Raine (Elemental Series Book 2)

by M. M. Roethig

  Kaden nodded, but didn’t speak. He watched her eyes dart to the door, and he could all but read her mind. She was weighing her options of running. With a quick step, he reached out his hand . . . and came up empty when she jumped back

  “Look. I don’t know what you’ve heard before and I know this is all confusing. It is for me, too. But one thing is certain: I don’t want to hurt you.”

  A small noise escaped her lips and she clamped them shut.

  “I know you have no reason to trust me, but if I wanted to hurt you I would have done it by now.”

  “Why?” Raine’s voice squeaked. She cleared her throat. “Why the change now?”

  “I’m not sure, but there are answers I need to find, just like you.”

  Raine nodded her head but remained quiet as Kaden stood and stared. He let out a deep sigh, knowing it was pointless to try to find answers in the middle of the night. He pointed down the hallway.

  “The bathroom is the door on the right, just before you get to the stairs. I’ll get the rest of the things from the car and fix us something to eat. Why don’t you wash up?”

  Without a word, Raine circled around him. He headed out the front door, letting the screen door slam behind him as he went to the car.

  CHAPTER 13

  RAINE

  Once Kaden left, Raine hurried down the hall to the bathroom, almost falling inside in her rush to get away from him. Once the door was shut and locked, Raine dropped her head against the smooth wood and closed her eyes.

  What options did she have? She was stuck in a house in a completely different town with a man who believed her capable of controlling the elements. On one hand she thought he was nuts, but on the other, he did save her from the stranger trying to kill her a few short hours ago.

  With a resigned sigh, Raine made her way to the bathroom sink next to the door that led to Kaden’s room. Once again she was surprised by Kaden’s house. The bathroom was large. It housed a beautiful tiled walk-in shower in the corner of one wall and a large soaking tub in the adjacent corner. Her muscles screamed and begged to be soaked in the gigantic tub and Raine mentally made plans to use it soon. A large mirror hung on the spacious wall above a no-touch spout mounted on the wall that poured water into the sink. The pipes were tactfully hidden behind a dark wooden ledge with different size shelves built into it, each holding something for the bathroom user. The toilet was strategically placed behind the tiled wall of the shower, effectively giving a sense of privacy in the back corner, sheltering it from the main view.

  Running her hands over the spout, the water turned on in a small cascading waterfall into the square glass basin, also attached directly to the wall.

  Raine splashed water on her face and groped for a towel from the shelves below the sink to dry her face when a knock sounded on the door.

  “I left something for you,” Kaden said through the closed door. Raine heard retreating footsteps seconds later so she chanced a peek. Cracking the door a bit, she found a small toiletry bag hanging on the handle.

  Touched in spite of herself, she brought the bag in the bathroom and dug through the contents. A brand new toothbrush, hairbrush, and hair ties spilled out when she dumped it on the counter. She stared in disbelief as her heart softened.

  Moments later, Raine emerged from the bathroom and silently made her way down the hall. Kaden was in the kitchen. She could hear him rustling around at the sink as he hummed a tune she didn’t recognize.

  As she walked to the kitchen, a simple picture on the wall caught her attention. The cottage was in the background, and on the porch sat a handsome young man with a young boy on his lap. Off to the side stood a beautiful blonde pregnant woman with a smile that reminded her of Kaden. A small chocolate lab lay at their feet, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. Raine leaned closer and recognized that the young boy, who looked strikingly like his father, was Kaden. The inscription on the frame below the picture read: Always in my heart, never forgotten.

  “That was my mother’s. This was our last real family picture before my father died,” Kaden said. He stood close enough that she felt the heat of his breath on her neck. Oddly, Raine didn’t jump when he spoke. She just stared at the picture on the wall.

  “Is that your mother?” Raine asked timidly. “She’s pregnant. I thought you didn’t have any siblings.”

  “I don’t,” Kaden whispered, but didn’t elaborate. He stepped back and asked, “Are you hungry? I made something to eat. It isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing. We can hit up the grocery store tomorrow.”

