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

tending to it. Ava hadn’t known her that well, but for the brief moments they spoke, Kira was uplifting.
    She sighed and clutched her necklace as she sensed Peter’s remorse. She was causing him pain and needed to stop.
    A knock on the door startled her. “Come in.”
    The door opened and her father walked through. “Hey, sweetie.”
    “Hey Dad.”
    He closed the door, crossed the room and then sat on the edge of her bed. “You know Savina has offered everyone to stay and our apartment is ready to move into. I wanted to ask what you prefer.”
    Ava thought about it for a moment. She didn’t want to stay in the Manor and be around everyone, especially after what she had done to Colden, even though she enjoyed being around Gabriel. “I want to leave.”
    “Are you sure? Most everyone is here. It will be safer—.”
    “Peter was right, Dad. Being here makes it worse.”
    “I understand. Ava, don’t let all of this make you lose yourself. I know you blame yourself for what happened to Colden. You shouldn’t. It was an unfortunate thing, but Savina said it would have happened inevitably.”
    She nodded, but didn’t believe it. “I know. I’m just trying to understand everything. And I miss them.” Tears clouded her vision and her father moved beside her.
    “Me, too.” He pulled her against him and she cried into his shirt.

CHAPTER TWO
HURT
    Ava turned the faucet to hot. Steam rose, fogging the oval mirror in the antique-looking bathroom. She ran her hands under the stream of water. Staring at its flow, she fixated on it. She wanted to manipulate it. Nothing happened. She concentrated harder, trying to lift it or move it, anything.
    Again, nothing.
    Sighing, she gripped the edge of the counter. She could do this. Focus. Observe the water. Listen to it. She watched it splash into the sink and fall into the drain. Ava moved her hand over it, willing it to listen to her.
    Nothing.
    Her shoulders slumped and she angrily shut off the water. She dried her hands on the nearby towel and threw it against the mirror.
    Ava wanted to sleep and relax but it was impossible. It was late, but there was only one place that could bring her some comfort in the Manor.
    She made her way downstairs to the vast library. It was dark since it was so late, but there was a blazing fire in the stone fireplace. Ava crossed the room and sat on the stone hearth. The warmth felt incredible against her. It seemed like she was always cold without her powers. As she stared into the yellow flames, an image of Luci’s spirit flashed in her head. She remembered the words her mom spoke. “ This is your destiny. Join them .”
    Ava shook her head as if to remove the image. How could Luci sell her out like that? Had she fallen in love with her father but continued to be a spy for the Cimmerians? She didn’t understand how Luci promised Ava’s soul to Havok and yet asked Savina to protect Ava.
    “Hey,” Gabriel’s voice came from beside her.
    She turned and saw Gabriel sitting on the floor with his back against the step of the hearth. “Can’t sleep?”
    “No. How are you holding up?”
    Ava shrugged. “Frustrated. Missing my friends. And Colden.” She choked on his name.
    “Me, too.”
    Her vision clouded from the pooling tears and her necklace warmed. She tilted her head up to dry her eyes. Sighing, she drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them.
    “You don’t have to be embarrassed. It’s okay to cry.”
    She shook her head. “It’s not that. I need you to teach me to hide my feelings. I know you said it takes time, but I have to learn.”
    A crease appeared between his thick eyebrows. “Why the urgency?”
    “I have to be strong for Peter and everyone else.”
    “Ava, it’s okay to let your emotions show and for others to feel them.”
    “You don’t.”
    Gabriel sighed. “I know. It’s easier that way. I’m a private person.”
    “Yeah, me too. But every time I think of my friends, Peter feels ashamed. I can’t