Luke stayed behind to talk to Todd and catch up. “I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks, and you’ve been in the attic this whole time?” Todd asked.
“Not the whole time. Meredith and I moved around quite a bit trying to make sure we weren’t being followed. With Halloween approaching, she knew she needed to be home.”
“How were you discovered?”
“I don’t know. Eloise never came up there. Sensed it somehow I guess. Meredith insisted this spell was fool proof even from other witches.”
“It is!” Meredith yelled from the back of the house.
Luke looked in her direction and smiled. “Eloise is pretty powerful. She might have sensed something. Hell, it could have been a lucky guess.”
Todd agreed, “That makes sense. Meredith wouldn’t leave you for long or venture far away.”
“Wait a minute,” Lilah interrupted them.
“What, little lady?” Luke asked. “You know how Eloise found out?”
“No. It’s just…um…I,” Lilah looked back at the screen on her laptop and waved them off.
“Now, I’m curious. What’s on your mind?”
“How do Meredith’s spells work on you?”
Luke glanced at Todd for help like he didn’t understand the question.
Todd just stood there with his mouth open unsure how to respond.
“Why haven’t you taught this girl anything?”
Lilah turned to see Meredith had reappeared in the doorway sternly looking at her uncle.
Luke slowly started to understand. “Ah, it makes sense now.”
“What makes sense?” Lilah asked.
“Just that I think I understand why you don’t know how the spells work on me. The Elementals are protected from each other, but each Elemental can use their abilities on their own kind.”
“Yeah, but Meredith is a witch,” Lilah said plainly.
Meredith stood there smiling. “I was born into Earth, honey. I became a witch in my teens, but that was back before this country had its first president.”
Lilah stared at the floor. She knew what Meredith was telling her. There was no ageing spell. Everleigh had told her that things weren’t always what they appeared to be. Meredith was a vampire. That’s why she always looked so young.
“I didn’t know a witch could become a vampire,” was all she could manage to say.
Abby leaned forward and put her hand on Lilah’s shoulder. She hadn’t expected her daughter to get a crash course on everything in a few days’ time. She had thought she would have years to go over all the varied ins and outs of the Elementals. She started to doubt herself for not teaching Lilah more over the last few years.
Abby reluctantly and maybe even a little remorsefully started to explain it. “Fire and Water can potentially turn anyone.”
“With a bite?” Lilah asked.
“A werewolf bite works only when they are in wolf form to cause the change, but very few have ever survived a wolf attack.”
“And vampires? Is it the bite or the blood?”
Luke stepped forward. “It’s our blood. There’s a process. You must have our blood in your system when you die. You’ll awaken, and you must drink our blood to complete the transformation.”
“If you don’t drink the blood?” Lilah didn’t blink captivated by the lesson she was learning.
“You die,” Luke answered coldly.
Meredith clicked her teeth and glared at him. “You have a little time.”
Luke nodded, “A day at the most, and it’s not pleasant.”
Lilah narrowed her eyes, and her face filled with questions.
“It’s the same painful death that first killed them only it’s prolonged until they drink or pass on.” Meredith tried to explain it to her. “See, most of us know this is what we want before we ever drink the blood. My death was quick by a broken neck. When I resuscitated, my neck was pained and my head was sore.”
“Y-You said most,” Lilah uttered barely above a whisper.
Everyone looked at Luke who immediately became defensive. “I never participated in that nonsense!”
Lilah looked at him then the others waiting, hoping someone would continue.
“There was a time,” Luke hesitated, “when vampires messed with humans as if it were sport. But not me!” he growled.
It was hard to hear. She felt like she was going to be sick.
Uncle Todd bent over and checked on her reminding her to breathe. “That era is long over. There are still those who are fed the blood unknowingly as a precaution. Perhaps the blood was used to heal them, but it was too late. It’s rare, but there are occasions when someone finds themselves unwittingly in the middle of the transformation.”
“Did you turn Meredith,” Lilah asked looking at Luke.
“I did not.”
Lilah’s eyes widened, and she gazed at Meredith surprised. She has just assumed Meredith turned to be with Luke.
“Slow down, Lilah. I see those wheels turning in your head,” Meredith cautioned.
“It’s different for the Elementals. Only Fire can turn a different Elemental,” Luke explained.
“And you don’t have to drink anyone’s blood," Meredith happily pointed out.
“Then how do you become a vampire?”
Luke held up a hand indicating to the rest that he would take this one. “Really, she’s not. She has immortality, and a touch of all Fire’s abilities such as speed and strength. That is why she still practices witchcraft. Once she drinks Fire’s blood, she will complete the transformation.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Lilah thought out loud.
Meredith knelt down in front of her. “You know, it was hard because my family did not approve. They liked Luke just fine, so long as he was only a friend. But I fell in love,” she gazed wistfully up at Luke. “I still am. I fell in love with a vampire just like-”
“It’s really late,” Lilah’s dad announced. “I think that’s enough for one night. We should all turn in, and pick up on the tracking in the morning.”
Meredith stood up and whistled. “Man, I always knew Air was funny about their ways and their secrets, but you guys should really be a little bit more inclusive with your own.”
