“Would you calm down?” Melissa grimaced. “We aren’t going to kill anyone. Just have a little fun.”
Gillian bit her lip. “Ava’s right. It’s not a good idea to use these on people.”
“Oh come on. The only one who could really do anything to anyone is you. I might be able to scare people by appearing in front of them. And I don’t think Ava could really hurt someone by breathing underwater.”
“What about Lance?” Ava asked. “Has his power developed?”
Melissa pressed her lips in a tight line. “I think he has the same power as me. Which is really cool. What about Thomas?”
They looked at Ava expectantly, but she could only shrug. “So I guess this means we’re still going back to Blackhart for the Initiation Ceremony.”
“Well, yeah.”
“Do you even think they’re still there?”
Ava never mentioned that she’d visited the house several times after that night, but the man and woman weren’t there and the house looked abandoned.
Melissa chuckled. “Of course they are.”
But Ava didn’t want to go back. She didn’t want to be initiated into the coven. What was the use anyway? She took a deep breath. Ava still had two months not to worry about it.
“We should get ready for tonight.” Melissa tossed her a towel.
Gillian placed a hand on Ava’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Everything will be all right. Come on, let’s go.”
Ava had expressed her anxiety of this day to Gillian several times. But Gillian assured her each time. There hadn’t been any evil Enchanters since Corbin, so there was no need to worry. But it wouldn’t be easy being Peter’s friend.
CHAPTER TWO
POWERFUL
Ava drove along the unlined country road to her house as the summer sun hung low in the pastel blue sky. She passed wide pastures on each side of the road with large bales of hay for the cows that hid under the lush green maples and oaks. Occasionally a house dotted the landscape along the way.
She turned down a gravel road and arrived shortly at the white quaint two-story home where she and her dad lived. After parking in the driveway, she turned off the engine. Shaded under southern oak trees, the cozy house was her mother’s dream home. The steep roof with three dormer windows rested low to the ground shading the porch that ran the length of the house. The front door nestled between four windows with black shutters. A pale blue swing hung on the left side of the porch, while a table rested between two matching rocking chairs on the right side. Small columns were at the corners and entrance of the porch while rose bushes almost reached the railing.
Like Melissa’s house, no neighbors lived around for miles. Across from the house were deep green woods with kudzu strangling onto the trees. Lifting her pool bag on her shoulder, she followed the small concrete path to the porch steps and then stepped inside.
“Hey Ava,” her father said over the television.
“Hey.” She closed the door.
He stretched out his gangly body in the blue recliner with his feet up. Freckles dotted his ashen legs and arms. His reddish-brown hair stuck out in several directions. It had slowly thinned over the years, but Ava chalked it up to stress he had endured since her mother’s death. He still looked amazingly good for being forty, and his short bearded face hardly kept a wrinkle, a result of being an Enchanter. It was weird to think of her father as one.
“Did you not move all day?” She teased, noticing the same relaxed position she’d left him in earlier.
His green eyes smiled up at her. “I got up to eat.”
“That’s good. What did you have?”
“A hoagie.” He patted his small protruding stomach. “Braves come on at seven.” They had watched baseball together ever since she was little, but it meant something more after her mother died.
“I’m hanging out with Thomas and everyone tonight.” She always hated turning him down.
Her dad muttered something under his breath as he pulled the lever on his chair, putting him in a sitting position. She knew he didn’t exactly like Thomas and, since Peter had been coming around, he had formed a more appreciative relationship with Peter than he ever had with Thomas. He tilted up the soda can, took a final gulp, and then stood, towering over Ava.
“How was swimming with the girls?”
Oh, that. Well, Dad, apparently, I can breathe underwater. Ava refused to meet his eyes. “It was fine.” She needed to tell him about her powers, but Ava didn’t want to talk about it. Telling him would confirm it really happened. She didn’t know why it freaked her out so much.
