Life and Water: The Elementals: Book One

by Melanie Gilbert

  “Don’t worry, friend, I do not want this one. You know I no longer do jobs like this anymore. What I do want, however, is the girl,” Nathaniel said, trying to pacify Kade.

  Kade arched a brow at my new friend. “Why would you want her?”

  “Who would not want a governor’s daughter’s sweet, young blood?” Nathaniel asked in a greedy voice. I could sense through that voice the man he used to be.

  “I’m not sure I want to give her to you, Nathaniel, when I could have her for myself,” Kade’s voice was full of greed and double meaning.

  I fought against my restraints. How dare he even think about “having” my mate. Immediately, I felt the invisible restraints tighten more, and I let out an involuntary whimper. My wrists, forearms, and ankles bled from the tightness of my invisible bonds. I knew Nathaniel did it to sell the story, but it still hurt.

  “It’s either the boy or his girl,” Nathaniel said calmly.

  Kade growled. “Fine!” he yelled. “I’ll take the boy. You may have the girl. She’s worth far less than him, anyway. A few pints of blood is nothing compared to the reward I’ll receive for him.”

  “Deal.” Nathaniel reached between them, and they shook hands. “I will let the restraints on him go. He is weak, so it should not be difficult for you to attach your own restraint to him.”

  “That will not be a problem.” Kade smiled. I looked at Sylee. Her fearful expression had not changed.

  Nathaniel’s restraints loosened before I fell a foot to the ground. That was a lovely experience I did not want to have again. I expected to feel Kade’s restraints when Nathaniel’s released, but was shocked when scorching heat raced through my veins. I curled into a fetal position and screamed. I didn’t know how long the burning pain or my screaming lasted, but I was hoarse before it was over. It finally did have an end, and I took in big, gulping breaths.

  I was soaked with sweat, but alive. It sounded like Nathaniel’s plan had worked. I opened my eyes. Jeff was sitting next to Drew, who was unconscious from their fight with the three witches, and Chris was checking the pulses of said witches. I couldn’t see Sylee, but I knew she was around. I could feel the bond. I probably hadn’t noticed it before because I was always with her, and I hadn’t yet felt what it was like without her bond close by after we had opened up to each other.

  Nathaniel and Sylee entered my vision then. She had been crying, again. I always made her cry. I knew it was something she hadn’t done much before I met her. Now, it was a frequent occurrence. Nathaniel had a hand around her arm, keeping her beside him until Chris gave the all clear, which he did moments later. Then Nathaniel let her go. She ran to me.

  “Carmon! I’m so sorry! You’re hurt again because of me. Why did you come? You should have stayed away,” she cried. “Why didn’t you stay away?”

  “Because I love you,” I croaked out. It was barely more than a whisper.

  Her mouth fell open. “You, what?”

  “I love you.” It came out weaker this time, but I was able to give her a small smile. “I’m okay.” I practically had to mouth the words. My voice was depleted.

  Drew sat up, and Jeff came over to me. He sat on the other side from Sylee and took my hand. I felt his power immediately.

  “Don’t worry, Sylee, I’ll have him fixed up in no time. He’ll be talking your ear off soon enough.” His joke about me talking was enough to get her to smile. Usually I had her doing all the talking.

  There wasn’t much Jeff could do for me except heal my throat. I needed blood to increase my energy. Drew provided that, for which I was grateful.

  “Are you hurt?” I asked her when Jeff had finished my throat.

  “No, they never hurt me,” she replied, and I thanked my lucky stars as I sat up, and then stood when Drew’s blood allowed. I reached down and pulled my mate up too, and she threw herself into my arms.

  “I am so sorry,” I whispered into her ear. I never seemed to do anything but apologize to her. What was I doing wrong? “I thought sending you away would keep you safe. I had hoped no one would harm you if they thought I cared so little for you. Instead, all I did was hurt you and throw you to these witches. I should have kept you by my side where you belong.”

  “Sorry to interrupt Cal, but we need to return to Cambria so we can get the Hamilton’s to Mount Pickett,” Chris said. He was right.

