Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) Read Online Free

sidelong glare. She shook her head and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
    Savina Geddes, the Elder who took charge most of the time, stood from the table, clasping her hands in front of her. Ava had never seen her green eyes look so sad, but ever since her brother died she hadn’t been the same. She blamed herself for leaving everyone to fend for themselves against the Cimmerians in order to find a cure for Colden. It was the first time since the battle that she joined them. “I would like to say a few things before we disperse,” she said. Her voice was unusually monotone and somber. Her red hair was as long as her black robe that barely dragged along the floor.
    Aaron, her mate, never took his russet eyes off her. He was so regal, even when he looked at her with so much love. He had been with Savina for centuries. Ava wondered what it was like to be with someone for that long and still love each other.
    “Firstly, all of you are still welcome to stay here, but I know some of you have homes and families to whom you’d like to return,” Savina said. “I assure you, it is safe to do so. Also, I believe the young Enchanters.” Her eyes swept over Ava, Peter, and the others. “Will return to school on Monday.”
    Ava’s jaw dropped and she heard a few spoons clink against bowls. “School?”
    “Are you serious?” Thomas asked. Ava saw the annoyed look in his blue eyes. He used to be her boyfriend, but he’d turned into an aggressive jerk. He had changed ever since he killed his father, under the Cimmerians’ influence. He raked his fingers through his strawberry blond hair.
    “There is nothing we can do until you are all healed and your powers have returned,” Savina said. “Plus, I believe it will help keep your mind off things since you will be busy.”
    “We’re supposed to go on acting is if nothing happened?” Ava asked.
    “Ava.” Her dad warned.
    Link cleared his throat. He was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He shook his head and rolled his brown eyes. “Can’t we home school? I don’t see the point in going back.”
    Natalia gave a loud sigh.
    Aaron stood and everyone hushed. He was always kind, but could be daunting, even though he spoke like a Southern gentleman. “You will all listen to Savina. You will return to school because that is the right thing to do. There is nothing anyone can do until we can all begin training again. You will obey these rules.”
    Great , Ava thought. She wasn’t sure she could handle the stares or whispers. It was bad enough after the bombing, but what would they say about their friends being gone? Students had been “leaving” for months. Halflings that didn’t want the Enchanter life were gone. Seth, Trent, Jonah, and Drew died. Valerie and Amanda left. The Ephemerals blamed Ava and the rest of them for the bombing.
    “This will help your mind become stronger,” Savina said.
    Ava suppressed a sigh. She wanted to leave and get away from the tension, but so many thoughts bubbled on the tip of her tongue. “I don’t understand,” she blurted. “Why can’t we go after them now? I mean, if it takes so long to get there, by the time we got there, wouldn’t our powers be back?”
    “Ava, please,” her father tried calming her.
    “We must be ready before we leave,” Aaron explained. “There will be no more discussion about this.” His stern tone prevented her from arguing. “Furthermore, we will start training in the evenings, so you are welcome to join us.”
    “How can we train without our powers?” Link asked.
    “You will learn fighting techniques that are useful with or without your abilities.”
    Lance and Thomas nodded in agreement, seemingly pleased with the invitation. Ava wasn’t sure how she felt about it. She felt so weak she didn’t think it would help.
    “That is all,” Aaron said.
    Everyone began to scatter from the table, but Ava couldn’t make herself move. She couldn’t let her