Caution to the Wind: Book One of the Elementals Series (11 page)

Chapter Twelve

    What was she supposed to wear on this date? Avery said nothing fancy. Loren didn’t have any fancy clothes, so that was easily done—or not done, as was the case. Still, she wanted to look nice.

As evening neared, her nervousness grew. In the end, Loren settled on a clean pair of black jeans and a white sweater. It was warm, pretty, and soft. She pulled her hair back from her face, pinning it behind her head in what she hoped looked like an elegant bun. It was nothing like Eva’s perfectly coiffed style but it didn’t look terrible.

Having never been great with make-up, Loren brushed some light colors over her lids and used some gloss for her lips. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she smiled. Her gray eyes lit up and looked nearly blue. She thought she looked pretty.

She hoped Avery thought so too.

She spoke with him earlier that day. The terrace was where they were to meet at eight. Glancing at the clock, Loren made sure to give herself enough time to make her way there—with a few minutes to spare in case she got lost.

Avery stood up from his seat when she entered. His hair was tied back, as usual, and he was dressed in a casual suit—white shirt, blue suit jacket, and slacks. What she noticed the most though was his easy smile.

Loren smiled back. As difficult as it was to look away from him, she did. She’d been on the terrace once, but it had looked nothing like this. There were flowers everywhere. Beautiful and fragrant white blooms seemed to have grown overnight. With Eva’s power, it was entirely possible. She would have to thank her. Twinkling lights strung up around the ceiling, draping down to create a canopy of artificial stars.

“Wow. It’s beautiful.”

“I was hoping you’d like it.” He placed a hand on her arm, leading her to the table. It was set for dinner. There was even an unlit candle as the centerpiece. Loren sat and unfolded a cloth napkin in her lap.

“It’s not really much of a date,” he began. “But a nice semi-romantic dinner for two.”

“No, it’s wonderful.” She hadn’t a lot of experience in dating, but this was by far the best one. She pushed it from her mind as she smiled at Avery again.

“Would you like some wine?” He brought up the bottle from beside the table.

              “Oh, uh, just one glass. I’m not much of a drinker.”

“I’m not either. Contrary to what you might’ve heard.” He poured two glasses.

“Really?” She lifted her glass, smelling it before she took a small sip. It was sweet.

“Yeah. All those times you read about me getting drunk and making an ass of myself? They weren’t common incidents. But, the media makes it out to be.” He shrugged as he took a drink.

“For the record, I never paid much attention to it. I mean, reading about celebrities doing crazy stuff isn’t really my thing. I’m not big on the tabloids or the magazines. Yeah, I look at the headlines when I’m in the check-out at the store, and maybe flip through a few times but—” She cut herself off, making an apologetic face. “I’m rambling again. Sorry.”

Avery chuckled lightly. “No, the rambling’s good. I like it. It’s refreshing. Take into consideration everyone I’m close to has a tendency to be reserved and closed off. It’s… nice when someone isn’t so rigid.”

“I ramble a lot so… that’s good. Good.” She took another drink of wine before putting her glass down. She took note of the candle. “I think you forgot something.”

“What’s that?”

              “The candle. It’s not lit.”

“Ah, I did that deliberately.”

Loren looked at him curiously. “Why? A lit candle is more romantic than an unlit one.”

Avery gave her a sheepish grin. “Yeah, you’re not wrong. I was kind of hoping to impress you with my powers. First date, first impressions.”

She laughed lightly. “Okay, uh, well, I’ve already seen your powers and I have my first impressions of you.”

              “Yes, but it’s not a
first date
impression.”

“Okay, that’s fair.” She gestured to the candle. “All right then, impress me.”

Avery shook his head and leaned back in his seat. He crossed his arms, adopting an indignant look. “Now I don’t think I want to.”

“Aww.” Her lower lip jutted out slightly. “Please? We need candlelight for things to be semi-romantic and I don’t have a lighter or matches. I need you to impress me with this.”

              Avery wasn’t able to play pretend for much longer because a smile finally cracked through the façade. He leaned forward. “If you insist.”

His fingertip touched the wick of the candle. A flame ignited and soft yellow light filtered across the table.

Loren grinned. “That’s still cool.”

Avery shrugged, but she could tell he looked pleased with himself. He drank from his glass. “What would you like for dinner? I have the chef on call. She can make anything you want.”

