Elise tipped her head at me in return then spun around and started running. We followed in a single file line—Elise, Chase, Jay, then me—because the path through the woods was narrow, and since it was daylight and we could see, Elise had opted to salvage her energy and not smooth out the terrain into a flawless path. As long as the rocks and roots stayed put, I believed I could manage it.
The six-mile run to the lake and back was nothing compared to this twenty-miler, though. The first and only time I’d made this trek, most of it had consisted of walking. This time would surely not be like the last.
It ended up taking us closer to four hours. We took a few short breaks, resting our muscles and catching our breath, munching on nuts and berries from bushes and trees Elise conjured up. Watching an Earth Elemental form a living plant in the palm of their hand was truly a marvel to behold.
As we finally neared the edge of town on the east side, my heart started hammering. Nervousness pricked my skin like needles. I found myself more breathless than I’d been on the run.
What I saw before me was simply…impossible.
There were no gaping crevices, no gorges or cliff sides. The river wasn’t splintered, following whatever path it could find. No houses had been reduced to rubble, and no erratic weather patterns warred for dominance in the sky. There were no bloody bodies littering the ground.
Everything was in order. It wasn’t exactly as it had once been, but it looked lovely and ordinary as ever. The ice-covered river ran peacefully through the center of town, and along its bank rested new, well-kept houses with beautifully landscaped lawns. The streets were freshly paved, the sidewalks recently cemented, bridges newly constructed, and buildings not long ago resurrected—a sparkling, brand-new town, inspired by the old.
Surely we hadn’t been gone that long.
I forced myself to swallow the cottony spit sticking to the back of my throat as I glanced at Jay. He looked grave as ever and at least ten years older as he eyed the scene before us with suspicious eyes. Elise and Chase mirrored his expression, and I realized we were all feeling rather uneasy about the whole setup. Was this even still our town?
We edged closer. No one strolled along the salted sidewalks. No cars or trucks hummed down the pitch-black roadways. The silence was almost deafening. If it weren’t for the crackling of the shifting ice or the chirping of the winter birds, I’d swear it was completely uninhabited…just a façade, a silhouette, a shell.
“What do you guys wanna do?” Chase asked quietly. “Split up? Check things out, then meet back up in an hour?”
Elise shook her head. “I don’t think splitting up is the best idea, not until we know what we’re dealing with here.”
“It doesn’t look dangerous,” Chase pressed.
To my surprise, Jay agreed.
“Suspicious, yes,” he said. “Dangerous, no.”
“What are you saying?” I asked him. He was usually very clearheaded and full of ideas. Whatever he decided, I would agree to.
He sighed. “Val, you of all people should understand. I’m not gonna just follow you guys around like a lost puppy when Charlene might be out there waiting for me. I gotta take care of that first. She’s the only thing that matters to me right now. I’m sure you each have people you need to see as well. I vote we split up now and meet up later.”
Elise narrowed her eyes at them.
“This is a very, very bad idea you guys…” Then she adjusted her gaze onto me. “Valerie, you’re with me right? We need to stick together.”
I took a deep breath, my baby blues never shifting from her worried turquoise gaze.
“If Jay thinks it’s safe to split up, then I have to agree.”
Elise threw her hands into the air and began pacing about, muttering, “Unbelievable.”
“So, we’ll meet back up in an hour,” Chase clarified. “Right here?”
Jay nodded. “Right here.”
He strode lightly across the snow in the direction of Charlene’s old homestead. I didn’t know if there would be a new one in its place or if he’d even recognize it if he saw it, but I silently wished him the best of luck.
“I’m going to scout out the area,” Chase said. “See if I can find anybody willing to tell me what the hell happened and what’s going on.”
He ran off and followed the sidewalk, looking left and right for any signs of movement or life before disappearing between buildings.
Elise turned to me. “And you? Where will you go, and what will you do?”
“I don’t know…” I shook my head dazedly. “What about you?”
