wind in the tree's, in the beginning

8/14/2019 Wind in the Tree's, In the Beginning

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Wind in

the Trees:In the

Beginning



Prologue:

The girl was in a turbine of wind. Heavy furniture

spinning around her shaking figure in a spiral

dance. Black eyes filled with hate as she glared atthe smirking man from inside her personal hell. And

the boy who loves her watches helpless as the girl

he once loved is slowly slipping through his fingers.



Chapter 1:Screaming is for those in pain

“Hey Captain!” I called jovially bouncing forward.

The glossy chestnut horse whinnied and bobbed hisgreat head in his stall. All around me horses stirred

and stamped their hooves. I breathed in the hay and

horse feed scent. It was the only thing that made me

feel at home. I ran my fingers over the unbelievable

silkiness of his high cheekbone. Captain leaned his

head into my palm. With my other hand I yanked

the bridle off its hook and slid it over Captainshead. I walked him out of the stall then threw the

saddle over his back. Thankfully I was so tall I had

no trouble swinging my leg over his back then

hauling myself up. Captain snorted and I shook the

reins a bit; he trotted out of the barn. Jet ran out of

the forests gloom a minute later. He could easily

talk to me even while I was seated on Captain’s

back. “Mum said I was `sposed to come with you”

he panted. I rolled my eyes and jerked my head



towards the stall “Better take Dax, your still arookie” I sneered. Jet stalked past me and a few

minutes later he came out at an easy trot on a white

horse with grey flecks. “This year please” I sighed

dramatically. Jet shot me a peeved look and made a

rude middle fingered gesture. “Mum could’ve sent

Ben” Ben my younger brother by a year would be a

lot less annoying plus he didn’t complain when Irode faster than I was supposed to. I guess in her

mind it made more sense though if she sent the

‘sensible’ son. Yeah right... considering Jet had

been suspended from school because he graffitid the

boys bathroom. “Well Ben’s over at Kitarnya’s and

Bianca’s snuck out... again”

Jet and I laughed at that. My nineteen year old sister is always the rebel. I pretty much followed in her

footsteps to a lesser degree. While I slip out to just

walk on my own she’d meet up with her boyfriend

Declan and they’d go clubbing; resulting in an even

longer grounding. She was up to at least eight

weeks now. I scowled Ben managed to spend every

waking minute with his beautiful girlfriend

Kitarnya. So as usual that left me with Jet. He

wasn’t all bad just a little annoying at times. Jet

pulled his black hair that cascaded onto his

shoulders back into a ponytail. “Why don’t you just

cut the damn thing?” I muttered when I was beside

him galloping at an easy pace. Jet just looked at me

like I was crazy. All the boys in my household

thought it prudent to grow their hair to their shoulders. This irked me theirs grew so much



quicker than mine. A few curls from my hair blewinto my long black eye lashes. My sisters Bianca

hair was long, straight and shimmery. Whereas

mine was very and always tightly curled. It was

long and fell just past my elbows. That wasn’t much

of an accomplishment anyway considering I was so

tall. Jet and I cruised along in comfortable silence

until he reminded me of something. “By the waymum says to make sure your back in time for

swimming practice”

OH NO! I cussed so loudly it sent birds squawking

and flying into the air. I turned Captain around

sharply and ran out full pelt back to the barn. “HEY

SLOW DOWN!” Jets yell was lost in the thud of

Captain’s hooves. In one leap I was off Captains back and had him in his stall. Yanking up my

shoulder bag I ran toward the house. Tree limbs

caught my hair and tangled it into unrecognizable

snarls. My wide two story red-brick house bloomed

into view. Emmy’s startled barks started when I

jumped the fence. Josephine stood at the back door;

Arms folded an amused smirk dominant on her

russet face. The ever present cut slicing through her

eye brow. She never told us how she got that ever

since dad died when I was two years old she was

unusually quiet. “What am I gunna do with you

Stephy” she sighed. “Its Steph” I growled. I had

asked everyone in my family to stop calling me

Stephy at the age of six. Jet and Ben had teased me

about it but shut up when my fist connected withtheir jaw. Bianca knew how I felt mum still called



her ‘Binky’. My mum was just like all my siblingsher skin russet silk, dark burgundy hair and tall in

the extreme. She was very pretty her almond brown

eyes and cherubic face creased with laugh lines.

Emmy bounded up to me and stood on her hind legs

and pressed her front paws to my shins. Emmy was

a lovely looking dog (though we did not know her

breed... well I did anyway) Grey running down her back and coating her paws like socks. A diamond

set between her eyes. Underneath all the grey

Emmy’s coat is pure white well... besides now. She

effectively ruined the shins of my Calvin Klein

skinny’s. “Geeze thanks Em” I muttered and shoved

her off then darted inside and slammed the roller

screen shut before she could follow. Mum waslaughing petting Emmy on the head. I turned on my

heel and dumped my bag in the hallway. The house

smelt strongly of lemon citrus Josephine must have

just finished cleaning. The warm chocolate

floorboards of sorts shone in the afternoon sun

peeking through the grey clouds. The hallway

stretched right down to the front door. To my left

was our granite kitchen that had an open arch

leading to the living room. The right was our

bathroom and the laundry where I could hear the

washing machine churning. I took the stairs two at

time and skidded round and leaped into my room. I

jumped about a foot in the air when I saw Bianca

sitting cross legged on my bed. She was dressed in

her red hulterneck top and black leather mini skirt;strappy black shoes dumped on the floor. She smelt



strongly of tobacco smoke and liquor. “Mumsgonna kill you” I warned. She looked up at me

through bloodshot eyes. Bianca is very pretty she

has an exotic and Latin look about her. Eyes pulled

at the corner, full lips, hard square jaw and more

brown skin then the reddish like mine. Her eye

lashes were impossibly thick and looked like they

were an effort to lift. Which wouldn’t surprise mewith the amount of mascara coating them. Blood

red lipstick was spread across her natural beige lips.

“Shh” she shushed me her head falling into her

hand and pointing a manicured finger at me. “Hang

over?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe” she murmured. I

laughed“Well im gonna have to turf you out I gotta get

ready” I yanked her off the bed and shoved her out

into the hall then threw the high heels out after her.

And slammed the door in Bianca’s shocked face. I

laughed quietly and turned around. My floor was a

thickly carpeted brown with matching walls and

white roses winding around them. A matching four

poster bed stood sentinel in the middle. A glass

topped desk with a humming laptop on the right

wall. I looked at myself in the body length mirror. I

was very tall only a tiny bit shorter than Bianca. My

face took after my mothers something so angelic

about it. Either the wide eyes or the full pouty lips I

had no idea. I wasn’t beautiful but I wasn’t ugly...

just border lining. Bianca was definitely the prettiest, why else would she be the most popular



girl in school and have a contract with a modelingagency? I was okay at sports but not near enough

for it to go anywhere. Jet on the other hand is a

master at athletics. Maybe even good enough for the

Olympics. Ben being the genius of the family left

me to be the disappointment. I was going to have an

average job and an average life and be known as the

let down of the Manka family. I sighed and itfogged up the glass. Rifling through my drawers I

finally found my silky blue Calvin Klein one piece.

The blue contrasted nicely with my copper skin.

Yanking on a pair of sweats because it was chilly

out I picked up my gym bag and was out the door in

seconds. Just as Ben’s friend Harrison pulled in the

drive. Harrison was cute in the extreme with atennis tan, hair that was brushed over his eye with

blonde high lights streaking through his honey

brown hair. Harrison was so strong it was

unnerving. Plus the fact he was rich and pulled up

in a BMW 325. But I despised him. Harrison was

old for his year; seventeen. Making him my age

apparently he had travelled around the world with

his parents and they either had the choice of putting

him in the right year and be a long way behind or

keep him in kindergarten. But I just think he

repeated its not like they could get anything through

his thick skull. “Where are you off to Stephanie?”

Harrison appraised me in my slacks and one piece

with my old hang-dog gym bag sliding down my

shoulder and foam thongs. “Paris Fashion Week” Ireplied sarcastically. Oh and he could have any girl



at school but he goes for the one not the least bitinterested; me. Joy... Harrison laughed but the

sound was to dark, just like everything else about

him. “Ben’s over at Kitarnya’s” I started to walk by

him my thongs slapping against my bare flesh.

“Who says im here for Ben?” Harrison’s voice was

soft but it had no effect on me.

“I didn’t know the grim reaper hired henchmen”“Aw im not that bad” I could hear the smile in

Harrison’s voice. I really think there’s something

wrong with this guy. “Let me give you a ride” he

offered. Yup, he is mental. “Im walking” hoping he

would note the acid. He didn’t

“Its raining” Harrison pointed out. I was about to

contradict him when a fat drop hit me on the cheek.Jet was out riding the horses, mum was walking

Emmy, Bianca was definitely in no condition to

drive and stupid Ben wasn’t here. Angrily I slid into

his passenger seat. Harrison started the car and

pulled out of the driveway smoothly. My position

very clearly said Don’t even think about it . “Why

were you coming?” I asked after a moments

thought.

“Just going for a drive then I noticed a drowned

angel”

I rolled my eyes sheesh he was so melodramatic.

“I’d rather be a drowned angel then a pissed one”

“C`mon Steph if im not your kind of guy then who

is?”

“Lets see... well for starters there’s two things Ilike”



He looked so hopeful that I narrowly avoidedlaughing. “A brain and a heart” the hope

disappeared to be replaced by anger. We arrived at

the aquatics center in stony silence. I jumped out

eager to be out of his car until I heard a pair of

smooth footsteps behind me. I stumbled over the

door jamb when I saw Harrison trailing behind me.

He reached out to catch me but thankfully I rightedmyself. “Why are you here?!” I demanded. Harrison

shrugged smiling

“Wanted to see you swim”

Before he could say more I stormed away in an

angry fit. Dumping my gym bag on the silver seat I

pulled off my slacks and smashed them into my bag

with a little to much force. The heat swirled aroundme and my nostrils filled with the smell of chlorine.

Splashes and the shrill whistles of coaches hit my

ear drums. I turned on my heel. There were three

other teenagers in my class one of them my friend

Kadie. She was staring open mouthed at Harrison

who sat fluidly down and watched my every move.

Kadie noted my furious glower and burst out

laughing. Her silky blonde hair tied back into a

loose bun. I realized mine must have a few sticks

left in it. I shook it out before sliding into our lane

with her. The other boy and girl were talking their

backs to us. Kadie was extremely pale with flushed

rose pink cheeks. Her face consisted of mostly

cheek bones with small perfectly curved pink lips.

She was tiny compared me. The other girl in our class was the second most popular with tan skin and



artificial long blonde hair. Un-like my modest one piece and Kadie’s two piece she was in a skimpy

bikini. Which she was doing everything in her

power to show Harrison. Who was staring intently

in my direction. Isabel was her name. The boy was

one who occasionally smiled at me in the halls. He

was good-looking and my social sphere and his did

not touch. When Kadie got over her fit of laughter she asked in between giggles “Why’s Harrison

here?”

“He offered to drive me” I muttered angrily still

scowling.

“Aw he’s your knight in shining” I cut Kadie off

with a dark sentence raised enough for Harrison to

hear “He’ll be an idiot in purple bruises if he’s notcareful” which sent Kadie into another fit of

laughter. Our couch; a tight-lipped thirty year old

woman shadow loomed above us. We all promptly

shut up. She had a very intimidating presence. Ms.

Cook. “Aiden, Isabel, Kadie three laps now!” she

barked “Stephanie six!”. Six?! Cinch! Clearly her

idea of punishment was twisted but I didn’t

complain. My legs kicked and I sliced through the

water at the perfect pace overtaking Isabel who was

at the front. I finished the lesson with my muscles

aching and tired with my heart going a mile a

minute. I trotted over to my bag and toweled my

hair which was inevitably curly. Nothing would

straighten it! “Hi, Harrison” Isabel expanded the ‘I’

on hi making her seem even dumber than usual. Thetwo were perfect for each other. “Soul mates!” I



gasped. Harrison scowled at me and Isabel’s face litup. To my intense disappointment it was still

pouring heavily outside. “Looks like im driving you

home” Harrison said cheerily. Isabel’s face and

mine were both masks of disappointment. “Fine” I

spoke through clenched teeth and stormed past him.

“Don’t be so enthusiastic Steph or I might leave you

alone” Harrison teased me once we were seated inthe car. Every part of me soaked to the bone. Yes!

Harrisons sentence gave me the perfect plan. I

formulated it and was still going when he pulled up

in the front of my house. To say he was surprised I

didn’t fling myself out like I had just escaped a near

death experience was the worlds biggest

understatement. I had no idea how to act freakishlyclingy that was Isabel’s forte not mine. But I’d give

it a go anyway. I leaned over the gear shift towards

Harrison and his eyes widened. My fingers danced

along his jaw line while I asked “Why don’t we just

sit and... talk for a bit?” I blinked my eyes

innocently. Okay I’ll admit when I looked back on

it I should have known Harrison would take

advantage of my un-expected closeness. But at the

time I just wasn’t expecting him to press his lips to

mine then draw me closer over the gear shift. Like I

said before, Harrison was strong; scarily. He drew

my right up arm up over his neck and that’s when

he made his mistake. My left fist effectively caught

him right in the lower stomach. “Ow! What the hell

was that for?!”



“Giving me the best advice ever” and I slipped outof the car in one fluid go and was in the house in

another.

“I CAN’T FRIGGEN BELIEVE YOU SNUCK

OUT AGAIN BIANCA! DON’T YOU CARE

ABOUT SCHOOL AT ALL!?” Hm, so mum did

find out.

“Nope” Bianca replied cheerily. I laughed as Iwalked into the kitchen. Mum had cornered Bianca

in the living room so I didn’t have to worry about

getting my head ripped off. Plus I was starved. I

caught Ben raiding the fridge with a disgusted

Kitarnya trying to focus on her homework. She was

very pretty with brown skin, glossy black hair and a

perfectly symmetrical face. I looked over her shoulder and pointed out the answers

“A, C, C, B, D, A” my finger ran down the page of

little tick boxes.

“Thanks” she replied reverently

“Anytime” I murmured then bumped Ben out of the

way to fridge with my hip. He stumbled and I

snickered then bit into a freezing apple. “Don’t you

have homework?” Ben grumbled sliding into the

seat next to Kitarnya and kissed her cheek. I made a

gagging sound then answered him “Uh-huh”

“Have you done it?”

“What do you think genius?”

Ben replied with a grunt. I pulled his long hair as I

walked past. I met Bianca on my way up the stairs

she was whistling cheerily with her hands burieddeeply in her pockets. “Nine or more?” I asked she



knew I meant months referring to her now extendedgrounding. “Twelve”

“Damn it!”

“What?” she asked chuckling

“I had a bet on ten, so close!”

“How much did you bet?”

“Twenty”

“Ooo” she winced “By the way mums working latetonight one or two so we get pizza”

My eyes slid in Bianca’s direction she noticed my

un-ease.

“Don’t worry im not sneaking out tonight but

Declan is coming over...” her eye brows raised

higher making sure I understood. I was able to

stamp my foot once I had reached the top of thestairs “Nuh-uh no way in hell!”

“Come on Stephy”

“Well you guys will just have to keep it down”

“Keep what down? And Steph I can’t believe you

sucker punched Harrison!” Jet exulted walking out

of his room the phone still in his large hand. “Oh

my god you what?” Bianca gasped her face lit up.

“He wants to speak to you by the way” Jet held the

phone out to me I took it and made no move to keep

my voice down.

“What freaking advice?!” Harrison even sounded a

little hurt but it was an act Satan’s spawn didn’t get

hurt. “Aw poor baby is upset would you like a

bottle?” I pretended to miserable. He cussed loudly

at me and I made another suggestion as to where hecould stick a bottle then hung up. I handed the



phone back to a confused Jet “Mum’s gonna be outtonight order whatever you want” I was halfway in

my door when an avid Bianca caught up to me. “He

kissed you” she stated. My scowl deepened

answering the question for her. Bianca burst into

hysterics. I slammed the door in her face for the

second time today. “HE DID WHAT?!” Jet roared

furiously from outside my door.“He kissed her” Bianca annunciated slowly. Jet let

fly a stream of profanities his heavy footfalls

descending the stairs. Jet was just a little to

protective of me. I hated Harrison and everything

but a sucker punch wasn’t the only thing Jet was

probably planning on doing to him. The door rattled

as I shot out of my room. I was dressed in mycotton around-the-house shorts and a T-shirt with

worn out flats. But that wasn’t going to stop me

from charging down Jet. But I was to late his car

was already reversing out of the driveway. It sucked

that I was the only kid in the family without her

license. I could think of only one thing it wasn’t

raining very hard but the path to the horse barn was

damp and muddy. More sticks caught in my hair but

I didn’t care. Captain may have been my most loyal

horse and I felt bad for doing this but Scarlet’s

definitely the fastest one I own. Captain looked

accusingly at me out of his big brown eyes. “Sorry

Cap, but I have to get there fast” with that I sent

Scarlet at a fast trot out of the barn. Once I was in

the clear she shot like a comet through the treesmaking the shrubs a green blur. Harrison’s wide



glass house and monstrous backyard bloomed intoview. Lucky for me Jet wasn’t here yet. “Good to

see you here” Harrison called sarcastically. I

narrowed my eyes and strained my ears. I couldn’t

hear any car engine so nothing to worry about, yet. I

slid off Scarlet and tied her bridle to the fence. She

whinnied and pawed the ground. “What happened

to nutty?” Harrison asked as I jumped the white picket fence. Scarlet was midnight black with

copper running down her face. “Scarlet’s faster” I

snapped.

“So why you here, back for more?”

“You wish. Im here cause Jets on his way to kill

you”

“You told him?!”“No Bianca did, she guessed”

“Perfect...” Harrison rolled his glittering green eyes

“And why do you even care if Jet does kill me?”

“Because I think you’ve learned your lesson”

“And if I haven’t?”

“You won’t live to find out” I said darkly glaring at

him.

“DAMN RIGHT HE WON’T!” Jet roared barreling

around the corner of the house. Thankfully I was

faster than my bumbling brother. I caught

Harrison’s hand and spun him till he had landed

safely by my side. I slid in front of Harrison “Jet

calm down” I warned.

“No” he growled. “I told you Harrison sisters are

off limits”“Hey! I date whoever I want!” I yelled irked.



“Not without my permission”“Why you bloody idiot!”

Harrison laughed though there was nothing funny

about this situation Jet was in serious danger of

ripping him apart I didn’t want to do it but I had no

choice. The wind was ferocious whipping my hair

into my eyes. “Jet! He didn’t kiss me, I kissed him”

everything was silent. Harrison was shocked and Jetwas dumbfounded. “But Bianca said”

“She guessed”

Jet’s handsome face twisted into an angry scowl.

“Im gonna go pick up the pizza...” and he stalked

back around the house. I breathed a sigh of relief

then turned to a smug Harrison. “Uh-huh! You must

like me otherwise you would have let him kill me”“Like I said I think you learnt your lesson”

“I’ll give you a ride home...?” Harrison offered his

voice trailing off. I whacked him over the head then

stormed over to an anxious Scarlet. Her eyes were

rolling in their sockets and shaking. She really hated

the rain. With one easy tug I had the knot un-done

and was seated comfortably on her back. “What?”

he laughed.