Todd shot Meredith a glance that told her she was treading water with the invite for the two of them to stay, and she should think twice before making any more revelations.
“What are you talking about?” Lilah asked.
Meredith had the eyes of everyone in the room on her as she answered, “Nothing, honey. It’s just that in all the years I’ve known you, I didn’t know no one had told you about me and Luke.”
Lilah smiled at her. If only she knew the vast amount of information her family had kept from her, this wouldn’t be a surprise. Not in the least.
Chapter Ten
It’s the last night before the Return, and Marcus is wrought with agony. His love for Leena has grown every day since his arrival, and it breaks his heart to leave her even though he knows they can’t be together. He has watched every heartache she’s had to face in the last year helpless to do anything to help her.
He watched her lovingly care for her father during his illness and rejoice when he recovered only to lose him during the last moon. Her father’s illness took a toll on his health, and he degraded swiftly when the first signs of autumn appeared.
Marcus lingered on the edge of the forest as her family and the village mourned. He wanted to hold Leena, to comfort her, but he did his duty and stayed out of sight. Her father’s death changed her. She had planned to run away from her upcoming marriage to Yaxkin, but she always felt she’d be unable to follow through. Her father’s death meant there was nothing keeping her in the village any longer.
Her mother had died in childbirth, so her father married her mother’s sister. She never treated Leena the same as she had her own children. It was her who had arranged the marriage to the warrior, and Leena felt no loyalty to this woman to carry out her wi
shes now that her father was gone. His death gave her the push she needed to leave.
“Leaving also means death,” Marcus said to himself with sadness in his voice. He didn’t know which was worse. Death alone in the wilderness that comes swift? Or dying slowly in a life that tortures you while surrounded by the people you’ve known and cared about your entire life?
He wanted for nothing more than to take her away. To save her. Doing so would anger the Divine Spirit, and Marcus didn’t want to find out what the punishment would be. “Without the full use of our powers, we won’t know what consequences our actions will have,” he repeated again as he had hundreds of times as a reminder that no life was to be interfered.
Marcus began his preparations to leave knowing Leena was doing the same. He had cleared out all of his belongings from the hollowed trunk save the water bucket and a small amount of fruit to eat before his hike back to the cave in the morning. While he was getting rid of any evidence of his presence from the last year, Leena was hiding provisions to take with her.
She had gathered some of the harvest as well as a small store of seeds. Also in her cache were two spears, and flint rocks. She’d thrown everything into a fur and tied the ends to make it easy to carry.
Leena didn’t yet know where she’d wind up and if she’d find a friendly tribe anywhere. She knew she’d need to be able to provide for herself. Not all tribes took kindly to strangers, so she risked being on her own permanently or being killed if she ran into a group that didn’t want to risk their safety. Or worse. Leena felt in her heart that all options were better than life with Yaxkin.
Marcus lay down watching her in his mind. He knew she’d be on her way by the rise of the sun. She’d head west through the hills, and the village’s search would begin shortly after dawn. He would have to leave before her to make it back to his cave for the Return without being spotted. He knew tonight would be the last time he’d be able to watch her. This time tomorrow, she’d be dead.
He drifted off to sleep as she lay in bed barely able to close her eyes. She was both excited and frightened for what her future held.
Marcus woke with a start afraid he had slept too long. It was still dark, and Leena had not yet made her move. He knew he had a little time left before he had to make his way back.
Marcus opened a coconut and drank while eating the last papaya he had. He tried to savor the flavors, so that he’d never forget their tastes. The remains of his breakfast he placed in the tiny hole he dug inside the tree and covered it with dirt. Marcus surveyed the area one last time hoping he hadn’t forgotten anything.
He cupped his hands into the water bucket and took a drink. He stood and slowly poured the water out. Carrying the bucket, he emerged from his tiny home and looked toward the village. Marcus knew Leena was awake now and would soon be on her way. He had to hurry.
Marcus quickly walked to the stream where the rock bridge was that he had crossed many times during his stay. He set the bucket on the surface of the water and let it drift. He watched it bounce and spin around in the river until it was out of sight. Now all he had were the robes he arrived in and a large walking stick to help him scale the hillside.
He entered the tree cover about the time Leena was sneaking out of her hut. She would move fast, and he needed to stay ahead of her. Marcus closed his eyes and took off running across the forest floor expertly dodging fallen trees and exposed roots as he used his inner sight to guide him.
Before long, Marcus was climbing up the hill toward the cave as fast as he could. He reached the cave just as light started to creep in from the east and just as Leena finished crossing the river. He approached the spot where he had stood on his first day waiting for his eyes to adjust to the brightness of the midday sun. ‘Not yet,’ he thought.
He walked further into the cave and into the darkness. There he crouched down and waited. He stayed perfectly still eyeing the dim light from the opening that was slowly growing brighter. He stayed still even as his knees begged for him to show mercy and change positions. He stayed still waiting to see her when she passed by. It would be the closest he had ever been to her.
