Power Revealed (The Elementers) (7 page)

Justin didn’t say anything right away and Raven chewed on her lip while she waited for a response. Justin finally spoke. “At least tell me how this all works. Everything is essentially made up of energy, and Elementers must be manipulating that energy. How do we convert potential energy to kinetic energy?”

Raven’s tilted her head and looked closely at Justin.

“What?” Justin asked.

“It’s nothing.” Raven bit her lip.

“Come on. Tell me.”

“You seem to know science pretty well, so how did you get a D in biology?”

Justin’s face darkened. “How do you know I got a D?”

“Well, when I was looking for your address I dropped your file your transcripts spilled on the floor. Sorry. But seriously, you seem too smart to be failing biology.”

“Grades are about impressing teachers and parents. But it doesn’t matter what I do, I can never measure up to Graham. Dad always reminds me that Graham got straight A’s. Graham never got into fights. Graham is perfect.”

“Who’s Graham?”

“My older brother. He’s off on a full scholarship at Stanford.”

“Why did you get in fights?”

“At least you asked why. Dad never did. But there are always jerks who want to remind you that you’re different. Dad never had blankouts, so he has no idea what it’s like,” Justin said.

“They picked on you because of your blankouts?”

“Yeah, but I could handle myself. But other kids got picked on too and needed help.”

Raven looked at him more intently, reaching out with her energy to sense his. “You stuck up for others? That’s great.”

Justin shook his head. “My dad sure doesn’t think so. But anyway, the point is that I’m the irresponsible, under-achieving, problem child and Graham is the perfect son. That’s just how it is, so I don’t see why I should work hard to impress anyone when I’ll always be second best.”

“He’s really not that bad, is he?”

“Worse.”

“Well, at least he notices you.”

“I wish he didn’t.”

“Don’t be so sure about that,” Raven whispered. Justin looked at her questioningly, but she didn’t feel like explaining, so she quickly changed the subject. “But what about your grandpa?”

“Henry? He was incredible.”

“You called your grandpa by his first name?”

“Yeah, ever since I was seven. He said we were best friends and that best friends call each other by their first name. He was just that way. Everyone loved him, even my friends. He was the only person who ever got me. I mean, my mom and grandma are nice, but Henry accepted me for me. But I guess that’s because he really did understand what I was going through. I wonder if he knew I was a Elementer too.”

“I think he probably suspected it. Though I’m sure he would have been stunned to find out you could access multiple elements.”

“Yeah. I wish he could have been here to find out I was a Elementer too. I think he would have liked it.” Justin had a smile on his face, but his eyes looked sad.

“I think he would have been really proud of you.”

Justin looked up at Raven and seemed to suddenly decide the conversation had become too serious. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll try to hold off on any power explosions till Saturday, if you’ll show me what you can do.”

Raven hesitated, but Justin didn’t seem the kind of person to just do things because he was told to do them. She figured this was her best chance at keeping Justin under the radar until Mr. Hamilton had time to talk to the Council. “Okay. But only a couple of small things.”

The tall bushes surrounding much of the gazebo gave sufficient privacy to use her powers without being seen. Raven closed her eyes and let the energy begin to vibrate within her. Then she opened her eyes and focused on a handful of small, lose rocks scattered near their feet. She reached out to them and sent them rising and spinning in a circle above the ground between Justin and herself.

“That’s cool. What else can you do?”

Raven let the rocks drop to the ground. “Uh, how about this?” She shot up a lop-sided rock the size of a golf ball and focused a strong pulse of energy into the center of the rock. Boom! Pieces of rock shattered in all directions causing both of them to pull their arms in front of their faces to protect them from the fragments.

Justin stared wide-eyed at Raven. “Wow! That’s cool. Remind me not to get you angry.”

Raven smiled. Hiding who she was from others made it difficult to really connect with people. It felt good to just be herself around Justin. It would be nice to have him around.

