She slammed the heels of her hands against her temples so hard it scared him. He took her wrists and pulled them down so she wouldn’t hurt herself.
“Look at me,” he ordered, repeating the command louder when she didn’t obey. “Elspeth. Look. At. Me.”
She finally met his eyes, and he drilled his gaze into hers like his captain had done to him during training.
“You can do this. You have to trust me.”
She shook her head, and he pulled one hand up to kiss her knuckles, gently biting the ridge and startling her.
“Do you trust me?” He feared her answer.
Finally, she nodded.
“Okay, take a breath—not too deep!” He had to be precise with his instructions so she wouldn’t accidentally level, drown, or torch something. “Tell me what you’re feeling. Exactly. Break it down like you’re making a list.”
Her frantic gasps slowed, and she maintained eye contact as he saw a hint of her panic ease.
“I…I can tell the energies apart. Earth and Water hurt. It feels like surf crashing onto a beach in my temples.”
The phone rang again. The same song abruptly cut off. A what-the-fuck punch came through his “friendship bracelet” and clocked him between the eyes.
“Aleron, I’m scared,” she whispered, burrowing into his neck, her fingers curling around the chain and clutching the relic and his dad’s ring like they were life rafts and she’d been tossed off the Titanic.
Her whole body tensed against his, and right as he thought she was better, she arched as if she’d been shot. Her shriek of agony filled the room and nearly destroyed him.
He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms and legs around her as if his strength could shield her from the maelstrom inside her. Her nails dug into his back, hard.
Goddess. He didn’t know what to do. He’d never—
The moment of his father’s death returned, the memory blinding and instant of how he’d been shielded from the blistering heat. Could he give her his father’s mantle? Let her borrow it for a little while? Help stabilize her with his Dual elements like a remote control?
“Sit up, baby. We’re going to try something.” He smoothed her sweat-stained hair away from her face and gently pushed her back, shifting her in his lap so he could reach between them. He frantically searched his fear-scrambled brain to recall how his father had divorced his mantle and put it into the relic.
“Hurry.” Her arms clutched her middle.
“I got you.” He kissed her temple and hoped to hell it worked.
He put the vessel between his lips and spoke the Latin words inscribed on the inside of the ring.
“Et ego dabo vobis omnia mea.”
He closed his eyes as he realized his father had truly given all I have to you. Seconds passed, and a tearing sensation burned deep inside him, spreading over his skin like a full-body Band-Aid being ripped off.
The ring vibrated against his mouth. He tugged the necklace over his head and freed the relic.
“Give me your hand.” He took her right one and slid the jeweled band down her ring finger.
A violent tremor went through her.
“What is that?” She sank against him, her breathing taking on a reediness he didn’t like.
“My father’s mantle. It’ll be strong enough to contain the other elements until we get help. Imagine you’re a stove and pretend you’re adjusting the gas to an easy burn. My primary mantle knows yours, and I’ll help it behave. Pretend we’re best friends and our Fires are holding hands.”
As he’d hoped, his bad joke made the tiniest smile play on her mouth.
Holy shit, this was a long shot…
“The Fire and Air are calming down.” Sweat dotted her brow. “The Earth and Water are pissed, but it’s like they’re locked away.”
“You’ll have to forgive the mantle for being a bully. Think of your powers as first-graders, and you just gave them a timeout. They’re not hurt. We just have to get them to chill out in the corner for a sec and behave.”
His phone rang again. Pounding drums and a wailing harmonica and driving guitar.
“That’s Kazumi.” He looked closely at her face. Goddess, she was pale. “We need her help with the Water. Who do you trust to give us a hand with Earth?”
“I trust both my cousins, but Flora’s stronger than Ross.” Her head lolled, her eyes half-lidded as she almost dozed off.
“Let’s get you back in bed.” He helped her to her feet, then picked her up. Even with his mantle, she was leaking energy like a hot air balloon with holes in it. If he felt battered by the ripples thrashing him, he couldn’t imagine what it was doing to her.
