Under an Onyx Sky (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 4) (27 page)

“Are you ready to go home?” her father asked.

It was music to her ears. Mental and emotional exhaustion wore on her like a wool coat. “Yes.” She looked back at the Manor. She would see it tomorrow.

After her father whispered something in Gabriel’s ear, Gabriel teleported them to a house that Ava didn’t recognize. It was a white two-story house with black shutters. White columns sat on either side of a dark blue door.

“Where are we?”

Her dad gave a sly smile and tugged at his neck. “I built this while you were away.”

“What?”

“Well, I didn’t like the apartment and I missed our house.”

“Wow. Dad, it’s beautiful.”

“I know you’ll probably want to live somewhere else seeing as you’re an adult now, but it’s always home if you want it to be.”

“I don’t plan on going anywhere for a while.”

Her dad opened the door, and she inhaled the fresh wood and paint scent. It was like he’d gotten a decorator for the place. The walls were a unique mix between a light chocolate, dark red, and cream. There was brand new furniture, mixed with the semi-old pieces they bought for the apartment.

When she entered her new room, there was a queen-sized bed with a dark purple comforter with gray accents on it and the walls were a light gray. It wasn’t bad for something her dad put together. The whole gesture made her emotional.

“Thanks, Dad.” She wrapped her arms around her father’s neck. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Ava. I’m so glad you’re home. Get some rest.” He turned and walked out of the room leaving Ava and Gabriel alone.

“I feel like I’m imposing,” he said.

She twisted around. “No. But I’m sure you want to get home and tend to things there.”

He lifted an eyebrow, and then moved closer. “The only place I want to be right now is with you. I’ve spent too much time away from you. I hated pretending that I didn’t know you. But you were in my mind daily, keeping me strong and fighting through it all.”

“I was?”

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “I wish you’d stop sounding so surprised when I tell you things like that. It’s the truth, Ava.”

“Sorry. It’s just, you’re the strong one. You let nothing get to you, and it just surprises me that you’ve chosen me.”

“You’ve said that before. I need you to trust me when I tell you these things. I love you, Ava.
You
are the strong one. How many people do you know who would’ve been willing to sacrifice their life in order to save millions of people?”

“You.”

“Touché. But that’s why we work well together. That’s why I love you. Because you fight and you don’t give up. You’re a stubborn hellion, but you have your reasons. You’re such an amazing woman. I’m lucky that you’ve chosen me to love.”

“Did you ever hate me? Even when I tortured you?”

He looked at her with pity, and then he gazed into her eyes. “No, I never hated you. I knew damn well when you came into my cell that first night, it was you and not some brainwashed Ava. I was hurt, but only because I didn’t understand. I was hurt when you didn’t tell me the truth about things, when you withheld the truth.”

“But did you understand why I did that?”

“Yes, but I still wish you’d have told me. At least so I could’ve been there for you and known what you were going through. You don’t have to deal with these things alone. I need you to be honest with me. No matter what it is. Don’t shut me out.”

She nodded. “Same goes for you.”

“I know. I’m getting better.”

She smiled.

He tucked her hair behind her ear, his eyes sweet. He brushed his knuckles softly against her cheek, and she closed her eyes.

He kissed her forehead, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck. She reached behind them and turned off the lights, letting the full moonlight flood the room.

“This is perfect,” she whispered.

“Yes it is.”

“Every time I felt lost or overwhelmed, I thought of you. Klaus had a Scrying Bowl and in it, I could see you each night in your cell. Your eyes looked so lost and hurt. It killed me knowing I had caused you so much pain.” Tears welled in her eyes and fell down her cheeks. “And seeing it on your face.”

“We’re here now. We made it. We’re together now.”

“I put you through so much.”

“Ava, look at me.” He tilted her chin up. “Leave it in the past. I know how you feel about me, and I can’t imagine what it must have felt like in your shoes. I do not blame you for any of it. You had to do what you had to do to get us out of there. And you did. We all did.” He leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss. Then led her to the bed, and they slipped under the sheets with his arm around her tightly. Her body pressed against his perfectly.

