Earth: The Elementals Book Two

by Jennifer Lush

  Shaking her head, Amber cut her eyes at her cousin. She snickered as well. Soon the two of them were both collecting strange looks from the rest of the family as they enjoyed their private joke.

  They laughed and walked through the garden gate in the backyard where Kiara was already clearing weeds. Soon Jasmin and the boys would join them in the work. The garden would be done in no time this year, thankfully, as it had always been her least favorite chore. There were those who found gardening to be relaxing and even therapeutic. Everleigh was not one of those people. To her, it was a dreadful chore. A dirty, mud filled, itchy, sneezy dreadful chore when there weren’t enough hands to make light work.

  Everleigh knelt down to start helping, but not without noticing the scowl had returned on Amber’s face. “Gardening is part of the craft. It’s work, yes, but therapeutic too,” she said, repeating the words that had been told to her many times over the years even though she didn’t fully believe them. “We need to tend the garden to honor the Oak King who departs us this evening.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Amber muttered. “And King Holly will arrive.”

  “The Holly King.”

  “Same difference.”

  Everleigh sighed in defeat. Deep down, she didn’t doubt Amber knew the correct name. In fact, she was certain Amber was picking up on a lot more than she was willing to show. It would continue to baffle her all summer. This is what Amber had wanted all along. All of them had wanted it. The way she treated parts of the craft like it was something to scoff at or make fun of made Everleigh feel less than thrilled about working alongside her. She didn’t want someone on her team who did the work begrudgingly. It would be better surrounded by those who loved this life like Jasmin and Grace. Sadly, Amber had more natural gifts than the other two combined. It was a shame she didn’t embrace and respect that.

  The garden was finished before their grandma appeared outside and was able to lend a hand. Everleigh helped her charge crystals and stones while the others were assigned various tasks since they couldn’t perform the spells yet. It felt good to have her grandma to herself again if only for a short while. Soon they would head out to meet the coven and begin their affirmations. The fledglings would not participate in this part during the ceremony, but they would possibly have a more active role later when the time for casting began.

  “It’s time,” Grandma smiled at her with a nod, implying she was to lead the meditations this year.

  Everleigh smiled back unsure because her grandma had to know how much she hated this part. Meditating was fine when it was done privately. When it was done with even one other person, it always felt awkward and forced. This many people had to make that feeling intensify dramatically. That could be why her grandma wanted her to lead it. You couldn’t push yourself to be more, better, greater if you never stepped out of your comfort zone.

  “Let’s do it outside this year. It may not be possible for all of us to spread out on the floor in the same room,” Grandma said as she sat on the ground near the back porch.

  “Alright everyone. Find a spot where you can sit comfortably with enough room between each other.” Everleigh spoke loud enough for the stragglers still wandering over from the garden to hear her.

  Amber raised her eyebrow and looked from Everleigh to the grass then back to Everleigh. “On the ground?”

  “Yes,” she answered, dreading Amber’s reaction. Her cousin was the only Earth Elemental who seemed to hate the actual earth.

  “No, thank you. I’ll be using a chair from the porch,” she scoffed. Amber took about two steps away before the glare from Grandma had her changing her mind. “You know what? On second thought, I think the ground is a nice idea. Connecting with nature is amazing. Am I right?” She crossed her ankles and dropped to a sitting position directly in front of Everleigh with wide eyes that showed she hoped nothing more would be directed at her from Grandma.

  It was hard for Everleigh to not laugh at the whole scene, and she turned her back briefly using the need to stretch as an excuse to hide her grin. Grandma certainly had a way about getting people to do what was expected of them.

  Once everyone had gathered, Everleigh sat facing them. It would be more effective if they were laying on their mats, but she knew her cousins didn’t have a mat yet. Sitting cross legged would have to do.

  “To begin, find as comfortable a position as possible.”

  Amber rolled her eyes and mouthed the words, “This is stupid.”

  Everleigh tried to ignore her. Not only would having any form of reaction ruin the meditation for the others, but it would bring the ire of their grandma upon her. No one wanted to have that happen to them.

  “Close your eyes and surround yourself in a white light. You’re becoming aware of how your body feels,” she told them.

  “Oh, I’m aware,” Amber mouthed the words, while glancing down at her rather pronounced bosom.

  ‘Please don’t do this, Amber,’ Everleigh tried to plead with her eyes.

  “Deep breaths. Breathe in the white light that surrounds you. Exhale the negativity and stress.”

  Everleigh watched as everyone began following her instructions. “Again. Breathe in the light. Breathe out your tension. As you exhale, let your body begin to relax.”

  Amber opened one eye, and Everleigh tried to mimic her grandma’s glare. “Relax my butt,” Amber mouthed again.

  This one was certainly a handful, and Everleigh wished she hadn’t sat so close to her. Maybe off to the side somewhere out of her main line of sight, but she continued with the meditation technique that her grandma had been using with her since she was little. “Breathe in relaxation. Breathe out worry.”

  She waited for everyone to take a couple more deep breaths. “Slow and gentle now. Take calm breaths while you focus on relaxing your body. Notice how each part of your body relaxes when I name it for you.”

