Under the Burning Stars (18 page)

But there was nothing. Not even a scurry of footsteps from an animal in the woods.
No sound but the wind rustling through the fall trees. Their leaves detaching from the branches and floating in the air or scraping across the road. She crawled as fast as she could to the other side of the car and relaxed once she saw Melissa. Ava grabbed her arm and pulled her close.

Melissa moaned.

Ava breathed a sigh of relief. “You’re awake.” She kissed the top of Melissa’s head. It was sticky from the blood. She hated the iron smell of blood.

The moon’s brightness cast shadows all around her and the
air had gotten colder. The brisk wind didn’t help. She was too focused on her shallow breathing to make herself warm. Ava gripped Melissa holding her close to her side. She wasn’t sure how she was going to get them to safety, but hoped someone would come for them soon.

Ava hoped Valerie freaking Hammond was doing great. But if she hadn’t punched her, none of this would have happened. Or would it have? Trudy
had gotten into Peter’s car and hid in the backseat. What did she want? Were the Cimmerians trying to kill her and the others? Didn’t that go against what Devon or whoever wanted? Or did the Cimmerians want something different from the Elementals?

W
hy had Trudy shown her a vision of her mother killing someone? Had that really happened? Was that why she was killed? And then she stood next to Corbin like a proud Cimmerian. Was that the vision Marcel had?

The questions garble
d in her mind as a throbbing sensation filled her head.

She saw down the road, headlights coming closer. There was no way she could escape in time or get Melissa to make them invisible.

The car slowed to a stop and Ava braced herself as two men got out.

“Ava?” a voice shouted. It sounded worried.

Ava
tightened her grip on Melissa, but she recognized the voice. One of the men blocked the blinding headlight and she relaxed. Lance.

T
ears welled in her eyes. She had never been so happy to see him.

Seth and Lance hurried over to her.

“What happened?” Seth asked. “Is she okay?”

“She’s alive,”
Ava said, her voice raspy and almost nonexistent. Breathing was still extremely difficult. “We have to get out of here.”

Lance
took Melissa in his arms while Seth picked up Ava. They carried both of them to the car.

Once inside
, Lance sped along the quiet road. “Was that Peter’s car?” he asked, his voice rough. “Where is he?”

“What happened
?” Seth asked. “Who was that guy back there?”

She was trying to figure that out herself. She couldn’t speak. Her body was battered and
broken. The silly Halloween costume was cut all to shreds. Ava licked her lips and tasted blood. She wanted to close her eyes, but she held on.

How were they going to enter the Manor without anyone knowing about her accident? She couldn’t worry her father like that.

Maybe she would just go to the library and seek Gabriel’s help. He kept secrets. Or Colden. She didn’t want Peter knowing, but somehow she would have to explain how his car ended up upside down. And Seth knew.

“Take us to the library,” she told them, her voice wheezing.

“What?” Lance asked. “Why there?”

It took a few seconds for her to answer. “I don’t want my dad to know.”

When they finally reached the Manor, Lance rushed Melissa inside. Seth carefully helped Ava out of the vehicle and carried her through the heavy doors. The warmth poured over her.

She hoped it was late enough that most people were sleeping. They reached the library, and Ava didn’t see anyone at first, but then heard voices.

“Omigod.” Joss shot out of her chair and rushed toward her with Gabriel and Jeremy behind her. “What happened?”

“We found them like this,” Lance said. “Get Savina.”

Joss darted out the door.

“Peter’s with Valerie at the hospital,” Ava told Seth. She wondered if he could understand her
since she was fading in and out.

His
eyes widened. “What? Are they okay? Is Amanda there?”

Ava nodded. “You should go.”

“What about you?”

“I got her,” Gabriel said. He pried her fingers loose from Seth’s shirt and brought her closer to the fire next to Lance and Melissa. He slowly lowered himself to the floor with her in his arms.
He smelled like juniper. “Are you okay?”

She
shook her head and felt warm tears stream down her face.

Jeremy kneeled beside her. “Ava, what happened?”

She couldn’t answer. The images jumbled in her mind and all she saw were flashes of a man holding her down telling her it was her destiny to join them. And Trudy choking her. And the vision of her mother with Corbin.

Gabriel
grasped her hand tight. “I’m right here.” His voice soothed her.

“
Neither of your necklaces warned anyone of your trouble,” Jeremy said. “Did you not have time to react?”

“No.”

Savina and Colden ran into the room, and Savina kneeled next to them. “Ava,” she cried. “Melissa.”

“She’s unconscious,” Lance told Savina.

Joss, Jeremy, and Colden hovered over them, waiting anxiously.

Ava could barely see Savina move her hands over Melissa. She closed her eyes, hoping it would help bring Melissa back to consciousness. This was her fault.
If she hadn’t punched Valerie. Or even gotten Peter involved in all of this. She wouldn’t have almost killed her best friend. She would never forgive herself.

Melissa coughed, and Ava
let out a breath.

“What the hell?” Melissa asked.

“Take her upstairs,” Savina said. “She will be fine. Just needs some rest.”

