Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) (8 page)

“Ava.” She heard Lance’s voice behind her. His deep-set dark eyes attempted to smile, but she knew the pain he was still in. “You’re here. Have you practiced at all?”

“Hey. No. I’m just watching.”

He nodded once. “Well, I’m glad you came.”

Ava watched them train, but no one else’s abilities returned. When the twilight sky darkened into evening, Aaron announced dinner. Everyone turned toward the Manor. Ava dreaded it, but knew it would be good to stay.

Dinner was livelier than the last dinner she’d had with them. Had everyone taken happy pills? Or maybe they weren’t wallowing anymore. Perhaps their confidence was stronger than hers was. Probably because their powers were coming back to them.

After dinner, Ava was tired and wanted to go home.   

“Are you ready to go?” she asked Peter as they walked out of the dining hall.

He turned to her. “I think I’m gonna stay here a little bit longer. I want to hear more of Gustav’s stories.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be at your house in the morning.” He kissed her cheek. His eyes swept over her, like he was avoiding her. Then, he walked toward the parlor. It was like he didn’t want to be around her.

Her chest tightened as her insides twisted. Placing her beanie on her head, she crossed to the front door.

“Are you leaving?” Lance asked.

She turned around. “Yeah. Gonna go home and hang out with my dad.”

“Call me if you wanna talk or anything.”

“Thanks,” she said and rushed out of the Manor. Something was wrong with Peter. She couldn’t figure it out. So if they weren’t practicing this whole time, had he stayed at the Manor instead of coming to Ava’s? Had he gotten tired of being around her? Was what she had said too much for him to forgive? Ava knew if she let her emotions take over, everyone would ask what was wrong. She took a deep breath and pushed them away. 

Usually, Peter sent a message letting Ava know he was on his way. But not today. Every time she called, it went to voicemail. She knew he was fine because she felt him. Why wouldn’t he answer her? She didn’t want to act like an obsessed girlfriend, but it annoyed her.

Ava let out a frustrated breath and tossed her phone on the kitchen counter.

Her father came into the room still dressed in his pajamas.

“Dad, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m not feeling well.”

Alarm set in. “What’s wrong?” She straightened her shoulders.

“Just think I’m getting a cold.”

“Do you want me to stay and take care of you?”

The sides of his mouth lifted in a half smile. “No, thanks. I’ll be okay.”

Ava watched him put a coffee filter in the maker and then wash out the pot.

“You can stop watching me.”

“Sorry. The last time someone got sick, it didn’t end well,” she mumbled.

Her father dried his hands on a nearby towel and turned to her. “Ava, I promise, it’s only a cold. Okay?”

She nodded, but still worried.

“How was training last night?”

She shifted uncomfortably. “I just watched.”

“It’ll come to you.”

“Maybe. Some of the them are already gaining their powers back. Must be nice.”

“Ava,” he warned. “Be happy for them. Yours will come back, too.” He looked at the clock on the stove. “You might want to head out, or you’ll be late.”

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then made her way toward the door. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I’ll be fine sweetie.”

Ava nodded and then left for school. She shook her head. Where was Peter? She hadn’t felt anything alarming from him. When she arrived, she didn’t see him by her locker. Ava waited a few minutes, then the bell rang. Annoyed, she strolled to class alone. She texted him and checked her phone all through class for a response that never came. In government, Ava couldn’t concentrate, not like she ever did. It reminded her of when Peter went missing. She walked to the lunchroom alone, hoping he was okay.

As Ava made her way toward their usual table, she saw Peter sitting down with his tray. The rest of them carried on in a conversation. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach as she sat next to him. “Where’ve you been?”

His hair stuck up in several places and his drooping eyes were red. “I overslept.” He yawned and rubbed his face.

“You couldn’t tell me?”

“I just got here,” he snapped, but then she felt his regret.

“Were you at the Manor late?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes. Would you like a full report of my every movement?”

His attitude caught her off guard, and pissed her off. Her cheeks warmed. She stared down at the table.

Thomas barked a laugh. “I still can’t stop laughing at how Ilya scared the crap out of you, G.”

“That was not funny,” she said.

Peter smiled. “But you’re getting stronger.”

What was going on? Had Peter and Gillian made up? “What happened?” Ava asked.

“Nothing,” he said and then they continued their reminiscing. It only angered Ava more and more.

He obviously wasn’t going to tell her anything. She couldn’t concentrate on eating or the stupid chat. Her mind was consumed by Peter’s growing distance. He pulled out his phone and started typing. She couldn’t see who he was texting.

“Has anyone noticed any abilities returning?” Thomas asked after chewing the last bite of his hamburger.

“None,” Gillian spat.

Ava shook her head.

“Yeah, me neither. We’ll keep at it. Gustav seems to be a good teacher.”

“I agree,” Peter said.

“I laughed so hard when Ilya got nailed by Eric yesterday,” Thomas said. “It was hilarious.”

Peter and Lance chuckled.

“I’m glad you all think this is so funny,” Gillian snarled.

“It was pretty funny,” Lance admitted.

“So, did it hurt when Katarina burned you?” Thomas asked Peter.

“Yeah, but it went away as soon as she let go.”

“You seem to be getting better at the protecting thing.”

Ava stared at Thomas, shocked. Was he actually talking to Peter?

“You coming tonight, Ava?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Are you actually going to do something or just watch?” Gillian asked.

“I don’t know.” Ava looked away, but she still felt their eyes on her. She wanted to change the subject. “Are you ready for your exams?” Ava asked Peter.