He placed her gently on the mattress, covered her naked body with the quilt, and went around to the other side of the bed. He picked up his phone off the nightstand and hit Kazumi’s number in the call history.
He didn’t even hear the call connect.
“What the shit is happening over there?” Kazumi yelled as he held the phone away from his ear. “Is the Astrux back? There’s a bullhorn bat signal coming through this bracelet.”
“Slow down, damn it! Not over the phone.” He balanced the cell between his shoulder and ear and looked at Elspeth, who’d fallen into a restless sleep. “Just get here.”
His heart thumped at the dark circles beneath her eyes and the sweat-dampened hair matted against the sides of her face.
“Is Elspeth okay?”
A terrible knot grew in his throat.
“Call Flora, don’t say a word to anyone, and get both your asses over here.” He ended the call.
He climbed into bed beside her, pulling her naked body against his, her back to his front. Her fitful, jerky sleep made sense, as she was literally in power overload, and her body was trying to shut down. He dialed up his Fire, slowly so he wouldn’t startle “the kids” and slowly upped the strength of his new Air. With more care than he’d taken in a decade, he finessed his power into a healing circle around her, containing her elements within an invisible fence. He remembered his twenty-fourth birthday and the moment his power had arrived. He’d been sitting on the hearth next to a massive fireplace in the Fire quarters at the Elite One compound.
He’d sat there, feeling like he’d been dipped in lava, his skin burning like it was on fire. For a moment, he’d been terrified, incapable of sorting all the sensations taking him over bit by torturous bit. It had been overwhelming and horrific, his entire being consumed by pain and power.
Dear Goddess, what the holy hell was it like to have all four arrive at once?
“Help’s on the way.” He pulled her closer when she didn’t respond. “I’ve got you.”
Her full weight pressed against him, seeking contact with him at every possible point. Her breathing didn’t slow, staying more labored than he wanted.
“Don’t you dare take her away from me,” he swore softly to Mother Nature, adding another layer to the Fire wall surrounding the apartment and wishing the Water and Earth cavalry would hurry the hell up.
“I can’t get this.” Elspeth looked down at their joined hands, the shakes not subsiding. Her cousin Flora was known for being oblivious to the term personal space, but for the first time, Elspeth felt the opposite of uncomfortable. Something inside her strained to move closer, and the powerful Earth leaned in just as much.
The hour she’d spent with her cousin, holding handfuls of leaves and dirt and breathing in the scent of the soil Flora had brought in an urn of pure gold, somewhat steadied the sensation inside her that she could only describe as a massive wall. A wall she felt certain had the capability to crush things like taxis or split things wide…like streets.
“I know this is a lot and you feel unsteady, but I can tell you’re good for now. Earth’s a little more forgiving than the other elements. Once you can leave the apartment, I’ll show you our ways outdoors.” Flora broke away and slipped her feet back into her Birkenstocks. “We’ll leave the city and find a secluded place in a park
where we can lie in the leaves, our nude bodies flush with the ground, with nothing between us and our elements. You’ll feel disconnected until we get you truly grounded, but you’ll be all right for a while.”
Naked in Central Park. That’d take, oh…fifteen seconds to get arrested.
She looked up at her six-foot-tall cousin and saw her in a different light. She had the nature goddess thing going on, her body lithe, her long, stick-straight hair falling almost to her butt. Flora never wore makeup or perfume, didn’t paint her nails or color her hair, and dressed only in natural-fiber garments, if she decided to put on clothes.
Elspeth’s Earth energy pushed at her skin, her element wanting to attach to Flora, like meeting like.
“You can’t stay a little longer?” Her body felt heavy, as if her muscles had turned to cement. “I got no heads-up on this, not one thing, and it feels better to have you here.”
Flora’s green eyes glimmered with exhaustion. Goddess, Seanair worked her cousin into the ground. She spent most of her time traveling and optimizing soil on large farms, the owners paying Seanair millions to max out their crop yields. In her downtime, Flora either worked to clean up polluted soil or tended her physical element and spiritual practice religiously, her life in clear devotion to their creator.
