Under A Blood Moon (Elemental Enchanters) (12 page)

Melissa exhaled smoke. “
Sorry.”

“I can’t believe I’m bound to
that
,” she said, waving her arm toward the door.

“W
e’re all bound to each other. Nothing will change that. But maybe one day you’ll meet a hot Enchanter who actually cares about you.”

Ava turned to her. “
What, like have a fling on the side?”

Melissa laughed. “That would be interesting. No. Just because we’re all bound together,
doesn’t mean you’re destined to be with Thomas forever.”

“What
do you mean?”

“How much did your father tell you?”

“Apparently not enough. I’m kinda ignoring him.”

Melissa
raised her eyebrows. “Why?”

“We had a fight.” Ava leaned against the wooden railing.

“Since when do you ever fight with your dad?”

Guilt rushed over Ava. She never fought with him.
But she felt like he was holding something back from her. Like she wasn’t completely in on the loop. “I just don’t understand how he’s completely okay with us possibly going to war or even killing.”

“Because he had to do it in his life. There’s nothing to worry about.
” Melissa stubbed out the cigarette and tossed it into the grass. She gave Ava a knowing look. “But I hardly think that’s the real reason why you’re fighting all this.”

Ava
looked away. “So I don’t have to be with Thomas, but I can’t be with…”

“
It’s forbidden. And too dangerous.”

She silently cursed.
She hated the word forbidden.

“
I think once you and Thomas get through this hump, you two will be back to what you were.”

“I don’t want to be.”

“That’s because you like Peter. It’ll pass though.”

“You just don’t get it, Mel. What if Lance were a human?”

“What do you think will happen? You fall in love with Peter and then what? You want Savina to turn him into one of us. Just like Devon is doing?”

“No.”

“That’s if you’re still accepted in this Aureole. I know you don’t want to betray us.”

Melissa had a point but Ava wanted to ignore it.
It was a dead-end situation.

The door to the cabin opened, and Thomas
led everyone outside.

“You guys missed it,”
he said. “Lance mimicked me and can now create fire.”

“Are you serious?” Melissa
took Lance’s hand. “I wanna see.”

Just like Thomas, Lance made a fireball appear and bounced it in his hand. “I think I like
this better than invisibility. Although, that has its advantages.”

“You should try to do that with water,” Thomas said to Ava. “
But I doubt you could.” The way he said it was so condescending. Like she was incompetent.

“I think I’ll go home.” She pushed her way through them
, and walked to her car. 

“Ava, what’s wrong?” T
homas ran after her.

She opened her door and
got in. “Nothing. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She tried closing her door but he held it firmly.

“Why are you so
mad?”

Ava wished she could produce water and throw it in his face. “Let me go.”

“If you’re upset about your ability, I’m sure something will come of it.”

“
Great. Goodnight.” She pulled on the door and closed it with success. Ava started the car, and felt Thomas’s anger, but she didn’t care. She was a bit miffed that she seemed to be the only one who lacked any real power. Even her dad said she was supposed to do more. What was she? The runt of the litter?

Once home, Ava took a hot shower, letting the water relax her, and then changed into her pajamas.
She turned out the lamp on her nightstand, and slipped under the covers. Her eyes searched the darkness. She wished she could see her mother. And that she could be with Peter. And for the tension between her and her dad to stop. That this Enchanter hadn’t escaped. How was she supposed to sleep when there could be someone watching her?

The tears leaked out,
streaming down her cheeks. With a heavy sigh, she rolled over on her side and saw that it was now after midnight.

She closed her eyes
, and then saw a woman unpin laundry sheets from a clothing line. She squinted from the bright flashing light above. The wind lifted a sheet from the line and revealed the woman behind.

“Mom,
” she yelled. “Mom.” Her heart sputtered, and she tried lifting her leg to walk but it was as if her feet were nailed into the ground. Ava knew that any second the lightning would strike. But she couldn’t move. The woman never looked up from Ava’s screams. Then, the flash struck the woman, and she collapsed.

