“A few days ago,” Colden said.
Jeremy shifted and leaned forward. “But his powers have been negated, and he’s been tortured for years. What harm is he to us?”
Ava thought she saw a flicker of sympathy in Savina’s eyes.
“He is a deranged man on the loose.” Savina paused, as if gathering her thoughts. “We believe he has gained followers, but they leave no trace of their whereabouts.”
“Followers for what?” Jeremy asked.
“Devon could be waging a war against us for revenge. While we search for him, we will need to prepare you all. We need to protect the Ephemerals and our kind.”
“War?” Ava asked. Her throat tightened, and her heart stopped.
“Yes,” Savina replied.
Thomas shook his leg, the way he did when he was nervous, which was rarely. “Where is this guy?”
Colden poked the fire, making small embers rise. “We do not know.” There was a hint of irritation in his voice.
“Some of our Aureole are investigating and trying to track him down,” Savina said. “The others are traveling here to train you all.
“Why would we need so many to train us?” Ava asked. “I thought only our coven leaders did that?”
Colden shook his head. “No. We cannot do this,” he shouted at Savina. “They are too young, Savina.” Ava detected concern in his voice.
She gave him a stern look, and Ava assumed she was speaking to his mind. What was she saying to him?
He took a deep breath and placed the poker back in its place. “Forgive me. We will explain more once we go into the conservatory.” The scared look in his eyes worried Ava.
“Why is he seeking revenge?” Ava asked.
“For killing Corbin and forcing him and others into the Cruciari. He has also killed Ephemerals in his path but now he is making them into Enchanters for his army. He wants as many able bodies as he can get to fight us.”
“Halflings in his army?” Ava asked. “That doesn’t make sense.” Devon must have been desperate for an army. Corbin had hated Ephemerals and there was no way he would make half-blooded Enchanters. He had only wanted pureblood for his military.
“He is willing to do anything to avenge Corbin,” Colden said.
“I want you to know I can read minds, and you all will need to learn how to hide your thoughts,” Savina said. “Along with healing, I can inflict mental pain. I must teach you how to use this craft well. Over the next few months, you will learn to master your power.”
“But in the meantime, you must be aware of potential spies,” Colden said. “And we are to execute those who are dangerous,” Colden said.
“Why would anyone be spying on us?” Gillian asked.
“Comes with the territory of a possible war,” Jeremy said. “He’s seeking revenge against Savina and Colden, and we’re a part of that. They probably want to know what we’re up to or our every step.”
This wasn’t happening. It was all too much. They were going to die. Ava couldn’t stop shaking, and she didn’t even notice Thomas’s arms around her.
“You all have come here tonight to pledge your dedication to your Aureole,” Savina said. “This coven is founded upon commitment, trust, and love. You must not break it nor betray each other. Betrayal will lead to expulsion and loss of powers in most Aureoles,” she explained as casually as if she were teaching history.
Ava gripped Thomas’s hand once more. Her dad never mentioned any of that. She could not get over Benjamin escaping…impending war…potential spies…betraying the Aureole…Halflings. A bowling ball seemed to weigh inside her stomach and she felt dizzy. Several questions bubbled on her tongue, but she remained quiet. She felt as if her insides would pour out, but she held herself together.
Savina stood and walked to a cherry oak chest under a window and opened it. She pulled out six small, black velvet boxes and handed them out to Ava and the others.
Ava opened the box with shaky hands. Inside was a necklace similar to the ones her parents always wore. The pewter pendant that hung on a black leather rope was a pentacle, a star within a circle. An intricate Celtic design adorned the circle. Worked into the scrolls were five red garnet stones. A larger garnet was set in the center of the star. Each stone represented a person in the Aureole, the middle belonging to the wearer.
Ava pulled it out and, like the others, wrapped it around her neck, and clasped the ends together.
“This is my gift to you,” Savina said. “Never be without it. These pendants are magical, and they give each of us an intuitive connection.”
Ava remembered her dad talking about it when she was younger. It was like a mood necklace, and at the time, she thought it was the coolest thing. Now she wasn’t sure she wanted the others to know how she felt at any given moment. But it was more than just moods. They’d be able to tell when any of them was in danger.
“I think mine’s broken,” Gillian said.
Savina smiled. “It will work once we call our powers.” She moved her long hair from her chest and revealed the same necklace. Colden pulled his out from his cloak. “We will be able to feel you as well.”
Melissa cleared her throat politely. “So will we be able to feel all emotions?”
“Yes. Especially, if it is intense.” Savina eyed Melissa and Ava wondered if she was speaking to her mind. Ava knew what Melissa was thinking. This was going to be awkward.
“You must never remove the necklace, for your presence will not be felt, and I will assume the worst. If you feel someone in danger, you must protect them at all costs.” Savina crossed the room with Colden and instructed them to follow. “Now, you must swear your oaths.”
Ava still clutched onto Thomas’s hand as they walked down the hallway that led to the large room with the massive glass ceiling. She shivered and then Thomas rubbed his hand on her arms to warm her. But the chills weren’t just from the cold. She hated this. Savina could read her mind, and now they knew what she was feeling. She just wanted to be alone.