“Harrison... I have a question” I squinted at him

through narrowed eyes because it had started

sleeting. “Yes Steph?”

“Why do you like me? You can have any girl in

school you want, but you go for the one who

doesn’t even like you?”

“There’s something different about you Steph I justdonno what”



“Well neither do I, see ya” my heart was in double-time, he won’t find out... he won’t find out... I

repeated over and over in my head all the way

home. The truth is... im not a normal teenage girl.

Im an Elemental entailing my being half-wolf. Not

creepy howling at the full moon and all hairy. But

more of a... shape shifter. It depended on the

elements and I was so lucky that mine was theelement of wind. Its so difficult to explain I wasn’t

entirely sure of it myself I’d be freaked out and

thought I’d gone insane. If it wasn’t for my friend

Francesca I’d be locked up in the loony bin. What

happens is when I concentrate hard enough my

human genes morph and change into a smoky grey

wolf. Its like the wind whisks straight through my bones the sensation is like im curling in on myself.

If you concentrated on my appearance there was

something distinctly wolf like about it. My grey

eyes were sharper than the average humans. I

moved faster than the fastest man on earth but that

was to be expected. My sense of smell was a little

more developed and oh yeah, I had control over the

wind. I led Scarlet into her stall then skipped

outside. I hadn’t been expecting the big gust that

literally knocked me off my feet. Grumbling my

torso twisted and I flicked my wrist. It died down a

bit I still had a lot to learn. Un-like me Francesca

was fiery; literally. She wasn’t sadistic about it for

which I was thankful. What scared me the most was

that I’d heard about other types... more sinister ones. Like people being able to use blood as an



element. I shuddered. I sniffed the air once I was inthe backyard. My mouth watered. Mmm... pizza. I

hurried through the back door and sped into the

kitchen. All my siblings were gathered around the

kitchen table hoeing down slices. “Ay leave some

for me!” I protested. Ben just grinned at me through

a mouthful of food. “Lovely” I mumbled snatching

up a particularly cheesy piece. It was still hot and burned my tongue but I didn’t care. Bianca was

done and filing her already perfect nails. Jet was

fishing a stray piece of meat from between his white

teeth. My brothers were probably just about the

most charming ones on the planet... even as a half-

wolf, half-human I was more clean. I could hear

Emmy’s nails on the floorboards as she boundeddown the hall. Skid then leap into the kitchen. Her

tongue lolling out to one side and ears pricked up. It

looked as though she was smiling. I sneaked her a

piece of chicken she gulped it down in one second.

“Hey guys” Declan ambled into the kitchen. His

face fell when he noticed the empty box. “Aw you

pigs I wanted some” Declan grinned goofily. I

supposed he was cute but I wasn’t one to judge.

“So, how many weeks you get grounded for?” he

asked Bianca.

“Twelve” I answered for her then froze and flinched

when Jet spoke up

“Sweet pay up Steph!”

“Don’t have my wallet on me” I shrugged. Doing a

what-can-I-do? Gesture.



“You never do” Jet grumbled. I poked my tongueout at him then slipped into the lounge room. I

splayed out on the couch and flicked through the

channels. At eleven I decided it was time to crash.

“Night guys” I yawned trudging up the stairs. There

was a few vague `nights drifting up the stairs. I

smiled as I slipped in my pj’s and into bed. I

clapped my hands and the lights flickered out.


The shrill beeping of the alarm clock woke me up

from a wonderful dream. “Stupid piece of crap” I

muttered and slammed my fist down; hard. On the

snooze button. It got the hint and stopped after that.

Eventually I couldn’t ignore the nagging voice in

my head telling me to get up and ready for school. I

dressed groggily in the outfit I had picked out the

night before. I didn’t bother with makeup as I

skipped downstairs my complexion pleased me.Mum was up and adam when I entered the kitchen.



She set the bowl of cheerios down as I slid into thecounter stool. “Thanks” I yawned. And shoved food

in my mouth then downed the entire glass of OJ`.

“Bye mum, love you” I pecked her on the cheek

then flew out the door. I had unfortunately overslept

not that I cared much about being late but I’d been

late one to many times before. Plus 99.9% of the

time my ‘other life’ had gotten in the way. I caughtBianca climbing into her Chevrolet Camaro

Concept just in time. “Wait up!” I called waving my

arms.

“Oh so beauty queen awoke?” she teased.

“Haha” I mumbled sarcastically climbing into the

passenger seat. Ben and Jet were fighting in the

back. Bianca snorted and stuck the keys in theignition she shot out of the driveway at a speed way

past the legal limit. Thanks to Bianca’s manic

driving we were there with plenty of time to spare.

There was an un-spoken rule between my siblings

and I. I am not allowed to speak to them during

school. I was considered a bit of a freak because I

always acted so weirdly. Kadie was only a friend to

me at swimming practice. She’s more popular than

me. Francesca came bounding up to me. She was

deathly pale with straight black hair always tied up

in a bun with two stray pieces framing her pretty

face. Her eyes were slender and pulled a little at the

corners. The irises an unnerving yellow. No-one but

me had noticed but her pupils were dull ruby red.

Something that had freaked me out at first but nowit seemed to be part of her. I was last to climb out of



the car. “Hey Steph”.“Hi Frankie”

“So, what did you do for the weekend?”

“Usual” I shrugged.

“Lucky you I was stuck at home with whack Nat”

“C`mon your grandma isn’t that bad” I elbowed her

playfully. She dodged it agilely then her face broke

out in a smile “Yeah she isn’t, look what she taughtme!”

Natalie was Francesca’s care-taker and her

grandmother or mentor. She was the only one who

knows about Francesca’s and my secret.

Francesca’s brow furrowed as she concentrated her

hand turned palm up; with fingers splayed out.

Instantly the little golden flame sprung up and shecupped it. Soon it had formed a ring and was

whirling gracefully in her hand. “Are you crazy?” I

hissed; eyes darting around to check to see if

anyone was watching. I spun my hand around and

the sharp gust of wind blew out the flame. “No” she

grumbled. Francesca came up to my shoulder blade

so she was pretty tall. “By the way, the old bird

wants you to come over this arvo` for ‘homework”

she made quotation marks in the air with her

fingers. I laughed lightly “Okay sides` we get off

early because of sport”

School wasn’t all that bad all the subjects I’d

chosen were the same as Francesca’s and they were

ones I liked. “We have cooking first then science” I

stated as she rifled furiously through her designer Gucci bag. Probably lost her timetable again...



Frankie proved me wrong when she pulled out asoiled piece of paper. “You never cease to amaze

me” I mumbled rolling my eyes. A furrow popped

into existence between her pencil thin black eye

brows as she examined the torn scrap. Frankie held

it out at arms length and peered at it through

narrowed eyes. “You can just make out the

writing...” she murmured to low for any normalhuman ears to pick up but I heard it. I peered down

“Yeah if you squint... hard”

“Get stuffed” she pretended to scowl as she chucked

the piece in the bin with uncanny precision. The bell

rang high and shrilly as we scattered off to our role

call rooms.

“Stephanie Manka”

“Here”

“Francesca Stevenson’s”

“Here!”

I rolled my eyes. Frankie deemed it prudent to act a

little bit to enthusiastic for our last lesson of the

day. Either excitement or she was crazy. The last

one seemed more probable. The English lesson

dragged on. I fidgeted in my seat and continually

glanced at the clock for the start of lunch. English

was my final subject and I was itching for it to end.

Finally the bell rang and we shot out of our seats

but not before Isabel blocked our escape. The

zombies (what Frankie liked to call them) sniveling

like idiots behind her. “So” she began. Frankie’seyes narrowed into slits the red very apparent in her



pupils now. The anger really brought it out. “I heardthat Harrison kissed you Stephy?” she said it like it

wasn’t possible. Damn Bianca to the fiery pits of

Hades! “Nup, never did”

“That’s not what Harrison told me” she snapped

harshly.

“Why can’t you” Frankie seethed shaking from

head to toe “Mind your own damn business!?”“Because Harrison is my business, and as far as im

concerned Stephy not yours. So hands off !” clearly

Isabel meant for the sentence to be threatening but it

had no effect on me. Frankie on the other hand was

about to explode. She basically had zero tolerance

for girls who think their all that. Which Isabel

obviously thought she was as she turned on her heelwith a disparaging flick of her hair and walked out

of the classroom. She was leaving for sport to and

Frankie and I were walking behind when she lit up a

cigarette. I nearly choked on the disgusting tar like

smoke streaming from her nose. “Careful with that

cigarette Izzy, you might get burned” my eyes

widened at a malicious Frankie. Isabel snorted

without turning our way; Frankie’s eye brow

twitched and Isabel yelled out in pain. She dropped

the cigarette and the choking gas hit my nose. I

coughed and quickly blew the revolting stench

away from me. The butt rolled into the grass by the

force of the wind. My stomach was heaving the

scent making my head swirl. How someone could

put something so vile to their lips I didn’t know.“Lets get out of here” I wheezed. Running faster



than I should away from the choking gas. I roundedthe corner then checked down the street to make

sure no-one was watching. In a quick pirouette the

smoke had been blasted out from me. With a cold

breath I blew it away. Frankie caught up to me her

pale face screwed up in annoyance and I was

willing to bet vestiges of anger still remained. I was

right sparks were shooting out of her fingertips.“Cool it” I advised. Frankie closed her eyes and

breathed in deeply. She did this right up till we

reached her grandmothers house. It was a simple

dark brick with wild flowers sprouting everywhere.

Everything in the house was antique and smelt like

freshly baked bread. “Hi Francesca, Stephanie”

Natalie acknowledged us. Her tone was a lovelyshade of warm beige her cheeks flushed with soft

peach cream. Natalie’s skin clung in papery little

folds to her withered bones. She had long pure

white thick hair that was tied up in a little bun at the

back with the rest hanging in heavy folds around

her once pretty face. Natalie had the same eyes as

Francesca that were bright topaz but no dull red in

the pupils. Her wizened hands moved over the

ingredients she was mixing in a bowl. “Hello” I said

politely. She smiled at me small surprisingly plump

lips revealed something even more shocking; pearly

white teeth. And they weren’t even fake. “I showed

Steph that thing you taught me” Frankie spoke

loudly plopping down into a cushioned chair. I

copied her only with a little more dignity. Natalieslid the cake batter into the old-fashioned oven. She



turned to Frankie with a raised eye brow dusting her hands on her apron. “And how did it go?”

“Steph had to help me put it out” she answered

sheepishly. Natalie laughed weakly and turned to

the pot sitting on the stove. Instead of lighting it

with a match a small jet of flame shot out of her

fingertips. The pot simmered and the scent of

pumpkin soup filled the small kitchen. My mouthwatered. Frankie had inherited her abilities off her

grandmother. Apparently it skipped a generation but

my grandma is long gone. Natalie set two round

plates and with a bowl in front of us. Two crisp

brown rolls still steaming. She lifted the pot off the

stove with a little effort the spooned us our soup.

Frankie instantly delved into hers. I waited for a bitit was true Frankie was a little more tolerable with

hot things she definitely didn’t burn easily. I waved

my index finger and a soft whisper of wind blew

across the surface. Smiling happily I slid the soaked

bedroll into my mouth. It tasted delicious.

“I see you’ve improved quite a bit Stephanie”

Natalie praised me sitting down eyeing Frankie with

a look of disapproval. I answered her once I had

swallowed “Yeah, I even got the wind to let up a

little yesterday”

Clearly that was something Natalie wasn’t

expecting. Her delicate eye brows shot right up into

her white hair. “Already? Your progressing much

faster than I expected. You must show me when

your done with lunch” I nodded my mouth full of soup. Something wasn’t right I could tell by the way



Natalie fidgeted in her seat a slightly manicexpression gleaming in her cat like eyes. When I

was finally done she spoke. “Girls” Natalie sighed

our heads both snapped up. The ancient misery

coating her voice worried us both. “It’s the Lords”

Frankie and I both froze. The Lords being the rulers

of Elementals like us. They were very powerful I’ve

only heard of them, one woman and one man.Vespera and Alijah. And then of course their slaves

of sorts. “They called a meeting a few days from

now. Calling all of us to Pioneer Square”

“All of us?” Frankie asked confused.

“Every Elemental on the planet” Natalie replied

gravely. My mind stopped working then went into

over-drive. But surely there were far to many? Our numbers were incredible. “Why?!” Frankie cried.

“They wouldn’t say, but im afraid we don’t have a

choice”

“That’s bull!”

Natalie sighed she never scolded Frankie for her

less than perfect vocabulary. “Its not im so sorry

Stephanie dear, but can you think of an excuse? We

leave on Saturday”

Frankie shoved away from the table and stormed

out. A loud door slam indicating she was pissed.

Natalie watched her go regretfully

“No, its fine” I mumbled. Natalie didn’t answer so I

got up slowly and walked quietly down the hall till I

reached Frankie’s room. I knocked softly when she

didn’t answer I barged in. Frankie’s room was donein vibrant oranges, blacks and reds. Her double bed



reflected in the wide glass walk-in-wardrobe. Shewas punching her big fluffy pillow. “Im not to

happy about it either”

Frankie laughed bitterly “I just hate being pushed

around by these idiots. Im not their bloody slave”

un-like me Frankie had met the Lords and she had

no intention of going back. Natalie sometimes went;

she used to be the greatest fire Elemental ever. I satheavily on the edge of her bed. “Look at it this way,

Seattle should give you more shopping

opportunities” I ventured. Instantly Frankie relaxed

and her pretty face lit up. I laughed.


I can’t freaking believe I only had four days to think

of an excuse as to why im leaving and may notreturn for a little while? Why? Why me? I had just



returned from Frankie’s and finished all of myhomework. I had been trying to put off making up

the excuse but I had to think of something and fast...

Bianca shrieked up the stairs that dinner was ready.

I delayed for a bit slowly brushing through my thick

curly hair. It was kind of cute how it would spring

back up and bounce a little. Eventually no longer

could I delay. I trudged down the stairs my hands buried deeply in my pockets. Steak and mashed

potato tonight, joy... I noticed Ben wasn’t here

almost instantly I guessed he was at Kitarnya’s but

Josephine corrected my assumption “He’s over at

the golf course and Jet is at Fairmont Park with his

mates” I shrugged, like I cared. Bianca was cutting

her meat daintily whereas in one slice mine was slit.I slid most of my dinner into Emmy’s food bowl

which she downed quickly. I wasn’t in the mood for

eating. “Steph dear what’s wrong?” mum asked

concernedly. My face drooped and I yawned “Just a

bit tired, can I be excused?”

“But its your turn for the dishes!” Bianca protested.

“Nuh-uh its Bens and since he’s not here its yours”

I replied smugly. I knew it was childish but I poked

my tongue out at a scowling Bianca then slipped

from the room. On my way to my room I peeked in

Bianca’s. Her room was all gold’s and dark teaks.

What I noticed was my favourite white blouse with

the West Seattle High School captaincy badge

pinned to the collar. She must have taken it on

Sunday. I thought angrily snatching it away. Therewere no stains for which I was thankful. Around



this time Frankie would’ve made her nightly call but I guessed she was still a little iffy about the

whole get-to-Seattle-by-Saturday thing. I slipped

into my silk pants that brushed along the floor and

my light blue camisole. I snatched out my French

manicure set and began on my toes. It was 8 o’clock

when my fingers and toes were glittering a pretty

pale pink and white. It really stood out against mydark skin. I was lucky to have a room with an

adjoining bathroom. Mum had a fair bit of money

left from when dad passed away. My GHD

straightener beeped after a minute. With my hair all

piled up on top of my head except for a fine wispy

layer I carefully set to work. Finally I finished at 10

to 11. Normally I didn’t do much before bed butsince Frankie didn’t call I had to fill in time. When

my eyes began to droop I slipped into my freshly

laundered sheets.

For a change the sun peeped in through my heavy

curtains in the morning. I was warm; lying in bed

with my sheets twisted everywhere around my legs.

I sat up groggily and rubbed my eyes. When my

vision cleared I shot out of bed. I was late; again. I

dressed quickly in calf length black tights and a

denim skirt, white blouse and Prada flats. My hair

was still straight and shimmery so I left it out and

just slid a headband on. I brushed my teeth speedily

yanked my book bag up then flew out the door;

apple in hand. Bianca was sitting in the car Ben inthe front seat. Jet was no-where to be seen.



“Remind me to wake you up earlier” Bianca quoteddryly as she sped along the road. I poked my tongue

out I noticed she had her captains badge on.

“Something special?”

“Yeah, apparently there’s gonna be an inspection by

a guy from the department of education and Shawn

and I have to greet him” she sounded very bored by

this so I didn’t press for more information. The parking lot for West Seattle High was nearly full so

I slipped out while Bianca went to park. The front

of the school was a large brick building with

students streaming in. Some like me; had taken a

guess and gone against celebrating the weather.

Knowing all to well it would probably disappear.

Frankie wasn’t anywhere in sight so I leaned againsta pillar and waited for the bell. Lucky me Harrison

had decided to come over... joy. “Hey have you

seen Jet?” he asked nonchalantly. I shrugged I

wasn’t in the mood for his dumb games. I realized

Harrison to had his prefect badge on CRAP! I

totally forgot mine. “Forgot your badge?” he

guessed, his lips pressed together to keep himself

from laughing. “Shut up” I snarled.

“Don’t worry, the office probably has spares,

c`mon” he jerked his thumb in the general direction

of the office. I was reluctant to go but Harrison was

coming full stop. “Excuse me miss?” I asked

timidly the woman behind the counter glanced up

then smiled at me warmly. “Forgot your badge

darl?”



“Uh, yes” I laughed. She chuckled with me thenhanded me the small gold pin on with the word

prefect engraved in it. Harrison was grinning

smugly behind me as I fumbled to pin it to my

breast pocket. “Here, let me” he offered hands

extended.

“I got it” I spat through my teeth. And I did, at least

until I pierced my skin. Swiftly his hands knockedmine aside and he had it done in two seconds.

“Screw you” I mumbled stalking past him. Harrison

just laughed and tagged along at my side. He was

about half a foot shorter than me. But I was taller

than most guys in my grade anyway. Probably why

they avoided me so much. Plus I was known as the

horse girl. “Hey Steph, I was wondering onSaturday... if maybe” I knew all to well where this

conversation was headed. “Actually I have

something that weekend so no, sorry” and I swept

past him. Eager to be out of there. All in all it was a

very boring Tuesday. And again on Wednesday

Frankie didn’t show up. I was starting to get

worried, what if she had already left without telling

me? What if she had run-away? But my fears were

squashed when it was her number appearing on my

mobile on Wednesday afternoon

“Steph?”

“Speaking” I answered calmly

“Oh hey, sorry I haven’t talked to you in awhile its

just that some people showed up. Their travelling

with us to the ‘meeting’ place”“More elementals?” I asked excitedly.



“Yes, listen why don’t you come over this afternoonto meet them?”

“Sure I’d love to”

“Okay bye”

“See yah” I hung up then changed course and

sprinted for Natalie’s place. I was halfway down the

street when my sensitive ears started to decipher the

ruckus coming from the small house. The door swung open before I could knock. Frankie stood

beaming in the doorway. Joy dancing in her eyes.

