Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) (5 page)

She heard students whispering near her. She couldn’t decide if they wanted her to hear or if they were really trying to be quiet.

“Maybe they joined Xavier,” one girl said.

“Totally into drugs. I mean, look at her. She totally looks drugged out,” one boy whispered.

“Maybe Melissa and Jeremy had to go to rehab.”

The boy laughed.

Ava clenched her fists and her necklace warmed. Their jabs didn’t make it easy to like the Ephemerals. They had always acted like they were better than her. She tuned them out for the rest of the class, but it still hurt.

Once the bell rang, she made her way to her government class. She would not cry. She would not shed a single tear for these people to see. Ava slid into her seat and placed her head down on the desk. There was no way she was going to sit around in class, pretending everything was fine. Her necklace warmed. It was Peter again.

After class, she and Peter made their way to the cafeteria where Gillian, Thomas, Lance, Nicole, and Link were already seated at a table.

Gillian looked up from her untouched salad and glowered at Peter. “I can’t believe you’re sitting here.” Her short curly hair looked like she hadn’t styled it or even brushed it with its frizziness.

Ava thought things would be better between Gillian since the reason she hated Peter was because of the Cimmerians’ manipulation. But now it was worse.

Guilt radiated from Peter and Ava took his hand. “Lay off, Gillian.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Lance uttered, absently tearing up a napkin.

“How can you say that?” Gillian spat. “It was his job to protect everyone. He failed.”    

Thomas leaned against the painted gray cement wall with his large feet propped up on the round swivel chairs, separating him and Ava. “Would you give it a rest?”

Link shook his head. “Instead of blaming him, can’t you be glad that the rest of us are here?”

Gillian turned her glare to Link. “Yeah I’m so happy that everyone else is here while these two rub their happiness in our faces.”

Ava sighed. “We weren’t rubbing it in your face. I’m not sorry about how I feel for Peter. I’m sorry that it saddens you.”

“You’re so selfish, Ava.”

“Gillian, enough,” Lance snapped. “Just stop, okay? They haven’t done anything wrong. You can’t sit here and say you wouldn’t do the same if Jeremy were here.”

Lance’s biting remark acted as a silencer. No one spoke or ate. It was worse than miserable. It was ridiculous to waste such valuable time.

After thirty long excruciating minutes of silence, the bell rang.

“Don’t bother sitting with us tomorrow or ever again,” Gillian said.

Ava clenched her teeth. “You need to chill out. This wasn’t Peter’s fault.”

“He was brought into this because of his protection ability. It wasn’t because of your love for each other. He had a purpose. And now, he’s useless. We all are because he couldn’t do his job.”

“You are such a bitch, Gillian. I can’t stand this anymore. You blame everyone else for everything that’s gone wrong. We’ve all lost someone. Not just you.”

“Yeah. You’re the reason Colden’s dead and the cause of the war starting.” Gillian’s eyes watered. “And now Jeremy’s gone and who knows what happened to him.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Ava reached for her, but Gillian slapped her hand away and stormed off.

“Come on, let’s go,” Peter said.

Ava couldn’t take it anymore. Her pendant warmed and she felt as if she would explode. Anger raged within her. She picked up the nearest object, which was a tray full of food, and threw it across the emptying floor of the lunchroom.

“Hey,” a worker called. “Clean that up.”

Ava tried to keep her breathing level. “You clean it up. Isn’t that your job?”

“Do you want detention?” the lady asked.

“Is that supposed to teach me a lesson?”

“Ava.” Peter warned.

“Go to the principal’s office.”

“Make me.”

The lady narrowed her eyes. “What is your name?”

“Ava Hannigan. Want me to write it down for you?”

“Sorry. I’ll take her.” Peter grabbed Ava and pulled her through the double doors, down the hallway, and finally outside.

“What the hell was that?” he yelled, guiding her by her shoulders to the parking lot.

The cold air felt good for once. She didn’t realize she’d been sweating. Ava could’ve almost laughed from the rush of adrenaline. It was wrong, but it felt good somehow.

