Elemental (The Keeper of the elements) (8 page)

Chapter Eleven

My eyes snapped open as I bolted upright from the bed. My hair spilled over my face as I frantically took in my surroundings, hoping  last night was just a dream. The room I was in was light blue and had a vine border that went around the ceiling. The bed was covered in white sheets and white blankets. The only other things in the room was a nightstand and a dresser.

Slowly, still feeling weak, I pulled my legs from the bed. My clothes were shredded, scorched and covered in blood. My hopes that last night was a dream sunk. I felt exhausted and so weak that I could barely stand. As I tried, my legs wobbled beneath me. “You’re awake.” Ronnie said, startling me.  I dropped back to the bed and sighed. “The binding does take a lot out of you. Don’t worry we will get the power out of the mark and leave to the next safe house tonight.” She said smiling as she sat next to me. I noticed differences about her appearance as she sat. Her eyes were a darker indigo than mine, with touches of storm grey lacing in them. Her hair was a lighter shade of brown and I could see no hint of the wild purple.  She smiled, “Magic is a wonderful thing.” She laughed and I noticed a splatter of freckles across her nose.

The door opened and a very petite woman walked in followed by two men. Ronnie smiled and stood up hugging one of the men tightly. My heart tugged at the show of emotion.  The woman had pale brown hair that curled along her shoulders and very light purple eyes. She smiled sweetly and came forward, extending her hand in introduction. “My name is Serena. It is very wonderful to finally meet you Gemma. I knew your mother and father very well.” My brows furrowed together and my forehead creased with confusion. Serena didn’t look any older than possibly twenty years old. She laughed and her laugh sounded almost like tinkling bells.  “I am very old for how I look. I am nine hundred and seventy four years old.” She explained and I heard a grunt behind her. “Try more like nine hundred and eighty two sister.” The man that spoke was tall and lean, his hair was the same brown and his eyes were the same light purple. “Fine. Nine hundred and eighty two.” She grumbled. I wanted to laugh but I was in too much shock.

“Gemma, this is my husband and obviously Serena’s brother, Eli or Elijah.” I’m sure my eyes nearly fell out of my head with how wide they suddenly got. “Husband?” I coughed out. Ronnie laughed and held Eli’s arm. She was so little and petite standing next to him that it was nearly comical. “Yes silly, I’m six hundred and forty two, I’ve been married since I was two hundred and eighteen. “  She laughed like I had said the most ridiculous thing. I glanced over and my eyes instantly landed on Roland. My heart ached remembering Amelie’s broken body on the floor. I stood up and pushed myself toward him, ignoring the pain that radiated through my limbs. My arms snaked around his large middle, startling him and my face buried into his chest. I felt him hesitate but then wrap his brawny arms around me. “It is all right. She died protecting something very important.”  He said huskily. “What was that?” I asked.

At first I didn’t think he would respond but then he answered softly, “son joyau.”  I glanced up, surprised by the tears that lingered in his eyes, “What does that mean? “ I asked and he smiled, “Her Gem.”

Roland continued to stay with me through the day while the others discussed their plan of action. First thing was first, the power from the mark would need to be removed and from what I was told it would be extremely painful. Excuse me for not jumping for joy.

“Roland, we really cannot wait any longer. Blaze will find her if we do not act soon.” Announced a man that had recently shown up. Roland had introduced him as Franco. Roland ran one of his large hands through his hair and eyed me carefully. “He is right. We don’t have much time. “ I nodded solemnly. Ronnie touched my shoulder and smiled, “Are you okay?” She asked as people started to stand up and I assume, get ready. I shrugged, “Call me crazy, but I just don’t see loads of excruciating pain, fun times.” I even did jazz hands for optimal sarcasm effect. Ronnie laughed, “Well then, you just havent lived. Sex toys back in medieval times were all about excruciating pain. That’s what I call kinky!” My mouth dropped open as she winked at me. I appreciated her effort but I was still pretty nervous.

Once again I was lying on my back on the bed wearing nothing but my underwear. The mark was throbbing and I honestly felt like my body was on fire. It felt like the fire was penetrating into every muscle and vein in my body.

Serena,  Eli, and Ronnie stood on one side of th
e bed.  Roland, Franco, Ben on the other and Hank and Sasha at the foot. My heart was racing as I waited for the pain. “Close your eyes.” Roland said softly. “I don’t want anyone hearing her screams. Can you seal us Franco?” My screams? My panic started to rise again and I felt the necklace grow hot and warmth spread into me. “Removed Aydan’s necklace.” Roland commanded. I felt small hands slip beneath my neck and remove the chain, I instantly felt the cold.

“Gemma, try to relax as much as you can but this will hurt.” Roland said sadly. I took a deep slow breath and tried to prepare myself.

If I thought the fire hurt this was so much worse. A white hot pain started at the top of my head and moved unbearably slow down my body. Once the pain hit my forehead I screamed like nothing I had ever heard before. My entire body was trembling and I screamed until there was no breath in my lungs. I sucked in another breath to release with my scream and I truly felt like my eyeballs had melted. My vision had gone black and my cheeks were wet.

I tried to breathe but couldn’t get my lungs to cooperate. I wanted to struggle but my body was paralyzed by pain. The black in my vision faded and was replaced by  a blinding light. The chaos faded away into a comfortable silence and the sweet smell of the ocean filled the area.  I looked around confused. “Gemma.” His voice was like a breath of fresh air. I spun, a smile growing on my face and launched myself into Aydan’s waiting arms. “My Gem, my sweet Gemma.” He nuzzled his face into my neck and breathed deeply, sending shivers down my spine. “Where are we?” I asked with a hint of awe in my voice. Aydan chuckled, “Does it really matter where we are, as long as we are together.” I laughed, hugging him tightly, “No. I suppose it doesn’t.”  His lips trailed lines of fire along my cheeks leaving me feeling blissfully happy.