Behind her stood four people. There was a stunning

ivory skinned female around her early twenties,

silvery blonde waist length hair hung to her waist,

the male next to her was deathly pale just like

Frankie. His midnight black hair was cropped but pieces had grown out everywhere and framed his

handsome face, charcoal black lined his topaz eyes.

The next girl was just as pale with cropped black

hair and a blunt fringe that ended just above her

pencil thin eye brows, she had blood red full lips.

The final male was muscled like a football player

with curly brown hair and grinned goofily. Frankie

noticed my stare and named them all for me “Ivy,

Christian, Belle and Ash this is Stephanie, a wind

Elemental”

“First one I’ve ever met” the curly brown haired

Ash strode forward to shake my hand. “And that

would make you...?” I asked curiously smiling. I

already knew Belle and Christian were fire

Elementals the eyes are always a dead giveaway.“An earth one” his face broke out into a huge grin



when he dragged Ivy forward. She smiled timidly atme “Im a water Elemental” her soft melodic voice

echoed down the hall. I wondered randomly if there

were signs as to what certain Elementals some

were. For wind Elementals it was the glittering grey

eyes, fire Elementals the topaz ones, I looked at Ivy

again there was definitely something flowing and

graceful about her. Christian was leaning against thewall utterly bored his sharp eyes caught my staring,

I looked away blushing. “We’re gonna try and jam

into the one car” Frankie laughed.

“We are not!” Natalie croaked hobbling down the

hallway drying her hands on a dishcloth. The scent

of homemade pasta and oregano sauce drifting

down with her. “So” Frankie began once we wereall seated around the thick wood table. “Have you

thought of an excuse yet?”

“Excuse for what?” Ash asked curiously through a

mouthful of food. Ivy smacked him over the head.

“Why im suddenly disappearing on Saturday” I

answered curtly. When the sentence finished there

was a great deal of choking from Ash, Christian had

to slap him on the back a few times. “Your parents

don’t know?” Belle asked curiously. With a

distinctly English accent. “No”

“Odd” Christian muttered. His voice captivating

just like warm chocolate. I blushed and looked

down. “Stephanie’s mentor passed away when she

was young” Natalie clarified.

“So you’ve taught yourself everything you know?”Ivy asked in awe. I nodded sheepishly except



Christian wasn’t impressed “So you mustn’t be verygood then” he muttered, cheek lifted as he looked

down at his barely touched food. My left eyebrow

twitched spontaneously. Everyone who knew me

figured my temper was short. And the one thing I

could not stand was people who just assume. My

fork slammed down causing the table to tremble.

“Wanna bet?” I asked through gritted teeth.“Sure where can we do this?”

Ash howled as Christian called my bluff. Frankie

was chewing slowly her eyes darting between a

calm Christian and an enraged me. Belle was

watching with a bit of amusement. Ivy was biting

her perfect nail nervously. “No, no! NO!” Natalie

yelled a volley of sparks flying into the air as shethrew her hands up in aggravation.

“Christian, Stephanie is actually an amazing

Elemental it would be un-wise to challenge her” this

sentence meant more to the beautiful foursome than

it did to me. Belle raised her eyebrows till they

disappeared into her black fringe. Ivy gaped and

Ash choked on his food again. Christian looked

disbelieving as he glared at me. I returned the glare;

this went on for about five minutes until Francesca

spoke up. “Look, you guys will be staying with us

for awhile and that means no showing off at school ”now it was my turn to choke.

“What?” I wheezed my eyes streaming. These...

teenagers attending my school ?! Belle leaned back

in her chair her topaz eyes veiled. Christianlooked... bored. Ash was leaning back in his chair



smiling up at the ceiling. Ivy was twirling pastawith her fork while a smile played around her

perfect lips. “Is that why you haven’t been at school

for so long?” I asked turning accusingly to

Francesca. She shrugged smiling “Nah, but Belle is

a great teacher”

Natalie scoffed

“Marnie doesn’t approve of my techniques” Bellecleared up. I noticed now on her arm was a tattoo of

a thorny rose with a black snake coiled around the

stem. Though her outfit was different, white short

sleeved blouse with a black high waist work skirt,

black tights and very high glossy black heels. On

her finger was a worn out thick silver ring the same

rose and snake engraved on it. I noticed now theyall had some item of jewelry. Around Ivy’s slender

neck was a slight silver chain and a glittering swan

nestled in the hollow at the base of her throat.

Christian had a simply black and red leather band

plaited together wrapping around his pale wrist. Ash

had a tiny minuscule black stud in one ear. My eyes

fixed on Ivy; her ivory finger was going up and

down in a soft motion. The mineral water in her cup

following it in a little cylinder like glob. Ivy was

dressed in a tight fitting ice blue summer dress with

a small floaty jacket that ended just beneath her

chest. Her small feet partially covered by the same

blue ballet flats. Christian in tight fitting jeans,

black T-shirt and volleys. Ash wore baggy torn

jeans, a white thick strap top with a green sports jacket thrown over casually. And they had the best



fashion sense almost as good as Frankie’s. Their obvious wealth made me feel a little insignificant

even though I owned four horses. And that

comforted me. “About your situation” Christian

began in a smooth voice once Natalie had got up to

wash the dishes. Ivy jumping up and helping out;

cleaning at a much faster pace. “What about it?” I

asked him rudely. Christian hid a smile.“Well, why don’t you just tell your mum your

sleeping over at Francesca’s and then going down

the coast for a bit”

My eyes widened. How come I didn’t think of

that?! I grudgingly admitted to using it which made

Christian’s smug smile even more pronounced. “I

was hoping to get some training in but its to windyand raining...” Ash murmured his eyes fixed

outside. Rain was bucketing down and the wind

whipped fiercely against the house. Ivy and I both

cleared our throats at the same time. “Idiot” Belle

muttered rolling her eyes. She smoothly pushed

away from the table then disappeared down the hall.

“Hey Steph if your not gonna fight Chris ere` why

don’t you take me instead?” Ash suggested. I

grinned happily at him

“Sure” this guy clearly underestimated me.

Everyone except Natalie and Belle tagged along to

watch. Ivy spread her arms in a wide arch and the

rain created an amazing dome above us. It looked

like there was an invisible wall holding it at bay

while it ran down the sides. The wind was evenfiercer now, it whipped my hair into my eyes but it



didn’t sting me. I breathed in deeply then steppedforward into the middle and spun in a wide circle.

Its snarling stopped immediately. Ash looked a little

un-sure as he stepped forward but it soon dissipated

when he turned to face me. The others hung back.

Frankie most of the way she knew what I was like. I

had to admit Ash was good; but I was better. Earth

Elementals mostly relied on vibration to sense their opponents and that’s where I had the advantage. I

was so light on my feet normally my approach was

silent. I felt the lift as my feet hovered above the

ground only half a foot in the air but enough to

confuse Ash. The ground pushed up as a wave of

bricks rolled towards me. Placing my hand on the

steps it formed I flipped till I was facing Ash. I spunmy arms in a circle; air sliced towards him and

knocked Ash off balance. I didn’t give him time to

recover as I put all my strength into the whirlwind I

sent at him. My reflexes were quicker than any

other Elemental and Earth ones had the slowest;

providing me with the upper hand. Mark spun and

planted his feet firmly on the ground. Four rock

hard walls sprung up and encased. I heard his

laughter shake the ground. I gritted my teeth; he

isn’t winning that easily. I pressed my hands to the

walls and focused. Eventually I could feel the

minuscule air tunnels running through the

foundations of my small Earth prison. My eyebrows

pulled together and finally the entire thing blew out

into little sharp shards of rock. Ash stooddumbfounded along with everyone; except Frankie.



With a final slice of my hand Ash was lying on theground still gaping at me. I smirked then hauled him

to his feet. Ivy kept the dome of water surrounding

us. “I’ve never seen anything like her” Christian

murmured apparently reassessing his first

impression. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” I

sneered.

“We’ll see, my turn” he started forward. Frankie’seyes went from veiled to dancing in a minute. Fire

Elementals usually had the upper hand when it

came to Air ones; Fire breathed off the power but

since it was raining I could work it to my

advantage. Christian moved sharply then shot a

flaming jet towards me. I ducked under it moving as

quickly as the fierce wind. I kept up the dancinggame till I had happily put enough distance between

us. I curled in on myself then un-furled quickly

sending out a blast of freezing air. It blew out past

the dome of water causing it to flutter. Then I

hauled the icy air back in. It wrapped around

Christian’s ankles and hands with a final breath it

froze. He couldn’t use his abilities anymore and I

had won... YAY! Christian hissed at me; charcoal

lined eyes narrowing. The topaz glinting furiously

at me. But what he stared at me with was grudging

awe the anger was directed internally. “Don’t beat

yourself up, she did that to me to”

“So, still think im not good?” I challenged. After

flashing a remembering smile to Frankie. “Fine” he

muttered grudgingly. I slipped inside and Ivy let the



rain fall again. The others quickly hurried inshaking glistening drops from their hair.


“Aw Stephy isn’t your girlfriend here?” Isabel

called to me in her high-pitched voice from acrossthe schoolyard. I made a rude one-fingered gesture

in her direction which caused Isabel to stalk over to

me. She never failed to forget to pin on her extra

shiny Vice Captain badge. She wore it like a crown

and thought because I was a Prefect that I am below

her. Which in general order I was but boy on the

predator list she’d be around the kelp area and I’d probably be the shark. A lot of people usually felt

intimidated by my height so Isabel hung a little

further back then you would in normal

conversation. “How dare you!” she screeched. The

entire hall fell silent as if her shrill voice was the

bell. My eyes flickered to the side. I was waiting for

Francesca to show up with her ‘cousins’. A littlering formed around Isabel and I as people hastily



cleared the way. It was un-spoken rule to get out of her and my way. Isabel’s forced mine just...

occurred. “Wait till I tell the Principle what you did

to a Vice Captain”

as I was about to make a witty remark Bianca

forced her way through the throng of people. “Yet

Izzy dearest, Stephanie here could tell the Principle

that you have threatened a Prefect”“She stuck her finger up at me!” Isabel yelled in

exasperation

“No written rule against it and no-one here saw it”

Bianca appealed to the by-standing crowd with her

eyes. No-one was willing to go against Isabel but I

doubt anyone would ever say one word against my

sister. Isabel screamed out in exasperation. Shehated being proven wrong. The tension seeped away

and people began to move around again. “Thanks” I

whispered huskily to Bianca. She smiled at me then

slithered away. “Wow” Ivy breathed. I whipped

around. Francesca stood a foot in front of her four

‘cousins’. She was dressed in a belly button

showing red couture top, black mini shorts, long

socks that reached past her knee and red wedges.

Her pitch black hair pulled halfway into a shimmery

beanie. Ivy was dressed in a short floaty blue dress

and white wedges. Belle looking sharp and stunning

in the same tight black skirt and white blouse. Ash

dressed casually and Christian in striking contrast.

With a pair of black skinny leg jeans, tight pitch t-

shirt and white air-forces. The same charcoal lininghis topaz eyes. His hair even more messy than



yesterday. He was erring on the edge of surlyinstead of apathetic. Probably because I had kicked

his butt yesterday. A couple of girls were eyeing

Ash and Christian. But Ivy made it clear with her

body language that Ash was off limits which left

Christian the center of attention. And he certainly

didn’t like it. He hurried past girls who tried to talk

to him. Most of the time his eyes slipped to myface. It was probably bright red as I was holding

back laughter.

“Don’t even think about it” he muttered angrily to

me from between thin lips. Ivy on the other hand

didn’t bother. She went into a fit of hysterical

laughter. Ash had to hold her up. Belle rolled her

eyes and checked her jet black perfect nails.Francesca surveyed the motley group warmth in her

eyes. She turned to me with a devilish smile I was

instantly weary; this can’t be good. “Oh Steph, you

and Christian have every class together”

“WHAT?!” we both yelled unison. I looked

witheringly at Frankie. For someone who was

supposed to know me so well she could really be

dead wrong.

“Im with her?” Christian asked in his smooth voice

glancing apprehensively at me. I was somewhat

offended. I turned on Christian all my irritation with

Frankie draining away. “And what the hell is wrong

with that?”

Ash, Ivy and Francesca took a quick step back.

Then another; soon they were ten feet away fromus. “Well” Christian floundered for words



something I had never expected “It seems as thoughyou’re a bit of an... outcast”

I snapped.

“Look I said I was sorry” Christians muffled

apology sounded so sincere I almost believed him.

Almost being the keyword. Christian was clutching

his right jaw a big purple bruise already bloomingalong his pale skin. I rubbed a small burn on my

arm. Pain shot up along it. I winced. We were

sitting outside the Principles office after being given

the verdict and let off. But only once; we had been

warned. Though right now I did consider giving

him a good punch again. I had kinda jumped on top

of Christian; pinned him to the ground and smashedhim in the jaw. But only once! In his attempt to get

me off he had accidently burnt my arm. I told the

nurse it was from a cooking incident. “What kind of

prejudiced pig are you?” I hissed. Before he could

defend himself I continued “Your just like everyone

else you know that? Because im different, because

im tall , something I have no freaking control over

they go and run because of it! You are the worlds

biggest arse!” with that I jumped up and stormed

out of the office. Just to make matters worse

Harrison was waiting by it; leaning coolly against

the steel poll. “So who’s Count Dracula?” he asked

casually. A little to overdone.

“Francesca’s cousin” I growled not in the mood for

his dumb games. Not that I ever was. Harrison kept



up the casual pretense until we were out of hearingdistance from everyone else. “That’s a load of bull”

“Huh?” was my genius reply. Where did this come

from?

“Its bull that you burnt yourself cooking your arm

was fine when you came to school and as soon as

his hand touched your skin, Walla! Your burnt”

I stopped dead in my tracks. My mind going a milea minute. “Okay” I laughed shakily “Looks like

someone escaped from the asylum. Maybe you

should go back” my feeble attempt at blocking the

truth didn’t fool him for a minute. “I saw, what I

saw” Harrison snarled at me.

“Whatever, like anyone will believe you” I sighed

as though I felt sorry for him. When really my heartwas hammering away. I practically ran from him till

I reached my house. Gasping for air and panicking

big time. “What’s wrong with you?” Ben asked

once I had walked into the living room. I pulled out

the book I had to read for English. “Nothing” I

looked at him like he was crazy. “Where’s Bianca?”

Josephine asked awhile later walking in and

snatching the remote off an un-suspecting Jet. “Out

riding Scarlet” Jet grumbled. I decided now was

good as any time to tell mum about my ‘trip’. “Oh

mum by the way—Francesca and I are just going on

a little trip out of town on the weekend. Her

grandmothers coming to” I assured Josephine she

had started to look apprehensive but caved in the

end.“Okay but remember to take your mobile”



“WHAT?!” Jet yelled. Josephine appraised him“How come she can get out of town that easily!?”

“Because genius” Ben said sarcastically “Stephanie

doesn’t always ditch school”

Mum’s face hardened. I felt sort of sorry for her

Ben was the only one hear who had a clean record

but it was only a matter of time before he started to

follow in our footsteps. The only thing stopping himwas Kitarnya and he would never do anything to

upset her. Jet made the gesture of a whip cracking

and Ben threw a pillow at him. Bianca came in

around six later that night.

Friday came and went faster than I thought possible.

I was packed and ready for my ‘trip’ with Francescaarriving at her place just on time. Ash beeped

angrily from his BMW. Ivy sitting dutifully in the

front seat with Christian and Belle in the backseat.

“Im driving!” sung Frankie bounding out the front

door. Her diamond studded key ring tinkling

musically in her hand. Natalie pursed her lips but

didn’t say anything. Im sure she wasn’t to fond of

Frankie driving her Lexus. It turned out Francesca

was actually quite a good driver when she wasn’t

being an idiot. To be polite I sat in the back so

Natalie could have the front. We drove in silence

Frankie singing quietly to the music in the car. It

was early dawn when we arrived in Seattle. The sky

liners and tall glass office buildings pale in the

weak sunlight. Mist swirled across the lake blurringout the horizon’s line. Mist on the Horizon. The full




My mind wiped blank. I knew there were a lot of

Elementals but I never thought it possible that could

be this many. Thousands stood talking in the hall.

And right up the back pressed against the very

farthest wall were to incomprehensively beautiful

people. The woman; Vespera. Was dressed in a

flowing black sleek gown. Her fiery red hair hung

down her back in shocking contrast. The man was

tall and leonine. Golden honey hair uncombed and

frizzy. Dressed in a black cloak. They surveyed the

scene with interest. Vespera and Alijah the royal

Elementals. “How old are they!” Frankie hissed.

For they looked only mid twenties. Natalie swiftly

avoided the question. Instantly I knew she was

hiding something. “Come there’s a clear space over here” her voice a little to casual. Ivy danced around



the close packed bodies while Ash shoved his waythrough. Christian walking languidly in his wake.

We made it to a deserted corner. Francesca

occupied herself by snuffing out all the cute boys.

Which wasn’t to hard in a hall full of Elementals.

To Ash’s chagrin Ivy was attracting a lot of

attention; all of it from the male variety. For reasons

un-known I was to and it’s pretty hard to blend inwhen your six foot. The hall im guessing is usually

used for council meetings. Which in truth this kind

of counted as one. As the day moved on at least

fifty thousand people were jam packed into the ever

increasing small space. “What do you think this is

all about?” Ivy whispered to me. It occurred to me

then that all week I had not once wondered why theRoyals called this meeting. “I have no idea” I

murmured looking straight ahead. Vespera had

moved to the front her skeletal fingers linked with

Alijahs. “Friends” her voice carried across the hall;

a high soprano.

“My dear brother and I have gathered you here to

announce some alarming news” murmurs started to

move around the wide space until Alijah cleared his

throat and stepped forward. “This can’t be good”

the words slipped from between Belle’s crimson

lips. Her face was concerned and a hint of

something else etched in her straight features. “You

see there are a handful Elementals” Alijahs voice

echoed around the hall; he paused for a second the

ring of majesty clear in his hard voice. “Whomthreaten our very existence!”



Some people gasped: I was likely to be one of them.They were suicidal these Elementals but that left

one question un-answered. “Why haven’t the Elite

taken care of it?” a female voice asked with a heavy

Irish accent. Francesca looked like she was

wondering the same thing. I realized now the strong

intimidating figures standing behind the royals their

arms crossed over their chests. Three females andtwo males; who made up the Elite. They varied in

size; a pixie like girl’s eyes were darting

everywhere missing no detail. A coffee skinned

woman next to her standing sentinel totally still. But

it seemed like her who saw the most. The third

female screamed dangerous. Though most

Elementals had tell-tale signs of a wolf about themthis woman seemed to be more wolf than human.

Her midnight black hair course with silvery strands

wavering. She held her body defensively coal black

eyes still but glowing like the moon. The two men

had non-descript features nothing to offensive. I

wondered what set them apart from other

Elementals. And then I decided I didn’t want to

know. “We prefer to use the Elite for more serious

matters” Vespera replied coldly.

“What the hell could more serious than exposure?!”

an enraged voice roared.

