Under the Burning Stars (7 page)

She smiled. “I really wish you
came with me.”

“I’m sure we can go back together. It’s a great city.”

“You’ve been there?”

“Yeah. So what happened at the end of the night?”

“Joss, Eric, Gabriel, and I went to see some of their friends. Everything was fine, I guess, until Marcel came in the room. The rest of them went to do shots, so then it was just Gabriel, Marcel, and I guess his boyfriend Rene. I don’t know.”

“Are you okay? You’re tensing up.”

“It was just unexpected. Marcel kept prying into my life. At least he could tell I had seen death and started talking about my mom. Then he said she was a Cimmerian.”

“Dark
Enchanter, right?”

“Yeah. Well, I kinda slapped him.”

Peter raised his eyebrows.

“It shocked me. I didn’t know what to do or say. He said he just saw an unclear image.”

“How?”

“He’s a Percipient. Apparently, he is very intuitive to people and can tell what they’ve been through or sees images of that person that aren’t necessarily true. I don’t know. The whole thing was creepy and he made me really uncomfortable.”

“That would creep me out, too. Did he explain it?”

“No, I wanted to leave right then and there so Gabriel took me back. He said Marcel is always like that and that they’re just used to him.”

“Does your dad know him?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen my dad. I came straight here
and then saw you.”

A smile tugged at his lips. “It’s
a great ending to an awful day.”

His lips brushed against hers, so soft and warm. His fingers tickled her neck, which sent her heart into overdrive.
Every touch made her kiss him harder. She felt the wall against her back and then anger began to swell inside her. It was overwhelming.

Peter drew back a couple of centimeters, but Ava held him from going further. “I feel like he’s standing here watching us.”

“I know. We just have to learn to block it.”

“I’m assuming that’s easier said than done. How have Melissa and Lance managed?”

Ava thought for a second. “Good question. I should find out their secret. It won’t always be like this, though.”

“Why don’t we go on a date?”

“Like a real one?”

He chuckled and met her eyes. “Yes. We need to get out together. Just one night worry free. Just us.”

Ava felt her lips stretch into a grin. “Okay.”

“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow.” He
kissed her once more and then he moved toward the door.

“You aren’t staying?”

He smiled. “I would love to but I shouldn’t. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Ava didn’t want him to go and knew it was because of Thomas’s anger. Damn these necklaces. Ava wanted to send Thomas a message telling him to stop being so angry, but didn’t. She decided to go to bed since it was late and she
had been out all day, but her mind flashed with Marcel and the things he said.

Who was he to call her mother a dark Enchanter?
There was no way her mom would ever stand next to Corbin.

But then she saw her mother. Her confident smile and her warm gray eyes. The sun shone high above in the bright blue sky and Ava laughed with her mom.
Then everything turned dark. It was cold and her mother’s smile turned menacing and her eyes emotionless.

Ava jerked awake and clutched her necklace
. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the same thing. Her mother becoming dark.

She
had tossed and turned. Stared at the clock. Then, finally just gave up. She needed something to occupy her mind. Other than her mom being a Cimmerian. Like that had ever happened. Marcel was wrong. But why did she still have a nagging fear that he wasn’t?

Maybe she needed to research Percipients. Just to see how right they were. It was alm
ost like an automatic reaction that she headed for the library. It was still dark outside, but it was late and the sun would rise soon. Ava walked inside and found Link, asleep, on an open book. She gently nudged him and he shot up with frantic eyes.

“Sleep well?” she asked.

He rubbed his face. “What time is it?”

“Almost four.”

“Damn. What are you doing up?”

“Can’t sleep. I need to find some information about Percipients. Have you read any?”

He yawned. “Yeah.”

She sat across from him. “So what did you learn?”

“Just that they see images of things that happened to a person or someone related to them.”

“How true are those images? I mean, can’t they
sometimes be wrong or just see something random?”

He pursed his lips in thought. “I guess it’s possible. I don’t know. From what
I’ve read it sounded like they were pretty dead on with the things they perceived or saw. Why?”

Could Marcel have seen something true? There was no way her mom stood next to Corbin. She was not a Cimmerian. Could she find answers at the Cruciari? Would that be possible? “Look, I had a somewhat rough night last night and I need answers. I know I said I didn’t think it would benefit us to go to the Cruciari, but I think we should go.”

His eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah.”

“What changed your mind?”

