Under an Onyx Sky (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 4) (3 page)

Havok’s private parlor was the size of a football field. Ava was surprised by the vast amount of light that flooded into the room from the floor to ceiling windows. Red curtains separated the windows along the wall. She had always imaged Havok residing in constant darkness with candles and dark, gothic music playing in the background.

But the room was open, and while there was a black rug with a pentagram taking up much of the hardwood floor in the center, the rest of the room was anything but dark. An intricate crystal chandelier hung in the center with the daylight hitting it just right to send a multitude of colors sparkling and bouncing off the sand-colored walls. Chairs were placed around the room in an inviting manner, like he often had several guests in the parlor at a time visiting. Red wine bottles cluttered a small end table that was flush against the wall next to the ornate, black fireplace. A small fire crackled, giving the room an alluring feel. The room smelled of wine and freshly burned wood.

As Ava crossed the room to the window, the floorboards creaked under her feet. The view was the same as the one in Ava’s room. The bustling city and village with the beautiful snow-capped mountains in the background reflected in the ocean.

“It’s beautiful,” Melissa said, her voice unusually cold and detached, as she came up beside Ava. Her blond hair had gotten longer and the skin surrounding her green eyes was puffy. She looked different, like she’d been through hell and back. Which she probably had, given that she’d been in Caprington the last four months. What had happened to her?

Ava wanted to embrace her best friend and catch her up on everything that had happened. She longed for the days when they would stay at each other’s houses and talk about boys or teachers or whatever. She wanted to laugh and express her sheer happiness of seeing Melissa again.

Instead, she gave a polite smile. “It is.”

Klaus had said that none of their minds had been tampered with, but it was hard to tell when they looked at her as though they weren’t friends or hadn’t grown up together. At least, she thought Klaus had said that. It was hard to tell if she dreamed it or if it really happened.

“Sometimes you can’t see the mountain tops because of the thick fog,” Jeremy said on the other side. Ava glanced at him. She was surprised to see he wasn’t wearing glasses over his topaz eyes. He stared out the window, arms crossed, with a hard and confident look in his eyes. His sandy blond hair had been shaved to a crew cut, and his muscles filled out as if he had been working out for months. It made him appear tough, yet refined. She wondered if he was still the same sweet, caring Jeremy who loved to read.

Gillian, Thomas, Lance, Peter, Katarina, Eric, Link, and Nicole joined them and they all peered out of the window in strained politeness.

“But once the fog clears, it’s really picturesque,” Melissa said.

“It’s been foggy for months,” Jeremy said.

“It makes me happy just seeing this. I’ve missed it.”

Ava wondered if Melissa and Jeremy were speaking in code. As if they were talking about Ava and the others.

“Me, too,” she said, fighting the urge to grab their hands or scream from the awkward coded conversation. She hated how forced it was. She knew they all wanted to be their normal teenaged selves, but that life had been so far removed. She didn’t know if or when they would ever have that again.

The door opened behind them, and when Ava turned around, she saw Sorcha, Maggie, and then Havok enter. The former two acted as Havok’s bodyguards with no emotion on their faces.

Had Maggie’s mind been erased, or was she acting? She moved with Havok as though she would do anything to protect him. Maybe that was her job, but Ava wanted to know if Maggie absorbed the Cimmerian life completely. She still held a hard gaze, and her hair was still parted so that it covered her left eye. Of the Elders, she was the only one Havok pardoned.

Havok moved to the center of the pentagram rug flanked by Sorcha and Maggie. Sorcha had a curious look in her green eyes. Her dark red hair had been pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and she stood legs apart, arms behind her. She wore makeup that accentuated her high eyebrows and cheekbones. She could pass for a model, but instead she was a lethal Enchanter who forced her victims to sleep leaving them powerless.

Ava met Havok’s eyes, and for a second an image of her mother standing before her blindsided her. Her mom stood in the same spot as Ava had been, but now Ava was on the opposite side of the room staring at her mother. It was as if she was in Havok’s shoes looking at her mom. She blinked her eyes, and the room went back to normal.