“Oh, um… I hadn’t thought about it.” She sucked on her lip for a second. “What sounds good to you?”

“Mm, Italian.”

“In that case… lasagna. With extra cheese. If it doesn’t have extra cheese, I may knock points off for this date.”

Avery laughed a little. “You’re keeping score?”

“Maybe.” It came out flirty and Loren found her own smirk.

“Then I will make sure there’s extra cheese. I’d hate to lose the few points I have. Do you want a salad?” Loren nodded as Avery stood up and made his way to the com. He pressed a few buttons and the kitchen staff answered. “Lasagna please, with extra
extra
cheese. And salad.” He glanced back to Loren. “Dessert?”

“Cheesecake?”

“And a cheesecake.” The staff took the order and Avery returned to the table. “It may be a while before the food gets here.”

“That’s okay,” she said. “That gives us time to talk. If you wanted to talk, that is.”

“I’d love to talk.”

Loren smiled and picked up her glass of wine. This date was going well so far.

She hoped it would last.

~~*~~

“There’s one bite left,” Avery said, looking down at the piece of cheesecake they split. “Do you want it?”

She was dizzy from the wine again. One glass had somehow turned into three. That was okay. It made everything feel warm and nice. Loren was full, but she couldn’t pass it up. “Uh let’s share it.”

“Good deal.” He cut off half of the bite with his fork, then offered her the other part. She scooped it up.

“Mm, it’s so good.”

“We have Maria to thank for that. Her cheesecake is award winning.”

“Really?”

“Well, in my book anyway.” Avery sat back in his seat and finished off the last of his wine. He picked up the bottle. It was nearly empty. “There’s enough for one more glass. Should we split it?”

“No. I’ve had more than enough.” Loren rested her arms on the table, watching him. They’d talked about normal things. Everyday life, likes and dislikes. There was no mention of powers, or danger, or rough family life. It was probably the most in depth conversation she’d had in a long time that didn’t leave her feeling anxious and nervous afterward.

The food was great. The wine was better. And Avery was incredible.

Loren let out a lengthy sigh, resting her chin in her hand. Her breath blew out the candle. “Oh, oops.” She giggled. “Sorry.”

“Hey, I can fix that.” Avery relit the candle with his powers. “There we go.”

Loren grinned. “Awesome.”

“So, how’s the score?” Avery took a drink of his wine.

“Hmm?”

“You were keeping score. What is it?”

“Oh, uh…” She racked her brain for something, anything and came up with the first number she could think of. “Ten.”

“I’m a ten?”

“Yeah. Ten. Good job.”

Avery laughed and shook his head. Loren’s face warmed considerably more with the wine in her system. She took a sip from her water instead, nodding.

“I’m glad I’m not a one then.”

“One’s a good number too.”

“How exactly does your scoring system work?”

Loren was at a loss. She tilted her head slightly as she considered it but eventually only shook her head, grinning. “I have no idea.”

That earned another laugh and Loren joined in. It was nice to laugh—really laugh—with someone.

Avery fell into silence, smiling at her. Loren chewed on her lip and brushed a piece of hair from her face, aware of his gaze on her. She doubted she could blush any more.

“Do you dance?”

The question caught her off guard. “What? Dance? Oh, I don’t dance. I never have.”

“Never danced? Ever?”

“By myself, when no one’s watching. I was a wallflower in high school.” Loren quickly drank down some water, wishing she’d taken him up on the offer to share the last of the wine.

“That doesn’t count. Have you ever danced with someone?”

“Ah, no. I haven’t. I’m not a graceful person.”

“I think that’s yet to be seen. You can’t know until you’ve tried.” Avery stood up from the table. His chair scraped back across the stone floor.

The wine made it difficult to think clearly.

When Avery stopped next to her chair, Loren stared at his outstretched hand. Before she knew it, her hand was in his. He led her out to open floor space.

His hand rested on her waist. His touch was hot. Would he notice if her hand sweated? She brought it up to rest on his upper arm instead.

“Oh, muscles.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” She looked up at him. “Um, we can’t dance without music.”

“I’ve got it covered.”

“How?”

Avery smiled. He removed his hand from her waist and took a small remote from his pocket. He pressed a button and soft classical music filled the room.

Loren bit her lip. “Yeah, that’ll do it.”

He smiled softly and began to move with her. “Just relax and follow my lead. That’s all you have to do.”

“Okay.”

