Elemental Betrayal

by Elle Middaugh

  The four Elementals I didn’t know slowly stood, and three of them dispersed toward the outer edges of town.

  The fourth lingered, giving me a halfhearted smile. “We still support you, but we don’t want to fight. We’re already too broken from years of confinement. We just need to…live a little.”

  She smiled again then walked away.

  The word ‘live’ stuck in my mind like a nail, driving deeper and deeper into my brain. Cade hadn’t lived, and he never would again. I hoped beyond hope he’d ended up in Euphoria with the gods and I could join him there someday soon. I imagined him playing cards with Nik, Meg, Thor, Isis, and Zeus, or some other combination of various deities. I imagined him watching me on Ida’s map, cheering me on in my quest to finish the war.

  I’m coming, Cade, I thought with the first genuine smile of the day. I just have to kill him first, and then I’m coming.

  Lilly stood and tugged at her dirty gray uniform, which had probably once been white. “You have any clothes we could borrow?”

  “You sure you want to stay?” I asked instead of responding.

  She nodded then glanced at Pax. He nodded too, peeking around with a mousey sort of nervousness. He’d been imprisoned for quite some time, and I could tell it had done a number on his emotional health, possibly even his sanity.

  “Okay then,” I said, leading them across the street to my house. “I have a ton of clothes for you to choose from—and not just girl stuff. There’s guy stuff, too. Once you’re dressed, meet me back here and we’ll get started.”

  They disappeared through the doorway, and before they came back out, Holden pulled up. He parked his silver truck at the curb and hopped out of the driver’s seat, immediately assessing my attire.

  “Going for a morning run?” he asked with a grin.

  I crossed my arms and pursed my lips. I was going for a smile, but I’d already used up my emotional reserves. I was actually relieved he was sticking around and being a friend when I needed it most. It was more than I deserved from him.

  “Training,” I replied, assessing his attire, too: khaki shorts and a polo shirt. “You gonna work out in that?”

  He raised his brows. “I’m working out?”

  I sniffed. It was supposed to be a chuckle. “Might as well join in if you’re going to be hanging around.”

  He grinned and nodded. “Okay, let me check my duffle and see what I can find.”

  He walked back over to his truck, where I knew he kept athletic wear for football practice, and returned holding a gray cut-off muscle shirt and black drawstring shorts.

  “Mind if I step inside to change?”

  I moved out of the way and gestured toward the door. “Be my guest. Pax and Lilly are in there, so don’t just drop trou wherever you please.”

  He chuckled and brushed past me as he stepped inside. My skin crawled where it connected with his. I didn’t want anyone touching me but Cade, and considering the circumstances, I supposed that meant I didn’t want anyone touching me ever again.

  A few minutes later, we were all dressed and ready to begin the brutal day of training I had planned.

  “Let’s start with a run,” I said, following the routine I’d once used when the group was much larger. “I’ll lead since you guys don’t really know your way around. We’ll go for a mile.”

  Holden whistled and Pax paled.

  I stared at the latter knowingly. “It’s all right. Just do the best you can. You’ll get stronger every day. There’s a river a few streets over you can use to restore some of your energy after.”

  He nodded and took a deep breath, clearly not looking forward to the physical activity.

  I couldn’t blame him. The Sect had reduced him to skin and bones. It was going to take a hell of a lot of work to get him back into whatever shape he had been in previously.

  Lilly still looked strong, sturdy, and filled with fire—though not literal Fire. I had a feeling she might’ve been an Earth, seeing as she was named after a flower. Regardless, she seemed ready to tackle this run and then anything else that stood in her way, namely the Elitists and the Sect. I couldn’t blame her, either.

  I turned to Holden, who was certainly fit enough but lacked the passionate drive the other two had for revenge, for proving themselves, and for securing freedom. He was too privileged to fully understand, and though he’d certainly suffered hardships and grief of his own, it hadn’t hardened him into a single-minded instrument of fury.

  Not like it had me.

