Turning Tides (31 page)

“You sure about this?” Nothing in her words suggested uncertainty, but I wanted to hear her say it.

“I’ve made my choice, too. I’m good with it.” She walked to the side of the bed and bent over to kiss my cheek. “We’re going to fix you, and this time I’m going to help.”

I gave up the fight. Those damn tears weren’t going anywhere.

Vivian and Simon left, once again leaving me with Sera and Mac. They both looked considerably the worse for wear, with wrinkled clothes and messy hair. It occurred to me that Mac wasn’t the only one who’d been at my side for days.

“That’s the plan? We’re going to fix me? When thousands of years of elementals couldn’t find a cure?” I didn’t want to sound too pessimistic, but I was pretty sure, if that’s what they thought, they were going mad alongside me.

“Thousands of years of elementals didn’t have Josiah’s research. He wasn’t lying to the council. He did figure out where the one in the southwest lives. It took him so long because the person moved a couple of years ago, to eastern Texas. There was a map in his notes, with a big old X drawn over a small town about a hundred miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Josiah was too cautious to spell it out, of course, but it feels like a safe bet. We know he wouldn’t have stopped looking until he found a way to help you.” Our eyes met in silent, shared grief for the man, then we let it go. There would be time for many things later, including time to mourn.

“And if this dual magic’s insane and tries to hurt us?”

“Such a Debbie Downer. If she, or he, does, we’ll have Carmichael shoot them next.”

It wasn’t much of a plan. It wasn’t really a plan at all. But it was more than I’d had a few days ago. I was still free, and while the shadow in my mind never stopped whispering, never stopped poking and prying and trying to find a way out, I still knew who I was. For these people who were risking everything for me, I’d make sure I never forgot.

“Can you…?” I asked. Sera gave me a blank look, which I suspected was deliberate. “Oh, get out already.”

Her face cracked into a smile, but she didn’t argue.

At last, it was just me and Mac, still wrapped up together.

“Oh, god.”

“Yes?”

“How many days has it been? Where are we? Most importantly, how badly do I stink? I haven’t showered since the island.”

He held up his fingers, ticking off the answers. “Three days. We’re outside Bakersfield, in southern California. It’s taking a while, because we’re trying to stay off the main roads, but we’re heading steadily south. And you don’t smell, because you’ve been bathed and changed.” He didn’t miss my suspicious look. “By Sera. What kind of pervert do you think I am?”

I grinned. I couldn’t help it. “The best kind, I’m hoping.”

“I like my women conscious when I see them naked for the first time, thank you very much.” Still, I earned an answering smile.

“This wasn’t what you meant when you said I’d be in your bed that night, was it?”

“No, but I’m adaptable. And, apparently, really patient.” He pressed a kiss to my temple, which still throbbed. I reached delicately for my magic, almost afraid of what I’d find. The water was still there, front and center, though there was a veil between it and me, some residual effect of the drug. Still, I was able to access it enough to heal myself, using the water glass at my side. The headache receded, just a little.

“I’ll let you sleep.” Mac stood, filling the entire room. I wanted to appreciate the sight, but already my eyes were drooping.

He was almost to the door before I stopped him. “Wait. The others all told me why they’re here. Why are you? Is this still about the magical tie?”

“You don’t really think that, do you?” I didn’t. I just wanted to give him an out, if he wanted to take it. “You know why I’m here. It’s why I’ll always be here.”

I did know. I had for a long time, and right then the words didn’t matter. I’d hear them someday, and I’d say them in return. When our lives didn’t hang in the balance, and they could be spoken simply, a quiet affirmation of what we both already knew. This wasn’t a matter of the words being feeble or weak. They just weren’t necessary. Mac was mine, as much as I was his, and we would be as long as we were both able, however long that was. And so I only said, “Me too,” and watched the smile warm his face, and that was enough.

The door closed behind him, and I was alone, with only my weak magic and memories and a guilt that would never go away. That was as it should be. We don’t get to escape the things we’ve done.

But I was loved, by so many people, and I thought that might balance out the rest. At the very least, it would give me a fighting chance.

I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to pull me under. As I slid toward temporary oblivion, I felt the shadow stretch, long inky limbs spreading over my mind, claiming my dreams. I weakly pushed against it, but I was too tired, and it was too strong. That night, I would belong to darkness.

Tomorrow, it would be different. I had reasons to fight, both outside that door and inside my own soul. Tomorrow, I would start fighting again.

I would always start again.

Elements, Etc.

The Elements Series, in order:

Broken Elements

Shifting Selves

Turning Tides

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Acknowledgments

I am, as always, grateful to all who helped get the words onto the page and this book into readers’ hands.

Kaari Busick went above and beyond this time, and I thank her for every extra hour she spent whipping my words into shape.

Carrie Stewart swooped in at the last minute and gave the book a final polish. She has also been an invaluable sounding board when I needed second opinions on cover art, back cover copy, and all those pesky details that come with publishing independently.

Thanks to Jessica, Rachel, and Shelly, my awesome beta team who continue to outdo themselves. They insisted I clarify every murky motivation and confusing plot point, and the book is immeasurably improved because of their feedback. Additional thanks to Rhiannon and Dani, who generously offered their time to review the book during various stages of its life.

Lynsey Taylor has worked her tail off in support of the Elements series, creating one gorgeous graphic after another and helping with the marketing in so many ways. Fist bump as well to Janice, her partner in crime, for all her help promoting the books.

I am thankful to whichever government body chose not to interrogate me after I spent hours researching how to create an explosion in which water is the trigger.

Finally, thanks to my mother, as always. Just because.

About the Author

Mia Marshall spent time as a high school teacher, script supervisor, story editor, legal secretary, and day care worker before deciding she would rather spend her days writing about things that don’t exist in this version of reality. She has lived all along the US west coast and throughout the UK, during which time she collected an unnecessary number of degrees in literature, education, and film.

These days, she lives somewhere in the Sierra Nevadas, where she is surrounded by her feline overlords.

Turning Tides

Copyright © 2014 by Mia Marshall

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any matter whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except where permitted by law.

Printed in the United States of America.

Publisher's Note:

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Resemblances to actual locales or events or persons living or dead is coincidental. 

ISBN 978-0-9889761-60

ISBN 978-0-9889761-22 (ebook)