Caution to the Wind: Book One of the Elementals Series

by F. R. Southerland

  Loren watched Avery vanish through the trees.

  She blinked in surprise when Callum’s hand touched hers. She glanced down. His thumb rubbed along hers. His touch was soothing, comforting. It was such a small thing. It wasn’t much, but it meant more to her than she could say.

  She drew her hand away from his and brushed hair from her face. She looked at the darkness of the forest and tried to shake off the tumult of emotions raging within her. That was hard. She couldn’t sort through it all.

  Focus was important now. This was a new world, with new creatures, unknown territory, and there was a power-hungry man after her. She had to be careful. She had to guard herself. She had to move forward.

  Move forward she did. Loren picked up her skirt and began to walk. Callum followed.

  The trees of the forest were unlike any she had seen before. They stretched toward the sky, going on for what seemed like a mile. The thick branches and heavy leaves created a massive canopy that blocked out all light and surrounded them with oppressive darkness.

  She could barely see ahead of her. Avery was a small figure in the distance. His boots crunched as he stepped over branches and twigs. Now and again, there was a flash of flame as he burned through more brush blocking their path. Loren’s brow furrowed.

  “He’s mad at me.”

  “It’s not hard to notice.” Callum dipped his head beneath a branch to avoid it. “I’m not entirely happy myself. The difference between Avery and myself? I let things go. I don’t hold grudges.”

  “Is that how you handle your jealousy?” Loren tried to curb her tongue, but it was too late.

  Callum said nothing.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it.”

  “It’s… fine, Loren. I deserved it.”

  Uncertain what to say, Loren let the topic drop and stepped over a broken branch. There was another flash of flame when Avery paused ahead of them. She quickened her pace, leaving Callum behind as she caught up.

  “We don’t know where we’re going and I don’t want to go any deeper in here than we need to,” she said once she reached him. “Can we stop?”

  Avery closed his hand around a ball of flame and extinguished it. “Loren, you were coming here to sacrifice yourself. Did you ever stop to think I could’ve helped you? You could’ve told me and we could’ve figured something out.”

  “I don’t think so, Avery.”

  He threw his hands into the air. “I don’t get you, Loren. I can’t figure you out. Just when I do, you turn completely around and I’m back at the start.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, I know you are. I’m sorry too.”

  Her anger dissipated. She touched his arm. She expected him to draw back, but he only tensed. Slowly, she rubbed his arm. “Avery, I realized something back there, back before the shit hit the fan. I was meant to be important. I never knew that, but I always wanted it. My life was nothing. I was nothing. And then I found out none of that was true. And throughout it all, people kept telling me I was important. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it.”

  She turned his face to her. “And I wanted to believe it so much. When I realized what had to be done to stop this craziness, that’s when I started to believe. I knew I was important and I could do something with it. And if uh if I succeeded and if I died because of it then I did something. And that importance… it would’ve meant something.”

  Avery exhaled. “Oh, Loren…”

  “It’s stupid, I know. And I couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t tell any of you. I was scared.”

  “Loren, you don’t have to die to be important. You are important. And you always have been.”

  “I’m really sorry.”

  “I know.”

  She stayed quiet and he pulled her into his embrace.

  The crunch of underbrush reminded her Callum had caught up with them. She stayed in the hug for a few more moments before she stepped back.

  “We need to figure out what to do next. Where to go,” she said quietly.

  “We don’t have any idea where we are or what this world has in store,” Callum said.

  “Dragons.” Avery ran a hand through his hair and swept it back.

  “There’s that,” Callum agreed.

  Loren thought for a long moment before speaking. “Mal doesn’t know you guys came through the portal. He’ll expect me to be alone. We have the advantage. I should go back, close to where the portal opened.”

  “That’s sensible.” Callum nodded.

  “I should go back to the site. I’ll stay near the forest to avoid the dragon and wait for Mal to find me.”

  “And what happens when he finds you?” Avery asked.

