Playing With Fire (Power of Four Book 2) (6 page)

Once Aaron managed to force all thoughts of Kyran away, he realised what it was Neriah had said, and what that meant for him. “That’s why you’re here,” he said. “You want me to train?”

“I want you to learn to defend yourself,” Neriah explained. “You’re the legacy holder for Earth.” His eyes stayed locked on his. “You are the
only
one that can use the Blade of Adams and help us in this war.”

Aaron didn’t say anything. He honestly didn’t know what to say. He found he didn’t need to figure out a response, because his dad was suddenly standing in the middle of the room, blocking Aaron.

“No,” he growled. “He’s not fighting.”

“That’s not your choice to make,” Neriah replied at once.

Chris had both hands clenched. “You’re asking a fourteen year old to risk his life–”

“No, I’m asking him to learn how to safeguard it,” Neriah corrected, rising to his feet. “I don’t want Aaron to fight this war, not until he’s ready.” His eyes flickered to Aaron before snapping back to Chris. “But there’s no time to waste, and you and I both know what he could do with the right Blade in his hand.”

Chris bristled, like he had been burnt. “No.” He forced the word out from behind clenched teeth.

Aaron thought he could feel the ground tremble under him, or maybe it was just his heart that was beating so hard it was making him shake.

“Chris.” Neriah’s tone was one of warning.

“You can forget it!” Chris bit out. “I’m not losing any more of my family.”

Neriah looked stunned. His eyes widened before narrowing. “Your family?” he asked. “
Your
family, Chris?” He stepped closer, his eyes darkened with anger. “What about the rest of us? Have we not lost family? Have we not suffered?” His expression was fierce, fury filling every inch of his being. “Have I not lost family, Chris? Hasn’t Drake? What about Thomas? He was found hanged, drawn and quartered. Did his widow take her son and run?”

Chris stood silently as Neriah’s fury escalated. Aaron turned to see the windows had begun to ice over.

“Or how about Joseph’s
eight
-year-old son,” Neriah continued, “who was forced to watch as his family was butchered? Did Skyler leave this realm?”

Aaron’s heart leapt in his chest. He remembered Skyler’s bitter words to Rose, only a few months ago.

You think you’re the only one to lose your parents? Count yourself lucky you didn’t watch them die. You didn’t hear their screams.

Skyler was a git, a bully and a general pain, thought Aaron, but no one,
no one
, should go through that. No one should watch their family die.

“You’re not the only one to lose someone, Chris,” Neriah said. “Every
single
one of us has suffered but no one else got up and left!”

A tremor ran through the ground, rattling the furniture. Aaron quickly stood up.

“What can I say?” Chris’s words were strained, coming from his tight jaw. “I’m not as brave as the rest of you. I can’t risk my family and I’ll do whatever I have to in order to protect them.”

“What about the others?” Neriah yelled. “The families in Hadrian's zones? The ones who are tortured
every
day? What about them Chris? Who protects them?”

The ice covering the windows cracked, taking the glass with it. The ground shook violently in response, the chandelier swung dangerously overhead.

“Stop it!” Aaron yelled, somehow managing to come between the two mages without tripping on the shaking ground. “Stop! Just stop!” He grabbed his dad’s arm and pulled him back. “Dad,
stop
!”

The shaking ceased. The chandelier swayed overhead, the tinkling of the glass droplets and the quick breaths of the Elementals who continued to glare at each other filled the room.

Aaron turned to Neriah. “I think you should go,” he said quietly. “Please, just...just go.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I get an answer.”

“I already told you–” Chris started.

“From
Aaron
,” Neriah snapped. He turned to the fourteen year old. “I want an answer from
you
.”

Aaron paused. He could feel his dad’s arm tense under his hand. Aaron took in a breath. “I’m sorry,” he said to Neriah. “I can’t help you.”

Neriah kept his eyes on Aaron. “Is this your decision?” he asked. “Or are you only saying what you know your father wants?”

