Thunder rolled across the sky emphasizing her point.
"We'll just show you."
The four people; two women and two men, faced each other inside the circle of lit candles. They extended their right hands, palms up, in front of them. A fireball, forming above Ahi’s palm, lit her face. "I am Fire."
Mr. Tattoo went next, pulling energy from the atmosphere around us, and formed a fluid, shaky ball of water above his palm. "Estoy Agua."
Ahi’s mother did the same, only with a sphere of dirt. "Estoy Tierra."
Thus the perfect gardener, I thought to myself.
"I am Air," the other man said as he weaved a ball of air above his palm. His wind was sloppy, escaping the ball in gusts and blowing out some of the candles. Ahi’s mother clicked her tongue in agitation. He smiled sheepishly at me. "And I am still learning."
Together, their elements left their palms, meeting each other in the center. They merged, forming one large ball of solid, strong, gleaming light, perfect in every sense of the word. I felt its energy, and felt myself gravitating toward it.
Before I got closer, the group started to pull apart the ball of light, retracting their elements until each held their power in the palm of their hands. Then, in a flash, Ahi’s fireball was gone – as was her friend’s water ball. Ahi’s mother clapped her hands together, then brushed off the dirt from her hands; it scattered in waves to the floor.
The Air Elemental tied off his weaves, giving the ball of wind its own control. "Oh, no – not again."
A tirade of Spanish flew out of the mouths of the other group members. We all ducked as the softball-size trajectory raced just over our heads and through a window, spraying shattered glass outward. Suddenly the myriad of holes in the roof made sense.
Ahi looked at me. "Our Akasha is not very strong, but there are several groups around the island, two women and two men each, that can create their own. They are waiting for our word to begin."
I looked at her, my mouth open. "You mean there are that many Elementals on the island?"
"Almost everyone who is a direct descendant of the original inhabitants." Ahi pulled her phone out of her back pocket and began to dial a number.
The storm in town was growing stronger; streaks of it began reaching out, probably searching for me.
"Okay, let’s take care of your visitors," said Ahi. She made a pointed glance at the group’s newbie. "But outside, well away from the house and any windows."
Chapter 19
Broken Truce
Just as the trolley turned off the main road, Micah caught Shawn, tackling him to the ground. The pair rolled down the street in a ball of tangled limbs. Shawn recovered first, moving to his feet. Having taken a hard hit to the head, Micah still fumbled on the ground. Shawn grabbed the closest object to him – a wooden chair from an outdoor patio bar. He held it over his head, and brought it down directly over Micah.
Micah’s eyes opened wide. Unable to roll fast enough, he kicked his feet out toward Shawn, catching him on the sides of both ankles. Shawn hit the ground just as the chair broke over Micah’s head. Micah grunted in annoyance, gathering energy into his core, then pushing out with it. The bits of broken chair sprayed out from him, and he bounded to his feet. Shawn did the same, and they faced each other, ready for a full blown fight using whatever means necessary, whether it be magic or patio furniture.
A click of metal froze each man to their spot. Alex moved the barrel of his gun to Shawn's temple, his finger on the trigger, pulling back ever so slightly.
Shawn’s shoulders sagged. "You've finally chosen a brother, then?"
Shawn was outnumbered, and out-gunned. He reached back, grasping the handle of the knife, and invoked the Shades. First, he called an Air. He used her spells to create a net of wind, pulling Alex away from him and sent the gun skittering back across the road toward the police station.
Shawn recoiled the same net like a whip, widening it for Micah and sending him back into the brick wall of the grocery store behind him. Micah slid down the wall, leaving a nice Micah-sized imprint in the brick. Shawn beckoned a Water Shade. He wove a tight funnel of water, and sent it shooting into Micah’s mouth. Micah gained consciousness, choking and sputtering, pounding on his chest in vain.
Alex took Shawn from behind, sending them both sprawling into the same brick wall.
