Origin of Angels: Elemental Legacy Book 1 Read Free Page B

“Nothing I have to say will make a difference. Those guys will take forever to agree on anything. They’re used to ruling, not voting.” He jumped to his feet and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his faded jeans. “I need to leave.”
    I stood, staring at Travis, trying to reconcile the man in front of me against the boy I grew up with. His hair was only a few shades lighter than mine now, instead of the brilliant blond it had always been. His strong jaw and deep set nearly black eyes reminded me of Nicco. It was as if I looked at a stranger. I no longer knew him.
    How could I when he never stayed around long? Even toward the end of junior high, he found a way to escape the never ending chore-pile at home. A pang of regret slithered inside me. Sometimes, I missed the old Victorian with the shabby paint job and even shabbier lawn. “Where will you go?”
    He tucked his thumbs through his belt loops, tipping his head back as if the answer resided in the heavens. “To be honest, I’m not sure. All I know is I can’t stay here. I’m not like these people.”
    I wanted to understand, but everyone I cared about was in Faeresia. We’d kept the name the fae had given the place, even though the landscape had changed completely. I hadn’t had the heart to choose a new name. It was the only thing remaining from when Valen ruled. Maybe one day we’d change it, but we had so much more to worry about right now. Something so trivial didn’t matter. “Your whole family is here. We have nothing in the human realm.”
    Travis gritted his teeth, as if biting back the response he wanted to give me. “I ... I need to find someone.”
    I stepped closer, studying my brother’s dark eyes. “Who?”
Travis
    HOW COULD I EXPLAIN WITHOUT SOUNDING like the creep I was? All kinds of excuses passed through my mind, but I settled for the truth. Lies always had a way of piling up on me, only to topple over at the worst moment. “I don’t know her name.”
    Giving a snort, Rayla smiled. To my surprise, her tone showed a hint of enthusiasm. “Is she an Elemental?” I nodded, but words would fail to provide an adequate explanation. Her excitement faltered with her expression. “Is Lambert involved?”
    I offered a smirk worthy of my sister. “Isn’t he always?”
    She groaned, twirling away, her hand flipping into the air. When she faced me again, her features stiffened. “Stay away from him. He’s not worth the trouble.”
    Resentment welled inside me. She didn’t understand the meaning of the word. “What would you know about real troubles? All anyone has ever done to you was shelter you. Even the lords in all their bickering kept you away from the real threat.”
    Her voice dipped low. “Don’t you tell me about trouble, Travis. You have no idea what Lambert did to me on his disgusting island. He took my eggs to impregnate other girls. For all I know, I could have a kid running around somewhere.”
    My quick reply left her with her mouth hanging open. “You’re not the only one.”
    Rayla frowned, the muscles in her neck tightening. “What are you talking about?”
    I attempted an answer but came up with zilch. Speaking the words wouldn’t ease the ache. “I wouldn’t want to mar your pretty ideas for the future.”
    She punched my shoulder, which made me flinch from the power behind it. Since when did Rayla become a ninja? Clipped and stilted, her voice rocketed through the space. “I want solutions not delusions. It’s why I need you in the meetings. The fae perspective isn’t the only one that matters.”
    I leveled a hard stare her way. “Prove it.”
    She studied my face so long I was sure she wouldn’t say anything else. Just when I was ready to walk away, she said, “What do you mean?”
    Anger and worry exploded from me. “Send me back!”
    Her head started shaking before I could finish my sentence. “Travis, it isn’t a good —”
    “The Order isn’t just Lambert.” My feet itched to move,