Paranormal Public: Elemental Darkness Part 9

Cale held up his hands. I know, but for us its hard. Vampire Locke was like a stronghold. The Rapier vampires were so much stronger than Raor or Radvarious. . . .

They still are, I gritted out. Lanca will get it back.

Cale looked skeptical, but he didnt argue.

I thought I heard Charlotte sounding happy, said Nick jovially, coming through the door beaming. It might just have been my imagination, but I thought he flinched a little when he saw Cale. I grinned at my employer.

Yeah, I said, feeling strange that my two very different lives were intersecting, hes an old friend.

Nick came over and introduced himself, and just as Cale was telling him how good the coffee was, the door jingled again and Nicole came in.

Ah, hi, honey, she said, smiling at Nick. Again there was a little flinch when she noticed Cale, but she didnt say anything. Again I thought I must be imagining it.

Honey, this is a good friend of Charlottes, said Nick, wrapping his arm around his wifes shoulders as she laced her fingers around her husbands waist.

Nicole smiled brightly at Cale. Nice to meet you! Would you like another cup of coffee? Any friend of Charlottes, after all. . . .

Cale smiled politely. No, thanks, he said. Its delicious, but I only need a little caffeine to get a buzz.

Well, just let us know, said Nicole. Then, with a significant look at Nick she said, Honey? Can we talk for a minute?

Nick nodded, and they couldnt get into the back room fast enough. I watched them go, feeling confused. I needed Sip there to pick up on whatever I had just missed.

Maybe they think were dating or something, I said, turning to Cale. Sorry, theyre not usually so weird.

Cale smiled. Dont worry about it. Nothing feels normal anymore.

Isnt that the truth, I said, shaking my head. Anyway, its great to see you.

You too, he said. But I should get going.

He started to stand up, but I interrupted him. Wait, I said, extra frustrated that I was trapped at the coffee shop. Will I see you again before you go off on a.s.signment?

I hope so, he said, smiling. Thanks for the coffee.

He stuck his hands in his pockets and headed for the door, glancing at the back room once more before he left. I watched him step into the rain, acknowledging to myself that seeing him still gave me b.u.t.terflies, even though it was nothing compared to how I felt about Keller. And now I would probably never have that feeling again. I sighed and busied myself with cleaning Cales mug, hoping desperately to distract myself and knowing that it was impossible.

That night Ricky and I had our first real fight. Carl was off at the bar, and it was still raining, but not as hard as it had been earlier. We had just finished a dinner of pasta and broccoli, which Ricky loved, and were settling in to channel surf when he brought up secrets again.

I threw the remote down and stormed out, hurrying into the warm summer night. It was a week night, but since it was summer there were still a lot of people out and about, and I felt strange not knowing most of them anymore. Until this summer I had barely spent any time here since I had left for college.

Feeling frustrated, I just kept walking, heading for the hill and the cemetery. I knew that my mom would know what to do, if only I could talk to her. I did my best with Ricky, I really did, but sometimes I just had no idea.

By the time I climbed the hill and reached the small cemetery where Carl had buried my mom, I was breathing hard. It was a steep climb, and in my anger I had walked up quickly. But up here, unlike in town, I was alone. The only sound was the trees blowing in the wind, and the soft murmur of what was left of the rain.

I dont know how long I sat at my mothers grave, wide awake and thinking. I wished I could go back to the beginning of spring semester, when my boyfriend had brought me here and my brother didnt hate me for keeping secrets I couldnt control, and when Lisabelle hadnt gone away.

I was struggling more and more with not having heard from Keller. I a.s.sumed I would hear about it if he were dead, but now I wasnt even sure about that. Who would tell me? His parents hated me. I supposed Vanni would, but I didnt even know where Vanni was this summer. On the other hand, there was no reason to think Keller would die, except that he was with Malle.

Eventually, I stood up. I was wet and cold, and it was time to head back. But I knew as soon as I brought my thoughts back to the present that something was wrong. Not with me, not here, but at home.

Id had a growing feeling of unease for weeks, but I had tried to talk myself out of it. Cales showing up had only increased my worry, but I couldnt put my finger on what was wrong.

