Furious Flames (Elemental Book 3)

by Oxford, Rain

  “Most definitely. I wrote you no such letter, but Ghost wouldn’t deliver a letter that I had not given him. Where is this letter?”

  “It burned up. I tried to induce a vision with my ring. I saw something, but only for a moment before the letter burned. I saw a town with straw and mud huts like in old villages, but there were bodies in burning piles. There was a little boy eating the body of a woman.”

  “What did the sky look like?”

  “It was a normal night sky.”

  “Was there anything odd about the boy?”

  “Yes. He had glowing red eyes,” I said. My uncle ran his hand through his hair with frustration, just like I had seen Hunt do quite a few times. “You know what I’m talking about, then?”

  He folded his hands together in his lap. The drink had vanished. “I believe so. How you attained a letter I have not yet written is the mystery.”

  “Time travel?”

  “No such thing.”

  I laughed. “I met a dragon a few months ago, there is a fae in the other room, and I just won a battle of magic less than an hour ago. Now you want to tell me time travel is fiction?”

  “Time is less subjective than reality in many ways. It is not possible for me to give you something from the future. Time can, however, be distorted as an object passes through a timeless state.”

  “Explain that, because I was burned through a vision that I hadn’t had yet.”

  “You just explained it yourself. Our visions have no time constraints, which is how you ended up with your burn and most likely how you ended up with the letter. In fact, receiving the letter could have been a vision that you were unaware of.”

  “No, Astrid was here. She didn’t see the letter, but she saw Ghost. Does that mean you’re going to get trapped somewhere and write a letter?”

  “That is difficult to say. The ability of prophesy complicates our reality to the point where it can destroy the path we are truly meant to take. Knowing the outcome ahead of time can seem like a gift; a chance to prevent an unsightly event. However, we can never be sure what actually causes that outcome in the first place, so we can create the outcome by trying to stop it. Visions can be devious and are easily swayed by our motives.”

  “Your letter indicated that you were betrayed.”

  “And in trying to prevent that, I could construct the very situation in which I am betrayed. John and I have very different powers, but both his mind control and my visions are self-destructive.”

  “So I’m just a bomb waiting to explode?”

  “You have what we both lack; one inborn ability that will make your psychic powers an asset rather than a curse. It will also make you unstoppable, if you live long enough.”

  “My instinct?” I asked. He nodded. “Are you going to tell me about the keys and the tower?”

  “When I am sure the knowledge will not result in your death.”

  “I’m going to figure it out, whether you tell me outright or I have to dig up the answers myself.”

  “And I will prevent you from doing that for as long as I can until I think you’re ready.”

  “So the entire reason you won’t tell me anything is because I’m not powerful enough?”

  “When you are ready, you will discover the answers on your own. There are several reasons why it’s dangerous for me to tell you anything. One reason is because I know for certain that you would get involved before you’re ready if I give you the answers. The second reason is because information has been leaked. We know we are being watched, but we’re not sure how. The only possible answer is that our enemy has spies or a way to watch us from the shadows.”

  “At least tell me one thing. Who was it I saw in the bowl of silver liquid?”

  “Krechea.”

  * * *

  On Sunday morning, Maseré arrived to take Darwin, Amelia, and me to Quintessence. My mother was going to stay with a couple of Maseré’s pack members and Astrid had returned to her coven Saturday evening. When Maseré asked us if Darwin was ready for the council’s test, we were all silent. After a few minutes, he sighed. “I told the council there was a fight with Gale and that Darwin was there. They agreed to hold off on his test until Saturday.”

  “This Saturday?!” Darwin paled. “Dad, you got to do something! I can’t learn by this Saturday when I couldn’t learn all summer!”

  Ignoring his son, Maseré continued. “At that point, Vincent reminded them that they have a meeting with the U.K. vampire coven this coming weekend, as well as a ruling on some domestic and custody disputes over the next two weeks. Your test will be September nineteenth.”

  “And then I get expelled? What’s the point in even starting the semester? Hunt’s obviously gonna listen to the bloody council!”

  “Relax, monkey. I know you’re capable. Your mother and I will still be proud of you even if you don’t make it and you get kicked out.”

  “I can’t do it! I have no magic and it’s not my fault!”

  My instincts kicked in at that point and I reopened the connection between mine and Darwin’s mind. I felt his panic, self-doubt, and sense of helplessness as his emotions clouded his judgment. For someone as brilliant as Darwin, that was a bad sign.

  As he opened his mouth, about to say something he would regret horribly and never be able to take back, I pushed serenity at him. With anyone else, I could have put my hand over their mouth or forced them with magic to stop. Fortunately, Darwin welcomed my magic and the calming emotions I was trying to share.

  “We’ll figure something out.”

  Chapter 3

  The castle was essentially the same as the first time I had seen it, although some parts of the roof had been redone and several of the towers appeared and disappeared randomly. Many of the students who were seeing the new dorms for the first time were excited. I was excited as well, because our room was on the second floor instead of the fourth. After Darwin said goodbye to his father, we went to our room, ignoring the welcome-back feast going on in the dining room. Amelia followed us.