She shook her head. “I just need some answers.” She didn’t want everyone knowing her mom could possibly have been a dark Enchanter. Of course, she could always ask her dad, but felt it wasn’t right. Would he even know? He would have told her though.

“Okay.
When should we go? What all do we need?”

“I’m not sure. But we need to make one thing clear.
” She held his eyes, making sure he understood her. “No one finds out about this. Ever.”

“
Okay. Why don’t we leave this Saturday? It’ll give us a week to prepare.”

“Too soon.”

“How much time do we need?”

“I don’t know.
When the time is right.”

H
e’d been right all along that they should go. Ava still wasn’t sure it was such a great idea and wasn’t sure they would actually find out any information but if anything, it was something to take her mind off of things.

“I look ridiculous.” Ava stood in front of the oval full-length mirror tugging at the hem of her dress trying in vain to make it longer.

Melissa
released a frustrated sigh and smacked her hand away. “Would you stop? You look fine and Peter’s gonna love it.”

“We’re going to see a movie. Why do I have to dress up?”

“Omigod. Didn’t Thomas ever take you anywhere nice?”

“Maybe once.”

“Well, it’s good to see you dressed up. And stop adjusting the skirt.”

“It’s too short.”

“That’s the point.” She rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. Where are my shoes?”

Melissa held up black patent shoes with long skinny heels that looked more like weapons.

Ava shook her head. “I’m not wearing those.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ll tower over Peter and I don’t wear heels.”

“You do now. Come on. He’ll be here any minute.”

“Fine.” She put the shoes on and wobbled a little as she stood. “If I
break my ankle tonight I’m kicking your butt.”

“You’ll be thanking me when this night’s over.”

Ava stared at her. “You know Peter liked me before all this.” She gestured to the short leather dress with cap sleeves that Melissa made her borrow.

“And now he won’t be able to keep his hands off you.” Melissa gave a sly grin.

Ava could feel her cheeks warm. “We aren’t going to do that. But how do you and Lance hide it from everyone?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. We just tune everyone else out and only pay attention to our feelings. I guess everyone ignores us. But since you and Peter are new and well, Thomas hates him, it might take a while.”

“There has to be a way. I mean, we can’t feel any of the Elders or Gabriel and his coven. Just their presence.”

“I know it must be hard, but just try not to let it overwhelm you. Practice on blocking it. Like the first sign
when you start to feel it, push it away and focus on what you want to feel.”

The doorbell rang and Ava heard
Mrs. Rollins answer through the closed door. Ava’s pulse quickened once she heard Peter’s voice. Melissa’s excitement about the evening made her more nervous.

Ava
walked out and met Peter in the living room.

“Wow.
” He raised his eyebrows and Melissa nudged her.

“Thanks. Are you ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Have a great time.” Melissa
flashed a wide grin.

Ava rolled her eyes and led Peter out into the humid June night.
The rhythmic sounds of the cicadas filled the air. He opened the door for her and once she settled into the passenger seat, he shut the door. He slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“You look great,” he said.

“Thanks. I feel weird though.” She tried to make the dress cover more of her skin, but it was useless.

“Why?”

“Because this dress is too short and we’re just going to the movies.”

“Well, you still look great.”

Ava smiled. “Does this feel kind of weird?”

“No. Why?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. With everything that’s happened and we’re going on a date.”

“We deserve to be happy and that occasionally means going out and having a good time.”

“Okay.”

“So, what’s it like staying
at the Manor?” he asked.

“It’s kinda weird. The only time I’m ever alone is in my room. I miss it being just Dad and me. But he’s been busy with the Elders so it gets a little boring.”

He gave an impish smile. “Maybe I’ll climb in your window.”

She playfully hit his arm. “You could just stay. Savina has a room for you.”

“My dad may not want me gone all the time.”

“Have you thought about how to tell him?”

“No.”

“Maybe you could talk to my dad.”

He shrugged. “Nothing’s going on though. I think it can wait.”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t know what?”

“That it’s really over.
It just doesn’t make sense. If Devon was really in charge, why would he only attack us using Halflings and two Enchanters? He knows how powerful Savina’s coven is.”

“
Didn’t the Elders explain it though?”

“There
has to be someone else behind it.”

“
They’re all locked away, Ava.”

“Except Trudy. I bet she ran back to Caprington to gather more troops.”

“I think you might be a little paranoid.”