“What my sister meant to say was” Alijah hurried to

glaze over the mistake “Is that we know some of

you are itching to have a little more involvement we

understand not getting to stretch your abilitiesangers some, so we have decided to let you make a



rag-tag team to handle this. My sister and I aregoing to provide as much information as necessary

but the Elite shall remain here unless it is absolutely

vital”

Choruses of abuse were echoed at the Royals as

they retreated the Elite three steps behind them.

Eventually the babble of voices quieted. “Well I

know for sure that im in!” a strong voiceannounced. Already Elementals were trickling out

of the hall. A burly man stood holding up his hand;

a cocky grin on his un-shaven face.

“Me to” the Irish voice I heard before came from an

very physically opposing woman. She was very

beautiful. Golden skin, long plaited bright blonde

hair and glittering green eyes. From the way sheheld her posture I hazarded a guess at an Earth

Elemental. Ash opened his mouth raising his arm.

Ivy just in time realized this; she jumped on his arm

and put all her weight in dragging it back down.

Belle laughed quietly. But Ivy could not stop an

eager Francesca from making her hand fly right up.

Enough people had left for it to be no problem to

hear Ivy and Ash’s heated argument. My heart flip-

flopped in my chest. This was a suicidal mission;

obviously if the Royals would not endanger the

Elite these Elementals were powerful beyond

anyone’s wildest imaginings. I looked to Natalie

beseeching but to my astonishment she was talking

to Francesca about fighting strategy. Belle shrugged

and she too raised her hand. I gulped and themuscles in the pit of my stomach tightened.



Christian was leaning casually against the wall hisarm raised lazily. I hadn’t talked to him since that

fateful afternoon in the principles office. Why was

it such a problem if he wanted to join this suicide

mission? So much worse than Frankie joining up? I

felt like I was betraying my best friend. Worrying

more about this boy whom I barely knew over

probably the only person on the planet who knewthe real me. I looked around at my friends; if they

were in. So was I. It was a little hard seeing the

betrayed look on Ivy’s face as I winced

apologetically at her. “WooHoo!” Ash exulted

punching the air.

“Idiot” Ivy grumbled before grudgingly announcing

that she could be counted in. Eventually there werefifteen Elementals grouped together. We sat in

plastic chairs exchanging names. The stunning Irish

girl revealed her name to be; Isolde Smith. The un-

shaven mans was Jeff. The good humor passed

when strategy became the main topic.

“The Royal’s will give us the information we need”

a confident boy not much older than me spoke

confidently. Belle snorted and rolled her eyes

“Don’t you get it?” she asked. Everyone stared

blankly at her.

“The Royals qualified they will provide as much

information necessary”

“So?” Isolde asked raising her delicate eyebrows.

“Look at the facts. Number one; they won’t let the

Elite get involved”



“Because they may need them for... later” Jeff interrupted her.

“Yes, but on which side?” Belle contradicted him.

“The Royals would never abuse their power!”

Natalie sounded very appalled by the very idea.

“But what if they had a motive?” Belle pushed.

“There is no motive” a small girl growled glaring

daggers at Belle.“Think again” a young female voice laughed

darkly; shrugging away from the wall. I very nearly

avoided falling out of my chair. This girl was

obviously no more than twelve. She looked like a

porcelain doll. Ivory skin, millions of raven black

curls, full red lips and wide dark eyes. She was

dressed inoffensively. Blue jeans and a black t-shirt.“You could say that one of the Elite may hold a

grudge against me”

The small girl who had growled at Belle earlier

snorted disbelievingly. “What do you mean child?”

Natalie asked kindly. The porcelain girl smiled

brilliantly at Natalie before answering. “I

‘accidently’ killed one of their mates” she made

quotation marks in the air. “Impossible a child

Elemental doesn’t have the raw power needed” Jeff

was cut off again by the girl.

“Maybe the ordinary child Elemental but a sky one

has the capability”

We all gasped. Natalie had told stories about the

Sky Elementals (in short being able to control the

weather) we thought it to be no more than mythsand legends. That kind of power couldn’t exist. And



yet here was a small girl telling us she was one.“Liar” Jeff accused.

“She’s not” Isolde spoke softly; her tone wondering.

“How can you tell?” Natalie asked curiously.

“Earth Elemental’s can feel the vibrations in the

ground when someone is lying they increase and

she definitely isn’t”

I looked to Ash for confirmation of this. He nodded just barely aware of his surroundings. My head

snapped back to the girl. Now I understood why the

Royals hadn’t allowed the Elite to destroy her. She

was far to dangerous. The girl smiled happy to have

gotten her point across. Jeff and the small teenager

still looked a little skeptical.

“Names Felicity by the way”“Odd name” the small girl commented.

“And yours would be?” Felicity challenged. The

girl looked down and blushed

“Estella”

Ivy trying to up-lift the tense atmosphere said “Well

since we’re giving names out mines Ivy, this is my

boyfriend Ash, brother Christian and sister Belle”

Christian rolled his eyes. “Francesca and here’s my

bestie Stephanie and my grandma Natalie” Frankie

slung her arm over my shoulder I looked down

while I felt my face heat up.

“Jeff and my wife Veronica” I hadn’t noticed the

small woman standing timidly behind Jeff. He

tugged on her slender hand and she glided forward.

The difference between Veronica and her husbandwas comical. While he was fairly tanned she was as



white as snow, while he was buff she was slender,Jeff was strong and angulated in his movements,

she had the same flowing grace as Ivy, her eyes as

wide as golf balls were a bright sapphire blue. She

had platinum blonde hair that was crimped and so

long she could easily sit on it. Veronica I noted had

a quiet beauty about her. The two reminded me so

much of Ivy and Ash the only difference Ivy wasalmost as loud as Ash.

“Quinn” the boy Belle had contradicted before

announced happily.

“Back to the topic” Isolde said between clenched

teeth. The atmosphere shifted again. Belle spoke

while a heavily disapproving Natalie glared at the

ground.“So we know they have a motive, coincidentally

who’s mate did you kill? The numbers seem even

enough”

I was reminded of the five that made up the Elite. I

remembered Natalie telling us the Elite were only

ever had even numbers. Felicity smirked dark mirth

dancing in her icy eyes. “Edan, Taryn’s mate”

This sentence meant something more to Natalie,

Isolde and Belle than it did to the rest of us. “Who’s

Taryn?” Estella asked after a long silence.

“Wolf girl” Isolde laughed. I remembered the

ferocious half-gypsy, half-werewolf woman who

had been part of the Elite. “Are you nuts?” choked

out Jeff. Veronica’s wide sapphire eyes were

widened in silent horror. Felicity raised a flawlesseye brow daring him to say it again.



“Why though?” breathed Ivy watching Felicity withrapt eyes. I doubt anyone else saw the brief split

second of pain that crossed Felicities flawless

porcelain face.

“How about we get back to the topic?” I suggested

eying Felicity. She smiled briefly at me before

crossing her legs patiently and sitting beside my

chair. Her little pointed chin rested in her ivoryhands. She looked so child-like and innocent now;

nothing like the dark and dangerous air surrounding

her before. “Before we even think of launching an

attack” Jeff began but was quickly cut in by Quinn.

“Why not now? If we just get a rough idea of where

they are I reckon we could just go right in”

Estella rolled her eyes but Quinn persisted “Think,these people their constricted following the rules. If

we gather information they may know about it but if

we just go at random they’ll have no idea”

“To many risks” Belle instantly dismissed the idea.

“No there’s something in that” it was the first time

Christian had spoken. All eyes shifted to him; he

shrugged away from the wall and stood closely

behind my chair. So close in fact I could feel his

hands brush against my hair when he illustrated

with them. Stupid heart, there was absolutely no

reason why it was now beating twice as fast. “How

many of you know your history?” I could almost

feel the smug smile as he spoke. Confusion was

evident on all our faces. I twisted round to look up

at him. Glare seemed more appropriate though.



“How many of you have heard of one of the lastfifteen attempts to assassinate Hitler?”

“Operation Valkery?” I asked. Christian seemed

shocked by my knowledge. In truth I knew a fair bit

about World War II I was pretty intrigued with that

part of history. “Yes, do you know how they

executed it?”

“Gained information then attempted to assassinateHitler, right?”

“Yeah”

Belle caught on quicker than I did. “Oh, I get it.

First we have to learn all their moves; plan it out.

Maybe even get someone on the inside then strike

the core once that happens we move in while their

still scrambling to right itself”I only just made this revelation along with a stunned

Estella and a surly Quinn.

“Fine, where do we meet?”

“It has to be non-descript...” Isolde murmured.

“How about my place?” Francesca suggested.

Perking up from her slouch. I looked wearily at

Natalie. She was nodding thoughtfully some

vestiges with her irritation at Belle still left in her

eyes. “Fine by me what’s the address?” Jeff said

easily smiling. Francesca shared her address with

everyone and arranged to meet in a month. I felt

like my head was crammed with to much. At least I

didn’t have to think of an excuse. I always went

over to Frankie’s without warning. I hadn’t noticed

that Christian and I were the only ones left in thegreat hall. I could hear their chatter descending the



stairs. I shook myself out of my reverie and stood alittle bit dizzy after sitting for so long. I

remembered my previous irritation with im for the

‘outcast’ remark. I scowled as I stalked past

Christian. “Stephanie wait!” he pleaded. Christian

reached out a hand and placed it on my wrist. At his

touch an electric current shot up my arm and

warmed my chest; resonating in my soul. Im sure hecould hear my heart accelerate. “What?” I

grumbled.

“Will you let me apologize?”

“For calling me an out-cast? Don’t worry im used to

it” I hissed at him. Christian winced but ploughed

on. “I didn’t mean it” he said feebly. I raised my

eye brow skeptically. “I just want to know, why dothey treat you like that?”

“Because im tall” my voice growing forlorn. He

still hadn’t removed his hand from my wrist. “Its

not like you can help it” Christian muttered a trace

of anger in his topaz eyes. I laughed without humor

that was something I had repeated to myself

constantly. In my two brothers being tall was

considered cool in Bianca it was okay because she

was so pretty. I didn’t try to show it but some boys

just didn’t realize the control they had on weaker

esteemed girls. I remembered all too clearly when I

was in year six.

“Quick, everybody duck Godzilla is coming!” a boy

yelled pointing at me and pretending to cower in

fear. His friends snickered at me glaring with crueleyes. all I had been doing was walking past them.



There was always a reference to my appearance. Ihadn’t known of my abilities only that every time I

got mad the wind shrieked louder till I was shaking.

I couldn’t even make it to my classroom before

fifteen comments were thrown at me. Not one day

had I made it through without being crippled with

misery. Until one day I just... snapped. “Oy move it

your blocking the sun!” the same boy called to me. Ifroze and turned slowly; eyes blazing. The wind

picked up till the shingles on the roof had started to

fall off. He was grinning goofily but it soon died

when I was three inches away from him and

effectively caught him in the gut with my fist. I

didn’t give him time to recover. Another in the jaw,

temple... and not once could he touch me becauseall the time he tried the howling wind just knocked

him back down.

“They don’t care” I growled at no-one. The memory

had dredged up my repressed depression and rage.

“Boys!” I spat “Only give a damn if the girl is

pretty! they don’t care if shes smart... or nice. No its

only looks. Pathetic losers!” with the last shrieked

sentence and eyes blind with rage I turned and

smashed my fist against the brick wall. My bone

didn’t break or splinter. Elementals were really hard

to kill. But the wall shuddered the slightest crack it

made brought me back. My hair was whipped into a

frenzy I had lost control. I could feel Christian’s

weary gaze on my back. “There that answers your

question” and I left.



“Im home!” I called dumping my school bag at the

front door. No response... Emmy barked and

scratched at the back fly screen door; her long pink

tongue lolling out to the side. No-one in the family

understood why she was so prone to sticking to my

side when ever possible. I knew it was because I

carried wolf blood in my veins. She felt it her dutyto protect me. I smiled and strode down the hall. I

thrust the door open and she flew into my legs my

knees buckled and I toppled over. Emmy leaped on

top of me and began licking my face. “Ew, Emmy!”

I laughed. Shoving her off I snatched up pen and

paper.

Mum, taken Emmy for a walk. Beback later,love StephTechnically I was taking Emmy for a walk but not

human. I rethought of the past few months and was

shocked to realize I hadn’t shifted for a while. I

jumped the fence while Emmy slithered under a

hole she had dug beneath it. I stripped out of myclothes and hung them on a near-by tree. I stood;

stock still. Feeling the wind caress my bare skin and

seeped right through my very bones. I could feel

them contract; mold and shrink. My nose was

assaulted with new scents and marks animals had

left to claim their territory.

It’s about time a clear sweet voice grumbled insidemy head. Oh, one more thing. I could speak to



Emmy inside my head; only in wolf form though.Emmy was not an Elemental but an Essence. More

of a goddess not all Siberian huskies were uncannily

beautiful like her. At first glance Emmy may appear

a well groomed dog. But to someone who studied

her closely would notice the un-common

intelligence in her glimmering grey eyes. More like

a black sky but instead of the darkness it was astunning grey with sparkles set at different depths.

Short smoky black eye lashes gave her appearance

of wearing eyeliner. She held her body more

gracefully too. It wasn’t just a coincidence that I

found Emmy when I was out riding Captain but

fate. Each Elemental had a link. The reason for their

gift. Emmy had chosen me she was the goddess of the wind. We kept her as a pet. And she resented

having to act ‘stupidly’ like all house-hold dogs. To

her very nature was a deep insult.

Sorry Em I’ve been a little busy

My name isn’t Emmy its Stormtail Fine sorry Stormtail have you heard anything fromthe gods? Not since they gave us the same warning your rulers provided. Hm, what about Sunbeam? I referred to Francesca’s

link. Sunbeam was her god name but to outsiders it

was Sunny.

No the damned unreliable cat’s been out grooming and chasing mice.

While you have been running into glass door’sYou know I have to act that way.



Whatever I laughed inside my head. Francesca’sother self loosely resembled Sunbeam. Un-like

Stormtail’s well groomed appearance my wolf-self

was wilder. Darker fur flecked with grey and

ghostly pale eyes. Despite being the Wind

Elemental Stormtail was stronger than me. An

immortal. What all Elementals became when the

time came for them to pass to the Divinity. I startedoff at a brisk pace finally being able to properly

stretch my limbs in such a long time.

Race you? I asked after awhile. Stormtail barked a

laugh. What’s the point? I always beat you Im feeling lucky I replied drily. Before I could so

much as take the first leap something white flashed

just barely overhead. I wheeled around; earsflattened to my skull and teeth bared. Stormtail

mimicked my defense. No normal bird could move

that fast not even an eagle.

Halt! Stormtail commanded.

Stormtail? A siren voice asked in my head. It was

smooth and distinctly female. Stormtail straightened

out of her defensive crouch ears pricked and

shimmering eyes alight. I followed her wearily.

Diamondgrace? Stormtail asked in shock. I really

think God’s and Goddesses’ had just about the

weirdest names. To my surprise a second more

familiar voice echoed in my head.

Di, what’s going on? Ivy?!

Oh, my Steph?



Another more pleasant surprise emerged. A black swan blew down and rustled her glossy feathers the

tiny black glimmering eyes held amusement the

striking red beak looked to be smiling. A second

smaller one landed twice as gracefully beside her.

The pure white feathers of this bird looked

exceptionally soft and silky this ones eye’s were a

pure sapphire blue. Ones I new anywhere. I guess Iwasn’t surprised that Ivy’s form was of a swan. The

black one next to her must have been her Link. The

water Goddess.

Looks like we all found a companion Diamondgrace

said with a hint of bemusement.

Francesca said we might run into you Ivy said

happily. Is she here? NoOh my heart sank. All through Ivy’s and I

conversation Stormtail and Diamondgrace had been

conferring on facts of the disturbance. Ivy knew

what I was about to ask.

The Essence’s don’t know anymore than we do. Damn

Yeah, it sucksWhy’ve you come out here anyway? I asked with

genuine curiosity.

Christian and Ash are fighting which resulted in Belle getting pissed and I really don’t want to bearound for that. Plus Di was getting restless. I see I laughed.

Please come over it’ll sort Ash and Christian out.



The temptation was too great. Sure be there in a few.Thanks replied Ivy ferverently. But I was already

bounding away. Stormtail was still conversing with

Diamondgrace. I shifted and jumped the fence.

Having dressed in a flash. Josephine was home I

noted that my bag was hung up neatly and Jets food

scraps neatly put away. I trudged up the stairs to geta clean change of clothes. That’s when I heard. If

my ears weren’t so sensitive I would never have,

but I wished I hadn’t. The lightest sob followed by

whimpered cries of

“Why’d you leave Nathan?” mum’s plea for dad

pulled at my heart-strings. I shook myself

vigorously. I walked down the stairs in a trance. Iqueried once I reached the bottom. I could take

Captain for a ride but one glance outside told me

that plan had gone to the winds. And rain. Yanking

my umbrella out of its stand I flipped it open. The

wind whipped my hair into my eyes. I shook my

head forming a little pocket of calm around myself.

Though it didn’t stop the rain pelting down onto the

umbrella. Eventually I reached Francesca’s house

my hair even curlier because of the moist air. I

didn’t bother with knocking but slipped in. I was

assaulted by the creaks of earth being twisted and

the roar of flames. Followed by a lot of shouting. I

rounded the corner to see a three way duel. Belle

livid with rage was focusing entirely on sending

Ash ten feet into the air. Francesca watched withrapture at the entertaining spectacle before her. Ivy



smiled gratefully at me. Natalie was continuing as if no such fight was taking place. I watched the fight

through the glass back door from my safe spot at the

kitchen table. When I was battling Christian I didn’t

have time to see how his movements were so sharp

and lightening fast. The way his black hair flew in

disarray everywhere his topaz eyes flashing.

“I. Am. So. Sick. Of. Your FIGHTING!” Belleshrieked. Crimson red flame flew out of her very

skin. Christian’s eyes widened. Belle was dangerous

it was no longer playful fighting. I leaped from the

table flew out the back door. I didn’t know what I

was doing. I was acting on instinct alone. I planted

my feet and thrust my palms forward. The freezing

air shot out whipping the flames into little speckstill they disappeared completely. Despite nearly

killing her brother and her sisters boyfriend I had to

admire that not one strand of her hair was out of

place. She turned on a glossy heel and stalked off. I

straightened up standing next to Christian I felt like

I was standing next to an open flame. That was

normal for Flame Elementals. Our blood reflected

our nature. It was quite painful for Flame

Elementals at first. The feel of fire racing through

your veins rendered Francesca (when she was little)

useless. The same went for Earth ones when Natalie

was teaching us. Their blood was thicker whereas

Air Elementals (like me) had such

thin blood it was almost transparent. The saying

‘blood is thicker than water’ didn’t apply to Water Elementals. They got off scot free. Automatically I



looked Christian over and was nauseated to see agash surrounded by pulsing red skin.

“Your burnt!” I gasped. For some stupid reason I

gently picked up his arm using the lightest touch

possible. I breathed lightly while I examined the

cut. I hadn’t noticed that everyone else had gone

inside. Why the heck did they always leave me

alone with him?! “Im used to it” he repliednonchalantly not removing his arm from my feather

light hold. “You shouldn’t be” I murmured eyes

flickering up to meet his yellow stare. My face only

inches from his. My heart drummed loudly and I

quickly dropped his arm as if he had electrocuted

me. “We should go inside” and I left.

