“Okay. What about the truth?”
“You have to forget everything else. Savina, Colden, your father, your friends. Everything.”
“Are all of the other Elementals like me? They’re all in the charade, too?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s Gabriel and everyone else?”
“You cannot worry yourself with any of them. If you see them, you must act like you don’t know them. Stay away from them.”
“But I have to save them.”
“You are a Cimmerian now, Ava. You must play the part.”
“For how long?”
“As long as it takes to create your army against the Cimmerians and Havok.”
“An army? Can’t we just go in now?”
“There are hundreds of thousands of Cimmerians, Ava. They will fight back and they are very powerful. But not all Cimmerians are bad. You may be able to get them to ally with you.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“You must. You six are the only ones powerful enough to stop them. But you have to be smart. Unfortunately, Savina and Aaron’s plan to attack like they did was not smart. It was foolish. There weren’t enough of you.”
Her chest tightened, and her throat closed. Images of the small battle flashed in her mind. Then she remembered Havok killing Savina, and leaving Aaron crying over her, all while Ava had remained emotionless. She hadn’t shed one tear for her. “He killed Savina. He killed his own child. And I willingly joined him.” Ava could feel herself on the verge of a breakdown. Her knees wobbled and the fatigue threatened to take over.
When she lost her balance, the man caught her and eased her to the floor.
She drew a shaky breath. “I can’t do this.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t get discouraged. Hold yourself together. Remain strong. Turn off your emotions, and keep him from reading your thoughts. Just like you did yesterday. He can still get inside your head. Just make sure you give him the thoughts he wants. Don’t think of your previous life. Ever. Or the people. You have to keep that part of your life hidden.”
She nodded. Even through the murkiness, she remembered Gabriel explaining that. She’d gotten him to teach her the heart of stone and many other talents. She missed him and needed him. He had always been there for her, especially when Havok had forced her into a coma. Gabriel had always helped her. He never lost faith in her, even when she doubted his allegiance. And she had betrayed him by joining Havok and sending Gabriel to be tortured or wherever Havok put him.
But now she wasn’t allowed to think of him.
“You must go. I will take you back to your room.”
“But I have so many questions.”
“I can help you all later tomorrow. But you must keep it secret.”
“Of course.”
“Come on, we have to hurry.”
“What’s your name?”
“Klaus.”
He took her by the arm and led her down the corridor. She stumbled behind. The memory of Ilya, having morphed into Gabriel, pulling her through the snowy forest flashed in her mind. She was drugged then, too.
What if this was a trick?
Ava pulled back, releasing her arm from Klaus’s grip. He turned back, his lips pressed in a hard line. “Don’t resist me,” he whispered. “We must go.” Klaus jerked her toward him.
The walls came at her fast. Too fast. Were they running? She couldn’t tell. Everything was a blur.
A dark figure rounded a corner. “What are you two doing?” he demanded, as he moved closer to them.
Klaus halted. Ava lurched forward, but he caught her from falling. “Sleepwalker.”
“Oh. Is that one of the Elementals?” The man had a deep voice that for some reason gave Ava chills. She could barely make out his face, but he had shoulder-length dark hair. It looked like he had facial hair around his chin, but it was all fuzzy darkness to her.
“Yes.”
“We don’t need them. We’ve been doing fine without them.” The man sounded irritated.
“They’re powerful, Donovan. More than you know.”
Donovan scoffed. “We’re powerful. And we’ll show Havok. Xavier can’t control us much longer. We’ll show Havok that these Elementals are nothing but weak insignificant Enchanters. They’ve got nothing on us.”
“Time will only tell,” Klaus said.
He moved closer to Ava. “Does she have any idea what’s going on?”
“No. She’s been drugged and doesn’t know where she is.”
“It’s pretty pathetic Havok made you remove their memories. He didn’t have to do that with us, and we’re loyal.”
“I know.”
Donovan shook his head. “We spent years trying to get the Elementals. And it was all a waste. They’re not gonna remember shit. We’ll have to retrain them on fighting, using their powers.”
“They’ll know all that. They know they’re Enchanters.”
“Yeah, but you erased everything. Now, we’re gonna have to babysit them. Makes me sick.” He raised his arm. The last thing Ava saw was his fist in her face.
CHAPTER TWO
PRISONER
Still groggy from the drugs and rubbing her aching cheek, Ava stared out the window. The long winter had come to an end, and the grass, trees, and other life had bloomed. She had to admit that Caprington was beautiful. The castle nestled on one of the plateaued mountains. A small Dutch looking village rested below. The buildings were identical in shape, but the colors ranged from yellow to brick red to powder blue. They lined the fjord, and on the other side of the mountain range near the bottom was a large city. A long bridge connected the village and city. Tall buildings. Very modern. It was strange seeing such a modern city next to a historical village and castle. Beyond the city was nothing but more mountains and ocean. The water reflected the mountains like a perfect mirror. Not a single ripple. It almost looked as if someone had covered the water with glass. The whole scene was breathtaking.