She dropped her head to the side.
“I have one hour to work with. I’m going home to make sure my mother is all right.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath and sighing heavily.
“I guess I’ll try to find Holden. I don’t know what else to do…”
Elise stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.
“Be careful, Valerie. Remember what I taught you, okay?” I nodded and she continued. “And also…if I happen to see Cade out in the West Woods…I’ll let you know.”
I smiled, relieved despite myself. “Thank you.”
She broke our hug and stared intensely into my eyes. Without saying another word, she slipped back into the woods and tore off, leaving me alone.
I stood nervously on the cusp of a world that felt too much like plastic.
Chapter Three
Before the chaos, Holden’s house had been the last and most elaborate on the block, nearest to the wood line. If it had been rebuilt, I assumed it’d be in the same location, so that’s where I headed. My shoes met the sidewalk soundlessly as I tiptoed down the road.
The street signs were different, more regal looking, but the names remained the same. I stood at the corner of Kensington and River Street. A right onto Kensington should lead me straight to Holden’s. I wondered if I might even see Jay, as Charlene’s place used to be a few houses up on the same street, but I didn’t see him.
I didn’t see anyone.
As I approached the last magnificent house on the block, I couldn’t help letting out a low whistle. It was in a slightly different position than it had been and it was grander than before, but I knew this house was still Holden’s. Scrawled out in an elegant print on the mailbox at the end of the drive was the surname Michaels. The same word was written in cursive on a decorative wreath hung cheerfully at the front door.
My heart started hammering in my chest. Did this definitively mean Holden had survived? Had his parents, Curwen and Ann? Or had just one of them survived? Or…worse…were they all dead and gone, and this was all just a huge cover-up?
Gathering my courage, I strolled carefully up to the door. It was royal blue, as were the shutters accenting the windows; it had been red. Somehow it now felt more welcoming—at least by sight. I tapped lightly at the wood then noticed the doorbell. Ringing that button felt like raising an alarm I didn’t want to sound so instead, I knocked more purposefully and waited.
To my complete surprise and disappointment, Curwen Michaels answered the door with a warm smile. Though I’d never met him, I knew that was who this was. Holden had no siblings, and this man looked almost identical to my old boyfriend in every way, save two: his hairstyle was different—a little longer and parted off to the side—and his eyes. They were a cloudy gray, not coffee brown.
Elemental immortality and anti-aging would never cease to amaze me.
“Valerie! Good to see you. Come in, come in!”
I clenched my teeth to keep my jaw from dropping.
The first emotion to cross my mind was fear—fear that Holden was now dead, fear of why Curwen would ever willingly invite me into his house. This whole new fake world had me immediately distrusting everyone. Ice started freezing over my fingertips, and for a moment I almost thought it was going to spread out of control like it used to. Thankfully, I managed to pull it in before he seemed to notice.
I needed to get a grip
. It wasn’t going to be easy, but it never would be. I had to deal with it. The fingertips of my right hand tapped out a soundless, soothing rhythm on my leg—tap, tap, tap, tap—and some of my anxiety slipped away.
He gestured toward the foyer through the open door. We were letting the heat out, and I was being awkward.
I cleared my throat and forced a tiny smile.
“Yes sir, thank you for the invitation.” I slipped inside just far enough for him to close the door and retake the lead.
“It’s been a while since you left,” he said. “We almost didn’t think you were coming back.”
He casually led me down a bare hallway toward the kitchen and living room, pointing at the latter. “Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Something warm? Hot cocoa, coffee, tea…”
He drifted into the kitchen as I found a comfy spot wedged into the corner of a leather sofa.
“Tea, please.”
I wasn’t really comfortable at all. My mental sensors were flashing warnings and blaring sirens. Curwen couldn’t be trusted—it had only been a few months before that he and Cade’s parents had sentenced me to death.
