I didn’t know what to make of it, either. I was probably even more perplexed than Aunt Marge. To me, though, it wasn’t the question that mattered, it was the answer—that he was still alive.
“I need to have another look through my books,” she said, more to herself than to me. “There’s got to be some explanation for it.”
“The Elemental Basics? Or maybe Carving Earth?” I asked, recalling a couple titles I remembered well.
She shook her head. “Perhaps.”
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the cellar door.
Marge swept away her thoughts and smiled. “Come in, Elise, come in!”
“Hey Mom,” she said as they hugged. Then her attention fell onto me. “Valerie, are you ready?”
My eyes went wide.
“Ready for what?” Marge asked, curiously looking between us.
“Already?” I asked, only adding to the confusion.
Elise sighed and crossed her arms. “My leader wishes to speak to Valerie.”
“This person is here right now?” Marge asked, her hand pressed to her throat.
“No. She’s going to video call us. It does have to be a private conversation, though. Mind if we borrow the house?”
Marge shook her head “Be my guest. I understand your need for discretion. My attention is preoccupied, anyway. This boy needs my complete concentration.”
“Who is he?” Elise asked, stepping closer with mild interest.
“Your cousin’s boyfriend,” she said, voice low and firm. “Henrie Landston’s youngest boy.”
Elise quirked a brow and glanced at me. “A Traditionalist?”
I merely shrugged.
“What happened to the Modernist? Curwen’s son? I heard rumors that you two were still a hot item.”
I scoffed. “Rumors, or a news report?”
“Both,” she said with a casual smirk.
Great.
So that’s what the reporters had been broadcasting across the county—A, that I was dating Holden, and B, that I was some kind of hero for what I’d done at Sol and Lune. I seriously didn’t need that kind of publicity, especially since neither speculation was true.
Elise glanced at me. “We’d better go. She’ll be calling soon.”
I nodded and tried to swallow, but my mouth was suddenly dry. I squeezed Cade’s fingers then let them slip away.
We exited the root cellar and walked around to the front of the house. It wasn’t the first time I’d followed my cousin into situations unknown, but for some reason, I was more scared this time around.
Inside, Elise took her time looking at the pictures in the living room, sliding her fingers across the dusty tomes in the study, spinning around in the center of her old room.
It was like a time capsule; nothing had changed since she’d left four years before. Movie posters still hung on the walls. A lacey yellow comforter rested neatly on the bed. A few superhero stuffed animals surrounded her pillow. Nail polish lined the back of a vanity, and pictures circled around the mirror.
She flopped on her bed. I carefully sat cross-legged at the bottom.
“You look uptight, Val,” she said.
I choked out a laugh. “You think?”
Suddenly, her phone rang. We both took a deep breath.
“This is it,” she said, and then she clicked the answer button.
The image of a gorgeous woman appeared before us. Her ebony skin was radiant as silk, and her honey-colored eyes were hooded like a cat’s. The manner with which she held herself seemed perfectly regal. Her confidence was apparent, even over the phone.
She smiled, though it didn’t quite touch her eyes.
“Hello Valerie. My name is Exis.”
Hold up.
My brain jumped backward.
The Exis? The one Henrie mentioned? The one who was now funding the Traditionalists? Who wanted the Modernists and Elitists to kill each other off in order to win the war?
She surely had to be one in the same. How many people named Exis could there possibly be?
I decided to keep that minimal knowledge of her to myself.
“I’m the leader of an ancient and highly secretive organization called the Shadow Sect. We are the driving force behind Elemental action. We seek to provide subtle counterbalance to the scales of power.
“As you have no doubt noticed, there is currently an imbalance of power. We would like your help in righting this wrong.”
I glanced at Elise then back to the screen. “What would you have me do?”
She continued to smile. “We would like you to use your influence in favor of the Traditionalists, and their leader, Ms. Brielle Lewis.”
I hesitated. “Could you be more specific?”
She nodded once. “Declare yourself a Traditionalist. Publicly join their campaign. Recruit Elemental followers to their cause, particularly younger ones, like yourself. Recruit human supporters. Speak at conventions and demonstrations. Give statements and interviews. Use your power in ways the humans will appreciate—for example, water to chase away drought, fire to ward off the cold, strategic things such as these.”
Now, where have I heard those words before? I thought sarcastically. It was the same shit my mother had spouted when the Elitists had tried to use me.
“Why Traditionalists?” I asked. “And why me?”
“Because you are Gifted,” she said gently. “And because Modernists and Elitists have gained too much power.”
I cocked my head curiously. “That’s it? Not because Traditionalists have some moral worth or righteousness? Just because there’s currently a power differential?”
“The balance is of greater importance than you realize.”
Clearly.
“Not to be rude, but what if I refuse?”
Traditionalism had never really been my thing.
This time her smile curled up and creases formed by her eyes.
“No one refuses the Shadow Sect, young one. We are the reason for Elemental stability. Everything we deem necessary of happening will happen. Call it fate or luck, karma or destiny, but one way or another these things will come to pass. We ensure it.”