At least if she was going to be a prisoner, it was in a beautiful place that was surrounded by water. Too bad she might have to use the water to destroy the place.
Gripping the window ledge, she looked around the room. It was decent sized with a large four-poster bed and a dresser. She didn’t know how long she’d be there, but she hadn’t slept at all the night before. Unless she counted the lethargy she felt after Klaus took her memory. Or was supposed to. Instead, he’d told her that she and the others were the key to Havok’s demise.
Afterward, she, the other Elementals, Peter, Katarina, and Eric were taken to their respective rooms, and it was there that Ava turned on her emotions and cried into her pillow. She had wanted to see Gabriel but knew there was no way. She didn’t know when she’d see him again.
Or her father.
Ava shut her eyes tight and gripped the ledge tighter. She would only allow her emotions to be on for seconds at a time. Last night was the only time she would cry. It had to be.
Ava would get everyone out of the mess she had put them in. She would save them all. She just had to play her cards right and be cautious.
She drew water from inside her to heal her bruised cheek. Whoever Donovan was, he didn’t scare her. She didn’t know him, but he already hated her. She thought they were all supposed to be on the same team.
There was a knock on her door, and she allowed the person to enter.
The door behind her creaked. She twisted around, leaning against the window, readying herself for an attack.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” She recognized the voice, but she had to pretend as though she had never seen him in her life. She narrowed her eyes hoping he would come into the gray light.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“You don’t recognize me?” he asked, but she heard a hint of mockery. “That’s a shame. We have a history, you and I, but I guess I’m not supposed to say anything.”
“What kind of history?”
&n
bsp; “Oh, we’ll forget I said that.” He paced in the room without touching the light. “I’m so happy you’re here though. We fought a lot, but now that we’re on the same side, we can be friends.”
“I’ve always been on your side.”
He finally stepped into the light with a crooked smile. His ash blonde hair was cropped, and his skin lost its tan. His straight nose separated his high cheekbones. He towered over Ava by a few inches as his dark eyes bored into hers.
She remembered the first time she had ever met Xavier Holstone. He had walked across the lunchroom floor as if he owned the place. All the girls’ eyes glued to him, but Ava never thought he was all that. When she had smiled at him, he had glared at her as if she had run over his cat.
Xavier brought his hand to her face and gently traced her jaw line.
She shuddered from his cold fingers and swatted his hand away. “Who do you think you are, touching me?”
He smiled, his eyes taunting her. “Hmm. I’d hoped Klaus might have helped me out. Give it time. You’ll want me to touch you.”
“Are you always like this?”
“Pretty much. It’s fun playing the bad guy. What exactly do you remember?”
“Remember what?”
“Klaus altered your mind.”
Ava had to keep playing the game. “Altered my mind how? Why would he do that?”
“You had some…memories he had to delete. Nothing important. Bad memories you don’t need.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Maybe I’m testing you.”
She looked at him, confused. “Testing me?”
“I want to make sure Klaus did his job.”
“I’m confused. I was born here. But there’s a huge chunk of memories missing. Did something happen to me? I recognize this place, but I don’t know who you are.”
He stared at her as if trying to make her crack, but she held her ground. His eyes softened, almost like he was apologizing. “So you don’t remember anything?”
“What are you talking about? What happened to me?”
He looked away. “You and the rest of the Elementals were taken from us. We had to help you.”
“Tell me what happened. Am I in danger?” She acted scared.
He moved closer to her and took her hand. She hated the gentle way he caressed it, as if he cared for her. She despised how his eyes softened at her fear. And the way he bit his lip as if he was afraid to tell her the truth. But she hid her emotions. Had he always had feelings for her or something? Or was she reading too much into it?
“You’re safe here,” Xavier said. She never thought she would see the day Xavier Holstone would try to comfort her. Maybe he wasn’t that bad after all. But who was she kidding? He was almost as evil as Havok. Xavier looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers with assurance. “You are where you belong, and nothing will hurt you. Havok takes care of us.”
Ava nodded and he released her hands.
“Get dressed. You have to meet with Havok.”
“For what?”
“Initiation.”
“But haven’t we done that already?”
“Because you were taken from us, they made you bind yourself to them.”
“Who took us?”
“I’ll explain later. For now, welcome home. Oh, and I’m Xavier.” Xavier smirked and then left.
Ava stared at the door. Either he was tricking her, or he really did have feelings for her. She’d have him wrapped around her little finger in no time.
She smoothed the black shirt she had found in the dresser along with the black pants. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Angry, scared gray eyes stared back. Heavy bags hung underneath them, and her copper hair was a mess even though she brushed through it. She looked gaunt, her cheeks sallow. But traveling for a few months in the cold woods and fighting for her life had done that to her body.
She stared at herself, but then she saw her mother. The room changed, and all around her were candles, and just her mom. Was it a vision? Was her mother trying to communicate with her?
Luci stood with confidence, staring back at her with cold dead eyes. “You wanted to see me?” she asked.
