Page 6 of Gift from the Source (Source of Elementra #5)

Willow

“He isn’t going to fit through the frames,” I say to the guys as we join the others.

Everyone’s waiting for us at the doorway in the front entrance of this deadly hallway and my eyes can’t help but venture over to the youngest but biggest of us all. His staggering size difference compared to everyone else steals my full attention. My guys always make me feel small, but I’m no bigger than an infant compared to Carrington.

At first, it scared the shit out of me—honestly, it still does a little. Now I sense the inside of that giant is nothing but mush. He’s a big ol’ teddy bear who wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone or anything.

Even now as he, Dec, and Xander stand near the entry with everyone, bags slung over their shoulders, he gives everyone some space as if he’s afraid he may step on them. The nerves are rolling off him and I don’t know if it’s from being around this many people or the fact he’s escaping.

All eyes turn to observe me caringly as my men and I step up to join them. Usually, it would make me uncomfortable having them all, including semi strangers, looking at me after I cried, but there’s no pity found in any of them. There’s a piece of everybody that feels a sense of justification at us retrieving my blood and I appreciate the support more than I could ever express to them.

Especially my brother at this moment.

He’s not even attempting to hide his bloodthirsty, prideful smile. I’d make a remark about the ‘my little dragon stealing back what was stolen from her’ thoughts he has running through his mind, but despite him constantly teasing me as little, I love the sweet sibling claim.

“The frames will have to bend or break for him. I don’t think any of us care about a little destruction here either way,” Tillman finally answers me, then calls everyone’s attention.

“Straight through the forest to the tree. Codi, mend the way for Carrington. Everyone stick together and be vigilant.”

We all nod obediently as we take a few steps back for Codi to do his thing.

With a simple wave of his hand, the entire structure of the doorframe begins growing until the crown molding is over Carrington’s head, and again, I’m utterly shocked at his true height.

“Ready to see the outside, bud?” Dec asks him with a huge grin.

“You’ve never seen outside?” Trex asks, whipping around toward Carrington.

“Umm…not of this realm. I was moved from my home to a house somewhere in this realm, then under this one a few months ago,” he says bashfully.

“A few months…” I trail off, turning to Dec and Xander, who are already looking at me, nodding.

“We were in a concealed house just down the street for years. After Donald’s initiation, we, plus everything else, were moved here. The underground had always been here but was used for…other things.”

I’m not sure what other things Dec’s referring to, nor do I think I want to know, judging by his gloomy face.

“In that case, prepare yourself for something beautiful. This realm isn’t nearly as gorgeous as Elementra, so that’ll be a special treat for you, Carrington,” I say as cheerfully as I can when his face falls along with Dec’s and Xander’s. I don’t want him, any of them feeling sad at this moment. “Let’s get outside and go home.”

The rush everyone had been feeling moments ago comes flooding back through our group. The word home has everyone moving through the hallway’s threshold, up the slope, and into the mansion with more carefree steps than cautious ones.

It may seem like the mission is complete now, but this was only part one. Now we have to actually get home and that’s all on me.

I’m nervous but also thrumming with confidence. I’m trying my hardest to keep my enthusiasm under lock and key, but it’s difficult to do after that liberation.

My body, mind, and soul feel invincible.

Yeah, seeing that room damn near overflowing with my blood and generations before me was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, but with every jar that emptied, left the Summum-Master’s possession, something clicked in place for me.

The power of my mom and grandma pulsed through my hands as my element guided its way. It was as though they were constantly lending me their strength. Not just physical, but their mental strength as well.

I’m not on the verge of crumbling or breaking down.

I’m freer now than I was when we arrived and there’re only a few more chain links left for me to break.

Codi doesn’t bother bending Donald’s office doorframe carefully, seeing as it’s already collapsing from when Lyker kicked it in. With a quick force of his element, half of the wall explodes outside, leaving a huge gap for us all to jog through.

I wish I had a camera to take a picture of Carrington’s face.

After he lowers his hand from covering his eyes, they widen, and he sucks in a surprised gasp. His gaze traces over everything with childlike wonder that makes my heart both happy and hurt for him. Even though this is also Dec’s and Xander’s first time being outside in Elementra only knows how long, they both have their undivided attention on him.

“The trees are much smaller here,” Carrington whispers through the smile splitting across his face .