“Is Ava okay?” she asked.

Savina nodded. “She’ll be fine.”

Lance picked her up and carried her out of the room.

Savina turned to Ava.

“She can’t breathe,” Gabriel said.

Joss chewed on her lip. “Her leg looks broken, too.”

Savina nodded. “Ava, this is going to hurt for a second, okay? Gabriel, hold her.”

He tightened his grip on Ava and Savina’s hands traveled over Ava’s ribcage. A sharp pain enveloped her and she cried out, but it subsided and she could breathe. She felt another pain in her leg, but nothing like the one in her ribs. Then, Savina healed all the cuts on her face, arms, and hands.

“What happened?”
Colden asked.

Gabriel helped her into a sitting position.

“Trudy McVaine.”

Savina’s eyebrows wrinkled
. “That is impossible. We’ve not seen or heard any Cimmerians since we killed Devon. Are you sure it was her?”

Ava’s temper
flared. She was tired of no one believing her. “Trudy was hiding in Peter’s car. She was choking me, and then I crashed.” Ava didn’t want to mention the vision. She just needed time to process it.

“
Why would Trudy try to kill Ava?” Joss asked.

“Were there any others?” Savina asked.

“Yes. A blond haired man. I killed him.”

“Did Trudy die?”
Colden asked.

“
No. She disappeared before I could fight her.”

Savina held a hard look in her green eyes.
“Where did you crash?”

“A few miles from here.”

“Gabriel, you, Joss, and Jeremy go back to the sight and find Trudy. And get rid of the man’s body.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Gabriel asked.
Concern shown in his blue eyes.

Ava
nodded. “Yes. But can you all please promise not to tell anyone about this?”

Savina
shook her head. “You can’t possibly be serious.”

“Please. I don’t want my dad to worry.”
And she didn’t want anyone else seeing how vulnerable she’d been to have let Trudy play with her mind again. And escape for a second time.

You are not weak
, Savina mind-spoke to Ava. “She’ll be fine,” she told Gabriel, Jeremy, and Joss. “Hurry and come back.”

They stood
, joined hands, and a second later, they vanished.

“I let her get inside my mind,” Ava said.

Colden moved closer and helped her to her feet. “Did she give you an image?”

Ava hesitated. “She showed my mother with Corbin. Why can’t I block her?”

Colden’s thin eyebrows lifted in sympathy. “You couldn’t have known she was there.”

Savina shook her head. “They need more practice. You were angry about something a few hours ago. Did this affect your ability
to block intruders from your mind?”

Ava met her eyes.
She was angry. Why couldn’t Savina understand? “I thought it was over. That’s what you said, wasn’t it? That Trudy wouldn’t come back. I didn’t think to look inside Peter’s car for an invisible woman.” She heard the irritation in her voice.

Colden took her hand.

She drew a deep breath. “Sorry. I don’t mean to be snippy.”

“Get some rest, and we’ll discuss this tomorrow.” Savina made her way toward the door
.

“Was my mother a
Cimmerian?” Ava blurted, squeezing Colden’s hand.

Savina stopped, and slowly twisted her head back. “Trudy will make you see what she wants you to.”

“That’s not an answer. Why did you get angry with me for keeping secrets when you’re the queen of them?”

“Ava, I am here to protect you,
” she said with a stern tone. The firm look in her eye told Ava to let it go. “A lot of the images that Trudy shows you aren’t real. She conjures them in her head and forces them in yours. You know this. As much as I think this is wrong, I will not tell your father about your accident. But I expect you to.” Savina walked out of the room.

Ava turned to Colden.
“Why won’t she tell me anything? Why does everyone think I can’t handle things? I’m not a fragile little girl.”

He
exhaled. “You must be hungry. I’ll heat up the shepherd’s pie that I made earlier.” He tugged on her hand, but she didn’t budge. When he looked back at her, she bit her quivering lip.

“Please tell me the truth. Was she a
Cimmerian?”

His eyes softened.
“Yes.”

Everything spun around Ava and she clutched onto Colden for support. Her vision blurred and she held her breath.

Her
mother was a Cimmerian.

The words churned like a tornado inside her head.
Her intuition had been screaming that it was true, but hearing the confirmation disturbed her. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

Colden steadied her. “I’m sorry. Savina didn’t want me to tell you.”

“Why?” She met his eyes.

“She wants to protect you.”

“How does keeping secrets protect me?”

“She’s afraid you will try to avenge your mother. But I knew from the moment you found out she was murdered, that was on your mind. She should have told you.”

“How is it even possible that she was a Cimmerian? Was she compelled? Does my dad know?”

“I
don’t think he ever knew. This was a long time ago.”

“All this time, I thought my mother was good. Perfect. And now I feel like I don’t even know her.” The thought made Ava’s skin crawl. “So does this
mean I’m going to become a Cimmerian? The reason why I’ve been having all these thoughts? I mean, when I went to the dance earlier, I was fine. But there are days when I don’t want to be around a single Ephemeral.”