I nervously shifted my weight. “So you’re not really asking for my cooperation at all. You’re demanding it.”
“We have demanded nothing of you. We are merely letting you know what is required of you, revealing your destiny, if you will.”
I smiled sarcastically. “I prefer to choose my own destiny, thanks.”
She shrugged ever so slightly. “Personal preferences matter little in the grand scheme of things, I’m afraid, and I’m sorry to say, but our time is up. I suggest you meditate deeply on this conversation, Valerie, and promptly begin your mission. I will be in contact with you again soon, via your cousin. I’d like to see some progress by then.”
With that, the image of Exis disappeared and I was left staring at the reflective black of Elise’s phone. She stared at it, too, avoiding eye contact with me. I wondered what she thought of her almighty leader. She didn’t look very prideful right then; maybe she disapproved but was too embarrassed to say?
“That woman is kind of a bitch,” I said, accidentally drawing a grin from Elise.
“That was only the third time I’ve ever seen her,” she said, pocketing her cell. “It’s strange, the things I find that I don’t know.”
“An interesting riddle,” I said. “You’re definitely Aunt Marge’s child.”
She laughed then led us out of her room and back outside.
“I mean…” she said thoughtfully. “I do what I’m told, and I never ask why. I didn’t know what she wanted of you, but I made sure the conversation happened anyway. You should feel honored that she graced you with her presence, and that she chose you as an instrument for the Sect’s will.”
“You sound like a fanatic, Elise.”
She shrugged nonchalantly.
“I am not an instrument,” I continued. “I’m an Elemental. I have no desire to do her b
idding. She sounds like a tyrant, anyway. Didn’t you hear what she said? She would ensure I did what she wanted, one way or another.”
“Didn’t you hear what she said?” Elise countered. “It’s your destiny.”
I rolled my eyes and gazed skyward. “I don’t believe that. I believe we all have a choice.”
“And yet, you’ve been alive for such a short amount of time,” she mused. “How could you possibly know things like that? I certainly don’t presume to.”
We stopped outside the crooked door of the cellar. Cade and Aunt Marge were inside and I didn’t want them overhearing us, so I lowered my voice.
“So instead, you just blindly presume she knows these things.”
Elise heaved a deep, irritated sigh. “Yes, Valerie. I trust that Exis knows a hell of a lot more than you or me, and you should too.”
She yanked open the door and marched inside.
Okay then…
I followed her, locking eyes with Cade as I entered. My breath caught and my heart stopped. He was awake!
I ran to his side, the ground more of a slow motion wave this time. It seemed like it was calming down as Cade’s health was climbing up.
He smiled sleepily. “Hey Val,” he said, voice hoarse and harsh.
The relief I felt at hearing him speak was dizzying. I’d known I’d be ecstatic, but I hadn’t realized the ecstasy would swim through my veins and practically make me high—a rookie mistake, of course.
“I’m here,” I said, resting my fingers in his. “How are you feeling?”
“Like shit,” he said, squeezing my hand. His grip was weak. “What happened with Chase?” he asked.
Either he didn’t remember, or he’d been too out of it at the time to realize what had happened.
“I…” I glanced at Aunt Marge and Elise. Would they judge me for being a murderer? “I took care of it.”
Cade nodded slowly. “Good.”
As if sensing my unease, Marge changed the subject—not that she picked a much better topic. “How was the conversation with this leader?”
“What leader?” Cade croaked out.
Elise grimaced. “It was fine, Mom, but we can’t talk about it, remember?” She then tried her own hand at subject-changing. Looking at Cade, she asked, “So what happened to you?”
“Fireball to the chest,” he said, gritting his teeth. He must’ve been in pain.
Elise’s eyes went wide and she studied his bandages. “Fireball to the heart, more like it.” She whipped her gaze to her mother. “How the hell did he survive that?”
Marge tucked her lips in and shrugged. “We must’ve begun healing treatments just in the nick of time.”
I got the feeling they were keeping things from one another. I mean, obviously Elise was—it was her job to keep secrets—but Aunt Marge had wondered that very same thing about Cade earlier. Why was she now acting like it wasn’t some vexing mystery?
Cade glanced around the root cellar with tired, weary eyes. He was clearly clueless on all fronts. Maybe that was why they were both being so cryptic, because Cade was there and conscious.
He moaned and laid his head back, squeezing his eyes shut. His chest heaved with each labored breath.
I looked up at Marge.
“He needs something for the pain.”
Marge pointed her finger at me. “He needs rest.” Then she pointed at Elise. “Off with you, both of you. Give the poor boy some space to heal.”
Elise nodded. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
They hugged and said their goodbyes while I kissed Cade’s forehead and promised to check on him again soon. He nodded, already half asleep.
“I love you both,” Marge said, kindly dismissing us.
“I love you too Aunt Marge.”
“Love you Mom.”
Outside, Elise glanced at me, but didn’t say a word.
She went left, and I went right.
