by Vera Sparks
Percy was being an ass. Understandable, I guess, but still an ass. And I didn’t want to deal with that.
I’d just lost Alena, and I had a chance at finding her by going to that warehouse. But I needed a werewolf’s nose to find the vampire who’d killed her.
“Asshole,” I muttered as I pulled my knees up to my chest.
A gentle breeze rustled the branches overhead, and I watched a squirrel dart down the trunk and scurry off to my left. The serene lake was what cleared my mind. The perfect sky-blue hue against the mountainous backdrop.
I should come here more often.
“Who did this to you?” I asked the air.
The Black Dogs were involved. Jeremy’s sire ran it and the cage fights. From my understanding of sires, they wouldn’t hurt their prodigies, so that would rule Philip out normally. But Philip was an ass, a power-obsessed ass, so I would keep him as a suspect. Then there was the fact we’d thrown a wrench in the werewolf kidnappings for the fights. Philip ran them, and it was assumed he knew, so maybe he was pissed about that. Or maybe, another vamp or whatever had orchestrated it, they’d been the brains behind it. One of his close henchmen perhaps. Maybe they were pissed and wanted to hurt both Philip and us. Try to overthrow the king so to speak by making him stress about his prodigy.
Or maybe Jeremy had pissed someone off. Someone in the gang, whether it be through their work or through his bar.
“Dammit,” I growled as I closed my eyes. So many possibilities. The only definite way to find out was by finding the owner of that scent.
Stupid Percy.
I opened my eyes and picked up the nearest fallen pinecone.
“Why make this so much harder,” I snapped as I hurled it into the lake stretched out before me.
I winced as it burst into flames before connecting with the water.
Damn. The flames hadn’t originated from my hands. It had burst into flames when it was no longer being touched.
Could I set things on fire by just willing it? That was even more dangerous. What if I got upset or pissed off or something and set some building alight? Or someone?
“Shit,” my stomach flipped.
I needed to get this under control. Get more information.
Jasmine. The Institute of Elementals in the middle realm. That’s where I had to go to figure this out. I had to put this case on hold. There were too many emotions involved and apparently my emotions meant fire. Crap.
I vanished, finding myself in the grey ghost world that caused my skin to prickle. I ignored the wandering forms around me as I focused on igniting my hand. That’s what Jasmine had said to do to wind up at the Institute.
I focused, the heat rising in my hands. The air rushed past me and I opened my eyes to find myself in the familiar foyer.
The glittering glass chandelier overhead, the deep mahogany walls and deep red carpet that continued up the wooden staircase.
“You’ve come back.”
I spied the grey-haired woman standing at the landing at the top of the left side of the split staircase.
Her emerald dress had been replaced with a blue day dress, and her long grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun.
“I need to know more about my powers,” I stated.
“Well, that’s what this place is for,” Jasmine gave me a slow smile.
“I need to learn how to keep it in check when my emotions run havoc,” I said, hating the desperation in my voice.
“Well, that’s not so easy. Our true feelings are linked with our powers,” Jasmine mused.
“Well, how can I try?” I asked, flustered. This woman always gave off a strange vibe. Something I couldn’t pinpoint. It was why I hadn’t returned sooner. She made me… uneasy.
“Learn to master your emotions, don’t let them control you,” she shrugged.
“That’s all you’ve got?” I said in disbelief. I thought this Institute was a place to learn about my powers.
“Control your emotions, control your powers, it’s not that hard to understand,” she snapped, and I was taken aback. Defensive much?
“Are there books or something here to teach me how to use my powers, to better manage them?” I asked, desperate for anything more than her words. Surely there was more.
“Yes, but I don’t have the time to assist you right now,” she sighed.
What? Was she serious? What the hell else could she possibly have to do? She was trapped in this middle realm.
She’d been so much nicer and helpful last time. Despite still giving off that strange vibe. Why was she being such a jerk now?