“I need you to become a spy.” Ava spoke, but it wasn’t her voice. It was Havok’s. She was looking at her mother through Havok’s eyes. It was as if she had floated into his body. She felt his pride. Everything. It was as if she was Havok.
“Of course.”
“I believe I have found the Elders. I am going to need you to show up, pretending you’ve been attacked and abandoned. You will live among them. Get to know each and every one of them and their abilities. If they mention anything about attacking us, report back to me.”
“Yes, sir. But couldn’t we attack them since you know where they are?”
“I do not want to kill my son and daughter. And do not ever suggest such a thing.”
“Absolutely. I am sorry. Will anyone be accompanying me?”
“No. You are strong enough to handle yourself. It will look too suspicious if there are two of you.”
Luci straightened her back. “I won’t let you down.”
“Good.”
The candles faded, her mother disappeared, and Ava was back in her room staring into the mirror. What was that? Why would her mother show her that? She almost didn’t recognize her. She looked so cruel and evil. Was that a warning of what Ava could become? Was she hallucinating? It had felt like she had witnessed a memory. Was someone messing with her head again?
Whatever it was shook her.
She had to push it to the back of her mind. She wouldn’t turn out like that. She was no Cimmerian, and never would be. Ava longed for peace. She longed to be in Gabriel’s arms. To see her father. To be home.
But this was her home now. She had joined Havok. Just like her mother had convinced in all those dreams and visions and in her spirit form. She had stood next to Havok, proudly, just like Moira’s vision.
Ava took a deep breath. Then, she turned off her emotions and opened the door to meet her fate.
CHAPTER THREE
INITIATION
Havok’s private parlor was the size of a football field. Ava was surprised by the vast amount of light that flooded into the room from the floor to ceiling windows. Red curtains separated the windows along the wall. She had always imaged Havok residing in constant darkness with candles and dark, gothic music playing in the background.
But the room was open, and while there was a black rug with a pentagram taking up much of the hardwood floor in the center, the rest of the room was anything but dark. An intricate crystal chandelier hung in the center with the daylight hitting it just right to send a multitude of colors sparkling and bouncing off the sand-colored walls. Chairs were placed around the room in an inviting manner, like he often had several guests in the parlor at a time visiting. Red wine bottles cluttered a small end table that was flush against the wall next to the ornate, black fireplace. A small fire crackled, giving the room an alluring feel. The room smelled of wine and freshly burned wood.
As Ava crossed the room to the window, the floorboards creaked under her feet. The view was the same as the one in Ava’s room. The bustling city and village with the beautiful snow-capped mountains in the background reflected in the ocean.
“It’s beautiful,” Melissa said, her voice unusually cold and detached, as she came up beside Ava. Her blond hair had gotten longer and the skin surrounding her green eyes was puffy. She looked different, like she’d been through hell and back. Which she probably had, given that she’d been in Caprington the last four months. What had happened to her?
Ava wanted to embrace her best friend and catch her up on everything that had happened. She longed for the days when they would stay at each other’s houses and talk about boys or teachers or whatever. She wanted to laugh and express her sheer happiness of seeing Melissa again.
Instead, she gave a polite smile. “It is.”
Klaus had said that non
e of their minds had been tampered with, but it was hard to tell when they looked at her as though they weren’t friends or hadn’t grown up together. At least, she thought Klaus had said that. It was hard to tell if she dreamed it or if it really happened.
“Sometimes you can’t see the mountain tops because of the thick fog,” Jeremy said on the other side. Ava glanced at him. She was surprised to see he wasn’t wearing glasses over his topaz eyes. He stared out the window, arms crossed, with a hard and confident look in his eyes. His sandy blond hair had been shaved to a crew cut, and his muscles filled out as if he had been working out for months. It made him appear tough, yet refined. She wondered if he was still the same sweet, caring Jeremy who loved to read.
Gillian, Thomas, Lance, Peter, Katarina, Eric, Link, and Nicole joined them and they all peered out of the window in strained politeness.
“But once the fog clears, it’s really picturesque,” Melissa said.
“It’s been foggy for months,” Jeremy said.
“It makes me happy just seeing this. I’ve missed it.”
Ava wondered if Melissa and Jeremy were speaking in code. As if they were talking about Ava and the others.
“Me, too,” she said, fighting the urge to grab their hands or scream from the awkward coded conversation. She hated how forced it was. She knew they all wanted to be their normal teenaged selves, but that life had been so far removed. She didn’t know if or when they would ever have that again.
The door opened behind them, and when Ava turned around, she saw Sorcha, Maggie, and then Havok enter. The former two acted as Havok’s bodyguards with no emotion on their faces.
Had Maggie’s mind been erased, or was she acting? She moved with Havok as though she would do anything to protect him. Maybe that was her job, but Ava wanted to know if Maggie absorbed the Cimmerian life completely. She still held a hard gaze, and her hair was still parted so that it covered her left eye. Of the Elders, she was the only one Havok pardoned.
Under an Onyx Sky (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 4) Page 2
