Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) (15 page)

“Hmmm. You’re getting better at that. Guess I’ll need to step it up.”

“Maybe.”

“See? Not everything knocks you down.”

Shrouded in darkness, Ava tore through the woods. They were after her. Black masked figures chased her but somehow they kept up with her by walking. How was that possible? She was a fast runner. Her lungs ached from the bitter air. Her heart pounded as adrenaline pumped in her veins. 

“Peter, help me,” she screamed. 

Lightning struck beside her. She jumped and tripped, stumbling face first into the ground.

A hand jerked her up and pressed her body against his. His hand circled her throat, crushing it. She gagged and kicked. Masked, hooded figures surrounded her. One of them stood in front of her. The figure removed its mask revealing the thick brown hair she’d raked her fingers through. The brown eyes she’d gazed into night after night. The full lips she’d kissed.

“Peter?”

“Who else?” He gave a sinister grin and made a gesture with his hand. The person’s grip on her throat loosened and she inhaled.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you to Havok, of course. Did you really think I loved you?” He taunted, and the others joined him in laughter.

“What? You’re one of them?”

“Surprise.” He smirked.

“No, you can’t be.”

“Ava, you were just something I used to get closer to Savina. You were good while you lasted though. But you’re too weak for me. Too pathetic.”

Ava gasped and elbowed the man behind her. He stumbled. She swung her fist at Peter, but it was soft. She opened her eyes and saw that she had punched her pillow. She exhaled, trying to catch her breath. Her necklace warmed and glowed in the dark. She rubbed her eyes as they filled with tears.

It wasn’t the first time she’d dreamed of Peter since he broke her heart. Each dream seemed to worsen. Peter was different. He was cold. Sinister. Some dreams started out with his sweet words. Then he’d kiss her only to pull away laughing and pointing.

She hated that her dreams were always so vivid. She had tried to ignore them for the past two weeks. She had managed to train with Gabriel without letting Peter and Katarina get to her. Everyone had gotten stronger, but one thing still bugged Ava. She couldn’t heal. Had she lost that ability forever? Savina had assured her that one day it would return. Ava guessed it was because she was too broken to be a Healer.

She shook her head. No more pessimistic thoughts. But that was difficult. Especially since it was Christmas day. Gone were the days of excitement over presents or being with friends and family. She never liked Christmas much after her mom passed away, but now it felt even emptier. She was determined to make it a good day, though. She would not dwell on Peter or her friends or Colden.

Ava peeked through the blinds and watched the sun rising. She loved the beautiful pink and orange hue across the horizon. The peaceful winter day. Even though there was no snow, it still felt majestic somehow. She waited until the sun had risen a little more and then dressed in a thick black sweater and jeans. She headed out into the living room to find her dad watching TV. 

“Good morning. Merry Christmas.” He smiled.

“Merry Christmas.”

Her father had bought a fake tree with all new decorations for the apartment. It was nice, just the two of them still enjoying the tradition they always had. She missed all of the handmade decorations she’d made in grade school. Her dad had found a pewter ornament with three ravens chasing each other that hung from a red satin ribbon. It was an obvious reference to her favorite author, Edgar Allan Poe. Luci had always read his stories and poems to her. She didn’t want to reminisce about Luci, but she couldn’t help it.

Green and red garland hung on the white mantle of the fireplace with two red candles on either side. Her father had a small fire lit. It was like something on a postcard. Then, she saw a present underneath the tree.

“What is that?”    

“I got you a little something.”

“Dad, we agreed we wouldn’t get each other anything.”

“Yeah, but it looks like neither of us kept that promise.” He nodded at the brand new art supplies on the small table in front of the couch. “I haven’t drawn or painted anything in years.” Not since Luci died.

“Well, I figured it’s time. I’m glad you like it.” She picked up the small thick box and unwrapped the goofy snowman paper he chose. Only her dad. She opened the box, pushed the tissue paper aside, and froze. Luci, her dad, and a younger version of herself stared back at her from the framed picture. It was the same picture she had kept beside her bed for years. She thought everything had been destroyed in the fire. Tears clouded her vision. “Where did you get this?” 

“I have that picture at work. So I made a copy.”

“Dad—.”

“I know given the circumstances you may feel differently toward your mother. I know I do. But I know she loved us both. She cherished you and thought you were her greatest joy.”

“But—.”

“I realize what she did. And she had to have a reason. One that we don’t know. I’m not ready to give up on her.”

Ava kept her thoughts to herself. Deep down, she wasn’t ready to forgive Luci. It was hard when she had appeared in her dreams convincing her to join the Cimmerians. She realized that it could have been part of the manipulation by the Cimmerians, but Luci was a dark Enchanter. And she did swear Ava’s soul to Havok. Ava had tried to come up with possible reasons, but nothing came to mind.

He squeezed her hand. “I know it’s hard. But this is our family. I just don’t want you to forget her.”

Ava smiled at him. She couldn’t disappoint her dad. For some reason, she thought of what Mr. McNabb said to Peter at Seth’s funeral. “May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten,” she told her father.

He gave her a confused look. “I like that. Where did you hear that?”

“Peter’s dad.”

He nodded, still thinking the words over in his head. “Do you adhere to the saying?”

“I’m trying.”

“Good.”

“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him. She loved her dad and didn’t know what she would do without him. She didn’t want to leave him behind. It was going to be hard saying goodbye.

Taking a deep breath and clearing her mind, she released him.

“Come on, I’ll make us some breakfast.”

She took the picture frame into her room and set it on her nightstand. She stared at the beautiful redheaded woman with milky white skin, and the same gray eyes as Ava. Her smile was relaxed and happy. Maybe her dad was right. Maybe Luci did love them. Ava always had good memories of her and never once felt like her mom despised her. She never treated Ava poorly. If anything, she protected Ava and cared for her.

