Under the Burning Stars (4 page)

Sitting alone in an unfamiliar room was not Ava’s ideal way to spend her summer. But neither was grieving for lost friends or recuperating in a hospital from a bombing as so many were doing at that moment.

She
lounged on the window bench, still in her pajamas. She had gotten accustomed to the bench, with its curved roof; it almost felt like it was Ava’s private bubble. She had to admit that she liked it.

Ava
peered through the window and saw the huge oaks and maples standing tall just outside her room. She could see the beautiful garden below filled with roses, gardenias, azaleas and more flowers that Savina magically grew. Everything was so full of color, and usually made Ava happy, but she could only feel Peter’s resentment and anger. She hated it and it made her nervous.

There was a movement in the garden
, and Ava saw that it was Kira watering the plants. Funny that she was maintaining the garden when she generated poison. Ava wondered who her close friends were other than Maggie. She was always so elusive, but content. Or just shy. Ava didn’t know.

Kira looked up and stared right at Ava. Ava averted her eyes. She felt as though she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t have.

She twirled her opal ring around her finger. She didn’t want to sit around her room and sulk.

Ava sighed, got up and walked out of the room.
She found her way to the library and saw Link at a table with several books and notebooks scattered around him.

“Hey.” She
plopped down in the chair across from him.

Link looked up, his eyebrows furrowed. “You and Peter okay?”

Ava hid her annoyance that everyone knew how she felt at any given moment. “Yeah. He just needs time to think. I guess.”

“About what?”

“I guess his decision.”

“At least he got one.” Link pinched the bridge on his nose. “Sorry.”

Ava shrugged. “What are you doing?”

“I’m just trying to figure out or remember everything that happened with Xavier. But it’s like I’ll get these vague glimpses and then I lose it.” He shook his head.

“Why do you want to remember?”

“Because if Xavier talked about Devon or if someone else was involved maybe we could end this before something else happens.
”

“But the Elders said it was all over. You don’t believe them?”
she asked, but didn’t believe them herself.

“It’s not that. It’s just, Devon was too weak to be in charge of that whole ordeal. There was no way he was in charge. And it wasn’t him that changed me.”

“How can you be sure? Didn’t your mind get erased once the spell lifted?

“I keep seeing black hair. Or maybe just the color. I don’t know.” He rubbed his face. “I just wish I knew what happened to me.”

“The only way to know that is to get Xavier to tell you. But I doubt he’d even say anything.”

“You think I’m crazy don’t you?”

“No. I’ve had the same thoughts. Bringing Devon down was too easy. And for them to want us so much, he didn’t try very hard.”

“
And if someone else was in charge, they did a poor job of getting Devon to do the dirty work.”

“He mentioned Havok. Trudy did, too.”

Link froze.

“What is it?”

He shook his head and cursed. “For a second, the name ‘Havok’ sounded familiar or like I’d heard it several times.”

“
I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

He shrugged. “Life hands you lemons.
”

“And I’m sorry about the whole memorial thing.”

“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. I knew something would happen, but I just wanted to go because I knew some of those people, too.”

Ava nodded. “I know. I tried to stop Xavier that day. I had no idea that was what he had planned. I feel like it was just some diversion so he could capture us.”

“It kinda worked. Except you all escaped. Why would he just keep you all hidden like that? Why not just take you directly to the source?”

She lifted a shoulder. “Maybe it was a
n all or nothing kind of thing. I can’t believe they took Xavier to the Cruciari.”

“Where else were they going to take him?”

“I want him to suffer the same pain and misery all of us have.”

“You’re not the only one. But doesn’t the Cruciari make them suffer?”

“Yeah, but Devon escaped last year. If prisoners are able to escape and not be caught for months, doesn’t sound like it’s that secure of a prison.”

“Maybe someone helped him escape.”

“Like someone on the inside?”

Link shrugged. “Perhaps.”

They were quiet for a moment. Ava wasn’t sure who could help them escape. And if there was someone, why would they have released Devon Maunsell? He was incredibly weak.

“
Can I ask you something?” Link bit his lip.

“Sure.” Ava never once thought she would ever have a conversation with Link Harris, let alone become friends. He was always the good guy. Very popular. Never did anything bad, but everyone loved him. He alway
s had a smile that could light up a room, and his eyes were expressive.

N
ow, he was lost and angry. He didn’t smile very much, obviously. Ava felt bad for the guy. And all of them. None of them deserved what had happened, but so far, he and Nicole seemed more accepting of the Enchanter life than Peter and Seth.

“What did Trudy show you that night?”