  Cade was gone, and the only thing keeping me from falling apart was my all-consuming need to destroy Nicholai Prett. For a few weeks, I could suppress the pain of loss and embrace the pure hatred for the man who had caused it. I could channel that fury into a lightning-hot arrow of justice and destruction. I could use it to kill that son of a bitch once and for all.

  Then I’d throw his head into the circle of my power, rip open the seam between worlds, and demand that the gods let me live with them and Cade in Euphoria. After all, once Nicholai was dead and the balance of power was restored, I’d have no other reason for being here. It wasn’t that I wanted to give up my life or that I felt it had no meaning now; it was just that I wanted to live that life somewhere else. Death was not the end. The afterlife was just another brick in the solid gold road of eternity.

  “Let’s go.”

  I led the group into a gentle jog, allowing us all to get a feel for the motion before I upped the pace. It didn’t take long for my legs and lungs to start burning, but I loved it. The sensation had become familiar over these last few months. I knew the burn was only temporary, just another obstacle I needed to overcome, and once I pushed past it, I could run for miles.

  My legs propelled me across the pavement with the fluid grace one would expect from a Water—something I’d never really possessed before, even though I was a Water as my base. It was an interesting contrast to the fire in my muscles and a surprising skill to develop considering my Elemental jewelry had all been shattered…or stolen.

  I squeezed my fists, only barely remembering the weight of the engagement ring on my finger. I hadn’t worn it for nearly long enough to become fully familiar with it, but I already missed it. I missed Cade, more than I could ever express.

  Sadness burned through my chest like acid, but I quickly decided to funnel that energy into fuel for my training. I pushed harder, launching my body into a sprint as I focused on becoming as fast as possible. Nicholai was fast. I had to be faster.

  Gasping for breath, I made it back to the cathedral lawn in record time—or at least it felt like it. I wasn’t exactly timing myself, but I was definitely far ahead of everyone else. I sort of felt bad for leaving them in the dust, but I needed to stay focused. They could train to join the Revolutionists if they wanted or simply train to fight the Elitists, but it was my responsibility to train in order to defeat Nicholai. As such, I couldn’t let anything stop me from working myself as hard as physically possible.

  I launched right into parkour, thankful I’d practiced while trapped in the Sect. My movements were now smoother and more sinuous. No matter what was in my way, I used it as a means to continue moving. A wall? Just run sideways for a few steps. A hurdle? Just leap over it. A level change? Just dive, roll, get up, and keep running.

  By the time the other three caught up, I was moving on to the next station: weapons.

  I threw knives, axes, and stars. I fired handguns, rifles, and machine guns. I danced with swords, spears, and whips. I created ice spikes and fireballs, launching them all at various targets spread out across the yard.

  Once I’d practiced every single one, I moved on to weights. Nicholai was strong; I had to be stronger. I worked my arms, legs, abs, and back, concentrating on adding reps and weights as needed.

  When I was thoroughly exhausted, I shouted for Pax. I needed a dip in the river, and I had no doubt he did too. Hell, even Holden and Lilly would probably enjoy a quick soak. The summer days were long and sweltering,
and with all the sweating we were doing, the swimming break would be a welcome respite for all of us. So, I shouted for them too.

  “Let’s take a quick dip in the river,” I said, smiling at their relieved expressions. “After that, I’m going on another run.”

  Everyone groaned, and it almost made me chuckle. Almost.

  “You don’t have to,” I added in response to their whimpering. “I’m just saying I’m going to.”

  When we got to the river, I dove in right away and took a deep breath of the heavy liquid, allowing it to flood my lungs and infiltrate my system. It wasn’t long ago I’d feared accidentally drowning in the stuff. Now it was almost second nature, a blessed reprieve from having to breathe harsh air all the time.

  When I resurfaced, Pax was just diving in, and Holden and Lilly were carefully creeping down the bank, trying not to slip in the mud. There were a few old oak trees lining the street side of the river, giving us some glorious shade, and on the other side, a wide expanse of field swayed in a light breeze. Some years, it had corn growing in it; this year it must’ve been left fallow.