All in all, Flora was the best of them. The Lennox who lived a simple, devout life.
And had ridiculously strong Earth energy.
“I have to go.” She gave Elspeth’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I missed my flight to Mexico, so I have to get to the airport to catch the next one. If I get there too late, the client will contact Seanair.” Flora whipped the golden sheet of her silky hair to one side. “Don’t worry. You’re going to be okay. Mother Nature protects Her most important treasures.”
“I’m not feeling like a treasure at the moment.”
“It seems unfair, but She hid you all this time to keep you out of danger. If you thought families wanted you when you were Passive, that’s nothing compared to what they’d have done to get you if they’d had even the tiniest hint you were a Nexus. There are families among us who don’t care how they get what they want, as long as they get it.”
Selfishly, she’d been too exhausted to think much beyond how the secret world she’d wanted with Aleron couldn’t exist any longer. She hated that he’d stationed himself outside her front door, insisting her Earth and Water elements would settle quicker if he wasn’t in the apartment.
“Won’t I be out of balance without more guidance? This Earth feels like I’m toting around a mountain.”
Flora’s arms wrapped around her and pulled her tight. “After you work on Water with Zum, handle the dirt, rocks, and leaves I left you. Smell them. Taste them. Take their essence into you. They’re sourced from the world’s few remaining unspoiled places and will settle your energy. When I get back, I’ll introduce you to Freddy.”
“Rosewater lightning Freddy?”
Flora’s smile turned sultry. “That man can make a tonic. He’s a sweet regen, too, when you’re in need of a silver-fox Earth daddy.”
Given she felt like she’d been hit by a truck that then backed up and plowed over her a second time, sex was the furthest freakin’ thing from her mind.
Flora stepped back and hoisted her backpack higher on her shoulder. “When you need to regen your Earth, let me know. Freddy’s not for the uninitiated. Someone female or genderless may be best. Feminine or neutral energy’s more measured in its approach. No matter who you choose, don’t let your elements weaken too much. You’ll know, as the energy will feel lethargic. Regens are different for everyone. Some need every few days. Some can go a week or more. You’ll have to listen to your energy and stay charged and ready.” She pressed a kiss to Elspeth’s forehead. “You’re going to be magnificent. I just know it. Let Aleron take care of your Fire and Air.”
Goddess, she could not consider that now with everything such a mess.
She tried for a reassuring smile. “He’s…it’s complicated.”
Flora’s expression turned serene. “No, it’s not. He cares for you. I can feel it. I’ll give you one piece of advice: Play by your own rules. Not Seanair’s. Not our society’s. We owe nothing to anyone but Mother Nature, and She has blessed you beyond measure.”
Thanks, cuz. No pressure there.
She followed Flora out of the kitchen. A red halo sputtered and flared around her cousin’s body as she passed through the Fire shield. Aleron had protected her with this invisible elemental armor, which appeared to be quite complex and strong. How long would it take her to learn how to protect herself? How to shield those she cared about?
Goddess, why hadn’t her powers come with a thick instruction manual? Hell, they had a dating app. Why couldn’t there be a here’s-how-you-work-your-powers app?
Her breathing slowed, and she waved to her cousin one last time as the elevator doors closed. How had she forgotten about regeneration? She’d have to refuel. Would she need four times the sex to keep all her elements charged? What was she going to do about Earth and Water? Tension inched up her throat at the thought of being with anyone besides Aleron.
She heard Aleron say something through the clamor of her what-if scenarios.
“Elspeth?” He pushed off the wall where he’d been standing with Zum and leaned into her sight line. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” Yes. “I’m tired.” She blinked herself to rights. “What did you say?”
The line of concern between his brows deepened. “I said I’m glad you have Flora to help you. Her brother’s a real piece of work, though.”
She remembered when she and her cousin, who was two years older, had been in elementary school. Lach had had a reputation he followed through on with his fists, so no one had bothered Elspeth. But Flora’s twin brother, Kerr, hadn’t defended his sister from the kids who’d made fun of the towheaded, pigtailed, pudgy girl who talked to the trees on the playground and apologized to her broccoli at lunch.
