“We can’t take him there. He helped Devon escape, so he knows how to get out.”
“She has a point,” Colden said. “Perhaps we could keep him hostage.”
“Devon escaped on his own,” Xavier said. “You just can’t believe someone could actually leave that place like he did.”
“You said you helped him,” Ava said.
He laughed. “Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t. But you think putting me there will stop us? Others believe Corbin’s vision. This isn’t over by a long shot.”
Ava drew her hand back, curled it into a fist, and drove it into his face. He fell back, unconscious. She’d wanted to do that for some time.
Melissa let out a hard laugh. “Nice hook.”
“Not exactly ladylike,” Savina said.
“Let us go,” Kristen screamed, and squirmed against Lance.
“What do we do with them?” Ava asked.
“I will heal them of their mind control,” Savina said. She moved to Kristen, and gently touched her. Within seconds, Kristen relaxed, but then her eyes widened as she looked around. It reminded Ava of the boys in the hall who almost kissed her.
“W-what are you all doing?” she asked. “Why am I here? What are you doing to me?”
“They don’t know anything,” Ava said. “They didn’t have a choice.”
“There are ways to help them transition,” Gabriel said. “And if they choose not to continue as an Enchanter, Aaron can weaken their ability, and we can have their mind erased.”
“That’s terrible.”
Colden lifted Xavier over his shoulder. “They will be fine. Thomas, burn the dead.”
“You got it,” Thomas said.
Savina finished lifting the mind control off the Halflings. “Let’s go back to the Manor. We have much to discuss.”
“I have to go back to my dad,” Ava cried. “They burned my house.” She took off through the woods once more rushing to get back. She couldn’t believe she had left Peter and her dad unprotected. What if other Cimmerians took Peter and her dad?
Ava broke through the woods and found the house still ablaze. Smoke rose into the indigo sky. There was no sign of Peter or her dad. She called their names but received no answer. Where were they? Had they been taken?
“Peter,” she screamed. Her heart pounded as she frantically searched. “Dad.”
“Ava,” someone called.
She turned around and was face-to-face with Gabriel. Her body shook and tears fell in an endless stream. “I can’t find them. They’re not here.”
“What happened before the fight in the woods?”
“We woke up to the house burning. We got out and my dad was unconscious. And then I saw a vision like what Trudy did the other night. So I ran after her.”
“Do you think Peter could have called 911?”
Ava froze. She didn’t even think of that. “I don’t know. Could they be at the hospital?”
“They might. I can take you there.”
He pulled Ava close to his body. He was warm and oddly comforting, though it was a little awkward. She closed her eyes and a second later, they were at the hospital. They jogged inside and walked up to the check-in desk.
“Connor Hannigan,” Ava said, breathless. “Do you have a patient by that name?” She sped through her words, but the old woman seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace.
She clicked on her computer and Ava saw the reflection of the screen in the woman’s glasses. Ava wanted to tell the nurse to hurry up as she kept clicking, but she held her tongue.
“He’s in the ER,” the nurse finally said. “Room 404.”
For a moment, Ava was relieved, but then she darted down the hallway with Gabriel behind her. He grabbed her hand and headed for the stairs. Then suddenly they were on the fourth floor. Ava pushed open the stairwell door and found Peter halfway down the hall. He was sitting on the floor with his knees up and his head in his hands.
A lump rushed to the base of her throat and then she ran, dodging people. The hallway seemed to get longer and longer as she made her way to him.
“Peter,” she cried.
He raised his head and locked eyes with her. He was covered in soot, but she was thankful to see him.
Peter got to his feet and rushed up to her. “Ava,” he said, with relief.
Ava collided with him, wrapping her arms around him, and squeezing him so tight. She felt his arms fit perfectly around her.
He kissed the top of her head and forehead and then lips. He cupped his hands on her face, his brown eyes gazing into hers. “Are you okay? Your neck is bruised.”
She nodded. “Yes. I’m fine. I thought they took you. I thought—.”
“I’m okay.” He hugged her and she buried her face in his neck. “Your dad’s okay. They said he inhaled quite a bit of smoke, but we got him out in time.”
“Thank you for saving him.” She turned around and met Gabriel’s eyes. “Thank you for your help.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
Ava squeezed Peter’s hand, and then opened the door to his room. Seeing her father hooked up to an oxygen mask and an IV angered her, but also brought up memories of when she was in the hospital for pneumonia. He was sleeping and there was a constant beep.
“Dad,” she said and moved beside his bed. “I’m here, Dad.”
The door opened and Ava twisted her head and saw Savina quietly enter.
“How is he?” she asked.
“The doctors told Peter he had inhaled a lot of smoke.”
It was odd seeing Savina in such a normal atmosphere. She seemed so otherworldly. Ava watched her glide to the other side of the bed and slowly moved her hands over him.
Ava bit her lip and twirled her ring.
Her father’s eyes gradually opened, and tears overflowed and raced down her face.
“Dad,” she cried, and then kissed his forehead. The door closed, and she realized they were alone. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” His voice was a little scratchy, but his color had returned. He sat up and moved his feet to hang over the side.