I’d already made the decision to cross this threshold, though. Now I had to deal with the consequences. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. Besides, I was an Elemental now. He no longer had any reason to want me dead.
Curwen strode in carrying what looked like a pure gold tray with two china cups full of steaming tea. I’d known they had money, but I hadn’t realized they were that wealthy.
My eyes slid from the china and circled the room. A great stone fireplace with a spotless glass front stood burning peacefully as the focal point of the room. A large flat-screen TV hung just a few feet above it, contrasted by modern gray walls with intricate, stark-white crown molding and satiny silver curtains. Black and white photography of beautiful landscapes dotted the walls here and there. Dark hardwood floors gleamed with fresh wax, and the big white area rug in the center was soft and lush and almost looked like extra-fluffy animal fur.
A Christmas tree still stood alight in a faraway corner, and garland draped in just enough places to be considered festive. Someone was obviously lax on tearing down the seasonal décor.
My gaze slid back to Curwen, who was lowering himself into a creamy claw-foot armchair across from the coffee table. The navy blue cardigan he wore gave him a casual air that only the rich can display. As he propped an ankle on his knee, his light gray slacks revealed silky black socks underneath.
I reached politely for my tea and took a sip. Conversation had never been a strong point of mine, least of all now. I was grateful when he took the lead.
He smiled, tea already in hand. “How have you been, Valerie?”
I swallowed and quietly exhaled a big breath.
“I’ve been good, Mr. Michaels. And yourself?”
His smile widened and his eyes lit up.
“I’ve been fantastic, thank you for asking. The campaign is coming along very smoothly, very successfully.”
“Campaign?” I asked after taking another swallow of tea.
I was confused. As leader of the Modernists living in Center Allegheny, I knew he was into politics, but this seemed new. I needed every possible detail I could garner about this strange post-exposure world.
“Oh! Of course you haven’t heard. You’ve been away.” As if he forgot. He took a quick sip of his tea then set it down on the tray. “Since Henrie Landston retired his position, there was a need for a new Elemental leader in Center Allegheny. Obviously, since I worked alongside him for the past few decades, I was the favorite candidate for his replacement. I got the job easily enough,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “But with the sudden exposure of our kind, a new sort of campaign has been developing, and I’m working on heading the Central Pennsylvanian branch of that.”
“Congratulations,” I said as I thought about my next question carefully. “What has the exposure meant for Elementals? What exactly are you campaigning for?”
He sighed theatrically and switched ankles so his other leg was crossed this time. “It’s been chaotic for us. There were a number of violent episodes, particularly in the bigger cities, where Elementals were the topic of riots and revolts. But, for the most part, the humans have been relatively levelheaded and rather open-minded about it.” He reached for his teacup, but didn’t bring it to his lips. “Your grandfather, Nicholai, is heading his own sort of campaign now that we’ve been exposed. We oppose one another, naturally, but he’s an Elitist and I’m a Modernist, so that’s to be expected.”
“He’s not an Elitist,” I clarified stubbornly.
Curwen merely raised his eyebrows at me.
I backpedaled. “He was, once, but…” But what? He says he’s changed? I had no proof of such things. I wasn’t even convinced yet myself.
Curwen nodded. “Regardless, he holds Elitist ideals. His campaigning is amongst Elementals only. He’s rallying them to demand immediate rights and positions, while I’m working with humans to gradually incorporate Elementals into society.”
I sniffed to divert a small chuckle and took another drink of my tea. That sounded so like Nicholai—powering his way to the top simply because he could, and because it was what he was used to, not bothering with niceties, just getting to the end goal as effectively as possible. I had to admire his level of efficiency.
Footsteps on the stairs startled me. I glanced over, hearing the voice just moments before I saw the face.
“Dad, I have those figures you asked about earlier, but I don’t think you’re gonna…” He trailed off as his eyes widened and locked onto mine.
