Origin of Angels: Elemental Legacy Book 1 (12 page)

After a few minutes of working in silence, Dad said, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing, son? We risked a lot to retrieve you the last time, and I don’t think your mother could take another scare.”

The last thing I wanted was to be captured by Lambert again, but I couldn’t hide from my enemy if I wanted to find the girl who haunted my thoughts. “I can’t stay here while the world bleeds, Dad.”

He stopped descaling the fish in his hands. “Better the world than you, son. Your mother couldn’t take it if you were taken, no matter how noble the cause.”

“I can’t stand by and watch other men fight my battles, either. I have a score to settle with Lambert.”

Dad gave a solemn nod. “So do many. You don’t need to be the one to get your hands dirty.”

He’d never understand the drive inside me. “The man needs to die.”

“He will only be replaced by someone worse. It is the way of the Order.”

“We’ll deal with the situation when we have to. You aren’t going to talk me out of this, you know?”

He nodded, again, offering me a smile. “It’s good to see you with conviction. I wondered when you’d find your calling.”

“What?”

“I wanted to make sure you were doing this for yourself and not some ideal you have because of the work your mom has done.”

I was amazed at how much my dad downplayed his role in the rebellion. Mom couldn’t have accomplished half the things she did without him. “Only Mom?”

“I’ve had my dealings with the rebels and the Order, but it was never my fight. I’ve done what I needed to protect my family. That’s all.”

I had a hard time letting it go, but there were more important things to discuss. “I’ve got a lot at stake. It’s why I need to leave. I’ve waited too long as it is.”

He stood taller, suddenly looking interested. “Who is she?”

I shook my head, trying to hide my smile. “A girl I can’t stop thinking about, no matter how hard I try.”

“Lambert has her?” I nodded, unable to speak at the thought. “Then you’re doing the right thing. If you wish, I’ll talk to your sister.”

Dad and Rayla had a strange relationship. She still called him Uncle John, and he didn’t say a word. I sup-posed to her, he was more like an uncle than a father. She seemed to adjust to the idea of having been sired by an angel a lot better than I had. “I’ve got it covered.”

His graying eyebrows rose. It was hard to see the old man showing his age. “Somehow, I doubt she’s eager to let you go, considering what we had to do to get you back.”

And there was the guilt. “I know, but I don’t plan on doing anything stupid.”

He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “No one ever does, son.”

I hated it when he was right. I needed to talk to Rayla again.

EVEN THOUGH HEATH PROTESTED, HE LET me go when Ainessa showed up. She gave me a once over, then lowered gracefully to the couch. I’d never known the woman to stay silent this long, and the shock probably showed on my face. “Thanks for coming,” I said to break the ice. She nodded. Weird. “So I thought it might be a good idea to use the talents of our ladies when we go to the mortal realm, and you probably have a better idea than I do who would work best for our mission.”

Her only reaction was a slight dropping of the jaw. She recovered quickly, though, and spoke. “I have a few in
mind. What sort of tasks do you wish to assign them?”

Hesitating would show weakness, so I faked it. “I thought reconnaissance, for one thing. I figure mortals aren’t that used to interacting with fae women.”

To my surprise, she smiled. “They aren’t. It’s a good idea. What else?”

Thoughts bombarded me, making it hard to focus. On one hand, keeping Ainessa close was necessary. On the other, I’d never spent any more time with her than was absolutely necessary. I still didn’t like her much, and I was pretty sure, if given the opportunity, she’d betray me to get what she wanted. As far as I knew, Luke still didn’t want anything to do with her despite the heartfelt talk they’d had. Luke didn’t seem to have as deep a connection as she did. Even though he’d admitted he once loved her, his feelings changed. Hers hadn’t, which was where I thought her unpleasantness stemmed from. Finally, after attempting to think of anything else and coming up empty, I admitted the truth, “I was hoping you would have some suggestions.”

