Elemental Reality (18 page)

“Thank you. All of you. It means a lot.” My heart thumped gratefully, and I wanted to tuck them into my arms in thanks. So I did, squeezing them each tightly. Lola did the same, tears pooling in her eyes.

“You’re both very welcome. Go home and relax the rest of the night. Tomorrow we can show you how to use your elements offensively and defensively.”

“Okay, great,” I said. “See you tomorrow.”

Lola and I waved as we walked off, heading back to our house. Dusk was already setting, and the air had cooled down.

“Today was awesome,” Lola exclaimed joyfully.

“I know! I felt so alive, even though I was scared.”

“Why were you scared? I felt empowered.” Lola flexed her muscles.

“I thought something was wrong with us.” I let out a tiny laugh.

“Oh. I didn’t look at it that way.”

“How did you look at it then?”

“From my point of view, we’re more special than the others. Unique by design.”

I grinned. “I never thought of that.”

“That’s why I’m the smarter, sexier one, and you’re just my sidekick.” She nudged my arm with hers before linking it with mine. “We’re getting her back. The Demons won’t know what hit them.”

“You’re right about getting Mom back, but we all know I’m the more intelligent, sexier one.”

Lola laughed heartily. “You keep telling yourself that.”

I smiled to myself, realizing for the first time how much I actually enjoyed spending time with my sister.

At the house Dad was asleep on the couch, and we decided not to wake him.

“I’m gonna go lie down. You comin’ up?” Lola whispered.

“Nah. I’m going to go outside for a bit. Stargaze.”

“Okay, cool. Sleep well tonight since I’m probably gonna pass out once I hit the bed.”

I chuckled. “Night.”

Outside, I lay in the grass. The night air was wonderful and warm as a soft breeze rustled the grass around me. The sky was cloudless, which made it flawless for stargazing—something I hadn’t done in a while and missed more than I’d realized. The stars shone brightly in the velvet sky; it was a picture perfect moment. As I lay there, I reflected on my training or lack thereof. The trainers had a right to fear us. I probably would have feared myself if I had seen exactly what I was capable of doing through their eyes. As I reflected on the day’s events, I heard the gate open and close. I tilted my head back and smiled when I saw Oli advancing.

“Kitten. Mind if I join you?” he said as he positioned himself in the grass next to me, not waiting for an answer.

“I’d love it.” The butterflies made their appearance in my stomach. I had it bad.

“How was training?” He locked his fingers with mine, pulled my hand to his lips, and kissed my knuckles. Those butterfly wings fluttered faster against the sides of my stomach, excited from his touch.

“It was . . . interesting,” I said slowly. “My elements went all Xena: Warrior Princess, and the trainers freaked.”

His eyebrows shot up. “And what about Lola?”

“Same.”

“That
is
interesting, but I never doubted you would be amazingly powerful. I’m sure in time you’ll both show the Faeries and Conjurers who’s in charge around here.” He let go of my hand and stretched his arm out on the grass, motioning with his head for me to come closer. I was eager to accept and rested my head on his shoulder. He wrapped both arms around me and held me tight.

“This is perfect,” he said, hugging me tighter.

I sighed. I’ve always wanted a moment like that. The butterflies-in-stomach, head-over-heels kind of moment. “So perfect.”

“Kitten.” I fixed my eyes on his face. He caressed my cheek. “I’m glad it’s you.” The butterflies were having a field day from his words.

“You would have said the same thing to someone else if it weren’t me.” I hated the thought of him telling someone else the same thing.

“But I’m saying it to you; that’s all that matters. You’re the only sheila who gets to hear those words.”

My heart swelled. “I like you. A lot,” I declared and immediately grew nervous at the feelings I’d just expressed. I knew Oli wouldn’t break my heart, but it was just my natural response when opening up to someone for the first time.

“Wipe that nervous look off your face, Kitten, there’s no need for it. My heart was yours the moment you accepted me as your soul mate. I like you, too. A lot. As a matter of fact, I’m falling head-over-heels in love with you.”

“Me too,” I whispered.

