Braving the Elements

  BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

  Darkness, 2

  by K.F. Breene

  Website: http://kfbreene.com/

  Facebook: KFBreene

  Twitter: @KFBreene

  Copyright © 2014 by K.F. Breene

  Other Titles by K.F. Breene

  Skyline Series (Contemporary Romance)

  Building Trouble, Book 1

  Uneven Foundation, Book 2

  Jessica Brodie Diaries (Contemporary Romance)

  Back in the Saddle, Book 1 – FREE

  Hanging On, Book 2

  A Wild Ride, Book 3

  Growing Pains (Contemporary Romance)

  Lost and Found, Book 1 - FREE

  Overcoming Fear, Book 2

  Butterflies in Honey, Book 3

  Darkness Novella Series (Paranormal Romance)

  Into the Darkness, 1

  Braving the Elements, 2

  Braving the Elements

  Chapter 1

  My alarm clock was a flick to the head.

  “Ow!” I rubbed the offending spot as I opened my bleary eyes.

  Charles, my once jovial and immature sidekick, would, starting this evening, become my grumpy and brooding fellow student. I had been warned of this several times in the last two weeks as I got used to my new home in Stefan’s mansion. With a bunch of vampire-resembling people.

  “I’m a light sleeper, all you have to do is tell me to wake up,” I said in a matching grump, climbing out of the bed, which just felt wrong at five o’clock in the evening.

  “Not as gratifying. C’mon, we have to go.”

  Wiping my puffy eyes, I groaned. Charles’s kind was largely nocturnal, sleeping all day and active at night. They didn’t have a phobia of the sun, they just preferred the night—the reverse of humans. And because it was the reverse of humans, I’d found this new schedule—one I had tried to acclimate to over the past fourteen days—grueling. I wasn’t sleeping well during the daylight hours, and had a hard time keeping my eyes open near midnight and beyond, especially because I was using the time to work with knives and run obstacle courses to try and get in shape. It was a rough start to my new life.

  But hopefully soon it would be different. I started instruction tonight to learn my craft—which was apparently magical in nature. How cool was that? So far I had done weird things while in the throes of danger, but now I would hopefully learn how to do weird things whenever I wanted!

  Not only that, but I would get to make friends without worrying about that part of me that was always different from everyone else. The part that saw human-shaped shadows lurking in the night and had a sixth sense about pop quizzes or someone’s intentions. Since the shadow-people had turned out to be real and not some mental disorder, and my intuition could probably be explained with magic, I no longer had to hide. I could just be me, with the possibility of real intimacy and lasting friendships—something I’d always been denied until now. I would finally fit in!

  I squeaked in excitement.

  Charles answered with a glower. “You’re excited for nothing. This is gonna suck.”

  “Oh, relax. It’ll be fun.”

  The glower intensified.

  I did sympathize with him. I would be seriously pissed if I had to go back to high school. Or college for that matter. Charles had been through all this magic stuff before. He was a big shot in Stefan’s band of warriors even though he was really young for the position. But now he had to guard me, in case their enemy came after me, and go through school all over again because Stefan thought he’d benefit from it. Charles was not enthused, but I got the feeling no one said ‘no’ to Stefan.

  My stomach filled with butterflies. Just thinking of Stefan had my heart leaping. Since the first time I’d laid eyes on him, I’d been hooked. Uncommonly handsome with a lethal grace, Stefan could melt my body with a look. In the last two weeks, as I wandered around the mansion trying to learn about my new residence, I’d seen him from a distance. He’d be crossing the hall or exiting the house, busy and important with people leaning on his every word. He ran this establishment and everyone in it. He’d always look my way, without fail, seeming to feel my presence as I always felt his. His eyes would linger on my face, and then sweep my body, before his brow crumbled in something like guilt. His stare always turned frustrated and hostile right before he looked, and walked, away.