  “Let’s start walking then.” I bent to pick my mate up. She had done enough walking since I met her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and nuzzled in.

  On the way back to the car, Sylee talked to me and slept. She was hungry too, and we found what little we could for her and Nathaniel. Witches were hearty, but he was reaching his limits. Nathaniel was also able to answer my question about what Kade had done to me. Apparently, it was a restraining spell, but it was meant to restrain through pain. Most witches could not do what he had because Kade was very powerful and very old, which was why we had never heard of such a thing.

  Sylee slept the entire car ride back to Cambria. The magic the witches had used to capture her had a lingering effect that was slowly wearing off. We returned the car to its lot, and walked back to the hotel. I carried Sylee the whole time, and she never fought me on it. We did not stop to see her parents this time. They would get to see her later.

  We walked into our room, and it smelled heavenly of pizza. My mate pushed out of my arms and dashed to the table that held our food. She was on her second slice before I could take both my shoes off. I was starving, but I needed sleep more. Nathaniel had put more magic on our room so my mate and I would be safe. Sylee was on another slice of pizza when I sat on the bed and removed my shirt before I could crawl into bed.

  “Carmon?” I stopped attempting to crawl under the covers when she called my name. “I didn’t want to tell you this while you were so tired, but I need to.”

  “Okay.” I kept my face blank, but inside I was a mess. I had finally fallen in love, and now I was going to lose her because of my actions.

  “I love you.” Yes, I was shocked to hear those words leave her mouth, and being said to me. I gasped at her words and my eyes went wide. “I’m not saying I love you because you said it to me already. I was planning to wait so you wouldn’t think that was why, but I do not want to wait. Knowing our luck, one of us will be in trouble again soon, and I do not want something bad to happen and not have said it.”

  I stood and took her into my arms. When I was done hugging her, I started kissing her. I thought I would never be able to do that again, and my passion was evidence. Soon, too soon, she pulled back from me. I wasn’t done kissing her by a long shot. I mean, she tasted like pizza, who could pass that up?

  “Can I sit on your lap, please?” she asked me.

  I immediately sat down and pulled her onto my lap at her request, and she snuggled into me. I enjoyed holding her. Every second I could hold her was the best part of my day. Then there was pain at the base of my neck where it met my shoulder. I wondered what was wrong until I felt complete bliss. She had bitten me! She’d done it! Sylee pulled my blood from me, and there were no words to describe how amazing it felt. My heart beat so hard I was sure she could feel it. She bit a little deeper and I could not stop the moan of pleasure that escaped my lips as my hormones went crazy. This was what a mating bond was supposed to feel like when it was created. It should have been like this the first time, but it was happening now and I indulged in the feelings racing through me.

  I held her even closer to me, and I could not wipe the smile from my face. She really did love me. There was no doubt in my mind now.

  I let her drink until I felt the effects of blood loss. “Love, time to stop,” I told her, wishing I had an unlimited supply of blood.

  She pulled back and looked at me. A beautiful blush covered her cheeks. “Yummy.”

  I threw my head back and laughed at her. She blushed deeper and laid a light punch on my arm.

  “Love, may I return the favor?” I asked when I had myself back under
control. I really wanted to taste her again, without needing her blood. Though, after the last couple of days, more blood would not hurt.

  She pulled the neckline of her shirt out of the way, and I kissed her where I would bite. She shivered and I did not wait to bite her.

  I had bitten her twice before, but this time was by far the best. She was completely willing, and unafraid of me. She trusted me. I could taste the difference in her blood. I was not sure how exactly, but there was a difference. Physically there was a change as well in her. The last time I had bitten her she was willing, but hesitant. This time she was relaxed and held me close. Her breathing was rapid, and she held the hair at the back of my neck in her fist, wanting me to keep drinking.