They reached the end of the corridor and entered a candlelit room. The same room that they stood in ten years ago appeared before them.
In the center of the room was a purple velvet rug with a large pentagram embroidered on it. Ava’s stomach churned at the memory of drinking blood.
The simple beauty of this room once again awed her. She looked up into the domed ceiling at the stars and saw the orange-red moon low in the sky. She couldn’t stop shaking.
Savina crossed to the center of the circle. “Swearing an oath is one of the most important events of your life. We were all born Enchanters and this is our destiny.”
Ava tried listening, but only picked up every other word. Everything distracted her. The flickering candles. The way Colden and Savina stood calmly in front of them. The glass doors behind them, even though she couldn’t see out of them, she wanted to get out of there.
“Everyone, get in a circle,” Savina said.
Ava’s pulse quickened and her palms sweated in Thomas’ss hand. She clenched her teeth to prevent them from chattering and followed the others to form a circle. She stood between Thomas and Jeremy. Colden moved next to Savina in the center.
He stood patiently, and clasped his hands in front of him. “Each of you is a part of nature. You are all Elemental Enchanters.”
“There has never been a coven of Elementals,” Savina said. “The Elements are the root of all existing matter. Each of you is exceptionally powerful, but together as a group, you can be omnipotent. With all these essentials combined, it could be severely dangerous. Which is why we must train you so you don’t lose control.”
Ava exchanged looks with Melissa.
Savina and Colden moved in the circle, and everyone held hands.
“Each of us will pledge one at a time,” Savina said, and then spoke the oath. Melissa and Thomas followed, and then it was Ava’s turn.
She took a deep breath, and swore her oath under the blood moon. “I bind myself to this Aureol
e. I solemnly swear that I will keep this coven under absolute secrecy, that I will use my power for the good, and that I will protect the members of my coven at all costs. I swear this upon my life, and should I break this most solemn oath, it would result in eternal unrest for my soul.”
Lance gave his oath, then Gillian, Colden, and Jeremy.
“Our powers strengthen within this circle of perfect love and perfect trust,” Savina said, and then moved in front of Gillian and touched her face. “Gillian, you are the Moon, the second most powerful entity. You calm us, help us regain our grounding, and help us in dire need. You keep balance inside the circle. The Moon affects moods, but more specifically, it affects our minds.”
Ava wasn’t sure what that meant. Did Gillian have the power to control their moods as well as their minds?
Savina placed her hands on Jeremy’s face. “Jeremy, you are the Air. Cool and dry, you are associated with communication and intelligence. You are connected to the soul and the breath of life. You have the power to create gusts of wind so powerful that it could rip apart trees or boulders.”
Ava had experienced a small example of Jeremy’s power, but never knew just how immense it was.
Savina moved to Ava and lightly touched her face. Her hands were warm and surprisingly comforting.
Ava, she spoke to her mind. Ava met her green eyes. I promise you, everything will be fine. We are here now. Please do not be afraid—this is who you are.
Something about Savina’s tone reinforced her message to Ava that she had nothing to worry about.
“Ava, you are Water. Warm, intuitive, and cleansing. You deal with emotions such as love and joy but also pain and sorrow. High depths of emotion are associated with death. Be careful and do not let burdens weigh you down. Water is very strong as it is inside all of us. It will help cleanse ourselves and keep us hydrated. You have the ability to control water.” Savina’s hands fell and then she moved to Thomas.
Death? Why did she have to be associated with death? She quickly cleared her mind.
Savina looked up at Thomas, craning her neck. “Thomas, you are Fire,” she began, touching his face as well. “Passionate, physical, and courageous. You can create fire. Be careful, it can get dangerous, but is very protective and warm.”
“Melissa. You are the Earth. Beauty, nurturing, and caring. You are stable, but you have inevitable strong energy, just like the abundant power of an earthquake or volcano. You are here to guide and protect you all. A leader of all entities.”
Ava met Melissa’s eyes and Melissa had an almost giddy smile.
“And finally, Lance. You are our Sun. You are the most powerful as you guide our strength together. You bind us and open our eyes to see clearly. While the Moon is resting, you watch over us. The sun is like a magnet. It draws us to you, to soak you in. It is warm and bright. The sun also absorbs those around you.”
“When you enter the circle, each of you must have absolute love and conviction,” Colden said. “Now, each of you close your eyes and breathe softly. Think of your attribute of nature in a calming way.”
Ava breathed deeply and thought of water. Off in the distance, she heard waves…seagulls…smelled the salty air and felt the warmth of the sun. She was calm. The waves crashed harder and louder. She could see them growing in size. Warmth rushed over her, and then she opened her eyes. It was almost as if she had left her body and a stronger, more confident version of herself took over.
A vigorous force, like a wave, struck her, and she felt an immense amount of energy charging through her. A tingling sensation raced up and down her body, through her veins, pulsating inside of her.
Gillian’s blue eyes widened, and she smiled. “Did you feel that?”
“Yes,” Ava said. “I feel strong. There’s so much energy.”
“I felt very calm,” Jeremy said. “And it was so quiet, but powerful.”
