Just Breathe Part 19

I told you, you're not welcome here.

Scarlet hissed and clawed frantically at her cage.

Gavin's brain switched to a liquid channel and drowned out her fiery protestations with some of the Water Zoe loaned him. The Fire fizzled and sputtered, then went silent.

Take that, b.i.t.c.h.

"You're gonna make me come again," Zoe said.

"I'll make you come a thousand times." The rocking platform of his chest rubbed her nipples to hard attention. He lowered his mouth to savor the chocolate-flesh combo. Her deep, sultry groan shook him down to his throbbing b.a.l.l.s.

She met him thrust for thrust, tilted her head back, and let go of her held breath. As she climaxed, he folded his fingers between hers. Her parted lips, soft grin, and heavy lids triggered another o.r.g.a.s.m of his own. But this one surfed the waves of Water instead of the dancing on the flames of Fire.

"f.u.c.k, Zed." Lost in her eyes, he dipped his tongue into her mouth, savored the mixture of Zoe and chocolate as he came. The intimate exchange grounded him, bound him to her. Ribbons of bliss electrified his muscles like a shockwave as his release filled her, marked her as his.

With unconditional acceptance, she deepened the kiss and staked her claim on his physical and emotional real estate.

Sold.

Body, mind, and soul. She owned him.

When exhaustion claimed him and the kiss broke, he curled his quivering biceps around her shoulders and squeezed. Her Water raced to welcome him. "G.o.d d.a.m.n it, I love you, Zoe Morgan."

Breaths slowing, she stroked the blue tattoos on his left forearm, met his eyes, and melted his heart with words he feared he'd never hear her say: "I love you, too, Gavin Ca.s.sidy."

Chapter Twenty-two.

As the news of Lana's ascension ceremony in Hervey Bay filtered through the ocean, Elementals from around the country Waterwalked to the site. Surrounded by her followers-mostly animal Elementals-Lily hung back in the water column and observed the proceedings in silence.

Raindrops and waves distorted the normally calm surface of the sea, thanks to the huge contingent present. With so many Waeters in one place, Aqua's presence grew stronger. This was good. The equinox was less than a week away, and Lana would need all the Water they could pull together. Even then, it might be too late to keep the Balance, considering the damage the Fyres had wrought in the absence of the Waeter Archelemental.

Without Zoe there to translate-Wyldlings weren't allowed admission to these sacred rites-Lily didn't understand what the humans said. But she had witnessed holy ceremonies such as this before. The last one mourned the death of the previous Archelemental. Araluen hadn't been born yet, so Waterwalking to pay her respects had been easy.

As Lana spoke her vows, presumably swearing to uphold the responsibilities of her new station, Lily skimmed the emotional currents among the attendees. The smiling human supporters beamed with happiness, trust, and peace. Lily's followers-including several notable human Elementals such as the Tongans-projected regret, worry, and sadness. They seemed careful to avoid Lily's eyes.

She glanced at Araluen. How long would it be before her followers got riled up again? With the Waeters racing against the clock to secure their G.o.ddess's position, the last thing anyone needed was more political intrigue. Or secret groups sneaking around, spreading dissension between the two factions. They'd never maintain Balance without a united front. Though she regretted disappointing her followers, what was done was done. She'd made the right decision by staying with her calf.

Mum, why do they gloat? The humans don't like us, do they? Despite the little one's physical disabilities, Araluen was very perceptive. He used his inner eye to see what his blindness hid. Lily admired his capacity for empathy.

The humans like us fine. They just don't understand us. We're different. They resist change.

But they're Waeters. Aren't they supposed to welcome change?

She smiled inwardly. Yes, Araluen. But when change comes from within, it's much easier to accept than when it comes from without. None of it matters. The humans got their wish for Archelemental.

Araluen faced her. But the whales are unhappy.

She stroked his barnacled chin with a flipper. We will be fine, love. We always are. She caught the gazes of a few of her followers surrounding them. She sensed through the darkness of their Water that they worried about the new leaders.h.i.+p. Lily did, too, but this was the only option.

If I ever become an Elemental, I'll work to make things better for all Waeters. Not just the whales.

Unless you learn to speak their language, you'll need a translator to do that. They're hard to find. But not impossible.

She reached through the ocean in search of Zoe's song and caught hold of a string of notes. She followed the swirling tendrils of contented music back to the bed where Zoe and Gavin lay in each other's arms. They seemed to be enjoying the rain as much as the Waeters frolicking here in the bay did. Warmth flooded her. Zoe and Gavin deserved the love they'd found.

Lily smiled. She'd see to it they got a few more days of rain to keep Zoe from having to work.

Lana spoke more words, and the humans shouted in unison. Lily took this as the whales' cue to bow, a signal of their acceptance of the new Archelemental. A few whales and the Tongans held their heads steady. She couldn't speak to the Tongans, but to the whales, she said, Show respect to your new leader. You don't have to like her, but you must serve her. As I will.