  Amber was shooting her another unbelieving glance, but Everleigh ignored her this time.

  “Feet… Relax… Ankles… Relax.” Everleigh continued slowly until she made it to the top of the body instructing everyone to release any remaining tension as they exhaled. She began telling them to move a little more and to become more alert slowly before finally ending the meditation.

  It surprised her that Amber had remained quiet as long as she had, but she was thankful. Everleigh glanced around at everyone sitting peacefully then saw her grandma’s warm smile telling her she’d done a great job leading the meditation for the first time. The calm and serenity that stretched out around everyone was brutally interrupted by a horrific noise.

  “HngGGggh-Ppbhww-zZZzzzZZ,” Amber’s snoring cut through the air startling everyone followed by snickering.

  Everleigh looked to see Amber’s head had fallen to the side, and she was completely out. She had to bite her lips together to stifle a laugh, but when she looked up, her grandma had even joined in the laughter of the others.

  Amber snored again, “Pblhuu…zZZzz…BrGHfgh.” Her eyes opened and her head righted as she woke herself up which only made the laughter of the family increase. “Hmm… What’d I miss?” she yawned, looking around furrowing her brow because she didn’t understand what was so funny.

  “Feeling relaxed, Amber?” Grandma asked from behind her.

  “Hmph,” she snorted and stood up, realizing the joke was on her.

  They made their way inside to finish loading the cars that would take them into the country where they’d meet the rest of the coven. There was a rather large clearing in a wooded grove near a farmhouse outside of town. The owner of the house never seemed to be home, but grandma claimed him to be an old friend of the family. It was someone who had known her grandma when he was little, Everleigh’s great-great grandma.

  The spot was perfect. It was large enough to do their work, and secluded from neighbors and out of sight of the road. Whether the owner happened to be gone when the coven met, or if it was planned was one of the many little mysteries Everleigh wondered if her grandm
a would ever explain to her.

  It didn’t take long to get everything set up this year with so many helping out. Usually, it was just the two of them. Grandma liked to keep the food away from the celebrations and rituals, so the tables were set up near the barn and the grills ready to be fired up waiting for the rest of the coven to arrive. There were three parts to the annual tradition. It would begin with the Solstice celebration. They’d have a feast to celebrate. Then they’d go back to the clearing to end the night with spell work.

  Members began to arrive, so everyone headed down into the trees. Grandma pulled Everleigh aside and asked a favor. “Get ahold of Meredith. Give her a message.”

  ‘This is an interesting turn of events. Grandma can’t stand Aunt Meredith. It must be something important.’ Everleigh waited to hear what she had to say.

  “Tell her this word for word. Sometimes the only way to make sure your love life doesn’t go down in flames is by locking your heart away.” Grandma abruptly walked toward the trees not giving her the opportunity to ask any questions.

  ‘It’s about Luke. Has to be. Love life. Heart. Flames. Everything pointed to Luke, but what does she mean?’

  Everleigh sighed and called her aunt hoping if she answered, she could shed some light on the riddle for her. No luck. It went to voice mail. “Hey, Aunt Meredith! I have a message from grandma. She said to tell you, and I quote…” Everleigh repeated her grandma’s words. “Love you!”

  Down in flames has to be a reference to Luke since he’s a Fire Elemental. But love life and heart could also be pointing to him as well. The riddle made zero sense, and it aggravated Everleigh as she tried to figure it out. The phrase also meant to end or ruin something. It couldn’t be that. Aunt Meredith and Luke always seemed so happy together. She hadn’t been around them much because of her grandma’s strong opinions about them, but they always acted like newlyweds when she saw them. No one would ever guess they’d been together over three centuries. Heck, most couples can’t make it three years.

  ‘Ugh! Why can’t I figure it out? It’s going to make perfect sense once someone tells me what’s going on.’ Everleigh tried to push the message from her mind to concentrate on the Solstice celebration for now. There’d be time to ask her aunt to fill her in later.

  She made her way through the trees to join the others. Everleigh was now the last to arrive, and she quickly made her way to her spot in the circle. The Solstice affirmations began, and Everleigh could hear the novices behind them join along. “We open our hearts, minds and souls to Divine Light. We honor the sacred energy of the Midsummer. We invoke the presence of the spirits…healing…and protection.”

  It was time for each of them to mind their turn around the fire. It began with her grandma as the Priestess of the coven and would end with her. Everleigh was the newest member, and her turn would be near the end before her grandma finished. Each affirmation was silently spoken in her head as each member spoke out loud as all would be doing with her.

  The time had come for her to step forward. “I trust my intuition to lead me where I am meant to go.”

  “We are Divine Children beloved by Earth and the Universe,” her grandma recited when Everleigh stepped back into place.

  “Blessed be,” they said in union.

  Summer Solstice was her favorite magical celebration. Everleigh enjoyed all of them, but the beautiful weather on the longest day of the year was an added bonus that put this one ahead of the rest. It was time to eat and visit well into the night. There would be spell work to do later on. Almost every member brought something with them for the coven to help them accomplish.