I had wanted this all along. I had always wanted him. “Gemma, I need you to listen to me okay?” He whispered gravely. “Aydan, I don’t understand what’s going on.” My voice cracked as I tried to fight the tears. “That’s okay. Everything will become clear soon enough. Listen my sweet Gem. Blaze…he is trying to read my thoughts. Do not tell me where you are, even if I beg for it. I cannot let him find you.  He is trying to erase my memories, my love for you so that I will give up your location. Whatever you do, don’t ever tell me.” He cupped my face in his hands and my heart broke as I watched the tears roll down his cheeks. “If my brother succeeds in removing you from my mind, remember that he can never take you from my heart. Locked inside of me somewhere I will be waiting and someday I will come back to you.”

His face flinched, almost like he was in pain. He gritted his teeth and breathed deeply before falling to his knees growling loudly. I dropped with him, my hands hovering above him, wanting to help. “Aydan!” He looked up and his eyes were dark, “I love you. Okay.” He kissed me firmly on my forehead and pushed away from me. “I love you too..” I said, and Aydan smiled widely. It was the last thing I saw before I sucked in a deep breath, sitting up and let out a loud scream that burned my throat.

Chapter Twelve

I could hear the dull hum of a radio or possibly a television. My entire body ached like I had been beaten beyond recognition. I groaned lightly and heard a shuffling around me. I could hear other voices as they chattered around me. I lay still, letting the sound comfort me. Images of my dream started coming back, the painful look in Aydan’s eyes, his voice, and his smile. My heart ached at the memory, almost like it was reaching out for his and in a way, I suppose it was. My eyes fluttered open and I looked around me. I was lying in a bed with soft blue sheets that smelled a little like mildew. I shifted in the bed, causing hundreds of aches and pains. While it didn’t feel as painful as the white hot pain I had felt earlier it still wasn’t comfortable.

Carefully I sat up, grabbing Ronnie’s attention from a nearby couch. She smiled and practically skipped over to me. “How are you feeling?” Ronnie asked softly as she gently sat next to me.  I sighed and even that hurt, “Like I’ve been run over by a mac truck. And I had the craziest dream.” I grumbled. Instead of laughing, Ronnie’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “You dreamt?” She asked urgently. “Yes….was I not supposed to?” Ronnie stood up so fast she nearly toppled me off the other side of the bed. As I was righting myself I heard her running through what I assumed to be a small apartment. Moments later she returned, tugging Roland behind her. “Roland she says she had a dream.” She panted. Roland watched me for a moment, “Is that true?” I nodded, really not understanding what the big deal is. “Yes, Aydan was there. He spoke to me.” My voice cracked remembering the pain in his voice. I couldn’t let him forget about me. “What did he say? You need to tell me.” Roland demanded as he sat on the edge of the bed.

I took a minute to close my eyes and remember the conversation, when I opened them again everyone was waiting anxiously. “He said no matter what, don’t ever tell him where I was. He also said Blaze was going to try to…” My voice c
racked and I felt the familiar burn of tears, I swallowed the hard lump in my throat and continued, “try and erase any memory he had of me.” Roland sighed despondently  and nodded his head. “I knew it would probably come to that.” And just like that it was just like everyone had excepted it. “What do you mean?” I nearly screamed. “We are just going to leave him there?” I found the idea completely inconceivable. The small group began to trickle out, leaving me with only Ronnie and Roland. Roland sighed again and rubbed his face in his hand. “I really have no idea how to go about this. Our objective was to extract Gemma. I didn’t expect Aydan needing assistance.” Ronnie said exasperated.

My gaze shifted riotously between the two of them. I needed one of them to say it. Just one of them to agree to get Aydan out of there. Another ache in my heart caused me to whimper. Roland touched my shoulder lightly. “I have never seen a bound as strong as this without the binding ceremony.” Roland whispered thoughtfully. “What?” I groaned as another pain tugged through my chest. “It seems the farther apart they are, the more pain it presents. Have you even seen something like this Ronnie?” Ronnie shook her head slowly as she watched me with a worried look.  “What are the two of you talking about.” I demanded with my teeth grinding.

Ronnie licked her lips and fidgeted before speaking. “In the Fae community, we are born entwined. What that means is there is one being that holds the other half of your soul. The two of you are destined to be together. You don’t usually experience pain during a separation or be able to have reveries until after the bonding ceremony which I am certain you and Aydan have not completed. It is not much different than a human marriage, including consummation.” Ronnie’s cheeks pinked at the explanation.  My heart beat uncontrollably as I sat quietly. The sound of blood rushing through my veins roared loudly in my ears. “You have no intention of rescuing Aydan do you?” I asked quietly. Roland sighed and exchanged a glance with Ronnie. “If it is beneficial, then yes…” beneficial… my mind lingered on that word. Why would not rescuing Aydan be beneficial? I waited for more explanation. “Aydan is dying Gemma… depending on how much of a chance he has at survival, will depend on whether or not we try to extract him.”

My heart felt like it was breaking. The very thought of Aydan dying made me want to close my eyes and never wake up. Ronnie and Roland exchanged a glance and slowly left the room, leaving me alone in my sorrow.

I lay in the bed sobbing until the room grew dark. I know someone had come in offering me something to eat but I didn’t even acknowledge them. I just allowed myself to give in to my pain, to drown in my heart ache.

I don’t even remember drifting off that night but I remember the pink light of dawn creeping into the windows. My eyes were red and swollen and my cheeks were blotchy from crying and my heart ached the worst it ever has. I wasn’t sure I could take much more. I slowly sat up and jumped when I noticed Roland standing next to the bed.