Dragon Storm (Dawn of the Dragon Queen Book 2) (17 page)

Charlotte scowled. “So I’ve heard.”

“Please believe me,” Abby begged, “whatever Lydia and Irene said isn’t true.”

Charlotte pinched her lips together, her vacant stare cold and void of emotion. It was a look Abby had never seen before. “I find it too odd for my liking that after abusing me for almost a year”—Charlotte’s voice cracked as she fisted her hands—“you suddenly have to cancel the party. The papers said the hurricane has already hit Florida and is traveling up the east coast. It won’t come anywhere near here.”

Abby placed a hand on her chest, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. She had to make Charlotte believe her. “No, Charlotte. It’s here.” She gestured at the tall window in front of them, which rattled as the wind beat against it. “Can’t you see it?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes, another first for her. “What I see is a windy day. Teddy says it will all blow over.”

Abby’s heart beat so fast, she feared her chest would implode. “He’s wrong. Señor Cortez predicted the hurricane. Nana says he’s never wrong about such things. I promise, after the hurricane passes, I will host another party.”

“No need.” Charlotte turned up her nose as she rubbed her swollen belly. “Lydia is having one for me today at her house.”

Abby froze, her racing heart coming to a sudden stop. “Lydia?”

“Yes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must get ready.” Charlotte heaved herself from the sofa.

Abby jumped up, blocking Charlotte’s path. “You can’t go.” Her heart pounded like a drum in her ears, so hard, it made her head spin. “Her house is on low ground. You’ll be in danger.”

“Good day, Abby.”

Charlotte tried to step around her, but Abby dug her fingers into her arm, refusing to let go.

“Abby,” Charlotte growled, trying to shake out of her grip. “You’re hurting me!”

“No, Charlotte,” Abby cried as tears streamed down her face. “Please believe me.”

They both jumped at a loud bang. Abby released Charlotte and spun around to see a very irate Teddy Carter bearing down on them.

“Miss Jenkens!” He jutted a finger toward the door. “I must ask you to leave my property at once.”

“Teddy, please.” Abby clasped her hands together in a prayer pose. “A hurricane is coming. I swear it.”

His eyes narrowed as he spoke through clenched teeth. “I will not ask you again.”

Abby’s shoulders fell as she left Charlotte Carter’s house with slow steps, feeling as if she were marching to the beat of her best friend’s funeral procession. When she alighted in the carriage, she fell into Miss Fiona’s embrace in a heap of sobs.

“You did your best, dearest,” Miss Fiona cooed in her ear.

“But it wasn’t good enough,” she wailed, soaking Miss Fiona’s collar.

“They are having the party at Lydia’s house. Charlotte will drown!”

“Don’t fret, child. I’m sure she’ll come to her senses,” Miss Fiona said as she stroked Abby’s back.

Abby wasn’t convinced, and she couldn’t help but cry harder.

The wind shook the carriage all the way home. After they stepped onto the sidewalk in front of Señor Cortez’s house, they were pelted with hard rain. Heavy, ominous clouds had rolled in, and Abby knew without a doubt Señor Cortez was not crazy. She only hoped her friends realized the truth before it was too late.

G
abriel stood on the porch with his papi while the storm rolled in. They called to everyone who passed, warning them a hurricane was approaching. At first, they shook their heads and walked away, but as the wind picked up and the water continued to rise, people started to heed their warnings, grabbing their families and a few possessions, and seeking higher ground.

The water had already risen above the sandbags and continued to rise at an alarming rate. Soon their porch steps would be buried.

Gabriel looked over his shoulder at Safina and her mother, kneeling beside the sofa, trying to soothe a frayed Mrs. Jenkens. His brothers and Safina’s father were busy moving their furniture and possessions to the second floor. Gabriel wanted to help them, but Papi said he had a more important task for him.

Papi stood at the end of the porch, not flinching as the biting wind and rain pelted him. “Come, niño.” He spoke loudly to be heard above the din of the whistling wind. “It is time for your lessons.”

Gabriel shielded his face as he walked over to his papi. “Lessons?”

The old man arched a bushy brow. “Do not tell me you survived three days at sea because of luck, niño.”

Gabriel swallowed a lump of regret. He didn’t like to be reminded his magic was feeble. “I tried to summon a wave to carry us, but I’m not good at it.”

