Origin of Angels: Elemental Legacy Book 1 (21 page)

A sense of regret hit me, thinking of the recent changes made to our society. There had been flaws, no question; however, something significant was missing from our current structure. Rayla was doing her best to lead us. It wasn’t a matter of her desire
— only experience. We’d looked to her, the great Nexus, as a guide out of our half-life into a bright future. Her intentions were to do so, yet I feared the patience of my people would wane before she could accomplish the task.

I intended to talk to her about the landmass and how much was now missing, but I’d vowed to give her time to acclimate. Besides, Heath was her husband and responsible for her support. I was only a friend to her now. My love for her had shifted, and I was grateful for the change. Faine may only be mine temporarily, but she’d given me the much needed lift to get over Rayla.

Initially, I’d thought I lost my feelings completely for the girl, but I’d found myself still attached to her in odd ways. I caught myself watching her at times. It wasn’t something I intended to continue. The problem lay in her inability to bond or her unwillingness to do so. Typically, when an Elemental and fae bond, connection to others, if the unfortunate event occurs, severs. Since Rayla wasn’t completely tied to Heath, her power remained a beacon. Even still, it called to me.

Luke sat beside me on the bench I occupied. He groaned, rubbing his left shoulder while rotating his neck to and fro. “Humans live a dreary life. I thought we had it bad in Altasia.”

I let my grunt intone my agreement. Luke usually was the first out on the hunt, eager for an easy connection, but this time was different. I wasn’t sure if it was because our situation had changed or if he had. “Do you wish to lead this leg?”

I’d been the one on defense for a solid week, and it was wearing on me. He gave me a sidelong once over before dipping his
chin in a nod. The others had taken the opportunity to rest any way they could. Most were stretched out on the grass under the shade of the thick canopy above us.

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, taking in the faint scent of roasting meat and something sweet wafting on the wind. The hour was growing late, and we would have to find accommodations soon, yet I was glad for this moment of tranquility. Luke shifted on the seat, prompting me to look at him. His expression held more than exhaustion. Worry and something dark lingered, so I asked, “What is troubling you, brother?”

He inhaled sharply, shaking his head. “I know I went about things the wrong way with Rayla, but why do you think she chose him? I was sure it would be you, and I would have been able to live with the decision…but Heath? It makes no sense.”

When had love ever made sense? “Her connection with him is strong.”

Luke twisted on the bench, resting his knee against the back. “Yet she hasn’t bonded with him. She torments me, Zach. I am relieved I was not placed on her team.”

The situation was anything but ideal, so I had to agree with him. “I can’t begin to explain her actions, but I believe she still cares for us
… all of us.”

He stood, fisting his hands into his long hair. “She should not. We should not have feelings for her, either. It is unnatural and a complication I do not appreciate. How can we hope to find peace with her power calling to us repeatedly?”

Faine walked up the path, but Luke hadn’t noticed her. She sighed, taking the seat Luke had vacated. When he glanced at the two of us, his eyes filled with pain. More than anything else in the world, I wanted to remove his suffering. Yet I was powerless to do so. His mouth hardened as his temper radiated from him until he directed it at me. “At least you have experienced love in this life.”

I kept my expression neutral, as to not incite him. “Your time will come, my friend.
Probably sooner than you think.”

Faine smiled at him and rose, attempting to comfort him with a touch on his arm, but he twisted from her. “I’m tired of being second best. I want to experience a true relationship.”

Before I could utter a response, Faine spoke. “What of Ainessa?”

Luke sneered. “She is incapable of love.”

Faine’s voice lowered as if she tried to calm a raging bull. “Everyone is capable of love. She’s built walls around her heart. You once cared a great deal for her.”

He shook his head. “She’s moved on, and so have I.”

I could no longer stay seated. Making my way to my friend swiftly, I caught his arm and spun him to face me. “You loved her.”

He closed his eyes, huffing. “She betrayed us.”

I couldn’t believe what I was saying, “She still has good in her. You help her to see it.”

“She can’t be trusted. She tortured me
… and you. Have you forgotten so quickly?”

Our time on the Order
island came rushing back. My sister had captured a germ of creation and was trying to amass enough power to ignite it. Her intentions had been to save our race from eviction — to create a permanent place for us to dwell, but she had been foolhardy. I would not make excuses for her, but I would not lie to my friend. “You still care for her and always will.”

“She’ll be my destruction. How can I love a woman who wants to use me?”

I laughed. “You sound like Rayla.”

Anger filled his blue eyes for a moment before he shrugged. “I suppose so, but none of it matters. You’re forgetting Ainessa has her sights on another.”

He was a blind man. “Only because you’ve refused her.”

Up until this point, his posture had been guarded, but it turned hostile as he crossed his arms. “She betrayed me. I cannot forgive her. I would be a fool.”

I shook my head. “You already are.”

GALWAY WAS STILL A FAIR DISTANCE from here. We finally made it to the town closest to where we emerged from the borderlands. There hadn’t been any Elementals left, but the place showed signs of their presence. Under Lambert’s guidance, I’d learned to see the difference between them and normal humans.

Elemental families had a tendency to keep large stashes of supplies, and there were always subtle signs of their suppressed power. Usually, lush gardens were had where they lived and an abundance of wildlife. Looking around, this place was deserted, yet the flowers grew taller than neighboring communities, and the air was easier to breath. As odd of a concept as it was, it happened all the time. If only the Elementals living here had learned to use Roundup, they might have gone unspotted, at least by the Order. As it was, we hadn’t located one Elemental. I was starting to think we were too late.