  I felt every single one of them as they entered my domain. Okay, it wasn’t just my domain, but still. I couldn’t deny I felt an even deeper connection to the Water than I had before. It seemed to be working with me now, not against me.

  It was like…my pet, almost. Like an unruly puppy, all it needed was a little obedience training—the aquamarine crystals—and some time to grow up and mature, and now it was a faithful companion, like a dog that would never leave my side.

  I wondered if the Fire and I would ever get to that point, or if we already had. It certainly hadn’t snuck out and burned anyone lately. Maybe my time with the fire opal necklace and bracelet really had “trained” it into “obedience” of some sort.

  Or maybe it was simply my attitude shift. I no longer thought of things the way I once had. I understood now that some things, like life and fate, are bigger than I ever realized, and other things, like worries, wants, and desires, are smaller than I’d imagined. When I realized how vast and complex eternity really is, I was able to understand how powerful I was—not necessarily my Elemental power, but the power of my mind. I could change my entire reality by altering the way I thought about it.

  I might not have known that beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I believed it, and it felt right. If I set my mind to it and sent those positive vibes out into the universe, somehow, someway, that positivity would find a way to return to me. Anything I set my mind to, I could achieve, not because I was amazing and all-powerful, but because I finally understood the key to success was simply never giving up.

  It’s not over until it’s over, or so they say, and I’d finally figured that out. If I got knocked down but kept getting back up every time, eventually I’d get strong enough to the point where I didn’t get knocked down anymore.

  All that to say…I thought that was where I’d gotten to. Mentally and physically, I was in a place of determination and resolve.

  Ida’s voice filtered into my memory. You’re all going to have to work together if you want to overpower Nicholai.

  As much as I believed in myself, I also believed in the gods. If Ida said I’d need all eight champions—well, all seven now—then I’d need to find the others.

  I pursed my lips. That totally threw off my plans for training and revenge.

  “What are you thinking?” Holden asked knowingly.

  I blinked and looked over at him. He must’ve dunked under at some point, because tiny rivulets of water streamed down his face as he slowly drifted closer to me.

  “Nothing,” I said, probably a little too quickly.

  “I don’t believe you,” he said with a smile. “I’ve seen that look in your eye before. You’re worrying about something.”

  Lilly scoffed, rolling her dark eyes, and then she grinned. “I can’t imagine what she’d have to worry about. She’s only training to save the world from the strongest Elemental in existence. No biggie.”

  Holden glanced over at her, a faint blush tinting his cheeks. “I suppose you’re right.”

  Well, that was…interesting. It wasn’t every day that Holden admitted to being wrong.

  I watched Pax flittering around underwater as I contemplated whether or not to fill them in on my musings. I was going to have to leave after I’d just told them they could train with me for two weeks. Could I trust them with the truth? Would it even matter? Maybe they wouldn’t even fight me on it; maybe they’d just stay behind and keep training.

  Holden wouldn’t.

  I peeked over at him then quickly averted my gaze. He would insist on tagging along, and that was the main reason I preferred to not tell him. I was glad he was being a friend, but I didn’t need a babysitter. Then again, I had no idea what I was about to get myself into. I knew I’d need the help of the other demigods, wherever they were, but I had a feeling I’d also need as much help as I could get from everyone else, too.

  “Where are the Revolutionists now, Holden?” I asked, assuming that, as the Modernist leader, he’d have kept tabs on their whereabouts.

  He frowned slightly. “They followed Nicholai up north to New York.”

  Damn it, I knew he’d bee-line for the city! Obliterating Wellsfield wouldn’t have been enough for him. He wouldn’t stop until he’d destroyed every major city in America, and then he’d take over the world, continent by continent, one “natural disaster” at a time.

  “Val, seriously—what’s going on?” Holden prodded again.