Echoes of snorts sound around us, causing his cheeks to pinken, but he never loses that smile.

“They’re bigger in Elementra, dear boy, but I don’t believe you’ll find any as large as the Colosyrian tree. Our Everest trees are about as close as you’ll find,” Gaster says.

“You know about the trees in my realm?”

“I know much about your realm. I have many books back at the academy I’ll happily share with you when we return.”

Without warning, Carrington takes a ginormous stride over to Gaster, practically barreling the rest of us over. Gaster’s more prepared than I was for the hug, and my eyes nearly bug out of my head as I witness what it must have looked like when he picked me up.

Fucking petrifying.

It’s sweet that he’s affectionate, but it’s scary to feel that small.

“Enough, Car. We talked about this.” Xander sighs, shaking his head.

“Right. People don’t like being picked up and hugged, sorry.”

Gaster gently pats his hand as he places him on the ground, not the least bit shaken up like I was. He looks at Carrington affectionately and I already see the budding mentorship happening. Everyone picks on me about collecting family, but Gaster’s just as bad about claiming people.

“I like hugs,” Draken murmurs in our minds.

“We know, dragon,” Caspian groans.

Ry’s bark of ‘let’s move’ is drowned out by my snickering, but my feet move along with my men’s as we pick our pace back up toward the tree line. The closer we get to the forest, though, there’s persistent tugging in my chest that’s becoming hard to ignore.

My steps slow as the unsettledness becomes relentless and eventually, I stop walking altogether as I try to catch my breath. My brows wrinkle as I search inside myself for whatever it is that’s got my elements in such a tizzy suddenly but instinctively and from my dragon’s awareness, I don’t sense any danger.

Turning to look over my shoulder at the mansion just to make sure no one’s there, my answer comes swift and sure .

Years of trauma, heartache, and hurt stare back at me. Not in the form of a person, but of the haunted memories that flood my mind. Those walls hold so much hatred, secrets, and horrid acts, it’s leaking through the bricks.

It’s the land surrounding it calling to me, begging for its own freedom.

I turn my body to face the structure fully and my head turns toward the neighboring estate. The sounds of footsteps behind me halt while their concern and curiosity skate across my skin.

Tillman’s awareness of what’s happening is the first to cross my mind. He’s the one who taught me that the things we build with our Elementra-blessed gifts become sentient over time. The two estates are no different.

These houses were built by beings who had blessings, but with the intentions of them being homes for hostages.

“This was never your home, filia mea,” CC says softly.

“No, no, it wasn’t.”

This time, he’s not just talking about this realm.

It’s obvious now, everything down to the land and remote location was chosen because of the cruel plans in place. The twenty-minute drive it takes to leave the cover of trees to enter society makes more sense. There could never be witnesses to what was happening here.

The only visitors to ever come, I know without a shadow of doubt now, were either mortal men, hoping for the chance at stolen immortality or those whose choice was taken from them.

Those of us who were here without choice suffered unspeakable acts.

Those acts bled out into the foundation.

Tainting these dolled up prisons forever.

My gaze travels back and forth between the two estates. You can barely see Franklin’s through the tree line, but I don’t need to see it all to know every inch of it.

I never want to see it again after today.

I never wish for anyone to pass through those doors again after today.

Air, earth, water, fire.

Be free .

The sound of branches cracking booms around us as my air crashes through the trees separating the estates to get to the many windows. The glass shattering is a piercing shriek but is soon drowned out by the roots of the trees snapping under the strength of my earth element. With those out of the way, the two estates are in clear view for everyone to see.

One last time.

With a gentle command, my water floods from my outstretched palms, creating a protective wave around the entire perimeter. Its readiness to protect the innocent inhabitants nearby warms my heart. Just because it can be deadly and destructive doesn’t mean it’ll ever be that way toward things that don’t deserve it.

A deep rumble starts in my chest and my dragon raises her beautiful head, ready to declare war. I let her roar ring free as purple flames coat my fingers, waiting patiently for their order.

Pointing a hand at each structure, I give my fire what it’s desperate for.

Burn it down.

My flames surge forward like blowtorches ready to turn everything in its path to ash. It singes the immaculate grass and engulfs the crystal-clear water of the pool, leaving it dry as the desert as it continues its pursuit. The glowing purple crawls up the brick walls, devouring the shrubs and swallowing the shutters.

Then it dives inside.