  Raine pulled her eyes away from the picture, a dozen questions on her tongue, but she remained silent as she followed Kaden to the table.

  Two bowls of Ramen noodles sat on the kitchen counter with a glass of water by each. She chose a bowl and glass and took it to the far end of the table to have a seat.

  “Should I use a coaster?” Raine asked as she stared at the beautiful mahogany wood table that looked so new there wasn’t a scratch to be seen. Kaden laid a placemat that looked homemade and Raine placed her bowl on top.

  “Did your mother make this?” she asked as she ran her hand over the worn fabric.

  “No. My grandmother did.”

  “Your grandparents mean a lot to you, I take it?” Raine asked. As she looked around the kitchen and living room, she realized how sentimental Kaden was. With all of the modern gadgets and updates done to the house, small trinkets, pictures, and handmade crafts remained tucked in various places throughout the main rooms.

  “Yes, they did. The only happy memories I have are of my grandparents,” Kaden said as he spooned noodles into his mouth. Around his bite he said, “Eat up.”

  She wasn’t hungry. Her stomach churned each time she thought of her father, but she knew she needed to eat so she stuffed a bite into her mouth.

  She watched Kaden as she slowly chewed the soggy noodles and chased it with a fresh swig of water. Kaden dropped his spoon and reached for the small wooden box placed in the center of his table. He pulled an old leather-bound book from inside and held it gently in his hands. The timeworn leather was faded, and the book looked like an old antique. Kaden gingerly unwound the strap tied around the center and laid the book on the table. He carefully opened the book and turned the fragile pages one by one. He handled the papers reverently. Raine noticed how Kaden’s eyes softened with each stroke of his fingers across the pages.

  “That’s a beautiful book.”

  “It was also my grandmother’s. She wrote in here almost every day.”

  Kaden took another bite before he pushed his bowl away. In a few short gulps, he downed the remainder of the water in his glass and placed it off to the side.

  Kaden rested his elbows on the table and dropped his forehead into his palms. Raine could tell he was fighting some inner battle and she longed to help, but held back. She was still unsure of his motives.

  “The first part is written in Galician. She always said it was the most beautiful language. When she learned to speak our language, she started writing in English to practice, and so others could read it without having to translate.” Kaden spoke to the table while Raine looked on. He lifted his eyes to hers and his face softened.

  “Look.” Kaden pushed the book across the table and sat back in his chair. Raine picked up the book and carefully turned the thin pages, marveling at the elegant penmanship. “I know you think I’m crazy, and maybe I am, but what you heard back at Camille’s house is all true. Elementals exist, and I know you’re one. If you read my grandmother’s journal, you’ll understand.”

  Raine looked up from the pages and opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her. What could she say? A part of her wanted to run screaming from the house, but another part of her was curious to know what Kaden meant and why he felt so strongly that she was capable of controlling anything. She nodded.

  Kaden cleared his throat and stood. He took his bowl to the sink and laid the contents in the large black basin before
he filled his glass with more water.

  “I’ll sleep on the couch tonight, just in case you’re curious where I’ll be.” Kaden turned without another word and made his way to down the hall with the unspoken threat left hanging in the air. He would be between her and the way out, in case she contrived the bright idea to run.

  She weighed her options and decided running away was a bad idea. It was dark, she had no idea where she was, and, she admitted, a part of her was curious.

  Raine heard the bathroom door close moments before water turned on. With the book in hand, Raine stood and turned for the front door with the hopes of sitting on the porch to read Kaden’s grandmother’s journal.

  Tech rose from his place on the floor and moved to lie in front of the entry as if to remind her she needed to stay. With a sigh, Raine realized that even if she did want to run, she would never have the chance between Tech and Kaden.

  Grabbing her bowl and glass, she made her way to the sink and laid her bowl in the basin. Filling her glass, she held the book to her chest and made her way down the hall to her room.