“Where’ve you been?” Josephine demanded once I

walked in the front door. I flinched when I realized

that I hadn’t left a note explaining where I was. “At

Frankie’s” I called in the general direction of the

kitchen. I turfed Ben out of the good chair and sat

down. Bianca was snuggled up to Declans side. Jet

was sprawled out onto the shaggy rug. I looked at

Bianca again and how happy she looked in the

circle of Declans arm. I felt a pang of loneliness. I

wondered what it would be like to be held by

someone who loves you. I imagined it and what

scared me was that I saw Christians face. I shook

myself mentally Snap out of it Stephanie!“Is that Ivy girl still coming to school?” Jet asked

attempting at causality and failing miserably. Under



his dark skin crimson blood was pooling in hischeek.

“M-Hm” I replied still in a daydream.

“Aw, has Jet fallen in love?” Bianca said in a gooey

voice. Jet threw a pillow at her; Declan caught it

and threw it right back at him. Bianca laughed

lightly. I noticed she was wearing my white blouse.

“ Bianca!”“What?”

“Stop taking my stuff”

“Whoa, you fit into her stuff?” Declan asked

incredulous.

“Aw that’s mean!” Bianca mock-punched him in

the arm.

“What else do you borrow of hers?” Declanscomment was a rhetorical question. Bianca and I

exchanged glances then burst out laughing. We

were both remembering that faithful day. I guess I

should start at the beginning. Bianca since having a

contract with a modeling agency naturally you’d

think she’d have a bigger developed chest. But no,

“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded walking

in to find Bianca standing in front of her mirror

clipping on one of my bras. “ Nothing ” she’d replied

too quickly. I raised an eye brow. “Okay, I’ll spill

but don’t tell anyone else”

I’d perched on the end of her bed. “Well... im sorta small and they want me to do an advertisement— ”she didn’t get any farther considering I had bent

doubled over with laughter. “My god! Your older bytwo years and im the biggest!” I howled.



I broke out of my reverie and smiled. “Food’s done”Josephine called the scent of roast dinner wafting

in. “Gotta go” Declan stooped to kiss Bianca on the

forehead called a few goodbyes to us then ambled

out the back door. Dinner was the usual affair of

banter and casual conversation. Just to tick her off I

threw a few food scraps at Emmy (aka Stormtail).

She growled lightly at me. I smiled smugly. “So” Istarted once I was washing up dishes with Bianca

the others going off to their nightly activities.

“How’s things in paradise?”

“Perfect” she replied with a tranquil smile. I

pretended to gag. She slapped me on the head

splattering my clothes with soapy water. I retaliated

and soon we were covered in lukewarm water.




“Ugh stupid key” I uttered. Slender fingers

troubling to grasp the slim silver key. I crouched

down low on my shins and balanced my books on a

hip. The school was deserted the clang of metal the

only sound echoing down the vast halls. I stayed

behind to pack away my books and gather ones Ineeded for assignments due. To my surprise I

detected a pair of smooth footsteps. “Nice to see

you here Steph” Harrison said brightly. Or in his

case; sarcastically. I replied with a non-committal

grunt. Still fumbling with the damned key. It

slithered through the part in my fingers and jingled

once it had made contact with the ground. I cussedloudly. “Here, let me” Harrison’s fingers closed



around the key the same time mine dead. I noticedhis fingers were pleasurably warm. I released the

key and waited for him to finish. Harrison pressed

the keys into my palm his hand lingering. “Um

listen Steph” I looked up a trifle confused by the

impish tenor of his voice.

“I know I’ve been an idiot lately and I wanted to do

things the right way... so I was wondering if maybeyou wanted to go somewhere tonight...”

I was about to shoot him down like the many times

before but I caught that glimpse of the happy

Bianca and Declan. The silent pang of longing to

feel like that. My eyes flickered to Harrison, why

not give him a chance? “Sure” I saw the brief

bewilderment flicker across his handsome face before he composed it. “Um okay I’ll pick you up at

seven” he walked away listing slightly to the side.

To late I realized Bianca had already left. I began

the treacherous walk home my books seeming to get

heavier with every step. My mind was whirling and

all of those thoughts were second guessing my date

with Harrison. I had nearly talked myself out of it

till I reached home.

“Eee!” I heard Kitarnya yell happily. I slid in the

front door curiously; Ben was chasing a squealing

Kitarnya around the living room. Both were

laughing. Ben eventually caught her and they went

tumbling onto the couch. I didn’t say to see the rest.

The heart-ache and nausea was to much.

Unfortunately I couldn’t escape Bianca.



“Why’re you so happy?” she demanded slyly eyesnarrowing at my lightened expression. Damn! I’d

been trying so hard to not let it show. “Um...” I

flailed for an excuse. Too late “Oh my god, you’re

going out on a date!”

I nodded meekly I knew what this would entail.

“Okay who, where and when!”

“Uh” I mumbled fumbling with a strand of messy brown hair “Harrison and he’s picking me up at

seven. Im not sure where though...”

“Harrison?” Bianca repeated confused “I thought it

was that Christian guy... oh well. Wait, WHAT?!”

she screeched. Eyes going from slits to a size that

could rival Ivy’s golf ball ones. “You hate him” she

said in disbelief. Before I could even open mymouth she shoved me roughly into her adjoining

bathroom. “Makeover!” Bianca yelled jovially.

“Sucked in!” I heard Ben call from downstairs and

Kitarnya’s silvery laugh. Two hours later my

already curly hair was done in a way that actually

made it look nice. Two pieces braided and tucked

behind my head with straighter smaller strands

framing my face. Thick black mascara spreading

out my lashes till they demanded an onlookers

attention; the electric blue eyeliner Bianca had

applied expertly added to the neon effect even

more. My lips were a shimmery deep crimson

mixing in with my skin tone perfectly. She tugged

me out of the chair and slipped a tightly fitting

electric blue of the same color of my eyeliner criss-crossing top over my head. She threw a pair of the



most artful and designer jean shorts I had ever seeninto my shocked hands. Tiny black sparkles ringed

the purposefully frayed edges. The tiny shorts and

short top exposed my midriff. Strappy black silver

shoes to match and I was done. I looked up

expecting my nose to touch the ceiling but the shoes

were so perfect and angled that I was no taller than

what I was in my volleys. I admired the beautifulshorts in the mirror again. “What designer is this?” I

asked pointing a finger at the masterpiece. Bianca

smiled and replied “Custom so is that top”

“You made this?” I asked in admiration. Bianca

flipped open a blind; squealed then ran toward her

toiletries and many bottles of perfume. She picked

up a delicate gold liquid one and sprayed just theright amount on me. Bianca stepped back to admire

her handiwork. “Perfect” she sighed then abruptly

shoved me toward the door. “He’s here” she

clarified. My heart skipped a beat then sprinted to

what seemed its last beat. What if I acted like a total

idiot? We both stopped short at the top of the stairs

when Jets voice floated up to us. “What are you

doing here Harrison?”

Bianca and I both exchanged glances worry etched

in her remarkable face. Relief flooded through me

when I heard Ben interrupt. “You here to see me?”

he asked in confusion. Bianca and I peered over the

banisters and saw the crowns of Bens, Kitarnya’s

and Jets heads. Kitarnya glanced up then did a

double take. Bianca gestured wildly telling her tohelp. Kitarnya’s eyes flickered to mine then she



stepped forward. “Uh Jet, Ben Emmy just got outthe back we better go catch her”

“O... kay” Jet said un-certainly backing away then

following them through the back door. I swear I had

never flown down the stairs quite so fast before. I

was in front of Harrison before I could blink. “Go!”

Bianca urged quickly shoving us out into the night

air then slamming the door quickly. I turned toHarrison grinning impishly. His grin was awed and

that usual confident edge to it. I took in his tight

fitting white shirt and artful black jeans. We both

stared at each other for a moment before he reached

for my hand. The warmth of his was pleasant in the

cold night air. “C`mon before Jet gets back and rips

me limb from limb”I laughed and my stage fright vanished as quickly as

it had come. I sat down comfortably in the warm air

of his car. Harrison turned the radio down and

backed carefully out of the drive; once we where in

the clear he began. “I was gonna ask what brought

this change of heart on but I don’t want to ruin it”

I smiled thankfully at him I really didn’t want to

explain “Thanks... so uh, where are we going?”

“Change of plans” was his only answer then sped

up. He kept that up till we were in the beautiful city

of Seattle. Lights twinkled around me and the warm

scents of fancy restaurants drifted out the doors.

Harrison pulled up in front of a night club. I

hesitated slightly as he opened my door for me. The

teenagers and people in their young twenties linedup on the sidewalk intimidated me the tiniest inch.



“Don’t worry about them” Harrison said amused. Iallowed him to yank me from the car. Some teenage

boys eyes slipped in my direction as Harrison

walked confidently up to the mammoth sized

security guard. “What are you doing!” I hissed in

embarrassment. Smug smiles radiated off those

closest thinking we were going to get told to toss

off. To my astonishment and theirs after a fewwords were exchanged the guard un-clipped the

thick twisting red rope and let us in. I was assaulted

by pulsing lights and pumping music. Bodies

swayed in time to a latest hit single. Neon signs

blared and clinking of glasses added to the dim.

Luckily there was no vile scent of tobacco. This

place had a fresh taste to it. I blinked two secondshere and I already loved it. Acting on an impulse I

dragged Harrison out to the dance floor. My body

flowed in time synchronizing with the so many

others surrounding me. “I would’ve thought you’ve

done this before” Harrison yelled. I smiled at him

and brushed a few strands of lose hair from my

eyes. I was sweating slightly but I was enjoying this

to much to stop. The lead singers voice cloaked

around me and I screamed with so many other girls.

I raised my arms above my head and tossed it from

side to side. Body swaying in time with the

wonderful pumping beat beneath my soles. I was

having the time of my life never before had my

heart felt like it might swell out of my chest with

the amount of pleasure. I never wanted this to end.But alas I had to stop the protesting stitch made sure



of it. Harrison wrapped his arm around my waistand led us over to the bar. Pretty brightly colored

drinks were stacked on glass shelves behind him. I

swirled around on my chair and patted the bench

exultingly my many silver bangles tinkling un-

musically. “Having fun?” the bartender asked after

placing a polished glass away. I nodded barely

enough breath to speak. “Two non-alcoholicmartinis please” Harrison ordered coolly. The

bartender eyed him for a second before turning

away. “Impressive” I praised Harrison. He smiled at

me and my breath stuck slightly he was having just

as much fun as me. “Well I gotta drive home.

Besides Jet won’t take to kindly if you show up

drunk”“Hey!” I laughed punching him in the arm. I was

reminded the other night of Bianca and Declan and

their playful banter. The side-track cost me my

balance and I very nearly fell off my chair. If it

wasn’t for Harrison’s strong hands that caught me

and hauled me up I would’ve landed on my face.

“You sure she’s sober mate?” the bartender asked

wearily placing the clear drinks in front of us. I

blushed. “Yeah, she’s always like this” Harrison

busted up at my appalled grimace. I sipped at my

drink and watched the others dance. The MC just

announced karaoke and I was enjoying listening to

the slightly intoxicated girls singing; some were

actually pretty good. I didn’t notice the boy sit

himself down next to me till he spoke“Stephanie?”



“Aiden!” I nearly dropped my drink in surprise.Harrison recognized him to but by the looks of his

darkening face didn’t seem to like it. Aiden’s curly

blonde hair was slightly matted from sweat. Mine

probably was to. “I didn’t know you came here” he

said. I didn’t know why he was acting so friendly

Aiden was popular and I was... not. We only knew

each other from swimming practice. “She’s herewith me” Harrison called over the din. He stood up

and wrapped a possessive arm around my waist. I

was for once level with him; while I was sitting that

is.

“Oh, okay” Aiden looked a little put-out. I didn’t

blame him Harrison cut a pretty impressive figure.

Not that Aiden was to bad himself. The music lulleda bit and the MC asked if there were any more who

wanted to sing. Un-thinkingly my hand shot up. I’d

been wanting to all night. “You miss!” the MC

called. Heads swiveled round to stare. I blushed

self-consciously but with a shove from Harrison I

was trotting up to the raised platform. I was trying

to remember how to exhale when a microphone was

handed to me and three words were whispered in

my ear. “Don’t screw up”

I gulped and looked out at all the expectant taunting

faces. “What do you want to play?” the MC hissed

at me. I blurted out the first song that came to mind.

The wonderful thrumming beat engulfed me and I

was totally self-possessed from there onward. I

forgot about the daunting mission ahead of me and just focused on enjoying the night. The crowd



erupted into cheers when I was done. “Encore!”Aiden shouted above the roar. I blushed and tripped

down the stairs right into Harrison’s arms. “You

were great!” he exulted. I laughed.

“You mustn’t have been able to hear me”

“I have excellent hearing” Harrison pretended to be

insulted. I was blisteringly aware how both of his

strong arms were wrapped just above my waist andtightened when Aiden approached.

“That was amazing” he said softly. Harrison

scowled when he continued. “You ever considered

joining the after school music practices?”

“No I really don’t know anyone”

“I play drums we could go together”

I queried it really was a lot of fun singing...“Okay, where do I sign up?”

Aiden’s handsome tanned face lit up I could see his

eyes glimmering from the parts in his messy blonde

hair. “Just come over with me on Tuesday arvo`”

“Got it” I smiled at him. Aiden returned my smile

said goodbye and left Harrison and I alone. Sort of

considering all the close packed bodies surrounding

us. I checked my watch and gasped. I’d be cutting it

really fine if we stayed any longer. “We have to go”

I spoke up rather sadly. Harrison seemed to agree as

he tugged me by the hand through the crowd. The

moon shone through the gray/white clouds as he

sped down the road. Some house lights were turned

off others little warm beacons. I noticed all my

house lights were burning bright. I gulped prayingJet wouldn’t come charging outside. To my surprise



after Harrison had left me at the front door it wasBen waiting grim faced in the hall.

“What?” I asked rudely already edging towards the

stairs.

“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded

stomping forward his head just an inch above mine.

“What does it look like im doing stupid?”

“Why’d you go out with Harry?! Where’d he takeyou and why did Bianca drag Jet away and lock him

outside!”

I laughed “She actually did that?”

“Yeah it was pretty funny, but that’s beside the

point!”

“Well while your figuring out what that point is im

a be upstairs, goodbye”I left Ben there his mouth-hanging open a glint of

fear flashed through his dark eyes. I puzzled over it

that was until a scantily clad Kitarnya appeared at

the banisters. “Ben you coming—”

Ben waved frantically but it was to late I had

already put the pieces together. I howled with

laughter bending over double on the stairs in serious

danger of falling down. “But your only sixteen!” I

wheezed eyes streaming.

“So?” Ben demanded pushing past me scowling. I

followed him up I was never going to let him live

this down. “Mum’s gonna kill you... mums gonna

kill you” I chanted over and over till I was at his

bedroom door. I peered in “What no candles?” I

teased him.



“Get lost Steph” he mumbled slamming the door inmy face. I banged my fist against the wood “Just

remember the walls are pretty thin!” I must have

shouted to loud for a disheveled Bianca stumbled

out of her room. I heard loud snoring coming from

within the darkness of her bedroom. “What’s going

on?” she yawned stretching her arms. “Bennies first

time” I jerked my thumb in the general direction of Bens room. “Keep it down you two!” she shouted at

the door. A muffled ‘shut up’ was called in reply. I

didn’t even need a glance into Bianca’s room to tell

me what had happened. “Im gonna guess mum’s

working a late shift?”

“Guessed right now tell me all about your night

tomorrow morning in the car” she patted my headthen retreated to her room. I felt suddenly drained

with barely enough energy to wash my face and

brush my teeth. I collapsed on the bed covers not

caring about the unwelcome chill of the breeze

whistling through the window.


“Hey Steph” Francesca called to me from across the

school yard. She waved a black and white striped

arm. Ivy’s usual floaty shirt and pants were blowing

around her as was her silvery blonde hair. A lot of

teenage boys who passed her their heads would

swivel around to stare until Ash looked like hemight punch the next guy who would stare. Belle



got her fair share of more than admirable looks to but they soon realized she seemed dangerous.

Normal humans felt an aversion to her. More than

Ash, Ivy and I. It was the same for Francesca and

Christian, must be a Fire Elemental thing. Of course

Christian always looked scary with his charcoal

lined eyes and cropped grown out black hair. He

was lounging against the wall his white throatexposed. I couldn’t help but admire his clear

complexion. One of his eyes opened becoming a slit

of gold while I approached. “What did you do on

the weekend?” Francesca asked innocently. I eyed

her; her expression was pretty clear and she really

sucked at lying anyway. “Nothing” I lied casually

settling up against the wall. Of course my suddenease blew away with the winds when Harrison

strode up and wrapped an arm around my waist. He

pressed his lips to my cheek lingering for a second

longer then smiled easily at my gawking friends. It

went unnoticed that Christians hands had balled up

into tight fists and he twitched angrily. “Oh

nothing?” Francesca demanded eye brows shooting

right up into her hairline. I gulped and started to

sweat a little. The bell rang high and shrilly. Saved

by the bell, how cliché. I was about to dart away but

Harrison held firmly onto my waist. “Whoa wait up

for a sec” Harrison tugged at my waist and I landed

palms against his chest. Now everyone was staring

at me. Great... Francesca backed away eyes alight

she wanted to know everything. Ivy beingcompassionate as she is quickly yanked Ash, Belle



and Christian off. “Kay what?” I hissed eyes dartingeverywhere. Harrison smiled “I just wanted to say

goodbye” and this time he kissed my forehead

“Meet me at my locker at the end of school” he

murmured against my skin. He must have been able

to feel my heart pounding away. Harrison smiled

then walked off. A fair bit of girls threw scathing

looks in my direction but paid them no mind. For the whole day I could feel the confused eyes boring

into my back. It wasn’t a secret that I hadn’t been to

fond of Harrison but he really wasn’t that bad. I...

actually really liked him. I found myself anxious for

school to end. Finally the bell rang and students

fled. The whole place was deserted in a matter of

minutes. I snuck up the hall till I saw Harrisonleaning casually against his locker totally at ease

fingering the prefect badge pinned to his chest. As

per usual I had lost mine. He looked up and smiled

when I approached Harrison reached for my hand

and I took it gratefully. I had been missing his warm

touch. I looked down and half smiled when his

fingers traced my jaw line.

“Mind if I come over this afternoon?”

“Course not” I laughed but then gnawed a bit on my

lip “What about Jet...”

Now it was Harrison’s turn to laugh “He’ll just have

to deal”

I didn’t mention Ben we had all teased him on the

way to school. No-one said anything to Kitarnya

though she was way to nice to pay out. “Okay” I perked up. Bianca was bringing Declan over and he



had enough muscle to tear the two apart if thingsgot out of hand. “C`mon” I dragged him halfway to

the house until Harrison was able to catch up with

my long strides. Repeating the usual ritual of

flinging open the door calling out “Im home!” and

dumping my schoolbag in the hall. Thankfully I

didn’t have to give Harrison the grand tour he’d

been coming since he and Ben were friends in year five. “What’s he doing here?” Jet demanded once I

had pulled Harrison to the Living room. Josephine

was once again working late. I hadn’t talked to

mum properly for ages. Kitarnya was curled up in

Ben’s arms flipping through a magazine. Declan

and Bianca were sprawled out on the rug his arm

thrown over her waist both of them glued to the TV.“Get over it, your just peeved cause you don’t have

a girlfriend” Bianca shot back somewhat muffled by

the arm her chin was resting on. Declan and

Kitarnya laughed. Jet scrambled to his feet and

stalked out of the room. “Where are you going?”