“Good morning,” Havok said. His smile reminded Ava of Colden’s warm smile. It was Colden’s body, but it was his father, Corbin, who resided inside the body. Except now, Corbin called himself Havok. He had tortured Ava and the Elementals since they were small children, giving each of them illnesses in hopes that they would succumb and give themselves to him. When that didn’t work, he appointed Devon Maunsell to create an army in order to defeat the Elders and capture the Elementals. But they easily brought Devon and his army down. Then Ava had sought out a Necromancer, accidentally unleashing Havok’s soul from within Colden, killing Colden in the process. Havok and his army attacked them, kidnapping several of their members. He had stopped at nothing to get them, including killing both of his children in the process.

Ava stared at him. His black, soulless eyes scanned each one of them, giving her the creeps. She hated that he made Colden look so sinister. She hated that he used Colden’s body to do evil things. And the way he haughtily carried himself. It was an insult to Colden’s memory.

He stood before Ava and the rest of the Elementals, Link, Nicole, Peter, Katarina, and Eric. He offered them seats at the table. Ava pulled a chair out and dropped down. The rest followed.

“I am so happy to have you all back home with us. I know it was a tough road to bring you home, but I assure you, everything will be fine, and you will be safe here. The ones who took you from me at such a young age are being punished.” Just like his son, Havok paced back and forth in front of the table with his hands behind his back.

Ava knew it was all a lie. She couldn’t help but think how close she and the others were to having all of their memories erased. They had definitely dodged a bullet.

“Now, before we begin I want to explain some things. The Elementals are vital to my plan. With your abilities, we will no longer live in fear. We have already eliminated one of our biggest threats, the Elders and their entire clan. Now it is time to eliminate the other.

“I have a feeling you all will do a much better job than some of my henchmen.” He stopped in front of Link and Nicole. Link straightened his back, and had a hard look in his brown eyes. Ava knew he wasn’t afraid of Havok, since he had been forced to become a Cimmerian. She wondered if his memories had come back to him by being here. Nicole didn’t look as confident, but Ava knew she could hold her own. “I have been convinced that turning some Ephemerals into Enchanters is worth it,” Havok said. “Sometimes it depends on the person because so many of them deserve to die. I must say that I am thoroughly pleased with you two, and of course Peter.”

Peter stared at him, no emotion in his brown eyes. Deep down, Ava had regretted bringing Peter into this world, but he proved he belonged, even if had broken her heart. He was a protector and performed his job well. And as much as Ava had hated to admit, he and Katarina, the other protector, were a perfect match.

“Once you are initiated, you will begin a series of training sessions,” Havok said. “Some test your allegiance while others merely test your strengths. After your intense and grueling training, I will assign each of you a task or title within the army. That is, if you survive.

“I have no doubts you all will prevail though. With you all a part of us, we can truly rule this world and make the Ephemerals our slaves. They will no longer hunt, kill, or torture us.”

He motioned with his hand, and Sorcha walked over to a table and grabbed a chalice. She opened a drawer and pulled out a knife. Then, she returned to her spot beside Havok.

“Well then, let us begin.” Havok took the blade and dragged it across his arm.

Ava remembered when they initiated with Savina, Colden, and the other Elders. She hated the smell and taste of blood and hoped she’d never have to do it again.

Sorcha brought the chalice to his bleeding arm, and after letting the blood drip into it, she moved to Jeremy. Maggie handed Havok a towel, but he dismissed it with his hand. His eyes fell on Ava. He moved toward her, and then held up his arm.

“Would you do me the pleasure of healing my arm?” he asked.

She knew Klaus told her she was to remember being an Enchanter, but was she to remember what she could do? Hadn’t Donovan made a comment about babysitting and retraining them? She had a split second to decide. If she healed him, he could happily move on. On the other hand, if she healed him, would he know she was faking?