They began to move to the music, slowly. Loren was aware how close they were, bodies near to touching. He moved her hand, bringing it to rest on his shoulder. Both of his hands rested at her waist.

Avery spun with her. Loren’s eyes strayed to his face for a few moments before she looked down, staring at a button on his shirt. This was nice. Nicer than she could’ve ever expected.

“You’re a natural,” he said softly.

“Uh, thanks. I’ve never done this before.”

“You just have to stay relaxed and move. That’s all there is to it. Listen to the music and let it guide you.”

“You’ve done this a lot?”

“A few times.”

They both fell into silence. She listened to the music, closing her eyes. Inching forward, Loren found her cheek resting against Avery’s chest. He didn’t seem opposed to it. His hands moved from her waist to the small of her back.

She sighed softly, keeping her eyes closed. She moved with him. Everything was light and free. She drew back her head, opening her eyes.

When Avery leaned down, Loren almost chewed on her lip again. Instead, she lifted her head to meet him.

His lips were hot. She should’ve expected that, but it surprised her. They were so close to burning she nearly pulled away. Instead, her arms moved around his neck, pulling him into the kiss.

Mouth parting, his tongue lightly traced her top lip. The kiss was scorching, but she found herself shivering.

The heat lingered when he withdrew. Her eyes fluttered open and she exhaled shakily. “Wow.”

“Yeah, wow.”

“I think… did we fall?” Her tongue touched the corner of her lip. She still tasted the kiss. She didn’t look away.

“Not yet.” He held her tightly against his chest. “We’re still floating.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Loren didn’t look down.  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to.” Any second now, they could come crashing back down. She wanted it to last, this feeling of weightlessness and euphoria.

“I’ve never literally swept a girl off her feet before.” Avery chuckled.

“No one’s ever made me feel this before.”

“What happens when we fall?” His arms tightened around her and she pressed closer to his body. They swayed together in mid-air.

“I don’t know.” She really didn’t. “I think, um, I think we’ve already fallen.”

Avery’s warm hands moved up and down her back. His touch was soothing. He looked into her eyes and smiled gently. He didn’t say anything, but Loren thought she understood that look.

He’d fallen too.             

Chapter Thirteen

“Breathe. Breathing is key.”

“Okay, I can do that.” Loren inhaled deeply and held it for two seconds. On the exhale, the pieces of sand on the floor began to swirl. A small tornado formed. She brought out her other hand to steady it, keeping the tiny whirlwind contained.

She focused all her concentration on holding everything within her control. Callum’s suggestion helped and she didn’t want to ruin it. She was doing great, for once.

She took in another breath and blew it out. The whirlwind moved slightly. Loren moved her hand again. When she did, the whirlwind began to follow a path.

She was aware of Callum and Eva watching her. They were both silent. At the beginning of the lesson, she’d asked them to speak as little as possible so she could concentrate. They’d agreed and it had gone smoothly.

“Very good,” Eva said.

Loren didn’t look at her, but she acknowledged the praise with a stiff nod. She kept her gaze on the small tornado. The wind vortex drew in more of the sand, spinning.

Callum walked a wide circle, following the perimeter of the training room. She saw the black of his suit in her peripheral vision but kept her gaze straight ahead. The tornado wavered. Her brow furrowed.

As he moved in front of her, Loren looked away from the tornado. She caught a glimpse of his focused demeanor before she quickly looked back to her whirlwind. It was too late. She’d broken her concentration. The sand dropped onto the floor. “Damn it!”

Loren dropped her hands. “I’ve been at this for hours. What do I have to show for it?”

“You need a break.” Eva stepped forward. The sand vibrated as she neared and it swirled again, this time forming together in a tight lump. She stooped to retrieve it. “Too much exertion is causing your concentration to lapse. Why don’t I call for tea? Or lunch?” Eva ran her thumb along the ball of sand.

“Yeah. Sure.” Loren brushed hair back from her face. She needed something to curb her frustration.

“I’ll have something brought up.” Eva gave her a small smile before she left the training room.

Loren stepped over to the couch and grabbed her water bottle from the table. As she drank from it, she watched Callum. Levi wasn’t present. It was odd not to see him seated in his usual spot in front of the computer screens and Callum seemed out of place there. His arms crossed as he studied the screen.

After yesterday’s sudden cold shoulder, Loren had been apprehensive about starting her training. She noticed he didn’t quite smile at her as warmly as before, but there was no real animosity. He seemed guarded. Was it jealousy?