 “Well, I’d better get home. I have homework I still need to finish,” Raven said.

Justin stood up with her. “Yeah, does Ms. Chalmers always lay on the homework that thick?”

“Usually. But it’s worse right now because you have to catch up on the assigned book. I can give you my notes so far if you’d like.”

“Thanks. That’d help,” Justin said. They were walking through the kitchen and heading toward the front door. “Oh, I need to give you your jacket. Just a sec.” Justin leapt up the stairs two at a time and quickly returned with the coat. “Is this your jacket?”

“No. It’s a friend’s. How did you know?”

“I didn’t figure you had lettered in football. Or do you have other talents you haven’t told me yet?”

Raven laughed. She was amazed at how comfortable she felt around Justin. Admittedly, it helped that he was also an Elementer, but she knew it was more than that. She couldn’t seem to suppress a smile around him.

“So who’s is it?” Justin asked, clearly trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

“Uh, Eric Johnson.”

“So why were you wearing it?”

“He and I are kind of seeing each other,” the words stumbled out of Raven’s mouth. They also brought her back down to earth.

“Hmm. Lucky guy.” Justin’s smile was still there, but it seemed to disappear from his eyes.

To end the uncomfortable silence, Raven said, “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Sure. See you,’” Justin said as he stood in the doorway watching Raven leave.

Raven took a few steps and turned around. “Thanks, Justin.”

“For what?”

“Just, thanks. See you tomorrow.” Raven climbed on her bike and waved at Justin as she headed down the road.

Chapter 9

Mr. Hamilton wiped the sweat off his palms as he walked into the Council Room. The ceilings were almost two stories high and the sound of the secretary’s high heels echoing on the inlaid marble floor made the room feel even more intimidating. Murals covered the four walls representing each of the four elements and converged on the ceiling near the chandelier making it look like the source of energy for all four elements. The scene distracted him, but as soon as he looked down and saw the faces of the Council members, he immediately remembered the daunting task ahead of him.

The secretary’s loud steps stopped near the far end of the room. She placed her left hand on the back of an ornately carved seat at the end of the Council table. Mr. Hamilton unconsciously took in a deep breath and sat down.

Twelve Council members flanked the long, rectangular table. Three Water Elementers and two Wind Elementers sat on Mr. Hamilton’s left side. An empty seat reminded him of Henry’s O’Malley’s absence. Three Earth and three Tree Elementers occupied the right side of the table. Facing Mr. Hamilton at the opposite end of the table sat Charles Wittington, the Council Chairperson, with his dignified air.

Mr. Hamilton only knew five of the Council members personally. They were from around the world, so he hadn’t even met some of them. He was just lucky they were here in New York City this week. Naturally, he knew the three Water Elementers. He also knew the Council Chairperson and Rex Dryden, the Wind Elementer from Texas. The other Elementers represented a diverse group from every continent except Antarctica.

“David. How can we help you today?” the Chairperson asked with his Oxford educated English accent.

Mr. Hamilton had memorized his speech, but for a short moment, he thought he had forgotten what to say. He fidgeted with his glasses for the third time in a minute. Taking a deep breath, the words returned to his mind. “Council Members, I’m here today to share some important news. While it is unexpected, if we keep an open mind, I believe we can discover new and interesting possibilities never known in the history of Elementers.” A few of the Council Members turned to him with skeptical looks, but Mr. Hamilton continued, “A few days ago, Raven, my apprentice, discovered a new Earth Elementer.”

“How would a new Earth Elementer affect the history of Elementers?” Rex Dryden impatiently asked in his heavy Texan accent. He leaned forward placing his muscular forearms on the table. Mr. Hamilton knew Rex’s arms were that size from calf wrestling and serious labor on his ranch. It reminded Mr. Hamilton that he was glad he wasn’t a calf.

“It’s because we quickly discovered that he is also a Tree Elementer,” Mr. Hamilton explained. The Council Members’ reactions varied from reserved raised eyebrows to concerned looks and mumbles of disbelief.

