When the door shuts, I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. The truth of the matter is that I'm worried about my connection with the elements around me. For once, I’d like to be in control.
My phone rings from the corner of my room, and I rush over to the coffee table and pick it up. When I glance down, I find a text from Dax.
Hey Hot Stuff - Luke wants you to come here and check in.
I can't help the snort that escapes me. He's been giving me a hard time ever since I killed all of the demons down in hell with flames that came out my hands. But this text is timely. Luke may be able to give me some answers I'm needing anyway.
I picture Luke’s office at the mansion and remove the barriers between my apartment and his place just like he taught me. The air begins to swirl around me, and soon the walls are so thick I can’t see through them. The floor disappears, and I begin to drop, but now I’m able to control my speed. At least there are some small blessings.
Soon, something firm forms underneath me, and the wall of thick air around me dissipates. Luke and Dax both come into view.
Luke's sitting in his normal spot at the large table with some papers spread out in front of him while Dax has the hidden wall of weapons open, taking inventory.
"I'm surprised you came so quickly." Luke turns around and arches an eyebrow. "Whenever I ask for you to come here, you usually make sure to take your time."
Of course he would know I was here. He has the same kind of powers as I, so he can feel when I enter the room. I'm getting to where I can sense the same thing, but he has several years of experience over me, and my power is kind of overwhelming me at this point.
"I hate it when you both do that." Dax turns around with a frown. "Normal reapers don't appear out of thin air."
"And normal reapers aren't elders." Luke winks at me and stands.
Yeah, let's not go there right now. I take a step, and a breeze follows, brushing along my body.
"So... how are things?" Luke's brows furrow together.
"Still getting acclimated." There, that's not a lie and opens the door for more conversation. I don't want to just blurt it all out, but I need help.
"Man, this breeze would have come in handy while we were in hell." Dax grins and picks up one of the swords. "But I'm not complaining. Getting to watch a hot girl kick ass was worth it."
For some reason, when he makes comments like that, I want to hide my face. I clear my throat and ignore him.
"Has that been happening a lot?" Luke purses his lips and taps his chin. "The breeze and such?"
"Well..." It's still hard to trust him, but I've decided to, at least for now. "Earlier, a plant grew twice its size in my hand, and I didn't mean for it to happen." I'll leave out the part where I was distracted and kissing Charlie. Some details don't have to be shared, right?
"Hmmmm." He rubs a hand over his face and begins to pace. "So you're not able to control the elements that are linked to you at all times. It's as if they are taking on a life of their own."
He could say that again. I can control them when I fully concentrate, but otherwise, no. He's right. Why haven't I realized that before now?
"What does that mean?" Dax put downs the sword and focuses on me. "Is she all right?"
"Well, we need her to get to the fourth artifact to ensure balance, but until then, I want to test something to see what's going on." Luke's eyes focus on me, and he straightens his shoulders. "Do you mind coming somewhere with me? I have a theory I want to test out."
I'm not sure what to make of that, but at this point, I need to know what's going on, too. "Yeah, sure. But no funny business. If something feels off, I'm leaving." One thing I won't do is put myself in any uncomfortable situations just for the sake of keeping the peace.
"Of course." He places a hand over his heart and nods. "We are on the same team."
That's what he keeps saying. And so far, I haven't seen anything that proves otherwise.
"Stay here and make sure no one snoops around." He turns to Dax and motions to his desk. "We will be back shortly."
"Got it." Dax's stormy eyes meet mine. "Be safe, and stay out of trouble."
Despite what everyone thinks, I don't like to get in trouble. It just seems to find me. But he’s very concerned for some reason. ”Just worry about yourself. I'll be fine."
Luke grabs my hand, and the air begins to churn around us.
Damn, he wasn't kidding when he said let's go. Within seconds, we are transporting to our destination, wherever that is. I've never been there before, so this is another first for me.
As soon as we arrive, the air calms down around us.
When I look around, I realize we're in someone's house. We're right inside the front door, which also happens to be the living room. There's a long, overstuffed couch in front of the window and a rocking chair to the side. On the other side of the room, a TV sits above a fireplace.
Something slams shut from the left side of the house. “I swear this laundry keeps growing. I’m going to be in here folding it all day.” An older woman’s voice echoes into the living room.
"Please, follow me." Luke turns right toward the hallway. "There is someone you need to see."
My body stiffens, and I bite my bottom lip. "Why don't you bring this person out here? I don't mind waiting."
He pauses and lets