“No,
Mom!” she screamed. She struggled to move but to no avail. Then, something shook her.

“
Ava, shh…” She heard a whisper.

Her eyes
bolted open, and she saw her father. “Dad,” she said breathless. Her heart jabbed into her ribs.

He leaned down and hugged her.
“Shh…it’s okay, sweetie. It was just a dream.”

“Dad, she-she was right there…”
She cried into his chest.

“Just a dream
.”

The amulet grew warm and Ava hoped no one would call.

“I’m sorry for waking you.” She pulled away, and her breath slowed.

“It’s okay,” he said. “
I had to make sure you were all right.”

“
Thanks. I’m okay now.”

“Are you sure?
Would you like to talk about it?”

“No.
Go back to sleep.”

He looked at her speculatively.
“Something that helps me is to clear my mind before going to sleep. Just push all thoughts out.”

“Okay.”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Dad.”

He closed the door behind him.

Ava
turned off the lamp and lay back down. She gripped the blanket, but couldn’t stop shaking. She was afraid to close her eyes, for fear the dream would return. Taking a deep breath, she cleared her mind of any thoughts—just like her father suggested, and then closed her eyes.

Ava pulled her sweater over her head,
and then smoothed down her hair from the static electricity. She sluggishly walked into the bathroom, and braced for the light as she turned it on. She looked terrible. Her eyes were bloodshot and had black semicircles underneath. No different from any other day lately.

Her mom’s face flashed in her mind. Why did
Ava have such a nightmare? She hadn’t dreamt of that day since she was a kid. The helplessness in the dream mirrored her real stance on things. She didn’t feel any stronger, even though Savina said it would take a week or so for their strength to come back. Maybe she was a defective Enchanter. That was fine by her. Then maybe she wouldn’t have to continue with this crazy lifestyle.

Tossing
the dream and her incompetent thoughts aside, she reluctantly walked downstairs and didn’t see her father. Maybe he’d gone into work early. Were they ever going to talk about things? Though, part of that was her fault since she had avoided him.

When she arrived at school, Thomas
was leaning against the car next to hers. She’d seen all his missed calls from last night and figured he’d be eager to coddle her.

“Hey
, Babe.”

“I’m sure that person won’t appreciate you touching
his car.”

He wrapped his arms
around her and stroked her hair as if she were a pet.

“
What happened last night?

“Nothing.”

Thomas sighed. “Come on, Ava. Will you please talk to me? I was worried all night.”

She felt her
shoulders relax. Could she trust him again? “I just don’t like talking about it.”

“I know. But I’m here. Please? You never tell me anything.”

“Because you can’t keep anything to yourself.”

“But we’re all in this together. We shouldn’t have any secrets. I just wanna be there for you, but you shut me out.”

Ava looked up into his pale blue eyes, so sincere that she wanted to believe him. She took a deep breath. “I had a dream about my mom. I was trying to save her, but I couldn’t move at all. I kept screaming her name, but she never heard me. And then…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

“That sucks. It was only a dream, though.” He rubbed her arms.

“I know.”

“Do you normally have dreams about her?”

“Not like that. I did when I was younger.”

“Maybe it’s just because you’re thinking about her a lot.”

Ava shrugged. “Do you ever wonder why you were chosen?”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “Chosen for what?”

“This life.”

“We weren’t. We were born into this. We were chosen for this particular Aureole. It feels natural. Like I was supposed to do this. Don’t you?”

“I do, but a part of me keeps fighting with it, as if I’m not meant for this.”

“
You only think that because of your lack of powers. You’ll get more. You’re meant for this. Besides, if you weren’t an Enchanter, I’d probably be with someone I didn’t like.” He smiled—a smile that could make any woman melt. Except Ava.

“
Do
you like me?”

Thomas grimaced. “Of course I do. I love you. Why would you think otherwise?”

“You’ve been so petulant. Ever since I turned you down.”

“Petulant?”

