Awaken the Elements (Elemental Trilogy) (24 page)

             
Autumn rolled her eyes. “Congrats.”

             
She turned to her cousin and crossed her arms over her chest. “You do something impressive.”

             
“Fine,” she let out a deep breath and stood up. She put both hands out over the five pebbles that were set up in a circle. She focused on that part of her where the power hid and let some of it out as she envisioned it in her hands. She moved her hands and pressed her palms together. There was warmth; as she concentrated, she could feel the pebbles move together becoming one big rock. She opened her hand and showed Anatha.

             
“That was very good, Autumn,” Adair said. “Your control is getting better.”

             
“Thanks, Sensei,” she said and sat back down.

             
“I don’t think it was that impressive,” Anatha grumbled as she grabbed more candles and placed them on the table.

             
“I think I’m done for now,” Autumn said, getting up.

             
“Going to mope about?” Anatha said.

             
Autumn flicked her hand, and the rock jumped over to Anatha’s table, knocking over her candles. “Yes. Moping sounds like a great idea.”

             
Anatha twirled around and put her palm out. A ball of fire came to life in her palm.

             
“Now girls,” Adair said, “Let’s not do something stupid.”

             
“Go for it,” Autumn said, her hands balled at her sides.

             
Anatha grabbed the ball of fire and flicked her wrist. But halfway to Autumn, the rock came out of nowhere and broke into sand, putting out the fireball. They glared at each other.

             
“Hey, we are family here,” Adair said. “Why can’t you guys just get along?”

             
“I will if she gets me some time with River.”

             
“You did, during laser tag.”

             
“It didn’t count,” she said.

             
“Why? You had time alone!” Jealousy flared in her.

             
“Just get me more.”

             
Autumn turned. “Get it yourself. I’m done, Adair.”

             
She walked around the second floor, looking for the guys. She went down to Playland.  Not seeing them, she went up to their room. They weren’t there either. Frowning, she went to her room and decided a nap would be awesome. All that magic made her tired.

****

             
Autumn and Hazel looked around as they slipped into the food court. No one looked to be around. Autumn wanted to keep it that way. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and she had a special gift planned for her family. She tightened her grip on the bag handles; the cans inside were heavy. They made it into the main kitchen without being noticed.

             
“You picked a perfect time to come down here,” Hazel said as Adair jumped on the counter, his long tail twitched and moved on its own.

             
“I was really hoping no one would be here. It is actually pretty late for most people. Usually they just take the snacks with them up to their own floor.”

             
“So what are we making?”

             
Autumn started pulling out the cans of pumpkin. “I didn’t even think of looking for them at the store down here. It’s one of those things no one thought about.  They’re still good!”

             
Hazel’s eyes lit up. “It isn’t Christmas without your pumpkin bread!”

             
Autumn’s smile faltered, thinking of last year. “I didn’t have it in me last year.”

             
Hazel nodded. “We all understood.”

             
She shot a smile at her friend. “So I need the ovens preheated to 400, and I need the pans greased up.”

             
“On it, boss.”

             
Autumn opened the cans of pumpkin. The earthy smell hit her, and her chest contracted. She told herself everything would be fine as she scooped the pulp out into the mixing bowl. She measured her sugar and flour. She had made sure there were enough eggs earlier.  The main safe house usually made sure they had a good supply of eggs and milk. She always wondered where the place was and was glad they were all stocked up.

             
She started to add her spices. She closed her eyes and released some of that magic inside of her and poured clove into her hand. She thought of the protection spell in her mind, weaving it into her hands and charging the clove with it. She did the same with the cinnamon, weaving in good luck. She added a few drops of vanilla for a bit of extra luck. She finished it all up by stirring it counterclockwise, thanking the gods for listening.

             
“You are getting better,” Adair said.

             
She nodded as she used a clean spoon to taste the batter. “Perfect!” she said, making Hazel jump.

             
“I have the pans ready.”  Autumn took the bowl over and started to spoon the mixture into the pans. “So you want to talk about your boys?”

             
“What about them?” she asked, pausing.

             
Hazel shrugged. “Everyone has noticed they haven’t been around much this week. And well, they think you guys had a fight.”

             
“Oh, geez,” she said, finishing up the last pan. “They have been busy with something. They haven’t told me much.”

             
“So no fight?”

             
“Not at all.”

             
“The laser tag didn’t pull River away?”

             
She looked at Hazel, hand on hip. “Actually, Anatha acted like her charming self. She actually scares him a bit. Since we are having some girl talk, what is going on between you and Frank?”

             
Her face turned bright red. “We are taking it slow. We’ve both lost people we loved, and well, we are in the phase where we want to try, but we don’t want to hurt anymore.”

             
Autumn started cleaning up. “I understand that.”

             
“Do you? I don’t want to make you mad, Autumn, but what do you really think of River and Rowan?”