“Absolutely, sir.” She forced the words out and took his arm in her hand. Willing the water, she allowed it to pass over his wound and within seconds, it sealed.

“Wonderful.” He snatched the towel from Maggie, wiped the blade, and handed it to Ava, all while never taking his eyes off of her.

Taking the knife, she cut across her arm and let her blood drip into the chalice. She watched it mix with Havok’s blood. Then, she passed it to Jeremy.

After everyone filled the chalice, Havok turned to them, and his lips stretched into that creepy smile. “With this blood, you give yourself to me and you swear your allegiance to me.” He took a drink and then gave it to Ava.

She grabbed the chalice and brought it to her lips. How would Havok know she drank any? But she had to pretend. She tipped the chalice up and the blood touched her lips. Its smooth warmth trickled into her mouth and she swallowed quickly. The metallic taste burned her throat.

She gagged but covered it up, and then handed the chalice to Jeremy. “With this blood, I give myself to you,” she said and Havok gave a warm smile. The same one Colden always gave her. It was as if he taunted her with it. Like he was the one who owned the smile. Like he was the one who had lost them and now had them back.

A few minutes later, everyone had sworn their oaths to Havok. Ava wanted to purge her stomach, her soul, of the evil that swam around and mixed with her blood. She could feel the power buzzing throughout her, aching to be free.

In that moment, Ava hated herself. She hated who she had become and what she had done. She had turned her back on everything she had ever known. Even if it was all faked and she didn’t mean it, it was real. She had initiated herself into Havok’s Aureole. Ava was now a Cimmerian.

Xavier strolled into the room with his usual narcissistic gait. His cropped blond hair made him look like a young boy, but his tall lanky figure made him look like a man. He was Ava’s age, and ever since she’d known him, he’d tortured her and made her life a living hell. But she had fought back every time. If they were to test their strengths against him, she knew she would win the test.

She had to pretend she didn’t recognize him, which was easier than she thought it would be.

Xavier sauntered toward her, and she prepared for whatever. But then she thought about all of her training. Was she supposed to remember that? Or was she supposed think she’d trained her whole life?

“Take them to the fighting hole,” Havok demanded Xavier.

Xavier’s thin lips stretched into a cocky grin. “Of course.” He pushed past Ava, and then they turned and followed him through the door and down the long corridor. As they made their way down several flights of stairs, Ava noticed the walls were made of stone with lights interspersed throughout the squares.

The castle was quiet, but as they moved farther down the hallway, Ava heard voices shouting and cheering as though they were watching a football game.

Xavier approached a door, pushed it open, and held it for them to walk through. As Ava crossed into the light, she saw a group of Cimmerians panting, sweating, and bloody as if they had come from a battle.

The room was plain with no windows and only bright round fluorescent lights above them like a warehouse. They created shadows across everyone’s faces, making them appear more daunting than they were.

The shouts and cheers ceased once they saw Xavier. The crowd cleared a path for him and the Elementals. As the floor sloped downward, they reached a railing that surrounded the pit a few feet below. All around the railing were Cimmerians in an arena-like standing room only area.

Ava gripped the railing and peered below. On the ground in the center of the pit was an unconscious man. Ava hoped he was just knocked out, but she didn’t see his chest rise and fall. Another man stood nearby, his thick arms covered in tattoos crossed in front of his broad chest. His black hair came to his shoulders, and he had a bushy beard covering his angled jaw. He was Ava’s size and not at all intimidating. He held himself like he was a privileged man.

Xavier made his way to the center and shook his head while staring at the body. “Did you do this?” he asked.

The man shrugged. “He was too weak.”

A muscle in Xavier’s jaw twitched. “How do you expect us to have an army when you keep killing them?”

A chill raced up Ava’s spine.

“Whatever. You don’t need us now with
them
here. I mean, they’re the greatest fighters ever, aren’t they?” He threw Ava and her coven a disgusted look. “We’re useless now aren’t we?”

His spiteful voice sounded familiar.

“You keep talking to me like that or killing more of our army and you will be useless,” Xavier warned. “They’re here to train.”