“Are you serious, you said I could return to learn more about my powers, to learn to use them?” I snapped, pissed at this woman. What the hell was with this dramatic shift in her personality?
I started forward, not entirely sure what I planned to do.
“You are no longer welcome here!”
I yelped as Jasmine appeared before me, her dark eyes flashing dangerously grey.
My blood ran cold as Maria’s voice rang out in my head. Spirits become vengeful the longer they remain here. They become dangerous and unpredictable.
Was this what was happening?
I shuddered as I stepped back, wanting to put some safe distance between us.
“Okay,” I murmured as I continued walking backward, keeping my eyes focused on her. Could she hurt me if she was like me?
Would I become like this one day?
I swallowed uneasily as I found the doorknob behind my back. I dare not take my eyes off her, her face taut and lips curled into a snarl. But she didn’t make another move towards me, just stared at me with those stormy grey eyes.
I twisted the doorknob and let the realm suck me out and away from this hair-raising situation.
I curled up on my couch with Axle nestled into my side, glad to be back in the living world. I’d jumped straight home, wanting to have the comfort and familiarity of my apartment after collecting Axle from Maurice,
I pulled out my phone and dialed Maria. I had to tell her about this. About Jasmine. What had just happened had been quite terrifying, and I wanted to know if it was possible she could actually hurt me.
I certainly wasn’t going back there now.
Axle licked my hand, as if he sensed my distress, and I smiled at him as I scratched his chin. His icy blue eyes half closed at the touch, and I relaxed a bit. He looked like a standard German Shepherd, except for those blue eyes and the grey fur that tinged his coat.
I reached voicemail and scowled, not bothering to leave a message. I hadn’t spoken to her in weeks; she’d practically dropped off the face of the earth. But her mother was going through some stuff, with Maria’s potions no longer being effective against her mother’s dementia. I knew she’d been focusing on her mom, but this was strange. She never returned my calls now, and if she did happen to reply to a text, it was short and blunt.
I needed to talk to someone. That encounter had unnerved me.
Percy came to mind, but I shoved it away. I was still annoyed with him. Alex? No. I was trying to put some space between us now that I was with Percy. No need to have conflicting emotions with him.
Rosaline.
I found her number and dialed, breathing a sigh of relief when she answered after the second ring.
“Hey Ivy, how’s everything?” Rosaline’s cheery voice came over the line.
“Hey Rose, I’m doing okay, was just wanting to talk to someone,” I said softly as I pulled a cushion onto my lap.
“What’s up?” Rose’s concerned tone made me smile. She knew of the Institute and Jasmine after some of our other conversations.
Laughter rose from the background and Rose shushed someone.
“Is now a good time?” I checked.
“Yes, of course! I’m just at Scottie’s Bar, you remember Shane, my brother? He’s visiting while we finalize my parents’ move here and sort out the pack treaty stuff,” she said.
“Oh, cool,” I said, annoyed at
how unenthused I sounded.
“You could jump here, couldn’t you? You sound like you could use some company, then we can talk in person if you’d like?” Rose offered.
Company sounded good right now. And it wasn’t like our phone conversation would be private either in a werewolf bar. Might as well say it in person.
“Sure, I’ll be there in a few,” I said as I glanced down at my attire. I hadn’t changed from my top and jeans since yesterday, although I’d shed the cardigan. I’d have a quick shower first. Axle had gone to the toilet before I’d arrived to pick him up from Maurice, and I was sure he could handle a few hours alone, he had all his toys.
“That still amazes me, I doubt I’ll ever get used to it.” I could see her disbelieving grin already.
“Give it time,” I laughed as I hung up.
I stood up and rubbed Axle’s belly when he offered it to me.
“You be a good boy, I have to go out. I’ll leave the bathroom open if you have to go to the toilet,” I informed him. He simply cocked his head while on his back as his tongue lolled out.