This seemed to please her, if the gloating twinkle in her bright green eyes was any indication. “What are the goals of the mission?”

I shrugged. “Get as many Elementals from the Order as we can, find out where their bases are, and reduce the threat.”

She crossed her shapely legs and clasped her hands in front of her. “I’d say our women have much to offer, then.” A secretive smirk played on her mouth. “Men are easy to manipulate, and given the Order’s current structure, I believe we can gain more than our male counterparts.”

I nearly laughed. She wanted to flirt with Order members. She’d done a fantastic job in twisting Nigel Lambert to her whims. I had no doubt she could instruct others in the finer points. Or maybe the female fae had the same overwhelming effects as the lords had on me? Either way, she was the perfect fit to lead this part of the group. “Well, I’m pretty sure that’s enough to keep our women busy during the mission.”

“Agreed. Is there anything else you wish to discuss, my queen?”

It was my turn to drop my jaw. She’d never shown a single ounce of respect to me, so I wondered what she wanted. “That’s all for now. Did you have something else you’d wish to say?”

She shrugged. “It’s refreshing to know you have the welfare of all fae in your heart. Most Elementals, when bound, can’t think past their hormones.” She stood. “I will let myself out. Expect a list of names from me in the morning.” With that, she left.

I heaved a relieved sigh, content for the first time tonight. Heath waited for me in the hallway when I turned. His tawny eyes softened, and I rushed to his side. Warm arms cocooned me as I pressed my face into his neck, planting a soft kiss where his pulse jumped. He bent to kiss the top of my head,
then led me toward our bedroom. I wasn’t sure why he felt the need to distance himself when I was talking to others, but I wanted him to know it was his opinion that mattered most to me. “I still need a report, you know,” I said playfully.

He smirked, the loving light on his face enveloping me. “You’ll get your information after you’ve earned it.”

I hit his shoulder. “I don’t pay for favors.”

He inclined his nose, his brows lifting. “It’s not what I’ve heard.”

My jaw tightened as I thought of how to punish him for being such a guy. “How’d you like to sleep on the couch?”

He leaned away, staring me down. I stiffened. “As long as I can have some fun with you beforehand, I don’t mind where I sleep. Although, I’ve missed hearing you snore.”

I hit him again. “I do not snore!”

He blessed me with a rare full smile, which showed off his luscious dimple. No more words were passed between us as he lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bed. His eyes devoured me, sending chills through my body.

He laid me gently on the coverlet, then took the spot beside me. I loved being in his arms, soaking up his scent, which I’d never really been able to name. The only thing I knew was it made my head spin. When his lips found mine, I let out a soft moan. Three weeks without him had been the worst torture. I wasn’t about to waste any more effort thinking about how much I’d missed him, though. Now was the time to enjoy my husband.

AFTER WE CLEANED THE FISH, DAD roped me into helping him cook. When it came to seafood and river-food, he had a knack. Or maybe it was the pound of butter he used. Mom and Jenny worked on a salad as Sarah set the table.

Unlike our old house, this one was tidy. Fae inventions were at least good for something. All we had to do was think about having clean dishes. and they sparkled like new. I’d missed spending time with my family when Lambert had me captive. He tried to divert my attention with more things than I ever knew existed, but nothing quenched the desire to shoot the breeze with those I love. I truly wondered if the man had a soul. He’d had a perfect setup: a beautiful wife, an amazing daughter, and wads of cash Bill Gates would envy, but it had never been enough for him. He was a fool.

Once Dad pulled the fish from the oven, I took my place at the table. Our ritual hadn’t changed. With the places set, we all bowed our heads for prayer. Dad would sometimes ask one of us to offer it, but he took the opportunity now. “Lord, we thank Thee for our blessings, and especially for this bounteous food. We pray over it and ask Thee to bring our family home to us once more. They will surely be in danger
… Amen.”

My throat thickened as I said, “Amen.”