He shrugged. “Yeah. Most of them seem pretty easy.”

“I don’t think I’ll pass. Maybe you could help me study?” She was reaching.

“Maybe later tonight.” He avoided her eyes and typed something in his phone.

That was a no.

“That reminds me,” he said. “I gotta go talk to my teacher about the study notes I missed this morning. I’ll catch up with you later.” He lifted his backpack onto his shoulder, grabbed his tray, and stood from the table. Then, he walked away without kissing or touching her. Why were they suddenly so awkward?

“Trouble in paradise?” Gillian asked. Even though it wasn’t very nice, Ava was glad she was at least talking to her.

“No. What gave you that idea?”

She shrugged. “He seems so out of it every day at lunch.”

“He’s trying to adjust. He wants to practice so he’ll be better.”

“Yeah, I can feel his guilt.”

“And yet you still blame him,” Lance said.

Gillian exhaled noisily. “I know I shouldn’t. I’m just angry.”

“We all are,” Lance said.

“Maybe you should apologize to him, Gillian,” Nicole said. “Then he won’t feel so remorseful.”

“I didn’t really want Peter to become a part of our Aureole, but I saw what he could do. And he totally failed out there on the field.” Her eyes watered. “He failed to keep—.”

“Enough,” Lance snapped. “You’re such a hypocrite.”

“Whatever.”

The temperature dropped, and the dark skies threatened to storm. Ava drove to the Manor with dread. She didn’t want to sit around and watch. She wanted to spend time with Peter. She called her father to check on him and he assured her he was fine.

Ava pulled up beside Peter’s car as he shut his door. She cut the engine and got out of her car. “Hey,” she said.

“Hey. Are you going to practice today?”

“Maybe.”

“Cool. I’ll see you out there.” He turned for the door.

“Peter?”

“Yeah?”

“Can we talk?”

“Sure. About what?”

“Is anything wrong?”

“No. Why do you always assume something’s wrong?”

“You’re acting weird. Like you don’t want to be around me.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m stressed out, Ava.”

“We all are. But I wish you’d stop avoiding me.”

He shook his head, and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m not avoiding you. I’m trying to be a better Enchanter. You know this.” His bitter tone suggested she should drop it, but she wanted to know what was up.

“Then why is it so awkward between us now? And who do you keep texting?”

He arched an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re constantly on your phone typing.”

“I’m looking stuff up online. Don’t be so nosy.”

Anger flared, but she kept it back. “Sorry. Will you please come over tonight after practice?”

“Yes,” he said with a hint of annoyance. “I’m gonna go.”

She bit back a bitter response, crossing her arms in front of her chest, and watched him go inside. She tried telling herself his aloofness had nothing to do with her, but it was hard to believe. Giving in, she made her way inside. Instead of following Peter to the field, she went to the library and removed her beanie.

“Hey.” She jumped at the greeting and looked to its source.

Gabriel sat in his usual chair by the fire, a little smile playing on his lips. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Ava made her way toward him and sank into the chair next to him. “It’s okay.”

“How have you been?”

“Not good.” She exhaled, rested her head against the chair, and closed her eyes. “This is ridiculous. I feel so useless. I can’t use my powers, I’m tired all the time. I don’t feel like doing anything. Peter always feels sorry, and I hold back everything I feel because I don’t want to be the one to make him guilty. And lately he seems so consumed with training.”

“You look like you could use a break. Wanna get out of here?”

She opened her eyes. “I’m supposed to watch Peter practice. And attempt to train myself.” 

“I think you can survive one more night. Come on.” He patted her knee and stood.

“Where are we going?”

“Just going for a drive.”

“Oh.” She got to her feet and followed him to the foyer. “I should let him know where I’ll be.”

“We won’t be gone long,” he promised and opened the front door. Wintry air whirled by Ava and she stiffened. She placed her beanie over her hair. She followed him out to his car and settled in the cold black leather seats. 

“How are you handling this?” She shivered and snapped her seatbelt in.

“It’s not easy.” Gabriel turned the ignition, and the engine purred softly. The blue interior lights created a relaxed ambiance. He clicked on the heater, and the seats began to warm.

“I don’t see how you stay so calm. I know I’m new at this, but I feel I’m fraying at the seams,” she confessed as she played with her bracelet. “I can’t concentrate on anything. I can’t help but notice how much mine and Peter’s roles have reversed. Peter doesn’t seem to want to be around me anymore because his remorse is so immense. And it’s worse if we’re alone. All he wants to do is practice every second of every day, because he feels responsible for what happened on that field and wants to make it up to all of us. He’s afraid to talk to me. We don’t even kiss anymore because Gillian gets upset. He thinks our being together is wrong. All I ever feel from him is this pressing sorrow and pain and that he thinks he’s responsible for all of this. I try so hard not to think about how sad I am because I don’t want to worsen his guilt. It’s so overwhelming, and it grows even more as the days go on. It’s not his fault, and I’ve told him that several times. But then we fought about training at the Manor. I didn’t want to go because everything reminded me of Colden and I was afraid of facing everyone.”

“I figured that’s why you didn’t come.” 

“I don’t even know how to comfort Lance if there is a way. I try to be cordial with Gillian, but she is so reproachful toward Peter and me.”

“You carry too much on your shoulders.” 

“I don’t know what to do. I’m so lost. I’m sorry. I’m sure you didn’t want to hear all of that.” She felt awkward, having just unloaded onto Gabriel.

“Stop saying that. We’re friends and that’s what friends do for each other. I’m here for you.”