  Charles assured me it was just because he was busy. That he was always like that. I really hoped so. I wanted to fit in here. Also…I had a weird attachment to him. Attraction bordering on distraction—whenever he was near; it was like my heart reached out to join his. When he wasn’t around, I constantly thought about him, wanting to be closer. I’d never felt anything like it. It was like a sweet addiction I never wanted to give up; but at the same time, needing someone that much scared the pants off me. It was a dicey situation.

  I wiped my mind clear and followed Charles out of my secret hideaway at the edge of the huge property. It was a small house with a crap-load of spells, chants, incantations, and what not. Basically, it was invisible unless you knew it was there and stared really hard. Or, if the sun or moonlight hit it just right. Only three people could gain entry without some sort of alarm going off—me, Charles and apparently Stefan, though Stefan had never come to visit.

  I suddenly felt like kicking something.

  “What class is first on the agenda?” I asked, nearing the back entrance of the busy mansion. Tall and graceful people sauntered about their business, mostly attractive and all slightly sensuous. These people had an extremely loose view of sexual relations, which was putting it mildly.

  “We only have one for a few months. Elements. The most basic freaking class of magic workers. And I have to be seen taking it again like some flunky.” Charles released a noisy breath and steered me to the left.

  I patted his meaty shoulder. “Yes, but what would I do without you? You aren’t a flunky, you are an important and necessary element to a human fitting in. You’re like, the top of your class because you were chosen. Right?”

  “Think you’re awfully important, don’t you…” Charles answered dryly. I could see the quirk of his lips, though. The pep talk seemed to help a little.

  As we entered a dimly-lit hallway, my shoulder blades tingled from the stares. This had been happening since I started living here. People glanced at me because I was short and different, and then did a double-take, their eyes either stalling in confusion, suspicion, or like I had a ghost sitting on my shoulder rattling chains.

  “Are you sure they’re staring because I’m human?” I asked in a hush as a heavy, unyielding hand steered me around a corner. “Because I’ve occasionally seen a human or two—even though they were all dazed out by pheromones—and no one stared at them.”

  “You’re different than them. You’re unbalanced in the head.”

  “Why are you so grumpy? So you have to learn about these elements again, so what? You’re still getting paid.”

  “Sasha, I like to kill stuff. I like to stab things with my sword. And yes, you can take that with a double meaning. If I’m sitting in a stuffy classroom, I can’t do what I like. You could at least rectify one of those problems, but you refuse since you’re a prude. Where exactly does that leave me?”

  “I didn’t know you knew words like ‘rectify’…”

  His eyebrows crawled down his nose as the corners of his mouth curled upwards. He wanted to hate me at the moment, but he did love to banter. Conundrum. “I might start beating you to take the edge off.”

  I snickered as we climbed the stairs and turned right. Then another right. Then a left. The place was massive! Eventually we strolled through an area that housed people who apparently didn’t keep normal business hours.
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  “I feel like an ant in here.” My gaze took in more than one naked person. “An overdressed ant.”

  “Well, you look like a jackass.”

  I rolled my eyes in Charles’s general direction.

  “Oh, Charles!” A man wearing a hat and a boner stopped us. “Is this your new pet? She is simply divine! Might I borrow her?”

  “She bites sensitive areas,” Charles replied in a dry tone as he steered me around the man and down the wide corridor.

  “A red ant, then,” I amended.

  We scaled a grand staircase to the third floor and took a right.

  “In you go.” Charles opened the door and shoved me in front of him. I’d never seen him in such a bad mood.

  After a second, I knew why.

  A crowd of teens stood in the middle of a ballroom—all turned toward me, gawking. All different shapes and sizes, like human adolescents, they awkwardly stood, still growing into their bodies.

  “They’re all kids!” I exclaimed to Charles in a frantic whisper. “Isn’t there a class my own age?”

  “They are your age.”

  My gaze swept the room again. Baby fat in plenty, the girls stooped awkwardly, often taller than their male counterpart. The boys bounced and jostled each other, a few steps behind in maturity and none the wiser. They were definitely going through puberty, one and all.