  Her original plan included allowing Mal and Ruth to take her wherever it was they would and being made a sacrifice for the people. Now that Avery and Callum were here, things had changed. Now, there was a chance they could steal the tablet. They could use it to travel back to their world then hide it again. With Mal trapped in Kahsh, they’d only have to worry about Ruth.

  That was a good, solid plan. A second option involved destroying the tablet for good and trapped in Kahsh forever.

  She’d rather go home.

  “I won’t let him take me hostage, that’s for sure.” Loren frowned. “But I don’t know.”

  “We could attack. Neutralize him with our powers?” Avery suggested.

  “He’s stronger here. That wouldn’t work. We need something else.” Callum rubbed his chin.

  The darkness of the forest seemed to diminish. She first noticed it when sunlight peeked through the canopy. When she glanced up, it wasn’t sunlight.

  “Wait, someone turned on the lights.” Avery took a protective step closer to Loren. Callum held his hands open at his sides, glancing past Loren. He noticed it.

  “We’d better think of that plan right now, or else we’re playing it by ear.”

  “What? What do you mean?”

  “Don’t tell me you forgot.” Callum brought up his hand. He drew moisture from the air, creating a ball of water in his palm. Avery’s fists engulfed with fire.

  “Forgot what?”

  “Mal’s other power, the one he kept. It’s light.”

  Loren’s eyes widened as the forest grew brighter.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Loren stepped behind Callum and Avery. She followed suit, bringing her hands out to the sides—but her powers still didn’t work.

  When the light became so white it blinded her, Loren shielded her eyes and looked away.

  The light was gone as quickly as they’d noticed it. Loren blinked, vision adjusting.

  Mal stood before them.

  The transformation was incredible. Loren hadn’t been certain how he would regain his strength upon arriving in Kahsh. She hadn’t realized it would happen so fast. The emaciated elder was now youthful. His hair was black and shining. There were no wrinkles on his face at all. He stood to a full, impressive height. There were no signs of his former frailty.

  Nestled in the crook of his elbow was the tablet. The air hummed with its power. Loren sucked in a breath.

  Mal didn’t pay any attention to Avery or Callum. His gaze was solely on Loren.

  “So it was a ruse. I’m disappointed.”

  Loren gulped but held his stare.

  Mal’s mouth curved into a smile. He blinked once and looked at Callum and Avery. “I believe we’ve never been properly introduced.”

  “You don’t need an introduction. We know who you are,” Avery said, his voice holding an edge.

  Mal canted his head, briefly. “Avery. Callum. The Morgan brothers. Oh, perhaps I do know a bit about you.”

  Callum shifted his feet. “We don’t want to fight.”

  “Speak for yourself.” The flames on Avery’s hands burned hotter.

  “You say that as if you even had a choice in the matter. I’m here for Loren. She and I made a deal.”

  “The deal’s off.”
>
  “Avery, be quiet.” Callum’s fingers made steady movements to keep the water flowing within the sphere he held. “We can come to another agreement.”

  Mal looked amused. “What are your terms?”

  Callum lowered his hand and allowed the ball of water to dissipate. He looked to Avery. “Put out your flames.”

  Avery’s glare stayed on Mal. The fire slowly died out. His hands remained tightly clenched.

  Callum continued. “You give us the tablet and Loren goes with you. That was the original hostage arrangement. The stones for the girl.”

  “I never had any intention of giving up the girl.”

  “The girl is standing right here.” Loren pushed between the two brothers. “I’ll go with you,” she said. She wasn’t completely sure of Callum’s plan, but she played along. “I’ll go with you if you give them the tablet.”

  Mal studied her. “Another ruse. It won’t work this time. The tablet is too valuable.”

  Loren chewed on her lip as she considered another angle. “Use the tablet to send them home and I will come with you. You can keep the tablet.” Callum gave her a small nod. She looked back to Mal. “Send them home first. Now. And then I will go with you and follow through. Would you agree to that?”