I had a few things I needed to clear up at Modernist headquarters.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The first stop I made was Sol and Lune; I needed to see if my car had survived the bombing. Thankfully it had, except for a few dents and some chips in the paint.
The restaurant, on the other hand, had definitely not survived. Huge holes were blown into the sides, and piles of brick and concrete littered the ground. Everything inside looked charred. My heart sank at the sight.
Click.
I glanced left and caught a photographer snapping a picture of me.
Growling, I quickly got in my car and headed for the courthouse.
I wondered what the headline would be. Devastated hero revisits bombing site! I couldn’t even keep the sarcasm out of my own imaginings. It was so ridiculous.
Once there, I marched up to the scrawny desk clerk and pointed my finger at him.
“I need to talk to Holden Michaels, and if you so much as think about calling security, I’ll give you a reason to be cowering in that chair. You understand?”
His eyes went wide and he nodded. Sweat had already formed across his brow. His shaky fingers dialed out a number, lips quivering as he brought the phone to his ear.
After the last time, I couldn’t bring myself to feel too bad.
“Mr. Michaels?” the clerk finally said. “I know sir, but it’s important. You have a visitor, Miss Moore.”
He hung up the phone and glanced up at me, quickly averting his spectacled eyes. “Mr. Michaels will be down in a moment.”
I sighed. “Thank you.”
I moved away, because I knew my presence made him extremely uncomfortable. I wondered why Holden, Curwen, or my dad didn’t freak him out but I did.
Holden was downstairs before I could contemplate my question.
“Valerie!” he said with a wide smile. “Can we walk and talk? I have a press conference in less than an hour.”
“Sure…”
I wasn’t really sure why we needed to walk. It was cold outside, and besides, press conferences were usually held right there at the courthouse.
He put his hand on my lower back and gestured to the door. It seemed innocent enough, but for some reason it made me uncomfortable. I moved away from his touch and led the way outside. He pointed toward the park, and we started walking.
“So, I hear congratulations are in order,” he said.
“Huh?”
“You’re the new heroine of Center Allegheny!” he said with a grin. “Quite a title, for quite a woman. I’m proud of you, Val.”
I shook my head. “I’m not a heroine at all. I did what I could, and it wasn’t even enough. Sol and Lune is ruined—I saw it this morning.”
“It’s pretty awful looking, isn’t it? But you know what? All those people you tried to help? Every one of them survived. They’re being treated at the Allegheny Hospital, and they’re expected to make full recoveries.”
I bit my lip and squealed inside. Joy surged through me, so powerful it made me want to cry. My heart hammered wildly, but for once it was from relief rather than stress.
“So you are a hero,” he said, smiling.
This time I didn’t deny it.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He slid both hands into his jacket pockets. He was probably freezing. “So, what did you need to talk to me about?”
I felt kind of awkward for bringing it up right then, but it was the entire reason for my visit. “I heard there are news reports claiming you and I are together.”
“Oh…”
Guilt replaced the joy in my veins at the tone of his voice. He was disappointed.
“It wouldn’t really be a problem,” I continued. “But since I’m with—”
“Cade. Yes, I can see where that would be problematic.”
Both of our smiles looked pained.
“Is there anything you can do?” I asked.
He sighed. “I can release a statement, but I don’t know for sure that it’ll help. The media likes to report whatever it wants n
owadays, regardless of any accuracy.”
Isn’t that the truth!
“Thank you Holden.”
“Sure.”
He looked at me, brown eyes almost pleading. It was like he was waiting for something. If he was hoping I had more to say, I wished he wouldn’t hold his breath. I was completely at a loss.
We were almost to the park. I could see it up ahead, barren and empty. My rain from the other night had melted the snow, leaving everything soggy and sort of sick looking. I had a sudden longing for spring, for growth and rebirth.
“Can I ask you a question?” he said.
“Yeah, of course.”
It took him a moment to figure out exactly what he wanted to say. His lips pursed, relaxed, opened, and snapped shut numerous times before he actually spit it out.
“How did we get here, you and me? We used to be so perfect together. I don’t understand what went wrong…”
I sighed. “I don’t either.”
I actually did know, but I didn’t want to hurt him.
From the start, there was an undeniable attraction, lots of lust, but never quite love. I supposed that was the apex of the whole problem—he’d fallen in love with me, and I was unable to return those emotions. It had made every subsequent interaction awkward and unfulfilling, which only pushed me away further.
I didn’t mean for it to happen. I wanted to love him back. He was sweet and fun. He coaxed me out of my shell and made me feel alive. He helped me make friends. I even tried to play the part of the loving girlfriend—fake it until you make it, right?
Well, I failed; I never fully made it.
We reached the park and leaned out over the chain-link fence. The river flowed beyond the picnic tables and park benches, lazily pushing chunks of ice downstream.
I glanced at Holden, wondering how to explain these things without hurting him.
“It’s because of Cade, isn’t it?” he asked.
I smiled. “Partly, yes.”
Holden stared straight ahead, imagining something I couldn’t see.
“What if Cade had never been in the picture?”
The Essential Elements: Boxed Set Page 54
