“Yes, we’ll be fine.” Moira tapped her head.
“For what?” Gillian asked. “What are you talking about?”
Gabriel hesitated. “I don’t know.”
“Where are we going?” Gillian asked again.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Eric said. “Come on, everyone needs this.”
“It’ll be okay. I promise.” Moira was like a little ball of energy that was about to explode at any second.
“See, even our lovely Seer thinks it’s a great idea.”
Gabriel exhaled. “Who wants to g—?”
“Me,” Gillian said. She was just as excited as Moira, but had no idea where ‘there’ was.
“I’ll go,” Lance agreed.
Thomas shrugged. “Might as well.”
Ava didn’t feel like going anywhere. She wanted to be alone, and was tired. “I’m probably going to head home.”
“What?” Gillian asked. “No. You have to come.”
“You don’t want to miss this.” Eric waggled his eyebrows.
Moira seized Gabriel’s arm and the others held hands.
“I’ll pass.”
Disappointment flickered in Gabriel’s eyes. Then the group disappeared. Ava exhaled a long breath. She didn’t know why she wanted to be alone. She jumped when Gabriel reappeared.
“Do you like Christmas trees?” he asked.
She lifted a shoulder. “Sure.”
“Good enough for me.” He held out his hand. “It’ll make you feel better. I promise.”
Ava stood, and Gabriel drew her closer to him so fast she barely had time to blink. Then they were outside behind the rest of the group who was staring at something. She moved around them and her jaw dropped open. Off in the distance green lights outlined the shape of a Christmas tree that rose up the slopes of a tall mountain. A bright white shooting star was at the top of the majestic lit tree. Several colored lights filled in the large tree. The small town at the base of the mountain was quiet and calm.
“Wow,” she breathed.
“It’s so gorgeous,” Gillian whispered, and wiped a tear, then looped her arm with Ava’s. “I wish Jeremy could see this.”
“Mel would love it,” Lance said.
“This is one of Joss’s favorite places.”
“Where are we?” Ava asked Gabriel. The green glow of the lights reflected on his pale face, and she could see a smile in the shadows.
“Gubbio, Italy. That’s Mount Ingino.”
“I think they use like a thousand lights for it,” Eric said.
They all stared at the largest Christmas tree in the world and its beautiful lights in awed silence. Ava imagined they were all lost in their own thoughts, probably thinking of their missing loved ones. She knew Melissa and Jeremy would love to see this and hoped that one day they would.
Being there in the silent night was peaceful, and for a moment, Ava felt like everything was going to be okay. She couldn’t explain it. It was as if all the pain she’d experienced lately ebbed from her. Or like it wasn’t as important as what she had in front of her. She’d felt a little guilty for grieving over Peter. He’d made his decision, and there wasn’t anything she could do. She needed to move on and focus on getting back to her full health.
After several minutes, she felt Gabriel’s hand intertwine with hers. “You keep taking me to these amazing places. I’m going to get hooked.”
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it. “We should head back.”
Moira groaned, and grabbed his other hand. The rest of them followed suit and within seconds, they were back inside the cabin.
“You are so lucky to be able to go wherever you want,” Gillian said, settling back on the couch.
“I shouldn’t really be doing that.”
“Why?”
“It could be dangerous.”
“How would they even know to find us out there?” Ava asked.
“He has Cimmerians everywhere.”
“Well, thank you, nonetheless,” Ava told him. “That was amazing.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Lance nodded.
“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas.”
It had been a fairly good Christmas, all things considered. She still missed being with Peter, but it was time to close the door on that chapter. Looking out the window into the dark woods, she wondered what he was doing. She could feel him, but not as strong as before. It was like he learned how to hide his emotions.
Ava shot a stream of water from her hands, striking a tree branch. It snapped in half and dropped to the ground.
“Show off,” Lance said.
“It’s easy. I imagine it to be similar to how Thomas creates his fireballs.”
