Fury of Earth

by Kat Adams

  “We were just taking a break,” Weak 2 answered.

  “Break’s over. Now, take your asses to the other side of campus. The leechers are out looking for a snack. Get them back into their dorm.”

  “I hate those guys. Come on, Blanchett.”

  “Yeah, fine.” Blanchett—the taller of the two—spit at Rob’s feet. “Watch your back. You won’t be teacher’s pet forever.” With that, he and Weak 2 walked away, disappearing into the darkness.

  It took every ounce of restraint I had not to remove the crystal and reveal myself to them, missing them so much, it hurt to breathe. Rob, with his thick five-o’clock shadow, broad shoulders, and need for control. He had an air of authority about him I missed desperately.

  And Leo. My easygoing, blue-eyed water elemental with golden curls that never behaved. I could really use his calming influence right about now.

  I was just about to create the gateway back to the coven when Rob’s comment froze me in my tracks.

  “I swear it was Cressida Clearwater. She told me to get to the ruins. We get here, and I swear I hear Reed’s voice.”

  “Maybe you just wanted to believe it was her. It doesn’t look like Katy’s here.”

  “No way, man. She’s here. I sense her.” He held up his hand, showing off the ward on his palm that shimmered ever so slightly. “It wasn’t doing that before. She’s here. She’s got to be. Cressida said to go back to the beginning. This is where Reed and I first connected. This is the beginning.”

  Was that why she wouldn’t manifest herself to me? She was too busy sending a message to Rob? Was this the distraction I’d asked her to create?

  Whatever the reason, I didn’t care. Rob was here. Leo was here. With a deep breath, I lifted the leather strap over my head and stepped out of the ruins.

  Rob spotted me first. He stiffened, his dark gaze riveting to me. Neither of us moved. We just stood there, staring at each other. Then he broke into a sprint and rushed me, slamming us together in a hug so fierce, so strong, I couldn’t speak from the emotions passing through our connection.

  “Oh my God. Reed? Is it really you?” He pulled back and cupped my face, staring deep into my eyes. Man, how I’d missed that dark, hooded gaze, always swirling with concern.

  “Babe?”

  I left Rob’s embrace to walk into Leo’s, hugging him tight. “Hi.”

  “You’re taking a huge risk coming here. Not that I’m complaining.” He kissed me tenderly. “It’s really good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you too.” I smiled at him before regarding Rob. The concern in his eyes deepened. Something had him upset. “Are you okay?”

  He shook his head, sending my heart into palpitations. Leo volunteered the answer. “He’s been an emotional asshole since you and Bryan left. Clay and I are like his brothers, but we aren’t replacements for his two best friends. Would you please fix him? He’s impossible to be around.”

  Rob walked backward deeper into the ruins, his ever-darkening eyes riveted to me. Hunger heated his gaze. Oh yeah. I knew exactly what he wanted to do to fix him. My lady bits tingled in anticipation of a little time alone with my dominant fire elemental.

  “Leo, stand watch. I’m going in.” I followed Rob into the ruins.

  11

  Rob was already on the other side of the ruins by the time I walked in, an impressive feat seeing how he was only a few seconds ahead of me. He eyed me like it was his job, a dark brooding gaze like he starred in one of those moody teenage shows about how life couldn’t possibly get any worse than having the wrong color streamers for the prom.

  His five-o’clock shadow seemed thicker than the last time I’d seen him, which caused my heart to flip. I didn’t like that. Not the scruff—that I loved—but rather the fact I hadn’t seen him enough to know he just might be growing out his whiskers. I loved the look. So rugged. So handsome. So powerful.

  “Come here.” His voice was rough, commanding, and shot a dance of chills across my skin. I’d always loved his dominance, his overwhelming air of authority when we were together. A slight thrill raced through my system as I took a step toward him. “Don’t waste one second of our time together, Reed. I’ve missed you, and I have a lot I want to do to you to make up for it.”