Mom picked up the plate of fish, took a piece, then passed it to me. “What’s this one called,” I asked to break the silence. One of the things I enjoyed most about dinnertime was the chatter.

“No idea,” said Dad, around a forkful of steaming meat. “Eats
good, though.”

I wasn’t about to take his word for it and dug in. A noise only brought by awesomeness came out of me. It was the best fish he’d ever made. Before I shoved another forkful into my mouth, I said, “Not bad.”

Dad gave me a knowing look, and I smirked. He shook his head, then went back to chowing. He wasn’t the chattering type, which was why I appreciated it when he did talk.

Mom got to business. “If you’re going, so am I.”

When was she gonna to trust me to take care of myself? I hadn’t exactly freed myself from the Order, but I’d managed to maintain at least a part of my moral code through the ordeal. I wasn’t noble like Rayla, and I never would be. Knowing this about myself didn’t change my desire to do the right thing. I wasn’t the type to risk everything for someone else, except now. I never wanted to see Nigel Lambert again, but I was pretty sure to find my girl, I’d have to go through him. It would be a pleasure to take the man down. Mom stared at me expectantly, so I shot out an answer. “We’ll see.”

She frowned. “There’s no arguing here, Travis.”

I smiled around a bite of food. “Tell it to Rayla.”

She huffed, squeezing her napkin until it disappeared within her fist. “I have.”

“I want to go, too,” said Jenny, eyes pleading.

I expected Mom to blow the squirt’s request out of the sky, but she nodded. “You need to learn field work.”

Jenny was sixteen now, and the age of power started at nineteen. Those three years couldn’t possibly be enough to prepare her for the onslaught once the fae felt her blossom or whatever it was Elementals did when they were of bonding age. She’d have a caller pretty well the moment it happened. Unlike Rayla, Jenny had been crushing on a lot of fae warriors. It wasn’t like she’d get a choice, but at least she could dream. I was hoping by the time it happens, I’ll have a handle on my power. I didn’t want any fae taking my sister without her consent.

Rayla wanted the same thing, but knowing how fast the fae changed didn’t give me much hope for Jenny or even Sarah. If we had more Elementals to go around, it might be easier to convince the fae choice was a good thing. I was pretty sure not even Mom knew how many Elementals the Order had. I
wasn’t about to bring it up now, though. Not when I had Mom on my side. She wasn’t being exactly forthcoming. “What has Rayla said?”

Mom gave me a look doubting my motives. She hesitated,
then rested her elbows on the table. She glanced at Dad and over to Jenny, who stared with an eager light in her eyes. “She’s considering it.”

“Which part?
You and Jenny … or you minus Jenny?”

Jenny gave me the stink eye. “Maybe you should be left here this time.”

“Never gonna happen, Sis.”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “I’m not the one with a price on my head.”

My stomach hit my toes. “What?”

Mom nodded. “Word has it Lambert wants you found. Alive, but it might be better for you if you remained in Faeresia.”

I stood, barely avoiding toppling over my chair. “I’m going. I don’t care what you all want or say. It’s my life. My risk to take.”

My dad turned toward me. “Sit down, Son. Give your mom a chance to speak her peace.”

Mom’s lips tilted slightly before she went on. “If it were only Lambert, we might have a chance, but with that Fae. He’s evil, Travis. Anything he wants you for can’t be good.”

“He still has to work within the same parameters as those in Faeresia. He can’t kill me.”

Her voice grew low. “There are much worse things than death.”

I shook my head. She’d never get it. “I know.”

MORNING CAME TOO SOON. WHEN THE dews of light filtered through the window, I wished them away. I wanted nothing more than to spend the next few years basking in the warmth of Heath. I snuggled to his back, savoring the feel of his skin. To my relief, he didn’t stir.

In our time together, I’d come to understand the depth of his commitment to end Fae tyranny over Elementals. He hadn’t had many bondmates since coming to Earth because he didn’t want a mate who doted over him. He loved to argue and prove he was right — just like me.