Aaron couldn’t help but glance at his dad in guilt, but he didn’t say anything.

Neriah straightened up, standing tall. “I’m staying in the city tonight,” he said. “I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning. If in one night you can gather the courage to do what
you
want, then come and find me.”

***

Morning crept along. Chris hadn’t slept. He couldn’t, not with Neriah’s words spinning in his head. He picked up his mug and took a gulp of coffee. Kate was fixing breakfast. She hadn’t slept much either, joining her husband in the kitchen just before daybreak.

Aaron had been very quiet after Neriah left. Chris didn’t know what to say to him and so had left him alone. Until the early hours of the morning, he had heard voices coming from Aaron’s room – Aaron whispering with his friends about Neriah, no doubt. Chris had wanted to go upstairs and tell them off, scold them to get some sleep, but he didn’t have the energy, or the heart. He told himself that at least Aaron was talking to
someone
; he was getting his feelings out, which could only be a good thing.

Kate put a plate of pancakes in front of him but Chris didn’t have the stomach to eat.

“Hey.” Kate ran a hand through his hair, caressing him gently. “Don’t think too much about it,” she said. “Neriah’s not forcing Aaron to fight. That’s all that matters.”

Chris nodded. “Yeah,” he said. He rubbed at his eyes again. “Yeah, I know.”

Kate slid into the chair next to his. “When I saw him at the door with the other two Elementals, I thought he was here to take Aaron away, one way or another.”

“He’s the oldest Elemental,” Chris said. “If he really wanted to, he could have taken Aaron, even against his will.” He shook his head. “But Neriah’s not like James had been. He doesn’t force, he gives a choice.”

Kate didn’t say anything and picked up her mug of tea.

“He’s desperate,” Chris said quietly. “It won’t be long before Hadrian’s core awakens. Neriah needs all the power he can gather before then.”

Kate was looking at him with a frown, her eyes narrowed. “You want to go.”

It wasn’t so much a question as it was a statement.

“Want isn’t the right word.” Chris pulled in a breath. “I
need
to do this,” he said. “I need to fight, to stand with the rest and do what I can to stop Hadrian.” He looked at his wife. “The world can think what it wants, Kate, but I’m not a coward. I didn’t run from a fight. I ran to protect what I couldn’t afford to lose. But now that Aaron’s older and he knows the truth about who he is, I can leave him with you and go join the war.” He held her blue-eyed gaze. “These last fourteen years haven’t erased who I am. I’ll always be a Hunter.” His hands flexed, itching to close around his familiars. It had been almost a decade and a half since he held his weapons. “Neriah wants the Blade of Adams. I know I can’t use it. The legacy is now with Aaron. But that doesn’t mean I can’t use another sword.” He held Kate’s stare. “I need to help, Kate. I want to stand against Hadrian. I’m fighting this war.”

Kate was silent, watching him. She nodded at last, before breathing out a sigh. “I know.” She smiled at him. “And so am I.”

“You need to stay with Aaron, Kate,” Chris said.

“I have just as much right to protect this realm as you do,” Kate said.

“I never said you don’t,” Chris replied. “But if both of us go away to fight, who will take care of Aaron?”

Kate dropped her gaze. “Family,” she said quietly.

“Michael won’t stay back,” Chris said. “He wants to fight too. He told me just the other day he was thinking of going to Salvador to speak to Neriah.”

“I didn’t mean Michael,” Kate said.

Chris frowned. “What other family do we have?”

Kate looked at him. “Family doesn’t always mean blood.”

Chris’s eyes widened with realisation. He looked away.

“Chris,” Kate reached across the table to touch his hand. “We need to go and see her. We should’ve by now.”

Chris shook his head. “I don’t think I can face her.”

“Alaina has every right to be mad at us,” Kate said. “But she won’t hold anything against Aaron. She will take care of him, and Samuel and Rosalyn too.”

Chris shook his head. “Kate–”

A door closed somewhere above them, then they heard footsteps down the stairs, coming steadily towards them.