Josef raised his hands in the air, catching raindrops on his fingertips. “Do you think I was born knowing how to speak to the elements?” he said as the wind plastered thin strands of hair to his head. “You must practice your powers if you are to get better.”

Gabriel’s skin flamed at the thought of failing again. “I try, Papi.” He raised his voice as the whistling wind began to howl. “I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong.”

Josef narrowed his eyes. “Let me see,” he ordered. “Shift the wind away from our house.”

Reluctantly, Gabriel raised his hands, putting all his energy into fighting back the wind. The current seemed to push even harder, and he had to wedge his heels against the uneven wood planks to keep from being knocked back. “See? I told you I’m no good.”

Josef turned his back on the storm, shaking his head. “I think the problem is that you are fighting the wind.”

Gabriel threw up his hands. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”

“No,” Josef yelled as the wind flattened his clothes against him. “You must become one with the elements.”

He turned into the onslaught and lifted his arms to the sky. Closing his eyes, he leaned into the storm, so far over the edge of the porch, Gabriel feared the old man would tumble down the stairs. And then something remarkable happened. Gabriel could literally see a break in the current. The wind split at Josef’s fingertips, arching around the old man and away from the house. The air became surprisingly calm and the din from the storm died to a whisper. The rain and wind stopped battering his burning flesh. Though the storm raged around them, the house suddenly felt as secure as a baby in a mother’s arms.

“How are you doing that, Papi?” he asked.

As soon as his grandfather opened his eyes and stepped back, Gabriel was pelted once more with the stinging rain and wind.

“Now your turn,” Josef called. “Become one with the storm.”

Gabriel stood beside his grandfather, shielding his face with his hands. Closing his eyes, he imagined he was a current of air. He lifted his hands to the sky, and instead of working against the elements, he envisioned himself splitting in two and going around the house. The first thing he noticed was the tension in his neck caused by the strain eased. His muscles relaxed, and his mind felt as if it were soaring. His fingers tingled, like a thousand tiny butterflies were escaping from the tips. The pelting elements stopped battering his exposed flesh as the air around him parted and went surprisingly quiet. So quiet that Gabriel could hear the sound of boards creaking as his grandfather rocked in the chair behind him.

“Papi!” he yelled to the sky. “I’m doing it!”

“Keep doing it, niño.” Papi chuckled. “These weary bones need rest.”

* * *

Safina stood on sore legs, feeling the “pop” in her bones as she arched back. There had been no calming Mrs. Jenkens using mortal means, so Mother had finally laid her hands on the hysterical woman, putting her into a fitful slumber. How long the old woman would remain asleep, Safina had no idea, but she was relieved to no longer hear her fret about her house when so many other unfortunate souls would lose more than just material things.

Safina turned to see Gabriel outside with his grandfather, and her heart swelled with pride. Gabriel stood before the storm, arms extended as the wind literally parted at his fingertips. That was when she knew Gabriel and his grandfather would keep them safe this night. She only wished all of Galveston could fit inside Señor Cortez’s modest home.

She lurched forward as Gabriel’s brother, Pedro, bumped into her backside.

“Oh, sorry,” he said sheepishly as he hoisted a crate into his arms.

“Do you need any help?” she asked.

His cheeks flushed, and he shook his head.

Her father and Gabriel’s brothers were still moving furniture and boxes up to the top floors. She grumbled under her breath, wishing she had something to do, but was distracted by her growling stomach.

She headed to the kitchen, which had been stripped of all but a wood-burning stove, a small table, and two chairs.

Moses set breads, cheeses, and fruit on the table, as well as a pitcher of lemonade. “You hungry?” he asked.

She eagerly nodded and pulled up a chair but paused when she heard a moan coming from Gabriel’s bedroom.

Moses nodded to the curtain that separated his room from the kitchen. “Miss Abby is worried for her friends.”

As hungry as Safina was, she couldn’t leave Abby to suffer alone. Reluctantly, she pushed back from the table and the heavenly aromas of sharp cheese and fresh-baked bread.

The howl of the wind was much louder in Gabriel’s bedroom, the din intensified by the cacophony of raindrops hitting the top of the roof.