Ben yelled up the hallway his head tilted back. “Out

riding the horses”

I wondered briefly what a great reality TV show my

life would make. Five hours later and I had fallen

asleep in Harrison’s arms. I woke with a start.

Warm air blew across my face and I vaguely

registered the air conditioning was switched on. The

TV was on showing the little yellow figures of the

Simpsons jerking across the screen. The volume

was very low and it was only us in the living room.I could hear the sounds of Josephine chopping



vegetables in the kitchen, Bianca’s chatter alongwith Ben’s and Jets playful banter. “How long was I

out?” I mumbled rubbing a hand through my hair.

Harrison was sprawled out on the couch I was

snuggled up against his chest. I was so warm it felt

like I was cocooned in a blanket. His hands were

brushing through my twisted curls. “Half an hour”

“Sorry” I yawned stretching but making no move tosit up.

“Its ok” he murmured pressing his lips to the crown

of my head. Declan had never done that to Bianca. I

definitely was falling in love Harrison. “She up?”

Josephine called. “Yeah” Harrison yelled back. Of

course I thought rolling my eyes. Mum would

probably be over the moon that I’d finally said yesto Harrison. “Francesca called she’s wondering

where you are” mum yelled out to me.

“Oh crap!” I scrambled to get up and finally landed

on my feet. “I forgot”

I was still a little sleepy and stumbled a few times

but Harrison made sure I got safely to the door. The

cold icy air did a better job of waking me up. “Do

you have to go?”

“It’s a tradition every Friday is movie night” I

explained already trotting off down the road. “Wait

first” Harrison caught my hand then kissed my

cheek.

“See you tomorrow”

“Bye” I mumbled I watched him go with regret. I

shook myself vigorously and sprinted down toFrancesca’s. Not bothering to knock I burst right on



in. “Hey sleepy head” Francesca yelled down thehallway already settled on the couch with a popcorn

bowl in her hands. Christian was toying with the

leather band wrapped around his wrist his long

fingers moving gracefully. I gulped. Ivy was

bouncing on Ash’s knee stealing bits of Francesca’s

popcorn. Belle was flipping through a glossy

magazine. The movie had already started. As soonas I seated myself next to Frankie I was assaulted

with questions hissed in my ear. “Was Harrison

with you?”

“What do you think”

“Shut up, but seriously you should’ve seen

Christian when we got home he practically punched

a whole in the wall!”I knew where she was heading with this “Har, har

and I really doubt it”

“No honestly! Even ask Ivy if you don’t believe

me!”

I just rolled my eyes and focused on the TV.




The month came and went quicker than I had

anticipated. It seemed as though I had been trying to

cram in the life of a teenage girls life in those small

weeks provided. The force of what I had

volunteered for had not hit me head-on until I was

in Natalie’s small now cramped kitchen. Not even

when I had lifted my hand to participate. “I paid a

little visit to Vespera and her dear brother before

arriving here and gathered the information we

needed” Isolde laid a thick heavy piece of paper onthe table. I leaned in peering over Ivy’s silvery

head. It held the rough whereabouts of our enemies

camp out. Isolde then pulled out another rolled up

paper this time a map of the general area. Her

slender finger traced along a route. They’d need

somewhere quiet, away from the public but not

somewhere authorities will check right away”



“Wait” Quinn interrupted “But their Elementals and by the sounds of it pretty powerful ones”

Veronica shuddered in the circle of Jeff’s arm. “So

why would they even care about the law?”

Isolde gave him a despairing glance “As you

pointed out they don’t care but it would...

inconvenience them. Oh they’d take care of it of

course but killing a person of authority would causea lot of ruckus and they’d have to relocate”

“Kill?” Ivy asked in a small voice.

“That’s the other thing turns out our enemies have a

pretty gruesome and slow way of exposing what

Elementals are”

“They kill humans?!” Estella demanded. Isolde

nodded coldly“They’ve created a good M.O to, taking people

from ordinary families making it look like suicide

and killing them and done. No investigations and

their free to kill till the hearts content” the matter-

of-fact way Isolde said this made bile rise in my

throat. I swallowed it back. “We’re gonna need a

team to go scour the streets try to figure out where

they are” Belle said aloud eyes roving over the little

lines all over the colorful map. “I’ll go” the words

rolled of my tongue before I gave it a conscious

thought. I barely registered the little twitch

Christian gave. “Me too” Felicity chimed in “Same

here” Estella said from her dark corner. Isolde was

about to protest when Estella beat her to it “Im a

Mist Elemental it’ll be easy to provide cover”



“Nice” Quinn said appreciatively. Estella gave hima small half smile before turning her attention back

to the plan. Isolde tossed three little black objects at

each of us. Closer examination revealed it was a

tiny compact cell phone. “Untraceable, of course

but that’s more dangerous for you so make sure to

keep in contact”

I nodded turning the slippery metal around in myfingers.

“Estella you drive” Isolde dropped a pair of keys

into Estella’s open hand. They tinkled un-musically.

I waited by the door leaving them congregated

around the dining table. I stared out at the wind-

blown lawns. Slow footsteps echoed up the narrow

hall. “Be careful out there” Christian’s voice waslow; he didn’t want the others to hear. “What’s it

matter to you? One less person there’ll still be

enough”

“It will matter to Francesca, and your family”

“What about yours”

“Mum’s dead, dads in jail” was his simple answer.

“We’re in a suicidal war. No matter what we do

we’ll end up dead” was the last words I said to him

before leaving.

“This is so boring” Estella whined lying down on

the backseat of the car. Felicity rolled her eyes and I

continued to glare out the window. Felicity’s link; a

black raven chirped from its position on her seat. “I

know, Skynight” she murmured stroking the birdssilky head. Estella snorted; Felicity glared and



thunder clapped threateningly above us. “Im gonnahazard a guess and say that wasn’t a coincidence” I

talked while still staring ahead. Felicity laughed

lightly; her millions of curls shimmering in the eerie

mist cloaking our car. Something black with a

blurry figure moved quickly in front of our view.

“Estella part the mist a bit” Estella sat up and the

mist drifted naturally apart. Now I could easily seethe cloaked black figure moving down the street.

“C`mon!” I hissed slipping out into the night.

Felicity slithered out with Skynight perched on her

finger. “Go” she whispered. Quiet as a whisper

Skynight flapped off into the night. “Should we

shift?” Estella asked curiously while we crept down

the alley“Not yet” Felicity whispered back. For the first few

moments we were able to barely create any sound

but if we continued down this road our footsteps

would clearly echo. We all paused. I noticed the

thick leather band wrapped around Estella’s waist. I

clicked my fingers. “Felicity shift and go tail them

with Skynight. Estella give me that leather band.

Felicity didn’t question my judgment and crept off

to meet with Skynight. “Hope your good at playing

mind” I muttered to her already undressing behind a

tall bin. “What?”

“Just put your sunglasses on” I muttered a little

annoyed. She finally caught on and when I trotted

out in my new wolf form she slipped the leather

around my throat like a leash. Thankfully Estellatrusted me enough to completely shut her eyes. I



couldn’t hear Felicity or Skynight in my head nor Emmy. A bit disgruntled I continued down the

deserted street doing my best to look like a guide

dog. Our presence became known to the figure; they

turned once but saw what we wanted them to see; a

blind woman with her guide dog. They relaxed and

continued. Once closing enough distance between

us I directed Estella into a cold alley. When themake-shift leash went slack she slid up her

sunglasses and handed me my clothes. Felicity

joined us soon after. “I saw them disappear into that

building down there” Felicity pointed out a

nondescript wide brick building. I studied it from

the outside it looked just like a large factory. Isolde

was right the authorities wouldn’t think to check here right away. I dressed hurriedly then joined

Estella and Felicity by the dumpster. “Lets go”

Estella whispered and slunk into the shadows the

eerie mist gradually making its way down the street.

I concentrated solely on my footsteps doing my best

to mark the sound. We arrived at a wide metal green

door. I tentatively shoved against it. I wasn’t

surprised when it didn’t budge. Estella pulled a

pencil and paper out of her pack. “Lets just get a

rough sketch for now, Felicity can you fly above

and give us a rough estimate of the area” Felicity

shrugged and took flight in the blink of an eye. I

shivered not only was Estella’s mist was creepy it

was freezing . I started to wish Francesca was here.

We hovered outside for a few minutes and waitedfor Felicity. I shifted my weight from foot and to



foot and fidgeted anxiously; this place was startingto scare me. The tiniest scuffling of a mouse would

make me jump. “Finally” I muttered relieved when

Felicity landed with a thud having shifted while in

the air beside us. “About two or three hectares” she

muttered to Estella.

“Okay that’s, that lets get back to the car”

I flipped open the small black phone and dialed thenumber that had taken me forever to remember.

“Stephanie?” Isolde asked her voice slightly

muffled.

“Yeah, we got a good idea of the outside but we

couldn’t get in”

“That’s great was I right about the building”

“Mm-hmm, it looks just like a factory”“Knew it” she murmured “Now come back we have

to plan out the rest”

“Okay” I closed the phone and began at a brisk

walk down the silent street. By the time we slipped

into the black SUV I was shivering violently.

Estella backed expertly out of the narrow alley and

sped down the deserted street.

Chapter 10:



Screaming is for those in pain

“So who do we send in?” Natalie asked in a quivery

voice eyeing Francesca maternally. “Four maybe

five people” Belle answered in a distracted voice. It

was Saturday night and we were all gathered around

Natalie’s small round table. Veronica had fallen

asleep in Jeff’s arms. She rarely spoke but when shedid it was very insightful. Jeff now studied the map

closely still cradling Veronica to his wide chest.

“We’ll need skill, power. Also one hell of an ability

to act well”

“I’ll go” Estella volunteered

“Me too” Christian murmured. Jeff nodded

approvingly.“Same” every eye in the room questioned my

sanity.

“If she’s allowed then im in to” Quinn spoke with a

cocky grin. I studied his handsome boyish features

warily. “Don’t worry he has an ability that will be

useful” Estella reassured us.

“Like what?”“Slowing down time”

My mouth popped open. “That. Is. Awesome!” Ash

yelled. Veronica jerked awake. Jeff cast an annoyed

glance in his direction. “Vespera managed to secure

a cloak from the inside here’s what it looks like”

Isolde pulled out a slippery shiny black cloak. The

hood was a smoky grey and a gold clasp clipped at

the neck. Upon closer inspection the gold clasp was

more of a symbol; a girl standing in the middle of a



hurricane her face was beautiful with very long her whipping around her body. Why did it seem so

familiar? I shook off the odd wave of de ja vu.

“Reckon you can copy this Natalie?”

“Easy” Natalie replied studying the material in her

hands.

“I’ll help” Veronica offered.

“Thank you darling” Natalie smiled at Veronica.“Stephanie can I have a word?” Christian whispered

in my ear. I followed him in puzzlement outside

curious as to what he had to say. Outside in the

front yard caused my hair to lash viciously against

my face. I pulled it back then stared at Christian;

bemused. “Why do you want to come on with us?”

he asked abruptly.“I just want to do something...”

“You heard what Isolde said. They kill people

Steph, if they ask you to do that, you’ll have no

choice” Christian tried feebly to sway me from my

decision.

“So what makes you think Estella and you will be

able to cope, and Quinn? He’s only fifteen”

“The kids bring in the humans. The more powerful

older ones deal with them”

I shuddered “And how would you know this”

“Isolde told us when you were out”

“Hm”

“Steph, don’t do this. Stay here with Natalie and

Francesca with everyone else staying behind” he

pleaded.



“Look if I wanna do this its my choice so but out ” Iflew around on my heel and stalked down the street;

shivering slightly from the cold wind. The sky

grumbled and freezing droplets were thrown down

“Anything else?” I growled upwards.

“No” laughed a sweet voice.

“Felicity!” I shrieked jumping a foot in the air. She

emerged from the dense trees shaking with silentlaughter. “I thought it might be a bit of a wake up

call”

“To what?” I grumbled.

“Im only a kid but I know enough to see that

Christian loves you”

I barked out a harsh laugh “No he doesn’t he just

wants me to get out of the way”Felicity walked in the opposite direction of my path

but not before I heard her mutter “Older kids are so

blind ”I shook my head so hard my hair lashed against my

arms. I walked in the front door; teeth chattering to

find Harrison sitting on the couch watching TV with

Ben. “Hey” I leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.

Ben pretended to vomit, I raised an eye brow then

opened my mouth to retaliate

“Harrison... I don’t know if Ben told you...”

“I’ll be leaving now” Ben hurriedly threw himself

off the couch and flew up the stairs. I chuckled then

snuggled up against Harrisons side “So why’re you

here?”

“Came to see you. I was gonna go to Francesca’s but I decided to wait”



I breathed a silent sigh of relief that he hadn’t. Itwould’ve been really difficult to explain. “Why are

you over there so much, nowadays anyway?”

“I used to be really good friends with her cousins.

Its nice to see them once in a-while” the lie rolled

off my tongue so easily I actually believed it for a

second.

“How old is the boy?”“Which one Ash, or Christian”

“The pale one”

“Oh that’s Christian. He’s in my year”

Harrison’s face darkened while I studied it carefully

“Your not... jealous, or anything?” I asked

cautiously.

“Should I be”“No” I laughed “Christian and I don’t even get

along very well”

His face cleared “That’s better”

I made a small noise in the back of my throat and

snuggled closer into Harrison’s warm side. He

casually slung an arm around my waist. “You

staying for dinner?”

“Am I allowed”

“Sure your practically like a son to mum anyways”

Harrison busted up at my comment “What?” I asked

confusedly.

“Don’t worry about it” he reassured me tucking a

wayward strand of hair behind my ear. I whacked

him lightly over the head.

“Dinners up!” Josephine yelled. I heard the loudthumping and cursing; signaling Ben and Jet had



taken their places at the table. Harrison slid easilyoff the couch dragging me with him. We took our

spots at the table Bianca and Jet bickering over the

salad. Steaming bowls of bolognaise made my

mouth water hungrily. “So Stephy” Josephine said

with false cheeriness. I heard Emmy’s laugh from

under the table even through a dogs voice. I aimed a

kick at her and prayed I hit the target. I was provenright when the answering yelp made everyone jump.

“Homework all done?”

“Yes mum” I answered her tiredly. She went

through with this every damned night. Jet snickered

and managed to land chewed up tomato bits in

Bianca’s hair. That was a very interesting dinner.

Harrison and I laughed about it on the way back tohis place. “Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked

once we were at the front door. “I don’t think so I’ll

be with Francesca all day”

“Okay then this is for Sunday” Harrison leaned in

and he pressed his lips very gently to mine. My first

kiss. Ever. For a brief nanosecond I was frozen with

shock. Then timidly my arms of their own accord

wrapped around his neck. Harrison locked his arms

securely around my waist. “See you” he murmured

against my lips then backed into his own house. I

stood there dazed and disoriented for a minute

before staggering back home. I entered the door in a

daze and almost broke my neck falling up the stairs.

I fell down spread-eagled on my bed; vaguely being

thankful that it was fairly wide. I sighed happily andstared at the white ceiling. Tracing the cracks with




The weeks passed in a blur; preparations were being

made. My secret life getting more serious while my

human one continued the normal path of a teenage

girls that was until disaster struck. If I had known

that those casually spoken words may have been my

last to that person I would’ve gone over. Stopped

them from going. Chained them to a tree if I had to.

I would’ve done anything... anything to re-write theevents of that afternoon.



Tuesday 2nd

of June. The day I lost a familymember.

“You idiot” I laughed settling down in Francesca’s

leather seat. She chortled and kept her eyes firmly

on the road. This was a treacherous stretch of road

accidents were occasionally reported. Thousands

probably millions of bags full of freshly boughtclothes filled up the back seat. I checked my already

perfect manicured nails in the light. I hadn’t noticed

Francesca slowing down to a crawl and the flashing

lights until we were ten meters from the scene.

“What’s happened?” I asked vaguely barely

glancing up. “Looks like a car crash” Francesca

leaned forward squinting “God, I’ve never seen somany ambulances” she mumbled. This time I paid

more attention. Even with all the officers and

paramedics surrounding the scene I could clearly

see the smashed up car; a Chevrolet Camaro

Concept. My heart skipped three beats, I broke out

into a cold sweat, my stomach was churning. “No!”

I murmured with a sick terrified horror. My limbs

worked automatically I ghosted up to the wreck.

Some curious bystanders studied the scene barred

from getting any closer by the yellow tape. Black

closed in no longer was I connected to this world.

The link holding me was tenuous and broke. Things

snapped inside of me deep down. One wire thin line

was holding me down. All of it banking on hope; all

those things happened when I saw the body covered by a white sheet the paramedics were loading onto



the ambulance. I didn’t care about the handsholding me back I ran forward. Don’t let it be her...I thought with vicious hope. I wrenched back the

white sheet, and wished I never had. Bianca’s

beautiful face bled out and twisted was still. Her

body mangled and destroyed. “NO!” I screamed

staggering back. Sobs ripping up my chest. I

collapsed blinded by tears the wire broke and I wasno longer held to the world by anything. Then why

could I still feel? Why could I feel the horrible sick

grief consuming me? Covering me like a blanket

wiping away any previous feeling of happiness. My

heart throbbed pumping poisonous blood distraught

and twisted through my veins. I writhed in agony

and pain. “Bianca...” I sobbed. Memories added tothe tumult raging inside of me.

“Wee!” Bianca yelled feet thrown off the pedals of

her tricycle grinning madly; missing her two front

teeth. Thick shiny hair was streaming out behind

her. “ Binky get back here!” mum demanded chasing

after her.

“ Freak!” boys pushed and shoved at me.

“ Hey! Leave her alone!” Bianca storming up and

effectively thumping them all in the jaw.

Then... this afternoon

“Get me some new shoes will you?” she’d called at

me once I was leaving with Francesca. “Sure, sure”

I answered sarcastically rolling my eyes and

shutting the door behind me.

It felt like something was ripping me apart from theinside mercilessly slowly dragging out my vitals;



tearing them piece by piece. I shook violently sobsripping up my chest refusing to halt. She couldn’t

be... dead. Bianca had all her life in front of her.

Why? Why did it have to be her? I could barely

hear Francesca over the roar of my pain. Her arms

were wrapped comfortingly around me; vainly

trying to hoist me to my feet. “Madam?” an

unfamiliar voice spoke in my ear. I shook violently.My head filled with the vision of Bianca. Glorious

and beautiful smiling at me; a silvery arch swirling

behind her. She beamed, waved once then turned

and disappeared into the arch. Her thick hair

fanning out behind her and shimmering in the non-

existent light. Francesca spoke quickly her voice

trembling slightly. She directed me back to her car.I stumbled and collapsed on the seat and rested my

head against the headrest. Bianca was gone. I would

never get to hear her infectious laugh again. Never

see her smile. I hadn’t liked it much at the time but

now I realized just how much I relied on Bianca.