“Train?” a brunette girl asked. “Don’t they already know how to fight?” She jumped down from the railing and placed her hands on her hips. She wore a black sports bra and black leggings. Her dark hair had been pulled back away from her round face. She had a familiar hooked nose, almost like Gustav’s.

“Yes.” He pressed his lips in a thin line, challenging her with a look.

The man laughed. “I thought they willingly joined.”

“Are you talking about us?” Gillian asked, twirling a black curl around her finger.

Xavier sighed and glared at the man. “They were kidnapped from us at a young age,” he spat.

They spoke as if Ava and the others weren’t in the room. But it seemed like they were trying to make Xavier come clean about them. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.”

The girl cocked an eyebrow. “Of course. Like everything else, it all has to be hush-hush. If they’ve had their minds altered, what do they remember about fighting?”

“Minds altered?” Melissa asked, biting her lip. “Is she talking about us?”

Xavier dragged his hands down his face as he exhaled. “It’s nothing.”

The girl scoffed. “You see, Havok doesn’t want you to remember your life with the Elders, so he erased it all.”

“Anais!” Xavier clenched his hands into fists, and his nostrils flared. The tension in the room thickened.

An innocent look flashed across Anais’s face. “Was I not supposed to say anything? Oops.”

“Well, they probably brainwashed us into believing what they wanted,” Melissa said. “I’m okay with forgetting.”

“Havok doesn’t want to take any chances,” Xavier said, defeated. “The Elders are very good at manipulating. He took the memories you didn’t need.”

Anais coughed a laugh. Ava felt the same way, but wondered why Anais cared so much about the lies. Did she want Ava’s coven to find out the truth and fight back? She didn’t understand Anais’s angle.

“Besides, we
all
need to practice for the Selection.”

“This should be fun,” Anais said. “I bet we can easily take them. Again.” Ava wasn’t sure she heard the last part, but the smug look on Anais’s face could validate it.

If only they knew just how powerful Ava and her coven were. Ava smiled on the inside.

“Now,” Xavier said. “We are not fighting to the death, Donovan.”

Ava knew that voice sounded familiar. Donovan was the guy who punched her last night.

“Melissa, let’s see what you can do. Donovan, you’ll be her opponent.”

Melissa moved to the center and faced Donovan. She was taller than him, and looked at him like he was insignificant. He flicked his hand slightly and several tiny blue darts of light hit her stomach. Melissa cried out and doubled over for a second, but then her body slowly turned into rocks. Every single part of her was made out of rocks.

Donovan rolled his eyes. He punched her shoulder, and bits of rock flew off, but then reformed. They went at this for a few seconds until Melissa drew her arm back and flung it into his face. He stumbled back, his nose bleeding. He cursed, holding his nose. Donovan formed the darts again and hurled them at her.

“Never let them see you be weak,” Jeremy said under his breath. “Never let them win, or they will push you around. They will relentlessly bully you and are known to use their powers against new initiates, even though it’s illegal. They also envy all of us because of who we are. They feel threatened by us and feel that Havok doesn’t need us because they can fight for him. They think he doesn’t want them anymore. Let them at least get one hit on you, but nothing more.”

While Jeremy spoke, Ava watched Melissa fight with Donovan. She overpowered him easily each time. He was upset and stared at Melissa as though he was planning revenge. Ava wondered what his ability was. He was strong enough to break through her rock body, but still weak against her. She remembered the blow he landed on her the night before. It still hurt when she woke up, and she had to heal it immediately. It felt as if he had broken her jaw.

Ava was a little apprehensive fighting unknown opponents as a dead body lay nearby. Couldn’t they at least move the poor guy? Weren’t they all in this together? Was there no bonding? Was it all just a competition to them? Why would Havok want that? There were already too many egos floating around.

The brunette girl crossed to the center of the room. “I think my victim will be the delicious man with the reddish blond hair.”

“Thomas,” Xavier said.