Abby was lying face-down in Gabriel’s bed, sobbing into his pillow. Safina sat beside her friend. “Abby, dearest,” she said as she stroked her back, “please stop crying.”

“I can’t.” She spoke through a muffled sob. “My friends are going to die.”

Safina did her best to sound reassuring. “We can’t be sure of that.”

Abby sat up, pulling her knees to her chest. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen. “Señor Cortez told me the east and west sides of the city will be lost. Lydia’s house is on the west,” she said on a wail before burying her face in her hands.

As if to emphasize her friend’s dire situation, a loud clap of thunder shook the house, electrifying the air in the cramped room. The howling wind intensified, rattling the narrow window above their cot and sounding as if a thousand demon spirits were swirling around them.

Safina could not tell if the cries she heard outside were victims of the storm or just the howling of the wind. Of one thing she was certain, she was glad to be inside. Her gaze shot to the ceiling. She truly hoped Señor Cortez and Gabriel would be able to keep the house safe.

“I am sure they have come to realize you were telling the truth, and they have gone back to Charlotte’s house.” Safina spoke with a confidence she did not feel.

Abby looked at her through watery eyes, sniffling loudly. “Teddy told Charlotte it would all blow over. The papers said the hurricane headed up the East Coast.”

Safina shivered when a cry for help rose above the din. “Surely they must know by now.” This time, she knew she didn’t sound confident. She could not help the tremor that slipped into her voice.

Abby shook her head. “I cannot sit here, not knowing if Charlotte is safe.”

“Well, you can’t go out in this. Moses has prepared supper. Come and eat with me. Maybe you’ll feel better.” As if on cue, Safina’s stomach growled. Had circumstances been different, it would have been a comical moment, though she doubted Abby heard it above the noise outside.

“I’m not hungry.” Abby pouted. “I really just want to be left alone. I’m sorry.”

“Okay.” Safina patted Abby’s knee and stood. “I will come back and check on you.”

* * *

Safina sat alone at the table, toying with her food while the walls shook around her. Even her cup rattled on the table, so hard she feared her drink would topple. Surprisingly, Safina had lost her appetite, and she didn’t think she could stomach food, anyway. The screams outside were definitely getting louder. She didn’t want to think about how many people would die this night. How many babies would be ripped from the arms of their mothers, and how many children would drown in the very waters they’d frolicked in just hours earlier.

The kitchen door swung open, then slammed with a
crack
. Gabriel stood there, his hair swept back as if he’d been caught in a windy tunnel. His shirt was ripped on one side, and he had dirt on his face, but he was otherwise whole.

She patted the chair beside her and managed a weak smile. “Come sit.”

He fell into a chair, taking a cool glass of juice from Safina. “Thank you,” he said with a sigh. “Elemental magic is draining. Papi says I must eat to keep up my strength.” Gabriel finished the drink and piled cheese and bread on a plate.

“I saw you parting the storm,” Safina rose and stood behind him, massaging his shoulders, delighting in the feel of his muscles. She bent down, her lips close to his ear. “How were you doing that?”

His mouth turned up in a lopsided grin. “Working with wind is easy,” he said as if it was no big deal. “Papi showed me how.” Then he frowned. “Working with water is harder, but Papi says it will get easier with practice.”

“You were magnificent, Gabriel.” For some reason, the words hurt coming out. Why? Why would she not wish for her husband’s magic to strengthen? A wave of shame washed over Safina when she realized the truth. She was jealous that her husband had magic and she didn’t. What was wrong with her?

If my mother hadn’t broken the bond
,
I would have no cause to feel jealous,
she thought bitterly.

After Gabriel finished eating, Safina leaned into him, nuzzling his chest and needing to feel his heartbeat against her ear. How odd that they were no longer tethered. That their souls were not bound. Though she did not wish to dwell on her sorrows, the louder the wind howled, the darker her thoughts became.

Now that she was no longer immortal, and he no longer bound to her immortality, they were both vulnerable to the elements. This storm could easily claim their lives if Gabriel and his grandfather lost control of their magic. Though Safina hated herself for it, she could not help but feel resentment toward her mother for breaking the bond. If Safina was a dragoness, she and Gabriel could have flown away from the hurricane and waited out the storm someplace safe.