“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling I get sometimes. Elementalism is so exciting. I can’t even tell you, but then there is this side of me that feels… I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. There isn’t anything wrong with worshiping nature. There’s nothing wrong with understanding how the elements work. And yeah, there are powerful beings like Adam, hanging around me now, and that shouldn’t be scary or terrible—it should be exciting—but he kind of scares me.”
I waited for her to continue. When she didn’t, I asked, “So, what are you saying?” I wanted her to come to her own conclusions. I knew in my heart this was how it needed to happen for her. If I came right out and said that her Elementalism or “religion” was evil, it would backfire. I was learning. Slowly.
“Nothing,” she said. “Never mind. I don’t want to talk about it.”
I lay awake for another hour, waiting for her attempt to take over our body, but she didn’t. I was strong enough that she probably wouldn’t be able to, even if I was asleep, but I wasn’t sure. She had gotten so strong, and I was terrified to let go. Just before dawn, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I drifted into slumber.
31
~Defiant~
Brecken
Brecken lay awake in his cramped, damp, basement bedroom with his arms folded behind his head. He spent way too much time there, but it was the only place he could be alone. His sisters were scared of the basement. They swore they could feel bad spirits there. They had no idea how right they were half the time.
As he stared at the ceiling, he thought about what Claire had told him at the park… that her name was really Alisa, and that she had been his guardian. He’d never called the spirits who babysat him guardians, but that was as good a name as any. The fact that he was supposedly in love with her… well, that just did not ring true.
Even if she was telling the truth, never once had he connected to a spirit who visited. Not once had he listened to one long enough to become friends with them, let alone… what? Lovers? No. That wasn’t possible… but how had Claire known about the spirits anyway? He would have to figure that out and ask her more questions, but he’d be careful not to let on why he was digging. He refused to let anyone get that close. Closeness equaled danger. That much he knew instinctively.
What a crappy way for the day to end. He’d hoped to drown his frustration in a pair of soft, feminine lips. Now he wished he hadn’t kissed Claire at all. Their friendship was probably ruined. Not that it mattered, but… for a moment… there was something else there. Something he couldn’t explain or even understand. It was as though he knew her… had known her all along. For the first time in ages, he’d felt a connection—as terrifying as that sounded. Something other than physical attraction anyway.
His thoughts turned to a girl he’d met not long ago. Hannah. She’d been at a lacrosse game and was a player herself. Their friendship had blossomed instantly, but lately, his feelings for her had started to grow. He wasn’t sure why, but he wanted things to develop between them. She didn’t know his past or the craziness of his life. She was just… nice… and beautiful. He was more serious about her than Claire, even if Claire was hot and exciting. Hannah was calm and peaceful, a breath of fresh air. Something he desperately needed in his life right now.
Frustrated, and knowing he could do nothing about it, he pulled off his clothes and got under the blankets, but before he closed his eyes, a dim cluster of light formed above him and began to grow. He knew who it was before she fully appeared.
Lilim.
His new… what? Guardian? She didn’t call herself an angel, and he was not sure she was one, but he had come to rely on her and her words of comfort. She had started coming into his room every night.
Once she was fully visible, she sat down on the bed beside him and smoothed back his hair. She might not have a physical body, but he could still feel the tingle of her fingers on his forehead.
“Hello, Brecken.”
“Hey.”
“You had a bad day?”
She seemed to know his thoughts, which was kind of cool, but eerie at the same time. He didn’t like anyone having that kind of power over him, and if there was one thing he valued, it was his privacy.
“Nah. Normal.”
She smiled, her pink lips slightly parted, but the smile didn’t reach her crystal-blue eyes. “Oh, come now. If you can’t be honest with me…”
“I am being honest.”
“You met someone new. The redhead.”
She knew. Brecken’s heart constricted at the thought, and he wasn’t sure why. “She’s just a girl at school who needed help in calculus.”
“Oh, I think not,” Lilim said, laying her hand on his arm. Her normally tingly, warm touch burned, and he yanked his arm away quickly, staring up at her with a frown. “What the hell?”
“I don’t want you to see her anymore.”
“Why?”
Her eyes narrowed as though he had no right to ask questions, that he should obey blindly, which he had never done with anyone. He didn’t intend to start doing it now.
“Because I’m telling you to.”
“That’s not good enough.” He sat up and threw the covers back, ready to get up and leave. “And until you give me a valid reason, I don’t care what anyone says. I like her.”
“Of course you do, but she’s a sneaky little witch. Literally.” At his expression of surprise, she continued. “Yes, I speak the truth. She practices witchcraft. Stay away from her.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Ask her yourself.”
“I will.”
32
~Return and Report~
Bas Iblis
Bas Iblis had been expecting Asmoday’s visit, but his servant’s news had infuriated him. The lesser demon knelt before him on one knee.
“You say the guardian is establishing a relationship with Bretariel… again?” he shrieked, unable to stay seated. He paced before his dark, stone throne, flabbergasted that the girl was able to worm her way back into any situation.