“I should’ve been more alert. This is my fault.”
“Ava, what are you talking about?”
“They came after us. They could’ve killed us. I almost died and Devon almost took my powers and—.”
“Slow down,” he cut her off. “What happened?”
Ava took a deep breath and explained everything.
“So Devon is dead.”
“Yes. But I ran after Trudy and left you and Peter. I’m so sorry. I thought they took you and Peter.”
“Stop. It wasn’t your fault. What you should be apologizing for is how you left without saying a word for an entire day. But, thank you for saving me.”
“Peter did. He got you here. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
He squeezed her hand. “Speaking of Peter. I take it you talked to him.”
Ava sat next to him on the bed. “Yes.”
“And,” he urged.
“He didn’t freak out once. He just accepted it. What happened when Mom told you?”
He took a deep breath. “Well, at first, I didn’t know what to think or say. I was scared, but the more I learned about them the more I felt comfortable. Savina and Aaron welcomed me as if I were meant to be, or as if I were family.”
She nodded. “Savina didn’t want him at first. She said no. And she said she could tell we were in love, but she didn’t think we’d have time with everything going on.”
“What changed?”
“We showed her that he can protect us. She says he could be a Paramortal.”
“Wow. What are the odds?”
“I never expected this.”
“Of course not. You can’t expect anything in life.”
“What will happen to him? I mean, is this right of me? I feel selfish bringing him into all this and then with all these expectations.”
“You may have fought for him, but he ultimatel
y made his decision. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and cares for you. I think he’s loved you for some time now, and this is what he wants. He chose you, Ava. Just like I chose your mother.”
She nodded, and felt his arm around her, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder. “I just worry about him.”
“I know. Your mom was worried, too, but she knew she couldn’t be happy without me, and I felt the same. There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t wish I could’ve protected her that day.”
Ava stiffened, and then raised her head. “You know?”
“I had suspected.”
“Do you know who”
He shook his head. “No, but I’m sure they are locked up at the Cruciari.”
Ava had wondered that herself, but she still wanted to know for sure.
There was a soft knock on the door, and then Savina entered. “How are you, Connor?”
“I’m well. Thank you for healing me.”
“Of course.” She smiled warmly.
“How did this happen?” her father asked.
“A Halfling named Kristen was under their influence. She caused the lightning to strike your house, catching it on fire.”
“Are they okay?” he asked. Even in such a time, her father thought of others.
“They are in shock, but we will get them better. They are staying at the Manor for the time being. Ava saved them.”
“Hardly,” she said.
“If you had not chased after them, we may not have gotten to them. Now, Devon is dead. Rest assured.”
“But is it really over?” Ava asked. “Trudy is still out there. What if she starts a revolution?”
“There weren’t many strong supporters of Corbin after we imprisoned them. Trudy can’t do it alone. And we have Xavier. Soon, he will join the rest at the Cruciari.”
Something didn’t seem right. It felt like everything wrapped up in a nice, neat package. Killing Devon and his rather small army was too easy. Was Xavier right? Was there someone else out there who had actually started this?
“You worry too much, Ava,” Savina said. “I promise you we will be fine. We will still practice as much as we can to make you all stronger. But the security at the Cruciari has tightened, so no one will escape.”
Ava nodded. Hearing Savina’s voice calmed her. They would be safe at the Manor. “Thank you,” she said and hugged Savina, inhaling the strong scent of oranges. “Thank you for everything.”
She felt Savina’s hands softly on her back, stroking her hair. She was warm and comforting and motherly. Ava missed that.
“You do not have to thank me,” Savina said. “I would do anything for you.”
“Let’s go home, Sweetie,” her father said.
They both stood, but Ava stopped. It hadn’t occurred to her that they had no home to go to anymore. Everything was gone, including all the pictures of her mom. Tears rolled down her face. The only memory Ava had of her mother was in her head, and that faded each day.
“What is it?” Her father pulled her close.
“Dad, our house was burned. There’s nothing left.”
He nodded and took a deep breath. “We’ll find a place.” He kissed her forehead.
“I have rooms for you at the Manor,” Savina said.
“You’re too kind, but we can just get a hotel.”
“I insist.”
Ava knew her father didn’t do well with handouts, but he nodded. “We’ll be out as soon as we find a home.”
“Stay as long as you like. Come now, let us go.”
They walked out of the room where Gabriel waited for them. Ava looked around but didn’t see Peter.
“Where’s Peter?” she asked.
“I took him to the Manor,” Gabriel said. “He’s with Seth.”
Ava couldn’t even imagine what that conversation was like, and hoped Peter would be safe there with Thomas and Gillian.
The four of them left the hospital and Gabriel made one stop on the way to the Manor at the request of Ava’s father.
Frosty dew coated the brown lawn. The early sun’s red tip was barely visible beyond the horizon. The last time Ava had watched the sunrise, was right after her mother died and she and her dad stayed up watching the peaceful scene. The world was silent, almost like it was in awe of such a beautiful incident.
But when she turned her head, she stared at the blackened shell that was once their home. Smoke lingered from the desolate sight. Nothing was salvageable.
Her father held her hand tightly. “I can’t believe it’s all gone.”