  Once back at the farmhouse, she checked her phone. There was a text from her aunt. Everleigh expected her to ask what is that supposed to mean or something along those lines. She opened it to read, “Tell her I’m on it.”

  It didn’t take long to find her grandma resting at one of the tables while the younger members fired up the grills. The table was the one closest to the spread where her grandma would still be able to run the show while resting her weary bones as she would put it. Everleigh walked over and relayed the message she had received from her aunt.

  Grandma Eloise didn’t offer a response right away, and Everleigh wasn’t sure if she was supposed to stick around for one. She decided to wait on the off chance her grandma might mention something that would help her give context to the riddle, but she knew better than to hold her breath. Grandma Eloise had always been a private person.

  Her attention was on everyone who was setting up for the feast. When she was satisfied everything was under control for a few minutes at least, she turned to Everleigh and smiled. “Good. I had hoped she would be, but one can never be too careful.”

  That was it. Grandma turned her attention back to her other grandchildren giving them instructions on what to do next. Maybe one day, she’d be able to sit at the adult table and be allowed to know more than what was shared with her now. All she could do was hope.

  Chapter Four

  Anya awoke early in the morning and began preparing breakfast. Daniel was already in the barn working when she came to life and stumbled out of bed. This had been their routine for the better part of two months. She stuck primarily to the cooking and some mending that he had taught her how to do. She only went out into the cold to assist him when he needed the extra help and asked her to join in the work.

  During this time, something had changed within her. There had been many opportunities when she could have left and tried to carry on with what she was supposed to be doing. She couldn’t. Rather, she wouldn’t. It seemed impossible for her to leave Daniel. That was the ever increasing truth. The spring was her deadline. It was when she could move on more safely. That had been what she told herself while finding excuses to stay. It would be harder to leave the longer she waited, so she wanted to make the most of the time they still had together. Anxiously watching for the first signs that winter was fading even as it bore down around the cabin in full force, she feared the day would arrive too fast.

  She had tried to understand what was making her defy the Divine Spirit so boldly. It was human emotion. It had to be. Humans are altogether different creatures with internal driving forces so powerful that they often do what they know they shouldn’t. This was the reason for the Elements to venture here in the first place. Being an outsider who can only watch from afar makes it difficult to fully understand why things unfold the way they do. From the Spirit Realm, the Elements watched humans intentionally make a vast array of mistakes daily. None of them had ever been able to fully understand the reasons behind their actions. It’s one thing to know humans are controlled by emotions, but it’s entirely different to experience it firsthand. That is the type of true understanding that can only be divulged through experience.

  Anya couldn’t leave Daniel’s home because she had developed feelings for him. She was in love, which while it warmed her and overjoyed her to experience the deep bond she had with him, it tore at her as well. There was no indication that Daniel felt the same way toward her which caused her unlimited pain and preoccupied her mind trying to understand why her love wasn’t returned. While she longed for him to return her feelings, she knew that would only make matters worse as she was not supposed to have interfered with anyone or anything during her time in this physical realm. She couldn’t undo any of her actions that had already come to pass. It was wrong to hope for more to strengthen the effect she left behind.

  It would be easy to find out for herself exactly where she stood with him. All she had to do was touch him, and she would be able to read him easily. The temptation tugged at her every waking second they were together. Whether or not the Divine Spirit would frown on her using her powers for something so trivial didn’t play a part in her decision not to do it. If she knew Daniel returned her feelings, it would be downright impossible for her to leave him. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind. More so, she was afraid she’d learn that he didn’t feel the same about her as
she did him.

  Daniel returned from the barn carrying another load of wood. This was the fourth he had brought inside since waking. Anya could see the winter storm bearing down outside when the door opened. A strong bitter wind blew in with him, and Anya shivered violently at the unexpected blast.

  “It’s upon us,” he told her. “It’s only going to get worse. I’m going to bring in more wood.”

  “More? You’ve enough wood here for days.”

  Daniel shook his head. “I’d rather have too much then run low and have to go back out in this monstrous weather.”

  Anya couldn’t help but to agree.

  “Stand near the fire, so the wind won’t bite at you so much when the door opens,” he instructed.

  She did as she had been told grabbing a fur to wrap around her as she went. He made a couple more trips in with wood before he was happy with the stockpile. He joined her by the fire warming up his near frostbit hands and feet.

  She stayed where she was longer than it took for her to get warm. These little moments brought her so much joy. She found herself trying to maneuver ways to be near him, breathing him in, whenever she could without making it look to obvious. On occasion, he would comment about it. It would fluster her, and she’d try to keep a safe distance for days afterward. It confused and frightened her trying to understand all the feelings and sensations he stirred up. It excited her as well.

  The storm raged on all day and into the night. The wind beat at the cabin without mercy. Drafts blew in all over, and they tried their best to stop it with what rags they had. The fire helped what it could, but a breezy chill could still be felt.

  That night before bed, Daniel was uneasy. She could tell something was bothering him, but he would simply say it was just the storm that was on his mind whenever she pressed him about it. Finally as she started to arrange the blankets on her bed, he told her he had an idea to help them stay warm, but he had not mentioned it as he was worried Anya would react badly