All you can see streaming through the open windows is wave after wave of purple. It overflows from every crevice like lava as my earth joins in its destructive path.

As the first floor begins to crumble, a crack viciously crawls its way up through the stories of bricks, but it doesn’t fall to ruin like I want it to. My teeth grind together as I shove my earth hard enough at the foundation it makes the ground beneath me shake.

The bricks can’t stand the weight of my command and with a deafening boom, each one shatters to mere pebbles. That’s not enough for me, though.

My elements continue their ruthless attack, ensuring not a single particle survives .

I watch in complete satisfaction as they continue into the hidden chambers below the surface. The sound of glass exploding tells me they’ve made their way to the room that held my blood.

A room that is nothing anymore.

When my eyes can’t find a hint of gray left amongst the rubble, I command my wave of water to flood the soil. Wash away any remnants of the haunted houses left over. In seconds, the element settles beneath the scorched earth, leaving the new clearing a muddy, soggy mess.

I blow out a slow, relieved breath as I drop down to my knees and call my water and fire to me. The vastly different elements snuggle back in my chest appreciatively and I smirk at how they work so perfectly together.

Digging my feverish fingers into the cool earth causes calm to settle over me and I grip a handful of the soft, gritty dirt. My heart swells with the rightness of this moment, and I whisper one last command to my air and earth.

Breathe new life into the land.

Grass as green as what I see every day in Elementra bursts through the destroyed soil, covering it in a gorgeous, fresh blanket. Trees with full canopies sprout out rapidly toward the sun, ready and waiting for its new inhabitants.

My hair blows around my face as a breeze rushes from behind me, shaking the leaves enough to dust the new forest floor with its first fallen foliage. The sight of the new, untainted habitat in front of me nearly takes my breath away and a small, watery laugh slips through my lips.

My elements didn’t just destroy my physical prison. Together, the four of them just cleansed the stain on my soul.

Pushing myself off my knees, I lift my face to the sky and fill my lungs with a fresh, invigorating scent that reminds me of home.

Elementra.

“Fuck, that was incredible,” Draken mumbles.

“Fucking glorious,” Cas agrees.

My eyes close softly and a smile breaks out across my face as their mesmerized voices plus Corentin’s and Tillman’s hums of agreement settle inside my heart. When I turn to face them, I’m met with twenty-one gazes that warm me from the inside out.

Although I don’t really know the three newcomers, I know the look in their eyes. They have an understanding that speaks to me on a whole other level. I’m not the only one experiencing a taste of freedom from decimating that place.

“Now we can go to my tree,” I say as I take my place in the middle of my men.

“You sure, little wanderer?” Draken asks sweetly with a grin on his lips. He’s so pleased with my little improv decision of destruction.

“I’m sure. I’m done here.”

“Finally. I’m so over missions that don’t go to plan,” Ry grunts as he turns and stomps through the trees.

I chuckle at the eye roll Oakly shoots him, followed by the wink she gives me.

“He’s grouchy about the almost being burned to death bit earlier and you having to save him. I’ll cheer him up later.”

“Gross, Oak.”

“Yeah, yeah…” she grumbles before softening her voice. “I’m so proud of you, Willy.”

“Thank you, but I never could’ve done anything without all of you. Especially you, Mrs. Future Most Renowned Archivist. You saved my ass from being squashed to death.”

“Well, now that we know that Carrington was the giant tied to the protection rune, I don’t think you would’ve been squashed to death. Maybe some broken bones.”

“Reassuring, really.”

The newest members of our little ragtag family stare at us like we’re crazy as we laugh into the silence and our guys groan, knowing we’re conversing without them, but they don’t call us out.

My gaze traces over everyone while we trek through the trees and I let my smile linger on each of their auras. The mixtures of yellows, oranges, and shades of pinks make everything that’s happened today so worth it. Despite Ry being pissy, even he’s got a halo of happiness around him. The only one whose mood is dimmed is Aria and she must sense my stare or concern. When her head turns toward me, I nod her over.

“You okay? Did something happen?” I ask as she joins Oakly and me.

“I’m okay. It’s that thing, relic…it’s got my ability going haywire. I don’t think the illusionist’s disdain for it is that farfetched,” she whispers.

“What do you mean?” Oakly asks.