“Are you okay?” He scrutinized her face.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” She was glad his ability to detect lying had faded. But she knew he would eventually figure out that her powers had developed since the parent’s power disintegrated once their offspring developed theirs. But for now, she could hold off on telling him. “I’m gonna take a shower and change.”
“Okay.”
Ava walked up the stairs to her room and dropped her bag onto the floor next to her full-sized bed. She crossed to her bathroom to turn on the water in the sink. Plugging the drain, she waited until the basin filled, and then turned off the flowing water. Staring into her gray eyes in the mirror, she took a deep breath, and then submerged her face. She expected her instincts to force her to hold her breath, but she inhaled and exhaled as if she were not underwater. She lifted her head, water dripping onto the counter, and exhaled. She admitted it was cool, but she was still reluctant.
After taking a hot shower, Ava dried her straight, crimson hair that hung just below her shoulders and dressed in khakis and a gray t-shirt. She slid a gold ring that held a milky white opal stone in the center on her ring finger. It belonged to her grandmother, then her mother, and now her.
Her stomach groaned, reminding her that it was hungry. As she sank onto her bed, she picked up the postcard Peter had sent from Boston from her nightstand, next to the picture of her mom, dad, and her. A picture of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthplace graced the front. Peter’s short note to Ava on the back read:
Hey! I saw this and thought of you. Boston is seriously awesome, even if it’s filled with Red Sox fans. Hope you’re having fun. See you soon! Love, Peter
She sighed. She’d read it for the hundredth time. Each time she read it, her heart beat like an erratic drum. Ava placed it back on her nightstand and gripped the edge of the bed, hung her head, and closed her eyes.
What would Peter think if he knew? Ava didn’t want this. She didn’t want to be an Enchanter and take an oath binding her to a coven. Two more months. And then they’d return to Blackhart. She pictured that first night, eight months after her mother died. She saw Savina, so otherworldly, sitting on a bench waiting for her. Ava remembered being scared, yet Savina and Colden somehow made her feel comfortable. The thought of drinking blood made Ava shudder.
There was a soft knock at her bedroom door, then the door slowly opened, and her dad appeared.
“Hey honey, Thomas is downstairs,” he announced.
Ava sighed.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I just hope he behaves tonight.” She pushed herself off the bed.
“You don’t have to go,” her father said. “You know I don’t like him. I can tell him to leave.”
She smiled. “It’s okay. I’m just thinking aloud.” She kissed his cheek and walked out of her room.
Ava walked down the stairs, and her dread increased with each step. She used to enjoy being around Thomas and laughing at his dumb jokes or walking down the halls with him on her arm and secretly liking the jealous looks she got from the girls. But that was ages ago. She couldn’t remember the last time she was happy to see him.
She crossed into the living room, but Thomas was too busy to notice because he was changing channels on the TV as if he owned the place. The smell of his musky cologne hit her like a wave slapping her in the face. The scent always made her sneeze. She hated the way his str
awberry blond hair curled past his collar like it had the last four years. Thomas despised any sort of change and felt that his stupid hairstyle resulted in his godlike ability to throw a football and score points. And why on earth did he insist on wearing shirts that were so tight on him that his muscles threatened to rip apart the seams? Too bad his brain wasn’t as big as his muscles.
He finally turned to her, his pale blue eyes roving up and down her body like he did every time they went out.
My eyes are up here, Thomas.
“Hey, Babe.” He licked his lips before he pressed them to hers. Ava silently shuddered at his greeting but kissed him back. She hated it when he licked his lips. His kisses used to turn her inside out, but now they seemed lackluster.
Behind them, her father cleared his throat. Ava, thankful for the interruption, quickly pushed away from Thomas.
“Good evening, Sir.” Thomas nodded, and handed the remote to her father.
“Hello, Thomas,” her dad replied without an ounce of warmth.
“How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Even though Thomas was bigger than her dad, he always seemed so nervous around him. It made Ava laugh silently to herself.