“What are we going to do?” she asked. “There’s nothing left.”
“We’ll manage. We still have each other. Come on,” he said, and Gabriel teleported them to the Blackhart Manor, leaving the burned remains of their lives behind.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
TOGETHER
Ava was hesitant to cross the threshold of her new home. She didn’t want to stay at the Manor. It was big, and felt more like a hotel of sorts. She wasn’t used to having so many people around. It had been just her and her dad for ten years. But she forced herself inside and it was warm. She inhaled deeply and her stomach rumbled at the aroma of something familiar. It smelled like the stew she had had on their first night back.
Laughter from the library flowed into the hall and the foyer and Ava realized she had missed that sound. How long had it been since she had a good laugh?
Ava looked to her dad as if asking if he wanted to join her.
“You go ahead,” he said. “I’ll be down in a bit.”
“We will all have a meeting about Peter,” Savina said.
“Tonight?” Ava asked.
“Yes, but we will discuss other things.”
Ava nodded and then strode down the hall to the library. Both Aureoles sat close to one another while the Halflings and Peter were at their own table. Did no one want to be around them?
“Ava,” Melissa cried and rushed up to her. She hugged her tightly. “Where did you learn how to hit like that? Did you guys see her hit Xavier?”
Ava rolled her eyes. “He deserved it.”
Gillian twirled a curl around her finger. “I can’t believe we didn’t kill him.”
“But then we couldn’t torture him,” Joss said. “Gotta see the positive in things.”
“Only you would say that,” Eric joked, and then kissed her tiny nose.
Conversations picked up again, and Ava leaned closer to Melissa. “Has Peter been okay with Thomas and Gillian here?”
“Thomas has been eyeing him, but he assumes Peter’s only here for Seth’s sake.” She frowned and nodded toward the Halfling’s table. “They’re all pretty shaken. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”
Ava turned and saw Kristen staring off into space while Nicole had an arm around her shoulder whispering to her. Nothing Nicole said seemed to faze Kristen. Peter talked to Seth, Link, Scott, and Liza.
“Kristen and Link are in shock,” Melissa continued. “They hate what they did.”
“Link?”
“You can call him Mr. Timebomb.”
“What?” Ava turned to her. “How does he even do that?”
“You got me.”
“I’m going to go talk to them.” She meandered toward their table and she saw all their eyes on her. “How are you all?”
Kristen looked up, her eyes watered and her chin quivered. “I’m so sorry, Ava.”
“Don’t apologize,” she said. “You have to know that wasn’t your fault.”
“Doesn’t make it any better.”
“I don’t blame you and I never will.”
“I can’t do this. I know she gave us a choice, but I can’t continue…”
Nicole hugged her tightly. “No one’s making you. They’ll fix you right up and you won’t even remember any of this. You’ll go on in a new place and start fresh.”
Ava never thought she would see the day when Nicole Eckrich would be comforting Kristen Mille
r.
“What if they find me again?”
Ava kneeled down beside Kristen’s chair. She wasn’t sure what to say because there was no guarantee that she would be one hundred percent safe. She met Kristen’s beady brown eyes and placed a hand on hers.
“Devon is dead. And Xavier is a prisoner. They won’t find you. You’ll be so far away from all of this.”
Kristen nodded and wiped her tear-stained cheeks. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
Savina, Colden, Aaron, Maggie, and Kira entered the room and suddenly the blithe atmosphere changed to a serious one. Ava stood upright and then felt Peter’s hand intertwine with hers.
Savina clasped her hands together in front of her torso as she and Colden stood in front of the fireplace. Aaron, Maggie, and Kira flanked them.
“There is much to discuss tonight,” Savina began. Her green eyes swept over each person. “First, we have six Halflings that were unfortunately turned against their will. We have spoken to each of them and gave them a choice to stay or leave.”
Colden frowned. “We know what a difficult situation you have been placed in, but we would welcome you as our own and we would also respect your wishes if you decide to go.”
Seth stood and turned his attention to the front. “I want to stay,” he said.
Had Peter talked him into it or did Seth really want this?
“I want to stay as well,” Link said.
“Liza and I are leaving,” Scott told them. A pang of sadness hit Ava for some reason as she watched Scott hold a very distraught Liza.
How often did this happen? Corbin never turned Ephemerals against their will; he just killed them. Would Trudy try to do the same as Devon? She didn’t turn Milo for whatever reason.
“I’m leaving,” Kristen said, still clutching onto Nicole.
Nicole loosened Kristen’s grip and rose from her chair. “I wish to stay.”
“Nicole, no,” Kristen cried.
“We welcome those who are staying,” Savina said. “And we will care for the others.”
Ava detected a hint of sadness in Savina’s eyes but then they quickly changed back to the serious look.
“As some of you are aware,” she continued. “We have a potential new member, Peter McNabb. He is a Paramortal with the unusual ability to protect. I have asked him to join us to be with Ava. As you all remember, Ava’s mother did the same for her father. If Peter agrees, we must all accept him in order for him to join. Peter, your answer?
Under A Blood Moon (Elemental Enchanters) Page 31