Grumbled protests shook the water, but they inclined their heads. With long, black hair fanning in the currents, the Tongans floated in the water column, arms crossed, wearing identical expressions of disgust.

Underwater cheers bubbled to the surface.

Let us begin submitting our t.i.thes, Lily said to the humpbacks.

She and Araluen approached Lana. Summoning every drop of Water she could part with, Lily pushed the Element to the tip of her flipper and offered it to the new Archelemental. Lana swam forward and touched her.

The transfer jolted the human into a mini-seizure that lasted about fifteen seconds. Judging by her wide-eyed expression, Lana hadn't expected Lily's Water to be so abundant and powerful. When contact broke, Lana's hand clamped to her chest, eyes rolled back, and her mouth slackened. Her skin shot bright blue beams of light everywhere, blinding those around her. Both humans and whales dove away, eyes shut tight.

Now Lana knew how little power she'd actually had before. And how much stronger Lily was. Exhausted from the release of so much energy, Lily bowed her head. Lana returned the gesture, blue blazing out of her, lighting up half a kilometer of ocean.

The human had grown bigger, stronger. Aqua sparkles danced across her skin. After a long moment of recovery, Lana met Lily's eye and nodded. The blue dimmed enough to allow others to return and present their t.i.thes.

Worry weighing heavy on her heart, Lily swam away with Araluen close behind. She left her Water and all hope for the future of their race in the inexperienced hands of a woman who was ill-prepared to command either.

Scarlet sat at Eidan's precious Council chamber table, surrounded by his precious bishops, listening to their precious, high opinions of themselves and the fantastic job they'd been doing by terrorizing the Wyldlings.

Good on ya, mates! Great show! Group hug!

Idiots.

When she became Archelemental, there'd be none of this sitting around b.u.g.g.e.ring each other with pats on the back and plans. She'd rule as a true Fyre should-by action, not b.l.o.o.d.y talk.

She glanced at Eidan and held back a sneer. He thought he was so powerful. Invincible. Staring down his nose, he nodded at one of the bishops w.a.n.king on and on about the Fyres' Dreaming offensive, strategy this, Realis bulls.h.i.+t bombing that. What a f.u.c.k. She couldn't wait to devour the condescending b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

Once Gavin's Fire stoked the flames inside her, she might be able to take on a couple of other Fyre Archies across the globe after she finished this a.r.s.ehole off. The b.i.t.c.h ruling Asia would make a great second target. Scarlet would be unstoppable against- Her Fire's screech minced her thoughts.

She barreled over in excruciating pain and clutched her middle, afraid she might lose the contents of her stomach.

What the h.e.l.l?

Eidan raised a brow. A half-smile quirked his lips. "Something wrong, Scarlet?

Sitting at his right, Sinnder tossed his grin out beside Eidan's. A pair of laughing, hungry hyenas eyeing their next meal.

Teeth clenched, she gasped for breath.

Something had cut her fiery connection to Gavin, and Scarlet had a pretty good idea what. Heat steamed off her head, out her ears, nose, and mouth. "I'm fine. Apologies, Archelemental."

The smug b.a.s.t.a.r.d had the nerve to chuckle before redirecting his attention to the Council. Sinnder's smile slid off. His eyes narrowed, dissecting her. An uncomfortable chill climbed the ladder of her hot spine.

Conversation among the bishops resumed. She closed her eyes, reached deep inside herself, grabbed Gavin's Fire by the tail, and whip-cracked it as hard as she could. It lay there, soggy, like a wet opossum playing dead.

Their link had been doused by Water.

That little c.u.n.t.

No. Zoe couldn't have him. Gavin was hers.

G.o.d d.a.m.n it.

She scanned her peers' faces as they snuck glances at her. Someone had to get rid of Zoe. She couldn't do it herself, but if she spun her justification the right way to Eidan, he'd see to it Morgan got cremated permanently.

At a lull in the discussion, she faced him, ready to toss out a lie that might persuade him to her cause.

Eidan's fists balled on top of the table, and he turned six shades of white. His lip twitched. What was wrong with him?

Like an automaton controlled by an invisible master, he rose from his chair, smoothed his expensive, pinstriped suit, and patted the lapel over his heart. He bowed his head. "The Waeter Archelemental has risen. She's already accepting t.i.thes."

The bishops exchanged outraged protests.

"Who is it?" one of them asked.

Eidan tilted his head as if listening to some low frequency chatter the rest of them couldn't hear. Incendius must have been speaking to him, communing through Eidan's Fire. Fascinated, Scarlet leaned closer.

Translucent, red-tinted flames darted outward from Eidan's skin, hair, and clothes, electrifying the room with fans of Elemental Fire. Scarlet's body thrummed with the energy. Judging by the in-seat wiggling and surprised expressions, everyone felt it. Yet, Sinnder remained curiously still.

Something was up with him. She didn't like it.

