel and his clan?” He nodded toward Gabriel.

  “They’re nice and all, but Natalia hates me for some reason. We went to New Orleans a while ago, and she didn’t go because I went. What’s that about?”

  Jeremy shrugged. “I really wouldn’t worry about it.”

  “I think Peter’s still scared.”

  “Of course he is. His entire life has changed. But that doesn’t mean his feelings for you have changed.”

  “I’ve really missed you this summer, Jer.”

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  Once they were out of view, Gabriel instructed them to touch him so he could teleport all of them at once. Ava felt awkward taking his hand, but it was warm and surprisingly comforting.

  They arrived at a large embankment with small rowboats moored to the docks and several guards stood their posts. Across the raging sea was the Cruciari. The ocean waves pounded against the rocks that surrounded the building as if trying to knock it down. The wind blew Ava’s red hair all around her. She held it back, wondering if there was a storm pending. Seagulls flew above in the overcast sky, squawking. The salty sea air usually relaxed Ava, but the atmosphere was tense.

  Then she felt Link’s animosity.

  “It would be so easy to bomb it right now.” Link clenched his teeth, glaring at the building.

  “Your powers don’t work here.” Gabriel reminded him.

  “How did the Cimmerians escape before? Did they pull a Monte Cristo or something?”

  Gabriel chuckled slightly. “Maybe.”

  “I wish we had a morphing ability right now,” Nicole said and Ava winced. The last morphing Enchanter she had encountered made her believe he was her father, and Thomas had burned him while still in her father’s form. She would never forget that image.

  “Let’s just get this over with.” Ava moved forward.

  They walked down an incline and met with a burly guard with an eye patch that watched them carefully.

  “What’s your business?” he asked in a gruff voice.

  “We’re here to see Xavi
er Holstone,” Gabriel said. He didn’t seem as relaxed as before, but being there made Ava uneasy as well. It could have been the looming storm.

  “He sure is a popular one.”

  “Who else has been here to see him?” Ava asked.

  “I’m not allowed to share that information.”

  “Why not?”

  Gabriel warned her with a look. “That’s fine. We’re ready to go.”

  The guard guided them down to a small boat and Gabriel took Ava by the elbow. “Don’t ask questions or they’ll get angry,” he whispered and then released her.

  “Angry about what?”

  “I’ll explain later.”

  They stepped into the boat and Ava wondered if it was going to capsize in the giant waves. If only she could use her ability, she could calm the water. She gripped the sides of the boat, hoping she wouldn’t get sick. Nicole quickly bent over the side and hurled. Link rubbed her back. The guard chuckled slightly and moved the boat across the choppy sea.

  Ava exchanged an anxious glance with Link. Maybe they should’ve gone another day. Usually Ava welcomed water, no matter how torrential it was. But this was frightening. She couldn’t control it and didn’t know what it was going to do. “Isn’t it too early for hurricane season?”

  The guard laughed. “It’s like this all the time. It’s designed to drown people.”

  How ironic? Ava could possibly die by drowning.

  “Don’t worry. You’re perfectly safe,” the guard said. The rowboat settled against the tall brick building. They exited the boat one by one.

  They walked inside the tall stone building with its arched entrances. The square castle flanked by three towers was built on an island with nothing around for miles. Ava could feel the wariness of the group as they moved in a single file line past guards and through a small courtyard. They followed the chaperone down stone stairs. The only sounds were their shoes shuffling along the steppingstones and every so often a soft whimper from a prisoner. The place was dark and cold just like a cellar and the lights along the walls were dim. They passed cell after cell with Cimmerians watching them.

  Ava wondered how long they’d been there and how they’d been tortured. She saw a woman with blond hair staring at her. Her green eyes seemed so lost, but she could have sworn she saw a knowing look in the woman’s eyes.