“It just doesn’t make any sense,” Raine said as the water settled in balls that rested in the palm of her hands. She moved her hands back and forth and watched as tiny whirlpools formed, dancing and swaying with her movements. “Why didn’t I know this before? What changed?”
Kaden took a step forward, the intention of telling her about her bracelet ready to roll off his tongue when Tech caught their attention with a loud menacing bark. Kaden whipped around to the edge of the clearing where his pack lay, just as a large man stepped from the brush. Instinctively, Kaden pushed Raine behind him and felt the cool splash of water down his back when the water in her hands fell to the ground.
“Beautiful spring,” the stranger said as he stepped closer. He stood tall with long, wavy brown hair that hung in his eyes. He jerked his head to the side to clear the hair from his face, but it fell back within seconds. Pockmarks scarred his skin and a layer of dirt on his skin seemed to be part of him.
He wore a deep brown leather jacket with patches on the elbows that appeared to have worn through to the under layer. Dark pants were tucked into a pair of muddied boots that left a clear footprint behind him as he walked carefully across the grass.
The hairs on the back of Kaden’s neck stood on end and he pulled Raine closer with his free hand while the other held the full bottle in front of him.
Kaden could feel Raine’s hands on his shoulders as she tried to stand on her tiptoes to peer over him. Tech slowly walked to Kaden’s side, a low rumbling growl coming from his chest.
“Nice dog you’ve got there,” the stranger said. He stopped a good distance away, but never took his eyes off Kaden. “Name’s Donovan.”
“Kaden.”
“And you are?” Donovan moved his head to the side to get a look at Raine as she tried to move from behind Kaden. He held her with surprising strength behind his back.
“She was just getting ready to leave, with me. We’ve got a hike ahead of us and need to get going,” Kaden answered before she could say anything. He felt her poke him in the back, but he ignored her. She poked him again and he turned his head to glare at her over his shoulder.
With a deep exhale of breath, Raine grabbed the two empty bottles and tried to take a step around him. Tech blocked her path this time, which forced her to walk away from Donovan instead of right by him. Donovan stood still as he watched her every move, and a slow sneer of a smile formed on his lips, showing yellowed teeth.
“Nice to meet you,” Kaden said in parting as he cautiously made his way past Donovan without turning his back on him, and without letting Raine the opportunity to come between them. When he reached the edge of the clearing, Kaden whistled for Tech as he grabbed his pack and dumped the bottles into it.
Tech ran past Donovan, never taking his eyes off him until he was at Kaden’s feet and they were trudging through the forest again.
“Follow Tech,” Kaden said as he gave Raine a little shove in front of him. Kaden felt a burning need to keep her safely in view until they were far away from Donovan. He could feel the mud brown eyes of the stranger drilling holes into his back.
“Did I do something wrong?” Raine asked when they were out of earshot.
“No,” he snapped and Raine flinched. She pinned him with steel blue eyes, eyes that no longer glowed or resembled teardrops, much to Kaden’s relief. She turned her back on him and followed Tech back to the house in silence. Kaden felt a wave of relief hit him when they stepped onto the front porch and there was no sign of Donovan, but it was short lived when Raine stalked through the house and slammed the door to her room. Kaden closed his eyes and wondered why it bothered him. His job was to hunt down Elementals and from what he saw earlier at the spring, she was one of the most powerful Elementals he’d ever seen. Why, then, did he feel the deepest desire to protect her?
He feared he already knew the answer. He was her Guardian, and he didn’t know how he felt about it.
CHAPTER 16
RAINE
Raine lay on her bed, watching the swirling water above her head. She didn’t know how she commanded it, she just did. The shapes it made appeared from thoughts in her head automatically. If she thought it, the water took form. Now she was staring at the handsome face of Kaden in the clear liquid.
Since the hike, her mind ran wild. She’d gone into the house and locked herself in her room, not wishing to speak to anyone, especially Kaden. The guy confused her.