Loren didn’t like it. Replacing the cap on her bottle, she sank back into the soft cushions of the couch and sighed. “I feel like I could sleep for hours.”

“I know the feeling.” Callum’s voice was quiet. “It takes a considerable amount of energy to remain in a constant state of concentration.”

“I’m getting the hang of it though. I think.”

“You’ve had one lesson. I don’t believe you can determine that so early.”

“I feel positive about it.” It was better than feeling anxious. She would take positivity over that any day. “And it’s hard for me to feel positive about much. I did okay though, right?”

Callum confirmed with a small nod. “You did well. There’s a lot you need to work on.”

Loren didn’t doubt it. Exhaling another sigh, she closed her eyes. Callum’s presence and the tension in the air had made it difficult for her to focus at first. Then, she’d thought of Avery and the feeling of weightlessness when in his arms. The memory of his heated lips against hers was enough to make her confident. After that, she’d been able to focus.

“Confidence helps.” She shifted to sit up straight, open her eyes. “I mean, I think that would help.”

“A positive, confident attitude can be beneficial, yes.”

Loren fell silent and idly picked at the label on her bottle. She chewed her lip.

“What’s wrong?” Callum unfolded his arms and leaned back against the terminal.

“It’s nothing. Just stupid thoughts.”

“I’m sure they’re not stupid. What is it?”

She drew her lips together for a moment. “Are you mad at me?”    

“No.” His answer was quick. “What makes you think that?”

She glanced away from him. “You just seem… different. Since yesterday. Since you got back.”

“I’ve been very busy. It’s only stress.”

It sounded like an excuse and Loren didn’t want to dispute it. “Yeah, sometimes I forget you run a huge company.”

The silence became uncomfortable and Loren breathed a sigh of relief when the door opened. Eva entered, carrying a tray.

“Sandwiches,” she announced. Loren helped her with the tray, picking up one of the cans of soda that accompanied the meal. Callum declined the offer of food and drink and turned his attention back to the terminal.

Eva sat with Loren as she nibbled on a sandwich triangle. Her attention shifted back and forth between her brother and Loren. There was a questioning look in her eyes. Eva was as perceptive as her brothers were, but she’d hoped she wouldn’t notice the tension. However, Eva was polite enough not to discuss it. Instead, she eased them into a conversation regarding her workday.

As Eva recalled something that happened earlier between herself and her assistant, Loren only half listened. She picked at a sandwich, not feeling much of an appetite at all. Her stomach was in knots again.

She didn’t like the strain. It bothered her more than she cared to admit. She couldn’t let it settle.

Her brow furrowed. She came out of her thoughts when she heard Callum’s laugh. She glanced over to see Eva chuckling with him.

Having missed the joke, Loren smiled politely. She put her can aside and stood. “I think I’ll rest for a while. I have a headache.” It wasn’t far from the truth.

“That happens sometimes. But we’ve had some progress today.” Eva smiled at her. “Do you want to be called to dinner later, or shall I inform the kitchen to have something kept back for you?”

Loren thought of later tonight and her secret training session she was due to have with Avery. “If you could have them save something, I’d appreciate it.”

“I’ll let the chef know.”

“Thank you.” Her gaze shifted briefly to Callum. He gave her a look. Loren moved immediately toward the door.

Once out in the hall, Loren walked quickly. As she turned the corner into the long corridor, she nearly collided with Levi.

“Hey, watch out.” His hand automatically went out to steady her.   

“Oh, uh, sorry.” She eased away from his touch.

“Yeah, whatever.” Levi glanced at her. “How’s the training?”

Loren didn’t think he asked to be nice. “It’s okay.” She started to walk around him.

Levi took a step to the right and blocked her. The way he looked at her now made her feel like she was a kid again and he was a bully, ready to push her into the dirt and laugh in her face. “Just okay? No big breakthroughs?”

“No. It’s slow going.” She attempted to pass him again.

He sidestepped again and Loren chewed on her lip.

“Can I go? Please?” she asked.

“Sure, but let me ask you something.”

“Okay.”

Levi’s lip curled into a small smirk. “Do you think it’ll do you any good? That it’ll fix everything? Make you better?”

She was at a loss. She gave a small shake of her head. He expected an answer and she had a feeling he wouldn’t allow her to pass without one. “I-I don’t know. Probably not. But I have to do something.”

