Elemental: Chapter Six, Part 5

He regained consciousness around sunset while I was curled in the rocking chair, using the last rays of light to read a used book Mitchell had found for me. The book was a murder mystery set on a cruise in a foreign country. Thus far, it was riveting. I still hadn’t figured it out.

“What’s your name?” his quiet voice questioned from the bed. I looked in his direction, surprised to see him sitting up, wide-awake; I wasn’t even upset he had interrupted me right before they revealed the murderer and how the deed had transpired.

“There’s some food by the bed there,” I said, pointing at the loaded tray. Drei had been very specific not to reveal anything personal until this had been settled. A non-elemental stumbling across the camp was unprecedented. From the sounds of it, anyone stumbling across the camp had been unprecedented. I had caught something about diversions, though I wasn’t sure what that meant.

He smiled and cocked an eyebrow, signaling he was pleased I had mentioned food, but I had not successfully escaped his questioning.

I watched as he inhaled the fare. He was gorgeous, the opposite in every way from Drei. It didn’t seem possible they could be so physically different and still be equally gorgeous. I wondered if he was the same mentally as Drei, or if that was different also.

“How old are you?” I inquired, wondering if my prediction had been anywhere close.

“Eighteen. You?” he returned between mouthfuls.

After judging the question wasn’t dangerous to answer, I had to think what day it was. “Eighteen,” I responded, slightly surprised to realize my birthday had already passed. There had been a Valentine’s party, but I hadn’t really paid attention to it.

Nick polished off the plate, chugging the water as if he couldn’t have enough. When he set aside the glass, he steadied his gaze on me. It felt strange, as though he was seeing more than just me. Like maybe he was seeing inside me to who I really was. Or, perhaps, who I wanted to be. “You’re beautiful, Miss No Name.”

My cheeks flamed as I denied it, blaming it on exhaustion and undernourishment. He waved my protests away, insisting I was being far too modest. Drei entered as Nick was going to request my name again. Following him were Valetta, Martin—a short, sickly figure who may have been albino before his turning—Mitchell, and Lily. Valetta met my eyes for an instant before turning away.

“Why?” I asked Drei; my voice sounded strained, threatening tears. I had known the worst case scenario was also the most likely, but I still felt overcome with despair and anger.

He turned, surprised for an instant before responding, “He does not belong here and therefore poses a threat to us all.”

“He doesn’t have anywhere to go.” My chest tightened as I fought through my mounting emotions. I felt like I was betraying them for their kindness by objecting, but I also felt as though there was a reason Nick was here and throwing him out was an injustice. That was just the more powerful of the two.

“Not my problem,” he replied, the words icy and scathing, his dark amethyst eyes even more so.

“Why can’t you make an exception?” I demanded, standing. I didn’t even reach his shoulders, but I felt I had more of a right to stand up than he did kicking Nick to the curb.

“We do not make exceptions,” he answered coldly, turning to face Nick again.

I whispered, tears edging into my voice, “You did for me.”

Drei turned back to me, speechless, endless strands of conversation flying past his brilliant eyes. I bit my bottom lip, waiting to receive the same boot. It was on the tip of his tongue—it didn’t take a genius to figure it out. But I wouldn’t apologize. I wouldn’t back down. Not like he was hoping I would.

Valetta stepped forward, and I knew those words of banishment were just being postponed; either that, or she was going to deliver them. Though I expected to feel happiness wash from her, it didn’t. I glanced at Nick—still anticipating the worst—unsure if it was worse he was present for this soap worthy display, or if his presence gave me more strength than I knew.

“Let him stay, Drei,” she said softly, her dark eyes serious and stunning. My jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Valetta,” Martin and Mitchell gasped. “That is completely unethical,” Martin added as Mitchell included a list of dangers posed to everyone else.

“We know the government had some hand in that fire; it is the only thing that makes sense. Even the station reports say it was faulty wiring despite the realtor’s claim the wiring had been checked and was in top shape. You know this,” she argued calmly.

“And?” Drei insisted, his unfeeling eyes unleashed on her.

She barely flinched before composing herself more fiercely than before. “Who knows what the government wants with him?” Valetta questioned assertively, determined to convince him he was wrong. “It may be something very similar to what they want with the others. We do not know.”

“Exactly,” Martin piped in, his voice squeaky. “We do not know. He may be some new traitor.”

“No one has mentioned younger hunters; they are still middle-aged men according to our contacts,” Mitchell contributed, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

“Not the point,” Martin hissed through the side of his mouth.

“But if she feels, whole-heartedly, we should let him stay, I think we should listen,” Valetta interrupted before she could be forgotten.

“I second her,” Lily added meekly, shrugging as she threw in her two cents. “It is healthy for her to have someone her own age around. All the books and magazines say so.”

Drei grumbled under his breath, but swiftly took a vote. I watched Nick count those in favor—everyone except Drei and Martin, who was beginning to look very much like a suck-up. As the others exited, the decision final, Drei turned to me. “He is your responsibility.”

Though I felt like cringing from the pure ferocity emanating from his frighteningly stoic form, I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded, watching him leave.

“So,” Nick said when the door slammed, a slight curve to his lips, “what’s your name?”

I smiled weakly at him, emotionally exhausted from fighting Drei and happy I might not be so alone anymore. “Abriel.”