Remembrance of the kiss they shared the night before made her pulse rise. The feel of his lips, the deep intensity in his eyes, the passion and relief she felt in his embrace, the way he held her until he fell back asleep—it unnerved her.
Raine wasn’t sure what she expected that morning when she woke, but Kaden’s cold and calloused attitude wasn’t it. Kaden never mentioned the dream from the night before, but Raine suspected that was the reason for his bad mood. It left her feeling more confused than ever.
Their hike to the stream was torture. Kaden was so distant, Raine found herself wishing she could go back to the night before and ignore his scream for help.
Then Donovan appeared at the spring and everything changed.
As Donovan stepped into the clearing, Raine felt a tingle of fear course through her veins and she froze. When Kaden promptly pushed her behind him in the most primitive form of protection she’d ever witnessed, she must admit she felt safe.
Then Kaden’s attitude shifted back to callousness and Raine hadn’t spoken to him since, not even when he knocked and left a tray of food, the diary, and the one bottle of water with a paintbrush by her door.
Raine sighed at the watery image of Kaden floating above her and reached for the empty bottle on the dresser. She pictured water pouring slowly back into the empty container and the water above her followed suit.
She sat up and laid the diary in her lap. The pages fell open to the last entry Kaesen wrote and Raine ran her fingers gently across the script writing. With a sigh, she turned the page, picked up the paintbrush, dipped it in the water, and brought out the dripping wet bristles, letting it hover in the air for a moment.
“Here goes nothing,” she said as she swiped the wet brush lightly across the empty pages.
As the brush touched the aged pages, the water drained from the brush and ran freely across the entire page, drenching it almost completely. Raine pulled her brush back and grabbed for a cloth to dry the pages, silently cursing herself for ruining the book. However, when she tried to mop up the extra water, it was gone and the page was completely dry.
The worn paper came to life as blue ink in perfect script appeared on the thin paper; invisible ink revealed for the first time.
Raine sat straighter and watched as simple drawings appeared next to the script letters, the language she recognized as Galician from the earlier entries in Kaesen’s book. Each picture had descriptions in both languages, almost as if the author wrote it and translated it at the same time.
Raine flipped the page, wet her brush once more, and smeared the water across the back. More images appeared as the water moved of its own accord, touching each part of the exposed paper.
A knock at the door startled her and she jumped, spilling the remaining water over the entire book, soaking it, her, and the bed where she sat.
“I don’t want to talk to you,” Raine said to the closed door. She knew she was pouting but she didn’t care.
“Really? I came all this way,” Camille’s singsong voice came from the other side of the closed door. Raine jumped from the bed and swiftly swung the door open. Camille stood in the hallway with a bag full of clothes and a sheepish smile on her face. Raine threw her arms around her and squeezed. Despite her irritation about everything that transpired over the last twenty-four hours, she still missed her best friend.
“How did you find us?” Raine asked into Camille’s hair.
“Eryk knew where to look.” The words were strangled, but Raine could hear the smile in her voice. “You forgive me then?”
&
nbsp; Raine lessened her hold and pushed back. “I can’t believe—”
Camille grabbed her arms, giving them a little squeeze when she cut her off. “Let me explain, please. I know you don’t believe any of this, it is really kind of crazy. But if you just listen to me I think you’ll know what we tell you is true.”
“Well, I believe you,” Raine said with a smile. “It is a lot to take in, but I’m beginning to realize it’s possible. And I’ve missed you.”
“I should have told you earlier, I really should have. I’m sorry it happened the way it did.” Camille walked into the room and looked around. “I’ve always loved this place. I didn’t know Kaden moved here,” she said as she took in her surroundings. The look in her eyes seemed wistful as she walked around the room, running her hand along the top of the dresser.