Just to do all those older sisterly things. Comforting

me when things got rough, sticking up for me.

Helping me with my hair, giving advice. I loved

Ben and Jet but Bianca was always there for me. I

loved her so much and now I wouldn’t ever get to

see her again. All those things left un-said between

us. I sobbed even harder. Desperately trying to

block out all those memories. She understood me

most beside Francesca.

“Steph?” Francesca asked softly. I trembledopening my eyes a fraction; blinded by hopeless



tears. I wiped them away on the back of my sleeve.“They need to call your mum. Can I have your

phone for a second”

“It-its in m-m-my bag” my voice broke and hitched.

The tears flowed relentlessly down my cheeks. My

heart skipped another beat; mum. She had already

lost a husband, what would losing a daughter do to

her? And Ben... he was so young. Sirens blared, people muttered. I couldn’t bear the on-lookers

sympathetic looks.

“Mummy?” a boy asked sweetly; concern coloring

his voice “What’s wrong with that girl?”

“She’s upset dear” the mothers voice was soft and

tender. I peered through the veil of tears. The

mother had picked up her little son and was hugginghim tightly. The little boy stared back at me

curiously. I turned my head and shook with more

sobs. “Madam can you please come back with us to

the station?” a detective stood in front of me. He

wore a detached expression but I could make out

the concern in his eyes. I glanced back to the

ambulance and the still body of my lost sister. “No”

I answered in a trembly voice. I shook and wobbled

slightly but held my ground. “Im going back with

my sister” and strode past them. I held my chin high

despite the clear tear tracks etched on my face. My

lips trembled as I climbed in the back the paramedic

glancing sympathetically at me. I barely noticed

him as the doors shut and the start of the engine

signaled the ambulance moving. I just stared theturmoil twisting painfully inside. I lifted a piece of



the white material in my fingers “May I?” Iwhispered.

“Okay” the paramedic answered. Carefully as it

would crumble at the slightest jerk I gingerly pulled

back the sheet. I drew in a sharp breath when

Bianca’s still face greeted me blood crusted on her

cheeks and temples. A gash in her neck. Her hair

was twisted; blackened and burned. But it was still just and shiny and thick as I remembered. I ran

through it with my fingers; a stream of mahogany.

Silently tears renewed the old ones down my cheeks

and curved to meet my jaw line. I tasted their salty

flavor on my lips but did nothing to stop them. I

turned my head and pulled the sheet up over. “I’ll

miss you Bianca” I murmured silently.




“Bianca Manka was a promising young woman...”

the priest rambled on. Anger flared up inside of me;

he didn’t know Bianca. He had no right to talk about her with that bored tenor in his voice. To him;

she was just any other lost soul. The anger peaked

and I twitched. The sun blared overhead and for

once the winds were still, Jet and Ben were dressed

in black suits. Josephine cried dabbing her face with

a handkerchief. I held my chin high refusing to

accept reality. Living in a dream world. A worldwhere Bianca was still alive and vital. Glowing with

health and life. Francesca sat on my right Harrison

on my left. I felt sick; like a nightmare I was sure I

was going to wake up from. Every morning I woke

up expecting to hear the call of Bianca telling me to

get up. Expecting to find my clothes in her room.

Stupidity. I lashed out at anyone who tried tocomfort me. I was different. I didn’t care. I didn’t

want to care anymore. The more you care the more

it hurts. I didn’t want to know love or familiarity. I

didn’t want to know any kind of emotion that made

me feel this way. This sickening grief. Inside and

out. I was paler my hair whiter. A pearly colour

seeping up the tips. Something that would have

thrilled me before but now I didn’t give a damn

about such stupid things as looks or fashion. My



eyes were colder no longer glittering. Emmy tried totalk to me but I shut her out. Her leaders were part

of the reason that Bianca was gone. Natalie insisted

I retire from the mission. But it was all to keep me

distracted and I wasn’t giving up without a fight.

Finally the priest stopped talking and the casket was

lowered. I rose. Family members coming up to try

and comfort me. I closed my eyes and walked away.

People stared; some gloating some sympathetic.

News that the most beautiful girl in school was dead

travelled fast. So did my changed personality and

appearance. No-one could meet my eye now out of

fear or disgust; I did not care. Francesca had trouble

around me; she was afraid. I watched all thisthrough the distant tunnel my eyes had become.

School life was stupid and tenuous. Someone

shoved deliberately past me in the hall. A high

pathetic laugh. A circle formed. Isabel sneered a

head below me. My fingers twitched. “Where’s

your sister now Manka?” Isabel asked cruelly. Nose

screwed up. She pushed against my arm. I didn’t

budge. I was stronger than her. Hushed whispers.

The faces ranged from disgust, expectation and

sneers. I glared back coldly at Isabel. Her lips fell

open in fear before she closed them again. “No-one

to protect you now is there?”

“I don’t need protection” my voice was low and

deadly. The way it had been since the funeral. Jeers

and catcalls sounded in my hollow ears. “Prove it”Isabel taunted. The wind picked up whipping her



hair against her arms leaving open cuts and slashes.Some stirred uneasily. “Ow!” she yelled. My eye

brow twitched. How pathetic; Isabel didn’t know

true pain or anything about it. I stepped forward and

she stumbled back and fell. “Point proved” I

snarled. I turned my back on the shocked faces like

I had been doing so many times before and strode

away and out of the school grounds. Stormtailstared accusingly at me when I reached home. I

glared evenly back ditching my school bag without

a second glance. I trudged up the stairs eyes burning

with the unusual feeling of dryness. The door was

closed to her room. No-one dared even peer in now.

I opened it a crack then stepped in and shut the door

behind me. Her room was different. She wasunusually neat, then why were things broken and

tossed cleanly across the room? I ventured further

in; ice plunging deeper and deeper into my heart;

sinking to my stomach dragging my insides along

with it. I trailed a finger along her desk and touched

the ludicrous ‘wedding’ folder she had designed for

her and Declan. Only holding pictures of her Declan

fooling around. The simple white folder was usually

in pristine condition with shining golden swirls and

the word ‘love’ scribbled neatly across its surface.

But something or someone had slashed through it

roughly. I turned a page and my eyes widened. All

the pictures of her and Declan were either torn in

two or missing. The gashes of a pen point tearing

pages right down the middle. The sentence ‘loveforever’ she had written had been scribbled out. I



scoured the desk for more answers and found themin the bin. A manila envelope had been sliced

roughly open a piece of paper peeking out. I

snatched it away quickly and sank down onto the

edge of her bed. What I had thought to be a test

result of some sort was actually a letter; written in

Declans messy scrawl. I scanned the lines greedily.

Rage seized my body closing around me like a fist.Blinded by a new emotion I banked murder in my

heart. He had broken her heart; the reason she had

left us to move on. I rode Scarlett through the thick

trees until I reached the very back of Declans

modern home. I was lucky; he was the only one

home. I slid down calm and enraged at the same

time. The agony and pain churning away like acidin my stomach. I crossed his fence in one go and

rapped quickly on the back door. Declan wandered

up the hall a stupid grin on his face. I shook with

my rage she was gone and he could smile. The grin

fell and crumbled away like dust when he saw who

it was. Declan slowed to a cautious walk and

opened the back door an inch.

“Nice to see you here Steph” he lied.

“Why?” was all I said. Coldly. Low and furious.

“Why what?” he repeated stupidly. I heard the

rising weariness in his voice.

“You broke her heart” I snarled. Something a

normal human should not be capable of. Declan

tried to shut the door but my hand stopped him. I

could feel the pressure he was exerting firstconfident then that drizzled away like rain on a



wind-shield when he realized I was stronger. I slidthe door back effortlessly and crossed the threshold.

I glanced around quickly to make sure my

assessment was correct. It was,

“Our relationship had gotten rocky...” Declan

fumbled for lies. That’s when I smelt it; another

human. So I had been wrong. Thick perfume and

the bite of nail polish tainted the air as an older girlmoved into the room. The straps of her skimpy

dress sliding down her shoulders. “She caught you

cheating” I stated blankly. Declan had trouble

meeting my dead gaze as he bleated feebly.

“Baby” the girl asked in a sickly sweet voice

“Who’s this?”

“You sure moved on quickly Declan” I hissedstepping forward.

“Y-you aren’t allowed near me. Get out” he pointed

a shaking arm at the door. I raised an eyebrow

daring him to try. The girl backed away. I was

shaking slightly now my cool façade was slipping.

“Im calling the police” he announced in a quivery

voice. By now the girl had completely vanished.

Good, I didn’t need a witness to a murder. Declan

moved towards the phone; dived really. I whipped

the air into a frenzy. He yelled out and fell back

against the wall.

“Your stupidity amazes me Dec” I murmured

coldly a faint smirk of amusement. I turned my

wrist once in a circle and manipulated the air to

bring a sharp kitchen knife to hover beside me. Hiseyes widened “What are you?” he demanded. The



knife inched closer. Fear starting to creep into hisawareness.

“What I am does not concern you” I snarled. My

upper lip curled back of its own accord. “Don’t kill

me” he whimpered.

“Pathetic” by now the knife was centimeters from

his furiously beating heart. I could do it. I could kill

him. If it wasn’t for him she might still be alive. Istared at the weak creature before me. No I let the

knife crash to the floor and the wind die down.

Despite all that he had done Declan still had a

family; a mother who cared about him. No matter

what kind of monster he was. I backed away and

caught the reflection of myself in the hall mirror.

The empty soul staring back was not the girl I wasused to seeing. Skin pale enough to rival Christians,

my hair a ghostly pearly sheen, eyes darkening to a

near dead black. Cruelty etched around the

hardened planes of my cheekbones. I turned my

back on what I had known.

Friends

Love

Happiness and joy.


I walked down the school halls; chin held high.

Weak pathetic obsessed students jumped with fright

and paced quickly away. News of my supernatural



encounter with that thing had travelled fast. Noteven Belle dared reprimand me for such an act they

were starting to feel... threatened. And I liked it. I

revel in the new found power deprivation had left

behind. When she had died and I saw her peaceful

face disappear my heart which had been throbbing

painfully had just gone. Unfeeling and different.

Wind slashed mercilessly against my pale skin, pearly hair glimmering in the weak sunlight as I

reached the secluded part of school. There was

another lone figure crossing the schools grounds on

the way home. Harrison glared at me fear

swimming deeply in his eyes. Our brake-up had not

been an pleasant one. For him I guess for me it was

merely an inconvenience. I kept walking not bothering to even look at anyone else. Francesca

and the others had already left for Natalie’s. Jeff

and Isolde had already worked up our covers. I had

gone over my role till I was word perfect in my

head. The door was left open at Francesca’s. I heard

low muttering and hushed conversions as I

proceeded down the hall. They stopped abruptly as I

entered the room. Scrappy crude drawings of the

building was laid out on the table. The hierarchy of

the enemy was un-known but their two top ranked

followers was. Charlotte and Sharon. Two deadly

twins Charlotte able to control blood while Sharon

could make you see things that weren’t there. Your

greatest fears played out in your minds eye. I didn’t

fear them I had already seen my worst nightmarenothing could alter me now. I was gone. Hollow



and lifeless. Whatever. Francesca glanced un-easilyat me before speaking. Only Christian was able to

sit closest to me without shivering.

“We were wondering when you were planning on

telling your mum... Steph” Francesca faltered over

my name. I shrugged and stared out the window

“Tonight I guess” voice scratchy and deep.

“Uh, okay now Isolde...” and they all threwthemselves into plotting and speculating. Our

departure booked for two days. Autumn was here,

the trees either stripped bare or some clinging to

their crimson and gold leaves. I walked listlessly

outside into the freezing cold. I made no move to

stop the wind lashing against me. Nowadays it felt

like a feathers caress compared to the acid twisting painfully in my dead heart. I glanced over my

shoulder. The picture of content and happiness sung

from it. Estella had dozed off her head resting on

Quinn’s shoulder, Quinn himself reading a thick

book. Veronica was laughing as she played with a

silky smooth tabby cat; likely to be Isolde’s. Jeff

watched her with a tender loving face from the

couch. Ash and Christians heads were close

together as they talked quickly. Ivy helping Natalie

over the stove top. Francesca was going over the

plans with Isolde as they laughed about things I

could not hear.

And it made me to be sick. I made a running leap

and jumped cleanly over the back gate and ran

without looking back. The crunch and whisper of leaves was my only companion for two minutes.



When I slowed I was a few yards from my owngate. I slowed to a walk then finally slid to the

ground. I rested my head on my arm as I curled up

on the carpet of thick golden dried leaves. I closed

my eyes and drew in a shaky breath. I felt the

warmth as a tear slid from the corner of my eye and

down the trail of my nose. Leaves fell in a spiral

dance around me and settled over my still body. Icouldn’t move I was locked in a terrifying trance.

Her face the only thing I could see. I spasmed

uneasily then hauled myself to my feet scuffling the

leaves around to leave no trace of my previous

position. Easily skipping the gate I was through the

back door in two seconds. Josephine was already

setting the plates on the table. Ben and Jet sat bickering over the food. Josephine smiled

maternally at them as she took her seat. I hovered in

the shadows reining in my fury. Furious because

they could still act like a family when she was not

present. I sat down quietly.

“Oh hi... honey” Josephine stumbled over my name

and dismissed it entirely. Ben and Jet stopped

laughing and began to eat. I nodded at Josephine

and ate without tasting it. “Um so, Stephanie” she

began not long after. I looked up; glared the more

appropriate term.

“Yeah?” I asked rudely.

“Im a little worried about you hun. Francesca and

you rarely go out anymore and your so pale.

Harrison hasn’t been over for weeks, is somethinggoing on?”



The fury I had been trying so hard to keep at bayover flowed at her worried sentence. I shoved

roughly away from the table “Why don’t you” I

snarled “Mind your own business?”

“Hey! Don’t talk to mum like that!” Jet too stood up

his expression fed up and angry “Try me” I growled

at him. The wind was pounding so hard against the

glass it was threatening to break. “Lets just sit back down, Stephy dear forget I ever asked!” Josephine

begged nervously.

“Just like you forgot about her?!” I demanded

furious.

“How could you—?” Josephine’s chocolate brown

eyes swam with tears.

“Just shut up, Steph” Jet muttered angrily.“Don’t tell me what to do!” I screamed at him.

“Enough!” Josephine yelled over the relentless wind

screeching outside. “Stop fighting now, all of you!

Steph go to your room”

“Forget it” I mumbled angrily and stalked out the

back door. I leaped over the back fence vaguely

registering Stormtail had scrambled under the hole

and followed me. I stripped and hung my clothes on

the bough of a tree and shifted; at once I was

assaulted by reprimands.

I don’t know much about family but im pretty surethat’s not how they usually act Leave me alone Storm No! Your different Stephanie and I don’t like it; it’s

nearly been a whole month since Bianca’s deathand you—



DO NOT SPEAK HER NAME! Fine... but you must move on she would want you toother than change into this... girl you are nowShe would want to be alive and it’s your gods that took her from me. And for that; they can all burn inhell as far as I careStephanie... Stormtail’s voice was sad not the

furious yell I had expected. An underlying note of pity in her forlorn tone. The suppressed rage spilled

over again and I had turned on her. I had Stormtail

pressed to the ground my forepaws dug into her

back piercing through her thick fur.

I do not want your pity, I do not want anyone’s pity

now leave me alone

All was quiet in my head I backed away slowly thenleft. I travelled near our stables and caused the

horses some alarm. I shifted not caring about my

exposed limbs. I travelled forward to where Scarlett

whinnied in pawed the ground in her stall. My eyes

flickered to the cardigan hanging on the saddle. I

picked it up and sniffed at it carefully. It smelt just

like she had. My eyes filled with tears and slid

down my cheeks. I wanted her back here, where she

belonged. I placed her cardigan back on the hook

carefully and turned around slowly. Stormtail

appraised me with a critical eye. It was tempting

just to walk back un-clothed then listen to her but

with a sigh of defeat I shifted back.

They are not happy with you Stephanie

Im not to pleased with them either They wish for a meeting



When? NowGreat...I had only travelled into the Divinity once and I was

not looking forward to it a second time. Stormtail’s

silver wind swirled lightly then jumped into a

complete vortex I shut my eyes then I was staring

into a sparkling marble courtyard.




Two large pristine golden fountains spurted water high into the mauve and blue sky. Glossy sparkling

trees swayed in the warm breeze the barmy air

engulfing velvety pink roses. A raised platform of

the same marble held a throne compromised of

vines and many lipped purple flowers I did not

know. The lesser gods were standing in a semi-

circle around the one seated on the elaborate throne.All the women were undeniably beautiful and all

the men well muscled and handsome. Though the

woman sitting on the natural throne was so beautiful

she was hard to look at. Oservia. Her hair was at

least three meters long and consisted of various

shades. It looked like a sunset was painted into the

glistening strands. Her dress was no more than

wispy silks.

“Stephanie” she breathed. It seemed that all songs

of nature was transformed into her perfect voice. I

glared back coldly.

“What? Are you going to tell me that it was the

circle of life? That everything happens for a

reason?”

Oservia smiled not coldly or warmly. My deadfeatures were expressionless. My powers in the



Divinity had no effect here so the flora remainedcalm. Stormtail’s human body stood only feet from

me.

“Thank you for bringing her” Oservia inclined her

head to Stormtail who only acknowledged the great

god with her eyes. She was anxious.

“Going to kill me then?” I snarled “It won’t make

any difference”“On the contrary it will make a big difference the

war that is going to start—”

“Why aren’t you helping then? You created

Elementals, help us!”

“I created Elementals as pure beings, connected

with the earth. You are part of the original four.”

I raised an eyebrow contemptuously“At first only Water, Air, Fire and Earth existed, but

others have found ways to manipulate their gifts...

some for good... some for bad, You Stephanie are a

very curious case. Your father was an Air

Elemental”

My eyes watered and my lips fell apart.

“He was an amazing one too but unfortunately

when he understood that Air could control all

Elements he became crazed. We sent someone to

handle the situation but he escaped. Your father

Stephanie, is the cause for this war”

“No... he died... when I was two... this isn’t right...”

I groaned clutching at my head desperately. Oservia

continued as if I hadn’t spoken

“We thought that his unique gift had died outcenturies ago but then it resurfaced first with Leon



Manka and now with his daughter, very curiousindeed”

“No! Any Air Elemental can do what I do!”

“No they can’t, you see Stephanie Air is thin, very,

very thin its cunning but there are things that can

overpower it. But yours... its different, thicker in a

way, a way that allows you to control other

Elementals abilities as you did with that Christian boy using Ivy’s dome”

“The twins... Charlotte and... Sharon they! They!

Are the cause for this war! My pa’ is dead!” I yelled

at her. Some of the lesser gods stirred but Oservia

remained calm; and it drove me crazy.

“Where... where is she?” I spun around desperately

expecting her familiar face to peer through the trees.It wasn’t Oservia’s voice that answered me but a

husky and yet smooth one.