Ava hadn’t expected that. Her mind flashed with images of the night they were supposed to kill Trudy McVaine. “It was my mother’s death from the killer’s perspective. It felt like I was the one killing her.” She shook her head as if to get rid of the image.

“Wow.
Why would she make you see that? And how?”

“She makes you see whatever she wants you to. And obviously to divert my attention. She’s gotten away from me twice.”

“You can’t let it get to you.”

“She’s still out there, Link. And she knows who killed my mom.”

“How would you even find her?”

“I don’t know. She could have gone to Caprington
, if that even still exists.”

“You think Trudy retreated to the Cimmerian hideout or whatever? I thought the Elders destroyed it when they killed Corbin.”

“They did, but what if it’s still there? Or what if there are more Cimmerians living there?”

“How do you even get to Caprington?”

She shook her head and lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. It’s probably nothing but a desolate run-down place now. There’s probably no one there. I just want to know who killed my mom and the only ones who know that are locked up in the Cruciari or on the run.”

“W
hy don’t we help each other out?”

Ava met his eyes.
“What do you mean?” She crossed her arms on the table.

“
We help each other find answers.”

“Okay.
How? Interrogate Xavier in the Cruciari,” she said, knowing it was impossible.

“Yes.”

“I was joking.”

“I’m not. Come on.”

“No. I’m not about to break another fifty rules or my oath again.”

“How is that breaking the oath? Who says we aren’t allowed to go?”

“None of the Elders would allow us to go. They would ask too many questions. Besides, it could be dangerous.”

He arched an eyebrow.
“I think we can handle it.”

“Link—.”

“Hey.” Nicole walked in with Joss, Eric, and Gabriel. “I was looking for you. They wanted us to start training today. Where’s Peter?”

Ava averted her eyes. “He had to go do something.” She really had no idea where he was since he hadn’t texted or called her, but
she felt dumb for not knowing.

“Do you know when he’ll be here?” Eric asked. “He really needs to start soon. Him and Seth.”

“I’ll call him,” Ava said, still looking away.

“
I’m sure he’s spending time with his dad as much as he can,” Nicole said. “Come on, Link.”

“Are you joining us?” Link asked Ava.

“No. I promised Mel I’d go swimming with her.”

“Okay.” Link got up, closed all his books and gave Ava a knowing look.

Maybe going to the Cruciari wasn’t going to hurt. How could she even contemplate it? There was no way they could make it there and get answers from Xavier. All of it was just impossible.

“Everything okay?” Gabriel asked.

“Sure.” Ava shrugged. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“Have a good time,” he said.

Ava nodded and then left.

Ava wanted answers from Xavier, but weren’t all of the prisoners tortured until insane? How could he give them anything if he was out of his mind? But even if he wasn’t, would Xavier really tell them what they wanted to know?

And could Ava restrain herself from killing Xavier Holstone?

Ava walked inside
Melissa’s house and inhaled the familiar fresh linen scent. Pictures of Melissa, her parents, and the rest of the coven plastered the walls. Melissa’s parents had always welcomed Ava and the rest as their own for eleven years. It was like a second home to Ava.

“Hey there, Ava.” Mrs. Rollins smiled and hugged her.
A strong lilac scent overwhelmed Ava. Mrs. Rollins always wore overly fragrant scents from the body store. “Melissa’s outside already. Would you like some water?”

“Sure.”

Mrs. Rollins opened the refrigerator and grabbed a water bottle. She could pass for a young woman in her thirties, easily. “How are you since everything happened? Melissa told me about the memorial.”

Ava took the cold bottle. “Yeah. I just felt like it was the right thing to do. But I guess not.”

Mrs. Rollins placed her hand on Ava’s shoulder. “Of course, you had the right intentions. But you know some of these yokels don’t care and they’re just wanting someone to blame. But what they don’t know is that the culprit is already locked away.”

“I just wonder how long this is going to last.”

“I can’t say that this will blow over anytime soon. But you all are very strong. Just keep a low profile this summer.”

Ava nodded. “Thanks.”

“You girls have fun. I’ve got some errands to run.”

“Okay. See you later.” Ava opened the sliding glass door and walked outside to the sweltering heat. She cooled herself immediately, a power she greatly welcomed especially in the
summer.

Melissa lounged in a wooden chair
, wearing a fluorescent green bikini, and bobbing her head to some heavy guitar song. “Oh good, you’re here. What’s up with Peter?”

Ava sighed and put her pool bag on the ground next to
a chair. “He’s fine.” She had texted him right before she drove here telling him about the training. He said he and Seth would try to make it. His answer annoyed her, though.