After the happy Christmas ended, Ava returned to worrying and thinking again. She wished the night could’ve lasted longer. Another week passed and they did nothing but train. Aaron wanted to make sure they were back to full health and tested them constantly. It was New Year’s Eve. Savina threw another party, but Ava and a few others didn’t feel like partying. They decided to stay outside and practice. Thomas had taken to the Irish Aureole quite well, but Ava guessed it was because he really liked Moira. She assumed Natalia made Gabriel stay inside, away from Ava.
The anticipation and edginess wore on them, and the Elders knew it. It had been two months since the battle. Two months since Ava had spoken to Melissa and Jeremy. She sometimes imagined what Melissa would say or do in certain situations. She feared she was losing them, as if they were fading from her memory, like Colden.
“You make it sound so easy,” he said. “It’s a lot harder than creating fire for some reason.”
Ava lifted a shoulder. “Maybe the water only likes females.”
He tilted his head and rolled his eyes. “Jerk,” he teased.
She half smiled. “Just remember, I didn’t learn all of this in one night.”
“True. So, are you sleeping any better?”
“Not really.” The dreams with Peter hadn’t gotten better. He was always cruel, and yet she still wanted him. The dreams seemed so real that when she woke, it always took a moment to calm down. She hoped they would end soon. She imagined Melissa rolling her eyes and telling her to grow a pair. But following that with an encouraging speech.
“Have you tried talking to him?” His dark eyes were apologetic.
“I don’t want to.”
“Guys are stupid,” Eric said.
Ava met his eyes.
“Seriously. If Joss had brought me into the coven like you did with Peter, and then I dumped her like a hot potato, she probably would have electrocuted me.”
She laughed.
“Seriously though. I’m impressed with how well you’re keeping it together. I know it can’t be easy.”
“Having you all around helps. I feel like all of it was a lie.” She projected a stream of water at a tree, cutting off a branch.
“Ava, he’s not worth all this,” Gillian blurted. “You should move on.”
Ava sighed, annoyed. Because it was so easy to forget about it. She clenched her teeth, and swallowed her bitter response. She hated that her weakness was visible to them. Ava pressed her lips tightly together. She fired water at another tree branch, the size of her arm. Seconds later, the limb fell a few feet from Gillian.
Eric laughed.
“Ava?”
She shrugged. “Sorry. It slipped.”
Gillian tilted her head and looked at her with disbelief.
“Good one.” Eric nudged her.
Ava returned a smile.
A few people from the party came out, carrying drinks and chatting loudly.
“Oh great,” Eric muttered.
“What?”
“It’s almost midnight.”
Ava tensed, and she felt Lance and Gillian’s dread.
“Let’s watch the fireworks,” Eric said, and looked up at the sky.
Of course, Ava tried not anticipating the possibility of Peter and Katarina
kissing as the New Year strolled in. But each time she did, the anchor in her stomach weighed her down.
She could overhear the loud countdown from inside. How anyone could celebrate right now baffled her. As soon as they all shouted a happy new year, she clutched her necklace. The rush of excitement and anxiety from Peter filled her. The same ones she felt from him when he used to kiss her, but they were different now, somehow. And there it was. Like a slap in the face, Peter had moved on.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ESCAPE ARTIST
Explosions echoed in the night. Hot, burning streaks of reds and greens, pinks and blues illuminated the sky. The colors cascaded downward and dissipated before touching the trees. Water dripped from Ava’s fingers like a faucet. Tears clouded her vision as she ran from her problems, like the weakling she was. She darted through the thick forest with no set destination.
“Ava!” She heard Eric calling, but she ignored him. The winter night made her feel more alive as she picked up her pace through the woods. Weaving through the thick pine trees, she charged forward, ignoring the pain in her lungs that the cold air brought.