I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed his kiss—screw the “real date” rule. I ran my fingers under his hair to the back of his head and pulled him to me. He looked surprised, obviously not expecting me to make the first move, but lowered his lips to mine. His tongue ran over my bottom lip. I parted my lips, inviting his tongue to dance with mine. Our kiss ignited the elements inside me as they pulsed rapidly through my body. My fire was most prominent—it heated up my insides. I thought I was going to combust if the kiss got any more intense, but I’d take my chances. I almost cried out when Oli broke his lips from mine, the sound of a crackling fire humming as our lips separated. We were breathless, but I wanted more. I pulled him to my lips again. This kiss held more need and want. He tasted delicious, and I was hooked. I tried to pull him closer, to mold him to me so we would never part. The kiss was so perfect and magical, my elements still dancing inside me before connecting with Oli’s. The kiss entered a whole new level once our elements mingled with each other’s. It felt so intimate for such an innocent kiss—almost as if this should have been shared behind closed doors instead of in such an open area. Our kiss wound down, and he wrapped his arms around my waist to pull me closer. He kissed my nose and leaned his forehead against mine.

“Epic win,” I whispered and opened my eyes.

He chuckled, his chest vibrating against mine. “That was pretty epic. I never imagined it would feel like that. I feel even more connected to you now, if that’s possible.”

“I know,” I breathed. “I don’t even know how to describe it.”

“Awesome?”

I grinned. “Definitely awesome.”

“Oli?” Lucy called from their yard. Our perfect moment was ruined.

Oli sighed. “Yeah, Mum?”

“Can you come home? Your dad and I have to talk to you about something,” she demanded.

“Yeah, be right there.” He stood up and pulled me with him.

“I don’t want you to go yet.” I pouted.

“I don’t want to either, but I can’t keep the oldies waiting. They might forbid us from seeing each other.” He gave me a crooked smile.

“That can’t happen.” I feigned panic then gave him a wink.

“I won’t allow it.” Kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Kitten.” Kiss. “Have a good night.” Deeper kiss.

“You too, Oli,” I said, breathless. His words already rang true because tonight was already a good night.

23

Fantastical

The smell of pancakes cooking wafted into my room. At first I thought I was dreaming. Because of our conflicting schedules, it was a rare day when Dad cooked breakfast, but I was quick to remember we weren’t in Ardmore so the three of us were able to eat together for once. I bolted out of bed and down the stairs. What can I say; I was a sucker for Dad’s cooking. Dad was at the stove cooking, and Lola was sitting at the table already digging in. She looked when I entered.

“Oh my God.” She dropped her fork on her plate and covered her eyes. “Dad, don’t look. Medusa just walked into our kitchen.”

Dad turned around and held back a chuckle when he saw me. “Whoa. Uh, how’d you sleep?”

“In a lightning storm, apparently,” Lola said, giggling.

“I slept perfectly fine, thank you very much,” I said as I smoothed out my hair. “So breakfast? What’s the occasion? And better yet, where’d you get the pancake batter?”

“No occasion, and I got them at the store,” he replied in a tone that implied the added “duh” at the end.

“So Tehokas City is normal then?” I asked as I air quoted “normal.”

“It’s normal to us. We have a market where we buy our food, and there are little shops for clothing among other things.”

“What kind of clothing?” I asked.

“The kind you wear,” he replied sarcastically. That was fair; I deserved that answer. “You think we wear space suits because we’re non-human?”

“That would have been pretty cool.” I stuck out my tongue.

He chuckled. “Sorry to disappoint.”

I shrugged and sat as he placed a few pancakes on my plate.

“Lola told me you two had an unconventional training session yesterday.” He sat down at the table with his own plate of pancakes.

“Yeah, you can say that,” I said before putting a forkful of food in my mouth.

“What happened?”

I finished chewing before answering. “Well . . .”

“If the Elders saw what we did, they’re going to be shaking in their funny robes,” Lola said. “Especially if they see Callie go all Night of the Twisters.”

“What?” Dad paled.

“It’s true,” I confirmed. “Erika told us we don’t need their training, and we should be the ones training them. We’re far stronger than Nevaeh and Mace, and the trainers are afraid of us.”

Dad went from pale to white. “We knew you girls were going to be strong, but we never expected you to be stronger than the Elders. That must be why they wanted to take you to protect you. That also explains why they shrank away from Lola.”

The sound of silence resonated above our desire to chat, fueled by the realization danger was just around the corner. After breakfast I bounced around my room, getting ready. I was excited to learn how to use our elements defensively and offensively and was curious to see if they would react the same way while in motion. I was making my way down from my room when someone knocked on the front door. By the time I got down there, Dad had opened the door to reveal Oli looking seemingly . . . brighter? There was something different about him, but I couldn’t place my finger on it.

“G’day, Rorey.” He stuck out his hand.

“Hello, Oli.” Dad grasped his hand and shook. “How are we today?”