Damn, that boy is silent, Shawn thought as they made a pile on top of Micah.
The distraction dissolved the water funnel. Micah choked it up, regaining his breath.
Shawn growled; Kaitlyn had to be getting further and further away from him by the second. She could be boarding a plane by now. Wasn’t Micah just as anxious to get her back as he was? Instead, they were wasting time, fighting each other. Well, he was going to put an end to that, right now.
But first, he needed space. He turned the Athame around in his hand and stabbed backward, catching Alex in the outside of the upper thigh. Alex reared back, enough so that Shawn could turn over on his back. Shawn tucked his knees into his chest, then kicked out, hard. Alex went sprawling back, directly into Micah. They both tumbled.
Through the Athame, Shawn called for a Fire Shade. This was his favorite, the only pure element – unpollutable. The Fire he found was cooperative. A fireball formed in his hand. Shawn took aim directly at Micah’s back, square in between the shoulders.
Chapter 20
Elements Rising
As the group walked up the hill, I lagged behind, hauling Bee with me. Did I really want to drag these people into the fight? They had no idea what Shawn was capable of. I looked down at Bee, considering.
This is for her, I told myself. I need all the help I can get.
Besides, Ahi was on the warpath; there was no stopping her.
We reached the top and I looked around. From our vantage point, I spotted small pockets of towns settled at the base of the hill. The group took their positions in a circle.
"Come stand here," Ahi said, pointing to the middle of the circle.
I did so.
"Now, hold on to Bee tight. Don’t move for any reason."
I nodded. They needed to hurry, the storm coming from town was bigger than ever, and I could feel Shawn’s hand in it. Whoever he was battling, he was winning.
They held out their palms, creating their own elements just above their hands, quicker than last time. I glanced at the newbie; he had much more control. The elements started rising up and moving to the center, just above my head. I flinched. "Stay still," Ahi hissed, just like Cato at my saining when he marked my forehead with dirt. I wondered if he had any clue this little island of power existed.
The elements merged, and the bright, shining ball of light formed. Although the sun was buried behind layer after layer of storm clouds, the ball lit up the sky like daybreak. It grew slightly larger, then stopped. The group worked at maintaining steady control. Ahi took out her cell phone, held down the push-to-talk feature, and said, "Now."
Within minutes, balls of light dotted the base of the hill and began lifting into the sky.
Ahi smiled at me. "We've had our circles positioned ever since your arrival."
I counted six in all; plus ours equaled…seven. Basic math accomplished, I looked at Ahi with one eyebrow raised. "What next?"
*
Alex shouldered the bulk of Micah out of the path of Shawn's fireball.
Next time, take better aim. Shawn could hear the Fire Shade cursing at the waste of her gift. And the Fire Shade's irritation annoyed him.
This is why I do things alone, Shawn thought.
Because wooden chairs are so much more effective than fireballs, the Shade taunted.
Shawn growled and sent the Fire Shade tumbling back into the cave.
He sheathed the Athame in his back pocket, but remnants of the magical energy still swirled around him. Fire, Air, and Water, so thick in the air he could almost taste it. He grabbed hold of the elements, fusing them together and forming his own weapon. It wasn't his pow
er, but he refused to relinquish it. It resulted in a misshaped, pulsating ball that vibrated with energy. Icy tentacles shot out, searching for Kaitlyn and the baby.
*
Thick strands of power extended from the surrounding spheres, directly into the ball above me and Bee.
Hey, that rhymes.
Stupid shit went through my head when I was scared. It helped to keep me from running, screaming my ass off into the night and away from all this magic.
"Absorb it and direct it – Akasha is yours to command!" Ahi screamed at me. The wind picked up, whipping her braids straight behind her. "All you have to do is accept it!"
No way, I thought. I wasn’t about to risk Bee on an elemental experiment. I moved to step away, ready to leave the circle.