“Kaden is acting a bit funny.” Camille picked up the diary from the bed, turned it over in her hands, and looked at Raine. “What happened between you two?” she asked as she sat on the bed. “Is this wet?” Camille immediately jumped up and moved to a dry spot on the bed. She sat cross-legged against the back of the daybed. Her hair sported blonde tips today and she wore a long sleeve shirt with skinny jeans and Converse shoes.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Yes, it is wet,” she said as she climbed on the bed and sat next to Camille. They linked arms. Raine laid her head back and closed her eyes. “I’m not sure, exactly, but with everything that’s happened, I don’t know what is normal anymore. Things between us have gotten . . . weird.”
“I bet.” Camille’s voice was low and sarcastic.
“Tell me about Kaden.”
Camille let out an exhale of breath that made Raine’s hair move. She refused to open her eyes or look at Camille for fear that she would see something in Camille’s expression that she wouldn’t like.
“It really isn’t a simple answer,” Camille finally said. Raine felt her shift on the bed and she had the impression Camille was facing her, waiting for Raine to look at her, but Raine kept her eyes closed and waited. “To understand Kaden, you need to understand about his grandparents.”
Raine nodded. Camille sighed.
“His grandparent’s names were Kaesen and Alwen. Eryk and I met them years ago when they first arrived here.”
“In Oregon?”
“No, on Earth.”
Raine slowly opened her eyes and looked at Camille.
“From Maia?” Raine asked. It was Camille’s turn to be shocked.
“Yes. How did you know that?”
Raine picked up the diary from Camille’s lap and held it in front of her face.
“This was Kaesen’s journal. Kaden gave it to me last night. Some of it I can’t read because Kaden said it was written in Galician. But the parts I could read were pretty interesting.”
“Huh. I had no idea.” Camille reached out to touch the worn leather on the diary. “May I?”
Raine handed her the diary and watched as Camille flipped it open to the front page, read the words silently, and smiled.
“She was such a beautiful woman, and so young when we first met her. We waited for centuries for her to come to Earth.” Camille hugged the book to her chest as she spoke. “The day she arrived, Eryk and I could feel a shift in the aura of Earth and knew instantly she was here. We didn’t know Alwen came, but I was so glad he did. He loved Kaesen with his whole being. Theirs was a true love story.”
“Centuries, Camille?” Raine couldn’t hide her astonishment. “You’re saying you’re not just an old woman, but an ancient one? Have to say, you look pretty amazing.” She tried to keep her mood light, but her head spun. She swallowed. “How is any of this possible?”
With a half-hearted smile, Camille sighed and laid the diary in her lap. She began to flip through the book, running her fingers softly over the perfect script on the pages.
“Kaesen was an Elemental born on their home star, Maia. It was dying. The life force waned and Kaesen came to Earth to find and protect her people. You see, Elementals have existed on Earth for thousands of years, working in harmony to keep the elements in balance. Kaesen lived on Maia with her parents as they watched over all of Earth from the heavens, but from below, Elementals lived among us.
“Most Elementals draw their power from the stars, but the Elementals living on Earth receive their power from the Sun Star, known to you as the sun,” Camille continued. “The sun is very powerful and all Elementals thrived on Earth.
“However, Kaesen was different when she came. Her powers were connected to Maia and very weak. When Maia started dying, her powers became weaker and she was unable to control her element, as did all the other Elementals left on Maia. When Maia finally exploded at the end of its cycle, Kaesen lost the power to control her element. It was a gradual process, but eventually, her powers were no more.” Camille’s thumb caressed the book as she spoke. Raine could almost sense her reverence for the history it contained.
“As the princess of Maia and one of four survivors, she and Alwen became the link the Fay needed to work in harmony with Elementals to protect Mother Earth.”
“Wait, what? You’re not an Elemental?” Raine asked, her confusion genuine.
“No, Eryk and I are Fay—warriors and keepers of nature. Our power comes from Mother Earth and we are sworn protectors of all nature. We’re different from Elementals. You, Raine, control the elements. We protect the nature of the planet.”
“Is that why you don’t age? You said you were here when his grandparents arrived.” Raine felt the beginnings of a tension headache coming on. “You’re killing me, you know that?”