  I took a deep breath, still unsure if I should tell them or not. I mean, what could it hurt? Other than them…

  I bit the inside of my cheek. If they decided to risk their lives and join me, I couldn’t be upset about it. They each had a will of their own. I needed to at least give them the facts and give them a choice.

  I took a deep breath, solidifying my resolve.

  “I’m…a demigod.”

  26

  Holden grinned, Lilly frowned, and Paxton finally popped his head above water.

  “What?” Pax asked, studying me with a hint of disbelief on his face.

  I winked at him. “Sorry I’m not a vampire instead.”

  He chuckled. “Vampires are becoming less popular with me for some reason. Probably has something to do with my newfound loathing for the taste of blood.”

  He shivered, Lilly pretended to gag, and Holden looked curiously between us.

  “We drank the scientists’ blood to escape,” I explained.

  Holden’s expression morphed into a sort of mild horror. “You’re not serious…”

  I shrugged. “You’d have done it, too, if you were trapped in the cells of the Shadow Sect with no other way out.”

  He stared at me, that look of terror slowly morphing into confusion and disapproval, as if he were seeing me in a different light for the first time and wasn’t sure he liked the new color or tone.

  Lilly splashed some water in Holden’s face, earning her a glare and a return spray of water.

  She turned her head and the water hit her hair instead of her face. “Get over yourself, pretty boy. It was just a little blood. Haven’t you ever done something totally disgusting because the situation was outside of your control?”

  He wiped the water from his face and contemplated her words. “I suppose I trudged through the sewers a few months ago. That was pretty disgusting.”

  Lilly smiled. “See? We’ve all done shit we’re not proud of, some of us literally.”

  He chuckled humorlessly. “I also sat tied to a chair while my friends’ and family’s brains were splattered across the bookshelves of an old library. Now, that was the worst.”

  He shot me a sideways glance and I caught a bit of anger burning behind his brown-eyed stare. He was definitely still pissed at Nicholai for what he’d done. Good; he’d need to channel that anger into sheer power of will if he planned on coming with me to take him on.

  Speaking of which…

&nb
sp; “Anyway,” I said, getting back to the point. “I’m a demigod, a descendant of Kya, the Water Goddess, and blessed by Ida, the Fire Goddess, with extra power. There were eight of us.”

  I swallowed hard and closed my eyes at the use of the past tense.

  I love you, Cade. I’ll see you soon.

  I took a deep breath. “Cade was one of them, so that means there are only seven of us now. Sienna and Xavier are demigods, too, blessed by Kya and Dru respectively. Dru’s the Water God.”

  If their muddled expressions were anything to go by, all the names and skewed history were screwing with them. It would have been easier if the truth had remained sacred.

  I tried coming at it from a different angle. “You know how I have this extra power?”

  Holden nodded. Lilly and Pax didn’t.

  I held out my hands and produced two large wisps. One flickered into the electric blue of a scorching hot flame as the other wavered into a glittering teardrop of crystal water. Suddenly, they all understood what I was saying.

  “There are four others like me, not including Sienna and Xavier. We need to find them. Ida said we’d need all of us if we hope to defeat Nicholai.”

  Holden’s eyes glazed over for a second before snapping back to mine. “But Cade’s gone…”

  I nodded forlornly. “We’ll have to make it work with seven. Now back to my original question—where are the Revolutionists? I need to find Sienna and Xavier.”

  Holden looked nervous. “They’re trailing Nicholai closely, attacking when they can, rescuing humans, and cleaning up his mess along the way.”

  I nodded firmly. “Okay, then. We need to catch up to them. Let’s go.”

  I started wading toward the riverbank.

  “Whoa, Val, calm down,” Holden said, making waves as he tried to swim closer to me. “Let’s not be rash. Let’s think this through.”

  My brows furrowed, but I stopped and turned around. “I’ve already thought it through. I need to gather the demies and kill Nicholai. That’s the only thing that matters anymore. The sooner I do that, the better.”