“Ripper mate, thanks for asking. You?”

“Doing good, thanks. Come on in. Are you here for Callie?”

“Yes, and Lola too. I’m going to walk them to their training today.”

“That’s awfully nice of you.”

Oli spotted me standing on the stairs and gave me a bright smile. “G’day, Kitten.”

I descended from the last step, and we made our way to each other, meeting halfway.

“Hi,” I managed to get out before he captured my face between his hands and kissed me right in front of Dad and for the whole world to see. My lips tingled with an electrical charge, an intense firestorm erupted inside me, and a whirlwind of elements crashed around us.

Dad cleared his throat, and our kiss broke instantly. I peered around Oli, expecting to see an angry Dad face. Surprisingly he wore a hint of a smile. My cheeks heated.

“Oli’s going to take you and Lola to training,” Dad said.

Oli wrapped his arm around my waist and tenderly caressed my side with his thumb.

“I heard.” It came out as more of a sigh. I wanted more alone time with Oli. Maybe we’d be able to ditch Lola somewhere so we could do some training of our own.

Lola descended the stairs. “Hello, Oliver.”

He turned without dropping his hand from my waist. “G’day, Lola. Are you ready to leave for training?”

“Yup. Lead the way.”

Outside Oli took my hand in his. “Are you training us today?” I asked.

“I’m just training you today. Lola will be training with the trainers.” Hallelujah. My prayers were answered. Cue internal happy dance and orchestra.

“Why do you get all the man-meat?” Lola threw her arm over my shoulders. “We’re sisters; we’re supposed to share.”

“Actually,” Oli said, pulling me from Lola’s grip. “I want your sister alone today.”

“Ooh. ‘Alone.’ Gotcha.” Lola winked.

We dropped Lola off with the girls and continued down the road until we came to a lavish, green field that stretched as far as the eye could see. When we were far enough from the road, he stopped abruptly. I wasn’t paying attention and walked right into him. Still holding my hand, he turned around and his eyes bored into mine.

“I couldn’t wait to get you alone.” His eyes darkened.

“You definitely read my mind. Do you have anything planned for our alone time?” I waggled my eyebrows suggestively.

“I had one thing in mind.” A mischievous grin spread across his tempting lips as he moved closer.

I shuddered from the tingles that ran through my body. I licked my lips as I waited for that connection, but it was never made. His arm snaked around my back as he dipped me backward, my hair falling over my shoulder to expose my neck. I closed my eyes. His lips met the side of my neck and torturously made their way to my ear. A prickling heat was left in their wake.

Oli’s lips grazed my ear as he spoke. “You drive me crazy,” he whispered.

Oh. God. “You’re driving me crazy,” I breathed.

He chuckled, seductively I might add. “That was the point,” he said before nipping at my ear.

I moaned. “Don’t start something you can’t finish.”

“You’re right,” he said as he lifted me up.

My eyes snapped open. “Oh no. No, no, no, no. I’m wrong. One hundred percent wrong. Continue, please.”

“I shouldn’t.”

“Uh yeah, you should,” I insisted.

“I can’t. We have things to do.”

“I know. It’s called kissing Callie’s neck again and making her tingle. Please,” I begged. My inner thoughts were stomping their feet like a petulant child.

“I’m sorry. Rain check?”

I scowled. “Fine. But if you don’t finish what you started here”—I poked his chest—“you’ll get the teasing ten times worse than what you did to me.”

He drew an X over his heart with his pointer finger. “Cross my heart, Kitten.”

I tapped my temple. “I’ll remember that. So what’s my training today, Mr. Drayke? I do hope I get an A plus so I can be teacher’s pet.” I winked, letting my inner sex goddess shine.

It worked. Oli cleared his throat before he spoke. “Since you can already conjure and manipulate your elements, I’m going to help you with the hardest part of your training. This is something that, for some reason, everyone has failed to explain to you. Are you ready?” he asked.

“Maybe?” I asked more than stated, nervous. The sex goddess vanished.

“Don’t be nervous. She’ll be apples. Now stand here. Remember to relax your body and your senses so you’re more in tune with your elements. And please don’t hate me.” He gave my hand a small squeeze before he turned and walked away.

“Oh no you don’t.” Hate him? I grabbed his arm and turned him around. “Uh, why would I hate you? W-What are you going to do?” I asked anxiously.

“No worries. Just relax,” he said as he walked away again.