“I like your optimism.” His sarcasm was thick.

She shifted her footing and forced herself to gain enough courage to look at him. “Why do you have to be so mean?”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “I’m not
mean
,” he said. “I’m
realistic
.”

“What?”

The distance between them closed rather quickly and Loren took one more step back. “This isn’t a fantasy world, Loren. This isn’t a castle and Avery and Callum are not the princes who will rescue you from your mediocre existence. I see you for what you really are.”

“And what am I?” She didn’t want to know.

He hitched his shoulder in a faint shrug, casting his eyes down to look her over slowly. The smirk pulled at his mouth again.

“You’re
nothing
. You’ve always been
nothing
, and you will never been more than that.”

It hit her as if someone struck her right in the stomach. She couldn’t breathe. Loren gaped at him.

“Truth hurts, don’t it?” he said, laughter in his voice. He stepped around her to continue on his way, leaving her behind.

She took in a shaky breath. The word echoed around her, more tangible than anything else.

Nothing
.

~~*~~

“You’re bending your wrist.”

              Avery’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She frowned and stepped back. As she stared at the faceless and armless torso of the punching dummy, Loren visualized Levi’s face. It made her want to punch it harder. “Sorry.”

She shouldn’t have come here tonight. She was certain Avery would take notice of her mood and be suspicious. He might not have been as perceptive as Levi, but Loren wasn’t as guarded as she’d once thought.

“Keep your wrist straight when you jab.” Avery stepped over and took her hand. His touch was warm as he adjusted the glove around her wrist for more support.

“I don’t want to do this anymore.” She drew away and pulled at the gloves instead.

“We can take a break.” He grabbed a towel to wipe beads of sweat from his forehead.

“No, not a break. I was wrong about this whole thing. It’s not what I want to do.” It wasn’t something she could do.

Avery frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I know I said I needed to do this, but I was wrong. I don’t have it in me.” She threw the gloves onto the counter. Her fingers caught in her hair sweaty hair when she shoved it back from her face. “I can’t do it.”

              “I don’t understand. You were adamant about it the other day. Driven.”

“Well, I lost the drive.”

Avery crossed his arms and leaned back against the junk car. “What happened?”

Loren sharply shook her head. “Nothing. Nothing happened.”

“You’re not very good at lying.”

“No. I’m not.” She bit her lip. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Loren…” 

“Everything is just… this isn’t me. None of this is. I shouldn’t even be here.” She squeezed her hand into a fist, her knuckles turning white. She slowly looked up at Avery. “Why am I here?”

“We told you. You’re the fourth. We need you.”

“To save the world. Right. Worlds. This world and some other world. Because I’m the missing piece. No.” She shook her head. “My
powers
. My powers are the missing piece. It never had anything to do with me, did it? Me as a person? Me as who I am?”

“That’s not what I think.”

“It’s what everyone thinks.”

“What makes you say that?”

She didn’t want to tell him Levi had brought her into this funk, but she didn’t have a lie prepared. “Because I know it’s true.”

“It’s not, Loren.”

She kept her attention focused on the floor, on the grease spot a few inches from her shoe. “I don’t know any more.”

Avery pushed off the car and drew her into his embrace. She didn’t resist when his arms surrounded her. Her head rested against his chest. She could hear the steady beat of his heart and closed her eyes. Loren wanted to find comfort, but she couldn’t.

“You mean something. I know you do. It’s not just your powers.”

“I don’t believe that. I don’t feel it,” she murmured into his shirt.

“Well, I know it.” His hands moved up and down her back.

“How?”

His warm breath ruffled her hair when he sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“You always say that.”

“I said it once. It was true then and it’s true now.” He looked down at her.

“Can you uncomplicate it? Maybe?” she asked softly.

              “I can try.” He moistened his lips and released her to step back. “I saw you. I have another ability.” His brow furrowed.

              “I can see into the future. And I saw you in the flames. I wasn’t looking for you, not you specifically.” He busied his hands by picking up the gloves she’d discarded on the table. “Sometimes, before I go into the city, I look into the flames. I can see people in need, in peril. And those are the ones I go to help.”

Loren nodded for him to continue.

“When I looked that night, I saw you. I saw the mugger. I saw you upset. I didn’t know who you were. You were just some girl. I stopped him and you were safe. There was something about you. Something familiar. I couldn’t put my finger on it. I went to the rooftops and watched to make sure you got home.