She
could tell Melissa lifted an eyebrow even with the large sunglasses dominating her face. “Sure.”

“He’s just lost right now. Needs time.”

“He’ll get there.”

“Hopefully. I hate this so much.”

Melissa drew a cigarette from the pack and lit it. She exhaled a cloud of smoke. “Well, no offense, but I didn’t think he’d easily transition into this. Everything is so new to him right now. Maybe he should talk to your dad. I mean, he chose this life.”

“I don’t know if he’s more upset that I used my powers against Trent or if he’s regretting his decision.”

“That was stupid, by the way.”

“I know, but what was I supposed to do? Let them fight it out?”

Melissa gave a small laugh. “Yes. They’re boys.”

“But they are so much stronger than the Ephemerals. They could have hurt them just as well.”

She shrugged and then took a drag from her cigarette. “Well, maybe you should have tried breaking it up instead.”

“I did but I got a busted lip.
Peter knew what he was getting into. I warned him. And now he regrets it.”

“I doubt that.”

“He should.” Gillian’s voice came from the door. Her anger settled around them like the smoke from Melissa’s cigarette. “Why is she here? I thought it was just going to be the two of us.”

Melissa stubbed her cigarette in the ashtray on the table
and got to her feet. “Because you two need to get over this stupid petty crap.”

“You’re really bothered that I’m here?” Ava asked. “What are you so pissed about?”

“Are you really that dumb?”

“Come
on, guys,” Melissa said. “You’ve been friends forever. Ava did what she had to do and I understand you feel betrayed but she wasn’t doing it to spite you.”

Gillian crossed her arms in front of her and
averted her eyes.

Ava shook her head. “I’ve apologized several times. I don’t get why you can’t just move on.”

Her eyes sliced to Ava’s. “Because you put all of us in danger by involving Peter.”

“He was already involved,” Ava shouted.

“Whatever.”

“They kidnapped him, Gillian. Was I supposed to just stand idly by while they turned him themselves?”

“Please. You’re the reason they took him. You practically handed him over on a silver platter. And maybe it wouldn’t have been such a bad thing if he was one of them.”

“Gillian!” Melissa gave a disappointed look.

Ava was too shocked to say anything, but then she found her voice. “I can’t believe you. If you can’t accept that he is one of
us
, then we can’t be friends.”

Gillian narrowed her eyes. “We haven’t been friends in a long time Ava. And you might want to check with Peter because he doesn’t sound like he’s fully involved. He might be thinking about leaving you and all this.
Maybe he would be better off with the Cimmerians.”

Melissa
slightly shoved Gillian. “Seriously, G? Stop.”

“
I’ll just see you later, Mel.” Ava snatched up her bag and walked past Gillian.

“No, wait,” Melissa said, but Ava ignored her and closed the sliding glass door behind her. She couldn’t believe Gillian hadn’t forgiven her and she wasn’t sure what it would take
. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

And what was up with her saying that
Peter would be better off with the Cimmerians?

Ava was angry.
She wanted to get out of there. Away from everything.

She’d risked so much to be with Peter and now he was unsure of being
an Enchanter. She swatted at the tears as she drove to no particular destination.

How dare Gillian blame
Ava for Peter’s kidnapping?

But deep down Ava knew she was the reason
the Cimmerians went after him. It was her fault. Had she just left him alone, they wouldn’t have bothered him.

Ava always made a mess of things. She wanted to try harder
to be a better person by not getting into trouble or letting anyone else get hurt. She could be a perfect Enchanter. She wouldn’t even go to the Cruciari.

A few minutes
later, she slowed her car to a stop. She had arrived at the cabin.

No one else was there and she needed to get to the waterfall. She hoped it w
ould comfort her since she felt unwanted.

Hiking through the lush summer forest, she reached the beautiful waterfall and watched it snake itself down into the river. It beckoned her and she climbed on top of a rock, closed her eyes, and jumped.

Falling deep underwater, she took a deep breath, remembering how she freaked out the first she ever breathed underwater. Now it was almost second nature.

She wanted the water to wash away all the annoyances and negativities and the losses. She wished by some miracle, that the water acted as a blockade, preventing others from knowing her feelings.

After staying at the waterfall until night fell, Ava finally went back to the Manor. She refused to call it home. She checked her phone for what must have been the millionth time, but there weren’t any messages from Peter. And she wasn’t going to text him.

Usually, on a Saturday night, she would hang out with her friends at the usual spot in town, but seeing as how her entire Aureole pretty much hated the sight of her and that the entire town was against them, she decided to stay in and have dinner with her father.