  I had lived on the other side of puberty for a great many years. These kids were not my age. I said as much.

  “They’ve had the same number of trips around the sun, then. We just age differently. We live way longer. They’re basically considered adults now, since their magic is coming in.”

  “They’re still kids, though, Charles. Are there any other classes?”

  “Magic hits at puberty, even in humans, though you seem too dimwitted to realize it—“

  I elbowed him in the side. My arm bounced off muscle.

  “I’m twenty-two, Charles. Way past puberty…”

  “These children are here to develop their magic. I have already developed my magic. You have not. You belong here. I do not. I blame you for this.”

  “You burnt my house down! You owe me one.”

  His bushy eyebrows made a shelf over his eyes and his bottom lip protruded slightly. “Touché.”

  Point in my column.

  “Hello, hello!” A man with a tall red hat and a cheery disposition strolled into the room. His smile would’ve been twinkling if this had been T.V. “Welcome everyone! I am your instructor, Master Hilbert. You can call me Master Bert. I will be helping you develop that very special little gift inside each and every one of you. Do you know what that gift is called? Mmm?”

  “Magic!” an enthused student in the front row yelled.

  “Maw, why yes! Good for you. Magic!”

  “What does ‘maw’ mean?” I whispered.

  “I think that’s just a weird sound he makes,” Charles answered just as quietly.

  “First, let’s get in a circle so we can see each other and introduce ourselves to the new pupils,” Master Bert enthused.

  While all the kids stood about my height, still growing, Charles topped the crowd and then some. The strongest and brawniest fighters with high power levels found themselves in the upper ranks of Stefan’s army. It meant that Charles stood out a little. The young girls noticed.

  “They’re giggling!” Charles seethed.

  “Yes, but just so you know, they are giggling at you, not with you.”

  “Shut up.”

  “Soon they will be laughing at you, not—“

  “Shut up, I said.”

  I smirked, realizing I hadn’t been listening to any of the names, and now Master Bert stared at me expectantly, a supportive smile on his face.

  “I’m Sasha.”

  “Maw, yes! And you are a human, is that correct?”

  A few girls gasped. A few boys’ eyes sparked, and then roamed down my body.

  Uncomfortably, I said, “Yes.”

  “Maw, yes! That is wonderful. I have trained humans before, so don’t you worry. Now, who is this big, strong male next to you?”

  “Charles. I’m a Watch Captain. Here to monitor my charge.” He jerked his head in my direction.

  “Wonderful, yes.” Master Bert’s gaze slid down Charles’ body, noticing each bump and groove, stopping at his crotch.

  In human-land, this teacher would get fired for that kind of behavior. But here in crazy-land, he got an erection and Charles preened at the notice. Good Lord.

  “Alrighty. Elements. How exciting!” Master Bert rounded the room, eyeing each student. “Some of you are closer to harnessing your magic than others. Some will work with the elements immediately, and some will slide into it slowly.” His eyes touched me and then moved on. “Maw, we are not here to race, we are here to stroll.”

  A couple students puffed up with a smug grin—overachievers. I could spot one immediately.

  “Is it possible to cheat in this class?” I whispered out the side of my mouth. I was terrible at school and great at survival. I wasn’t proud of how I got by, but I did get by.

  Judging by Charles’s scoff, he didn’t think cheating was necessary. Although, he’s not a valedictorian, either, so who is he to judge?

  “Now, let’s talk elements, shall we?” Master Bert fluttered around happily. “Maw, as we know, we need to receive the elements. We need to open up, spread our arms wide, and pull from the very fiber of nature. Maw, yes, what a treat!”

  My mind slipped sideways, like it always did when teachers started to drone on about important information. I tried to rein it back in, forcing myself not to care about the ballet bar against the wall…

  I’ll bet the padded walls actually covered mirrors, though. I wonder if they have ballet lessons. I’d love to dabble with a shuffle ball change or two. Wait, is that ballet or tap…?

