A pang of sadness hit her and she shut her eyes tight. She was grateful for the clothes, the bed to sleep in, the roof over her head, and the meals. But she missed her things. All of the books her mother had read to her. The book of Edgar Allan Poe stories that Peter had given her. Or the mixed CD he had made. Her favorite black hoodie that she loved because it was soft and comfortable. She even missed all of the silly stuffed animals her father had given her throughout the years.
Ava opened her eyes and stared at the wide variety of new clothes. She stopped herself from being overwhelmed with gratitude and grabbed a sky blue shirt and jeans. She even had her choice of flats, boots, or sneakers. She went for the black boots. After dressing, she left the room. Voices from below guided her downstairs to a dining room.
Three evenly spaced elaborate crystal chandeliers hung above the rectangular black wooden table. The table spanned the length of the dining room, long enough to include about thirty matching chairs. Cast iron pots were on the center of the table with some type of soup in them. Empty bowls were pushed out in front of those who had already eaten. Behind one side of the enormous table, was a restaurant-sized kitchen with stainless steel appliances. On the other sides of the dining room was a brick wall. She guessed the other dining room was only for smaller group occasions.
As Ava entered, she saw Joss and Eric sitting next to each other with their heads facing each other and giggling. They were an adorable couple.
“Hi, Ava.” Joss smiled up at her. She could always brighten up a room with that vibrant smile. She had been through so much, yet always seemed to remain positive and appreciate everything. It was hard not to like Joss; everyone instantly fell in love with her. It was like she could never do wrong and was incredibly patient. Ava envied that.
“Hi.” Ava mustered a smile and hoped it looked pleasant.
“Did you sleep well?” Her light caramel skin seemed to make her eyes brighter. She had pulled her dark hair into a ponytail. She was definitely in a good mood, especially for someone who had killed Devon Maunsell the previous night.
“Sure,” Ava said.
Eric tossed his used napkin in his empty bowl and stacked it on top of Joss’s bowl. “You get used to it.”
But Ava didn’t want to get used to it. She wanted to be home instead of some strange place.
“It’s really not too bad,” Joss said.
Eric grabbed the bowls, pushed his chair out from the table, and stood. “It really isn’t, but I know it’s definitely a change. If you need a break from it all, come find us. We’ll go somewhere.” He offered a lopsided smile.
His invitation awed Ava. They didn’t seem upset with her at all. “Thank you.”
Joss came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his stomach. “Isn’t he the sweetest?”
“Yeah.”
Joss giggled as she followed Eric into the kitchen. Ava looked back at the end of the table and saw her father and Savina. She did a double take because she briefly thought she saw her mom. Savina always reminded Ava of her mother with the same auburn hair and pale skin, but instead of gray eyes, Savina had green. Gray eyes and red hair were about the only things Ava shared with her mother.
She moved closer, but hesitated, as it seemed her dad and Savina were having an intent conversation. She didn’t want to interrupt. Just as she was about to turn around, her father looked up.
“Hey sweetie.” His green eyes were weary and his hair had lost all traces of red. Now it was completely gray. His gangly body barely fit in the wooden chair, but he’d stretched out his legs. He hadn’t shaved his face in a few days, but she had noticed more wrinkles popping up over the past few weeks.
“Hey, Dad. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Savina healed me and I got some sleep.” He squeezed Savina’s hand. It bothered Ava for some reason. She knew they had been friends for a long time.
“Are you hungry, dear?” Savina spoke with a Scottish accent and it had a calming effect on Ava. It had taken a while for Ava to warm up to Savina only because she wasn’t willing to accept her life as an Enchanter so quickly and because Savina had a tendency to hide information. But Savina loved Ava and would always make sure she was safe. Although, sometimes Ava questioned her authority and felt she was too secretive. Even if Savina chalked it up to protecting them.
“A little,” Ava mumbled.
“Colden made a wonderful witches’ brew this morning.” Her father winked, and then took a sip of his coffee.
She stared at him. “What?”
He chuckled. “A stew. He made a stew. Just a silly joke.”
“I’ll get you a bowl. You must be starving.” Savina got to her feet and made her way toward the kitchen. She was always so graceful in her gait. Her long, black robe-like dress barely dragged along the floor just like her hair.
“You look exhausted,” her father said.
She pulled out a chair and dropped down onto it. “I woke up a lot.”
“Where’s Peter?”
“He went home. He’ll be back later.”
“How is he doing?”
Ava loved that her father liked Peter and asked about him. He was always thinking of others. Just last night when their house burned and he was in the hospital, he asked about the Halflings. “He’s okay, I guess. He’s worried about what to tell his dad.”
He rubbed his stubble chin. “That’s understandable. It’s not easy, but it’s doable. How are you?”
She twirled her opal ring, the only thing she had from her mom, around her finger. “I’m fine.”
He eyed her speculatively. “I know this transition isn’t easy, but we won’t stay long. I’ll find us a place.”
“I know, Dad.”
Savina emerged from the kitchen with Colden right behind her.
“Hello, Ava.” He warmly smiled.