  The sound of water hitting the shower floor gave Raine pause. She stared at the door as thoughts ran through her mind, making her dizzy. She couldn’t explain why she felt so drawn to him, and why she had an almost irresistible desire to trust him. She placed a hand on the bathroom doorknob, then dropped it and walked into her room.

  >*< >*< >*<

  Kaden knew the moment Raine was in her room. He was so aware of her he ached and his mind swirled with a million thoughts. Each moment that passed in her presence, his resolve to destroy her slipped another notch.

  Kaden shook his head and flipped the water to cold. He needed to clear his mind so he could make a coherent thought if he was going to figure anything out. When the water did nothing but make him shiver, he turned it off, dried, dressed, and made his way back out to the living room and dropped on the couch.

  He must decide soon which side he was on and he had to decide quickly. The hate his mother instilled in him ran deep. His back burned at the memory of her methods of enforcing the idea. But he couldn’t deny the instinctive way he wanted to protect Raine.

  Kaden pulled his phone from his pocket and typed a message. Without hesitation, he hit send and dropped his phone on the table. He’d typed one simple word: Complication.

  CHAPTER 14

  RAINE

  Raine sat cross-legged on top of the black and white plaid bedspread. The room was a small guestroom with a black wooden daybed pushed up against the far wall. A matching five-drawer upright dresser stood in the corner with the only lamp in the room glowing. Matching plaid curtains hung from the small window, covering it completely.

  The house was quiet. Raine knew Kaden padded into the living room and fallen asleep almost an hour ago. She tried to fall asleep earlier and each time she closed her eyes, pictures of her father and Ryker assaulted her. Her tears had long dried up and her eyes stung from the onslaught she cried over the last few hours. The memory of hearing those gunshots drove her mad, and she needed to keep her mind occupied.

  Now, she strained to read the diary in her hands.

  Raine learned much about Kaden’s grandparents as she read, at least, the parts that were in English. She would need to use a translation program on the other writing in the morning, but for now she skimmed through those entries written in English.

  She discovered that Kaden’s grandparent’s names were Kaesen and Alwen and, according to the entries, they came to Oregon years ago. Kaden’s house was built when Alwen and Kaesen first married and they lived in it until the day they both died.

  The love his grandparents shared was easy to see in the words Kaesen wrote. Not an entry went by that didn’t mention how much she loved him. In one passage Kaesen explained how a man named Elzar almost kept them apart, and how he still tried, after all these years, to destroy her people. The name Elzar sounded familiar, but Raine couldn’t place where she heard it before.

  Turning to the back of the journal, she found several empty pages, almost as if Kaesen gave up, which she found strange after having the majority of the book written in daily.

  She flipped through the empty pages until she reached the last entry Kaesen ever wrote. She raised her glass of water to take a sip, but something in the passage caught her attention and she paused, the glass halfway to her mouth.

  It has been more than fifty years since Alwen and I came to this beautiful planet Earth. When we lost our home star, Maia, I was so heartbroken, but Earth is such a beautiful place, I’m grateful we came here. Alwen is an amazing man and my life with him is complete. We have raised the best son any parent could ask for, and we have an amazing grandson who will carry on the traditions of our people, of his father, and grandfather.

  Kaden was chosen as a Guardian when he was only three. We lost many that night, including our Simon and my dear friend, Aria. My heart tore in two. But we know the power of our heritage will live on in Kaden. He will be the most powerful Guardian our kind has ever seen with strengths that even he has yet to discover.

  The war is almost upon us, I feel it in my bones. My time on Earth is almost at an end, but I leave this journal for my darling grandson to understand the journey we have taken to get here. One day he will be asked to make a sacrifice, to choose. His grandfather and I know he will choose the way of light.

  My people will be asked to make great sacrifice, be called on to choose between easy and right, and Kaden will be the reason our people live or die.

  Raine blinked as she reread the last sentence again.