“Why did you do that?”

The late bell rang. Ava halted and turned around. “Are you really upset with me?”

“Why did you do that?”

“I can’t take all this. I’m so tired of Gillian blaming us. And I feel like things are changing with us.” She turned back toward the lot, but Peter looped her arm and slowly pushed her back against the brick wall. 

“You can’t listen to her,” he consoled, losing the anger in his voice.

“You do. I feel like everyone hates that we’re together. I’m not sorry that I love you. And after this morning I’m starting to wonder about you.”

“Ava.” He tilted her chin up and she almost relaxed completely by the soft look in his eyes. “You know how I feel about you.”

She exhaled. “I know, but after this morning, Peter, I need to feel that. I don’t know if Melissa and Jeremy are dead. You’re the only thing keeping me together. Don’t take it away.” Ava swallowed her tears and shook her head.

His eyes apologized. “I’m going through a lot, too. Maybe from now on we’ll sit at our own table away from Gillian.”

“I’m not coming back. This is
not
helping me keep my mind off things.”

“You’re not even trying.”

“Believe me. I’ve tried.”

“It’s one day, Ava. It will get easier.”

“I’m sorry. I just have a hard time going to school and pretending like everything is hunky dory. My friends are out there, Peter. And who knows what Havok is doing to them.”

“It’s just a distraction.”

“Well, it’s a crappy one.”

He studied her. “I have an idea.” He reached for her hand. She slid it into his and let him lead the way.

Peter drove down the two lane road toward Blackhart Manor. Ava tensed. She wasn’t ready to go back and just before she objected, he turned left. He pulled the car to a stop in front of the wooden cabin. The last time she’d been there was the morning she woke up possessed. It was like being boxed inside an invisible wall. She witnessed everything her body did but couldn’t do anything about it. She remembered screaming for Peter to help her, but he couldn’t hear her. Being possessed was the strangest feeling. And she hated the disappointed looks from her father, Savina, and Gabriel.

They got out of the car and he led her through the quiet barren woods. Leaves were scarce on the trees except for the pine trees full of needles. The clouds seemed to race each other from the wind. The closer they got, the more the sound of crashing water amplified. He pushed through some branches, and the waterfall was in view.

It was as beautiful and calming as it always had. Water plunged into the deep clear pool at the bottom. Rocks and boulders surrounded the private waterfall. The ground was soft from all the rain, with leaves and pine straw embedded into it.

“I want to try something.” Peter brought her closer. He leaned over a rock to dip his hand into what had to be freezing water. The wind blew and Ava hugged herself. A few seconds later, he looked up at her with a wide smile, and eyes lit.

“What? What is it?”

“Take off your coat. And scarf. And gloves.” He instructed, taking off his shirt. Ava removed the articles of clothing and shivered. She was glad for the tank top under her sweater that prevented the wind from coming through. He took her hand and with his ability, warm her. Her heart hammered against her chest. Would this really work? He guided her toward the water, helping her over the slippery rocks.

Peter edged into the water, still holding her hand, and eased Ava in with him. The icy water took the breath out of her. But seconds later, it turned warm.

He wrapped his arms around her. The waterfall sprayed them as they moved to the center of the pool, treading water. “I know that being around water makes you feel better. I remember the first time you took me to the beach and you made the water warm for me. Thought I could return the favor.” He gave a lopsided grin.

“Are you making it warm or protecting me from the cold?”

“Both?”

Ava closed her eyes, feeling the water around her and smiled. It calmed her, and she wondered if it would make her stronger. 

“There’s that beautiful smile,” he said. 

“Thank you,” she kissed him. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you. It’s all I can do for now, but I would do anything to take away your pain. And I’m sorry about this morning. I just have all these things going on, but you’re right. We can keep each other together.”

She kissed him once more and then they swam around together, Peter never letting her go. 

She laughed with him and they crossed behind the waterfall to a rock ledge that curved inward like a shallow cave. They lifted themselves out of the water and lay on the cool rocks. Ava was tired but she didn’t let it show. Peter pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her. His breath tickled her hair.

