Under the Burning Stars

by Carrigan Richards

  “Ava,” a voice shouted. Then something collided with her, knocking her to the ground.

  She looked up to see Peter pinning her down. She pushed him and kicked him, but he refused to let go of her. “Let me go.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Get off of me.” Finally, one of her hands loosened from his grip and she punched him in the face.

  He stumbled back enough for her to straddle him and deliver a crushing blow to his chest. He cried out.

  She had her fist in the air, and was about to hit him again, until something dragged her off him.

  “What’s going on?” Eric’s voice came from behind her. It took several of his duplicates to hold her down.

  Natalia rushed into the room and bent down to hold Colden from the thrashing. “What did you do?”

  Then Colden stopped moving and his eyes closed.

  “Colden,” Natalia yelled.

  Savina, Aaron, Ava’s father, and others rushed into the room, frantically worried and shocked at the scene.

  “What have you done?” Savina asked, and then narrowed her eyes.

  Ava recoiled from them. She had to get out of there. She elbowed Eric in the stomach and he doubled over.

  “She’s possessed,” Savina said. “Take her to the parlor.”

  Eric reached for her, but she backed away, right into Gabriel’s body. Damn his teleporting. He grasped her arms behind her back and she fought against him, and then several Eric’s helped take her to the parlor.

  Gabriel! She cried, but he didn’t hear her. It took seven of Eric and one Gabriel to hold her still.

  “You’ll all be next,” Ava said.

  Eric shook his head. “How the hell did she get possessed?”

  Gabriel pressed his lips in a tight line, and Ava could see the muscles in his jaws twitch. His blue eyes held so much anger as he stared at her. She couldn’t stand his enraged look.

  Savina rushed into the room with Ava’s father, Peter, and others on her heel.

  “You need to hold her,” Savina said. “I have to kill the spirits inside her and this is going to be painful.”

  Her father moaned and Joss held him. They all stood around, their faces twisted with worry.

  Savina kneeled down and raised her hand.

  Ava squirmed and struggled, but Eric and Gabriel held their grips. “Don’t touch me.”

  Savina pressed her hand against Ava's chest, over her heart, and at first, it was as if she was on fire. The burning grated against her skin and under her flesh. She felt like sandpaper coursed through her veins. She screamed and thrashed. The intense pain was worse than anything she had ever felt physically. It seemed to have lasted for hours.

  Slowly, the darkness lifted, the drunken feeling alleviated, and the invisible wall vanished. She drew in a deep breath. Her body was exhausted and she felt weak, but relieved.

  She hadn’t died. She was alive.

  Ava opened her eyes to see everyone still watching her. She moved her hand and it obeyed. Gabriel helped her into a sitting position and feeling his touch was amazing. She was back to normal, but felt embarrassed with everyone’s eyes on her. Her father knelt down beside her and hugged her.

  “Are you okay? What happened?” He kissed her forehead.

  She felt her cheeks redden and buried her face in his chest. “I’m fine. How is Colden?”

  “We don’t know.”

  Her heart faltered. Had she killed him? She raised her head. “I can heal him.”

  “Your healing has been compromised,” Savina said.

  “What happened to him?” Joss asked.

  “Who did this to you?” Savina asked. The piercing look in her eyes caused Ava to shiver.

  Ava bowed her head. “I don’t know.”

  Don’t lie, Ava. Tell us what happened. Savina mind-spoke to Ava.

  She looked up, but tears distorted her vision. She couldn’t tell anyone that she’d gone to a Necromancer. There was no way.

  But it was too late. The horrified look on Savina’s face told her she had read her mind. Her pulse quickened.

  Savina pressed her lips in a thin line. “She went to a Necromancer.”

  Several gasps sounded. Her father removed his arms from around her and she could feel his eyes. Ava dared a glance at the group and her necklace warmed.

  Natalia folded her arms across her chest. “You did what? How could you be so stupid? You almost killed Colden.”

  Savina stopped Natalia from getting closer. “Who told you to do it?”

  “No one.”

  “Who told you where to find one?” She asked, punctuating each word.

  She swallowed her tears. “No one.” Ava stared at Savina defiantly and blocked her from reading her mind, but then she touched Ava’s head.

  Ava fought against her mind-reading ability, but it was no use. Savina knocked down the wall and grabbed at her memories. Ava felt a sharp pain in her skull and cried out.

  Savina drew a sharp breath, and recoiled from Ava. She shook her head. Colden could not have told you to see the Necromancer. The spirits tainted your memories.

  Ava wondered if that was Savina’s way of ignoring the truth. Nevertheless, Ava almost killed him. Almost beat Peter to a pulp. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t remember anything past finding the Necromancer. It was as if it was a black hole of missing information.

  “You don’t know what you’ve done,” Savina said and turned to the group. “She sought a Necromancer to speak to her mother’s spirit and in doing so, spirits possessed her.”

  Natalia glared at her. “She should be banned.”

  “She didn’t mean to hurt anyone, Natalia,” Gabriel said.

  “I don’t know why you always protect her. She is an insidious child with no regard for anyone’s feelings but hers. She needs to learn selflessness.”

