Under the Burning Stars

by Carrigan Richards

  Under the Burning Stars

  Carrigan Richards

  COPYRIGHT

  This edition published by Indie World Publishing & Author Services via Amazon KDP

  Text copyright © 2014 Carrigan Richards

  ASIN #B00LZ0REBW

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes. If you are reading this book and you have not purchased it or won it in an author/publisher contest, this book has been pirated. Please delete and support the author by purchasing the ebook from one of its many distributors.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  www.indieworldpub.com

  Cover art and design by Laura Gordon

  www.BookCoverMachine.wordpress.com

  To learn more about author Carrigan Richards, please visit her website at www.carriganrichards.com.

  Indie World Publishing & Author Services

  P.O. Box 819

  Dewey, AZ 86327

  DEDICATION

  In memory of Scott. I know you’re still rockin’ your axe.

  Table of Contents

  DEDICATION

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Yet if hope has flown away

  In a night, or in a day,

  In a vision, or in none,

  Is it therefore the less gone?

  All that we see or seem

  Is but a dream within a dream

  —Edgar Allan Poe

  PROLOGUE

  Xavier Holstone peered through the cell bars into the moonless night. He could hear the faint sound of the ocean crashing against rocks and smell the salty air. He longed to feel the cool air or to feel the warm sun on his skin.

  In due time.

  He would have his revenge on those insolent Enchanters. The thought brought a smile to his face. He had almost taken them last night and knew that he screwed up. Bad. But in his defense, Devon acted too soon. He was too eager to show off and tried to take the Elementals without so much as a concrete plan.

  Xavier shook his head. Why Devon had been in charge still baffled him. Xavier was the one truly running things. He had spied on the Elementals. He had apprehended the Paramortal and even captured four Elementals.

  But Devon had underestimated the Elementals and instead of absorbing their powers when Xavier told him to, they escaped.

  And still, after everything Xavier had done and how loyal he had been, it wasn’t enough. What would it take to gain Havok’s approval?

  He heard footsteps behind him and stiffened. “Is it time to let me out?”

  “After that horrid display last night?” the calm and articulate voice asked. “You almost killed her, and you know I need her. I need all of them.”

  Xavier rolled his eyes, grateful for the darkness. Of course, he knew. It was all Havok talked about ever since they discovered the six Enchanters were Elementals. “I know.”

  “Then why do you act so rashly?”

  Xavier had had enough. So he wasn’t perfect. He made one mistake. But the Elementals didn’t make it easy to keep them alive. Especially that redhead. He turned around to face the dark figure on the other side of the prison bars. “Why do you even need them? You have us. We were born for this.”

  “Then how is it that four of the Elementals escaped with the Paramortal?” the voice snapped. “And how is it that you neglected to make the Paramortal into an Enchanter?”

  “Because he’s a mortal with the power of protection. He protected himself.”

  “And if you all are ready for this, then why did Devon use those appalling Ephemerals to make Halflings?”

  “Those Halflings can actually do harm. Didn’t you see the school they bombed? Killed twelve Ephemerals. I don’t see why we can’t turn mortals into Enchanters. The more we have for our army the better.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  “Fine.” Xavier held up his hands in surrender. There was no point in arguing. “I get it. I just don’t see why you don’t take the Elementals now. They’ll never suspect it.”

  “Well since you got Devon killed, I need a new Enchanter. One who can absorb all of the Elemental powers. And if you haven’t noticed, our Enchanters still need time to train.”

  Xavier clenched his teeth. Of course he was to blame for Devon’s death.

  “Give it a few months,” the voice said. “The Elementals will be completely useless after we’re done with them. And everyone else will be dead. And then the world will be right again. The way it’s supposed to be, with us ruling it.”

  Xavier felt his lips twitch. Imagining that feisty redhead and all her little friends dead brought him relief. “So when will you release me from here?”

  “I’m going to need you to turn the Ephemerals against them. You will be freed when Sorcha and Garrison destroy this ridiculous prison. Then we will attack Savina and her precious coven. We will prevail this time. I want to see every one of them tortured.”

  “I won’t fail you, Havok,” Xavier promised and then turned back to the window. He watched the clouds mask the stars, darkening the night sky.

  CHAPTER ONE

  REVENGE

  The heavy stench of smoke and burned wood still lingered in the air. All that was left of the old white house was a blackened pile of rubble. Nothing had been salvageable.

  The purple sky slowly transformed into a bluish-white color, signaling the start of a new day. Ava Hannigan crossed her arms in front of her chest, and her eyes watered. A mild breeze blew her long, crimson hair in front of her face as she stared at the charred ruins. She hoped somehow by being there, she would feel something. Or maybe she just wanted a way to feel closer to her mom. But it was just a pile of smoking ash and wood that was sure to collapse soon.