“Ava, your mother was born a Cimmerian. That’s all she ever knew. But I’m afraid I’m not the best person to talk to about this.”

“Why?”

He gave her an apologetic look. “Because I don’t know everything. There’s a lot Savina keeps to herself.”

“That doesn’t make sense. You’re her brother.”

“
I am, but I’m not as involved as you may think. Only to a certain degree. But this is my family. And I am happy.” He gave a little smile. “Let’s go eat.”

Ava let him take her to the kitchen and she sat at the long table. Seconds later, he brought out a white plate with a steaming shepherd’s pie. The rich aroma made Ava’s stomach growl. She ate every bi
te and already felt less cranky, but her mind was still chaotic. Her eyes were sensitive to touch and felt swollen from all the tears.

“
Savina won’t tell me anything,” Ava said. “Would Aaron? I mean, did she just suddenly show up on your doorstep wishing to become good one day?”

“She came to us
, seemingly abandoned.”

“
Abandoned? Why would the Cimmerians abandon her?”

Colden lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps I can speak to Savina.
”

“What good will that do? She didn’t talk then, she won’t now.”

“I can be persuasive. I’ll do my best.”

Ava nodded and hoped he could convince Savina to tell her everything.
Or anything. Like why would the Cimmerians threaten death in order to get her to join them? “They mentioned Havok tonight. The guy said it was my destiny to be with them.”

Colden shook his head, and the muscles in his jaw
twitched. “I can’t believe that vile woman tried to murder you.”

Ava flinched. She had never seen him so upset.

“And those Ephemerals.” Colden shook his head and wiped the sweat from his brow. He was becoming paler and looked as though he might be sick.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded, but winced in pain. “Havok doesn’t exist.” He seemed to struggle with breathing.

“Do you need me to get Savina?” she asked.

“No, I’m fine, dear. It’ll pass.”

Ava watched him for a moment. He wringed his hands and clenched his teeth. Ava felt completely helpless. Then, his breathing and color returned to normal, but she still watched him warily. “What was that?”

He shook his head and waved his hand. “It was nothing. Do not worry. Now, as for this Havok business, Devon called himself that, and he’s dead now. Perhaps Trudy and this man were taking out revenge.”

“
Revenge for what? Killing Devon? What if they were the ones who burned Thomas’s house? Or made the Ephemerals do it?”

“I don’t know who burned Thomas’
s house.”

“
Do you think there will be another uprising?”

He took a moment, as if he
searched for the words. “I don’t think so. The security in the Cruciari is tighter than it has ever been. They’re even building an electric wall around it. I just have a hard time believing an uprising would happen so soon after Devon died.”

“But you think it could happen again?”

“Revolutions have happened time and time again. It’s bound to occur. Savina was right. You all should practice more. It would do you some good.”

Ava nodded. “Colden, do you know who killed my mother?
I saw her at the Cruciari and she claimed to be the one, but was it really her? Who is she?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know.” He opened his mouth as if to add more, but then shook his head.

“What? What is it?”

“I should not tell you such things.”

“Like what?”

“Ava.” He
warned.

“Please, Colden. I have to know the truth.”

He let out a conceding sigh. “You must keep this between us.”

Ava sat up straight. “Absolutely.”

“If Savina won’t give you answers, there are other ways of obtaining the information.”

“How?”

“There are ways of contacting those who aren’t with us.”

“What do you mean?”

Gabriel,
Joss, and Jeremy came into the room with worried expressions. Colden stood.

“
We couldn’t find Trudy,” Gabriel said.

“And the man Ava killed used to reside in the Cruciari,” Joss said.

Ava froze. She couldn’t believe this was happening all over again. How were these Cimmerians escaping again?

They were out for Ava’s blood,
or something. She didn’t know what they wanted. Corbin and Devon wanted them to create the strongest army ever, but they were both dead. Did the Cimmerians still want to use the Elementals? Who was Havok?

And what had Colden
meant she could talk to those who weren’t there? Did that mean talk to the dead, as in Necromancy? Ava couldn’t ask him because he took the news of Trudy to Savina.

The chair beside her pulled out from the table and
someone sat down. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you okay?”
She heard Gabriel ask.

“No.”
She slid off her opal ring. The one her mother gave her. She stared at it. Why did she even wear it anymore? Her mother was a liar. A fake.

“Do you
wanna talk about it?” Joss asked.

Ava shook her head. She
didn’t want to be around anyone. She made her way to her room and closed the door. She felt as if the walls would close in on her, and there was an ache in her chest. Ava moved across the room to the bed, and sank on its edge. She placed the opal ring in the first drawer of the nightstand. Why would she want a reminder of her bad blood?

She’d almost gotten her best friend killed. Punched her boyfriend’s friend in the face and broke
n her nose. Killed two Ephemerals. Having Cimmerian blood was no excuse and somehow she needed to figure out a way to block out the thoughts. She’d always known she was somewhat different from the rest of her coven. But was joining the Cimmerians really her destiny?

Caving into the tears, she closed the drawer and turned out the light.