  Henry was already setting up his books in his bookshelf. All of the furniture, though new, was exactly the same as the year before. Darwin froze and I realized why when Henry turned to us. There was a long cut from his ear to his mouth. It was scabbed over as if it were months old instead of days old, but I knew it wasn’t there on Friday.

  “What happened to you?”

  “I had a rough weekend. I have an idea on how you can pass your upcoming test, if you don’t mind being dishonest. When is your test?”

  “On the nineteenth. What kind of dishonest? I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  “Keep in mind, everyone on the wizard council can probably read your mind,” I reminded him. He nodded.

  “You said he used your magic before, right?” Henry asked me. “He can use the amulet and absorb something from me.”

  “You would have to be in reach, and Dad is expecting me to actually learn something. He doesn’t get that I can’t do it.”

  “Darwin, you are the only one who believes you cannot do it,” Henry said. Amelia and I nodded in agreement. “Querer é poder.”

  “Saber é poder,” Darwin said. “I’m going to bed. We’ll figure out the amulet in the morning.” He tossed his bags on the floor, climbed up into his bed, and turned to face the wall. He hadn’t even taken his shoes off.

  I was ten years older than him, but there was no way I could say he was acting childish. I came into my magic without realizing what I was doing, while Darwin watched his parents from the sideline. Not only could he not do magic or shift like his parents— at least, not that he knew— but he also could never be touched. I had found it strange that he was constantly reading magic books. It finally occurred to me that he was probably reading them to feel closer to his friends.

  Henry sat back down in his chair to study. What he was studying for, I had no idea, but that was what he did when he didn’t want to talk. He studied when he was hiding and he drew when he was hap
py. He didn’t draw very much.

  I checked Amelia’s room, more for her personal comfort than suspicion. Her room was right across from mine, so I would hear her easily if she screamed. After finding nothing odd except that one of her roommates was a thirty-year-old vampire in the body of a twelve-year-old who had nothing but lime green stuff, I returned to my room.

  As I crawled into my bed, I thought it was strange that I sensed Astrid nearby. Surely she isn’t going to start sneaking into my room already.

  * * *

  Most women I met since joining the paranormal community were pretty or beautiful. Remy and Clara were at the top of the beautiful chart, but Astrid and Heather were pretty in a different way. They seemed to become prettier the more I knew them, as if their internal beauty bled outward. I learned to associate this as innocence, even in Astrid’s case. Thus, I wasn’t expecting or prepared to see Heather in a black bikini lying on my bed.

  I ran my hand through my hair. “There’s a dead girl in my bed. Why do you do this to me, Heather?”

  It was a vision, of course. That didn’t make it any less frustrating to find her in my bed at the apartment.

  She grinned widely and propped herself up on her elbows. “I thought a change of scenery would help.”

  “Put some clothes on.”

  “What does it matter what I’m wearing if I’m dead? You never listen to what I tell you, Devon.” With a slight flash of light, she was wearing the same blue shirt and shorts as she was when she died.

  “I listened when you told me about the bookshelf. You want to ask me about the contract again, right? I’m not making any deals, involving blood or not, unless you tell me everything.”

  She sighed. “I can’t tell you anything until you make a deal; they can hear everything I say. I’m running out of time and you need my help. All I can tell you is that you can trust me. Make a blood contract with me. I can give you anything you want. For the rest of your life, I can give you anything.”

  “And then what? After I die, what happens then?”

  “Then you will have a choice to make.”

  * * *

  I woke from a hard knock on the door. It was time to get up. In the shower room, I overheard some of the wolf shifters talking about there being a new shifter alpha. They sounded pretty devastated that Flagstone was gone, while I was more worried about how Remington was holding up.

  When I sat down for breakfast, Henry and Darwin already had their schedules, and Darwin didn’t look happy. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t have any classes with Amelia.”

  Addison sat next to Henry and her smile turned instantly to concern. “What happened to your face?” Henry shook his head and she took the hint. Cautiously, she wrapped her arm around his.

  I was distracted again by Astrid’s presence, but it was Professor April Nightshade who was behind me when I turned. “I knew it,” I said when she handed me my schedule.

  She winked. “Yep. I’m your fire mentor. You’ll meet me at noon on Sundays at the burn field.”

  “The what?”

  “Go south from the dorms until you get to the rocky cliff. There’s a trail to your left that you follow through the forest. You’ll come to a creek, which you follow south until you find a stone slab. You’ll know it when you see it.”

  “Other fire students won’t need it at that time?”

  “My other student will meet me on Tuesdays. Other fire students have to meet their mentors in other places. See you in class.” She turned and left, so I unfolded my schedule.

  I was happy to see I got the classes I requested. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I had History of African Magic, Elemental Configuration Part Two, and Defense Against Elemental Attacks. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I had Intermediate Alchemy & Potions, Illusions, Defense Against Psychic Attacks, and Intuition and Prophesy. “I have Professor Barton for potions instead of Langril this semester.”

  “I heard Barton is a cooler teacher. We have Illusions together with Remington Hunt,” Darwin said.

  Addie snickered. “That’s better than delusions, I suppose,” I said.