She sighed at his ignorance. “Irritable. And you’ve been aggressive.”

“Oh. Right. I’m sorry if I’ve been that way. It’s just football and hormones. And this incredible energy flowing through me. Don’t you feel it?”

“No. I don’t.”

“Maybe because you’re afraid to give it your all. If you get all this emotional crap out of your system, you’ll be able to focus. We need you and we can’t have you unbalanced because of whatever’s going on in your life.”

Her heart sank, and the anger began to simmer inside her. Was he really more worried about the mission than her? She’d just opened her heart to him, and this was his suggestion? “You are an incredibly selfish jerk,” she snapped, and pushed him away.

“What?”

“That’s it. We’re done.” Ava clenched her teeth and took a step away from him, but he caught her arm.

“What’
s your problem? Dammit, Ava. I’m trying to help. Why do you get so pissed off?”

“I just opened up to you
, and you want me to get this emotional crap out of my system? I’m sorry if my problems are impeding you.”

“I didn’t mean that.” He held her in place. “I just meant
, for you to feel all this energy, and for us to be prepared, you gotta clear your mind. You heard Colden and Savina. I know it’s a hard time, but come on. I’m just trying to help.”

“By making me feel like a burden?”

Thomas groaned. “You’re not a burden.”

“Yeah,” she
said icily and jerked her arm out of his grasp.

He
tried holding her hand, once they entered the school, but she slapped it away. Ava saw Peter through the crowded hallway, and immediately looked away, hoping he wouldn’t see her with Thomas. Ava reached her locker and opened it.

“
Babe, don’t be mad,” Thomas said. “I suck at trying to explain myself. I’m sorry.”

S
he grabbed the books she needed and slammed the door. “Whatever.”

He sighed,
and then leaned down. Ava tried backing away, but his lips were on hers. A rush of excitement enveloped her, and her insides twisted. She felt his love and was sure both their necklaces glowed.

“What was that?” she asked.

He leaned closer to her ear. “That’s the fire burning inside me.” It probably should have sent shivers down her spine, but it didn’t.

When he pulled away, Ava was embarrassed seeing Melissa and Gillian walk up.

“Whoa.” Melissa fanned them. “Someone put the fire out.”

Gillian giggled. “You two are so cute.”

“See ya later.” Thomas smiled and left.

Ava
sighed. Why did she have such an intense feeling when he kissed her? It had been a while since Thomas kissed her like that. Was it his powers? She strode to class with Melissa and took her seat still in a daze.

“Wh
at was that all about?” Melissa asked.

“Whoever made these necklaces was the dumbest person,” Ava said.

She nodded. “Yeah, I agree. But I told you that you and Thomas would get back to where you were.”

“Yeah. Sure. He told me to stop being so emotional because we needed to focus.”

“Ah. So that’s why you were angry earlier.”

Curse this necklace.

After
algebra, she went to chemistry, still thinking about Thomas’s kiss. She opened her book to try to figure out derivatives. She had to or she wouldn’t pass. Or maybe she just wanted to think about something else.

Peter slid into the desk next to her. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She felt her cheeks fill with blood. Why was she blushing around Peter? She never had before. Was it because she was thinking about Thomas and felt guilty, even though she should feel guilty thinking about Peter all the time.

“Will you be here tomorrow?” he asked, seemingly to be polite.

“I should be, why?”

“I wasn’t sure if you would be absent or not for your birthday.”

“Oh. I’ll be here. Why?”

He hesitated. “I sorta got you something.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” There was no way she could hide a present from Peter from Thomas. “Why don’t you come over tonight?”

He paused
. “Sure. I have work, but I’ll swing by afterwards.”

“
Cool.”

Peter
wasn’t his usual cheerful self. His eyes seemed sad. Or confused. Disappointed. Ava couldn’t figure it out. He focused on the lecture, and at times, she would glance at him, but he didn’t seem to notice. Was something bothering him?

He
walked beside Ava to her locker but was quiet. The awkward silence annoyed her.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, and fished out her psychology book.