He was so beautiful. Big brown eyes, perfectly drawn features, lean muscled frame. An angelic vision in formfitting khakis and a navy blue dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, top two buttons undone. His hair was perfectly styled as usual, and he smelled like a magical night at the beach.
Curwen’s smile twisted as he glanced between us.
“Ah, yes. Thank you Holden. I don’t believe you asked, Valerie, but Holden is alive and well! He’s my new assistant in our campaign for gradual Elemental incorporation.”
The vibrancy in Holden’s eyes dimmed a bit. “You didn’t ask about me?”
Damn it! I hadn’t really had an opportunity…though I probably I should’ve made one. What was I supposed to say, though? That I assumed he was dead when his dad answered the door?
“Why are you here, then?” he prodded further, taking a few steps toward me.
My voice came out all whispery and timid. “I-I wanted to see you.”
“And yet you didn’t ask about me?” He sounded doubtful, but he was giving me the benefit of said doubt. His luscious lips pulled into a small smile.
I glanced at Curwen, who seemed to enjoy watching me flounder.
“Well, there wasn’t much opportunity…” I said, trailing off. I ran a hand along my ponytail and twirled the end in my fingers. “Your father started telling me about what’s been going on since I left, and I guess I got a little consumed by the news.”
Holden nodded. “It’s pretty unbelievable, isn’t it? After all this time, the cat’s finally out of the bag.” He shifted from one foot to the other then wiped his hands on his pants. “You want to go for a walk?”
“Holden…” Curwen warned slowly. “The curfew.”
My brows furrowed as I glanced from father to son. “What curfew?”
Holden’s lips pursed into a mocking scowl.
“Elementals aren’t allowed out during the day,” he said. “Only at night, and even then, we have to be as quiet as possible.” He read the question in my eyes clearly enough. “Because humans aren’t entirely comfortable with the idea of us just yet, and in order to keep relations as peaceful as we can, we agreed to limit our interaction for a little while.”
I frowned. “But I didn’t see anyone walking around out there, not even humans. It’s dead—like a ghost town.”
Holden nodded his agreement.
“Yeah, the humans don’t like to go out at all anymore. Most stay holed up inside as much as they can. They’ll venture out for groceries and whatnot, but that’s about it.” He averted his gaze to his father, staring him down for a few seconds before dragging his eyes back to mine. “Come on. Let’s take that walk.”
Curwen sighed. “Just…stick to the woods.”
“Fine.” After a curt nod, Holden took my hand and guided me to the foyer. He grabbed a coat then led me back outside.
The sun was shining with a gauzy florescent light, and the air was frigid. Luckily, I couldn’t feel the chill, but the wind was sharp and crisp against my skin. My hair whipped across my face, stinging my cheeks and eyes.
“Shit. Sorry about that,” Holden apologized as he calmed the breeze into a peaceful standstill.
I smiled curiously. “It’s okay. Is everything all right?”
Holden didn’t often lose control of the wind. In fact, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever seen him lose control.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” he said, zipping up his leather coat. “It’s just stressful working with my dad. He’s a natural at politics. He understands when to wait and when to strike, when to speak and when to shut up, how to manipulate the masses. Luckily, I’m just his assistant, so I don’t have to deal with all of that just yet, but he wants me to take his place one day, and it’s just…not me, you know? I’m not a politician.”
I shrugged. “You could be a leader, though.”
“I think those terms are mostly synonymous,” he said with a chuckle. “So, no way.”
He seemed to fit the bill, though. Most great leaders were great leaders because of their reluctance to be in command. Wasn’t that how it went? Plus, people liked him. Being a relatable person seemed better than having perfect qualifications, anyway.
I kept his leisurely pace, our hands still clasped as he led us into the woods behind his house. It had been months since I’d been back there, and it felt totally different now. There were no leaves on the trees, the ground was covered in a foot of snow, and the path that led to our old bonfire was completely obscured.
The Essential Elements: Boxed Set Page 32