             
Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought it over. “They’re both amazing. We have so much fun together, and they make me laugh and don’t tease me when I cry, and when they kiss me I want to melt. Sex with each is amazing, but they are pushing for this togetherness, and I am holding back. Scared, maybe?”

             
“You really like them then?”

             
Autumn nodded. “I have never felt this with anyone,” she said sadly. “And I really wanted to with Ryan. I tried hard.”

             
“He was a jerk. Autumn, I know you well enough to know you are always doing things for the people in your life. If you had been honest with yourself, you wouldn’t have stayed with him anyway. I know how it feels to be in a passionless relationship. Paul and I weren’t doing very well months before what happened. I was actually done.” She took Autumn’s hand. “Don’t worry about what the others think. You are amazing, Autumn. Do what feels good to you.”

“I want them both.”

“Who wouldn’t?”

             
She laughed and hugged her. “Hazel, I love you.”

             
“Now I want details on what’s been going on with you three.”

             
“Help me put these pans in the ovens.” She had six pans done. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know exactly what we’re doing. At first I felt kind of guilty. But last Halloween things escalated for all of us. I have been holding back.”

             
“Why? Isn’t that a bucket list item?”

             
She gave her a look. “It’s me. Too many thoughts going around in here,” she said, tapping her head. “I want to, but I am scared; what if this ruins their friendship? They are so close, and I don’t want to be the person who does that.”

“If they are willing to share you
, I don’t think you will be ruining any friendship. If they both love you, it should be enough.”

“You
’re so wise,” she said and laughed. “They drive me crazy. I haven’t been with either in a while. And I am hitting the point I might jump one of them.”

Hazel laughed. “You always hold back from enjoying yourself. Just do it.
Richard would have wanted you too. You know that, right?”

She nodded. “I know. I just don’t think I can.”

              Her friend shrugged. “Fuck it, Autumn. Let yourself go. You have two hot dudes who want you. Give it to them. I would.  I would let them treat me like their sex slave. Be naked all the time as they did with me what they pleased.”

             
Autumn could feel herself blush. “Hazel!”

             
“Oh, the things I would do or let them do to me,” Hazel said, giving her friend a most wicked smile.

****

             
Christmas Eve came, and there was eggnog all around. People were singing, sharing early gifts and munching on freshly baked cookies.  Personally, she didn’t care for Christmas much. The holiday made her realize how old she was. The little kids ran around the tree and stuffed their faces with cookies. They had to close up the candy shop after some of the kids almost put themselves in a sugar coma. It was all the candy they had for five years, and no one wanted the stuff to disappear too quickly. It was part of the old world, which they were trying bitterly to hold on to.

             
The guys of Tune N’ were singing for everyone. They sang Christmas songs a cappella, which to Autumn sounded sweet enough to be candy. No one asked the guys to sing, they just did. Anatha figured they missed it. They had been singing off and on lately. After all, that was their job before they became trapped in the mall. It was what they knew and loved.

             
They started
O Holy Night
, one of Autumn’s favorites. Before she knew it, she was singing along, of course not as well as the guys. She thought of her pumpkin bread and wanted to let everyone know she had made it but waited. Hazel sat beside her as they made Christmas ornaments. They had decided earlier the ones on the tree just weren’t right, and they would make new ones each year. Too late for this year, so they were making them for next year.

             
They finished singing and went their own ways. River and Rowan sat beside her. “Hey, nice deer.” Rowan said.

             
Autumn looked down at the mess in her hands. “Wreath actually. The glue and I are not getting along,” she said, showing the stuff stuck to her fingers, making them all laugh.

             
“You mind if we talk to you alone?” River asked.

             
“No,” she said, put her failed art work down and followed them away from everyone.

             
“Sorry we haven’t been around this week,” River said.

             
Rowan ran his hand down her arm. “But trust me it was all for good.”

             
She looked at him curiously. “Oh yeah?”

             
They nodded. “We missed you,” River said, reaching out and touching her cheek. Her eyes closed, enjoying the feel of his hand. Hazel’s advice echoed in her head.

             
“Can I get a group hug?” she asked, batting her lashes at them.

             
“Of course,” River said.

             
Rowan hugged her from behind and River from the front. She sighed, feeling warm in their arms, and then her body started to react to their bodies. She didn’t hesitate or move when River’s warm soft lips found hers. She melted into the kiss. Rowan moved her hair out of the way and started kissing along her neck, shocking her a little. Hands moved, and their bodies pressed harder against her. She felt her insides tighten with need. Before she realized it, she was making little noises as they touched and kissed along her bare skin.

             
Someone coming around the corner made them all take a quick step away from each other. Autumn had to place a shaky hand on the wall. “Geez,” she said.

             
“Hey guys,” Frank said. “Someone said dinner is ready.” He looked at Autumn, and his face twisted in concern. “Are you okay?”

             
She nodded. “I think I had too much sugar today.”