I broke into a run as my heart started to pound. As I raced along I gathered winds; it was now the dead of night and they whirled around me as my panic grew.

Chapter Fourteen.

The house looked quiet, but I didnt believe it. My ring had started to pulse as I frantically searched the windows with my eyes. Ricky was upstairs, Carl was down.

Charlotte? a voice whispered.

I nearly screamed, but no sound came out because a warm hand gently covered my mouth. I met Cales eyes, which looked black in the darkness.

What are you doing here? I whisper shouted.

He put his finger to his lips.

Theres something here. Something new, beyond the usual demons. Thats why Im here. Whoever they are, theyre powerful.

They? I said, terrified. Rickys inside!

Cale tried to grab me as I headed toward the house, but I was already das.h.i.+ng up the porch steps and throwing the back door open before he could get a good grip on my arm.

I pounded up my stairs. I knew Cale was close behind as I skidded to a halt in front of Rickys door. Glancing back at him, I saw a shrug. As quietly as I could, I opened the door.

Rickys head was lying on his pillow. He was curled on his side and I could see the rise and fall of his chest. His hair was messy, as if hed been tossing and turning. But he was fast asleep.

Breathing easier, I carefully closed the door.

It had just clipped shut when I saw Cales eyes go wide. Then, before I could grasp what was happening, he was ripped backward, his body slamming down the stairs.

Cale! I cried, rus.h.i.+ng after him. He broke through the bannister at the bottom, splintering it, and then he was yanked out the front door as if an invisible hand had gripped his ankle. I watched him struggle uselessly.

It felt strange to be thrust back into the world of magic all of a sudden. All summer I had practiced, but that was different from the threat of an actual demon attack. Pelting after a friend in danger almost felt like getting back to normal.

Whatever had gripped Cale, though, didnt keep hanging on once he was outside. The invisible attacker just dumped him on the ground, which was still soaked from the rain.

Cale! I cried again, rus.h.i.+ng over to him.

I barely saw the figure standing in my driveway. Cale groaned and I could see blood on his hairline from where he must have hit his head. I glanced up at the dark figure, which was now coming closer again. At first I had thought it was a vampire, but as it got closer, I knew better.

A darkness mage had come to my house, and he looked familiar.

Nick? I gasped. Youre. . . . Well, that explained the terrible coffee he made.

I didnt have a chance to finish. A black gust of pure fire flew at my heart. I let go of Cale and fell backward, into my own mud puddle. I landed with a hard splash and quickly tried to roll.

Nick kept coming forward. I couldnt see his face.

No wonder I got a job there so easily, I cried, pus.h.i.+ng myself to my feet. The winds I had gathered were still waiting around the house, and now I sent them flying at him. But they died before they reached him, and I saw Nicks bright white teeth flash in a smile.

Faci said youd do something with wind, he said with amus.e.m.e.nt. Amateur.

So, Faci was involved. I should have known.

I glanced at Cale out of the corner of my eye, but he still lay p.r.o.ne on the ground.

Oh, looking for the Police Academy graduate to help you? I didnt think you could help yourself.

Besides, you forgot to watch your blind side, said a female voice.

Nicole was standing behind me, but I didnt have time to turn around before I felt a hot sting in my side, burning through my ribcage.

I cried out in pain as my world spun. All I saw were a pair of black boots as black spots covered my eyes. I called to my ring, but my hand felt dead. The pain spread numbingly through my whole body as I fought to breathe.

Cale, I said desperately, feeling weak. My throat hurt just saying his name.

Cale, I said again, but he was still unconscious next to me. I tried to rise, but the numbness prevented me from using my arms.

Aw, I didnt realize it would be that easy, said Nicole, looking down on me. Dont feel bad. You werent a very good barista anyway.

I felt Cale move next to me, the only warning I had before he sprang to his feet. Nick was ready for him, but Cale was quicker; his training at the Academy had paid off. The problem was, he was just no match for two darkness mages.

The black arrows came fast and hard, hissing into his body. I realized quickly that he must be wearing some sort of protective armor, because they just melted into him. But wherever they touched skin I saw Cales face bloom in pain.