She had wanted to watch the fireworks, but now she wanted to get away. That was all that mattered. She wasn’t afraid of any dangers. There were none. She ran as far as she could, the sound of fireworks fading in the background. She collided with something hard. Arms grabbed her as she slammed to the ground with a thud.
Ava twisted and fought out of their grip. “Let me go!”
“Not until you calm down,” Gabriel said.
She stopped struggling and he released her. “What are you doing?” She rubbed her aching head.
“Trying to stop you.”
She jumped to her feet and started walking in the same direction.
“Ava, stop.” He grasped her shoulders.
“Leave me alone.”
He tightened his grip on her and turned her around to face him. Even in the moonlight, she could see the hard look in his crystal blue eyes. “Where are you going?”
“I want to get away.” She batted away the tears that fell.
“You can’t run away like that.”
“How did you even know where I was? Are you following me?”
“I felt you. I came out to see if you were okay and saw Eric dart after you.”
A rustling nearby made them look behind them.
“It sure must be nice to have the ability to just appear out of thin air to stop someone,” Eric said, breathing hard. “What the hell were you doing?”
“I can’t stand this anymore. None of this would have happened if I had left him alone.”
“He wouldn’t have had the chance to break your heart,” Gabriel deduced.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“Oh right. Because you can feel me?” Ava shoved him, but he only took a step backward. “Because you know what this feels like? You know what it’s like feeling like a complete fool? To risk everything for someone who doesn’t love you.” She backed into a tree and slid to the ground.
Gabriel remained silent.
“I’m no expert at this,” Eric said. “I know that if you hold onto that anger you’ll never be happy. You can’t run away from it. You’ll never allow yourself the feelings you deserve.”
“Yeah, I’m so happy right now. I just felt Peter’s love for another woman. I’m sorry if my anger bothers you so much.” She rubbed her eyes, but the tears wouldn’t stop. Eric and Gabriel dropped down beside her. “You don’t have to babysit me.” She was being ridiculous and regretted her attitude. They were trying to help, and she was acting like a spoiled brat. She drew her legs up to her chest and rested her head on her crossed arms.
Neither Eric nor Gabriel said anything.
Ava didn’t know how much time passed, but she knew they probably didn’t want to spend their New Year’s sitting in the middle of the woods waiting for her to stop all the nonsense. She got to her feet and they followed.
“I’m sorry for that.”
“It’s all good,” Eric said. “I’m not one to complain, but do we really have to walk all the way back?”
Ava laughed. “Are you that lazy?”
“Yes.” Gabriel chuckled.
“We’re miles away. You really wanted to get away. Gabe can get us back sooner. I’m sure people are worried about us.”
Ava shrugged. “I’m content to walk back.” The longer it took to return, the better.
“Come on, he’s right.” Gabriel offered his hands, and Ava and Eric took them.
When she opened her eyes, she stiffened. They all tensed.
“Um, Gabe? This is not the Manor.” Eric said.
Ava looked around, still clutching Gabriel’s hand. Half-burned buildings surrounded them on the empty paved street. Debris from the buildings cluttered the streets while ash flurried like snow. No one was there. It was dark and abandoned. Not a sound at all. All the windows in the storefronts were broken. The roofs were caved in. The smell of burning wood and metal filled the air. Any minute, Ava thought tumbleweeds would roll through the desolate town. There was an unusual soft red glow in the distance that Ava thought was a fire, but the color was wrong. Behind the glow, mountains ascended into the smoky night sky.
“This is wrong,” Gabriel said.
Ava let go of his hand and wandered near a storefront. “Where are we?” Glass from the once large window crunched under her feet. She peeked inside and saw her reflection in a cracked oval mirror. Smoke had left a thin film over it. She saw that her red hair was matted, and her gray eyes looked so pained it was hard to even look back at herself. Her smooth face appeared weary from stress. She looked terrible, almost to the point that she didn’t recognize herself.
“I don’t know,” Gabriel said.