Rex Dryden spoke up again. “Even if what you say is true.”

“It is,” Mr. Hamilton responded in a quiet voice.

Rex continued as if Mr. Hamilton hadn’t spoken. “A Double Elementer is rare, but definitely not unprecedented. You’re exaggerating things,” the Texan criticized.

“True, a Double Elementer is not so unusual,” Mr. Hamilton said trying to be agreeable. Taking a final deep breath, he dove into the deep end. “But we discovered he’s also a Water Elementer.”

“What?! That’s impossible!” Rex exclaimed.

Mr. Hamilton’s eyes fell to the floor dreading the task of arguing with one of the Council Members, particularly Rex Dryden. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

“Are you certain?” the Elementer to the right of him asked.

“What does this mean?” one of the Tree Elementers questioned as they nervously watched the responses of the rest of the group.

“Council Members. We clearly have some questions for Mr. Hamilton so let’s give him the opportunity to explain himself.” The Chairperson interrupted firmly, but calmly. Turning to Mr. Hamilton he asked, “Are you certain about the Elementer accessing three elements?”

“Yes, I’m sure he can access three. Raven Earth Talked with the boy. Katie Powers and Anya Cruz have Tree Talked with him briefly.” The Tree Elementers raised their eyebrows at that information so Mr. Hamilton quickly added, “But those were his first brief Talking experiences so Katie and Anya don’t yet know he can access other elements. Then he channeled water and created a water fountain in a creek right before my eyes.”

“Why were you encouraging him to already influence the elements?” Rex demanded.

“I didn’t. When I explained to him that Double Elementers were unusual, he wanted to know if he could access the water element also. I told him that no one could access three elements, but he wanted to see if he could do so.”

“So he doesn’t listen,” Rex said.

“I wouldn’t say that. It was all so foreign to him that accessing three elements seemed no more strange than accessing two elements,” Mr. Hamilton said.

One of the other Wind Elementers spoke up. “So, are we certain he can’t also Wind Talk?”

All eyes turned and focused on Mr. Hamilton. This too was a bit of a sensitive subject. “I did suggest that he try Wind Talking to answer that same question. But unfortunately, I suggested he attempt to connect to Henry O’Malley.”

In response to the name, many lowered their eyes or turned their heads toward the empty chair. Mr. Hamilton gently continued. “I hadn’t yet heard of his tragic accident. The young man informed me of the news.”

The Chairperson spoke up. “Why would this boy know about Henry’s accident?”

Mr. Hamilton hesitated. He had been hoping to keep Justin’s identity private until he knew the Council’s reaction to the news. But that no longer seemed possible. “The boy knew about it because he’s Henry’s grandson.”

The Chairperson’s bluish-gray eyes opened wide and he ran his hand through his thick, silver hair. “The Triple Elementer is Justin Wilder?” he asked in surprise.

“You know the boy?” the woman from Zimbabwe asked.

“Yes, Henry and I were very close friends so I’ve met the boy a number of times through the years.”

“And what do you think of him?” she asked.

“Henry adored him. Justin always seemed like a decent young man. A little rambunctious, much like Henry, but good,” the Chairperson said.

“Do you think he’s up to handling three channels?”

“I haven’t seen him in almost a year. Henry often bragged about the boy. Hopefully, his judgment wasn’t too biased. But none of us know what it will be like harnessing three elements.” The Chairperson turned to Mr. Hamilton. “You still haven’t answered the question whether the boy can Wind Talk.”

“Sorry. I don’t know.”

Rex jumped back into the conversation. “You didn’t think it important to find that out before bringing us this news?”

“When Justin learned about his grandfather keeping the secret of being a Wind Elementer from him, he was quite upset. That happened on Wednesday. He wasn’t ready to talk the next morning before I flew out here to meet with you. I thought it wise to inform the council as soon as possible.”