  Ava felt small and incredibly unworthy. A heavy ache resided in her heart. Then, she heard a piercing sound and grabbed her ears. It wouldn’t stop until Gabriel shook Natalia.

  Slowly, her hearing came back to her. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Your apology means nothing.” Natalia left the room followed by Gabriel.

  Savina turned to her. “Ava, you are bound to this house. You are not allowed to travel outside a mile of the premises.”

  Ava couldn’t stand the mortified looks from everyone, nor could she stand herself. The crowd dispersed except for her father and Peter. She feared looking into her father’s eyes.

  “Ava.” He shook his head. “I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I am in you. I can’t believe you did this. How could you be so thoughtless? Did you not realize how dangerous this was?”

  “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  “I have to go check on Colden,” he said, and walked away.

  She buried her face in her hands, and then felt an arm around her shoulders.

  “Come on,” Peter said. “Let’s go to your room.”

  A hot aching guilt rushed over her. This was the worst betrayal any witch could have ever done to their coven. Why couldn’t she have just listened to Gabriel? He’d warned her it was a bad idea. Now her entire coven hated her.

  Peter helped her to her room and then closed the door behind them. Feeling his arms around her was incredible, but she didn’t deserve it. She held onto him so tight.

  “What happened, Ava?” Peter asked. She was surprised he even talked to her after what she did to him.

  “Are you okay?” She reached up and touched his face. His lip wasn’t bleeding and no longer swollen. It had healed itself.

  He removed her hands and gave a half-smile. “I heal, remember? What happened, Ava?”

  She shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Peter. I would never hurt you. I don’t know what was wrong with me. It was awful. It was like someone else controlled my body and mind. I was screaming for you but you couldn’t hear me.”

  He pulled her against him, and she felt his arms wrap around her perfectly. He kissed the top of he
r head. “Why did you go?”

  “I wanted to talk to my mom.”

  “Was that your plan all along to go to New Orleans?”

  She nodded. “What would you have done after you found out your mother was a Cimmerian and promised your soul to them? I was desperate. And I almost killed Colden.” Tears streamed down her face.

  Peter held her tighter. “I don’t know what I would do.”

  “I feel like I should hate her because of what she was and did. But she was my mom and she was there for me.”

  “Did you talk to her?”

  “Yes. She said it was my destiny. And that if we didn’t give ourselves to Havok, everyone would die.” She couldn’t stop crying.

  There was a knock at the door and then it slowly opened. Gabriel emerged.

  “We’re having a meeting later,” he said.

  Ava’s stomach dropped. This was it. She was going to be banished from the coven and would have to fend for herself against Havok. Warm tears slid down her cheeks and her necklace glowed. The room suddenly felt smaller and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath.

  “What’s wrong?” Peter asked, but a ringing in her ear muffled his voice.

  Gabriel walked closer and placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her. He gently shook her and made her look him the eye. “Nothing will happen to you. Yes, you did a very irresponsible and quite idiotic thing but Savina will not punish you like that.” He spoke with disappointment in his voice, but there was a hint of concern.

  “Why?”

  “She sees you as her child. She would never banish you.”

  “But if an Enchanter betrays her coven—.”

  “Colden will be fine.”

  How could he be so sure? What she did was unforgivable. Maybe she should leave the coven. She was unwanted because of her thoughtless and selfish act. Natalia was right. She did only think of herself. Ava could save a lot of trouble and heartache by leaving. It wouldn’t be easy, but it was the right thing to do.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  BREAKING DOWN

  Ava barely felt Peter stroke her hair as they lay on her bed. She watched the sun move across the sky through the window and replayed the events of the previous night over and over. She still couldn’t remember anything after seeing her mother. Her own mother said it was her destiny. She’d been acting like a Cimmerian for months now. Aaron should strip her of her powers and exile her.

  Melissa came to check on her and told her that Colden was conscious, but wasn’t well. After everything Colden had done for Ava that was how she repaid him. She was a selfish and irresponsible person.

  Was this what her mother wanted for her child? How could she not love her own daughter? Or had she been born to the wrong side of Enchanters? Gabriel said she chose her own fate, but her actions were choosing Cimmerian.

  She heard someone meekly knock on the door.

  “Come in,” Peter said.

  The door opened. “We came to see how you were doing.” She heard Nicole say.

  Ava still faced the window, but assumed Link was with her. “I’m fine.”

  Nicole and Link sat on the bench window, right in Ava’s line of sight. “I know this probably won’t help, but we know how you feel,” she said. “We were compelled for several months and helped bomb a school.”

  Ava knew the anguish Link and Nicole still suffered, but that wasn’t their fault. She wasn’t kidnapped and forced to see the Necromancer. Ava went by her own volition. And killed two Ephemerals. And caused two more to lose their memories of their closest friends.

  “Thanks, but this is something I did myself,” Ava said.

  Nicole shook her head. “People make mistakes.”

  “I should be the one to blame,” Link said. “I brought up necromancy to you.”

  “It wasn’t you.”

  Someone knocked on the door and she heard it open.

  “It’s time.” Gabriel’s voice came from the entrance.