  Absentmindedly, she lifted her glass to her lips and tipped it back. Nothing came out and when she glanced down, her water glass was empty. Not one drop remained in the container; the glass looked as if she just pulled it out of the cupboard.

  A drop of water hit the top of her head and Raine slowly lifted her eyes. Above her, a small bubble of water hung mid-air. Raine closed her eyes expecting the illusion to disappear, but when she opened them again, it was still there.

  She slowly lifted her finger to touch the bubble and her finger penetrated the wet surface, but the bubble didn’t fall or move. She rubbed her fingers together and felt the cool liquid slide over her skin.

  Reaching again for the floating water, a small whimper came from the living room, followed by a loud scream of agony that made Raine jump. The water dropped on her head, drenching her. However, she hardly noticed as she bounded off the bed and flung the door open.

  Another strangled scream vibrated off the walls and Raine used the dim light that filtered into the hallway to help navigate to the living room where Kaden thrashed against an unknown foe.

  Tech sat in front of Kaden on the couch with pure concern in his expressive eyes. When he saw Raine, his tail wagged gently back and forth, but he didn’t move from his vigilant post at his master’s side.

  Raine walked around the couch and knelt in front of Kaden.

  Sweat beads formed on his forehead and he clenched his teeth in pain. His face was white from straining and his hands fisted at his side. Raine tenderly shook his shoulder and whispered his name. At her touch, he calmed instantly, his breath coming in ragged pants as his body finally relaxed.

  Raine continued to soothe him with whispered words as she felt his muscles go limp beneath her fingers. His eyes popped open and his cloudy gaze rested on her face. In one quick movement, Kaden pulled Raine on top of him, crushing her to his chest with a steel embrace. Stunned and breathless, Raine didn’t move or fight back. She lay prone on his chest, her hands caught between them, as Kaden stared into her eyes.

  A deep rumble from his chest erupted as he let go of her body to grasp her head in both of his hands. With urgency, he crushed his lips to hers in an unrelenting kiss that surprised her. Raine held her mouth in a tight line as Kaden tried to deepen the kiss.

  “Kiss me,” he growled. Raine’s body reacted to his touch. Her skin burned where his hands held her face as he kissed her forehead,
her cheeks, her neck, and back to her lips. She relaxed and Kaden took advantage to deepen the kiss.

  She felt the soul-searing kiss all the way to the bottoms of her feet. She let out a dainty sigh when Kaden suddenly broke the kiss and pulled her closer to him. With one hand he held her trapped against him while the other tucked her head under his chin.

  Raine lay silently on his chest, breathing hard, as she tried to process what just happened.

  His arms slackened and she used that to slowly slide off him, onto the floor beside Tech, who licked her face and neck by way of thank you before he went back to his bed in the corner.

  Kaden lay with his eyes closed and his body relaxed in the state of sleep. His face looked peaceful, and there wasn’t a hint that he’d suffered a nightmare of any kind.

  Raine pushed herself up on shaky legs and pulled the blanket that Kaden had kicked off from the floor to cover his sleeping form. She followed the dim light back to her room, softly clicking the door shut behind her.

  Water still dampened her hair and borrowed sweats. With a sigh she pushed away from the door and stripped out of the wet clothes before she threw them on the floor. She rummaged through the dresser, grabbed a t-shirt, and pulled it over her head. She moved to the bed and caught her image in the black framed mirror that hung on the wall. The image made her blush. Her lips were red and swollen from sleep-kissing Kaden.

  Gingerly, she touched her fingers to her mouth, her mind scattered in thought. Kaden kissed her, the first real kiss of her life. His dream obviously scared him and she wondered what rattled him. He’d caught her off guard when he pinned her to his chest, and his kiss felt urgent, full of relief. Truthfully, she enjoyed every second and smiled at the memory.

  She switched the light off, pulled back the covers, and buried herself deep inside the warm flannel sheets. It took several minutes before her mind would shut off, but eventually her eyes closed of their own accord and she fell into a fitful sleep.