“We’ll talk later,” Kate said, getting up from the table.

She pulled out another few plates and turned, about to lay the table for the three teenagers when the door opened. Kate froze, the plates in her hands. Aaron was standing there, wearing his heavy jacket, with a packed duffel bag in his hand.

5

Making Choices

Aaron watched as Chris stood up, surprised eyes on him, taking in his attire – heavy boots, jeans, hooded top under his jacket. Aaron could almost see the realisation as it swept over his dad. A Hunter – he was dressed as a Hunter. Chris’s stare moved to the bag in Aaron’s hand before snapping back to his face. Aaron almost flinched.

“What are you doing?”

It was his mum who asked the question, standing with a stack of plates forgotten in her hands. Aaron walked further inside, and Sam and Rose trailed in after him, clutching their own bags. Aaron put the duffel bag on the table.

“I’m leaving,” he said. He looked straight at his dad. “I’m going with Neriah.”

The plates hit the worktop with a hard
crack
. The next thing Aaron knew, his mum had grabbed his arm and yanked him around to face her. “Have you lost your mind?” she seethed. Her eyes were wide, mouth twisted in outrage.

“Mum–” Aaron started.

“NO!” Her shout reverberated in the kitchen. Her grip tightened on Aaron’s arm. “You’re not going
anywhere
!”

“Kate?” Michael appeared at the door, looking surprised. “What’s going on?”

Kate didn’t answer him. She was too focused on Aaron. “You listen to me.” Her voice was beginning to shake, clear blue eyes clouded with fear. “You’re not stepping one
foot
out of this house. You hear me?”

Aaron rested his free hand on hers, on top of her tight fingers clenched around his arm. “Mum,” he said quietly. “You know hiding like this isn’t right.”

“
What?
” She was livid. “You think risking your life is the right thing to do?”

Aaron held her gaze. “Mages were brought into existence to fight demons.”

Kate’s grip loosened. She pulled away, eyes still wide, mouth open in surprise.

Aaron turned to look at his dad. He was standing with his back rigid, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on him.

“If we don’t fight, if
I
don’t fight, then what does that make me?” Aaron asked.

“Aaron.” Chris’s voice shook. “We already explained to you. We can’t lose–”

“I know,” Aaron stepped towards him. “I get it, Dad, I do. You’ve been through so much, you’ve lost your brother and your son, you don’t want to risk losing me too.” He paused to take in a deep breath. “But that doesn’t mean we get to sit back while
everyone
else is left fighting.”

“Yes, you do,” Kate said. “
You
do. Your dad and I will fight. We will do what we can to help defeat Hadrian but
you
will stay out of the way.”

Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “What?” he asked. “You both are joining the fight?” He looked at his dad. “When were you going to tell me this? Or were you planning on leaving in the middle of the night again without saying a word to me?” He turned to his mum. “Was I going to get another letter? How long would I have to wait this time to see you again?”

“We left you in Salvador the way we did because we had to,” Kate said. “There wasn’t time to explain everything to you. We needed to find Neriah. If Neriah found out we had returned to the realm but made no contact with him, he would’ve been within his right to execute us.”

Aaron’s surprise showed in his expression.

“Neriah wouldn’t–”

“He didn’t,” Kate said. “Doesn’t mean he couldn’t have.” Her voice dipped. “We will fight for Neriah. But you need to stay as far away from this war as possible.”

“I can’t,” Aaron said. “I’ve spent all night trying to talk myself into doing what you want. I told Neriah I wouldn’t help him, but I can’t sit back and watch as the world crumbles around me, especially when I know I can bring something to this fight.”

“Aaron.” Michael came to his side. “I admire your courage, but you’re not of age yet. Until your core matures, you won’t be much good to anyone in the war.”

“What if I have the Blade of Adams?” Aaron asked.

Michael hesitated. He looked to Kate but didn’t speak.

“You said you always wanted to tell me the truth,” Aaron reminded him. “Now’s your chance. I’m asking you, would the Blade still be effective if I use it now?”