  Ten minutes later, I was sitting in Professor Nightshade’s class. Since African magic included Egypt, everyone was ready for an interesting class. We all knew her teaching style, so we didn’t have to go through a syllabus. Instead, she got right into talking about Egyptian gods.

  Next up was Elemental Configuration Part Two. I was prepared for a pretest, a battle, or any one of the weird obstacles the professor would throw our way. I was not expecting a wolf fight outside his classroom door, however. There was a group of students standing around, obviously just wanting in the room. I easily let my power flow into the three gray wolves clashing teeth.

  “Cut it out!” I said. I probably should have phrased my order differently, but they all broke apart. The biggest wolf growled at me, while the smallest flopped onto his back in submission. The middle wolf, who had half an ear missing but no blood around it, glanced from one to the other, then stepped back. He wasn’t ready to submit, but he wouldn’t be the first one to challenge me. I narrowed my eyes at the one challenging me and focused my power on his mind.

  He thought Alpha Flagstone’s absence meant that leadership of the wolf pack was up for grabs. Henry and Brian were suddenly beside me, but I held out my hand and they stayed back. I searched the wolf’s mind. He hadn’t gone to the paranormal children’s school; he was raised with humans. Thus, he was always the top dog physically. It only made sense to him that he would be the strongest here as well.

  Only he wasn’t. His arrogance was not proportional to his skill and he barely made it in here at all. “Back, Caleb,” I said. He was confused as to how I knew his name and more so as to why he obeyed. He stopped growling. “The next time you three fight, you do it in the practice field. Go back to your rooms, shift, dress, and get to class.” All three of them took off like their tails were on fire.

  “Now, are you really going to show me up on the first day, Mr. Sanders?” Professor Watson said jokingly from the doorway of his classroom.

  “I’m just trying to get to class, Professor,” I answered. Students piled into the classroom and Henry went to his class. Brian, however, glanced nervously between Professor Watson and me. “What’s wrong?” I asked the hyena shifter.

  “I don’t… I’m sorry. I don’t know who the alpha is.”

  Watson smiled kindly. “Whoever you want as your alpha, child. Headmaster Hunt told me I would take Alpha Flagstone’s place as alpha, but he said nothing about Devon’s place. If Devon is your alpha, then by all means, don’t let me sway your loyalties.”

  Brian bowed slightly to me and ran off to his class. “He’s really gone then?”

  Watson’s smile didn’t falter. “Not for long. Rosin has followed behind and protected Logan since they were teenagers. He’s like the headmaster’s shadow. He’s just trying to get Logan to submit a little. Besides, I reckon the first time Remy throws a tantrum and shoots someone, Rosin will come running. Now, we have class.” He turned and went inside.

  The class was soon missing the days of battling out on the practice field, because our first assignment was to write an essay. We had to write five pages on what we learned about elements from our first two circles.

  “This isn’t an English class!” one student exclaimed.

  “I assure you; if it were, you would be writing at least ten pages. Get to work.” Most of us had to borrow paper from others, since few people thought we would need it, especially on the first day. Class went by miserably slow.

  My last class of the day was Defense Against Elemental Attacks. Professor Anouk Nakari was a middle-aged French woman with thin, silver spectacles and shoulder-length, white-blond hair. Her husband was another teacher at the school who taught about familiars.

  The classroom was about twenty-by-twenty feet, had a smooth, white marble floor, was reinforced with unpainted stone walls, and had bars over the large windows on the north an
d east walls. I got a sinking feeling there were going to be many explosions in this room. Seeing Jackson picking on another student behind Professor Nakari’s back fortified my prediction.

  Finding a seat was unusually difficult, since there were no tables or chairs. Another student voiced this problem just as I spotted a basketball locker of dark blue pillows on the back wall. When we were told to grab a pillow, Jackson asked why we were being treated like second-graders. Professor Nakari’s response was in flawless French, obviously condescending, and made the three French-speaking students in class laugh uncontrollably. As Jackson reluctantly took one of the pillows, he deliberately whacked a woman on the head with it.

  “Now, I was told you never read the handbooks, so we must go over the syllabus and procedures as a class,” Professor Nakari said. “After that, I will teach you my way, which is the correct way. If you disagree, I suggest you drop out quickly. This is a class on defending yourself against elemental attacks, not attacking with elemental magic or defending yourself against non-magic weapons. For example, if you are attacked by a raging bull, do not try to apply my methods. You should run.”

  “Will we be fighting with magic in here?”

  “In a manner of speaking. This is not a sparring class, however, and you will likely never have each other as an opponent. You all should have noticed that you are also in my Defense Against Psychic Attacks class. These two classes are required to be taken in the same semester. You will be sparring in that class.”

  “We’ll be attacking each other’s minds?” a woman in the front asked.

  “Don’t make us go up against Devon!” Mack said.

  I sighed. Professor Nakari slid her spectacles higher on her nose and gave him a disapproving frown. “You will be assigned your partners and opponents randomly and arguing will not be tolerated.”

  She gave us each a syllabus and we went over it. This only took about fifteen minutes, after which she let us go early. It was a little after noon and the halls were nearly empty, so I decided to go back to my room.