“We need to get back to—Ava, get away!” Eric shouted.
She turned away from the mirror. Hands grabbed her shoulder and pulled her toward the inside of the store. She clutched the frame of the window, slicing her hands open on the broken glass. Two cloaked figures tackled Gabriel and Eric. One of their hoods fell back and Ava saw a flash of white hair. She thought of Kira.
The mysterious hands kept tugging on her. Ava refused to be pulled into the building. She kicked and elbowed the figure but nothing happened.
Energy hummed inside her as she willed water to flow from her hands. Pipes in the building burst. The water rushed out, rising rapidly, and poured over Ava and the figure with so much force it felt like large rocks pounding her. Water erupted like a geyser from the street, shattering the pavement. The streets flooded. Debris floated in the rough waves. As the water rose, the cloaked figures to release Gabriel and Eric.
She heard the person behind her choking as the water rose above them. She elbowed them in the jugular and finally broke free. She swam to Gabriel and Eric. Gabriel touched her hand, and they were gone.
Landing on her side, she scrambled to her feet. Dry leaves and pine straw stuck to her soaked clothes and hair. She trembled, but once she saw that they were near the Manor, she relaxed.
“Was that you, Ava?” Eric asked, trying to catch his breath as he bent over, resting his hands on his knees.
Gabriel steadied himself against a nearby tree.
“I had to get us out of there,” Ava said, wringing out her hair.
“Where the hell were we?” He turned to Gabriel.
“I don’t know.”
She froze. “The Cimmerians. They did this to you before. Did they get inside your head again?”
He cursed. “I was thinking the Manor. I don’t even know that place.” She had never seen his confidence so shaken. She felt his confusion.
“Is someone watching us?” Ava fretted.
“I don’t know, but Aaron’s upset,” Eric said. “We gotta go back. Everyone is worried.”
They arrived at the practice field of the Manor and halted. Ava saw Peter and Katarina holding hands. Lance and Gillian had worried faces. Thom
as stood with his arm around Moira’s shoulder. Savina’s lips pressed into a grim line. The anger in her and Aaron’s eyes forced Ava to look away.
Natalia charged toward them. “Gabriel.” Her hazel eyes narrowed at him while her lips set in a straight line.
“Natalia, don’t,” he warned her.
“What the hell happened?”
“I teleported and we wound up somewhere else.”
“What?” she yelled. “You know Aaron forbade you. Did you forget there are Cimmerians out there? Were you trying to impress her? How reckless can you be?”
“Natalia, settle down,” Gustav said.
“I was bringing us back here, but we went somewhere else. I don’t know the place, Aaron.”
A muscle in Aaron’s jaw twitched, and his russet eyes glared at them. “Come with me.”
The three of them followed the Elders into the mansion, Ava dreading each step. She didn’t know Gabriel was forbidden to teleport. She couldn’t believe how irresponsible she had been running foolishly into the woods, past Savina’s protection charm. The Cimmerians had almost captured them. And it was all because of her ridiculous drama.
Once they reached the parlor, Aaron shut the door. “Tell me what happened.”
“I-I—.”
“Ava needed to get away,” Eric said. “She started running but didn’t realize she went past the charm. I convinced Gabe to teleport, but I had no idea he wasn’t allowed.”
“It should have been obvious,” Aaron said. “Have I not taught you better? You know the dangers.” His voice was low and indignant.
“You have. I’m sorry.”
“It was my fault,” Ava said. “I shouldn’t have run away.”
“No you shouldn’t have. Why were you running away? What were you thinking?” Aaron chided, his tone making her feel small.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking at all.”
“What happened when you teleported?” Gustav asked.
“We ended up in some desolate town. All of the buildings were burned and decrepit,” Gabriel said. “Someone grabbed Ava from a mirror and then others seized us.”
What? Grabbed her from a mirror? What did he mean?
“Ava flooded the place, and we teleported back here.”
Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) Page 16