It seemed like an eternity had passed before he felt her climbing the hillside near the cave. Then suddenly, there she was. She stood at the cave opening not ten feet from where Marcus was kneeling with his back flush to the cave wall. For a moment, she looked right at him without seeing him before moving on.
Marcus let out his breath not realizing he had been holding it. A few more moments passed before he stood up. He felt his knees pop, and the sounds echoed through the cave. Marcus jumped then laughed at himself. “I’ll have to tell the others about that one,” he mused.
He walked forward and looked at the spot again. He could feel the energy pulsating from it. Marcus took a deep breath before taking a step into the cave wall.
On the other side, he was back on the flat rock. He was the first to arrive. He had no choice but to leave early if he wanted to remain undetected, and he knew the others all had plenty of time left.
Marcus turned slowly and looked around. It was no wonder why the Divine Spirit chose this location. No one lived anywhere close to this rock. Marcus wanted to step off the rock to explore this land, but knew he was not able to. “You had a year to explore, Marcus,” he told himself. “You chose not to.”
He sat down on his corner and waited for the others. He couldn’t wait to begin to share their experiences, to learn from each other’s journeys as well as their own. Marcus had missed them many times over the last year. He knew now they were like a family, and a twinge of sadness brushed over him because he knew once they crossed the veil all human emotion would leave them including thoughts like this.
As the sun passed overhead, shade slowly inched its way across the rock, and Marcus spread out. He lay in the center with his fingers clasped behind his head. His thoughts drifted back to Leena. He could still spy on her. She had found a cave where she thought she was safe to wait out the party searching for her. It wouldn’t be long now before she’d be forced to run in the dark. It wouldn’t be long until she met her end.
Marcus sat up and pulled his knees to his chest. For a moment, he rested his head on his legs as he thought of her. “Soon,” he whispered. “Soon you will be home, and your attachment to her will be as if it never existed.”
Marcus wondered if that was what he even wanted. He knew it was the only the human condition that made him feel how he did, but did he really want to give it up?
He stood up and rocked back and forth on his feet for a moment before steadying himself. The heat from the sun was starting to affect him. He reached down and brushed the dirt from his robes. Marcus was looking down when Earth emerged from her corner with such force that she almost knocked him over not that it would have taken much effort.
Their hands grasped each other’s arms, and they looked at each other as loud smiles spread across their faces. He pulled Earth to him and hugged her. His excitement was so deafening to his senses that he didn’t pick up on Earth’s shattered heart. Finally, he relaxed his embrace and looked at her. That’s when Marcus saw it. The hurt. The pain. The sheer and utter agony that Earth wore in her eyes.
“What’s the matter?”
Before she could answer, another presence was joined them. Marcus stood on tip toe to look over Earth, but no one else had arrived. That’s when he felt it. The peaceful calm of the Divine Spirit. He looked back into Earth’s eyes which were filled with tears. Marcus was plagued with questions about what had happened. There was no chance to find out.
Immediately they knew they were the only ones who made the Return. Marcus saw the terror in Earth’s eyes the moment he felt it encroach upon him. What could this possibly mean for them?
Neither had a chance to say a word. Marcus was back in the cave. Alone, but only for a moment before the presence of the Divine Spirit surrounded him.
He communicated with Marcus through thought. “Those who leave together must return toge
ther. Balance must be acquired and is of the utmost importance.”
Marcus’ head spun as he learned he was the only one who followed orders and didn’t interact with anyone. His rewards would be great.
“What do I do now?” Marcus asked the quiet darkness of the cave.
“Live your life,” was the answer placed in his mind. “The Return can only be achieved on this night each year. You must attempt it every year no matter how long it takes.”
“No matter how long it takes! What does that mean?”
His question was ignored. “Go to her. There isn’t much time.”
Marcus opened his mouth to speak again, but the presence was gone. He had so many unanswered questions, but only one mattered now. Did he have enough time to save Leena?
Chapter Eleven
It was Halloween. Earth would be gathering to celebrate their new year. The preparation had been in the works for days, and Everleigh had even invited Lilah to the celebration much to her Grandma Eloise’s disapproval. Lilah had turned down the offer to be with her family who were growing more and more concerned at Marcus’ absence.
They still hadn’t heard a word from him or Leena since they called the family together. It weighed on everybody’s mind differently. Some like Abby were finding little things to do to keep their hands and minds busy like cleaning an already clean home for the sixth time in a matter of days. Others like her Uncle Joseph were trying desperately to search for them somehow and becoming highly irritated by anyone’s unwillingness to help.
Lilah spent her day talking to Jackson. He was going to be home that night handing out candy to the trick or treaters then going out afterward. He had asked Lilah to spend the evening with him, but she knew better than to even give the idea weight in her mind. It was a very important day for everyone, and not hearing from Marcus only made the day that much more solemn.
It was the day of the Return. It would be the thousandth attempt. The Elements had been on here for a full millennium. No one breathed easy on this day until after the attempt was made because no one knew what would happen when the four Elements finally made it home. Even being unsure of their future, her family always hoped for a completed Return. Balance was steadily growing out of control. They needed to complete the Return before too much more damage was done here.
Air: The Elementals: Book One Page 14