  When I finished, she kissed me. She had never taken control of our kisses before. She always thought I was the better kisser and doubted me when I told her otherwise. Her kisses did amazing things to me, and I was breathless when she released us from it. I did not give her a chance to back away from me though, and drew her in for more. I loved this woman so much, and she loved me. My exhaustion flew out the window when she allowed me to move us past kissing.

  ******

  I woke up when she snuggled closer to me in the morning.

  Good morning, Love, I spoke to her through our newly completed mental link.

  She stiffened, and I tried to control my laugh, but while I was silent, my body still shook. She relaxed and glared at me.

  “The weird feeling in my mind has changed,” Sylee told me. “Is that how I heard your voice in my head just now?”

  Yes. Now, no matter where you are, I will always be able to talk to you, and you will be able to talk to me. There are no distance requirements. Just send your thoughts through the link.

  Can you hear me? I heard my mate’s voice in my head, and I couldn’t help the big smile that came to my face. I’ll take that as a yes.

  I can hear you, Love. Your voice is beautiful in my head.

  Is this what you do with your brothers?

  Yes, Mate. This is exactly what I do with them.

  Doesn’t it get crowded?

  I had to laugh again, but this time I let her hear it in her head. There was so much she would learn about our link and I was excited to teach her. Sometimes. We’ve had our links our whole lives, so I’m used to it, but it gets loud when everyone talks at the same time. There’s a lot you will need to learn about the link, but it will come with time and information from myself.

  Of course, my stomach picked that moment to growl, loudly. I heard her laugh through the link, and I knew if I were to die today, I would die a happy man. Of course, if I did not die I would be a much happier man. I’d love more nights with my mate.

  We’re heading out of Cambria within the hour, Adam’s voice came through his link. Yes, my mind was full of voices.

  Thank you for arranging everything, Adam, I spoke back as I got up from the bed to grab my bag.

  Not a problem.

  “Time to get up, Love. If we don’t want to be left here we’d best hurry,” I told Sylee who burrowed back under the covers. I realized I forgot to turn the AC off. I shook my head, laughing again. She would never get out of the bed if it was still on.

  After turning the AC off, I grabbed a slice of leftover pizza that had been out all night. It was not good, but it was food, and I had not eaten for a long time.

  What if I don’t want to leave? Sylee asked while I brushed my teeth.

  Love, it’s not like I don’t have a large bed you can snuggle in at home. Get up, Beautiful! I would hate to leave you here. My heart would break.

  Once she got up, we were out the door quickly, after more kissing, of course. We’d put all her belongings into one bag and given the extra to Nathaniel, so we only had our two to carry out. We met the others in the lobby and headed back to the car rental. Drew again got us great deals on two SUV’s. The manager probably hoped we would never come back to Cambria, but I planned to.

  Between Nathaniel and I, we could spot potentially dangerous situations with other races, and my Life element was on par since Kade was killed. He was the witch, Nathaniel said, who messed up my element in Cambria. I wondered how he knew to do it. It was on a very long list of questions I needed answers to.

  Sylee road behind me, and every once in a while, she would lean up and rub my shoulders to help relieve the tension there. I did not in any way deserve her, but I was grateful she loved me, and had forgiven me for my stupidity.

  It took us a day and a half to reach Mount Pickett. Nathaniel rode next to me as I drove. There was minimal trouble getting past security at the gate of the parking garage. Just a few scowls from the Lanshay boys, and Drew honking his horn and yelling to hurry up, made the young parking attendant clear us for entry in almost seconds. Thankfully, Sylee looked amused at our antics instead of being displeased. She was probably as ready to be out of the car as everyone else, otherwise I did not think we would have gotten away without a reprimand and an order to be nice to the young man.

  It was so good to be back. Our mission had gone wrong from the start, and I was happy it was technically over. I would still do my best to protect my new family, but the official job was complete.

  ******

  I found myself sitting across the desk from Councilman Borgman a half hour after we arrived at Mount Pickett. The Hamilton’s, Nathaniel, and my mate were safely relaxing in the apartment that my brother’s and I used often. Borgman was finishing a phone call because, like normal, I had let myself in without an appointment, and without knocking. It drove him crazy, and I loved it. I still wasn’t perfect after all.