“Well isn’t this lovely?” she heard his voice. It couldn’t be. He was dead.

They both jumped up, and Gabriel pushed Ava behind him protectively. She gasped as Havok came into view.

He raised his hand, and her throat closed as if Havok squeezed his fingers around it. She couldn’t breathe, and she grabbed a handful of Gabriel’s shirt, shaking her head. He couldn’t be alive. She killed him.

“Ava! Ava!” Someone shook her and she woke, gasping for air. She realized she was clutching the sheet. She saw Gabriel next to her.

He pulled her against him. She couldn’t stop shaking. “It was a dream. He’s dead. This is real.” He kissed her forehead, her cheek, and then pressed her head against his bare chest. “This is real.”

Listening to his soothing voice calmed her. Slowly, her breathing steadied.

“Did you dream about him?”

She nodded.

“I’m sorry.” He kissed the top of her head.

“Feel like taking a trip to the library?”

Ava gave a small laugh. It was where they always wound up when they couldn’t sleep and would talk for hours. It was comforting and relaxing. “Sure.”

The sun beat down on them as they gathered in the cemetery. Ava wore a black dress, which invited more heat, but she was able to cool herself with her ability. They were burying Thomas and Gustav, and having a memoriam for the others.

Ava couldn’t believe she was burying the first boy she had ever cared about. She had loved Thomas, and even though he hadn’t been the best boyfriend for her, he had become a great friend. She had seen him change for the best and even fall in love. He had died saving the woman he loved.

The funerals were hard to take, and they even made a place for Savina, Gustav, Maggie, Kira, and the others in the memoriam. It was all a blur, and Ava hoped it would be the last for many years. Gabriel never released Ava’s hand through it all. Nor would he ever.

As they meandered toward the entrance of the cemetery, Ava took a detour, and led him down a small path. They came to a stop when she reached her mother’s grave. She stared at the tombstone, at her name until the gray marble and the words blurred together. She remembered when Gabriel had told her he’d visited his uncle’s grave and said his peace. She didn’t think she would ever visit her mother’s grave again, but she wanted some type of parting words. Their reunion had been short-lived, but she knew she was lucky to have the small amount of time she got.

Despite everything her mother had done, Ava had forgiven her. She had saved her daughter’s life, and Ava would never forget it.

“Thank you, Mom.” Ava didn’t know if her mother could hear her, but maybe she did it more for herself.

Gabriel kissed her hand, and her father squeezed her shoulder.

“She did a brave thing,” her father said. “But you were even braver.” He shook his head, his eyes tearing up. It always broke her heart to see her father cry. “I can’t believe you could’ve died.”

“We all could’ve. But I’m grateful for what she did. She gave me my life back.”

***

Later that night, the coven gathered at Blackhart Manor for a farewell/memorial party. Despite the sadness, it was rather uplifting to be around all of her friends and family. It was what they all needed.

Aaron had called them all into the parlor, the same one in which Ava and the rest of the Elementals had convened when they first came back. It seemed so long ago.

Ava remembered being nervous, and reluctant to be there. It was then that Colden and Savina informed them of Devon Maunsell escaping. They had received their empathy necklaces that night, and Initiated into the Aureole.

Aaron stood in front of the fireplace like a patient gentleman. The torture had done a number on him. His russet hair had begun to gray a little, and he looked older. Ava didn’t know how he handled losing Savina, and she got choked up just thinking about it.

“Savina and I created empathy necklaces for each of us to wear so that we could always feel each other and always know when one of us was in danger,” Aaron said, his brown eyes held a wistful look. “We have since lost our necklaces, but she had kept spares.” He pulled out a large box filled with little velvet boxes, and comfort washed over Ava. “I invite you all to take one and keep our tradition alive.”

For once, Ava didn’t hesitate to grab one. When she opened the box, she saw the familiar pewter pentacle pendant that hung on a black leather rope. An intricate Celtic design adorned the circle with five red garnet stones were worked into the scrolls, while a larger garnet was set in the center of the star.