“Can we come here every day instead of school?” She murmured.

He gave a soft laugh. “I wish. We can come after school.”

“I’m not going back.”

“Yes, you are. I’m going to need you there with me.”

“Then you can skip, too.”

“I think we should do what the Elders want. They seem to know what’s best.”

“They just don’t know what to do with us. I probably got myself suspended anyway.”

“I’m sure the lady won’t even mention it to the principal. But you can’t just lash out like that.”

“I know. Gillian just got to me.”

“You gotta work on your anger.”

Ava held back a response. Maybe Peter was right, but it wasn’t easy keeping all of the emotions inside. She felt like she would crack at any moment.

Unbearable nightmares kept Ava awake most of the night. Glimpses of the war. Colden dying and Havok emerging. The Cimmerians carrying Melissa away. She wanted to sleep. There had to be some type of spell to help or at least get rid of the nightmares. She didn’t want to go to school, but she got out of bed and readied herself. She and Peter would go to the waterfall and she was sure he’d purposefully deny taking her if she didn’t show up at school.

Her father came into the room dressed for work. His gray hair neatly in place and his clothes perfectly pressed. Ava never questioned his need to work. She knew he hated handouts, and even though the coven had money, her father still wanted to earn his living. Perhaps because he didn’t feel entitled to the money since he was a Halfling. Ava admired her father for his gumption though. She wasn’t sure she could follow in his footsteps.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey. Why are you sitting in the dark?” He made his way to the kitchen to begin his morning ritual of making coffee and some type of breakfast.

“Waiting for Peter.”

“Want some waffles?”

“No, he’ll be here any second.”

Her father sniffed the box of waffles and made a face. “Good, because I don’t think those are any good.”

She smiled a little.

“How’d it go with Peter’s dad?” he asked.

“Went well.”

“How was school yesterday?”

“It was school,” she replied a little harsher than she intended.

Her dad cocked an eyebrow and set the coffee pot in the slot on the maker. He leaned his hands on the counter. “What is it?”

She got to her feet and leaned her elbows on the counter. “It’s hard to show my face there. It’s hard to show my face anywhere.”

“The kids at school don’t know about your involvement with Drew and Jonah. I know it’s going to be tough being there. But sitting around and moping won’t help anything.”

There was a knock at the door.

“That’s Peter. I gotta go. I’ll see you tonight.” She kissed him on the cheek and then made her way toward the door.

“Have a good day.”

She nodded, opening the door. Peter greeted her with a sad smile, and looked as tired as she felt. They walked hand in hand to his car.

They arrived at school, ignoring the whispers. Ava felt stronger today. People seemed afraid of her now but she was sure it was because of what she did to the lunch lady. She supposed she should apologize to her.

When it was lunchtime, Peter and Ava sat with the group, except Gillian wasn’t there. Her sadness had become overwhelming for Ava. She needed to learn to block it.

“Where’s G?” she asked, dropping her tray down on table next to Peter.

“Stayed at home.” Lance rolled his eyes. “Said she wasn’t feeling well.”

“Should we check on her?” Nicole asked.

“She’ll be fine.” He and Thomas looked at Ava expectantly.

“What?”

Thomas leaned forward on the table. “Is it true? Did you really punch the lunch lady yesterday?”

“What? That’s the rumor going around?”

“’Fraid so,” Link said and tapped his straw against the table.

Ava groaned. “No I didn’t punch her. I threw a tray.”

Thomas barked a laugh and then recovered himself with a fake cough. “Are you serious? Why?”

“Gillian pissed me off. She’s being ridiculous.”

Lance gave her a disapproving look. “She’s upset because Jeremy was taken. Unfortunately, she’s taking it out on you two.”

“Well, you don’t see me taking anything out on her. I lost Jeremy, too.”

“Can we please not fight?” Link asked, annoyed.

