Elemental Read Free

planned to simply poison the lot of them and move in.
    Luck
     had been on their side, as the twins—only twelve at the time—had been sent to
     the village that morning to gather some fresh fruits and wines for the
     festivities. On the way back to the castle, the weather had turned wicked,
     centering over their home, and the brothers abandoned their goods to race
     forward, recognizing that something was seriously wrong.
    The
     visiting Fey were panicking under the roiling clouds and vicious winds. As
     lightning lit the sky, Jonathan and Nicolas got their first good look at the grounds.
    Their
     people—their family—lay dying on the ground, using the last of their strength
     to fight back, while some of the Fey ran and the Prince’s guards watched
     dispassionately.
    The
     Fey Prince stood behind these guards, smiling in the faces of the ones he’d
     ordered to be killed, and the brothers immediately lashed out. They called
     forth their fire and began to incinerate every fairy who had yet to flee. Soon the prince and his two guards were all that remained.
    “Father!”
     he shouted, and immediately the Fey King shimmered into the room. “They are
     trying to kill me!” the prince accused as he jabbed a finger toward the twins
     in accusation.
    “Liar!” “Murderer!” both brothers shouted.
    “Silence!”
     the King bellowed, but Nicolas was having none of that.
    “You
     dare to come into our home as a guest, kill our family, and call your father to
     save you? You are a damned coward!” he snarled, trying to launch an attack
     against the foul Fey.
    As
     Jonathan struggled with his brother and his own burning rage, he watched as the
     King took in the scene before him.
    Piles
     of ash were scattered where the traitorous Fey had been torched by the
     brothers, while some of the Elementals were still barely clinging to life.
    “What
     have you done?” the King whispered in horror, eyes wide, face gone pale. “These people invited you as a guest and you repay them with death?”
    “Father,
     you do not understand,” the prince began, only to be cut off again.
    “You
     are no son of mine.” The King turned to face the furious brothers and bowed. “I
     am truly sorry for what has been done here. I wish for you to know that this is
     not the way of the Fey. We are peaceful, though, as with every creature, some
     corruption is there as well. What crimes have been committed here are yours to
     punish as you see fit. You need not fear any retribution on my part.”
    “He
     will die,” Nicolas growled, his hands already glowing as he began to call the
     fire to him once again.
    “As
     he should for such a crime, and I only ask that you take the guards as well, as
     I cannot see them as trustworthy after having been party to this.” With one
     last look at his son, the King shimmered and was gone once again.
    The
     brothers both used their gifts to destroy the last of the Fey inside their
     home, and then set themselves to the grim task of burying their own.
    It
     was a day they would never forget, and a day that had made them legends of the
     local lore. To this day they were still feared by the Fey—though only the
     elders still recognized them on sight—and the other Supernaturals had left them in peace as well.
    Until
     now.
    Now,
     after eight hundred years, they would reaffirm their station with one and all,
     making an example of this rogue werewolf. Jonathan just hoped they could take
     care of the situation discreetly. He didn’t want Mandy to become involved.

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Mandy
     was beyond grateful to have her feet back on solid ground after not one, but
     two lengthy flights. Jonathan had booked them in first-class for the flight to
     Europe, and then they boarded a private jet for the trip into the mountains.
    She
     was sure that she’d scored his arm with her nails when they’d hit the first bit
     of turbulence, but Jonathan never complained. He was actually very