Michael dropped his gaze and gave a reluctant nod. “Yes,” he whispered unhappily. “It wouldn’t be anywhere near as powerful as it could be with a mature core, but – yes, the Blade would still be pretty lethal.”

“Then why shouldn’t I use it to help?” Aaron asked.

“Aaron,” Michael’s voice held a pleading note. “You’re too young.”

“Mages younger than me are out hunting.”

“That doesn’t make it right!” Chris snapped. “Just because Neriah’s lost his mind, sending kids out to face down demons, doesn’t mean I’ll let you do the same!”

“Those
kids
are the ones who have been protecting not only this realm but the human one too,” Aaron said, unable to hold back his growing anger. “And they’ve been doing it for the last
fourteen
years.”

“It’s going to be different now,” Michael said. “With Hadrian back–” He paused, sucking in a breath. “Aaron, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

Aaron held his anxious gaze. “I guess I’ll find out.”

“You can say what you want,” Kate said in her usual end-of-matter tone. “You’re not leaving.”

Aaron stilled for a moment, before reaching out to pick up his bag. “Yes I am,” he said.

Kate stared at him and Aaron could see the realisation hit her then, that she could no longer force him into obedience. Her lips thinned and eyes started to water.

“Aaron,
please
,” she begged.

“I know you’re scared, Mum,” Aaron said. “Truth is, I am too. But we don’t get to sit this out. We’re not the only ones to have lost family. It’s happened to the others too but they’re fighting back and that’s what we should do.” He turned to look at his dad. “We’re Elementals. We need to help. We
should
help.” Chris didn’t say anything. Aaron stepped towards him. “Come with me.” This time, it was Aaron that was pleading. “We can all go back, all of us join the fight.” He took another step forward, inching closer to Chris. “Please, Dad, don’t fight me on this. You can teach me–”

“No,” Chris said. “You’re not fighting. You’re staying here.”

Aaron stared at him. His mum had yelled the same words minutes ago, but it was his dad’s quietly spoken command that tore his heart open. Aaron swallowed the rest of his words, pushing them deep down. He stepped back, not trusting himself to speak. The hurt was quickly turning to fury and he knew if he didn’t leave right now, he would say something all of them would later regret. He shifted the heavy bag in his hands and turned.

“Don’t you dare, Aaron!” Kate called after him.

“Sorry, Mum,” Aaron said quietly. “Come with me or not, I’m leaving.” He walked away.

Sam and Rose followed him.

“Where are you two going?” Michael asked.

Sam paused and looked back at him. “With Aaron.”

Aaron and the twins headed to the front door. They stepped out to find Neriah waiting for them.

Aaron was taken aback at the sight of the leader of the mages, standing at his gate, waiting for him with a smile on his lips and a look of triumph in his eyes. It only served to further annoy Aaron.

“What are you doing?” he asked, as he made his way towards Neriah.

“Waiting for you,” Neriah replied simply.

“You were that sure I would come?” Aaron asked.

“I was sure that the boy who fought his way into a Q-Zone, a mere few months after coming to this realm, wouldn’t give up the chance to fight.”

Aaron stopped just before the gate. “Scott told you?”

“He had to tell me.”

Aaron shifted under the intense gaze. “You should know I didn’t go into that Q-Zone to fight. I went because–”

“Because your friends were there.” Neriah glanced at the twins before looking back at Aaron. “Yes, Scott told me that too.” He didn’t look mad. If anything, he looked rather amused. He didn’t say any more on the subject, though. He moved to allow the gate to swing open. “Come, we should leave.”

Aaron held on to the metal gate but turned back to look at the house. The door was firmly shut. No one had come out after him. They were actually going to let him walk away like this, angry and hurt.

Aaron caught Sam’s eye; his friend simply nodded his encouragement. They had spent the whole night discussing this decision. They had all agreed that no matter what happened, they were taking part in the fight against demons, against vamages – against Hadrian. Sam and Rose were human. They had no elemental powers, nor did they know how to wield a sword or use a gun, but they were willing to do whatever they could to help the mages defeat the vamages – the demons that murdered their parents.