  The nudge nearly had me sprawled on the floor.

  “Pay attention!” Charles whisper-yelled at me.

  I scowled at him, rubbing my arm where an elbow-sized bruise was sure to crop up.

  “Maw, so let’s give it a try, shall we?” Master Bert waved everyone on, the rest of the class scrunching their faces in concentration.

  “What are we trying?” I asked quietly.

  “He talked for, like, two minutes. You can’t pay attention for two minutes?”

  My heart sank. Because no, I couldn’t. Learning magic turned out to be no different than math or social sciences—I just couldn’t retain information when it was lectured at me. I tried to pay attention, and soak it all up, but my focus just wouldn’t stay put. Before I knew it, I’d been staring at a butterfly and thinking about random goings-on.

  It had always been like this. In the past, I’d been so scared about all my secret box items, I didn’t want to tell my foster parents that I might have a learning problem. Through high school, I’d always had Jared to help me manage.

  Tears clouded my vision as I once again felt the loss of my ex-boyfriend. He was in Florida in a job Stefan hooked him up with on the sly. I’d wanted to be mad that Stefan was reorganizing my life without my say-so, but in this instance, I couldn’t. Jared was doing extremely well, making a lot of money and approved for a loan to buy a house. Without me to drag him down, he was rising like bubbles in champagne.

  But now I had no safety blanket and no tutor. Just a brooding giant pissed off that he had to learn elements with a girl who couldn’t even pay attention long enough to learn names.

  “Sorry,” I muttered, lowering my face. I took a breath through a constricted chest and tried to feel for elements. Opening my mind, and feeling that heat in my chest, got me a firm feeling of expectation. But nothing happened.

  “So?” Charles asked, trying to bend down to get a peek at my expression.

  “Very good, Salline! You’ve pulled water. Maw, congrats!” Master Bert clapped for Salline, a beaming girl owning her overachiever status.

  I took a deep breath. I could do thi
s. I’d done it before. Somehow.

  I closed my eyes and focused. Blackness greeted me, like I was meditating. I mentally searched, feeling for fire. I wiggled my toes, thinking of dirt. Air was easy—it was everywhere. I strained with it, trying to suck at air somehow.

  “It is okay not to touch the elements on your first few tries,” Master Bert reiterated, but then quickly followed with, “Oh Marc, fabulous! Great work. And James—great!”

  “You don’t have to hold your breath to wrangle an element,” Charles said with amusement.

  Desperately, I strained harder, searching. I needed to be good at this! Without this, I had nothing. No job, no place to live, no friends— Panicking, trying to turn my misting eyes away from Charles, who was grinning at me in mockery like he thought I was joking with him, I tried to pull. Except, I didn’t know what I was pulling at or with. I tried to focus on the heat in my chest, which usually meant magic; but it just sat there, like a lump. I scratched my palms against my jeans—a nervous habit I did when I was staring down at a test filled with foreign information. It was a telltale sign of failure.

  A light hand pressed my shoulder gently. Master Bert wore a kind expression. “It’s okay—it often takes humans much longer to access their magic. Maw, some are never able to—it is cultural conditioning, not a personal matter. You should not take it personally.”

  A glance told me that every other person—every single one—was smiling in jubilation. Salline had a pale purple flicker in her palm.

  Oh goodie, I’m the dummy in a class full of achievers. Something new and different for me…

  Sarcasm wasn’t helping.

  Fear and the common feeling of failure welled up inside me. I shrugged at my stupid brain, the act practiced.

  “Fantastic, class, fantastic!” Master Bert applauded. “Now, let’s talk some theory, and then we’ll try it again.”

  The rest of the lesson passed in a haze of foreign information, elbows from an increasingly solemn Charles (who had realized I wasn’t joking), and another practice session containing everyone else’s accomplishments.