“I’ll see you later.” She smiled and gave her father a quick hug. “I’ll watch the game with you tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Have a good night,” he called as they walked out into the humid night.
Once outside, they both climbed into Thomas’ss Jeep. After strapping in, he started the engine. With a jerk, the car backed onto the gravel road and then he slammed down on the gas, kicking gravel everywhere. The Jeep swerved slightly and then Thomas corrected it.
“Do you have to do that every time?” she asked. Her voice sounding annoyed. It was becoming a habit to talk like this to him. She tried to stop, but he just irritated her.
“It’s fun.”
She rolled her eyes and peered out the window. Why didn’t she just drive her own car? Then she could listen to her own music and not be praying for her life.
“Why doesn’t your dad like me?” Thomas asked.
“He likes you fine.”
“You told him about the night before I left, didn’t you?”
Ava exhaled noisily. She hated thinking of that night. They’d been making out, but Thomas didn’t want to stop. They had a fight, and then Thomas went to football camp the next day, wild with anger. She wasn’t ready for that next step in the relationship. After that night, she couldn’t stop imagining how different her life would be if she were with Peter.
“Even though my dad and I are close, that doesn’t mean I tell him every detail of my life.”
“You know I’m sorry if I hurt you, Babe.”
“Don’t call me that. And yes, I know you’re sorry. I got your letters and phone calls.”
“But you hardly responded to the emails. And when I called, you couldn’t talk long.”
“Must we argue every time we’re together? Is this how it’s going to be from now on, until I give in?”
“Come on, Ava. Melissa and Lance have. So have Gillian and Jeremy. Every girl in that school would love a chance with me. Why not you?”
“Because I’m not ready,” she snapped. “I’ve already told you this. If you’re so desperate to get laid, why don’t you just ask out every girl in the school, then?”
“Because they aren’t like you, Ava. Don’t you love me?”
“Yes, I love you,” she said automatically and then looked at his profile. But did she really? He hadn’t always been this aggressive. He used to be kind and caring. Maybe they were just growing apart. Or maybe she was just losing patience.
“I’m just confused. I mean, we’ve been together since seventh grade. How much more time do you need?”
Her temper flared. “I don’t know. Okay? I’m sorry. But if you loved me, you’d understand and be patient about it and not hound me every five seconds.”
“Whatever.”
For the rest of the way to the small town, he turned up the radio, and she stared out the window, fidgeting with her opal ring. She briefly wondered what Peter was doing. Hanging out with him was easy. Like swimming. Calm and relaxing.
Thomas pulled into the usual spot at the high school hang out, an outside strip mall. There wasn’t much to do in the small town, except loiter around the strip. Ava didn’t like being there every night while Melissa, Lance, and Thomas mostly harassed other kids. But especially tonight. She really wanted to try her ability again. She had always loved the water, and for some reason, since learning this new trick, she felt alive.
Ava got out of the Jeep as fast as she could. The warm breeze made the humidity bearable, but it also helped that the sun wasn’t beating down on her. Instead, bright florescent shop signs lit up the night. The moving clouds made the dull crescent moon barely visible.
She and Thomas walked silently toward Melissa, Gillian, Lance, and Jeremy, who all stood next to the brick building.
Melissa exuded coolness as she smoked a cigarette and stood in front of Lance. It wasn’t the cigarette that made her cool, but the way she smoked it like she was slowly tasting and taking in every drag. Ava envied her nonchalant attitude and wished she could be more confident. Her blond hair was in loose waves and she wore heavy eye makeup as usual. “What’s with you two?” She flicked ashes to the ground.
“Probably fighting again.” Lance assumed. It annoyed Ava that they all joked about her and Thomas.
“Shut up,” Thomas told him.