Thomas gave a cocky smirk, but quickly hid it. His muscles bulged through his tight black shirt, just the way he always liked. His wavy, strawberry blond hair reached past his collar. He moved his neck from side to side, popping it. Ava had hated it when he did that. It had always grated her nerves. But now, things were different. They were friends and had been through a lot. She was proud of the man he had become.

Thomas faced the brunette, and she grinned.

“I’m Anais. It’s going to be so hard not to damage that pretty face of yours.” She pouted.

He lifted an eyebrow in a flirtatious manner. “I’m sure.”

Ava wondered if she was Gustav’s daughter. The one who abandoned him. She didn’t look old enough. Though her baby face didn’t help.

Anais’s full lips curled into a taunting smile as she walked around Thomas like she was checking him out, her fingers barely grazing his shirt. Ava knew he secretly enjoyed it.

Then Thomas tried to move, but couldn’t. It was as if his entire body was tied with an invisible rope. His arms pressed against his sides, and he struggled to free them. Blue lines appeared all around his body. Ava remembered the same electric ropes Gabriel had been tied up in when they had come across Xavier and a few other Cimmerians. Ava had created a tidal wave that day. She wondered if she could create one now.

Thomas struggled. The ropes shocked him every time he twitched, but he never made a sound. Trails of blood trickled down his arms and in between his fingers, dripping onto the floor.

“Stop moving,” Ava told him, which earned her a few curious looks from the Cimmerians.

He froze, and then Anais watched him as if daring him to escape. By the look in her eyes, she doubted that he could do it. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and admired her work.

The ropes cut his clothes, and blood soaked through. He turned his hands toward Anais and fire appeared. He made the flames build until they consumed him. It was as if he’d spontaneously combusted. The ropes burned away and then his arms were free. He lessened the fire and shot a ball toward Anais. She ducked but then he hit her again. Her body caught on fire and she started screaming. She dropped to the ground, and Ava conjured water. She shot some at Anais, dousing the flames.

Ava couldn’t believe she had just saved a Cimmerian, but maybe Anais could change back for Gustav.

Anais got to her feet and narrowed her brown eyes at Thomas. Her clothes were burned and tattered. And her flesh slowly healed, from Ava’s water. “Next time I may not be so forgiving,” she told Thomas, and then her eyes were on Ava. “As for you, I don’t need your help.”

“Didn’t look like it,” Ava said.

Anais glared at her and then a stab of hot aching pain shot through Ava, bringing her to her knees. The electric blue lines emerged around her body. Clenching her teeth, Ava imagined Anais drowning in an ocean. Its turbulent waves kept Anais below the surface.

The electric ropes vanished from Ava as Anais dropped to her knees and coughed. Water spilled out of her mouth as she tried taking a breath, but her lungs were filling with water.

Ava released the image, and Anais left her alone.

Throughout the rest of the day, Ava witnessed so many of their abilities. Some had the ability to return attacks back to the attacker. One girl amplified Gillian’s fears, but she overcame the girl by manipulating her mind. There wasn’t much to see, except the two of them crying out and grabbing their heads. One of the Cimmerians placed pressure on Link’s skull. It was almost too much for him to take, but he eventually prevailed by attacking using small bombs. The damage to the training room was minimal, and Ava assumed someone would repair it before they returned. Nicole had projected ice toward her opponent though she missed and hit the railing, which froze and broke in several places.

There were smears of blood, sweat, water everywhere. They were exhausted, and Ava hated this type of training. It was brutal, relentless, and unforgiving. She guessed it was hard for them to be friends if they had to beat each other up on a daily or weekly basis. She knew that even though they were Elementals, the Cimmerians were a lot stronger and had the stamina to last a long time in a battle. Ava and the others would have to learn their way of training and fighting if they were ever going to conquer the Cimmerians.

What would they do if Xavier pitted Ava’s coven against each other? They would have to fight no matter what. She didn’t know what all they would have to do in order to prove their allegiance. But they had to stick to their charade with complete dedication until the end.