Mama began singing. I froze. Everyone looked at her, eyebrows lifted in surprise, except mine. It was the same song that kept me home when I felt the incredible need to leave. She raised her pitch, above the sound of the wind. My eyes locked onto hers. Deep pools of brown bore into me. Her voice reverberated through me, and I closed my eyes, opening up to it. Chills went down my spine; my limbs tingled with adrenaline.
When I opened my eyes again, I realized I was singing with her. The song gave me confidence…hope…power. And I knew I could never face Shawn alone. My magic was strongest when it was fed by and shared with others.
The ball of light, still descending, was almost upon us. It still grew in power. I had to make a decision, and fast. Accept it or fight it? Which would get us out alive?
Beyond the ball, the icy tentacles from the storm in town had descended on our hill. It was almost as if there was a bright, shining beacon shouting out, "Kaitlyn is here!"
Yeah, this was a great idea.
I looked down at Bee again. Decision time.
"Ah, fuck it." I closed my eyes, opened myself up, and pulled the ball into me.
Chapter 21
Beacons
Shawn reached out, feeling pockets of power all around the island. He explored each one, confused. Kaitlyn couldn’t be everywhere at once, and there was no way there were that many Elementals in one place. His researchers would’ve known. Cato would’ve known. Soon he’d have to start delving into the caves. That would be long and tedious work, and his available energy was already waning.
He’d have to take care of Micah and Alex first. He began to pull back his power.
A strong surge of energy burst out from a hill in the middle of the island.
Shawn looked at the huge, glowing ball of light. Pockets of energy around the base of the hill fed into the light. Kaitlyn had to be there, in the center of it all, with a spotlight on her.
Stupid girl.
He reached out to the ball, tentatively at first. His longest strand of power touched it. Jolting shocks ensued, continuing almost all the way back to Shawn, obliterating his cold energy as it went. Shawn released the strand just before the invisible force got to him.
Damn.
He targeted another group with a smaller ball of light and tried again, extending one more tentacle. This one was large and menacing, meant as a distraction. A smaller feeler crept around the group, sweeping just below the ball and taking out human forms as it went.
He felt the large ball on the hill sputter and waver. Quickly, he began attacking the feeder balls, taking out one pocket at a time. They didn’t stand a chance, and with each one he eliminated, the main ball grew less solid, starting to shrink.
Chapter 22
The Touch of a Mother
Bee's small puffs of breath against my neck ceased as I passed her off to Mama. Above us, Akasha crackled with energy. I felt dangerous; I was dangerous. Bee was just too close.
I called for what was left of the light, and it merged without hesitation. My body tingled. Balance, perfection. The elements were completely at my command. Everyone else stepped back, shielding their eyes from the blinding ball. I stood alone, arms raised.
"Careful, Kaitlyn! Do not overdo it!" Ahi yelled as energy crackled in the air. She stuck her head back under her hands, trying to shield herself, her mother, and Bee all at the same time with her thin frame.
But I felt Akasha, and myself, weakening. Shawn’s tentacles were taking out my feeder balls.
I had to be quick, before I lost the ability to finish off Shawn. When I felt his cold touch, I fought back, zapping away his power. Now I needed to attack, not just defend. Time was of the essence.
I took in a deep breath, and used existing lines of energy to call the rest of the Akasha circles to me. I waited patiently as the balls completed their merge. Shawn withdrew his tentacles. This was the eye of the storm. The material of our clothing settled as the wind went still. The air smelled like burnt toast.
As soon as the merge was complete, I pounced, sending the light directly to the tentacle's source. Avenue Tekema exploded, but not before a tentacle swept through our group. The wind was knocked out of me as I rolled across the ground.
I pushed myself to my knees and crawled over to the pile of bodies that once circled me. The two men had managed to throw themselves over Ahi, her mother, and Bee. One by one, I peeled the bodies away, frantic to get to my baby.
Every time I forced another limb away, groans and labored breathing responded. Pulling Ahi to her feet, I finally made it to Mama, who remained crouched over her bundle. Ahi helped me push the old woman onto her side. There were no groans this time, just a single, horrified gasp.