“In the Levity” I spun on my heel to glare at;

Crania, the gatekeeper of the Realm of Death. I

understood the ‘Levity’ to be the balance between

the Divinity and the Crude.

“Take me to her!” I demanded forcefully.

“Stephanie!” Stormtail hissed shocked. Her human

form was blurred but still bore signs of her wolf

body. She was dressed in wolves fur; wrapped like a

towel under arms and ended high above her knee.

The thick grey boots were the same tone as her coat.

Her long hair was silvery and matted with the ears

of a wolf poking out from between her tresses.

“I think its time you go, Stephanie” Oserviawhispered and the same silvery wind spun in a



dance around me. The wind had died out and I wasstanding in the same golden forest as before.

Though the celestial spinning had long since ended

I continued to see it before my eyes. The

information I had thrust upon me so un-willingly

stuck to my mind. Stormtail glared accusingly at me

with her eyes. I made a rude fingered gesture thenstalked away blindly. Trying to get as far away from

her as possible. I had never really cared about

having extra abilities. I had liked it in a way. But

now I resented my gift. Annoyed that it can cause

this much turmoil. Furious that I was part of a

freak’s world. Miserable that what Oservia said was

right.




“This is it” Quinn said nervously shrugging into his

silken black cloak. I shrugged mine on and flipped

up the hood. I moved my chin a fraction upwards toallow Natalie to clasp it together. Estella’s cloak

brushed the ground slightly while mine only just

touched it.

“Mmhm” Christian murmured his face hidden in

shadow. I avoided his gaze. It was nightfall outside

the darkness eerie and still. We slunk outside and

slid quietly into the smooth black car provided.“Be careful” Natalie warned; concern swimming in

her eyes. Francesca merely nodded her eyes alive

with doubt as she stared at me from outside the car.

Christian started the ignition.

“If anything goes wrong...” Isolde began keeping

the door open for Estella

“Get out, quickly and quietly, we know” Estellarolled her eyes and hopped in. she was giddy:

excited.

“Jeff, Felicity, and I will be near-by if you can’t get

out, okay?” Isolde said solemnly. Ivy and Veronica

had their arms woven around each others waists;

they had become great friends over a very short

time. Ivy was nervous; she kept hopping from foot

to foot. “They’ll be fine” I heard Ash whisper in her

ear. She sighed and for a moment her eyes flickered



to mine. I looked away as Christian started theengine and reversed. They waved then retreated

inside. The trip was silent. I hadn’t told them about

my father and I refused to. Quinn’s link; a ferret

was peeking out from underneath the cloak its dark

eyes insightful and clever. Estella’s link was a black

fox it had slunk underneath the drivers seat.

Christians black raven soared overhead whileStormtail remained hidden in the alleys following

the quiet car invisibly. Christian cut the engine. The

trip was quicker than I’d remembered. I stared at the

apparently empty industrial building; this would be

my home now, it could be for days or years.

“It is odd, the master does not usually send four teenagers out alone” Chase’s cold voice echoed

down the vast stone halls. Metal doors had light

streaming out from underneath them. Christian and

I were ahead while Estella and Quinn brought up

the rear. Chase; our guide was snide and cold he

was showing us to our quarters “We are very

capable” I answered back easily.

“Capable or not, girl, it is not right”

“What is right and what is not is dictated by the

master. Not his servant” my voice was the hollow

void it always was and I saw shock flit across

Chase’s face. I was glad Christian had a dark aurora

about him and enough wit to remain silent. Months

ago he may not have expected me to be able to

handle the pressure. But deprivation, loss and painhad snuffed out the capability to show any emotion



other than a blank and dead face.“Your chambers” Chase snarled and pushed open a

heavy green door. The room was bleak, cold, with

two bunks and stuttering candles stuck to the

windowless walls. All was stone. When all of us

were inside Chase spoke before shutting the door

“The master will be in to see you”

My heart skipped three beats and my nostrils flared,I looked nothing like my old self but would a father

be able to see through that? Or if the rumors were

true would he even be human enough to feel

paternally? I could ask no-one these questions but

myself. The metal door swung shut with a clang.

“What are we going to do?” Estella panicked.

Quinn’s face mirrored hers“I say we get out now, we know enough already”

“You may leave, but im staying” I answered curtly

surveying the room leaving my hood up. Hoping it

would mask some of my face.

“No way” Quinn sounded appalled. Estella wrung

her hands worriedly.

“You two could probably pull this thing off, but I

don’t think I can” Estella spoke to Christian and I.

“Estella shut up, your ability is to create mist that’s

creepy enough for me” so it should be creepy

enough for my father I finished in my head. She was

about to protest when I heard the smooth tandem of

footsteps “Shush, sit down!” I commanded. My

heart beat rapidly as the door opened slowly.

Christian hung back near my elbow, and LeonManka entered the room. His skin was the same



brown her’s had been, he was tall; as tall as me.With thick curly brown mahogany hair. I was

positive Christian saw the resemblance. Leon

could’ve had the same grey eyes as me if it weren’t

for mine been a flat black. His cloak was a silvery

grey sparkling slightly in the dim light. Two

females entered in his wake. Charlotte and Sharon.

Charlotte was pale as bone, with flaming red hair,eyelashes, lips and scarily so; eyes all crimson.

Sharon was her opposite, equally pale though with

jet black hair, eyelashes, lips and her eyes to.

Charlotte wore a sparkling black cloak while

Sharon wore a red one. So different, yet so similar.

The way they looked could have been comical but it

was more intimidating though.“So you’re the four who ruffled Chase, so” Leon’s

voice was smooth a mocking edge to it. Charlotte

wore an identical smirk to Sharon’s.

“I do not recall ever meeting you though” Leon

continued.

“Forgive us” I murmured bowing low, I saw his

eyes flicker briefly “But we knew of only one way

to meet the infamous Leon”

Leon’s cheek lifted up in a snide grin. “Ah yes, but

how do I know to trust four teenagers?”

“You don’t” Christian answered sarcastically. Un-

like me he had his arms folded and leaned against a

bunk a mocking grin plastered on his half shadowed

face. I could feel Quinn’s and Estella’s tension. The

smiles fell off Charlottes and Sharon’s face andthreatened to turn into snarls. To our surprise Leon



started to shake with laughter. “I like you four, whatare your names?”

“Christian Vance”

“Estella Knolls”

“Quinn Hardmen”

“Stacy Manka” I relished in the way I saw Leon

flinch at the mention of my last name. But I didn’t

want to give the game away so kept my first name asecret. I did not look forward to answering the

others questions later. Unfortunately I forgot this

man was my father so he must be something like me

“Manka, that is an interesting last name, tell me

Stacy, what are your siblings names?”

“I am an orphan, I have no family” my voice as coldas the air around us. Leon’s eyes became cloaked

once more.

“You don’t have one ounce of affection in you” he

didn’t phrase it like a question but a statement and

began to walk around me in a slow circle. My chin

lifted an infinitesimal amount. “You, Stacy will be

useful in the higher ups, and you... Christian”

“You two, will be gatherers” he nodded

dismissively at Estella and Quinn. Estella was

slightly insulted for a second then composed her

face again. Leon Manka swept from the room the

two frightening women in tow behind him. The

door swung shut again.

“Looks like we’ve just been sorted” I murmured

turning to the others. Before Quinn could speak Christian beat him to it.



“What was that about? Your not an orphan”“I don’t want him to know anything about me”

“Fair enough” Christian muttered but the suspicious

hint deep in his yellow eyes never vanished.

“What’s a gatherer?” Quinn asked tentatively

breaking Christian and I out of our reverie.

“I have a vague idea” Estella answered in a quivery

voice; we all stared“Didn’t any of you listen to Isolde? The-they take

people... and... and... kill them, that’s what he meant

by ‘gatherer’ and you two I guess you do the deed”

I had known what she meant. A part of me noted

that they may be the reason for the humans murder

that Quinn and Estella will not have to take part in

he killing. But could I do that? Could I take awayanother’s loved one? I remembered with awful

clarity how it first felt when I saw her face. The

pain had no less dimmed but I had just become so

used to it that now it felt like I had always been this

way. I turned my back on them hiding my face from

their eyes. Uncertainty is a weakness. A lesson I

had been taught so brutally. I felt a hand on my

shoulder; only just singing through the silky black

coat then the double protection of my shirt.

“We should get some sleep” Christian’s voice

echoed in the cold room. Estella shivered as she

pulled off her cloak she turned away for a second

then placed the cloak folded up on the lower bunk

“Its okay you’ll be warmer if you sleep up top”

Quinn insisted. She smiled warmly at him thenhoisted herself up onto the top bunk. I noticed how



easily she was able to do that “You’re a dancer” Inoted eyeing Quinn. I was occasionally perceptive

and you had to be a moron not to notice that he was

one step away from falling in love with her; fool.

“Yeah” Estella mumbled slithering under the sheets.

The sheets were stretched taught across her

shoulders and yet she still shivered. Quinn stripped

a sheet off his bed and threw it up over her. Hesmiled wanly at us then rolled over on his side.

Within seconds he was snoring loudly. The sound

magnified ten times but the cold stone walls.

Sighing heavily I yanked the pillow off my bed and

placed it over Quinn’s head; it muffled the sound

only slightly. Quinn gagged and rolled over.

“I was hoping I was going to have to do this” Igroaned. I made the motion of waves with my hands

and the sound completely blocked itself out.

“How’d you learn that?” Christian asked in slight

shock as he came up behind me.

“Taught it to myself” I muttered finishing off with a

final stroke

“Hm... Stephanie how did you figure out all these

things you can manage, Natalie’s a Fire Elemental

there’s no way she could’ve taught you all that...

stuff”

“Long story, and im tired” I answered drily

avoiding the answer. I had so frequently wondered

why I knew how to control others Elementals... and

yet I had no answer, until now. It was in my blood.

My father, the man I had only just met. He looked



like me but... why? Why did he fake his own death?Cause mum so much turmoil?

...mum... Ben, Jet and... and... her why would he do

it? Only a monster could leave four children and a

wife behind then resurface as a monster so many

years later, monster and I was back to the previous

question. I was related to Leon, his very own

daughter, with the same dark gift. Did that meanthat I too was going to turn out like him? Killing for

the sake of it? Murdering just to get the gods

attention? Slaughtering just so he could become

famous. Forcing innocent kids no older than three to

die, or kill. Why? Why did I be the one to be next in

line for this gift? Why not, Jet or Ben... or her. Jet

and Ben handled their sisters death better than Icomforting Josephine, trying to fill the void they

felt. But I refused to move on, see the truth for what

it was. That she was gone and never coming back

no matter how much I wished for her to be here.

Quinn and Estella had given up their life, their

families so willingly. Christian was an orphan he

had nothing to give up. And yet I’d taken mine for

granted. Not given a seconds thought to how

Josephine would cope after her second daughter

disappearing. I rolled over on my side and the

squeaked. I reached out a hand and traced the cold

wall. The unfamiliar warmth of tears spilled over

the rim of my eyes and travelled down my lips. I did

nothing to stop them. And then I was back there.

Staring at her perfect face, bloodied, bruised and beaten. Dead. I closed my eyes preying sleep would



take me captive soon. All night I tossed and turnedand didn’t fall asleep until three.


“Wake up, wake up!” Quinn urged shaking my

shoulder roughly. Not thinking my predatory

instincts kicked in before realization. I shot up at the

same time a strong gust knocked him off his feetand slammed him roughly into the wall. I noticed

time slowed by a fraction so Quinn’s back did not

hit the wall as hard as it should’ve.

“Sorry, sorry!” I was out a bed and crouched in

front of him before anyone else could react. “You

took me by surprise” I mumbled scanning him for

bruises. Christian was bent double; laughing, eyesclosed. Estella to was smirking slightly.

“Nice” Christian chortled “You really aren’t a

morning person” he lapsed over in more laughter.

Grumbling inaudibly the wind carried my cloak

over and draped it on my shoulders. A quick fast

thrumming sounded a couple of times on the door

then stopped. We all paused and stared bemused at

it. Soon loud chatter and footsteps started up

outside. I opened our door a crack and bodies were



walking past, all different shapes, colours and sizes.I was reminded irresistibly reminded of school

when the bell rang. “Looks like its our morning

assembly” I smiled then slithered out the door.

Christian shoved the door aside roughly with Quinn

and Estella in tow. Christian and I both had our

hoods up covering our brows and eyes in darkness

while Estella and Quinn let theirs fall down.Estella’s slightly tangled, dark braided hair spilled

all the way down to her waist. An part of my mind

noted that though the people walking past looked to

be around twenty or fifteen. The oldest seemed to

be only twenty eight. “Where do we go?” Quinn

whispered

“Follow” I breathed and joined the flow. Christianremained firmly by my side. Some faces we passed

turned curiously to stare at us. Judging by their eyes

only a few Water Elementals were collected in this

group. Going up to Earth, Fire and more Wind

Elementals than I’d ever seen before. Some though

like Estella and Quinn were unidentifiable. The

room we filed into was bigger than one the Elite had

called the gathering to. The ceiling so high it looked

as though it had no end while rows and rows of

wooden seats were lined along its vast floor. And

there; sitting on a raised platform with a throne that

resembled a distorted version of Oservia’s sat Leon.

Charlotte to his right, Sharon to his left. And then

six girls; three on each side were seated at the same

table. Nothing would’ve seemed odd about it but allthese girls held a slight resemblance to me. All



looked to be around seventeen, bronze skin, curly or dark hair, and glittering grey eyes. The smallest

being five feet two. Creepy... How Leon Manka

picked me out from among the thick crowd I did not

know. Though the minute he stood up and raised his

hands all was quiet and I knew what was going to

happen before it did. Us four were the only still

standing“Wauneta, show our three newcomers to their

proper seats” he whispered. One of the girls who

looked more or less like me stood up and trotted

down the hall. She knew what my father meant and

took Quinn, Estella and Christian to a free bench.

Christian hovered reluctantly for a second then with

a nod from me followed her. The intensity of theothers gazes were like a tangible feel on me. My

face still hidden shadow showed nothing of the fear

making my heart pound like a steam train.

“Stacy why don’t you come up here” he whispered

though it echoed like he’d screamed in the silent

hall. My footsteps made me flinch with every step

that took me closer to the stage. Eventually I was at

the top standing with my back away from all the

cold faces. I kept my eyes trained on the ground.

Hoping vainly I was wrong about my presumption.

Leon walked forward very deliberately until he was

right in front of me. I was as tall as him. He turned

me around very slowly though I did not resist.

Breaths quickened they knew something major was

going to happen. My hands were curled into talonsand my breathing hitched constantly. This was it,



this was it. I kept repeating in my head. The hoodhid my face completely in shadow.

“As you all know I have been looking for the one

who I promised would help us, take us to the top,

rule over sniveling humans and the Elite!”

Cheers and roars erupted. I squeezed my eyes shut

tightly and tried to stop the minor tremors rocking

through my body. It felt as though I had beendoused in icy water.

“Well now I have found her, Stephanie Manka!

Yes, my daughter!” Leon roared and pulled my

hood back. My pitch blac hair spilled over my face,

my white hands strained so tightly the bone looked

like it may pierce my skin. My jet black irises held

only a small hint of their once grey. A vicious hopeconsumed my entire being I did not look anything

like my usual self. I did not even sound like the old

Stephanie. The only similarity was the height. There

was silence. I did not dare look for the faces of

Christian, Quinn and Estella. No matter what I was

now I could never be able to stand their shocked

and disgusted looks.

“I see you have changed daughter” Leon murmured

a smirk threatening the edges of his dark lips. He

noticed my only slight wince at the mention of

daughter.

“But you are not my only child, though the others

are of no use to me...”

He’s baiting you... don’t react... don’t react I

chanted over and over in my head. If I react thegame was up.



“I expected it to be her you see, Stephanie, Bianca”he purposefully clarified not missing my obvious

blanch at the name I’ve tried so hard to suppress.

“But when the girl showed no sings of our

uniqueness I gave up, faked my own death and left

that pitiful woman”

He’s talking about mum I hissed furiously in my

head. The fury bubbling in my stomach was becoming unruly. I wished nothing more than to

leap at him and tear him apart, skin from bone. He

was putting my life on display for so many I did not

know.

“Then I heard about a girl, displaying wild abilities,

how the wind picked up when she was mad” he

murmured in my ear.“Oh but your sister, she knew... she’d figured it out

and that” he laughed “Was a complication”

I spun sharply to face him “She knew?!”

Leon’s smile was smug but I paid it no mind that

the game was over, that he’d won.

She... she knew... but... why? Had she known that her sister was a freak? Is that why she’d gone? Ashamed to be related to me? So many questions

and the man I loathed so much held all the answers.

“Oh yes she knew alright, and was going to

confront you. And I couldn’t have that. So I had

dear Sharon here”

Sharon’s black lips were pulled up in a smirk.

“Morph the boyfriends mind, oh she was upset, very

upset and it was only a matter of tampering with her breaks and... no more Bianca”



I stood still for a nanosecond processing this. He’ddone it; killed my sister. His daughter without so

much as a glance as she’d fumbled for the brakes.

She would be here. I saw red; it slunk over

everything and I tasted nothing but raw blood on

my tongue. A vicious craving for his death took

over every particle, every bone, every muscle and

every organ in my body. I shook violently whilenothing but Leon clouded my vision. I snarled and a

tornado grew into existence. Reaching up to the

never-ending ceiling. And he smiled . I felt others

powers, trying to help their beloved leader. Yells of

fright, screaming trying to get out. Now everything

was a blur various objects picked up by the tornado

were spinning in front of me. I was about to thrustevery heavy object I could find at him then

everything slowed by seconds. Soon I was able to

disconcert even the dust particles. I came back to

myself, realizing for the sake of others killing Leon

would not result well. I could not risk anyone else’s

life. Estella was holding up a weak Quinn. I

glanced at him then Christians confused face then

sighed. The objects dropped with almighty crashes.

Time began at its normal pace again. Quinn

breathed out heavily and sunk to the floor.

“Your gifts will be useful” Leon murmured exiting

the hall with a final winning look at me.

“Why?” was all Christian asked gazing heavily at

me “You knew, from the moment he walked in—”

“NO! I knew long before than, I knew whenStormtail took me to the Divinity, Oservia told me!”



“Then why the effing hell didn’t you tell us?!” heyelled back.

“I JUST SHOWED YOU WHY!” I screeched. My

echo bounced off the walls. The furious silence

billowed between us. It felt like there was a veil.

Separating me from them. Christian and I were

breathing in out heavily locked in a heated gaze. I

hated them, I hated Leon, I hated my ability. Thereason so many were dying. I didn’t want to be me.

I wanted to be young again when I could run into

my mothers arms and cry, she would comfort me

and say everything would be alright. But it wasn’t

going to be. And it never will be again.

Wind in the Trees; In theBeginning



Annoyed that it can cause this much turmoil. Furious that I was part of a freak’s world.Miserable that what Oservia said was right.

Stephanie Manka hides in secrecy with the

rest of her world. Living happily as a little

more than ordinary teenager. A normal life,normal friends. But when someone from her

clandestine world threatens to expose her

secret; which side will she choose? The

answer seems obvious but more and more

secrets are revealed and only some

answered.

wind in the tree's, in the beginning

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