  Mal considered it. “Yes. Those terms are acceptable.”

  She breathed out a sigh of relief and stepped over to join Mal. She swallowed and turned to face the brothers. Avery gave her a questioning look. Loren shook her head.

  “It would be in all our best interests if neither of you meddled in my rule of Kahsh. I’m more than happy to return you to your home.” He held the tablet flat in his palms. From this close stance, Loren could see symbols upon the joined stones. Those were the runes mentioned before. They began to glow as Mal read them.

  The words were unfamiliar and foreign. With each phrase he read, the tablet began to glow brighter. Loren tore her gaze away. She nodded at Avery and Callum.

  This was their chance.

  They both understood and rushed forward at the same time. As they both jumped at Mal, Loren grabbed for the tablet. Her fingers closed around it. The hum of power froze her, but she forced herself to move. She placed her other hand on the tablet. She wrenched it away from Mal as the brothers tackled him to the ground.

  The tablet’s glow burned her vision. She stumbled back with it. At first, Loren feared the portal had opened again.

  An explosion of power sent them all flying back. Loren hit the ground and rolled. The tablet slipped from her fingers. It landed a few feet from her.

  Loren scrambled through the brush for it. Her hands closed around it and she brought it close to her chest. She had to destroy it. Now.

  But how?

  She brought up her free hand and wiped it across her brow. It came away red with smeared blood. She gripped the tablet again and ignored the throbbing in her head.

  She saw Callum and Avery recovering from the blast. Mal was nowhere to be seen.

  “Where is he?” Avery shouted.

  Loren’s fingers tightened around the tablet. It vibrated with power. The moment her bloody hand touched it, the power wavered.

  Puzzled, she glanced down at the blood smeared on the stones. There was something different now. As Loren tried to piece it together, a shadow appeared over her. She looked up.

  Mal stood above her. His eyes were wide, staring at her and the tablet. “No. No!” He dove for her.

  It all made sense.

  Blood. Blood made the connection with the tablet. Mal’s blood. Castle’s blood. Her blood. Her breath hitched and she scrambled back.

  Mal grabbed the tablet and almost tore it from her grasp. Loren kicked him. Her foot found his shin, his leg. She kicked violently at any part of him she could. Once she dislodged him, she crawled across the ground and pulled the tablet into her lap.

  She wiped her hand over her forehead. There was enough blood to cover her palm. Without hesitation, Loren pressed her bloody hand upon the glowing tablet.

  Vibrations shot through her and Loren gasped. The power was strong and she couldn’t escape it. It flowed through her, immobilizing her.

  Mal fell to his knees. His face contorted in pain and he convulsed. Loren stared at him, her eyes wide. She couldn’t move and neither could he. They were both connected.

  Castle’s face showed nothing but determination. He held the tablet, reading the words. Mal shouted at him to stop. A young dark-haired girl ran to Mal and he scooped her up into his arms. He smiled at her. “I missed you, Ruth.” A beautiful brown haired woman stared defiantly at Mal, her brown eyes showing not even an ounce of fear.

  Castle gave a sad smile as he gave Loren the yellow stone. Loren huddled in her bedroom, sobbing, clutching Mark’s bloody shirt to her chest. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” Loren watched the other kids, clenching her hands to her sides, too different, too awkward, too nothing to fit in with them.

  Loren let out a shuddering breath as the forest materialized around her again. The visions and memories vanished. Beneath her fingers, the tablet crumbled. It fell apart at her touch, becoming nothing more than rubble and dust.

  Mal managed to scream, a hideous terrifying sound. Loren couldn’t cover her ears. She couldn’t look away.

  His skin began to crack and burst apart. Light filtered out through the cracks as if his body was too full of power and light to contain it.

  As the tablet fell apart, so did Mal.

  The last of the tablet dissolved in her hands. Loren wanted to close her eyes. She wanted to look away.