Aaron turned and pushed open the gate. He walked behind Neriah, with Sam and Rose beside him, all heading down the street.

“Where’s Ella and Skyler?” Aaron asked, partly just to have something to say.

“They’re waiting at the Gate,” Neriah said. His gaze went to the long table that sat in the middle of the street. Something flickered in his eyes but he looked away before Aaron could figure it out. “They don’t have much tolerance for Marwa.”

“Why is that?” Aaron asked.

Before Neriah could answer, the sound of a door slamming shut made them turn around. Aaron gaped at the sight of his mum, dad and uncle Mike, hastily packed bags in hand, coming down the path. They looked beyond livid, lines of anger on their faces, eyes blazing. His mum blasted the gate off its hinges, without even touching it, before heading down the street towards them.

Neriah stepped past Aaron, coming to stand before him. It took Aaron a moment to understand he was standing guard, protecting Aaron from his parents. The absurdity of the situation would have made him laugh if he wasn’t so keyed up.

“What’s going on?” Neriah asked, directing his question to Chris.

“What’s it look like?” Chris snarled. “We’re coming too.”

Aaron’s relief was short-lived, because almost at once, Neriah shook his head.

“I don’t want you,” he said.

“I don’t care,” Chris replied.

Neriah stared at Chris, before a half-smile came to his face. “I guess having you in Salvador is better than here.” He glanced back at Sam and Rose before meeting Chris’s eyes. “You three can take Aaron’s friends to Salvador.”

“Why?” Kate asked quickly, stepping forward. “Where are you taking Aaron?”

The panic in her voice made guilt surge in Aaron. He pushed it down.

“Aaron will accompany me to retrieve his Blade,” Neriah replied.

Aaron tensed, sharing a nervous look with the twins.

“We want to stay with Aaron,” Sam said at once.

“We’re coming too,” Kate added.

But Neriah shook his head. “If too many go to get the Blade it will attract attention.”

“Mike,” Chris called. “You and Kate take Samuel and Rosalyn. I’m going with Aaron.”

Kate let out a noise of protest but Michael had grabbed her hand, already pulling her towards the twins.

Neriah didn’t move, his gaze still on Chris.

“You can’t come with us,” he said.

“Yes I can,” Chris stubbornly argued. “You may be the oldest and the leader, but I’m an Elemental too. You can’t stop me. I have every right to come with you.”

Neriah let out a humourless laugh. “You sure you still deserve to be called an Elemental after shirking your responsibilities for fourteen years?”

Chris got impossibly close. His eyes were blazing, jaw clenched so tight Aaron was sure it must be hurting.

“I’m going with my son,” Chris said very quietly, taking his time to say each word carefully. “Elemental or not, you can’t deny me that much.”

When Neriah didn’t speak, Chris moved past him. He walked by Aaron without a word. He didn’t even look at him. Sharing a last glance with Sam and Rose, Aaron walked away, following his dad and Neriah to Marwa’s Gate, where Skyler and Ella stood waiting.

***

Aaron walked in silence, the only sounds came from the crunching and snapping of leaves and twigs under their feet. Skyler and Ella were behind him, climbing up the path. His dad trailed them. Leading the way was Neriah. No one had uttered a word in the last two hours.

Aaron shifted his bag; it was getting uncomfortably heavy at this point. He climbed the steep hill, panting slightly at the exertion. He could feel beads of sweat gathering under his collar. When he had followed the others out of the Gate of Marwa, there had been two portals ready. One led to the City of Salvador, which his mum, uncle and friends took. The other, Aaron had presumed, would take them straight to wherever the Blade of Adams was. Instead, he had passed through the portal only to land in the middle of a dense forest. They had been quietly trekking their way through it ever since.

Aaron came to Neriah’s side when he paused, to let the others catch up. Then, when he continued forward without saying a word, Aaron couldn’t hold back any longer.