Under an Onyx Sky (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 4) Read Free Page A

stared out the window. The long winter had come to an end, and the grass, trees, and other life had bloomed. She had to admit that Caprington was beautiful. The castle nestled on one of the plateaued mountains. A small Dutch looking village rested below. The buildings were identical in shape, but the colors ranged from yellow to brick red to powder blue. They lined the fjord, and on the other side of the mountain range near the bottom was a large city. A long bridge connected the village and city. Tall buildings. Very modern. It was strange seeing such a modern city next to a historical village and castle. Beyond the city was nothing but more mountains and ocean. The water reflected the mountains like a perfect mirror. Not a single ripple. It almost looked as if someone had covered the water with glass. The whole scene was breathtaking.
    At least if she was going to be a prisoner, it was in a beautiful place that was surrounded by water. Too bad she might have to use the water to destroy the place.
    Gripping the window ledge, she looked around the room. It was decent sized with a large four-poster bed and a dresser. She didn’t know how long she’d be there, but she hadn’t slept at all the night before. Unless she counted the lethargy she felt after Klaus took her memory. Or was supposed to. Instead, he’d told her that she and the others were the key to Havok’s demise.
    Afterward, she, the other Elementals, Peter, Katarina, and Eric were taken to their respective rooms, and it was there that Ava turned on her emotions and cried into her pillow. She had wanted to see Gabriel but knew there was no way. She didn’t know when she’d see him again.
    Or her father.
    Ava shut her eyes tight and gripped the ledge tighter. She would only allow her emotions to be on for seconds at a time. Last night was the only time she would cry. It had to be.
    Ava would get everyone out of the mess she had put them in. She would save them all. She just had to play her cards right and be cautious.
    She drew water from inside her to heal her bruised cheek. Whoever Donovan was, he didn’t scare her. She didn’t know him, but he already hated her. She thought they were all supposed to be on the same team.
    There was a knock on her door, and she allowed the person to enter.
    The door behind her creaked. She twisted around, leaning against the window, readying herself for an attack.
    “Good morning. Did you sleep well?” She recognized the voice, but she had to pretend as though she had never seen him in her life. She narrowed her eyes hoping he would come into the gray light.
    “Who are you?” she asked.
    “You don’t recognize me?” he asked, but she heard a hint of mockery. “That’s a shame. We have a history, you and I, but I guess I’m not supposed to say anything.”
    “What kind of history?”
    “Oh, we’ll forget I said that.” He paced in the room without touching the light. “I’m so happy you’re here though. We fought a lot, but now that we’re on the same side, we can be friends.”
    “I’ve always been on your side.”
    He finally stepped into the light with a crooked smile. His ash blonde hair was cropped, and his skin lost its tan. His straight nose separated his high cheekbones. He towered over Ava by a few inches as his dark eyes bored into hers.
    She remembered the first time she had ever met Xavier Holstone. He had walked across the lunchroom floor as if he owned the place. All the girls’ eyes glued to him, but Ava never thought he was all that. When she had smiled at him, he had glared at her as if she had run over his cat.
    Xavier brought his hand to her face and gently traced her jaw line.
    She shuddered from his cold fingers and swatted his hand away. “Who do you think you are, touching me?”
    He smiled, his eyes taunting her. “Hmm. I’d hoped Klaus might have helped me out. Give it time. You’ll want me to touch you.”
    “Are you always like this?”
    “Pretty much. It’s fun playing