“Hey, we’re all going to the Manor tonight,” Thomas said. “I was talking to Eric about what all they could show us. I think it’ll be good and help us get our strength back. You game?” He looked at Ava.

“No,” she curtly said.

“Why? You got something else going on tonight?”

“No.”

“Then why don’t you come?”

“Because I don’t want to, Thomas.”

He held up his hands, surrendering.

“Ava, it’ll be good for you—.”

“I said I don’t want to,” she interrupted Lance.

When the bell rang, Nicole tapped Ava on the shoulder and they stayed behind. “I know we don’t know each other that well, but if you ever need to talk, I’m here. I know you’re having a hard time and no one seems to be giving you a break. Well, mostly Gillian.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. I know this can’t be easy for you.”

She shrugged. “I was ready for that war. And I’m ready for whenever they come back. I’m going to the Manor to train as hard as I can. They’re not going to hurt me again.”

Ava envied her attitude. She’d lost that motivation when she killed Colden. “I hope the training goes well.”

“Yeah. I’ll let you know. I’ll see you later.”

Ava wanted to go back to the waterfall after school, so Peter agreed. She wanted to try working on getting her abilities back. 

Just like the day before, Peter eased her in the water, and for a second she felt the icy cold, but he made it warm for her. 

“I want to go under,” she told him.

“Maybe you should try making yourself warm.”

“No, I want to try this.”

Peter unwillingly consented. He held her hand as she ducked her head under. Hesitantly, she inhaled a little, and a small amount of water entered. She raised up, coughing, her nose and throat burning.

“Are you okay?”

She cleared her throat and breathed in and out. She nodded, a little disappointed. They stayed until the sky darkened. Ava focused on trying anything. Making herself warm. Moving the water. But nothing worked.

“Don’t get discouraged, Ava,” Peter said. “It could be too soon to try. Why don’t we come back tomorrow?”

“Okay.”

The rest of the week, they returned to the waterfall after school, but Ava still wasn’t able to breathe underwater or manipulate the water. She didn’t know what it would take and it was becoming hard to hide her frustration.

“Why don’t we go to the Manor tonight?” Peter asked, as he got into his car and shut the door. “Maybe Savina could help you.”

Ava shivered from the bitter cold and shook her head. “I don’t want to go. I’m not ready.”

He started the engine and turned on the heat, but she knew something was on his mind.

“What is it?”

“Would you be upset if I went and then came back to your house afterward?”

Her heart wavered and anger flared for a moment, but she pushed it down. Of course, she couldn’t be upset, no matter how much she disliked the idea. Why did they want to spend so much time in that suffocating place when they couldn’t do anything? But if that was what he wanted to do, she couldn’t stop him. “No,” she told him.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Peter dropped her off and left for Blackhart Manor, though not without asking several times, if Ava was sure she was okay with it. She didn’t like the idea of spending a Friday night by herself, but she couldn’t make herself go back. 

Ava trudged inside the apartment and her father had fixed dinner, though she claimed she wasn’t hungry and went inside her empty room.

Sighing, she turned on the bathroom light. It bounced off the cream-colored walls in the small room. The blue shower curtain matched the rug and her towel. She missed the candles from her old bathroom and her Monet pictures. She pushed the thoughts away as she turned on the faucet for the shower. As she sat on the edge of the tub, her throat closed and her chest tightened. She couldn’t hold back the tears. 

Ava stepped into the shower, immediately grateful for the water muffling her sobs. It was the first time she’d cried since the night they went missing. The warm water consoled her as it rolled down her back. She had to stop or her phone would start buzzing with messages. She didn’t want to talk to anyone.

Afterward, she dressed in black pajama pants and a shirt and curled under the blankets. Leaving the lamp on, she waited for Peter, but slowly drifted in and out of consciousness. Eventually, she rested her head on the pillow, giving into the sleep.

“Ava,” she heard a whisper. “Ava.”

She woke up and saw Peter. “Hey.” She smiled.

“Hey.”

She reached up and kissed him, but he ended it before she wanted to. He kicked off his shoes and lay down next to her. Yawning, he rubbed his eyes.