Our next stop was the Order compound. My bones vibrated with my nerves. I had absolutely no desire to go back to the place, but it was the only way to find clues to what had happened here. Ainessa placed her hand on my shoulder. The contact sent a shockwave of desire over my body, so I stepped away.

She advanced as I retreated, but the only look on her face was concern. Anger infused me. “Stop touching me!”

She flinched, dropping the hand she had raised again. Her eyes drifted to the grass. “I’m sorry. I was aware of your distress and desired to help you.”

I clamped my jaw shut, reminding myself of her manipulation. She wa
s not a normal woman with emotions. She was a viper posing as a snuggly bunny. “I need to be alone … just leave me alone.”

Hurt covered her features before she tromped away. My heart thudded still from her nearness. I hated her for affecting me at all. I should have been able to look at her without any force of emotion, but she might as well have been a live wire attached to my spinal cord.

I spun on my heel to get away, but Taylor blocked my escape. “Need you be cruel?” he asked without much hint of amusement or anger. In fact, I wasn’t sure how he felt about what he’d seen.

I straightened, not liking his condescending stare. “The truth is best. It does her no good to think she has a chance with me.”

He gave a wry smile. “Familial patterns repeating, I see.”

“Why do you people insist on comparing me to my sister? I am not her.”

“I should hope not. Ainessa would truly be disappointed, but she would deal with the situation if it meant she could progress.”

My anger lit a fuse to my mouth. “What is it with you and progression? I mean, what’s wrong with relaxing
… enjoying life?”

Unlike me, he remained neutral. “Life doesn’t exist if one is stagnant.”

“You should know,” said a man from behind me.

Taylor assessed him in an instant and spun around me, making himself a barrier between the guy and me. From what I could see of the guy, he was definitely fae, especially considering Taylor’s expression. The weird thing was they weren’t speaking, but they both postured as if they were. As quickly as he came, the man disappeared.

“Who was he?” I asked immediately, attempting to keep fear out of my tone.

Taylor’s voice stayed steady.
“An emissary.”

I grunted, frustrated with having to pull the information out of him. “What did he want?”

“To issue a warning: if we continue with our mission, we will be attacked.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Who warned the enemy before going to battle?

Taylor gave a little smile. “We are civilized, Travis. We do not operate as humans do.”

Why did I have such a hard time believing him? Not wanting to argue, I asked, “What next, then, and what aren’t you telling me?”

Unaffected in the least, he walked around me, forcing me to follow. “We will locate a better means of transportation and proceed with our mission.”

He wasn’t getting away with lying so easily.
“And?”

Taylor stopped but did not face me. “He threatened your life
… essentially called you out to a duel.”

“What element does he possess?”

Faint lines showed at the corners of his eyes. “Spirit.”

I groaned. Zach had wiped the floor with me when he’d attacked. I wasn’t sure how much effort he’d put into it, which didn’t give me much comfort. “What does a duel include?”

Taylor looked to where Jenny stood. “You could offer him a different course.”

My fists clenched instinctively. “She is not part of any bargain, now or i
n the future. Women are not possessions to barter with. You’re talking about my sister.”

A cynical brow rose. “Rayla is your sister. That one may not even be a true relation.”

If he’d have slapped me, it wouldn’t have stung any more. “Blood does not create family … loyalty and patience and love does, so don’t ever suggest something like that again, or I will personally take your head off.”

He smiled, as if up for the task. “You could try.”

Where were the angels when you needed them? Taylor stiffened, his body rigid as if in alert to danger and not in response to my challenge. What now? His jaw slackened as he stared at something behind me. Annoyed with having to be the one to move so much, I spun, rage filling my veins.

The man I’d only seen once
— the one I was told fathered me stood three feet away. He made a quick bow, then stepped forward, extending his hand. My jaw clamped together with an audible clank of teeth before I re-membered I’d just asked for one of these guys. Of course it would have to be my father. I took his hand, forcing myself to be civil.

He smiled. His deep voice penetrated the air. “You have much of the same disposition as your sister.”

I refused to acknowledge his statement. “Why are you here?”

“I was under the impression you required assistance.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You heard me?”

He gave me a know-it-all stare. “In time, you will also have the ability. We are all connected. Did you think I would leave you helpless?”

I folded my arms because if I didn’t I would have to punch him. “I’ve never known you.”

In a flash he stepped forward, lifting his hand to my temple. Pain exploded behind my eyes, but as quickly it was gone. What remained was the inescapable realization that this man had never left me unguarded. He’d come to me in my dreams. He’d watched over me in school. He’d appeared as different people, but it had always been him. My mind couldn’t handle the information, and my knees wobbled. Taylor steadied me from behind but didn’t say anything. In fact, it seemed as though no one was breathing besides me. “I don’t get you,” I finally said because what else was there?

“We have time,” he said. “I’d like to speak with you.”

Curious, I nodded. Once again, he lifted his hand to my face. That’s when the world disappeared.

SEARCHING THE REST OF THE FARMHOUSE revealed the same result. It didn’t seem as if the people who trashed the place had found what they were looking for because every room had been ransacked. They’d even torn down parts of the walls and ripped up the wood flooring. I couldn’t fathom
what they thought they’d find, but it didn’t matter now. The place would be forever changed in my mind. My memories had been tarnished with what I’d seen, and I wouldn’t ever be able to erase the vision.

Once I composed myself, we headed outside again. My mind caught up to what was happening. “Wait a minute,” I said to Heath, who stood next to me. “How did we drift here? I thought fae powers didn’t work in the area.”