Ava sighed. She wished she knew why her mother had done that. Her phone buzzed and she checked the message. It was from Gabriel.

Merry Christmas.

She typed a response
.
Merry Christmas.

You need to hurry up and get here. It’s crazy and I need normalcy.

Crazy?

Yes. Just wait til you get here.

I can’t wait.

Me either.

She laughed a little and realized she was excited to see him. She always looked forward to seeing him since he had become one of her favorite people.

It was going to be a good day.

While Ava and her dad ate breakfast, they reminisced good times. It was like an unspoken rule that they not think or talk about anything sad.

“Are you coming to the Manor for the Christmas party?” she asked, hoping he’d say yes. She didn’t want to show up solo and see Peter and Katarina.

“Yeah. The Irish Aureole is supposed to be there.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that.”

“They’re great. Lively bunch, but a lot of fun.”

Maybe that’s what Gabriel meant by crazy.

They arrived at the Manor, and Ava was surprised to see the entire place transformed into a winter wonderland. The lights were turned low. Silver and blue sparkled along the top of the walls. It wasn’t garland, Ava noticed. Magic? Savina or someone had to have created it. Music blared from the conservatory. They made their way into the dining room where several rowdy people were seated. Dishes covered the long table. A glazed ham, turkey, and a duck rested in the center. There were casseroles with melted cheeses. Fresh vegetables. The credenza behind the table was decked out with decadent cheesecakes, cobblers, pies, little brownie bites. The fancy spread looked like something out of a magazine.

Ava’s stomach growled as she inhaled the sweet and savory smells.

She didn’t recognize any of the people, but she acknowledged them with a polite nod.

“Oh would you look there.” A tall, brute man with thick curly hair set down his glass mug full of beer, stood, and shook her father’s hand. “If it isn’t Connor Hannigan.” His Irish accent was easier to understand than the Russians. His cheeks were sunken and he had a wide nose. He had dark blue eyes set deep. 

“Sean, it’s good to see you.” Her dad gave a wide smile. “This is my daughter, Ava. Ava, this is Sean. We’ve known each other for years.”

She shook Sean’s rough and calloused hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“She looks just like her mother.” A woman with long curly brown hair smiled. She, too, spoke with an Irish accent. “I’m Shannon,” she said. Her tall lanky body slid in between Ava and Sean and she held Ava’s hands. Shannon had soft, pale skin with green eyes and looked to be in her thirties. “Your mother was one of my best friends. She was a beautiful woman in every meaning of the word.”

Ava shifted uncomfortably. “Thanks.”

“These are my sons, Aidan.” She pointed to a boy about Ava’s age with short curly brown hair and brown eyes. He shyly nodded and went back to playing with his phone. “And Ronan.” Who looked similar to Aidan but was a little heavier. “My niece, Moira.” Ava followed Shannon’s eyes to a young woman with thick dark brown hair that cascaded around her small shoulders. As her dark eyes met Ava’s, she gave a friendly smile. Her thin high eyebrows gave her a dramatic look. The deep red lipstick accentuated her full lips. “And Nathan.”

A tall, strong and attractive man stood and shook Ava’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” His brown hair was short and he had expressive bright green eyes. His nose was straight and had sharp facial features.

“His lovely wife, Cara,” Shannon continued, and Ava looked at a petite plump woman with long flowing red hair. She had a button nose and to Ava, she was adorable. Like Joss. “And this little wee one is Lucas.” Shannon picked up the toddler with blazing red hair that stuck up wildly in places from Cara’s lap. He giggled as Shannon touched his nose with hers.

Ava gave a small laugh, but felt awkward around people she didn’t know. “It’s nice to meet you all.”

Shannon returned Lucas to his mother. “I’m so glad we finally get to meet you. I know it’s been hard.” She frowned and pulled Ava into a tight hug. Ava didn’t know what to do. She needed to find her friends.

She began to feel claustrophobic around the loud bunch. She wanted a quick exit before they pulled her into any sort of talk about her mother. “I’m going to find Lance,” she told her dad and then walked down the corridor to the conservatory. She paused in the doorway and gawked. The ceiling made it appear like it was snowing. Instead of the snow collecting on the floor, it dissipated halfway down. Blue and silver ribbons lined the walls. 

There were even more people in there dancing as if nothing had happened a month ago. The non-dancers congregated in clusters as they ate and talked. Ava didn’t know a lot of them. She hadn’t expected any of this and realized it was her first Christmas there. After Cimmerians threatened her father, she wanted to spend the holiday with her only dad.

She spotted Lance standing with Gillian, Thomas, and Eric and made her way to them. “Merry Christmas.”

“You as well.” Lance hugged her.

Even though Gillian looked miserable, she gave Ava a smile.

“Merry Christmas,” Eric said. “Time to get drunk.”

“I’m down for that,” Thomas said.

Ava rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe Savina did all this.”

Eric barked a laugh. “Are you kidding? Thomas, Gabriel, and me busted our butts to put all these decorations up. We do this every year. I think they should have made the young Enchanters do it.” He smirked.

Gillian raised an eyebrow. “Like I could reach these insanely high ceilings.”

“Yeah, you are kinda short. But we have ladders.” Eric joked.

“It is pretty incredible,” she said. “It’s so hard without Jeremy though. He would love this.”

“Well, shall we dance?” Lance asked Gillian.

“I…”

“Oh come on.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. 

“I think I’m gonna go outside before I get pulled into a dance,” Eric said and walked away leaving Thomas and Ava together. She wondered if Gabriel was outside as well.

They leaned against the wall, watching people dance. Ava saw Link and Nicole together. They looked adorable as they moved to the upbeat song, amorous smiles on their faces.