“Oh there’s worry. Lots of worry,” I called out. How did he expect me to relax when he made statements like “don’t hate me”? I just needed to shake the worriment out of me and take a few breaths to calm myself. I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply through my nose, and exhaled slowly from my mouth. I felt a touch better, more relaxed, and . . . hot. I shouldn’t have been hot. Could I have relaxed my senses so much that I was feeling heat from miles away? That couldn’t have been possible because the heat was burning my skin. I opened my eyes just as a ball of fire slammed into my right collarbone.

I belted out a bloodcurdling scream as my left hand reflexively flew to the pained area and put pressure on it. Oh my God we’re under attack. Elders? Demons? Who was it? I fell to my knees and lowered my head. It felt like my skin was melting. I tried to conjure some water, but I couldn’t concentrate. I heard Oli curse loudly as he ran toward me.

He fell onto his knees and cupped my face in his strong hands. He lifted my head and wiped away tears with his thumbs. I hadn’t realized I was crying until then. I gazed into his pain-embedded eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Kitten. I thought you were paying attention to me. Are you okay?”

“Of course I’m not okay.” Then his words sunk in. “Wait.
You
threw that at me? What the hell kind of training is this? Are you trying to kill me? Fail, Oli,” I yelled. “Fail!”

“I’m a boofhead, okay? I should have explained, but I was just doing it the same way I was trained,” he said, frowning.

“You’re the biggest boofhead I know.” I glared at him.

“I deserve that look. Let me see the damage.” He moved my hand away slowly. “Hmm, that’s interesting.”

“Is it bad? What’s wrong with it? Oli, tell me.”

“Well Kitten, there’s no damage to your skin other than a red mark from your hand slapping against it.”

“What?” I asked, confused. “That can’t be. When that fireball hit, it felt like my skin was being seared.”

“I don’t know. But . . . well . . . come to think of it, when it hit you it kind of, um, disappeared,” he said cautiously. “Almost as if you absorbed the fire.”

“You know what, that sounds like the same thing the electricity and every other element did too. Is it possible that I can absorb elements?”

“I can’t answer that, Kitten. You and your sister are the only Alkuaine Faeries born in the last seventy years. We know nothing of what is and isn’t possible with you two.” He looked ashamed after revealing that information.

“Oh. Let’s find out.”

As terrified as I was about no one knowing what was and wasn’t possible for us, it thrilled me even more to find out. Oli’s eyes went wide and his jaw slack.

“You can’t be serious? What if you really can’t absorb anything? You could get seriously hurt.” The level of panic rose with each sentence.

“Okay, fine. Let’s finish. I promise not to try and absorb any elements you throw at me.” I raised three fingers on my right hand. “Scout’s honor.”

He assessed the seriousness of my face (I’ve had years to master that face) and nodded his head. “All right.” He stood up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me up.

“Great. Next time warn me before throwing something at me, okay? But can you throw a fireball?” I asked. He raised an eyebrow at my question. “The Palo Demons only use fire. I should learn with that one first.”

“Of course. Good thinking.”

He turned and walked back to his original spot. I kept my eyes open this time as I tried to relax my body and senses. I had to break my scout’s honor to see if I could actually absorb his fireball. I was never a girl scout anyway, so it wasn’t like I had any real scouty honor.

“Hey,” I yelled. “What exactly are you training me on right now?” I was curious.

“How to catch the elements; it’s a defense mechanism,” he yelled back.

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

“I told you, I’m training you the same way I was trained. You need to be prepared if you’re caught off guard.”

“A little warning would have been nice.” How to catch the elements? It was the perfect opportunity in testing out my absorption. “I’m ready when you are.”

With that, his hands glowed orange. It grew brighter and brighter until fire engulfed the length of his right arm. He held out his arm, palm up as the flames rushed into it forming a fireball. When it shaped into the size of a softball, the flames extinguished though the fireball remained intact. The fire danced around in his palm as his eyes focused on me.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this, Kitten?”

I smiled widely. “More ready than I’ll ever be. Let me have it.”

Fire sprang to life along the length of his entire arm again. In one smooth motion he adjusted the positioning of his palm and outstretched his arm to literally shoot the fireball at me like a flamethrower. I was ready this time, or as ready as anyone could be when a fireball was heading straight toward them. When it was within a couple feet of hitting me, I stretched out my arm as if catching a ball and felt the impact of the fire with my palm. As it absorbed into my skin, a prickling heated sensation ran through my entire body, and my skin glowed the same bright purple from when my powers became visible. There was no feeling of burning skin this time. I had accepted it into my body instead of rejecting it. That had to be the key.