“Hi.” He used to give Ava the creeps, but now she had grown accustomed to him. She wasn’t sure what it was that used to make her feel that way. Perhaps it was how he resembled Corbin, his father and the most dangerous Enchanter in history, with his black eyes, long black hair, and his almost translucent skin. He could pass for a vampire.
Savina prepared Ava a bowl and set it in front of her, and then returned to her seat. The warm beefy stew filled Ava’s empty stomach and after a second bowl, she realized she hadn’t eaten in a while.
“That was very good.”
“Old family recipe,” Colden boasted. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Thank you.”
“You are quite welcome, Ava.”
Her father drank the last of his coffee and then cleared his throat. “I can’t thank you both enough for your hospitality. And I will begin to search for a place very soon.”
“Connor, take your time,” Savina said. “You are welcome to stay here as long as you like.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. Then, she stood. “Ava, I’m terribly sorry that you lost all your belongings in the fire, however, my library is free to use. You may find some of your favorites there that you may keep.”
In that second, Ava wanted to race to the library. She hadn’t been around a book in so long. She just wanted something that felt like home. “Oh, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Savina walked away with Colden.
“It’s good to see that smile,” her father said. “You should show it more often.”
Ava felt her smile widen. “I will.” She stood and left the dining room, and then meandered into the vast library. She crossed under the arched doorway. Again, she was in awe of the size of it. The beautiful pewter chandelier hung over the tables in the front, its candles gently flickering. Small lamps rested on the tops of each table while a fireplace warmed the massive room, but Ava was sure it was purely for ambience this time of year since it was late spring.
A ladder that ascended from the floor to ceiling rolled around the room to find a book. There were no walls—it was all books.
Ava breathed in the scent of archaic dark s
tories and mysteries and romances. She loved the smell of old books. Something about them gave her solace. Her hand brushed against the backs of the books as she walked. There was a hallway in the middle of the room that had more aisles of shelves. Just how big was this place?
“Remarkable, isn’t it?” someone asked from behind her.
Ava twisted around and locked eyes with Gabriel. His were a beautiful crystal blue color. He pinned her with his gaze, and then after what seemed like several minutes, she averted her eyes. She cleared her throat. How long had she been staring? Would he try to use his time-stopping ability on her? Of course not, she argued with herself. He saved her from a Cimmerian who was seconds away from killing her.
“It is,” she finally said.
“I am sorry about what happened. I know how hard it is to lose everything. But I’m glad you and your dad are okay.”
The way he said it wasn’t out of just being polite. He genuinely felt sorry for her. She looked up once more. “Thanks.”
He closed his book and stood. His black hair was messy, just as she remembered from the first time, with small sideburns that came just above his earlobes. He wore a white button down shirt that only accentuated the long, lean muscles in his arms, with jeans and black shoes.
She turned toward the books. She wanted to read Poe’s “A Dream Within a Dream,” but also wanted to remember her mother’s voice reading it to her. Sadness overcame her again over all the books her mother had given her that had burned into black dust.
“Savina really needs to organize this by author and not category,” Gabriel said. His voice was close. “What are you looking for?”
Ava wiped a small tear. “Edgar Allan Poe.”
“Ah. ‘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.’”
It was the exact passage she wanted to read. “That’s my favorite poem.”
“Mine, too, from Poe.” He smiled and plucked a book from the shelf that was just out of her reach and handed it to her.
The book was old, but had been kept in immaculate condition. She opened it and inhaled the old book smell. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“My mom used to read these poems to me when I was a kid.”
“They never scared you?”
“No. But I guess I was a strange child. I loved watching scary movies and I used to build haunted houses in my room with my parents. My friends would come over every Halloween and endure it.”
“That’s not strange. I’ve always been into that type of thing myself.”
She let out a small laugh. “I can’t imagine you doing that.”
He shrugged. “My sister enjoyed it.”
“I didn’t know you had a sister. Where is she?”
He gave a knowing look and opened his mouth, but hesitated.
“It’s okay. Sorry. I’m not very tactful.”
“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”
They moved to a table and while Ava flipped through the Poe book, Gabriel read his book. She read random poems, and reminisced about her mom. She wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, but Ava enjoyed the quiet and didn’t even mind Gabriel being there.
“Hey, we’re here for the Initiation party.” Melissa’s voice came from the doorway of the room.
Ava glanced up and Melissa and Lance sat down across from her. Ava flinched at Melissa’s strong cigarette smell. She had straightened her blond hair and had put her signature heavy eye makeup around her green eyes.
“What time’s it starting?” she asked.
“Seven,” Ava said. “I didn’t realize it was almost time.”
“Where’s the man of the hour?” Lance asked. His dark eyes seemed engrossed in the size of the library. Ava was glad Lance didn’t hate her. He was always like a brother to her, same as Jeremy, who she missed.
“Home. Where’s everyone else?”
“Oh, they’re being pansies and avoiding you,” Melissa said. “Except Jeremy, but since Gillian has him shackled to her wrist…” She rolled her eyes. “So how was your first night in the giant mansion?”
“Fine. I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should all go to the memorial this weekend.”
“What memorial?” Melissa asked.
“The one for the people who died from the bombing,” Ava replied. How could she not know?
“Why should we go?”
“Because it’s respectful.”
Melissa raised an eyebrow. “They weren’t our friends. They hated us and treated us like crap.”
“Mel, you and Thomas didn’t treat them any better. What about April Anderson?”
Melissa looked away. Ava knew April was an old friend of Melissa’s.
“Well, I’m going.”
“You’d only be wasting your time.”
“It’s not a waste of time. You should go.”
“Why? So we can sit around with people we don’t like talking about people we don’t know? They died. It wasn’t our fault and you shouldn’t feel guilty, Ava.”
Ava opened her mouth to say something but then Peter entered the room.
“There you are,” he said, and sat next to her. “This place is seriously a maze.”
“I’m sure you’ll learn the layout now that Ava’s staying here,” Melissa said. “By the way, was the bed big enough for you two—?”
“Mel,” Ava warned.
She tried not to smile. “What?”
“You’re so bad.” Lance laughed and then kissed Melissa’s temple.
She gave a lopsided smile and leaned closer to Lance. “Yeah, but you like it.” As long as Ava could remember, they were always together. They took care of each other and were at each other’s sides no matter what. In a way, they reminded her of Joss and Eric.
“What exactly will happen tonight?” Peter asked Gabriel.
“All of the Halflings, and you, will be initiated into the covens,” he said. “We’ll be doing that soon I’m sure.”
Ava turned to Peter. “Are you—?”
“Don’t even ask.” He raised an eyebrow. His brown eyes melted in hers. “Yes, I’m nervous, but I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. I promise you that. I meant it when I said I love you.”
“Gag,” Melissa said.
Ava tilted her head and gave her a look.
“Don’t worry so much,” Peter told her.
She nodded and then Savina came into the room. “We’re ready,” she said.
Peter held Ava’s hand tightly as they stood from the table. “Is this going to hurt?”
“No.”
She squeezed his hand as they followed Savina and everyone into the conservatory. Hundreds of candles came to life as they all crossed the threshold. Their glowing orange light reflected in the glass-domed ceiling.
“Wow.” Peter gawked at the ceiling.
“Keep watching,” Ava whispered.
The Elders Savina, Aaron, Colden, and Maggie, stood in the center while the rest of the coven gathered in a circle around them. Ava looked around at the growing coven, which now included three Halflings.
Nicole Eckrich had toned down the slutty clothes and dressed like she used to. T-shirt and jeans. Link Harris had dyed his hair back to his normal blond color. And Seth hadn’t changed his brown hair or his preppy look. But Ava could tell he was uncomfortable being there by the way he twitched and his eyes darted from one person to another. They had each gone through such a traumatic experience and were still adjusting, but they wanted to fight whoever started this just as much as Ava did. She was glad she wasn’t the only one who thought it wasn’t really over.
Ava swept her eyes over Thomas and Gillian. Anger emanated from them through the necklaces. How long were they going to hate her?
They were mad at her for telling Peter everything and about him joining the coven. Ava hated the tension and the annoying glares. And she missed her fri
endship with Gillian. She used to be so nice, but lately she’d been so cruel. She had even threatened to mess with Peter’s mind.
“We are here to bind us all together.” Savina handed Peter, Seth, Link, and Nicole the black boxes that held the pentagram necklaces. “These necklaces will keep us all safe. They make you empathize with each member of your coven. You feel whatever they feel, although some of us are capable of hiding our feelings. The necklaces link and protect us.”
Savina grabbed the silver bladed knife with a black handle. “This blood will bind us all.” She cut a slit in the palm of her hand. Allowing blood to drip into the pewter chalice, she then passed the knife and chalice to Aaron. Each of them did this while the ceiling displayed their talents as it had before when Ava was seven. The beautiful orange sun exploded light into the room as Lance dropped his blood. Water cast prisms of light for Ava. The flexible limbs of a fire showed for Thomas, then the silver light from the moon representing Gillian. White clouds formed in a funnel as Jeremy placed his blood in the chalice, and finally earth gathered for Melissa.
But when Peter and the others slid the knife across their palm, and emptied the blood into the cup, nothing displayed on the ceiling.
“Before entering the circle, you must have absolute love and conviction,” Savina said. “This chalice holds the blood of each of us. As you drink, you will feel a strong sensation.”
Peter took a deep breath. He drank the contents from the chalice, and passed it to Seth, until everyone had taken a sip.
“Take each other’s hand, and focus on your power,” Savina continued. “As we focus, our strength enters Peter.”
Ava drew a slow deep breath and exhaled. She felt the power within her and everyone else’s consume her. It was stronger now that the other coven was there. Her body hummed and tingled. Then, she sensed a new power, not as strong as the others’, but it was there. The pentagram on the rug glowed, completing their Aureole.
“You are a Guardian,” Aaron finally spoke. Even when Aaron was serious, he still sounded like a polite Southern gentleman. He was very regal, but was also someone Ava did not want to upset. “You protect us as well as yourself. Because of this vast protection, your body can regenerate, or heal at an accelerated rate.”
Under the Burning Stars Page 2