For so long, she had hated wearing it. She had never understood the importance of it, until now. She removed it from its backing, and clasped it around her neck. The familiar hum filled her as she felt every emotion from everyone else. There were some she would never feel again, but she appreciated feeling those that she could. She proudly wore the pentagram.

Clutching her necklace, she closed her eyes, and sought out the only person she wanted to feel at the moment. She smiled once it hit her. Immense love. Compassion. Happiness. It was like an endless tunnel of a whirlwind of emotions.

“Now maybe you’ll believe me when I tell you how much you mean to me.” Gabriel’s voice came from behind her.

Ava twisted around and sighed. “Not going to live that one down, am I?”

He shrugged. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”

Anais hesitantly moved toward Aaron and took a box. “I vaguely remember this,” she said. “My father had one, didn’t he?”

“Yes,” Aaron said. “We all did.”

She nodded and clasped it around her neck.

Ava felt her fear and hesitation, yet there was a bit of relief mixed in. It was almost like Anais finally felt like she was home.

The group moved to the conservatory. A huge spread of food was placed on the table along with drinks. Ava couldn’t remember the last time she ate a meal. She and Gabriel grabbed plates and filled them with the different items.

They congregated around the table in the dining hall, and Ava sat between Gabriel and Joss. As they ate, she looked around the table at all the weary faces. They were all weak, some powerless, but their determination and attitude were fierce. They had weathered battles, trauma, loss, and death. But they weren’t defeated. They still remained an intensely resilient group.

“Man, I don’t remember the last time I ate so much,” Lance said, stretching his legs under the table.

“Oh, I know,” Eric said.

“Do you remember that hot dog eating contest you and Thomas did back in eight grade?” Jeremy asked, his lips curling into a smile.

Gillian rolled her eyes. “Omigod that was so disgusting.”

Lance laughed. “Yeah. We ate so many hot dogs. I still can’t eat them to this day.”

“He was so proud of that stupid trophy,” Ava said.

“How many did he eat?” Moira asked.

“Like twenty-five.”

“Wow.”

“He won a lot of trophies,” Mrs. Arrington said. “He was one of the best quarterbacks in the state.”

Moira smiled sweetly. “I can’t imagine him being a football player.”

“He lived and breathed football,” Melissa said. “So does this one.” She jerked her thumb at Lance.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I miss cheering,” Gillian said.

“You were a cheerleader?” Moira asked.

“Yeah.”

“Wow. There’s so much about you all that I don’t know.”

“You and me both,” Anais said. She had been hanging back, observing the crowd shyly, but Natalia actually took to her. “I’m learning though. Let me guess.” She met Ava’s eyes. “You were homecoming queen?”

Ava busted out laughing, and the others followed. She shook her head, unable to stop laughing.

“Ava is no princess,” Melissa said. “G’s our homecoming sweetheart.”

“Except I never won. That always went to Nicole.”

All eyes were on Nicole, and she blushed a little. “That was a lifetime ago, it feels like.”

“Yeah it was,” Link said.

Anais bit her lip. “Guess I have a lot to learn.”

“You will,” Natalia told her. “They were quite annoying little brats when I first met them, but they’ve grown on me.” She smiled at Ava.

“So what now?” Nicole asked.

“Sleep,” Link said.

Ava smiled. “I don’t know.” She glanced at Gabriel and exchanged a flirtatious look. “Maybe travel. Help rebuild the cities. You?”

“Boston.”

“Still on the college kick, eh?” Link asked. “Does that mean we’re gonna have to go back to high school and actually graduate?”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “We can get our GEDs.”

“Maybe you can.”

Nicole gave a playful sigh.

Silence fell among them, and they all knew they were delaying the inevitable. To say goodbye to each other, but not forever.

Peter, Katarina, and Anais were the first to stand from the table and then everyone followed. Ava tried not to get emotional as they began hugging people and saying their goodbyes.

Anais walked up to Ava, biting her lip. Then she embraced Ava. “Thank you. I really owe my life to you.”

“It’s not necessary. I’m just glad I could show you the truth.”