“You were supposed to keep them apart!” Bas Iblis’ voice echoed like thunder off the black walls, and the other devils in the room cowered, afraid. “I gave you one job and one job only, and not only did you fail miserably, but you let the guardian take control of the Elementalist’s body… again!”
“I’m sorry, My Lord. Truly. It was out of my control.”
“Out of your control?” Bas Iblis stalked toward him with slow, controlled steps, his eyes narrowed, his teeth gritting above his long, jutting chin. Asmoday cried out in terror as his master’s hand closed around his throat.
Bas Iblis pulled the lesser demon close. “You have one chance left. Do you hear me? If you fail, you die.”
Asmoday quivered and nodded, bowing before the furious fiend. Bas Iblis stood over Asmoday but addressed everyone in the great hall, which grew more shadowed and heavy with desolation as the seconds ticked by.
“Now is the day of my power! You will fear me or be broken beneath my feet!”
33
~House of Terror~
Alisa
It was Saturday morning and, miracle of miracles… I was still in control of our body. Light slashed through the half-opened curtains and the cool, crisp air coaxed goose bumps to rise on my exposed arms and legs. I sprang from the bed and nearly collapsed in relief. Claire must have really been tired.
All was quiet upstairs in my head. “Hello?” I said very softly. I couldn’t imagine that Claire was still asleep, but after our talk last night, I didn’t feel like she hated me quite as profoundly. I was pretty sure she didn’t think I was a demon anymore either.
I went through the motions of getting ready for the day, showering—relishing every moment of hot water on my skin—getting dressed, and eating breakfast. I wasn’t hungry, but Claire’s mom wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was strange the way she didn’t seem to care what Claire did during the day, but she always made sure she ate three s
quare meals. Maybe she felt guilty for being a nonexistent parent and was trying to make up for it by doing at least one thing right.
Angela left me to eat alone while she perused her emails on the computer. After a few moments, she suddenly swiveled in her chair, her eyes locking with mine. She did not look happy. Her jaw clenched, and her eyes flashed with fury.
“Guess who I just got an email from.”
I shook my head in bewilderment.
“Your school principal.”
Uh oh.
“Can you guess what he told me?”
I could guess and even though Angela was trying to remain calm, her face was turning purple. She looked ready to explode.
“Uh…”
“You’ve been skipping all your classes?” she pretty much screamed. “And just how long has this been going on?”
I hesitated. Surely, the principal had told her. I’d hidden two different letters that had come in the mail from the school. She was probably waiting for me to admit the truth. I stared at her in dread, because I had not rehearsed an answer for this moment.
“Um…”
“Nothing to say?” She kept glaring, and slowly, she began to shake her head back and forth. “I can’t do this. I can’t do this alone anymore.” She moved closer, and I wasn’t sure if I should run or not. Then, before I could even register what was happening, her hand flashed out and she slapped me across the face. Hard. The sting was so startling that I rocked back in my chair. Rising slowly, I backed up, my hand covering what was sure to be a scarlet handprint on my cheek.
“Were you ever going to tell me? Did you think I would never figure it out?” she screamed as she backed me into a corner of the kitchen. “It’s that devil worship again, isn’t it?” she hissed. “You’re doing it again. I can tell. I won’t tolerate it in this house. Do you hear me? I won’t!”
So she did know. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn’t even speak. “I’m sorry,” was the only thing I could think of to say.
Her rage disappeared in an instant and she fell into a chair, placing her head on her folded arms. “This has to stop. It can’t go on,” she said between hiccupped sobs. “First, your grandmother… and now you.” She turned to me.
I stood frozen against the wall, but I didn’t stay there long. I hurried to escape the kitchen, hurt and angry. But her next question stopped me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Angela questioned, raising her swollen, red eyes to meet mine.
“Does it matter?” I asked, still holding my burning cheek.
Her eyes narrowed, and she stood slowly. “It didn’t used to, when I thought you were being good, but you’ve started studying Elementalism again, haven’t you?”
Since I hadn’t, I could give an honest answer. “No, I haven’t.”
“Liar!”
I didn’t know how to handle Claire’s mother while she raged. I needed Claire to tell me how to fix this, but she was silent as usual. “Claire!” I yelled out loud. “Wake up!”
Angela gaped at me. “What are you doing?”
“I really am sorry,” I said, and then I darted out of the front door, grabbing Claire’s purse as I ran for her car, my hand stuffed in it, searching for the keys. I didn’t have time for punishments or groundings. I made it to her car, barely pulling the keys from her purse when Angela grabbed me from behind, knocking the keys from my fingers.
“You’re not going anywhere!” She took my hand and pulled me back toward the house. I fought back, trying to rip free, but her grip was like iron around my wrist. Panic took root inside me. What was she going to do? Beat me once we were behind the privacy of closed doors? She seemed manic and out of control.
“Is everything okay?” a voice asked from behind.
I stopped struggling, and so did Angela. We turned in unison to see Jamie standing on the sidewalk, looking incredibly uncomfortable, his feet shuffling in the gravel. Angela let go of me immediately, and I hurried to step away.
“Nothing, dear,” Angela said, plastering a smile on her face.
He nodded, still looking confused and concerned. “Uh… I was just wondering if Claire could give me a ride into town. I needed to pick up a prescription for my mom. She’s sick.” He shifted his weight and glanced at me, a question in his eyes.
“Yes, I can,” I said, opening the car door and sliding inside.
Jamie threw Angela a smile and got in on the other side. I tore out of the driveway, vowing never to return. Claire would have to work out her own problems later.
34
~Rejected~
Alisa
It was quiet for about thirty seconds, and then Jamie broke the silence. “So… what was that all about?”
“I have no idea.” I kept my eyes on the road even though he was staring at me. I knew if I glanced over, I’d see an expression of pity. Just because he’d kissed me once didn’t mean he was my friend.
I was surprised that Claire had yet to make her entrance. Where could she possibly be? Was she really that tired? Could she still be asleep? I didn’t feel her presence at all.
“So where do you want me to drop you?” I asked.
“Seriously, Claire? What is wrong with you?”
“Where?” I asked again, finally glancing at him.
He shook his head and watched the road. “I don’t want you to drop me anywhere. I could tell something was wrong, so I gave you an excuse to leave your house without a fight. So what was it? Tell me.”
I couldn’t take this kid with me to Brecken’s house, which was where I was headed, but really, I shouldn’t go there either. I needed to find someone who could help me, but there weren’t many options available.
“Elementalism,” I whispered under my breath, an idea taking shape in my mind like a cartoon light bulb illuminating over my head.
“What?”
I glanced Jamie’s way. “I know what I have to do.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Where should I drop you?”
“Claire, I can help. Let me, please.”
I pulled to the curb on Main Street and parked outside a line of stores. The little shops had barely opened, and it was only a couple of miles back to his house. Jamie could easily jog back.
“No, I don’t think you can. No one can.” I looked into his warm, brown eyes, faltering for a moment. The love he felt for Claire was evident in his gaze. It was so hard to resist his pleas, and I didn’t want to figure this out alone. Maybe he could help. Maybe he knew a little about what Claire had been up to.
“Well,” I hedged.
He perked up, the beginnings of a smile stirring the edge of his lips. “Anything. What do you need?”
“Magic.”
***
“I don’t know if we should do this,” Jamie said. “Katelyn’s been a real snob lately.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “But who better to help, than Claire’s frien—um… my friends?” I’d almost slipped, and I knew Jamie had caught my mistake, but I waved it off like it was no big deal. He gazed at me in confusion but shrugged and let it go.
We stood on Katelyn’s doorstep, and I raised my fist to pound on the heavy, solid-oak door. It was only a moment before it opened, and Katelyn stood before us. She glared at me with her frosty-blue eyes, and her lips were pressed tight together. She folded her arms and cocked a hip, all cold and bristly. I didn’t know her well, but we’d gone to school together at one time. Had I been so inside myself that I didn’t notice anyone else? Was it just plain selfishness or was it the depression that had drowned me?
“Hey, Kate,” Jamie said before I could even open my mouth. “Do you have time to hang out for a bit? Claire needs our help.”
Her gaze shifted to me, and her eyes narrowed even farther if that was possible. “Really. You need me?” Then her ice-queen expression turned to anger. “After two weeks of ignoring my phone calls, now you want to talk to me? After completely ditching me at school and not even telling me where you were go
ing, you want my help? You disappear, literally, for two weeks, and then have the guts to come to my door?”
I glanced down at my feet, my stomach clenching in dread. I didn’t want to ask this girl for anything. She was the type that totally used to intimidate me when I was alive. She was smart, strong, and confident, but I had a feeling Claire wouldn’t put up with this kind of attack for long, and since she wasn’t here, I tried to garner a bit of her strength, stood up straight, and looked Katelyn in the eye.
“If you’re not up for it, just say so.” I turned around and walked back toward the car.
Jamie stood on the porch, his mouth hanging open in surprise. “But I thought we needed her.”
“I don’t need anyone who is going to yell at me. I have enough problems without that.” When I yanked open the car door, Katelyn finally spoke.
“Fine. But you better tell me what you’ve been up to while we’re driving.”
I looked her in the eye, almost wanting to smile. I’d hoped this tactic would work and that she’d be too curious to slam the door in our faces. “After we get Kaden and Wade.”
She nodded and shut her front door, following Jamie to the car. She got into the front seat, and he was forced to the back. He didn’t say anything, which told me he was at the bottom of the pecking order in Claire’s little society. I was not sure if it was Claire or Katelyn on top, but the boys were all definitely at the base of the pyramid.
Kaden and Wade were easier to convince, and they ran from their house at the slightest hint of adventure. We piled into Claire’s bug and tore off toward the beach. It was the perfect morning to have a little chat.
35
~The Sting of Rejection~
Alisa
We sat in a circle, surrounding a campfire, which burned warmly on the crisp Saturday morning. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen, but the sand was cold beneath my toes. The blankets beneath us were thin, and didn’t really make a difference as far as warmth went, and a chill breeze blew gently over the water, making me shiver.
The Elementalist Page 10