  Her stomach clenched and she felt as if she would be sick. She took a deep breath and moved to a sitting position.

  Peter took her hand and squeezed it.

  They followed Gabriel downstairs into the library. When they entered, Ava tensed. Having several glares in her direction made her stomach ache. She felt as if she walked into her funeral. Was this how Savina felt when she was accused of dark magic?

  It was clear who still had her back, which weren’t many, but they stood beside Ava and Peter. She looked to the other side and saw Gabriel stand next to Natalia, in between the groups. Their eyes met, but she couldn’t read his.

  Aaron stood at the front of the room flanked by Gustav, Maggie, and Savina. “As you are all aware, something terrible has happened. When the spirits possessed Ava, their dark power overcame her. They used her power to try to kill Colden.”

  Ava’s chin quivered, but she held the tears at bay.

  “Colden is in severe condition,” Aaron said. “Maya explained to us that there is a very rare flower that contains the antidote to Colden’s illness. We have discussed this at length, and with Savina’s insistence, Savina, Maya, and I are to leave for a couple of days. We must find a Lotus Flower in order to save Colden. Maggie and Gustav will be in charge while Natalia and Alena will watch over Colden. We do not think this was the start of the war, however, while we are gone, you are to train. No one is to leave this Manor unless absolutely necessary. You all will be safe here and we will not be away for long.”

  “Wait, you’re leaving us when we’re seconds away from a war with the Cimmerians?” Link asked.

  “We must save Colden,” Savina demanded. “Nothing will happen while we are gone.”

  “Do you really think this is a good idea?”

  Savina narrowed her eyes at him. “Do not doubt us. This is important and you will be fine. The Cimmerians will not strike until the new moon. I know their tactics.”

  Aaron held up his hand. “Do not fret. Savina, Maya, and I will be back well before then.”

  “What about my mom and Ava’s dad?” Thomas asked.

  “We are going to put them somewhere safe,” she said. “Away from here.”

  Ava’s stomach dropped. She didn’t want her father to leave.

  “When we return, we will discuss Ava’s fate,” Savina said.

  Guilt weighed on Ava. Her knees weakened. She couldn’t believe she caused this. All because she had to know the truth. Ava finally looked up and met Savina’s eyes.

  I am so disappointed in you.

  Ava thought back the only thing she could say, but it would never be enough. I’m sorry.

  They adjourned the meeting and Ava backed out of the room and darted up the stairs and down the hall to her room. She closed the door and slid to the floor with her head in her hands.

  What have I done? What’s going to happen to me?

  Ava clutched her necklace and felt the anger and hurt and disappointment from everyone. She wasn’t sure how much she could take, but she forced herself to endure it all. She had done this to herself.

  Her door opened and Peter walked through and knelt beside her. He pulled her against him.

  “I hate what I’ve done. I’ve brought you into this and now I’m going to be gone.”

  “You don’t know that, Ava.”

  “Yes I do. You should go.”

  “Don’t shut me out.”

  “I’m not, Peter.”

  “We’re in this together no matter what.”

  His words only made her weep more.

  “What will you do when I’m no longer in the coven? I’ve betrayed them so many times. I knew I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Didn’t you hear what Gabriel said? Savina would never banish you. If they really wanted you out, don’t you think they would have done it already? They wouldn’t wait to banish you.”

  Peter was right. She wiped her tears and drew a shaky breath. “I still don’t know what’s going to happen to me.”

  “I know it may be hard, bu
t for now just worry about training and honing your skills.”

  She nodded and looked at him. He hadn’t gotten upset with her or left her. “You’re too good to me.”

  “Ava, I love you. I will stand beside you no matter what.” He laid her head against his chest and she felt him kiss the top of her head. “Is it weird that they left when we’re days away from a war?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Kinda. I guess.”

  “You’d think she’d have all kinds of things in her room to heal, since she is a Healer. Why would they just leave? The Cimmerians could be watching us.”

  “But we’re protected by them in the Manor.”

  “Something doesn’t feel right.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “You don’t think they’re the ones behind all of this, do you?”

  “I briefly thought that, but no I don’t think they are.”

  “They left us with two Elders, one of which is still in training. Either they think we can handle ourselves or they are behind it.”

  “I don’t know. There’s a lot Savina won’t talk about.”

  “Exactly. They keep us in the dark about so many things that end up harming us.” He let out a frustrated sigh. “Sorry. Just freaking out.”

  Ava held him tighter.

  Peter was right. If Savina had just told Ava about her mother, she wouldn’t have felt the need to speak to a Necromancer. Of course, no one expected her to be possessed. How could that have happened? The Cimmerians had to have known she was seeing the Necromancer. But with Trudy following her every step, she knew how it was possible.

  And was that really her mother asking her to take Havok’s side? Why would she ask Savina to make sure Ava was safe if she promised her to Havok?

  “Do you remember any of it?” Peter asked.

  “Bits and pieces. I saw my mom in I guess a ghost-like form. She kept saying I needed to go to Havok.”

  “I’m really sorry. I wish I knew what to say.”

  Peter held her and she tried to relax. But she knew that wouldn’t happen for a very long time.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO