Evan Elemental (The Evan Elemental Series)

by Crystal Groszek

  There isn't one. A quick glance around the empty walls confirms that there isn't a single outlet in the entire room. I stand up and wrap my arms around myself, a shiver passing through me. The whole place feels spooky enough and now there isn't any electricity?

  Well, I'm sure there's electricity somewhere, just not in my bedroom. I muster a bit of resolve and try the door next to the bed figuring it would be a closet. Instead, I find a surprisingly modern bathroom. Of course, it's all white marble, but it's also chrome taps and sharp angles set in glass. There's a deep soaking tub and large stand-in shower that fill the room nicely. The best part, though, is all the pretty sparkling outlets.

  With a surge of excitement I set out to search for the longest extension cord I can find. I have no idea where to start and the idea of even stepping out of my new room and into this giant monster of a house is terrifying, but I take a deep breath and throw open the door.

  The hall outside my room is still and absent of all sound. I find myself tip-toeing without really meaning to. After a few minutes of aimless wandering while I try to find the staircase back down to the entryway, I really start to regret not paying attention during Greta's tour.

  Two or three wrong turns lead me down a long corridor lined with paintings. I stop before a portrait of a woman with an expression of secret amusement painted across her face. She's dressed in eighteenth century garb and her soft brown hair is piled high on her head in a careful arrangement of curls. A ghost of a feeling passes through me. It starts with a twinge and erupts in a tremble. The stone heart, forgotten beneath the high neckline of my black cotton dress, burns a white-hot heat that radiates across my skin. I'm so engrossed in the sensation that I fail to notice that I'm no longer alone.

  Someone nearby clears their throat softly and shakes me from my trance. Startles, I turn to face the intruder. My eyes fall on a devastatingly handsome boy. No lie, the boy is gorgeous. He has hair the color of wet earth and eyes that are almost black. He's dressed entirely in black, from his fitted t-shirt and tight leather pants down to his scuffed motorcycle boots. In his hand he's holding a soft-looking, well-worn, black leather jacket.

  "Lost?" the boy asks. His voice is somehow light and dark at the same time and his dark eyes dance with amusement.

  "No," I reply in a strangled voice that makes me cringe on the inside.

  His mouth turns up at the corner and he takes a few steps toward me. Reflexively, I step back. The boy stops mid-step and smiles. He reaches up with his free hand and rubs his jaw thoughtfully, as if he's considering his approach. I feel heat rising to my face. In seconds I'll be neon pink and there's nothing I can do to stop it. My hands itch to tug at my clothes or the end of my ponytail, but I force my limbs to remain still and my shoulders straight.

  There's something about him that makes me feel uneasy, but in a good way. It's like we're old friends who haven't seen each other in years because we're having a silent conversation that seems too intimate for strangers. My inclination is to break the silence with nervous chatter, which isn't something I would normally do, but I let it go on until it's so deep I'm forgetting to breathe.

  I'm afraid that if I open my mouth and say something stupid it'll cause him to leave. I let his eyes, the perfect contrast to my own light gray, bore in to me until he seems to reach some sort of conclusion. He nods once and clears his throat again.

  "I apologize, for the intrusion," he says, his lips turning up into an easy smile. "Evangeline?"

  Unnerved, I nod. His eyes warm slightly and his smile widens. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Lex." He pauses and bows deeply before continuing; I stifle a giggle. "I work for your grandmother. She sent me to make sure you have everything you need and that you transition easily."

  "What about Greta?" I manage, after a pause. I know she's leaving, but surely this is more her kind of thing. The boy in front of me is just that, a boy. The way he speaks is strangely formal, and doesn't fit at all with how he's dressed, but I doubt he's older than twenty.

  "Greta has to leave and join Ms. Price. I'm afraid I'm all you've got." Lex gives me a half shrug and waits for me to respond. He takes a few tentative steps towards me. When I don't protest, he closes the rest of the space between us until he's standing unnecessarily close.

  "When will she be back? Ms. Pr- my grandmother, I mean," I practically stutter, undone by the sensation that being so close to him causes.

  "I'm not quite sure but, trust me, you'll be the first to know," he says with a wink.

  I frown at his condescending tone. He's talking to me like I'm a mental patient about to have a meltdown any second. All things considered, I feel like I've been handling myself pretty well in the last few weeks. I square my shoulders and make to walk by him, back the way I came. A shock jolts me when he reaches out and gently grabs my arm, stopping me.

  Lex looks down into my eyes, searching for something and coming up short. "Evangel..."

  "Evan. You can call me Evan," I say, cutting him off, my voice stronger than I feel.

  His hand falls away from my arm and I feel a pang of loss that I can't easily explain away. A dark look passes over his face and his eyebrows knit together. "Evan, then," he responds, his voice strained. His eyes no longer hold any hint of amusement.

  I wait for him to continue but he doesn't say anything. I cock my head to the side and raise an eyebrow questioningly.

  "Well," he says finally in that same strained voice. "I just wanted to let you know that if you need anything I'll be in the guest house. Greta will get hold of you before she leaves and fill you in on the details."

  Without excusing himself, he saunters away and disappears down a bend in the hall. I'm left with a cold feeling that penetrates deep into my bones. I don't understand how he went from being polite, and maybe even flirty, one minute to giving me a distinct brush off the next. Something happened when he touched me and I have no idea what. Great. My first day here and things are already starting to get complicated.

  Chapter Five

  Weeks pass before Magda arrives. I spend my time wandering about the estate, either trying to memorize each hallway and staircase or running through the estate's immense gardens and orchards.

  It rains steadily during those weeks, and the dark clouds and endless moisture, as I cut through the unusual spring heat in a rhythmic jog, is a welcome reprieve from my thoughts. I haven't seen Lex since that first time and I do my best to avoid the neat little cottage set deep in the garden that must be the guesthouse. I need to get my shit together before I can face him again. The idea of seeing him again unnerves me completely.

  The first time I see Magda, I'm coming in through the main entry soaked from head to toe in a pair of black spandex tights and a black cotton tank top. She takes one look at me, turns, and leaves without saying a word. Greta stays behind to tell me that once I get dressed my grandmother would like to see me in the library.

  The library is the only room beside my own that I feel comfortable in. The idea of some sort of confrontation there makes me feel sick, but I head up to my room and change into the black dress I wore on my first day here. I tuck the pendant just below the collar and comb my hair into a neat ponytail before going down to face Magda.

  .

  My grandmother has a way of sucking all the oxygen out of a room. Up until now, I still held on to some hope that maybe she's a nice little old lady who would bake me cookies and ask me about boys. That is not the kind of grandmother that Magda Price is.

  When I enter the library, I find her sitting stoically behind the big old mahogany desk that I usually sit at with my laptop or one of the thousand dusty old books on the surrounding shelves. My skin itches as I stand in front of her while she scrutinizes every inch of me, but I force myself to stay still. It's almost like meeting Lex, but without all the haunting sexual tension. I stifle a grin at the thought.

  "Evangeline," Magda says finally, offering a small smile. It's not an unkind smile, but it's certainly not inviting. I don'
t bother asking her to call me Evan. My mother told me once that Magda had a hand in picking out my name, so I don't think she would appreciate the alteration.

  "I apologize that I couldn't be here sooner," Magda says in a cool, even voice that doesn't sound at all apologetic. "My business is very demanding. So much so, that I may stay only a few days before I must depart again."

  She pauses, obviously waiting for me to say something. I wonder if I should be sorry that she won't be here longer. I know Aunt Lilian would be pissed to know she's planning on leaving again. I've been lying to her enough as it is, telling her Magda was busy when she asked for her. Lilian has no idea Magda has been gone for three weeks, and she never will.

  "Oh," I say lamely. "I'm so sorry to hear you won't staying longer. I had been looking forward to us getting to know each other better." I punctuate my lie with a polite smile and force myself to keep eye contact.

  "I know that this has not been easy for you," she says, standing, "but I hope that you've found your arrangements comfortable and to your liking."

  I shift uncomfortably under her piercing stare and merely nod in response. Suddenly, her gaze flicks to some point over my left shoulder and her mouth turns up in what appears to be a genuine smile. Her eyes even glimmer a bit.

  "Ah. Alexander," she croons. "So glad you could join us."

  "Magda, dear, it's Lex. Remember?"

  Magda rolls her eyes, but amusement paints her face. She looks about ten years younger and I'm vaguely reminded of the painting I saw on my first day at the estate. I glance over my shoulder to see Lex standing in the doorway. He's wearing a black, well-tailored suit and an arrogant smile. I'm surprised to find that he looks way older than when I first laid eyes on him. Still, he's hot and it takes all my powers of restraint not to go to him. Plus, he's kind of flirting with my grandmother and that grosses me out.

  "Of course. Evangeline," Magda says in a pleased voice, "I'd like to introduce you to Alexander Monroe. He works for us at Price Industries."

  I feel him suddenly at my side. Hesitantly, I turn and allow him to take my hand in his. Lex draws my hand to his mouth slowly and places a gentle kiss on the back. He pauses before letting go, that same strange look he had when he touched me before passing almost indiscernibly across his face. When he finally drops my hand, I again feel a pang of loss.

  "So good to meet you," Lex says, his voice dark and smooth.

  "You as well," I reply and quickly look away. I can already feel a blush creeping up my chest and onto my face.

  I'm not sure why he doesn't mention us having met before, but I don't bother to say anything. I'm sure he has his reasons. I feel Magda's eyes on me, so I chance a glance at her. The amusement is gone from her face and is replaced by that stern piercing expression from before. She sits back down and turns her attention to the screen of the laptop sitting in front of her.

  "Since I will be leaving so soon," she says in a clipped voice without looking at either one of us, "and I am not sure how long I must be gone for, I've asked Alexander to keep an eye on you. He will be taking you into town this week. I understand that you've been spending too much time moping about and it's time you assimilate yourself with this town."

  I open my mouth to argue but she gives me a hard look over her computer that silences me. "Our family is very important to this town and you must represent us, whether you feel up to it or not. I, too, grieve over the loss of your mother..."

  "And my father."

  She takes a deep breath and ignores what I said. "But, we cannot let our grief consume us. We have a duty to this town that I expect you to uphold in my absence. I have arranged for you to attend tea at the Ladies Council next Tuesday. Alexander will take you shopping to find something suitable to wear, won't you Alexander?"

  "Yes, Ms. Price."

  She gives him a satisfied smile and begins typing. "You may be excused, Evangeline," she says without looking up again.

  Unsure of myself, I stand awkwardly for a moment before turning to leave. I try to avoid looking at Lex, but he manages to catch my eye. He offers me a small smile, a glint of amusement in his eyes, and something else, something that causes a slow burn to start in the pit of my stomach and spread through my body, warming my skin. My pendant tingles softly.

  The feeling unnerves me and I practically jog out of the room. I make it halfway down the hallway before I hear footsteps close behind me. I slow but don't stop.

  "Evan? May I walk with you?" Lex asks softly.

  I open my mouth to respond, but he's already beside me. I give him a weary glance and nod.

  "Thank you," he says after a moment.

  My forehead wrinkles in confusion. "For what?"

  Lex gives me a half smile, his eyes flitting momentarily to my lips. "Not mentioning that we had met before."

  I laugh wryly. "Ah, yes. I thought my grandmother had sent you to check up on me already? I mean, that's what you said."

  Lex cringes. "I may have..."

  "Lied?" I reply, cutting him off.

  He presses his lips together to suppress a smile. "Yes, I may have lied a bit. I had some personal business that I needed to see about that I'd rather your grandmother not know of."

  I stop walking and so does he. "What kind of business?" I ask, facing him. "Besides, if it was such a secret, why did you even bother talking to me in the first place?"

  Lex lets out a soft laugh as he takes me in. With his eyes on me I'm starting to lose track of myself, fast. "Curiosity?" he exhales.