I chuckled as I gave his belly a final scratch. He was a smart, obedient boy, and he’d taught himself to go to the toilet in the bathroom when I was out, in the shower. It made cleaning up so much easier which I was forever grateful for.
I headed for the shower as Axle sighed and relaxed on the couch, as if he knew I was going out. I felt a bit bad about leaving him again. I’d have to consider getting him a friend if I kept getting pulled away from home like this.
I undressed and climbed into the shower, my mind whirling.
A drink sounded good while I tried to sort things out in my head. I’d vent to Rosaline about Percy too. I needed a female friend to confide in.
“Over here!”
I turned towards Rosaline’s voice in the rather quiet bar. Only a few weres’ milled around, but I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything more since it was the middle of the day.
I spied her brother sitting across from her and returned his wave as I made a beeline for them.
“Damn, that was fast. You really came from Portland?” Shane said in bewilderment. He still looked like the jock I remembered from school, the broad shoulders, the strong square jaw with stubble these days, and bright green eyes and dirty blond hair. He took after his father, whereas Rose looked like her mother.
“It’s pretty cool,” Rose agreed.
“Has Rose told you a bit of what I am and can do?” I asked as I slid in the booth beside Rose.
I plucked a fry from their shared bowl, ignoring the raised eyebrow from Shane. Rose stole some of mine last night so I figured it was fair play.
“Yeah, it’s amazing. I mean, I’m sorry about what happened to you, but your powers are wicked,” Shane grinned.
“They certainly are unique,” I nodded. I guess they did come in handy. I didn’t hate my abilities, but the way I got them was frustrating to say the least.
“So you finally know what we are,” Shane said as he grabbed a handful of fries.
“Yeah, I can’t believe I never knew,” I said in a hushed tone. I realized it was useless, being with werewolves and pointless. Why would they care?
“Well, werewolves and vampires were just stories. Horror stories mostly,” Shane shrugged. “Why would you have even had the thought?”
“True.”
“You seemed pretty upset on the phone, is everything okay?” Rose focused back on me.
“Yeah, well, no. I went to visit Jasmine again, in the middle realm,” I started, but shot Shane a look. His confused face told me he had no idea what I’d just said.
“Ivy got teleported to a middle realm when her Elemental abilities activated, she met another ghost Elemental there,” Rose summed it up briefly for him.
“Right,” Shane said slowly, but his interest was piqued.
“So, what happened?” Rose continued.
“She was weird. I asked her for help as I set a pinecone on fire while I was frustrated. I wasn’t touching it anymore either, so I’m worried I might start setting random things on fire when I get annoyed. Imagine if I got really pissed off,” I groaned.
“That sounds bad,” Shane said but Rose shot him a look to shut him up.
“Did she offer any help?” Rose asked as she rubbed my shoulder comfortingly.
“She said to master my emotions to master my abilities. Gaining control of one will help me control the other type thing. Or something like that. When I pushed her for more info, she went weird. Made me think of a vengeful spirit. She jumped in front of me and I was actually worried she could hurt me. I don’t know if someone like me can hurt me,” I murmured. “She said I was no longer welcome there.”
“Damn, that’s crazy weird,” Rosaline agreed, her frown deepening as she looked over at Shane.
“If she’s like you, and seems to be turning vengeful, does that mean you can too?” Shane asked quietly.
“I don’t know, that’s what I’m worried about. I wanted to ask Maria as she’s a psychic witch, but I can never get ahold of her anymore now,” I sighed in frustration.
“I definitely wouldn’t go back there. Sounds like she’s turning bad, getting unpredictable. That could be dangerous even for you,” Rose agreed with my thoughts.
“But it sounds like you need help on two fronts. Finding out if you can end up like her and get unpredictable, and then your Elemental abilities,” Shane added. Rose had obviously told him a lot about me.
“Well, maybe she’s right with the mastering your emotions thing. Maybe, when you feel yourself getting upset or frustrated, you need to focus on keeping calm, keeping a cool head about you. That would help, I think,” Rose said.
“Yeah, but it’s easier said than done,” I pouted.
“Breathing is the best way,” Shane said. “As kids, when we got upset, our wolf sides could show themselves in the form of claws or glowing eyes. It’s why we went to the Viridian school and high school. They’re actually designed to accommodate only supes and knowers of supes. Humans who have the privilege of knowing about us for some reason, be it a supe relative or whatever.”
“Wait, what?” I stopped him. “Viridian was for supes?”
“Yeah, there're those types of schools all across the globe. Schools who only accept supes, werewolves, witches, half-faes, sprites, goblins… oh,” Shane suddenly realized my confusion.
“Your parents sent you there,” Rosaline realized. Why hadn’t either of us thought of this sooner?
“So they knew what I was, they wanted me to go somewhere I could be looked after properly if my powers woke up,” I murmured, the realization was like a punch to the gut. I felt sick and hurt. So lost and utterly confused.
“Holy shit,” Rose turned to me.
“One or both of my parents were supes,” I said slowly. This was nuts. How had I never known?
“Because there’s no way to test for Elemental abilities, so maybe you’re not just Elemental. Elementals can be in any race. But if you went to supe school, then… you must be something,” Rose frowned as she gave me a once over.
“You smell human,” Shane stated. “More or less.”
“Maybe a witch, witches smell mostly human, more-so if they don’t practice magic,” Rose said.
“Just stop, this is too much,” I dropped my head and closed my eyes. My Mom or Dad knew that I was different. And they never told me. They sent me to a supe school, and yet I knew nothing of my friends’ true race and those around me. Why would they do that? Why wouldn’t they tell me?
My eyes burned, and I clenched them tighter to fight back the tears.
My father. He was out there somewhere. I needed to know now. What was I? And why would he abandon me? I’d come to terms with it, but now, with this new information, I needed to know.
“Ivy, it’s okay, we’ll figure this out,” Rose murmured as she gave my arm a reassuring rub.
“No one told me anything,” I said through gritted teeth. “Why woul
dn’t they tell me?”
“I don’t know, Ivy. I really don’t,” Rose said, giving me a sympathetic look.
“They kept me in the dark,” I spat, images of my mother popping into my mind as she slowly died from her cancer. Even on her deathbed she’d told me nothing.
We all jumped in shock as the bowl of fries suddenly burst into flames and I swore.
Shane dumped his glass of what must have been water on them and gave an apologetic wave to Scott at the bar. He just gave us a raised eyebrow before continuing serving up a customer’s drink.
“I think, while we try to work all this craziness out, we should focus on helping you get control of your emotions. We’re lucky you didn’t set my hair alight,” Shane said jokingly.
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea,” I sighed in defeat.
I had so many questions and no family to ask.
“Well, let’s start with why you set the pinecone on fire,” Rose flicked her red curls over her shoulder.
“I was frustrated, upset and annoyed,” I mumbled.
“Why?” Shane asked.
“My friend died, and there was a chance to find her killer by tracking the vampire’s scent. Percy caught it at my office. But we discovered that whoever it was, was a member of the Black Dogs gang. The vampire gang that was using him for fights. We could’ve gone to the warehouse and tried to locate the vampire by tracking his scent, but Percy refused. I can understand why, but he wouldn’t even let me ask his pack for help instead of him,” I slid down in the booth, resting my chin on my hands.
“Well, that’s not exactly his call to make, we can decide whether we help you or not,” Shane shrugged. “He’s not the Alpha.”
I stared hard at Rose’s brother. Was he offering to help?
“So it seems it’s frustration and anger that causes your power to spike,” Rose mused aloud.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I nodded.
“We’ll help you keep it in check then. We had to practice this exact same thing at school. Keeping a cool head. We can smell when you’re getting annoyed or whatever, so we can coach you to rein it in,” Rose offered.
“Really, you’d help with that?” I smiled. She was too sweet.