Cale stepped back and wobbled. He stepped back again and fell to his knees. Both Nick and Nicole came on.

Did you think this was going to be so easy? Nicole asked Nick.

I had no idea elementals were so pathetic, said Nicole. I guess they really do keep you around only for the Power of Five.

She stepped away from Cale to aim a sharp kick at my side. I rolled away, barely in time to avoid the blow. As my view changed I saw our darkened house, with Ricky still asleep upstairs. They might be attacking me, but I knew they had come for him. If I hadnt had a bad feeling. . . .

A slight tingling in my hand let me know that whatever they had done to my body was wearing off, or my powers were fighting it. I took a deep breath and again tried to stand.

Just. Stay. Down, Cale gritted out. He looked so weak, I figured hed fall over if Nick so much as blew on him.

No, I said. Ricky.

Oh, yes, your little maybe elemental brother, said Nicole, her lip curling. Personally, weve been watching him, and we just dont think he has it in him. Then again, you barely do. Tell me, should we kill you first and then him, or let you watch?

You arent going near him, I said, pus.h.i.+ng myself to my knees.

How are you going to stop us? Nick asked curiously. You know how to use wind. . . .

Maybe winds all I need, I said. I tried again, but there was no wind. I couldnt feel it. My ring didnt pulse, my body started to heave, and my stomach rolled. I gasped for breath as Cale looked away.

Dont worry about it, Charlotte, he said. I didnt come alone.

Nicole threw her head back and laughed. No, but where are they? Do you really think we just let them out of their hotel room?

Cale tried to hide his dismay, but I saw it. Worse, so did Nick and Nicole.

Yes, we planned well, said Nicole with glee. The premier wants this done properly. Once and for all. We took Locke, but we need the elementals gone, and the objects gone. We want to be the ones to do it properly. We want to be the heroes.

Oh, thats what you call coming to kill a twelve-year-old boy? Because I call it something else, said Cale.

He isnt defenseless if hes elemental, said Nicole heatedly. Even if he hasnt shown his powers yet. His mother and father were powerful. He would be too. Who knows how it missed that one. Nicole inclined her head at me.

It struck me that she talked about my parents as if she had known them. But she wasnt that old, and no one seemed to know who my father was. My mother had kept it a secret, even from her daughter, so how could Nicole know?

Nicole raised her hand again and I saw black fire gather in the center of her palm.

What are the black rings? Cale asked me. I knew him well enough to know that he was preparing to make one last stand before we died.

The rings are for darkness, I said, pus.h.i.+ng myself to my feet as Nicole started to walk toward me. And they arent getting Ricky, no matter what, I warned him.

I know that, Cale said, his eyes locked on Nick.

Thats a lot of talk, said Nick. Why dont you make the earth shake? Were ready for that too. How about hail? That might hurt a little, but let me remind you that we are dark fire. We burn black. We will burn any hail you try to throw at us.

Thats a nice generic list, I said casually. Did you get that from one of Sigils books?

Whos Sigil? Nicole asked with confusion.

No, of course you didnt, I said, trying to smile. My face hurt. It was taking all my energy to stand. I just hoped I had enough strength to do what I needed to.

Charlotte? Cale asked. He hadnt seen me fight recently. He didnt know how much Id practiced. Well, hopefully he wouldnt be too surprised or too close to Nick or Nicole.

Dont worry, I said, wobbling a little. I have a plan.

Nicole clapped her hands together. Oh good. I was worried you were going to make this too easy.

Dont you want to shoot more arrows at me? I asked. That first one worked so well.

Nicoles eyebrows shot up. Well, Ill give you one thing. You might be a pathetic excuse for an elemental, but you talk a lot of smack. Maybe not the best combination.

This time when Nick raised his arms to fire I was ready. I was now able to find some wind, which I used to grab a stick off the ground and slammed it into the head of the arrow as it shot toward me.

The arrow exploded, showering the ground with sparks. The picture might have been beautiful if it hadnt been so menacing. Cale covered his eyes, while I kept mine on Nick.