  I roll my eyes and start to walk away, even though every cell in my body begs me to stay put. He places his hand on my elbow, stopping me.

  Lex takes a step closer so that I'm forced to look up at him. His eyes wash over me; when he speaks, his voice is a deadly whisper. "How could I see a pretty girl standing in a hallway, gazing intently at a painting, and not want to speak with her?"

  Our eyes meet with a crackle of electricity.

  "You didn't have to lie," I whisper. There's a slight tremor in my hand as I raise it and trace my finger along his smooth, hard jawline.

  The amusement fades from Lex's eyes. It's replaced by a burning intensity I've never seen before, not in a look meant for me. He lays his hand gently on the curve of my waist and guides me closer to him. My breath picks up and I feel my heart begin to frantically beat itself against my ribs, as though it wants nothing more than to mesh with his.

  I feel a wall crumble, letting loose a flood of feeling that's been locked inside of me, begging for release. My soul vibrates with the sensation, it takes hold of me and, suddenly, I know what I'm feeling: power. There's no other word for it. Pure and untamed power rips through me and alters me right down to my DNA.

  "Alexander?" Magda's voice rings out, breaking the spell. Lex drops his hands from my body and pulls away in a slow fluid movement that does nothing to belie his reluctance to let go. I look away for a second, trying to find the words to express what's going through me. A slight breeze stirs the air. When I look back, he's gone.

  Chapter Six

  It was Monday when Magda came. By Wednesday afternoon, she's gone. I had the pleasure of only seeing her one more time before she leaves. We had dinner the night before she left and spoke little during, which was fine since all my thoughts were preoccupied with the moment I had shared with Lex, who was mysteriously absent. Or maybe not mysteriously. It's possible he just wasn't invited.

  Every time I looked up and my eyes found my grandmother sitting stoically at the head of the table, eating or making conversation with Greta, I wanted to cry. It wasn't because she seemed to like ignoring me, but because she was in no way my mother. I had a terrible time trying to reconcile with the fact that my mother somehow came from this woman, this life. I wanted so badly to have my mother there instead so I could tell her about Lex, so I could ask her about the weird necklace. I never liked to confide in my parents before, and now I'll never get the chance again.

  When I had gotten to Price, I had hoped that my
grandmother would give me some sort of explanation, would expel some of the doubt and fear that had come from my parents' decision to send me here. At the very least, I had hoped she would give me some insight in to why my mother left Price after I was born and never came back. The only insight I get is that my grandmother, her mother, is a cold disinterested woman more focused on running her business and keeping up her public image than properly grieving her daughter or caring for her granddaughter.

  I had half a mind to throw a tantrum and insist she stay with me out of spite, but the idea of spending in indefinite amount of time alone with Lex was just too alluring. It was clear my Grandmother had no interest in getting to know me and I decided I had no interest in her, either.

  Halfway through dinner one of the maids- and yes there are several "servants" employed at the "estate"- came in to let Magda know she had a phone-call. Magda excused herself and, when it became clear she wasn't coming back, I excused myself as well. Greta barely looked up as I left.

  That night, the steady drizzle of the weeks before culminated in a rolling thunderstorm. I opened the French doors in my room and sat on the floor just outside of the storm's reach. Thunder cracked in the clouds unseen and lightning split the sky, casting eerie shadows on the landscape.

  I watched it unfold from the darkness of my room. I had always loved thunderstorms and this particular storm seemed like it was made for me; it felt like the perfect expression of my own inner turmoil.

  The stone on my necklace felt heavy on my chest. I reached behind my neck and unclasped it, holding it before me. At that moment, an electric blue bolt of lightning shot across the sky. The stone took the bolt of lightning and held it deep inside. I expected it to let go after a second, like it did back in my old room, but it held on tight. The light danced and flickered inside the heart, seeming to multiply and double in brightness.

  I held my breath, mesmerized by the sight. Though I held it stock still, the stone seemed to drift toward me, as if I had some sort of magnetic pull. With shaking hands, I threaded the chain under my hair and re-clasped it around my neck. The stone seemed to float down before it rested back on my chest.