  Oh, sweet baby Jesus. So much of my body tingled with excitement, I could barely stand it. It felt like my skin caught on fire. The heat coming off him filled the entire ruins with thick warmth, centering in my core. He brought up a large hand and motioned for me with two fingers. There was something different about him tonight, something deeper, darker, and definitely worth exploring.

  He flashed a wolfish grin full of promise once I stopped in front of him. The gesture sent a throbbing pulse between my legs and my heart hammering in my chest. I pretended to be all cool and casual as I took my time swaying up to him, stopping only once my breasts pressed against his chest.

  “I’m here,” I said in my sultriest voice. I had to admit, it made me sound like a smoker who was out of breath. That…could have gone better. I ignored my apprehension and leaned into him more. “What is it you want to do to me?”

  He caught me around the waist and jerked our bodies even closer together, his hand resting on my backside, cupping my cheek possessively. His scent, a cross between the leather jacket he had on and the hunger on his breath, filled my senses. I grabbed his muscled arm to steady myself.

  Holy Dom, dude. I was so turned on by his control, I just might reach my peak and tumble right off the side with nothing more than his touch. He looked ready to devour me, make me his last meal. I had to be honest, I wouldn’t mind that in the least.

  “What is it you want?” He pulled back and studied me, the look in his eyes something I wasn’t used to seeing when I looked into the deep gaze of my strong fire elemental. It was hesitation, uncertainty. It was something I’d see in Leo, not Rob.

  I didn’t want him channeling my detached water elemental. I didn’t want him channeling my straitlaced earth elemental. I didn’t even want him channeling my carefree, fun-loving air elemental. Right now, I wanted—I needed—him to be Rob Emmett, my hotheaded hottie, controlling fire elemental.

  “I don’t want to be the one in charge, Rob. Not tonight. I don’t want to have to think. Tell me what to do.” I just put it all out there. He might laugh at me, tease me for admitting to a vulnerability, but judging by that look in his ever-darkening gaze, it was exactly the right thing to say.

  He jerked me around, pressing my back to his chest, holding me to him with his arm across my shoulders, his hand gently yet firmly clutching my neck. His other hand slid down my stomach, not slowing until he brushed his fingers across my clit. Even through the jeans, my tight nerves sprang to life from the contact. His cock was so hard against my backside that I sucked in a breath when he rocked his hips.

  “Is this more what you had in mind, Reed?” He trailed kisses along the side of my neck. It wasn’t nearly enough, so I tilt my head, positioning my mouth closer to his.

  “Is that all you got?” I asked breathlessly. My knees buckled when he cupped me between the legs and squeezed. “Oh, Jesus.”

  “You can just call me Rob.”

  I didn’t have time for a witty retort before he spun me again, tightening his grip as he pushed me against the stone wall. Slowly, he leaned in. The light from the moon broke through the cloud cover, giving me enough of the silvery illumination to catch the stark hunger heating his gaze. His free hand grabbed my hip. He didn’t jerk me to him. Oh no. He simply held me there as he looked at me, his hand releasing my downstairs to move possessively over my body. The way he just stared at me made me squirm. I felt raw, exposed, as if he saw right past all my walls and focused on my soul.

  I couldn’t stand it and kissed him, lost in the taste. Lost in the moment. He had me so wet, so unbelievably turned on, that I’d reach blastoff in seconds.

  His kiss matched mine in passion and intensity as he lifted me and wedged himself between my legs. I s
hoved my fingers through his dark hair and pulled him closer. He dipped a hand beneath my shirt and traveled it up to my breasts, pinching a nipple and sending jolts of electricity straight to my clit.

  He lowered me back down. “Take off your pants and turn around.”

  I did exactly as he said, shocked I trembled so hard. With anticipation. With excitement. And yes, even a little fear. Rob was controlling, no doubt about it, but he’d never been this dominating. I didn’t think I’d be into it considering I was the first one to challenge authority, but I was. Holy massive climax, how I was into it.

  My palms rested against the cool stone wall. Using his knee, he spread my legs and slowly traced the crack of my backside down, down, down until his finger slipped inside me. I gasped and dug my nails into the rock for purchase, which would never happen and only resulted in destroying my nails. I didn’t care and kept doing it as his thumb did wicked things to my clit.

  “Feels like someone likes her guy a little demanding. You’re soaking wet, Reed.”

  I couldn’t respond. Hell, I couldn’t breathe. His other hand had circled around and attacked me from the front. The combined assault on my senses sent me reeling. I arched my back and whimpered, leaning my head on his shoulder. He took advantage of the angle and teased my entrance with the tip of his cock.

  “Oh…my…God!” I cried out and bit my lip as my last word was met with a thrust of his hips, the thick invasion of his flesh stretching me. He gripped my hair and held my head back against his shoulder. I bit my lip again so as not to attract any unwanted visitors, like the Council.

  He picked up the pace, plunging in and out of me fast and hard, slamming our hips together repeatedly. I arched my back more for better access, deeper penetration. He plunged to the hilt, bonding us in the most primal of ways.

  I braced myself as the biggest of big O’s swelled inside me. It was going to be the orgasm to end all other orgasms if he’d just touch me in the right spot.

  Oh, hot damn. He had to be a mind reader. His fingers rubbed my clit in rough, tight circles. Oh, yeah. Riiiiight there.

  A wave of pleasure hit me so swiftly, my knees buckled. The climax crashed down, destroying my ability to remain quiet. I swear I spoke in tongues as he didn’t slow his assault, pumping into me, slapping us together until he lost his rhythm. He stiffened and bit down on my shoulder as his release consumed him.

  We both collapsed against the wall, panting as we recovered. My heartbeat pounded so loud, I couldn’t hear the words he whispered against my ear. I turned in his arms, looking up into his eyes. “What was that?”

  “I asked you to take me with you when you leave.” He stared at me, his gaze not as dark as it was, but still dark enough for me to lose myself in it. “Please, Reed. I can’t stand being apart from you. None of us can. We’re better together.”

  How would that look? Me leaving to talk to Cressida, only to return with three of my boyfriends to join up with the one I’d left at the grove and no answers? Besides, I needed him inside the Council, close to Vanessa, to feed us intel. I needed Clay at the school, as close to Alec as possible without raising suspicion, to also feed us intel. Leo had developed quite the bond with the MEs, so I needed him here to keep them on our side.

  “Rob,” I whispered. “I want to. I really do, but I can’t.”

  “We’re better together,” he repeated with more conviction. The mood changed between us, grew more intense, almost urgent. I shook my head, which resulted in his shoulders slumping.

  “I need you here.”

  He quickly righted his clothes and turned, resting his hands on his hips. “And I need you. Period.” He faced me, his expression so fierce, it had me sucking in a breath from the impact. “I hate this.”

  “I do too. You think I like being apart from you and the other guys? I don’t. Bryan misses you as much as I do. It’s only temporary until we can figure out our next move.”

  Reluctantly, he nodded and dropped his gaze to my naked nether regions. He cracked a smile and reached down, scooping up my pants and tossing them at me. “It’d better be. Get dressed. Sounds like we’ve got company.”

  I cocked my head and swore I heard Clay’s voice outside the ruins.

  “That was a good one, eh?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Leo growled.

  Clay chuckled softly. “I think I felt them both that time. How about you?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” he repeated with more intensity. “It’s…weird.”

  “Whatever, man. It’s not weird. It’s cool. We’re all bonded. So we feel it when one of us has a volcanic eruption rivaling Mount St. Helens. So what? It’s better than going at it solo. That’s how I knew where you guys were at. My ward led me here.” He paused before calling out, “Hey, you guys about done? I’d like to say hi to our girl.”

  I accepted the coat Rob offered. “Ready.”

  Clay practically tackled me as he rushed into the ruins and swept me into his arms. “Montana, my beautiful prophecy. How the hell are you?” He buried his face against my neck, tickling me with his soft beard.

  “Better now that you guys are here.”

  He pulled back and nailed me with that brilliant green gaze. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you.” I took Rob’s hand, then Leo’s. “I’ve missed you all. There’s so much to tell you. But first, I want to hear what’s been going on here.”

  Rob glanced back toward the entrance facing the school grounds. “Leo?”

  “On it.” He squeezed my hand and kissed me soundly. “It’s really good to see you, babe. Don’t stay away so long next time, okay?”

  “Okay.” Begrudgingly, I released his hand and watched him leave the ruins to stand guard, already feeling the loss. God, I hated this. I hated having to be apart from my guys.

  Moving deeper into the ruins, I waited until Clay and Rob joined me before we all sat on the same giant stone to keep our voices from carrying. “Tell me everything. How are things here at the academy?”

  Clay shook his head, his head drooping as his shoulders sagged. He even lost his perma smile. “It’s definitely not the same. Alec is an even bigger idiot than he is an elemental monster. He’s got singles stepping in as handlers. Singles!”

  “What happened to all the duos and above?”

  “You didn’t hear. Well, how could you? You haven’t been around.” He stopped abruptly when I cleared my throat. “Sorry. Anyway, students started dropping out left and right when the Council put Alec von Asshole in charge. The ones who stayed and stood up to Dean Asshole were expelled. A group tried to protest but were arrested and sent to Carcerem. The punishment definitely doesn’t fit the crime on that one, but it got the point across. No one dares speak out now. We’re down to like half the student body.”

  Which meant the other half were cut off from any communication I could have pushed through Clay to have him distribute. There went that idea. “Anything else?”

  “Spencer and his leechers have pretty much taken over Ventus since it’s the biggest house. Any elemental with the power to call more than air has moved to another house. Even some of the singles have moved to other dorms.”

  “Where are you living?”

  “With me,” Rob growled, clearly not happy about it. Six months ago, he had his own place, a secluded little two-bedroom cabin in the middle of the woods. Now he shared it with not one but two roommates. “He uses up all the hot water.”

  Clay stroked his beard. “Hey, something this beautiful takes time to perfect.”

  “How about I break your face so you don’t have to worry about it?”

  “Oooh, good comeback.”

  “Guys.” I placed my hands on each of their chests. “Come on. How about you, Rob? How are things at the Council? Is pretending to be all sweet on Ness working? You are only pretending, right?”

  He shuddered. “She’s very handsy.”

  Jealousy bit into me. “Excuse me?”

&nbs
p; “You have nothing to worry about, Reed. My heart belongs to you and only you. She just thinks she’s got a chance because she heard you and I broke up. Don’t freak out. You’re about to freak out. Don’t.” He took my hand and pushed his control to me, calming me.

  Okay, yeah. I was about to freak out. The scent of sulfur wafted into my nostrils—a telltale sign I was close to calling an element. “You were saying?”

  “She’s got Daddy wrapped around her spoiled little finger. Anything she wants, he gives her. Did you know she’s the reason the Council outlawed alchemy? She knew how much Bryan liked it, so she got rid of it.”

  “That bitch.” As if I didn’t have reason enough to hate her. Bryan broke up with her over a year ago. Time to build a bridge and get over it, already. That also meant alchemists would have gone into hiding. Those who remained would hate the Council for forcing them to give up their practice. I could use that to Sentry’s advantage.

  “Reed, there’s something else, something you’re not going to like.”

  “Because I just loved all the other things you said. What is it?”

  “The Council declared the prophecy propaganda, said it was no longer needed now that the two sides are working together. Anyone caught reciting the prophecy has to go up in front of the Council and be tried for treason.”

  I dropped my jaw, shocked everyone simply went along with that. The prophecy had ruled our world for centuries. “What’s next? Outlawing reading? Forcing women to walk around in red dresses and white bonnets? This is ridiculous. Someone needs to do something.”

  “And wind up at Carcerem? No one is willing to take that risk.” Rob pushed out a snarl and thrust his fingers through his short hair in frustration.

  “I am.”

  They both looked at me.

  “You and what army?”

  “Me and an entire coven of witches, some of them elder witches, high priestesses of their own covens. I bet we could recruit the alchemists. We could use them to create healing elixirs, scar powder, and the like. I have a feeling we’re going to need it. And all those students who dropped out. I bet they’d want to join the fight.”