“There aren’t complete souls, per se, trapped inside, but there are pieces of them. There’re so many, and they’re screaming out. I don’t know how to explain it really. It’s overwhelming me, to say the least,” she says, blowing out a harsh breath.

“You can still sense it even though it’s in Gaster’s dimension?” I ask with wide eyes.

“Yeah. It’s surrounding him. Not in a harmful way, just its presence,” she tacks on when she sees the panic skirting across my face. “I’m fine, though. It’s not causing me any harm or anything. It’s just taking a lot of my focus not to focus on it.”

Reaching out, I give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’re going home, and we’ll get you some space from it. Then we’ll figure out what its true capabilities are.”

She nods, squeezing me back, and I don’t miss the way my brother and his brothers keep looking over their shoulders at her. This is the longest I’ve witnessed a Nexus be close and not have an awakening yet.

Part of me feels guilty for having that knowledge and not sharing it with Lyker, but my more intuitive side tells me I can’t. Just like it told me when I first met Aria that I could and should tell her the truth so she could prepare herself.

My ol’ Alpha wolf brother and his Nexus brothers have some things to learn first apparently.

“Are you ready to try to open a portal?” Aria asks just as the tree line to the clearing comes into view.

“I’m going to have to get my mom’s book out. I’m confident I’ll get the information and instructions I need just like I did with my overview on portals and how to detect them. ”

“You’re going to need to know how to close them too,” Trex comments nonchalantly up ahead.

“Don’t tell her what she needs to know,” Draken growls at the same time Corentin asks, “Why does she need to know that now?”

“Fuck.” Tillman sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. Corentin’s nor Draken’s comments fazed Trex, but Tillman’s has him spinning on his heels.

“Get out of my head,” he says, narrowing his eyes.

“You’re the one leaving yourself completely open. Not that it would matter, but have you forgotten how to put up a mental shield?” Tillman asks, arching a brow.

“No, but you go years not being able to have one up. It’s not natural to just cast it up anymore, but that doesn’t mean you just get to invade my mind now that you can.”

“Good luck. We’ve been telling him that for years with no headway, so just answer my brother’s question,” Caspian orders.

Trex rolls his eyes at Cas’s tone before turning to me. “I’ve already told you all he can travel to the other realms through this realm. He’s done it before. He’ll do it again in this crazy-ass pursuit he’s on.”

Shit, he definitely did tell us that.

“Do you know why he did it before?” I ask.

He obviously didn’t go after the Gods gift that he’s now wanting, but whatever it was, was important enough he took the long way rather than tap into the supply of blood he had then.

“Shit. Might as well tell him now,” Tillman says.

Trex pushes his tongue into his cheek while sneering at Tillman before looking over at Keeper. “He traveled to Essemist Keep to steal that book of yours.”

“The book he presented to you when he tricked you into that vow?” I ask, shocked.

“That would be the one. I’ve figured with all we’ve learned so far, he used a portal somehow to move but didn’t realize he went through that much effort to get it. I still haven’t a clue how he knew about my book. That’s information only myself and my family should know.” Keeper growls.

“Well, regardless of how he found out, he did. He’ll do it again to get to the Valorian Veil. So you’ll need to close the portals here before we go,” Trex says before turning on his heel and continuing his trek toward my tree.

Well, damn.

“Looks like I’ll need to learn how to open and close them right now then,” I say, pinching my lips in a tight smile as Aria and Oakly grip my hands.

As the two of them walk ahead to join their men, my Nexus closes in around me. The closer we get to my tree, the more my thoughts continue to run wild. It’s not that I’m any more or less nervous than I was moments ago thinking I only had to open a portal for us. The emotion I’m trying to work through now is the sudden sadness that’s engulfing me because I have to close the portals.

“What’s wrong, little wanderer?” Draken asks.

“I don’t—”

Keeper’s deep laugh cuts off my sentence and my eyes find him standing with Gaster. They’re both wearing bright smiles, enjoying whatever one of them just said. I mimic their grins for a fleeting second, then my face crumbles as the truth of my sadness hits me like a freight train.

“Closing these portals…I’m about to trap beings in this realm that don’t belong here. There’s no doubt there are some here and they won’t have a way back home,” I croak to all my men.

Although they’re behind me, I sense them turn their gazes from me to Keeper. Their realization slams into me and I choke back a muffled sob.

I’m essentially trapping these beings. Just as my father-in-law was.