  Mal’s scream amplified and all at once ceased. The light erupted from him in a violent explosion.

  Mobility suddenly returned, Loren shielded herself from the blast. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly. As silence pervaded the forest and darkness resumed, she lifted her head and opened her eyes.

  Mal was gone.

  She exhaled shakily. The tablet was gone. It was nothing more than dust in her hands.

  “Loren!” Avery knelt down beside her. “Loren, what happened? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said softly. She couldn’t look away from the pile of dust. “Mal is gone. The tablet is gone.” She blinked and looked up. “I saw—” She cut herself off. She didn’t know what she had seen.

  Callum looked around. “He’s gone, but I don’t think he’s dead.” His gaze fell on Loren. “That was incredible. How did you do it?”

  “It was blood. Castle’s blood.” She couldn’t shake the disbelief from her voice. Dust shifted through her fingers. “The tablet’s gone.”

  “But you did it, Loren. You saved the world.”

  “Worlds.” She lifted her gaze to look at Avery. “We did it. I destroyed the tablet. I stopped Mal.” She still couldn’t believe it. “It’s over.”

  Callum stepped over to them and crouched down. He touched the dust. He lifted a small piece of remaining stone from it. Rolling it between his fingers, the stone crumbled. “This was it. Our way home.” He wiped his hand on his shirt.

  “We’re stuck here.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  They were all quiet, weighing the enormity of it. They stared at the pile of dust. Loren closed her eyes tightly.

  Avery broke the silence. “What do we do now?”

  “I don’t know.” Callum said, echoing Loren’s thoughts. “I just don’t know.”

  ~~*~~

  “You’re supposed to be asleep.” Avery eased himself down onto the ground beside Loren. The warm glow of the fire helped. It kept predators and darkness away and offered comfort besides. Avery offered to take the first watch. They all desperately needed to rest; they didn’t want to be vulnerable.

  “I couldn’t.” Loren kept her voice low. Callum was asleep on the other side of the fire and she didn’t want to wake him. She kept her gaze on the fire, watching it burn. “Too much in my head.”

  “That’s always been a problem, huh?”

  “Yeah. It’s a lot worse now.�
�� They’d merely exchanged one set of dangers for another. She drew her arms around herself.

  Loren couldn’t apologize enough. It was her fault they were all trapped here. This was exactly why she hadn’t wanted them to come along. She’d planned to destroy the tablet all along. With Callum and Avery there, it complicated matters.

  As if anything between the three of them could get any more complicated.

  Now, they were trapped here. Their former lives on Earth were left far behind. What would become of Callum’s business? And Avery as the Shadow? Loren’s impact on Earth would leave less of a gap. What of Eva? Was she all right? Had she defeated Ruth? It pained Loren that she would never see the woman again. She couldn’t imagine how Avery and Callum felt to have left family behind.

  She managed to bite back her apology and nod. She shifted closer to him and rested her head against his shoulder. He put an arm around her.

  “We’ll make it, though. It’s a new world. We can figure it out.” He sounded hopeful. It was just to reassure her and put her mind at ease, but it didn’t work.

  She let out a small breath. Silence reigned for some time before she asked, “Do you think Mal is really gone?”

  Avery considered before he spoke. “No. I don’t think so.”

  “Then we’re not done here. He’ll regain his strength. He’ll try to rule again. When he does, he’ll come for me again.”

  “I know.”

  “We have to be prepared for that.”

  “I know that too.”

  “What if we can’t prepare for it? We’re on his turf.”

  “You’re thinking too much, Loren. You need to rest.” He kissed the side of her head. “Put it out of your mind and get some sleep.”

  She sighed, not wishing to argue with him. “Can I sleep on you at least?”

  “I wouldn’t mind.”

  “Okay. Good.” She shifted and so did Avery. They got comfortable, her head resting against his chest. She didn’t close her eyes but stared at the fire instead and fell deep into thought.