  Ava couldn’t believe it was gone. She wished she could go inside and watch TV with her dad. Or sleep in her own bed or just sift through pictures of her mom. It was the only place she could still imagine her mom’s presence. And now there was nothing.

  But Ava couldn’t complain too much. At least she and her dad were alive and well unlike the twelve victims from the bombing that Xavier caused. She couldn’t imagine what Nicole, Seth, and Link felt, since they were the ones compelled to orchestrate the bombin
g. She was glad Savina had been able to free them from the compulsion and invite them into the coven.

  And Ava had gotten her revenge. In a way. Devon Maunsell was dead. Xavier Holstone had been taken to the Cruciari much to her frustration. She wanted him to suffer the same grief she had. Like the prison would really stop him.

  The Elders believed it was over and that everything was peaceful again. Maybe they were right. But Xavier warned her that it was just the beginning. The threat haunted and angered her.

  That wouldn’t stop her though. No matter what, she would bring the Cimmerians down. She would hunt down every single one and make sure they paid for their crimes. Including her mother’s murderer. Ava wanted to avenge her mother. And she would succeed.

  The sun’s morning light immersed the sky with its striking pinkish-orange glow.

  Ava took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. It was time to move on.

  It didn’t take long for Ava to arrive at Blackhart Manor. She turned off the engine and stared at the old Victorian structure with its sharp steeples and mansard roofs. The arched windows with diamond-shaped panes. The raven statues. This was her home now.

  She released a sigh and twirled her opal ring around her finger.

  But her dad would start searching for a house soon.

  With reluctance, Ava got out of her car and closed the door softly. She had sneaked out and didn’t want anyone to know. Then, she carefully opened the thick wooden door and shut it behind her. Ava had always felt incredibly small being in such a great building with cathedral ceilings and a staircase with a base wider than a limousine was long. Now that the Manor was filled with a lot of people, it made her feel even more insignificant.

  She climbed the stairs to the second floor and opened the door to her room. Slipping off her shoes, she crawled into bed and curled up next to Peter’s warm body.

  He looked peaceful and Ava hoped he wasn’t having any nightmares. Xavier had kidnapped Peter and Trudy had tortured him in an underground cellar. Trudy McVaine. Ava hated her and wanted her dead. She was a Cimmerian, a dark Enchanter, who had the ability to make anyone see anything she wanted including images from their past. She had made Ava relive her mother’s death. It was the strangest feeling. It was like Ava had been there all over again. Trudy had escaped before Ava could kill her.

  That same night, Peter had witnessed Ava and her coven accidentally kill an Ephemeral. Ava hated that she had inadvertently subjected Peter to such a mess.

  For so long she had wanted to be with him, and now they were together. And in a few days, Peter would finally become an Enchanter in order to be with her.

  Seeing Peter asleep beside her relaxed her. Being around him in general had always been comforting. Even when she was nervous to tell him about being an Enchanter. No matter what, he was always there. He loved her so much that he was giving up his Ephemeral life to become an Enchanter. Her heart swelled at the thought.

  His eyelids flickered open revealing his chestnut-colored eyes. Peter smiled, though groggily. She loved his dimples. It was sexy and she loved the way he looked at her, like he was always so happy to see her. “Good morning.”

  “Hey.” Ava felt her lips stretch into a wide smile.

  “How long have you been awake?”

  “Not long,” she answered.

  She felt his arm around her waist, pressing his body against hers, as if he never wanted to let go. He kissed her, his lips smiling beneath hers. She relaxed into him, but his kiss brought pricks of electricity and she wanted more. Their tongues intertwined and she felt as though she would turn to mush. Her necklace warmed as Peter rolled on top of her, still kissing.

  It was as if both of them couldn’t get enough of the other. Ava raked her hands through his soft brown hair and then felt his warm lips nibble her ear. He planted tiny kisses along her jaw line.

  “I really enjoy waking up to you,” he whispered, his breath hot against her skin, causing her to shiver.

  “Me too. You know someone’s bound to catch on and tell my dad.”

  He drew back, teasing. “I could always go back to my room.”

  “No. Stay.” She gazed into his eyes.

  “Always.” Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her. Then, his lips grazed to her neck and her collarbone.

  Anger swelled inside her, and her necklace glowed, warming against her skin. Thomas was angry. She hated the empathetic necklaces. She understood they were for protection, but it didn’t help that her ex felt her happiness, and it infuriated him.