Ava couldn’t believe how different she felt. Seconds ago, she wanted to bolt through the glass doors, but now she believed as if nothing could harm her. As if she was unstoppable. “This is amazing. It’s almost like I can do anything.” Why had she been so scared before?
Savina smiled. “That’s because you can, dear. Because you are in a coven together, the connection is unyielding.”
“What can some of the other Enchanters do?” Jeremy asked.
“Some can morph into different people, move things with their minds, create the weather. You may face some who can make you see images of your past, or make you hallucinate.”
Ava closed her eyes for a second. “Morph?”
“Yes. They are called shapeshifters. They can morph into anyone or anything.”
Her pulse edged up. The invincible feeling quickly vanished. How could she know if anyone was really whom they appeared as and not some shapeshifter? “You mean they could just transform into anyone, and we’d never know it?”
“You can always tell if someone has morphed into someone else,” Colden said. “A shifter can only use his own power, change his own appearance, and cannot inherit the Enchanter’s power.”
Ava tried to keep her breathing level. “Okay.”
Colden frowned. “Do not be afraid.” His voice was smooth and quiet. “You will learn to be a stronger Enchanter.”
She chewed her lip, the way she always did when she was nervous. “What if they morph into an Ephemeral?”
“You can still detect if they have power.”
She nodded. She didn’t know why Colden made her uncomfortable earlier, but now she felt fine around him.
“You must be careful because if you cannot control your power, it can get out of hand,” Savina said. “You have to remember to focus. It is very important. You must practice focusing in case of an attack. I have to know you have control. It is a grave responsibility, but I know each of you is mature enough to handle this and care about each other because you are a family.”
“There is a cabin in the woods, not far from here, near the Red Mountain,” Colden said. “This is where you will practice without us. On nights that we will practice together, we will do it here. We have an enormous field beyond those doors. Savina placed a secrecy spell on your cabin. No one will be able to see it but us.”
“But give your bodies a week to rest. Then you may start strengthening.”
Savina moved from the circle. “Now, it is time to retire for the evening. May the circle be open and remain unbroken.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
PARANOIA
Constant fear gripped Ava. They could go to war tomorrow or next week or tonight. Someone could attack them at any moment. There was no way to know for sure.
Thoughts of killing and death conjured gruesome images in Ava’s mind. And spies. Someone could be following her or watching her every step. What if they found out where she lived? Or followed her at school? She shivered, and feared for, not only her life, but also others.
But she couldn’t deny that energy roared within her, itching to break free. It was in her blood. The powers were an amazing gift, but part of her was afraid. Fear of the unknown. What were they supposed to do if someone attacked them? She didn’t know how to kill. Was this what her parents did? It was all so much to take in, and she hadn’t expected it.
“This is it?” Gillian complained.
Ava looked up just as Thomas pulled up to the front of a wooden cabin. They wanted to see it tonight, except Ava. She could have waited a few more days. Weeks. Months.
She took a deep breath and begrudgingly got out of the Jeep.
Thick woods bordered an open field that surrounded the dark cabin. It looked like a one-story house made of logs with a stone chimney on the left side. Thomas took Ava’s hand, and they walked up small wooden steps and entered.
It was dark until she found a switch and turned on the lights. A crystal chandelier hung above them in the foyer. There were hardwood floors throughout. An open kitchen with black speckled marble countertops and brand new appliances was to her right.
“Wow,” Lance said and pushed his way past them. “This place is awesome.”
“Hey, what’s down here?” Thomas pulled Ava down a hall next to the kitchen. They stopped at the first room and saw it was a plain room with a light-colored wooden bed.
“She gave us a house,” Ava said. Why would she do that? Were they supposed to stay there every night?
“Mom said something about this. Every Aureole gets a house when they’re practicing.”
“Why? Wouldn’t we just go home after practicing?”
Thomas raised an eyebrow and shook his hair. “Because. This is our own place. We can come here whenever we want. And stay as long as we like.” He grinned wickedly and pressed her against the wall. Ava gripped the doorframe behind her. He leaned down, licked his lips, and kissed her softly, the way he used to. She had missed those kisses and could actually feel his affection for her now, which was the strangest thing. But then Peter flashed in her mind. She wanted to be with him, but it was impossible now.
Thomas pulled away with a yearning in his blue eyes.
She exhaled, unaware that she’d been holding her breath. “Let’s see the rest of the cabin.” Ava tried to move around him, but he grabbed her arm.
“I know I’ve become aggressive lately,” he said. “And it clicked tonight with Savina. I’m Fire—passionate and can be aggressive. I’m afraid of what I can do. Afraid my anger will get the best of me, and I don’t want to hurt you.”
She felt an onslaught of tears but swallowed them. Ava was dejected at the thought of being stuck with Thomas forever and that she had to end it with Peter before it even began.
“What’s wrong?” Thomas asked. “I can feel what you’re feeling.”
“What?” She looked down at her necklace. The garnet stones glowed red, and heat emanated from the pendant. This was going to take some getting used to.
Under A Blood Moon (Elemental Enchanters) Page 9