  “Where in the blazes have you boys been?” Borgman almost yelled when he put the phone on its hook.

  “Hamilton estate, Bard’s Forest, Cambria, Ridge Mountains, Cambria, Mount Pickett,” I answered. Okay, it was a sarcastic answer, and I had really been doing better, but Borgman always seemed to bring out my immaturity.

  “You want to start over and elaborate on that list?” Borgman asked politely, but sternly.

  “Picked up the Hamilton’s, almost got ambushed by witches, married Sylee Hamilton,” I started listing the events until Borgman choked on the water he was drinking.

  “You did what?!” He yelled at the top of his lungs.

  “I married Sylee Hamilton.” My tone implied it was no big deal. Technically, I had bonded with her, but that would take explaining I did not want to do, and did not have time for, so I continued my list. “Walked through Bard’s forest with a decent amount of trouble, met a Harbor Witch who has been a great help, spent a few days in Cambria, got attacked by demons, Sylee was kidnapped by witches, saved her, drove to Mount Pickett, and now meeting with you. I don’t think I forgot anything. Oh yeah, we brought our Harbor Witch friend, Nathaniel Turnclaw, to Mount Pickett with us. He’s in our apartment.”

  “I am never sending you on this type of mission again. You can kill people without trouble. Apparently, you cannot save them as easily.”

  The words and his sarcastic tone were more than a little insulting. “Councilman, do not talk to me like that again,” I growled before continuing in a kinder tone. “What I am going to tell you next explains why we ran into so much trouble. If you had sent any other team they would have died the first day, along with the Hamilton’s.”

  “Proceed, Commander,” Borgman snapped at me. He hated when I put him in his place. He and the council knew my lineage, so he knew not to disrespect me.

  “The Warlock put a mark on my head.” Borgman’s mouth fell open. “He is trying to break a creature called the Mindolin from his prison. If that creature is released we all die. The Warlock is under the impression that I am the only one who can stop his plan, so he’s put a price on my head. I’m going to guess it’s a dead or alive contract.”

  “Do you have a plan?”

  “Yes, but it’s sketchy and likely won’t work, so don’t make any retirement plans just yet. You probably won’t get the chance to enact them
.” I didn’t want to leave him feeling hopeless, but I needed him to know our reality.

  “I need to call the council together. When are you leaving to stop the Warlock?” he asked me while picking up his phone and dialing numbers.

  “A day or two. We’re going to spend some time raiding the library and Vault for information on the Warlock and Mindolin. We hope to find something useful that will give us an edge.”

  “Good luck, Commander. I hope you have a miracle.” Borgman stood and held his hand out for me to shake.

  “Me too, Councilman,” I told him as I left his office. We were going to need the miracle of all miracles to pull this off.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sylee

  The boys’ apartment had a fun design. It made me wonder what the room was for when the building had been used as a castle, or if the boys had it designed just for them. There was a main floor and a second floor. The first floor contained the shared living areas and two bedrooms. The second was bedrooms and baths.

  When you first walked into the apartment, there was a small kitchen to the right with an island. The living room was straight ahead and it held a couch and a couple of love seats. Carmon’s room was between the kitchen and living room on the far side from the door, and Adam’s room was across the room from it.

  To the left of Carmon’s bedroom door was a set of stairs that led to the second floor. There were two bedrooms on one side with a bathroom between them. The landing went around the room to the other side where there were two more bedrooms and a bath. Drew and Dalton lived on the far side from the stairs and shared a bathroom, and Jeff and Chris lived on the other. Carmon and Adam had their own private baths, for which I was grateful.

  Carmon had led us to the apartment, said he needed to talk to a councilman, and showed me his room before leaving. I didn’t know how long he would be gone, so I laid down on his twin-sized bed to take a nap. We were going to be cozy when we slept since my mate was a large man. I was used to sharing the king-sized bed at the hotel, and even my bed back home had been queen-sized.