Lance shrugged and wound his muscular arms around Melissa’s waist. Like Thomas, because of his chiseled abs and square jaw, many girls at school fantasized about him. His crew cut dark hair had a widow’s peak. Though he had a friendly smile, his dark eyes made him mysterious. But it also could have been the fact that he kept to himself mostly and was around Melissa usually. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and then turned to Thomas. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”
“You want a vanilla milkshake?” Jeremy asked Gillian.
“Sure.” She smiled sweetly and then kissed the tip of his long, narrow nose. He squeezed her shoulder before he followed Lance and Thomas down the sidewalk to the burger joint.
The girls walked to one of the empty wooden picnic tables and sat down.
Melissa stubbed out her cigarette in the flimsy aluminum ashtray. “So, what happened on Days of Our Lives?”
Ava rolled her eyes. Melissa always compared Ava and Thomas’ss relationship to the soap opera. “He’s still mad at me.”
“Still?” Gillian checked her reflection in a compact mirror. She had to make sure everything was perfect. “That was like weeks ago.”
Ava nodded. “Yep.”
“You should just give it up already. Making him suffer, y’know?” Melissa rolled her green eyes as she lit a cigarette.
Ava crossed her arms in front of her.
“If she’s not ready, she’s not ready,” Gillian said and then coughed. “And, can you wait five minutes before lighting another one of those things?” She reapplied red lipstick and pursed her lips together as if she were going to kiss the mirror.
Melissa batted her eyelashes, mocking Gillian. “We can’t all be perfect and sweet like you.”
“I didn’t say I was perfect.”
“Well, I know you’re no longer a virgin.”
Gillian blushed and looked away.
Melissa wrapped an arm around her. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of, G. Though, you never did give us details—.”
“Have you guys told your parents about your powers?” Ava cut her off, saving Gillian from having to talk about her private love life.
“I think my mom knows,” Gillian said. “Especially since she’s been blocking me.”
“Yeah, I told my parents when it happened,” Melissa said. “I was so excited. I thought they’d never develop.”
“How would yours develop if you’re adopted?” Gillian asked.
�
�Because when they adopted me, Savina linked our blood together,” Melissa answered. “Have you told your dad, Ava?”
She shook her head.
“You’re gonna have to eventually. Maybe you’ll finally learn what kind of Enchanter your mom was.”
Ava shifted uncomfortably. She hated talking about her mom. Luckily, for her, the guys came back with burgers, fries, drinks, and a salad for Melissa, who was vegetarian.
“Eww, there’s little bits of Thomas on my salad.” Melissa grimaced.
Ava watched her remove bacon bits from her salad, and then laughed.
“What are you talking about?” Thomas asked.
She picked up the bowl and pointed to the bacon. “See? Little bits of you.”
Everyone laughed, but Thomas looked completely confused.
“How is it that you got this far in school? There’s bacon on my salad. Bacon comes from a pig. Little bits of Thomas. Get it?” She turned to Lance who couldn’t keep a straight face. “How many times does his head get hit in football practice?”
“I’m not a pig.”
Ava bit back a laugh.
Thomas shook his head and engulfed a large bite of his double patty hamburger. Ketchup and mayonnaise stuck to his chin before he wiped it away. Ava never understood why he had to inhale his food like it was his last meal.
“Oh, Ava, I brought On the Road for you,” Jeremy said. “I just finished it last night.”
“Thanks. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Did you know Hunter S. Thompson probably wouldn’t have written Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas had it not been for this book?” Jeremy leaned forward, the way he always did when he was excited to talk about something he loved. His eager topaz eyes pierced through his rimless rectangular glasses.
“No, I didn’t.”
He shook his head like it was the most amazing fact. Ava grinned. She was close to Jeremy since she felt they were the outcasts in the group. No one else read as much as they did, and no one else surely talked about books for hours like they did. She would never forget when Jeremy fell severely ill with a lung disease when they were ten. Ava read to him every day while he was bedridden. Jeremy had always told her if it wasn’t for that, he probably wouldn’t love books as much as he did.
Under A Blood Moon (Elemental Enchanters) Page 2
