Earth(107)

As the last barrel made it to the bottom, shattering against the stage, I climbed my tree. I perched myself as high as I could, watching a driverless glider nose dive toward me. Rough bark scraped my back.

Micah proposed the handfasting ceremony to me in a tree.

The thought came out of nowhere.

Focus, Kaitlyn.

Three quick steps along a sturdy branch, and I leaped, grabbing hold of the glider's control bar. I didn't need to pull myself all the way up. A short burst of air sent me to the upper terrace. It was a large, flat area constructed with alternating slabs of concrete and stone. I landed on the railing separating the terrace from the stepped seating area.

One quick bend at the knees to balance myself, and I looked over at Shawn, and Micah sprawled out behind him.





Chapter 68





Two Peas in a Pod





"That.." Shawn cleared his throat, getting rid of the squeak that wanted to come out. He spoke up, loud enough to be heard over the heightening wind. "That was a good show."

The figure on the railing bowed. He walked a full semi-circle around her, leaving a wide berth. "Is that really our Kaitlyn? The Princess?" He squinted, taking in her tattoos. The image of a woman with short hair working in the camp's gardens flashed in his mind – and another of the same woman chopping wood outside his headquarters. "You've been…right next to me for a while now." Shawn squeezed his Athame. If his palms sweated any more, he would lose his grip on it. "And here I was, searching out way too far for you."

He walked back, standing to the side of Micah. She had yet to take her eyes off Shawn. He was counting on the gruesome display of Micah's crimson life-force throwing her off her game. Whether it be pure anger or a frightened little girl; Shawn could feed on either reaction. Shawn glanced over at Micah, ensuring he was still even there.

Eyes locked on Shawn, Kaitlyn jumped down from the railing. Without thinking, Shawn took a step back. Kaitlyn raised one eyebrow. The sound of quick, retreating footsteps made him glance over his shoulder. The rest of the Elementals were gone. It was just the three of them left under the stars, surrounded by rock. When he turned back, Kaitlyn was directly in front of him.

She glanced at his wrapped hands. "What have you been up to, Shawn?"

He lifted them, palms up, staring at them like he was lost in thought. She stepped toward him and began unwrapping one hand.

Shawn was too shocked to move. He even held the Athame in his other hand. Was she not scared; not even a little bit?

Once his palm was exposed, her fingertips hovered over the burn marks. "What have you done with the Shades?" she whispered.

He moved quickly, grasping her fingers. He squeezed, and turning her palm over. "Same as you," he said. "Only with…"

"The Chalice," Micah coughed out.

Shawn looked at him, then back to Kaitlyn. Her wide, brown eyes bore into him.

"You released them, safely?" she asked.

"What else do you think I would've done with Sarah?" He narrowed his eyes. "And you – they must have been male Shades, right? Did you release them safely?" His tone was mocking.

"What else do you think I would've done with Cato?"

Shawn's eyes bulged. "Cato? He was there?" Shawn squeezed her fingers tighter, trying to intimidate.

"He is still. I need him for something else, maybe." She finally looked at Micah.

Shawn needed to gain the upper hand. He turned her wrist, following the words tattooed around it, reading aloud, "I am the hero of this story." He smirked. "Yeah, right."





Chapter 69





Akasha





"I can't believe you let Sarah go," I said, changing the subject.

What did he have to gain from it?

"Akasha," Micah chimed in.

Shawn tensed.

"Well?" I asked, a smirk twisting my mouth. "Do you have it?"

I felt him draw energy in, still holding my hand. I twisted, leaning back to bring my leg up. I kicked him in the chest. Our bond broken, we both went stumbling back.

When I steadied myself against the railing, he was still pulling energy together. Earth, fire, air and water, twisting and weaving the elements until they intertwined. It was shaky, with gusts escaping in large chunks that we both had to dodge. Finally, a light shined out from the middle. Flickering but definitely there. It grew to encompass the whole of the elements, right above his palm. My hand squeezed the cold railing, and a chill ran up my spine, stopping to pulsate at Shawn's mark on my shoulder.

Akasha's light danced across his scarred palm, making it look as if the exposed flesh slithered. It hit the dirt in his fingernails and threw strange shadows across his face. His arm muscles flexed, and sweat beaded his brow with the effort. The smirk on my face disappeared.