When they pulled apart, Katarina gave Ava a quick hug. “You are truly the bravest woman I know. I promise we will visit.”

Ava met Peter’s weary brown eyes. She had been so in love with those eyes and with him for so long. But she wondered if she fell for him because she had wanted to escape her Enchanter life. “Russia, huh?”

Peter slowly nodded. “Yeah. Makes sense.”

“I will miss you both.”

Peter squeezed her hand. “I have you to thank for my life. You brought me into a world that I never thought was possible, but you made me become a stronger and better person.”

“You taught me a few things too. I wish you both much happiness.”

Peter brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Take care, Ava.”

“You too, Peter.”

They said the rest of their goodbyes, and Gabriel held out his hand. “Ready?”

Katarina waved her hand. “I think we’re going to travel the old-fashioned way. We have the freedom to do so.” She smiled, her big brown eyes looking back at everyone.

A few seconds later, Peter, Katarina, Anais, Zhan, and Konstantin left the Manor. A small part of Ava was saddened that she might not see Peter for a long time, but she was happy for him. He deserved to be happy.

There weren’t many of them left, but her friends would stick around town and maybe finish school. Ava didn’t have any set plans for the future. She just wanted to enjoy being alive and free. It was still an unfamiliar feeling. She couldn’t believe it was over, and that would take time to sink in.

Across the room, she glanced at Gabriel. He winked, and she smiled. She knew one thing was for certain. She loved Gabriel with everything she had, and she planned to spend the rest of her life with him.

The party guests dwindled to a small group. Ava hugged her friends goodbye with plans of swimming at Melissa’s the next day.

“Thank you all so much for bringing my girl home,” Mrs. Rollins said.

“Of course,” Lance said. “I just wish we could’ve brought everyone back.”

Jeremy cupped his shoulder. “Let’s do something for Thomas.”

“Like what?”

“Eat jerky and toss around a football.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Stupid jerky.”

“He did love it.” Mrs. Arrington gave a melancholy smile.

“It’s good,” Lance said.

Melissa looked at him in disgust. “It’s gross.”

“Whatever. Let’s do it tomorrow night.”

“Yeah, definitely,” Ava said.

They gathered in a group hug, and held each other tight. The Elementals would always have each other. They would be known as the ones who ended the three-hundred year old war, and who killed Corbin Havok for good.

When they broke apart, they went with their parents to their respective homes.

“How are you holding up?” her father asked as he came up behind her.

She turned around and took a breath. “I’m good. Considering. I have a hard time with emotions now. I spent so much time blocking them.”

Her father squeezed her hand.

She touched her necklace, and enjoyed feeling the feelings of her friends. Her family. She always used to hate that she could feel them and that they could feel her. But now, she understood the importance and wore her necklace with pride. She had missed that more than she ever thought she would. There were some friends that she would never feel again, and the emptiness was like a hollow echo in her mind and heart.

“I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again,” he said.

“I know. I wish I could’ve sent messages. Or anything.”

“You’re here now. That’s all that matters. I’m so proud of you, Ava. You have become such a mature, confident, beautiful young woman.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“I take it you want to date him?” He nodded at Gabriel.

Ava rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop the silly smile that spread across her face. “He’s great.”

“Yeah, I know. You deserve the best, and I think you may have found him.”

Gabriel made his way toward them.

“Good evening, Mr. Hannigan.” He shook her dad’s hand.

Her father stared at him. “I hear that you want to date my daughter.”

“Dad, stop.”

“Yes sir, I do.”

“Let me give you some advice.”

“Dad.”

“Treat her well. Give her everything she wants and needs. Love her for who she is. Don’t you dare hurt her or I’ll—.”

“Dad! Seriously stop!”

Gabriel’s lips turned up into a heartwarming smile. “I have no intention of hurting her. I plan to love her forever. She’s my soul mate.”

Ava’s heart skipped a beat. He said it like it was the most natural thing to say, like he’d known that for a long time.

Her father studied him for a few seconds and finally nodded. “You’re a good man, Gabriel.” He turned to Ava. “Ready to go home?”