The scrap of memory left a fresh cut. Flora had been a kind kid, too kind, and the others had bullied her for her imagination. And Kerr had let them.
“There’s not an honest atom in that asshole Kerr’s body,” Aleron said. Tension flowed from him in hot waves.
Which was why she was glad she rarely saw Kerr.
She looked up at Aleron. “It’s weird that they’re twins but so different. Kerr could learn a lot from his sister. She’s a kind, free spirit who doesn’t get her validation from others. She knows her talents, stays true to them, and prefers to leave a soft wake in her path. She’ll be here every time I need her. She’s always had my back.”
His hand cupped her jaw, his thumb grazing her cheek. “Are you sure you don’t want her to be in the meeting when you tell Seanair?”
She took his hand in hers.
“When we meet tomorrow, I’m going in alone. It’s time I make a stand with my grandfather. He’s not going to tell me how to use my power.”
Zum nudged her arm. “E, we need to get moving.”
“Go commune with Water.” His smile was strained. “As soon as I drop my shields for any length of time, your Nexus secret will be out. I want you as strong as you can be when that happens.”
She leaned up, kissing his cheek, and willed herself to be strong. She didn’t want to tell Seanair, didn’t want to leave her apartment, didn’t want to do anything to disturb the new, beautiful, fragile bond budding between her and this man.
“It won’t take long.” She didn’t like him staying in the hall. He’d insisted, though, and Zum had agreed.
She closed the door, putting her forehead against it and breathing for a second. A whirling sensation continued to stir inside her, like Air was chasing Fire. Earth tugged at her like it was playing Jenga with her bones. Her Water rolled and shifted with storm-tossed waves battering her insides.
“Come with me. You’re hurting.” Zum’s hand landed gently on her shoulder.
Elspeth turned. Her best frie
nd’s expression had turned serious and she’d changed her clothes and was wearing a robe. They went into the bathroom, the room dark, the only light coming from the small, high windows.
Zum closed the door and went to the tub, turning the taps on full blast. Her irises lit and bathed the room in a soft glow. “Humans live for their holidays and weddings, celebrating days involving their divinities, traditions, or other people. Naturas honor a few days, but one’s truly special: the day of their birth. The day Mother Nature delivered us here and blessed us with a part of Herself, giving us all we need to do good.” She came to Elspeth and took her hands.
“I think a lot of Naturas, of…us, have forgotten that.”
“Which is why we have to stay committed to the rituals. We must connect with those like us, to nurture the power inside us so we become our best, most powerful selves.” She cradled the sides of Elspeth’s face. “I’m honored to still your Water. Take off your clothes, and I’ll show you what only Waters know.”
The robe dropped to the ground. She’d seen her best friend in the buff a gazillion times, the two of them used to undressing in front of each other since boarding school. The soft light kissed Zum’s short frame, her small breasts pert, the thatch of hair at her sex dark and thick. Where Elspeth was all curves, Zum was an ode to feminine sculpture, a study of soft angles, her body a gorgeous work of art.
Her heart thumped as she pulled off her pajama top and slid down the bottoms. She unhooked her bra, her breasts too heavy to go long without one.
She studied her friend, Zum doing the same, and she wondered why humans often despised their bodies. The lines and curves and the blend of bone and muscle and fat created a unique beauty unlike any other.
Zum offered her hands, palms up, and curled her fingers with Elspeth’s.
“The twelve-year gap between our twelfth and twenty-fourth birthdays is a critical time.” Zum’s eyes glowed a faint blue. “We train every day so that when our power arrives, it’s not crippling. Water’s often dismissed as the weakest element because we seek equilibrium. Each body of water on this planet strives to connect, whether via rivers and streams or underground. Our element requires we seek each other’s comfort more than the others. The heavy pollution demands more energy to properly clean the liquid we all need to survive.”
The Call of Fire: A Natura Elementals Novel Page 22