“No. I’ll call you when I get off tonight,” he said.

“Okay.” She watched him walk down the hallway, and hoped he’d be all right. She wished she had more time to talk to him, but maybe they could
later.

Thomas was right on time
, and they made their way to the cafeteria. Ava looked at Xavier’s table. They carried on like normal. If they really were Enchanters, why did they come to school every day? Unless they were scoping out more Ephemerals. No one believed her, but how could they explain someone like Kristen suddenly changing like that? Or Seth who completely avoided his friends. She shuddered, and sat across from Gillian.

“Oh, Ava, are you okay?” she asked, twirling a black curl around her finger.

“Yeah.”

“Why were you sad last night?”

Melissa slammed her book on the table, and plopped down next to Ava. “Ugh, I swear I’m going to put a spell on Mrs. Norris.”

“Why?
” Ava asked. “What’d she do?”

“S
he gave me an F on my test. I studied for that thing.” Melissa narrowed her green eyes. “She actually told me that maybe I should spend more time studying and less time being a teenager.”

Gillian dropped her jaw. “She said that?”

“I thought you didn’t believe in school work,” Ava said.

“
That’s not the point,” Melissa snapped.

“Mel, calm down,” Lance said, and placed a tray with a salad in front of her.

“What’s your deal?” Thomas asked.

“She wants to do something to Mrs. Norris,” Ava replied.

Thomas laughed. “Like what? Turn invisible and scare her into having a heart attack?”

Melissa thought it over. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”

“What?” Ava asked. “You can’t be serious.”

Melissa shrugged. “She’d die of natural causes.”

“What is with you? We’re supposed to protect them.”

“Yeah. I know why you want to.” Ava hoped no one else knew what Melissa meant. “I’m so sick of you getting on my case like I’m a bad
person.”

“I’m not.”

“I mean, do you really think I’m going to hurt anyone?”

“Mel, lay off,” Thomas said. “She had a rough night last night.”

“
I don’t care.”

What was with her today? Ava knew this attitude wasn’t simply because of a test.

“You should care,” Thomas told her. “She had a dream about her mom’s death.”

Ava’s stomach dropped, and she threw Thomas a glare
. “Why’d you say that?”

“They need to know.”

“Your mom died years ago,” Melissa said. “You should just get over it.”

Ava
shifted her glare to Melissa, and her necklace grew warm. “Go to hell.”

“Babe, come on,” Thomas said.

She snatched up her backpack, and hurried out of the lunchroom. She thrust open the bathroom door and it slammed into the concrete wall with a loud crack. Ava gripped the edges of the sink and took several deep breaths.

How could Melissa say such a thing? And Thomas lost her trust again. What was going on with them? Had their powers
made them act so differently? Where was this perfect love and perfect trust?

She peered into the mirror
, and the hole in the wall behind her drew her attention. What looked like the outline of the curved rectangular door handle had imprinted into the concrete wall.

Ava
turned around and examined the damages. “Did I do this?” She brushed over the hole, and loose bits of concrete fell to the floor. “That’s impossible.”

The bell rang, startling her. S
he fled the room to avoid others from coming in there, and mingled with the dense crowd. She felt a hand pull her arm.

Thinking it was Melissa, she cursed, and then
turned around. Ava felt her shoulders go limp with relief at the sight of Peter. “Hey.”

He gave an uneasy grin, and pulled her outside into the small, empty courtyard. It was a space for seniors to enjoy their lunches, except it only held maybe ten picnic tables.

“I saw you rushing out of the lunchroom,” he said. “What happened?”   

“Oh.
Melissa and Thomas upset me.”

“I’m sorry.
He upsets you a lot, you know that?”

“Just lately.”

“What’s going on? You seem distraught.”

She
twirled her ring around her finger. “It’s just been a bad day.”

The late bell rang, but they ignored it.

“I’ve been thinking about my mom a lot lately. Which is strange, because I usually only do that around the anniversary.”