“I’m sorry, Raine. I wanted to tell you so many times who I was, who you were. I didn’t want it to happen like this.” Camille placed a hand on Raine’s forearm, her eyes remorseful.
Raine felt her shoulders relax at Camille’s touch. No matter how crazy this all sounded, Camille was her best friend in the world and she was relieved to have her there.
“It’ll be okay, Camille . . . I think,” Raine said as she placed her hand on top of Camille’s, giving it a little squeeze. Camille seized her arm and pulled her into a hug.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Raine managed to say when Camille finally released her hold. Raine sat back and pulled her knees to her chin, wrapping her hands around her legs for something to do when she asked the next question. “I still don’t understand what any of this has to do with me.”
Camille nodded and continued her explanation. “Kaesen and Alwen came to Earth in search of Elementals to help them thrive. The seers knew there would come a time when war against all humanity, Elementals, and Fay alike would put Earth in danger. Kaesen and Alwen were sent here to bridge the gap, to set in motion the events that would lead the Chosen One to Earth.
“And you think I am the Chosen One,” Raine stated rather than asked. Camille nodded. “You said there were four survivors.”
“A man named Elzar and a woman by the name of Isa, an old witch who drained the powers of Maia with her use of magic.”
“I’ve heard the name Elzar. Kaesen mentioned him in the diary.”
Camille nodded and traced the elegant writing of Kaesen’s penmanship with her finger.
“Before Kaesen came to earth, she was promised to Elzar as his wife. He was a horrible man and only wanted her for her power and position. Elzar craved power. Somehow, he learned of the failings of Maia and chose to escape, making his way to Earth.” Camille closed the diary, handed it to Raine, and stood to pace the room. She was intense as she spoke and Raine could sense the deep-rooted feelings she harbored for Kaden’s grandparents. “For years, Elzar was silent. Some say he was injured and in need of recovery. Others say he was building an army of Elementals to attack the planet. I, personally, believe it was both.”
“An army for what, exactly?” Raine asked, unsure if she wanted to know the answer.
“Elzar wants a super army of Elementals that can destroy the world if he desire
d it, and he is gaining in strength.” Camille stopped pacing in front of the bed and sat. “Every tornado, every earthquake, tidal wave, storm, fire—every event that people blame on weather or mother nature or whatever . . . it is the work of Elementals. Some of these instances are needed to keep the balance of life on Earth. Fires to replenish fields, waves to stir up the surface beneath, winds to move the earth, all necessary events for the circle of life. The mass destruction and carnage around the world, however, is the work of Elementals who have succumbed to Elzar. His warriors want to wipe out the human population and create a world where they can thrive.”
“What does this have to do with me, or Kaden?”
“What do you know of Alwen?” Camille asked. Raine shook her head in frustration.
“Nothing. Just that Kaesen loved him very much and he, apparently, came here with her, like you said.”
“Alwen did love Kaesen. They grew up together as children. And . . . he was her Guardian.”
“Her what?” Raine pushed herself forward so she was eye to eye with Camille.
“Each important Elemental is assigned someone to guard them, keep them safe. When Elementals came to earth, Guardians were not required because humans didn’t know they existed. Alwen was chosen as Kaesen’s Guardian by the seers when she was still on Maia and he pledged his life to protect her. All the while, he loved her with all his heart. It was the hardest sacrifice he ever made because she was promised to another.
“When Maia was destroyed Kaesen was sent here. Alwen came with her and fulfilled his pledge as her Guardian his whole life. There have been a total of three Guardian’s on earth: Alwen, his son, Simon, and Kaden.”
“You think Kaden is my Guardian,” Raine said as her memory took her back to Camille’s house and the conversation she overheard between the three. “But . . .” Her breath stuck in her throat as she remembered the anger on Kaden’s face, something she’d blocked out since he rescued her from the strangers at her house. “He hates Elementals.”
Raine (Elemental Series Book 2) Page 12