  She wished she hadn’t broken her coven to be with Peter, but she had. And even though the Elders agreed that Peter needed to join, Gillian and Thomas hated her and Peter.

  Ava stopped him.

  “What is it?”

  “Thomas.”

  He sighed. “Will I feel that when I have my own necklace?”

  “I’m sorry.” She didn’t want to bring him down.

  Peter moved beside her and pulled her against him. She rested her head on his bare chest.

  “Why should you be sorry?” he asked.

  “I just wish I could learn to block it sometimes. I didn’t want to hurt him.”

  “He hurt you. He’ll move on. I hope.”

  Ava skated her fingers across his smooth stomach and felt him twitch. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Sorta. I woke up when you left, though. Where did you go?”

  She thought she’d been quieter than that. “I just went to the library,” she lied. She didn’t want to tell him the truth and feel insecure. But when had Peter ever made her feel like that? She sighed. “That’s a lie. I went home.”

  His arms tightened around her. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Are you nervous about the Initiation?”

  “A little. I’m more worried about my father.”

  “Savina placed a spell on his house so no Cimmerian can see it.”

  “I meant about what to tell him.”

  “Oh.”

  “He didn’t even realize I had been missing for a month.”

  Ava sat up and turned to meet his eyes. He hadn’t known what had happened to his father while he was gone. “Your dad was compelled, Peter. They did that with all of the Halfling’s families.”

  He sprang upright. “What? They messed with my father?”

  “I’m so sorry. They made your dad think you weren’t missing.”

  “Did you ever visit him? To see where I’d gone?”

  “Every time I texted you, you always replied back saying you were sick.” Her eyes began to water. Just thinking about that month and not knowing where Peter was, brought back the guilt. “I never thought about it.”

  Peter drew her close and kissed the top of her head. “You found me though.” He sighed. “Is my dad going to be okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “What am I even going to say to him?”

  Ava looked up and touched his cheek. “It’s not easy. But your father loves you so much, and it wouldn’t matter to him what you are.”

  His lips curled into a smoldering smile – the one she loved. “You always know what to say.”

  She shrugged. “Just trying to help.”

  “This just seems so unreal. But I’m not worried. I know this is right.”

  She felt it too. After all the back and forth decision-making, this was right. Ava was happy. She brought his lips to hers with a burning desire. She didn’t care that Thomas felt her. She wanted to stay happy.

  Peter tugged at the strap of her tank top and then kissed her shoulder, setting her on fire. His hand brushed against her side and her breath hitched. His mouth moved against hers and she felt his fingers underneath the hem of her top. Her head buzzed with excitement and she held him tighter.

  But he pulled back a little. “I gotta get home. My dad is probably freaked out.” He shifted to the edge of the bed. He picked up his shirt from the floor and put it on.

  Way to kill the mood. But she knew he was worried about his father. �
�Just tell him the truth. You fell asleep at my house, and then it caught on fire.” She moved behind him, and placed her arms around him. He placed his hand over hers. “And you saved us.”

  “It was more of a joint effort.”

  She nuzzled into his neck and kissed it. “You saved my father, Peter. And me. From the fire. From Thomas. From myself.”

  He twisted his neck to look at her. “I would do anything for you, Ava.” He kissed her forehead and released himself from her grasp. “I really need to go. If I stay here much longer, I won’t want to leave.”

  “I’ll see you tonight.”

  Peter looked back and smiled at her, but it seemed sad. Then he opened the door and left. Was he rethinking his decision so quickly? Maybe he was just scared to face his father. But Ava couldn’t blame him. He had made a huge choice that would change his life forever.

  CHAPTER TWO

  BELONGING

  The room was quiet. Too quiet. Ava didn’t want to go downstairs and see everyone look at her with pity. Yes, her house had burned to the ground. Yes, she and her dad were now homeless. They were only showing their caring nature, but ever since her mother died by a lightning strike, people gave her the same oh-poor-pitiful-Ava look and treated her like she was some sort of freak. She hated it.

  But what if they gave her angry looks? She had broken her oath by telling Peter everything about their world, which caused her coven to split. Half of them sided with her, while the others probably wanted to ban her from the coven.

  What was her problem? Why was she so afraid of them? Because she was new at this and had already broken trust? Not exactly making a great impression on the Elders or the others.

  Ava pushed aside the blankets and got out of the bed. She was not going to hide. She would change their perception of her. She shuffled barefooted across the cold floor to the closet, where Savina had somehow gotten clothes in Ava’s size. Ava had no idea how she had bought them in such a short amount of time. Unless she just kept clothes somewhere in the Manor for such circumstances.