A moment later, a slow smile burned across Eidan's lips. His irises warmed to the color of blood. The heat from the G.o.d's presence dissipated in a column of crimson to the high, domed ceiling, leaving the room ice cold. "Lana."

Murmurs rose, hands rubbed arms, and feet stomped under the table. Scarlet met Sinnder's stern, unreadable gaze.

Eidan laughed, the rough sound so unfamiliar, Scarlet did a double take to be sure it was he who'd made it. "So, the Waeters finally have their Archelemental, but it won't do them any good." Apparently unaffected by the sudden chill, Eidan dropped into his chair, crossed his legs, and cupped his hands together like a girl at a tea party. "The stupid fools waited too long to make the wrong decision. They don't have a chance of gathering enough Water to maintain the Balance before the equinox. The Dreaming will fall in no time. Incendius is pleased."

Sinnder slowly s.h.i.+fted his focus from Scarlet to Eidan. "Then, it should also please the G.o.d that plans for the Realis terrorist attacks are laid."

"Oh? Elaborate, Sinnder." Eidan's Energizer Bunny smile marched onward.

"We're preparing to execute bombings in the most populous sections of every major city in Australia. The Fyres will set explosives in the early morning, then detonate them at noon on the twenty-second. The bombings should produce plenty of panicked Wyldling Fire to consume, which will make our follow-up attack on the Dreaming that much easier. The Fire yield there will be exponentially greater."

Eidan nodded. "Even if Lana manages to pull out a substantial t.i.the to Aqua, the Waeters won't be able to match this strong of a surge in Fire the day before the equinox. The twenty-third of September will be a day for the history books. The day Incendius claims Australia. Elementals across the world will see our rise to power and cringe in fear of us."

Scarlet smiled. Maybe, but Eidan would get none of her Fire. She'd disappear with Gavin to someplace safe just before the t.i.the. And after the equinox, Eidan would be weaker than she'd been when he raped the Fire from her chest for her failed attack on the Dreaming. That's when she'd pounce on him.

One more week. She'd have Gavin bagged by then. His Fire would be all the backup she'd need.

In the meantime, she had a whale biologist to fry.

"Might I suggest, Archelemental, that for insurance, you put a Fyre on Zoe Morgan's trail? She's proven to be quite a troublemaker where the Waeters are concerned, and since the prophesied whale candidate didn't a.s.sume the Archelemental position, there's a chance the Dreaming might keep her involved. She's a risk to our plans. I think we need to get rid of her."

Eidan raised a brow. "Gavin Ca.s.sidy is a bigger threat, but you don't seem to mind keeping him around."

b.a.s.t.a.r.d. "I'm working on him. I think he could be a valuable ally if we convince him to join us."

"I suspect your interest in him has nothing to do with a.s.sisting this Council. Rather, you wish to keep him as your plaything." Eidan waved his hand. "Zoe Morgan doesn't interest me." Then, almost as an afterthought, he turned glowing eyes to Sinnder. "Why don't you have the Wyldling? See if you can get any information out of her, and kill her when you're done."

Deep red burned thick in Sinnder's gaze, and he licked his lips. "As you wish, Archelemental."

Scarlet bowed her head to hide her smile. Though she had no firsthand knowledge of Sinnder's table manners, she'd heard the rumors. Voracious, twisted, unaffected by boundaries. And very thorough.

She didn't trust him, but after seeing him size up Zoe at s.h.a.ggy's the night Just Breathe played, she was quite certain Sinnder would find Zoe's flavor to his liking. And there was little chance he'd leave any crumbs.

Chapter Twenty-three.

Zoe was in major big-time trouble.

Warm shower spray beat her chest, was.h.i.+ng away evidence of the messy but deliciously awesome s.e.x she'd had with Gavin. She looked over her shoulder and backed into his embrace. His erection laid its head just above her a.s.s. She grinned. The man was insatiable.

Tattooed arms wrapped her in strange, but soothing Elemental comfort. Cool blue, thick green, wispy yellow, and hot red greeted her fingers as she traced the beautiful patterns. But the Water serenaded her like a lullaby. It called to her-same as the whales. "I can feel the Elements under your skin. Does it hurt when they light up?"

He nuzzled her neck and spoke against it. "No. It's more of a shock, really. If I expect it, the buzz isn't so bad." The low vibrations from his vocal chords tickled her.

Her hand lingered on the blue tattoos.

She'd said the magic words. She'd promised herself she wouldn't, but they slipped out in the heat of pa.s.sion. Yes, the declaration of love was true, but like all top secret information, it should only have been uttered on a need to know basis. And Gavin didn't need to know. It made her too vulnerable.

But now that the cat was out of the bag, she felt lighter. Relieved. She wouldn't have been able to keep the truth from him much longer anyway. She was a terrible liar.

She tugged his chin onto her shoulder and held his cheek to hers. The rough black stubble under her fingers was enough to get the juices flowing again. How pathetic. Turned on by stubble? Jesus, she was more whipped than she thought. He shook his head like a dog, flinging droplets against the shower curtain.