Ahi's mother was dead. Her opened, lifeless eyes stared at me, at her killer. Bee began to cry. Tears stung my eyes for the first time since Bee had been born.
I pried the woman's hands from my baby. Even in death, Mama had a gentle, protective touch. The touch of a mother.
"Ahi," I barely breathed. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."
The men slowly untangled themselves from each other. One rushed over the old woman, and laid her down flat, preparing to give her CPR.
"Don't." Ahi's command was sharp. "Let her go in peace. It is her time to return to the earth."
The man rocked back on his heels.
"Go," Ahi said, turning to me. "You both need to go, now. We are no longer able to protect you here."
I nodded my head and licked my dry lips, attempting to speak.
Ahi stood before I could. "No – just go. We'll see each other again." She smiled and looked down at Bee. "Won't we, beautiful?"
Bee smiled back.
I did not.
"Come on, Kaitlyn." The Air took me by the arm. "My cousin has a small plane. He keeps it on the other end of the island – if it wasn't damaged he can take you to the mainland."
I let him lead me away, glancing back at the hill only once. Ahi had her hands on her mother's face, her head bowed.
Chapter 23
Bumpy Ride
The small puddle jumper was an agonizingly long ride. Storms chased us all the way from the island. The wind jostled us. The sea below was turbulent. Massive waves reached up into the sky, threatening to swallow our little plane whole. The pilot was forced to fly higher into the winds.
He said the ecosystem was protesting because of the battle on the island. I knew it wasn't true. It was me. Though I had very little energy, what I did have left was out of control. I couldn't help it. I kept picturing Ahi with her hands on her dead mother's face. I brought Shawn to the island, and they had defended me with their lives.
Several hours later, the pilot landed us safely in a small airport in Chile with enough money for another plane ticket. There was barely any time before boarding began, but we made it to the plane. Bee, who had barely slept was beginning to fuss. The wait on the tarmac seemed longer than it should be, and the pilot gave us no information. I gritted my teeth, willing the damned crew to take off. Finally, we began to roll forward. Bee was in a full scream now.
Hold on, I told myself. Hold on just a little bit longer and we will be home, safe in the tiny apartment above the bakery in the Seattle suburbs.
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Just as the plane picked up speed, it lurched to one side. Passengers reacted, gasping so loudly they could be heard over the roar of the engines. Seconds later, the plane took to the air. One of the flight attendants came over the intercom and spoke rapidly in Spanish. Then she converted to English, "Ladies and gentlemen, we just experienced a minor earthquake. We will proceed to our destination. We cannot land as we cannot verify the stability of the ground. If you must contact loved ones you left behind, once we reach cruising altitude you may call from the plane’s phone free of charge."
I looked down at Bee, who had calmed herself having found her thumb. I felt like crying.
I couldn't bring myself to speak. Not even to coo at Bee. She did all the cooing for us. When she wasn't eating or napping, she was playing with my hair, or exploring my face, babbling about it all the while. I kept her close, giving her kisses, all too aware of how close I had come to losing her.
It was three a.m. by the time I came to the door of my old apartment above the suburban Seattle bakery. Micah had said he paid the bills, and put all my stuff in storage. Had they rented it out again? Was it no longer truly mine?
I raised my hand to knock, but stopped just short. It felt wrong to knock; wrong to ask permission to enter. This was the only home I had left. If it turned me away, I was going to lose it.
Instead, I tried the doorknob. With a quiet click the door swung open. I stepped in, unconcerned. Perhaps if I treated everything like it used to be, this whole, long nightmare would disappear. I set Bee down on the couch and flipped on the light to the kitchen. Everything was as I remembered. All my dishes were there – my photography magazines on the countertop. Even the plants Micah said he had donated, alive and well. I turned on the stove, filled my teapot with water and set it over the flame.
"What are you doing?"
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