She felt something odd from him. Like he was ashamed? Sad? Was he starting to feel sorry again? “What’s wrong?” Ava asked. 

He shook his head.

“What is it?”

“I’m just tired. It was a long night.” But she could tell that wasn’t the truth.

“What did you do?”

“I practiced with Gustav and Aaron.”

“How did you do?” She laid her head on his chest.

“I’m fine once I know something is going to hurt someone, but when it comes out of nowhere or when something breaks my concentration, I lose. I can’t figure it out,” he said, frustration in his weary voice.

“I had the same problem. It’s hard. I broke my concentration during the battle. And you killed that witch that was coming for me.”

“It’s just when I’m with you, I’m stronger. When you were around Xavier all those times, I was just so scared he’d hurt you, and nothing happened to you. You felt no pain. It’s just harder with more people.”

“Is that why you want to spend more time with them? To get to know them better?”

“Maybe. Katarina was helping me tonight. She says she has to turn her feelings off and it becomes a job to her, to protect. But it’s hard to just turn it off.”

“It is, but it can be accomplished. Gabriel is good at it. When I practice, I set myself apart. Stay focused on the main goal and everything will fall into place.”

“I wish you would come. I mean, in the ten minutes I’ve been here, I already feel better.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m so afraid of messing up again. Of letting them kill more of us. Seth didn’t deserve that. What if I mess up so much that Havok takes you?” His brown eyes watered.

“You can’t think like that. Havok will never take me.”

He pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers. The surge of electricity awakened her heart. It thrummed like a drumbeat against her chest. She kissed him harder, holding him tightly. But no matter how tight she held him, something felt different.

Over the following weeks, Ava and Peter fell into a routine. School every day, then the waterfall. Afterward, they’d go back to her house, have dinner with her dad, or go to Peter’s house. Then, Peter would go to the Manor every other night and return to Ava by the end of the night. They always pretended Peter slept on the couch, and she knew if her dad ever asked, he’d catch them in the lie. 

Not that they were doing anything in her room. They would kiss, but Ava couldn’t figure out why Peter was acting so weird lately. It wasn’t the stress of showing their love. Or the grief. He’d been distant, but it was getting worse. Maybe he resented her a little for not going to the Manor. He asked her daily to go, but her answer was always the same.

Ava didn’t want to go anywhere, especially to the Manor. She didn’t feel like doing much else either. She only turned on the TV for Peter’s sake, while she’d curl up next to him on the nights he decided not to go to the Manor.

On a freezing cold day, they were at the waterfall and as Peter eased Ava into the water, she pulled her hand away from him. He reached for her.

“No, I want to see if I can do this.”

“Ava,” he begged.

She closed her eyes as the cold spread through her quickly. Her teeth chattered and her body involuntarily shook. She could do this.
Get warm. Get warm.
She told herself over and over. But the cold was overbearing, like tiny shards piercing her skin.

“Ava, take my hand.”

“No.”

“For crissakes, your lips are blue,” he shouted and she opened her eyes. He snatched her hand and the warmth swelled inside her. Peter drew her into an embrace and she relaxed her head against his warm sweater. Fatigue took over.

“It’s not working.” Her voice was just above a whisper.

“We’ll keep trying.”

Ava swallowed back her tears. “We’ve been trying for weeks now. It’s useless.”

“Don’t give up.”

“There’s no point, Peter. Nothing has happened.” She climbed out of the water, grabbed a towel, and wrapped herself in it.

Peter followed and sat next to her on a rock that overlooked the pool. “Didn’t you say it took Gabriel over a month for his to return the first time this happened?”

“What is everyone doing at the Manor if none of their powers are working?”

“Watching the Elders show us things. Learning to fight. Everyone asks about you.”

Ava laughed, and Peter gave her a cautious look. “So, we’re just going to learn how to fight like we’re Ephemerals and fight against Havok? Has everyone lost their mind? Did they forget how powerful he is?”