She bit back a snide remark. “Well, I’m still going to find out who killed my mom.”

“I know. And we’ll find out. I’ll help you.”

Ava peered out the window, remembering her weird dream from the night before. It almost brought tears to her eyes.

Peter intertwined his fingers with hers and squeezed. “She wasn’t a Cimmerian, Ava. She was a part of this coven and she was with your father.”

“Percipients aren’t usually wrong.”

“Usually. I’m sure there are times when they are.” Peter pulled up to a red light and tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. “We’ll figure it out. I promise. But for tonight, let’s just have fun. Deal?”

She nodded and then he kissed her.

He took her to an Italian restaurant. It was weird to have a conversation with him instead of sitting in angry silence like she and Thomas had so many times. Peter and Ava laughed and it reminded her of the summer before when they hung out all the time. It was easy and comfortable. It had been so long since they had been like that.

They went to the movies and held hands as they stood in line.

“You think you’re welcome here?” someone demanded behind them. She turned and was face to face with Trent and Drew.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“For you two freaks to get the hell out of here.”

Ava squared her shoulders. She was tired of this.

“Trent, we’re allowed to be here just as much as you,” Peter said.

“No. You’re not.” Trent glared and Drew crossed his arms in front of him. Ava gripped Peter’s hand and saw others crowding around them. “I suggest you leave before we make you.”

Ava scoffed. “I’d love to see you try. You know, we got hurt from those bombs, too. So stop blaming us.”

Trent moved closer to her but she wasn’t afraid. “You are just as much to blame as Link, Nicole, and all of them. You’re no better. Just because your mom died doesn’t mean you have to take it out on people.
I’m assuming that’s your reason for killing all those people.”

Ava clenched her teeth and could feel the warmth of her necklace beneath her dress. “Believe what you want, if it’ll help you sleep at night. But we aren’t leaving.”

Trent gave a challenging smile and then she felt a cold liquid move down over her dress and under it. He had emptied his drink on her.

Ava drew her hand back but Peter grabbed it. “Come on, let’s go.”

Trent and Drew chuckled and the crowd followed. “I wouldn’t come back either. Any of you.”

She clenched her fists
and fought against Peter but he was stronger now and dragged her away. She wanted to use her power against them, but knew it was wrong.

Why did they mention her mother? Why was everyone suddenly talking about her? Wasn’t it bad enough that she’d just learned of her murder?

Once outside she immediately removed the heels and stormed away from Peter.

“Where are you going?” he asked, grabbing her arm.

“Why are you always protecting them?”

“Ava, we’ve already discussed this. You can’t hurt them.”

“But they can hurt me?”

“I didn’t say that. You have to let it go. Don’t let their words get to you.”

“You just stood there while he poured Coke all over me.”

“Because I’m afraid of what I can do now
,” he yelled. “It wasn’t easy, but then I had to hold you back as usual. The Elders didn’t let me be an Enchanter just so I could terrorize humans. You have to learn some restraint, too.”

His eyes held hers and she
released a breath. She felt her shoulders slump and her eyes watered.

Peter softly took her hand.
“Come on. I’ve got a better idea than a movie.”

A few minutes later, Peter pulled up to the cabin. Ava peered at him in the dark car. Had he brought her to the cabin for more than just privacy?

Peter gave her a sidelong look. “I know what you’re thinking. And no, that’s not it.”

They got out of the car and hiked to the waterfall. The night was perfect for swimming and the half-moon held just the right amount of light.
Peter removed his shirt and Ava didn’t hide her stare at his bare chest. He took her hand and smiled.

“Ready?”

“Melissa’s not gonna like this.” Ava smiled.

“Well, you need a bath.”

Ava gasped and playfully pushed him. He snatched her wrist and they both plunged into the water. When they surfaced, Peter pressed his lips to hers with a fervor. His hands held her head and she grasped his hair. Their necklaces glowed with the heat of their passion.

Ava pulled him under and breathed into his mouth. He held her tight
and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They came up out of the water, still kissing, and he gently pressed her back against a boulder.

His eyes were hot with yearning as they met hers. “I love you, Ava. They won’t hurt you
. I will protect you.” He whispered along her jaw. “And I will help you find out about your mom.”

For a fleeting moment, she wanted to tell him about the Cruciari, but didn’t. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe she feared him telling her what a bad idea it was. But would he protect her?
Even from the Ephemerals?