Ava made her way to the dining room, but stopped once she saw the table full of people. She didn’t want to eat with everyone else, but she didn’t want to be rude, and knew it would make her father happy if she joined him.

“Hey sweetie.” Her father offered his chair to her and Aaron moved down one so her dad could sit next to her.

“Hey.”

“How are you?”

“I’m okay.” She hoped no one would ask about Peter.

“Where’s the rest of your Aureole?” Joss scooped some sort of casserole onto her plate, and then passed the dish to Ava.

Ava shrugged. “I don’t know.”

She frowned. “I heard Gillian and Thomas are still upset.”

Ava passed the dish to her father. “Yeah. Lucky me.”

“I don’t get why they would be upset still.”

Nicole grabbed a roll from a basket. “Me either. I mean, I guess I can kinda understand Thomas. But he always treated you like crap. I remember that even before all this.” She had cut her long dark brown hair just above her collarbone and swept her bangs to the side. Even with the recent events, she seemed like she was happy being there.

“He had to have known she wasn’t happy though,” Joss said.

Ava started to get a little irritated that they were talking about her.

“I’m sure Ava doesn’t want you talking about that.” Link smirked and nudged Nicole in the arm.

Joss blushed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything.”

“Yeah, me too.” Nicole frowned.

She couldn’t be mad at them. “It’s okay. I’m sure one day he’ll get over it.” She hoped.

“Well, I have something that might cheer you up,” her father said. “I found us an apartment.”

Ava smiled. “Really?”

“Yeah. I know it’s not a house, but I don’t want to go through getting a house right now. It’s in the city though.”

Ava didn’t like that, but she couldn’t complain. She would be leaving the Manor soon. And then it would be just her and her dad. She surprisingly missed watching the baseball games with him. Apparently, Savina and Colden didn’t believe in the twenty-first century and all the technology that came with it. “That’s fine. When do we move in?”

“Well, not for a while. It was the only apartment I found for us that was nice and affordable. It won’t be ready until November.”

Her heart sank. November? She had to stay in the Manor for another six months? She choked back her frustration. There was no way she could be angry with him. “That’s cool, Dad. I can’t wait.”

After dinner,
Ava found herself in the library once again, where Gabriel sat in his usual chair and Link was at a table with books scattered around him again.

She took a seat across from Link. “Still at it?”

He sighed and tossed a pen into the crease of a book. “Yes.”

“Sounds like fun.”

He leaned forward. “Xavier knows, Ava. We should go.”

Ava glanced at Gabriel
and hoped he couldn’t hear them. “It’s not a good idea,” she whispered.

He stood and motioned for her to follow. He led her deep into the library at the far end of an aisle. “Come on, Ava. He’s the only one who knows all of this. I mean, there’s nothing in those books.”

“What do you expect to find?”

“I don’t know. Something. The only thing it mentions is Corbin and all the terrible things he did and that he was Savin
a’s stepfather and Colden’s dad. You don’t think he’s still alive do you?”

“No. A lot of people saw him die.”

“But Devon wasn’t even on the same level as Corbin.”

“I agree. I know there’s got to be someone else out there calling the shots. But even if we went, Xavier
wouldn’t tell us anything.”

“Maybe we could bribe him.”

“With what?”

“I don’t know.” He forcefully ran his hands through his hair. “I even tried finding a way to find your mom’s killer. The only thing I
can think of is asking Xavier.”

“He won’t tell us anything.”

“It’s either that or we could find a necromancer.”

“Necromancer?
”

Link rolled his eyes. “Apparently they exist. Why anyone would want
to even talk to them is beyond me. Or go to Caprington. So as you can see, our options are limited. But I think going to the Cruciari is safer than Caprington.”

Ava
drew a deep breath. Of course, options were limited. And she knew she wouldn’t get much out of Savina. She had already tried that. Maybe Colden would tell her, but she doubted it. Link was right. There was no way they could go to Caprington.

She wished Peter
were there. She missed him and he could help them with the decision maybe. Things were supposed to have been easier with Peter as one of them. Maybe she did need to take Link up on his offer and go to the Cruciari. But she couldn’t do it. She needed to remain under the radar after everything she’d done.

“I can see you’re thinking about it. So let’s do it.”

She met his eyes. “Link, I can’t. Besides, you honestly think Xavier would help us? The ones who put him in the Cruciari? Who knows how sane he is now anyway?”

Link rolled his eyes. “You know I’m right.
But I’m doing this with or without you.” He shook his head and walked past Ava, leaving her alone on the aisle. She felt as if she was letting everyone down.